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

Friday, July 10, 2020

"'I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.' And the Spirit and the bride say, 'Come!' And let him who hears say, 'Come!' And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely."¹

In the country of Thailand is a statue of the Buddha that is ten feet tall and made of solid gold. Estimates of its worth range around $200 million. But for many centuries, no one knew this statue's worth. When the Burmese invaded Thailand many centuries ago, it is believed that the Thai villagers covered the Buddha statue with layers of mud so that the Burmese wouldn't steal it. It wasn't until 1957, when workers tried to move the statue to a new location that the mud began to fall away and reveal the true nature of the statue. For centuries, no one had known its true value.²

True, this statue of Buddha, while of great monitory value, in and of itself is worse than worthless in spiritual value; for the ONLY ONE who can ever forgive sins and grant eternal life and a home in heaven is Jesus Christ.

However, what happened to this statue is a vivid illustration of what God can do for you and me. He sees beyond our outer covering and can take a sin-scarred life—no matter what shape or condition it is in—and make something beautiful out of it if we will come to Him through Jesus and surrender our life to His will and control. As Jesus said, "Whoever desires may come to me."¹

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank You that You look beyond my outer appearance and see the value of my soul and spirit and have a wonderful plan for MY life. I come to You today and surrender my heart and life to You. Please make something beautiful out of my life. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus's name, amen."

NOTE: If you would like to recommit your life to Jesus Christ, you can do so at: http://tinyurl.com/pgntm.

Or if you have never made a first time commitment to Christ, be sure to read the article, "How to Be Sure You're a Real Christian" at: http://tinyurl.com/8glq9.

1. Revelation 22:16-17 (NKJV).
2. Doug McIntosh, Love Full Circle (Chicago: Moody Press, 1999), 76-77.

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