"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline" (2 Timothy1:7, niv).

As we have been discussing this week true love has many characteristics, another of which is as follows:

Love is romance. I read about one woman who had been married for 25 years. She was in her front yard when the newlywed man from across the street arrived home from work. His wife rushed out the door to greet him and they stood embracing for a long time.

The observing woman got the message. When her husband came home that evening she did likewise. The rewards of all such romantic gestures are well worth the effort. And men, don't forget that our ladies love a rose from time to time and other "little things" that make them feel loved and important. A good tip for keeping romance alive, as one person suggested, is to have an affair—with your wife!

Love is also a commitment. Love that lasts is a commitment of one imperfect person to another imperfect person. It means that no matter what, I am committed to you and to your growth. I will be what you need me to be—not necessarily what you want me to be. If you need me to be loving and affectionate, I will be loving and affectionate. Or, if for your growth you need me to be lovingly tough and firm, I will be lovingly tough and firm. Within the bounds of my own imperfections I will always strive to do and be what is best for your growth.

This kind of commitment means that one will not try to manipulate the other person to get his or her own way, but will at all times maintain gut-level, open and honest communication. It isn't easy, but it is the way of love.

Love is spiritual. Love is not only physical and emotional, it is also spiritual. For instance, sociologist Steven Nock of the University of Virginia, studied the link between religion (the spiritual) and the family. He concluded that couples who attend church regularly are 42 percent more likely to be still married for the first time than couples who don't go to church.

However, it's more than just going to church that makes a marriage happy. It's commitment that makes the difference. Those truly committed to their spiritual faith are 23 percent more likely to have a "very happy" marriage than couples who don't go to church.

The point is when we respond to God's love, he gives us "a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline"—all essential for cultivating loving relationships. So, if you don't attend church regularly, why not start this week. Find a church where love, friendship, and affection are expressed. This, too, can help to greatly enrich your love life.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to realize that among the many requirements for lasting loving relationships is a commitment, not only to my partner, but also a deep commitment to you. Help me always to live in harmony with your will and keep you in the center of my life and relationships. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."

<:))))><

"Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise…. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit … always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ" (Ephesians 5:15, 18, 20-21, niv).

In continuing our three-part series on "The Art of Staying in Love" we need to understand that much negative behavior in adults as well as children is caused by not feeling adequately loved. This may have its roots in present relationships or from unmet childhood needs. Either way, when people are acting negatively or yelling, they are hurting and, in a way, however clumsily, are yelling for help. If we can see this and take the time to understand the real cause behind their behavior instead of taking it personally and yelling back, we can go a long way in strengthening our love relationships. Admittedly, this isn't easy but we do need to work at it.

Love is also accepting responsibility. Most of us bring the excess baggage of unresolved issues from the past into our close relationships. For example, the man who didn't get along with his mother and is still angry at her will inevitably take out his hostility on his wife and family. Or the woman who felt mistreated by her father or some other significant male and is distrustful of men will take out her hurt and anger on her husband, and so on.

If we desire to stay and grow in love, it is imperative that each of us accepts responsibility for resolving our inner conflicts that cause dissension in our present relationships. We were not responsible for our upbringing but we are now totally responsible for what we do about resolving any negative effects our past had on us.

Love is more than sex. Love is much more than a physical relationship. It is also an emotional relationship. The man who ignores the emotional needs of his wife and expects to receive a warm response in bed is inviting frustration. Women are not machines to be turned on at will. Sex starts in the kitchen at six, not in the bedroom at nine, ten, or eleven—or even later. A long-lasting physical relationship is the result of an ongoing healthy, long-lasting emotional relationship.

On the other hand, the wife who no longer shows any interest in her husband's life outside the home feels totally shocked when she discovers that one of the younger women at the office has. Many men (and women too) who get involved in extra-marital activity, don't do it so much for sexual reasons but for companionship—someone who will listen to them and make them feel important and appreciated.

To be concluded …

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to be understanding of and always sensitive to the needs of my partner and my children (if you have any). Help me always in all ways to be 'as Jesus' to them and they, seeing Jesus in me, will want the same for themselves. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."

<:))))><

"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her" (Ephesians 5:25, niv).

What is more exciting and exhilarating than falling in love? Is there anything?

Sadly, though, many of us have learned that it's just as easy to fall out of love as it was to fall into it. And while finding love and affection is one of our greatest personal needs, why is it that so many fail to stay in love?

