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Once again I hope to emphasize
the importance of hearing God's voice. I started a couple of
days ago with this post on How
to Hear from God. Let's continue.
Paul and Barnabas were in
Antioch, where the disciples of Christ were first called
Christians (Acts
11:26). They are in the list of prophets and teachers in the
church (Acts
13:1), men not so much in it for the title or position, but
they had a passion for God and His mission. Notice where they
were when they heard God's voice (Acts
13:2). The Message puts it this way, "One day as they
were worshiping God--they were also fasting as they waited for
guidance--the Holy Spirit spoke:" I believe that these men
heard from God because they were in a position to hear his
voice; basically, when God spoke, they were listening. You've
got to be near God to hear God.
What perfect timing. Paul tells
us he was set apart from birth (Galatians
1:15) perhaps around AD 10. His salvation did not come until
around AD 36, but he was not set for his primary ministry until
around AD 46. No time was wasted, Paul used these years to
prepare for this moment. When the time came, he was ready. So
after the church fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on
them and sent them off (Acts
13:3).
It's important to note that if
the Holy Spirit sends, He is also going to equip those He sends.
God gave these men wisdom, experience and even a helper (John
Mark -- Acts
13:5 -- who later would be the writer of the gospel of
Mark). So off they went.
At the first stop they find an
interesting man whose name was Bar-Jesus (or Elymas), an
attendant to Serguis Paulus, the governor of Cyprus (Acts
13:6, 7).
The governor wanted to hear God's Word but this Bar-Jesus did
all that he could to prevent it (Acts
13:8). Interestingly enough, it is here that Saul name
officially transitions to Paul (Acts
13:9). Paul looks at him and calls him the son of the devil
(Acts
13:10) which is a play on the man's name (Bar-Jesus means
the son of Jesus). Paul describes him this way:
- Full of deceit -- bait, fraud,
guile, deceit -- the man was involved in magic, astrology
and enchantment.
- Full of trickery -- often a
word used for thieves and con men involved in wicked schemes
or plots.
- Perverted the right ways of
the Lord -- to turn or twist, distort, pervert, seduce,
mislead, turn away.
It is also here that Paul
performs his first miracle (Acts
13:11) and the man becomes blind. The result was that the
governor came to faith (Acts
13:12). God wants to amaze us with His Word as well. If we
will only seek Him and examine His truth, He can blow our minds
with what He was for us. How did the governor come to faith?
Because he wanted to hear the Word of the Lord (Acts
13:7). He was ready to receive and God honored that desire.
Application: Are
you in a position to hear God's Word? Do you have a desire to
hear from Him? Are you actively involved in worship or does that
not fit in your schedule? How about a small group of people who
can help you understand the Bible better and be challenged to
live it out in everyday life? As in this story, our enemy will
do everything in his power to distract you from hearing God.
Stay focused, do not get distracted from your goal (Romans
8:29, Galatians
2:20, Acts
20:24). Allow God to use you for his kingdom. Be available
to serve Him and others by putting yourself into a position to
hear from Him. |
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If you have not
yet registered, it's time. It's
next Saturday
morning, October 30... Men at the Cross
will be at London Bridge Baptist Church at 8am - 12:45pm.
I'm excited about this event; and its local, so no travel or hotel.
I'm praying for 20 men to step up and participate, and at least
5 students. Check out our website for more information, and only $29 (the
military rate is $19). Teen guys are free when they come with
dad. Send
me an e-mail if you plan on being there. 
[
Men's Video ] [ Student
Video ] |
