Saul adopts a Christian name, Paul

Acts 13

Saul adopts a Christian name, Paul, and travels to Galatia with the message of the Gospel.

INSIGHT

Chapter 13 records a remarkable fulfillment of prophecy that is easily missed. In chapter 1, Jesus commissions the disciples to be witnesses for Him and proclaims that they will take the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Now the Holy Spirit sets Paul and Barnabas apart to begin traveling to the ends of the earth, taking the message with them. You and I can extend that prophetic fulfillment, too, as we accept the Great Commission as our personal commission and help to take the message of salvation to the ends of the world.

PRAYER

Offer the following psalm of praise to the Lord for allowing you to hear the message of salvation:
Let my mouth be filled with Your praise
And with Your glory all the day. . .
I will hope continually,
And will praise You yet more and more.
My mouth shall tell of Your righteousness
And Your salvation all the day,
For I do not know their limits.
I will go in the strength of the Lord God;
I will make mention of Your righteousness,
of Yours only. (Psalm 71:8, 14-16)

Now pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
I will cleanse them from all their iniquity by which they have sinned against Me, and I will pardon all their iniquities by which they have sinned and by which they have transgressed against Me. (Jeremiah 33:8)

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Then pray this affirmation to the Lord:
The hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.
(John 4:23-24)

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:

• The leading of the Lord in your life
• Opportunities for personal evangelism
• Whatever else is on your heart

Finally, close with this prayer to the Lord:
Oh, love the Lord, all you His saints!
For the Lord preserves the faithful,
And fully repays the proud person.
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart,
All you who hope in the Lord.
(Psalm 31:23-24)