SWHW Bible Reading Plan - Year 2 January 2021预览

January 18

Top Takeaway from Caren Fehr:

“While they were worshiping 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.”  Acts 13:2-5 

The work of the Holy Spirit is a major theme in the Book of Acts from the beginning and all throughout the text.  The early church didn’t grow through hustling and strategic planning of its “founders,” but rather by the direct action and leading of the Holy Spirit. The main responsibility of the church was radical obedience to the Holy Spirit, not strategic performance for the Holy Spirit.

Ever wonder how to discern the Holy Spirit’s leading? I know I’ve often struggled with discerning the voice of God. I find myself often saying, “If I just knew what You were saying or where You were leading, I WOULD follow!”

I am sure I am not alone in this struggle. Acts 13 shows us exactly how to keep in step with the Spirit and come to know His voice.

“While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said….”

The Holy Spirit didn’t act before they worshipped or after they worshipped but WHILE they worshipped. Now, of course the Holy Spirit can act, lead, and speak any time, but in this text we are reminded that He often does so while we are in a posture of worship and fully present in God’s presence. Why? Because our entire focus is on Christ. Our heart is united with His.

It’s really hard to hear the Holy Spirit or yield to His way when our heart is divided, distracted, or even discouraged. Remember when God was trying to encourage the Israelites to remain steadfast and trust Him, “but they did not listen to Him because of their discouragement”? (Exodus 6:9).

Discouragement can create just as much difficulty to hear and receive God’s Word and direction as distraction and divided loyalties.

If you do find yourself wrestling with a divided, distracted, or discouraged heart, worship is a way to untie the heart. In worship, we are consciously focusing the attention of our minds, emotions, and affections upon who God is and what He has done for us. This is what begins to unite our heart with His, and therefore, enhances our ability to hear and be led by the Holy Spirit.

It starts with our personal walk with Him.

The early disciples understood that they must first be walking with God which would then influence and lead their working with God. Today we struggle with working for God and hoping that deepens our walk with God. Let’s not get it backwards!

Father, make us obedient followers of Your Holy Spirit so more lost lives can come to know You! Our age needs this as desperately as the first century did. We desire to be faithful imitators of Christ, and this starts by prioritizing our personal walk with You and increasing our delight in You. Protect us from discouragement, distraction, and divided loyalties of the heart. May You be the only One we chase and our only gaze. Keep us in step with Your Spirit today and every day. We love You! Amen.