All posts by 5Q

Wants Vs. Wishes

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“Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?”1

A Daily Encounter reader writes, “After many years of counseling and prayer for help, my brother who has been a Christian for many years can’t seem to let go of his emotional problems and failures. Is there anything I can say to help him forgive himself? What might be holding him back from finding healing and freedom?”

There may be any of a number of reasons why this man seems to be “stuck” in his situation. One may be that deep down he doesn’t want to get well.

According to reports I have read from both a Christian and a secular source, of all the people who go to a counselor or physician saying they want help approximately 25 percent actually don’t want to get well. Some of these people like to feel sorry for themselves and get some kind of satisfaction from seeking sympathy. A further 50 percent expect the counselor or physician to heal them. Only 25 percent actually take responsibility for doing what they need to do in order to get well. One physician said that some patients would rather he operate on their body than they operate on or change their lifestyle!

Many of us say that we want to lose weight, too, but do little or nothing about it. What we do is confuse a wish for a want. It’s one thing to wish for something, it’s another thing to want it.

As Jesus said to the sick person, “Do you want to be made well/whole?”

To be made well/whole, I need to be committed to being made well/whole and accept responsibility for doing whatever I need to do in order to get well. I can pray forever about losing weight but if I don’t watch my diet and get sufficient exercise, it’s not going to happen. And if I cling to my grudges and refuse to forgive all who have hurt me, I won’t get well either.

True, some ills and miserable circumstances are beyond our control but there are many that we can do something about ourselves. Yes, pray for wisdom to know what to do, for truth to see what we need to do, for courage to do it, and for God to lead us to the help we need to overcome. When we do our part, we can be sure that God will do his.

The bottom line is do we truly want to be made well/whole—or do we just wish for it?

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, please help me to accept responsibility in every adverse situation that comes my way. Besides trusting in you, help me to see what I can and need to do to make healing and wholeness possible. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. John 5:5-6 (NKJV).

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IDD

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“Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.”1

Ours is a day filled with numerous abbreviations: In computer talk we have: RAM, KB, MB, GB, ISP, HTML, PHP, IE, Etc. In the recovery world: AA, CODA, SAA, etc. And in psychological circles: OCD, ADD, DID, etc.

I heard about a new one (at least it’s new to me) in an article by Otis Young. It’s IDD, and stands for Integrity Deficit Disorder (not to be confused with the medical term, IDD, which stands for Iodine Deficiency Disorder).

As Young put it, “A person who is afflicted with this disorder knows what’s right but doesn’t follow through and do what’s right. He or she makes a promise or commitment, and then fails to keep it. Thus when you meet a person with integrity deficit disorder, you’re never quite sure if you can trust that person or not.”2

IDD people make excuses for why they didn’t do what they said they were going to do. They fail to accept personal responsibility and blame the weather, circumstances and especially others for their failures and the problems they have. They are defensive and hide behind a mask of superficiality, saccharine sweetness, religiosity, negativism, and/or phoniness. They refuse to take a good hard look at themselves and are masters of self-deception. Many IDDs believe the lies they tell themselves.

IDD is not a mental illness. It is a choice—a sinful choice. As God’s word says, “Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins”

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, please deliver me from the sin of IDD and help me to be a man/woman of integrity. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. James 4:17 (NIV).

2. Rev. Otis Young, “Integrity Deficit Disorder.”

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Moral Relativism?

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“Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”1

Brett Blair wrote, “A few years ago … [Mr. X, a well-known media personality] made headlines when he said the Ten Commandments were obsolete. He went on to say, ‘We’re living with outmoded rules. The rules we’re living under are the Ten Commandments, and I bet nobody here even pays much attention to ‘em, because they are too old. When Moses went up on the mountain, there were no nuclear weapons, there was no poverty. Today, the Ten Commandments wouldn’t go over. Nobody around likes to be commanded. Commandments are out.’

