Encouragement

So many people are hurting....going through trials, times of illness, times of sadness, times of disappointment....especially in these "last days." Family members, friends, co-workers and even those you have never spoken to before are looking to be encouraged in the midst of their trials.

The Word calls us to be encouragers, to give godly encouragement, not false hope but encouragement. The Lord has especially blessed some with the gift of encouragement. These are the people you like to hang around with. These are the people that always seem to have those who are going through difficult times seeking them out, looking to hang around them. The Bible gives us examples of encouragers, and one of those was Barnabas.

In Acts 4:36 it is written that his very name means "son of encouragement." This name seemed to describe Barnabas very well indeed. He certainly was an encouragement to Paul and the other apostles...but especially Paul in the beginning of his ministry. After Paul met Jesus on the road to Emmaus, he was never the same. But Paul still had a reputation of persecuting the believers and everyone was frightened of him...rightly so. But Barnabas comes along and encourages Paul and goes before the Apostles and allays their fears by speaking on his behalf. The result is, Paul is accepted and even assumes a great leadership role.

Later on, before their second missionary journey, Paul and Barnabas have a difference of opinion over Barnabas's cousin Mark. Mark had been with Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey but for some reason Mark left them and returned home. We aren't told the details but we know Paul was not happy because when it came time for the second missionary journey, Paul refused to take him.

But Barnabas! He steps in and what an encouragement to Mark! Mark and Barnabas go off in one direction and Paul and Silas go in another. It is amazing how Barnabas encouraged both of these men. Both had made errors in judgment yet Barnabas, the "son of encouragement," encouraged each man and then in later years both of them became leaders and even reunited. In Colossians 4:10 Paul even recommends Mark to the church there.

We all need encouragement but we are all called to encourage. Who can you encourage today? Who among the many people that will cross your path today needs to hear a word of encouragement, a word from the Lord? The funny thing about encouragement is that when you encourage someone else the Lord seems to encourage your heart. Today keep your eyes and heart open, seek to encourage...You may be encouraging the next great evangelist or preacher!

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 5:14 And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Mary Ann

MaryAnn and John Kiernan have been married for 36 years, have 2 grown/married sons and are the proud grandparents of 3 grandsons and one long awaited granddaughter! She serves at America's Keswick as a Biblical Counselor and also as Intake Coordinator for the Colony of Mercy. Her life verse is Romans 8:28.

Digging Deeper
Psalm 95:10
For forty years I loathed that generation
and said, "They are a people who go astray in their heart,
and they have not known my ways."