Monthly Archives: March 2012

Vision and Responsibility

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“When he [Jesus] saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”1

Today’s Daily Encounter is written by Cindy Whetzel, Gunnery Sergeant, U.S.M.C.2

In the Gospels we read that when Jesus “saw” a problem he was moved with compassion to do something about it.

Seeing a problem is the beginning of solving a problem. Jesus never said to the blind, lame or afflicted, “You’re not blind, lame or afflicted. Just tell yourself that and it will all be okay.” On the contrary, he saw the problem, acknowledged the problem, and did something about resolving it.

It’s easy to see problems, but seeing a problem isn’t enough. Like Jesus, wherever possible, we need to take action and do something to help resolve it.

It’s also easy to play the “Ain’t it awful” game. “Ain’t it awful that there aren’t enough Sunday school teachers. Ain’t it awful the shape the church bathrooms are in. Ain’t it awful all this drug abuse.” But ask these game-players to teach Sunday school, clean the bathrooms, or volunteer as a counselor in a drug rehab center and they’re usually too busy, or they have family coming to visit, or it’s just not their ministry. Instead of being moved with compassion game-players are moved with criticism.

With vision comes responsibility. Moses saw the burning bush then went to Egypt. Ezekiel saw the vision of dry bones and preached to Israel. Jesus saw you and me in a lost condition and came to earth to die on the cross to pay the price of our eternal salvation.

Sometimes we’re waiting for God to give us a “special vision” or a “special call” if we are going to get involved. May I suggest that “seeing the problem” is a vital part of the call. Admittedly, we can’t resolve every problem we see, but we can all give a hand in helping to resolve at least one problem.2

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, please give me eyes to see, a heart to care, and a will to act—and to act in accordance with your will. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Matthew 9:36 (NIV).

2. Cindy Whetzel, Gunnery Sergeant, U.S.M.C., cindy.whetzel@usmc.mil

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God’s Good News

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“I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.”1

The word “gospel” means good news—it is the greatest news in all the world—it is the Good News of God’s salvation, without which mankind would be doomed for eternal damnation and separation from God, the author of all love and life.

But why is the gospel God’s Good News?

First, the gospel is not a message about religion but a message about God’s eternal love and purpose for all mankind. Religion wants to fix us from the outside in. God wants to fix us from the inside out. The first can become an impossible burden. The latter is what brings freedom.

Also, it’s important to realize that no matter what we have ever done or have failed to do God loves us with an everlasting love and has a wonderful purpose for our lives—for this life and the next. As Jesus said, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”2 And again, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”3

Second, the gospel is a message about sin, something we are all guilty of. As the Bible says, “We have all sinned and fallen short of God’s standard.”4 Sin, however, is not only doing harmful acts. It is anything that falls short of the standard of perfection that God envisioned for us. This includes an unforgiving spirit, pride, jealousy, mixed motives, etc. Most of us, too, are guilty of sins of omission; that is, not doing what we know we should and could do.5

However, a common misconception about God is that he is out to punish us for our sins. The fact is we bring sin’s punishment on ourselves because sin has its own natural consequences. If we try to break the universal law of gravity, for instance, we can’t. It will break us. Neither can we break God’s universal moral law. When we try to do so, it breaks us. And besides its painful effects in this life—suffering, sorrow, sadness, sickness and spiritual death—its ultimate and tragic consequence is eternal death and separation from God.6

Third, the gospel is a message about God’s remedy. Because sin has separated or disconnected us from God, we have been left with a “God-shaped” vacuum or spiritual emptiness within. As St. Augustine put it, “You have made us for yourself, O God, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in you.” The world’s many religions are all evidence of man’s endless search to find God and fill this vacuum. However, because God loves us so much, he sent his own sinless Son, Jesus Christ, to save us from our predicament.7 Christ did this by dying on the cross in our place to pay the consequence of, and ransom price for, our sins—death. Thus, Jesus Christ is God’s only provision for our sin. He is the only way back to God and the only door to eternal life.8

Finally, the gospel is a summons to faith and repentance. If you were found guilty of a serious crime and were condemned to death, would you accept a free unconditional pardon, if offered? Because Jesus Christ died on the cross in your and my place, God now offers you complete acquittal, forgiveness, and the gift of eternal life. All you need to do is confess and repent of [turn way from] your sinful actions, believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that he died for your sins, and invite him into your life as Savior and Lord.

The following prayer will help you do this. “Dear God, I confess that I am a sinner and am sorry for all the wrongs I have done and the sins that I have committed. I believe that your Son, Jesus Christ, died on the cross for my sins. Please forgive me for all my sins and I invite you, Jesus, to come into my heart and life as Savior and Lord. I commit and trust my life to you. Please give me the desire to be what you want me to be and to do what you want me to do. Thank you for dying for my sins, for your forgiveness and free pardon, for your gift of eternal life, and for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus’ name, amen.”

If you prayed this prayer and genuinely meant it, please click on www.actsweb.org/decision.php to let us know and we will send you a copy (without charge) of the eBrochure, “How to Grow.”

NOTE: This article is condensed from, “Godspell” on our ACTS web site at: http://tinyurl.com/4896egr

1. Romans 1:16 (NIV).

2. John 3:16 (NIV).

3. John 10:10 (NIV).

4. Romans 3:23.

5. James 4:17.

6. Romans 6:23.

7. See Ephesians 2:8-9.

8. See John 14:6 and Romans 5:8.

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False Versus True Humility

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“Clothe yourself with humility toward one another, because, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’”1

Somewhat related to arm-twisting for God are those situations where somebody has a song, a poem, or an article they have written that they want to have published. They state clearly that it wasn’t their creation but, rather, God gave it to them and they want him to have all the glory. I think that God sometimes, but not always, doesn’t want the glory for some of these creations!

Writing in Christianity Today some time ago, Eutychus also felt that there are times when God gets more credit than he wants.

For example, “A boxer once credited the Lord for helping him punch his opponent into the Twilight Zone. Then there was the football player who made a diving, juggling catch in the end zone. His explanation of the stellar effort mentioned nothing about his speed, agility, coordination, and training: It was God who made that catch.”

Humility has nothing to do with not appreciating what you have worked hard to achieve. Certainly, we want to thank God for the talents he has given us, but, among other things, genuine humility is being realistic about what you have achieved and being able to equally rejoice in another’s achievements.

Furthermore, to claim God gave me a poem or an article as a means to get my creation accepted for publication isn’t humility either. It’s lying. I’ve written a few things in my life that have been published (and a few that have been rejected), and for whatever talent I may have been given, I give God the glory for that.

At the same time writing to be published for me is hard work and what I write about has mostly come from a lifetime of experiences, many of them very painful. This is probably true for most writers who have something of value to say. Yes, there are times of inspiration but mostly it’s only about five percent inspiration and ninety-five percent perspiration. God may give us the five percent but the rest is up to us. He gives us the basic talent but it is our responsibility to be trained so that what we do say and write will hopefully bring glory to God. And that may be best left for others to judge.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, I thank you for the gifts and talents you have given to me. Help me to be responsible with these gifts, develop them to the best of my ability, and use them truly for your glory. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. 1 Peter 5:5 (NIV).

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Arm-Twisting for God

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“Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care … not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples.”1

On more than one occasion I have sat on a church planning meeting and as we were about to discuss the matter at hand, one member stated that God told him how the matter was to be.

End of discussion! Who can argue against God?

Well not quite.

My response was, “Well, God hasn’t told me; so can we pray about and discuss the matter further.”

As you can imagine my questioning this man was not appreciated.

On another occasion a man came to me and told me that God had told him he was to work for me. We won’t discuss his qualifications for the job, but I thought I’d take the risk that God wouldn’t punish me for not giving him a job. I didn’t … and God didn’t!

While God does speak or communicate to us in various ways through his Word, circumstances, a sense of inner peace, a deep conviction, or in a word that you sense deeply is from him, it is never contrary to his Word, and it is never manipulative.

Unfortunately “the Lord told me” is sometimes used as a way of controlling or manipulating others to get one’s own way, and/or for being a power broker. When this happens, we need to recognize it for what it is and not buy into it. And we need to make sure that we don’t do it ourselves. God doesn’t need us to arm-twist for him.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, you desire truth in my innermost being so help me always to be truthful to myself, to others, and to you, and never seek to control anything or anybody in your name or in any other way. Ever! And help me always to discern when others are attempting to arm-twist for you. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. 1 Peter 5:2-3 (NIV).

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Child-Like Faith

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“In God I trust; I will not be afraid.”1

Cindy traveled across America and in Australia with the Youth Aflame Singers. In one home where she stayed there was a boy of about seven or eight. When Cindy saw him reading a Bible with large print and holding it close to his eyes, she asked, “Are you okay, Jamie?”

“I sure am,” Jamie replied confidentially even though he was going blind. “God says, ‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths.’ And even though I am losing my sight, I know that God will always direct my paths because I trust in him.”

Trusting God in the light where you can see where you are going is certainly easier than trusting God in the dark.

When in the dark I always pray, “God, I’m afraid. I can’t see what lies ahead, but I commit and trust my life and way to you. No matter how dark the night, I pray that I will also have child-like faith and trust in you.”

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, no matter what, I choose to always trust in you. Please help my feelings to catch up with my choice to trust in you so that my faith will always be much stronger than, and overcome, all of my fear/s. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Psalm 56:11 (NIV).

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Rewards of Persistence

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“A lizard can be caught with the hand, yet it is found in king’s palaces.”1

What could a tiny lizard possibly teach us? It teaches the rewards of persistence which “takes it to the top.”

Another has said, “The race is not always to the swift but to those who keep on running.” Among other things, fulfilling God’s will for our lives means reaching our total God-given human and spiritual potential. We don’t have to be geniuses to do this, but we do need to be persistent and keep on keeping on regardless of our circumstances.

The Apostle Paul experienced all sorts of trials and setbacks. He was shipwrecked, stoned and left for dead, whipped and beaten, and thrown into prison for promoting Christianity. He knew firsthand what it was to experience loneliness, cold and hunger. The interesting thing about this is that Paul penned some of his great letters to the churches while in prison, as did John Bunyan as he wrote Pilgrim’s Progress when he was in prison.

I listened to a preacher some time ago, a preacher who had cerebral palsy and struggled with every word he spoke. I was deeply moved. God used this man to influence hundreds of lives for all eternity. If ever I saw persistence it was in this man. In spite of his debilitating handicap, he reached his top and was maximizing his full potential.

God has a plan and life-purpose for each of us, too. To achieve it, it won’t happen without dedication, commitment, hard work, and persistence. As Paul said, “It is God himself in his mercy, who has given us this wonderful work … and so we never give up.”2

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, in the midst of setbacks and the disappointments of life, please give me the gift of persistence so that I will never give up the goal of becoming all that you want me to be, and to keep on doing what you want me to do. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Proverbs 30:28 (NIV).

2. 2 Corinthians 4:1 (TLB)(NLT).

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The Impact 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 Engineer Corps. When constructing bridges over rivers we would use large folding boats that were manned by six oarsmen and one helmsman. When the oarsmen pulled together in harmony we moved along very well. However, it took only one oarsman to be out of sync and our boat would get off course immediately. Until we learned to work in unison 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 pull together and work as a team. 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, work and play makes life much more fulfilling and harmonious. It also gets you to where you want to go. Without this we spend lots of energy going in circles.

Working together in harmony and unity is a very valuable lesson we learn from locusts.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, please help me to be a team player at home, at work and at play, and especially in the work you have for me to do as a part of 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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The Need for Precaution

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“Conies [rock-badgers] are creatures of little power, yet they make their home in the crags.”1

While the ants teach us many lessons, including the importance of being prepared as much as possible for whatever lies ahead, the conies or rock badgers show us the need for precaution and being responsible for taking care of ourselves.

These small animals hide behind the rocky crags jutting up in the mountains where no eagle can get to them. They also hide close to the rocks where they remain unseen by prowling lions. Away from the safety of the rocks they would be dead meat.

