Spend time in prayer and silence with God, asking Him to meet with you and speak to you.
Bible Reading
In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus. When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the Word of God in the Jewish synagogues. John was with them as their helper.
– Acts 13:1-5
Devotion
The Holy Spirit tapped Paul and Barnabas on the shoulder to be the first missionaries to the wider Gentile world. After being prayed over, the other apostles sent them out. The first mission trip was limited to the region of Galatia. Overall, the mission trip had mixed results. In every city, a small number of Jews and Gentiles became believers, forming the nucleus of new churches. At the same time, the apostles encountered stiff resistance and persecution from the Jews and Gentiles.
The Big Question
In preparation for their journey, the apostles worshipped and prayed. As a result of this, they proclaimed the Word of God boldly. In their activity, we see six of the eight traits of a growing disciple of Jesus. Worship – How does your love for Jesus show? Prayer – What are you talking to God about? Listen – How are you living out God’s Word today? Give – Where are you serving and giving? Go – Who is in your top three? Multiply – Who are you pouring into?
Conclude your time in prayer and silence, reflecting on what God revealed to you today.