God’s Word Says…. 

Acts 13:2-4 (GNT)

2 While they were serving the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said to them, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul, to do the work to which I have called them.”
3 They fasted and prayed, placed their hands on them, and sent them off.
4 Having been sent by the Holy Spirit, Barnabas and Saul went to Seleucia and sailed from there to the island of Cyprus.

My Thoughts: 

In this passage we see where prophets and teachers were serving the church at Antioch, and while serving and fasting (going without food for the sole purpose of seeking God above everything else and seeking a more intimate relationship with Him) this group received a word from the Holy Spirit, that two of their own, Barnabas and Saul were to be set apart (taken from other cares that might hinder them) to do the work that the Holy Spirit has in store for them. Christ’s ministers are to be employed in Christ’s work, and, under the Spirit’s guidance, to act for the glory of God the Father. This requires 100% dedication, with no distractions or known devices that might cause them to stumble or not be totally emptied of self and this world. For it is only when the Spirit has total control, will a servant be totally led and directed by Him. We will see more of the evidence of this as we read on in Acts.

Challenge: 

So how does this apply to those of us who are not ‘ministers/preachers/pastors’, right? I’m glad that you asked, friend! Throughout the New Testament we are taught to ‘go out into the world and preach the gospel’, many of you meditating with me on this have taken on teaching jobs in Sunday/Sabbath School. Are you not sharing the Word of God with your students? Should we not be emptied of self and this world, so that we might be filled with God’s Holy Spirit, who will lead us into all truth and therefore teach more wisely and Godly? Is it really just our ministers/preachers/pastors affected by this call, or is it any child of God that shares the name of Jesus? I would dare say that God would have each of us so filled with His Holy Spirit that we would be totally led by Him in word and deed, so that the world may be dumbfounded, and therefore surrender to the call of the Father on their lives. Please pray for your church leader today, but let us also pray that God might be able to better use us (a much larger army), by emptying ourselves of this world, and then seeking a fresh filling of God’s Holy Spirit so that we may do a more dynamic work for our Lord and Savior.

Prayer: 

Father, too often we stand in front of folk, or perhaps sit to counsel a friend in a ‘Godly’ manner, yet we are so filled with self desires and worldly practices, Please forgive us for mixing Your divine, holy will for our lives, with the sin and mockery of this world. I am reminded that this is an image of trying to mix oil and water – it just doesn’t happen. Please forgive me. Please begin a new work in me of what it truly means to totally filter my input, so that my output might be nothing but Jesus. I believe that this is the only way we will impact this world, so please begin with me. Touch the hearts of all who might read this devotional, and are ready to commit themselves to being a more impactful witness. Please especially touch the hearts of my pastors, elders, deacons, teachers and workers of my church, and also church leaders in other parts of my city and county, that they too might humble themselves, seek Your face and diligently and sincerely pray, so that You might work in our midst to win our townships to the Lord. For this is our greatest mission. All this I ask in Your most holy and loving name, AMEN!