27th Mar 26 | 16:08
Studies by Book
01 Acts 13 01-03 THE COMMISSIONING OF BARNABAS AND PAUL 08 Acts 13 02 God reveals His plans
📖 Acts 13:01-03
08 – Sat, 22 Feb 2025 – *God reveals His plans* - _Acts 13:01-03_ – THE COMMISSIONING OF BARNABAS AND PAUL – _I Corinthians 02:10-12_
_Acts 13:2 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."_
By fasting and ministering to the Lord, the church in Antioch was casting themselves entirely upon God. *Fasting aided them in their pursuit of God*.
The Lord longs to see if our hearts are entirely for Him or if we are distracted with other pursuits. _II Chronicles 16:9a For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. …_ / _Jeremiah 29:13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart._
The church in Antioch was in this state of seeking God and the Lord was pleased. This was the beautiful quality in Mary. Martha was distracted by the need to serve the guests, but Mary sought to be in the presence of the Lord, listening to Him.
_Luke 10:39-42 And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word. (40) *But Martha was distracted* with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me." (41) And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. (42) *But one thing is needed*, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her."_
The majority of us are like Martha. We are busy, exhausting ourselves, seeking the material and essential needs of life, but the willingness and the commitment to seek God by staying in His presence eludes us. _John 6:27 Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him."_
*We must have a Mary heart in a Martha world*. Desiring for the food that endures for eternity must be our pursuit in life. It is in the presence of the Lord, seeking and desiring Him that our soul shall live. _Isaiah 55:3 Incline your ear, and come to Me. *Hear, and your soul shall live*; And I will make an everlasting covenant with you—The sure mercies of David._
The Lord longs to make a covenant with us but we are not willing or interested. It is when we are in this deep place of rest and worship of God that we will hear His voice. _John 10:27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me._
The Lord sees our hearts and His pain over us is that we seek our life solutions in other places but we are not seeking Him. _Jeremiah 2:13 "For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, And hewn themselves cisterns—broken cisterns that can hold no water._ We are also running to other places for refuge but we are not seeking and finding our refuge in Jesus. _Isaiah 31:1 Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, And rely on horses, Who trust in chariots because they are many, And in horsemen because they are very strong, *But who do not look to the Holy One of Israel, Nor seek the LORD!*_
*Friend, how is it with you today? Will the Lord find you to be a person who puts aside everything else and seeks Him with fasting? Or is your life distracted, exhausted and tired that you have no time for God?*
*Will you commit right now to put aside all else and seek Him?*
The Lord gives to us according to what is happening in our hearts. _Jeremiah 17:10 I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, *Even to give every man according to his ways*, According to the fruit of his doings._
The Lord is constantly engaging with us that we will be with Him, for our good, and He will fulfil His purposes through us. _Psalms 119:2 Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, *Who seek Him with the whole heart!*_
In that place of deep devotion to God, we hear His plans and purposes. _Psalms 25:4-5 Show me Your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths. (5) Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; *On You I wait all the day*._
The Holy Spirit takes from the heart of God and brings it to our understanding. _I Corinthians 2:10-12 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. (11) For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. (12) Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God._
```It is as we are still in His presence that He reveals His purposes for the nations. _Psalms 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God; *I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!*_```