Too many people today are over-dependent, expecting somebody else or the government to take care of them. God’s goal for each of us is that we mature and grow up, not be independent nor over-dependent, but interdependent. If we don’t take care of ourselves and accept responsibility for getting our needs met in healthy ways, nobody else is going to do it for us. Rock-badgers, if they didn’t exercise precaution and take care of themselves, would either starve or be eaten. If we don’t learn to do the same, we will, in the long run, “be eaten up!” And when we expect others, including for some the government, to do for us what we can and need to do for ourselves, we remain immature, over-dependent and irresponsible.

Furthermore, in life, the reality is that we can’t trust everybody. Jesus didn’t trust himself to everybody either. And like him, the more we know and understand ourselves, the more we will be able to sense whether we can trust somebody else or not. And we certainly can’t trust our arch enemy, the devil. As Peter put it, “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”2

We don’t want to become cynics, but we do need to be careful, take necessary precautions against all forms of moral ineptitude, wrong-doing and evil, and accept full responsibility for every area of our life. Above all we need to daily trust our life and way to God as did David who said, “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge … He is my stronghold.”3

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, in the words of the hymn writer, ‘Rock of Ages cleft for me, Let me hide myself in thee.’ Help me never to stray from you, and always be responsible for every area of life. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Proverbs 30:26 (NIV).

2. 1 Peter 5:8 (NIV).

3. 2 Samuel 22:2-3 (NIV).

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Be Prepared

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“Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer.”1

Sometimes the seemingly simple things in life can teach us some of the most important lessons. Take ants for example. Even though their “brain” (central ganglion or nerve) is less than one-tenth the size of a pinhead, ants live in highly organized social colonies. Some collect food, others build the nest and keep it clean, and some look after the queen ants. Nurse ants clean and feed the larvae. Soldier ants guard and protect the food-collecting ants. No wonder the Bible says, “Go to the ant …consider her ways and be wise.”2

Among other lessons, the ants “who store up their food in the summer” teach us the importance of being prepared ahead of time for whatever might come our way. The Chinese proverb, “Dig your well before you’re thirsty” makes the same point. Children and teenagers need to be prepared for life, for entering the work force, and for taking care of themselves. Those who are planning to be married should be prepared ahead for it; unfortunately too many aren’t. And among taking care of various responsibilities, adults need to be prepared ahead for retirement and old age.

And most important of all, we need to be prepared for life after death when we will meet our Maker face to face. As God’s Word says, “Prepare to meet your God,”3 and as Jesus taught about his return to earth, “Be ready; for when you least expect it, I will come.”4 How tragic beyond all measure for those who aren’t prepared for life after death. Whatever you do, don’t let this happen to you. For help see “To Know God and be sure you’re a real Christian” on line at: www.actsweb.org/christian.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, please help me to learn well from the ants and always be prepared for whatever lays ahead—especially my eternal well-being. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Proverbs 30:25 (NIV).

2. Proverbs 6:6.

3. Amos 4:12.

4. Matthew 24:44.

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In the Beginning God

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“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”1

I appreciate the way the Bible opens. No fanfare. No fancy words. Just the simple statement: “In the beginning God.” It is a totally non-defensive statement. God isn’t trying to prove himself or defend his existence. He doesn’t have to. We can take his statement or leave it. It’s up to us. It’s our choice.

In his booklet, The Reason Why, Robert Laidlaw shared how a former president of the New York Scientific Society once gave eight reasons why he believed in God.

“The first one is this. Take ten identical coins and mark them one to ten, place them in your pocket, then take one out. There is one chance in ten that you will get number one. Now replace it, and chances that number two will follow number one are not one in ten, but one in one hundred. With each new coin taken out the chances that it too will follow in the right order are multiplied by ten, so that the chance of all ten following in sequence is one chance in ten billion.”

George Gallup, the famed American statistician, is reported to have said, “Take the human body alone—the chance that all the functions of the individual would just happen is a statistical monstrosity.”

The bottom line is that belief in God is a choice. For some it’s a faith choice. For others it’s a moral choice. I say a moral choice because if we choose to believe in God, we know that we are morally responsible. If we choose not to believe in God, we deceive ourselves into thinking that we are not morally responsible for how we live and, thus, can live any way we like. Whatever choice we choose, the choice we make will make us. It will also determine our eternal destiny. Forever.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, please give me the wisdom to know and the desire and courage to always make the right choices—faith wise and moral. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Genesis 1:1 (NIV).

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