Befitting Royalty: Lydia's Story

Ordinary Women of the Bible

by Elizabeth Adams

AS A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS OWNER, the widow Lydia is content with her life. She has no intention of paying any heed to the followers of that zealot Yeshua who have come to Philippi. She is a devout Jew, after all, and committed to her faith in the One True God. Yet she finds herself pausing to listen when the man called Paul speaks. As she hears his message, her heart is changed. She comes to realize that Yeshua is the long-awaited Messiah! Lydia opens her home to Paul and his companions and starts the first church in Europe. But the cost of following Christ is high. It is illegal in the Roman Empire, and as a leader of the church in Philippi, Lydia faces opposition and ostracism from her family, her friends, her neighbors, and her customers. When Lydia is on the verge of losing everything she has ever held dear, will she be able to hold fast to her newfound faith?

Genres: Biblical Fiction, Fiction

277 pages, ebook

Published December 1, 2020

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Elizabeth Adams lives in New York City with her husband. When she’s not writing, she spends her time playing with their rambunctious daughter, cleaning up after two devious cats, and trying to find time to read mysteries.

Reviews

[Gayle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 14th book in the Ordinary Women of the Bible series from Guidepost that I have read.

Lydia is introduced to us in the Acts of the Apostles as the woman baptized at the river and the one who invites Paul, and Silas to her house. The women of Philippi had great independence. They gathered for meetings and ran their own businesses, as did Lydia. She is only mentioned in Scripture twice but Elizabeth Adams did an amazing job of building her story and reading between the lines to fill in the fiction part of the story and what was not told. This was one of those books that makes you feel what the occupants are feeling. You feel Lydia's fear when Paul is arrested. You feel her love for Damon and his for her. I hated how Felix took advantage of his position. I really don't like people who abuse their powers. My heart broke when Lydia's daughter turns against her. and the author supposes it is because the fortune telling slave belongs to her husband and now they have lost a substantial part of their income.

I've read the Acts and know an earthquake was how Paul and Silas escaped from jail, but I never thought about the damage it did to the rest of the city. I just thought it was God's way of freeing them, but than Damon mentions how can God save two and let all the others in the city suffer. Was it punishment for their sins?

And the church grew and Lydia and Damon lived happily ever after.

[patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Befitting Royalty gives us an imagined story of Lydia. Lydia was asked to head the church in Phillipi. She is a widow and runs a dye works. She and others are worshipping at the river when four men appear. When Lydia's group is done the four approach and after speaking with them Lydia is baptized, she is now a follower of the Way. She hosts Paul, Timothy, Silas and Luke at her home and then the Lord's Day worship. But the Way is illegal in the Roman world. Elizabeth Adams shows the very early church and some of the difficulties of those years. The church is coming into being and Paul is on his mission to spread the Good News. Lydia choses Christ, no matter the cost. Even at the cost of her own happiness and safety. She witnesses the devastation of the earthquake that freed Paul from prison. This is part of the ordinary women of the Bible series.

[Lisa Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A different take on Lydia’s story than I’ve read before and I was not disappointed! Based on the reception Paul and Silas received, it should’ve crossed my mind that Lydia and the young church could’ve dealt with severe persecution as well. I enjoyed the viewpoint and how she stuck to her faith no matter the cost. And seeing the transformation of so many as they accepted Christ was beautiful. I so enjoyed Lydia’s salvation as well. Much like most new Christians, Lydia didn’t understand everything, but she knew it was right. I really loved that the author showed that it takes time to understand the Gospel, and sometimes we won’t understand everything.

[Mary Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another great book about a woman in the Bible. I really enjoyed this story.

[Paula White · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25
I loved this fictional story of a real woman of the Bible, Lydia. It reminded me of the price many paid in the early church for their faith.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Truth of Loss Is Miraculous

I love the simple truth this story reveals about the truth of loss proving the actual insignificance of it in view of eternity but also how little what is lost has to do with your identity.

I struggled with this truth during a season in my life of one loss after another and the difficulty it created in me to just continue breathing. But God truly is sufficient, capable of upholding us, and putting broken hearts back together when we step out in faith and put it and all of us in His hands.

I love a good love story that evolved the difficulty of the real world in being unequally yoked as well. The strength of our convictions does determine the strength of our faith.

Can't wait for you to see how this all played out in this fictional story of Lydia. I believe you will thoroughly enjoy it as I did.

[DEBBIE AGUILAR · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sacrifice & Love - Forgiveness -Redemption !!!

From the start this book holds you , you may cry & laugh but Paul & Luke there sweet spirits bring it to Life . Lydia & Damon go thru heart ship & Lydia learns there is a price to accept Jesus Christ. Her world is turned upside down . Still She Will hold onto Jesus !! Losing everything Lydia prays for redemption , "Lord can you hear me" ?? I won't tell you the end !! Enjoy a great read !! Thank you Elizabeth Adams !

[Eunice Crabtree · Rating 5 out of 5]

As there is not much known about Lydia in the Bible, the author, Elizabeth Adams, does a real good job of imagining her life. She was a rich, independent widow running her own business when she met the Apostle Paul, was instantly baptized and opened her home to Paul and his followers. Her home is thought to be the earliest church. The story tells of her and Paul and his followers’ experiences while he was there. She even throws in a little romance for Lydia. All and all a very good read.

[Mary Kodiath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elizabeth Adam’s makes this story of Lydia so real

I always wondered about the little know Lydia is the Bible. I just loved this story! What is most wonderful is that I got the beautiful, faithful, and difficult feeling of true believers of Jesus Christ. I highly encourage reading this storyl

[Laura Newton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Portrayal of Lydia

While the Scripture does not give us many details about Lydia of Philippi the author has given us a story that not only entertained but one that brought to life this woman of faith and encourages us to choose to be like her.

[Carly Pollart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book

I loved the story, and love she had for Demon. Praise hashem. He is in Control
we are not. I hope you are blessed reading this I was.