NO BIBLE NO BREAKFAST DAILY BIBLE REFLECTIONS AND MORE

REFLECTION
The theme for our reflection is Lydia. Lydia was a dealer in purple cloth and a worshipper of God, although she had not experienced regeneration and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit as a believer. During the missionary journey of Paul and others in Philippi, she heard the Gospel, was transformed and baptised together with her household.

Lydia teaches us an important lesson that attending church service or being a mere worshipper without regeneration does not guarantee salvation. Although she was a worshipper of God, she took a life-transforming decision to listen to the Apostles and the Lord graciously opened her heart and mind to the Gospel. She heard the voice of God and experienced regeneration. “One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. And after she was baptized, and her household as well,(Act 16:14-15).

Again many of us come to worship services spiritually unprepared. For the fact that Lydia’s spirit yearned for something more than just sitting down as a worshipper, God “opened her heart to pay attention” to the Gospel. Many are those who have been attending church services for many years yet their lives remain the same without any significant spiritual transformation or revival. The following reasons account for some worshippers not experiencing regeneration and transformation even after hearing the Gospel being preached for several years.

1. Some worshippers see the church as a mere social gathering for which they come to socialise, have fun and transact business as usual.
2. Some carry their frustration and challenges to the church, hence, do not pay attention or allow God to open their hearts to the sermon.
3. Some worshippers gossip and fidget with their phones from the beginning to the end of worship service and the routine continues every worship service. They go home empty!
4. Other worshippers make themselves busy-bodies roaming up and down the church premise as if they have been assigned some important role, at the end of the day they go home spiritually empty.
5. Some worshippers appear to be listening and paying attention but because their hearts are filled with bitterness, envy and unresolved issues with other worshippers they go home empty and the cycle continues.
6. Some worshippers also see the church as a welfare organisation. They come to church mainly because of the benefits they will receive when it is time for marriage, out-dooring and funeral.
7. Sadly, some worshippers come to church to merely show off. Their attention is on themselves and not God. This explains why some people especially some ladies spend more hours on their apparel and make-up and consequently come to church late and return home spiritually empty.

Lydia, was spiritually prepared to meet the Lord by listening to the preaching of the Gospel and the Lord opened her heart to pay attention and that led to her conversion and regeneration. How spiritually, psychologically and emotionally prepared are we to receive the Word of God when we come to the place of worship?

Anytime we listen to the Gospel and we are transformed we develop love for the servants of God and play our role in ensuring that the mission of God is accomplished through them. “After Lydia was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.”(Act 16:15). Lydia was grateful to the Lord for the lives of the missionaries and was very generous and hospitable to them. We are encouraged to take good care of our pastors and those who work day and night to bring us the voice of God through His Word. Again we must acknowledge the fact that hospitality is a ministry we must be ready to offer as believers. It is for this reason, Jesus said in Matthew 10:40-42 that ”Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and the one who receives a righteous person because he is a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.” May your regeneration make you generous and hospitable to all so that your home will be filled with immeasurable blessings. Shalom.

PRAYER
MERCIFUL GOD CONTINUALLY OPEN OUR HEARTS TO LISTEN TO YOUR VOICE SO THAT WE WILL FOREVER REMAIN TRANSFORMED AND PREPARED FOR YOUR KINGDOM. AMEN