Acts 16:9-15 (NRSV)
Read Acts 16:9-15 on biblegateway.com
Verse 9During the night Paul had a vision: there stood a man of Macedonia pleading with him and saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." Verse 10When he had seen the vision, we immediately tried to cross over to Macedonia, being convinced that God had called us to proclaim the good news to them. Verse 11We set sail from Troas and took a straight course to Samothrace, the following day to Neapolis, Verse 12and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city for some days. Verse 13On the sabbath day we went outside the gate by the river, where we supposed there was a place of prayer; and we sat down and spoke to the women who had gathered there. Verse 14A certain woman named Lydia, a worshiper of God, was listening to us; she was from the city of Thyatira and a dealer in purple cloth. The Lord opened her heart to listen eagerly to what was said by Paul. Verse 15When she and her household were baptized, she urged us, saying, "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come and stay at my home." And she prevailed upon us.
Devotion
When a person receives a vision, surprises happen. Other people get excited, too. Paul, with his friends, caught a picture of opportunity and they supported each other in the vision. As the good news of new life was shared with others, they came to hear and receive. Their lives were reshaped and whole households of people became believers and were baptized.
Think about the lady named Lydia, a business woman who merchandized purple cloth. She is an example to us of what can happen as we share simply and easily, the same good news. Because Paul caught his vision and others responded, a whole Roman colony heard the good news of the resurrected Jesus. Where there is no vision, the people perish. Where there is no mission, the vision perishes. Vision and mission go together.
Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, continue in the power and presence of the Holy Spirit to speak to us. Amen.