Be a Barnabus: Spread Words of Encouragement
The Question:
What is encouragement and how can I "be a Barnabus"?
The Answer:
Encouragement is inspiring with courage or confidence, to stimulate by assistance or approval. I would like to encourage you in serving the Lord today! Did you know that encouragement is a ministry gift in itself?
Romans 12:6 -8 We have different gifts, according to the grace
given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it
is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; IF IT IS ENCOURAGING, LET HIM
ENCOURAGE; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is
leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
Barnabus means "son of encouragement" and this Apostle of the faith ministered
the gift of encouragement wherever he went.
Acts 4:36-37 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called
Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), sold a field he owned and brought the money
and put it at the apostles' feet.
Acts 11:22-24 News of this [new believers at Antioch] reached the
ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and
saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true
to the Lord with all their hearts. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith,
and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.
Lord Jesus, if your Body ever needed this gift of encouragement to be
manifested, it's now! We call forth this gift in the Body, and ask you to manifest this
gift in your children today. Let there be many Barnabuses to arise and encourage us all.
AMEN!
I used to think that opposition and discouragement were a sign from the LORD that I wasn't
in His will. Now I realize that, as long as we aren't sinning, these are signs from the
enemy that we are in his way - and he's trying to keep us from hanging in there!
I Thessalonians 3:2-3 We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God's
fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your
faith, so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. You know quite well that we were
destined for them.
AND the stronger the obstacles the closer we are to a real breakthrough! Hallelujah! If we
don't give up!
Galatians 6:9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the
proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
So rebuke opposition and discouragement and be strong in the Lord and the power of HIS
might! AMEN
Romans 15:4-6 For everything that was written in the past was
written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we
might have hope. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of
unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you
may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Thessalonians 2 :16-17 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved
us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and
strengthen you in every good deed and word.
Hebrews 3:13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none
of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.
1 Thessalonians 5:9-11 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation
through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we
may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just
as in fact you are doing.
And be encouraged in the Lord!
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