Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:11

His given name was Joseph, but most of you know him as Barnabas — the Son of Encouragement — what a title! Our first reading outlines this wonderful spiritual gift of his. He sounds like the type of person everyone would want to be around, doesn’t he? Barnabas would uplift, hearten, inspire, enrich, cheer, and fortify others — a glass-half-full kind of man!

While some may dismiss our senior insights or advice these days, usually everyone accepts encouragement, especially encouragement in Christ. Don’t expect extensive fame or recognition, but YOU can be the one to whom others are drawn when they seek edification. Sharing encouragement in Christ is beneficial to everyone, and it’s easy — God already gave you the Word(s)!

Dianna Hitchler
Bullhead City, AZ

Loving Jesus, strengthen me to fully trust the Holy Spirit who gives me the proper words, for the proper person, at the proper time. Amen.

Reflect: Make 2025 the year you encourage at least one person per day.

Read: Acts 11:19-24 and 1 Thessalonians 5:8-11