Daily Encounter with: ACTS International

Today's Daily Encounter
What Happens When We Die?

God's Word, the Bible, says, "We do not want you to be
ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like
the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that
Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God
will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in
him. According to the Lord's own word, we tell you
that we who are still alive, who are left till the
coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those
who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come
down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice
of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and
the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who
are still alive and are left will be caught up
together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in
the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.
Therefore encourage each other with these words."1

A Daily Encounter subscriber enquires: "The Bible
states that when Christ comes back that he will raise
the dead in Christ. Does this mean Christ will raise
the Christians or the non-Christians? Before my mother
died she said to me, 'Honey I will soon be happy when I
am with your baby brother.' My brother died when he was
four months old and my mother lived with the guilt that
she may have rolled over on him. That was years ago
when sudden infant death was not known about. So is my
Mom now with Christ?"

Hello Jeanie (name changed). When Jesus came to earth
2,000 years ago his coming covered a period of 33
years. He has promised that he will come again and
this time it will cover a period of some seven years.
First it is with what the theologians call the
Rapture.

This refers to all the Christians who have died (and
their souls have gone on to Heaven to be with the
Lord) when their bodies will be raised and the
Christians who are still living will be caught up
together with them in the air to go to heaven to be
with Jesus. This is the beginning of the Second coming
of Jesus. Back here on earth, however, will be the
beginning of the seven-year great tribulation and the
entrance of the Antichrist. At the end of this
seven-year period we will return with Christ to the
earth to rule and reign with him for the next thousand
years. After this God is going to create a new heaven
and a new earth and all the true followers of Jesus
will be together with the Lord for all eternity.

Those who have died and are not Christians; that is,
those who have never received Jesus as their Savior
will be raised at the end of the thousand years and
then, before the Great White Judgment Throne of God,
will be judged for their sins and will have to pay the
just penalty themselves because they refused or failed
to ask for and receive God's forgiveness. They will
then be cast into Hell (whatever and wherever that may
happen to be) and be there forever without any hope.2

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank you for your
promise that if I am a true follower of Jesus, you
will take me to be with you in Heaven when I die, and
that when you come again, my body will be raised and
so shall I ever be with the Lord. And thank you for
dying in my place to pay the penalty for all my sins,
and forgiving me, so that I know I will never be sent
to Hell--the place that is prepared for the Devil and
his demons. Thank you for hearing and answering my
prayer. Gratefully in Jesus' name, amen."

Note: To be absolutely sure that you have received
God's forgiveness for all your sins and God's gift of
eternal life, and know that you will go to Heaven when
you die, be sure to read the article, "How to Be Sure
You're a Real Christian" at:
www.actsweb.org/christian.

1. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (NIV).
2. See Revelation 20:12-14 (King James Version)

<)))><

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

http://www.actsweb.org

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
Heaven's Musical Messenger for Good Friday

"He [Jesus] was wounded for our transgressions, he was
bruised for our iniquities [sins]: the chastisement of
our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are
healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have
turned every one to his own way; and the LORD [God]
laid on him the iniquity [sins] of us all."1

Seventeen-forty-one was a very depressing year for
George Frederick Handel. His latest opera failed. His
Italian opera company in London was disbanded. That
same year Queen Caroline passed away and the
commissions Handel had received for composing music
for royal occasions all but dried up. A stroke
experienced several years prior not only affected him
physically, but affected his music. It seemed as if he
had lost the genius that made his music so popular.

Late that year, Charles Jennens, a poet known by few,
sent Handel a manuscript with a request that Handel
set it to music. When Handel read the copy, the words
gripped him. Suddenly he came alive. Immediately, he
began to put the words to music. He labored all
through that night and much of the following day. In
fact, he worked day and night for 22 more days, barely
stopping to eat or sleep.

When his composition was finished he sensed that it
would be a true masterpiece. His "Messiah" was
performed the following year and was an immediate
success.

The words that Jennens wrote that inspired Handel and
lifted him out of the pit of despair were about the
Savior: "He was despised and rejected of men. He
looked for someone to have pity on him, but there was
no man. He trusted in God. God did not leave his soul
in hell. I know that my Redeemer lives. Rejoice.
Hallelujah!"

On this day 2,000 years ago, Jesus Christ, the Son of
God, died on a torturous Roman cross to pay the
penalty for our sins. But thank God on Easter Sunday
Jesus rose from the grave, triumphant over death,
giving all who accept him (Jesus) as their Savior the
same assurance that Job of old had when he said:

"For I know that my Redeemer lives,
And He shall stand at last on the earth;
And after my skin is destroyed, this I know,
That in my flesh I shall see God,
Whom I shall see for myself,
And my eyes shall behold . . . ."2

Suggested prayer: "Dear Jesus, how can I ever thank
you enough for dying on the cross in my place so all
my sins could be forgiven and I could be given the
gift of eternal life. Indeed, you are the Christ, Son
of the Living God, the Great Creator of the entire
universe--and I claim you as my Lord, my God, and my
Savior. In appreciation for your dying for me, help me
to live for you. Always and forever. Gratefully in
Jesus' name. Amen."

Note: If you have never received God's forgiveness and
his gift of eternal life, please read the article, "How
to Be Sure You're a Real Christian" at:
www.actsweb.org/christian.

1. Isaiah 53:5-6 (NIV).
2. Job 19:25-27 (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) 2011 by ACTS International.

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

Wishing You a God-Blessed Easter

Dear Daily Encounter Subscriber,

Please note ... this message is not meant for new subscribers.

At this Easter time the world is again graphically reminded of the suffering that Jesus willingly endured on our behalf. May we be as willing in our worship of Him and in our proclamation of His Gospel message. Today some 2,000 years later the Gospel is still powerful—it changes lives, families, communities and nations. It is the only hope of our sin-sick world.

As earlier shared, last year Joy and I were in Jerusalem and had the incredible experience of visiting in the tomb where Jesus lay following his crucifixion. As we exited the tomb, we read on the door the following words printed in large letters: "He is not here. He is risen."

Seven words so incredibly simple—yet so incredibly profound!

They were spoken on Easter Sunday 2,000 years ago in response to the resurrection of Jesus Christ following his crucifixion and death on the Friday before. This event changed the world forever. Had Jesus not risen from the dead, as the Apostle Paul wrote, "We would be of all people most miserable—and most to be pitied."1 We would be in a hopeless situation for all eternity.

But thank God that Jesus did arise from the grave. Because he did, we—who believe that He died for our sins and have accepted Him as our Savior—have God’s guarantee that we, too, will rise again after this life and be with God in Heaven for all eternity. There is no greater gift in all of life! (For positive evidence of Christ’s resurrection see the brief footnote below.)2 And what a blessed hope this is!

Think, too, how privileged you and I have been in that someone shared God's message of salvation and forgiveness with us. In turn, Jesus has commissioned you and me to help share this same Good News with everyone everywhere.3

Because in ACTS we are totally committed to this task and are spreading the Easter message of God’s salvation worldwide 24-7-365 via Daily and Weekend Encounters and ACTS gospel websites, we urgently need your support to enable ACTS to keep on publishing the gospel every day all year long?

Billy Graham said, "I am convinced the greatest act of love we can ever perform for people is to tell them about God's love for them in Christ." Another said, "Our greatest legacy will be those who live eternally in heaven because of our efforts." Your support of ACTS gospel outreach will help do this.

