Daily Encounter with: ACTS International

Today's Daily Encounter

Procrastination  

"When I find it convenient, I will send for you."1

When the Apostle Paul was brought before Governor Felix
to be judged for his Christian faith, Paul may have
come close to persuading him to become a Christian. On
one occasion after listening to Paul's case, Felix
trembled and sent Paul away saying he would speak to
him at a more convenient time.

Today is the only day we ever have. Yesterday is gone
forever. Tomorrow never comes. Whatever it is we need
to do today we need to do today. Procrastination surely
is the thief of time. There are many reasons why we put
things off--apathy, fear, anxiety, uncertainty, habit,
indifference, passive resistance, and/or just plain
not-getting-around-to-doing-it.

Whatever the reason, there are some things that are far
too critical to put off until a more convenient
time--especially putting our life right with God.

Even though Felix spoke to Paul on a number of
occasions after saying he would speak to him at a more
convenient time, there is no indication that he ever
accepted the Christian faith.

If you need to put things right with God and/or accept
Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, why not
do that today? As the Bible says, "Behold, now is the
accepted time: behold, now is the day of salvation."2

For help on how to be sure you are a real Christian
(without having to be religious) go to:
http://tinyurl.com/8glq9.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, help me to be sure that I
am a true Christian and help me to so live that it will
show in my daily living. Thank You for hearing and
answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus's name, amen."

1. Felix, the governor (Acts 24:25, NIV).
2. 2 Corinthians 6:2 (KJV).

<)))><    
  
 
  Copyright (c) 2014 by ACTS International. 
  When copying or forwarding include the following: 
  "Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2014
  ACTS International.

Today's Daily Encounter

Be God to Me?  

"Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped
trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, 'I will
confess my rebellion to the Lord.' And you forgave me!
All my guilt is gone."1 

In my counselor training and counseling days I
participated in quite a few therapy groups of varying
kinds. Some I found very helpful and others I could
have done without. However on one occasion I was
involved in a secular psychodrama (role-play) group
with 25-30 participants.

We were sitting in a circle and a 30-something lady
(whom I will call Janine) asked me if I would role play
God for her. This was a secular group so why she picked
on me I will never know (we hadn't even met each
other). I believe it had to be a God-thing. At any rate
she placed a chair in the center of the circle and
asked me to sit on it. I was rather nervous to put it
mildly. I had never heard of anyone ever role-playing
God. So I kept praying under my breath, "God help ...
God help."

Janine got down on her knees in front of me and openly
confessed that she had been a prostitute and asked for
forgiveness. Immediately the words of Jesus came to my
mind and I spoke them to Janine, "Your sins are
forgiven."

That was a courageous thing for Janine to do. It was
the beginning of her healing. Unfortunately I never
kept in contact with her but I hope and pray that she
has, since then, genuinely sought to follow after God.

The point is whenever we sin, we are always left with
guilt. Even if we repress it from conscious memory,
it's still there and it is a very unhealthy way to
live, physically, emotionally and spiritually. The only
cure is confession ... to at least one trusting soul as
well as to God. As God's Word says, "Therefore confess
your sins to each other and pray for each other so that
you may be healed."2

Dear reader, if you have any unconfessed sin in your
life, I urge you to see an understanding pastor,
priest, trusted friend and/or Christian Counselor. Like
David the Psalmist, who committed adultery with
Bathsheba and had her husband killed, when he confessed
his sin, he found God's forgiveness and great release.
You and I can do the same.*

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, how can I ever thank You
enough for loving me no matter what I have ever done
and always forgiving me when I, with genuine sorrow,
confess my sins. Help me always to find a trusting
person to whom I can confess my sins and weaknesses--as
well as confessing them to You. Thank You for hearing
and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus's name,
amen."

*For help be sure to read the article, "How to Be Sure
You're a Real Christian--without having to be
religious" at: http://tinyurl.com/8glq9

1. King David in Psalm 32:5 (NLT).
2. James 5:16 (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) 2014 by ACTS International. 
  When copying or forwarding include the following: 
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  ACTS International.

Today's Daily Encounter

When God Feels Far Away  

"God ... is not far from each one of us."1

"I attend church regularly," one person said to me,
"but I don't necessarily believe in God. He seems so
distant."

The difficulty for many of us, even when we believe in
God, is feeling close to him and experiencing his
presence and love. When we can't, as Cecil Osborne
points out, it is our receptivity that is at fault. God
is constantly broadcasting his love, power and
blessings to all of us but when can’t feel these, it's
the barriers in our life that block God's love getting
through.

The barriers can be unresolved negative emotions such
as anger, resentment, hurt, grief, fear, feelings of
inadequacy, guilt and so on. Another barrier can be
caused by any impaired relationship with a loved one or
friend, by unconfessed sin, living out of harmony with
God's will, or by not making the effort to daily spend
time with God in prayer and listening to his Word. When
we starve our souls, it feels as if God is far away.

Another reason God can seem far away is because of a
lack of sufficient human love, connection, and
meaningful fellowship with fellow Christians. We were
created for relationships--with God and people. Both
are essential for emotional, physical and spiritual
well-being. As John, the beloved disciple of Jesus put
it, "If we love one another, God's love is perfected or
made complete in us."2

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, whenever I feel that You
are distant, help me to realize that I'm the one who
has moved, not You. Help me to see any barrier/s in me
and lead me to the help I need to resolve these. Thank
You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in
Jesus's name, amen."

1. Paul the Apostle (Acts 17:27, NIV).
2. 1 John 4:12.

<)))><    
  
  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) 2014 by ACTS International. 
  When copying or forwarding include the following: 
  "Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2014
  ACTS International.

Today's Daily Encounter

The Seeing Who Are Blind  

"Behold, You [God] desire truth in the innermost
being, And in the hidden part You will make me know
wisdom."1

If you watch TV interviews, you have undoubtedly seen
how people with an ax to grind, a pet peeve to air, a
theory to promote, or a politician wanting to be
re-elected, avoid the question being asked, change the
subject, or boringly beat around the bush. Some do this
because the question puts them on the spot while others
are in deep denial and totally blind to reality.

Some time ago we were involved in a joint action law
suit against a fraudulent investment company where our
attorney had to state to the defendant over and over,
"Just answer the question!" to which the defendant
would repeatedly reply, "What question?" Talk about a
guilty person avoiding the issue. By way of interest,
we won the case hands down.

As the communication specialists remind us, we all have
a filter system in our mind that filters or blocks out
any message we don't want to see or hear. In other
words we can be very selective in how we see and hear
any message regardless of its validity.

