Today is a day of celebration for U.S. citizens—the day when each year they celebrate their independence as a nation. For those who live in the U.S.A. let us not forget that our independence was bought with a price—the price of blood on the battlefields. Thousands of men, supported by wives, mothers and sisters, fathers and brothers, fought for our freedom, multiplied thousands of whom gave their lives in the process.

No nation in world history has experienced more freedoms, privileges, and opportunities. This nation was founded and built on a solid foundation of liberty and justice for all with a firm belief and trust in God.

Today, however, too many of us are taking our freedom for granted and have forgotten that the “price of freedom is still eternal vigilance;”² not only militarily, but perhaps even more important, morally. Too many are confusing liberty with license and are wanting personal freedom without personal responsibility and accountability—not realizing that they are being enslaved by their own passions and selfish desires which will erode the very foundation upon which this nation was built quicker than anything else.

For all of us who live in a free country may we ever be thankful to those who gave their lives to give us our freedom and independence and may we guard these freedoms with our lives. And may we also be ever thankful to God for the gift of his Son who died so we could be eternally free and for the wonderful privilege that we can serve him with our lives. And may we never ever forget that “blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.”³

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, for those of us who live in a free country we give you our never-ending thanks. May we never take our freedom for granted but guard it zealously. And we pray for those people who are enslaved by despot leaders, who are imprisoned and tortured for their Christian faith, and for all who know nothing of freedom—and we especially pray that the gospel will go forth in spite of their situation. And grant that those who belong to you will have peace in the midst of their circumstances and be kept from all harm and danger. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. John 15:13 (NIV).

2. Thomas Jefferson.

3. Psalm 33:12 (NIV).

According to God’s Word, every one of us, when we come to the end of our life’s journey, will stand before God to give an account of his or her life. Those who never accepted God’s forgiveness for their sins will be required to pay the judgment price themselves for their sins—which is spiritual death, and that translates as eternal separation from God and all love and meaningful life in the place the Bible calls Hell.

The good news is for those of us who have accepted God’s forgiveness by accepting Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior, will never be judged for our sins. This is because Jesus paid that penalty for us when he gave his life on the cruel Roman cross 2,000 years ago. However, we will be required to appear before the judgment seat of Christ to give an account of our life regarding how we lived for and served God after receiving Christ as our Savior, and be rewarded, or otherwise, accordingly. As the Bible says, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.”²

I know that when I stand before the judgment seat of Christ, Jesus will not be interested in or concerned about my achievements in the business, academic, or professional world. He will not be concerned in the slightest regarding my physical beauty or lack thereof—except (figuratively speaking) for my feet! Will I have “beautiful feet”? I hope and pray so for if there is one thing I want to have when I stand before Jesus to give an account of my life is to have “beautiful feet”.

And how does one get “beautiful feet” in God’s eyes? It is simply by helping to spread the saving gospel message of Jesus Christ by proclaiming God’s message of salvation.¹

If you were to stand before Jesus today, would you have beautiful feet … or would you want to hide your feet?

For simple helps to proclaim God’s message of salvation, see ACTS People Power for Jesus website at: https://learning.actsweb.org/people_power/.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, how can I ever thank you enough for giving your Son, Jesus, to die in my place to pay the penalty for all my sins. And dear Jesus, because you died for me, I surrender my heart and life afresh to you today to live for you for all the days of my life. So help me so to do, and please use me to help proclaim your message of salvation to as many people as possible while I am still able to do this. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus name, amen.”

Note: If you have never accepted God’s forgiveness for all your sins, I urge you to do this today. For help read the article, “How to Be Sure You’re a Real Christian,” at: www.actsweb.org/christian. And if you would like to re-commit your life afresh today to be available for God to use you to help proclaim His message of salvation, please record this at: http://tinyurl.com/007-re-commit.

1. Isaiah 52:7 (NIV).

2. 2 Corinthians 5:10 (NIV).

Roger Perkins of Higher Ground writes: “A few years ago I sat and listened to an eighty-year old man who had retired as pastor of a church in New Jersey after serving there for forty years—his only parish. Ten years before, at age seventy, he and his wife moved to Africa to spend their final years in Kingdom work—much of it in prisons.

“He said to our small gathering, ‘I don’t want to be too harsh, but what are you doing that would cause God to want to extend your life?’

