JOHN SHIRK – This week’s Light Reflections examine some of the bright spots in the book of Acts when God was on the move in the hearts of people.
One of those places is Acts chapter 11, verse 24 when Barnabas made a trip to Antioch. He was sent by the church in Jerusalem to follow up on the news that a great number of people there were believing and turning to the LORD.
When Barnabas arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their heart. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.
How might God use our words of encouragement to build the church? He might make us a motivational influence for someone to keep serving God. Or He might make us a persuasive influence for someone to take that first step of faith.
This Light Reflection inspires us to encourage others to live with true devotion to the Lord in the Year to Shine.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is Encouragement toward Godly Integrity.
This was one of great accomplishments of Barnabas in the early church. His name meant, “Son of Encouragement” and he certainly lived up to the meaning of his name.
In Acts 11:22, Barnabas went to a place called Antioch. When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God among the people, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.
His words of encouragement inspired deeper devotion to Christ among existing believers and more conversions to Christ. Through his godly example and ministry of encouragement, a great number of people were brought to the Lord.
Encouragement toward Godly Integrity is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on the encouragement of God’s grace.
What we choose to see through the eyes of faith can really make a difference in how we relate with others.
An example of that can be seen in Barnabas who went to Antioch. Acts 11:23 says, “When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain to true to the Lord with all their hearts. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.”
This is what the ministry of encouragement can do in the church when prompted by the evidence of God’s grace.
Focusing on the evidence of God’s grace gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Exploration, today’s Reason to Believe is encouragement in the church.
Barnabas was a role model of encouragement in the early church. Acts 11:23 records that when he went to Antioch, he saw the evidence of the grace of God. He was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.
Encouragement has a way of bringing out the best in people who want to serve God. Sometimes the circumstances of life wear us down, and the support of a brother or sister in Christ can provide a spark that ignites our faith once again.
Encouragement can also prevent someone from wandering into sinful patterns. We find that in Hebrews 3:13, which says, “encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” So, let’s be a modern day Barnabas and find someone to encourage in the faith today.
Encouragement in the church is a reason to believe in God’s good news.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
