Daily Encounter with: ACTS International

Today's Daily Encounter

Political Correctness Oxymoron  

"But thou, O man of God, 'flee' these things; and
'follow' after righteousness, godliness, faith, love,
patience, meekness. 'Fight' the good fight of faith,
lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also
called, and hast professed a good profession before
many witnesses" ('emphasis' mine).1

If there were ever a day when people and churches need
to take a stand for moral living it is today. If
abortionists and homosexuals have their way it may, in
the not too distant future, be a crime for anyone,
including the church, to quote the Bible regarding
these issues and argue for God's position. Just writing
on this topic is bound to get me criticized--it pretty
much always does.

According to Chuck Colson: "Particularly some younger
evangelicals are suggesting that we stay away from
divisive issues like abortion and homosexuality
altogether and just go back and be like the
first-century Church--stay out of politics, tend to our
spiritual knitting.

"I wonder what early Church they are talking about.
Take just the issue of abortion. The early Church was
outspokenly pro-life right from the beginning just as
the Jews had been. In the second chapter of the
Didache, one of the first discipleship books for young
Christians written in the first century, was this stern
injunction: 'Thou shall not murder a child by abortion
nor kill them when born.' Justin Martyr wrote about
this in his first apology. And in the second century,
Athenagoras wrote a plea to Emperor Marcus Aurelius:
'We say that women that use drugs to bring abortion
commit murder and will have to give an account to God
for the abortion.'"2

Churches and Christians who refuse or fail to take a
stand for that which is morally right according to
God’s Word are not like the early Christians. They are
being controlled by political correctness which, in
reality (much of it) is political incorrectness and
will, if we continue to allow it, eventually weaken and
make the church ineffective as it has become in much of
Europe. While Jesus always loved sinners, He never
approved of sinful behaviors in any form--nor was He
ever concerned about being politically correct.

Had He been, we would not have a Savior or the gift of
salvation and God's forgiveness. We would be eternally
lost.

Today, Christian churches and we who call ourselves
Christians need to stand up and be counted; that is, as
the Apostle Paul commissioned Timothy: Flee all sinful
immoral behavior ... Follow after righteousness ... and
Fight the good fight for truth and that which is
morally correct rather than that which is politically
correct.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God please give me a love for
Your Word and a clear understanding of it so I will
know in my heart and mind that which is morally correct
according to Your standards. And give me the courage to
make a stand always for that which is right in Your
sight; to flee all sinful behaviors; to follow after
righteousness; and to fight Your good fight. Thank You
for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in
Jesus's name, amen."

1. The Apostle Paul (1 Timothy 6:11-12, KJV).
2. Chuck Colson, BreakPoint, August  1, 2006
www.breakpoint.org.

<)))><    
  
  NOTE: If you would like to accept God's forgiveness
  for all your sins and His invitation for a full pardon
  Click on: http://www.actsweb.org/invitation.php. Or
  if you would like to re-commit your life to Jesus Christ, 
  please click on http://www.actsweb.org/decision.php to note this.
  
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  Daily Encounter is published at no charge by 
  ACTS International, a non-profit organization, 
  and made possible through the donations of 
  interested friends. Donations can be sent at: 
  http://www.actscom.com
  
  ACTS International
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  Copyright (c) 2015 by ACTS International. 
  When copying or forwarding include the following: 
  "Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2015
  ACTS International.

Today's Daily Encounter

Godspell ... Part I  

"I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the
power of God for the salvation of everyone who
believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile."1 Or
to put it another way the gospel "is God's powerful
method of bringing all who believe it to heaven."2

This Scripture text was written by the Apostle Paul in
the first century AD. But what is the gospel that Paul
was not ashamed of?

As Webster's Dictionary explains, the meaning of
"gospel" is "Godspell or good news." It is the good
news about God's salvation plan for mankind.
Specifically, as another has said: "The gospel is a
message about God, a message about sin, a message about
Jesus Christ, and a summons to faith and repentance."

1. A Message about God. The gospel is not a message
about religion. It's about having a right relationship
with God. Religion tends to want to fix us from the
outside in. God wants to fix us from the inside out.
The first can become an impossible burden. The latter
is what brings freedom. Neither is the gospel a set of
rules and regulations. It is experiencing God's divine
love, divine acceptance and divine forgiveness--and
learning to communicate these to every life we touch.

It helps to realize that God isn't out to zap us for
the wrongs we've done. In fact, no matter what we have
ever done or have failed to do, God loves us with an
everlasting love and has a wonderful purpose for our
lives--for this life as well as the next! As Jesus
said, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one
and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not
perish but have eternal life."3 And again, "My purpose
is to give life in all its fullness."4

2. A Message about Sin. Many people understandably ask,
"If there is a God and if he is a God of love, why does
he allow so much suffering, sickness and sadness in
today's world? Without sounding too simplistic this is
because we have all sinned and separated ourselves from
an infinitely holy God.5 It's not that God left us, but
rather, we left God and separated ourselves from
him--and from his protection.

Another misconception about God is that he is out to
punish us for our sins when, in fact, we bring sin's
punishment on ourselves because sin has its own natural
consequences. If we try to break the universal law of
gravity, for instance, we can't. It will break us.
Neither can we break God's universal moral law. When we
do, it breaks us, and besides its painful effects in
this life--suffering, sorrow, sickness and spiritual
death--its ultimate and tragic consequence is eternal
death which is separation from a holy God6 in the place
the Bible calls hell. 

To be continued ....

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank You for Your
wonderful good news that provides hope for all mankind.
Please help me to experience Your divine love, divine
acceptance and divine forgiveness, and in some way
communicate these to every life I touch. Thank You for
hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus's
name, amen."

1. Romans 1:16 (NIV).  2. Romans 1:16 (TLB).  3. John
3:16 (NIV).  4. John 10:10 (TLB).  5. Romans 3:24.  6.
Romans 6:23. 

<)))><    
  
  NOTE: If you would like to accept God's forgiveness
  for all your sins and His invitation for a full pardon
  Click on: http://www.actsweb.org/invitation.php. Or
  if you would like to re-commit your life to Jesus Christ, 
  please click on http://www.actsweb.org/decision.php to note this.
  
  * * * * * * * 
  
  Daily Encounter is published at no charge by 
  ACTS International, a non-profit organization, 
  and made possible through the donations of 
  interested friends. Donations can be sent at: 
  http://www.actscom.com
 
  Copyright (c) 2015 by ACTS International. 
  When copying or forwarding include the following: 
  "Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2015
  ACTS International.
  
Today's Daily Encounter

Godspell ... Part II  

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and
only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish
but have eternal life."1

As noted yesterday, Godspell or God's good news is that
the gospel is first of all a message about God and his
infinite love for all mankind. Second, it is a message
about sin and sin's tragic consequences. Fortunately,
the gospel is also about the following:

3. A Message about Jesus Christ. God is not only a God
of absolute holiness, but also a God of perfect
justice. Because of this, all sin has to be judged, the
just sentence of which is spiritual and eternal death.
However, the gospel is also about how God is not only a
God of absolute holiness and perfect justice but also a
God of infinite love. Because of God's infinite love
for us, he gave his own Son, Jesus Christ, who came to
earth in the form of a man and willingly died in our
place on the cross of Calvary to pay the penalty for
all our sins. Because Jesus was without sin, he was the
only one qualified to die to pay the penalty for our
sins. Had there been any other way to save mankind,
Jesus wouldn't have had to die for us.

4. A Summons to Faith and Repentance. The really good
news is that God's gift of forgiveness and eternal life
is available to all who will accept it.

First, we need to believe that Jesus Christ is the Son
of God and that he died in our place to pay the penalty
for all our sins. "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you
will be saved"2 states the Word of God.

Second, we need to confess our sins to God and ask for
his forgiveness. God's Word also says, "If we confess
our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us
our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."3

Next, we need to repent. That is, we need to turn from
sinful and selfish ways to follow God and his ways.
Jesus said, "The Kingdom of God is near. Repent and
believe the good news."4 That is, we need to turn from
sinful and selfish ways and make a commitment of the
will, with God's help, to follow God and his ways. 

Fourth, we need to receive Jesus as our Savior. God's
Word says, "To all who received him [Christ], to those
who believed in his name, he gave the right to become
children of God."5

Admitting and confessing our sins, believing that Jesus
died for our sins, inviting him into our lives as Lord
and Savior, accepting God's forgiveness and turning
from our sinful ways to live God's way is what makes us
a real Christian. This is what Godspell--God's good
news is all about! 

If you have never received Jesus as your savior, for
help be sure to read "God's Invitation" at:
http://tinyurl.com/6k49w

To be concluded ....

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank You for Your
wonderful gospel--for giving Your Son, Jesus Christ, to
die in my place to pay the penalty for all my sins, and
to grant me Your forgiveness and the gift of eternal
life. Please help me to be sure that I have truly
accepted Jesus as my Savior and thereby have received
Your forgiveness and your gift of eternal life to be
with You forever in heaven. Thank You for hearing and
answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus's name, amen."

1. John 3:16 (NIV).  2. Acts 16:31 (NIV).  3. 1 John
1:9 (NIV).  4. Mark 1:15 (NIV).  5. John 1:12 (NIV). 

<)))><    
  
  NOTE: If you would like to accept God's forgiveness
  for all your sins and His invitation for a full pardon
  Click on: http://www.actsweb.org/invitation.php. Or
  if you would like to re-commit your life to Jesus Christ, 
  please click on http://www.actsweb.org/decision.php to note this.
  
  * * * * * * * 
  
  Daily Encounter is published at no charge by 
  ACTS International, a non-profit organization, 
  and made possible through the donations of 
  interested friends. Donations can be sent at: 
  http://www.actscom.com
  
  Copyright (c) 2015 by ACTS International.
  When copying or forwarding include the following: 
  "Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2015
  ACTS International.

Same-Sex Marriage: Where Will It Lead?

As God's Word says, "Do not practice homosexuality,
having sex with another man as with a woman. It is a
detestable sin."1

On December 19 "... the New Mexico Supreme Court voted
unanimously to redefine marriage to include two men or
two women. New Mexico joins 16 other states and the
District of Columbia in allowing same-sex marriage,
after Hawaii and Illinois passed similar laws last
month.

