Although Lydia is a successful, independent businesswoman, she puts herself in a position to hear God’s truth. She does not rely on her own autonomy.

When God changes Lydia’s heart through the gospel, her entire life is transformed.

Likewise, when Jesus takes our sin and transforms our lives, we can look at everything from a different perspective. The things he has blessed us with are no longer ours—they are available for the body of Christ.

Lydia’s response of hospitality is immediate and without hesitation. In a decision of inherent risk, she opens her home and her life to people she does not know in order to further God’s kingdom.

Hospitality is about more than opening our homes. It is about opening our lives, making ourselves vulnerable, and using our most treasured resources to care for others.

We often confuse hospitality with entertaining. In our culture, entertaining is about promoting ourselves. In contrast, hospitality is about serving others and reflecting the generosity of Jesus.

While we often view the truths of Scripture as propositional, Mary’s faith is fundamentally personal. She is entirely devoted to and has an intimate faith in the person of Jesus.

Truth is not fundamentally about ideas; Truth is a person to love.

Jesus’ life, suffering, death, resurrection, and ascension were intensely personal. Like Mary, we must feel the weight of what Jesus has done for us.

Mary lingers in her grief and confusion over Jesus’ missing body. Although she is wrong propositionally, her heart is bent towards Jesus. He rewards her faithfulness with grace and mercy.

In the same way, we need to seek the person of Jesus above finding the right answers. We must embrace the brokenness of the world and strive to serve the body of Christ.

If we want to experience the presence of Jesus in our lives, we have to stop seeking comfort and distraction.

We must make ourselves dependent on Jesus by using our resources to serve others instead of seeking our own comfort. If we are willing to linger and love with a heart to serve, Jesus will do extraordinary things.

Self-sufficiency only lasts so long before it leads to despair. We can rest in the promise that faith does not lead us into despair but leads to hope on earth and eternal life to follow.

Rahab eventually becomes the great grandmother of Jesus. There is no story that is “too messy” for God to redeem. Her transformation is proof that God uses the most unlikely and humble people to carry out his plan.

Becoming one of God’s covenant people involves coming into a relationship with God’s covenant people. For God to use us, we must be sure we are connected to the body of Christ and not sitting on the sidelines.

True faith in Jesus will require us to abandon our own ways and submit to God’s authority.

God blesses those who have been faithful. He does not promise us an easy life but he does promise that our reward is in heaven.

In an uncertain circumstance, Israel’s king is fragile. He collapses under the weight of leadership and is unable to trust God. In the same way, we are often stressed and anxious because we have not previously cultivated a heart that trusts in God.

In contrast, Elisha views Naaman’s request as an opportunity to see God work. He moves towards God with a heart of trust.

Although Naaman’s initial response to Elisha’s instructions is anger, he is able to humble himself and act in faith

Likewise, we must reach the end of ourselves and release our entitlement. Demanding God on our terms doesn’t work.

In Matthew 15, we see this same desperation for Jesus play out in the life of a Gentile woman. Even in the face of repeated rejection, she pursues Jesus with endurance and faith.

You either want more of yourself or more of God. True desperation for God results in persevering pursuit of him.

Namaan’s life is radically changed by God’s healing, both physically and spiritually. He becomes gracious, kind, and easy to lead. That same change should characterize us as God’s people.

After years of devotedly studying God’s Word, Ezra is humble and prepared to lead God’s people on a dangerous journey. Likewise, we must consider how we are preparing our hearts for difficult times.

When we do take risks for God, we must carefully examine our motives—are we testing God or trusting God?

When Ezra is faced with the devastating sin of God’s people, he owns their guilt and shame and goes to God in grief and repentance.

Ezra’s ownership of the Israelites’ sin is a picture of Christ. Jesus took on our sin in order to reconcile us to God. We cannot rely on our own abilities to solve the problem of sin; we can only seek God’s mercy.

Although the Israelites repent and make amends for their sin, the enduring consequences are serious and far-reaching.

We must be courageously dependent on God, living in such radical faith in him that we will look like fools if God is not faithful. This freedom to live out our faith at great personal risk will model God’s love to the world.

In the midst of conflict and dispute, Stephen effectively speaks God’s truth to others. God’s power prevails on the lives of those around Stephen because he is full of the Holy Spirit.

Stephen faces opposition with freedom and faith. Likewise, we can be free to take risks for God when we fill our lives with his truth and Spirit.

Stephen’s life is marked by a desire to make God’s mission succeed. God uses the sacrifices of his people to move his kingdom forward.

Although Stephen is “right” in this moment, he doesn’t cling to justice. Honoring Jesus is much more important than his personal vindication.

The ultimate image of God’s love, Jesus has already lived and died for us. Therefore, we are free to live sacrificially and die faithfully for God’s kingdom.

True faith will produce a willingness to sacrifice ourselves for God.