The Word of God for wisdom:
Proverbs 4:7 (HCSB)
7 Wisdom is supreme—so get wisdom. And whatever else you get, get understanding.
The Word of God for inspiration:
Psalm 137:1 (HCSB)
1 By the rivers of Babylon— there we sat down and wept when we remembered Zion.
Psalm 137:4 (HCSB)
4 How can we sing the LORD's song on foreign soil?
The Word of God for encouragement:
Acts 13:1-3 (HCSB)
1 In the church that was at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius the Cyrenian, Manaen, a close friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
2 As they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work I have called them to."
3 Then after they had fasted, prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them off.
My observation:
God uses those he chooses. It today's focal passage from Acts, we have an account of how God chose Barnabas and Saul (Paul) to become missionaries to the world.
The thing I noticed about Paul and Barnabas was that God used them mightily. They were willing to do what God asked them to do, and go where God sent them. They had just completed one mission prior to the occasion of the meeting in Antioch.
Acts 12:25 (HCSB)
25 After they had completed their relief mission, Barnabas and Saul returned to Jerusalem, taking along John who is called Mark.
Paul and Barnabas did not receive the call of God to be missionaries in Jerusalem. Instead, God sent them to Antioch, and called them while they were serving him there.
This was not the first time Paul and Barnabas had served the church at Antioch. They had been there before, and they had served the church well.
Acts 11:25-26 (HCSB)
25 Then he went to Tarsus to search for Saul,
26 and when he found him he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught large numbers. The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch.
My prayer:
Father God, my dear Father, I am so thankful that the obedient, faithful, and dedicated servant of God can serve you anywhere. I am so glad it is not about the region of our service; rather, it is about our relationship with our Lord.
Father God, In every church there are people like the people that were in the church at Antioch. Lord, help us to see in our journey through the book of Acts how you used them mightily to take the gospel to the whole world.
Lord, God Almighty, do it again in our time, and in our church. Lord, strengthen us by your power, and may we be willing to serve you faithfully where we are, and be willing to go where you send us. Amen.
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8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
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