One Sunday our pastor told us about an experience author Max Lucado had on a family outing. Their goal was to visit and reach the top of a snow-capped mountain. They were able to drive most of the way in their SUVs, but for the last mile they had to hike on foot. As soon as they were out of their vehicles and standing in snow, Lucado’s youngest daughter, about three or four, said to her father, “Pick me up. Pick me up.” As the going was tough, other family members took turns carrying the child.

As soon as they reached the top and put the child down, excitedly she exclaimed, “I did it! I did it!”

For those of us who are followers of Jesus, do we regularly consider all that God has done for us—how he has saved some of us from a life of debauchery, defeat, and despair … how he has carried us through the storms of life, protected us from evil, and delivered us from many temptations? Or do we, like the little child, pat ourselves on the back for our goodness, take pride in our self-righteousness, and say at least within our heart, “I did it! I did it!”

Or, like the hymn writer do we constantly say from our heart, “To God be the glory, great things he has done?”

This one thing I know, but for the grace of God I wouldn’t be where I am today. I tremble to think where and how I would have ended up. It certainly wouldn’t be where I am today.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, how do I appreciate ‘thee’? Let me count the ways. Endless they would be. How I thank you for saving me, for delivering me, for keeping me, for forgiving me, for inviting me to be a part of your family, for making me the person I am today and, above all, for dying for me and giving me the gift of eternal life. Help me to live a life that is a thanksgiving offering to you. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. 1 Peter 5:7 (NKJV).

Today we remember how. . .

“Music has power to unite people. On September 11, 2001, members of Congress gathered on the Capitol steps to sing ‘God Bless America.’ At that time, the House and Senate members saw the black plume of smoke rising from the Pentagon across the Potomac River. One year later in 2002, the House and Senate held a solemn joint meeting in New York’s Federal Hall. It was only the second meeting of Congress held outside Washington in the past two centuries. These lawmakers went to New York City to show their solidarity with the people there. Once again, the power of music united them as they held hands and sang ‘God Bless America’ with a high school choir.

“Music has power to move people. Consider the hauntingly beautiful melody we know as ‘Taps.’ Brig. Gen. Daniel Butterfield composed this music in July 1862 at Harrison’s Landing in Virginia. Butterfield was dissatisfied with the custom of firing three rifle volleys at the conclusion of burials during battle. Butterfield probably altered an older piece known as ‘Tattoo,’ a French bugle call used to signal ‘lights out.’ The words of ‘Taps’ are: ‘Day is done, Gone the sun, From the lakes, From the hills, From the sky. All is well. Safely rest. God is nigh.’ Who has not been moved by the power of this music?

And music has power to worship God. One of the many marvelous God-given gifts is the gift of music. And, as the Apostle Paul admonishes, let us use this gift to worship and thank God for the unfathomable gift of his love, the Lord Jesus Christ, who died to save us from the tragic consequences of our sins.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, thank you for the gift of music. Please put a song in my heart and may it never be far from my lips—a song of thanksgiving, praise to and worship of you for all your wonderful works—and especially for the gift of your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, who died on the cross in my place to save me from my sins and a lost and hopeless eternity. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

Some years ago I prayed and asked God to give me something special that would equip me to better serve him. Did God answer my prayer? I didn’t think so for a long time. I got the opposite of what I had in mind when I prayed this prayer, and it turned out to be a nightmare for a long time. But I have to admit that if there is any depth in the ministry the Lord has entrusted to me today, so much of it was learned during those nightmarish years. Now I see clearly that God did answer my prayer and though the experience was, at times, incredibly painful, I do believe I am a much better man as a result.

The words of the following old poem may be simple but, for me, are quite profound:

For every hill I had to climb,

For every stone that bruised my feet,

For all the blood and sweat and grime,

For blinding storms and burning heat,

My heart sings but a grateful song—

Those were the things that made me strong.

For all the heartaches and the tears,

For all the anguish and the pain,

For gloomy days and fruitless years

And for the hopes that lived in vain;

I do give thanks, for now I know,

These were the things that helped me grow.

‘Tis not the softer things of life

Which stimulate our will to strive,

But bleak adversity and strife

Do most to keep our will alive.

Over rose-strewn paths the weaklings creep,

But brave hearts dare to climb the steep.²

As I’ve said before, God wants to use our trials and struggles to make us better. Satan wants to use them to make us doubt and become bitter. To become better or bitter is each person’s choice.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, as I look back I can see how you have used the difficult times in my life to help me stretch and grow, to help me to become more understanding of and sensitive to others, and to better equip me to serve you. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer of long ago. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

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

2. Author Unknown

Here’s a riddle I recently read: “Five frogs sat on a log. Four decided to jump off. How many frogs left on the log?”

