![]() ![]() What a blessing Barnabas was to the believers of his day! Through the encouragement of Barnabas, the apostle Paul was first accepted by the church in Jerusalem (Acts 9:27). Yet He who calls us is faithful, and He gives us the power to be faithful, too (1 Corinthians 1:9).Ī man in the early church named Joseph was given the nickname “Barnabas,” which means “Son of Encouragement” (Acts 4:36). At times, recognizing that there is meaning in the seemingly inconsequential things we do seems next to impossible. Discouragement is not an uncommon human experience. When we are encouraged in Christ, we have strength to put on our spiritual armor and remain steadfast (see Ephesians 6:10-18).Įven in places where Christians do not experience overt persecution or hatred, we all know that life can be difficult. It is not just that we face the world’s displeasure we are caught in the crosshairs of a spiritual battle. This truth makes encouragement all the more important. ![]() the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12). It is important to remember that “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against. The prophet Elijah struggled with discouragement (1 Kings 19:3-10), and so do we. Without encouragement, hardship becomes meaningless, and our will to go on wanes. Jesus is greater than any trouble we face. But Jesus’ grim forecast was tempered with cheer He followed His prediction of trouble with a sparkling word of encouragement: He has overcome the world. In fact, He told them the world would hate them (John 15:18-21 see also Matthew 10:22-23 and 2 Corinthians 2:15-16). Jesus did not shy from telling His followers about the troubles they would face. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33b). Jesus told His followers, “In this world you will have trouble. Why is encouragement emphasized in the Bible? Primarily because encouragement is necessary to our walk of faith. First Thessalonians 5:11 says, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” Throughout the Bible we see instructions to encourage one another and verses that are meant to encourage us. “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness,” Hebrews 3:13 tells us. ![]()
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