Can I count on you to send a donation of $25 today—or whatever you are able to give? Every single dollar is vitally needed, and will help keep Daily Encounter going to the 393,000+ worldwide subscribers every weekday of the year—and also help to share the gospel with the 40,000+ visitors to our websites every month that come from 194 countries and territories. As a result, every day we are receiving decision for Christ responses. So far this year alone they have come from 78 countries—and from 121 countries that we know about last year!

At this Easter time we are again graphically reminded of the suffering that Jesus willingly endured on our behalf. May we be as willing in our proclamation of His Gospel message. It is the only message that changes lives, families, communities and nations—the only hope of our sin-sick world.

Know that your support is a vital part of ACTS gospel outreach ministry and is helping to win hundreds to Jesus Christ. It is also greatly needed and will be very much appreciated. Please may we hear from you today as it is the support from God’s people that makes all of ACTS gospel outreach possible? As you stand with us, may God greatly bless and reward you in his own abundant way.

Gratefully in Christ,

Richard and Joy Innes


TO DONATE ONLINE on our secure server click on https://actscom.com/donate.php.

ACTS International is registered in the State of California as a non-profit 501 (c) (3) tax deductible organization (for U.S. donations).

Or support by check/cheque or Money Order can be mailed/posted to:

ACTS International
PO Box 73545
San Clemente, California 92673-0119
U.S.A.

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Phone: 949-940-9050
http://www.actsweb.org

Copyright (c) 2011 by ACTS International.

* * * * * * *

Today's Daily Encounter
Maundy Thursday

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have
loved you, so you must love one another."1

The day before Good Friday is called "Maundy
Thursday." I believe it comes from the Latin mandatum
(commandment). It was that day, after Jesus had washed
his disciples' feet, that he said, "A new commandment I
give to you, that you love one another."

I read about how the "King of Abyssinia who once took
a British subject named Cameron prisoner and
incarcerated him in the high fortress of Magdala. No
cause was stated for his confinement. When Great
Britain found out, she demanded an immediate release
of her citizen. King Theodore refused.

"According to the story, within days Great Britain
sent several thousand soldiers by ship to Magdala.
After marching across unfriendly country for many
miles, they attacked the fortress and rescued that one
British subject. "The expedition took several months
and cost the English government twenty-five million
dollars. The entire resources of the government were
made available in the rescue of only one citizen."

Similarly, because of God's great love for us, he sent
his Son, Jesus Christ, from heaven to earth to rescue
you and me from the prison of eternal death (that we
actually deserved) by dying in our place to pay the
judgment price for our sins.

However, on the day before Jesus suffered an
excruciating and agonizing death by being crucified,
he gave his disciples and followers a new commandment
and that was "that we love one another." This he
demonstrated for us on the cross at Calvary.

With tireless regularity Easter comes around year
after year as a powerful reminder to all the world
that Jesus, the Son of God, loved us so much that he
gave his life as a ransom for our sins, so that we
could be given a full and free pardon and the gift of
eternal life.

There is no greater gift in all of life. There is no
greater love in all the world. And because Jesus loved
us so much, may God help us to love and forgive others
as he has so freely loved and forgiven us. This is his
new commandment to you and to me.

Suggested prayer: "Dear Jesus God, how can I ever
thank you enough for all you have done for me . . .
for dying for my sins and for rescuing me from the pit
of hell and giving me the gift of eternal life to be in
heaven forever with you. Help me to love others as you
have loved me. Thank you for hearing and answering my
prayer, Gratefully in Jesus' name, amen."

1. John 13:34 (NIV).

Note: If you have never received God's forgiveness and
his gift of eternal life, please read the article, "How
to Be Sure You're a Real Christian" at:
www.actsweb.org/christian.

<)))><

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
Shooting the Wounded

"Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one
another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be
compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil
or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to
this you were called so that you may inherit a
blessing."1

Dr. Leslie Flynn writes about the time when the
English and French were at war in colonial Canada.
"Admiral Phipps, in charge of the British Fleet, was
ordered to anchor outside Quebec, a city on the St.
Lawrence River. He was to await the coming of the
British infantry and then join the land forces in
attack.

"Arriving early, Admiral Phipps, an ardent
nonconformist, was annoyed by the statues of the
saints that adorned the roof and towers of the
Catholic cathedral. So he spent his time shooting at
them with the ship's guns. How many he hit we don't
know, but history recorded that when the infantry
arrived and the signal was given to attack, the
admiral found himself out of ammunition. He had used
it for shooting out the saints."

I sometimes wonder, in the church, how much of our
efforts are poured into fighting among ourselves over
insignificant trivialities, and "shooting our
wounded," instead of uniting our efforts to attack the
real enemy such as greed, dishonesty, immoral living,
violence, abortion, gay marriage, pornography--and any
and everything else that is harmful to people and
society.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me not to
waste my time, energy, and resources on trivialities
or majoring on minors, but always to major on the
majors. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer.
Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."

1. 1 Peter 3:8-9 (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) 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
Trees: An Unprecedented Blessing

"Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let
the sea resound and all that is in it; let the fields
be jubilant, and everything in them. Then all the
trees of the forest will sing for joy, they will sing
before the Lord, for he comes . . . to judge the world
in righteousness and the people in his truth."1

Imagine, if you can, living in a world without trees.
How desolate such a place would be. But trees are not
just a thing of beauty. They have a very strategic
role to play in our world. They convert light into
energy and "breathe" the carbon dioxide exhaled by man
and animals. They use this gas to help manufacture food
and in its place give off oxygen, which man again
breathes. They help clean the air of dust particles,
stop erosion and restore deserts. They provide fodder,
timber, and innumerable other products. Just how they
lift enormous amounts of water to their highest
branches and manufacture food is still a mystery.

As the poet, Joyce Kilmer, so eloquently put it:

I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the sweet earth's flowing breast;
A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
A tree that may in summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.2

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank you for all the
beauty and creativity you have given to us in nature.
May it ever remind me of your majesty, your awesome
power, and your everlasting care and love. Thank you
for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in
Jesus' name, amen."

1. Psalm 96:11-13 (NIV).
2. Joyce Kilmer 1886-1918.

<)))><

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
Bonding

"Don't be misled: 'Bad company corrupts good
character.'"1

The first connection every child has is with his or
her mother. It starts in the womb, and as soon as the
newborn baby is in his or her mother's arms and on her
breast, that connection or bonding is reinforced and
sealed. Sadly, the child who doesn't have healthy
bonding in those early years is being programmed for
life-long relational problems unless he or she goes
through a healthy recovery program. If a young child
feels no bonding at all, he/she can soon die.

Connection and bonding are essential for our entire
lifetime. We cannot live without them. As counselors
tell us, we cannot "not be bonded." Thus, if we are
not bonded in healthy ways to healthy people, we will
be bonded in unhealthy ways to unhealthy people or to
things. For example, some people stay in very
destructive and toxic relationships for fear of being
isolated and disconnected from everyone. Others become
bonded to their work, gambling, drugs, alcohol, sex,
material possessions and so on.

Healthy bonding needs to be a priority for every one
of us, not only in our family relationships, but also
in our closer social networks. This should be
available in every church. If you can't find it there,
find it with some open, non-judgmental, healthy
friends, or in a recovery or twelve-step group if
necessary. Healthy bonding and connection to healthy
people is essential for healthy, wholesome, and
meaningful lives.

