Lydia of Philippi
photo source
On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us. (emphasis mine)
- Acts 16:13-15
Do not take advantage of the widow or the fatherless.
If you do and they cry out to me, I will certainly hear their cry.
My anger will be aroused, and I will kill you with the sword;
your wives will become widows and your children fatherless.
If you do and they cry out to me, I will certainly hear their cry.
My anger will be aroused, and I will kill you with the sword;
your wives will become widows and your children fatherless.
- Exodus 22: 22-24
Your assignment is not your decision
but your discovery.
- Mike Murdoch
Many of you are probably wondering why this blog has been quiet for the past three weeks. So, here is an entry to let you know what has been happening.
On August 31, I was in my bedroom in our Manila home, waiting before the LORD, asking Him for specific instructions for the next stage of my spiritual journey.
I had reached a fork in the road, a crossroads, and I needed His wisdom and His guidance to show me which way to go.
What He spoke to me was quite unexpected. He impressed on my heart that the season had come for me to begin using my given name, Lidia.
"You are entering your Lidia season," the Lord said. "No longer will you be known as Lidj - you will now be called by your given name, the name I have personally chosen for you."
It was such a defining moment for me when my heavenly Father clearly spoke these words - You are Lidia, a worshiper of God.
Earlier that morning I had felt like I was entering one of the saddest seasons of my life - when it seemed like yet another thing I had held dear in my life was being stripped away from me.
Yet the words God spoke had such a resonance in my heart... in fact, my heart surged with delight when I heard them.
On Friday of that same week, I attended my friend Rosemarie's 63rd birthday. Other dear friends - Tina, Alberto, and Gina were also there. These friends of mine and I have a kingdom connection, in fact we call each other by the name Kingdom Friend.
When Alberto saw me, his face lit up and said, "Hello Kingdom Friend, how are things with you?"
My immediate response was, "I have a new name. From now on, please call me Lidia." And I continued to share with him what has been happening, and what God has spoken to me.
That Sunday, Rosemarie and I attended the small but vibrant Spirit-filled church that Alberto pastors. He claims that he is not the pastor of this church, but God the Holy Spirit.
It is true. As we worshiped that morning, I could not keep my tears from falling. The songs that we sung were the very songs that God used to minister to my heavy heart...
Our Father...
It Is Well With My Soul...
The presence of the Holy Spirit was palpable in that place...
Many of us knelt in worship, and I was not the only one sobbing.
What a wonderful time of refreshing the worship was.
And to top it all, when their worship pastor Macky began to read the text for his message this morning, I was just so amazed. He spoke about worshiping God in the midst of our prisons...
Such a timely message for me... I know that God purposely brought me to that place to hear that specific word for me... for such a time as this.
And yes, Macky not only spoke about Paul and Silas worshiping God in their prison cell with their feet locked up in stocks...
He also spoke about a woman named Lydia, a seller of purple cloth... a worshiper of God.
So, here I am entering my Lidia Season.
I am taking up my position of worship... and definitely, I do not want to worship God from an empty water bottle, a cracked cistern that can hold no water... I want to worship God from a bottomless well!
Macky's passion for Jesus was so contagious!
Macky asked us many incisive questions:What happens if praise and worship become your default settings?
When odds are against you, will you still praise the Lord?
Will you still decide to praise God -
when you are persecuted on the way to answering God's call on your life...
when you are being unjustly treated...
when it looks like the enemy has won?
God doesn't want us to be just "nice" and "good" Christians... He wants us to live out our purpose and kingdom calling in power and authority!
Praising God is the habit of those who want to walk in victory.
Macky talked a bit about the kind of training that navy seals go through. At some point in their training for endurance, they are "drownproofed" - letting them stay underwater for a long period of time to strengthen them for the war.
Praising God habitually is very much like drownproofing - it will keep us from being overwhelmed.
It spells all the difference between merely surviving, and overcoming!
