PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Acts 15:36-41
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“They parted company. Barnabas took Mark… but Paul chose Silas.” (Acts 15:39)
Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, was a generous man.
He was nicknamed Barnabas (son of encouragement) (Acts 4:36-37).
When others feared the newly converted Paul, he stood by him (Acts 9:27).
Now he wants to give Mark, who had let them down in Pamphylia, another chance.
We learn from Paul that Mark was Barnabas’s cousin (Colossians 4:10).
We also see in this verse that Paul and Mark are eventually reconciled… grace wins.
Everyone needs a Barnabas, someone to believe in them when most others won’t.
A ‘son of encouragement’ who keeps rooting for you when everyone else has given up.
After all, we are talking about grace, and the God of 70 x 7 chances.
Paul should know that grace can change even the worst of sinners (1 Timothy 1:16)
Thankfully he finally figured it out for Mark.
Do you need to be reminded about God’s amazing grace, even for the worst of sinners?
Are you an encourager, not giving up on people even when they fail big time?
May our lives be filled with many Barnabas’s, and may I be one of them!
PRAYER
Lord, you believe in me when I can’t believe in myself. Help me to encourage others in the same way, so that they too can experience the blessing of your life-changing grace!
“Barnabas took Mark” – I was ready to give up on a staff person and send him home, but “Robin” a national colleague stood up for him and said he could find an effective role for this person – and sure enough he did. I learned something – just like Paul must of learned something too. Barnabas forqave Mark and was willing to work with him – like Robin did for the person I had given up on. Each person created by God has gifts – we just need to find them and engage them. We need to be like Barnabas – a son of encouragement – rather than judgmental and discouraging! Forgive me Lord – help see the plank in my own eyes first and not to see the specks in others!!
They were all encouragers, to visit the churches where they had been before to see how they were doing. A return visit to spur them on. Yet among the disciples, there were disagreements as who to take with them. Disagreement because of past performance. Yet Barnabas gave a second chance with Mark. Our God is a God Who gives second chances. He continually comes to His people and shows them the way. I too need to encourage those around me, to build up one another. Oneanothering. Thank You Lord for helping me on my way.
Lead Me Oh Lord Won’t You Lead Me
I Am Tired And I Need Thy Strength And Power
To Guide Me Over My Darkest Hour
For Just Open My Eyes That I May See
Lead Me Oh Lord Won’t You Lead Me
Lead Me Guide Me Along The Way
For If You Lead Me I Cannot Stray
Or Just Open My Eyes That I May See
Lead Me Oh Lord Won’t You Lead Me
I Am Lost If You Take Your Hand From Me
I Am Blind Without Try Light To See
Lord Just Always Let Me Thy Servant Be
Lead Me Oh Lord Won’t You Lead Me
Lead Me Guide Me Along The Way
For If You Lead Me I Cannot Stray
Lord Just Open My Eyes That I May See
Lead Me Oh Lord Won’t You Lead Me