Monthly Archives: April 2011

Opportunity Lost

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“Almost you persuade me to be a Christian.”1

When Mahatma Gandhi was attending university in London, he became almost convinced of the validity of Christianity, seeing it as possibly the one true supernatural religion.

After graduation, he continued to seek evidence that would persuade him to become a committed Christian. When he accepted employment in another country, and lived with a family who were members of an evangelical Christian church, he believed this would be his greatest source of evidence for the Christian faith.

Gandhi lived with this family for seven months, but after seeing their casual attitude towards God, hearing them complain about making sacrifices for Christ, and becoming acutely aware of their religious apathy, he became disillusioned.

“No,” he concluded, “Christianity is not the one true, supernatural religion I had hoped to find. A good religion, but just one more of the many religions of the world.”

While circumstances were vastly different with King Agrippa who heard the Apostle Paul’s testimony and rejected it, Gandhi, too, was almost persuaded to become a Christian—but was put off because of a Christian’s poor testimony.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, please help me to so live that my behavior and attitude will never turn anyone away from you. But help me to live so that people will see Jesus in me and want Jesus for themselves. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. King Agrippa in Acts 26:28.

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Coaching the Witness

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“Instead, we will lovingly follow the truth at all times—speaking truly, dealing truly, living truly—and so become more and more in every way like Christ who is the Head of his body, the church.”1

A boy who was a witness to a crime was on the witness stand in court. He was approached by the defense attorney who asked, “Did anyone tell you what to say in the court?”

“Yes, Sir,” the boy answered.

“I thought so,” said the attorney. “Who was it?”

“My father, Sir,” said the boy.

“And what did he tell you?” the attorney asked accusingly.

“He said that the lawyers would try to get me all tangled up, but if I stuck to the truth, everything would be all right.”2

Need I say more except to say that one of my constant prayers is that God will help me to be a herald (messenger) of grace and truth—and help me to live it first; and always to be a truth-teller and never a people-pleaser-teller!

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, please help me, no matter what the situation, to always tell the truth so that I will never get tangled up in lies and thereby sacrifice my integrity. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Ephesians 4:15-16 (TLB)(NLT).

2. Cited in Parables, etc., July 2004.

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Flying Through the Flack

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“If you love me, obey me; and I will ask the Father and he will give you another Comforter, and he will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, the Spirit who leads into all truth.”1

Whenever we make major changes in our life in order to make progress or grow in our personal or spiritual life, or to seek to serve God more enthusiastically, chances are we will face some opposition and flak.

On one occasion I was facing an uncomfortable amount of flak because of a major change of direction I had made in my life, which I believed was the right thing for me to do. However, the flak I received came not from “the enemy without” but from opposition within. As the saying goes, “Christians are the only army that shoots its wounded.”

When I was feeling the strain and feeling afraid, I pictured in my mind’s eye that I was a pilot flying through unfriendly territory with a lot of flak coming at me. But sitting beside me was my co-pilot, Jesus. Immediately I knew I would be safe and that he would guide me safely through the storm. And he did. And I am where I am today because of it.

It helps to remember that no matter what we are going through, if we are a true Christian and put our trust in God, his presence and Spirit are always with us. A part of the work of the Holy Spirit (God’s Spirit) is that he is not only our Comforter, but is one who is called alongside to help us in every situation in which we find ourselves. Note, too, that the Holy Spirit is called alongside to be our helper—not to do for us what we are responsible for doing ourselves.

Suggested prayer: “Dear Jesus God, when I need to make choices or changes that I believe are necessary and right, please give me the courage to make them regardless of the opposition or flak I might receive. And help me always to ‘see’ your being with me. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. John 14:15-17 (TLB)(NLT).

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The Power of Unity

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“Locusts have no king, yet they advance together in ranks.”1

In younger days I trained in Australia’s National Service in the Engineers Corps. When constructing Bailey bridges over rivers, we would use large folding boats that were manned by six oarsmen and one helmsman. When we oarsmen all pulled together in harmony, we moved along very well. But it only took one of us to be out of sync and our boat would get off course immediately. At first there were times we went in circles and a time or two we ran into another boat, or into the river bank. With practice we eventually learned to work as a team and pull together. Only then did we get the job done.

Even if stronger people have to slow down a little (which can be difficult for some) to allow weaker ones to keep up, pulling together as a team at home, at work, or at play makes life so much more fulfilling and harmonious. It also gets us to where we want to go. Without this unity we spend lots of energy going around in circles getting nowhere fast.

The locusts teach us a valuable lesson about the power and impact that can be made when we learn to work together in unity and harmony.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, please help me to be a team player at home, at work, at play, and in the work you have for me to do as a partner in what you are doing in the world today. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Proverbs 30: 27 (NIV).

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What Happens When We Die?

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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)

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Easter Morning … Christ Is Risen … Hallelujah!

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Jerusalem: Easter Sunday. It is sunrise. Jesus is alive. He is risen. He is risen indeed! Hallelujah!

Click on http://tinyurl.com/339dd4 to hear the magnificent “Hallelujah Chorus” from George Frederic Handel’s “Messiah.”

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
The kingdom of this world is become
the Kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ,
and of His Christ;
and He shall reign for ever and ever
and He shall reign for ever and ever
and He shall reign for ever and ever
and He shall reign for ever and ever
King of Kings,
for ever and ever. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
and Lord of Lords,
for ever and ever. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
King of Kings,
for ever and ever. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
and Lord of Lords,
for ever and ever. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
King of Kings,
for ever and ever. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
and Lord of Lords,
for ever and ever. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
King of Kings, and Lord of Lords,
and He shall reign for ever and ever
and He shall reign for ever and ever
King of Kings
for ever and ever. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
and He shall reign for ever and ever,
for ever and ever,
King of Kings,
and Lord of Lords,
King of Kings,
and Lord of Lords,
and He shall reign for ever and ever,
King of Kings,
and Lord of Lords.

• • •

“Surely He [Jesus] has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows;
Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all”
(Isaiah 53:4-6, NKJV).

“But the angel answered and said to the women [Mary Magdalene and the other Mary], ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you’” (Matthew 28:5-7, NKJV).

Heaven’s Musical Messenger for Good Friday

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“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).

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Maundy Thursday

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“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.

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Shooting the Wounded

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“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).

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Trees: An Unprecedented Blessing

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“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.

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