For instance, "Selective exposure shows that many
people will be open only to messages they want to hear.
Selective attention shows that some hear only what they
want to hear. Those with selective comprehension or
perception will see things only the way they want to
see them. Others with selective distortion will twist
messages to make them match their self-concept or
perception of reality. And those with selective
retention choose only to remember what they want to
remember. Everything else is filtered out."2

It boils down to personal truth and honesty. The more
honest and truthful I am with my inner self the clearer
I will see all other truth--including God's truth. On
the other hand, the more dishonest I am the more I will
see all truth--including God's truth--through a
distorted filter and twist it to make it say exactly
what I want it to say. The latter is a dangerous and
ultimately self-destructive path to follow.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please deliver me from the
sin of self-deception and denial, and give me the
courage to face my own inner truth and reality so I
will see more clearly Your truth--as well as all other
truth without viewing it through a distorted filter.
Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer.
Gratefully in Jesus's name, amen."

1. Psalm 51:6, (NASB).
2. Dick Innes, I Hate Witnessing, ACTS Communications,
2003, P. 151. You can order a copy of Dick's book at:
http://tinyurl.com/33kfbk.

<)))><    
  
  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) 2014 by ACTS International. 
  When copying or forwarding include the following: 
  "Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2014
  ACTS International.

Today's Daily Encounter

Great Fiddling  

"Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."1

I have read how Leonard Bernstein, former conductor of
the New York Philharmonic orchestra, was once asked
which instrument was the most difficult to play.
Without hesitation Bernstein replied, "The second
fiddle. I can get plenty of first violinists, but to
find someone who can play the second fiddle with
enthusiasm--that's a problem. And if we have no second
fiddle, we have no harmony."

I recall hearing a beautiful soloist in a church
service. The problem was that she sang off key. Had she
just given her testimony, we would have been blessed.

Everybody is gifted in one or more areas. When we use
these gifts as God intended with the right motive,
there is harmony within ourselves and in the group we
are ministering to. However, if we try to do what
others are gifted for and we are not, if we serve with
wrong motives, or if we have a need to control, there
will be disharmony within ourselves and in the group.

God's reward will have nothing to do with whether we
are a first, second or a non-fiddler. They will be
according to our faithfulness in using the gifts that
we have been given. When we come to the end of life’s
journey, we will be required to give an account to God
of the stewardship of the gifts he has given to us--not
of the ones we haven't been given.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to
recognize my God-given gifts, develop and use them to
the best of my ability for Your glory and the blessing
of others. Thank You for hearing and answering my
prayer. Gratefully in Jesus's name, amen."

1. 1 Corinthians 10:31 (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) 2014 by ACTS International. 
  When copying or forwarding include the following: 
  "Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2014
  ACTS International.

Today's Daily Encounter

Pardoned  

"But God demonstrates his love for us in this: While we
were still sinners, Christ died for us."1

The story is told about a young man who received a
ticket for a speeding violation. As he stood before the
judge, the judge found himself in a dilemma because he
knew the young man didn't have any money to pay the
fine and he didn't want to send him to jail.

However, the judge had to fine the young man $150,
which was the accepted amount for this traffic
violation. Immediately the judge handed down the
sentence, he stepped away from the bench, took off his
robes, went to the defendant and paid the fine for him.

The young man was his own son whom he loved.

That's what God's Son, Jesus Christ, did for us on the
cross of Calvary. God's justice required death as the
automatic judgment upon our sin. However, because he
loved us, the Son of God laid aside his "judge's
robes," stepped out of the "ivory palaces" of heaven,
came to earth and identified with us as a man, and died
on the cross in our place to save us from our sins.

Because of this, God offers each of us a free pardon
with forgiveness for all our sins and gives us his gift
of eternal life. Jesus, the Son of God, paid the
"fine/penalty" for us with his life. All we need to do
is confess our sinfulness and accept his gift of
salvation--the greatest gift known to man.

"He paid a debt he didn't owe to free us from a price
we couldn't pay."

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank You for Your great
love gift for me in giving your Son, Jesus, to die in
my place to pay the just penalty for all my sins. May I
never take Your love for granted but learn to love You
with all my heart, soul, mind and strength--and my
neighbor as myself. Thank You for hearing and answering
my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus's name, amen."

NOTE: If you have never accepted God's free pardon for
all your sins, click on http://tinyurl.com/8glq9 to see
how simple it is to do this.

1. Paul in Romans 5:8.

<)))><    
  
  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.
  
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  ACTS International, a non-profit organization, 
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  Copyright (c) 2014 by ACTS International. 
  
  When copying or forwarding include the following: 
  "Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2014
  ACTS International.

Today's Daily Encounter

Be Mindful and Remember  

"Be careful that you do not forget the Lord."1

Beverly Muffin stood "ten feet (three meters) tall"
when she saw her daughter, Susan (name changed) step
from the airplane dressed immaculately in her U.S. Navy
whites. Susan had just returned from boot camp
training. How proud Beverly was of her daughter.

Three generations of Beverly's family have served in
the military. She tells how, as a small girl, she read
a telegram from World War II that her grandmother kept
in her Bible. The telegram was sent to tell her that
one of her sons had been shot down, was missing in
action, and presumed dead.

Beverly also shared with us a valuable lesson her Navy
daughter taught her when she told her mother that every
time she saw a service person in uniform, she ought to
pray. When Beverly asked why, Susan replied, "Because
that person is willing to die to protect the ground
you're standing on!"

War in any man's language is a tragedy. As Rear Admiral
A. Byron Holderby, Jr., a former U.S. Navy Chief of
Chaplains, said, "Because there is evil in the world,
we will always need a military."

As we live next door to Camp Pendleton Marine Base here
in California, we often see Marines. Whenever I see any
(even if they are not in uniform as I recognize so many
by their very short hair), or any other military
personnel, and have the opportunity, I stop and thank
them for their service and let them know they are
greatly appreciated. All of us who live in free
countries need to always be thankful for the thousands
of service men and woman who risk their lives--and for
the many who made the supreme sacrifice by giving their
life--to protect the land that you and I stand on.

Let us never forget their sacrifice. And may we never
forget the supreme sacrifice that Jesus, the Son of
God, made when He gave His life to save us from a
hellish, lost eternity. And whether we live in a free
country or otherwise, every one of us is equal in the
sight of God, and all are greatly loved by God so every
one of us can equally ask for and receive His
forgiveness and gift of eternal life.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, those of us who live in a
free country express our deepest gratitude for all who
gave their lives to pay for our freedom. And we pray
for our brothers and sisters who have no religious
freedom, or their land is being ravaged by war, who
have been forced to become a refugee, or are suffering
under terrible bondage. May they find freedom in their
heart by knowing and loving You as their personal Lord
and Savior. Thank You for hearing and answering my
prayer. Gratefully in Jesus's name, amen."

1. Deuteronomy 6:12 (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.
  
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  Copyright (c) 2014 by ACTS International. 
  When copying or forwarding include the following: 
  "Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2014
  ACTS International.

Today's Daily Encounter

Seek Wise Counsel  

King Solomon wrote, "Listen to wise advice; follow it
closely, for it will do you good, and you can pass it
on to others: Trust in the Lord."1

"My wife is leaving me," one man said to me, "what can
I do?" My gut response (which I kept to myself) was,
"Why didn't you come to me five years sooner?"

