People of Encouragement
Acts 11:19-26
“Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.”
Acts 11:23
"Sheer encouragement." That was the phrase J.R.R. Tolkien used to describe the personal support his friend and colleague C.S. Lewis gave him as her wrote the epic The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Tolkien's work on the series had been painstaking and exacting, and he'd personally typed out the lengthy manuscripts more than twice. Then he sent them to Lewis, Lewis responded, "All the long years you have spent on it are justified."
Perhaps Scripture's best-known encourager was Joseph for Cyprus, better known and Barnabas (meaning "son of encouragement"), the name the apostles gave him (Acts 4:36). It was Barnabas who advocated for Paul to the apostles (9:27). Later, when non-Jewish believers began to place their faith in Jesus, Luke tells us Barnabas "was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts" (11:23). Luke describes him as "a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith," adding that because of him, "a great number of people were brought to the Lord" (v. 24)
The worth of encouraging words can't be measured. As we offer words of faith and love to others, God-who gives "eternal encouragement" (2 Thessalonians 2:16) -- may move through what we share to transform someone's life forever. May He help up to offer "sheer encouragement" to someone today!
James Banks
Whom would you like to encourage? In what ways might you share God's love with them through a kind deed or word? Dear God, please help me to be an encouragement to someone today.