Press on for The Lord

Acts 13:2a As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said,...

Acts 13:3a Then, having fasted and prayed,...

More and more as I read the Word it is continually impressed upon me how important prayer is, but right along with it is fasting.

Up until now, I have always thought of Paul as kind of a "go it alone" kind of guy. I knew Barnabas was with him, but I just assumed Paul was full speed ahead and didn't care who came along. In reading this, Paul and Barnabas were alone, but only because that is what God commanded. Paul and Barnabas were with a group of prophets and teachers and were called away:

Acts 13:2b ...."Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."

Paul and Baranabas went out preaching The Word...but not only that, they called false teaching as it was, the work of the devil; check this out:

Acts 13:9-11 Then Saul, who also is called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him
10 and said, "O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord?
11 And now, indeed, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time." And immediately a dark mist fell on him, and he went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand.

When they shared The Gospel they shared the whole story. From where Jesus lineage, to His death, ressurection and His message of repentance....and what was the response of "the religious":

Act 13:49-50 And the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region
50 But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region.

And what was their response:

Act 13:51-52 But they shook off the dust from their feet against them, and came to Iconium.
52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

Not everyone is going to want to hear The Gospel....does that mean we stop? No, we press on for The Lord.