I tried to assure this man that if he and his wife both
genuinely wanted to save their marriage, there were no
guarantees, but with wise counsel, personal honesty,
commitment, hard work and God's help, they could.

One way to keep a marriage healthy is to see and treat
problem symptoms when they first appear. If these
symptoms are the fruit of a deeper root, which they
often are, they won't go away of themselves. The longer
we leave symptoms untreated the more tenacious and
embedded they become.

If there are things in your marriage or in other areas
of your life that bother you, it is wise to seek
competent guidance from a qualified pastor or counselor
right away. Don't put it off any longer. Make that
appointment you know you need to make--today.

As today's Scripture says: "Listen to wise counsel" and
"trust in the Lord!"

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please give me the courage
to admit my problems, the courage to seek wise counsel,
and the faith, help, courage, and determination I need
to overcome them. Thank You for hearing and answering
my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus's name, amen."

NOTE: For some counseling resources go to:
 http://www.actsweb.org/counseling_resources.php.

1. Proverbs 22:17-19 (TLB).

<)))><    
  
  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) 2014 by ACTS International. 
  When copying or forwarding include the following: 
  "Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2014
  ACTS International.

Today's Daily Encounter

The Voice of God Within  

"God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps
reach out for him and find him, though he is not far
from each one of us. 'For in him we live and move and
have our being.'"1

"In his classic novel Crime and Punishment, Russian
writer Fyodor Dostoyevsky tells the story of a young
man who rejects the existence of God. This young man
murders an old woman. Believing there is no righteous
God who will judge, and therefore no absolute standard
of right and wrong, he knows that he should not feel
guilty. However, he is consumed with a sense of guilt
until he confesses his crime and hands his life over to
the God he once rejected."2

In many cases, if not in most, atheism is more likely
to be a moral issue rather than an intellectual issue.
If one believes in God, he knows that he is morally
responsible and cannot live as he pleases without
struggling with a guilty conscience. On the other hand,
if one doesn't believe in God, he rationalizes that he
is not morally responsible to anyone and can live
according to his own rules or as he pleases. In living
this way there is always the danger of deadening one's
conscience and silencing the voice of God within.

If there weren't a God--a Higher Authority--why would
we even have a conscience and instinctively know that
we are morally responsible and accountable?

The very first sentence in God's Word the Bible says,
"In the beginning God...."3 and later it says, "for in
him we live and move and have our being."1 Either we
believe in God or we become a god unto ourselves and
live according to our own standards. Imagine the chaos
and destruction if everyone in the world lived as a law
unto himself.

The critical issue for all of us is that we know God
and live according to his standards as found in his
Word, the Bible, for "blessed is the nation whose God
is the LORD."4 For help to find and know God go to:
http://tinyurl.com/8glq9

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please open the eyes of my
understanding so that I will see and know that You are
the God of all creation--which includes me--so that I
can and will say to You in all confidence, 'My LORD and
my God.' Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer.
Gratefully in Jesus's name, amen."

1. Acts 17:27-28 (NKJV).
2. Joe Boot, Searching for Truth, 2002. Crossway
Books, Wheaton, IL 60187, www.crossway.com. Cited on “A
Slice of Infinity," www.rzim.org/slice/slice.php
3. Genesis 1:1.
4. Psalm 33:12 (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.
  
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  Copyright (c) 2014 by ACTS International. 
  When copying or forwarding include the following: 
  "Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2014
  ACTS International.

Today's Daily Encounter

Relationships: When to Cut Your Losses

"Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a
house with a quarrelsome wife [or husband]."1

Among the most painful of life's experiences is
rejection by a loved one.

When a couple is in a hopeless situation where there is
continual rejection, hatred, and/or physical and
emotional abuse by one or both partners, should they
stay together for the sake of the children or should
they cut their losses? Some say they should stay
together no matter what. Others say to do so is
insanity. But what does God say?

It is true that God hates divorce. "'I hate divorce,'
says the LORD God of Israel."2 But who in his right
mind doesn't? Jesus, in the Gospels, was also against
divorce.

God's Word also says, "Better to live on a corner of
the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife [or
husband]."1 And again, the Apostle Paul wrote, "If it
is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace
with everyone."3 This implies that it isn't possible to
live peaceably with everyone.

Because of what God’s Word says, I believe that divorce
should only ever be the last resort. Marriage partners
need to commit themselves to resolve their
disagreements and seek all the help needed to achieve
this goal. However, in cases where one partner refuses
to work on resolution and files for divorce, the other
spouse doesn't have a choice.

Also because of what God's Word says, where there are
major conflicts and only one partner is willing to work
on the relationship and get marriage counseling, tough
love is needed. In these--and especially in abusive
situations--the one being abused needs to set
boundaries and kindly but firmly say to his/her
partner, "Unless you are willing to seek help together,
I will no longer tolerate your abusive behavior and
will have to separate myself and the children from
you." When one sets boundaries, he/she needs to keep
them. This won't guarantee resolution, but without
setting and keeping strict boundaries, it will almost
guarantee that there will never be resolution.

Furthermore, wherever a spouse and/or children are
being abused, physically, sexually and/or emotionally,
the abused spouse needs to separate herself and the
children immediately. The separating spouse needs to
make it very clear to the abusive partner that he/she
will not get back together until he/she (the abusive
partner) gets help and overcomes his or her abusive
behaviors.

In broken relationships playing the blame game doesn't
resolve anything because both partners are contributing
something to the failure of the relationship--even if
one spouse is too passive or codependent.

Only when all else fails should a couple file for
divorce.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, whenever I am in a
conflict situation, please help me to see what I am
contributing and, rather than playing the blame game,
get the help I need to resolve my issues. Thank You for
hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus's
name, amen."

1. Proverbs 21:9 (NIV).
2. Malachi 2:16 (NIV).
3. Romans 12:18 (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.

* *
Copyright (c) 2014 by ACTS International.
When copying or forwarding include the following:
"Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2014
ACTS International.

Today's Daily Encounter

Don't Let Your Past Dictate Your Future  

"And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to
wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition
of the Lord."1

It is true that our lives are significantly shaped
during our early formative years and many of our
character issues formed then are with us for the rest
of our lives.

What if we grew up in a home that was less than
wholesome or where we may have been emotionally abused
if not physically abused? It's interesting to note that
where I live physical and sexual abuse of a child is
justifiably considered a crime and is punishable by law
with the likelihood of being sentenced to time in jail.
Furthermore, if the abuse is by a parent, the child is
often removed from his or her custody. Tragically,
emotional abuse is not even considered a crime and,
depending on the intensity, can be just as
psychologically damaging as physical or sexual abuse.

