Pastor Barry's  "Chapter & Verse"  Day 325

November 20;   Acts 13:2;   102/260(II);   ‘The Holy Spirit Said’

Acts 13:2 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."

 Saul (Paul) and Barnabas were with other ministers in the church at Antioch.  There were five ministers, who were prophets and teachers (the Bible does not tell you which minister was a prophet, or a teacher or both).  These five ministers were ministering to the Lord.  They were worshipping, praising and praying to the Lord in a thankful manner.  They were preoccupied with thanking the Lord and telling Him how much they loved Him.  They were also fasting.  Often fasting is a way to deny your flesh and major on your spirit, thus enabling someone to be more sensitive to their spirit.  The ministering to the Lord and fasting enabled the Holy Spirit to speak to these ministers.  The Holy Spirit specifically separated Barnabas and Saul for specific ministry the Lord had for them.  If these ministers met together at other times, the Holy Spirit might have given specific direction for any of the other ministers.  We only know what the Bible teaches and we are told that the Holy Spirit spoke directly to Barnabas and Saul on this occasion.  The Lord Jesus has no favorites.  Each of us have been called by Him to fulfill things that He has called each of us to do.  There is no need for jealousy, “Why didn’t the Lord give me direction since I was ministering to Him as well?”  If each of us will spend time ministering to the Lord and denying our flesh, He will surely speak to your spirit by the Holy Spirit and give you clear leading and direction.  The important thing to do is to do what these five ministers did.  Worship and love the Lord, major on your spirit and listen.  You will learn to know the Spirit’s voice.