Notes of Faith May 12, 2025
Fingers in the Dust
The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.
Acts 16:14, NIV
Leading someone to Jesus is the most wonderful thing in the world, but we do less than one-half of one percent of the work. Others have almost certainly come before us, planting the seed. That’s the other one-half percent. Ninety-nine percent belongs to the Lord, who opens the heart of the one who responds. Obviously, of course, He does the whole work; though, thankfully, He uses us along the way. As Paul said, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase”
(1 Corinthians 3:6).
As we share God’s Word with others, we need to remember that God is the One who will work in their hearts. Our responsibility is to make sure that we are actively sharing. We want to present the Gospel as best we can, but it doesn’t depend on our knowledge or powers of persuasion. People can find Christ from as little as a verse written by a truck driver’s finger on the dust of his or her eighteen-wheeler if that’s the means God chooses to use.
Simply say a word to someone today on behalf of our Lord!
[Lydia] did not open her own heart…. Paul did not do it. the Lord Himself must open the heart…. We can get at human brains, but God alone can arouse human affections. (hearts! Pastor Dale)
Charles Spurgeon
Acts 16:11-15
11 So putting out to sea from Troas, we ran a straight course to Samothrace, and on the day following to Neapolis; 12 and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia, a Roman colony; and we were staying in this city for some days. 13 And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to a riverside, where we were supposing that there would be a place of prayer; and we sat down and began speaking to the women who had assembled.
First Convert in Europe
14 A woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening; and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul. 15 And when she and her household had been baptized, she urged us, saying, "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house and stay." And she prevailed upon us.
The joy of bringing someone to Christ that hears truth and believes is the greatest of all eternal joy! God has chosen to use His children to share with others that He is drawing to Himself, giving them faith to believe, and becoming one of our eternal brothers or sisters. Rejoice with the angels at each opportunity. God will always do His work. Will we do ours?
Pastor Dale