As an adult, overcoming the effects of childhood abuse
and love deprivation is possible but it can be very
challenging. Speaking personally, I grew up in a very
dysfunctional family and because I felt unloved and
rejected, especially by my father, for many years I
felt extremely insecure and felt that I was ugly and
unlovable. True, I was not responsible for my
upbringing, but as an adult I realized that I was
responsible for overcoming my less than wholesome
background.

Besides having a lot of therapy, one of many
significant things I did to resolve the effects of my
impaired relationship with my father was to go to his
gravesite and in my imagination I "talked to him" as if
he were there with me. I said, "Dad, if you were still
alive today, what advice would you have for me?" The
answer that came to my mind was, "Don't let your past
control your future."

Good advice. True, I may have been a victim in the past
but if I chose to remain a victim I would have become a
willing volunteer.

For healthy living and loving relationships it is
imperative that we resolve all our past impaired
relationships and forgive all who have ever hurt us. We
don’t have to remain a victim but with God's help, and
that of others where necessary, we can overcome a
hurtful past and become all that God envisioned for us
to be. The choice is ours. So, whatever you do don't
let your past control your future.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank You for all the good
that I received from my parents and my past. Also, help
me to acknowledge where I may have been abused or hurt
in any way physically, emotionally or spiritually and
lead me to the help I need to overcome the effects
caused by these destructive experiences. In so doing
may I be freed to become all that You planned for me to
be. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer.
Gratefully in Jesus's name, amen."

1. Ephesians 6:4 (NKJV).

<)))><    
  
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  Click on: http://www.actsweb.org/invitation.php. Or
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  When copying or forwarding include the following: 
  "Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2014
  ACTS International.

Today's Daily Encounter

The Gift of Encouragement  

"Encourage one another daily."1

The word encourage is made up of two words: "en"
meaning "in" and "courage." Literally, it means to put
courage into another person. The gift of encouragement,
that is, the ability to put courage into another
person, is perhaps one of the better gifts one could
wish to have. Furthermore, it is a gift that everybody
has--either active or latent--or that can easily be
developed. It is a gift that is very much needed.

I read about an accountant who had worked for a
business for many years who committed suicide. People
wondered why he took his life. When examiners reviewed
the company's financial records, not a single cent was
found to be missing. Everything was in perfect order.
They couldn't find any reason until they found a note
he had written. It said, "In 30 years I have never had
one word of encouragement. I'm fed up!"

Everybody wants to be appreciated and encouraged. So
let each of us be sure we take our gift of
encouragement, strengthen it through lots of practice
and use, and take it with us and use it generously
everywhere we go. And especially use it much at home.

Even when Jesus healed the ten lepers and only one came
back to thank him, he asked, "Where are the nine?"

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please give me a thankful
heart and help me to always express appreciation to my
loved ones, to the people I work and mix with, to
strangers who do kind acts, and most of all to You for
all your wonderful blessings and kindnesses shown to
me. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer.
Gratefully in Jesus's name, amen."

1. Hebrews 3:13 (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
  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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  When copying or forwarding include the following: 
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Today's Daily Encounter

Winners vs Losers

"According to your faith be it unto you."1

A winner sees an opportunity in every risk while a
loser sees a risk in every opportunity. Winners know
that to risk nothing is to risk everything, that if
they are going to win they need to be willing to try,
to take chances, and to risk failure. That is, they
have to be willing to strike out if they are going to
hit home runs.

Apparently the year Babe Ruth broke the world record
for hitting the most home runs he also broke the
world's record for the most strike-outs!

The point is, if I am going to hit home runs I have to
be in the game, stand at the plate and keep swinging.
Sooner or later if I practice hard and do my best, I
will hit a home run.

As somebody else has said, "To try when there is little
hope is to risk failure. Not to try at all is to
guarantee it."

True winners make sure their goal is in harmony with
God's will and, because of this, they know that with
his help there is always a way to achieve their goal.
Furthermore, they believe in their cause. And they
believe in themselves in a healthy way. Therefore they
expect to win, believe they will, and do so.

They also know that if they tried and did their best,
they have already won.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to be a
winner--not in the eyes of the world--but in Your eyes.
Help me to do my best, always live in harmony with Your
will, learn to love others as You love me, and be a
part in what You are doing in the world today. Thank
You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in
Jesus's name, amen."

1. Jesus, in Matthew 9:29.

<)))><

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) 2014 by ACTS International.
When copying or forwarding include the following:
"Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2014
ACTS International.


Today's Daily Encounter

Mind Diseases

"Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual
fervor, serving the Lord [enthusiastically]."1

There are two serious diseases of the mind that most,
if not all of us, will encounter at some time. These
diseases have been the cause of ineffectiveness and the
death of innumerable churches, organizations,
businesses, individuals and nations!

They can afflict the young but mostly those who are
above 40. The symptoms are often obvious to outsiders
but usually totally oblivious to those inflicted with
either of these diseases.

The first disease is "homeostatus" which is a clinging
to the status quo with a refusal to change no matter
what. The ancient Israelites suffered from this disease
when God delivered them out of slavery in Egypt. When
things got tough on their road to "recovery," they
doubted God and wanted to go back to Egypt. Crazy, you
say, but that's what they wanted. As the saying goes,
"Better the devil you know than the one you don't
know!"

The other disease is "psychosclerosis," a hardening of
the attitudes. This disease is equally destructive. Its
symptoms can be varied such as legalism, rigidity,
arrogance, apathy, Phariseeism, having a closed mind
and so on. It is just as deadly as homeostatus.

We need God's wisdom and insight to guard against these
crippling diseases. They are two of the enemy's
powerful weapons designed to render us ineffective in
God's causes.

The remedy? Daily commit and trust your life and way to
God, know what his Word, the Bible, teaches and
genuinely seek to live in harmony with his will. Ask
God every day to keep your eyes open and keep you on
the "Truth Road."

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please deliver me from the
mind diseases of homeostatus and psychosclerosis. And
in the words of the song writer: 'O Lord please light
the fire / That once burned bright and clear / Replace
the lamp of my first love / That burned with holy
fear.' Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer.
Gratefully in Jesus's name, amen."

1. Paul, in Romans 12:11 (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.

* * * * *
Copyright (c) 2014 by ACTS International.
When copying or forwarding include the following:
"Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2014
ACTS International.

Today's Daily Encounter

Independence  

"So if the Son [Jesus, the Son of God] sets you free,
you will be free indeed."1

Tomorrow in the U.S.A. is Independence Day, the day
Americans celebrate the birthday of the United States
of America. Founded July 4th, 1776, with the signing of
the Declaration of Independence, America is celebrating
its 233rd birthday this year (2009).

"The American Revolution ended a couple of centuries of
British rule over most of the North American colonies
and laid the foundation of the present United States of
America. After the Revolution, the constitution of the
United States of America was drafted and ratified. On
the anniversary of that day, the new nation declared
its citizens rights to 'Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit
of Happiness.'"2

Sad to say, however, so many people worldwide don't
enjoy the freedoms that many of us do, not only in the
U.S.A., but also in other free lands around the world.

