“And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation, a Levite, [and] of the country of Cyprus.”
(Acts 4:36)
Barnabas was also called “THE SON OF ENCOURAGER.” He gives relief in affliction, comfort in times of disappointment and gives moral or emotional strength. The lessons we can get here are: Every group needs an encourager because everyone needs encouragement at one time or another. Our tendency is to always criticize. It may be important at times to point out someone’s shortcomings, but before we have the right to do this, we must build that person’s trust through encouragement. “Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” (1Thessalonians 4:18). We must“comfort one another”and “encourage each other with God’s Word.”“My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.” (Psalm 119:25).
Our world is full of evil. God’s Word revives us with the promise of victory over evil. Our world is full of discouragement; God’s Word encourages us. Our world has no real, lasting answers; God’s Word gives satisfying, eternal answers. Read it, share it and be revived. Like an athlete, as we near the end of a foot race, our legs ache, out throat burns, our whole body cries out for us to stop. This is when supporters are most valuable. Their encouragement helps us push through the pain to finish. In the same way, Christians are to encourage one another. A word of encouragement offered at the right moment can be the difference between finishing well and collapsing along the way. Be sensitive to others need for encouragement and offer supportive words or actions.
Illustration: “Best Definition.” An English publication offered a prize for the best definition of a friend, and among the thousands of answers received were the following: “Friend” – one who multiplies joys, divides grief.“One who understands our silence” “A watch which beats true for all time and never runs down.” But here is the definition that won the prize: “A FRIEND – the one who comes in when the whole world has gone out.”
As the song goes: “Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care? Precious Savior, still our refuge Take it to the Lord in Prayer.”Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in prayer; In His arms He’ll take and shield Thee, Thou wilt find a solace there.
“The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward.” (Exodus 14:14-15). Note in verse 14 – “The Lord shall fight for you” and verse 15 – “speak unto the children of Israel, that they GO FORWARD.” No man had ever exhausted the power that lies in the words, “GO, GO ON”. Going ahead, steadily – and perseveringly, step by step, is the secret of material, moral and spiritual success.
Two examples of “Triumph over Handicaps.” Thomas Edison, deaf and perfecting the phonograph.Franklin D. Roosevelt, crippled by infantile paralysis and becoming President of the United States.Two of them were examples of victors over handicaps.“Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.”(Romans 8:37).
When Paul spoke of the victory which through Jesus Christ he had won over all the ills and adversaries and temptations and woes of life, that greatest of all words, “CONQUEROR”, was not sufficient to describe it, and therefore he said: “MORE THAN CONQUERORS THROUGH HIM that loved us.” “Few men have virtue to withstand the highest bidder.”“Victory isn’t walking across the goal line. It’s struggling through opposition to goal.”
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