As the Bible reminds us, the company we keep affects
our lives.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to find at
least one safe soul-brother/sister with whom I can be
totally open and honest, connected to and bonded in a
healthy way. Thank you for hearing and answering my
prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."

1. 1 Corinthians 15:33 (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
Communications, Communications, Communications.

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

It has been wisely said that 80% of life's
satisfaction comes from healthy, loving and satisfying
relationships. No matter how successful one becomes in
the eyes of the secular world, without loving
relationships, life can become extremely empty and
lonely. Like, who wants to be the richest man in the
cemetery when life on earth is over?

The reality is that mankind was created for meaningful
and loving relationships--without which one can limp
along in the shadows of life instead of fully loving
and fully living.

As noted before, God himself is in relationship; that
is, via the Holy Trinity--God the Father, God the Son,
and God the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, one of the very
first things Jesus did at the beginning of his earthly
ministry was to "choose the twelve that they might be
with him."2 If Jesus needed to be in relationship with
people, how much more do we need to be?

One of the major keys for effective relationships is
effective communications at the feeling level. We can
converse intellectually at the rational level, but
without sharing at the feeling level there cannot be
any closeness or emotional intimacy. Couples who don't
know how to communicate effectively basically live
together alone apart.

Tragically, at least in the Western world, we know how
to put a man on the moon and talk to him while he is
there, but so many married couples don't know how to
talk (communicate) effectively with their partner
which involves open, honest, and trustworthy sharing
at the feeling level.

Best-selling author, Dr. John Powell, believes that
"most of us feel that others will not tolerate
emotional honesty in communication. We would rather
defend our dishonesty on the grounds that it might
hurt others, and, having rationalized our phoniness
into nobility, we settle for superficial
relationships. Consequently, we ourselves do not grow,
nor do we help anyone else to grow. Meanwhile, we have
to live with repressed emotions--a dangerous and
self-destructive path to follow. Any relationship
which is to have the nature of true personal encounter
must be based on honest, open, gut-level communication.
The alternative is to remain in my prison, to endure
inch-by-inch death as a person."3

Just one tip here . . . don't ever tell anyone that
they shouldn't feel the way that they feel. We feel
what we feel because we are what we are. Feelings in
and of themselves are neither right nor wrong. We just
need to understand them. Plus, we need to learn how to
accept other people's feelings without being
judgmental or trying to "fix" them. Watching a TV
interview last night with a young girl who was upset
and began to cry, the interviewer (a grown man) simply
told her not to cry. This made her feel worse and
communicated to her that it isn't acceptable to cry
when you are hurt or sad. Tears are a God-given gift
and are needed to drain the pain of hurt feelings.
That is; genuine tears, not crocodile tears that are
designed to manipulate or to conceal anger.

For further help in knowing how to communicate openly
and honestly, please read the article, "Dare to Be
Honest" online at:
http://tinyurl.com/dare-to-be-honest.

Dear God, "Thank you that you created mankind for
relationships. Please help me learn how to be a more
effective communicator so that this will help me to
have greatly enriched relationships. Thank you for
hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus'
name, amen."

Note: For additional help read "Enrich Your Family
Life" at: http://tinyurl.com/enrich-family-life.

1. Psalm 51:6 (NASV).
2. Mark 3:14.
3. John Powell, Why Am I Afraid to Tell You Who I Am?
p. 61. Argus Communications, San Mateo, Illinois.
Copyright 1969. Used by permission.

<)))><

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
Relationships, Relationships, Relationships

"The LORD God said, 'It is not good for the man to be
alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.'"1

One of the main problems Daily Encounter subscribers
write to me about has to do with relationships. For
instance, one subscriber whom I shall call Shirley
wrote: "I have found someone who is a seemingly solid
Christian. I have been such an idiot in past
relationships and DO NOT want to make the same
mistakes AGAIN. My question is, 'How do I go about
approaching a Christian courtship? My friend has
expressed interest but is as ignorant on the issue as
I am. Can you please help me as we would very much
prefer to make new and different mistakes."

Hello Shirley, thank you for being honest and
acknowledging your past failures in relationships. The
first step in overcoming any problem is to admit, "I
have a problem--I need help." The next step, and a
very critical one, is to realize that unless we
resolve the cause/s of past mistakes, we are destined
to repeat them. Realize, too, that we are as sick (or
as healthy) as the partner/s we are attracted to.
Therefore, before even considering another romantic
relationship, it is imperative that you become
involved in an excellent recovery program to make
absolutely certain that you have resolved all the
issues in your life that caused you to be attracted to
those partners you had in your past failed
relationships. The fact is that only healthy
people--both spiritually and emotionally--are
attracted to healthy partners and are able to develop
healthy relationships.

Furthermore, once couples are serious about a
committed relationship and the possibility of
marriage, it is wise to receive qualified Christian
pre-marriage counseling to make sure their
personalities will mesh and not lead to conflict, and
to learn the skills of dynamic relationships and the
art of effective communications.

By way of interest, the fact that you say that your
friend is a seemingly solid Christian raises
questions. If one is a genuinely committed Christian,
it doesn't take long to discern that. It's what one
does, how one acts, and what one's real interests
are--regardless of what they say--that shows who and
what a person really is. As the Bible says, "Therefore
by their fruits you will know them."2

Also, to develop healthy romantic relationships, it is
wise to attend marriage and relationship seminars and
to read good books which you can find by going to your
local Christian bookstore and check the section on
marriage and relationships. The store manager or owner
can give advice on excellent relational books.
Unfortunately, we spend years in education to learn
how to make a living but almost zero on how to develop
meaningful and fulfilling relationships. It's up to
each one of us to ensure that we learn these skills.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank you that you
created mankind for relationships. Please help me to
become more and more like Jesus in every way so that I
will have meaningful and loving relationships. And, if
needed, please show me any unresolved character issues
in my life that could in any way be damaging to
healthy, loving relationships. And lead me to the help
I need to resolve these issues so that my life and
relationships will always bring glory to your name.
Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer.
Gratefully in Jesus' name, amen."

Note: For additional helps check out the many helpful
articles on the ACTS website at:
http://www.actsweb.org/articles/Recovery.php and
http://www.actsweb.org/articles/Marriage.php.

1. Genesis 2:18 (NIV).
2. Matthew 7:20 (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) 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
Don't Waste Your Pain--Invest It

"Dear Brothers [and sisters], is your life full of
difficulties and temptations? Then be happy, for when
the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow.
So let it grow, and don't try to squirm out of your
problems. For when your patience is finally in full
bloom then you will be ready for anything, strong in
character, full and complete."1

In almost every trial we face, God is seeking to
"tell" us something. Sometimes the only way he can get
our attention is when we're hurting sufficiently to
stop and listen.

That has certainly been true in my life. On one
occasion God used an accident and a brief time in the
hospital to get my attention and to "speak" to me. The
decision I made as a result ended up changing the total
course of my life--much for the better, I might add.
Another time God used a major crisis and loss to
expand my work tremendously. He used another setback
to get me started in writing. That was over four
decades ago and I'm still writing. Furthermore, God
has used all of these setbacks to help bless others.

When you are hurting, you can be sure that God has
something to say to you too--something for your good.
Ask him to help you to hear what it is, and to give
you the courage to do what he is telling you to do.
Whatever it is, you can be certain it will enrich your
life and that of others.

