April 13, Friday

“And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.” (Acts 4:36-37 NKJV)

            Barnabas would be part of so many ministries and evangelistic tours with Paul and Mark.  Barnabas would be discipled and then discipled others and is a model of how a Christian should live and grow in the faith.

            Like some who came to Christianity Barnabas would change his name but unlike many Christians Barnabas was a Levite.  Levites were part of the Temple worship and were of the people who persecuted Christians.

            Few of those who were of this family would accept the message of Jesus or even of His followers.  They continued to follow the Old Testament way of animal and produce offering. 

            The name Barnabas which means son of encouragement would be so fitting for the man pictured here who came from a long ways to offer not only his money but his life.  Barnabas is one of the few mentioned by name which could be because he was a Levite but also because of his incredible ministry.

            Wouldn’t it be amazing to be called Son of Encouragement because of how you lived with the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the grace of Jesus?  We must remember that Barnabas was just a normal person except unlike us there was no New Testament to guide him.  In reality Barnabas helped write the New Testament we often ignore.

            The Bible is really 66 attempts by God to reveal His love for us and how much was done so we could have a life with God.   In the Bible there are stories of those who fail or don’t even try to discover God, but it also is full of people like Barnabas who show us what a life in Jesus can be.

            Do you read the Bible?  If you do not read the Bible why not?  Is your goal in this life t become and man or woman like Barnabas?  Do you seek to encourage others to live an amazing life with Jesus?

            Today was a busy day for Bonnie and Rebecca as they got ready for Rebecca’s friend Elizabeth to come.  Elizabeth got here safely and they stayed up late talking.  The day was about the same for me.  Did get some Bible reading and prayer in.