1 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:
Ministering to the Lord is the art of giving worship, adoration, thanksgiving and praise to God. It is a biblical way of acknowledging God as God. When we minister to the Lord, He manifests Himself in whatever form or Name of which our ministering unto Him is about. If you give thanks to God as gracious and kind, He manifests Himself as such. If you give thanks to God as Healer and Restorer, He manifests Himself as such. By principle, God dwells in, or inhabits the praises of His people – Psalms 22:3. Anywhere and everywhere God is seen or revealed, He is worshipped and glorified there; and He is seen or revealed in the light of the Name people glorify Him as. Our opening verse tells us of the Church at Antioch. It tells us that there were certain teachers and prophets at Antioch, and as they ministered to the Lord, the Holy Spirit manifested Himself and said, “Separate unto Me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.” Did you notice that when they ministered to the Lord, the Spirit manifested Himself in utterance? This is one of the principles that govern the manifestation of God in the midst of His people. When you understand the importance of ministering to the Lord, then you will understand what it means to carry the manifest presence of God. That’s the key right there! Did you see it?
There is an inclination to God that will cause you to hear His voice. There is a posture that creates an atmosphere of God’s glory around your life. God’s presence is matchless worth, honour and glory; and so, it only responds to honour. God’s presence is only attracted to honour but repels dishonour. When you minister to God, when you honour Him, He manifests Himself to you. Understand how to stir the glory of God around you, in your home, in your business and in your family. Set your heart and mouth to ministering to the Lord always and you will see God manifest Himself always to you. Is it possible to have the manifest presence of God on your life perpetually, you may ask? Yes, it is. The Word of the Lord tells us in Psalms 89:15: “Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of your countenance.” It is an established fact and reality in the Word of God that you can walk, as a lifestyle, as a consistent reality, in the light of God’s countenance – that’s His manifest presence. Hallelujah!
MY SOLID FRONT (YOUR CONFESSION):
Father in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I set my heart to minister to you continuously and diligently as I walk in the light of Your countenance – Your manifest presence. Amen!
Further Meditation:
Psalms 34:1-3; Philippians 4:4.