“Mr. X then modestly offered his own version which he called the ‘Ten Voluntary Initiatives.’ … Listen to his first two: #1, ‘I promise to love and respect planet Earth and all living things on the earth, especially my fellow species.’ Not bad. #2, ‘I promise to treat all persons everywhere with dignity, respect and friendliness.’ What was intriguing about this second Initiative was that he violated it a few minutes later by bashing Christians. He called us losers and bozos. He later apologized.”2

Could you imagine the State calling the laws of the road: “Voluntary Initiatives”? Half of us would be dead or maimed for life already.

Some time ago someone said the following about Nietzsche who declared that God was dead:

Nietzsche: “God is dead.”

God: “Nietzsche is dead.”

Mr. X will also go the way of all such “prophets” as will all who discard the Ten Commandments and God’s universal moral laws.

In America today (as in many other parts of the world) many “believe that there are no ‘moral absolutes.’ Many hold to a philosophy of ‘moral relativism.’ One poll found that 67% of Americans do not believe in moral absolutes. Among ‘Baby Busters’, those born between 1965 and 1983, the percentage was even higher at 78%. Even 62% of professing Christians said that there was no absolute standard of right and wrong.3

We have taken God’s Word and prayer out of our schools. Many are trying to do away with and prohibit any public display of the Ten Commandments. Others are determined to take the words “under God” out of the Pledge of Allegiance. These same people sarcastically ask Christians when we see senseless violence, random shootings, vicious killings, and acts of terrorism, “Where is your God now?”

God is where he always was and is. It is we who have left God and discarded his commandments, and we are reaping what we have sown.

“James Madison, the 4th President of the United States said this, ‘We stake the future of this country on our ability to govern ourselves under the principles of the Ten Commandments.’”4

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, thank you for all your commandments and your universal moral laws which are for our safety, protection, and survival. Help us as a nation to see that we have sown the wind and are reaping a whirlwind. Please have mercy on us and send us a great awakening and a revival of the Spirit that we so desperately need. And start you work in me. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Joshua 1:7-8 (NIV).

2. Brett Blair, www.eSermons.com, Oct. 2002. Adapted from a sermon by Dr. David E. Leininger.

3. Alan Carr, Sermon: “Ten Commandments.” From www.eSermons.com.

4. Ibid.

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Criticize by Creating

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When God called Moses to deliver the ancient Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, “Moses answered, ‘What if they [the Israelites] do not believe me or listen to me and say, “The LORD did not appear to you”?’ Then the LORD said to him, ‘What is that in your hand?’ ‘A staff,’ he replied. The LORD said, ‘Throw it on the ground.’ Moses threw it on the ground and it became a snake, and he ran from it.’”1 This was to confirm to Moses that God was the miracle worker and Moses only God’s agent.

On one occasion, I believe it was to the evangelist Dwight Moody, a woman said, “Mr. Moody, I don’t like the way you do your evangelism.”

To which Moody replied, “I don’t particularly like the way I do it either. How do you do it?”

The lady replied, “I don’t do it.”

“Well I like the way I’m doing it better than the way you’re not doing it,” Moody answered.

Moody’s answer may have been somewhat blunt but he made a good point. In more youthful days I was invited to a planning session for the college-age youth group in the church I was attending at the time. They asked for my opinion about what I felt was not working and how their program could be improved. I said, “I don’t feel I have a right to criticize if I am not willing to do something about it.” So guess what? I was made the new program director!

It’s very easy for all of us (including myself) to sit back and criticize our group, church, politicians, leaders, etc., etc., and not do anything about it.

Michelangelo had a great answer. He said, “Criticize by Creating.” True, most of us will never be a Michelangelo and none of us can do everything—but every one of us can do something no matter how small to help the world we live in become a better place in which to live.

And none of us will ever be called to do what God called Moses to do. But in essence God says to every one of us: “What is that in your hand?” That is, “What ability do you have?” Whatever it is, God wants and expects us to use it to serve him—and we serve him by serving others.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, thank you for the gifts and abilities you have given to me. Help me to know what they are and find a place to use them in loving service to you and others. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Exodus 4:1-2 (NIV).