Today, let those of us who live in free lands
especially remember our brothers and sisters who live
in lands where there is no freedom and great
persecution--especially for Christians and those who
reject the religion of their state.

I am also reminded today of the words written on the
wall of a Nazi prison during the Holocaust. 

     I believe in the sun
     even when it isn't shining.
     I believe in love
     even when I am alone.
     I believe in God
     even when he is silent.

And let us thank God that, no matter where we live,
while men may be able to control our external reality,
they have no power to control our inner reality--our
faith, our beliefs, nor the destiny of our soul. That
alone is our choice. However, may we who have chosen to
trust in God through Jesus Christ our Savior do all in
our power to share God's great news of salvation to all
people--everywhere. And let us pray that every person
in the world will hear or read the gospel that, via the
electronic media, can reach into many places where
preaching the gospel and message of Jesus Christ is
forbidden. 

And in hearing the gospel, may God grant that every
person in the world will at least have the opportunity
to celebrate independence in their heart.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, today I especially pray
for my brothers and sisters in lands that are not free,
where they are being persecuted for their faith--or
their lack of faith in the coerced religion of their
land. Grant that they will know independence in their
heart and the greatest freedom of all in knowing Jesus
as their Lord and Savior. And thank You forever for the
fact that somebody shared the gospel with me and that I
thus had the opportunity to place my trust in You.
Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer.
Gratefully in Jesus's name, amen."

1. John 8:36 (NIV).
2. www.123independenceday.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
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  please click on http://www.actsweb.org/decision.php to note this.
  
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Today's Daily Encounter

Freedom and Gratitude  

"Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down
his life for his friends."1 

Today is a day of celebration for U.S. citizens--the
day when each year they celebrate their independence as
a nation. For those who live in the U.S.A. let us not
forget that our independence was bought with a
price--the price of blood on the battlefields.
Thousands of men, supported by wives, mothers and
sisters, fathers and brothers, fought for our freedom,
multiplied thousands of whom gave their lives in the
process.

No nation in world history has experienced more
freedoms, privileges, and opportunities. This nation
was founded and built on a solid foundation of liberty
and justice for all with a firm belief and trust in
God.

Today, however, too many of us are taking our freedom
for granted and have forgotten that the "price of
freedom is still eternal vigilance;"2 not only
militarily, but perhaps even more important, morally.
Too many are confusing liberty with license and are
wanting personal freedom without personal
responsibility and accountability--not realizing that
they are being enslaved by their own passions and
selfish desires which will erode the very foundation
upon which this nation was built quicker than anything
else.

For all of who live in a free country may we ever be
thankful to those who gave their lives to give us our
freedom and independence and may we guard these
freedoms with our lives. And may we also be ever
thankful to God for the gift of his Son who died so we
could be eternally free and for the wonderful privilege
that we can serve him with our lives. And may we never
ever forget that "blessed is the nation whose God is
the Lord."3

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, for those of us who live
in a free country we give You our never-ending thanks.
May we never take our freedom for granted but guard it
zealously. And we pray for those people who are
enslaved by despot leaders, who are imprisoned and
tortured for their Christian faith, and for all who
know nothing of freedom--and we especially pray that
the gospel will go forth in spite of their situation.
And grant that those who belong to You will have peace
in the midst of their circumstances and be kept from
all harm and danger. Thank You for hearing and
answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus's name, amen."

1. John 15:13 (NIV).
2. Thomas Jefferson.
3. Psalm 33:12.

<)))<><    
  
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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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  When copying or forwarding include the following: 
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Today's Daily Encounter

When Life Is a Relational Mess  

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

A Daily Encounter reader writes: "I am desperate for
help. I recently found out that my wife was sleeping
with another man. She refuses to stop seeing him,
claiming that they are only friends. I am told on an
almost daily basis that everything I do is not good
enough, and unless I do more, we will be divorced. I
don't know how to do anything more. I cook, I clean, I
do the laundry, and I spend evenings helping our two
oldest children with school work and problems that they
have faced through the day. I teach our youngest son
(he is too young for school); I am in the military
reserves, manage an apartment building, and am trying
to run a business...."

"Dear Keith," [not his real name] I replied, "thank you
for sharing your heart with me. Your life right now is
certainly a struggle and I can certainly feel for you,
but it is very important to realize that the only
person you can ever change is yourself. If you try to
change your wife, you will end up making things worse.
However, as you change, she will be forced to change
one way or the other, and there is no guarantee in
which way that will be.

"Keith needs to work on Keith. First of all I strongly
encourage you to pray and ask God to confront you with
the truth about yourself and reveal to you what you are
contributing to the relational disaster you are in.
This is the starting point of all recovery. Speaking
personally, I was in a very painful situation for many
years. After years of therapy and things only getting
worse, I literally begged God to confront me with the
truth of what I was still contributing to the mess I
was in. Almost overnight it became glaringly obvious
just how totally co-dependent that I was in this
situation. I kept protecting this person from the
consequences of their destructive behavior. Once I saw
the truth about myself, I knew exactly what I had to
do. As Jesus said, 'You will know the truth and the
truth will set you free.'

"After you see the truth of what you are contributing
to your situation, I suggest that you lovingly tell
your wife that you see what you have been contributing
to your marriage, and that you are not going to do this
any longer. I then suggest that you go together to a
highly qualified Christian counselor for therapy. If
your wife refuses to do this, you need to let her
lovingly know that unless she does, then you will need
to distance yourself from her. Inform her that you will
no longer allow her to treat you the way that she has
been doing. This is tough love and in situations like
yours, it is a vital need.

"If your wife refuses to go to counseling with you,
then you need to get counseling to take care of
yourself. This is imperative. Yes, it is expensive, but
you can't afford not to do it. For several years I
worked two jobs at the same time to pay for the
counseling I needed to recover from my relational
sickness. 

"Also, pray and ask God to help you to find the
counseling help you need so you can change. If you live
in North America, for the name of a fine Christian
counselor call the Narramore Christian Foundation at
1-800-477-5893 and press '1' for Dianne. She should be
able to help you with the name of a Christian counselor
or two in your area.

"By the way, once you change, your wife will be forced
to change in her way of treating you. She may not want
you to change so will quite possibly, at least for a
start, treat you even worse. That's par for the course
whenever we change our relationship patterns.

"Keep praying for the truth and once you see the truth
about you and do what you need to do to recover, then
you can pray to see the truth about your wife. Only
following the truth will ever set you free. Once you
see the overall truth, you will know what you need to
do."

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, my life is in chaos.
Please confront me with the truth of exactly what I am
doing to contribute to the mess I am in. Help me to
change so that I will become the person You want me to
be. And please help me to be 'as Jesus' to my spouse
(or friend), and do what I need to do in order to
resolve our situation. Thank You for hearing and
answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus's name, amen."