"There are certain laws which judges, legislators, and
even the people cannot change. They are called natural
laws. The Declaration of Independence refers to these
laws as the "laws of nature and of nature's God." These
natural laws transcend time, cultures, and political
institutions.

"Sir William Blackstone said any earthly law which is
contrary to the natural law is no law at all. This view
of law has shaped Western law and government for over
2,000 years. St. Augustine and Martin Luther King, Jr.
shared this view of law. If there is a Creator God,
then there must be a higher law which cannot be
transgressed. We easily accept this view when it comes
to the laws of physics such as the law of gravity. But
the same is true of certain moral laws, among which
include the sanctity of human life, marriage between a
man and a woman, and religious freedom.

"When judges, legislators, or the people have the
hubris to deceive themselves into thinking they can
violate these laws without consequences, they are blind
to history and the Scriptures. Deconstructing marriage
will be the end of freedom or the beginning of a new
revolution."2

The fact is that ALL of God's laws are for the health,
well-being and protection of those whom God loves--us!
When we disregard God's laws, we do so to the detriment
of ourselves, our families, and our society. If we defy
God's physical law, such as the law of gravity, we harm
or even destroy ourselves. If we defy God's moral laws,
we do the same thing.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, as our society more and
more disregards Your Word and Your laws, the more we
are on a pathway to self-destruction. Please send a
great spiritual awakening which is a desperate need ...
and please start Your work in me. Thank You for hearing
and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name,
amen."

1. Leviticus 18:22.
2. "Liberty Alert," Liberty Council,
http://www.lc.org/index.cfm?PID=14102&AlertID=1687. To
subscribe to "Liberty Alert," an e-Mail service without
charge, go to: http://www.lc.org/index.cfm?PID=14103.

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Today's Daily Encounter

The Baffling Call of God  

Jesus said, "For many are called, but few are chosen."1

One of my big struggles as a young man was how could I
know if God were calling me to serve him in some kind
of Christian work. However, as I look back I can see
that had God not been calling me, I wouldn't have been
struggling with the question.

I never did find an easy answer to that question. The
best answer I found was in the words of Oswald Chambers
who said, "The call of God is like the call of the sea
to the sailor. Only he who has the nature of the sea
within can hear the call."

In other words, a man who is "born to be a sailor"
hears in his inner being the call of the sea and never
rests until he answers that call and sets out on the
high seas. It's the same with a man or woman who is
called of God. He or she will never rest until they
answer God's call.

For me, God had to get me on my back to make me slow
down enough to "hear" his call. I had an accident on a
construction site that put me in the hospital flat on
my back for a week. The day after they stitched me up,
I turned on my bedside radio and just "happened" to get
the only religious program for the entire day on any
station in the city where I lived. The moment my radio
came on, I heard a lady quoting the words of the poem:

"If I should stand before the Master [Jesus Christ]
today, would I empty handed go?"

Wham! I felt like an invisible arrow pierced my heart
and I "heard the call loud and clear." I prayed, "Okay,
God, you win. My answer is yes." The moment I said yes
to God, I knew exactly what my next step needed to
be--that was to go back to college to train for the
work I am doing today.

Indeed, the call of God is like the call of the sea to
the sailor. And God calls each one of us--some to
accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and to
receive God's forgiveness and gift of eternal life.
Some he is calling to serve in a local church as an
active lay person. Some to be a good neighbor. Some to
be a missionary, pastor, teacher, a local leader, a
politician, or a business person. Some to be a wife, a
husband, a parent, etc., etc. Whatever it is, God has a
calling for each of us. It's up to us to seek God's
guidance to discover what that call is--and get the
training we need to do it as best we can.

Perhaps we could interpret today's text as, "Many are
called but few prove themselves to be chosen ones."

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank You that You are
calling me to love and follow You, and to use the gifts
and talents You have given to me to serve You. Help me
to discover exactly what You want me to do. Please give
me a "listening" ear so I will hear Your call. Thank
You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in
Jesus's name, amen." 

1. Jesus (Matthew 22:14). 

<)))><    
  
  NOTE: If you would like to accept God's forgiveness
  for all your sins and His invitation for a full pardon
  Click on: http://www.actsweb.org/invitation.php. Or
  if you would like to re-commit your life to Jesus Christ, 
  please click on http://www.actsweb.org/decision.php to note this.
  
  * * * * * * * 
  
  Daily Encounter is published at no charge by 
  ACTS International, a non-profit organization, 
  and made possible through the donations of 
  interested friends. Donations can be sent at: 
  http://www.actscom.com
  
  Copyright (c) 2015 by ACTS International. 
  When copying or forwarding include the following: 
  "Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2015
  ACTS International.

Today's Daily Encounter

You Are Important  

"Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is
a part of it."1

You've probably seen the following article. I don't
know who originated it, but it is a good reminder that
every one of us who is a Christian has a vital role to
play in God's work here on earth.

Xvxn though this typxwritxr is an old modxl, it works
vxry wxll, xxcxpt for only onx kxy. You'd think that
with all the othxr kxys working, onx kxy would hardly
bx noticxd. But just onx kxy out of whack sxxms to ruin
thx wholx xffort.

Havx you xvxr said to yoursxlf, "I'm only onx pxrson.
No onx will noticx if I don't do my bxst." But it doxs
makx a diffxrxncx, bxcausx to bx xffxctive, a family,
an organization or a businxss nxxds complxtx
participation by xvxryonx to the bxst of his or hxr
ability.

So if You'rx having onx of thosx days whxn you think
you just arxn't vxry important and you'rx txmptxd to
slack off, rxmxmbxr this old typxwritxr. You arx a kxy
pxrson, and whxn you don't do your bxst, nothing xlsx
around you works out thx way it's supposxd to.

Can the "H" say to the "S" I have no need of you, or
the "D" to the "E" I have no need of you?"

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, help me to realize that in
Your purpose for my life You have a very definite part
for me to play. Please give me the want-to-be what You
want me to be and the want-to-do what You want me to
do--and the help to do it diligently and faithfully for
Your glory. Thank You for hearing and answering my
prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus's name, amen."

1. 1 Corinthians 12:27 (NIV).

<)))><    
  
  NOTE: If you would like to accept God's forgiveness
  for all your sins and His invitation for a full pardon
  Click on: http://www.actsweb.org/invitation.php. Or
  if you would like to re-commit your life to Jesus Christ, 
  please click on http://www.actsweb.org/decision.php to note this.
  
  * * * * * * * 
  
  Daily Encounter is published at no charge by 
  ACTS International, a non-profit organization, 
  and made possible through the donations of 
 
  Copyright (c) 2015 by ACTS International. 
  When copying or forwarding include the following: 
  "Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2015
  ACTS International.

Today's Daily Encounter

The Empty Promise of Promiscuity  

Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and
burdened, and I will give you rest."1

"Recently I've become promiscuous," began 20-year-old
Ellen's sad email. "I've been boy crazy for as long as
I can remember. My father left my life when I was
twelve. My mom worked long hours and had little time
for my brother and me after our parents divorced. I
don't understand why I feel I can't function without a
significant other in my life. I had a baby when I was
16, married at 17, and now I'm 20 and divorced. I'm
searching for a 'soul mate' and I'm in love with the
idea of love. It's ruining my morals and my values. I
feel empty. Can you help?"

The above message was sent to a counselor friend of
mine, Dr. Bruce Narramore. Tragically, situations like
this in today's permissive society are far too common
where so many lonely people seek to fill the empty void
and hunger in their heart with false substitutes such
as meaningless sex and empty relationships--both of
which serve only to increase their sense of despair. 

Bruce said, "I encouraged Ellen to seek help to gain an
understanding of some of the causes of her problems. I
pointed out how the void left by losing her dad and mom
programmed her to feel an unusually deep need for human
connection which was probably the driving force behind
her promiscuity and excessive need for a man in her
life. I also told her she could never fill the void
coming from those childhood losses through a sexual
relationship or even through marriage. We can't fill
childhood voids with adult relationships. That is like
pouring water through sand. The water is temporarily
cooling but soon vanishes. If Ellen doesn't reverse
this pattern, she will go through life trying to find
the parents she lost through one tragic relationship
after another.

"Ironically, not until Ellen becomes emotionally and
spiritually strong enough to live without a man will
she be ready for a healthy relationship. At that point
she will be a mature adult ready for an adult
relationship, rather than an emotional child searching
for a lost daddy. And she will no longer 'be in love
with the idea of love' which is simply a childish
fantasy. Instead, she will be ready to love and be
loved by a real person."2

Fortunately, Ellen admitted that she had a problem and
needed help. She did seek counseling to help her
resolve her childhood losses. We trust that she is now
well on the road to recovery and ready for healthy
relationships. Ellen's situation is a reminder to all
who have unresolved losses that they also need to
resolve their losses so they can get off the endless
merry-go-round of seeking to fill the empty void in
their heart by looking for love in all the wrong faces
and places and by trying to fill their void with
"things" instead of healthy relationships.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to admit to
any unhealthy relationships and/or behaviors in my
life, see the cause/s of these, and find the help I
need to overcome so that I will grow in maturity and
learn to fully live and fully love so my life will be a
clean channel through which Your love can flow to
others. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer.
Gratefully in Jesus's name, amen."

1. Matthew 11:28 (NIV).
2. Narramore, Bruce, Project Letter of the Narramore
Christian Foundation.

<)))><    
  
  NOTE: If you would like to accept God's forgiveness
  for all your sins and His invitation for a full pardon
  Click on: http://www.actsweb.org/invitation.php. Or
  if you would like to re-commit your life to Jesus Christ, 
  please click on http://www.actsweb.org/decision.php to note this.
  
  * * * * * * * 
  Copyright (c) 2015 by ACTS International. 
  When copying or forwarding include the following: 
  "Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2015
  ACTS International.

Today's Daily Encounter

Stepping out of One's Comfort Zone  

"'Lord, if it's you,' Peter replied, 'tell me to come
to you on the water.' 'Come,' he [Jesus] said. Then
Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and
came toward Jesus."1

One of the best decisions I ever made in my life was
also one of the scariest. I struggled with it for about
three years. As a young man I felt a deep sense of
God's call to full-time Christian ministry but knew
that to be effective I would need to be adequately
trained. For ministry I had no training whatsoever. I
hadn't even been to high school. I was only 13 when my
father made me quit school and go to work. As a
teenager I attended technical college part time and
became well trained as a carpenter and joiner (joiners
make windows and doors and those kinds of things). I
could build houses, but to get up in front of people
and speak--forget it! 

