Daily Encounter with: ACTS International

Today's Daily Encounter

People Who Need People

"One standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but
two can stand back-to-back and conquer; three is even
better, for a triple braided cord is not easily
broken."1

Many readers will be familiar with the song made
popular by Barbara Streisand, "People who need people
are the luckiest people in the world." She's right of
course.

Jesus was very definitely a people person. He was a
friend to and of sinners and ordinary people alike.
True, he needed space at times to be alone with God,
but he always came back to be with people. He rarely,
if ever, ministered alone (except for going to the
cross which he alone could do for us). And he relaxed
with friends, both male and female.

We all need some close, supportive friends. "Bear one
another's burdens" and "love one another" is at the
very heart of Christianity.

Make time to develop and maintain close friendships.
In a day of trouble you will need them. You will also
need them in good days. We were created for
relationships and can only live healthy lives when we
are in healthy relationships.

A poet wrote:

I went out to find a friend,
But could not find one there.
I went out to be a friend,
And friends were everywhere.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, help me first of all to
be a loving friend and then find loving friends to be
with. And thank you that you are a friend of sinners,
such as I. Thank you for hearing and answering my
prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."

1. Ecclesiastes 4:12 (TLB)(NLT).

<:((((><

NOTE: If you would like to accept God's forgiveness
for all your sins and His invitation for a full pardon
Click on: http://www.actsweb.org/invitation.php. Or
if you would like to re-commit your life to Jesus Christ,
please click on http://www.actsweb.org/decision.php to note this.

* * * * * * *

Daily Encounter is published at no charge by
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) 2012 by ACTS International.
When copying or forwarding include the following:
"Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2012
ACTS International.

Today's Daily Encounter

More About Denial

"Be done with dishonesty … deception … and fraud. Long
to grow up into the fullness of your salvation."1

I once asked a group what they thought a Christian's
number one sin or problem was. As quick as a flash one
humorist replied, "Apathy, but who cares?" While he was
joking, he may have been correct, but my belief is that
another of our biggest problems is the sin of denial!

No matter what our problem is, as long as we keep our
head in the sand and don't admit there's a problem, or
refuse to face reality, there is no resolution. As one
ostrich said to the other, both with their heads in
the sand, "Is it safe to come out yet?"

One of my greatest strengths is to admit my failures
and weaknesses. That takes honesty and courage, but it
doesn't take courage to deny them. Denial is more a
sign of fear and weakness.

Without access to the truth there is no healing, there
is no overcoming our difficulties and problems, and
there is no freedom. We put ourselves outside of God's
"boundaries" to help us.

Jesus said, "You will know the truth and the truth
will set you free."2 So as long as there is any area
of my life where I haven't found freedom, then, to
that degree, there is some truth about myself that I
am not seeing or facing or am in denial about. Denial
is deadly. It prevents us becoming all that God wants
us to be. It is also the root cause of endless
physical sicknesses, relational conflicts, spiritual
dryness, and emotional problems including anxiety,
worry, false guilt, hostility, depression and so on.

Furthermore, as today's Scripture points out, getting
real is a part of growing up into the fullness of our
salvation and/or Christian maturity.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to be
totally open and honest with myself, with you, and
with at least one safe and trusted friend to whom I
can confess all my fears, failures, sins and
weaknesses without any fear of being judged,
criticized or put down. Thank you for hearing and
answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name,
amen."

1. 1 Peter 2:1-2 (TLB)(NLT).
2. John 8:32.

<:((((><

NOTE: If you would like to accept God's forgiveness
for all your sins and His invitation for a full pardon
Click on: http://www.actsweb.org/invitation.php. Or
if you would like to re-commit your life to Jesus Christ,
please click on http://www.actsweb.org/decision.php to note this.

* * * * * * *

Daily Encounter is published at no charge by
ACTS International, a non-profit organization,
and made possible through the donations of
interested friends. Donations can be sent at:
http://www.actscom.com
Copyright (c) 2012 by ACTS International.
When copying or forwarding include the following:
"Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2012
ACTS International.

Today's Daily Encounter
Beware of Bible-Babble

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

Certainly I believe that God does lead, direct, and
communicate with us today. However, unless the word
received is directly from the Bible or in direct
harmony with biblical principles, it needs to be
rejected. Remember that God never goes against his own
Word--ever.

If we use "God-talk-bible-babble" as a means of
getting our own way--God-talk such as: "The Lord told
me it is to be such and such a way," or "God told me
you are to be my wife/husband," etc., etc.; or when we
quote a Bible passage out of context (which is really a
pretext), or when we blame God for our problems or for
things that go wrong when it is entirely our own
fault, or quote the Bible as a means of avoiding our
own or another's reality, it is meaningless
bible-babble. Which, of course, is a part of
religiosity!

