All posts by 5Q

Overcoming Temptation

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“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”1

In one class I was teaching I asked the question, “What is the best way to handle temptation?” One jokester suggested, “Give in to it.” Bad answer!

In her poem, “There’s a Hole in My Sidewalk—an Autobiography in Five Short Chapters,” Portia Nelson has an excellent answer:

Chapter 1:

I walk down the street.

There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I fall in. …

It isn’t my fault.

It takes forever to find a way out.

Chapter 2:

I walk down the same street.

There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I pretend I don’t see it.

I fall in again. …

But it isn’t my fault.

It still takes a long time to get out.

Chapter 3:

I walk down the same street.

There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I see it is there.

I still fall in; it’s a habit. …

It is my fault.

I get out immediately.

Chapter 4:

I walk down the same street.

There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.

I walk around it.

Chapter 5:

I walk down another street.2

That’s an excellent way to resist the devil and avoid falling into temptation’s pit. An equally effect way when feeling tempted is to repeatedly pray: “Help Jesus help!” And repeatedly say either out loud or in your mind, “Jesus Christ is Lord. Jesus Christ is Son of the living God and is Lord of my life.” The evil tempter, Satan, hates these words and this prayer.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, help me always to stay focused on you so I can, with your help, resist the devil and not walk in the ways he would tempt me to take. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. James 4:7 (NIV).

2. http://www.lessons4living.com/sidewalk_of_life.htm

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Forgiving Yourself

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“If we confess our sins, he [God] is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”1

In response to an article on abortion some time back in Weekend Encounter a reader wrote, “What I am concerned about is that those who read your article who have had an abortion might be put into a deeper depression because of what that article said. I agree with it, but you didn’t mention that there is forgiveness of this sin. I agree with what you said, but I am concerned that some might read it and not know that they can be forgiven. I know women that have had abortions who live in a great depression over their sin. I just want them to know that they can find forgiveness.”

Dear W.E. reader, you have raised an excellent point. I recall being in a weekend secular growth group where a very non-religious lady was sobbing her heart out because of her guilt over having had two abortions. As far as I know she never sought God’s forgiveness. This is sad because any woman who has had an abortion can be forgiven if she confesses her sin and asks God for his forgiveness—just as he forgives any and all other sins which have been confessed.

However, after asking for God’s forgiveness, every one of us needs to accept his forgiveness by faith, and then it is essential that we forgive ourselves just as God has forgiven us. Unfortunately, people who have perfectionistic tendencies can find this very difficult to do. If this is so, their problem has more to do with being a perfectionist rather than finding forgiveness—and this is another issue totally. For help, see the link below to a Daily Encounter article on “Perfectionism.”

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, thank you for your promise that if I confess my sins to you, you will forgive me fully and freely. And please help me to forgive myself for all the wrongs I have done and wherever possible, make restitution to anyone I may have hurt. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. 1 John 1:9 (NIV).

NOTE: For the article on “Perfectionism” go to: http://tinyurl.com/perfectionism007.

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God of the Minority

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“Come, follow me,” Jesus said [to fishermen Peter and Andrew] and I will make you fishers of men.”1

Some of us have the idea that our life can’t make much of a difference. Sometimes we think, “What can one person do?” This reminds me of the man who, when walking along the beach, kept picking up starfish that had been washed ashore. There must have been hundreds of them. One by one he picked them up and threw each back into the ocean.

A stranger watching said to the man, “Why are you doing that? There are so many starfish on the beach. What you are doing makes no difference.”

“Makes a difference to that one,” the man replied as he threw another starfish back into the ocean.

Robert Kennedy once said, “Many of the world’s great movements, of thought and action, have flowed from the work of a single person. A young monk began the Protestant Reformation … It was a young Italian explorer who discovered the New World, and it was the 32-year-old Thomas Jefferson who proclaimed that all men are created equal.”

When Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat in a bus to a white man on December 1, 1955, she triggered the civil rights movement in the U.S.A. In so doing she played a key role that changed a nation.

And it was a motley band of twelve very ordinary men—unsophisticated and uneducated—whom Jesus chose for his disciples to introduce the Christian message to pretty much a hostile world.

You and I may not achieve such greatness but we can make a difference. We do so every time we stand up for what is right, lend a helping hand to a friend or stranger in need, and help communicate the love of God and the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Added up, our small ripples blend together to reach ever-widening circles. In so doing, one life does make a difference and can make an impact for Christ in our corner of the world.

As Edward Everett Hale said, “I am only one, but I am one. I can’t do everything, but I can do something. The something I ought to do, I can do. And by the grace of God, I will.”

