Category Archives: About God

No Hiding Place

“Don’t just pretend to be good…put away all deception, envy and fraud. Long to grow up into the fullness of your salvation.”1

I read the other day about a little boy who loved to play Superman.

Each morning three-year-old Ray would ask his mother to pin a bath towel to the back shoulders of his size 2 T-shirt. Immediately in his young imaginative mind the towel became a brilliant magic blue and red cape. And he became Superman.

Outfitted each day in his “cape,” Ray’s days were packed with adventure and daring escapades. In his mind, he not only played Superman, he WAS Superman. This fact was clearly pointed out when his mother enrolled him in kindergarten class. During the course of the interview, the teacher asked Ray his name.

“Superman,” he answered politely and without pause.

The teacher smiled, cast an appreciative glance at his mother, and asked again, “Your real name, please.”

Again, Ray answered, “Superman.”

Realizing the situation demanded more authority, or maybe to hide her amusement, the teacher closed her eyes for a moment, and then in a voice quite stern, said, “I will have to have your real name for the records.”

Sensing he’d have to play straight with the teacher, Ray slid his eyes around the room, hunched closer to her, and patting a corner of the frayed towel at his shoulder, answered in a voice hushed with conspiracy, “Clark Kent.”2

We laugh at this child’s imagination and childish self-deception. Sadly, too many of us as adults put on a public face (our “Super-whatever” mask) and pretend to be outwardly what we’re not on the inside so that we will be liked and accepted—and as a means of avoiding facing our own reality. And when we live with this deception for so long, we end up believing our mask is the real us. People may “like” my public mask but as long as I hide my true self, I will never feel loved and will end up living among people alone apart. The realty is that I can only be loved to the degree that I am known.

Furthermore, unless I admit to myself and to God who and what I really am, I will never be able to feel truly forgiven nor fully loved. We try, like Adam did when he sinned, to hide from God, which is totally unrealistic, since we can never hide from God no matter how we try. As David wrote, “Where can I go from Your Spirit [Oh God]? Or where can I flee from your presence?”3 Much wiser and much healthier to come to God and admit who we truly are, ask for and find his forgiveness, and be freed to grow and become all that God envisioned for us to be and do.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, thank you that you know me as I truly am and love me regardless. However, please help me to stop hiding behind any false front, to be honest with myself and with you so that I can experience your forgiveness and become all that you want for me to be, and be an open channel through whom your love can flow to others. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. 1 Peter 2:1,3 (TLB/NLT).

2. Source Unknown.

3. Psalm 139:1-7 (NIV).

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A Little Child Shall Lead Them

“And a little child shall lead them.”1

“I had been a children’s Sunday School teacher at a particular church for quite a while,” wrote one lady. “I dearly loved it and its people. I had tried, on many occasions to get Bob, my husband, to take an interest in that church. He went twice, once because there was to be a big dinner after, and the second time to see the Christmas play, which I had written and directed.

“Bob owns Big Sun Tree Service and a few days before Easter, while trimming a tree, a branch hit him on the jaw causing it to crack. He did agree to go with me to church on Easter Sunday. However, before we left he bit down on an oatmeal cookie and ended up breaking his jaw and spending Easter afternoon at the emergency room.

“The following Saturday I asked him if he would like to go to church with me in the morning, and, remarkably, he said ‘I might as well, I don’t have anything else to do.’ At church, during the meet-and-greet time, one of the youngsters, Ethan Moody, handed me a $5.00 bill. Puzzled, I asked him if he wanted me to put it in the offering plate for him, and he replied that this was his allowance, and he wanted to give it to my husband to help pay for the dentist. I knew I couldn’t give it back to him, because it would hurt his feelings, so I gave it to Bob and quickly explained what Ethan had said.

“In that service when Pastor Ben gave the invitation, Bob accepted the Lord. Later that day I asked him what had prompted him to make that decision? He told me it was many things adding up over a period of time, but that the icing on the cake was when Ethan gave him ‘his weekly allowance to help pay my dental bill.’ That action had reminded him of the times I had explained to him of how God, because he loved us so much, gave up His only son to pay for my sins.”2

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, like the child who expressed his love in a tangible way, help me to do the same for others in need who cross my path and whom you bring into my life. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Isaiah 11:6 (NIV).

2. Source unknown.

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God of the Ordinary

“Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?”1

One of the wonderful things about the gospel is that God calls, saves, and uses ordinary people to help fulfill his purposes here on earth.

