BLESSINGS TO YOU TODAY!

“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.”

Good Day to You Ladies:

About three weeks ago, some of us traveled to Nashville for the Deeper Still Event. What an awesome work of God’s hand! Sometimes I think I could write a book using that experience. But my story today isn’t about that event; it centers around something that has been on my mind for the past few weeks and was brought back to my attention when I arrived at the hotel in Nashville.

That first night as I unpacked, I found, tucked away in my suitcase, a note from my husband (my Barnabas). It was so sweet. In it he thanked me for all I do for him and the boys and wrote so lovingly of how he felt I deserved to get way for a time of refreshment. Isn’t that wonderful? You see he knew how apprehensive I had been about going on the trip. He knew that this “mama” has a difficult time leaving her boys. Yet, he also knew that this trip was something I really needed. I think he knew it more than I did. He told me later that in Bible study the previous Wednesday, Kerry had ask them to think of someone they felt needed some encouragement, and to send them a note. Mark chose me.

Encouragement, that’s what Barnabas was best at. Otherwise, he would have never earned the name. Acts 4: 36-37 is our introduction to Barnabas, Son of Encouragement. Later, two great examples of his valuable gift can be found in Acts 9 and in Acts 15. In Acts 9, we learn that when the other disciples wanted to reject Paul, Barnabas took him, brought him to the disciples and explained to them all that God had done in Paul’s life. The first sentence of Paul’s profile, as found in the NIV Life Application Bible, says this: “No person, apart from Jesus himself, shaped the history of Christianity like the apostle Paul.”

In Acts 15, we find Paul and Barnabas in a disagreement about taking John, also called Mark, on their journey. While Paul flatly refused to allow him another chance, Barnabas took him along, encouraging him. And later, we watch as John Mark becomes a valuable companion, not only to Barnabas, but to Paul and Peter as well. He also went on to write the Gospel of Mark.

What lesson can we learn from this Levite from Cyprus? This: Encouragement can change lives.
Do you know someone today who needs a Barnabas in their life? Pray. Ask God to show you how to encourage that person. It may be something that requires a lot of time and attention, or it could be the simplest act – like sending someone a note. Either way, God can bring vital changes through this one act, but he’s looking for a willing servant, a Barnabas, to help make the difference.

I pray that today you will be encouraged to be an encourager! And may God from whom all blessings flow, bring blessings overflowing in your life today.

Love,
Tena