Bible-babble may sound impressive if we don't know
what God's Word teaches. More often than not it is a
defense against facing our fears and insecurities and
as a means of avoiding personal responsibility. It is
often a form of denial, which is always a
self-deceptive and dangerous path to follow. If there
is one thing I believe God wants us to be, it is to be
real, to be honest, and to stop using bible-babble. God
always desires truth.2

One of the major problems with denial is that when we
are in it, we deny that we are.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please deliver me from
the sin of denial and using bible-babble and God-talk
when I am using it as a means of avoiding reality.
Help me to be real always in all ways and at all
times. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer.
Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."

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

<:((((><

NOTE: If you would like to accept God's forgiveness
for all your sins and His invitation for a full pardon
Click on: http://www.actsweb.org/invitation.php. Or
if you would like to re-commit your life to Jesus Christ,
please click on http://www.actsweb.org/decision.php to note this.

* * * * * * *

Daily Encounter is published at no charge by
ACTS International, a non-profit organization,
and made possible through the donations of
interested friends. Donations can be sent at:
http://www.actscom.com

Copyright (c) 2012 by ACTS International.

When copying or forwarding include the following:
"Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2012
ACTS International.

Today's Daily Encounter

does God Care?

"Not one sparrow … can fall to the ground without your
Father knowing it. And the very hairs of your head are
all numbered. So don't worry! You are more valuable to
him than many sparrows."1

You may have read about some city workers in Hamilton,
Canada, who were trimming trees along a certain street.
In one tree they found a nest with several baby robins
in it. They decided not to trim this tree until the
nest was empty.

When it was abandoned, the workers returned. In the
nest they found a piece of paper, along with dried
twigs, the robins had used to build the nest for their
babies. On the paper were printed the words, "We trust
in the Lord our God!"

In life when things get rough as they sometimes do, it
pays to remember how Jesus said that God was aware of
every sparrow that fell to the ground and that we were
of much more value than many sparrows. This was to let
us know that God cares when we are hurting. As the
hymn writer expressed it:

Does Jesus care when my heart is pained
Too deeply for mirth and song;
As the burdens press, and the cares distress,
And the way grows weary and long?
O Yes, He cares; I know he cares,
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares.2

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, in my times of sadness
and distress help me not only to know that you care,
but also to feel your loving care in the very depths
of my being. And please give me loving friends who
will support me through these times--not to preach at
me or give me advice, but just to be there--and be as
Jesus to me. And help me to do the same for others who
are going through tough times. Thank you for hearing
and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name,
amen."

1. Jesus in Matthew 10:29-31 (TLB)(NLT).
2. Frank E. Graeff

<:((((><

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) 2012 by ACTS International.

When copying or forwarding include the following:
"Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2012
ACTS International.

Today's Daily Encounter

All I Need to Know

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

You are probably familiar with the article by Robert
Fulghum titled, "All I Ever Needed to Know I Learned
in Kindergarten." It's a classic and contains
priceless advice.

"Most of what I really need to know about life, I
learned in kindergarten. Wisdom was not at the top of
the graduate school mountain, but here in the sandbox
at nursery school.

"These are the things I learned: Share everything.
Play fair. Don't hit people. Put things back where you
found them. Clean up your own mess. Don't take things
that aren't yours. Say you're sorry when you hurt
somebody. Wash your hands before you eat. Flush! Live
a balanced life. Learn and think, draw and paint, sing
and dance, play and work a little every day.

"When you get out into the world, watch for traffic,
hold hands, and stick together. Be aware of wonder.

"Remember the little seed in the plastic cup. The
roots go down and the plant goes up, and nobody really
knows why, but we are all like that.

"Goldfish, hamsters, white mice, and even the little
seed in the plastic cup--they all die. So do we.

"And then remember the book about Dick and Jane, and
the first word you learned, the biggest word of all:
LOOK. Everything you need to know is in there
somewhere. The Golden Rule, love and basic sanitation,
ecology, politics and sane living.

"Think of what a better world it would be if all of
us--the whole world--had cookies and milk about three
o'clock every afternoon, and then lay down with our
blankets for a nap. Or if we had a basic policy in our
nation, and other nations, always to put things back
where we found them, and cleaned up our own messes.

"And it's still true, no matter how old you are, when
you go out into the world, it's best to hold hands and
stick together."

