Thursday, February 27, 2025

Topic: RELATIONSHIPS MATTER–Who’s Your Barnabas?

Scripture: Acts 9:26-27 Back in Jerusalem he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him. They did not trust him one bit. Then Barnabas took him under his wing. He introduced him to the apostles and stood up for him, told them how Saul had seen and spoken to the master on the Damascus Road and how in Damascus itself he had laid his life on the line with his bold preaching in Jesus' name.

Acts 11:25-26 Then Barnabas went on to Tarsus to look for Saul. He found him and brought him back to Antioch. They were there a whole year, meeting with the church and teaching a lot of people. It was in Antioch that the disciples were for the first time called Christians.

Discussion: Barnabas, whose very name means “Son of Encouragement,” supported the community of Christ-followers and encouraged others to act in kind. When the Christ-followers were fearful of this recently converted persecutor of Christians, Barnabas presented Paul to the disciples. Barnabas’ support and friendship opened the door for Paul’s acceptance by the church, thus beginning Paul’s growth as a disciple.  Later, while ministering in Antioch, Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Paul and brought him back to the people of Antioch, thus introducing Paul to his calling as the apostle to the Gentiles. 

 Barnabas was a friend and an encourager to Paul. They were co-laborers, yet their relationship remained strong even when the emphasis shifted from “Barnabas and Paul” to “Paul and Barnabas.” Barnabas aimed not to self-serve but to be a blessing and a friend. Even at the inception of their relationship, Barnabas lifted Paul and encouraged his potential rather than seeking to attain a place of superiority for himself. 

 We need a Barnabas in our lives. We need someone to believe in us when many others do not and to see something we may not even see in ourselves. We need a friend to bring a perspective to us that we cannot see ourselves and is trusted and close enough that we do not suspect their motives. Most of us only have a few intimate friends throughout our lives, and we must value and appreciate them. Many other people speak into our lives along the way. We must be observant practically and spiritually to recognize when a divine relationship is forming and nurture and embrace that relationship.

 Prayer: Lord, thank You for Barnabas and Paul's relationship.  I pray You would guide me to cultivate a relationship like theirs, marked by mutual respect, forgiveness, and a shared commitment to Your work. Lord, help me to be like Barnabas, extend grace and encouragement to those around me, and have Paul's zeal and dedication to the faith, always seeking to grow and mature in our understanding of Your Word.  Lord, I ask the Holy Spirit to help me to recognize when a divine relationship is forming in my life.  In Jesus' Name, I pray, Amen.

Friday, February 28, 2025

Topic: RELATIONSHIPS MATTER – Who’s Your “Paul”

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:7 For the Lord did not give us a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind.

Discussion:  Thinking back over a decade ago, when I decided to follow Jesus, I was most thankful for the sacrifice Jesus made for me. I was also excited to be part of a church family where I found acceptance and people who became my friends. I became very comfortable in these new relationships. Little did I know that, as the friendships developed, one person became a “Paul” to me. I could approach him with any question or concern and be confident that he would lead me into the Word for the answers. As time has passed, we are still close and communicate often.

“Paul” figures are essential in our spiritual growth. The most remarkable example of this relationship in the scriptures is between Timothy and Paul. You see, Paul’s influence ultimately led Timothy into the pastoral ministry.   In my case, I learned from my Paul that I had to step out of my comfort zone to help make disciples. I was timid. I did not believe I had the ability to help make disciples. But my Paul did not let me doubt myself. It was his love and guidance that motivated me not to quit. As we have continued ministry together, he continually calls me to do things I have never done before and has caused me to grow in my faith more than I could have imagined.  

As you read and pray over this writing, I encourage you to take the time to build a relationship with a “Paul” figure. Notice the phrase “build a relationship with”? Don’t walk up to somebody and ask them to be your Paul. Instead, find the time to build a relationship with the person. Get to know them and let them get to know you. Be honest and open. Develop accountability and trust. No good relationship is created overnight; they are built over time. 

Prayer: Father, thank You for men like Paul, who are loving and compassionate leaders and friends. I thank You for this devotional and pray for the opportunity to have Paul in my life. I ask, Lord, that I would be able to cultivate a relationship with a “Paul” so I can learn and be equipped to serve You more effectively. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Monday, March 1, 2025

Topic: RELATIONSHIPS MATTER – Timothy, Where Are You?

