Hear the Voice of the Spirit

Baptist Daily Devotional
Jul 21
2 min read

Rev. Enoch Thompson | July 21 2025 | Acts 13:1-3

KEY VERSE: “While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’” Acts 13:2 (NIV)

MESSAGE:

The journey of life is made up of individual decisions that we make along the way as we think fit, as circumstances demand and dictate or as resources permit. The personal choices we make as disciples of Christ and citizens of His Kingdom should not be dictated solely by circumstances or mundane factors; we must be led, as individuals and as the church, by the Holy Spirit of God.

The Church in Antioch heard from God to set aside Paul and Barnabas for the special assignment that God intended for them to accomplish. The context of this hearing from God was a time of worship and fasting.

When we live a life where every thought, word and action is intended to glorify God, the life of worship, it is easy to hear the voice of the Spirit. When we live the fasted life (deliberately choosing not to sin), a persistent self-denial of the attraction of sin and its false satisfaction, we become sensitive to the voice of the Spirit and can readily respond when He speaks.

FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:

Are we hearing from the Spirit, for ourselves and his church? Can we commit to the fasted life so that we will be more sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit?

PRAYER:

Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for the Holy Spirit and his intended ministry to me and the Church. Please help me to be sensitive to the Spirit. Please help your church to hear the voice of the Spirit afresh.

THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.

SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!

The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 202: Ecclesiastes 4-6 - Vanity and Oppression

DAILY word study: SET APART The phrase “set apart” comes from the Greek word aphorizō, meaning “to mark off by boundaries” or “to separate for a special purpose.”

In Acts 13:2, the Spirit doesn't just suggest—they command a separation. Barnabas and Saul were already active in ministry, but this moment marked a distinct call. To be set apart means to be removed from general use and marked specifically for divine assignment. It speaks of God’s ownership and direction over your life.

Reflect on this:

Have you allowed the Spirit to set you apart, not just for activity, but for His specific purpose?