“I was stunned. My old analytical self tried to counter his reasoning, but the Spirit clearly gave me a wakeup call to make every day count by remaining close to God and living out his will. Life is short no matter how long it is.

“The above pastor’s name is Grover Wilcox. He started a church in the inner city of Newark after graduating from Wheaton College and was a pastor there for forty years. He knows about faithfulness. He has experienced planting, sowing and reaping. He’s still going strong in East Africa—he’s about 85 now. And by the way, his denomination wouldn’t ordain him when he got out of Wheaton College because they thought he wasn’t good material or ready for the pastorate.”²

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, help me to carefully examine my life to see if there is any reason why you would choose to extend my life. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. 2 Timothy 4:7-8 (NIV).

2. By Roger Perkins of Higher Ground. higherground@triton.net.

Before Ansel Adams became famous as a landscape photographer, he studied piano and showed some talent. At one of his first recitals he played Chopin’s Nocturne in F Major. “In some strange way,” he said, “my right hand started off in F-sharp major while my left hand behaved well in F major. I could not bring them together. I went through the entire nocturne with the hands separated by a half-step. The next day, someone walked up to him and jokingly commented, “You never missed a wrong note.”²

I can identify with Adams in that in much younger days I used to play trumpet on a gospel team and one of the first times I played a solo, I was so nervous I was thinking one song and playing another! You can imagine the effect. It was very embarrassing, to say the least.

Such mistakes are easily overcome. But some mistakes we make in life can have long-lasting serious consequences. With these mistakes, however, the good news is that God’s mercy is always available to all who confess their sins and failures and ask for his forgiveness.

Have you forgiven all who have ever hurt you? And have you experienced God’s forgiveness? If not, why not do that today. For further help be sure to read the article: “Forgiveness: The Power That Heals.” It’s online at: http://tinyurl.com/dvwh5.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, thank you that ‘You are a God of forgiveness, Gracious and compassionate, Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness,’³ and that you forgive all my sins and trespasses when I genuinely confess them to you. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Psalm 51:1-2 (NIV).

2. David Roper. Cited in KneEmail. To subscribe send a blank message to: kneemail-subscribe@welovegod.org

3. Nehemiah 9:17 (NIV).

Regarding heaven, we have been given evidence from those who have had near-death experiences and what they witnessed, the testimonials of the last words of famous people including those of non-believers, and the experience of a very close friend as he departed this life. All of these are very interesting, but the final point is the most powerful evidence of all as to whether there is a heaven or not.

Fourth, we have evidence from Jesus Christ himself and the whole of God’s Word, the Bible. Speaking about heaven Jesus said, “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. In my Father’s house are many mansions. I am going there to prepare a place for you, and if I go, I will come back to take you there to be with me forever.”² While ministering here on earth, Jesus repeatedly made mention of heaven so it was clearly evident that Jesus believed in both heaven and hell.

Furthermore, according to one Bible scholar, there are 1,845 references to Christ’s coming back to earth that are recorded in the Old Testament and 318 in the New Testament. There are many more references about heaven and hell. And as Jesus said, he is right now preparing heaven for all Christians and will, when everything is ready, return to take them to be with him forever.

Nobody can prove that there is a heaven or a hell. Neither can anybody prove there isn’t. The evidence, however, confirms that there are both, and I know which side I’d rather be on. If I believe, I have nothing to lose and everything to gain. But if I don’t believe, I have everything to lose and nothing to gain.

The choice to believe or not to believe is each individual’s decision. For those who choose to believe, the key issue is to be sure that you are prepared for heaven and ready to meet God face to face. You do that, first, by believing that when Jesus died on the cross 2,000 years ago, he died to pay the ransom price for your sins; second, by confessing your sins to God; and third, by responding to Christ’s call to accept him into your heart and life as personal Lord and Savior.

The wonderful thing is that God’s invitation to heaven is open to everyone. As God’s Word, the Bible, says, “Whoever will may come.”³

If you have not already done so, will you accept God’s invitation to come to him by confessing that you are a sinner in need of forgiveness and by accepting Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior? Today? For help to make absolutely sure you are ready for heaven be sure to read the article, “How to Be Sure You’re a Real Christian (without having to be religious)” at: www.actsweb.org/christian. Receiving Jesus as your Savior is your Passport into Heaven. Whatever you do, don’t leave earth without it.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, thank you again for your promise of heaven for all who believe in you and have accepted Jesus as their Savior. I believe that Jesus died on the cross for my sins. I confess that I am a sinner and ask you, Lord Jesus, to forgive me for all my sins, and come into my heart and life and be my Lord and Savior. Thank you for hearing my prayer, for forgiving all my sins, and for your promise of a home in heaven. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 (NIV).