So, never waste your pain--invest it wisely in your
own growth so you can more effectively help other
fellow strugglers and thereby invest in eternity.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to see
that you want to use all the trials that come my way
to help me grow and to change my life for the better.
Help me thus to never waste my pain but to invest it
wisely in serving you by ministering to others. Thank
you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully,
in Jesus' name, amen."

1. James 1:2-4 (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
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
Givers and Takers

The Bible says, "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly
will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously
will also reap generously. Each man should give what
he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly
or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so
that in all things at all times, having all that you
need, you will abound in every good work."1

Some televangelists claim that if you give generously
(to their ministry of course), God will greatly bless
you with wealth. But is this true? According to
today's Scripture if we tithe and give generously and
cheerfully to God, this is something that God loves,
but the blessing God promises is that our needs will
be met--not that we will become wealthy--and as such
we will abound in good works; that is, we will become
rich in good works.

It is true that God has greatly blessed many capable
and generous business people with financial success
who have, in turn, given greatly go God's work. The
important lesson we all need to learn, however, is
that we need to give to God's work in thanksgiving to
God and to Jesus for giving his life to die on the
cross to pay the penalty for all our sins--not for
what we can get--but rather to become rich and abound
in good works--good works that will glorify God.

To put it bluntly: in life there are givers and
takers. Givers give cheerfully of whatever they
have--even if it is only friendship, encouragement,
and service--and always reap a reward and become
richer as persons. Takers, who are always on the take
to see what they can get for themselves, will always
be paupers as persons, no matter how wealthy
financially or otherwise they may or may not become.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to be a
giver in every area of life, including of what
finances I have, and so become rich and abound in good
works. May I always give cheerfully as unto you in
thanksgiving for all you have done for me.
Furthermore, help me to be wise in all that I give and
be certain that I am serving you and giving to your
work on earth. Thank you for hearing and answering my
prayer. Gratefully in Jesus' name, amen."

1. 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (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
Working Together

"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of
Christ."1

Pastor Tod Bolsinger shares the following story about
two members in the San Clemente Presbyterian church:
"Gus and Hal are widowers at my church. Octogenarians
both, they have become friends since their wives
passed. It's getting harder for both of them to come
to church on Sundays, but to be sure when they are
there, they are there together.

"Hal is blind. Gus is an amputee confined to a wheel
chair. When they come to church, Hal pushes Gus and
Gus directs Hal. They make their way through the
parking lot and the patio to their place together in
the pew. And together, and only together, they come to
church. A blind man who can't see giving energy to a
man who can't walk. A lame man who can't move giving
direction to a man who lacks vision. But together,
they worship, take part in community and offer their
gifts, and, well, inspire a whole lot of us."2

Isn't this what Christianity is all about--supporting
one another, caring for one another, and working
together with one another--for the cause of Christ. In
Christ's ministry on earth it was almost always in
conjunction with one or more of his disciples. He sent
out the 70 messengers two by two. Peter, James and John
ministered together, as did Paul and Barnabas; Paul and
Silas; Paul, Silas and Timothy; Barnabas and John Mark;
and Priscilla and Aquila. We, too, need to care for
each other, support each other, and work together for
the cause of Jesus Christ and the spreading of the
gospel.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank you for the
example set for us by Jesus Christ, the early
disciples and the first Christians. Please help me to
be a partner in caring for, supporting, and working
together with fellow Christians to be a part of the
work that you are doing in the world today. Thank you
for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in
Jesus' name, amen."

1. Galatians 6:2 (NKJV).
2. From Tod Bolsinger's blog, "It Takes a Church."

<)))><

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
Come Unto Me

"Come unto me, all you who are weary and burdened, and
I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn
from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you
will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and
my burden is light."1

I have read how one of Denmark's leading sculptors had
a consuming ambition to sculpt the greatest statue of
Jesus Christ ever made. He began by painstakingly
shaping a clay model of a triumphant, majestic figure.
"This will be my masterpiece, " he stated on the day the
model was completed.

However, during the night, a heavy fog rolled into the
area and sea-spray seeped into the sculptor's studio
through a partially open window. In the morning he was
shocked to see his model. The droplets of moisture that
had formed on the statue created the illusion of
bleeding. The head had drooped. The facial expression
had melted into compassion. The arms drooped and
expressed welcome. The artist was horrified and was
aghast at having to start all over again.

However, as he kept looking at his statue of the
Savior, his thoughts began to take on a different
shape. He realized that his image of Christ was much
closer to reality. He then wrote his caption and
placed it under the figure: "Come unto me!"

Indeed, that is the call of Jesus to each of us today,
"Come unto me."

Suggested prayer: "Dear Jesus, in the words of the
hymn-writer, 'Just as I am without one plea, But that
thy blood was shed for me, And that thou bidst me come
to thee, O Lamb of God I come, I come.' Thank you for
hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus'
name, amen."

NOTE: If you have never come to Jesus and received his
forgiveness and his gift of eternal life, be sure to
read the article, "How to Be Sure You're a Real
Christian . . . without having to be religious" at:
www.actsweb. org/christian.

1. Jesus in Matthew 11:28-31 (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.

* * * * * * *

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
Amazing Grace

"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and
that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of
works, lest anyone should boast."1

John Newton (July 24, 1725 - December 21, 1807) is
probably best known as the author of many well-known
hymns, including, "Glorious Things of Thee Are
Spoken," "How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds," and
especially the popular hymn, "Amazing Grace," which is
one of the most well-known spiritual songs in the
English-speaking world.

Perhaps what many don't know is that in his youthful
years Newton lived a rather degenerate lifestyle and,
because of his troublesome behavior as a sailor, in
his early twenties was sold to a slave-merchant who
gave him to his wife, an African duchess, to be one of
her slaves. He was rescued in 1748 and, while sailing
back to England, in the middle of a storm the ship
began filling with water and threatened to sink, so
Newton cried out to God to save him. This was the
beginning of his conversion to Christianity. However,
he didn't totally commit himself to God until a later
time when he became seriously ill.

For nine years Newton was involved in the slave-trade
and himself became a captain of three slave-ships. It
was several years after his conversion that he gave up
the slave-trade. In 1757 he applied to become a
Christian minister, but it wasn't until 1764 that he
was accepted as an Anglican priest. He became a very
popular minister and people flocked to hear him.2

Because of his profligate life before he became a
truly committed follower of Jesus Christ, it is
understandable why he could write the following words:

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind but now I see.
Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
'Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.

When we've been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we first begun.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank you for your
amazing grace that also saved a sinner like me. May I
always live in an attitude of gratitude because of
your amazing grace, and please help me to share your
grace in some way with every life I touch. And if I
have never received your amazing grace, please help me
to do that today. Thank you for hearing and answering
my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus' name, amen."

NOTE: To experience God's amazing grace be sure to
read the article, "How to Be Sure You're a Real
Christian--without having to be religions" at:
www.actsweb.org/christian.

