The beloved physician Luke shared how, “a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavored to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them. Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis. And from there to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days”, and in chapter sixteen and verse thirteen of the book of Acts Luke shared how he, Paul and Silas, “went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made” where we read:
And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made;
and we sat down, and spoke unto the women which resorted there.
The verse begins, “And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made;” Luke began with the words, “and on the sabbath” which means “and upon the city of Philippi is so called, where Octavius had planted a Roman colony” “we went out of the city” or “we, Luke, Paul, Silas and Timothy, left and departed from the dwelling place of Philippi” “by a river side” which means “beside the side of a torrent or river”, “where prayer was wont to be made” or “in the place and location that earnest orations, supplications and worship was followed, deemed, thought and regarded as a custom”. Luke shared how “Paul, Silas, Timothy and Luke” went to the “side of a river” where people were accustomed to “praying”.
The verse continues, “and we sat down, and spoke unto the women which resorted there.” Luke added the words, “and we sat down” or “and we, Luke, Paul, Silas and Timothy, were seated”, “and spoke unto the women” which means “and articulated sounds and tones of uttered words with the female human beings” “which resorted there” or “who assembled, conjugated and came together at the riverside”. Luke shared how he, Paul, Silas and Timothy were seated and talked with the “women” who were gathered at the side of the river.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn how he, Paul, Silas and Timothy ventured to the side of the river that was near “Philippi”, and there they saw some “women” “praying”, so they sat and began to talk to them. We shall see how this leads to “Paul” and his entourage sharing the “gospel of Jesus Christ” with these women, and once again, the good news of God was being spread throughout the world. God loves people, and He desires to have a personal relationship with every person through His Son Jesus. When they yield themselves to Him, He will forgive their sins and grant them everlasting life. This message is for everyone, everywhere, and when people surrender themselves to Him, they are employed and empowered to share His message wherever they go.
Next time Luke shares how he, Paul and Silas find, “a certain woman named Lydia”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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