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Philippians 1:1&2
"1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:
2 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ."

We were in the book of Acts where Paul and Lydia first meet outside of Philippi. Paul went against social conventions by talking to the women there. Turns out Lydia was a GREAT early leader in the church. Her location was fortunate, in this thriving part of the Roman Empire. Her occupation, "a seller of purple," would have been like owning a Mercedes dealership. She knew all the important people, the rich people, and they would want to know her. She was a Jewish convert and knew the Messianic prophecies. The Holy Ghost opened her heart to Jesus being the Son of God. And, gave her a divine appointment with Paul. The two are together in the right place at the right time.

Today we turn to Paul's letter to the Philippians. He opens with a greeting, "...to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the BISHOPS and DEACONS:" This church has GROWN! Paul planted the seeds and God used Lydia for it to grow.
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