Editor: Richard (Dick) Innes
Published by: ACTS International
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Vol. 13 – No. 3911 September 24, 2011
Thought for the week: "Life is not lost by dying; life is lost minute by minute, day by dragging day, in all the thousand small uncaring ways." – Stephen Vincent Benét
"I was taught that the way of progress is neither swift nor easy." – Marie Curie
"The highest form of success comes to the man who does not shrink from danger, hardship or from bitter toil; and who, out of these, wins the splendid ultimate triumph." – Theodore Roosevelt
"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." – Maya Angelou
"Sometimes we stare so long at a door that is closing that we see too late the one that is open." – Alexander Graham Bell
"As I look back on my life, I realize my father gave me the best gift I ever received in my youth. That was the gift of 'unconditional love and acceptance.' There is no greater gift that you can give someone." – Ray Lammie
"An optimist is the human personification of spring." – Susan J. Bissonette
The man who owns the industrial valve company makes no secret of his religious faith: He's a committed Christian. Once a week, he gathers together his senior staffers for prayer. Employees are invited to attend Bible studies on the premises and pray for one another's needs.
The factory owner is also quite open about another fact: When it comes to hiring, he would choose Christians over non-Christians every time—because he thinks they make better workers.
You may think this company is located in South Carolina—but you'd be wrong. It's in southeastern China. The company is exhibit "A" for the argument, backed up by social researchers, that Christian faith is responsible for much of China's productivity.
Like the trees of the forest,
may you find nourishment
in rain as well as sunshine,
Bend with the winds of misfortune
without breaking;
Give of yourself to others
to provide shade from the blistering heat,
Grow old gracefully and not
become rigid or unbending;
and above all —
May you keep reaching ever upwards
towards heaven and to God.
Here's a portion of my personal list of beliefs that you may want to pass on:
I believe I'm a work-in-progress, and there will always be a gap between who I am and who I want to be.
I believe every day brings opportunities to learn and to do something meaningful.
I believe the true test of my character is whether I do the right thing even when it might cost more than I want to pay.
I believe no matter how I behave, some people will be mean-spirited, dishonest, irresponsible, and unkind, but if I fight fire with fire, all I'll end up with will be the ashes of my own integrity.
I believe life is full of joys and sorrows, and my happiness will depend on how well I handle each.
I believe pain is inevitable but suffering is optional, and if I can control my attitudes, I can control my life.
I believe kindness really matters, and sarcastic comments and badly-timed criticisms can cause lasting hurt.
I believe there's joy in gratitude and freedom in forgiveness, but both require conscientious effort.
I believe what's fun and pleasurable isn't always good for me, and what's good for me isn't always fun and pleasurable.
I believe no one's happy all the time, but in the end, I can be as happy as I'm willing to be.
I believe the surest road to happiness is good relationships.
This is Michael Josephson reminding you that character counts.
"His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'"1
A Daily Encounter reader, C.A. wrote, "I returned home to New York City this morning after being away for 4 days visiting my Mom. At home, early on the first morning, I was awakened by the voices of my grandbabies, Charlene and Charles, who were staying with us. As I came down the hallway to the bathroom, Charles was entering the hallway with his hands full of toys. He looked up at my face and said, 'Grammie,' dropped all his toys, stretched his arms upward for me to pick him up, gave me a kiss, and wrapped his little arms around my neck as I held him in my arms for a hug.
"It was such an overwhelming welcome that I continually thought about it until I realized that the lingering impact of the experience was so moving to me because I want Jesus to welcome me home just like that--with recognition, welcome, warmth, acceptance, love, and an all-enveloping embrace."
That welcome home to heaven is available to everyone who has accepted Jesus as his/her Savior and has faithfully served the Lord [God] here on earth. Our service to God doesn't get us into heaven. Only accepting Jesus as our Savior and his forgiveness for our sins does that. However, we will be rewarded for faithful service to God. How disappointing it would be when we meet Jesus face to face, should we have nothing in the way of service to offer him. But how wonderful and rewarding to receive his welcome home knowing that we had served him to the best of our ability, and to hear his wonderful words, "Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Lord."
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, because you gave your life and died in my place on the cross to pay the penalty for all my sins, help me to live my life in loving service to you every day for the rest of my life. Help me to so live that when I meet you face to face, I will hear your welcoming words, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Lord.' Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
Note: If you are not absolutely certain that you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior and thereby have received God's gift of forgiveness so that you know that you know that you know you will go to heaven when you die, I urge you to read the article, "How to Be Sure You're a Real Christian—without having to be religious at: www.actsweb.org/christian.
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