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, I’m available. Please help and use me to make a difference in somebody’s life today. Help me to be as Jesus in some way to every life I touch. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

NOTE: For a simple and attractive way to help reach friends, family and contacts with the saving gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, please consider joining with us as a “People Power for Jesus Partner.” For more information go to: www.actsweb.org/people_power02.php.

1. Matthew 4:19 (NIV).

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Belief Versus Profession

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“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”1

It is a truism that we don’t always act consistently with what we profess, but we always act consistently with what we believe.

If, for example, deep down I believe (feel) that I am unlovable, I will act in such a way that I will drive love away from me—regardless of what I profess. Also, if I believe (feel) I am a bad person, I will act badly. If, on the other hand, I believe I am lovable, I will act in a loving manner, and if I believe I am fully responsible for every area of my life, I will act responsibly. In almost every way our beliefs shape our destiny—for this life and the life to come.

Also, if I say I believe that people without Christ are lost eternally and don’t do anything to help communicate the gospel to them, chances are I may not really believe this in my heart at all. I just profess it. I believe it was Dallas Willard who said, “Believers are those who act as if the gospel is true.”

One way to “program” beliefs into our heart (the subconscious mind) is through repetition and memorizing them, meditating on them, and then acting on them to reinforce them. As we have emphasized before, “What the mind dwells on the body acts on.” If you don’t believe this, think how temptation works. David certainly confirmed this principle when he said, “I have hidden your word [God’s Word] in my heart that I might not sin against you.”

In a similar vein, the Apostle Paul wrote, “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved”2 In other words, beliefs need to be in the heart—not just in the head!

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, please help me to hide your Word in my heart and choose my beliefs carefully—so that I will not sin against you—and so I will live in harmony with your will always in all ways. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Psalm 119:11 (NIV).

2. Romans 10:9 (NIV).

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The Power of Applause

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“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”1

Besides wishing each other a very Happy New Year, may we all make a New Year resolution to be more effective encouragers of each other—and especially so of our loved ones.

Dr. Ernest Mellor wrote how he and his wife, “Sat charmed at an outdoor performance by young Suzuki violin students. After the concert, an instructor spoke briefly on how children as young as two, three and four years old are taught to play violin. The first thing the children learn, he said, is a proper stance. And the second thing the children learn—even before they pick up the violin—is how to take a bow. ‘If the children just play the violin and stop, people may forget to show their appreciation,’ the instructor said. ‘But when the children bow, the audience invariably applauds. And applause is the best motivator we’ve found to make children feel good about performing and want to do it well.’

“Adults love applause too. Being affirmed makes us feel wonderful. If you want to rekindle or keep the flame of love glowing in your marriage through the years, try showing and expressing your appreciation for your mate. Put some applause in your marriage and watch love grow.”2

Meaningful applause—whether by hand clapping or with our words—is one the most effective and easiest ways to encourage one another. The word “encourage” comes from “en” meaning in, and “courage.” It means to put courage into another—and that’s something every one of us can do—so let’s do it often from a sincere heart.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, please help me always to applaud and encourage my loved ones and friends when such is well earned, not just as a means of ‘being outwardly nice’ or to flatter, but out of a genuine heart of appreciation. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV).

2. Dr. Ernest Mellor, in Homemade, November, 1984.

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Divine Healing, Part II. Are Faith Healers for Real?

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“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective” (James 5:16, NIV).

The Daily Encounter reader who asked yesterday’s question also asked, “Are the faith/spiritual healers, who go around nowadays holding healing crusades, really healing the sick? Is there true healing taking place or is it some magical act or illusion?

First, one thing is certain, some of these preachers, whether in crusades or on TV, certainly don’t have any problems drawing great crowds and gaining great numbers of followers—and raising enormous amounts of money—which shows that vast numbers of people are seeking healing. But how many of these preachers are faith healers and how many are fake-healers?

Second, is it God’s will to pray for the sick? Yes, besides praying privately for those who are sick, keep in mind when it comes to public praying that James wrote, “Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well.”1

Third, in my own limited experience I’ve listened to and witnessed a few of these “public” faith healers but have seen very little healing happen. Most important, however, in all my years I have never heard one “faith healer” ever quote an essential requirement for healing included with James’ instructions for healing. That is, if we desire to be healed, we need to confess our sins and faults—not only to God—but also to at least one or two others whom we can trust.

