Daily Encounter with: ACTS International

Today's Daily Encounter
I Hit Him over the Head

"Though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises
again."1

Sports Illustrated writer Jeannette Bruce once spent
two-and-a-half years taking judo lessons, progressing
steadily through the entire spectrum of self-defense
"belts."

"On one rainy night," she said, "it all seemed
worthwhile. The thing every judo student dreams of
happened to me. I was walking down Sixth Avenue about
9:00 p.m. when a man stepped out of a dark doorway and
tried to snatch my purse. How prepared I should have
been, how ready to smash him to the pavement with a
flourishing foot sweep!

"Instead . . . I hit him over the head with my
umbrella!"2

I suppose most of us can identify with Jeanette in
some way. We get a great opportunity to do something
worthwhile and blow it by doing or saying something
stupid. Or when faced with temptation, we know how to
resist the enemy because we know all the right Bible
verses to fend for ourselves. However, instead of
putting on the "whole armor of God," we seek to
overcome in our own strength--and fail miserably.

However, when we do fail, the important thing is to
get up, learn from our mistakes, and go on, having
learned to put our trust in God in every situation in
which we find ourselves. When I am tempted with bad
thoughts, knowing my vulnerability, I simply pray,
"Help, Jesus, help! Help, Jesus, help!"

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank you that when I
stumble and fall, you do not condemn me but reach out
to help me get back on my feet again. In every failure
please help me to learn from my mistakes, get up, and,
trusting in you, go on. Thank you for hearing and
answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name,
amen."

1. Proverbs 24:16 (NIV).
2. Cited in Bits & Pieces, Vol. F, 4th Quarter.

<)))><

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



Copyright (c) 2011 by ACTS International.

When copying or forwarding include the following:
"Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2011
ACTS International.

Today's Daily Encounter
Friendship

"A friend loves at all times."1

According to an article in an English magazine, "A
true friend is one who has the courage to disagree
with us when [we are] in the wrong, and advise us for
our own good, rather than let his sympathy or
sentimentality cause him to agree."

Charles Spurgeon once said, "Friendship is one of the
sweetest joys of life. Many might have failed beneath
the bitterness of their trail had they not found a
friend."

Dr. Alfred Adler, internationally known psychiatrist,
based the following conclusions on a careful analysis
of thousands of clients: "The most important task
imposed by religion has always been 'Love thy
neighbor.' It is the individual who is not interested
in his fellow man that has the greatest difficulties
in life and provides the greatest injury on others. It
is from among such individuals that all human failures
spring."

It may not be the most desirable, but it is true that
we can live without romantic love, but we cannot live
healthy without at least one loving friend.

As Dinah Craik so eloquently said, "Oh, the comfort,
the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a
person, having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure
words, but pouring them all out, just as they are,
chaff and grain together, certain that a faithful hand
will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping,
and with a breath of kindness blow the rest away."

And, oh, the priceless value of having at least one
such deep abiding friendship. Thank God for the gift
of friendship.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to be a
loving friend and be a friend to fellow sinners as you
are a loving friend to me. And help me to find at least
one loving friend with whom I can be totally open and
honest without fear of judgment or rejection. Thank
you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully,
in Jesus' name, amen."

1. Proverbs 17:17 (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) 2011 by ACTS International.

When copying or forwarding include the following:
"Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2011
ACTS International.

Today's Daily Encounter
The Man Who Robbed Himself

"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
[Jesus Christ's] appearing."1

Arthur Berry was a charming man who loved only the
finest things life had to offer. During the Roaring
'20s he was a master thief who stole from only the
wealthiest people. Berry was eventually caught and
spent the next 18 years in prison. After serving his
sentence he moved to a small town in New England where
he led a quiet life.

Some years later word got out who he was and his true
identity was revealed and a horde of reporters came to
interview the notorious thief. One reporter asked him,
"Do you remember who it was that you stole the most
from?"

Berry replied, "The person that I stole the most from
was Arthur Berry. I could have made a contribution to
society. I could have been a teacher. I could have
been a businessman. I could have done anything
worthwhile, but instead I spent two-thirds of my adult
life in prison. I have spent a lifetime robbing
myself."2

While you and I would never steal a man's property, we
may steal his reputation through idle gossip. And while
most of us will never receive notoriety through
criminal behavior, I wonder how many of us have robbed
ourselves in that, when it comes to eternal values, we
have wasted our life investing it only in earthly
possessions and things that have no eternal value. And
when we stand face to face with Jesus our Savior, will
have "nothing to offer but leaves?"

Remember, though, it is never too late to start
investing your life in eternity and eternal values. As
martyred missionary, Jim Elliot, said, "He is no fool
who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he
cannot lose."

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to so live
that my life will be an investment in eternity so that
I will not be embarrassed at your coming or when I
stand before you at the end of my life's journey.
Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer.
Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."

1. 2 Timothy 4:7-8 (NIV).
2. Rochelle Pennington, "The Golden Formula," Pathways
Press. Cited in Bits & Pieces, July 2004, p. 5.

<)))><

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) 2011 by ACTS International.

When copying or forwarding include the following:
"Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2011
ACTS International.

Today's Daily Encounter
A Voice in the Night

"Sit up!" the voice in the night said, "and take a
deep breath."

"It was a stormy night," a personal friend shared,
"and we were awakened by an extremely loud clap of
thunder. After the initial fright, checking the kids
and the house, we went back to bed and to sleep.

"Then came the voice. I was certain I heard someone
speaking. "Sit up and take in a deep breath," it said.


"I only half-awoke and thought I must have been
dreaming, so rolled over and went back to sleep."

"The voice spoke again with more insistence, 'Sit up
and take in a deep breath."'

"This is weird," I thought so again rolled over and
went back to sleep.

"'SIT UP! Take in a deep breath!' the voice spoke
again with great urgency.

"So I sat up and took in a deep breath . . . and
smelled smoke!" I was fully awake in an instant . . .
awakened my husband . . . rushed to wake the children
. . . we had the oldest one phone 911 (for emergency)
. . . my husband took over the phone . . . the
operator asked if the lights were working . . . my
husband said they were going out one room at a time.

"Get OUT of the house immediately," declared the
operator. Your house has been struck by lightning."

As quick as a flash the family rushed outside . . .
immediately the house exploded and burst into flames.
It took firemen six hours to put the fire out. The
house was totally destroyed . . . but the entire
family was saved. Talk about a wake-up call!