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Something Beautiful

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“‘I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.’ And the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.”1

In the country of Thailand is a statue of the Buddha that is ten feet tall and made of solid gold. Estimates of its worth range around $200 million. But for many centuries, no one knew this statue’s worth. When the Burmese invaded Thailand many centuries ago, it is believed that the Thai villagers covered the Buddha statue with layers of mud so that the Burmese wouldn’t steal it. It wasn’t until 1957, when workers tried to move the statue to a new location that the mud began to fall away and reveal the true nature of the statue. For centuries, no one had known its true value.2

True, this statue of Buddha, while of great monitory value, in and of itself is worse than worthless in spiritual value; for the only one who can ever forgive sins and grant eternal life and a home in heaven is Jesus Christ.

However, what happened to this statue is a vivid illustration of what God can do for you and me. He sees beyond our outer covering and can take a sin-scarred life—no matter what shape or condition it is in—and make something beautiful out of it if we will come to him through Jesus and surrender our life to his will and control. As Jesus said, “Whoever desires may come to me.”1

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, thank you that you look beyond my outer appearance and see the value of my soul and spirit and have a wonderful plan for MY life. I come to you today and surrender my heart and life to you. Please make something beautiful out of my life. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

NOTE: If you would like to recommit your life to Jesus Christ, you can do so at: http://tinyurl.com/pgntm.

Or if you have never made a first time commitment to Christ, be sure to read the article, “How to Be Sure You’re a Real Christian” at: http://tinyurl.com/8glq9.

1. Revelation 22:16-17 (NKJV).

2. Doug McIntosh, Love Full Circle (Chicago: Moody Press, 1999), 76-77.

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The Best Policy

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“You may be sure that your sin will find you out.”1

Coming home from work, a woman stopped at the corner deli to buy a chicken for supper. The butcher reached into a barrel grabbed the last chicken he had, flung it on the scales behind the counter, and told the woman its weight. She thought for a moment. “I really need a bit more chicken than that,” she said. “Do you have any larger ones?”

Without a word, the butcher put the chicken back into the barrel, groped around as though finding another, pulled the same chicken out, and placed it on the scales. “This chicken weighs one pound more,” he announced. The woman pondered her options and then said, “Okay. I’ll take them both.”2 Don’t you just love it?

Honesty is still the best policy—and we can be sure of this, our sins/lies will find us out—even if it is eventually!

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, please help me to always be honest with myself, with you and with others in all of my dealings. Please forgive me where I have sinned and, wherever possible, help me to put right any wrongs that I have done to others. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

Note: For further help read the article, “Forgiveness: The Power That Heals” at: http://tinyurl.com/3bw3q3.

And, if you have never received God’s forgiveness, be sure to read the article, “How to Be Sure You’re a Real Christian (without having to be religious) at: http://tinyurl.com/8glq9.

1. Numbers 32:23 (NIV).

2. Charles Mims, Sermon: “Morality and Integrity in Society.”

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On Loneliness

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“God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’”1

Some readers will be old enough to recall the once popular song sung by Burt Bacharach and the Posies:

What the world needs now is love, sweet love

It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of

What the world needs now is love, sweet love,

No not just for some but for everyone.

Hal David (the writer of these lyrics) was right in many ways. But as wonderful and as necessary as human love is, it isn’t enough to satisfy all the cravings of the human heart.

Ravi Zacharias quoted D.H. Lawrence who, writing of his own pursuit of happiness, stated, “We want to delude ourselves that love is at the root of the problem of our emptiness. I want to say to you, it isn’t. Love is only the branches. The root goes beyond love. A naked kind of isolation. An isolated me that does not meet and mingle and never can. It is true what I say. There is a beyond in me which goes further than love, beyond the scope of stars. Just as some stars are beyond the scope of our vision, so our own search goes beyond the scope of love. At least, I think that it is at the root, going beyond love itself.”2

Lawrence is also right about the “naked kind of isolation” we all experience in the depths of our being, which is a spiritual loneliness. The reality is that we were created to have relationships not only with one another, but also with God. However, because our sin has separated and isolated us from God, we have been left with a God-shaped vacuum, or spiritual emptiness, within. As 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.

