DCLM DAILY MANNA DEVOTIONAL FOR SEPTEMBER 6, 2023 (READY FOR WORK)
TOPIC : READY FOR WORK
Text: Acts 13:1-7 (KJV)
13 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
4 So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.
5 And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.
6 And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus:
7 Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.
KEY VERSE: “So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.” – (Acts 13:4)
MESSAGE
During recruitment in wartime, barracks commanders are told to give a crash training to new intakes. They are asked to intensely drill the new soldiers and prepare them for the frontline in a matter of days or weeks. There is no time to waste in the battle to save the soul of the land from falling into the hands of marauders. Delay thus becomes very dangerous.
There is more urgency in the spiritual war to liberate the world from the greater danger of ending in hell if they die in sin. So, promptly after their preparation through fasting and praying, Barnabas and Saul are separated from a group of five prophets and teachers ministering to the Lord in Antioch, the third largest city in the Roman Empire. The Holy Ghost Himself commissions the duo “for the work whereunto I have called them”.
Our work for the Lord, preaching to win souls to the kingdom of God, is more demanding, decisive and discretionary than any military campaign or other secular venture we can think of. It is about toiling to bring millions to Christ and, thereby, saving them from eternal damnation. It is about bringing joy to the heart of God so the suffering of His Son, Jesus Christ, will not be in vain. It challenges us to heed the call to evangelise in all seasons.
Every believer is a commissioned soul-winner. We have the same spiritual backing the Holy Ghost gave Barnabas and Saul. They prayed and fasted, seeking the mercy of God for a fruitful outreach. Immediately, they went into the field harvesting souls of sinners for heaven, restoring the backsliders and strengthening the redeemed in hope of final rest in Christ. Similar results are our portion today as we follow in their footsteps.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Every follower of Christ is a commissioned soul-winner.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Psalm 92-100
Daily Manna is the daily devotional of the Deeper Christian Life Bible Ministry (DCLM) written by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi. It is an extraction of God’s Word designed to draw the sincere seeker closer to God on a daily basis through an insightful exposition and analysis of God’s Word.