Falling in love can be the start of a loving relationship, but lasting relationships don't just happen; they grow. In many ways nurturing a relationship is like tending a garden. Neglect it and it dies. Constant care and cultivation—including the following suggestions—are needed to keep love alive and growing.

Love is being there. One of the chief ingredients of love is to give another person your presence. Without presence, as Dr. David Augsburger says, love receives an invitation to die.

Presence is not only spending physical time with another person but also giving him or her your undivided attention when you are with them. It includes being sensitive to his/her feelings and aware of his/her needs. It means not only hearing with your ears but, much more so, hearing with your heart.

For instance, recently I visited with a friend who spent the entire time talking about his interests and concerns. I tried to share some of my interests, too, but felt as if my words fell on deaf ears. There was no experiencing of mutual presence—the basis for all meaningful relationships including friendships.

Love is understanding. Most behavior is caused or motivated. Once we understand this, we can be much more accepting and loving. For example, one father I know was having difficulty with one of his two children. One was the "perfect" child, the other constantly rebelling.

"Is one of your children a favorite?" I asked the father. With a tinge of embarrassment he admitted the "good" child was. "Do you think this could be the cause of your difficult son's negative behavior?" I asked again. The answer was obvious.

To be continued …

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to have an understanding heart and be sensitive to the needs of my partner, my children and/or my friends. Help me to listen with my heart, be understanding and accepting, and always be present for those I love. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."

<:))))><

1. IMPORTANT MESSAGE RE SPOOFING

2. FEDERAL MARRIAGE AMENDMENT

3. FOR U.S. CITIZENS … be sure to register to vote

1. IMPORTANT MESSAGE RE SPOOFING

PLEASE NOTE: Your Daily or Weekend Encounter may be a target for deceptive emails.

As part of ACTS' efforts to protect our subscribers, we are notifying you of important information that we received suggesting that your Encounter subscription may be a target for deceptive emails, otherwise known as "spoofing" or "phishing." These emails are designed to appear as if they were sent from a trusted online company or organization that you have had contact with, such as ACTS, ACTS International, Daily Encounter, and/or Weekend Encounter.

Very often the email message that appears to come from Daily or Weekend Encounter or from ACTS has an attachment with a virus. So be aware of any such email messages as we never send any of our Daily, Weekend, or Prayer Encounter messages with attachments to our subscribers. NEVER!

What You Can Do To Protect Yourself:

1. Never provide personal or financial information in response to an email request: ACTS will never ask you to supply any personal or financial information.

2. Look out for suspicious-looking emails: If you find an email that you suspect may be fraudulent, don't even open it. Just delete it.

3. Do not download any attachments that appear to come from ACTS, Daily Encounter or Weekend Encounter: ACTS will never send you an email attachment, or ask you to download any attachment for any reason.

As you may already know, spoof (deceptive email) is becoming an increasingly common problem impacting large online companies, organizations and their customers and/or subscribers. So just be aware and follow the above instructions and you will be protected.

Because of the work we do in publishing the gospel and Christian message, we can expect to be attacked and misused more and more.

Also, make sure you have good anti-virus software installed on your computer and always keep it up to date.

2. FEDERAL MARRIAGE AMENDMENT

Debate on the Federal Marriage Amendment has begun. However, if you or your friends have not yet signed the Stand for Marriage petition, it is not too late. We must continue to rally support, especially while the debate is under way.

To sign the Stand for Marriage petition:

http://www.cfra.info/31/petition.asp?RID=4297939

3. FOR U.S. CITIZENS …

Each election year, Christians are offered the opportunity to make their voices heard. When the Christian votes, he or she is allowed the chance to set the moral tone for the future of local, state, and national leadership. It is critical that Christians fulfill their biblical obligation and take advantage of their right to vote.

Join the MillionVotes Campaign!

A team of one million registered Christian voters could change our nation this year! That's why the Center for Reclaiming America has launched MillionVotes.com, an effort to identify and equip one million registered Christian voters who will pray and vote in this year's election.

To register go to:

http://www.millionvotes.com/143/petition.asp?PID=5849461

<:))))><

“And He [Jesus] took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me” (Luke 22:19, NKJV).

Today in the United States is Memorial Day—a national holiday “originally held in commemoration of soldiers killed in the American Civil War (1868). Its observance later extended to all U.S. war dead. National observance is marked by the placing of a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery.”¹

It is good to remember every day, and to celebrate this day with special thanksgiving for all who gave their lives to give us freedom. May we also remember in prayer today all of our Christian brothers and sisters who live in countries where they don’t know the freedoms that we have.