This, in a nutshell, is where I am dear friends. I am in my Lidia season... where I am choosing the higher path of worship and praise. God is teaching me to fight my battles on my knees...Down at the feet of my King, bowing before Him in worship, is the highest place... it is the place of breakthrough, it is the place of victory.
From now on, please call me Lidia.
Below are some photographs taken on our way to Boracay Island, September 15, 2011.
God really spoke to me through the beautiful way He painted the sky for me on that trip!
"Daybreak 1" photo by Lidia
Taken on board the Montenegro roll on-roll off barge
before we disembarked at the Port of Dumangas, Iloilo province
"Daybreak 2"photo by JT Ascalon
"Daybreak 3"photo by Lidia
"Promise"photo by Lidia
I was thrilled to see this rainbow along the way!
And here is a picture of me and my dear friend Desert Flower,
taken on our recent trip to Boracay Island last weekend.
I just had to post this photograph... it is a lovely picture of me
in my new season!
No, it's not about me...
it's about the story God is writing...
a story of faith and obedience...
the story of one woman's sacred pilgrimage
on her way to her eternal destination.
Desert Flower and me in Boracayphoto by JT Ascalon
But He knows the way that I take;
when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.
- Job 23:10
33 comments:
after the rain ... the flowers bloom ....
thank you for sharing your experience and how God shepherds us through the hard times ... and prepares our hearts for further and BETTER blessings ....
My dearest Lidia, I feel I have a kinship with you.. When we listen we hear, and not only that, we hear the unexpected that to some would be foolish, or they might say a coincodence, yet to us, is wonderous joy...Oh praise God my sweet friend..I know what you are saying and where you are coming from and I weep and laugh with you. He is in control..just rest in Him and He will work it all out. xxxx
Sister Lidia, this post touched me in the way you'll never know. As you felt the words from the Lord through that fellowship, your post now confirmed what the Lord had whispered to me this morning..."in the midst of any battle, Praise God!"
As I did my morning devotion, I was led to Psalm 113. There is nothing, no trial bigger than the God we serve. The One Who already gave us the victory!
I choose to praise Him and worship Him with you. And "Lidia" will always be in my prayers...God bless.
I love this post, Lidia, and I will join you in prayer for this season of your life. The Lord will bless your obedience!
Dearest Lidia, as your worship reaches to the ears of God may His peace and mercy fall on you! May God's blessing hedge you in during this journey, His strength carry you when it is too much, and His grace flow with you into the uncomfortable places as He brings you to a new place in your life!
I feel as if I am making a new friend. Lidia, it will be a pleasure to watch and see what God does in and through you in this season of your life. Blessings to you, worshipper of our Lord.
Lidia,
Thank you so much for sharing the depth of the Lord's love for you, for in your journey and through your pain, your testimony has been praise. It has been the source of this blog. And the reality of a personal and loving God in your life is the love He has for you in speaking to you personally and giving you a new name.
I am finding more and more what God desires from us is worship. Everywhere I turn in His word, that is what it is all about - worship and honor to His name. Your words today were an encouragement to me even as I struggled to release small trinkets of bitterness creeping in over the last few days. And in my right mind, I worshiped.
Worship transforms our flesh to His Spirit. I am anxious to see what He will do in the life of Lidia.
Your loving friend,
Brenda
Lidia - such a beautiful name and even more so when it is the name given you by God!
I have been doing a study of women of the Bible, and Lydia was the woman I studied last week. She was a great example of a worshiper!
I'm blessed by hearing of how you were blessed in this time.
I'm so happy to have found your blog.
Inspiring and uplifting. You quote
the perfect scriptures for enlightment.
ThanXoxoxo
Posting this email from Stephanie of Truthsharer blog:
I wrote a long comment on your blog and then it wouldn't let me sign in
kept asking me to creat a new blog -- not sure what that was all about
but I know God will bless you in the new Lydia season of your life!
He has an obsession to be trusted!
