Our Daily Bread”     http://odb.org/

The Daily Devotions of Greg Laurie    http://www.harvest.org/devotional

Posted by Alister Begg   for   www.truthforlife.org

Original post @ https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/12/10/0/?ecid=ACsprvuFLEWchZ-r55M88W3pBlw1rNMVDkcWH_ib3Qj5zIwQd-hO_blTl9xuJVnR_-pcz5sL2Mfz&utm_campaign=Daily%20Devotion%20Emails&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=102386639&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9zGP0mdE9ngEUZE4Q5ih8LnBcOyVQKFb2DnMc9y8bdvnNwuN8rqO-sCFsqNGQN_7NA75Ffol3NGv6LNhjS6DfNzw1Y4ZVyG6F3HcnTOIC9nUR4fE4&utm_content=102386639&utm_source=hs_email

A Taste of Heaven

The Lord opened her heart.

 Acts 16:14

In Lydia’s conversion there are many points of interest. It was brought about by providential circumstances. She was a seller of purple goods, from the city of Thyratira, but at just the right time for hearing Paul we find her at Philippi; providence, which is the servant of grace, led her to the right spot. Again, grace was preparing her soul for the blessing—grace preparing for grace. She did not know the Savior, but as a Jewess she knew many truths that were excellent stepping-stones to a knowledge of Jesus. Her conversion took place in the use of the means. On the Sabbath she went to a place of prayer, and there prayer was answered. Never neglect the means of grace.

God may bless us when we are not in His house, but we have more reason to expect that He will when we are in fellowship with His people. Observe the words, “The Lord opened her heart.” She did not open her own heart. Her prayers did not do it; Paul did not do it. The Lord Himself must open the heart to receive the things that make for our peace. He alone can put the key into the door and open it and gain entry for Himself. He is the heart’s Master just as He is the heart’s Maker.

The first outward evidence of the opened heart was obedience. As soon as Lydia had believed in Jesus, she was baptized. It is a sweet sign of a humble and broken heart when the child of God is willing to obey a command that is not essential to his salvation, that is not forced upon him by a selfish fear of condemnation, but is a simple act of obedience and of communion with his Master.

The next evidence was love, displaying itself in acts of grateful kindness to the apostles. Love for the saints has always been a mark of the true convert. Those who do nothing for Christ or His church provide no evidence of an “opened” heart. Lord, grant to us the blessing of opened hearts always!

Devotional material is taken from “Morning and Evening,” written by C.H. Spurgeon, revised and updated by Alistair Begg. Copyright (c) 2003, Good News Publishers and used by Truth For Life with written permission. Today’s Bible Reading material is taken from McCheyne Bible reading plan and used by Truth For Life with permission. Scripture quotations are taken from Holy Bible: English Standard Version, copyright (c) 2001, Good News Publishers.

**************************************************************************

P.S.  (from bruce) When there is no other place to turn…turn to God !!  If you’re not a “born again” Christian, is the Holy Spirit urging you to open this link ??  Here is the truth for this most important days writing, about how God’s grace is received to become a Christian in God’s eyes; through understanding and obeying the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ…   https://godsmanforever.com

To my brothers and sisters in Christ, please feel free to share this message of the cross with those in need…

You say you are a “born again” believer…  BUT are you “ON FIRE” for the Lord ??  If not, open this link – https://godsmanforever.com/2020/08/01/are-you-a-christian-in-gods-eyes-and-on-fire-for-the-lord-or-not/

Picture credit:  https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1SQJL_enUS832US832&sxsrf=ALeKk00F9Fdpiq5qxMabgRI-7gy_cGYU4A:1610801339701&source=univ&tbm=isch&q=image+eph+1:18&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj29Z_NvqDuAhUOpFkKHVj1DVYQjJkEegQIBhAB&biw=1236&bih=957#imgrc=lfsyp8-oHWV0kM