Be A Barney

No, I don’t mean a purple dinosaur or even Andy Griffith’s deputy.  I am speaking of Barnabas from the book of Acts.  We are first introduced to him in Acts 4:36 where we are told that his name means son of consolation.  This word “consolation” has the same root as the word “comforter.”  Those who have been around Pentecostal churches for any length of time will readily recognize this word as one of the names for the Holy Ghost.  The word is “paraklete.”

2 Corinthians 1:4 (KJV) Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

In Short, God comforts us that we might comfort others.  The word paraklete is often defined as one who goes along beside (though an in-depth study will reveal that it means so much more).  As such the Holy Ghost goes along beside us to comfort and teach us about Christ.  Paul tells the corinthians that God comforts us in order that we might comfort others.  That is to say we should walk along beside our brothers and sisters teaching them about Jesus Christ.

In this first reference to Barnabas we find him bringing comfort to those in need by helping them financially.  He was able to see their need and do what he could to help them even though it cost him.  My wife can see a person and know how to pitch in and help them with what they are doing.  I, on the other hand, can walk past and not even notice they are there.  This is something that I have had to work on but am far from success.

We again meet “Barney” in chapter 9.  This time he walks along side and man named Saul.  Saul was a new convert who had previously persecuted the church consenting to the death of Stephen the first martyr.  The believers at Jerusalem were skeptical of him until Barnabas plead his case.  Too often we expect new converts to become mature Christians simply by church attendance.  Often if they do not mature as quickly as we think they should or in the way we think they should, we hold them at arms length.  This has led to the falling away of many new converts.  In actuality it is “spiritual abortion.”  Often they need more than simply the teaching coming from the pulpit in our regularly scheduled services.  It is the duty of believers to come along side these new plants and help them to grow.  This is not simply the job of the “professional” ministry but something all believers should be participants.  Often this can be accomplished over a cup of coffee in our homes, at a restaurant, or in a coffee house, etc.  They simply need a Barnabas to help nurture them.

Barnabas is mentioned a number of times as he ministered alongside the Apostle Paul.  The final mention of him is in chapter 15 where we find him once again standing beside one in need.

John Mark had journeyed with Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey.  Not long after embarking on this mission Mark went back home.  Scripture does not tell us why but when they prepared to take a second mission trip Barnabas wanted to take him with them while Paul refused.  Many still argue today over who was right and who was wrong.  I believer that God used this to divide them into two teams that could accomplish more.  Because of the difference in their callings they may have both been right.  Ultimately Paul recognizes Mark’s usefulness for the ministry.  The point is Barnabas stood up for Mark.

Even in failures we need to stand by or brothers and sisters.  Too often when we see someone begin to drift we cut them off.  There have been many men (and women) who could have accomplished much for Christ but because we saw a weakness in them they were cast aside.  Many fear that doing the work of Christ and standing beside those in need of help will cause them to be labeled a liberal by other christians.  The ministry of the church is one of reconciliation whether it be a sinner who has never known the Savior or a brother who has strayed.  When one falters we need to go along beside them and restore them and restore them considering ourselves lest we also be tempted (Galatians 6:1).  So let’s go

Be A Barney!

Where Is The Send Button?

Recently I have been thinking about how much technology has changed. When I was in college my parents bought me a typewriter. It was state of the art! This electronic type writer had the ability to keep an entire line of type in memory until you reached the end of the line. It would even justify the margins. Not long after that my dad bought a computer. It had the amazing ability to search the entire Bible for every use of a word in under thirty minutes. He got an amazing deal on it. He ordered one with a 20meg hard drive but the company was out of them so they substituted a 30 for free.

It’s amazing to look back and think about how advanced we thought these things were. Especially when you consider that we carry in our pockets a device that is so much more powerful.

I began thinking about this a few days ago when my granddaughter noticed the marker board in the kitchen. Asking about it I told her that it was a place to write reminders or that grandma and I could leave messages for each other. She then wanted to know, “When you put a message on it, how do you send it to the person?”

