Sermon Devotions
Inspiring weekly devotions that motivate us to remain steadfast in our faith in Jesus Christ!
Week of November 16th
Devotion 1: The Calling to Be a Difference-Maker
Scripture: Acts 4:36–37 — “Now Joseph… called Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of Encouragement), and who owned a tract of land, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.”
Reflection:
Barnabas wasn’t famous, nor was he one of the original apostles. He was an ordinary believer from Cyprus, a Levite who simply loved God and lived generously. But God used this authentic follower to make a massive impact on the early church.
The sermon reminds us that God places ordinary people in ordinary places to make extraordinary differences. You don’t have to be platformed, influential, or gifted in dramatic ways. Barnabas became known not for his accomplishments, but for his character — his generosity, humility, and encouragement.
Prayer:
Ask the Lord to help you embrace your role as a difference-maker in everyday life, giving you discernment on how to use the opportunities and talents you’ve been blessed with. Pray for God to cultivate in you a heart like Barnabas — generous, sincere, and Spirit-led. Entreat God to use your life to encourage others in ways you don’t even see.
Action:
Identify one area of life — workplace, family, school, neighborhood — where God has uniquely placed you. Pray specifically over that environment and how you can represent Christ there today.
Devotion 2: Encouragement That Changes Lives
Scripture: Acts 9:26–27a — “When [Saul] came to Jerusalem, he was trying to associate with the disciples; but they were all afraid of him… But Barnabas took hold of him and brought him to the apostles…”
Reflection:
Saul’s reputation terrified the early believers. The church doubted his conversion and feared deception. But Barnabas stepped in — he listened, believed Saul’s testimony, and advocated for him. In doing so, he opened the door for Saul’s ministry, and ultimately for Paul’s worldwide influence.
Encouragement isn’t soft — it’s courageous.
Encouragers take risks on people.
Encouragers see God’s potential where others see danger or disappointment.
Sometimes all someone needs is one person who says, “I believe God is at work in you.”
Prayer:
Ask the Father to bless you with a ministry of courageous encouragement. Pray that the Holy Spirit would give you wisdom to discern His work in others and to see people through His eyes, not their past. Request that your words would be used to lift up, strengthen, and affirm His work in someone else’s life.
Action:
Think of someone who might feel overlooked, doubted, or discouraged. Reach out today — text, call, or meet them — and intentionally affirm what God is doing in their life.
Devotion 3: Staying Open to God’s New Work
Scripture: Acts 11:23–24 — “Then when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them… for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord”
Reflection:
Barnabas traveled to Antioch and found something unexpected: God was moving powerfully among the Gentiles. Instead of resisting this new, “out-of-the-box” work of God, Barnabas rejoiced and joined it. He encouraged the new believers, invested in the ministry, and even sought out Saul to help teach.
Barnabas was open, flexible, humble, and Spirit-led. Revival never fits neatly into our expectations — and Barnabas was ready to celebrate God’s grace wherever it appeared.
Prayer:
Entreat the Holy Spirit to make your heart sensitive to His movement. Ask that He would help you rejoice in His grace, even when it stretches your understanding. Pray that He would remove any fear or rigidity that keeps you from joining His work and that He would use you to encourage new believers and strengthen His church.
Action:
Ask God to show you where He is already working — in your church, community, or relationships. Decide one way you can step in and support that work this week.
Devotion 4: Investing in Others for Kingdom Impact
Scripture: Acts 15:39–40 — “And there occurred such a sharp disagreement that they separated from one another, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus. But Paul chose Silas and left…”
2 Timothy 4:11 — “…Pick up Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service.”
Reflection:
John Mark deserted his companions on the first missionary journey, making Paul refuse to take him again. But Barnabas refused to give up on him. The “Son of Encouragement” saw possibility where others saw liability. He discipled John Mark, helped him grow, and believed in him when no one else would.
Years later, Paul declared Mark “useful” and welcomed him as a ministry partner. A failure became a leader because someone chose encouragement over frustration.
Encouragement is discipleship.
Encouragement is investment.
Encouragement shapes destinies.
Prayer:
Thank the Lord for putting people in your life who have believed in you and discipled you. Ask that He would give you eyes to see emerging potential in others and to encourage that potential with patience and grace. Pray that He would use your encouragement to strengthen the next generation of believers.
Action:
Choose one person this week to intentionally invest in — through mentorship, prayer, Bible study, or simple encouragement. Commit to lifting them up consistently.
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