Barnabas and Paul had been in Jerusalem. They went there on a mission to deliver aid to help the brothers and sisters in Judea because of a severe famine. John Mark was there with them. The Antioch church to which they returned was an illustrious one. They had many prophets and teachers there. One day, while they were worshipping and fasting, the Holy Spirit came on them and directed them to set apart Barnabas and Paul for mission work. God wanted to send the two of them out as missionaries. So, the Antioch church fasted and prayed, laying their hands on the two as they sent them out. It was difficult losing two great Bible teachers. But they obeyed and sent them.

Barnabas and Paul took Mark, sailed for Cyprus, and proclaimed the gospel there. At Paphos they met a sorcerer, an attendant of the proconsul. When the proconsul believed the gospel, the sorcerer tried to dissuade him. But Paul, in the Holy Spirit, rebuked the sorcerer, telling him he would be blind for a time that he may know who the true living God is. When the proconsul saw what happened, he believed, amazed at the teaching about the Lord.
Application: Father, help us to proclaim your word boldly, even in stiff opposition.
One Word: Proclaim the Lord’s word