Personally speaking, I had a dear friend whom I met
very early in life. We went through grade school and
technical college together. We'd been through national
service together, too, and even though we'd lived
thousands of miles apart, we never lost contact with
each other. Not so long ago my friend fell on hard
times, became discouraged, withdrew into himself and
took his life. A tragic waste. I wish he had reached
out to me in his hour of despair. How sad it is when,
in our hour of need, as adults, we forget to hold
hands and reach out for the help and support we
need--so we can, as Jesus taught, "bear one another's
burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ."

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to be a
loving and kind burden-bearer, and above all to be
Christ-like in all that I say and do for others. And
when I need help, give me the courage to reach out and
admit that I have a problem and need help. Thank you
for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in
Jesus' name, amen."

1. Galatians 6:2.

<:((((><

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) 2012 by ACTS International.

When copying or forwarding include the following:
"Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2012
ACTS International.

Today's Daily Encounter

Going Around in Circles

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on
your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge
him, and he will make your paths straight."1

I remember reading the following story in Reader's
Digest about an independent trucker who was having
difficulty finding his delivery location. "Take exit
20, turn right, and then take the second left," were
the instructions he was given.

He took the correct exit, turned right, then took the
second left and ended up back on the highway.

He tried again. The same thing happened.

He called the company, who gave him some adjusted
directions. His next two attempts put him back on the
highway going the opposite direction.

However, he recalled having seen a police car parked
not far from the exit. So on his fifth attempt, he
parked his rig, walked over to the police car and
asked the officer for help.

"Don't worry," said the officer, "just wait a while.
Your trucks have been coming by all morning. All you
need to do is follow the next one that gets off the
highway."

Do you ever feel like you are also going around in
circles getting nowhere fast? I've certainly been
there. I often kid that I wish God would have an
e-mail address so when I'm confused or have difficulty
"finding my way," I could get God's leading and
direction a whole lot easier and faster.

Being a little more realistic, however, we know that
God doesn't make our decisions for us. If he did, he
would be acting as a codependent. In so doing he would
stop us from becoming responsible and growing up.
However, when we trust our life and ways to God and
seek his guidance, he has promised to give us wisdom
and direction to help us make the right choices and
find the right way.

Sometimes it takes a while to get God's
directions--but while we're waiting there's always
something for us to learn.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, sometimes I'm confused
and feel like I am going around in circles getting
nowhere. Please help me to always seek your guidance
and direction. In so doing I choose to trust you to
lead me in the way I need to go. Thank you for hearing
and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name,
amen."

1. Proverbs 3:5-6 (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) 2012 by ACTS International.

When copying or forwarding include the following:
"Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2012
ACTS International.

Today's Daily Encounter
"Your Time Is Limited. . ."

In October of last year the passing of Steve Jobs,
founder of Apple Computers, was a shocker even though
it was well known that he had battled cancer for some
time. The shocker was that he was only 56.

Steve, a genius with computer technology--from the
personal computer to the iPod and iPhone--had a
profound impact pretty much on the entire world with
his incredible computer-related inventions. He will be
known among the greatest of inventors. Interesting that
in 1993 he said, "Being the richest man in the cemetery
doesn't matter to me.… Going to bed at night saying
we've done something wonderful--that's what matters to
me."1

That's certainly a worthwhile goal, but what if Steve
died without knowing Christ as his Savior? All his
remarkable achievements in this life would amount to
nothing--even though his inventions have helped spread
the Christian gospel around the world. As Jesus warned
us all when he said, "What will it profit a man if he
gains the whole world and loses his soul?"2

I heard Steve say in a TV interview that sometimes he
believed in God and sometimes he didn't, but only he
and God know where he is now. I surely hope he is in
heaven. One word of wisdom Jobs shared when he made it
known that he had cancer was this: "Your time is
limited, so don't waste it living someone else's
life."

How true this is. Time is limited. Life is short--and
we only have one shot at it. If, per chance, your time
was up today, would you be prepared for life beyond the
grave--to meet God?3 If not, I urge you to make that
preparation right now. For help, read the article,
"How to Be Sure You're a Real Christian" at:
http://tinyurl.com/real-christian.

Same principle applies to Christians: "For we must all
appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each
one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body,
according to what he has done, whether good or bad."4
As Christians we won't be judged for our sins because
God has forgiven us for all of these because Jesus
Christ, God's Son, paid the penalty for us by dying in
our place on the cross. What it does mean is that we
will have to give an account of our life to Jesus
Christ regarding how we lived for and served God since
we became a Christian.

When I stand before the judgment seat of Christ, I
trust and pray that I will hear his welcoming words
say, "Well done, good and faithful servant. … Enter
into the joy of your lord."5 I encourage you, too, to
make sure that you are living in harmony with God's
will and faithfully serving him so you won't be
embarrassed and disappointed when you stand before the
judgment seat of Christ.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank you for your
assurance of life after death, and that you are
preparing a home in Heaven for all who trust you as
their Lord and Savior. Thank you, too, for your
promise of a rich reward to all who believe in you and
have served you faithfully. Please help me to be
certain that my name is written in your book of life
so I will not be left behind when Jesus returns. And
please help me to serve you faithfully in the
here-and-now so that I will not be embarrassed when I
stand before Jesus to give an account of my life and
service to you. So help me God. Thank you for hearing
and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name,
amen."

Special NOTE: Should you die today and are not
absolutely sure that you would go to Heaven, but would
like to be sure, you can be by accepting Jesus as your
Savior and in so doing receive God's forgiveness. You
can make and record that decision today by going
online to http://tinyurl.com/gods-invitation. Or,
again, for further help read the article, "How to Be
Sure You're a Real Christian," at
http://tinyurl.com/real-christian.

Also, if you have already accepted Jesus as your
Savior and would like to re-commit and re-dedicate
your life to God and promise with His help to serve
him more faithfully, and thereby not be embarrassed
when you stand before Jesus at the judgment seat of
Christ, I encourage you to make that commitment today.
You can do this by going online to the same link at:
http://tinyurl.com/gods-invitation

1. CNNMoney/Fortune, May 25, 1993.
2. Mark 8:36 (NKJV).
3. Amos 4:12 (NIV). God's message to ancient Israel
also applies to you and me.
4. 2 Corinthians 5:10 (NASB).
5. Matthew 25:23 (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

Today's Daily Encounter

The Thief Who Was Robbed

"Be sure your sin will find you out."1

Zig Zigler, well-known motivational speaker, tells the
story about a thief who was robbed. The incident took
place back in 1887 in a small neighborhood grocery
store when a middle-aged gentleman, Emanuel Nenger,
gave the assistant a $20 note to pay for the turnip
greens he was purchasing. When the assistant placed
the note in the cash drawer she noticed that some of
the ink from the $20 came off on her hands, which were
wet from wrapping the turnip greens.

She'd known Mr. Nenger for years and was shocked. She
pondered, "Is this man giving me a counterfeit $20
note?" She dismissed the thought immediately and gave
him his change. But $20 was a lot of money in those
days so she notified the police who, after procuring a
search warrant, went to Emanuel Nenger's home where
they found in his attic the tools he was using to
reproduce the counterfeit $20 notes. They found an
artist's easel, paint brushes, and paints which Nenger
was using to meticulously paint the counterfeit money.
He was a master artist.

The police also found three portraits that Nenger had
painted--paintings that sold at public auction for a
little over $16,000! The irony was that it took him
almost as much time to paint a $20 note as it did to
paint those portraits that sold for more than $5,000
each.

The man who robbed Emanuel Nenger was Emmanuel Nenger.
We do the same whenever we cheat or break the
law--including God's laws--for illegitimate gain. And
while most of us wouldn't rob another person of his or
her material possessions, it is very easy to rob a
person's reputation through idle gossip.

We also rob and cheat ourselves when we don't give our
tithes2 to God for his work, and to others in
need--whether it is of our time, talents, money, other
resources, or love.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, help me never to rob
myself, or steal from any person in any way. And
especially help me never to rob from you. Help me,
too, to be a giver and not a taker. Thank you for
hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus'
name, amen."

1. Numbers 32:23.
2. See Malachi 3:8-10.


Copyright (c) 2012 by ACTS International.

When copying or forwarding include the following:
"Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2012
ACTS International.

Today's Daily Encounter
Is Psychology of the Devil?
"Behold, You [God] desire truth in the inward parts,
and in the hidden part You will make me to know
wisdom."1

In a seminar I was leading on relationships a young
man was sharing the problems he was having with
interpersonal relationships. After listening to all he
had to say, I simply asked, "Please tell me about your
father."

His reaction was rather dramatic. He stood directly to
his feet and in no uncertain terms angrily replied,
"That question is psychology and psychology is of the
devil. I refuse to answer you." As he picked up his
belongings and stormed out of the room, I said "You
just did" (meaning that he just answered me via his
actions.)

My question regarding his father obviously triggered a
deep issue that he was either afraid to face or refused
to deal with. This was obvious by his strong
overreaction.

No matter what anyone does or says to me--that may or
may not be a problem--to the degree that I overreact,
that is always my problem. Always!

Part of what this young man said is true in that that
some psychology is bad, but there is good psychology
too. This also relates to theology--some is bad and
some is good. This could apply to every field. Simply
put, while theology is the study and understanding of
God, psychology is the study and understanding of
people. And if we, as Christians, don't understand
people, we can do more harm than good when it comes to
trying to help them resolve personal issues. The fact
is that Jesus, being the Master Psychologist par
Excellence, always understood people2 and
understanding them, always knew what was needed to
meet their need. Furthermore, only to the degree that
you and I understand ourselves are we able of know and
understand anyone else.

