Some months later a customer wrote back to the company saying, “You will be interested to know that I planted your mustard seed and it is now grown into a healthy plant bearing great tomatoes!”

I wonder how many times I’ve been hoodwinked by a less than honest sales person or manipulated by false advertising. Guess most of us have been at one time or another.

Of much greater significance is how many of us are deceived by the promoters of false religions.

Too many believe if they live a good life that will get them into heaven. Others, like I used to believe, believe that if they do enough good things to outnumber the bad things they’ve done, that will get them into God’s heaven. Others believe that as all roads lead to Rome so all religions lead to God. Not so. Such beliefs, no matter how sincere, couldn’t be farther from the truth.

The religious Pharisees of Christ’s day were zealots in their sincerity but were wrong—totally wrong—in that they missed the very Messiah (Savior) for whom they were looking because he didn’t come in the way or did what they expected him to do.

There are many religions today, too, that have very sincere zealots and religious people who are equally as wrong even though they sincerely believe that they have THE truth!

Jesus made it clear—very clear—that he was the only way to God. “I am the way, the truth, and the life,” Jesus stated emphatically. “No one comes to the Father except through Me.”²

And God’s Word, the Bible, affirms: “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

And that name is Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God. Only in him can forgiveness of sins, salvation, and the gift of eternal life be found. Furthermore, had there been other ways to God, why on earth would Jesus have come to earth to suffer an incredibly excruciating death on the cross to pay the penalty of all your sins and mine?

The question we all need to ask ourselves, “Have I trusted Jesus as my Lord and Savior? To help you do this read the article, “How to Be Sure You’re a Real Christian” at: http://tinyurl.com/8glq9

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, thank you for Jesus and that my trust is only in him for my eternal salvation and a home in heaven to be with you forever. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Acts 4:10, 12 (NKJV).

2. John 14:6 (NKJV).

I don’t know whether we are ever totally liberated from fear in this life;for fear seems to be inherent in all of us to some degree. And while faith in God doesn’t guarantee freedom from fear, it does empower us to defuse fear’s control over us and free us to achieve all that God has envisioned for us to do and achieve.

While only a few may be called to do great things for God, all of us are called to bring glory to God through what we do. To achieve this we need faith. And faith is a choice…it is a choice to put our trust in God (regardless of our fears) and to do what David chose to do. He prayed to God, “When I am afraid, I will trust in you … in God I trust.”

When our time on earth is done, may it also be said of you and me, “By faith _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (put your name in the blank space) walked with God and achieved….”

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, today I choose to trust my life to you. Help me to know what you want me to achieve with my life and give me the faith to do it—and the faith to not allow any of my fears to control me. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

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

2. See Hebrews 11.

I believe it was Napoleon Hill who said, “Whatever the mind can conceive and believe can be achieved.” I wouldn’t necessarily accept this statement in totality, but there is a lot of truth in it. The idea of course wasn’t original with Hill by any means in that it is very much akin to what Jesus said, “According to your faith be it unto you.”

Certainly we need to be realistic and not overestimate what God will do through us, but it’s equally important not to underestimate it either. It all depends on what God has called us to do.

John Kennedy and NASA scientists not only conceived placing a man on the moon but believed it was possible and were in a position to make it happen. And they did. According to my interests, knowledge, and training it would not have been possible for me to be a part of that team. So, obviously we need to be realistic about what we conceive. However, it is amazing what God can and will do through anyone who is totally committed to him. He’s not going to call most of us to walk on the moon, but he is calling every one of us to walk worthy of him on the earth and to achieve all that we are meant to be and to do.

That’s the challenge we all need to face and accept…then add a good dose of faith in God and you and I can also be among the heroes of faith as listed in the Bible.² These heroes were ordinary men and women who knew what they were meant to do—and by faith in and help from God they did it.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, please show me how I can best serve you and exactly what you want me to do with my life—be it large or small. And give me the faith to do it. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Matthew 9:29 (KJV).

2. See Hebrews 11.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1. Psalm 27:1 (NIV).

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

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

Dear Daily Encounter Subscriber,

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

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

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

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

Alarming News

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

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

So today I am asking you to do two things:

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

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

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

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

Sincerely in Christ,

Richard (Dick ) Innes

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1. Luke 19:10 (NIV).

Vance Havner was known for his fascinating “salt and pepper” statements, one of which was, “The enemy surrounds us. Don’t let one escape!”

True, there are external forces for good and evil surrounding us. Both are continually competing for our mind’s and heart’s allegiance. However, the greatest enemy we have is not that which surrounds us, but that which lies within us—that is, our own nature—which bears both the image of God for good and our conflicting sin nature with its bias towards sin and evil.

