"I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth" (Psalm 121:1-2, NIV).
December, 2012 Christmas Greetings
Dear ACTS Friend,
It's that time of the year when we remember with thanksgiving, not only the greatest Christmas gift of all time—the birth of the Savior—but also all of our many prayer and support partners, for you have made the ACTS gospel ministry possible. For this we are truly grateful. We wish you God's richest blessing for the Christmas Season.
Christmas reminds me of the story that Dr. Leighton Ford, brother-in-law of Dr. Billy Graham, tells of the time when his young daughter was lost. "I was minding the children while my wife was shopping," Ford said. "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 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 Debbie Jean.'"
Ford also said, "How often, I ask myself, had I felt that same terrible urgency about people who were lost from God?"
I know how Leighton Ford felt as I had a similar experience when I thought one of my boys was lost when he was very young. It was terrifying. And, as with Dr. Ford, "How often," I ask myself, "have I felt that same terrible urgency about people who were lost from God?"
The reality is that people without Jesus are lost—eternally —without hope. Had Jesus not come to earth at that first Christmas 2,000 years ago, to pay the sacrifice for our sins we, too, would be lost—eternally—without hope.
Because of what Jesus did for you and me, let us remind ourselves that he also commissioned you and me "to go into all the world and preach [communicate] the Good News [of the gospel] to everyone, everywhere" (Mark 16:15, TLB).
It is reported that "every single day more than two million people around the world search the Internet for spiritual hope, meaning, and purpose." What an incredible opportunity for today's Christians to reach out to these people with the gospel!
Actually, Daily Encounter (with 390,000 worldwide subscribers who receive a biblical message every weekday of the year) has become our most effective means to reach many of these searching people with the gospel. To do so, however, we have to advertise aggressively via the secular media which is costly. For the past ten years we have averaged spending over $2,000 a month on advertising Daily Encounter, which totals close to a quarter-million-dollars. True, the gospel is free, but reaching the lost for Christ worldwide takes a tremendous amount of commitment, work and advertising.
We do this because ACTS is totally committed to reaching the lost for Christ. This past year we have sent out 100 million Daily Encounters—every issue of which has had a link to the gospel message, "How to Be Sure You're a Real Christian." Plus many thousands more people received the gospel via our web pages, our main home page being: www.actsweb.org. Last month we had 60,000 visitors to this website from 197 countries and territories. An amazing God-given gospel outreach opportunity.
Most encouraging of all is that to date this year we have received 2,941 salvation and re-commitment to Jesus Christ responses from 115 countries that we know about. These decisions for Christ have come from Afghanistan to Argentina to Australia … Bahrain to Brazil … Cambodia to Cuba … Germany to Guatemala … Iran and Iraq to Italy … Jamaica to Jordan … Netherlands to New Zealand … United Arab Emirates to U.S.A. … Venezuela to Vietnam …. Zambia to Zimbabwe!
On the challenging side, however, we have lost a considerable number of more supporters over the past year owing to the state of the U.S. economy. This month we need a total of $38,000 to finish this year with all expenses paid, and be able to make an excellent start for the New Year.
In thanksgiving to God for his unspeakable gift to the world at Christmas 2,000 years ago, will you prayerfully consider giving a special sacrificial gift this month for the publishing of the gospel via ACTS International—a gift that will help make a difference for eternity in the lives of thousands of people? As another has said, "Our greatest legacy will be those who live eternally in heaven because of our efforts."
A special word of thanks for every donation—be it large or small—as every dollar is critical for keeping ACTS on the front line of worldwide gospel outreach. As you stand with us at this critical time, may God greatly bless and reward you in his own abundant way. May we please hear from you today?
As you stand with us again this month in prayer support— which is greatly appreciated—may God greatly bless and reward you in his own abundant way.
Gratefully in Christ,
Dick and Joy Innes
P.S. Should God so lead you, support can be donated online on our secure donor site at https://actscom.com/donate.php.
NOTE: ACTS International is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization. U.S. donations are thus tax-deductible.
Be sure to check out our Business Witness Cards. They make it extremely simple to be a witness for Christ and point others to Christ in an attractive, non-threatening and friendly way....
Business witness cards are such an incredibly simple and effective way for even the most timid Christian to be a witness for Christ. I keep several different cards in a card holder in my pocket at all times. I encourage you to see the cards that are available and be sure to get some to give to family, friends, contacts ... at appropriate times. All we ask for these is a small donation to cover the printing and postage costs. Click HERE for more information.
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