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Centering your life on God is a noble task, but not an easy one. It means shutting out distractions and self-centered priorities, and searching out personal hidden motives. It means studying to know the true meaning of Scripture—and being willing to live by what it teaches. It may mean giving up favorite goals in order to follow a path that God has set out. Centering your life on God isn't a task you should attempt alone; that's why God gave us the church.

These five verses in Acts 13 show a picture of how people in the early church helped each other keep centered on God. Even the names reveal a wide diversity of social position, race, and vocation. But they were united in the church. They prayed together with such intensity that they voluntarily went without food for hours. In that context it became clear to them that God had a special assignment for Saul (Paul) and Barnabas. As a symbol of God's special call to those two men, they "laid hands on" Barnabas and Saul and "sent them away" (13:3).

Many Christians today continue these ancient practices of praying together, fasting, and laying on hands. Through these and other means we can grow together to become more and more God-centered as we accomplish the work he gives us to do. (See also Genesis 12:1-7; Matthew 25:31-46; Galatians 5:16-26; 2 Timothy 2:14-26; 2 John.)

Good Words to Remember:
Having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away. Acts 13:3

Today's Challenge:
To what person(s) are you accountable spiritually?

Bible Studies to Help You Go Deeper