Heaven’s Daily Bread with Bolatito Praise

TOPIC: LYDIA(THE SELLER OF PURPLE)

TEXT: ACTS 16:14 “And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul”

MEMORY VERSE: ISAIAH 44:3 “For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring”

FOCUS
This morning, we are going to be looking at another character in the Bible that carried out hospitality and the reward was immeasurable and this person is Lydia(The seller of purple). The first miracle Lydia encountered was that the Lord opened her heart so that she gave attendance to the ministry of Paul. What does it mean? No one carries out good works without the heart receiving the instruction first. You are going to receive it, there will be a nudging, and a premonition in your heart that you need to carry out something for this person. Some people call it an impression, some say their mind spoke to them, and some people receive it as a spiritual instruction but your heart has to be open. For every instruction, there is a direction. God does not want us to play with instructions because instructions are the highways of life. This woman called “Lydia” was a business woman but she gave attendance to the ministry of Paul. She carried out something that was very spectacular. She was hospitable, she was caring, she was there for them, she was ministering to their physical needs. While they were doing spiritual work, she was doing physical things and this is the ministry of hospitality. It brings you close to grace, it makes way for you, it opens doors for you, it makes you feel like there is something that you need to do for somebody, and as soon as you have opened your heart to do it, the reward is immeasurable.

There is nothing God can not do for a man who is hospitable. You could imagine, this lady called “Lydia” did not go for evangelism and she was not even a prayer warrior. She was just a woman who is full of good works and because of this, her name came out in the hall mark of Faith. Do not forget that good works begins with an open heart.

LESSON
ACTS 16:40 “And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed”We are still on Lydia(The seller of purple) a woman whose work spoke for her even after she was gone. Lydia was like a comforter. Anyone that engages in good works is always comforting. Their ministry is so comforting that after whoever they are ministering to has done whatever he/she has to do, then these people come to become a solace to them. There are different ways that we could be a comforter to someone: for the widow of Zarephath, it was a plate of food she gave. For Lydia, she was a helper, she was there for them night and day, she gave attendance to the ministry of Paul, she became a follower, she paid attention to instructions, she was not a rebel, she was not fighting instructions, and she was not among those who try to pull down the ministry of Paul. We have to understand that in life, God will always position people for us to help and the question this morning is, How are you helping them? Those who do not help will become lepers. Everyone of us has a ministry to minister to someone at some point or the other. Look at the Shunamite woman. She only opened her house to Elisha and Gehazi to come and stay. She provided accommodation. For the widow of Zarephath, it was food she gave and it was a one time offer. For Lydia, it was a continuous service she rendered. She constantly gave attendance. To Martha, anytime Jesus is in town, she prepares food for him. So you need to understand the kind of ministry you are called into and the worst thing that can happen to any man is to assume. When it comes to good works, you do not assume because what is good for A might not be good for B and what is good for C might not be good for E. Irrespective of what God has asked you to do, what is important is that you must be a blessing to someone. There is someone somewhere that you are the only one who can minister to that person. Heaven rejoices when you carry out good works. God celebrates your courage because it takes courage to be a blessing. If you look at the wind, you will not sow. Those who mind the wind do not sow. Those who mind giving, do not give. God bless you.

PERSONAL CONFESSION
Father help me to be generous like Lydia.

PRAYER FOCUS
Father help me to influence people into your kingdom through hospitality.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Good works promotes impacts.

NOTE: Nothing triggers honor like generosity.

BE GENEROUS TO PEOPLE.