Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “Conflict”
Our Bible verse for today: “Joseph, a Levite and a Cypriot by birth, the one the apostles called Barnabas, which is translated Son of Encouragement …” Acts 4:34 (HCSB)
Our thought for today: “An encourager helps to avoid and to resolve conflicts”
Barnabas is one of my heroes. I’ve always known that he had it right. The “Son of Encouragement” from Acts chapter four was regarded by the Christians in that early church in Jerusalem as a man who lifted others up, offered them hope and second chances, and made them want to be better people. He was also great at helping to bridge the differences between people. It was only because of the efforts of Barnabas that the suspicious Apostles even agreed to meet with the new convert previously known as Saul of Tarsus (The Apostle Paul).
Yup, Barnabas is my hero. He was an encourager and I’ve always wanted to be one too. Years ago my wife and I owned a home-based business we called “The Barnabas Book Company”. We sold “Encouraging books for successful Christian living.” It was a wonderful concept but I turned out to be a lousy businessman. I was way too eager for people to use my products and I ended up giving away more books than I sold. I just wanted people to be encouraged!
In the churches where I’ve had the privilege to be the Pastor, I have always made sure there were “Encouragement Note Cards” in the pew backs. These are little cards with instructions that read, “Everyone can use some encouragement. Please use this card to write a short note of encouragement to someone and then place it in the offering plate. We will then deliver your note of encouragement to that person for you.” The neat thing is that I get to read all those notes before they get delivered. That has always been a great source of encouragement for me.
What does all this have to do with our theme of conflict? Just that encouragers help to avoid and to resolve conflict. People who make it a point to intentionally encourage others are the ones who will lift people up instead of dragging them down; they will notice the potential for conflict and quickly take steps to counter it; and if a conflict already exists, the encourager will serve as a mediator to help quickly find a resolution.
What a great thing it would be if we had more sons and daughters of encouragement in our churches and in our lives. There would certainly be a lot less conflict.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim
Oak Hill Baptist Church 