But the "Hound of Heaven" kept bugging me. 

"You've got to be kidding, God," I argued. "You mean
you want me to leave my home, my family, my friends,
and my security to go overseas for training! Don't you
know how insecure I am? I'm only a carpenter and you
want me to do what--to step out of my security boat and
walk on water!" 

"Yes, that's correct," God said in His not too still
small voice. "Did you forget that Peter was only a
fisherman? And by the way, my Son, Jesus, was a
carpenter."

"Okay, God," I finally said, "You win. I know what I
have to do." I said this when I was flat on my back on
a hospital bed following an accident I had on a
construction site. For some of us we have to be hit
over the head, as it were, by a four-by-four in order
for God to get us to listen--I mean, really listen!

As quickly as I could I worked to save enough money for
my one-way airfare to the U.S. and to get started in my
first semester in college (providing I could find
part-time work). I also had to be put on probation
because I had never been to high school. All through
Bible school, college and graduate school I worked part
time to finance my education. This included working
three jobs in the summer months when I drove a CTA
passenger bus in Chicago during the morning and evening
rush hours shifts, painted houses in the middle of the
day, and worked as a janitor in a large church in the
evenings and weekends. 

Was it easy? Not really. But with a burning conviction
that this is what I was meant to do, I was never
without motivation to keep on keeping on. Plus, I was
never without needed work, was able to pay all my
bills--and passed every course. 

And now, by the grace of God, here I am today--50+
years later--with the wonderful privilege of being able
to reach around the world every day of the year with
the saving gospel message of Jesus Christ. My life has
never been more blessed or fulfilling. 

How I thank God that he kept urging me to answer his
call and say yes to him. After accepting Jesus Christ
as my Lord and Savior, stepping out of my comfort zone
and going back to college to train for what I am doing
today was the greatest (and about the scariest)
decision of my life.

If you sense that God is calling you to step out of
your comfort zone to accept Jesus as your Lord and
Savior and/or to an area of service for him--be it in a
voluntary or full-time capacity--I urge and encourage
you to say yes to God today. It is a decision you will
never regret and be thankful for all eternity.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank You that You call
each one of us to accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and
Savior and therein receive your forgiveness for all our
sins and Your gift of eternal life--and to serve You
according to the gifts and talents You have given to
each one of us. Please help me to hear Your call to me
and give me the courage to step out of my comfort zone
and say yes to You today. Thank You for hearing and
answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus's name, amen."

1. Matthew 14:28-29 (NIV).

<)))>actively involved in Christian outreach ministry for
several years as a volunteer before I answered the
callto train for full-time Christian ministry.
  
  NOTE: If you would like to accept God's forgiveness
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Today's Daily Encounter

Come Apart and Rest a While  

"The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him
all they had done and taught. Then, because so many
people were coming and going that they did not even
have a chance to eat, he said to them, 'Come with me by
yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.'"1

"According to a Greek legend, in ancient Athens a man
noticed the great storyteller Aesop playing childish
games with some little boys. He laughed and jeered at
Aesop, asking him why he wasted his time in such
frivolous activity.

"Aesop responded by picking up a bow, loosening its
string, and placing it on the ground. Then he said to
the critical Athenian, 'Now, answer the riddle, if you
can. Tell us what the unstrung bows imply.'

"The man looked at it for several moments but had no
idea what point Aesop was trying to make. Aesop
explained, 'If you keep a bow always bent, it will
break eventually; but if you let it go slack, it will
be more fit for use when you want it.'"2

So many of us today, including me, (at least in the
Western world) are bogged down with being too busy.
Much of life seems to be controlled by the tyranny of
the urgent--unforeseen crises or needs that daily pop
up unexpectedly--all of  which are a vivid reminder
that I, too, need to "come apart and rest a
while--before I come apart." Even Jesus and his
disciples, in the midst of their busy ministry, needed
to take time out to get some rest. Dare we do less?
There are times when we, too, need to loosen the bow.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank You for the reminder
that I need, not only to be diligent in my work and
service, but also to take time to get needed rest every
day. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer.
Gratefully in Jesus's name, amen."

1. Mark 6:30-31 (NIV).
2. Our Daily Bread, June 6, 1994.

<)))><    
  
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Today's Daily Encounter

Chased by Hounds  

King David, the Psalmist wrote: "Have mercy on me, O
God, have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge.
I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until
the disaster has passed."1

A. C. Dixon wrote, "A dear friend of mine who was quite
a lover of the chase, told me the following story:
'Rising early one morning,' he said, 'I heard the
baying of a score of deerhounds in pursuit of their
quarry. Looking away to a broad, open field in front of
me, I saw a young fawn making its way across, and
giving signs, moreover, that its race was well-nigh
run. Reaching the rails of the enclosure, it leaped
over and crouched within ten feet from where I stood. 

'A moment later, two of the hounds came over, and the
fawn ran in my direction and pushed its head between my
legs. I lifted the little thing to my breast, and,
swinging round and round, fought off the dogs. I felt,
just then, that all the dogs in the West could not, and
should not capture that fawn after its weakness had
appealed to my strength.'

"So is it, when human helplessness appeals to Almighty
God. Well do I remember when the hounds of sin were
after my soul, until, at last, I ran into the arms of
Almighty God."2

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank You that when I am
afraid of falling and being consumed by temptation and
call out to You for help, You always come to my rescue
and save me. Thank You for hearing and answering my
prayer. Gratefully in Jesus's name, amen."

1. Psalm 57:1 (NIV).
2. A. C. DIXON as quoted in E.M. Bounds, The Necessity
of Prayer. Source: Today’s Wit & Wisdom Devotional,
http://net153.com.

<)))><    
  
  Copyright (c) 2015 by ACTS International. 
  When copying or forwarding include the following: 
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Today's Daily Encounter

How to Forgive Abusive Parents?  

"Forgive us our sins, just as we have forgiven those
who have sinned against us."1

MT writes, "I have a problem which I would appreciate
your help with because I don't know what to do anymore.
People tell me that I'm too nice because I let people
push me around a lot. But my biggest issue is that I
can't forgive my parents. I have this hatred toward
them that I can't explain. I repeatedly try to make
peace with them but they never want to help me back. My
relationship with them is very difficult. My main
concern is how can I get rid of this sour feeling I
have for them?" 

When we have been hurt--especially by parents--it can
be very difficult to forgive them. However, if we don't
forgive them, we end up hurting ourselves even more
because our inner resentment eats away at us
physically, emotionally and spiritually. As someone has
said, "Failing to forgive is like drinking poison and
waiting for the other person to die."

So how can you forgive your parents? First, it is
impossible to forgive anyone until we first resolve our
hurt and our anger. Unresolved, they block forgiveness.
However, once they are resolved, the door is open for
forgiveness, which becomes a choice.

Second, I would strongly advise that you seek
professional counseling to help you resolve your hurt
and anger so you will be able to forgive your parents.

Third, forgiving them doesn't mean that you allow them
to continue to hurt you, so you need to exercise tough
love and establish healthy boundaries to protect
yourself. Let them know, lovingly but firmly, that if
they continue to treat you in a hurtful manner, you
will need to distance yourself from them.

Fourth, realize, too, that people who are being "too
nice" aren't really being nice. They are being weak
because they are afraid to stand up for themselves. So
you need to work on this problem too so that you will
be able to establish healthy boundaries. You will
probably need counseling to help you in this area too.
You can't change your parents, but with God's help and
the help of capable counseling you can change you, and
in so doing this will change your life. 

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to resolve
any negative emotions that may in any way be affecting
my relationships as well as my physical and spiritual
health. Help me to resolve every impaired relationship
and freely forgive all who have ever hurt me as You so
freely forgive me when I ask for it. Thank You for
hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus's
name, amen."

For additional help read the following articles:

"Taming Your Anger" at: http://tinyurl.com/b439f
"Boundaries" at: http://tinyurl.com/2x9a6u
"Developing a Healthy Self-Image" at:
http://tinyurl.com/af5hf
"Forgiveness: The Power That Heals" at:
http://tinyurl.com/3bw3q3

1. Matthew 6:12 (TLB).

<)))><    
  
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  Click on: http://www.actsweb.org/invitation.php. Or
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Today's Daily Encounter

What Is Sin?  

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is
eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."1

What is sin and why does God hate it? 

Someone has argued if God is the creator of all things
then he must have created sin. Actually, sin, as
another has suggested is not a "created" thing at all.
It is an action on our part or a failure to act as we
know we ought to act or behave. God created people but
he didn't create sin or sinners. Sinners are people who
have chosen to go their own way rather than God's way.
It's the same with evil. It is the evil actions of
people who have chosen to do evil things that make them
evil. 

In the Bible there are three facets to sin. First has
to do with breaking God's laws that are found in his
Word, the Bible. Second applies to rebelling against
God and going one's own sinful way. And third has to do
with falling short of God's standard of perfection;
that is, being less than whole and all that God
envisioned for us to be. The latter also includes sins
of omission--not doing what we know we should do--as
well as sins of commission.

And why does God hate sin so vehemently? Because it
destroys those whom God loves--us. It causes us to be
spiritually dead, and separates us from the God who
created and loves us, and dooms us to a lost eternity
in the place the Bible calls hell--whatever and
wherever that may be.

While sin totally destroys those whom God loves, his
mercy and love have provided a way of escape from sin's
destructive consequences for all who put their trust in
him and become a true Christ follower or Christian. For
help to be sure you are a real Christian go to:
http://tinyurl.com/8glq9.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to
understand the totality of sin, its devastating
consequences, and why You hate and despise it. Help me
also to understand Your plan of salvation and
deliverance from sin's dreadful consequences through
Jesus Christ, and be absolutely sure that I have
accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior and have received
Your gift of forgiveness and eternal life. Thank You
for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in
Jesus's name, amen."

1. Romans 6:23 (NIV).

<)))><    
  
  NOTE: If you would like to accept God's forgiveness
  for all your sins and His invitation for a full pardon
  Click on: http://www.actsweb.org/invitation.php. Or
  if you would like to re-commit your life to Jesus Christ, 
  please click on http://www.actsweb.org/decision.php to note this.
  
