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Acts 13-14


Acts 13 opens with Barnabas and Saul worshiping the Lord with the prophets and teachers in the church at Antioch (in Syria). Then the Holy Spirit instructed, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” This is the beginning of what we now call “Paul’s First Missionary Journey”.

Wherever their journey took them, they entered Jewish synagogues and proclaimed the word of God. In Pisidian Antioch (in today’s Turkey), Paul reminded his listeners how God had been with their Jewish ancestors through the centuries. Verses 16 through 41 recount their history from the time of Joseph in Egypt through the death and resurrection of Jesus.

The beginning of Verse 36 especially caught my attention: “Now when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, …” Have you ever asked yourself what God’s purpose is for your life...the work to which you’ve been called…and whether you’re serving that purpose?  

Acts 9:15 recorded the Lord’s reassurance to Ananias that it was safe to go to Saul by saying, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles…”. The Saul that had persecuted Christians could not have imagined that he would ever serve their God’s purpose. What do you think it would say if you could read what God’s purpose is for your life? You, like Saul, might be very surprised!

Elsie Shepherd

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