Women of the Bible-Part 1

     I have felt led lately to read about some of the prominent women of the Bible.  I will take a few a day and discuss them.  So away we go.

     Today, I begin by reading about Euodia and Syntche.  They were two active members of the church at Philippi.  Many had been led to the Lord by their example.  Paul wrote to them directly because word of their disagreement had reached him all the way in Rome.  We don't know what the argument was about.  I don't suppose it really matters.  What does matter was reconciliation before this tiff tore the church at Philippi apart. 
     Such conflict can do exactly that not only in a church but also in a family.  Take it from someone who knows.  Don't let the arguments of the past darken your future as a church or family.  Work it out so that healing can begin.  Trust me, if you take the first step, healing will happen and God will step in and continue the process even when you think you can't. 
Read what Paul wrote to Euodia and Syntche in Philippians 4:2-3.
     Now let's talk about another woman, Lydia. She is at the other end of the spectrum.  She was also from Philippi and who also had an amazing impact on the people there and had contact with the apostle Paul and Silas.  Lydia was a business woman dealing in fine purple cloth and dye so she was probably rich.  It doesn't speak of a husband but she had a household to care for.  I imagine her as a true working mom of this time.  She was an active partipant in a prayer group of Gentile women who met outside Philippi on each Sabbath to pray to the God of the Jews. 
     That is where Paul and Silas find her.  She is remembered as Paul's first European convert.  How awesome is that!  Luke goes on to describe the first steps of her life as a disciple.  She was baptized.  Then she went home and brought the rest of her household to Paul.  They also believed and were baptized.  We learn alot about Lydia in these two sentences.  Not only did she believe and come to Jesus but she immediately went home and shared the good news with her family, then proceed to bring them to Paul to be baptized so they could become part of the Family of God as well.  This tells us that Lydia had been sharing everything she learned about God each Sabbath with the people in her home.  I imagine somewhere down deep inside she knew that being surrounded by those who didn't believe or had not heard the Good News would be detrimental to her faith.  So why not share, right?  Are there people in your "household" today that need you to share the Good News of Jesus?  Take Lydia as your example and share the Gospel.  Be a Lydia today!
You can read about Lydia's conversion in Acts 16:11-40.

Have a BLESSED day!!!:) Remember God loves you and so do I!