2. John 14:1-3.

3. Revelation 22:17.

NOTE: I repeat: to make absolutely sure you are ready for heaven read the article, “How to Be Sure You’re a Real Christian (without having to be religious)” at: www.actsweb.org/christian.

In continuing our series on heaven we have the evidence from the testimonials of famous people who shared their last words. For example, it is reported that Professor J.H. Huxley, the famous agnostic, as he lay dying suddenly looked up at some sight invisible to mortal eyes, and staring awhile, whispered at last, “So it is true.”

Sir Francis Newport, head of the English Infidel Club, said to those gathered around his death bed, “Do not tell me there is no God for I know there is one, and that I am in his angry presence! You need not tell me there is no hell, for I already feel my soul slipping into its fires! Wretches, cease your idle talk about there being hope for me! I know that I am lost forever.”

Dwight L. Moody, the famous Christian preacher, awakening from sleep shortly before he died had just the opposite to say: “Earth recedes. Heaven opens before me. If this is death, it is sweet! There is no valley here. God is calling me, and I must go.”

“No, no, Father,” said Moody’s son, “you are dreaming.” “I am not dreaming,” replied Moody. “I have been within the gates. I have seen the children’s faces.” His last words were, “This is my triumph; this is my coronation day! It is glorious!”

Thomas Edison, the great scientific genius who was not given to idle words, in his dying moments, said to his wife and doctor, “It is beautiful over there.”

Third, we have evidence from the experience of someone close to us. One of my best friends had cancer and passed away at age forty-four. As Graham’s end neared, with arms outstretched and lifted heavenward, he graphically described to me how he longed to meet God.

The day before Graham died he went into a coma. Jenny, his wife, was with him. Jenny reported to me that while still in the coma, though gravely weakened in body, without any warning Graham seemed strangely energized as he suddenly sat bolt upright in bed and, turning his face heavenward, reached up with open arms as if being greeted by someone only he could see. A moment later his body slumped back lifeless. Graham was gone. Jenny also said, “Immediately following, a great sense of peace and divine presence filled the entire house.”

Graham was a committed Christian. He had accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior. He knew where he was going after this life, and died triumphantly.

How different compared to the experience I had with Rosemary who also died of cancer. I was asked to visit her in the hospital. As far as I know Rosemary was not a Christian and was terrified of dying. She sat in a chair night and day, refusing to lie down for fear she would go to sleep and never wake up again.

It was difficult to communicate with her because she kept going in and out of consciousness. We just held her hand and repeated, “God loves you, Rosemary, God loves you.”

“When she brightens a little,” I said to her friend, “send for me and I’ll come right back.”

But Rosemary never brightened. Two days later she died terrified. I can’t think of anything more tragic than to leave earth to go into a lost eternity when there is absolutely no need to. To make sure you don’t do this, be sure to read the article, “How to Be Sure You’re a Real Christian (without having to be religious)” at: www.actsweb.org/christian.

To be concluded …

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, thank you that you have made it possible through the death and resurrection of your Son, Jesus, for all my sins to be forgiven so I can spend eternity with you in heaven. Help me to make sure that I am prepared to meet you face to face when I die. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. 2 Corinthians 5:1 (NIV).

NOTE: Again, to make absolutely sure you are ready for heaven read the article, “How to Be Sure You’re a Real Christian (without having to be religious)” at: www.actsweb.org/christian.

Dr. Maurice Rawlings, formerly a cardiologist and professor of medicine at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine in Chattanooga, and his colleagues constantly treated emergency patients, many of whom had near-death experiences. A study of these cases by Dr. Rawlings was reported in Omni magazine.

It is no longer unusual to hear about people who have almost died who speak of seeing a bright light, lush green meadows, rows of smiling relatives and experiencing a deep sense of peace. However, Dr. Rawlings obtains additional information from his patients by interviewing them immediately following resuscitation while they are very much in touch with their experience. Dr. Rawlings says that nearly 50 percent of the 300 people that he has interviewed have reported lakes of fire, devil-like figures and other sights reflecting the darkness of hell. Rawlings says that these people later change their story because they don’t want to admit where they’ve been, not even to their families.

