MY
DAILY COVENANT WITH GOD DEVOTIONAL
Devotion
for Thursday February 16, 2017
Topic: The Son of Encouragement
Text:
Acts 4:32 – 37
Barnabas means son of consolation
(encouragement). He was a Levite (Acts 4:36). His name stands first on the list
of prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch (Acts 13:1). Luke speaks of
him as a "good man" (Acts 11:24). He was born of Jewish parents of
the tribe of Levi. He was a native of Cyprus, where he had a possession of land
(Acts 4:36, 37), which he sold and gave for the service of God.
He personally took Paul and
introduced him to other apostles when he returned to Jerusalem after his
conversion (9:27). He was a great link between the Jews and Gentiles. He was
Paul’s companion in his first missionary journey. He personally invited Paul to
work with him in Antioch. Luke mentioned the name of Barnabas as one of those
who sold their lands and brought the money.
New King James Version has it that it
was the apostles that gave him that name Barnabas as his name was Joses.
Probably they gave him that name because of his contributions to the early
church. Some of us are more blessed than Barnabas but we have not deemed it
necessary to support the work of the church.
If your priest is to describe you by
your activities in the church, will he say you are son of encouragement like
Barnabas or you are greedy like Judas Iscariot? What is your testimony in your
local church? Barnabas didn’t give money alone; he went on missionary work also.
Do you think you are too big for evangelism? Let the life of Barnabas be a
challenge to you. Give yourself a name that people will not forget in your
church
Food
for Thought:
The character of Barnabas’ ministry gave him the name. What is the character of
your ministry?
Memory
verses: Acts
4 verses 36 and 37 - Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas
(which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, sold a field
that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.
Prayer:
God,
may I live up to the name, Christian that I bear in Jesus name. Amen.
