Can you believe the perseverance and courage of our missionaries? Paul had just been stoned in Lystra and dragged out of town - supposedly dead. "But while the disciples stood around him, he got up and entered the city. The next day he went away with Barnabas to Derbe." Acts 14:20-28
I think I would have taken a day off! At Derbe they preach and make "many disciples". Then they go back to that same dangerous Lystra and Iconium (where they had been run out of town). There they were "strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, 'Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God'." I'll say there were tribulations!
But a fascinating key to their perseverance is revealed as they get back to home town Antioch. "When they had arrived and gathered the church together, they began to report all things that God had done with them and how He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles." That open door was huge to Paul!
In Colossians 4:3 Paul asked the Colossians to be "praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ". Paul clearly hoped for, asked for, and rejoiced in open doors for the Good News.
Lord, we ask You to open doors in front of us today that Your love and truth can find a home in the lives of those You love so much.
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