1. Ephesians 2:8-9 (NKJV).
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Newton

<)))><

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
Setting the Stage for Christ's Return, Part 2

We noted in yesterday's Daily Encounter that only God
knows the day and hour of Jesus Christ’s return to
earth. At the same time God’s Word assures us that we
can know the nearness or proximity of his return by
certain signs that are stated in God’s Word, the
Bible. Yesterday we looked at four of these signs: 1).
Troubled Times; 2). Israel’s Homecoming; 3). Jerusalem:
The End of Gentile Control; and 4). The planned new
Jewish Temple. Today we will consider four more
significant signs of the possible nearness of Christ’s
second coming. They are as follows:

5. Knowledge Explosion
God's Word also says, "But you, Daniel, keep this
prophecy a secret; seal up the book until the time of
the end, when many will rush here and there, and
knowledge will increase."8

Pastor John Jordan explained how, if we made a graph
to indicate the increase of man's knowledge from the
beginning of time to 1845 it would measure 1 inch
(25mm). From 1845 to 1945--just 100 years--it would
measure three inches (76mm). From 1945 to the present
day it would be as tall as the Washington Monument,
which is 555 feet (169m) high! According to one of my
college professors, the world's knowledge was then
doubling every five years. I don't know if this is
accurate or not, but what we do know is that in the
computer age, knowledge is increasing at an
ever-accelerating, mind-boggling rate.

6. Travel
Daniel said another sign of the nearness of the end of
this world age as we know it would be that of mankind
rushing here and there (or to and fro as another
translation puts it). Some Bible translators indicate
that this means rushing here and there for knowledge.
Whether it means this or just people rushing here and
there all over the world makes little difference as
both are happening as never before in the history of
mankind. Just go to any major airport in the world and
you will see worldwide people rushing to and fro all
around the world.

7. Globalism
In his book, Seven Signs of the End Times, Mark
Hitchcock wrote, "According to God's Word, the end of
the age will be characterized by a global government,
economy, and religion ruled over by one man, the
Antichrist. This end-time world order is described
most clearly in Revelation 13."9 Here we see the
following:

Global Government: Authority over every tribe and
people and tongue and nation was given to him.10

Global Religion: All who dwell on earth will worship
him.11

Global Economy: "He provides that no one will be able
to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark,
either the name of the beast or the number of his
name."12

Have you noticed how the present U.S. leadership,
along with the United Nations, is promoting a
one-world economy and a one-world government, and how
the former Prime Minister of England, Tony Blair, is
now promoting a one-world religion.

Indeed, the setting of the stage, not only for the
coming of Jesus Christ, but also for the entry of the
Antichrist is also being set up right now in our time.
It appears that our current world leaders are helping
to prepare the way for the Antichrist who will be, for
a short time, the ruler of the one-world government,
the one-world economy, and the one-world religion.13
The good news, however, is that the Antichrist and his
worldwide military might will be totally defeated by
Jesus Christ at the end of the Great Tribulation time
here on earth. This final battle is known at the
Battle of Armageddon which will be centered in the
Valley of Megiddo in Israel--a valley that is some 14
miles wide and 20 miles deep.

8. Worldwide Gospel Proclamation
Another profound end time sign is found in the words
of Jesus who said, "And this gospel of the kingdom
will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to
all nations, and then the end will come."14 Because of
modern means of communication, including high speed
printing presses, radio, television, audio and video
devices, and the electronic media (the Internet,
e-Mail, social networks, and mobile phone
applications) which have ushered in a communications
revolution the like of which the world has never
before seen--the gospel today is speeding to the ends
of the earth as never before in all of human history.
Even in the ministry of ACTS International we are
having visitors to our websites from 194 countries and
territories every month, and receiving salvation and
re-commitment to Jesus Christ decision/responses every
day of the year from people worldwide!

If you picture the above signs as an "End Times"
jigsaw puzzle, you can see how each piece is already
coming together and fitting into God’s prophetic
picture and plan for the end of time as we know it and
the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The important issue is this: Jesus Christ's second
coming is just as certain as was his first coming to
earth! He is coming again. What if it were today?
Would you be ready? Whatever you do make sure you have
your passport for Heaven. Don't leave earth without it.
You can get yours (there's no charge) by going to
"Passport for Heaven" online at:
www.actsweb.org/passport.php.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank you for Christ’s
promise that he is coming again to take all his true
believers to be with him and you for all eternity.
Please help me to make absolutely sure that I am ready
for this dramatic world-changing event. Thank you for
hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus’
name, amen."

To know for certain that you are ready for Christ's
return and won't be left behind when he comes, read
"How to Be Sure You're a Real Christian" on line at
www.actsweb.org/christian. Or if you believe that
Jesus Christ is the Son of God who died on the cross
to pay the penalty for all your sins, and would like
to accept Jesus as your personal Savior and God's
forgiveness, see God's invitation at:
www.actsweb.org/invitation.php.

Notes:
8. Daniel 12:4 (NLT).
9. Hitchcock, Mark, Seven Signs of the End Times,
pp. 72-73. Multnomah Books, Colorado Springs,
CO 80921. by Mark Hitchcock, 2002.
10. Revelation 13:7b.
11. Revelation 13:8a.
12. Revelation 13:17.
13. See “The Antichrist Is Coming" online at:
http://tinyurl.com/coming-antichrist
14. Matthew 24:14 (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
Setting the Stage for Christ's Return, Part 1

When on earth Jesus Christ promised: "Let not your
heart be troubled, you believe in God, believe also in
Me. In My Father's house [Heaven] are many mansions; if
it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare
a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for
you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that
where I am, there you may be also."1

With all that is happening in today's world many ask,
"Is the return of Jesus to earth getting close?" It is
true that only God knows just when this day will be,2
but of one thing we can be certain, Jesus Christ is
coming again. Every prophecy in the Bible concerning
Christ's first coming--prophecies that were predicted
several hundred years before his birth--were fulfilled
in minutest detail.3 We can be just as certain that the
prophecies in the Bible regarding Christ's second
coming will also be fulfilled in detail.

While we don't know the day of Christ's return, the
Bible makes it clear that if we know what God's Word
teaches, we will be able to discern the "signs of the
time" that will indicate the nearness of Christ's
return. True, individually, many of these signs have
been happening since Christ's first coming, but today
it appears that "they are all standing up at once."
This, in turn, seems to indicate that the setting of
the stage for Christ's return is accelerating. What,
then, are some of the signs the Bible says will
indicate the nearness of Christ's return?

1. Troubled Times

When Christ's disciples asked Jesus the same question,
he said, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom
against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes,
famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful
events and great signs from heaven. . . . Jerusalem
will be trampled on [controlled] by the Gentiles until
the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.4

Jesus also said to his disciples, "Watch out that no
one deceives you. Many will come in my name, claiming,
'I am he,' and will deceive many. When you hear of wars
and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must
happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise
against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There
will be earthquakes in various places, and famines.
These are the beginning of birth pains."5

"He [Jesus] told them this parable: 'Look at the fig
tree and all the trees. When they sprout leaves, you
can see for yourselves and know that summer is near.
Even so, when you see these things happening, you know
that the kingdom of God is near.'"6

2. Israel's Homecoming

One of the most significant signs of the setting of
the stage for Christ's return is "Israel's
Homecoming;" that is, the return of the Jewish people
to their homeland of Israel. Why do I say this is
significant? Because for Christ's return, according to
biblical prophecy, Israel has to be back in the
"Promised Land"--the land promised by God for
perpetuity to the ancient Israelites some 3,600 to
4,000 years ago. In 1948, almost 2,000 years after the
Romans destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple built by
Herod in AD70 and forced the scattering of the Jews
around the world, the nation of Israel was
re-established. When you consider how many times other
nations have tried to wipe Israel off the map--and
still desire to--it is a miracle of God how, against
overwhelming odds, this tiny nation has survived and
prospered.

