Every person commissioned by Jesus to carry out a mission has a clothing of power, before which demons tremble with fear at the thought of attacking them. They don't put it off or go to the Master's feet to weep. This is what happened to the apostle Paul at the gateway the Lord opened for him in Europe, in Philippi. In that city, Paul and Silas went to the riverside, thinking it was a place where they could pray, and right there the work began (Acts 16:11-13).

           It was a different beginning, because Paul and Silas didn't go to evangelize anyone, but to pray to the Father. The Scriptures don't say whether they had announced that they would be there, but there were some women there to whom they spoke about Christ. One of them, called Lydia, feared the Lord. She listened to Paul and was even baptized (Acts 16:14,15). This proves that God was at work!

         The glory from On High over the apostle made Lydia understand the divine plan, and her conversion certainly caught the attention of many people. There will always be a door that opens for the Heaven-sent. However, it is necessary to remain in communion with the Most High, so that the gifts of the Holy Spirit can use the faithful servant in the same way it used the Master when, at Jacob's well, He brought the Samaritan woman to salvation (John 4:4-30).

         Where Paul and Silas were had become a place of prayer, but they also noticed the devil's trickery. Whenever they went to pray, a young fortune-teller appeared in their path, whose divinations made a profit for the men who exploited her. She shouted: “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.” (Acts 16.17b). Paul was intrigued by her propaganda (Acts 16:16-18).

         The evil one's trick was this: if they accepted that acclaim in relation to their evangelistic work, they would be benefiting from a diabolical work and would pay a very high price. We must never give the enemy any chance to promote us. Only the Holy Spirit should be used to carry out God's will. Intrigued, Paul ordered the demon to come out of her, and it retreated. Whoever witnessed this had proof that there are two powers in the world: good and evil.

           After the young woman's release, there was great confusion in the city. Those who witnessed it were divided between those who accepted what Paul had done and the devil's action on the men who began to persecute the apostle and Silas (Acts 16:19). God's glory will use us at the right time, because what matters is that lives are saved. We are sent with the same glory that Jesus received from the Father to fulfill his mission.

         What the Lord gives us must be used for His glory. Many people are accumulating wealth for their children, but forget that the best inheritance they can have is the salvation won by Christ on the cross. Never miss an opportunity to talk about Jesus. The lost who are saved through you will be your eternal reward. Do something!

           In Christ, with love,

           R. R. Soares