SON OF A.........ENCOURAGER (ENCOURAGEMENT)

All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. ³³ The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all. ³⁴ There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them ³⁵ and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need.
³⁶ For instance, there was Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means “Son of Encouragement”).  Acts 4:32-36

So imagine this....you are shadowing Peter and John who had recently got released from the joint (jail) and they gather with other believers to tell of their adventure, and how they suffered for the sake of spreading the Gospel.   There  is no weeping or wailing, but rather a celebration of the saints that count it a joy to suffer for the ADVANCEMENT of the GOSPEL of JESUS CHRIST.  Following their account they go in, NO REALLY GO IN(to) prayer thanking and asking GOD boldness to preach His word, that they may perform miracles, signs, and wonders through Jesus.   After this prayer the place they were in shook, they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and they began preaching with boldness......WOW...but wait for it.

Because of the Spirit uniting those in attendance in heart and mind, they felt what they owned was not their own.   Let's stop here, because I think this where we disconnect.   Pastors all over the globe (some in places where preaching can cost them their lives.) pray for the boldness of the Holy Spirit and let's just say offering & or sign ups for (you fill in the blank) aren't as favorable as GOD would have it.  WHY is that?  Could it be that we aren't united in heart and mind?   Could it be that a few people are so they endeavor to REACH and do?  Could it be that we spend too much time being skeptical vs. simply Giving Ourselves & Our Possessions away?

I find it phenomenal that ALL THE BELIEVERS were united.  Following the their feelings of sharing EVERYTHING they had...that GOD's BLESSINGS was upon them ALL.  So you have a BODY that is selling out for the advancement of GOD's kingdom and then Joseph being in the assembly, having heard the prayer....that was a prayer of/for COURAGE comes in obedience to GOD and gets named....not the son of courage, but the SON OF ENCOURAGEMENT!

Courage:  the ability to do something that you know is difficult or dangerous.
Encourage:  to make (someone) more determined, hopeful, or confident


How cool is that....they prayed for the ability to do something (preaching, teaching, healing, miracles) that was dangerous, and God blessed them with someone with His spiritual DNA to make them more

determined, more hopeful, more confident in what He's called, and calling them to do!   I don't know about you.....but this is what WE ALL NEED!  An Encourager is a DIFFERENCE MAKER!   While we can all use one here's what the WORD OF GOD SAYS to each of us:

Eph 4:29 Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

1Thess. 5:14  Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.

Hebrews 10:25  And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

All I'm simply saying is Barnabas was an ordinary guy, that believed in an Extraordinary God an encouraged others by his actions.....we can all use a little extra encouragement, and GOD calls us to do so.  I  know some people that's their gift, but just because it may not be your gift doesn't mean you can't make it a discipline to do so.  WHO WILL YOU REACH OUT to and ENCOURAGE today? LGLP365