[[HUGS]] Stephanie
Lidia....the same thing happened to me years ago as I walked away from my old life, the Lord clearly spoke that I was to be DEBORAH and no longer Debbie. Deborah...a righteous judge and worshipper...who sang a new song after the battle. Over the past ten years, Deborah has been shortened to 'Deb', but I have never gone back to 'Debbie' - that is the old me. My dear friend recently began calling me 'Deborah' - saying that the Lord told her that I was to be 'Deborah'...there indeed is so much more to our names than just a jumble of letters! I am praying for you as you wade through these waters and believe that the Lord will give you favor and blanket the whole situation with His peace!
Great questions that Macky proposed and thank you for writing about them so that I can answer them for myself. Lidia, you are such a treasured friend. I trust you when you say you've heard from the Lord and I love the things He says to you!!!! Especially in photos. Wow, these could be postcards especially the one of you and your friend. Wonderful!
I always preferred typing Lidia :) Now it will be an honor to call you by this special given name. You are being led forth by God. May you worship at His feet and find all that you need.
Love,
My dearest Lidia: Keep looking up for those rainbows! They are His promise to us who believe.
God bless you Lidia, a new name, a new service to God and a new promise from Him
Welcome back! You have a new name and a new beginning. Lidia is beautiful.
HUGS!!!
Lidia, beautiful. My heart is leaping inside, :)
Worship Him, my sister, worship His Holy name in good and in bad. When you worship Him while Satan is throwing his darts at you something amazing happens. The evil in the heavens break and this disarms Satan.
I will be worshiping with you.
Praying and praying and worshiping.
<><
Lidia! Welcome home, and praise God for all the wonderful work He is doing in your life. I just love His voice....and the wonderful things He does for us, in personal, intimate ways. Thank you, dear friend for your visit at my blog today, and for your words of great encouragement...I was deeply, deeply blessed. Look forward to see how what new things the Lord reveals to you in your "Lidia Season"!! Much love and many, many blessings ~ alice
Beautiful worshiper of God, my friend Lidia! You wear it well, sister. I'm so glad for your new name and your new season. God is in the midst of all the many changes, and his blessings over you will be beyond your imagination.
Love you, friend.
peace~elaine
Dear Lidia,
When I first became acquainted with you, I puzzled over how to pronounce Lidj. The closest I could come to it was lid'-yuh. So, to me, you have always been Lidia! It is a beautiful name, and accurately describes you, for you are a worshiper of God.
Thank you for your visit today. The window is in a local restaurant, which is a comfortable place to relax over a homey meal.
Dear Lidia,
I will still continue praying for you, even though I think you have chosen which way to go after the cross road.
When I read your writings, I was reminded, that not are you only being a hard tried woman, but the way you handle your trials and share them with us, your blog friends, you are also an example to follow.
I for sure need more of your spirit to cope with my minor trials. Thanks for being an inspiration, woman, worshiper of God.
I agree with 'Dimple' - you've always been a 'Lidia' to me :)
So glad to hear of your new marching orders. I love it when God just reaches into our daily existence with a bold; transforming message. What a blessing to have received such a pronouncement over your life - from God himself. And all because you were quiet enough before Him to ask of His heart - and then to listen - to hear His heart and mind towards you.
My precious sister, Lidia, you have always been a worshiper of God! Each stage in this refining process of total surrender - brings us a little bit closer to heaven. We are transformed from Glory to Glory. Our eyes see more than we were capable of seeing in the past season. But had it not been for the past seasons, He could have never trusted us with His plans for us TODAY.
Enjoy sitting at His feet - leaning into His Presence. I await with expectancy to see and hear what God is doing in and through your new season with HIM.
I send you many blessings for your journey
Patrina <")>><
Lydia season.....I can't wait to hear more of this new phase of your journey. It's so exciting being with Him...the best is life becomes an amazing adventure when He's in our lives. Lidia....love your beautiful spirit.....tons of hugs to you...
