All posts by 5Q

What Will Your Legacy Be?

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“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one that sows to please the Spirit [of God], from the Spirit will reap eternal life.”1

I have borrowed today’s title from Michael Josephson of Character Counts. In considering the shameful business leaders who have “cooked the books” in their accounting practices to make their company look far better than it was, and as a result hurt thousands of people, Michael wrote, “Consider the enormous shame that caused … [the] former vice chairman of Enron to commit suicide and write this note to his wife: ‘I am so sorry for this. I feel I just can’t go on. I have always tried to do the right thing but where there was once great pride now it’s gone. I love you and the children so much. I just can’t be any good to you or myself. The pain is overwhelming. Please try to forgive me.’”

While most of us would never have the opportunity to do what these business leaders have done, we do however need to be careful about our actions. For every action there is a consequence. If I sow deeds of kindness I will reap rewards of kindness. If I sow seeds of love, I will reap rewards of love. Or if I sow seeds of hate, I will receive hatred in return. And if I sow seeds of evil, I will in due course reap rewards of evil. Whatever we sow we reap.

So let’s all think carefully about what we do. Our legacy depends on it. What do we want our loved ones to think about us when we’re gone? And most important of all, when we get to the end of life’s journey what do we want God to “think” and say to us? Will it be, “Well done good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord?” Or will it be, “Depart from me for I never knew you?”

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, please help me to live with eternal values in mind realizing that what I sow in this life, I will not only reap the rewards/results of it here and now, but also in the life to come. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Galatians 6:7-8 (NIV).

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Draining the Pain of Hurt Feelings

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Job, the great sufferer in the Bible said, “Even now my witness is in heaven. My advocate is there on high. My friends scorn me, but I pour out my tears to God.”1

A Daily Encounter reader who has been hurt deeply asks, “Do you have any insight into dealing with the strong emotions that arise from being deeply hurt and wounded?

Dear Fred (not his real name), one way you can help “drain the pain” of hurt feelings is to write out your feelings. David did this in several of his Psalms. I think he was a man after God’s own heart—not because of his behavior—but because of his being open and honest with himself and with God. When you write, write as if you are writing a letter to the one who hurt you. Express all your feelings in all their intensity to this person. Then read the letter to God telling him that this is exactly the way you feel (he knows it anyhow)—then tear up the letter and destroy it. Write again and again doing the same thing until all your hurt and angry feelings are dissipated. But never, never, never send one of these letters to anybody. At a later time, should you feel a need to write or contact the person in question, remember always to write and speak the truth in love—never in blaming anger.

God also gave us tears to help drain the pain of hurt feelings. So give yourself permission to weep with all your heart. The fact is, until we have learned to weep with all our heart, we are not free to love with all our heart. Tears, however, are for expressing grief … not anger. Anger needs to be expressed in writing, verbalized, or both.

Also, everyone needs at least one person he/she can trust implicitly with whom to share his/her feelings. It needs to be an understanding and caring person, who listens and accepts us with all our hurt and angry feelings, but won’t give us advice, preach at us, or tell us what we should or shouldn’t do or feel. And, if necessary, have several sessions with a qualified Christian counselor to help you work through and resolve your feelings.

And of course be sure to tell God exactly how you feel and to lead you to the help you need to resolve your hurt and angry feelings so you can get to a point of genuine forgiveness. Failing to forgive will only hurt you. It’s “like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die.”

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, thank you that you always understand what I am feeling and will always accept me when I openly and honestly confess and share my feelings with you no matter what those feelings are. Help me always to be honest with myself and with you and please help me find a faithful friend with whom I can feel safe to be open and honest—a friend who will always love and accept me no matter how I feel. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

For additional help see articles online at: https://learning.actsweb.org/articles/Recovery.php.

1. Job 16:19-20 (NLT).

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Oops! My Mistake!

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“There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.”1

There’s a wonderful beach near to where I grew up in Australia. It’s called the Forty-mile Beach which stretches North of Noosa Heads in Southern Queensland for 38 miles. It’s a wide beach with exquisite fine white sand that is so tightly packed that the beach is actually gazetted on maps as a highway. Cars and vehicles are going back and forth all the time. You just need to be careful to get in and out before high tide.

A few years back when I was visiting family, I rented a small four-wheel-drive and drove the entire length of this beach. Joy and one of my sisters were with me. About mid-way are the beautiful colored sands, which are quite fascinating. There is also a large wrecked ship that got tossed up onto the beach, I presume in stormy weather. It is more than half rusted away.

As we were merrily driving along there was another vehicle approaching us from the opposite direction. Startled, I said to Joy and my sister, “Look at this idiot. He’s driving on the wrong side of the beach!” Oops … the idiot was me! I wasn’t in California. I was in Australia where they drive on the left side of the road, and I was on the right side. On this occasion right for me was definitely wrong!

I was red-faced!

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, please help me to always remember whenever there is a difference of opinion to never jump to the conclusion that I am in the right and the other person is in the wrong, but seriously consider first that I may be the one who is in the wrong. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Proverbs 14:12 (NIV).