“Just listening to these patients has changed my whole life,” claims Dr. Rawlings. “There is a life after death, and if I don’t know where I’m going, it’s not safe to die.”

But do these experiences prove that there is a heaven or a hell?

We don’t really know because these particular people didn’t quite make it to the other side. Even if they did and came back, we probably wouldn’t believe them because most of us tend to believe only what we have seen or experienced for ourselves. Furthermore, we tend to see and believe only what we want to see and believe—often in spite of the evidence.

One can only present what evidence there is, and then it is up to each individual to either accept or reject that evidence. And what evidence do we have as to whether there is a heaven and a hell or life after death?

First, there is the evidence from scores of cases mentioned by Dr. Rawlings and others who have written about near-death experiences and explained what they saw and experienced.

Second, we have the evidence from the testimonials of famous people who gave us their last words.

To be continued …

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, thank you that when Jesus returned to heaven after his death on the cross and resurrection, you sent your angels to assure his disciples and followers that Jesus would return to earth to take all of his true followers to be with him in heaven forever. Thank you for your wonderful promise that heaven is a reality for all who truly believe in you and have accepted Jesus as their Savior. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Acts 1:11 (NIV).

NOTE: To make absolutely sure you are ready for heaven read the article, “How to Be Sure You’re a Real Christian (without having to be religious)” at: www.actsweb.org/christian.

A Daily Encounter subscriber asks, “I am always wondering if I am doing God’s will. How can I know if I am going in the direction God wants me to go?”

The will of God has two aspects. First, as committed followers of Jesus Christ it involves our manner of living; that is, are all our actions in harmony with the will of God, the standards of which are clearly spelled out in the Bible, the Word of God. And as today’s Scripture points out, this involves living a life of purity; not allowing our life to be shaped by the attitudes and behaviors of those who have no regard for the ways of God; and always disciplining our thinking; for what the mind dwells on the body acts on.

Second, the will of God also includes how we serve God; that is, we need to know what our gifts and talents are; get the best training we can to sharpen these gifts and talents; and use these in a practical way to help others—keeping in mind that we serve God by serving and helping others, and communicating his love and message of salvation to them.

Another subscriber asks, “As the Apostle Paul was called of God to be an apostle,² how would I know if God wants me to serve him as a teaching or medical missionary, a pastor, a chaplain or other form of what is commonly called “fulltime” Christian ministry? As a young man I struggled with this question for several years. The advice I received from my pastor didn’t help. He told me, “If God is calling you into fulltime ministry, you better get into it. If he isn’t calling you, you’d better keep out of it.” The most helpful piece of advice I received was from Oswald Chambers in his book, My Utmost for His Highest. Chambers wrote, “The call of God is like the call of the sea to the sailor. Only he who has the nature of the sea within can hear that call.” That is, a person who is “born or called” to be a sailor will never rest until he launches out to sea. It’s the same with the call of God. If God is calling you to Christian service (which doesn’t have to be fulltime), you will never rest until you launch or step out to do what God has put into your heart to do. I can personally verify this statement.

Furthermore, doing God’s will—overall—is doing that which we find fulfilling. As Jesus said, I delight to do Your will, O my God, And Your law is within my heart.”³

Furthermore, every morning I pray and commit and trust my life and way to God and trust him to guide me in the way that he would have me go. I’ve been doing this from my youth and, as I look back, I can see clearly how God has led me—even through my down times. I encourage you to also commit and trust your life and way to God every morning and God will lead you too.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, thank you that you have a plan and purpose for my life and are calling me to do what you have gifted me to do. Help me to know what my gifts are, get the training I need to sharpen these gifts, and consistently use these to serve you by ministering in some way to others. I commit and trust my life and way to you and trust you to guide me in the way that you would have me to go. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Romans 12:1-2 (NKJV).

2. Romans 1:1 (KJV).

3. Psalm 40:8 (NKJV).

Whenever God has a job to do and a gap to be filled, he always starts by choosing and calling an individual. While men use methods, God’s methods are men and women.²

To start a nation to use as his special witness on earth, God chose and called Abraham to be the father of ancient Israel. When God wanted to lead this young nation out of slavery in Egypt, he chose and called Moses. And so it was with Joseph, Samuel, Esther, David, John the Baptist, Mary, Peter, Paul and scores of other lesser known individuals.