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  Copyright (c) 2015 by ACTS International. 
  When copying or forwarding include the following: 
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Today's Daily Encounter

Christian Worldview  

"In the beginning God."1

We hear quite a bit these days about the worldview
people have. Simply put, one's worldview is the way we
view the world in which we live. It serves as a road
map for one's life--the guide for the way we live and
orchestrate our life. It has to do with one's belief
system about the world in which we live.

A Christian worldview is based on reality--on truth--on
truth as it is revealed and/or confirmed in God's Word,
the Bible, which is the only viable source of truth
that can realistically answer the four questions one's
worldview takes into account. These questions are as
follows: 

    "Where did I come from?
    Why is the world in such a mess? 
    Is there a way to fix it?
    Is there a purpose for my life?"2

First, where did I come from? The Christian believes
that we came from God; that in the beginning he created
all--including you and me. Because of this we are
accountable to Him and are morally responsible for all
our actions.

Second, why is the world in such a mess? We believe
that this is because of sin and evil which was
introduced into the world by Satan the devil, a fallen
angel, who wanted to dethrone God and become God
himself. "I will become as the Most High," he said.
Consequently he was dismissed from God's Heaven.3

Tragically, because mankind chose to disobey God's
directions and follow Satan's, sin entered the entire
human race. Because sin cannot exist and sinners cannot
survive in the presence of a holy and just God, any
more than a moth can survive in a flame, our sin has
destined us to eternal separation from a just and holy
God in the place the Bible calls hell--the place
prepared for the devil and other fallen angels known as
demons.

Third, is there an answer to mankind's dilemma--a way
to fix our problem? Fortunately for mankind there is.
As the Bible says, "For God so loved the world that he
gave his one and only Son [Jesus Christ], that whoever
believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal
life."4

In other words, because God's justice required that the
just judgment for all sin is death; that is, eternal
separation from God the author of all love and life,
God gave his only son, Jesus Christ, to die in our
place to pay the just penalty for all our sin. Because
of Christ's sacrifice God now offers to all who will
accept it a free pardon and the gift of eternal life
with God in Heaven forever. Based on the Word of God,
Jesus Christ is God's only provision for mankind's sin,
and the only way into God's Heaven.5

Fourth, is there a purpose for my life? According the
Westminster Shorter Catechism, "Man's chief end
[purpose] is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever."
We glorify God, first by building a deeper
understanding of and a stronger relationship with Jesus
Christ, and then by living a morally upright life, in
loving God and worshipping God, by loving our neighbors
as ourselves, and by our service to God. And we serve
God by using our God-given natural and spiritual gifts
to serve others. The important thing is: do you know
what your specific God-given life purpose is?

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank You that Your word,
the Bible, gives us the only secure road map for all of
life's journey--from the cradle to the grave and
beyond. Please help me to be certain my world view is
in line with Your Word so that I will live in harmony
with Your will here on earth and spend eternity with
You in Heaven forever. Thank You for hearing and
answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus's name, amen."

1. Genesis 1:1.
2. Chuck Colson, BreakPoint,
http://www.breakpoint.org/generic.asp?ID=2541.
3. See Isaiah 14:12.
4. John 3:16 (NIV).
5. See John 14:6.

<)))><    
  
  Copyright (c) 2015 by ACTS International. 
  When copying or forwarding include the following: 
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Today's Daily Encounter

Count Your Blessings  

"It is good to praise the LORD and make music to your
name, O Most High, to proclaim your love in the morning
and your faithfulness at night."1

According to Michael Shannon, "In Reed, North Carolina,
you will find the Reed gold mine. It was first
excavated in 1799 when Conrad Reed discovered a strange
rock on the Reed farm. In 1802, a jeweler in
Fayetteville offered Reed $3.50 for the rock. It turns
out the rock was gold and was actually worth $3,600
dollars. What did Reed do with the rock for three
years? He used it as a doorstop at his house. How often
are we oblivious to the true value of things?"2

I don't know about you but I find it all too easy to be
blind to the endless blessings daily at my door step
and take these for granted. I am afraid that this is
especially so in much of the free world where most of
us have never suffered real persecution, experienced
terrorism first hand, gone hungry, been homeless, and
pretty much have all of our personal needs and many of
our wants--often extravagant wants--met. 

And, tragically, here in the West so many feel that the
world owes them a living. Too soon we forget that the
freedoms we enjoy were paid dearly for us by previous
generations--many of whom gave their lives to purchase
our freedom. How soon we forget that "eternal vigilance
is still the price of liberty [freedom]," and that
"blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord."3

Every day I make an effort to thank God for all the
incredible blessings that I experience daily. As the
chorus of the old time hymn we used to sing with great
enthusiasm in years gone by encourages: 

Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.4

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please open the eyes of my
understanding so that I will no longer be blind to the
endless blessings You have given to me every day of my
life. Most of all I thank You for the incredible
blessing that You have given to all mankind--the
blessing of giving Your Son, Jesus, to die on the cross
to pay the penalty for all our sins, and for Your gift
of forgiveness and that of eternal life. Thank You for
hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus's
name, amen."

1.  Psalm 92:1-2 (NIV).
2. J. Michael Shannon, Source: Preaching.com
http://tinyurl.com/2cxgrg
3. Psalm 33:12
4. Johnson Oatman, Jr.<)))><    
  
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Today's Daily Encounter

God's "Security" Team  

"When the Son of Man [Jesus Christ] returns, it will be
like it was in Noah's day. In those days, the people
enjoyed banquets and parties and weddings right up to
the time Noah entered his boat and the flood came and
destroyed them all."1

Bruce Ferris wrote, "My wife and I ... [some time ago
now] saw a television show on The History Channel
titled, 'The Man Who Predicted 911.' Long before
September 11th, Rick Rescorla, the 62-year-old head of
security at the Morgan Stanley Bank, developed an
evacuation plan for the bank. The bank's offices were
situated high up in the South Tower at the World Trade
Center. Rescorla was convinced that Osama Bin Laden
would use jet planes to try and destroy the World Trade
Center. The plan and its preparation were hugely
unpopular with the Morgan Stanley staff, many of whom
thought Rescorla was mad.

"On September 11, 2001, American Airlines Flight 11 hit
World Trade Center Tower 1 at 8:46 am. Rick Rescorla
ignored building officials' advice to stay put and
began the orderly evacuation of Morgan Stanley's 2,800
employees on 20 floors of World Trade Center Tower 2,
and 1,000 employees in WTC 5. Rescorla reminded
everyone to 'be proud to be an American ... everyone
will be talking about you tomorrow,' and sang God Bless
America and other songs over his bullhorn to help
evacuees stay calm as they left the building. Rescorla
had most of Morgan Stanley's 2800 employees as well as
people working on other floors of WTC 2 safely out of
the buildings by the time United Airlines Flight 175
hit WTC 2 at 9:07 a.m.

"After having reached safety, Rescorla returned to the
building to rescue others still inside. He was last
seen heading up the stairs of the tenth floor of the
collapsing WTC 2. His remains were not recovered. As a
result of Rescorla's actions, only six of Morgan
Stanley's 2800 WTC employees were killed on September
11th, 2001, including Rick and three of his deputies
who followed him back into the building.

"The remainder of this very moving broadcast focused on
Morgan Stanley Bank employees who, now in tears, were
praising and acknowledging Rick Rescorla for having
saved their lives from total destruction that day. Many
felt so guilty and apologetic [because] they had
thought Rick foolish to keep preaching and standing for
what he believed would happen if they were not ready.
Those interviewed said they would never forget Rick
Rescorla. He was their hero."2

The first coming of Jesus Christ is an indisputable
fact of history. Be assured, his second coming will be
just as certain. His first coming was to give his life
to die on the cruel Roman cross to pay the just penalty
for your sins and mine so we could receive God's
forgiveness and his gift of eternal life. His second
coming will be as King of kings and Lord of lords and
to bring judgment on all who have failed or refused to
accept God’s warning and gift of forgiveness and
salvation.

While ancient Noah built the ark he was mocked and
ridiculed. None but his immediate family believed God's
warning about the impending flood. And as Jesus has
warned, it will be the same when he returns to judge
the world and destroy all who have rejected his gift of
salvation.

If you have never received God's offer of salvation, I
urge you to do that today so you are ready for God's
day of judgment. For help go to:
http://tinyurl.com/8glq9 and read, "How to Be Sure
You're a real Christian Without Having to Be
Religious."

On the other hand, if you have accepted Jesus as your
Savior, will you be as a "Rick Rescorla" to help notify
all in your circle of influence about the coming of
God's judgment and the impending doom of all who refuse
to accept God's free gift of salvation. For an
extremely simple way to do this go to:
http://www.actsweb.org/announce.php. And for those who
live in the U.S. also go https://actscom.com/index.php
to order a supply of the Good News business size
witness cards to give to family, friends and contacts.

And will you help support the "Rick Rescorlas" who are
on "God's security" team warning multitudes of people
of God's coming judgment and are spreading God’s good
news of salvation around the world. To do this go to: 
https://actscom.com/donate.php

Think of all the people whose lives Rick Rescorla
saved. You and I can do the same; that is, help save
lives for all eternity. There is no greater privilege
and responsibility in the entire world. Will you make
this commitment today by genuinely praying the
following prayer:

"Dear God, I am available. Please use me to be as a
'Rick Rescorla' and with your help to help save lives
for all eternity. Thank You for hearing and answering
my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus's name, amen."

1. Luke 17:26-27 (TLB).
2. Bruce Ferris, www.SermonCentral.com.

<)))><    
  
  NOTE: If you would like to accept God's forgiveness
  for all your sins and His invitation for a full pardon
  Click on: http://www.actsweb.org/invitation.php. Or
  if you would like to re-commit your life to Jesus Christ, 
  please click on http://www.actsweb.org/decision.php to note this.
  
  Copyright (c) 2015 by ACTS International. 
  When copying or forwarding include the following: 
  "Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2015
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Today's Daily Encounter

What's Your Purpose in Life?  