Tragically, it is our sin nature that is the cause of our spiritual death, and in time, will cause our physical death. When God said to our first parents that if they disobeyed him and sinned by eating the forbidden fruit “you will surely die,”² it didn’t mean immediate physical death, but rather that they would implant within themselves the seed of death that would cause them to die physically. However, it did mean immediate spiritual death which is not separation from physical life, but eternal separation from a God of absolute holiness in whose presence no sinner can survive. Just as some germs or bacteria cannot survive in light neither can sinners survive in the all-consuming Light and Holiness of God.

So here’s the conflict for us. We are all sinners and the seed of death is within us at the moment of our conception. We are not only going to die physically, but because of our sin nature are doomed to eternal separation from God—a God of absolute holiness—in the place God’s Word, the Bible, calls hell.

Furthermore, because God is also a God of absolute justice, all sin must be judged and, as we have seen from the beginning, God’s just judgment of sin is death.

But herein lies our salvation. God is not only a God of absolute holiness and justice, but also a God of perfect love and mercy.

However, God is also a God of perfect love and in his everlasting love and mercy provided the penalty to meet the demands of his justice by giving his own Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross to pay the penalty and ransom price for our sins. This was so we could be totally forgiven and cleansed from all sin and made holy so we would be able to dwell in the House of the Lord (God) forever and ever!

What a God we have. What a Savior. And what a wonderful gift of forgiveness and eternal salvation God offers to “whosoever will may come.”

If you have never accepted God’s forgiveness and his gift of eternal life, be sure to do that today. For help, see “How to Be Sure You’re a Real Christian” at: http://tinyurl.com/8glq9.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, how can I ever thank you enough that you are God and that in your love and mercy you have provided for me the gift of salvation and eternal life. Help me to know that I know that I know that my sins are forgiven and that I am on my way to heaven to live with you forever. In the meantime, please help me to live a life pleasing to you and communicate your love to every life I touch. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. I John 1:7-8 (NKJV).

2. Genesis 2: 17 (NIV).

Amazing, isn’t it?

However, it’s not too unlike some of us who could be identified as “cultural Christians.” We’re attracted to and want to be a part of the Christian movement which is a large part of our culture (at least in North America) because it’s a big, impressive movement. It can make us look good, feel good, important or whatever. But it’s not the real thing we’re attracted to, but rather the outward trappings of Christianity—or rather, churchianity!

We flirt with a “cardboard-Christ” as it were but never make a genuine commitment to the real Christ who is waiting in the wings—in vain.

If I am merely a cultural-Christian, I may look like I have the real thing, but it doesn’t make any difference in my manner of living. The sad fact is that there may be multitudes of church-goers who are in this category. I say this because research has repeatedly shown that there is no measurable difference in the manner of life between those who claim to be born-again or genuine Christians and those who don’t.

As Jesus said, “By their fruit you will know or recognize them.” We are not saved by or get into heaven through our good works (fruit) but only by the grace of God through faith. But our fruit shows whether or faith is genuine or “just cardboard.”

Jesus’ words in today’s Scripture lesson are very sobering. Let’s all be certain we have the real thing and are not flirting with “cardboard Christianity.”

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, please help me to know without a shadow of a doubt that I have genuinely accepted you as my Savior and Lord and am not a cultural Christian flirting with a cardboard church or Christ. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

NOTE: To be sure you are a real Christian click on http://tinyurl.com/8glq9.

1. Matthew 7:19-21 (NIV).

2. The Writing Life, New York: Harper & Row, 1989, 17-18.

Life’s like that. Every person experiences the ups and downs of life—joys and sorrows, victories and defeats, gains and losses, good times and bad times, high times and low times. And though it’s not always easy, especially in the midst of dark days of loss and disappointment, we do have a choice. We can choose, with God’s help, like David, to look up to the Lord for help and choose the upward way by turning every trial and loss into an opportunity for growth. Or we can keep looking down, give up the struggle to overcome, become disillusioned and pessimistic, and live in the valley of defeat and despair.

2. The Devil at Noon Day by Maxie Dunnam, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, 1996

3. Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (NIV).

It is said that when Michelangelo, the great artist-sculptor, was walking one day outside the city of Florence, he saw a piece of marble and looking at it, declared, “What God-like beauty you hide.”

It is also reported that he said words to this effect: “I saw the angel in the marble and chiseled until I set it free.”

What great illustrations of how God sees you and me. He sees our potential—and with his help what we can become, and what we can achieve with our life. He has a perfect plan for you and me. He also sees our wounded-ness and wants to heal us so we can be freed from the chains that bind us, and the unresolved issues that hinder our becoming all that he has envisioned for us to be.

And as the marble yielded to Michelangelo’s skillful touch, everyday we need to yield and submit our lives to the even greater skillful touch of the Master Sculptor so that we, too, will become more and more like Christ in every way.