Unstoppable! 'The Transformative Power of an Encourager' — Acts 9:26-27

Sunday, May 18, 2025

When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to meet with the believers, but they were all afraid of him. They did not believe he had truly become a believer! Then Barnabas brought him to the apostles and told them how Saul had seen the Lord on the way to Damascus and how the Lord had spoken to Saul. He also told them that Saul had preached boldly in the name of Jesus in Damascus.

— Acts 9:26-27 NLT

Key Thought

In the face of the Jerusalem believers' distrust of Saul, what sweet words: "Then Barnabas..." - sweet because they introduce Barnabas' intercession and his defense of Saul. Barnabas' real name was Joseph; originally he was from Cyprus. The apostles gave Joseph the nickname of Barnabas - "Son of Encouragement" (Acts 4:36). Nearly every time we run into Barnabas in the book of Acts, he is helping, encouraging, and reclaiming someone for the cause of Christ. Wow! What a reputation. What a legacy. Let's commit to continue his legacy by becoming more like him. In a world of complaining and whining, let's be the people doing the encouraging!

Today's Prayer

O Lord, thank you for Barnabas and his track record of living with grace toward others. Holy Spirit, give me wisdom and develop your fruit in me so that I can be a generous person and an encourager like Barnabas. I pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

4 Related Resources by Heartlight

Distrusted
Devo: Unstoppable!
"When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to meet with the believers, but they were all afraid of him. They did not believe he had truly become a..."
The Old Clock
Article by Russ Lawson
What lesson can an old abandoned clock teach us? Too many people are put on the back shelf of life and we need to find them and reclaim them just as Baranabas once did.
Risk-taking & Faith-filled
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Beloved, What is the greatest obstacle that you face? What seemingly insurmountable forces are at work against you? Keep these two questions....."
A Servant Who Changes Everything
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Child of God, A large part of the history of faith is written by people who are not considered the greatest servants of faith. However, the..."

Illustration

Illustration of Acts 9:26-27 NLT — When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to meet with the believers, but they were all afraid of him. They did not believe he had truly become a believer! Then Barnabas brought him to the apostles and told them how Saul had seen the Lord on the way to Damascus and how the Lord had spoken to Saul. He also told them that Saul had preached boldly in the name of Jesus in Damascus.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Sunday, May 18, 2025

Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'God Laughs at the Plots Against Him' (Ps. 2:2-4)
"The kings of the earth prepare for battle; the rulers plot together against the Lord and against his anointed one. "Let us break their chains," they....."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
Psalm 3:8
"From the LORD comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Philippians 2:3
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Confirmation' (1 Jn. 5:6)
"And Jesus Christ was revealed as God's Son by his baptism in water and by shedding his blood on the cross — not by water only, but by water and blood. And..."

About This Devotional

Unstoppable! is a one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage, a reflection and a prayer. The reflection opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges one to live for Jesus.

Unstoppable! is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More Unstoppable!