Unstoppable! 'Reclaiming Saul for Ministry' — Acts 11:25-26

Friday, July 1, 2022

Then Barnabas went on to Tarsus to look for Saul. When he found him, he brought him back to Antioch. Both of them stayed there with the church for a full year, teaching large crowds of people. (It was at Antioch that the believers were first called Christians.)

— Acts 11:25-26 NLT

Key Thought

The church in Jerusalem had sent Barnabas, a trusted and encouraging brother in Christ, to see how things were going in Antioch. He affirmed the people who were responding to the good things that God was doing in Antioch. The church grew, and many more became followers of Jesus through Barnabas' efforts. He soon needed help, so he went to Tarsus to find Saul (later known as Paul). Saul* had once persecuted the church but had become a passionate follower of Christ Jesus. His training as a rabbi gave him an excellent background for his call from God to reach Gentiles. As a gifted encourager, Barnabas made sure that Saul was reclaimed from obscurity and brought back to the front lines of spreading the Good News. Together, they made an excellent mission team, and the world has never been the same!

* See Related Scripture Readings below for background Scriptures on Saul.

Today's Prayer

Dear Father, please use me to help reclaim and encourage those who have been discouraged, whether by wounds they have received from brothers and sisters in Christ or ridicule from unbelievers. Please give me wisdom, strength, tenderness, and patience as I seek to reawaken them to the gifts you have given them and the grace Jesus has for them. I pray this in the name of Christ Jesus, my Lord. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Acts 9:10-25
  • Acts 9:26-31, 11:19-25

Comments

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Friday, July 1, 2022

Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
Romans 12:3
"By the grace given me I say to everyone of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in..."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'My Enemy Does Not Shout in Victory over Me'
"By this I know that You favor and delight in me, Because my enemy does not shout in triumph over me."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'Find Shelter in Him' (Ps. 37:39-40)
"The LORD rescues the godly; he is their fortress in times of trouble. The LORD helps them, rescuing them from the wicked. He saves them, and they find..."
Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by Clement of Rome:
"Christ is with those of humble mind, not with those who exalt themselves over his flock."

Illustration

Illustration of Acts 11:25-26 NLT — Then Barnabas went on to Tarsus to look for Saul. When he found him, he brought him back to Antioch. Both of them stayed there with the church for a full year, teaching large crowds of people. (It was at Antioch that the believers were first called Christians.)

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!