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Like How A Shepherd Takes Good Care Of His Sheep
Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.” Acts 16: 36, NIV Paul and Barnabas had great compassion for the early believers they visited. They didn’t just share the word of Jesus with them; they also took the time to check how they were doing. This deep concern is merely a reflection of God’s love for His people. They cared for the people like a shepherd takes good care of his sheep. They took some time to serve the early believers. They offered their strength…
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They Chose To Intentionally Seek God In Making Wise Decisions
Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. Acts 14:23, NIV When Paul and Barnabas returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, they made sure that someone would take good care and administer to the followers there. They didn’t leave them empty-handed. Instead, they properly arranged and prepared everything they could in order for them to be guided. One of the notable things they did was pray and fast. The moment they appointed the elders, they acknowledged the truth that they needed God’s guidance in doing it. Prayer and fasting were the…
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Let’s Fix Our Gaze On The Source Of Miracles And Blessings
“Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human, like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them. Acts 14: 15, NIV This is what Paul said when the people in Lystra tried to worship him and Barnabas after witnessing a miracle. Because they saw a supernatural thing, they thought that the god they believed in appeared to them in human form. They thought that Paul was Hermes and Barnabas was Zeus. They bowed down to them and attempted to offer sacrifices. Because…
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Learn To Let Go Of The Bad Things And Allow The Holy Spirit To Move
So they shook the dust off their feet as a warning to them and went to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. Acts 13: 51-52, NIV When Paul and Barnabas went to Pisidian Antioch, a great number of people followed them after they shared about Jesus. The word spread all throughout the region, but the Jewish leaders tried to persecute them. And so, Paul and Barnabas shook the dust of their feet as a warning to them. After that, they went to another place. Jesus also commanded His disciples to do the same thing when He sent out His twelve disciples. In Matthew…
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Rely On The Holy Spirit
The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus. Acts 13:4, NIV Barnabas and Saul were sent by the Holy Spirit for a special mission. This calling wasn’t just something that is made up of human desires, but God Himself anointed them to preach the gospel to other places. It is important to note that they didn’t simply came up with their own plans, but instead, they choose to rely on the Holy Spirit to guide and lead them. This is a powerful reminder for us to seek the Holy Spirit. We may have our plans, but…
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They Pursued God’s Presence Above Anything Else
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Acts 13:2, NIV When Barnabas, Saul, and other leaders in Antioch gathered, they worshipped the Lord and fasted. While they were on their knees, and while their hearts were in a posture of worship and surrender before God’s presence, the Holy Spirit instructed them about what to do next. These leaders may have experienced many supernatural things with God, but they didn’t fully rely on what they already received. Instead, they continued to seek God’s instructions and guidance. They still ministered before…
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A Man Named ‘Manaen’
Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. Acts 13:1, NIV In this verse, a man named Manaen was mentioned. He was someone who grew up with Herod the tetrarch. This was the same Herod who beheaded John the Baptist. Imagine, they grew up together, but they lived a totally different life. Herod became selfish and prideful about his position. But here comes Manaen, who became a Christian and followed the ways of Jesus. Sometimes, we believe that people who grew up in the same environment will have…
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What It Means To Be A Christian
and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch. Acts 11: 26, NIV The followers of Jesus where once called as disciples, saints, believers, or followers of the way. In Antioch, they were first called as Christians. They were identified as “Jesus’ People.” Christians are those who spread the gospel and truly follow the teachings of Jesus. In the present, Christianity is the most widely practiced religion. But sadly, many of us didn’t really have an intimate relationship with Him. Before, Christians were…
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A Good Friend Like Barnabas
Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul. Acts 11: 25, NIV Barnabas was one of the followers of Jesus. When the church in Jerusalem heard that a significant number of people in Antioch believed and turned to God, they sent Barnabas to help the people there. When Barnabas arrived in Antioch, he witnessed the grace of God. He encouraged the followers and continued to minister to the people there. While he was serving, Barnabas remembered his friend Saul. In Acts 9, it was written that he was the one who welcomed Saul and helped him. Since there was a threat for his life, Saul was sent to Tarsus.…
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When You Choose To Listen And Care
But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. Acts 9:27, NIV When Saul went to Jerusalem, the disciples didn’t wholeheartedly accept him at first. They were hesitant to welcome him, perhaps because, in the past, he persecuted many Christians. But a man named Barnabas brought him to the apostles. He was the one who shared with them what Saul experienced and how the Lord had spoken to him. Barnabas chose to listen to him despite…