There were two brothers in Georgia during the 1950s. One decided that, in opposition to the dominant culture of the day, he was going to participate in the formation of a desegregated community. The other worked as an attorney for a prominent law firm. Both were Christians and attended church regularly. As the community formed and social pressure forced the community into court proceedings, the one brother asked his attorney brother to help them with the legal work. The brother refused, saying that he could lose his job. He pressured his brother to help with a reminder that he was a Christian. The lawyer responded, “I will follow Jesus to his cross, but it is his cross. I have no need to be crucified.” To this his brother replied, “Then you are an admirer of Jesus, but not his disciple.”²

What was your answer to the riddle above? Was it one, two, three, or four? According to the person who posed the question the answer is five. “How come?” you ask. It’s because there is a world of difference between deciding and doing.

As a Buddhist monk once said, “To know and not to do is not yet to know.” To translate this into our Christian terminology I would put it this way: “To believe and not to act is not yet to believe for I only truly believe that which motivates me to action.”

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, in appreciation for all you have done for me, please help me to be a faithful follower and disciple of Jesus, and not just an admirer or a hearer of your Word. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. James 1:23-25 (NIV).
2. Brett Blair, Adapted from a sermon by Brian Stoffregen on http://www.esermons.com/.

Giving from the heart is really an outward expression of gratitude. In life there are two types of people: grateful givers and selfish takers. When it comes to giving help, time, or money, takers are closed- fisted. They give little and live primarily for themselves and, “being wrapped up in themselves, make a very small package.” On the other hand, givers who give from the heart give of themselves as well as of their time, talents, help, love, support, and of their resources and money. They may or may not be financially secure, but regardless, they are rich in generosity and the things that matter most in life.

In his young struggling years, W. L. Douglass, the shoe manufacturer, “had been unemployed so long that he was down to his last dollar. Nevertheless, he put half of it—fifty cents—in the collection basket of his church. Next morning he heard of a job in a neighboring town. The railroad fare to that town was one dollar. To all appearances it would have been wiser if he had kept that fifty cents. However, with the half-dollar remaining he bought a ticket and rode halfway to the desired place. He stepped from the train and began to walk to the town.

“Before he had gone one block he heard of a factory right in that town where they were employing men. Within thirty minutes he had a job at a salary five dollars more a week [a good sum back then] than he would have received had he gone on to the other town.^“2

It is a fact of life, the more we give—whether it is of ourselves, our help, our love, our support, and/or of our resources—the richer we become. And the richer we become, the more we have to give. And when it comes to giving to God, we simply cannot out-give him.

Question: Among your friends and contacts would you be considered a giver or a taker? Being a giver is a choice. You can start that today by being a friend and giving someone a kind word of encouragement and a warm smile. In addition, of course, there is the keeper. He doesn’t give nor does he take, he just keeps?

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, knowing that Jesus is the supreme example of a Giver, please help me to become more and more like him, and be a giver in every area of life—knowing that I will reap what I sow. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

A Daily Encounter reader asks: “How do you know if you are being taught by a false prophet—a wolf in sheep’s clothing; and, if so, what should you do? I have a friend who is in a certain church, should I be concerned for her and what she shares with others?”

One of best ways to know if you are being taught false teaching by a false prophet is to have a sound knowledge and understanding of what God’s Word teaches. If you know God’s Truths, you won’t be deceived by the devil’s lies. If any teaching is out of harmony with God’s Word, you can know it is not of God. I even heard one radio preacher talking about a new movement claiming that it had to be a new work of God because it wasn’t in the Bible. Yeah, right! No, wrong! That was good evidence that it was not of God.

Remember too, that most, if not all, false prophets have an element of truth in their teaching. This makes what they say believable and more deceptive. Even the devil tried to tempt Jesus by quoting the Bible to him. And when he tempted the first man and woman, he deceived them by using a part-truth.

Furthermore, the more honest and real you are as a person, the easier it is for you to “smell” (sense, discern) the phoniness of false prophets.

Equally important, ask God to give you discernment and reveal to you the truth—first about yourself to make sure you are not overreacting—and then about the person you sense may be a false teacher, and what it is he/she is claiming is truth.

Regarding friends who are caught up in false teaching, as a general rule, most of them are convinced in their mind that they have the truth so there is little, if anything, you can say to them. It’s best to ask God to help you to be “as Christ” to these people and as opportunity arises, to give you the right words to say, and of course, to “speak the truth in love.”

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, please give me a love for and understanding of your Word; help me to be honest with myself; and give me a spirit of discernment so I will have a clear understanding of what is truth and what is error. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. 2 Peter 2:1 (NIV).

Ravi Zacharias shares how, “At the historic Amsterdam Conference for Itinerant Evangelists in 1986, a renowned Korean speaker, Billy Kim, told the story of an American soldier hiding in a bunker during the Korean War. When his commander ordered him to rescue some of his fallen mates on the front lines, the soldier nodded his head, took a covert glance at his watch, stalled till his commanding officer was out of sight, and simply made no move. Several minutes went by, and a colleague reminded him of his rescue assignment. Again he looked at his watch and delayed. Finally, he leaped out of the bunker and fearlessly began carrying his compatriots to safety.

