MONDAY August 7, 2023
Open Doors to Preach
Then he came to Derbe and Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a certain Jewish woman who believed, but his father was Greek. He was well spoken of by the brethren who were at Lystra and Iconium.
Acts 16:1-2
The church in Antioch became a launching pad to ultimately proclaim the Gospel all throughout Europe and the province of Asia. As Paul continued his journey, he arrived in Derbe and Lystra. There he met Timothy, an amazing young man. He became Paul’s disciple––a son in the faith.
In the Bible, there are two epistles written to Timothy. Paul exhorted him to fulfil his ministry, because soon Paul would finish his race––he would be martyred for Christ––and Timothy would have to move forward:
...the time of my departure [from this world] is at hand and I will soon go free. I have fought the good and worthy and noble fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith [firmly guarding the gospel against error] (2 Timothy 4:6-7 AMP).
Paul, as dedicated missionary, could never settle down anywhere. He never got comfortable in his life. Paul went on three missionary journeys; his heart was for the lost. He wanted people to go to heaven! So he took advantage of every open door to preach the Gospel. By the way he lived his life, we know he genuinely cared for the lost.
Christians have a great responsibility––to make disciples. I believe there are still open doors to reach the lost. However, in many places in the world, the doors are slowly closing. In Scripture, Jesus saw open doors to teach the gospel among the multitudes––a ripe harvest of lost souls. But where were the workers? There were only a few!
What was needed then, and for today, is prayer. Jesus said: “Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest” (Matthew 9:38). There are fields of people to reach with the Gospel, but where are the Christians who are willing to leave their worldly comforts?
Do you have a heart for the lost? The time of this age is drawing to a close. The Gospel needs to be preached. We need to evangelize.
Every place where God leads, there is your field.
~D.L. Moody~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