1. John 8:32 (NIV). 

NOTE: For help you may want to read my book, You Can't
Fly With a Broken Wing. You can check it out online at:
http://tinyurl.com/broken-wing-book.

<)))><    
  
  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) 2014 by ACTS International. 
  When copying or forwarding include the following: 
  "Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2014
  ACTS International.

Today's Daily Encounter
Another Serenity Prayer  

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

Truth: Perhaps the most powerful principle in the
world. Without access to the truth there is no freedom,
no recovery, no intimacy in relationships, often no
healing, and no eternal life.

On the other hand, denial is perhaps the most
destructive sins we can commit. For instance, to the
degree that I have not found freedom in any area of my
life I am still in denial. There is some truth I am
avoiding facing. Furthermore, to be dishonest with
myself is just as deceptive and sinful as being
dishonest to anyone else.

M. Scott Peck said, "Emotional sickness is avoiding
reality [truth] at any cost. Emotional health is facing
reality at any cost."

That's just a reframing or rephrasing of what Jesus
said: "You will know the truth and the truth will set
you free." The following prayer by Billy Joe Vaughn
sums it up very well:

    "God grant me the ability
    to reject the things about me
    that are not true,
    the humility to accept
    the things that are,
    and the discernment
    to know the difference."

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please deliver me from the
sin of denial and help me always to be genuine, honest,
authentic and real. Thank You for hearing and answering
my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus's name. Amen."

1. 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.
  
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  When copying or forwarding include the following: 
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  ACTS International.

Today's Daily Encounter
The Answer Is In Your Hands  

"Don't store up treasures here on earth ... Store them
in heaven where they will never lose their value."1

Zig Ziglar wrote that according to legend, it was
reputed that a very wise old man who lived on a hilltop
overlooking the beautiful city of Venice, Italy, could
answer any question anyone might ask him. Two local
boys figured they could trick him, so they caught a
bird and took it to the wise sage.

"Tell us," they asked, "is the bird in our hand dead or
alive?"

The wise man replied, "Son, if I say the bird is alive,
you will close your hands and crush it to death. Or, if
I say the bird is dead, you will open your hands and it
will fly away. The answer is in your hands."

And so it is with life. Whether we succeed or fail,
live a meaningful or empty life, lay up treasures in
heaven or go empty handed to meet our Lord and Savior,
it's all in our hands! For whatever we sow we reap.
It's the law of the harvest.2

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, help me to invest my life
in eternity and lay up treasures in heaven so I will
reap abundantly in this life and the next--all for Your
praise and glory. Thank You for hearing and answering
my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus's name. Amen."

1. Matthew 6:19-20 (TLB).
2. Galatians 6:7.

<)))><    
  
  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) 2014 by ACTS International. 
  When copying or forwarding include the following: 
  "Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2014
  ACTS International.
  
Today's Daily Encounter

An Antidote for Worry  

"In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God
in Christ Jesus concerning you."1

Dale Carnegie writes, "If only the people who worry
about their liabilities would think about the riches
they do possess, they would stop worrying. Would you
sell both your eyes for a million dollars ... or your
two legs ... or your hands ... or your hearing? Add up
what you do have, and you'll find that you won't sell
them for all the gold in the world. The best things in
life are yours if you can appreciate yourself."

Years ago when I was a student in Chicago driving a
city passenger bus in the summer, I was greeted by a
very refined elderly woman passenger who tapped me on
the shoulder and said, "Young man, you're a
millionaire!" That was news to me. However, after a
pause, the lady continued, "You have your health!"

She was right. Counting our blessings, as Carnegie
suggests, is not going to take away our problems but it
certainly can help us handle them much
better--especially if we daily give God thanks in every
circumstance--good or bad.

It also helps me when I am worried or stressed to write
down all the things I have to take care of and list
them in order of priority and try to tackle just one
thing at a time. But the best antidote of all is to
pray and tell God that I am scared and am worried, but
I choose to trust him to help me work through the
things that have me worried. In time my feelings catch
up with my choice to trust God.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, I commit and trust my life
and way to You afresh this day. Here are my concerns
[spell them out to God one by one]. Help me to see
things as they really are. I surrender them all to You
and choose to trust You to help me work through each
one. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer.
Gratefully in Jesus's name. Amen."

1. 1 Thessalonians 5:18.

<)))><    
  
  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) 2014 by ACTS International. 
  When copying or forwarding include the following: 
  "Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2014
  ACTS International.

Today's Daily Encounter

Sweet Temptation  

Jesus said, "Watch and pray so that you will not fall
into temptation."1

I read recently about certain ants that have a passion
for the sweet glandular substance given off by the
caterpillar of a large blue butterfly. According to the
article, the ants can become so enthralled by the
substance they carry the supplier into their nest with
great delight. What they don't realize is that the
caterpillar gorges himself on the ant larva.

Usually such a threat would be attacked by an army of
ants and destroyed or repelled. However, because they
enjoy the caterpillar's tasty secretions so much, they
become "addicted" to it. In so doing they are oblivious
to the fact that their young are being destroyed!

In reality many of us are addicted to something. It may
not be drugs or alcohol, but anything we habitually or
compulsively use or do to avoid facing our inner
unresolved problems (such as fears, hurts, losses,
anger, guilt, inadequacies, etc.), is an addiction. It
may be work, religion, gambling, spending, eating,
smoking, relationships, sex or any of a score of other
things--some of which may be very enjoyable.

Of one thing we can be sure, when our life is being
controlled by addictions, we don't grow and we can
damage and even destroy our children, our closest
relationships, and our physical, emotional or spiritual
health. Besides, an addiction is often a counterfeit of
the real thing and when we settle for the counterfeit
we can stop ourselves finding the genuine.

Only when we are ruthlessly honest with ourselves, and
admit to God and at least one other safe person that we
are addicted, can we get God's help to face the causes
behind our addictions and seek the help we need to
overcome them.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, if there is anything I am
doing or using to medicate or deaden any unresolved
problems in my life, please deliver me from the sin of
denial, and give me the courage to admit my problems
and find the help I need to face and resolve them.
Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer.
Gratefully in Jesus's name. Amen."

1. Matthew 26:41 (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) 2014 by ACTS International. 
  When copying or forwarding include the following: 
  "Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2014
  ACTS International.

Today's Daily Encounter

Are Christians Absolutists?  

"Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the
life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'"1

"Believing in absolutes doesn't make one an
absolutist," writes Chuck Colson in his news report
Jubilee about a TV interview where the host accused him
of being an absolutist.

Colson said, "When that TV host asked me why Christians
always try to cram our views down people's throats, I
was getting nowhere. Then I remembered he loved to
sail.

"Have you ever sailed at night, navigating by the
stars?" I asked. "Yes," he replied.

"Could you use those stars to navigate if they appeared
in different, random positions every night?"

"Of course not," he said slowly.

