| Good morning everyone, Our theme for this month: “Sanctification” Our Bible verse for today: “Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul. When he found him, he brought him back to Antioch. Both of them stayed there with the church for a full year, teaching large crowds of people. (It was at Antioch that the believers were first called Christians.) Acts 11:25-26 (NLT) Our thought for today: “Praise God for encouraging companions!” Barnabas is one of my heroes. I love Barnabas. Acts 4:36 tells us that Barnabas (real name Joseph) was such an upbeat, kind and friendly man – such an encourager of others, that the Apostles nicknamed him Barnabas, which means “son of encouragement.” Encouragement is such an important element of Christian community! Linda and I once owned a Christian book-selling business that we named “The Barnabas Book Company.” Our theme was “Encouraging books that will change your life.” In the churches I have been the pastor of we have always made sure that there are “encouragement notes” in the pew-backs. They are blank notecards that people can write a note of encouragement to someone on and then place it in the offering plate. We then deliver that encouraging note to the person for them. Barnabas was a great encourager of others, and the reason God put his story in the Bible is to serve as an example for the rest of us. Encouragement is one of the best tools the Holy Spirit has to work with as He uses us to be a blessing to each other. Everyone needs to be encouraged and lifted-up. Encouragement is one of the marks of a mature disciple of Christ and it is one of the character traits the Holy Spirit wants to develop in us as we grow spiritually – and let’s be sure to note that this is much more than just being a cheerleader. Although words of encouragement are needed and are helpful, actions matter more. When we first meet Barnabas in Scripture, he was giving a generous financial gift to help those in need (Acts 4:36-37.) We see him in action again in Acts 11:25-26 when he makes a long trip to find Paul, bring him back to Antioch, and then spent a full year helping him. Those are just two examples. Barnabas was an encourager and he was a man of action. His nickname was a good one and it fit him well. One of the great advantages of being a fully involved member of a healthy church family is that you get to be around lots of sons and daughters of encouragement. Our churches are filled with male and female Barnabas-people. God will use them to bless you and minister to you. But it will only happen if you are there. This is yet another reason that God wants all of us to be active members of a good church. Praise God for encouraging companions! God bless, Pastor Jim (If you like what you’re reading in these daily devotionals, and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00, in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville |
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