Spirit-Living Devotional
Apostle Osborn
A HEART THAT RUNS AFTER THE LOST
[[Act 17:16]] KJV Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.
Paul was one man passionate for evangelism. While at Athens waiting for Timothy and Silas, his spirit was stirred in him when he saw the entire city given to idolatry. He was not critical of them; on the contrary, he was concerned about their salvation.
Anytime we hit the streets, drive on the road, board an aircraft, or happen to find ourselves in the midst of folks who are not saved, we must be stirred in us to preach the gospel to them. What happens to you within when you see those vulnerable young sex workers by the streets at night? Do you get stirred to win the lost? You must be moved. The reason is because these people live in the dark places of the world. A man without Christ is himself ‘darkness’ *(Eph 5:8).
In Psalm 74, the Psalmist lamented, “…the dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty” *(Ps 74:20). Evil, wickedness and spiritual cruelty resides in these dark places. Can you imagine a life without God’s protection? A life constantly subjected to satanic harassment? A life that’s prey to devils?
Friend, this is why we must arise up in evangelism. Like Paul, our spirit must be stirred within us. There must be an ignition of a burning desire and passion for lost souls. Pray that God through the Holy Ghost will turn on the ignition in your heart. Jesus said without me you can do nothing *(John 15:5). If God doesn’t put the desire there you can’t have it.
When was the last time sleep departed your eye through night vigils of agony in prayer for the salvation of a soul? May the passion that drove Messiah to the cross, drive us to the lost. It’s time to work for the Master. Like Paul, may the Holy Ghost stir our spirit within us for lost souls even today.
Prayer:
Dear God, without you I can do nothing. I cannot be zealous for souls if you don’t put the desire in my heart. Consume me with fresh fire for evangelism. Ignite the desire in me. Stir my spirit within. Make me passionate for soul winning in Jesus’ name.
