You just never know how far your efforts will go. Great things can come from the most humble and unlikely beginnings.
"Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers: Barnabas, and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul." (Acts 13.1)
Some amazing things developed through this interesting group of men. Three of the group were considered prophets. Barnabas is well known as "the son of encouragement". Simeon, from the region of Nigeria, is thought to have been the same Simeon forced to bear Jesus' cross when He could no longer carry it to Golgatha's hill. Lucius, also from the region of Nigeria, was a prophet. And, then there was a man named Manaen, an important man brought up alongside the very same Herod whom Jesus appeared before on trial. And finally, Saul, who was considered a teacher, but not yet regarded as an apostle.
"While they were ministering to 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)
The personal devotion of these men to prayer, fasting, and teaching became the springboard to a profound spiritual venture. Amidst their devotion came the prompting of God through Holy Spirit to designate Barnabas and Paul for a specific work. That work would result in an impact on the world of that day that is still felt to this day. Additionally, that work would give rise to the legacy of the New Testament of the Bible - nearly two-thirds being written through this teacher named Saul.
What might our prayer, worship, and devotion to our Master set in motion today? Would our intense devotion result in a clear call from God to a specific work by certain people? Could a life-changing mission be birthed through our personal devotion today? These verses in Acts thirteen provide a blueprint for such possibilities.
While much of the Book of Acts is an account of the unique and unrepeatable events of the birth of the church age, it also serves as prologue to the events of our day. There are patterns and principles for the people of God today. Spirit power can do amazing things, and launch far-reaching ventures.
What will result from your devotion and service today? The exciting thing is, you just never know ...
©Steve Taylor, 2013
"Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers: Barnabas, and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul." (Acts 13.1)
Some amazing things developed through this interesting group of men. Three of the group were considered prophets. Barnabas is well known as "the son of encouragement". Simeon, from the region of Nigeria, is thought to have been the same Simeon forced to bear Jesus' cross when He could no longer carry it to Golgatha's hill. Lucius, also from the region of Nigeria, was a prophet. And, then there was a man named Manaen, an important man brought up alongside the very same Herod whom Jesus appeared before on trial. And finally, Saul, who was considered a teacher, but not yet regarded as an apostle.
"While they were ministering to 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)
The personal devotion of these men to prayer, fasting, and teaching became the springboard to a profound spiritual venture. Amidst their devotion came the prompting of God through Holy Spirit to designate Barnabas and Paul for a specific work. That work would result in an impact on the world of that day that is still felt to this day. Additionally, that work would give rise to the legacy of the New Testament of the Bible - nearly two-thirds being written through this teacher named Saul.
What might our prayer, worship, and devotion to our Master set in motion today? Would our intense devotion result in a clear call from God to a specific work by certain people? Could a life-changing mission be birthed through our personal devotion today? These verses in Acts thirteen provide a blueprint for such possibilities.
While much of the Book of Acts is an account of the unique and unrepeatable events of the birth of the church age, it also serves as prologue to the events of our day. There are patterns and principles for the people of God today. Spirit power can do amazing things, and launch far-reaching ventures.
What will result from your devotion and service today? The exciting thing is, you just never know ...
©Steve Taylor, 2013
posted by steve @ 8:55 AM
2 Comments:
At 2:13 PM,
Denise Berry said…
Good devotions today, Steve...and some excellent questions to ponder.
Had to do a little research where you wrote about Simon and Lucius being from Nigeria. My Bible map lists Cyrene on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea across from Crete which is now the country of Libya.
At 2:45 PM,
steve said…
Thanks, Denise. There are varying opinions as to where these men were from. Here is one commentator's thoughts:
"Symeon who was called Niger (that, by the way, is a reference to the area of Africa now known as Nigeria and indicates that perhaps this man was a black; many scholars feel that he was), and Lucius of Cyrene, also from North Africa."
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