Verse of the Day 12/12
Acts 16:14 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. English Standard Version (ESV)
Reading today's verse, you may not think of it as being related to Christmas, but one statement caught my attention as I read it the other day, Luke, the author tells us that "the Lord opened her heart to pay attention". It reminded me of the phrase "let every heart prepare Him room". It is God who prepares the room in each of our hearts that call on Him, that come to worship Him during this season and every day of our lives.
Charles Spurgeon writes, "Observe the words, "Whose heart the Lord opened." 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 which make for our peace. He alone can put the key into the hole of the door and open it, and get admittance for himself. He is the heart's master as he is the heart's maker."
As we sing the the Christmas songs and hymns, may we be praying for others that don't know Him, for God to prepare their hearts to receive Him and worship Him in Spirit and in Truth this Christmas season. It will be reason to rejoice all the more. It is not just a prayer for this season, but 365 days a year, "let every heart prepare Him room."
Luke 15:7 In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven't strayed away! New Living Translation (NLT)
The Lord has come
Let earth receive her King
Let every heart prepare Him room
And heaven and nature sing
And heaven and nature sing
And heaven and heaven and nature sing
With truth and grace
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness
And wonders of His love
And wonders of His love
And wonders, wonders of His love
-- In Christ, Mike Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace. NIV
Acts 16:13-14New Living Translation (NLT)
13 On the Sabbath we went a little way outside the city to a riverbank, where we thought people would be meeting for prayer, and we sat down to speak with some women who had gathered there. 14 One of them was Lydia from Thyatira, a merchant of expensive purple cloth, who worshiped God. As she listened to us, the Lord opened her heart, and she accepted what Paul was saying.
No comments:
Post a Comment