“At the end of the day, a friend asked him to explain his actions. The soldier said, ‘I was afraid because I knew I was not ready to die. I waited until my fear would be overcome—remembering that at a certain time every hour my mother had said she would pray for me. Then I knew that no matter what awaited me, I could face it.’”²

Prayer does matter. Prayer does change things. Prayer is a powerful means of connecting to God of the eternal. How thankful I am for all who pray daily for me and the Daily Encounter ministry. How thankful I am that I can pray every day for my loved ones and commit and trust them to God and his care. And how thankful many a serviceman/woman is that every day loved ones and friends at home are also praying for them.

And as wars and acts of terrorism continue, and as Christians in various parts of the world are being persecuted and killed, let us pray faithfully for God’s care for all his children, and that the day of Christ’s return will hasten so that in God’s time all wars, suffering, sickness and starvation, will finally be ended forever. Pray, too, that everyone in the world will have the opportunity to hear the saving gospel of Jesus Christ and accept God’s forgiveness and eternal life.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, thank you that your Word encourages us to pray without ceasing. Help me to do this and also to pray according to your will so that I have the assurance that my prayers will always be answered. And I pray today for all who are suffering for your sake that you will protect them from the hands of evil people. And grant that we Christians will do all in our power to join with those who are taking the gospel to the ends of the earth so that your gospel is proclaimed in all the world so that your coming can take place. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV).

2. A Slice of Infinity, http://www.sliceofinfinity.org.

Brett Blair reports how Henry P. Crowell contracted tuberculosis when a boy and couldn’t go to school. After hearing a sermon by Dwight L. Moody, young Crowell prayed, “I can’t be a preacher, but I can be a good businessman. God, if you will let me make money, I will use it in your service.”

Under the doctor’s advice Crowell worked outdoors for seven years and regained his health. He then bought the little run-down Quaker Mill at Ravanna, Ohio. Within ten years Quaker Oats was a household word to millions. Henry P. Crowell faithfully gave 60 to 70 percent of his income to God’s causes, having advanced from an initial 10 percent.²

One of the recipients of Crowell’s support was the Moody Bible Institute—the school that D. L. Moody founded in Chicago. And by way of interest, that is the school where I did most of my Bible and theological training. So, I too, benefited by the commitment to God that Henry Crowell made so many years ago.

What you and I do today for God can also have a ripple effect and touch many other lives for years to come—and many for all eternity. So let’s invest our time, our talents, and our life wisely, keeping eternal values in mind.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, thank you that no matter what my gifts and talents are—be they many or few—I can use them to serve you and help others. Please help me to do this and influence many for time and eternity. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Philippians 2:16.

2. Brett Blair, www.eSermons.com, 2002

“Around the turn of the century a young man named Ole took his girlfriend on a summer outing. They took a picnic lunch out to a picturesque island in the middle of a small lake. She wore a long dress with about a dozen petticoats. He was dressed in a suit with a high collar. Ole rowed them out to the island, dragged the boat on to the shore, and spread their picnic supplies beneath a shady tree. So hypnotized was he by her beauty that he hardly noticed the hot sun and perspiration on his brow. Softly she whispered to him, ‘Ole, you forgot the ice cream.’

“Ole pulled the boat back to the water and rowed to shore. He found a grocery store nearby, bought the ice cream, and rowed back to the island. She batted long eyelashes over deep blue eyes and purred, ‘Ole, you forgot the chocolate syrup.’

“Ole got back into the boat and returned to the store for syrup. As he rowed back toward the island, suddenly he stopped. He sat there in the boat the rest of the afternoon, fascinated by an idea. By the end of that afternoon, Ole Evinrude had invented the outboard motor. And by the way, Ole later married the girl who waited so long on the island.”²

As the old saying goes, when life presents you with a lemon, turn it into lemonade! For the Apostle Paul his “thorn in the flesh” (whatever it was) was used by God to keep him humble and effective in his work for the Lord. For me personally (as I’ve shared before), it was when I felt God put me on the shelf that I turned to writing for something to do—I’m still writing some forty years later. In every challenge, setback, failure, discouragement, there is an opportunity. When you face a daunting challenge or a major setback in your life, with strong desire, commitment to God’s purpose for your life, and seeking his direction, you too will discover what your opportunity is.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, when I’m faced with a challenge, setback, or discouragement, please help me to discern what opportunity you have for me in it, and then pursue it with all my heart. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. 2 Corinthians 12:7 (NIV).
2. From http://www.esermons.com/.

Today’s message and prayer….

Dear Lord …

Thank you for the discontent
in my life:
the disappointments,
the pain.
the sad times,
the trying times,
the tough times,
the failures,
the many setbacks,
as well as all the good times,
and all the many successes.

For without feeling sorrow and pain,
I never would have searched for
answers to life’s problems,
healing for the sick,
hope for the discouraged,
comfort for the sorrowing,
or relief for the lonely.
And without experiencing failure
and discouragement,
I never would have searched for
better ways for doing things.
and thus improving everything I do.

Pain was thus a holy motivator,
God’s messenger in disguise,
that made me stretch and grow.²

Thank you, God, for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.

1. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV).
2. Dick Innes, © copyright.