As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” – Acts 13:2
They ministered to the Lord. | WATCH ON YOUTUBE
The leaders of the church were gathered at Antioch. The Bible says, they ministered to the Lord and fasted. Barnabas and the others ministered to each other but they also ministered to the Lord. To minister to the Lord is the primary role of every servant of God.
The word ‘minister’ is used for the service of priests and Levites in the temple. And under the new covenant, ministering to the Lord means doing what pleases Him and honours Him. It is to worship, praise, prayer and listen to Him, to honour Him. To offer oneself as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1).
They also fasted as part of their service to God. They sensed a need to seek God in a special way, about the need to spread the gospel. And God answered their prayer. He answered by using them. Often, God uses those who have a burden to pray for a need, by using them as part of the solution, to do the work.
And as they waited on the Lord, the Holy Spirit directed them. Barnabas and Saul were to be set apart now, unto the Lord and sent into a specific work that the Lord had for them. The time was now. And they were to be set apart.
To be set apart to God means you must separate from some other things. You can’t really say “yes” to God’s call on your life until you can say “no” to things that will keep you from that call.
Lord, help me be set apart to you to do what you call me to, I pray.
Extended Reading – Acts 13-14
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I agree with your point of view and found this very insightful.
Posts like this are why I keep coming back. It’s rare to find content that’s simple, practical, and not full of fluff.