Manuel and Carlota’s parents had been active in their congregation. They had shared their faith with their children and now both Manuel and Carlota are disciples of Jesus and participate in their congregation’s ministries. A tough old pastor pulled Lamar away from his involvement in a gang. The pastor’s steadfast but tough love turned Lamar’s life around and moved Lamar to be baptized. A caring co-worker who listened to Karen’s laments when she went through a difficult divorce was used by the Spirit to bring Karen to faith and involvement in the church. The Spirit uses people to touch the lives of others and to share God’s love and grace with them.
Paul obeyed the leading of the Holy Spirit. He and his fellow travelers sailed to Macedonia and began to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with the people they met. On a Sabbath day they went to a place where people had gathered for prayer and began to talk about Jesus. The Holy Spirit opened the heart of Lydia, one of the women who was listening to Paul. She and her household were baptized.
Most likely the Holy Spirit used someone to touch our lives and bring us to faith. Because of the faithful witness of other saints we are disciples of Jesus. The Holy Spirit will use us in a similar way. The Spirit will take our words and our actions and open the hearts of people. The kingdom of God is spread one life at a time.
Acts 16:11-15
We set sail from Troas and took a straight course to Samothrace, the following day to Neapolis, and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city for some days. On the sabbath day we went outside the gate by the river, where we supposed there was a place of prayer; and we sat down and spoke to the women who had gathered there. A certain woman named Lydia, a worshiper of God, was listening to us; she was from the city of Thyatira and a dealer in purple cloth. The Lord opened her heart to listen eagerly to what was said by Paul. 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.