God today is still urgently looking for people who are willing to stand in the gap to help save lost souls from a lost and hopeless eternity and to do his work here on earth. The kind of people God is looking for, chooses, and calls are F–A–T people. That is: Faithful … Available … Teachable.

F – Faithful. You don’t have to be a Peter, Paul or a John the Baptist for God to use. Think of the twelve disciples. What a motley crew—rugged fishermen, a despised tax gatherer and the like—they were. God uses other ordinary people like them too, people who daily trust their life and way to God and, with his help, seek to serve and obey him faithfully in all the circumstances of life.

A – Available. Years ago I told God that I was too afraid to be a witness for him and that I was quitting. “However, God,” I prayed, “if you want to use me to share the gospel with others, I’m available, but you’ll have to do it through me because I’m too scared.” The result? Today God is using our small organizations to reach thousands around the world with the gospel and Christian message every day. This is because I made—and make myself available every day—for God to use. He will in some way do the same for you if you daily make yourself available to him to use.

T – Teachable. One reason God used the disciples was, not only because they were faithful and available, but also because they were teachable. Naturally they spent three years with the Master Teacher par Excellence and had a lot to learn about the Christian way, especially because it was brand new to them and everyone else in their day. We also need to be teachable and learn God’s ways more clearly by studying and knowing what his Word, the Bible, teaches and applying the principles found therein in our everyday living.

So, if you want God to use you to be a part of what he is doing in your world today, I urge you to pray and tell God you are available—and renew that prayer and commitment every day. To be an “Andrew” by quietly helping to bring others to Jesus click on: https://learning.actsweb.org/announce.php to see how you can do this in a simple, non-threatening way.

Remember that “when many people each do a little, great feats for God can be accomplished.”

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, I’m available again today. Help me to be faithful and teachable to learn your ways more clearly, and please use me to be as Jesus in some way to every life I touch today. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Ezekiel 22:30 (NKJV).

2. E.M. Bounds.

A TV commercial showed a Mercedes car crashing into a concrete wall during a safety test. An engineer then examined the damage, which was minimal. A reporter then asked the engineer about Mercedes’ energy-absorbing car body and wanted to know why Mercedes didn’t enforce their patent on the design, a design evidently copied by other companies because of its success.

The engineer then replied matter-of-factly, “Because some things in life are too important not to share.” How true this is. And of all the discoveries that are too important not to share they all pale in significance to that of sharing the gospel.

Today for those of us who are timid to share their Christian faith we have a very simple, non-offensive, and attractive way to do this.

For instance, you and I can be an “Andrew” by forwarding suitable copies of Daily Encounter, and/or web articles that speak to the needs readers feel, to friends, family, and contacts. The best messages to forward are the ones that deal with relationships and other everyday life issues, and those that share a clear gospel message. See http://actsweb.org/announce.php.

I say “Andrew” because wherever we read about Andrew (one of Jesus’ disciples) in the gospels, in his own quiet way he was bringing someone to Jesus. He introduced Peter to Jesus as well as the boy with the loaves and fishes that Jesus used to feed the multitude.

Today God is still looking for other “Andrews”—men and women and teenagers who will in their quiet way introduce others to Jesus. So, will you say “Yes” to God today to be an “Andrew” and make a commitment to pray for unsaved friends and loved ones, and send them suitable copies of Daily Encounter and/or articles as found on the ACTS web site at: http://actsweb.org/announce.php

As another has said, “Our greatest legacy will be those who live eternally in heaven because of our efforts.” This you can achieve by working together with ACTS as an “Andrew” to help reach the lost for Jesus.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, I’m available and want to be used by you as an ‘Andrew’ to help win others to Jesus. Please use me to be as Jesus in some way to every life I touch, and give me the courage to share the gospel and Christian message in non-offensive ways to the friends, family and contacts for whom I am praying. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

Note: Another way you can be an “Andrew” is by joining with us as a “People Power for Jesus Partner. There is no charge. Check it out at: http://tinyurl.com/people-power. Remember that when many people each do a little, great feats for God can be accomplished.

1. John 6:8-9 (NKJV).