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  document.writeln("<span class=\"body\"><b><span class=\"headings2\"><span class=\"actsititle\">Used for God</span></span></b><br>");
  document.writeln("<span class=\"actsilinks\"><a href=\"#\" onclick=\"window.print()\">Print this page</a></span>");document.writeln("<br><div id='actsartcl1'>");document.writeln("<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><font size=\"3\"><i>When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to meet with the");
document.writeln("believers, but they were all afraid of him. They did not believe he had truly");
document.writeln("become a believer! Then Barnabas brought him to the apostles and told them how");
document.writeln("Saul had seen the Lord on the way to Damascus and how the Lord had spoken to");
document.writeln("Saul. He also told them that Saul had preached boldly in the name of Jesus in");
document.writeln("Damascus.<sup>1</sup></i></font></p>");
document.writeln("<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><font size=\"3\">If a well-known persecutor of Christians came to your");
document.writeln("church, it is likely everyone would run without thinking twice! You would want");
document.writeln("to be nowhere near such a dangerous person, nor would it be easy to believe");
document.writeln("that this person was there with good intentions. However, this is exactly what");
document.writeln("happened with Saul soon after his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus.");
document.writeln("God had completely transformed his life overnight, and everyone was shocked to");
document.writeln("hear that he had gone from arresting Christians to preaching boldly in the name");
document.writeln("of the Lord. It was too good to be true! When Saul tried to meet with other");
document.writeln("believers, everyone was afraid of him, that is until Barnabas, who was a good");
document.writeln("and trusted man, stood by Saul and explained all that had happened. </font></p>");
document.writeln("<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><font size=\"3\">The name Barnabas means \'€œson of encouragement\'€, and this was");
document.writeln("the first part he played in Saul (Paul\'€™s) life. He was known and respected,");
document.writeln("therefore he was able to build a bridge between Saul and other believers,");
document.writeln("speaking up in defense of the validity of Saul\'€™s faith and ministry. Without");
document.writeln("Barnabas, it would have been difficult for Saul to build connection with his");
document.writeln("fellow believers. Barnabas and Saul, now known as Paul, started their ministry together, but later");
document.writeln("went separate ways due to a disagreement. They were godly men, filled with the");
document.writeln("Spirit, and they enjoyed ministering together. However, even this disagreement");
document.writeln("was used by God to further His work. They each continued their ministry which");
document.writeln("doubled the missionary teams! </font></p>");
document.writeln("<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><font size=\"3\">Like Barnabas, we are also called to encourage fellow");
document.writeln("Christians, especially those who are new to the faith or struggling. Acts 11:23");
document.writeln("describes Barnabas as a man who was glad to see the grace of God in the lives");
document.writeln("of others. He exhorted and encouraged them to remain faithful to the Lord. We");
document.writeln("should always be looking for ways to appreciate, encourage, and support those");
document.writeln("who are living and serving in ways that bring honor and glory to God. Whether");
document.writeln("we minister together for a long while, or are simply together for a season, let");
document.writeln("us allow God to use us for His purpose. </font></p>");
document.writeln("<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><font size=\"3\">Suggested prayer: Lord, show me the ways in which I can");
document.writeln("encourage someone today. Help me show appreciation for the hard work of those");
document.writeln("who are faithfully serving you. Use my life for your glory and to further Your");
document.writeln("work. In the name of Jesus I pray, amen. </font></p>");
document.writeln("<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><font size=\"3\">1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Acts 9:26-27 (<i>NLT</i>). </font></p>");
document.writeln("<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><font size=\"3\">&nbsp;</font></p>");
document.writeln("<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><font size=\"3\">Today\'€™s Encounter was written by: Crystal B.</font></p>");
document.writeln("<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><font size=\"3\">&nbsp;</font></p>");
document.writeln("<br></div>");  document.writeln("</div><hr /><span class=\"body\"><p class=\"actsicopyright\"> </p>");
  document.writeln("<p style=\"font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size: 10pt;\">This and other devotionals by Richard (Dick) Innes <a href=\"http://www.actsweb.org/archives.php\" target=\"_blank\">can be read online</a>.<br><br>Copyright &copy; 1990 - 2026<br /><a href=\"http://www.actsweb.org/\" target=\"_blank\">ACTS International</a></p>");
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