Nougat 14

Barnabas

That’s who I’d like to emulate among earthly heroes, for his name and personality means Son of Encouragement. As we reflect on the word we speak, and on Today’s Holy Nougat, I encourage us to thinks about being like Barnabas.

“But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love.” ‭‭Jude‬ ‭1‬:‭20‬-‭21‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Building Words

Thems fighting words – that’s a common enough idea, even if it’s not uttered by most of us these days. And, in one regard – the person who thinks/utters it is justified in their stance. If only from their perspective. Ironically, when we’re feeling that kind of militant, there usually is somebody ready to eg us on to the fight. But that’s not necessarily the encouragement we sought to tap into. Unless we’re talking about building someone up in that moment.

We aren’t seeking to focus on fighting words. Rather, our aim is to have us moved by God’s Spirit toward the business of Encouragement, building each other up. So before thinking any further about it, can we consider how we feel when we’re the recipient of encouragement. Is there one person or incident that readily comes to mind? Did we stop to say thanks – to them and to God? If not, we can do so now.

For Jude, this business of encouraging, of being our sister and brother’s ally is integral to our faith and its witness. The saints to whom he wrote were contending for the integrity of their faith subsequent to infiltration by unbelievers. Thus, aside from being hurt or disappointed by what ensued, Jude proposed an alternative tactic: Faithful Living evidenced by encouragement.

And if we feel we have to fake it, because building others up doesn’t come naturally, Jude offers God’s Spirit. And we know God’s Spirit will give us the right things to say! It’s also guaranteed that we’ll receive the nudge about Who and when to encourage by God’s Spirit if we’re listening.

Can we invite God to guide us in doing so today?

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May all we seek be found in Christ