Unstoppable! 'Reclaiming Saul for Ministry' — Acts 11:25-26

Wednesday, July 1, 2026

Yearly Bible Reading Plans

Read through the entire bible in 2026 with our free online and printable plans.

 See Plans

Then Barnabas went on to Tarsus to look for Saul. When he found him, he brought him back to Antioch. Both of them stayed there with the church for a full year, teaching large crowds of people. (It was at Antioch that the believers were first called Christians.)

— Acts 11:25-26 NLT

Key Thought

The church in Jerusalem had sent Barnabas, a trusted and encouraging brother in Christ, to see how things were going in Antioch. He affirmed the people who were responding to the good things that God was doing in Antioch. The church grew, and many more became followers of Jesus through Barnabas' efforts. He soon needed help, so he went to Tarsus to find Saul (later known as Paul). Saul* had once persecuted the church but had become a passionate follower of Christ Jesus. His training as a rabbi gave him an excellent background for his call from God to reach Gentiles. As a gifted encourager, Barnabas made sure that Saul was reclaimed from obscurity and brought back to the front lines of spreading the Good News. Together, they made an excellent mission team, and the world has never been the same!

* See Related Scripture Readings below for background Scriptures on Saul.

Today's Prayer

Dear Father, please use me to help reclaim and encourage those who have been discouraged, whether by wounds they have received from brothers and sisters in Christ or ridicule from unbelievers. Please give me wisdom, strength, tenderness, and patience as I seek to reawaken them to the gifts you have given them and the grace Jesus has for them. I pray this in the name of Christ Jesus, my Lord. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

3 Related Resources by Heartlight

Christians!
Devo: Unstoppable!
"When [Barnabas] found [Saul in Tarsus], he brought him back to Antioch. Both of them stayed there with the church for a full year, teaching large..."
Moving Out
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Faithful Follower, One of the marks of Our — Father, Son, and Spirit's — people has been their acceptance of "moving out," that is,...."
The Story: Three Windows of Grace
Article by Phil Ware
Isn't it time for a little church remodeling? Phil Ware continues his series on The Story and focuses on the church at Antioch and the grace that empowered the church to be all God intended it to be.

Illustration

Illustration of Acts 11:25-26 NLT — Then Barnabas went on to Tarsus to look for Saul. When he found him, he brought him back to Antioch. Both of them stayed there with the church for a full year, teaching large crowds of people. (It was at Antioch that the believers were first called Christians.)

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Wednesday, July 1, 2026

Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Morning Thought: 2 Peter 3:18
""Grow in grace"-not in one grace only, but in all grace. Grow in that root-grace, faith. Believe the promises more firmly than you have done. Let..."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Mutual Faith' (Ro. 1:16-17)
"Dear Father, Help us never to be ashamed of the Good News but to have great pride in it, since it is your power of salvation for everyone, the Jew..."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Humility & Fasting Get God’s Attention'
"And there by the Ahava Canal, I gave orders for all of us to fast and humble ourselves before our God. We prayed that he would give us a safe journey...."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Out of Formless Emptiness' (Ge. 1:2)
"The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters."

About This Devotional

Unstoppable! is a one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage, a reflection and a prayer. The reflection opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges one to live for Jesus.

Unstoppable! is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More Unstoppable!