Remember, God desires truth in our innermost being.
This means being honest with ourselves, with at least
one other trusted friend or counselor, and honest with
God. This includes being honest with our innermost
feelings, our motives, and bringing all of our
supercharged repressed negative emotions into the
light so that they can be confronted, dealt with, and
resolved (it's the latter of these that cause us to
overreact). Whether we call this personal psychology
or simply self-understanding doesn't matter--neither
is ever of the devil. If anything is of the devil, it
would be living in denial and self-deception, as the
devil is the father of lies.3

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please deliver me from
the sin of denial and projecting onto others the
outcome of my unresolved personal issues by
overreacting to what others do or say to me. Please
confront me with the truth about myself, help me to
see and resolve any unresolved issues, and help me
always to walk on the path of truth. So help me God.
Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer.
Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."

1. Psalm 51:6 (NKJV).
2. See John 2:24-25.
3. See John 8:44.

<:((((><

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) 2012 by ACTS International.
When copying or forwarding include the following:
"Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2012
ACTS International.

Today's Daily Encounter
I Think God Hates Me

A Daily Encounter reader writes: "I believe in God but
I have to tell you at times I think God hates me. I
feel like I must have done something bad. It seems in
my life, when it rains it pours. I take two steps
forward I go two steps back. Can you please help me to
understand?"

Dear Jane (name changed), as I often tell people when
it comes to trying to understand and resolve personal
problems: "The problem is never the problem." By this
I mean that, more often than not, the problem we see
isn't the problem that is. What we usually see is the
symptom of the problem, but not the root cause. To
resolve the problem it is imperative that we face and
resolve the root cause/s.

Because, at times, you feel that God hates you sounds
as if, in your past, you may have felt that a
significant male hated you. I wonder if you may have
had a confusing relationship with your father when you
were growing up and never felt certain whether or not
he loved you. I say this because we tend to project
onto God, our Heavenly Father, exactly how we feel or
felt towards our earthly father.

If a person had a close, loving and warm relationship
with his or her father and felt loved and affirmed by
him, it is very easy to feel close to and loved and
affirmed by God. But if she had a distant relationship
with her father, or never felt truly loved or affirmed
by him, chances are that she won't feel close to God
either--and at times feel that he doesn't love her--or
even hates her. I know because I had to resolve this
issue in my own life having come from a very
dysfunctional family background and can't ever
remember feeling close to my father.

So how do you overcome and resolve these disturbing
feelings?

First, I suggest that you earnestly pray that God will
reveal to you the truth of your feelings; that is, the
root cause of your feeling that sometimes God hates
you. Keep in mind that once you clearly see the root
cause, you can then see what you need to do to resolve
your problem. As the greatest teacher of all times once
said, "You will know the truth and the truth will set
you free."1 Without access to the truth, there is no
healing or recovery, and we stay "stuck" in our
situation.

Second, if these feelings run deep, chances are you
may need to see a capable Christian counselor to help
you resolve the root cause of your problem. For
counseling resources visit the
http://www.actsweb.org/counseling_resources.php
website.

Third, every day remind yourself of this
truth--regardless of how you feel--a truth for which
you can be 100 percent certain: No matter what you
have ever done or have failed to do God loves you (and
always will) totally, fully and unconditionally. And
daily thank God for his unfailing love.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank you that when 'I
have unresolved personal issues, you give me
symptoms.' In all of my struggles please give me the
courage and help I need to see and confront the root
cause or causes of my problem, and to find the help I
need to overcome. Thank you for hearing and answering
my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."

NOTE: The issue we have addressed in this Daily
Encounter points out the critical need and importance
for a father's love and affirmation of every child
during their formative years. We ignore this divine
principle to the peril of our children and their
generation.

1. Jesus Christ in John 8:32.

<:((((><

NOTE: If you would like to accept God's forgiveness
for all your sins and His invitation for a full pardon
Click on: http://www.actsweb.org/invitation.php. Or
if you would like to re-commit your life to Jesus Christ,
please click on http://www.actsweb.org/decision.php to note this.

* * * * * * *

Daily Encounter is published at no charge by
ACTS International, a non-profit organization,
and made possible through the donations of
interested friends. Donations can be sent at:
http://www.actscom.com
Copyright (c) 2012 by ACTS International.
When copying or forwarding include the following:
"Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2012
ACTS International.