From the Apostle Paul: "I have fought the good fight, I
have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now
there is in store for me the crown of righteousness,
which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me
on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who
have longed for his appearing."1

"Josh McDowell tells about an executive 'headhunter'
who recruits corporate executives for large firms. This
headhunter once told McDowell that when he interviews
an executive, he likes to disarm him. 'I offer him a
drink,' said the headhunter, ‘take off my coat, undo my
tie, throw up my feet and talk about baseball,
football, family, whatever, until he's all relaxed.
Then, when I think I've got him relaxed, I lean over,
look him square in the eye and say, "What's your
purpose in life?" It's amazing how top executives fall
apart at that question.

"Then he told about interviewing one fellow recently.
He had him all disarmed, had his feet up on his desk,
talking about football. Then the headhunter leaned over
and said, 'What's your purpose in life, Bob?' And the
executive said, without blinking an eye, 'To go to
heaven and take as many people with me as I can.'

"'For the first time in my career,' said the
headhunter, 'I was speechless.'"2

I've asked this same question to scores of people over
the years in seminars I have led. Just about everybody
believes God has a God-given life purpose for them, but
when I ask them what it is, very few have ever
carefully thought it through and written it down. 

If we want to die well, we need to live well, and if we
are to live well, it is imperative that we know what
our God-given life purpose is and with God's help give
it our best shot. 

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to discern
my God-given life purpose so that I know exactly what
it is. And please help to fulfill this purpose so when
I come to the end of my life's journey, I will know
that I have not lived in vain. Thank You for hearing
and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus's name,
amen."

1. 2 Timothy 4:7-8, (NIV).
2. Dr. Gary Nicolosi,  “Preparing for the End Time." 

<)))><
    
  NOTE: If you would like to accept God's forgiveness
  for all your sins and His invitation for a full pardon
  Click on: http://www.actsweb.org/invitation.php. Or
  if you would like to re-commit your life to Jesus Christ, 
  please click on http://www.actsweb.org/decision.php to note this.
 
  Copyright (c) 2015 by ACTS International. 
  When copying or forwarding include the following: 
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Today's Daily Encounter

Hiding in the Shadows  

"For in the day of trouble he [God] will keep me safe
in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his
tabernacle and set me high upon a rock."1

"In the movie, 'The Bear,' a bear cub whose mother died
took up with a male bear. They traveled together. One
of my favorite parts happened when they got separated
and the little bear came upon a mountain lion. When the
mountain lion came at the cub he stood up trying to
scare it away. The mountain lion all of a sudden
started backing away. The little bear cub thought he
had scared him away but what had really happened was
that the big bear came up behind the little bear. It
wasn't the cub but the big bear that frightened the
lion away. We may not look very frightening [to our
enemy, the devil] but we have a Father that is all
powerful [standing behind us]"2

For example: in the following poem, "Hide-and-Seek," I
have written:

"Sometimes it seems that life / makes little or no
sense / as we wander blind searching for a ray of light
/ to lead us to the truth / or to a God who isn't
there. / But if we will stand still and / listen with
our heart we will / hear a rustling in the leaves, feel
the brush of angel's wings, / and sense the presence of
a loving / Father playing hide-and-seek, waiting
patiently / wanting us to find him."3

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank You that when I
commit and trust my life and way to You on a daily
basis, You are always present to be my guide and
help--regardless of whether I feel Your presence or
not. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer.
Gratefully in Jesus's name, amen."

Note: Hide-and-Seek poem available (non-framed only)
at: http://tinyurl.com/33g35b

1. Psalm 27:5 (NIV).
2. Sharon Stonestreet on www.SermonCentral.com.
3. Dick Innes Copyright. 

<)))><    
  
  NOTE: If you would like to accept God's forgiveness
  for all your sins and His invitation for a full pardon
  Click on: http://www.actsweb.org/invitation.php. Or
  if you would like to re-commit your life to Jesus Christ, 
  please click on http://www.actsweb.org/decision.php to note this.
  
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  Copyright (c) 2015 by ACTS International. 
  When copying or forwarding include the following: 
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Today's Daily Encounter

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall  

"Don't fool yourselves. For if a person just listens
and doesn't obey, he is like a man looking at his face
in a mirror; as soon as he walks away, he can't see
himself anymore or remember what he looks like."1

"Mirror, mirror on the wall ... lie to me!" Don't we
sometimes wish?

Either fortunately or unfortunately, mirrors don't lie,
unless, of course, the mirror is distorted. If so, its
reflection will also be distorted. And if I am not true
to my word and do what I say I am going to do, there is
something distorted within me. As the old saying goes,
"Talk is cheap." Keeping one's word and promises is a
character trait to be highly valued. It is being
authentic and maintaining integrity.

Unfortunately, it seems that keeping one's word for
many anymore doesn't amount to too much. Like a worker
I used some time ago who claimed to be involved in
Promise Keepers. It was a joke. He rarely kept either
his word or his promises. Sadly, a person who doesn't
keep his word or his promises can't be relied upon.
Neither can he be trusted. And a person who claims to
be a Christian and doesn't genuinely and consistently
seek to keep and obey God's Word can't be relied on
either. Perhaps not trusted either?

As James said, "Don't fool yourselves. For if a person
just listens and doesn't obey, he is like a man looking
at his face in a mirror; as soon as he walks away, he
can't see himself anymore or remember what he looks
like. But if anyone keeps looking steadily into God's
law for free men, he will not only remember it but he
will do what it says, and God will greatly bless him in
everything he does."2

If we are mature, we will act in a mature fashion. If
we are responsible, we will act in a responsible
manner. And if we are sincere and genuine, we will act
accordingly and be known as men and women whose word is
their bond.

     For after all -
     It's what we do
     Not what we say -
     That says the most of all.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to be a
man/woman of my word and, with Your help, one who seeks
to obey Your word. Always. Thank You for hearing and
answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus's Name.
Amen." 

1. James 1:22-24 (TLB).
2. James 1:22-25 (TLB).

<)))><    
  
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  Click on: http://www.actsweb.org/invitation.php. Or
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  ACTS International, a non-profit organization, 
  and made possible through the donations of 
  interested friends. Donations can be sent at: 
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  Copyright (c) 2015 by ACTS International. 
  When copying or forwarding include the following: 
  "Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2015
  ACTS International.

Today's Daily Encounter

How Does Your Garden Grow?  

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face
trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing
of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must
finish its work so that you may be mature and complete,
not lacking anything."1

Charles H. Spurgeon said, "Stars may be seen from the
bottom of a deep well when they cannot be seen from the
top of the mountain. So many things are learned in
adversity which the prosperous man dreams not of." 

Ovid wrote, "The road to triumph is built by
adversity."

Walt Disney stated: "All the adversity I've had in my
life, all my troubles and obstacles, have strengthened
me.... You may not realize it when it happens, but a
kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world
for you."

John Adams agreed. He said, "People and nations are
forged in the fires of adversity."

Patrick Henry believed that "adversity toughens
manhood, and the characteristic of the good or the
great man, is not that he has been exempted from the
evils of life, but that he has surmounted them."2

I have to personally admit that if there is any depth
of quality in the Daily Encounters I write, it has come
out of many years of trials and disappointments. It is
true, as God's Word teaches: adversity is one of our
greatest teachers.

And as Stan Mitchell said, "The child of God cannot
attain spiritual completeness without facing trials.
The Africans have a saying: 'After the rain, come the
flowers.'" And then Mitchell asks, "So how does your
garden grow?"

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank You for the trials
and adversity You have allowed me to experience in
order to help me become the person You want me to be.
May my trials always help me to become better and never
bitter. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer.
Gratefully in Jesus's name, amen."

1. James 1:2-4 (NIV).
2. The above quotes were from www.SermonCentral.com

<)))><    
  
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  for all your sins and His invitation for a full pardon
  Click on: http://www.actsweb.org/invitation.php. Or
  if you would like to re-commit your life to Jesus Christ, 
  please click on http://www.actsweb.org/decision.php to note this.
  
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  Daily Encounter is published at no charge by 
  ACTS International, a non-profit organization, 
  and made possible through the donations of 
  interested friends. Donations can be sent at: 
  http://www.actscom.com
  
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  P.O. Box 73545
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  U.S.A.
  
  Phone: 949-940-9050  
  http://www.actsweb.org 
  
  Copyright (c) 2015 by ACTS International. 
  
  When copying or forwarding include the following: 
  "Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2015
  ACTS International.

Today's Daily Encounter

Two Days that Changed the World  

"But he [Jesus] was wounded for ourtransgressions, He
was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement
[punishment] for our peace was upon Him, And by His
stripes we are healed."1

G. Franklin Allee wrote how, "Years ago, a young mother
was making her way across the hills of South Wales,
carrying her tiny babe in her arms when she was
overtaken by a blinding blizzard. She never reached her
destination alive, and when the blizzard subsided her
body was found beneath the snow. But the searchers
discovered that before her death she had taken off all
her outer clothing and wrapped it about her baby. And
when they unwrapped the child, to their great surprise
and joy, they found he was alive and well. She had
given her life for her child, proving the depth of her
mother love. 

"Years later that child, David Lloyd George, when grown
to manhood, became prime minister of the United
Kingdom, and without doubt was one of Britain's
greatest statesmen. The UK was a better place for a
time because a mother gave her life for her son."

On a much greater scale the world today is a better
place because on Good Friday 2,000 years God the Father
gave his Son, Jesus Christ, to die on a cruel Roman
cross to pay the penalty for the sins of all mankind.
Thank God that includes you and me. And now, because of
Jesus' death, all who put their trust in him will live
forever in Heaven with God where there will be no more
sickness, sadness, sorrow or death. 

Thus Good Friday and Easter Sunday--when Jesus rose
from the dead--are two days that changed the world
forever.

Note: If you have never accepted Jesus as your Savior,
be sure to read the article: "How to Know God and be
sure you're a real Christian" at:
http://www.actsweb.org/christian 

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, how can I ever thank You
enough for giving Your Son, Jesus, to die in my place
on the cross. Because You died for me, Lord Jesus, I
give my heart and life to live for You all the days of
my life. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer.
Gratefully, in Jesus's name, amen."

1. Isaiah 53:5 (NKJV).

<)))><    
  
  NOTE: If you would like to accept God's forgiveness
  for all your sins and His invitation for a full pardon
  Click on: http://www.actsweb.org/invitation.php. Or
  if you would like to re-commit your life to Jesus Christ, 
  please click on http://www.actsweb.org/decision.php to note this.
  
