What would you be today if you could be a different person?  Some would be taller, shorter, lighter or heavier.  But how would you change your personality if you could - today?  I think that many of us would like to be called Barnabas.  Remember there was a Barnabas in the Bible whose real name was Joseph.  The apostles changed Joseph's name to Barnabas because he was such an encouraging person.  You see, Barnabas means "son of encouragement".  In other words, encouragement was so central to who Joseph was that his friends decided his name needed to fit his personality.  So, how did Joseph earn the name Barnabas?  In Acts 4:36-37 we're told that Joseph sold a field he owned and brought the money to the church.  In Acts 9:26f. we see that Saul, who had been accepted by God, was not accepted by the believers, because of their fear.  In steps Joseph (Barnabas) to be an encourager by vouching for Saul before the fearful church.  Because of Joseph's encouragement, Saul was freed to speak the name of the Lord boldly in Jerusalem.  Joseph did not stop there.  When he was sent to Antioch to check out the development of the church there, he didn't waste much time before he set out to find Saul.  He wanted to include Saul in the wonderful things God was doing in Antioch.  Because of Joseph's effort, an entirely new chapter was begun in Saul's ministry.

So, what about us?  How can we encourage those around us?  How can we follow in Joseph's footsteps?

Consider these points of action:
1 - Pray for opportunities to encourage people.
2 - Watch for opportunities to encourage people.
3 - Seize opportunities God gives you to encourage people.
4 - Be proactive - don't wait for a request for help.
5 - Think small - small acts can be huge encouragements.
6 - Think outside your circle - encourage those you're not yet close to.
7 - Teach others to encourage.

May God bless you as you seek to be sons and daughters of encouragement.  Grace and peace,

                                   Ethan