Daily Encounter: A Week-day Devotional by a staff of ACTS International.

Monday, September 28, 2020

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."¹

Brett Blair tells how the late Dr. Paul Quillian, the former beloved pastor of First Methodist Church of Houston, Texas, saw (in his fifteen years of ministry) the church grow from 2500 to 6000â€"an effort that he called a labor of love. Not many knew that Dr. Quillian as a young man had little thought of ministry and was working in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, at a bottling plant when his minister paid him a call. His pastor started with the question, "How old are you?"

"Thirty."

Quillian's preacher then said, "When you stand finally before the Lord God, what will you tell him you did on earthâ€"made red soda water?"

The young man snapped back, "And what is wrong with red soda water?"

Nothingâ€"except you happen to be endowed with great talents and abilities which I cherish for God and the Christian ministry."

Consequently, the young man went back to school and prepared for the preaching ministry. He itinerated in Arkansas. Finally he was called to the First Church in Houston. He became a wonderful leader for Christ because someone recognized the gifts and talents within him and took a few minutes out of the day to tell him so.²

Are you using your talents for the glory of God and the betterment of others? And do you know someone whose potential you see? Be sure that you tell them and be an encourager to them.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank You for all the people who encouraged me when I needed it most. Please help me to use the gifts You have given me to serve You no matter how small or big that way may be. And help me to be an encourager to those who also need a word of encouragement, whatever that word may need to be. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus's name, amen."

1. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV).
2. Brett Blair, Sermon Illustrations, January 2000.

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