God's Holy Fire: 'From Worship to Mission'

Thursday, June 8, 2023

While [the Christians in Antioch] 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."
— Acts 13:2 NIV

Key Thought

Worship, whether individually in our daily lives or assembled with other Christians, should propel us to mission. That result was true for Isaiah (Isaiah 6:1-8), and it was true for the church in Antioch. When we worship, the Holy Spirit of God is at work among us and within us (John 4:23-24; Philippians 3:3; Ephesians 5:18-21). Whether the Holy Spirit gave the message in today's verse to the church in Antioch through a prophet, through the shared and clear conviction of those present, or in some other way, the Spirit's message was clear! I believe that if we seek God with all of our hearts in worship and open our hearts to God's word seeking the Father's guidance, the Spirit of God will:
  • Speak to our hearts,
  • Guide us,
  • Challenge us,
  • Help us recognize truth,
  • Convict us about how we should serve, and
  • Direct us in how we should live.
    (John 16:8-11; Romans 8:14; Galatians 5:18, 25; Ephesians 6:17-18; 1 John 2:20-27)
The real question is this: Am I seeking God with all my heart so I can fully live out his will in my life? If each of us is doing so, the Holy Spirit will guide us to live out God's mission in our lives!

Today's Prayer

O precious and holy God, there is none like you. There is nothing comparable to you. Thank you for letting me seek you and draw near to you. Thank you for redeeming me and choosing to live inside me through your Spirit. Please lead me and guide me by your Spirit to be transformed to be like your Son, wholly conformed to your will, and fully living out your mission for my life. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

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Illustration

Illustration of Acts 13:2 NIV — While [the Christians in Antioch] 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."

About This Devotional

God's Holy Fire is a daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

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