But religion cannot fill this vacuum. Only God can meet this need. And because he loved us and wants to be connected to each of us, he sent his own sinless Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins to save us from our predicament. Thus Jesus is the only way to God.3 When we confess our sinfulness and accept Jesus as our Savior, we are reconnected to God and our inner spiritual vacuum is filled and our spiritual loneliness cured. For more help be sure to read, “How to Be Sure You’re a Real Christian—to find God without having to be religious” at: http://tinyurl.com/8glq9.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, please help me to see and understand my spiritual need and my need to be and stay connected to you. If I have never accepted you as my Savior, please help me to do that today. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Hebrews 13:5 (NIV).

2. Ravi Zacharias on D.H. Lawrence. Source Unknown. http://www.sliceofinfinity.org.

3. See John 14:6.

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Between the Trapezes

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“The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?”1

If you have ever been to a circus and watched the high-flying trapeze artists perform their seemingly death-defying acts, you will have undoubtedly thrilled with the exhilaration of their performance and their split-second timing. I think I’d be a nervous wreck if they didn’t have a safety net below to catch them should they fall.

If I had to do that (especially without a net) I’d be absolutely terrified. Will I be able to reach my partner? Will he be able to catch me? Or will I crash and be hurt or even killed?

Sometimes life can be somewhat like that. I’ve been there on occasion and you probably have too. Life or work as you knew it suddenly ended. Perhaps you lost a spouse, or your marriage fell apart, or you lost your job and income. You feel like you are out there in mid-air and have no idea where you are going to land or if you are going to crash. It can be very scary and even terrifying.

I’ve been involved in ministry for four decades and have always been responsible for raising my own support and that of my staff and our entire ministry’s operating expenses. It’s quite a challenge. With recessions and other financial setbacks over the years we have lost a lot of support. At one time I really thought we were going to crash. I was scared and one morning when praying, I fell asleep and had a very vivid dream. In the dream I heard a voice clearly say, “Philippians 4:18 makes sense to me.”

I awakened and immediately opened my Bible to Philippians 4:18.

It read, “I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.” And the very next verse read, “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”2

In my heart I knew that somehow God would provide. My mind was at peace. God did provide. He didn’t or doesn’t hand it on a silver platter, but he still does provide and our ministry continues and has become more effective than ever.

God is my safety net. Without him (at least for me) life at times could or would be terrifying.

I’m also reminded of King David who, when the Philistine enemy seized him in Gath, wrote, “When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?”3

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, please help me to learn how to trust you as David did—not only when all is going well—but also when my world seems to be falling apart and I am afraid. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Psalm 27:1 (NIV).

2. Philippians 4:18-19 (NIV).

3. Psalm 56:3-4 (NIV).

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A Special People Power Message

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“When many people each do a little, together we can accomplish great feats for God.”

Dear Daily Encounter Subscriber,

I’m not a movie buff but I do enjoy a good movie from time to time—especially ones based on true stories that reflect real life. I’m not a big fan of watching the Oscars either with all the Hollywood glamour, glory and glitz, but at the last Oscar night I did watch.

What “grabbed” my attention wasn’t who won what awards but the fact that all these “famous” stars who thrill to the glory of their moment of fame, if they don’t know Jesus as their Savior, their glamor and glory isn’t worth a red cent in terms of eternity. Without Jesus they are eternally lost—forever. What a tragedy for as God’s Word says: “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul” (Mark 8:36)?

Equally tragic is the fact that every other person in the entire world is also eternally lost if he or she doesn’t know Jesus as his or her personal Savior, no matter what their standing in life. If you have never accepted Jesus as Your Savior, I urge you to do that today. for help Click HERE for How to Be Sure You’re a Real Christian.

The good news is that you and I are in a unique position in today’s computerized world to be able to reach out and, together, reach mega thousands of people with the saving message of Jesus Christ—the only hope for lost mankind and so many ills in today’s sin-sick world.