The culture of Jesus’ day was vastly different from ours except, perhaps, for racism. On one occasion when Jesus wanted to reach a Samaritan village with his message of salvation, he stopped by a well and made friends with a Samaritan woman. This definitely was not kosher for a Jew because the Jews looked down their noses at the Samaritans and had no dealings with them.

Not so Jesus. After asking this woman for a drink of water and conversing in some seemingly small talk, he directed the conversation to spiritual matters. Not only was this woman a Samaritan but one who had led a very colorful life. Jesus knew exactly what type of person she was. She was a social outcast which was obvious by the fact that she was drawing water from the well in the middle of the day. All the other women from the village did so in the cool of the evening.

After the introductory small talk, Jesus said to the lady, “Go and get your husband and come back with him.”

“I don’t have a husband,” she replied.

“I know,” Jesus said, “you’ve already had five and the man you are now with is not your husband!”

That would be quite a reputation even today, let alone in that society.

And yet, this was the woman that Jesus chose to be the messenger to carry the gospel to her village—which she did; and the people there came to see and hear Jesus for themselves.

Jesus, who upheld impeccable moral standards and high ideals regarding marriage, wasn’t shocked by this woman’s lifestyle. He saw beyond the externals and looked at her heart. Here was a woman who needed salvation and healing and was willing to admit her failures.

Neither is God shocked with you or me when we admit our sins and faults and bring them to him for his forgiveness, and when we acknowledge our brokenness and come to him for healing. And when we do this, he won’t worry about our past when it comes to using us as his witnesses.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, thank you that you are not a ‘respecter of persons’ and that whoever comes to you, no matter what they have ever done or have failed to do, you will love, accept, and forgive them, and use them to be living witnesses of your saving grace and power. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

Note: For help see “How to Be Sure You’re a Real Christian” at: http://tinyurl.com/real-christian.

1. John 4:29 (NIV).

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When My Child Was Lost

“You are to go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone, everywhere.”1

Dr. Leighton Ford tells the story about when his daughter was young, several years ago.

I was minding the children while my wife was shopping. Debbie Jean had returned from school and was playing with her four-year-old brother in the back yard. When I called them to come in, Debbie Jean was missing.

I walked up and down the street calling her name—fearing the silence.

Later (after she was found) I reflected on the incident. During the nearly two hours that Debbie Jean was missing, nothing else mattered. In my study were books to be read, letters to be answered, articles to be written, planning to be done—but it was all forgotten. I could think of only one thing: my little girl was lost.

I had only one prayer and I prayed it a thousand times: “O God, help me to find her.”

“How often,” I ask myself, “had I felt that same terrible urgency about people who were lost from God?”

I had a similar experience when one of my baby sons was with his grandmother and I feared both were lost. I panicked a blue streak until I found them.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, please help me to realize in the depths of my heart that people without you are lost for all eternity. I’m available. Please use me to be as Christ to every life I touch, and do all that I can, in as many ways I can to help win others to you. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

Note: Please join with us to be a People Power for Jesus partner at www.actsweb.org/people_power.

1. Mark 16:15 (TLB/NLT).

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How Embarrassing

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”1

“Some years ago Alabama was playing against Rice in the Cotton Bowl. Neither team had been able to do anything through the first quarter. Then a player from Rice got the ball with no one from Alabama near him, and was on his way to a touchdown. At that moment one of the players on the Alabama bench, overcome by excitement, jumped up, ran out on the field, made a beautiful tackle, brought the runner down, and then ran back to the bench and sat down as if nobody had seen him. Of course, thousands of people saw him. The touchdown was awarded to Rice and the tackler sat on the bench holding his head. Eventually the Alabama coach went over and put his arm around the player as though to say, ‘You made a mistake, but you are still part of the team.’”2

That’s the kind of acceptance and encouragement we need to give to our friends, family and comrades when they goof. And it’s the kind of acceptance and encouragement we need when we goof.

While the player from Alabama never made an “unpardonable mistake,” he sure made a humiliating one especially before thousands of fans.

Fortunately for us when we make big mistakes and sin, no matter how bad, when we confess these to God, he forgives us fully and still loves us unconditionally. In essence he says to us, “You made a mistake (sinned) but you are forgiven and are still part of the team.”

