Persuasion

Persuasion

Acts 16: ¹¹ From Troas we put out to sea and sailed straight for Samothrace, and the next day we went on to Neapolis. ¹² From there we traveled to Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city of that district of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days.

¹³ 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. ¹⁴ 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. ¹⁵ 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.

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“Want to go to the lab?” was the question posed to me by one of the higher-ups. “Of course” I said, knowing I had a pile of work to do. I was a bit stressed out knowing I had deadlines to meet and this day would only decrease the time I had to do it. But this guy was very persuasive.

• There were times when I was persuaded to follow someone.
• There were times when I decided to follow someone even though it meant a sacrifice.
• There were times when I told others about following a person.

Paul and others arrived at another city. They met with people and told them about JESUS. Lydia was persuaded to believe in JESUS. She then told her entire household and they were baptized. She then persuaded the disciples to stay with her and her family.

• GOD wants me to simply tell people about my relationship with JESUS.
• GOD wants me to believe that HE will stir the hearts of many.
• GOD wants me to be persuaded enough to tell my family, friends and neighbors about HIM.

Being influenced or persuaded by GOD is wonderful. I mean when HE convinces me to follow HIS ways, I feel excited. HE guides me to people and enables me to share my excitement of HIM. I am grateful HE persuaded me to reach others for HIM.

• Are you trying to persuade people for your own purpose?
• Do you seek opportunities to influence people for your own gain?
• Will you allow GOD to persuade you to follow HIM to where HE leads you today?