Daily Encounter: A Week-day Devotional by a staff of ACTS International.

Monday, August 16, 2021

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight (or direct your paths)."¹

It struck me recently how sometimes too many of my prayers are "Give me" prayers; that is, "God, please give me this, give me that, and so on."

It reminded me of what John Powell wrote in one of his books: "Some people treat God like a Giant Bayer's Aspirin [pill]: 'Take God three times a day and you won't feel any pain.'"

Somebody else suggested that some of us treat God as if He were a giant vending machine. Put your money [prayer] in the slot, push the button for the product [whatever it is you want] and hey, presto, out it pops!

Others treat God as if He were an eternal Father-Christmas-god so that we can keep asking for and receiving personal gifts ... all the things we want ... all year long!

Others set God up as if He were co-dependent. That is, to do everything for us that we need to take care of and do for ourselves but don't want to do. If God were to do anything for us that we can, should and need to do for ourselves, He would be keeping us over-dependent and immature—and we wouldn't be learning personal responsibility.

God will do anything for us that we can't do for ourselves. In fact He'll bend the heavens to touch the earth to do this for us—which He did when He sent Jesus, His Son, to die in our place to pay the penalty for our sins. God won't do for us what we can and need to do for ourselves, however, but he has promised to give us wisdom, guidance, and direction in all circumstances.

"Suggested prayer: "Dear God, today I am coming to You to listen. What can I do for You today? How can I be a part of Your plans and what You are doing in the world today? Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus's name, amen."


1. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV).

2. To Know God and be sure you're a real
    Christian click on:

3. Donate: To help send Daily Encounter
    without charge to people around the world
    click on:

4. To send today's Daily Encounter to a friend
    click on:

5. To share your faith in a simple, attractive
    way with a friend click on:

6. For today's featured article click on:

7. This week's chuckle as seen "On the Lighter
    Side"  on Weekend Encounter click on:

8. Change Address of your subscription to
    Daily Encounter click on: