Fasting

 As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, "Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away. Acts 13-2-3

As they were fasting, the Holy Spirit spoke to them. Then they prepared for their journey by fasting and praying.

Fasting and praying are necessary when you have a big decision to make, or you are looking for answers and direction from God, or to prepare for a long undertaking. 

Fasting is not easy. Fasting is not something that I want to do. Fasting is not a diet or a way to lose weight. Sometimes we are called by the Lord to fast and pray because he wants us to depend on him, to seek his will in our lives, and to trust him. Fasting takes effort, discipline, and forces me to focus on the Lord and depend on Him for my energy. When I am focused on the Lord is when I can hear Him the most.

Dear Lord, please help me when I need to take time to fast and pray for your guidance, your wisdom, and your direction. Help me to stay in tune to hear your voice when you are speaking to me. Help me to listen to you and to seek your will in my life.

Unexpected

 When Peter had come to himself, he said, "Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all expectation of the Jewish people." Acts 12:9-11

Peter thought he was seeing a vision. He didn't know what he was seeing was real. 

The word "expectation" jumps out at me.

God does not always do what we expect. In fact, I think He does the unexpected just so that is how we know that it is God doing it! That's how God gets the credit for the impossible! Things that are not possible for man is possible with God!

God seems to work things out differently than how I imagined, and that is how I know that He works in the impossible scenarios. All the glory to God for He can do miracles!

Thank you Lord for showing me that You are in the unexpected! Help me to be open-minded and to see you how I least expect. Thank you for answering my prayers.

Barnabas

 When Barnabas came and had seen the grace of /god, he was glad and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. Acts 11:23-26

Joseph, who was called Barnabas by the apostles, which is translated Son of Encouragement, a Levite of Cyprus, had land, sold it, and gave the money to the apostles. Acts 4:36

Barnabas brought Paul to Antioch. Acts 11:25-26

Barnabas was not a major figure in the Bible, but he brought a lot of people to the Lord, taught a great number of people, and helped the work of Paul by bringing him to Antioch. 

Barnabas was not a famous person but he played a vital role in God's Kingdom. We need to do our small part for the Lord and not worry about getting the credit. All the glory goes to God anyway. Our small part could help someone else who has a big part.

Dear Lord, please forgive me for thinking I didn't have a big enough part to play. I need to do my small part to the best of my ability that you gave me. Help me to do what you want me to do. Help me to work as unto the Lord, not for man to see me and give me complements but for you and your eternal Kingdom. Thank you Lord.

Doesn't Make Sense

 Peter said, "You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean." Acts 10:28

Jews were not allowed to eat unclean animals. They were always taught not to marry or associate with anyone from other tribes or nations. So I guess it went against their tradition to talk to Gentiles. They probably could not understand at first why God would want them to tell the Gentiles about Jesus. But when God showed Peter that He shows no partiality and that Jesus died for all people, that's when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Gentiles also.

Sometimes God asks us to do things that we do not understand at the time. Just because that is the way something has always been done, does not necessarily make it right. Traditions can be changed. Laws can be changed. God loves everyone. God is the Creator and He loves all His children no matter what. God wants no one to perish but for all people to have everlasting life and to live with Him. We need to not judge by outward appearances. God sees our heart. God wants us to love others just like Him.

Dear Lord, please help me to give grace. Please help me to not judge by outward appearances. Please help me to have faith, especially when it doesn't make sense. Thank you Lord for your grace and your mercy.

One Small Act

 The Lord said to Ananias, a disciple in Damascus, "Arise and go...to Saul of Tarsus for behold, he is praying and in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and purring his hand on him so that he might receive his sight." Then Ananias answered, "Lord I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem." But the Lord said, "Go, for he is a chosen vessel of mine to bear My Name before Gentiles, Kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My Name's sake." Acts 9:10-22

God spoke to Ananias in a vision, but he was afraid to go. What God was asking him to do did not make any sense to him, so he got confirmation. What if he didn't obey? Ananias obeyed even though he was afraid. Because he obeyed, Saul was healed and filled with the Holy Spirit and went on to do the works of the Lord. It's amazing how one small act of obedience can lead to so many great things.

We are going to be afraid, but we can not let that fear cripple us and stop us from doing what the Lord wants us to do. Do not fear, for the Lord your God is with you.

Dear Lord, please help me to obey you even when, especially when I am afraid. Thank you Lord that I can trust you. I can depend on you because I know that you love me as Your child and want what is best for me. You are with me so I do not have to be afraid. Thank you so much Lord for your protection and your guidance.