Monthly Archives: April 2008

Christian Worldview

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“In the beginning God.”1

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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God’s “Security” Team

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Dear God, I am available. Please use me to be as a ‘Rick Rescorla’ and help save lives for all eternity. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus name, amen.”

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

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Count Your Blessings

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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What’s Your Purpose in Life?

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

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

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

“‘For the first time in my career,’ said the headhunter, ‘I was speechless.’”2

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

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

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

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

Hiding in the Shadows

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

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

“Mirror, mirror on the wall … lie to me!” Don’t we sometimes wish?

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

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

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

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

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

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, please help me to be a man/woman of my word and, with your help, one who seeks to obey your word. Always. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.”

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

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How Does Your Garden Grow?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Chased by Hounds

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

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

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

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

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

1. Psalm 57:1 (NIV).

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

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Teaching Children (and Yourself) to Pray Effectively

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“Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’”1

A Daily Encounter reader writes, “How can I explain to my child how God answers prayers. My oldest son, 6 yrs old, has been praying that he would not have nightmares and be scared at night and for help with his behavior at school. How can I reinforce his belief in God when he doesn’t think that his prayers are being answered?

Dear Suzanne (name changed): Actually this is an ideal opportunity to teach your son how to pray so God will answer his prayers. Explain to him that both of you need to ask God to show you why he is having nightmares, why he is scared at night, and why he is having problems at school. Explain to him that these are caused by other fears in his life that need to be understood so you can get the help needed to overcome them. You can teach him that if God is going to answer our prayers, we need to learn how to pray the right prayers.

His nightmares and problems at school are undoubtedly symptoms of something in his everyday life that he is deeply troubled about. This is why it is important to ask God to show you the cause/s of his nightmares and problems, and to lead you to find the help needed to resolve these fears.

If there is any kind of conflict in the home, if his father has left, if he is having a conflict with a sibling or a bully at school—any of these issues could cause him to have nightmares. Continued nightmares are usually the symptom of some known or unknown fear. I would also suggest that you see a competent Christian child counselor right away to help resolve his fears. Untreated they will only get worse.

For possible counseling resources check our website at: https://learning.actsweb.org/counseling_resources.php

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, in all of my personal problems and those of my children and family, please help me to see the cause/s of these problems, and to resolve these please lead me to the help I need for myself, my children, and/or other loved one. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus name, amen.”

1. Matthew 19:14 (NIV).

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Stepping out of One’s Comfort Zone

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

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

But the “Hound of Heaven” kept bugging me.

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

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

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

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

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

And now, by the grace of God, here I am today—40+ years later—with the wonderful privilege of being able to reach around the world every day of the year with the saving gospel message of Jesus Christ. My life has never been more blessed or fulfilling.

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

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

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

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

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P.S. It’s important to know that I had been involved in

Christian ministry for several years as a volunteer before I answered the call to train for full-time Christian ministry.