Sadly, many people feel that what they have done is unforgivable by God. Others feel they are unworthy of God’s love and forgiveness. This is not so. The only unpardonable sin we can commit is to reject God’s mercy and his gift of forgiveness and salvation. The fact is that of ourselves none of us is worthy. It’s God’s grace that pardons and saves us—not anything we have ever done or have ever failed to do.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, thank you for your mercy and for loving me unconditionally no matter what I have ever done or have failed to do. And thank you that you forgive me when I confess my sinfulness to you. Help me to overcome my sins and failures and freely forgive others as you have forgiven me. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

Note: For help be sure to read “How to Be Sure You’re a Real Christian” at: http://tinyurl.com/real-christian.

1. Ephesians 2:8-9 (NKJV).

2. King Duncan in www.sermons.com.

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The Judgment Seat of Christ

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.”1

Question: Another Daily Encounter reader asks: “You said that man would be judged for what he did for God here on earth. I have always been of the opinion that what we did on earth for God won’t even be mentioned. I was brought up to believe that, ‘We are saved by faith, not of works lest any man should boast.’ To me that means that what we did for God while on earth is not going to be a topic that we will face. Could you please give me some insight into this?”

Answer: Actually there are two judgments in the Bible—there’s a good one and a bad one. First the good one: This is known as the judgment seat of Christ which is only for Christians. Here we will not be judged for our sins because they have already been judged and the penalty paid for by Jesus when he died on the cross in our place. The judgment seat of Christ is where Christians will be rewarded on the basis of their faithful service for the Lord while here on earth. As the Apostle Paul wrote, “That each one may receive what is due him for the things done while [here on earth].”1

The second judgment is what is known as “The Great White Throne Judgment” of God. The Apostle John wrote, “Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it … And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books … and each person was judged according to what he had done … If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire [hell].”2

This judgment of God is for those who never accepted Jesus as their Savior and received God’s pardon. At this judgment they will be judged for their sins—and will have to accept the just penalty for them because they rejected Jesus sacrifice of paying the penalty for them by his death on the cross. Sadly, God will say to them, “I never knew you; depart from Me.”3

A terrifying thing for those who don’t know Jesus Christ as their Savior: they will be lost forever in hell—whatever and wherever that place may be. One thing about hell is certain: it is an eternal separation from God, the author of all love and life—a place prepared for the devil and his demons of evil.

God has made it very clear in his Word that “It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.”4 So whatever you do, make absolutely sure that you have accepted Jesus as your Savior. This is obtaining your Passport for Heaven. Whatever you do, don’t leave earth without it.

For help be sure to read “How to Be Sure You’re a Real Christian” at: http://tinyurl.com/real-christian.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, thank you that your Word makes the way of salvation very clear. Grant that I shall so live that I will not be disappointed at the judgment seat of Christ. Also that my life will be a living witness of your love and salvation so that others will want to accept you and not have to appear before you at the Great White Judgment. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. 2 Corinthians 5:10 (NIV).

2. Revelation 20:11-13, 15 (NIV).

3. Matthew 7:23 (NKJV).

4. Hebrews 9:27 (NKJV).

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One Way to God: Fact or Fiction?

“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”1

A Daily Encounter reader writes: “About your ‘I Hate Religion’ article …It seems pretty judgmental to me. Are you saying that the ONLY right way to worship the one true God is Christianity? If you are, I have a little quote for YOU, ‘Judge not lest ye be judged.’”

Hello, Judy (name changed), you ask if I am saying that the only way to God is Christianity. Actually, I’m quoting Jesus and God’s Word. Jesus said without apology, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” And again, “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”2

In actuality, had there been any other way to God, why would Jesus, the Son of God, have come to earth to die on the cross for our sins? Furthermore, I would much rather listen to what God has said than listen to what man-made religions say. Also, when we decide what is/are the way/s to God, we put ourselves above God and his Word. This is a very dangerous path to follow.

As Jesus also said, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”3

Yes, it is true that Jesus said, “Judge not, that ye be not judged.”4 At the same time God’s Word also says, “But he that is spiritual judges all things.”5 In other words, while we are not to be judgmental towards people, we are to be wise and judge what others do, say, and teach.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, please give me a love for your Word so that I will always know the truth of what you say, and so that I am not deceived by what others say—no matter how comfortable their words may be. Help me to always choose the way of your Truth, no matter how uncomfortable and unpopular that may be. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

Note: See God’s way based on God’s Word, the Bible, for “How to Be Sure You’re a Real Christian” at: http://tinyurl.com/real-christian.

1. John 14:6 (NIV).

2. Acts 4:12 (NKJV).

3. Matthew 7:13-14 (NIV).

4. Matthew 7:1 (KJV).

5. 1 Corinthians 2:15 (NKJV).

