Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK …Please take the time to take in a YouTube of images and lyrics from Steve Green singing … People Need the Lord … poignantly singing how we need to be willing to share the love of God with others … EVERYDAY!
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Highlight Verse[s]: Acts 9:26-27 [NKJV] … 26 And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.
… God uses Barnabas’ support of Paul to accept him as a brother in Christ in spite of their fears of the former Saul of Tarsus.
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Highlight Passage [context]: Acts 9:26-31 [NKJV]… USE THIS LINK …
… Barnabas encouraged the Disciples to accept the calling and friendship of Paul whom they had heard when Paul was persecuting the Jews.
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Reference Passage : … Exodus 17:8-17 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK ...
… Moses gets the uplifting support of Aaron and Hur before the battle with the Amalekites.
Reference Passage : … 1 Thessalonians 4:9a, 11 [NKJV] … 9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. … 11 Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.
… God, thru Paul, exhorts (i.e., encourages) Christians to comfort and lift up one another.
My Devotional Journal: Today's ODB author, Lisa Samra, used the life of King George VI and his wife (see photo) who encouraged her husband, the King of England during WW2. The author wrote … The 2010 movie The King’s Speech tells the story of England’s King George VI, who unexpectedly became monarch when his brother abandoned the throne. With the country on the brink of World War II, government officials wanted a well-spoken leader because of the increasingly influential role of radio. King George VI, however, struggled with a stuttering problem.
I was especially drawn to the film’s portrayal of George’s wife, Elizabeth [see photo]. Throughout his struggle to overcome his speech difficulty, she was his constant source of encouragement. Her steadfast devotion provided the support he needed to overcome his challenge and rule well during the war.
I have a wife like that, who’s always been my encourager .. my cheerleader. When I’m needing uplifting support, she’s always been there for me during our 54 years of marriage. Oh, how I hope readers here have a spouse, or a friend, like that, … one who can be a Barnabas to you as that Christian brother was for Paul (see highlight passage). And perhaps you, my fellow Christian readers, will have a chance to encourage someone today.
Moses needed uplifting help from Aaron and Hur when the he went up against the Amalekites (in Exodus 17. The Apostle Paul needed the encouragement of Barnabas [whose name means “Son of Encouragement”) on several occasions as in the highlight passage. And God’s word (in 1Thess. 4:11) is clear that we, as disciples of Christ, are to comfort or edify others as Steve Green sings in the linked song.
Yes, … most certainly … “People Need the Lord!”. So, let’s pray that God gives us the opportunity to be a Barnabas for someone today.
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My THANKFULNESS: … Oh Abba Father, … thank You, Lord, … for the uplifting encouragement You have provided for me along the path of life from others.
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My Prayer Today: Oh Abba Father, … King Jesus, … I pray, Lord, that You will give me the opportunity today and down the road of life to encourage and edify others. … Amen
Blogger Note: Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled “Our Daily Bread,” distributed online via email by RBC Ministries. If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.
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