Friday, August 11, 2017

Building Blocks

Friday, August 11, 2017
Meanwhile, a Jew named Apollos, an eloquent speaker who knew the Scriptures well, had arrived in Ephesus from Alexandria in Egypt.  He had been taught the way of the Lord, and he taught others about Jesus with an enthusiastic spirit and with accuracy.  However, he knew only about John’s baptism.  When Priscilla and Aquila heard him preaching boldly in the synagogue, they took him aside and explained the way of God even more accurately.  Apollos had been thinking about going to Achaia, and the brothers and sisters in Ephesus encouraged him to go.  They wrote to the believers in Achaia, asking them to welcome him.  When he arrived there, he proved to be of great benefit to those who, by God’s grace, had believed.  He refuted the Jews with powerful arguments in public debate. Using the Scriptures, he explained to them that Jesus was the Messiah.  
Acts 18:24-28(NLT)
Apollos was an excellent, eloquent orator, who got introduced to Jesus and began spreading the word like an itinerant evangelist.  That enthusiastic spirit and sharp mind working together got the attention of more mature believers, Priscilla and Aquila, who helped sharpen Apollos’ focus and ministry for Christ.  The whole church at Ephesus encouraged the young man to go forward, and Apollos was used of Christ to reach many for the Kingdom.
God uses many different ways and people to build His Kingdom.  We all have people who have laid building blocks of discipleship into our lives.  I’ve had many.
Yesterday marked the two year anniversary since my Dad went to be with Jesus.  He was a major influence in the way I look at everyday/everywhere evangelism.  Dad never made a big deal of formal programs or presentations, but he made it a point to connect with people every day with humor and encouragement.  A building block a day!
I gained another building block yesterday when Elizabeth and I went to Winston to get her bee and wasp allergy shots, and also the Veteran’s Administration to drop off some papers.  The entryway has a metal detector apparatus you have to go through, as with all federal buildings these days.  The two uniformed and armed men help you through the process.  The older one first helps you put all your metal stuff in the basket that goes through the x-ray machine.  On the other side of the machine and walk-thru metal detector stands the other guard. 
I said “Good afternoon”.  He smiled and answered:  “Hey, that’s a nice voice you got there…I’ll trade you for it.” 
I replied:  “You wouldn’t want what goes with this voice; stage 1 cancer on the vocal cords…thanks to Agent Orange…1967 Vietnam.”
The young man’s expression sobered and, pointing to the VA office door, he said:  “Well, I sure hope everything goes well for you in there.”
I smiled at him and said:  “It’s all good, because God is still good!”
From behind me came the echo from the other guard:  “All the time!  You know it!”
I walked on noticing that all three of us had smiles and a brightened day; building blocks of faith and Kingdom brotherhood firmly holding us up.

For You Today

Have you spent a little time lately thanking God for those who have helped build part of the Kingdom wall in you in your journey?
You chew on that as you hit the Rocky Road…have a blessed day!

NOTES

[1] Title Image: By Pixabay.com

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