3. Jerusalem: The End of Gentile Control

Furthermore, Jesus said that Jerusalem would be
trampled on--controlled by--Gentiles [non-Jews] until
the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.7 Today,
almost all of Jerusalem is controlled by the Israelis.
The control of Jerusalem by Gentiles after 2000 years
is over. The times of the Gentiles is now fulfilled.
This is another positive sign that the way is rapidly
being made ready for the return of Jesus Christ.

4. The New Jewish Temple

Equally significant is the fact that Israel has to be
back in the Promised Land in preparation for both the
return of Christ and the entrance of the coming
Antichrist who will appear at or about the same time
as Christ's return. The Antichrist, a messenger of
Satan, the devil, will make a Peace Pact with Israel
at the beginning of the coming seven-year Great
Tribulation, and then, in the mid-Tribulation period
he will desecrate the Jewish Temple by setting himself
up as God in the Temple. Already world leaders are
desperate for peace in the Mid-east and when peace is
promised by the Antichrist, who will no doubt be a
silver-tongued, powerful charismatic leader, the
world, the United Nations, and the United States will
jump to accept his offer.

This means that the Jewish Temple will have to be
rebuilt and in place after having been destroyed in
AD70 by the ancient Romans. Earlier this year Joy and
I had the opportunity to be in the Temple Institute in
Jerusalem and learned firsthand that the Jews are right
now drawing up plans for building the Third Temple.
They are also training priests at this time to lead
worship in the new Temple, and are currently making
the instruments needed for Temple worship. Thus, at
this very time, the Jews are waiting in the wings (as
it were) ready to build and erect the Third Temple.

To be continued . . .

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank you for the promise
in your Word, the promise that Jesus is coming again
and is coming for all his true followers. Help me to
be sure that I am ready for his coming, and with your
help, do everything I can to help bring others to
Jesus so that they, too, will be ready for Christ's
return. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer.
Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."

1. John 14:1-3 (NKJV).
2. Matthew 24:36.
3. For many fulfilled prophecies about Christ's first
coming see the article, "Jesus Christ: Is He God or
Man?" at: http://tinyurl.com/lu577.
4. Luke 21:10-11; 24 (NIV).
5. Mark 13:5-8 (NIV).
6. Luke 21:29-31 (NIV).
7. See Luke 21:24 (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:
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Copyright (c) 2011 by ACTS International.

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Today's Daily Encounter
Security


"The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are
the everlasting arms."1

Pardon my sentimentality but for the first time in my
life I have a dog . . . a small but beautiful shiatsu
puppy named Addie (short for Adelaide where I last
lived in Australia). My sons both had dogs when they
were kids and I loved their pets, but having my own
dog (Joy's and mine) is something else. My mother not
only had a dog for a pet when I was growing up, but
also a pet parrot (a pink and gray galah) that had its
wing cut so it pretty much had access throughout our
home. It was fascinating watching it waddle along
following behind my mother wherever she went. It was
amazing how attached it was to her. And now, as a
senior, I with Joy, are the proud owners of a dog that
we adore and where there is a mutual attachment.

The point I am making, however, is that we are Addie's
security. I have seen her, when she was afraid of a
bigger dog, almost fly into my arms, she would leap so
hard to reach my arms. The same thing happens when we
take her for a walk. When she is afraid, she just
wants to be in our arms. For Addie, our arms are her
security.

For the Christian when we are afraid, may we always
remember that underneath are the everlasting arms of
God for he is always there for us. He is our
safety--our security for both time and eternity. What
a blessed hope we have because of Jesus.

When King Saul was so extremely jealous of David that
he was hunting him down to kill him, David was
certainly justified in being afraid. But he said, "The
LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do
to me?"2

May God help you and me to have the same trust in God
as David did. He's the same God and offers the same
security.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, when I am afraid, please
help me to remember your Word that says, 'The LORD is
near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in
truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;
he hears their cry and saves them'3 and that
'Underneath are your everlasting arms.'1 Thank you for
your wonderful assurance of always being with me, and
for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in
Jesus' name, amen."

1. Deuteronomy 33:27 (NIV)
2. Psalm 118:6 (NIV)
3. Psalm 145:18-19 (NIV).

<)))><



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Daily Encounter is published at no charge by
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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
Responsibility

"For it is written: 'As I live, says the LORD, Every
knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess
to God.' So then each of us shall give account of
himself to God."1

True, I wasn't responsible for my coming into the
world, nor was I responsible for my upbringing.
However, unless I am mentally impaired, I am totally
responsible for what I do about my past, what I
become, what I do, and for how I choose to behave and
live my life.

The following is how one person expressed how many
people in today's world view responsibility:

"If a man cuts his finger off while slicing salami at
work, he blames the restaurant.

"If you smoke three packs of cigarettes a day for 40
years and die of lung cancer, your family blames the
tobacco company.

"If your neighbor crashes into a tree while driving
home drunk, he blames the bartender [or the tree for
being in the way].

"If your grandchildren are brats without manners, you
blame television.

"If your friend is shot by a deranged madman, you
blame the gun manufacturer.

"And if a crazed person breaks into the cockpit and
tries to kill the pilot at 35,000 feet, and the
passengers kill him instead, the mother of the
deceased blames the airline.

"I must have lived too long to understand the world as
it is anymore. So, if I die while my old, wrinkled face
is parked in front of this computer, I want you to
blame Bill Gates!"2

What we need to teach and emphasize today from the
cradle to the grave--and from the highest leadership
positions in the land to the most humble positions no
matter what these may be--is personal responsibility!

As Roy Smith said, "The ability to accept
responsibility is the measure of the man." And as
today's Scripture reminds us, all are responsible to
and before God.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank you that you will
do for me what I cannot do, such as giving Jesus to
die for my sins, but will not do anything for me that
I am able to do for myself. Help me to learn to always
be responsible and (if you have children) train my
children by my example to learn responsibility. Thank
you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully,
in Jesus' name, amen."

1. Romans 14:11-12 (NKJV).
2. Author and source unknown.

<)))><

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
Freedom and Responsibility

"Why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look
down on your brother? For we will all stand before
God's judgment seat . . . [and] each will give an
account of himself to God."1

Margaret Thatcher, former Prime Minister of England,
said, "I remember being taught by my parents, from my
earliest childhood, that the one thing about being
British was you did not have to be told what to do.
You rose to your responsibilities and took the
initiative. Religious belief played a fundamental part
in shaping that character because, whether you take the
Old Testament or the New Testament, it puts the
emphasis on the dignity and responsibility of the
individual. You are accountable because you have
freedom."

We, too, have freedom which is a priceless privilege.
However, some people seem to think they can use their
freedom to do as they please both before man and God.
As such they are not free but are in bondage to their
own selfishness, passions, and lust. They confuse
liberty with license forgetting that the price of
freedom is still eternal vigilance, which includes
moral and ethical responsibility. Ultimately, if we
continue to abuse our freedom and privileges, we will
lose them.

With freedom comes responsibility and with
responsibility, accountability. We are accountable to
our fellow man and above all we are accountable to
God. As God's word says, "For we must all stand before
God's judgment seat." And again, "It is appointed unto
men once to die, but after this the judgment."2

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to so live
that I will always act responsibly, that my life will
always bring glory to your name, and that I will not
be ashamed when I stand before you face to face. Thank
you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in
Jesus' name, amen."

1. Romans 14:10, 12 (NIV).
2. Hebrews 9:27.

<)))><

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

No Greater Love

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

George Robertson, a parachute safety and training adviser and a veteran of several hundred parachute jumps, followed six other sky divers out of a plane some 2.25 miles (3.6 kilometers) above the ground.

