Vision - Get Up and Go!

Sundays have been amazing! Our message series of GET UP has been one of my favorites of 2009. We've been looking at Saul (the apostle Paul) and the influences that changed in his life. Saul was once zealous to kill those of 'the Way' of Jesus Christ (Acts 1:2), but was enlighted by the truth of God's love and went from a "no way" to a champion of "the Way".

But the Lord said... "Go, for he [Saul] is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel." - Acts 9:15

After Saul's initial encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, God chose to use people to continue the transformation and fulfill the destiny of his life: Ananias and Barnabas. Both of these men had to overcome what they once new of Saul the 'slaughterer', and see the potential and greatness God had for his life.

Likewise, God has determined to use you and I to continue the work of encouragement in those around us. To look beyond what people had done in the past or present, and to stir up the potential destiny within. To GET UP and GO to them, not just waiting for them to come to us, or until they straighten themselves up.

Everyone, including me, needs a Barnabas (son of encouragement) in their life! To believe in them when others don't. To believe in them when they don't believe in themselves. To see the greatness of what God has placed in them. When they or others say it can't be done, the voice of encouragement reminds them that they "can do all things through Christ who gives them strength." (Philippians 4:13) That "No weapon that is formed against me shall prosper." (Isaiah 54:17)  "Though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again." (Proverbs 24:16)

Don't just seek for encouragement, GET UP and GO be a son of encouragement!