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What Might Have Been

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“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’”1

I think it was Dwight L. Moody who, when seeing a drunk in the gutter, said, “But for the grace of God there go I.” Many a time I have wondered where I would be if it weren’t for the grace and mercy of God? The probabilities are unthinkable. Spiritually speaking, for certain I would have been lost at sea and, quite possibly, would have made shipwreck of my life.

Ronnie Hinson has written the words and music of a gospel song that is very meaningful to me. It’s entitled “The Lighthouse” and says it well:

“There’s a lighthouse on the hillside that overlooks life’s sea. When I’m tossed it sends out a light that I might see. And the light that shines in darkness now will safely lead me home, If it wasn’t for the lighthouse, my ship would sail no more.

“And I thank God for The Lighthouse, I owe my life to Him. Jesus is The Lighthouse and from the rocks of sin, He has shown the light around me, so that I might clearly see. If it wasn’t for The Lighthouse, Where would this ship be?”2

Dear reader, have you come to Jesus, the Lighthouse, and found the light—the light of life and the assurance of everlasting life with God? If not, I encourage you to do that today by praying the following:

Suggested prayer: “Dear Jesus God, I confess that I am a lost sinner and come to you believing that you died on the cross to pay the penalty for all my sin so I could be freely forgiven and receive your gift of eternal life. I ask you, Jesus, to forgive me for all my sins and come into my heart and life as my personal Savior, and thereby grant me your gift of eternal life. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Note: If you genuinely prayed this prayer, please let us know by going to www.actsweb.org/decision.php and we will be happy to send you the web address—without charge—of additional articles to help and encourage you in your Christian life.

1. John 8:12 (NIV).

2. “The Lighthouse,” Words and Music by Robbie Hinson. © 1971.

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Love Opens Doors

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“Love never fails.”1

According to an article in Today in the Word, soon after Queen Victoria’s marriage to Prince Albert, the couple had a quarrel, whereupon Prince Albert locked himself in his private apartment. Queen Victoria knocked furiously on his door.

“Who’s there?” asked Albert.

“The Queen of England, and she demands to be admitted.”

There was no response and the door remained locked. The queen knocked furiously again.

“Who’s there?” asked Albert again. The queen’s response was the same … as was Albert’s.

After more furious knocking and no response came a quiet pause—and then a gentle tap.

“Who’s there?” asked Albert once more.

“Your wife, Albert,” the queen replied. Immediately the door was opened.

As the writer of this article pointed out, “Love opens doors.”

Need I say more?

Suggested Prayer: “Dear God, help me always to be a door opener and not a door closer! Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. 1 Corinthians 13:8 (NIV).

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Parrot Talk

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“All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.”1

A man bought a parrot at an auction after some heavy bidding. “I hope this bird talks,” he told the auctioneer.

“Talk,” the auctioneer replied. “Who do you think has been bidding against you for the past ten minutes?”

Sad to say, we seem to be living in a day when a person’s word has less and less value. Once upon a time a man’s word was his bond. Not any more, I’m afraid. For many people today their word doesn’t mean a thing. We’re pretty adept at parroting what we think people want to hear.

I remember one of my college professors teaching us that a person’s character could be measured by what value he or she put on their word. People who don’t keep their word simply cannot be trusted. This principle applies, not only to some politicians who promise anything to get votes, but also to every one of us who do not keep our promises or our word.

Fortunately, however, of one thing we can be certain, God always keeps his Word and always keeps his promises. To be Christ-like, we need to do the same! For after all, it’s what we do, not what we say, that speaks the loudest of all.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, please make me a man/woman of my word so I can always be trusted to say what I mean, mean what I say, and do what I say I will do. And thank you that your Word can always be trusted. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Proverbs 14:23 (NIV).

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Don’t Tread on Me

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“Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.”1

“In December, 1775, an American colonist (believed by many scholars to be Benjamin Franklin), noticed the increasing use of a symbol throughout the colonies, stamped onto barrels and other items, depicting a coiled rattlesnake with the words ‘Don’t Tread On Me’ written below the snake. He wondered about how the symbol of a rattlesnake could be a symbol of the American desire for freedom?

“He wrote the following words: ‘The Rattle-Snake is found in no other quarter of the world besides America. She never begins an attack, nor, when once engaged, never surrenders: She is therefore an emblem of magnanimity and true courage. She never wounds ’till she has generously given notice, even to her enemy, and cautioned him against the danger of treading on her.’”2

I’ve been hiking in the mountains and heard the warning sign of a rattler and was extremely thankful for that. Recently our little dog was barking furiously so we went out on our back deck so see what was going on, and there was a rattlesnake warning our puppy not to come too close. We were extremely grateful for the snake’s warning rattle. In the Bible, Satan is depicted as a serpent—a serpent who not only doesn’t warn about his lethal bite, but appears in alluring disguises promising great rewards of pleasure, ready and waiting to devour his every victim.

How different from God because over and over he warns us in his Word, the Bible, to avoid sin at all costs for it will destroy us. He, too, has generously given notice even to his enemies to “flee from the wrath to come” and to turn to Christ the Savior of the world.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, help me to be careful where I walk (how I live) and avoid the ways of Satan at all costs. Thank you that there is salvation from the evil one when I turn to you. Help me so to do. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Ephesians 5:15-16 (NASB).

