Barnabas

We hear about Barnabas in the New Testament, but who was Barnabas?  He was an encourager who befriended Paul and accepted him when the others didn’t trust him, probably thinking he was trying to trick them because they knew him as the persecutor of the people of The Way at that time.  Barnabas was the one who was willing to risk his life when Paul came into Jerusalem for the first time after he had his encounter with the Lord on the Damascus Road and became a Jewish believer.  From what I have read, his name was Joseph, but he was such an encourager that he was given the nickname Barnabas, which meant son of encouragement, from the early Jerusalem believers.  He was a great blessing to Paul and many others in His day because he was such an encourager and a faithful godly man.  

It was Barnabas that encouraged Mark to go with them on their first missionary journey to Antioch where Mark left them and went home, which didn’t go over very well with Paul.  Barnabas wanted to take Mark on another missionary journey but Paul was highly against it.  There was such a disagreement that they ended up parting company and Paul took Silas and Barnabas took Mark.  Because Barnabas encouraged Mark, he became very useful for the ministry and eventually Paul and Mark were reunited and became good friends.

Barnabas was also one of the first believers to sell his possessions in the 4th chapter of Acts, to help other believers that needed help.  This is a very much needed gift in the body of Christ today, as well as to those that are not in the body yet.  There are many hurting people in both situations and the gift of encouragement can be used in all kinds of ways.  

Sometimes it is risky to be an encourager, like when Barnabas befriended Paul not knowing what to expect in that encounter.  There are times when you might be rejected, and sometimes misunderstood, or people may judge you in the wrong way, not really understanding your intentions when all you want to do is encourage them with no other motive.  We live in a world where people have a very good reason not to trust everyone and so we need to be very sensitive, compassionate and loving when trying to encourage someone.

I hope that you will seek the gift of encouragement and let the good Lord use you in your gifting, and I hope that you will be used in a mighty way to further the kingdom of God!!  Let me suggest some ways that you can encourage others:

1. You can pray with, and for them.

2. You can be a listening ear when someone needs someone to talk to or even vent.

3. You can visit someone in the nursing home or hospital.

4. You could visit someone in jail or prison.

5. You could make a meal for a sick person or just visit someone in their home

6. You could do their snow or their yard work.

7. You could take them a gift or make something nice for them.

8. Sometimes just a friendly smile will brighten up someone’s day or a kind word will do a lot to encourage someone.

There are numerous ways that you could be an encourager and I hope you will be.  I have given you something to think about and I hope you will.  The sad thing is, sometimes we are so involved with ourselves and our own interests that we overlook the hurting people all around us.  I hope this has been a blessing to you and may the good Lord bless you and yours and may you all have a super, super day!!  P. S. don’t forget to thank and praise the Lord for He is worthy!!