Acts 16:11-15

We cannot always do what we want. No matter how well we plan, things almost never go exactly as planned. However, our frustrations are never an excuse for doing nothing. There were many times in his ministry when Paul was not able to do all that he wanted to do, but he continued doing the best that he could.

Paul began his ministry in each new town by attending the synagogue on the Sabbath. However, when they arrived at Philippi, Paul could not attend the synagogue because there was none. To form a synagogue required there be at least 10 married Jewish men. Philippi had a very small Jewish population, and there were not enough men to form a synagogue. Paul did not let that stop him from doing the next best thing; on the Sabbath, he went to where he knew the Jewish people would be gathering. He went to the nearest flowing water. The Jewish worshipers used flowing water for rituals including purifying their hands. He found a group of women, sat down, and began speaking to them about Jesus.

Lydia was a Gentile woman who worshiped the God of Israel. She followed the moral teachings of Judaism but had not become a full convert. Historians have found that a large majority of Gentile sympathizes with Judaism were women. This is partly because God led Jewish culture to give women greater respect, rights and freedom than the Gentile culture did. When Lydia heard the gospel, God, whom she already worshiped, opened her heart and she responded with belief. The members of her household, inspired by her example, also believed in Jesus and Paul baptized all of them. Paul and his companions went and stayed as guests in her home. Her home later became the center of the growing Christian movement in Philippi.

Because Paul did what he could, God established the church at Philippi. When obstacles hinder, we do not quit; we do what we can. God is faithful, and He does the rest.