Bible Reading: Job 31-32; Acts 13:1-23.
“As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.” Acts 13:2( KJV)
God has a way of doing his things and if a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him ( Proverbs 16:7). This is the best thing that can happen to a man, both your friends and enemies being at peace with you. One would expect a child of God would try whatever is necessary to achieve this. And to do that, you need to ensure your ways please the Lord. This can be done by ensuring that you follow the instructions of the Holy Spirit always. Acts 13:2 (KJV) says, “As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.”
Examining that verse of the bible, you can see the steps to take to get the Holy Spirit to speak to you: fasting and ministering to the Lord. Since fasting is well understood, the question is what does Ministering to the Lord mean in this context? It is worshipping the Lord in truth and in Spirit. The Scripture says in John 4:23 (KJV), “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.” We cannot minister to the Lord when our heart is somewhere else while worshipping him. God expects our total being to be at alert with Him when we are worshipping Him. For such ministration to be pleasing to God, you must be living a life of holiness. Hebrews 12:14 (KJV) says, “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:”
To hear the voice of the Holy Spirit, while ministering to Him, you must be sensitive. In fact, as a child of God, you need to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit at all times whether you are worshipping Him or not as long as what you are engaged in will honour Him. The benefit of ministering to the Lord is that you can do this anytime particularly when you want to hear God speak to you on what line of action to take concerning any decision ahead of you. In addition you can minister to the Lord to enjoy God’s fellowship because as He comes down to you, you get filled with joy and then commune with him even on things you may not be placing before him. The bible says in Psalm 16:11 (KJV), “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”
If people crave being in the company of very important personalities, you can imagine the awe of being in the presence of God Almighty, the One who creates the heavens and earth and who is not limited in power.
Action Point: Stay on constant and continuous praise daily to God and be sensitive in the spirit.
Bro. Joel Ezeugo