READ: Philippians 1:3-6, 9-11
I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus… And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

Lydia was the first person in Europe to become a Christian. A successful business leader who manufactured and sold a particularly valuable kind of purple cloth, she owned a spacious home in the Roman colony of Philippi.

She was also a spiritual seeker. Sincerely religious, but not yet a Christian, she was eager to learn more. So when she heard the Apostle Paul speak talk about Jesus, her heart was opened to faith in him.

She made this commitment public by choosing to be baptized. Then she invited Paul and the other come stay in her large home. (Acts 16:15) We don’t know for certain, but her home may have been the place where the church in Philippi met.

Years later, Paul wrote a letter to the church that met in her home. In the introduction he said, “To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi… Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Phil. 1:1-2) Then he prayer a prayer for Lydia and the others, a prayer that inspires us today.

REFLECT: What “good work” (1:6) is God doing in you? What does it mean for love to grow in knowledge and wisdom? What is the “fruit of righteousness” Paul says comes through a relationship with Jesus Christ?

RESPOND: Ask God to help you continue the good he has started to do in your life. Ask God to give you the wisdom you need to discern his best for you in a decision you need to make soon. Ask God that your life might show evidence of his righteousness.