2. Source: Christian Voices, www.christianvoices.org. Cited on Sermon Fodder, www.sermonfodder.com.

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Happy Father’s Day

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“Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged” (Colossians 3:21, NIV).

When my two sons were teenagers I wrote the following poem, framed it and gave them a copy as a gift from my heart.

To Be a Man

When you can rise above your
fears to conquer every challenge
that comes to those who dare
to climb the highest heights;
When you can keep on getting up each
time you’ve failed or been knocked down;
When you can see your greatest strength
lies in your faith and gentleness,
your greatest courage in admitting
your faults, and with God’s help
strive to overcome them;
When you can accept responsibility
for resolving all your hurts and break
the chain from generations past;
When you can know and show a father’s
love and feel with all your heart;
When you can love yourself, others
and God more than earthly gain,
or fame and recognition, you will,
my son, be then a man –
and indeed a great man at that.

– Dick Innes © Copyright

And of course, I realized that unless I modeled what I wrote and wished for them, all of my efforts would be in vain.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, please help me to live so that I will become more and more the man/woman of God you want me to be, so that my life will be a model for my sons/daughters so that they, too, will want to become the men/women of God you want them to be. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

NOTE: A printed copy of this poem (framed or unframed) can be purchased from the ACTS online store at: http://actscom.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3&products_id=31

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Growing Strong in the Broken Places

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“But he [God] said to me [Paul], ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”1

Do you ever feel that God can’t use you because you aren’t qualified? If so, you’re in good company. Many of us feel the same way. In fact, there were very few men or women in the Bible who were used of God who didn’t have a personal struggle or challenge of one kind or another. Moses and Mary weren’t the only ones who didn’t feel qualified for the work God was calling them to do!

An unknown author has pointed out that “Moses stuttered. John Mark was rejected by Paul. Timothy had ulcers. Hosea’s wife was a prostitute. Amos’s only training was in the school of fig-tree pruning. Jacob lied. David had an affair. Solomon had too many wives and concubines. Jesus was too poor and wasn’t schooled in the right religious institutions. Abraham and Sarah were too old. David was too young. Peter was impulsive. John had a temper. Naomi was a widow. Paul was a murderer, as was Moses. Jonah ran from God. Gideon and Thomas both doubted. Jeremiah was depressed. Elijah was burned out. Martha worried too much. Matthew was a despised tax-gatherer. Noah had a drinking problem.”

It was Ernest Hemingway who first wrote about the world breaking us all but some grow strong in the broken places. The idea behind these words is that where a bone is broken and heals, it becomes the strongest part of the bone. The same is true of our broken places—where we have been hurt, have fallen, or failed. When we bring these to Christ for healing, his strength is then made perfect in and through our weaknesses. This is certainly true in ministering to other people. Our friends are not helped so much by our brilliant logic or persuasive speech[,] as they are through honest sharing of our own struggles and how, with God’s help, we have overcome. As one speaker put it, sharing our faith in Christ is just a case of one beggar showing another beggar where to find bread!

God, of course, doesn’t want us to stay stuck in our sins and problems. While he loves and accepts us as we are, and uses us as we are, he loves us too much to leave us as we are. But never think that you have too little talent or too many hurts or problems for God to use you. The key issue is to be available. Everyone that God has ever used has had their weaknesses, sins, and failings. But they were available, and they have been remembered for what God did through their lives. God will do the same for you and me as we make ourselves available for him to use every day.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, I’m available. Please make me usable and use me today to be as Jesus in some way to every life I touch. And please use me in whatever way you choose to be a part of your plans and what you are doing in the world today. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV).

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Conquered From Within

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“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord … From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind … he watches all who live on earth … [and] considers everything they do. No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength.”1

I have read how “in Ancient China, the people desired security from the barbaric hordes to the north so they built the great Chinese wall. It was so high they knew no one could climb over it and so thick that nothing could break it down. They settled back to enjoy their security.

“During the first hundred years of the wall’s existence, China was invaded three times. Not once did the barbaric hordes break down the wall or climb over the top. Each time they bribed a gatekeeper and then marched right through the gates. The Chinese were so busy relying upon the walls of stone that they forgot to teach integrity to their children.”2 In other words they were defeated from within.

Ancient Israel trusted in its military might but turned from God and obedience to his laws—and was conquered. Ancient Rome trusted in its military might but turning to licentious living they, too, were ultimately defeated and destroyed from within. The same principle holds true for both nations—including the mighty U.S.A.—and individuals. If we turn from God and his way to go our own way, we too will ultimately be destroyed from within.

As God’s Word reminds us, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.”3

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, please help me as an individual and us as a nation to see the folly of our ways when we turn from following your ways to go our own self-directed and sinful ways. Please send a great spiritual awakening so that we will turn back to you and make you the Lord of our life and of our nation. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Psalm 33:12-16 (NIV).

2. Sunday School Times. Cited on www.sermons.com.

3. Proverbs 14:34 (NIV).

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