November 11 - Acts 13-15
Are you filled with the Spirit today? Have you been sent out by the Holy Spirit to accomplish a mission? I don't believe the Lord only does this for full-time Christian servants like pastors and missionaries. I believe the Bible teaches that we are all ministers and that God directs us to the ministry for which He has gifted us. That is what this passage shows us. It shows us how to find God's will and what can happen if we are sent out by the Spirit.
In chapter 13 prophets and teachers were having special worship times including fasting. They were seeking to know the Lord's will for their ministries. During this time, the Holy Spirit clearly spoke to them that Barnabas and Saul should be set apart for the ministry to which He had called them. He had called them to spread the gospel to the Gentiles, so they left on a mission trip after the others had fasted and prayed for them and laid hands on them. Isn't that a clear picture for us? It is vital for us to know God's will and to do His will. The rest of the chapter emphasizes how they were filled with the Spirit continually. The Spirit gave them power and direction for where to go and what to say and to do. That is what we all need each day.
Then, as you read the rest of this passage notice the results. There were many saved. People were healed along with other miracles. Paul was stoned, but he did not die. God did a great work through them. I believe it was all because they were being obedient to God. Can much the same thing happen today? Yes! We must be diligent to remain filled with the Spirit and obedient to what He says. We must share the gospel with others. We must not be centered on our will but on God's will for us. It might be scary and uncomfortable, but it is the best way.
Again, we see how Paul and Barnabas had to deal with opposition from outside of the church and from within the church. The Jews wished to kill them, and the sect of the Pharisees who had been saved, sought to change the gospel. How did they overcome such opposition? The Holy Spirit showed them what to do. We must follow His way, not our way. Don't let opposition stop you. Pray more for God's direction and provision. Paul and Barnabas even had a disagreement over John Mark. It wasn't the best situation, but God used it for good. Later, Paul realized that Mark was useful to him. In the mean time he and Barnabas did a good ministry separate from Paul and Silas. Maybe you are a Paul, or maybe you are a Barnabas. God can use you either way. It takes all of us to do God's will.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Acts 16-18.
In chapter 13 prophets and teachers were having special worship times including fasting. They were seeking to know the Lord's will for their ministries. During this time, the Holy Spirit clearly spoke to them that Barnabas and Saul should be set apart for the ministry to which He had called them. He had called them to spread the gospel to the Gentiles, so they left on a mission trip after the others had fasted and prayed for them and laid hands on them. Isn't that a clear picture for us? It is vital for us to know God's will and to do His will. The rest of the chapter emphasizes how they were filled with the Spirit continually. The Spirit gave them power and direction for where to go and what to say and to do. That is what we all need each day.
Then, as you read the rest of this passage notice the results. There were many saved. People were healed along with other miracles. Paul was stoned, but he did not die. God did a great work through them. I believe it was all because they were being obedient to God. Can much the same thing happen today? Yes! We must be diligent to remain filled with the Spirit and obedient to what He says. We must share the gospel with others. We must not be centered on our will but on God's will for us. It might be scary and uncomfortable, but it is the best way.
Again, we see how Paul and Barnabas had to deal with opposition from outside of the church and from within the church. The Jews wished to kill them, and the sect of the Pharisees who had been saved, sought to change the gospel. How did they overcome such opposition? The Holy Spirit showed them what to do. We must follow His way, not our way. Don't let opposition stop you. Pray more for God's direction and provision. Paul and Barnabas even had a disagreement over John Mark. It wasn't the best situation, but God used it for good. Later, Paul realized that Mark was useful to him. In the mean time he and Barnabas did a good ministry separate from Paul and Silas. Maybe you are a Paul, or maybe you are a Barnabas. God can use you either way. It takes all of us to do God's will.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Acts 16-18.