Surely this was a God thing. Fortunately this family
was committed followers of Jesus Christ and even
though they lost their house, their lives were saved.

God doesn't usually speak to most of us with an
audible voice. He doesn't have to because his "wake-up
call" is spoken to us repeatedly in his Word, the
Bible. "Wake up!" God says to every one of us, "Flee
from the wrath to come" (God's judgment of sin and
evil for the world that has turned from God will be
judged and purified by fire). Wake up! "It is
appointed unto man once to die and after this the
judgment." Wake up! "I will come again," Jesus
promised "to take all who believe in me to be with me
in heaven forever."

"Wake up," Jesus is coming again . . . it may be
today. Are you ready? Again Jesus said, "I stand at
the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens
the door, I will come in. . . ."

Whatever you do don't miss God's wake-up call. Have
you opened the door of life and invited Jesus, the Son
of God, to come into your heart and life as your God
and your Savior? If not, may I urge you to do that
today . . . right now . . . by praying a simple prayer
such as the following:

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, I hear your wake-up call
as faint as it may be. I confess that I am a sinner
and ask for your forgiveness. Thank you, Jesus, for
dying on the cross to pay the penalty for all my sins.
I invite you to come into my heart and life as my God
and my Savior. With your help I repent of and turn
from my sinful ways. Thank you for hearing my prayer,
for forgiving me of my sins, and for coming into my
heart and life as my Savior. Help me to live for you
always in all ways. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."

NOTE: If you prayed this prayer, please let us know by
clicking on http://tinyurl.com/pgntm and we will send
you articles (without charge) to help you in your
Christian life. (Be assured that we will never give
any information about you to any other person,
organization, or business.)

For more help Click ON:
http://www.actsweb.org/christian for the article, "How
to Be Sure You're a Real Christian--without having to
be religious."

<)))><

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) 2011 by ACTS International.

When copying or forwarding include the following:
"Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2011
ACTS International.

Today's Daily Encounter

Bible Babble

"Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test
the spirits to see whether they are from God, because
many false prophets have gone out into the world."1

Certainly God still leads, directs and communicates
with us today. However, unless the message/direction
received is from God's Word, the Bible, or in complete
harmony with it, we can be certain it is not from God.

If we use "God-talk" as a means of getting our own
way, such as in the following: "God told me it is to
be such-and-such way," or "God told me you are to be
my wife/husband," etc., etc., you can be fairly
certain it is God-talk, and not talk from God. And
when we quote Bible verses out of context to justify
the point we are making, this is nothing more than
Bible-babble.

When we make inappropriate uses of such phrases as
"Praise God" when we hit our finger with a hammer (a
good old "Ouch" is more like reality), or when we
blame God for problems that are of our own making, or
quote Bible verses as a means of avoiding personal
responsibility, we are expressing meaningless
Bible-babble.

Bible-babble may impress gullible people but it's
phony. It's another defense against facing
reality--another form of denial which is always a
self-defeating way to live. If there is one thing God
wants us to be it is to be honest and real. As his
Word says, "God desires truth."2

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, deliver me from the sin
of dishonesty, denial, and phoniness, and help me to
be always loving and real. Thank you for hearing and
answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name.
Amen."

1. 1 John 4:1 (NIV).
2. Psalm 51:6.

<)))><

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) 2011 by ACTS International.

When copying or forwarding include the following:
"Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2011
ACTS International.

Today's Daily Encounter
Healthy Doubts and Questioning

"Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the
Thessalonians, for they received the message with great
eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see
if what Paul said was true."1

John Fabre, the French naturalist, conducted an
interesting experiment with some processionary
caterpillars which are called by this name because
they blindly follow one another one by one by one.

Fabre placed caterpillar food in the center of a
flower pot and placed caterpillars end to end so they
formed a complete circle around the edge of the pot.
Round and round the caterpillars went for seven days
and nights until they dropped dead from starvation and
exhaustion--with all the food they needed only a few
inches away.

Unfortunately many people are like processionary
caterpillars in that they blindly follow a powerful or
charismatic leader, never questioning what he or she
says or teaches. This is true in false cults, certain
religious traditions, secular organizations, some
universities, politics, etc., etc.
Can you imagine questioning the Apostle Paul, the most
powerful leader in the early Church? But the Christians
in Berea did this and made sure that what he was
teaching was in line with God's Word. And they were
commended for it.

It's important that we, too, learn to study and know
the Scriptures for ourselves, and question or review
everything we are taught to make sure it is in harmony
with what God's Word teaches. While we need to respect
respectful leaders, we need to make God's Word our
"final voice of authority" and not the words of men,
no matter how high his or her position is.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please give me a love for
your Word, the Bible, and help me to know and
understand what it teaches, and be aware of and
discard all false teaching. Help me to be certain that
my beliefs and life style are in harmony with your
Word. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer.
Gratefully, in Jesus' name. Amen."

1. Acts 17:11 (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) 2010 by ACTS International.

When copying or forwarding include the following:
"Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2009
ACTS International.

Today's Daily Encounter
Saying the Same Thing Differently

"And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the
Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness
with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord,
who is the Spirit."1

A blind boy sat on the steps of a building with a hat
by his feet. He held up a sign which said: "I am
blind, please help."

There were only a few coins in the hat. A man was
walking by. He took a few coins from his pocket and
dropped them into the hat. He then took the sign,
turned it around, and wrote some words. He put the
sign back so that everyone who walked by would see the
new words.

Soon the hat began to fill up. A lot more people were
giving money to the blind boy.

That afternoon the man who had changed the sign came
to see how things were doing. The boy recognized his
voice and asked, "Were you the one who changed my sign
this morning?" and continued, "What did you write?'

The man said, "I only wrote the truth. I said what you
said but in a different way."

What he had written was: "Today is a beautiful day and
I cannot see it."

Do you think the first sign and the second sign were
saying the same thing? Of course both signs told
people the boy was blind. But the first sign simply
said the boy was blind. The second sign told people
they were so lucky that they were not blind. Should we
be surprised that the second sign was more effective?

Moral of the Story: Be thankful for what you have. Be
creative. Be innovative. Think differently and
positively. When life gives you a hundred reasons to
cry, show life that you have a thousand reasons to
smile.2

Note: Keep in mind that it is one thing to tell people
about Jesus, but a totally different thing to show
people Jesus. May we always show before we tell.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me always to
be sensitive to others' needs, and help me to be 'as
Jesus' in some way to every life I touch, so that I
will 'show or reflect you', and may this open the
opportunity to then tell people about you. Thank you
for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in
Jesus' name. Amen."

1. 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV).
2. Author Unknown. Submitted by Patricia Brown.

<)))><

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) 2010 by ACTS International.

When copying or forwarding include the following:
"Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2009
ACTS International.

Today's Daily Encounter
When Life Gets You Down

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as
members of one body you were called to peace. And be
thankful."1

A Daily Encounter reader, who had anything but peace
in her heart, writes, "I'm a follower of Jesus, but
I'm tired of being lonely, depressed and stressed out.
I want to be happy and enjoy life, and not be so
miserable. I also want to be a better mother to my
children, and to have my family back together again."

Hello Susan (name changed), unfortunately, both for
Christians and non-Christians, there are times when
life does get us down, and we need help to get up
again. When we are down and feel miserable, we need to
understand the causes for our blahs--causes that may be
physical, spiritual, relational, and/or emotional, or a
combination of any or all of these. Let's take a quick
look at each of these areas:

Physical. At times like this, it pays to have a good
physical examination by your doctor to make sure there
is nothing wrong physically, or if there is a chemical
imbalance in your body. Either one of these can be a
cause of misery and depression.

Spiritual. It is also important to make sure your life
is right with God and that you are living in harmony
with his will. For instance, unresolved guilt can
cause havoc with one's emotions. Thus, any and all
sins need to be confessed and resolved so that you
know in your heart that you have been forgiven by God.
See below for further help in this area.

Relational. Quite possibly, the number one reason for
unhappiness in life is impaired relationships. Thus,
wherever possible, it is critical that any and all
impaired relationships are resolved. Unfortunately, it
isn't always possible to resolve broken relationships
especially when the other person involved isn't
interested in fixing the relationship or has died.
Even the Bible acknowledges that it isn't always
possible to live at peace with everyone.2 When this is
the case, it is imperative that we do all that we can
to resolve our side of the conflict and not harbor any
negative, hurt, or angry feelings. Sometimes
professional counseling is needed at times like this.

Emotional. Furthermore, if one's depression is
long-standing and the cause is not physical,
relational, or spiritual, it is advisable to see a
skilled professional counselor. For suggested helps in
this area check our website for counseling resources
at: http://www.actsweb.org/counseling_resources.php

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, whenever I am feeling
down, miserable, lonely, sick and/or depressed, please
help me to see the real cause/s--including any
unresolved issues within me--and lead me to the help I
need to resolve my problem. Thank you for hearing and
answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name,
amen."

For additional helps:

For spiritual help be sure to read "Forgiveness: the
Power That Heals" at:
http://tinyurl.com/forgive-to-heal and/or the article,
"How to Be Sure You're a Real Christian" at
www.actsweb.org/christian.

For emotional help, see articles on our website at:
www.actsweb.org/recovery.

1. Colossians 3:15 (NIV).
2. Romans 12:18 (NIV), "If it is possible, as far as
it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."

<)))><

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) 2010 by ACTS International.

When copying or forwarding include the following:
"Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2009
ACTS International.

Today's Daily Encounter
Risk

"Now then, just as the LORD promised, he has kept me
[Caleb] alive for forty-five years since the time he
said this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the
desert. So here I am today, eighty-five years old! I
am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out;
I'm just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was
then. Now give me this hill country that the LORD
promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the
Anakites were there and their cities were large and
fortified, but, the LORD helping me, I will drive them
out just as he said".1

Caleb, because of his faith and determination was
certainly a risk-taker. If we are not willing to risk
losing by stepping out of our comfort zone to fulfill
God's will for our life, we will lose all that God has
in store for us. Or, as William Arthur Ward expressed
it so poetically:

To Risk

"To laugh is to risk appearing a fool,
To weep is to risk appearing sentimental.
To reach out to another is to risk involvement,
To expose feelings is to risk exposing your true self.
To place your ideas and dreams before a crowd is to
risk their loss.
To love is to risk not being loved in return,
To live is to risk dying,
To hope is to risk despair,
To try is to risk failure.
But risks must be taken because the greatest hazard in
life is to risk nothing.
The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has
nothing, is nothing.
He may avoid suffering and sorrow,
But he cannot learn, feel, change, grow or live.
Chained by his servitude he is a slave who has
forfeited all freedom.
Only a person who risks is free.
The pessimist complains about the wind;
The optimist expects it to change;
And the realist adjusts the sails."

As another has said, "Nothing ventured, nothing
gained. The timid soul asks, 'What do I stand to lose
if I do it?' The fruit-bearing Christian asks, 'What
do I stand to lose if I don't do it?' Real life is
lived on the cutting edge."

What will you and I risk for God and his work here on
earth?

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, you didn't merely risk
your life for me. You gave it willingly. Because you
died for me, help me to risk living life to the full
for you. Help me to always remember that 'he is no
fool who gives up that which he cannot keep in order
to gain that which he cannot lose.' Thank you for
hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus'
name. Amen."

1. Joshua 14:10-12 (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) 2010 by ACTS International.

When copying or forwarding include the following:
"Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2009
ACTS International.

Today's Daily Encounter
Lessons from a Lizzard

"A lizard can be caught with the hand, yet it is found
in king's palaces."1

What could a tiny lizard possibly teach us? For one
thing it can teach us the rewards of persistence.

It has been said that "the race is not always to the
swift but to those who keep on running." This
principle certainly applies to fulfilling our
God-given life-purpose and achieving our human and
spiritual potential. We don't have to be geniuses to
do this, but we do need to be persistent and keep on
keeping on regardless of our circumstances.

The Apostle Paul experienced all sorts of trials and
setbacks. He was shipwrecked, stoned and left for
dead, whipped and beaten, thrown in jail for preaching
the gospel of Jesus Christ. He knew firsthand what it
was to experience loneliness, cold and hunger. He
wrote some of his great letters to the churches while
he was in prison--as did John Bunyan with his book,
Pilgrim's Progress, when he was in prison.

I listened to a preacher some time ago, a preacher who
had cerebral palsy and struggled with every sentence he
spoke. I was deeply moved. God used this man to
influence hundreds of lives for all eternity. If ever
I saw persistence it was in this man. In spite of his
debilitating handicap, he reached his top and was
maximizing his full potential.

God has a plan and a life-purpose for every one of us.
To achieve it will take dedication, commitment, hard
work and persistence. As Paul said, "It is God himself
in his mercy who has given us this wonderful work . . .
and so we never give up."2

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, in the midst of setbacks
and the disappointments of life, please give me the
gift of persistence to never give up the challenge to
become what you want me to be and to keep on doing
what you want me to do. Thank you for hearing and
answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name.
Amen."

1. Proverbs 30:28 (NIV).
2. 2 Corinthians 4:1 (TLB)(NLT).

<)))><

NOTE: If you would like to accept God's forgiveness
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Click on: http://www.actsweb.org/invitation.php. Or
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Daily Encounter is published at no charge by
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When copying or forwarding include the following:
"Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2009
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Today's Daily Encounter

.Afraid to Love

"He who fears has not been made perfect in love."1

Everybody needs to love and be loved. We all know this, but what we don't always realize is that some of us don't get our love needs met because we're afraid to love and be loved. This is because somewhere in our past we were hurt by those who were supposed to love us. To love again means to be hurt again.

Take Jill for example. She was continually accusing Tom, her husband, of being over-interested in other women. Any friendliness Tom showed toward the opposite sex was misinterpreted by Jill based on her own fear.

Through counseling, Jill came to see that her fear belonged to her past. When she was very young, her father left her mother for another woman and abandoned her as well. Deep down Jill feared that Tom would do the same to her.

Tom loved Jill very much and had no intention of leaving her. Neither did he have any personal interest in any other woman. However, because of Jill projecting her fear on to Tom, her accusations were pushing him away. Had she not realized and received help to overcome her problem, she may very well have destroyed her marriage and the love she needed the most. Unless resolved, all too often the thing we fear we make to happen.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to recognize any unresolved fears in my life that may be hurting myself or others, and to find the help I need to overcome so I can be made perfect in love. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name. Amen."

1. 1 John 4:18 (NKJV).

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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Copyright (c) 2010 by ACTS International.

When copying or forwarding include the following:
"Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2009
ACTS International.
.

Today's Daily Encounter
Conscience

"David was conscience stricken after he had counted
the fighting men, and he said to the Lord, 'I have
sinned greatly in what I have done. Now, O Lord, I beg
you, take away the guilt of your servant. I have done a
very foolish thing.'"1

David was conscience stricken because he knew he had
disobeyed the Lord's directives. Have you ever noticed
how some people, no matter what they do, don't seem to
have a conscience, or have a dead conscience and
justify their every action? And then there is the
philosophy that says, "If it feels good, do it." And
this is supposed to make it right? This is pure
nonsense.

Everybody is born with a conscience that is programmed
very much by the way we are brought up. The word
con-science literally means with-knowledge. If we grew
up in a rigid, legalistic and punitive home or
church/religion, chances are we will have a rigid,
legalistic, punitive conscience. On the other hand, if
we grew up in a very liberal environment, we may do
things that God's Word teaches are sinful and not feel
a tinge of conscience.

As a result of faulty teaching, some people feel
guilty when they shouldn't and don't feel guilty when
they should. On the other hand, people who
consistently ignore the voice of their conscience can
end up anesthetizing or deadening it, which is a
dangerous way to live. Some of these people become
psychopaths.

To have a healthy conscience, first we need to
deprogram the rigid legalism and other faulty input
and teaching we received in the past as well as our
rationalization of actions we knew very well were
wrong. Then we need to reprogram our conscience with
knowledge based on what God's Word teaches as right
and wrong. Repetition, repetition, repetition in our
mind of these truths and these principles is how we
reprogram our conscience.

To reinforce this programming it is imperative that we
consistently do what we know is right regardless of how
we feel. Remember, a healthy con-science is
with-knowledge, not with-or-about-feelings.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please give me the good
sense to learn what is right according to the
principles as found in your Word, and the help to
always follow your directives in thought, word, and
deed. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer.
Gratefully, in Jesus' name. Amen."

1. 2 Samuel 24:10 (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,
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Daily Encounter is published at no charge by
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Copyright (c) 2010 by ACTS International.

When copying or forwarding include the following:
"Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2009
ACTS International.

Today's Daily Encounter
Life's Most Important Choice

Note: The corrected copy of Tuesday's Daily Encounter,
"A Call to Discipleship," is online at
http://www.actsweb.org/daily.php?id=1810 My apologies
re my mistake.


"Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve. .
. . But as for me and my house, we will serve the
LORD."1

Floyd Lane, a talented basketball player who attended
"City College in New York in 1951, accepted a
$3,000.00 bribe to shave points in just three games.
Because other players were doing this, he decided to
go with the group."

Big mistake. He and the other players got caught,
arrested, and expelled from school. For the next
twenty-three years Lane was unable to get a job as a
player or a coach in sports because of what he had
done. Finally, in 1974, his old college employed him
as a coach.

When we make mistakes, which we all do from time to
time, it's encouraging to know that we still have a
choice to put things right. Fortunately, when we admit
what we have done, God forgives us. The next step is to
put things right, and to make sure we deal with and
resolve the root cause of our mistakes so we don't
keep repeating the same mistakes and making bad
choices.

More important is that we don't make bad choices in
the first place because it is "choice, not chance,
that determines our destiny." All of us are where we
are today based on the choices--good and bad--that we
have made in the past. Furthermore, where we will be
in five, ten, fifteen, twenty years time--and in
eternity--will be based on the choices we have made or
will make today and in the future.

Above all, when it comes to eternity--life after
death--as the Bible urges, choose carefully and wisely
whom you will serve. Be absolutely sure you have your
"passport for heaven." You can see how to obtain yours
by going to: http://www.actsweb.org/art_passport.htm.
Whatever you do, don't leave earth without it.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank you that we have a
choice about life after death and that you have
provided the way of salvation by giving your Son,
Jesus, to die for my sins. Please help me to know with
certainty that my sins are forgiven and that I have my
'passport for heaven.' Thank you for hearing and
answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name.
Amen."

Note: For further help read the article, "Life After
Death" at: http://tinyurl.com/8brzh

1. Joshua 24:15 (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
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and made possible through the donations of
interested friends. Donations can be sent at:
http://www.actscom.com


Copyright (c) 2010 by ACTS International.

When copying or forwarding include the following:
"Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2009
ACTS International.

Today's Daily Encounter
A Call to Discipleship

"Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in
heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go
and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in
the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy
Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have
commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the
very end of the age.'"1

To be a true follower of Jesus, we are commissioned by
him, not just to be a casual believer, but to be a
disciple. So what is a disciple?

According to Webster's Dictionary a disciple is a
"pupil or follower of any teacher or school of
religion, learning, art, etc." Pastor Tod Bolsinger
takes it a step further. His definition of a disciple
is "one who learns what the teacher knows so you can
be like, and do, what the teacher knows and does."

Thus, as a disciple of Christ we are to learn from
him, obey his teachings, and do what he does. In other
words, we need to be an example of him in the way we
live, talk, act, and reach out to others--and to make
other disciples. The Apostle Paul said, "Follow my
example, as I follow the example of Christ."2 We, too,
need to follow the example of Christ so that others,
seeing Jesus in us, will want to be a disciple of
Jesus too.

Furthermore, to be a disciple of Jesus, we need to
count the cost. With God's help, regardless of the
opposition, we need to take a stand for truth as
defined by God's Word, and take a stand for that which
is right, for that which is moral, and for that which
is just. It also means that we will take a stand
against all falsehoods, evil, immorality, and
injustice. [Dick, fix this sentence; do you mean "the
day is coming--. . .--when to stand up for what God's
Word teaches could very well cause us to be charged. .
. ?]To count the cost we need to realize that the day
is coming--and getting closer all the time--that to
take a stand for what God's Word teaches we may very
well be charged with hate crimes that will be
punishable by law. [also this one??]The important
thing is that whatever we do is to take a stand in
love and not in hatred.

Remember, too, that people who don't take a stand for
something worthwhile are just as likely to fall for
anything that is worthless. In today's ever-increasing
anti-God morass, there is an urgent need for Christians
to stand up and be counted as genuine disciples of
Jesus Christ. His call to you and me today is just as
relative and equally imperative as it was to his early
followers.

If you haven't already done so, with God's help will
you make a commitment today to be a true disciple of
Jesus? Will you stand for truth as proclaimed by the
Word of God? Will you discipline yourself to read,
learn and understand what God's Word, the Bible,
teaches so you will know how to live for Jesus Christ
in your everyday life? Will you commit to faithfully
serve God in a church that is true to the Word of God?
Will you give to financially support, not only your
local church, but also missions that are committed to
doing God's work, to organizations that are spreading
the saving gospel of Jesus Christ, and to
organizations that are helping the truly needy? Will
you also commit to doing what you can to share the
gospel with others to help bring them to Jesus? For
practical helps to do this please go to:
www.actsweb.org/people_power02.php.

Note for Carol: Do you know of an excellent and simple
book to help people to study the Bible especially for
new Christians? How about Henrietta Mears' book What
the Bible is all About from your old friend, Regal
Books?

If so, will you please pray the following prayer:
"Dear God, today I come to you just as I am--warts and
all--and, regardless of the cost, I commit my life to
you to be a true disciple of Jesus Christ. So help me
God. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer.
Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."

If you prayed this prayer and sincerely meant it, will
you please tell a friend of your commitment to be a
true disciple of Jesus, and will you also let us know
by filling in the form online at:
www.actsweb.org/decision2.php?

Jesus also said, "Now that you know these things, you
will be blessed if you do them."3

1. Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV).
2. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
3. John 13:17.

<)))><

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
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and made possible through the donations of
interested friends. Donations can be sent at:
http://www.actscom.com

Copyright (c) 2010 by ACTS International.

When copying or forwarding include the following:
"Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2009
ACTS International.

Today's Daily Encounter
Hands of Christ

"But we Christians have no veil over our faces; we can
be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the
Lord."1

Following World War II some German students
volunteered to help rebuild a cathedral in England,
one that had been badly damaged by the Luftwaffe
bombings. As the work progressed, they weren't sure
how to best restore a large statue of Jesus with his
arms outstretched and bearing the familiar
inscription, "Come unto me."

They were able to repair all the damage to the statue
except for Christ's hands which had been completely
destroyed. Should they even attempt to rebuild these?

Finally, the workers reached a decision that still
stands today. They decided to leave the hands off and
changed the inscription to read: "Christ has no hands
but ours."

While Christ purchased our salvation on the cross with
his life, he left the "hands on" work of building his
kingdom in your hands and mine. We are his
representatives and for many the only Christ they will
ever see is "the Christ" in you and me. A poster on the
office wall at Wheaton College says it well:

The living truth is what I long to see, I cannot live
on what used to be, So close your bible and show me
how The Christ you talk about is living now.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, I'm available, please use
me to be 'your hands' and help me to be as Christ today
to my loved ones, friends, contacts and every life I
touch. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer.
Gratefully, in Jesus' name. Amen."

1. 2 Corinthians 3:18 (TLB)(NLT).

<)))><

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
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and made possible through the donations of
interested friends. Donations can be sent at:
http://www.actscom.com


Copyright (c) 2010 by ACTS International.

When copying or forwarding include the following:
"Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2009
ACTS International.

Today's Daily Encounter
On Being Single-Minded

"A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways."1

It has been said that if you stand for something
worthwhile, you will have some people for you and some
against you. If you stand for nothing, you will not
have anybody against you, but neither will have anyone
for you.

In today's society there is tremendous pressure to be
open-minded and politically correct. That is, to
accept just about every belief except for
Christianity--and for what Christians stand for. To
agree with the latter means to be identified as
narrow-minded, rigid and fanatical.

What many don't realize is that if you stand for
nothing, you can fall for anything. Or as E. Stanley
Jones put it, "The difference between a swamp and a
river is that a river has banks, and a swamp has
none--it spreads over everything. Some people are
rivers: they know where they want to go, and they
confine themselves to the banks that lead to that
goal. But some people are swamps: they spread over
everything; their minds are so open they cannot hold a
conviction."

I'd much rather be a "river for God" and know where I
stand and where I'm headed and be labeled
narrow-minded than be a swamp for "anything goes" and
be politically correct and popular with the crowd.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, help me to always live to
please you and not the crowd. Give me the courage to
stand for what you teach as moral and right, and stand
against that which you condemn. Thank you for hearing
and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name.
Amen."

1. James 1:8.

<)))><

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
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and made possible through the donations of
interested friends. Donations can be sent at:
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Copyright (c) 2010 by ACTS International.

When copying or forwarding include the following:
"Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2009
ACTS International.

Today's Daily Encounter
Agree with Your Adversary Quickly

"Agree with your adversary quickly."1

I have read how, on one occasion, the English
evangelist George Whitefield (1714-1770) received a
very critical letter accusing him of doing something
wrong. His reply was brief and to the point: "I thank
you heartily for your letter. As for what you and my
other enemies are saying against me, I know worse
about myself than you will ever say about me. With
love in Christ, George Whitefield."

Whitefield didn't defend himself, probably because he
wasn't guilty of what he was being accused of doing.
Very often the guiltier we are, the more defensive we
become. Or we can become very defensive if we are more
concerned about our image than we are about pleasing
God, or if we are very insecure and have a need to
appear "perfect" in our own eyes and those of others.
In so doing the only person I fool is me.

I've been called a few rather demeaning things on more
than one occasion. My immediate response has been,
"Yes, sometimes I am." On these occasions I had no
need to get defensive because I didn't feel threatened
or guilty. Even if I had been guilty of what I had been
accused of doing, it would have been more constructive
to admit my guilt and do all I could to put things
right.

I think what today's Scripture is saying is that in
all conflict situations it is much more constructive
to find a point of agreement with your adversary as
quickly as possible.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me when I am
being accused or criticized, not to be defensive, but
to find a point of agreement, and also to admit when I
am in the wrong and do what I can to put things right.
Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer.
Gratefully, in Jesus' name. Amen."

1. Matthew 5:25.

<)))><

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
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Copyright (c) 2010 by ACTS International.

When copying or forwarding include the following:
"Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2009
ACTS International.

Today's Daily Encounter
Rising Above Discouragement

"Hope deferred makes the heart sick; but when dreams
come true at last, there is life and joy."1

"These boys won't make it. Go back to Liverpool, Mr.
Epstein, you have a good business there." This is what
a recording company executive told the Beatle's manager
at their first audition!

"That kid can't play baseball. He can't pull the
ball," is what the manager of the Brave's Triple A
team said about Hank Aaron in 1952. Aaron went on to
hit 755 home runs, breaking all previous records.

Remember, no matter what the critics say, in God's
economy, everybody has a purpose and everybody has
something of value to offer. Never give up until you
know what your talent is; then sharpen it, dedicate it
to God, and give it all you've got. Take courage.
Nothing you do for God will ever be in vain. Remember,
too, that one of the greatest ways we can serve God is
by helping others--and every one of us can do that
every day.

Also, as long as what you are choosing to do is in
harmony with God's will, then dream big dreams, work
hard, trust God and in time you will reap what you sow
and be richly rewarded. Know your God-given dreams and
keep hope alive no matter what the setbacks and never
ever give up.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to know my
God-given life purpose and dream. Help me to be
faithful to this calling and keep hope alive so that I
will never give up and in due course will receive the
reward that comes from serving you. Thank you for
hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus'
name. Amen."

1. Proverbs 13:12 (TLB)(NLT).

<)))><

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
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and made possible through the donations of
interested friends. Donations can be sent at:
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Copyright (c) 2010 by ACTS International.

When copying or forwarding include the following:
"Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2009
ACTS International.

Today's Daily Encounter
Opportunity Disguised

"Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to
all people, especially to those who belong to the
family of believers."1

A young man, accepted for the African missionary
field, reported at New York for "passage," but found
on further examination that his wife could not stand
the climate in Africa. He was heartbroken, but he
prayerfully returned to his home and determined to
make all the money he could to be used on spreading
the Kingdom of God over the world. His father, a
dentist, had started to make, on the side, an
unfermented wine for the [church] communion service.
The young man took the business over and developed it
until it assumed vast proportions--his name was
"Welch," whose family still manufactures "grape
juice."2

As the old saying goes, "When God closes one door, he
opens another." True, it can be a challenging time
"waiting in the hallway" for the next door to open,
but as long as we commit and trust our life and way to
God every day, in good time the next door will open. Of
this we can be sure--during the waiting time there is
always a lesson of some kind that God is seeking to
teach us and wanting us to learn.

Sometimes it takes a crushing disappointment to make
us effective and fruitful and ready for the next door
to open.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to see in
every disappointment and setback what you are seeking
to teach me. Help me to learn that lesson so that I
will be ready and prepared for any new door or
opportunity you may open for me. Thank you for hearing
and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name.
Amen."

1. Gal. 6:10 (NIV).
2. The Presbyterian Advance, cited in Encyclopedia of
7700 Illustrations, Paul Lee Tan, p. 479.
<)))><

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
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interested friends. Donations can be sent at:
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Copyright (c) 2010 by ACTS International.

When copying or forwarding include the following:
"Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2009
ACTS International.

Today's Daily Encounter
God of the Ordinary

"Not many of you were wise by human standards; not
many were influential; not many were of noble birth.
But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame
the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to
shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this
world and the despised things--and the things that are
not--to nullify the things that are, so that no one may
boast before him."1

"Down the streets of Portsmouth [more than two]
hundred years ago," said Lt. General Ira C. Eaker in a
speech he was making, "walked a sailor with one arm,
one eye, a persistent state of nerves, and unable to
tread a ship's deck without being seasick. Indeed he
would probably have been in a home for the incurable
were not his name Admiral Lord Nelson. The man's
spirit drove the flesh. The point is, when weighing
the characteristics of a leader, remember a stout
spirit can drive a weak body a long way."

I believe this same principle applies to all who seek
to live in harmony with God's will and serve him; that
is to people with the right attitude and a determined
spirit.

When God says that not many of those he uses to do his
work are wise or influential by the world's standard, I
don't believe he is saying that we shouldn't be
prepared or well qualified. What he is saying is that
he uses ordinary people who are available, who use the
gifts they have and have stick-ability, a stout spirit,
and hang in and hang on when the going gets tough, but
don't hang up! These are those who trust in God, who
believe in a noble cause--God's cause--and dedicate
their lives to help fulfill it; and who know at the
end they will be welcomed into Heaven by Jesus himself
with his words, "Well done good and faithful servant .
. . enter into the joy of your Lord!"2

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank you that you choose
and use ordinary people to do extra-ordinary as well as
ordinary tasks for your Kingdom. I am available and
pray that you will use me to be a part of what you are
doing in the world today. No matter how small or large
my calling may be, help me to be faithful, and give me
a stout, determined spirit so that I will never give
up. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer.
Gratefully, in Jesus' name. Amen."

1. 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 (NIV).
2. Matthew 25:23.

<)))><

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:
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Copyright (c) 2010 by ACTS International.

When copying or forwarding include the following:
"Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2009
ACTS International.

Today's Daily Encounter
Where My Dad Goes I Go

"Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but
bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the
Lord."1

Bill Snell was a very successful businessman, the
president of a civic club, and a member of the local
school board. He was also a devoted family man, and
was especially close to his son, Jerry. Whenever
possible, Jerry loved to go with his father wherever
he went, and would often go to work with him at his
furniture store. He became known as Mr. Jerry by many
of the customers.

However, one place Bill would never go with his wife
and Jerry was to Church and Sunday school claiming
that he was too busy. This greatly disappointed Jerry
who loved church and Sunday school.

One Sunday Jerry's Sunday school teacher asked him,
"When you get to heaven, what are you going to do
first?" Without hesitation, Jerry replied, "I'm not
going to heaven! I'm going with my dad. We go
everywhere together."

Soon after this Jerry's Sunday school teacher told
Bill what his son had said when he asked him about
Heaven. "That's just like him," Bill said, "he always
wants to be with me."

"And where are you going Bill," Jerry's teacher gently
asked him. "Where are you taking Jerry?" Bill knew
exactly what she meant but felt too ashamed to answer.


The question plagued Bill. The thought, "Where am I
taking my son," kept playing over and over in his
mind. Fortunately, soon after, Bill accepted Jesus as
his Savior and knew then that he and Jerry would both
be going to Heaven and be together forever.2

A timely question for all parents is, "Where are you
taking your children?"1

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to so live
that my children, my loved ones, my friends, and my
contacts will know that I am a true follower of Jesus
and that they too will want to go where I'm going
knowing that their sins are also forgiven, and that
they have been given the gift of eternal life by
accepting Jesus as their Savior. Thank you for hearing
and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name,
amen."

NOTE: For help in knowing where you are going, be sure
to read the article, "How to Be Sure You're a
Christian."

1. Ephesians 6:4 (NASB).
2. Adapted from KneEmail #670.
http://www.oakhillcoc.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.

* * * * * * *

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) 2010 by ACTS International.

When copying or forwarding include the following:
"Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2009
ACTS International.

Today's Daily Encounter
Scary Leap of Faith
"The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are
the everlasting arms."1
Brennan Manning, in his book, The Ragamuffin Gospel,
tells about a child caught on the second floor of his
house when it was on fire. The family members were all
running out of the house when the smallest boy panicked
and ran back upstairs.
Terrified, he screamed from a smoke-filled window.
Below his father could see him and cried out, "Jump,
Son, jump! I'll catch you."
"But I can't see you," the boy cried.
"I know," the father called, "but I can see you."
Many a time when we are in difficult situations and
panic on the inside, if not on the outside, we long
for God to help us. Not being able to see him or sense
his presence, we don't know what to do. However, let us
always remember that God is there regardless of our
sight or our feelings, and he can see and hear us.
When we call on him for help and choose to put our
trust in him, he hears our prayer no matter how feeble
it is, and will help us. Underneath are his everlasting
arms and he "is our refuge and strength, a very present
help in trouble."2
And that may be all we need to know.
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to trust
you when darkness surrounds me and I am lost and do
not know the way. Thank you for hearing and answering
my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name. Amen."
1. Deuteronomy 33:27 (NIV).
2. Psalm 46:1 (KJV).
<)))><

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) 2010 by ACTS International.

When copying or forwarding include the following:
"Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2009
ACTS International.

Today's Daily Encounter
Still the Best Policy
"Have you ever ordered the morning to begin, or shown
the dawn where its place was?. . . . Can you bring out
the stars on time?. . . . Can you shout an order to the
clouds and cover yourself with a flood of water? Can
you send lightning bolts on their way?. . . . Job, are
you the one who gives the horse its strength or puts a
flowing mane on its neck?"1
A store manager overheard a clerk saying to a
customer, "No, ma'am, we haven't had any for some
weeks now, and it doesn't look as if we'll be getting
any soon."
Alarmed by what was being said, the manager rushed
over to the customer who was walking out the door and
said, "That isn't true, ma'am. Of course, we'll have
some soon. In fact, we placed an order for it a couple
of weeks ago."
Then the manager drew the clerk aside and growled,
"Never, never, never, never say we don't have
something. If we don't have it, say we ordered it and
it's on its way. Now, what was it she wanted?"
The clerk smiled and said, "Rain."2
Job, in the midst of all his sufferings,
understandably questioned God and, like most of the
rest of us, had to learn the hard way that there are
many things we can't order, change, fix, or do. Job
began to get on top of his painful circumstances only
as he accepted his situation and chose to trust God.
"Though He [God] slay me," Job said, "yet will I trust
Him."3
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to know
what I can do, but also be aware of my human
limitations while all the while appreciating more and
more your unfathomable greatness, goodness, mercy and
love. And please help me to remember that honesty is
still and always will be the best policy. Thank you
for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in
Jesus' name, amen."
1. Job 38:12, 32, 34-35; 39:19 (NIV).
2. Alan Smith, White House, Tennessee.
www.TFTD-online.com.
3. Job 13:15 (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


Copyright (c) 2010 by ACTS International.

When copying or forwarding include the following:
"Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2009
ACTS International.

Today's Daily Encounter
Freedom of Religion Vs Freedom of Worship
"We [the High Priest] gave you strict orders not to
teach in this name," he said. "Yet you have filled
Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to
make us guilty of this man's blood." Peter and the
other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than
men!"1
In his weekly American News Commentary Jerry Beavan
wrote, "We pointed out that since November, 2009, Mr.
Xxxxx and his people have been using the term "Freedom
of Worship," instead of the traditional "Freedom of
Religion" as provided in the United States
Constitution. In 2009, two clergymen, Dr. Gary Dull
and Rev. David Kistler, announced in Washington the
formation of The Faith and Freedom Institute (TFFI),
to stress the Christian principles which have made
America great. . . . TFFI points out that "Freedom of
Worship" would force people to practice their faith
behind closed doors."2
"Freedom of Worship" can be extremely deceptive in
that it can totally eliminate "Freedom of Religion."
Freedom of worship means we would be free to worship
as we please in the privacy of our own home but not
necessarily anywhere else. Furthermore, without
freedom of religion preaching against certain
behaviors that God's Word condemns and calls sin,
could be labeled as hate crimes and, as such, be
punishable by law that could include a prison term.
Freedom of worship could, in time, prohibit the
preaching of the Gospel and Word of God in churches
and in any public place or arena throughout the
country.
Be not deceived, politicians can be extremely gifted
in the use of words to deny reality and deceive the
masses. The thin end of the wedge for controlling what
churches can or cannot preach in the years ahead is
already being forged.
Recently I received an email message from a young man
in a Muslim country where there is no freedom of
religion. This fellow wanted to know how he could pray
to Jesus, telling me that if he got caught, he would
get his throat slit. For Muslims, praying means
praying out loud and often in public. So I told him
that he could safely pray to Jesus in the privacy of
his own dwelling if he were alone, or just in the
quiet of his mind and heart.
With the ever increasing anti-Christian attitude by so
many here in North America wanting to get rid of God
and every vestige of Christianity from the public
arena, if/when we are forbidden to speak out against
and/or preach the full council of God's Word, will we,
like the disciples of Jesus also say, "We must obey God
rather than men" and be willing to pay the
consequences?
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, no matter what the future
holds, please give me the courage to stay true to you
and your Word no matter what the cost may be. So help
me God. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer.
Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
1. Acts 5:28-29 (NIV).
2. The American News Commentary, July 28, 2010. To
subscribe (no subscription charge), click on:
american_news-subscribe@yahoogroups.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.

