Acts 11:24 He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.
If you wonder who we are talking about in today’s verse, you aren’t alone. This is why it is important to read a verse within the context it was written in. Pulling just one verse and reading it alone limits your understanding so always remember to read at least a few verses behind and a few after each day’s selection. In this case we are talking about Barnabas and his ministry.
Barnabas was a Levite from Cyprus. He was sent to Antioch where the early church had heard reports of the faith spreading amongst the Gentiles. He went to encourage them and support their ministry, as well as to share the Gospel. And the fruit of his efforts was that many more were brought to the Lord. He was there evangelizing and sharing the Gospel and lives were being changed.
It is important to understand that Barnabas did not do this on his own. He was filled with the Spirit, empowered by His presence, fully trusting God to use him to make disciples of the people of Antioch. Barnabas was open and ready for the Spirit to work through him and it was the Spirit who touched lives and changed them.
And that same Spirit is with you. You, too, can be filled with the Spirit, letting Him flow through you and spilling out on everyone you speak with. Every one of us has been called to share our faith, to make disciples of all nations. Even if you don’t believe you can share the Gospel yourself, you can. You have the Holy Spirit in you and He guides your steps to the people who need to hear about what Jesus did for them. The Spirit gives you the words to say. He is your strength, your support, your words.
All it takes is being ready, being open and willing to be used by the Spirit. Today let’s open our hearts and minds to Him and be empowered to share the Gospel with at least one person. It is as easy as telling your own story of how you came to faith. Put aside your fear, doubt, or worries and simply share what is in you. The Spirit will do the rest.
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