  * * * * * * * 
  
  Daily Encounter is published at no charge by 
  ACTS International, a non-profit organization, 
  and made possible through the donations of 
  interested friends. Donations can be sent at: 
  http://www.actscom.com
  
  ACTS International
  P.O. Box 73545
  San Clemente, California 92673-0119
  U.S.A.
  
  Phone: 949-940-9050  
  http://www.actsweb.org 
  
  Copyright (c) 2015 by ACTS International. 
  
  When copying or forwarding include the following: 
  "Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2015
  ACTS International.

Today's Daily Encounter
He Took My Place  
"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down
his life for his friends."1
According to Doug Batchelor in his book, Broken Chains,
"There's a story about two Filipino brothers, identical
twins, who lived in Manila and made their living by
driving jeepneys, Filipino taxis.* Though they were
twins and had similar jobs, they lived very different
lives. One was married and had children; the other was
single. Then one day, the married brother accidentally
struck and killed a tourist with his taxi. Accused of
reckless driving, the twin was sentenced to twenty
years in the notorious Manila prison--a devastating
fate that would leave his wife and children without an
income.

"One day, his twin came to visit him in prison. He
said, 'Brother, your family desperately needs you. Put
on my clothes and take my visitor's pass and I will put
on your prison uniform and serve the rest of your
sentence. Go to your family.' So, while the guards were
not looking, the twins exchanged clothes, and the
married brother walked out of the prison unchallenged.
Do you think the twin who was freed could ever stop
thinking about the sacrifice that his brother made in
trading places with him?"2

Though having limitations it is still a powerful
illustration of what Jesus Christ did for you and me at
Easter time 2,000 years ago when he exchanged places
with you and me and died in our place on the cross of
Calvary. He did this out of his great love for us to
pay the penalty for all of our sins, so we could be
freely forgiven by God and receive his gift of eternal
life in Heaven to be with him forever.

If you have never thanked Jesus for dying in your place
to pay the penalty for your sins and accepted God's
gift of forgiveness and eternal life, I urge you to do
this today. For help please go to
http://tinyurl.com/8glq9 or click on the Know God
button link below.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, how can I ever thank You
enough for Your great act of love in giving Your Son,
Jesus Christ, to die on the cross, and Jesus, for dying
in my place to pay the penalty for all my sins? I
believe in You Lord Jesus, and accept You as my
personal Lord and Savior. Because You died for me
please help me always to live for You. Thank You for
hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus's
name. Amen."

1. John 15:13 (NIV).
2. Doug Batchelor, Broken Chains, Pacific Press 2004. 
Cited on WITandWISDOM www.witandwisdom.org.

*Joy has ridden in jeepneys when on a mission trip in
the Philippines. Some of these in some of the places
are old converted military jeeps.

<)))><    
  
  NOTE: If you would like to accept God's forgiveness
  for all your sins and His invitation for a full pardon
  Click on: http://www.actsweb.org/invitation.php. Or
  if you would like to re-commit your life to Jesus Christ, 
  please click on http://www.actsweb.org/decision.php to note this.
  
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  Daily Encounter is published at no charge by 
  ACTS International, a non-profit organization, 
  and made possible through the donations of 
  interested friends. Donations can be sent at: 
  http://www.actscom.com
  
  ACTS International
  P.O. Box 73545
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  U.S.A.
  Phone: 949-940-9050  
  http://www.actsweb.org 
  Copyright (c) 2015 by ACTS International. 
  When copying or forwarding include the following: 
  "Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2015
  ACTS International.

Today's Daily Encounter

Walking Where Paul Walked, Part I  

"Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said,
'Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are
too superstitious.'"1

"I walked today where the Apostle Paul walked."

I wrote those words seven years ago when Joy and I had
the opportunity to stand at the top of Mars Hill
overlooking the city of Athens in Greece. On this hill,
or close to it, almost 2000 years ago in the shadow of
the infamous historical Parthenon, the Apostle Paul
explained the gospel to Athenians. 

The next day we walked on a section of a road built by
the Romans in the ancient city of Corinth--a road on
which Paul would have walked--at the end of which he
stood while he was being accused by the city
magistrates for causing a disturbance by preaching
about Jesus. 

The following day we sailed on the waters on which Paul
sailed on his missionary journeys. A few days later we
were in Ephesus and visited the amazing outdoor
amphitheater where Paul would have undoubtedly been.
Visiting these and other amazing ancient historical
cities certainly made Paul's missionary journeys and
his writings (especially to the Corinthians and
Ephesians) come alive as never before.

Our last day before returning home was spent in
Istanbul--the city where east meets west. Besides
visiting fascinating places and magnificent ancient
buildings, it was a weird sensation to hear the
extremely loud Muslim call to prayer starting at 5:40
AM sunrise! The chanting sound gave me cold chills
especially in light of atrocities committed by radical
Muslims in recent times. Could you imagine the outcry
if Christians had the same kind of extremely loud calls
to prayer five times a day in America? The anti-God and
politically correct crowds would howl us into silence! 

To be continued ....

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank You for the
historical evidence authenticating Your Word, the
Bible, as found in the 'cradle of Christianity' where
Your early disciples taught and preached the gospel
message. Help me to grasp in my heart and mind the
reality of Your Word and the impact on the world that
the gospel has made over the past two millenniums. May
it truly impact my heart and life as well. Thank You
for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in
Jesus's name, amen."

1. Acts 17:22.

<)))><    
  
  NOTE: If you would like to accept God's forgiveness
  for all your sins and His invitation for a full pardon
  Click on: http://www.actsweb.org/invitation.php. Or
  if you would like to re-commit your life to Jesus Christ, 
  please click on http://www.actsweb.org/decision.php to note this.
  
  * * * * * * * 
  
  Daily Encounter is published at no charge by 
  ACTS International, a non-profit organization, 
  and made possible through the donations of 
  interested friends. Donations can be sent at: 
  http://www.actscom.com
  
  Copyright (c) 2015 by ACTS International. 
  When copying or forwarding include the following: 
  "Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2015
  ACTS International.

Today's Daily Encounter

Walking Where Paul Walked, Part II  

"While people are saying, 'Peace and safety,'
destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains
on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape."1

Yesterday we talked about visiting Athens, Corinth and
Ephesus, and other ancient historical places, and
ending in Istanbul, a city largely populated by
M'slims. 

Istanbul was certainly a fascinating ancient city but
hearing the M'slim call to prayer was just another
reminder that radical M'slims throughout the world are
on the march and while many M'slims want to live in
peace, the increasing number of radicals believe the
only peace is when Jews, Christians and Westerners
either convert to I'lam or are dead. And they have no
qualms about killing us. 

Frighteningly, far too many leaders in the West are
wanting appeasement with these I'lamic fanatical
fundamentalists when, in reality, there is no such
thing. 

Mathias Dapfner, CEO of the large German publisher,
Axel Springer, blasted Europe for its weakness in
confronting I'lamic fanaticism. He talked how
appeasement with Hitler cost millions of Jews and
Gentiles their lives ... how appeasement contributed to
the stabilizing of the Communist Soviet Union and the
former East Germany, and "crippled Europe when genocide
ran rampant in Kosovo.... And in the end it is also
appeasement at its most grotesque when Germany reacts
to the escalating violence of I'lamic fundamentalists
in Holland and elsewhere by proposing a national M'slim
holiday."2

And here in America, while most M'slims want to live in
peace, a recent poll by the Pew Research Center
reported that: "One out of four young U.S. M'slims
believe homicide bombings against civilians are OK to
'defend I'lam,'"3 at least under certain circumstances.

I'lam claims to be a religion of peace but peace is
highly unlikely between Jews and Palestinians or
between radical M'slims and the Western world until
Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, returns to earth to
finally put an end to all wars and bring in lasting
peace. In fact, as the Word of God reminds us, "While
people are saying, 'Peace and safety,' destruction will
come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant
woman, and they will not escape."1

The reality is that throughout the world there is an
urgent need for a great spiritual awaking--an awakening
to the reality of today's volatile world and our urgent
need for God and the need to live in harmony with his
will. Without God there is no hope for any lasting
peace and any end to a world filled with hatred and
violence.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please open the eyes of my
understanding to see the reality of today's volatile
world situation and our world-wide need for a great
spiritual awakening. And please start Your work in me.
Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer.
Gratefully in Jesus's name, amen."

1. The Apostle Paul (1 Thessalonians 5:3, NIV).
2. Mathias Dapfner, CEO of the large German publisher,
Axel Springer. Editorial: “Europe, Thy Name is
Cowardice," published in the German periodical Die
Welt, November 20, 2004.
http://www.snopes.com/politics/soapbox/dapfner.asp
3. Poll: 1 in 4 U.S. Young M'slims OK With Homicide
Bombings Against Civilians, Fox News. May 23, 2007.
http://tinyurl.com/ywmyoz

<)))><    
  
  NOTE: If you would like to accept God's forgiveness
  for all your sins and His invitation for a full pardon
  Click on: http://www.actsweb.org/invitation.php. Or
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  please click on http://www.actsweb.org/decision.php to note this.
  
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  ACTS International, a non-profit organization, 
  and made possible through the donations of 
  interested friends. Donations can be sent at: 
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  Copyright (c) 2015 by ACTS International. 
  When copying or forwarding include the following: 
  "Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2015
  ACTS International.

Today's Daily Encounter

Taking Time to Listen  

"Behold, I [Jesus] stand at the door and knock. If
anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come
in to him and dine with him, and he with Me."1

In response to a Daily Encounter about the famed
violinist, Fritz Kreisler, Martha Nixon, a good friend,
who some years ago was the well-known soloist with the
famed Neil Macaulay musical team, wrote to tell me
about a fascinating experience Neil had some years ago.

On one occasion when Neil was in New York, "he paid a
'small fortune' to buy two tickets to hear the world
famous violinist Fritz Kreisler play at New
York's Carnegie Hall. Macaulay was himself a concert
musician who had been heard around the world and highly
valued the greater skill of the famous Fritz Kreisler.
The performance was brilliant and worth the money spent
on the tickets. Mid-concert, however, Kreisler made an
amazing comment. 'The reason I'm a bit weary tonight,'
he said, 'is because I played on the streets of New
York all day today dressed as a busker (street
musician) with my violin case opened for donations. It
does me good to play for the people. But not one person
stopped to listen, or gave me a cent!'" 

