Celebrate! May 16, 2025 Devotional

ACTS 16:15 | ¹⁵ When she and her household were baptized, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come and stay at my home.” And she prevailed upon us.

LUKE 8:1-3 | ¹Soon afterward he went on through one town and village after another, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve were with him, ² as well as some women who had been cured of evil spirits and    infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, ³ and Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, and Susanna, and many others, who ministered to them out of their own resources.

Lydia was the leader of her family or household. (We don’t know whether her husband had died or whether he was a particularly enlightened first century man). She was already leading her family in some form of religious devotion, probably Jewish, near the river in Philippi. After hearing Paul’s preaching she wanted to become a disciple of Jesus. Her whole family were baptized in the river immediately. She sensed right away the possibility of a church plant, and offered her time and support for the project. Paul must have been amazed and very grateful!

In Luke, we also see key women who gave critical commitment and support to Jesus’ ministry. These are revolutionary moments in a first century context.

What have you learned about leadership from the women of your life?

Gracious God,

Thank You for the generous visionaries that support the work of Your church.

Amen.