Re:Verse reading–Acts 13:1-52 (day six)
Does the Holy Spirit still work this way? Prophets and teachers prayed, fasted, and then the Holy Spirit told them to set apart Barnabas and Paul for a particular task. It begs a lot of questions for us doesn’t it?
- Is God’s call primarily a personal conviction first and affirmed by the greater Christian community second, or should it actually work the other way around?
- When we pray are we even asking the right questions?
- What of fasting to discern the leading of the Holy Spirit?
- Are there Paul and Barnabas’ among us, and we simply aren’t listening? Or do we lack the filling of the Spirit?
I can say with certainty, the Holy Spirit hasn’t changed, we have. My conviction is that there are a few among the FBCSA that should be set apart to a particular task, but we may never know if we don’t start asking God to reveal to us who they are. Shouldn’t we pray together? Maybe even fast?
Great topic! There are health benefits and risks to fasting. How long can one fast without causing damage to our brains, our gut and our immune system? Does God specifically command believers to spend time in prayer and fasting?
Definitely, prayer and fasting together may help us taking our eyes off the things of Satan’s world so we can focus our thoughts better on God. Fasting is good for some medical procedures but should always be limited and be exercised with care and health concerns. I hope believers are not to spend time in prayer and fasting in order to lose weight, but rather to spend personal time with God and gain a deeper fellowship with God.
I hope Christians who have spent time in prayer and fasting did accomplish their goals. Whether we fast or don’t fast, I believe God only promises to answer our prayers when we ask in accordance to His will. I firmly believe that if we ask for anything according to His will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us, whatever we ask, we already have it. Can God override His will? I heard “yes” BUT circumstances-based! I wanted to learn more about His overriding principles! What He can and cannot!
I believe God does have job descriptions for His church and for those whom He called on or will call on for service. We just have to ask Him. He has a strategic plan and an action plan with timetable for each action in accomplishing His purpose on earth. He is a strategic thinker.
God will not give what we ask for if what we ask for is not of God’s will for our lives and if what we ask for does not honor and glorify Him whether we fast or not. I am convinced. So we just have to make sure what we ask for before fasting as there are health risks associated with fasting!
How can we know God’s will? Do you know God’s will for your lives or for your organization? Has God given you what you asked for through praying and fasting? How is about meditation? Has the Bible mentioned about meditation as a way to help us focus our thoughts better on God?