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The Vine and the Branches

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”1

“A Bible scholar and pastor tells about a piece of wood that he keeps on his desk. He took this piece of wood from a vineyard in the San Joaquin Valley. It is a section of vine out of which grows a branch.

“The owner of the vineyard told him that if two people were in a tug of war using this section of the vine, it would break. However it would never break where the vine and branch are joined together for that is the strongest point of the vine. A vine, according to this teacher, is different from a tree. If you pull on a branch that goes into a tree, it will break at the trunk of the tree—in a tree that is the weakest place. But in a grapevine that is the strongest point—where the branch is joined to the vine.”2

Perhaps this is one reason Jesus likened those who truly put their trust in him as a branch grafted or joined into the vine, the vine being him. That bond is unbreakable. As Jesus said, “And this is the will of him [God] who sent me [Jesus], that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.”3 For further help see: “How to Be Sure You’re a Real Christian” at: http://tinyurl.com/real-christian.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, thank you that my bond to Jesus is unbreakable, not because of anything I have done (except to believe that Jesus died for my sins), but because of what Jesus has done for me in giving his life to save me from my sins. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. John 15:5 (NIV).

2. The Best of J. Vernon McGee, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1988).

3. John 6:39-40 (NIV).

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Life After Life Guarantee

“If we have been united with him [Jesus Christ] like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection.”1

“There’s an old story about a small boy who was walking along the street with his parents during the Second World War. They saw a house with a gold star hanging in the window. ‘What does that mean?’ asked the boy. His parents told him that it meant that that family had lost a son in the war, and that star symbolized their loss. Later on that evening, as the boy saw the first star come out in the summer sky, the boy excitedly exclaimed, ‘Look! God lost a son, too!’”2

Regardless of the time of year may we ever be mindful of the “so great a salvation” God provided for us through the giving of his Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross in our place to pay the penalty for all our sins and, through his resurrection, to give us the guarantee that we, too, will arise and be given the gift of eternal life—that is, life after this life—through Jesus Christ our Lord. This is God’s promise to all who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and therein have received God’s forgiveness for all their sins*

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, thank you that you not only gave your Son, Jesus, to die on the cross in my place, but also that he rose again giving me the hope and guarantee of the resurrection for all who believe in you and have accepted Jesus as their Savior. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

*To be sure you have accepted Jesus as your Savior and received God’s forgiveness see the article, “How to Be Sure You’re a Real Christian” at: http://tinyurl.com/real-christian.

1. Romans 6:5 (NIV).

2. “The Grief of God,” A sermon by Donald B. Strobe, of East Lansing, Michigan

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The Cross of Christ

“For the message of the cross [of Christ] is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”1

“Maybe you know the story of Sir John Bowring. A brilliant man who spoke five languages, Sir John was twice elected to Parliament. Knighted by the queen, he served at one time as governor of Hong Kong. It’s said he wrote thirty-six books on a variety of subjects. If you visit a library, though, you will only find one of Sir John’s writings. It’s all we have left. And you’re likely to find it in a hymnal.

“It’s a poem which he wrote after a boat trip, sailing along the coast of China. Passing Macao, a city devastated by an earthquake, he spied the ruins of a mission church. Protruding from those ruins was the cross which had stood atop the chapel. The impact of that cross caused him to write these memorable words:”2

In the cross of Christ I glory / Towering o’er the wrecks of time / All the light of sacred story / Gathers round its head sublime.

When the woes of life o’ertake me / Hopes deceive, and fears annoy / Never shall the cross forsake me / Lo! it glows with peace and joy.

Bane and blessing, pain and pleasure / By the cross are sanctified / Peace is there that knows no measure / Joys that through all time abide.3

Still today the cross of Jesus Christ towers over the wrecks of time—faded dreams, lost hopes, disappointments, violent acts of terrorism, wars, and the lack of peace. In the end, however, the cross of Christ will triumph over all. It is the only hope of mankind.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, thank you for the Cross of Christ and all it means for lost mankind. Thank you that in the end it will triumph over all evil, sickness, sadness, and sorrow, and death. Most of all I thank you for the Christ of the cross who, on this day so long ago, gave his life in my place to pay the penalty for all my sins so that I could be forgiven and receive the gift of eternal life. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. 1 Corinthians 1:18 (NIV).

2. From www.sermons.com.

3. Sir John Bowring, 1825.

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