“BEING SEEN”
OUR DAILY BREAD READING (Published Daily by Our Daily Bread Ministries)
FEBRUARY 16, 2022
READ: Acts 9 (Focus vs. 26-30)
MEMORY VERSE
When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. Acts 9:26
BACKGROUND
In an article on mentoring, Hannah Schell explains that mentors need to support, challenge, and inspire, but “first, and perhaps foremost, a good mentor sees you. . . Recognition, not in terms of awards or publicity but in the sense of simply ‘being seen,’ is a basic human need.”
People need to be recognized, known, and believed in.
In the New Testament, Barnabas, whose name means “Son of Encouragement,” had a knack for “seeing” people around him. In Acts 9, he was willing to give Saul a chance when the other disciples “were all afraid of him” (v. 26).
Saul (also called Paul; 13:9) had a history of persecuting believers in Jesus (8:3), so they didn’t think “he really was a disciple” (9:26). Later, Paul and Barnabas had a disagreement over whether to take Mark with them to “visit the believers in all the towns where [they’d] preached” (15:36).
Paul didn’t think it was wise to bring Mark along because he’d deserted them earlier. Interestingly, Paul later asked for Mark’s assistance: “Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry” (2 Timothy 4:11).
Barnabas took time to “see” both Paul and Mark. Perhaps we’re in Barnabas’ position to recognize potential in another person or we’re that individual in need of a spiritual mentor. May we ask God to lead us to those we can encourage and those who will encourage us.
By: Julie Schwab
INSIGHT
The believers in Jesus in Jerusalem didn’t trust Saul (also called Paul) and questioned whether his conversion was genuine. But what was the reaction of his former colleagues who’d worked with him to persecute the Christians?
Acts 9:29 mentions Paul’s interaction with the “Hellenistic Jews” who “tried to kill him.” While a number of the Hellenists believed in Christ (6:1–7), many more didn’t. Hellenistic Jews were prominent in the group that conspired in Stephen’s martyrdom (6:8–7:59).
It’s ironic that Paul was a key player among those who killed Stephen (7:58), and now that same group wanted to kill him. (This targeting of Paul may have helped assure the Jewish Christians that Paul’s conversion was real.)
Those who’d killed Stephen thought they’d eliminated a problem. They hadn’t considered that one of their own would step up to take Stephen’s place.
By: Tim Gustafson
APPLICATION
How have you been encouraged by someone who believed in you? How can you help others who need encouragement?
PR’s (PASTOR RICHARD) TAKE
Equally important as being seen is being heard. May we not just “see” people but “hear” them even when they can’t “talk” – pr
“You were born to be an encourager. When you are encouraging others, you are coming from the very best part of yourself” – Anonymous
One doesn’t need a theological training to function in the ministry of encouragement – pr
PR’s RE-EMPHASIS
“People need to be recognized, known, and believed in…May…God…lead us to those we can encourage and those who will encourage us.”
PRAYER
“Father, help me to see and encourage others.”
*YOUR TAKE? 
TODAY’s HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL
“HE SAW THE BEST IN ME” Marvin Sapp
He saw the best in me
When everyone else around
Could only see the worst in me
I wish I had a witness tonight
I said He saw the best in me
When everyone else around me
Could only see the worst in me
I said He saw the best in me…
When folks wrote you off
Said you would never make it
What did He see?
He saw the best in me
See, He’s mine, and I am his
It doesn’t matter what I did
He only sees me for who I am…
See He is mine, and I am His
He is mine, I am His…
He saw the best in me…
What did He see?
There’s some folk in here…
People wrote you off
Said you would never amount to anything
You would never end up being anywhere
But Myron, tell ’em one more time,
What did He see?
He saw the best…
When momma said
You would never be nothin’
When aunties and uncles said
You would never amount to anything
When daddy didn’t come home anymore
He didn’t look at you and say that
You weren’t going to make it
God looked at you and what did He see,
What did He see?
He saw the best…
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Is there anybody in here tonight
That’s so very thankful that
God did not write you off
That He did not throw you away
That He picked you up
He saw (He saw the best)
He saw the best…
READING THROUGH THE BIBLE THIS YEAR (THIS WEEK)
PSALMS 31-37
THE BOOK OF GALATIANS