"I think he got it. Christians are not intolerant
absolutists. We just don't want our culture to be lost
at sea, unaware of the stars above that could so
quickly right our course."

Jesus not only stated emphatically that he was the only
way to God the Father but also that, "Heaven can be
entered only through the narrow gate! The highway to
hell is broad, and its gate is wide enough for all the
multitudes that choose its easy way. But the Gateway to
Life is small, and the road is narrow, and only a few
ever find it."2

Had there been any other way Jesus would not have had
to die on the cross for our sins. Let us thank God that
he provided the way to God (through Jesus)--the only
way to God--heaven, and eternal life.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank You with all my
heart that You provided the only way to make my peace
with You through giving your Son, Jesus, to die on the
cross to pay the just penalty for all my sins, and
therein pay the price for my forgiveness, and to give
me gift of eternal life. Thank You for hearing and
answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus's name. Amen."

To receive God's forgiveness click on:
http://tinyurl.com/8glq9

1. John 14:6 (NIV).
2. Matthew 7:13-14 (TLB).

<)))><    
  
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Today's Daily Encounter

Goodness and Greatness  

"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord."1

Georgie Anne Geyer, a syndicated columnist and author
wisely observed: "I have come to the conclusion that it
is impossible to have a moral community or nation
without faith in God, because without it everything
rapidly comes down to 'me' and 'me' alone is
meaningless....

"If anyone thinks there is not a direct and inviolable
relationship between personal integrity ... and that
society's prosperity, that person has simply not
studied history. And this should not surprise us. Great
moral societies, built upon faith in God, honor, trust
and the law blossom because they are harmonious;
because, finally, they have a common belief in
something beyond themselves.

"Alexis de Toqueville said it best when he realized
even at the very beginning of our national life:
'America is great because America is good. If America
ceases to be good, she will cease to be great.'"2

The same is true of Australia, Canada, Great Britain,
Mexico, New  Zealand, South America, and the rest of
the world. Nations only become truly great and remain
great to the degree that they are moral and upright,
that they retain integrity at every level of society,
and that they put and keep their trust in God and abide
by his rules as found in his Word which says, "Blessed
is the nation whose God is the Lord."1 and
"Righteousness exalts a nation: but sin is a reproach
to any people."3

Righteousness with moral and upright living begins with
you and me.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, today I pray that You will
send a great moral and spiritual awakening to my
country and let that awakening begin in me. Thank You
for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in
Jesus's name. Amen."

1. Psalm 33:12.
2. Bits & Pieces, September 17, 1992, pp-23-24.
3. Proverbs 14:34.

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How to Grow in Love  

"Therefore her sins--and they are many--are forgiven,
for she loved me much; but one who is forgiven little,
shows little love."1

You may recall the story where Jesus was invited to
have lunch with one of the Pharisees. While he was
there a woman of the streets--a prostitute--heard that
Jesus was there and came, fell at his feet, weeping,
and wiped her tears from his feet with her hair, and
then anointed his feet with expensive perfume.

In our jargon, the religious Pharisee was horrified and
in his heart judged Jesus for accepting this sinful
woman's loving attention and humble attitude.

Jesus, knowing what was in the Pharisee's heart went on
to explain that because this woman came to him pouring
out her heart, her many sins were forgiven. Then he
made a very simple but profound statement: "He who has
been forgiven little loves little."

Or to put it another way: "He who has been forgiven
much loves much."

This is so true, when in genuine humility we confess
our sins, not only to God but to a trusted friend or
two, and experience their love and acceptance, little
by little we learn to forgive and love ourselves. So
the more honest and open we are, the more we can be
forgiven and loved. And the more we are forgiven and
loved the more loving and forgiving we become.

Suggested Prayer: "Dear God, please give me the honesty
and courage to bring to the light and confess every
secret sin, mixed motive, jealousies, pride, acts of
sin, sins of the spirit, sins of failure--every
sin--confess these not only to You, but also to a
trusted friend or two and experience Your love and
forgiveness, their loving acceptance, and become a much
more loving, accepting and forgiving child of yours.
Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer.
Gratefully in Jesus’s name. Amen."

1. Luke 7:47 (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
  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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Today's Daily Encounter

Problem-Solving Formula  

"If anyone lacks wisdom, ask God who gives to all
generously ... and it will be given to you."1

The following formula for resolving problems came from
Norman Vincent Peale. He said to prayerize, visualize
and actualize; that is, PVA.2

First, prayerize. Ask God to give you the wisdom and
courage to see and face the real cause/s behind your
problems. Then you can pray realistically by committing
your problem to God and asking for his guidance to help
you find a solution and also for the courage to do your
part.

Second, visualize. We need to see a problem for what it
is. Often what we see isn't the problem at all--it's
the symptom of a deeper, hidden problem, the fruit of a
hidden root! As somebody else said, "God is merciful.
When we have problems, he gives us symptoms." Only as
we see the true causes of our problems and face reality
can we ever resolve the difficulties we have. Once we
see and acknowledge the truth, we then need to
visualize what we need to do to overcome our problem as
well as visualizing what we are asking God to do for
us.

Third, actualize. In every situation we need to realize
that we are responsible for resolving our problems. No
matter what happens to us, we are always responsible
for our reactions, feelings, and what we do about
resolving our difficulties. God will give us wisdom if
we ask for it, insight if we desire it, and courage if
we need it, but he won't do for us what we can and need
to do for ourselves. If he did, it would keep us
overdependent and immature. Accepting responsibility
for our problems, emotions, behavior, and our life is
the heart of maturity.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please give me the wisdom
and courage to see and face every symptom in my life
and help me to trace these to their root cause/s, and
lead me to the help I need to overcome these problems
so I can be healed and made whole. Thank You for
hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus's
name. Amen."

1. James 1:5.
2. Norman Vincent Peale, Positive Imaging.

<)))><    
  
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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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Today's Daily Encounter

Words of Wisdom  

"A wise man [person] will hear and increase learning."1

One of the best pieces of advice I received as a young
man was from a minister who said to me, "Every young
man should read a chapter of Proverbs in the Bible
every day." I did this for many years and learned many
truths as a result. I still appreciate proverbs both in
and outside of the Bible. A proverb is a proverbial
saying, or as Webster defines it, "A short popular
saying that expresses an obvious truth." We call them
one-liners today.

One of my hobbies is to collect proverbial one-liners.
The following are some which convey valuable nuggets of
truth.

Winston Churchill: "The farther backwards you can look
the farther forward you are likely to see."

Arnold Toynbee: "An autopsy of history is that all
great nations commit suicide."

Henry David Thoreau: "If a man does not keep pace with
his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a
different drummer. Let him step to the music which he
hears, however measured or far away."

Larry McMurty: "It is impossible to impress a people
with truths that they aren't ready to hear, much less
accept."

Isaac Newton: "What we know is a drop. What we don't
know is an ocean."