Interesting that this famous musician was totally
ignored amidst the rush and bustle of New York City
life. People passing by didn't take the time to stop
and listen. Instead, they turned a deaf ear to him. And
yet, at night, people paid a high price to hear him.
How sad.

But how much sadder when God "speaks" to us in
innumerable ways and we turn a deaf ear to him because
he doesn't appear to us in the way or manner which we
expect. Even the religious people in Jesus's day who
were actually looking for and expecting the Promised
Messiah (Savior) totally missed him because he didn't
appear in the way or manner that they expected.

So dear reader, whatever you do, don’t turn a deaf ear
to God who, in his still small voice may be whispering
to you while he is knocking on the door of your heart
and life today.*

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to slow
down enough to stop, look, and listen when You are
trying to reach my heart. Give me the good sense to
recognize Your call and always respond in a positive
manner. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer.
Gratefully in Jesus's name, amen."

*NOTE: For help to respond to God's call go to
http://tinyurl.com/8glq9.

1. Revelation 3:20 (NKJV). 

<)))><    
  
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  please click on http://www.actsweb.org/decision.php to note this.
  
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  ACTS International, a non-profit organization, 
  and made possible through the donations of 
  interested friends. Donations can be sent at: 
  http://www.actscom.com
  
  ACTS International
  P.O. Box 73545
  San Clemente, California 92673-0119
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  Phone: 949-940-9050  
  http://www.actsweb.org 
  
  Copyright (c) 2015 by ACTS International. 
  When copying or forwarding include the following: 
  "Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2015
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Today's Daily Encounter

Freedom from Guilt and Shame  

"For God did not send his Son [Jesus] into the world to
condemn the world, but to save the world through him."1

Shame is similar to false guilt in that it is caused
largely by someone who "shamed us" especially when we
were young. That is, whenever we did something wrong,
we got the message (verbal or non-verbal), "Shame on
you." "You are a bad person." "You are a disappointment
to me!" "I am so ashamed of you," etc., etc.

Such criticisms are psychologically damaging. As the
old saying goes, "Give a dog a name and he will live up
to it." People will too--especially if a person was
constantly ridiculed, put down and shamed as a child.

True guilt says you have DONE badly but shame says you
ARE bad. If a person comes to believe that he or she is
a bad person, s/he will act badly. In real life we
don't always act consistently with what we profess, but
we always act consistently with what we believe. So if
we believe we are a bad person, that's the way we will
act.

When disciplining our children and confronting another
person who has acted "badly," we need to "condemn" the
deed NOT the person! Example: "I love you but what you
have done [name it] makes me feel angry and/or very
disappointed."

We need God's help so we will learn to treat others the
way God treats us. While he hates our sin because it
destroys those whom he loves (us), he loves the sinner
and doesn't condemn or shame us. Shame and false guilt
never come from God. They are man-induced.

Fortunately with God, "There is therefore now no
condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."2 When
we confess our sins to God and ask for his forgiveness,
and ask God's Son, Jesus Christ, to come into our heart
and life as personal Lord and Savior, God forgives us
fully and loves us totally. Again, false guilt and
shame never come from God.

"Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank You that You love
me no matter what I have ever done or have failed to
do. Please forgive me for all my sins and, Lord Jesus,
please come into my heart and life to be my personal
Lord and Savior. Please help me to forgive myself and
overcome all false guilt and shame, and help me never
to shame others. Thank You for hearing and answering my
prayer. Gratefully in Jesus's name, amen."

NOTE: If you prayed and asked God for forgiveness and
asked Jesus to come into your heart and life, please
let us know by going to: http://tinyurl.com/pgntm. If
you need further help, click on:
http://tinyurl.com/8glq9.

1. Jesus (John 3:17, NIV).
2. The Apostle Paul (Romans 8:1).

<)))><    
  
  NOTE: If you would like to accept God's forgiveness
  for all your sins and His invitation for a full pardon
  Click on: http://www.actsweb.org/invitation.php. Or
  if you would like to re-commit your life to Jesus Christ, 
  please click on http://www.actsweb.org/decision.php to note this.
  
  * * * * * * * 
  
  Daily Encounter is published at no charge by 
  ACTS International, a non-profit organization, 
  and made possible through the donations of 
  interested friends. Donations can be sent at: 
  http://www.actscom.com
  
  ACTS International
  P.O. Box 73545
  San Clemente, California 92673-0119
  U.S.A.
  
  Phone: 949-940-9050  
  http://www.actsweb.org 
  
  Copyright (c) 2015 by ACTS International. 
  When copying or forwarding include the following: 
  "Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2015
  ACTS International.

Today's Daily Encounter

Children Learn What They Live  

"Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is
old he will not turn from it."1

Change is rarely easy. In fact it can be very difficult
to change the patterns learned in our developmental
years. Solomon noted the importance of early training
some 3,000 years ago. Dorothy Law Nolte explained it
rather precisely in the following words:

   If a child lives with criticism,
      he learns to condemn.
   If a child lives with hostility,
      he learns to fight.
   If a child lives with ridicule,
      he learns to be shy.
   If a child lives with shame,
      he learns to feel guilty.
   If a child lives with tolerance,
      he learns to be patient.
   If a child lives with encouragement,
      he learns confidence.
   If a child lives with praise,
      he learns to appreciate.
   If a child lives with fairness,
      he learns justice.
   If a child lives with security,
      he learns to have faith.
   If a child lives with approval,
      he learns to like himself.
   If a child lives with acceptance and friendship,
      he learns to find love in the world.2

It hardly needs saying that we need to be very loving
in the way we bring up our children. But what if we, as
adults, didn't receive loving, wholesome training as a
child ourselves? Can we change? Yes, if we truly want
to and are willing to accept responsibility for doing
what we need to do to change. 

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, knowing that my parents
did the best they knew how, help me never to blame them
for any problems I have, and please give me the desire
to keep growing so I become a warm, loving, accepting
adult/parent. And please lead me to the help I need to
overcome the effects of any deficiencies in my
childhood upbringing. Thank You for hearing and
answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus’s name, amen."

1. Solomon (Proverbs 22:6).
2. Adapted from "Children Learn What They Live" by
Dorothy Law Nolte. See
www.actsweb.org/child_live_with.php

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Today's Daily Encounter

Unanswered Prayer  

"This is the confidence that we have in approaching
God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he
hears us. And if we know that he hears us--whatever we
ask--we know that we have what we asked of him."1

A friend told me about her minister whose five-year-old
son told his father that he was praying for him.
Excitedly his dad asked him, "And what did you ask God
for?"

"Dear God," I prayed, "I don't want my dad to be a
minister. Will you please make him the ice-cream man
because he makes all children happy?"

We are amused by this child's prayer but I wonder
sometimes if God doesn't laugh at some of my childish
(not child-like), self-centered prayers. As someone
else has said, God always answers prayer. Sometimes the
answer is "Yes," sometimes it's "No;" sometimes it's
"Wait a while;" and sometimes it's "You've got to be
kidding."

Like a loving father, God knows what is best for us and
answers accordingly. Of one thing we can be sure, when
we come to him through Jesus Christ our Lord with a
sincere heart, God always hears and answers our prayers
one way or another. One of the keys for getting prayers
answered the way we request them is, as the Bible says,
to pray in harmony with God's will.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to know
Your Word and always pray in harmony with Your will,
and always trust that the answer You give is what is
best for me and all others concerned. Thank You for
hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus's
name, amen."

1. John (1 John 5:14-15, NIV).

<)))><    
  
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  please click on http://www.actsweb.org/decision.php to note this.
  
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Today's Daily Encounter

Hold Tight  

"Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal
life, unto which you are called."1

I checked the following story on snopes.com but it
wasn’t listed, so I can’t confirm it either way. At any
rate it makes an excellent parable. According to the
story: "On a commuter flight from Portland, Maine, to
Boston in 1987, the pilot heard an unusual noise near
the rear of the plane. Henry Dempsey turned the
controls over to the co-pilot and went back to check it
out. As he reached the tail section, the plane hit an
air pocket, and Dempsey was tossed against the rear
door. He quickly discovered the source of the
mysterious noise. The rear door had been improperly
latched prior to take-off, and it flew open. Dempsey
was instantly sucked out of the tiny jet.

"The co-pilot saw the red light that indicated an open
door. He radioed the nearest airport requesting
permission for an emergency landing. He reported that
the pilot had fallen out of the plane and wanted a
helicopter to search the area. After the plane landed,
the ground crew found Dempsey holding on to a railing
on the aircraft. Somehow he had caught the railing and
held on for ten minutes as the plane flew 200 mph at an
altitude of 4,000 feet, and then, when landing, he kept
his head from hitting the runway, which was only 12
inches away."

In today's pressured world it is very easy to be
"sucked into" all sorts of temptations--which, if we
give in to them, could easily destroy us. So we need to
hold on tenaciously to eternal values and the eternal
life that God has given to all who have accepted Jesus
Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please give me the
strength and courage to hold on to You, to my faith,
and to eternal values no matter what trials and
temptations may come my way. Thank You for hearing and
answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus's name, amen."

1. The Apostle Paul (1 Timothy 6:12).

<)))><    
  
  NOTE: If you would like to accept God's forgiveness
  for all your sins and His invitation for a full pardon
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  please click on http://www.actsweb.org/decision.php to note this.
  
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  Daily Encounter is published at no charge by 
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  and made possible through the donations of 
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  http://www.actscom.com
  
  
  Copyright (c) 2015 by ACTS International. 
  When copying or forwarding include the following: 
  "Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2015
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Today's Daily Encounter

What We Project  

"Give and it will be given to you. A good measure,
pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be
poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it
will be measured to you."1

On one occasion when I was in a particular group, one
man constantly and bitterly complained how negatively
other people treated him.

As kindly as I could I finally said to him, "You know,
John, what we project is what we get back!"

I felt as though my words fell on "deaf, angry" ears!

The fact remains, if we constantly project negative
vibes and express negative words, that is what we will
receive in return. Also, if we constantly project
feelings of anger and express angry words, anger
responses is what we will receive in return.

On the other hand, if we constantly project loving and
warm feelings and express kind, loving and encouraging
words, that, too, is what we will receive in return.

Unless we are being persecuted because of our Christian
faith, as a general rule what we consistently project
is what we consistently get back. As Jesus also said,
"We reap what we sow."

