Be a Barnabas

'...Barnabas...encouraged them all...' Acts 11:22-23 NIV

Ronald Reagan earned the nickname 'The Great Communicator' because he was a gifted speaker. Earvin Johnson earned the nickname 'Magic' because of what he could do with a basketball. And Joseph of Cyprus earned the nickname 'Barnabas' because wherever he went he 'encouraged them all'. What a testimony! The Scripture says, 'Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), sold a field...brought the money and put it at the apostles' feet.' (Acts 4:36-37 NIV) Then, 'When [Barnabas] arrived...he...encouraged them all to remain true... He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith...' (Acts 11:23-24 NIV) Barnabas accompanied Paul on missionary trips and wherever he went his spirit of encouragement shone through: '...they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples...' (Acts 14:21-22 NIV) 'When [Paul] came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles...' (Acts 9:26-27 NIV) It was Barnabas who encouraged them to accept Paul and work with him as a brother in Christ. When Paul didn't want to take John Mark with them because of a perceived failure, Barnabas gave him a second chance. Later Paul acknowledged what a great asset John Mark was. Indeed, it seems he ended up writing the Gospel of Mark, but without encouragement from Barnabas it might not have happened. So how can you be a Barnabas today and effect someone who needs encouragement?