JUNE THEME – “SEEING UNITY FROM GOD’S PERSPECTIVE”
BEATS FROM YOUR PASTOR’S HEART
BE A BARNABAS TODAY
Acts 4:36 — “And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation).”
Proverbs 12:25 — “Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.”
One of the quickest ways you can help a brother or sister in Christ today is by speaking a word of encouragement into their life. Right now, as you read these words, someone may already be coming to your mind. Perhaps it is a friend who is discouraged, a family member carrying a burden, a pastor who is weary, a widow who feels forgotten, or a young believer who needs reassurance. Too often we think, “I’ll call them later,” or “I’ll send that text when I have time.” Then life becomes busy, responsibilities pile up, and the opportunity passes. Yet God often places people on our hearts for a reason. The very person you are thinking about right now may need encouragement today. Before you get busy, before you move on to the next task, be a Barnabas.
Encouragement Is One of the Greatest Ministries in the Church
Barnabas became known as “the son of consolation” or “the son of encouragement.” What a remarkable reputation to have. He was not known primarily for his position, his title, or his accomplishments. He was known for strengthening others. Throughout the book of Acts, Barnabas repeatedly stepped into situations where people needed encouragement. He believed in Saul when others doubted him. He invested in John Mark when others wanted to give up on him. He constantly looked for ways to strengthen the faith of others. Every believer can do the same. Not everyone can preach a sermon, teach a class, or lead a ministry, but every believer can encourage someone. A simple text message, phone call, handwritten note, or sincere conversation can become a channel through which God pours strength into another person’s life.
You Never Know What Someone Is Carrying
Many people walk through church doors smiling while carrying burdens no one else can see. Some are fighting battles in their marriage. Some are worried about their children. Some are struggling financially. Some are grieving a loss. Some are exhausted physically, emotionally, or spiritually. Proverbs reminds us that heaviness causes the heart to stoop, but a good word can lift it up. What seems like a small act of kindness to you may be exactly what another person needs to keep moving forward. God often uses ordinary words spoken at the right moment to accomplish extraordinary things. You may never fully know how much your encouragement means to someone, but God does.
Don’t Delay What God Wants You to Do Today
One of the enemy’s favorite strategies is to convince us that we can do tomorrow what God wants us to do today. He whispers, “Call them later. Text them later. Encourage them later.” Yet later often becomes never. When the Holy Spirit places someone on your heart, it is usually because He is already working in their life. Your call may arrive at the exact moment they are discouraged. Your text may be the answer to a prayer they prayed that morning. Your words may remind them that God sees them, loves them, and has not forgotten them. Obedience is often most powerful when it is immediate. If God has brought someone to your mind, do not wait. Reach out today.
A pastor once shared that he was going through one of the most discouraging seasons of his ministry. Criticism had worn him down, burdens seemed overwhelming, and he quietly wondered if it was time to step away. One afternoon he received a brief note from a church member. It simply said, “Pastor, thank you for staying faithful. Your labor is not in vain.” That note contained only a few sentences, but it arrived at exactly the right time. Years later the pastor still remembered those words because God used them to strengthen him when he needed it most. The person who wrote the note may never have realized its impact, but God did. Encouragement often carries far more power than we realize.
Barnabas changed lives because he paid attention to people. He saw potential where others saw problems. He saw possibilities where others saw failures. He spoke life when others spoke criticism. Today God may not be asking you to do something dramatic. He may simply be asking you to encourage someone. Before the day gets busy, before distractions take over, before the opportunity passes, be a Barnabas. Someone needs your encouragement today, and God may have chosen you to deliver it.
Warfare Prayer
Heavenly Father, in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, thank You for the people You have placed in our lives. Forgive us for becoming so busy that we fail to notice those who are hurting around us. Open our eyes to see people the way You see them. Open our ears to hear the prompting of the Holy Spirit. We come against every spirit of discouragement, heaviness, loneliness, hopelessness, and despair that is attacking Your people today. We ask You to use us as instruments of encouragement and blessing. Place someone on our hearts right now who needs a word of hope, a prayer, a phone call, or a message of love. Let our words strengthen faith, restore courage, and point people toward Christ. May we be known as encouragers who build up the Body of Christ rather than tear it down. In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.
Daily Challenge
Before the next hour passes, stop what you are doing and contact one person God places on your heart. Send a text. Make a phone call. Write a note. Pray with them. Speak a blessing over their life. Do not wait until later. Do it now. Be a Barnabas. Your encouragement may be the very thing God uses today to strengthen a weary believer, restore a discouraged heart, or remind someone that they are deeply loved by God.
THURSDAY’S PRAYER REQUESTS
Ann Stanley
Aston Savage
Britany Smith ~ Breast Cancer
Christopher & Yting Kelley
Danny Jarrard
David Franklin
Dinay Rodriguez
Ellen Boyd
Jean Muehlfelt
Kim’s Sisters – Ann & Brenda & Mateen
Kim McClain’s Daughter, Amanda
Mary Williams
Nancy Riley
Phillip Roach
Susan Bankston
Wes Knight
Amy Garner’s Dad
Andrea Nix– Friend of the Shelnutt’s
Angela Bryan’s Sisters
Annette Ford
Brando Echarte
Carol Lawhead – Riverside in Conyers
Darlene Kelley – Cancer Treatment
Darlene Wiggins
Debbie Foskey
Deon Lotter
Don And Karelle Franklin – Mae’s Cousins
Doris Loyd
Dr. and Mrs. Davis
Ed Adkins – Friend of Brian Edwards
Ed Franklin’s Son In Law – Heart Surgery
Eric Magnusson’s Mother
Eric Ward
Friend of Linda Hodge
Gayle Sparks
Gloria Young
James Burnette
Jean Partee
Jean Partee’s Sister
Jessica Headrick
John McClain’s Mother
Joni Oberhage
June Cronan’s Sister
June Davis
Kailey Bateman
Kim McClain’s Mother
Lillianna Magnusson’s Mom
Linda Mays
Lonzo Christian
Lori Blount’s Mother
Mary Williamson – Dana Jackson’s Mom
Mrs. Franklin
Nancy Brown
Nora Allison
Paul Bateman
Ron And Johnnie Barry – Friends Of Ashton & Glenda Bateman
Rose Fuller – Pruitt-Monroe Nursing Home, Forsyth GA
Roy Roach
Scott Lanier
Scotty Nix
Stephanie Seivers – Friend of the Shelnutt’s
Steve Michaels
Tammy Shelnutt
Tom Witcher