Barnabas, A Model of the Powerful Ministry of Encouragement! Poem by Bob Sanders

Barnabas was called the “Son of Encouragement”

he freely dispensed God's heavenly remedy

to overturn fear and discouragement

to raise faith levels that would diffuse anxiety

a healing balm that would buffer what we suffer

and ignite courage in us to carry on

when the light of hope seems to be gone

Barnabas didn't hold back for fear of the future

rather he road Christ's wave of faith filled adventure

renewing courage that Christ can always be trusted

to repair the corrosion that corruption has rusted

Barnabas gave generously and significantly

not just a cookie and a pat on the head

in word and deed he gave tangibly instead

abundantly and sacrificially

he was a rare gem indeed

when evil was triumphing

rather than putting his head in the sand

through Christ, he chose to do something grand

set to make difference, this righteous man

on the Rock of Christ he took His stand

saw the need

and readied himself to do what he can

he excelled in the grace of giving

and lived a fearless life of abundant living

Barnabas instilled optimism and enthusiasm

into his sisters and brothers

to run the race and stay the course

continually refueling to fuel many others

the Heavenly Father was His abundant Source

He was Holy Spirit equipped to build up Saul

training him through Christ

to become the new man Paul

he helped the church to see God’s approval

that Paul was truly God's chosen vessel

and called by HIM to be an apostle

his encouragement enabled Paul

to start running well in his heavenly call

Christ's kingdom mightily moved his spirit

he was truly sold out, pressing the limits

going so far as to sell his land

then giving the proceeds into the Apostles hands

to be distributed to the poor and those in need

is it any wonder why then with such faith filled deeds

that God's kingdom spread so rapidly?

when it comes to high standards

 and reaching for the stars

it appears that we the church have lowered the bar

Into God's will,  Barnabas chose to align

for him, there was no out of sight, out of mind

He refused to be one who was abundantly able

who would only give the crumbs off his table

Could compassionate Isaiah 58 giving ignite a revival?

will we the church settle for mere survival

or will we rise up courageously to give our all?

Like Barnabas, let us drink deeply

from God’s refreshing springs

engaging in both sowing and reaping,

giving and receiving,

that we may console the suffering

strengthen and uplift the weary

and be engaged gladly

in reinforcing, comforting, and cheering

the downcast and weary

also refreshing our brethren in the journey

not putting these opportunities on the shelf

but wholeheartedly heeding and believing,

“that he who waters others will be watered himself”

God’s encouragement brings sweet affirmation

It engrains inner approval and confirmation

It affirms that we belong to Him

that we too are His beloved kin

it confirms and reinforces that we can now stand

because we are engraved on the palms of His hand

like with Jesus the Father’s beloved Son

it reverberates that we also are His beloved ones

echoing that through Jesus the Prince of Peace

His wrath against us has fully ceased

with us also He is now well pleased

because of glorious shed blood of Christ Jesus

nothing will then separate us

His encouragement seals a warm welcome

into His Heavenly Kingdom

According to God's Word

we are His ambassadors

given the ministry to reconcile others

to uplift and strengthen our sisters and brothers

Father dissolve our resistance and selfish barriers

forge Holy Spirit breakthrough

make us  effective water carriers

as vessels that refresh and renew

receiving and giving Living Water from You

by Your in-couraging tender loving care

shape us into vessels of service and prayer

who are eager to joyfully share

Father, we seem to have so far to go

fill us abundantly, cause us to grow

raise within us prolific overflow

grow us to be proactive

ones who generously give

and abundantly live

we have so much opportunity along the way

Lord help us to be fervent to seize the day

through God our Glorious Father

the God of all comfort

help us refresh and exhort

stirring one another

into love and good deeds

while encouraging each other

to excel in the grace of giving

and abundant living

especially now as we see

the Day of our Lord approaching

(Acts 4:36-37, Isa.49:16, Luke 3:22, Prov 11:23, 2Cor 1:3-7, Heb 10:24-25)

By Bob Sanders -© copyright-1/26/2011

www.bajachristian.org