Acts 13...giftings and callings

"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

My bible that I typically read from is a NIV version. But today before I started I thought I would check out this verse in a couple of other versions. Verse 2 was pretty much the same, but I reallllllllyyyyyyy liked verse 3 in The Message. Check this out....
"In that circle of intensity and praying, they laid hands on their heads and sent them off."

There is soooooo much good juicy info right here in 2 little verses I can't believe it. And it may seem super complicated, but its not. It's as easy as 1, 2, 3.

1. While they were worshipping.....sounds simple enough. If you want to know what God wants for you and your life, try worship first.  But there's an added bit to this that is easy to breeze over......does it say while I was worshipping? No, not at all. It says while THEY were worshipping. I am not discounting the importance of private worship time, but there is something very powerful in corporate prayer. Things happen when we will all get together and lift our voices and hearts in song to Him.  If you know me at all, you know this something that is very near and dear to my heart.  I love worship. That is where my passion is, where my  heart is, music is my love. So this point speaks to me big time!!!

2. Listen....the Holy Spirit TOLD them what they were called to do.  If you ask Him, He will answer.  He has already shown you through your life what your giftings are....and if you listen He will show you how those can be helpful in reaching people for the Kingdom.  Everyone has a specific job and a specific calling, because He made each of us specially with a unique purpose in mind.

3. This one comes from the second verse I quoted...the church laid hands on the them in agreement, and sent them on they way.  #3 sort of has an a and a b portion.....a.) there's that word intensity, just like yesterday with the church praying earnestly. The church stood up and got behind what the Holy Spirit had told them their calling was. The church wanted to foster their giftings, and watching what God does with them. That's where part b comes in.....they sent them on their way.  They didn't say...oh wait, you have gifts, we need you here, you can't leave, we helped you. They sent them out into the world, knowing that God would bring it back tenfold.
Ok, so there's also a part c on this one for me too, a bonus.....they laid hands on them. Ok, so first it's biblical, but it is also such an experience.  To have someone stand with you in agreement and love you enough to go to the Father in prayer with you, and for you. I mean the bible does say wherever 2 or 3 are gathered, right??!?!  This is not a hard concept to grasp.  Yes, I pray by myself, and with my husband, and with my family....but that's not enough. Believers need to pray together for each other, and lay hands on each other.  I'm telling you...there is power in the touch of a friend, and then you add in the spirit of the Lord...wowzers!!!

Lord, I am ready to give my talents and gifts to you completely. Use me, push me to get out of my comfort zone, stretch me beyond my limits. Make me a person who you say that is my child, and I am so proud.  Amen and Amen!!