Today's Bible reading is the 13th chapter of the Book of Acts. You can read it here at Bible Gateway: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2013&version=NASB

Being a living witness for Christ to your neighbors or a missionary in a far away place, Acts chapter 13 reminds us of some essential components for effective ministry or service for our Lord. Speaking to the believers in Antioch, the Holy Spirit said,"Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." First of all we see that their missionary endeavor originated in the mind of God. As I have reminded myself before, God is building His church and He delights to use His children in His work.
The Lord had a particular work for these two particular men and He had personally called them to it. God imparts gifts to each member of the body of Christ for His work. He works in each of our lives that we might be equipped to walk in the good works that He has prepared for us to walk in. Luke goes on to confirm that these two men were being "sent out by the Holy Spirit" and it is evident that their purpose was to "proclaim the word of God". It should be encouraging to be assured by the word of God that your endeavor is consistent with the will and purpose of God. If I had to summarize that which I believe to be God's will and that which the Holy Spirit has set each of us apart for in as few as words possible, I would say it is for the sharing of the gospel of Christ and for preserving the purity of His gospel message. As Peter had previously spoken, "filled with the Holy Spirit", in today's passage we read that Paul had done the same. Praise God that He is still setting apart believers for the work that He calls them to and sending them out and giving them words to speak as they are "filled with the Holy Spirit". As God continues to work in and through the lives of men as we have read today, as many as have been "appointed to eternal life" believe each day. Praise the Lord that we are simply tools for use in the Master's hand as He accomplishes His work and builds His church. Amen