Dear Lidia. Lidia is such a beautiful name and when you know it was chosen for you by the Father, how much more beautiful it is! My mom believes that we all have a true name, one that God himself has chosen. It's a beautiful thought and I believe it.
May I tell a little story about my own name? My mom had decided to call me Colleen Nicole but when she was giving birth, she said that she heard a voice (she believes mine) telling her unmistakable, "My name isn't Colleen Nicole. It is Colleen Patricia." She is also a very prayerful woman not crazy.;)
I have been thinking of you and praying for you Lidia...you have been on my heart lately for some reason.
Thank you for this post. You speak to my heart in every one you write. I am thankful for you.
I'm kind of partial to names beginning with Li! Now I know the rest of the story after I saw you had left me a comment signed "Lidia". How you described your defining moment that led you to this new beginning is awe inspiring. There is no mistaken that the rainbow shot entitled promise was meant for you, it gave me goosebumps! You look so lovely and glowing on that beach. Love to you Lidia. ~Lili
"He (the Good Shepherd) calls them by name"
"Come let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our God and maker."
I love your name, Lidia! I believe God is uniting us as Kingdom Friends ALL over the world! This is our "Lidia Season".
"He IS our God and we are the people of His pasture!"
Dear Lidia,
Thank you for sharing your journey with us on your blog. This post particularly touched my heart.
First of all, that song is one I often listen to. It's a powerful reminder to me. Praise in the midst of the storm.
I LOVE the photo of you and Desert Flower on the beach! Isn't it so wonderful to have the gift of a true friend who is there with you through thick and thin?
The questions that Macky posed cut right to my heart. I want praise and worship to be my default settings! I want to walk in victory. The downproofing example was very insightful. I too want to overcome and not just survive these storms.
Thank you for this encouraging post today. I love the name Lidia; it fits you perfectly. I'm so glad that the Lord met you right where you are and provided you with the nourishment you needed.
Love you,
Debbie
Thank you for sharing the Word of God that He gave you and your new name. Thanks for expressing your praise and encouraging my heart to be a worshiper in all circumstances.
Your pastor's pointed questions hit home...and drown proof...that is the stage I feel I am in, and my flesh cries out I will drown, but like Peter all I need to do is look up at my Savior's face.
Blessings and thanks for sharing from your heart and allowing God to once again speak to my heart through you.
Your Spirit, is as beautiful as your name Lidia. How blessed I am to know you and to share in what God is doing in your life.
Praise the precious name of Jesus!!!
Love,
trish
Dearest Lidia, yes trial does make us stronger and definitely takes us to a whole new level in our faith . . if we choose to follow the Lord. I know only good is going to come from all this. "drown proof" I like that expression, it says a lot. Also, the more still we are in our trials, the more the Lord can work in our favor. Normally I'm a complainer and can't keep still in trial, but not this time and I can really see the Lord in my life right now changing things for the better. Blessings, Sandy:O)
p.s. I always learn something new when I visit your blog . . thank you.
Oh Lidia,
It is both my honor and my privilege to call you by your given name. It's beautiful, and it suits you so much.
How wonderful that God is confirming in your heart His hand over this changing season in your life. Praise is so important - I'm sorry to admit that it usually isn't my first response to the difficulties of life. I usually worry.
But God calls us to "count it all joy" when we come upon times of challenge and change. Will be praying for you, as I pray for myself - that God will be the One clear Light on a new path.
GOD BLESS you, Lidia - you shine!
Ah, now I know why you signed your comment Lidia! Beautiful name for a beautiful woman, both inside and out! Yes God has been speaking worldwide about worship, being people of worship, here too in my London church. Thank you for your wise and inspiring insights on this! Victory and healing come when we worship!
I'm catching up after two weeks that sped by. But how amazing, now, to look at and see how worship has been a theme for both of us, Lidia. (I love it!)
I can never get enough worship... heaven will be so amazing!
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