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to realize
and accept the fact that if I am constantly feeling put
down, rejected or criticized, chances are that it may
be because of the attitude that I am projecting. Help
me see what my problem is and lead me to the help I
need to change. Thank You for hearing and answering my
prayer. Gratefully in Jesus's name, amen."

1. Jesus (Luke 6:38, NIV).

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  for all your sins and His invitation for a full pardon
  Click on: http://www.actsweb.org/invitation.php. Or
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  please click on http://www.actsweb.org/decision.php to note this.
  
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  Daily Encounter is published at no charge by 
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  and made possible through the donations of 
  interested friends. Donations can be sent at: 
  http://www.actscom.com
  
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  San Clemente, California 92673-0119
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  Phone: 949-940-9050  
  http://www.actsweb.org 
  
  Copyright (c) 2015 by ACTS International. 
  When copying or forwarding include the following: 
  "Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2015
  ACTS International.

Today's Daily Encounter

Forgiveness  

"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not
condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and
you will be forgiven."1

A friend sent me the following illustration: One of my
teachers had each one of us bring a clear plastic bag
and a sack of potatoes. For every person we refused to
forgive for whatever they did, we were told to choose a
potato, write on it the name and date, and put it in
the plastic bag.

We were then told to carry this bag with us everywhere
for two weeks, putting it beside our bed at night, on
the car seat when driving, next to our desk at work,
etc.

The hassle of lugging this around with us made it clear
what a weight we were carrying spiritually and
emotionally, and how we had to pay attention to it all
the time to not forget it and leave it in embarrassing
places.

Naturally, the condition of the potatoes deteriorated.
This was a great metaphor for the price we pay for
nursing our grudges. Too often we think of forgiveness
as a gift to the other person while it clearly is for
ourselves!

So the next time you decide you can't forgive someone,
ask yourself, Isn't your bag heavy enough?

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to forgive
all who have ever hurt me, and never nurse any
grudges--no matter what others may do to me--just as
You always forgive me. Thank You for hearing and
answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus's name, amen."

1. Jesus (Luke 6:37, NIV).

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  NOTE: If you would like to accept God's forgiveness
  for all your sins and His invitation for a full pardon
  Click on: http://www.actsweb.org/invitation.php. Or
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  please click on http://www.actsweb.org/decision.php to note this.
  
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  and made possible through the donations of 
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  http://www.actscom.com
  
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  Copyright (c) 2015 by ACTS International. 
  When copying or forwarding include the following: 
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Today's Daily Encounter

Pray Without Ceasing  

"One day Jesus told his disciples a story to illustrate
their need for constant prayer and to show them that
they must keep praying until the answer comes."1

"Help God! Help! Forgive me for my sins and save me.
And you'd better do it real quick because my mother is
about to kill me!"

This was a prayer from Jamie, a friend's granddaughter.
Jamie, a four-year old, had just applied her mother's
fingernail polish to her fingernails plus many other
places on her hands and in mother's bedroom. A not too
happy mother had sent her to the bathroom to wait until
the mess in the bedroom was cleaned up.

When mother came into the bathroom, the prayer above
was what she heard her daughter praying!

It's good for all of us to pray whenever we are in
trouble. Probably most of us do. I certainly do. As
someone has said, "There will always be prayer in
schools as long as there are exams!"

However, when we are in trouble is not the only time we
need to pray. Like me, you probably have a "friend" or
two who only calls you when they want something. As
soon as you hear their voice, you think to yourself, "I
wonder what s/he wants now?"

I don't like those kinds of "friends" and I can’t help
but wonder how God feels if the only time I come to him
is when I am in trouble or want something?

As Jesus said, we ought to pray at all times and for
many reasons--especially to express thanks and
gratitude for all the blessings God gives to us daily.

Or as the King James translation puts it, "Men ought
always to pray, and not to faint."

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please give me a thankful
heart and help me to always be faithful in my prayer
life. Help me to pray about other's needs as well as
everything in my own life, and not faint or become
weary in praying. Thank You for hearing and answering
my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus's name, amen."

1. Luke 18:1 (TLB).

<)))><    
  
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  for all your sins and His invitation for a full pardon
  Click on: http://www.actsweb.org/invitation.php. Or
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  please click on http://www.actsweb.org/decision.php to note this.
  
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  and made possible through the donations of 
  interested friends. Donations can be sent at: 
  http://www.actscom.com
  
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  P.O. Box 73545
  San Clemente, California 92673-0119
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  Phone: 949-940-9050  
  http://www.actsweb.org 
  
  Copyright (c) 2015 by ACTS International. 
  When copying or forwarding include the following: 
  "Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2015
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Today's Daily Encounter

Learning to Pray the Right Prayer  

"You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you
ask [pray], you do not receive, because you ask with
wrong motives."1

Some time ago I took a psychological test that, among
other things, measured how much I was in touch with my
major emotions of love, wonder, guilt and fear. On a
scale of 0 to 100 any score below 30 was considered
repressed.

Oops--on fear I scored 5!

This concerned me because I knew that repressed fear
could cause me to act out blindly by setting myself up
to fail at work or in relationships. I didn't want to
do that so I prayed earnestly that God would deliver me
from my buried fear. However, I realized I was praying
the wrong prayer. I was focusing on praying for
deliverance from the symptom rather than from the
cause, so I changed my prayer to: "Dear God, my real
prayer is that I don't want to face that fear. I'm too
afraid. That's why I buried it. Please give me the
courage to face and deal with the real cause/s of my
fear/s."

The point I'm making is that we need to learn to be
honest in our praying. For example, if I can't stand my
neighbor and, wanting to impress God, piously ask him
to bless my neighbor while in my heart I despise my
neighbor, which prayer does God hear? He hears what my
heart is saying. Only as I admit this can God help me
to love my neighbor and bless him through me.

By the way, it took me two years to resolve the fear
mentioned above. It was caused by the death of a sister
that I loved dearly when I was a small child. My fear
was that if I loved someone, I might lose them. In time
I discovered that I had a few more hidden fears to deal
with as well. Since facing and resolving these fears,
my close relationships have improved dramatically.

How can you tell if you have any buried fears? Look at
any symptoms in your life. Do you have a pattern of
failure at work or in relationships? Any phobias? Any
floating anxieties that you have no idea where they are
coming from? Any physical ills such as ulcers or any
addictions that you may be using to avoid facing
something you have buried?

And how do we overcome such fears? I don't know any
easy solution but for me it began with a genuine desire
to overcome them. Next, I needed to accept full
responsibility for resolving my fears and stop blaming
anyone else for them. Above all, I needed to ask God to
help me to be honest with myself, to give me the
courage to face my fears, and to lead me to the help I
needed to overcome them.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please give me the insight
and courage to see and deal with any repressed or
hidden fears in my life, and lead me to the help I need
to overcome the causes of these. Thank You for hearing
and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus's name,
amen."

1. James 4:2-3 (NIV).

<)))><    
  
  NOTE: If you would like to accept God's forgiveness
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  Click on: http://www.actsweb.org/invitation.php. Or
  if you would like to re-commit your life to Jesus Christ, 
  please click on http://www.actsweb.org/decision.php to note this.
  
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  Daily Encounter is published at no charge by 
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  and made possible through the donations of 
  interested friends. Donations can be sent at: 
  http://www.actscom.com
  
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  San Clemente, California 92673-0119
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  Phone: 949-940-9050  
  http://www.actsweb.org 
  
  Copyright (c) 2015 by ACTS International. 
  When copying or forwarding include the following: 
  "Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2015
  ACTS International.

Today's Daily Encounter

When the Problem Isn't the Problem  

"You will know the truth, and the truth will set you
free."1

John was one of the most affluent men to ever come to
me for counseling. He was a very successful medical
practitioner, but his practice had slipped badly and
his second wife was about to leave him. He had just
about everything he wanted that money could buy but was
one of the most miserable men I had ever met. His world
had almost fallen apart.

For the entire hour in that first session I sat
listening to him berate his wife. On and on he went.
Finally I said, "That's not your problem."

"What do you mean, it's not my problem?" He angrily
asked. 

"Come back next week and we'll talk about it," I said.

The same thing happened the next week, and the next,
and the next. Finally he got it. It wasn't his wife
that he was so angry at. It was his mother and he was
projecting all his pent-up anger toward her onto his
wife. Only as he faced the root cause of his problem
was he able to resolve it.

Why didn't I tell him sooner what his real problem was?
Because he needed to see it for himself and could only
do that when he was ready to quit the blame-game and
face the unresolved anger in himself.

Many of our problems, especially relational ones, are
the fruit of a deeper root--a symptom of a deeper
problem. All we see is the symptom or what counselors
call the "presenting problem." If we focus only on the
symptom, we tend to reinforce it. While we don't ignore
the symptoms, we need to face and deal with the root
cause/s so we can resolve the root problem and therein
free us from the symptoms.

And what happened to John, our doctor friend? His
marriage was saved, his practice was saved, and his
wife became a counselor.

As Jesus said, "You will know [experience] the truth
and the truth will set you free." Or to put it another
way, as long as there is any area in my life where I am
not free then to that degree I am into denial; that is,
there is some truth about me that I am not seeing
and/or facing.

Suggested prayer, "Dear God, here are the symptoms in
my life [name them]. If these are caused by something
in my life that I haven't faced and resolved, please
give me the courage and insight to see this, and the
will to do what I need to do to resolve it. Thank You
for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in
Jesus's name, amen."

1. Jesus (John 8:32).

<)))><    
  
  NOTE: If you would like to accept God's forgiveness
  for all your sins and His invitation for a full pardon
  Click on: http://www.actsweb.org/invitation.php. Or
  if you would like to re-commit your life to Jesus Christ, 
  please click on http://www.actsweb.org/decision.php to note this.
  
  * * * * * * * 
  
  Daily Encounter is published at no charge by 
  ACTS International, a non-profit organization, 
  and made possible through the donations of 
  interested friends. Donations can be sent at: 
  http://www.actscom.com
  
  ACTS International
  P.O. Box 73545
  San Clemente, California 92673-0119
  U.S.A.
  
  Phone: 949-940-9050  
  http://www.actsweb.org 
  
  Copyright (c) 2015 by ACTS International. 
  When copying or forwarding include the following: 
  "Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2015
  ACTS International.