The encouragement of genuine faith is critical for every believer, especially during difficult seasons of ministry, as we see in the story of Paul and Barnabas. Acts 14:1At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Gentiles believed.[1] This moment …
A hunger for God is a true blessing. It reflects a heart that is open to the Holy Spirit and receptive to His Word. The ministry of Paul and Barnabas beautifully illustrates this. During this trip, something remarkable began to unfold. Acts 13:42 As Paul and Barnabas left the synagogue that day, the people begged them …
Barnabas, the encourager, is an example for every believer. In Acts 9:27, we meet Barnabas at a critical moment in the early church. Saul, once a fierce persecutor of believers, had encountered Christ and been transformed. Yet the believers in Jerusalem were understandably afraid of him. They doubted his conversion and kept their distance. It …
Luke, the author of Acts, tells us about Barnabas the encourager. This man’s real name was Joseph, and he was from Cyprus. Yet, the apostles gave him a nickname that told what kind of man he was. It was Barnabas who encouraged Paul in the ministry. Because Paul had persecuted the church, the believers in …
Building up others is a gift to those around us. People who build us up are significant along our journey because they are interested in us when others may not be. A parent or other influential person’s words can shape and mold us in ways that are hard to quantify. Encouragers inspire us when we …
Here is some background information on Peter’s first letter. The Apostle Peter wrote it. This is the same Peter whose original name was Simon. Jesus renamed him Peter. John 1: 42 Then Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus. Looking intently at Simon, Jesus said, “Your name is Simon, son of John—but you will be called Cephas” (which means …
Jesus comes to encourage us. This gives insight into how much He loves us and knows what is happening in our lives. Has there been a time in your life when you were discouraged, and the Lord prompted you to pray or turn to His word? Have you noticed that the spiritual atmosphere changed when …
The value of encouragement in our lives can’t be overstated. In third grade, I had one of the most significant teachers in my life. She was an excellent teacher, but she was also a fantastic encourager. That year was pivotal for me, and her encouragement significantly impacted my life. I believe we all want to …
Seeking the Lord can be a turning point and a special time in your relationship with Him. When we seek the Lord, it is a time of listening, being still, and waiting for the Lord to speak. We live in a fast-paced culture, and seeking the Lord for our questions and concerns is not always …
Timely encouragement is one of the essential experiences that we can have and sometimes can come unexpectedly. Life can have difficult seasons, and a word of encouragement can make a huge difference. I remember encouraging a young man, and when I did, he stood up straighter, and a smile came to his face. There is …