Today's Daily Encounter
Making Families Strong Part III

"Children, obey your parents in everything, for this
pleases the Lord."1

Yesterday, according to Dr. Stinnett's research, we
shared the first three characteristics that make a
family successful and strong. They were as follows:
commitment, spending time together, and effective
communications. Today we discuss the other three
characteristics.

FOURTH, strong families express appreciation to one
another. Another common complaint I hear from husbands
and wives is this: "I feel taken for granted and don't
feel appreciated." I am sure, too, that many children
feel the same.

It is so easy to say, "Thank you. I really appreciate
your washing and ironing my shirts, cooking my meals,
mowing the yard, cleaning up your room, leaving the
bathroom tidy, taking out the garbage, bringing home
the paycheck--but most of all I appreciate you just
because you're you."

FIFTH, happy families are able to solve problems in a
crisis. Mature people know that crises come to every
family simply because we live in an imperfect world.
And while crises often drive weaker families apart,
they draw stronger families together and help make
them stronger. The strong may bend under a crisis but
not break, and they always bounce back.

SIXTH, successful families have a strong spiritual
commitment. Stinnett's research "found that strong
families have a high degree of religious orientation
and commitment. Not all belong to organized churches,
but most do. They all consider themselves to be highly
committed to their spiritual lives."2

A study conducted by sociologist Steven Nock of the
University of Virginia supports this conclusion. His
study showed that couples who attend church regularly
are 42 percent more likely to be married for the first
time, and those in the church who were strongly
committed to its beliefs had a 23 percent better
chance of having a "very happy" marriage than those
who don't go to church.

People then who have happy marriages and strong
families are those who are committed to making their
families strong. They work hard at communicating
effectively. They spend time together. They express
love and appreciation. They accept crises as normal
and know how to work through them, and above all they
trust in God and apply their faith to everyday living.


Would you like to have a happier and stronger family?
You can. A good place to start is by taking your
family and/or yourself to a church or chapel this week
where family living is honored and held in very high
respect.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank you again for the
family which you have given for the benefit of all
mankind. Help me to live in harmony with your will and
make healthy family living one of my top priorities.
Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer.
Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."

1. Colossians 3:20 (NIV).
2. Rekers, George, Ed., Family Building: Six Qualities
of a Strong Family (Ventura, CA: Regal Books, 1985), p.
43. Logos Research Institute, Inc.

<)))><

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) 2012 by ACTS International.
When copying or forwarding include the following:
"Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2012
ACTS International.

Today's Daily Encounter

Making Families Strong Part II

"As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."1

Being concerned with what makes families healthy, Dr.
Stinnett led a major international research project to
learn the secrets of strong families. His studies
included strong black, white, ethnic, and
single-parent families in North America, South
America, Switzerland, Austria, Germany and South
Africa.

Dr. Stinnett's findings were discussed at a national
forum held in Washington, D.C., where family
specialists and leaders from various sectors of
society gathered specifically to determine exactly
what it was that made families strong. The content of
these discussions is presented in the excellent book
edited by Dr. George Rekers and titled, Family
Building: Six Qualities of a Strong Family.

In the study led by Dr. Stinnett, 3,000 families were
interviewed. Each one, regardless of its background,
rated very high on marriage happiness and in their
satisfaction with parent-child relationships. A
considerable amount of information was collected, but,
according to Dr. Stinnett, when thoroughly analyzed it
boiled down to six major qualities.2

The research also showed that these qualities just
didn't happen. People made them happen. They are the
result of "deliberate intention and practice."

What then are these SIX CHARACTERISTICS that make a
family successful and strong?

FIRST, strong families are committed to making the
family work. Family members don't expect perfection
from one another. They accept one another as they are,
and accept responsibilities and work together as a
team.

Their commitment goes far beyond feelings. Feelings
are important and are integrated, but they come and
go. They are variable. Commitment is constant. It is
an act of the will. In other words, if we want a
strong, happy family, we need to be committed to
making it happen.

SECOND, happy families spend time together, not only
quality time but quantity time. They work, they plan,
they struggle, and they play together. This is much
easier said than done, but done it must be if we want
strong families.

THIRD, successful families have effective
communications. The major complaint I hear, especially
from wives on both sides of the Pacific, is a variation
on the theme, "My husband doesn't understand my
feelings nor does he share his."

To communicate effectively, each family member needs
to be encouraged to express not only his or her
thoughts, ideas, and opinions, but also his or her
feelings in constructive ways and have them accepted.
Without this there can be no intimacy and families end
up as strangers living together alone.

To be concluded …

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank you that the family
is a vital part of your design for all mankind so that
people can live healthier and happier lives. May all
who would seek to destroy the family as you designed
it fail miserably in their attempts. Thank you for
hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus'
name, amen."