I realized just how much technology has become intwined in our lives. As a child we had a phone on the wall in the hallway. When you used it you would have to listen for a dial tone and make sure no one was talking on the party line. Today my grandkids have a hard time understanding talking on the phone without seeing the person you are speaking to.

As I contemplated these things I was thankful that even though technology changes, the Word of God stays the same. It is wonderful to know that in a changing world there is truth that does not changes. Not only does the Word of God stand sure but it is relevant to each generation.

God did not simply give His people a list of rules to be followed but He gave us a set of principles on which we can direct our lives. The principals apply not matter the situation of our lives. Whether we live in a cave or a mansion, whether we drive a horse and buggy or an SUV, whether we use a quill and ink or an iPad.

Thank God for the Bible!

My Heart Is Troubled

With the outbreak of Covid-19 there seems to be fear on every hand. Some fear the virus while others are more concerned about the economic impact or the tyranny of government. A few days ago i picked up a notebook I had not used for quite some time. As I sifted through the papers I found some old sermon notes of my dad’s. This morning after my devotions I was finishing a cup of coffee when I saw them laying on my desk. I picked them up and read them and realized how appropriate the message is for where we are living today.

My Heart is Troubled

Psalms 77:1-14 (KJV) I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me. 2 In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted. 3 I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah. 4 Thou holdest mine eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak. 5 I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times. 6 I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search. 7 Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more? 8 Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore? 9 Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah. 10 And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High. 11 I will remember the works of the Lord: surely I will remember thy wonders of old. 12 I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings. 13 Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God? 14 Thou art the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people.

The Psalmist was counting his troubles.

1. My sore ran in the night.

2. My sore ceased not.

3. My soul refused to be comforted.

4. I was troubled.

5. I complained.

6. I was overwhelmed.

7. I could not sleep.

8. I was so troubled I could not speak.

9. I talked to myself.

10. I questioned my relationship with God.

11. I wondered if God would ever be favorable to me again.

12. I wondered if God had forgotten to be gracious.

13. I wondered if God had shut up His mercies

14. I complained that this was my infirmity in life.

Notice some positive things about the Psalmist. If, in the midst of our troubles, we can get something to cling to there is hope.

I. The consideration of God’s goodness to His people of old.

Psalms 77:11 I will remember the forks of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old.

Psalms 77:12 I will meditate also of all they work, and talk of thy doings.

What kind of God do I serve?

How has He treated those before me? (I’m not the first person to serve God.)

He is the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob.

He is the God of Job.

He is the God of Daniel.

He is the God of the three Hebrew children thrown in the fiery furnace.

He is the God of Moses that crossed the Red Sea.

He is the God of Joshua that crossed the Jordan River and marched around Jericho.

II. Remembrance of our own past experience.

Psalms 77:6 I call to remembrance my song in the night.

He is the One who saved me when I was lost.

He is the One who brought me to where I am tonight.

When David stood before King Saul he remembered the lion and the bear.

III. Self-examination

Psalms 77:6 I commune with mine own heart.

He would not let just feelings dictate to him what the moment should be; he put his heart into the examination.

1 Corinthians 11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.

2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

IV. He diligently sought God.

Psalms 77:6 And my spirit made diligent search.

Psalm 61:2 From the end of the earth will I cry unto the, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

Luke 10:19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

Romans 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

1 John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

But Simon Had A Son...

In a recent sermon our pastor used the town of Bethany for his outline.  He began with Simon the leper’s house.  Simon had been healed of his leprosy and had much to be thankful for.  It was here that Mary anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped them with her hair.  In John’s account (John 12) we find that Lazarus was in attendance after having been raised from the dead and that his sister Martha was serving.

As the pastor spoke of the worship that took place at Simon’s house I jotted down, “But Simon had a son…”  Simon may have thought all was well with his son.  After all his son was not only one of Jesus 12 disciples but he had been given a special trusted position in the group.

