Editor: Richard (Dick) Innes
Published by: ACTS International
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Vol. 17 – No. 3215 August 08, 2015
Thought for the week: "So, at least for today, I'm not going to worry that roses have thorns; I'll rejoice that thorns have roses." – Michael Josephson
A sick man turned to his doctor as he was preparing to leave the examination room and said, "Doctor, I am afraid to die. Tell me what lies on the other side."
Very quietly, the doctor said, "I don't know."
"You don't know? You, a Christian man, do not know what is on the other side?"
The doctor was holding the handle of the door; on the other side came a sound of scratching and whining, and as he opened the door, a dog sprang into the room and leaped on him with an eager show of gladness.
Turning to the patient, the doctor said, "Did you notice my dog? He's never been in this room before. He didn't know what was inside. He knew nothing except that his master was here, and when the door opened, he sprang in without fear. I know little of what is on the other side of death, but I do know one thing... I know my Master is there and that is enough."
In his book, Modern Times, Paul Johnson notes that Stalin was short—just five feet, four inches tall. Furthermore, a childhood accident had left his left arm stiff and his hand slightly misshapen.
So when the dictator commissioned his portrait, he instructed the artist to paint him from his best angle—from below, a perspective that made Stalin seem to tower over the artist. To add to the image, Stalin folded his hands over his stomach, making them appear firm and powerful—more like the pseudonym he had chosen: Stalin which means "man of steel."
It is human nature to put ourselves in the best possible light. But spiritual growth cannot come merely by adjusting the angle of the view. God's Word is a mirror that shows our true condition.
– Lew Button, Bedford, Pennsylvania, in Leadership magazine.
In my lifetime, I've had the good fortune of having a handful of good friends.
Each of my four teenage daughters have many hundreds. At least that's what they call every Facebook connection they collect like trophies. The list of those kinds of friends includes people they barely know, some they don't know at all, and even some people they don't like.
They also have lots of real friends – people they actually know and spend time with. They profess to "love" and "miss" quite a few and, though it defies the meaning of the word "best" they each have a rotating group of best friends often referred to a BFFs (best friends forever) or BFFL (best friends for life).
It's pretty obvious to an old codger like me (using the word codger proves how old I am), that their use of the labels "friend" and "best friend" represents a diluted and naïve concept of the intensity and longevity of friendship.
In relationships, "forever" is, outside of rare exceptions, a romantic illusion borne out of real but transitory emotions. From the perch provided by decades of experience, it's pretty obvious that none or only a few of today's BFFs will be in their lives for very long.
This is not to say that these relationships aren't important or that they don't provide all kinds of needed comforts such as companionship, validation, support, fun, and caring counsel. But just as lasting and meaningful love is hard to find and sustain, true friendships are rare and, therefore, precious.
Generally, the intensity and longevity of almost all friendships are tied to context, place and time.
Except for friendships with relatives (if you're fortunate to have any who really are your friends), friendships rarely make the transition from one major stage of our lives to another.
And though we may feel affection for old friends who once played a central role in our lives, unless we have been in regular contact, many of the qualities that made the relationship so special (shared joys and grief in real time, common experiences, intimate knowledge of our thoughts and feelings) just aren't there anymore.
The insight of age is that even our best friendships usually morph into memories.
Fortunately, the emotions that define these memories are easily re-awakened and enjoyed with even infrequent contact.
Communicating with "old friends" can enrich our lives by bringing our pasts into the present, reminding us of who we were and how we became what we are.
The irony is that Facebook, which seems to promote a watered down version of friendship for my kids, also makes it possible for me to re-connect with a small army of far-flung folks who once played a major role in my life—and I'm glad for that.
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing."1
On a recent Saturday night Joy and I were enjoying listening to gospel music and heard the Oakridge Boys singing; "Did I Make a Difference?" The lyrics were tremendously challenging. Following are some of these:
"I'm caught up in the push and shove / The daily grind, burning time, spinning wheels / I wonder what I'm doing here / Day to day, year to year, standing still ... I can't help but ask myself when I lay down at night:
"Did I make a difference in somebody's life? / What hurts did I heal? What wrongs did I right? / Did I raise my voice in defense of the truth? / Did I lend my hand to the destitute? / When my race is run, when my song is sung / Will I have to wonder, did I make a difference? / Did I make a difference?"
The good news is that you and I, especially working together, can make a tremendous difference. Every weekday of the year, via Daily Encounter, ACTS is communicating a message from God's Word, including the gospel, to well over a third-of-a-million worldwide subscribers. Thousands more are being reached via ACTS web pages and Weekend Encounter. As the stats show, on average, people from 194 countries and territories visit ACTS web pages every month! Best of all, since going online in 1998, ACTS has received 41,000+ salvation and re-commitment to Jesus Christ decision responses from 168 countries that we know about.
You, too, can have a vital part in this ministry and help make a difference in countless lives for all eternity. You can do this by (1) joining with us as an ACTS Prayer Partner, (2) as a People Power for Jesus Partner, or (3) as an ACTS financial supporter.
First, If you would like to be an ACTS Prayer Partner committing to pray regularly for ACTS Daily Encounter and ACTS daily gospel outreach ministry, please sign up at: http://www.actsweb.org/subscribe.php, or email me and tell me you would like to be an ACTS Prayer Partner.
Second, if you have an email address, you can become a missionary right from your own home by becoming a People Power for Jesus Partner. It is very simple, doesn't cost a single cent or penny, and can help reach any friend, family member, or contact for Christ via the email and Internet. For more information go to: http://www.actsweb.org/people_power_invite.php.
Third, another vital way you can help make a major difference in hundreds of lives is by becoming a monthly Financial Supporter of ACTS gospel ministries. In the past year we lost 50% of our monthly supporters. These supporters badly need to be replaced because it is the ACTS financial supporters who make all of ACTS gospel outreach ministries possible. You can sign up to be a monthly supporter, or send a one-time donation on ACTS secure donor site at: https://actscom.com/donate.php.
Will YOU make a difference with your life? With God's help you can!
When you and I stand before Jesus to give an account of our life, may we both hear His welcoming words: "Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Lord."
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, I dedicate my life afresh to You today as I want my life to make a difference. Please use me in whatever way You choose to be a part of what You are doing in the world today to help win lost souls to Jesus. Please lead me in the way I should go and show me exactly what I can and should do. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus's name, amen."
1. 2 Timothy 4:7-8 (NKJV).
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