1. Joshua 24:15 (NIV).
2. Rekers, George, Ed., Family Building: Six Qualities
of a Strong Family (Ventura, CA: Regal Books, 1985),
pp. 38. © Logos Research Institute, Inc.

<)))><

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) 2012 by ACTS International.

When copying or forwarding include the following:
"Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2012
ACTS International.

Today's Daily Encounter
Making Families Strong Part I

"Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with
them."1

Former President Ronald Reagan, in an interview with
Dr. James Dobson, reported in Focus on the Family
magazine, said, "I don't believe you can have a
strong, healthy nation without the family unit as its
very base. As the family goes, so goes the nation."2

Dr. Nick Stinnett, chairman of the Department of Human
Development and the Family at the University of
Nebraska-Lincoln, agrees. He believes that history
clearly illustrates the relationship between the
strength of families and the strength of nations.

"As we study some of the ancient cultures such as that
of Egypt, Rome and Greece," says Stinnett, "we see a
common pattern: When these cultures were coming into
the peak of their power and glory as nations, the
family was strong. It was important and was valued
very highly. Family members cooperated with one
another. They depended on each other.

"Then, as these nations progressed along their paths
of destiny, the family came to be not so highly
valued, the culture became extremely individualistic.
It was a 'do your own thing' philosophy to an
excessive degree. The families deteriorated. When that
happened, the societies themselves fell."3

The family shapes the nation because it shapes the
lives of those who make up the nation. It is within
the family that we either gain or fail to gain our
sense of belonging, our s-e-xual identity, and our
sense of self-worth. The family also teaches us values
and how to relate to other people.

When these basic needs for belonging, acceptance,
self-worth, and training in wholesome values and
relationships are not adequately met, the seeds of
juvenile delinquency, alcoholism, drug abuse, impaired
relationships, marriage breakdown, divorce,
homosexuality, depression and mental illness are sown.
And the more of these problems we have, the weaker our
nation becomes.

Because as a nation we are so dependent on the
strength of our families, we need to do all in our
power to develop stronger, healthier homes.

Being concerned with what makes families healthy, Dr.
Stinnett led a major international research project to
learn the secrets of strong families. His studies
included strong black, white, ethnic, and
single-parent families in North America, South
America, Switzerland, Austria, Germany and South
Africa.

To be continued …

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me in my
family life to live in harmony with the principles as
found in your word and thereby set an example for my
family members. Thank you for hearing and answering my
prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."

1. Colossians 3:19-20 (NIV).
2. Focus on the Family, November 1985, p.3.
3. Rekers, George, Ed., Family Building: Six Qualities
of a Strong Family (Ventura, CA: Regal Books, 1985),
pp. 36. © Logos Research Institute, Inc.

<)))><

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) 2012 by ACTS International.

When copying or forwarding include the following:
"Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2012
ACTS International.

Today's Daily Encounter
Challenging Fear

"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out
fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The man
who fears is not made perfect in love."1

Most of us struggle with fear of one sort or another
at one time or another--some mild, some serious, some
healthy, some unhealthy and self-defeating.

Healthy fear is a self-protective mechanism. We
rightly fear (or should) driving through a red light,
or doing anything that could hurt us or others.
Unhealthy fear is that which is caused by someone who
hurt us deeply, and especially when we bury and deny
it. This fear can become a floating anxiety and cause
us to be fearful of everyday living, separate us from
close relationships and cause loneliness, give us
ulcers or other physical ills, or cause us to hide it
and "protect" ourselves with anger.

Fears that are relatively harmless can often be
overcome by doing the thing we fear and thereby
reconditioning our response to the particular thing we
fear.

Unhealthy or self-defeating fears need to be dealt
with at their root cause. For example, a person who
was abused or abandoned as a child may be fearful of
being treated the same way as an adult. And, for some
strange reason, unless he faces and resolves this
fear, he will tend to either withdraw from close
relationships or be attracted to people who will
repeat the abuse or abandonment he experienced in the
past. Sadly, the things we fail to resolve we are
destined to repeat.

As today's Scripture points out, "The man [person] who
fears is not made perfect in love." Thus, to be made
perfect in love means we need to resolve any unhealthy
fears. To do this these fears need to be recognized and
if repressed, they need to be brought into the
conscious mind so they can be confronted and resolved.


Look at the symptoms in your life. Do you avoid close
relationships? Is your life filled with anxiety? Are
you an angry person? Do you have any impaired close
relationships? Is your marriage a wreck? If any of
these apply to you, chances are you may have
unresolved fear. So when you pray, admit these and any
other symptoms to God and ask him to give you the
courage to see the root cause of these--and to lead
you to the help you need to overcome these. If the
fears are buried, you may need qualified professional
counseling help to overcome these. Speaking
personally, buried fear was a major problem in my life
until I realized that unless I got into therapy to
resolve my fear, I would be running from love for the
rest of my life.

