SCRIPTURE: Acts 13:1-12

OBSERVATION:
While the Christ-followers in Antioch were together, speaking together about the greatness of the Lord, and renewing their commitment to Him by fasting, they sensed the Spirit setting apart Barnabas and Saul for their mission to the Gentiles (Acts 9:15-16). The laying on of hands was a symbolic way of commissioning them for their task. Their task was to carry the message of Jesus (the word of the Lord) to non-Jews. We see the openness to the proconsul as well as the resistance of the devil (‘child of the devil’) through Elymnas. Paul afflicts him with the same blindness that he endured (Acts 9:8-9), and maybe this resulted in his conversion, as it did for Paul.

APPLICATION:
Many people are open to the message of Jesus, but they need someone to explain it to them. As well, Satan is doing what he can to keep people blind to Jesus (2 Corinthians 4:4). Saul (from now on Paul, v.9) has been filled with the Spirit for His task… and so are we! If we will make ourselves available to the Lord, then His Spirit will also enable us to share the message with boldness and power, and to overcome the enemy as he resists us. We need to step out in faith, and He will reveal His power to and through us. Our hesitation to step out keeps us from seeing the Spirit at work in and through us.

PRAYER:
Lord, thank You for calling me, and entrusting me with a role in Your mission. Forgive me for holding back, and for not stepping out more boldly. Grant me the boldness I need to step out, so that I may see Your hand at work! Amen.