Mr. Barnabas

One of my favorite friends is Mr. Barnabas. I first became aware of this guy while studying God’s Word in the Book of Acts. God used this guy in a marvelous way. Constantly he lived up to his name - The Encourager.  What a great philosophy of life. It needs more of us modeling this on a daily basis. 

This world is filled with bad that can be a heavy burden for those trying to live above the hurt, hate, problems, and pain. We often hear the words “What is this world coming to?”  just when you think it could not get any worse - it does. However, if you are a student of the Word of God then you know this world is not going to get any better. How is that for a little Barnabas for you this morning? 

Romans 12 tells us that although we are to live in this world, we are not to pattern our life after the world. Each one of us can be that glimmer of hope for those who are hurting. We can say a prayer for those God puts on our heart. There are plenty of people who could use a prayer right now. 

As born-again believers in Christ Jesus, we should be able to find a safe haven in our churches. But truth be told, we do a lot of hurting inside those walls as well. We have brought the world into our church body and we seem to thrive on saying, doing, and acting in ways that say we don’t care about anyone else. I find this attitude even behind the pulpit. My way or the high way mentality. 

We must remember that our LORD said He would build His Church; He is doing that and He demonstrated His love for the church by His dying on the cross for her. So my question is this, are we going to neglect His church, or are we denying her by saying the church is not important to me - I have given up on it?  Barnabas lived out his faith and was about building up others, not tearing them down. The next person you meet needs an encouraging word. Do you have any left? 

Thanks for listening and sharing. Be blessed you Barnabas’ out there.