As we resolve unhealthy fears, we open ourselves to
love, and the more we are filled with God's love, the
less fearful we will be because perfect love drives
out fear.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to face
the root cause of any or all fear/s I may have and
lead me to the help I need to overcome them so I can
be freed to know and experience your love, which is
the ultimate protection against fear. Thank you for
hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus'
name, amen."

1. 1 John 4:18 (NIV).

<)))><

NOTE: If you would like to accept God's forgiveness
for all your sins and His invitation for a full pardon
Click on: http://www.actsweb.org/invitation.php. Or
if you would like to re-commit your life to Jesus Christ,
please click on http://www.actsweb.org/decision.php to note this.

* * * * * * *

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) 2012 by ACTS International.
When copying or forwarding include the following:
"Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2012
ACTS International.

Today's Daily Encounter
Cognitive Dissonance

"And Pharaoh hardened his heart … and Pharaoh hardened
his heart … and Pharaoh hardened his heart … and the
Lord hardened Pharaoh's heart."1

Most readers will be familiar with Moses confronting
Pharaoh when he was attempting to lead the ancient
Israeli slaves out of bondage in Egypt. Pharaoh kept
opposing, opposing, and opposing the will of God. In
the process he kept hardening his heart until after
repeated opportunities he still refused to do what was
right, God gave up on him.

So who really hardened Pharaoh's heart, God or Pharaoh
himself?

And what's this got to do with cognitive dissonance?
Everything. Cognitive dissonance is a fancy term for
mental disharmony or a lack of peace of mind. For
example, if we consistently fail to do what we know is
right, and/or keep doing what we know is wrong, we will
lose peace of mind and experience cognitive dissonance.
Because we can't stand living this way, instead of
correcting our behavior, we repress and deny our
feelings, rationalize our behavior, justify our
actions, start believing our own lies--and end up with
a hardened heart and dead conscience--a dangerous
course to follow. Ultimately we self-destruct.

All of God's laws are universal. Take his moral law
for example. We can no more break it than we can break
the law of gravity. Try to break either one of these
and we end up breaking ourselves against them. How
foolish to think we can break God's laws and not
suffer the natural consequences. All we do is harden
our heart and deaden our conscience. And unless we
repent of our sinful ways and turn back to God, we end
up in a lost eternity forever. God's ways are for our
protection and eternal salvation. We neglect them at
our own peril.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, help me always to listen
to and heed the warnings you have built into my mind
when I am tempted to stray from the truth and what is
right … so that I will never deaden my conscience and
end up with a hardened heart. Thank you for hearing
and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus' name,
amen."

1. See Exodus 8:15; 8:32; 9:34; and 10:20.

<)))><

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) 2012 by ACTS International.

When copying or forwarding include the following:
"Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2012
ACTS International.

Today's Daily Encounter

Don't Waste Your Pain--Invest It

See special note of remembrance below re Anzac Day for
all Australian and New Zealand subscribers.

"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 time he can get our
attention is when we're hurting sufficiently to slow
us down so we will stop and listen.

That has certainly been true in my life. On one
occasion, God used an accident and a time in the
hospital to get my attention and to speak to me. The
decision I made as a result ended up radically
changing the total course of my life. Another time God
used a major crisis and loss to expand my work. He used
another setback to get me started in writing. That was
more than four decades ago and I'm still writing!

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 hear what it is and to give you
the courage to do what he is telling/leading you to
do. Whatever it is, you can be certain it will enrich
your life in one way or another.

Furthermore, whatever you do, don't waste your pain.
Invest it in your own growth and then in helping
another fellow struggler along the way.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to see how
you want to use all the trials that come my way to help
me grow and change my life for the better. And please
help me never to waste my pain but to invest it wisely
in my own growth and in making me a more effective
helper to other fellow strugglers. Thank you for
hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus'
name, amen."

1. James 1:2-4 (TLB)(NLT).

SPECIAL NOTE for all Australian and New Zealand
subscribers as we join with you in memory of April 25
being Anzac Day. This was originally a day to honor
all members of the Australian and New Zealand Army
Corps (ANZAC), who fought at Gallipoli in Turkey
during World War I. It has now broadened to
commemorate all Aussies and New Zealanders who died in
military service in all wars.

<)))><

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


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

Copyright (c) 2012 by ACTS International.

When copying or forwarding include the following:
"Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2012
ACTS International.