At approximately one mile (1.6 kilometers) the six attempted to link hands. One of the divers, Debbie Williams, accidentally collided with one of the other skydivers and knocked herself unconscious. Seeing her plight, Roberson tucked his arms to his side and, using his shoulders to steer himself, went after Debbie, Plunging downward at 75 miles (120 kilometers) per hour, he was able to catch her. Maneuvering her into a sitting position, Robertson yanked her rip cord. They were at 3,200 feet (823 meters)! At less than 2,400 feet (610 meters), he opened his own chute. Ten seconds later he would have slammed into the ground.

As Jesus said, there is no greater love than someone being willing to give or even risk his or her own life to save another's. But God's love for us is so much greater. As the Bible says, "Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."2

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, because you loved me enough to die for me, please help me to love you enough to live for you every day for the rest of my life. And please use me to be a vital part of what you are doing in the world today to help save those who are plummeting toward eternal death without Christ and without hope. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."

Note: To help reach others with the gospel in a simple and attractive way, please consider becoming a People Power for Jesus Partner (there is no cost involved). See http://www.actsweb.org/people_power02.php.

Also: If you have never thanked God for giving his Son, Jesus, to die on the cross to pay the penalty for all your sins and have never accepted Jesus as your Savior, I urge you to do this today—now. For help, please read the article, "How to Be Sure You're a Real Christian" at: www.actsweb.org/christian.

1. John 15:13.
2. Romans 5:7-8 (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
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
Slippers for Sale

"Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. But you ask, 'How
do we rob you?' In tithes and offerings."1

On May 25, 2001, a set of Dorothy's ruby slippers from
"The Wizard of Oz" sold for $660,000.00 at an auction
of movie and TV memorabilia titled "A century of
Hollywood" at Christie's East. According to an auction
house spokesperson, the famous shoes had sold in 1988
for $150,000 at Christie's. The evening auction
brought in more than $1.6 million.

Dorothy's ruby slippers sold for $660,000.00! Imagine
that! In comparison, what is an eternal soul worth?
There is no comparison! Obviously, the world thinks
much more of earthly fame and material possessions
than it does about eternal values.

I wonder how many Christians do the same, at least
concerning material possessions. The answer to this
question is found in how we spend our money and
resources and on what we spend these. I have read that
the average church spends 95% of its income on itself .
. . and that only 3% of Christians tithe of their
income to support God's work here on earth. What we do
and what we give--and to what we give it--speaks
volumes as to what we value in life.

Suggested prayer: "Dear Jesus-God, thank you that you
valued my soul so much that you gave your life to die
on the cross to save me from sin's eternal damnation.
Please help me place the same value on every human
soul as you do and live and give accordingly--not just
in words but in my actions and in my giving. Thank you
for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in
Jesus' name, amen."

1. Malachi 3:8 (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
Two Great Abilities

"Each one should test his own actions. Then he can
take pride in himself, without comparing himself to
somebody else, for each one should carry his own
load."1

Comedian Bill Cosby received a lot of flack because he
told his own people to quit blaming anyone else for the
problems they have, to act responsibly, and develop and
use the abilities they have. This is a message we all
need to hear regardless of the color of our skin or
the circumstances of our background.

In fact, two of life's greatest abilities are
depend-ability and response-ability. Dependability is
keeping one's word. It's being there when we say we
are going to be there, and doing what we say we are
going to do. It's keeping the commitments we make.

Responsibility is realizing that I am totally
responsible for what I say, what I want, what I feel,
and for what I do or don't do. True, I was not
responsible for my background or my upbringing, but I
am totally responsible for what I do about overcoming
my background if it were less than desirable, for what
I become, and for every area of my life. As long as I
blame my past, my parents, my background, the
government, or anyone else, I will stay in a
self-pitying and self-defeating mode going nowhere
fast.

Unless some think I am an armchair-theorist coming
from a highly privileged background telling others
what they should do, they are mistaken. I came from a
very dysfunctional family background, was not allowed
to attend high school, made to go to work fulltime
when I was still 13, and came overseas to get an
education without any help from anyone (worked my way
through college and worked three jobs at once during
the summers). I made up my mind while still a teen
that I wanted to fulfill God's will for my life, and
for my life to amount to something so I did what I
needed to do to make it happen.

What I did have going for me was a firm belief that
God had a purpose for my life. I didn't know what it
was at the time but I knew that I needed to prepare
myself for whatever it might be. Sure there were
obstacles to overcome and challenges to meet, but
these made me all the stronger. Today it has paid off
tremendously. I count it a tremendous privilege to be
able to publish the gospel and Christian message and
be communicating it around the world to multiplied
thousands of people. There is nothing better in life
that I could have wanted or wished to do.

The point is, every one of us needs to know that God
has a plan and purpose for his or her life, and then
employ all of his/her powers for the achievement of
that purpose. God will do for us what we cannot do for
ourselves, but he will never do for us what we can and
need to do for ourselves--otherwise he would be acting
irresponsibly by keeping us immature and
over-dependent.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, help me to discover what
my God-given life purpose is, and with your help, act
responsibly to overcome all setbacks, and develop all
of my abilities to achieve my life purpose. Thank you
for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in
Jesus' name, amen."

1. Galatians 6:4-5 (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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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
No Defeat Before the Battle

"Have not I commanded you? Be strong and courageous.
Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the
Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."1

When she was only nineteen months of age, Helen Keller
suffered an illness that left her blind and deaf. Soon
she was unable to speak. By the age of seven she was
extremely frustrated because of her inability to
communicate. Fortunately, her parents were able to
hire a twenty-year-old teacher to come and live with
them.

The teacher, Anne Sullivan, was a very capable and
loving individual and was able to help Helen by
teaching her to communicate with the use of her
fingers. Helen was greatly encouraged, learned to read
by Braille, and then read everything she could lay her
hands on.

She desperately wanted to earn a university degree
and, passing the entrance exams to Radcliffe, pleaded
with officials to allow her to attend and bring Anne
Sullivan with her to translate the lectures into her
manual code. The following is part of what she wrote
to the admission office:

"I realize that the obstacles in the way of my
receiving a college education are very great--to
others they may seem insurmountable; but, dear sir, a
true soldier does not acknowledge defeat before the
battle." Helen Keller was a true warrior and a real
winner! She "was an American author, political
activist, and lecturer. She was the first deaf-blind
person to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree."2

Being courageous doesn't mean the absence of fear. It
means acknowledging the fear but not allowing it to
control you.

Once you know your God-given life purpose--or your
purpose for the present--God's Word to Joshua is also
applicable to you and me today: "Be strong and
courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be
discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you
wherever you go."

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please give me the
courage to face all the obstacles in my life that
would hinder my fulfilling my God-given life
purpose--including your will for me today. Help me to
always remember that you will always be with me and
never leave or forsake me. Thank you for hearing and
answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name,
amen."

1. Joshua 1:9 (NIV).
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helen_Keller.
<)))><

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
Prophets or Propheteers?

"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

A few years ago Ralph Blodgett, who has researched
psychic predictions for several years, found that in a
given year, out of 250 specific predictions by thirty
of the nation's leading psychics, less than three
percent could be listed as "reasonably fulfilled."

Blodgett said, "I used to think psychics had to be led
either by God or the devil. Now I'm convinced that they
are being led most of the time by no one at all."

