Message from the Monthly Flyer from December 2010

Barnabas

Acts 13:2-5 As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, "Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away. So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. And when they arrived in Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. They also had John as their assistant.

Acts 15:36-39 Then after some days Paul said to Barnabas, "Let us now go back and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are doing." Now Barnabas was determined to take with them John called Mark. But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work. Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus;

Although Barnabas did not write a book in the Bible, he was nonetheless known for having been a great encouragement for Paul and John. Together, they wrote over half of the New Testament. Barnabas was an important person during the time of the early Church, then through his encouragement, he enabled others to do something. The meaning of his name is "son of encouragement". He was worthy of his name. It is not always easy to encourage others.

In order to encourage others, you need self-control and trust in God. It is much easier to criticize. Criticism does not need a lot of time and not a lot of thought. However, encouragement is something which can change a life. Try to avoid criticism and replace it with encouragement. jk