As a kid growing up in Australia during World War II, how well I remember what the Americans did for my homeland. Had it not been for the American soldiers with the backing of the American Congress and people, Australia would not know the freedom it knows today—neither would the rest of the Western World.

Someone asked Albert Einstein what kind of weapons would be used in the third World War. “Well,” he answered, “I don’t know … but I can tell you what they’ll use in the fourth world war. They’ll use rocks.”

Sadly, unless America turns back the tide that is rapidly taking it away from its Christian moral heritage and roots, it is highly improbable that our children or our children’s children will continue to be blessed by the great freedoms that America still enjoys today. And for all who live in this great land of opportunity and despise, misuse, and/or abuse it, unlike many countries, America gives them the freedom to leave! Very few do though!

May we in the West never take our freedoms for granted for, “Eternal vigilance is still the price of freedom.” And above all, that includes moral vigilance. For as God’s Word says, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people” (Proverbs 14:34, NIV). And as Jesus told us to remember his death for us, let us also remember all who have given their lives to give us the wonderful freedoms we know today, for there is always a great price to purchase and maintain freedom.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, we thank you especially today for all who have given their lives to keep us living in a land that knows unprecedented freedom. Help all of us in the free world awaken to our need to be eternally vigilant in moral integrity, righteous living, and trusting in you. And we pray for all those living in lands where they are under great bondage, and where the gospel is forbidden to be preached, proclaimed or followed. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Encyclopedia Britannica

<:))))><

Today’s Daily Encounter is by courtesy of Rev. Dr. Mark D. Roberts, Pastor, Irvine Presbyterian Church, California

The Paradoxical Horror and Wonder of the Cross

For Christians who tend to romanticize the cross, and that’s most of us, “The Passion of the Christ” will be a sharp slap in our spiritual faces. It forces us to confront the physical torture endured by Jesus. Crucifixion was one of the most terrifying means of capital punishment ever devised. It was so horrible that polite Romans rarely talked or wrote about it. What Jesus experienced, however, was far worse than mere crucifixion. He was beaten terribly in a variety of ways. He endured such savagery that he died after only three hours on the cross—far less than the average duration of crucifixion, which often lasted days.

If you’ve never grappled with the physical horror of the cross, The Passion of the Christ will be a stunning eye-opener. You just won’t be able to think of the cross of Jesus—nor to sing of it, nor to remember it in communion—in the same way again. You’ll realize more profoundly what it cost Jesus to die for the sin of the world—including your sin. I’ve spent a good part of my life studying the crucifixion of Jesus. Nothing in the movie surprised me, but it certainly led me into a more heartfelt experience of what I had known in my head.

Yet there is a danger in being overcome by the physical awfulness of Christ’s death. The danger comes in focusing too much on the physical, while ignoring the spiritual. Yes, Jesus’ execution was horrendous in the extreme. But his even greater sacrifice can’t be filmed. Jesus, the beloved Son of God, experienced the penalty for sin. In the stirring words of the New Testament, God “made [Jesus] to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21, NRSV). On the cross Jesus cries out to his Heavenly Father, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34, quoting from Psalm 22:1). Jesus, the sinless Son of God, was indeed forsaken by God as he bore the penalty for our sin. From a spiritual point of view, this is even more terrible than anything he experienced in the flesh.

And, at the same time, it is wonderful. What Jesus endured, he did out of love for you and me. He became as if he were sin, “so that in him we might become the righteousness of God,” that is, so that we might have a right relationship with God both now and forever. Thus the cross, as horrible as it was, becomes good news for us. The instrument of Roman cruelty becomes, ironically, a symbol of love, forgiveness, and new life.

Our response to the cross of Christ—and therefore to the film, The Passion of the Christ—is one of gratitude, worship, and self-giving commitment. Perhaps no one has put it better than Isaac Watts in his classic hymn, “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.” Here are his last two stanzas:

See from his head, his hands, his feet,
sorrow and love flow mingled down.
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
or thorns compose so rich a crown?
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were a present far too small.
Love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all.
Amen!¹

If you live in the U.S. you can preorder advance tickets for “The Passion of the Christ” by calling 1-888-269-1878 or clicking on:

http://www.thepassiontickets.com/passionFormStart.asp?ap=P31&rd=

1. Rev. Dr. Mark D. Roberts. Copyright © 2003 by Mark D. Roberts

For the entire review of Mark Robert’s article “The PASSION of the Christ: An In-Depth Review” go to: http://www.markdroberts.com/htmfiles/resources/passionrev.htm

<:))))><