Good morning,
We live busy lives. Work, school, church, gym etc. Interruptions. Do we see needs and meet them?
God has given us the privilege and responsibility to bear one another’s burdens. Physically, relationally, financially, and spiritually.
This week we will look at what the Bible says about bearing one another’s burdens.
Today we see how spiritual needs are met.
Spiritual
Barnabas and Paul, Barnabas brings Paul to the apostles Acts 9:27, 13:1-3
But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.
Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
Jesus and the woman at the well John 4:3-42
Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans. (4:9)
But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.25 The woman saith unto him, I know that Messiah cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. 26 Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he. (4:23-26)
The Bible calls Barnabas the son of encouragement. He was not the Bible headliner of his day. He was the guy in the background, ministering to the needs of the saints. He saw something in Saul, who becomes Paul, worthy of investing time into him. It was Barnabas who presented Paul to the apostles. Barnabas believed in Paul. The Holy Ghost command was to “Separate me Barnabas and Saul…”
God uses people who are available. Barnabas was available to conduct ministry at all levels. He was faithful.
Jesus saw the spiritual need of a Samaritan woman and was determined to meet that need. He explained her need, the solution, and the result. She trusted Christ and told all her friends. Some of them also received Christ.
God wants us to be faithful to do what He calls us to do. We may not feel we have the skills for the task, but God does. If we are willing to trust Him, He will give us everything we need to accomplish the task.
Are we willing to serve? Do whatever God calls us to do? Willingly?
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com
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