After Mary had poured the ointment on the Master’s feet, Simon’s son objected saying that this had been a waste.  No doubt the  expense of this ointment could have been put to better use.  John adds commentary about Simon’s son at this point that was not known at the time of the event.  Though Jesus rebuked him the disciples probably did not pay much attention to his comment.

There could possibly be many reasons why the disciples were unconcerned about his statement.  Some no doubt agreed with him.  It may have been that others were too concerned with who would be the greatest in Christ’s kingdom, after all they argued about this often during the Lord’s ministry on earth.  Some may have been intoxicated by the aroma of Mary’s offering of worship.  Whatever the case the eleven did not detect that bitterness was growing in the heart of one of their own.

In introducing the statement made by Simon’s son John writes, (John 12:4 KJV) “Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him…”  Yes, that’s right, Simon’s son was Judas the betrayer!  What a tragedy!  Here was an individual who had seen the power of God and yet turned his back and walked away.

How many young people have walked out the door of our churches turning their back on Christ that we never suspected because we did not listen to the cry of their hearts.  They attend church faithfully and become a vital part of the youth program.  They get involved in youth camp and may even go to Bible school and then one day they just disappear.

The problem does not start when they walk away.  We must be careful to pay attention to the seemingly insignificant signs.  We cannot afford to become so involved in our own worship, service, or even church politics that we fail to notice what is happening with the next generation (or any for that matter, after all we are our brother’s keeper).

This is not to say that all have missed it.  There are good parents, pastors, youth leaders/pastors, Sunday school teachers, and children’s church workers who have had young people go astray.  It is no fault of their own for each youth must ultimately decided for his/her self.  I simply want to remind us to be vigilant in guarding our youth.

What's In Your Toolbox?

Sometimes it is necessary to break a rule.  I could stand and say, “Is not the Omnipotent beneficent.” Or I could say, “Ain’t God good!”  The latter would get a greater response from the congregation even though both statements say the same ting.  The use of improper grammar in this case is preferred.

While my own grasp of proper English may be lacking, as some may recognize in this article, it disturbs me to see so many who fail to realize there is a reason that our Bible schools require such subjects as English, Public Speaking, Homiletics, and Hermeneutics.  To listen to some you would think they simply decided they only needed to pass the class but never need to practice these things.

When I was in grade school beginning to learn Algebra, I thought, “Why do I need this?  It’s not like I plan on being a rocket scientist.”  I remembered these thoughts one day as I was working on the database I use for youth camp registration and was applying the principles I had learned in that class.

We homeschooled our children throughout elementary and high school.  I had two priorities in their education.  The first was that they would have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord.  The second was that they be able to communicate the Gospel to those around them.  Everything else was secondary.  That is not to minimize certain areas of learning for as I already pointed out even algebra can be used in ministry.

Not everyone who is called will excel in communication skills.  According to the Scripture we have all been given different gifts.  Sometimes one may use their pocket knife to tighten a screw but when you have your toolbox sitting beside you open it up and get out a screwdriver.  Too many are satisfied to just use the pocket knife.  Often they are just too lazy to open the toolbox.

We have been commissioned to preach the Gospel to every creature.  This means to communicate.  We must put priority on communicating the Gospel and rightly dividing the Word of Truth.  God has given each of us tools to work with, thought we do not all have the same tools in our box.

Open you toolbox and let’s get to work building the kingdom of God!

Practice, Practice, Practice

When I was little my mother tried to teach me to play piano.  She could not understand why little boys would rather play outside in the mud.  She decided because she was unable to focus my attention on it that I had no musical ability.

