Key scripture- “Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus…therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory” (2 Timothy 3:3,10).

We should never forget what the battle is about. The battle is about what God is doing to draw more and more people to turn to Him for forgiveness and for a new life empowered and directed by Him through His Son, Jesus Christ. That is why the last thing that Jesus told us before He ascended into Heaven was that we “must go and make disciples of all nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And you can be sure that I am always with you, to the very end” (Matthew 28:19-20).

This is what God has been working for in this world all along. It is the reason why He has not brought history to a conclusion yet. This is why He has left you and me on earth instead of taking us straight to heaven after we were saved. “The Lord is not slow to keep his promise. He is not slow in the way some people understand it. Instead, he is patient with you. He doesn’t want anyone to be destroyed. Instead, he wants all people to turn away from their sins…Remember that while our Lord is waiting patiently to return, people are being saved. Our dear brother Paul also wrote to you about this. God made him wise to write as he did” (2 Peter 3:9,15).

God wants you to know that He wants to use you today, and tomorrow, and the day after that, and the day after that, to help the people in your life move towards Christ. As you pray about your day today, focus your prayers, not just on your wants, but on your relationships. Ask God to use you in those relationships to help those people take one small step closer to Him today, and to see the love of God through you.

As you go through your day, look for God’s answer to your prayer as you spend time with people today. Look for any chance to have a spiritual conversation, to talk about what God means in your life, or how he has changed your life, or something you learned from Scripture this week during your quiet time with God.

Pray this – Our Precious Heavenly Father, show me who I can help in their walk with You today and everyday for the rest of my life until I go home to be with You. I know that Jesus was not just making a suggestion, instead He commanded all of us to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that He has commanded in His Word. Father, let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to You as the Holy Spirit speaks through me to the people that You have put in my life that need to hear about Jesus. Let them see Your peace, patience, kindness, love, goodness, gentleness, and forgiveness flowing in me and through me. Give me wisdom and strength to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ to the world. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.