In Old Testament times it was an extremely serious
offence to be a false prophet. As God's Word says,
"But a prophet who presumes to speak in my name
anything I have not commanded him to say, or a prophet
who speaks in the name of other gods, must be put to
death."2 Tough words to be sure.

And in the New Testament we are warned not to believe
every spirit but to put them to the test to make sure
their word is from God.

I believe some people do have a gift of knowledge, but
I certainly don't. So how do I know if God is
"speaking" to or leading me? Sometimes it comes from
his Word, the Bible; sometimes through circumstances;
and at other times through an inner conviction. To
know whether it is from God or from myself all three
of the above need to be in harmony. And if anything is
out of harmony with God's Word, I can be certain it is
not from God. Furthermore, when I sense God is leading
me, I like to put whatever it is to the test to make
sure it is of God and not of me.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please give me the
ability to discern your guidance and to recognize when
a message or leading is from you, and also when it is
not from you. And help me to discern that which is
spoken by a false prophet. Thank you for hearing and
answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name,
amen."

1. 1 John 4:1 (NIV).
2. Deuteronomy 18:20 (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
How's Your Self-Worth?

"Love your neighbor as yourself."1

While Jesus said we were to love our neighbor as
ourselves, somebody else said, "Heaven help your
neighbor if you hate yourself." The fact is I can only
love and accept others to the degree that I have
learned to love and accept myself; that is, in a
healthy and not a conceited sense.

This has nothing to do with self-aggrandizement. It
has to do with how I see myself, what I think about
myself, how I feel about myself, and how well I accept
myself, as this will largely determine how well I do in
love and life. In other words, we need to see ourselves
as God sees us--with our strengths and weaknesses--and
accept ourselves as God accepts us.

Take a bar of iron and make it into nails and it will
be worth a few dollars, make it into weight-bearing
posts and its value will increase, refine it and make
it into stainless steel pots and it will be worth even
more. Refine it ever further and use it to make finely
tuned space-age rocket engines and it will be worth a
fortune.

Life's like that. If you believe in yourself and
accept yourself the way God believes in and accepts
you, with his help and refining (plus a lot of hard
work), you can become the person God wants you to be.
Then you will be able to do with your life what God
wants you to do and therein gain a deep sense of
satisfaction because your life is contributing to
God's Kingdom and the betterment of others. This gives
one's life a high and noble purpose and great value.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to see and
accept myself as you see and accept me and refine my
life so it can be best lived for others and therein
bring glory to you. Thank you for hearing and
answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name,
amen."

1. Mark 12:31 (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.

* * * * * * *

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
Better the Devil You Know

"The LORD spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses'
assistant, saying: 'Moses My servant is dead. Now
therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all
this people, to the land which I am giving to
them--the children of Israel. Every place that the
sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you.'"1


It wasn't too long after God delivered the ancient
Israelites from slavery in Egypt that they wanted to
go back there--in spite of the miracles they had
witnessed, such as the parting of the waters of the
Red Sea so they could cross over to the Promised Land
on dry land. However, when the going got rough through
the wilderness, they complained and wanted to return to
Egypt. Was it because they were afraid that things
weren't going to get any better, or that God had
deserted them? Or were they afraid of change? Like the
old saying goes, "Better the devil you know than the
one you don't know."

People haven't changed too much have we? As one writer
said, "The trouble these days is that people want to
get to the Promised Land without going through the
wilderness."

For the Christian God has a "promised Land" of
freedom, growth, wholeness and fulfillment. It's there
for the taking--but not without the struggles of
working through our private wildernesses.

Like Joshua who led the Israelites into the Promised
Land, we too need to "arise, go and possess" the
promises that God has for us. And we, too, will have
plenty of obstacles and setbacks to overcome. At the
same time, we have the same assurance that God gave to
Joshua when he said to him, "Have not I commanded you?
Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not
be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you
wherever you go."2

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please give me the
courage to actively claim all the promises you have
for me so that I will become and do all that you have
envisioned for me to be and do. And give me the
determination to never give up, no matter how
challenging the way, knowing that you will be with me
every step of the way. Thank you for hearing and
answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name,
amen."

1. Joshua 1:1-3 (NKJV).
2. Joshua 1:9 (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) 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 View from the Heart

"When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought,
'Surely the Lord's anointed [for king] stands here
before the Lord.' But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not
consider his appearance or his height, for I have
rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man
looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the
Lord looks at the heart.'"1

Today's society, at least here in America, places
tremendous emphasis on physical appearance--for both
men and women. If, for example, two men of equal
qualifications apply for the same job, the tallest man
is most likely to be appointed.

Carlos Romulo, a Foreign Secretary of the Philippines,
is only 1.626 meters (approximately 5'4"). He was very
self-conscious about his height until he visited
Tussaud's Wax Museum in London and discovered that he
was 50 millimeters (2 inches) taller than Napoleon
Bonaparte (who became known as "the little corporal").
He promptly discarded his elevated shoes.

William Wilberforce was another small man. He was
known for his eloquence and, in 1780 at the age of
twenty-one, entered the British Parliament. Six years
later he joined Thomas Clarkson and began his fight
against slavery even though the bill to end the slave
trade didn't become law until 1807--twenty-one years
later. More than any other person, Wilberforce helped
end the British slave trade.

Often in life many of the great achievements have been
accomplished by those who have had a serious setback, a
major limitation or handicap, or a significant failure
of one kind or another, but have overcome their defect
and risen above their circumstances to achieve the
worthwhile goals they had set for themselves.

With God's help you and I can do the same. It's not
our outward appearances that God looks on. He sees our
heart and wants us to use the gifts we have been
given--not the gifts that others have.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, I'm available for you to
use. Help me to see and believe in myself as you do
and set to work to fulfill my God-given life purpose.
Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer.
Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."

1. 1 Samuel 16:6-7 (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
Come Unto Me

"Come unto me, all you who are weary and burdened, and
I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn
from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you
will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and
my burden is light."1

I have read how one of Denmark's leading sculptors had
a consuming ambition to sculpt the greatest statue of
Jesus Christ ever made. He began by painstakingly
shaping a clay model of a triumphant, majestic figure.
"This will be my masterpiece," he stated on the day the
model was completed.

However, during the night, a heavy fog rolled into the
area and sea-spray seeped into the sculptor's studio
through a partially open window. In the morning he was
shocked to see his model. The droplets of moisture that
had formed on the statue created the illusion of
bleeding. The head had drooped. The facial expression
had melted into compassion. The arms drooped and
expressed welcome. The artist was horrified and was
aghast at having to start all over again.

However, as he kept looking at his statue of the
Savior, his thoughts began to take on a different
shape. He realized that his image of Christ was much
closer to reality. He then wrote his caption and
placed it under the figure: "Come unto me!"

Indeed, that is the call of Jesus to each of us today,
"Come unto me."

Suggested prayer: "Dear Jesus, in the words of the
hymn-writer, 'Just as I am without one plea, But that
thy blood was shed for me, And that thou bidst me come
to thee, O Lamb of God I come, I come.' Thank you for
hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus'
name, amen."

NOTE: If you have never come to Jesus and received his
forgiveness and his gift of eternal life, be sure to
read the article, "How to Be Sure You're a Real
Christian . . . without having to be religious" at:
www.actsweb.org/christian.

1. Jesus in Matthew 11:28-31 (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.

* * * * * * *

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.