My grandmother played the saxophone until she was well into her eighties.  When my mother was twelve they bought her a tenor saxophone.  I begged them to allow me to play it in band when I became old enough.  Because she believed I had no ability I was denied.  Several years later my grandparents came for a visit bringing with them an old saxophone that my grandfather had played before they were married.  Until that time I did not know that he had ever played.  This gave Mother the necessary push to try to teach me.  She began to show me the basics and taught a couple simple songs.  I would often sit down with a hymnal and just try to play the songs I knew.  I finally reached the point I could play about any song as long as I played them in F or C.  I had also started playing guitar by this time.  I took my sax to church and would stuff a towel in the bell and if the song was in one of the two keys I could play in I would play it otherwise I would play my guitar.  Now after over 40 years of playing the towel has been replaced by a microphone.  

A few years ago when I started Sunday school class I carried my sax (the one my grandparents bought for my mom when she was 12) to the podium.  I demonstrated where to place your fingers to play a scale and played a scale for them.  Afterward I informed them that they would each be asked to get up during morning worship and play the scale.  They looked at me like I had lost my marbles (not an unusual occurrence) but I insisted that was to be the order of the service.  They informed me they could not do it.  “Why?” I asked,  “I have shown you all you need to know.”

“Because we have not practiced,” was the reply.  I then reached into my briefcase and pulled out the notes from a seminar that had been taught at the church on prayer.  “On such and such date,” I told them, “we had a week-long seminar on prayer.  I began to litter the front pew with tapes and CD’s of messages that had been preached at the church on prayer reading the title, date, and speaker.

“Today’s lesson was to be on prayer,“ I said, “the truth is, we do not need more teaching on prayer, we need more practice!”  It is important that we understand the theology and doctrine of prayer but all of the study in the world is to no avail is we do not practice.  Far too often we spend our time discussing the mechanics and methods of prayer but we never actually get around to spending the time alone with God.

If the church is to ever be all that God intends for us to be we must move beyond theory and put it into practice.  In other words practice, practice, practice.

PRAY, PRAY, PRAY!

What's In A Name

Most people who knew my father knew him as Leon Belt.  Few realized that this was his middle name and that his first name was actually Boyce, making me a junior.  When our son was born we named him Boyce Leon Belt III.  To avoid confusion we decided to call him Lee.  When we were all together and someone yelled in a scolding voice, “Boyce Leon!” we all three would jump.  This is not to mention going to a place of business where they would look you up on the computer and having to say, “No, that’s my dad. No, that’s my son, there that’s it.”

Not long after Lee began working he came in and laid his I.D. Badge on the table.  When I saw my name across it in big letters I told him, “Be careful how you use that.”  The Bible says, Proverbs 22:1 (KJV) A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.

Not only is it important that we maintain our own good name but just as I carry my father’s name and my son carries my name, we carry the name of Christ.  Every time we say we are a Christian we are using his name.  The way we conduct ourselves can bring honor or dishonor to His name.

When we claim to live a life separated from the world and then conduct ourselves in ways that are not consistent with the teachings of Christ we bring Him dishonor.  Far too often we have allowed our language to be suggestive, laugh at off color jokes and conduct ourselves inconsistent with what we claim to be.  This is true even among those who profess to live a holiness life and proclaim modesty.  It is important that we dress modest but it is equally important that our speech be modest.  At a camp I was speaking to one of our well-known “holiness” preachers who is known for being extremely strict.  As we were leaving the platform immediately after service he told me a dirty joke.  

The world is watching.  They notice when we are inconsistent.  Several years ago a man that worked where I do came to church and prayed.  He knew nothing about Scripture and so on a number of occasions we met for breakfast or coffee so that I could try to help disciple him.  On one of these occasions he said one of the things that had attracted him to the Lord was that when I referred to my wife it was obvious that I loved her unlike so many who talk about “My old lady,” or “The old battle axe.”  I had know idea that I had even mentioned her enough to be noticed.

Later something was said about an incident years early.  He said that he remembered me back then.  I was taken aback.  I said that I had no idea who he was that far back.  He said, “You would have had no reason to know me then, but I knew who you were.”  My life was being watched by people that I did not even know.