Scripture: Acts 16:1-3 Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was Jewish and a believer but whose father was a Greek. The believers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him. Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.

Discussion: A person with a good reputation is a great indicator of future success. Our scriptures show that when Paul heard of Timothy’s character, he wanted to invest in his life and take him along on his journeys. It was at that moment that I believe the relationship between Paul and Timothy began.

God blessed me with daughters, but I have never heard a son call me dad. At work, I mentored young men in helping them with their careers. One stood out and was different. When we first met, he said he wanted his career path to mirror mine. His attitude allowed me to see myself in him, and I knew he would be my replacement one day. For 27 years, we have had a type of father-son, brother, and friend relationship. Imagine my joy when he surpassed what I had done in my career!

Do you have a Timothy in your life that you are leading in the ministry? I believe it is a privilege to be used by God in another person’s life and to play a part in that person’s spiritual growth. If you are a mature believer desiring to disciple a young Christian in the faith, step up to the challenge. There are great rewards in seeing your floor become your “Timothy’s” ceiling!

Prayer

Father, I thank You for my salvation, for the relationships, and for the mentoring I have had to build me in the ministry. Lord, I pray now for the opportunity to be a mentor to others like Paul did with Timothy. Continue to form me into a man who can honestly say to Timothy, “Follow me, just as I follow Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Tuesday, March 4, 20225

Topic: RELATIONSHIPS MATTER – Accountability 

Scripture:   Proverbs 27:17  As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.

Discussion: 400 years ago, a man named John Donne wrote a poem called “No Man is an Island.” As the title implies, John wrote this to say that we are stronger when we stand together. Throughout my many years as a Christian, I have developed very strong friendships that have endured the tests of time. These relationships are vital to my Christian walk, and accountability is part of what makes them special. 

Scott Roberts wrote on his website, “Accountability is an essential aspect of the Christian faith and is particularly important for men. It involves being vulnerable, where we are willing to put ourselves in a place of being accountable to one another for our actions, words, and attitudes. More importantly, it also helps us to grow in our relationship with God and become the men we were created by Him to be.”

(Why Christian Men Should Hold Each Other Accountable - The Official Scott Roberts Website)

The scripture for today cannot be done apart from relationships. If we are going to grow and mature as Christians, we must develop relationships where we can hold one another accountable and be willing to pray for one another when we fail. Accountability does not seek perfection. It is about growth, healing, deliverance, and restoration through relationships. 

Today, our challenge is to begin developing relationships with other trustworthy men. 

Accountability in relationships must go both ways. 

Prayer: Father, I come to You today with a fresh understanding of the value of accountability. I ask that You bring trustworthy men into my life so that I may grow in my relationship with You. I declare today that I am not an island, but a man in need of friends who can hold me accountable for the actions, attitudes, and decisions I make in life. I declare today that my life is open to what You desire to do in and through me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Wednesday, March 5, 20225

Topic: RELATIONSHIPS MATTER – What’s love got to do with it?

Scripture: John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples if you have love for one another.

Discussion:  This devotion is going to open with a couple of questions:

1. Is it possible to fully comprehend the love Jesus has for us? 

2. Do you believe you’ll ever be able to love like Him while on this earth? 

I think the answers to both questions are obvious, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t press in and stretch ourselves. I have personally failed many times to love as I should. On one occasion, 15 years ago, I learned a valuable lesson I will never forget. The lesson was simple: I don’t get to define how, what, or who I love based on my own opinion. Our understanding of how well we love can only be based on scripture. Any other interpretation could take us rapidly off course. God is love, so our example of how to love should come from the example Jesus set for us.

Jesus tells us that we should love each other as He loves us. How has Jesus loved you, and how is He loving you today? Take some time to write down everything you can. When you're finished, apply everything you wrote down to the people you encounter in life.  Consider your wife, children, parents, friends, co-workers, and just people you meet in life. Is the love you’ve received being given back to others? One thing is for sure, we will be learning how to love forever. But if we genuinely live out our faith, listen to the Holy Spirit, and read the Word, God's love is guaranteed to grow in us.  

Love is the key to all our relationships.

Prayer: Father, thank You for Your Word and how it penetrates our hearts to change us. I know that I truly do not know how to love, but I’m asking that You teach me. Always make me mindful of how I define love. I want my understanding to come only from You. I ask You today to convict me any time I fail to love as You would love. Make me a man after Your own heart. In Jesus' Name, Amen.