* * * * * * *

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) 2010 by ACTS International.

When copying or forwarding include the following:
"Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2009
ACTS International.
---
Today's Daily Encounter
Persistence Pays
"And so, since God in his mercy has given us this
wonderful ministry, we never give up."1
Jacob Riis wrote, "I'd look at one of my stone-cutters
hammering away at a rock, perhaps a hundred times
without as much as a crack showing in it. Yet, at the
hundred and first blow, it would split in two, and I
knew it was not that blow that did it, but all that
had gone before."2
Like the Apostle Paul, if we are to live a meaningful
life that will reap eternal rewards, we too, need to
have a worthwhile purpose for which to live. When we
know that our purpose is in harmony with God's will,
it is imperative that we never give up working to
fulfill that purpose. In time, we will reap if we
don't faint. Certainly we will have setbacks,
disappointments, and failures, but remember the only
real failure is not to get back up one more time than
we've fallen or been knocked down.
Like Michelangelo who said, "I saw the angel in the
marble and carved until I set him free," we need to
see in our mind's eye our God-given life purpose and
keep "carving and hammering away" until it is
achieved.
As God's Word also says, "Let us not become weary in
doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a
harvest if we do not give up."3
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to see
clearly your purpose for my life and keep 'hammering
away' until that purpose, with your help, is fulfilled
in my life. And grant that my life will thus help
others and bring glory to you so that I will never
feel that I have lived my life in vain. Thank you for
hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus'
name, amen."
1. 2 Corinthians 4:1 (NLT).
2. Jacob A. Riis. Cited on: Inspire,
http://www.inspirelist.com/
3. Galatians 6:9 (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) 2010 by ACTS International.

When copying or forwarding include the following:
"Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2009
ACTS International.

Today's Daily Encounter
Where is God? Part III
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with
God, and the Word [Jesus Christ] was God. He was with
God in the beginning. Through him all things were
made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
. . . The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among
us." 4
Besides revealing himself through creation, God has
also shown himself through the human soul. As well as
being a physical, rational, and emotional being, man
is a spiritual being with a living soul in which is
implanted a consciousness of God. This consciousness
is made up of a "religious and moral instinct" which
acknowledges a supreme being upon whom man is
dependent and to whom he is responsible.5
Anselm, the famous Italian theologian who lived in the
eleventh century, stated that the idea of God in the
mind is proof that God exists. Pascal, the French
physicist and philosopher who lived in the seventeenth
century, spoke about the "God-shaped vacuum in every
life that only God can fill."
Furthermore, if God didn't exist in the mind of the
atheist, why would he feel compelled to disprove God's
existence?
God has also revealed himself to us through his Word,
the Bible. The Bible doesn't seek to prove God's
existence. It accepts it as fact and simply says, "In
the beginning God. . . ."6
In the Bible God speaks with authority, stating that
it is his Word and that he is the one and only God.7
It is God's written message to mankind. Fulfillment of
scores of prophecies in accurate detail, some of which
were written hundreds of years ahead of their
fulfillment, is sufficient evidence to confirm the
validity of the Bible.
God can be seen in creation, in the human soul, and in
the Bible, but his final and clearest revelation of
himself to us is in his Son, Jesus Christ.8 Not only
is Jesus the Son of God, but also God the Son.
Referring to Jesus, John the disciple wrote, "In the
beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and
the Word was God . . . . The Word became flesh and
lived among us."9
When Philip, a disciple of Jesus, asked to see God,
Jesus said, "He who has seen me has seen the Father
[God]."10
In life we all see and believe basically what we want
to see and believe. If we want to see and believe in
God, we can. If we don't want to see him, we won't.
Most people do believe in God but it is an entirely
different experience to find and relate to him
personally. The only way to do this is through Jesus
Christ.
As Jesus himself said, "I am the way, the truth, and
life; no man comes to the Father [God] except through
me."11
It is our sin that has separated us from God and
prevented us from finding him. But because God loved
us, he gave his Son, Jesus, to die for us and thereby
pay the penalty for our sins, which is death.
To find and know God is very simple. You can do this
right where you are. Simply pray and confess your
sinfulness to God, tell him that you believe Jesus
died on the cross to pay the just penalty for all your
sins, ask God to forgive you for all your sins, and
invite Jesus to come into your heart and life as your
personal Lord and Savior. When you do this, God
forgives you for all your sins, cancels your guilt and
gives you the gift of eternal life. His invitation is
to all who will come.12
For help to find and know God, read, "How to Be Sure
You're a Real Christian . . . without having to be
religious" at: www.actsweb.org/christian.
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank you for all the
revelations of yourself given to mankind, but most of
all I thank you for revealing yourself through Jesus,
the Christ, and how he gave his life on the cross as a
ransom to pay the penalty for all my sins. Please
forgive me for all my sins. I do believe and accept
you, Jesus, as my Savior and my Lord. Please help me
to live for you always in all ways. Thank you for your
forgiveness and the gift of eternal life, and for
hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus'
name, amen."
If you prayed this prayer and truly meant it, please
let us know at www.actsweb.org/decision.php and we
will send you practical articles to help you in your
Christian life--all without charge.
4. John 1:1-3, 14 (NIV).
5. See Genesis 2:7; Acts 17:22-28 and Romans 2:14-15.
6. Genesis 1:1.
7. See 2 Timothy 3:16 and Mark 12:29.
8. Hebrews 1:1-2.
9. John 1:1,14.
10. John 14:9.
11. John 14:6.
12. Revelation 22:17.
<)))><

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) 2010 by ACTS International.

When copying or forwarding include the following:
"Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2009
ACTS International.