Not all physical ills, by any means, are caused by unconfessed sins, but many sicknesses and problems are, or are greatly aggravated by them. Things such as guilt, resentment, envy, jealousy, hatred, and especially super-charged repressed negative emotions create havoc within us—physically, emotionally, relationally, and spiritually. These need to be resolved to clear the way for healing.

If we applied these principles as stated by James, I am convinced that we would witness a whole lot more physical, emotional, relational and spiritual healing. Speaking personally, to the best of my ability I have applied these principles to my life, and am a whole lot healthier today than when I was half my present age.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, please give me a spirit of discernment to help me recognize those healers who are real and those who are false. And if there are any unresolved issues in my life that are blocking any healing I need, please help me to see what these are and get the help I need to resolve them. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. James 5:14-15, (NIV).

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Divine Healing Part I. Should Christians Seek Medical Help?

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“Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.”1

A Daily Encounter reader writes, “Is it biblically correct for some ‘religious’ groups to refuse their ‘followers’ to be taken for medical attention at clinics/hospitals for help when they are sick? And is it right not to allow immunization of children against diseases like polio, measles, etc.? They claim that God’s Word in the Bible is against such? I think God’s word is being misused here.”

Dear Cheryl (name changed), you are correct in saying that God’s Word is being misused here. Unfortunately, there will always be some people who mean well but are sadly misguided. And there will always be religious fanatics who misinterpret God’s Word to twist it to say what they want it to say … and do so to control their followers. The Bible calls this legalism and being bewitched.2

Personally speaking, I believe it is very misleading and even cruel to deny anyone the medical attention they need. Even Paul said to Timothy to take a little wine for his stomach sake. And Paul himself had some affliction from which God never delivered him or never healed him; rather, God said, “My grace is sufficient for you.”3

I’m embarrassed to admit it, but my father went through a stage of religious fanaticism and refused to have my younger sister immunized. She died of diphtheria when she was only two-and-a-half years old.

In much younger days I taught a Sunday school class of ten-year-old boys. I loved these kids. We had some great times together. However, one of these boys was slowly going blind, but his parents believed God would heal him so never sought any kind of medical help. It was very sad to see this cruelty.

In later years a close friend of mine, when in his mid-40s, had cancer and went to a healing group who prayed for him after which they told him he was healed … so he never got the medical attention he desperately needed. Some months later he excitedly told me about his healing experience. In no time he was back in hospital. His body was riddled with cancer and it was too late then for medical help. He died within a few months.

True, sometimes God does heal people and sometimes he doesn’t. But thank God for medical help, for without it, many more of us would not be healed.

And by the way, Luke, an early follower of Jesus, writer of one of the four Gospels, and a missionary companion of Paul, was a physician.

To be continued ….

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, please deliver me from religious legalism and fanaticism, help me to be realistic, and give me the wisdom needed to have a balanced view and understanding of your Word—and the good sense to apply it to my life. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. 1 Timothy 5:23 (NIV).

2. See Galatians 3:1-5.

3. 2 Corinthians 12:8-10.

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Who Will Answer?

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“And I [God] sought for a man among them, that should build up the wall, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found none.”1

Today’s Scripture was written by the prophet Ezekiel at a time when ancient Israel was in captivity because they had turned from God to worship idols. God was looking for someone who would stand in the gap to lead the people back to him—but he found no one to do this. How tragically sad this was.

This Scripture reminds me of the lyrics of “Who Will Answer?” by Ed Ames written in 1968 during the Vietnam War. This chanting song had a tremendous impact on me the first time I heard it. I can still remember exactly where I was when I heard it and who sang it!

Back then it was a time of turmoil with many unanswered questions. Ed’s lyrics were a cry from the human heart wanting answers. They spoke about people searching from the canyons of their mind, stumbling blindly while searching for the truth. They spoke about the emptiness of faded dreams from a failed marriage; of a youthful soldier whose arms would never hold his child because he was dying on a distant battlefield; of desperate souls committing suicide; and the ongoing threat of nuclear war with a desperate plea: “Dear God, Oh, why, oh, why? The final question being, “Who will answer?”2

World conditions have not improved since Ed Ames wrote these lyrics. In fact they have deteriorated considerably—especially so since the suicide attacks by al-Qaeda on the World Trade Towers in New York on September 11, 2001. And they continue to deteriorate incrementally with the never ending threat of terrorism—not knowing where radical Muslim fanatics will strike next as they hate and want to kill Jews, Christians, and Americans. And according to ACT for America,3 “British intelligence has uncovered the newest threat from Islamic terrorism—bombs surgically implanted inside the bodies of jihadists.”

