Scripture text: Hebrews 10:19-25
Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
There are many in the scripture who show the quality of encouragement, but no one more so than Barnabas. Below is a scripture related to Barnabas as an encourager:
Acts 4:32-37
All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need. Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles' feet.
Besides your spouse, who has been an encouragement in your life and how so? (Maybe someone who is an encouragement today or someone from your distant past.) How did they encourage you? Why would encouragement be seen as an authentic Christian character trait? What is encouragement?
EXTRA: Is there any one you would like to say an encouragimng word to through this blog?
From Pastor to Church: I want to encourage you all as the church with heart - your caring through in house ministries and out of house mission work around the community and throughout the world is praise worthy. Thank you for being the awesome church you are.
EXTRA: Is there any one you would like to say an encouragimng word to through this blog?
From Pastor to Church: I want to encourage you all as the church with heart - your caring through in house ministries and out of house mission work around the community and throughout the world is praise worthy. Thank you for being the awesome church you are.
Mr. Mefford: my little league baseball coach.
ReplyDeleteMrs. Bland: my tutor in 6th grade.
Rev. Dr. Francis Hitch: my pastor, spiritual father and mentor.
These were 3 of my encouragers in childhood through young adult.
Though there have been discouragers, the people in every church who have been encouragers to me and my family far outweigh them all. Thanks be to God, the source of all encouragement!
My socks are blessed off this morning (it's ok, I washed my feet). During the past 24 hours the barnabas committee has been at work - from lunch where the Barnabas committee left a note for the waitress (yes, a tip too), to awesome emails I have received about Barnabas getting busy, to a gift bag on my desk this morning form the Barnabas committee. Keep letting me know what is going on - if the Barnabas committee has hit you, let us know about it. Or, if it won't give anything away, tell us what your part of the Barnabas committee is doing. Woo hoo - Jesus is on the move through the church with heart!
ReplyDeletePastor Jeff my thanks for your encouragment for all of us to become better characters in our walk with Christ. I enjoyed the Wednesday evening group even though it was over just as we got started. Thank you and I am excited with this years theme. Always in Christ, Barbie Schaeffer
ReplyDelete