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small beginnings
Acts 16:11-15 (JDV)
Acts 16:11 From Troas we put out to sea and sailed straight for Samothrace, the next day to Neapolis,
Acts 16:12 and from there to Philippi, a Roman colony and a leading city of the district of Macedonia. We stayed in that city for several days.
Acts 16:13 On the Sabbath day we went outside the city gate by the river, where we figured he would find a place of prayer. We sat down and spoke to the women gathered there.
Acts 16:14 A God-fearing woman named Lydia, a purple goods merchant from the city of Thyatira, was listening. The Lord opened her heart to respond to what Paul was saying.
Acts 16:15 After she and her household were baptized, she urged us, “If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.
small beginnings
If you are familiar with New Testament, you are already thinking that this city is going to be the one where Paul and Silas have their breakthrough. This is Philippi, where they are jailed and miraculously released, winning the jailer to Christ. But don’t go there so quickly. According today’s text, it was several days of nothing before they even got an audience. Then, it wasn’t a formal debate in a synagogue, but an informal gathering of women. Paul had to be wondering by this time if Philippi was going to be another miss.
There was no large group of influences outside the city gate by the river. Only one convert, a merchant woman. But the missionaries were right where God wanted them.
Lord, we are reminded today to never despise small beginnings.
