Take Part in God's Work

"Then when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord;" 

Acts 11:23

In Antioch, Gentiles were being saved through the preaching of laymen, Jewish believers who had fled persecution connected with Stephen. The church in Jerusalem, upon hearing this news, sent Barnabas to investigate. Don't you just love Barnabas? When he saw what had happened in Antioch he immediately rejoiced. He recognized that what had taken place was through the grace of God. The gospel no longer was just for the Jews, it was for the Gentiles, too. Then Barnabas encouraged the new believers to set their hearts to remain true to the Lord. Barnabas was a "good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith" (Acts 11:24). He was a man surrendered to Christ and walking in the power of the Holy Spirit. His faith opened his eyes to the fullness of God's grace and enabled him to see that God was doing something new in Antioch. Barnabas joined God in His work and the gospel spread like wildfire. How is your faith walk today? Do you see God doing something that you can take part in?