Richard Lamm: "Our moral compass gyrates wildly."

Rabbi Mervin Romsky: "He is a failure as a human being,
no matter what his other achievements, whose heart does
not hurt for his fellow man. And he is a successful
human being, no matter where else he may be lacking,
who is rich in compassion."

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please give me a heart for
wisdom, a love for truth, a desire for learning Your
Word, and a passion for living and walking in truth.
Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer.
Gratefully in Jesus's name. Amen."

1. Proverbs 1:5 (NKJV).

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

Protesting too Much  

"He who hides his hatred has lying lips."1

As Robert Edwards said, "Don't place too much
confidence in the man who boasts of being honest as the
day is long. Wait until you meet him at night."

I recently heard a man trying to convince his
acquaintances how honest he was, which reminded me of
the time I heard another man arguing about how humble
he was.

When I hear statements like this I can't help but
think, "If I have to convince you I'm a gentleman, you
can be pretty sure that I'm not. If I have to tell you
how humble I am, already I've lost it. And if I have to
repeatedly tell you I'm being honest, it's probably a
good sign that I'm not. As William Shakespeare so
eloquently put it: "The lady doth protest too much,
methinks."

I don't have to talk to lie. I can do it through my
body language and facial expressions. I can lie by
smiling or being saccharine sweet when I'm angry, by
laughing when I'm hurting or sad, by being aggressive
when I'm afraid, and so on. I can lie just through my
tone of voice, or by pretending that I'm feeling or
thinking something that I'm not.

Friends who don't speak the truth cannot be trusted.
You can't feel safe or comfortable in their company.
You'll never know where they stand or where you stand
with them.

As the Apostle Paul encouraged us: "We will lovingly
follow the truth at all times-speaking truly, dealing
truly, living truly--and so become more and more in
every way like Christ who is the head of the body."2

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to be
open-faced, genuine, authentic, and real--always--and
be like Jesus in all my relationships. Thank You for
hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus's
name. Amen."

1. Proverbs 10:18.
2. Ephesians 4:15 (TLB).

<)))><    
  
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  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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Today's Daily Encounter

Does God Send Earthquakes?  

Jesus said, "But everyone who hears these words of mine
and does not put them into practice is like a foolish
man who built his house on sand. The rain came down,
the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against
that house, and it fell with a great crash."1

While visiting a church one Sunday in the town where
there was an earthquake the night before, the pastor
and people testified to the "fact" that God sent the
earthquake as a wake-up call to the people of this
city.

But was this true? Does God also send floods,
tornadoes, forest fires, hurricanes and cyclones as
wake-up calls for people to turn to God? He may, but I
doubt it. We just happen to live in a world where
natural disasters happen. For me, if I don't want to
experience earthquakes, one thing is certain, I need to
move out of Southern California. But if I choose to
stay here and an earthquake destroys my home, will it
be God who does it?

Or will it be because I have knowingly chosen to live
in a place that is prone to earthquakes?

Also, if I choose to live in a low lying area close to
a river that is prone to flooding and my home is washed
away, will it be God who causes me to lose my home?
Hardly.

As Jesus said, if we build our house on the sand and
the rain pours down, and the streams rise, and the
winds blow, we can expect our home to be destroyed.

And if I don't build my life on a solid, godly
foundation and live an upright, moral life, I can't
blame God if I crash. God may use my crash as a wake-up
call to bring me to my senses, but it won't be God who
causes me to crash. I will do it to myself.

And if I fail to accept God's free pardon for all my
sins and his gift of eternal life, it won't be God who
will keep me out of heaven and send me to hell, it will
be me. I will do it myself.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, help me to be wise, not
only regarding the important matters of this life, but
especially so regarding the life to come. Help me to
build my life on the Solid Rock--the Lord Jesus Christ.
Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer.
Gratefully in Jesus's name. Amen."

1. Matthew 7:26-27 (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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  When copying or forwarding include the following: 
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Today's Daily Encounter

Redeeming the Time  

"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise men
but as wise, making the most of the time, because the
days are evil."1

Chuck Colson tells about one prisoner he met who had
been on death row for fifteen years. His name was John
Irving.

John was allowed out of his cell for only one hour a
day. The rest of the time he was studying to become a
minister--preparing to serve God.

Noticing that John had nothing in his cell but a few
books, Colson offered to give him a TV.

"Thanks," John said, "but no thanks. You can waste an
awful lot of time with those things."

Can you imagine wasting time on death row?

Colson goes on to say, "The real evils of the
entertainment industry are not the violence and
profanity--offensive though they are. No, it's the
banality: the sheer waste of time. When we turn the TV
on, we turn our minds off; studies have shown that the
analytical areas of the brain nearly shut down during
extended TV viewing."

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, without going to extremes
and ignoring TV altogether and/or becoming a
workaholic, may I learn to use my time wisely,
including quality time with my loved ones and making
time to take proper care of myself with adequate rest
and relaxation ... and making time to spend with You.
Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer.
Gratefully, in Jesus's name, amen."

1. Ephesians 5:15-16 (RSV).

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

Being V's Doing  

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of
God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice,
holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable
service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be
transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may
prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will
of God."1

As a kid growing up in Australia I never ever felt
loved and approved of because of who I was and learned
early how to get approval through the things that I
did. As a teen I was fairly gifted in making things,
fixing things, and doing things around our home that
got me lots of approval. However, eventually I learned
that all the approval in the world never made me feel
loved. I'm not saying that approval is wrong. What I am
saying is that if we mistake approval for love, we will
never feel loved. We need to feel loved for being who
we are and not for what we do.

As an adult I considered myself as a Mr. Fixit. If
something went wrong, my question was always, "Okay
what can I do to fix this problem?" Even in my prayers
I have repeatedly prayed, "Dear God, what can I do
about this problem? What can I do to help fix
'So-and-so's' problem?"

At this time we have a friend in need and I said to Joy
last night, "What can we do to help our friend resolve
her problem?" We couldn't think of anything that we
could do that would be effective. And then it dawned on
me so I said to Joy, "We're praying the wrong prayer.
What we need to pray is, not what can we do, but what
can we be to our friend?"

As today's Scripture teaches us, If we present our
bodies [ourselves] as a living sacrifice to God ... and
be transformed by the renewing of our mind, we will
automatically do the will of God! The point I am trying
to make is this: Being is more important than doing;
that is, being needs to be the foundation for
discerning what can be done. To put it another way, if
we be the persons God wants us to be, we will do the
things God wants us to do. In other words being needs
to precede doing.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to present
my body/myself to You as a living sacrifice and therein
become the person You want me to be and then do the
things You would have me to do. And be and do all for
Your glory and not mine. Thank You for hearing and
answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus's name,
amen."

1. Romans 12:1-2 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.
  
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  Copyright (c) 2014 by ACTS International. 
  When copying or forwarding include the following: 
  "Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2014
  ACTS International.