God's Mission for Your Life

We find recorded in Acts 13 that Paul and Barnabas began their first missionary journey to travel around and tell as many people about the Good News of Jesus as possible.  Here is how it started: 
Acts 13:1-3 Among the prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch of Syria were Barnabas, Simeon (called “the black man”), Lucius (from Cyrene), Manaen (the childhood companion of King Herod Antipas), and Saul. 2 One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Appoint Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.” 3 So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way.

The church was worshiping together - giving themselves to God through singing, praying, and studying the scriptures.  Joining their hearts with the heart of God as a group of believers!  

The church was fasting together - giving up food for a period of time to seek the Lord will improve our worship and will improve our ability to hear the Lord speak to us.  If you haven't felt a hunger for the Lord for a while, try fasting!  

The church heard the voice of the Holy Spirit that send Paul and Barnabas on a mission from God.  If we want to know the mission of God in our lives we need to hear clearly from God!  He is not trying to hide or play games with our lives but instead He wants to clearly lead us!

After more fasting and prayer they laid hands on Paul and Barnabas and sent them on their mission.  We, the Body of Christ, must understand that we are a sending body!  The worship, prayer, fasting and praying is all good, but the purpose of it is to hear from God clearly so we know where to MOVE!  Whenever worship, fasting, and prayer becomes about us and how we feel inside the church, we can know we are in trouble.  The 12 disciples tried to stay in Jerusalem when God clearly gave them a mission to the world, and when they didn't MOVE, God rose ups Paul and Barnabas.  God brought persecution so they would have to MOVE.