Tragically, more and more, at least here in the U.S.A., like ancient Israel, we too are increasingly turning away from God which can readily lead to the path of self-destruction. Consequently, God is looking for committed people “who will answer” life’s questions, and who will stand in the gap to point the way back to God. There are also millions of people worldwide for whom God is also looking for people to stand in the gap to point them to God.

The person/s God is looking for are simply those who make themselves available for him to use. So, will you, today, be one for whom God is looking and pray from the heart: “I am available God, please use me?”

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, I hear your call for people to stand in the gap to bring lost souls to you. I am available. Please make me usable and use me to help bring others to you. I am willing to be made willing to go where you want me to go and to do what you want me to do. So help me God. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

Please Note: If you prayed this prayer and truly meant it, will you please join with us as a People Power for Jesus Partner and we will share with you many simple tips on how you can stand in the gap to help introduce others to God. To do so go to www.actsweb.org/people_power/subscribe.php and fill in the simple form. And may God greatly bless and use you to help bring others to God. Please be sure to tell friends, too, of your decision to stand in the gap for God and encourage them to do likewise. “When many people each do a little, great feats for God can be achieved.”

1. Ezekiel 22:30(ASV).

2. The lyrics of Ed Ames, “Who Will Answer?” can be seen at:

www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/e/ed_ames/who_will_answer.html.

3. ACT for America, http://www.actforamerica.org/.

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When I Am a Rich Man

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Wishing all Daily Encounter readers a very Happy and God-blessed New Year!

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”1

“A legend tells the story of a fisherman called Aaron. Aaron lived on the banks of a river. Walking home with his eyes half-closed one evening after a hard day’s work, he was dreaming of what he could do if he were rich. As he walked his foot struck against a leather pouch filled with what seemed to him to be small stones.

“Absentmindedly he picked up the pouch and began throwing the pebbles into the water.’When I am a rich man,’ he said to himself, ‘I’ll have a large house.’ And he threw another pebble into the river. He threw another one and thought, ‘My wife and I will have servants and rich food, and many fine things.’ And this went on until just one stone was left. As Aaron held it in his hand, a ray of light caught it and made it sparkle. He then realized that it was a valuable gem. He had been throwing away the real riches in his hand, while he dreamed of unreal riches in the future.”2

As we start a fresh New Year, let us remember all the riches we have in Christ Jesus, and all the blessings from God that we do have, and not overlook these because of all the things we don’t have—many of which for many of us we don’t even need in order to live a contented and happy life.

As Charles Dickens once said, “Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has plenty; not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.”

Contentment and happiness come from within and not from circumstances without. They come from changing the things we can and need to change, from accepting and learning to live with the things we cannot change—and having the wisdom to know the difference. They come from the attitude of one’s heart and mind, and learning to trust God in every situation.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, thank you for all the blessings that I have in Christ Jesus, and for all the blessings I receive from you every day. Open the eyes of my understanding so that I can see these, thank you for them, and rejoice always in them. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

Special NOTE: If you receive this and reply before midnight of Dec 31 … this is a last chance for a tax deductible receipt for 2012 for US donors. Click on the DONATE link in the right hand sidebar to donate on the ACTS secure donor site. Know that your support will be greatly appreciated.

1. Philippians 4:4-7 (NIV).

2. Rev. Richard J. Fairchild, “The Man Without Wedding Clothes.” http://www.spirit-net.ca/sermon.html.

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Goodbye 2012 … Hello 2013

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“Jesus said, ‘By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.’”1

Today, as we pass from the Old Year into the new, may we accept the following advice for a worthy New Year resolution and remember to apply these principles every day of the year:

Smile at a stranger; listen to someone’s heart;
hug a loved one.
Tell someone you’re thinking of them. Drop a
coin where a child can find it. Learn something
new then teach it to someone else.
Look a child in the eye and tell them how great they are.
Don’t hold a grudge.
Don’t be afraid to say, “I’m sorry.”
Look beyond the face of a person into their heart.
Make a promise and keep it.
Call someone for no other reason than to just say “hello.”
Show kindness to an animal. Stand up for what you believe in.
Smell the rain, feel the breeze, listen to the wind.
Use all your senses to their fullest. Cherish all your todays.”2

And send an email or two of love and appreciation to a friend and to a loved one.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, thank you for all your blessings of this past year, and please help me throughout the New Year to always be ‘as Jesus’ and a channel of your love to every life I touch, and grant that they, seeing Jesus in me, will want you for themselves. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. John 13:35 (NIV).

2. Marcella’s Inspiring Collection, http://tinyurl.com/w9nb9.

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