2 Timothy 2:19 (KJV) Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

Victory or Fantasy

Often we shout victory when the truth is we simply have not faced a battle.  God provided mana for Israel in the wilderness.  When Moses sent spies into Canaan they came back with fruit of the land. This food would have been much better than simply eating the manna on which they were eating in the wilderness.  To obtain this fruit would have required fighting the giants of the land.  They were not willing to take on this fight because they did not fully trust God.  It was easier to rejoice in the manna from heaven than to fight for a land flowing with milk and honey.  Not only would they have to fight for the land but once the land was occupied they would have to work the land to have continued supply.  The victory was not worth the battle for them.

As Christians we are often satisfied to rejoice in our salvation but unwilling to fight the battles for greater victories.  We fail to realize that simply enjoying the bountiful harvest we have been given without working the field to plant new crops will eventually lead to starvation.  It is much easier to rejoice in the small things God has done then it is to intercede for the great things He desires to do.

When you look at the lives of men and women who have accomplished great things for God you will find that their life was one of struggle.  Scripture compares the life of a Christian to that of a soldier.  The only reason they had great victory is because they had great struggle.

I’m reminded of an incident that my father related.  When he was in his early ministry he was going through what he considered a difficult trial.  He went to my grandfather and begin to pour out his heart to him.  Daddy said that he guessed finally Grandpa had heard enough because he said, “Aw Leon, God is just getting you ready for something hard.”  Looking back Daddy said that the trial he faced then was nothing compared to ones he faced later in life.

True victory is not when I feel good but it is when I take the battle to the enemies territory and overcome.  Invading his kingdom is to bring men and women to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.  Without souls we really do not have the victory we claim.

He that winneth souls is wise!

My Captain

The late Adrian Rogers told the story of a young boy on a pier as a steamboat was coming up the river. As the riverboat drew near the boy begin to tell one person after the other “Look, there’s the captain! Look, there’s the captain!” Finally someone asked him, “Why are you so excited about the captain?”

The boy replied, “Once I fell in the river and the captain jumped in to save me so I just like to point him out to people.”

I was sinking deep in sin far from the peaceful shore. Very deeply stained with sin sinking to rise no more. But the Master of the sea heard my despairing cry. From the water lifted me now safe am I.

Look, there’s the Captain! Look there’s Jesus, my Savior, Redeemer, Captain of my salvation! Look, there’s the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Look, there’s my fortress, my high tower, my shield my buckler. Look, there’s the bright and morning star, the lily of the valley, the rose of Sharon. Look, there’s the creator, the Omnipotent, the Omniscient!

Look, there’s Jesus, My Captain! I just like to point him out to people.

When God Says "NO"

I generally get up between 12:30 and 12:45 a.m.  This can be difficult on church nights especially during revival.  During a recent revival I got up as usual but was extremely tired.  After having devotions I headed out the door to go to work.  As I went out the door I prayed that God would grant me a quick, easy day so I could get home early and get plenty of rest before church that night.

By the time I arrived at work my back was hurting so bad I was nearly in tears.  I begin to do a pre-trip inspection on the truck I was to drive and found issues that made it unsafe to drive so I had to move my things to another unit.  When I arrived to pick up my load it was not ready yet making me run late.  Throughout the day things continued to slow me down.

Usually when someone tells about an experience like this it is followed by something like, “I got down the road and there was a bad accident that I might have been involved in had I not been delayed.”  This was not the case with me.  Others simply think that God did not answer their prayer.

The truth is God did answer my prayer, He said, “NO!”  We are quick to give the Lord praise when He answers prayer the way we want but should we not also praise Him when He denies our request.  His thoughts are higher than ours.  We may never understand why Hey chooses to deny our request but we can trust Him that He knows what is best.

Often we say, “When God closes a door, look for a window.”  The truth is when God closes a door we must accept that He knows what is best and wait for Him to open another.

I think God that sometimes He tells me no; whether or not I ever understand why.