Verse of the Day 3/1

Verse of the Day 3/1

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)

In watching some of the coverage of Billy Graham over the past week I saw films of some of the great evangelistic events that were put on around the world.  At times over the years I wondered just how it worked that so many would respond to his message and to that of other evangelists, as well as at other events such as Promise Keepers back in the 90's.

Today's verse in Acts 14 gives us an idea of how it works.  God opens up peoples hearts to hear the gospel message and respond.  I like the way that The Message puts it, "the Master gave her a trusting heart—and she believed!".  Billy Graham and others, whoever preaches the gospel, puts out God's Word.  The ones who respond are those gives "a trusting heart and believe."

These thoughts reminded me of the stanza from the Christmas hymn "O Little Town of Bethlehem":

How silently, how silently
The wondrous gift is given
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of His heaven
No ear may hear His coming
But in this world of sin
Where meek souls will receive him still
The dear Christ enters in

Do you remember the time when you heard God's Word, the Gospel and responded "with a trusting heart and believed"?  It was an act of God "imparting" to a human heart "the blessings of His heaven".

Not all who come forward may truly believe, but for those who have taken to heart the message given by God and delivered by His messenger, it is life transforming.

--   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 16:14 The Message (MSG)

^13-14 On the Sabbath, we left the city and went down along the river where we had heard there was to be a prayer meeting. We took our place with the women who had gathered there and talked with them. One woman, Lydia, was from Thyatira and a dealer in expensive textiles, known to be a God-fearing woman. As she listened with intensity to what was being said, the Master gave her a trusting heart—and she believed!