Word from Wednesday, January 13, 2021
by Payton Dean
The morning of Wednesday, January 13, 2021 I curled up on my love seat to have quiet time with God. Glancing at my Bible, I did not know what I should read. Before I even had time to ask “Lord, what should I read today?” ACTS 11 flashed in my mind several times.
To Acts 11 I went. I did not know where God was going with this at first, but as I got to the end of the chapter, I read where a prophet predicted through the Spirit there would be famine in the Roman land. It says the disciples decided to help the people of Judea by sending them supplies and relief.
Acts 11: 27 During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.) 29 The disciples, as each one was able, decided to provide help for the brothers and sisters living in Judea. 30 This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.
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The word famine stood out to me. The part about the disciples sending supplies or relief also stood out to me.
God, what are you telling me? I asked. Spiritual famine? I wrote in my journal.
I believe God gave me the understanding that spiritual famine is in our near future and that true believers will be giving to those who lack in this coming season: Encouragement, joy, sharing peace, hope, and reminding others of God’s faithful character. You know, sharing supplies and relief? 😊
It seems that God is urging us to worship God Himself in Spirit and truth… to quietly remain in His presence and receive from Him directly, not just relying on being fed through pastors or sermons. Hearing sermons will not be enough. We need to directly go to the Source to get what we need.
My encouragement is to remain in God’s Word. God also used this passage to gently remind me that what we gather now may not be for us- it may be for someone else in the coming days ahead. If you don’t know where to begin, I recommend asking God what you should read and going to the scripture that comes to your mind. How important it is for us to stay connected with the Vine and do what He prompts us to so that we can bear fruit to share with the others in the days ahead!
John 4:23 A time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is the Spirit, and His worshipers must worship in Spirit and in truth.
Luke 6:46 “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?
John 15:5 I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in Me and I in him, he it is will bear much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.