Alarming News

If you haven’t read Chuck Colson’s last Tuesday’s Breakpoint on “Chilling Free Speech,” I urge you to do so (see his link below). As Colson points out, what is happening here in California today is absolutely alarming. The people who supported Proposition 8 (the California initiative banning same-sex “marriage”) are being targeted with all sorts of brutal harassment—including death threats. This is the same tactic that preceded Hitler’s taking over of Germany.

As noted earlier, a grass roots people power network had a mighty influence in helping to get the current U.S. president elected. It was an incredible and powerful idea. Today we urgently need a vastly different grass roots people power movement—one to spread the message of Jesus Christ across the street, across the country and around the world; that is, a People Power for Jesus grass roots network.

So today I am asking you to do two things:

First, If you haven’t already joined with us as a People Power for Jesus network partner, will you prayerfully consider doing that today. You can see what is involved online at the People Power for Jesus website. It is all incredibly easy.

And Second, Daily Encounter now has 254,000+ worldwide subsribers. Imagine the incredible impact we could have on the world if every subscriber joined the People Power for Jesus grass roots network!

Individually we can’t do a great lot, but working together we can have a mighty impact. So I urge you again, will you please join with us to have a part in the People Power for Jesus grass roots network. Click HERE to join. Your information will never be given to any other person, organization, or business as we have a very strict privacy policy.

Also, be sure to pray every day: “Dear God, I am available again today. Please use me to be ‘as Jesus’ in some way to every life I touch today.” As you do, may God richly bless, use, and reward you in his own abundant way.

Sincerely in Christ,

Richard (Dick ) Innes

TEAMWORK: “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” – Helen Keller

Chuck Colson’s Breakpoint “Chilling Free Speech” at:

http://www.informz.net/pfm/archives/archive_734860.html

CLICK HERE TO JOIN PEOPLE POWER FOR JESUS NETWORK

Life Purpose

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“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.”1

I have read that Bob Russell, in his book, When God Builds a Church, tells about one occasion when he went to The Pancake Factory restaurant and noted that their luncheon special for the day was a grilled chicken sandwich with spicy Mexican sauce. He “kind of” felt that they had lost their focus.

I’m sure that many businesses have lost their main focus—as have some churches which get sidetracked into doing many good things, but miss the main thing. But what concerns me today, however, is how so many Christians have lost their main focus, if in fact they ever had one.

For example, I have asked hundreds of people in various classes I have taught: “How many believe that God has a purpose for your life?” Almost every hand is raised. Then I ask, “How many of you know what your God-given life-purpose is?”

Here’s the shocker—barely a hand is raised!

If we are to be true followers of Christ our focus, first of all, needs to be on him and to be committed to living in harmony with God’s will according to the principles found in his Word, the Bible, so that we glorify God in all that we are and do.

Second, our purpose needs to include our personal and spiritual growth and maturity.

Third, God’s purpose for us is also in how we invest our lives in living for and serving Him. Keep in mind that we serve God by serving others—using the gifts and talents that God has given to each of us.

Fourth, our purpose as Christians is also to be witnesses for Christ—not as a preacher or evangelist (although that will be true for some)—but in all that we are and do so that others seeing Jesus in us will want him for themselves, and to share our Christian faith as the opportunity arises.

It helps to clearly define your God-given life purpose—basing it on you gifts, talents, abilities and interests—by writing it down and getting it into sharp focus. Then memorize it and repeat it every day so that it is programmed into your unconscious mind. This in turn makes it a part of your deep-down belief system and helps you to live it automatically.

Don’t write it in generalities. Be specific. State exactly what you are going to be and do and how you are going to do it. Remember, “Blessed is he who aims at nothing for he shall surely hit it.”

Suggested prayer: “Thank you God that you have a purpose for my life. Please help me to discover what it is and get the training I need to fulfill it to the best of my ability. Please help me to so live that others will see Jesus in me and, in so doing, will want him for themselves. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Luke 19:10 (NIV).

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