Finding diamonds

Can you recall a time when someone encouraged you, and it made all the difference? When someone believed in you more than you believed in yourself? When someone stood by your side when others were ready to give up on you? Then you’ve known a Barnabas.

Barnabas was a nickname, loosely translated, “Mr. Encouragement.” And as followers of Jesus, the Bible tells us over and over to “encourage one another.” To get ready for this Sunday, read Acts chapter 9. It’s mostly about the conversion of Saul (his Greek name was Paul), but note what Barnabas does in verse 27. We’ll also see what he did in chapters 11 and 15.