Worship on the Sabbath

Covenant with God

Signs of God's Covenant

Sabbath Observance

Acts 16:11-15 The Message

11-12 Putting out from the harbor at Troas, we made a straight run for Samothrace. The next day we tied up at New City and walked from there to Philippi, the main city in that part of Macedonia and, even more importantly, a Roman colony. We lingered there several days.
13-14 On the Sabbath, we left the city and went down to the river where we had heard there was to be a prayer meeting. We took our place with the women who had gathered there and talked with them. One woman, Lydia, was from Thyatira and a dealer in expensive textiles, known to be a God-fearing woman. As she listened with intensity to what was being said, the Master gave her a trusting heart—and she believed!
15 After she was baptized, along with everyone in her household, she said in a surge of hospitality, “If you’re confident that I’m in this with you and believe in the Master truly, come home with me and be my guests.” We hesitated, but she wouldn’t take no for an answer.

For Reflection

We often think of Christian hospitality as an invitation, but sometimes it is also hospitable to accept an invitation. These passages recount the story of Paul meeting a wealthy business woman, Lydia, who had received the Gospel previously and been baptized along with her household. For Paul to decline an invitation to commune with a recently converted Christian may indicate his displeasure with her.  In fact, she prefaces her invitation with a request for confirmation.  She was not only looking for validation, but she was also testing Paul's authenticity.

Pray

Pray for those who accept Christ as their Lord and Savior.  Pray for those who follow the Way.  Pray for those whose faith journey is just beginning.  Pray for their courage, steadfast faith, and their ability to mature into the Grace of God.