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

Wednesday, August 30, 2017

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."¹

A troubled Daily Encounter reader writes: "The circumstances of my birth were not good. My mother, newly wedded to her husband, had me by another man. Ever since I found this out in my teenage years (when my parents finally got divorced after a horrible marriage), I have felt like an outcast, as if I were cursed because I was born in a sinful manner. I know a child of God cannot be cursed because Jesus hung on a tree for us, but it's very difficult to overcome this feeling at times. I often feel as if God has rejected me. Is this possible?"

Dear Michael (name changed), even though you may not feel it right now, let me assure you that you are not rejected by God. He loves you and me regardless of our feelings and no matter what we have ever done or have failed to doâ€"or whatever anyone has ever done to us. God loves us all with an everlasting love. If truth be known, there must be millions of people who were never planned or even wanted, but are still loved and accepted by God no matter what.

Some years ago when my youngest son was still a teen, he was very angry at me about something that I have long since forgotten, but I will never forget what he said. He blurted out in a very angry manner, "Well, why did you have me anyhow?"

I immediately replied (and genuinely meant it), "Because you are a part of God's eternal plan!"

And Michael, this is also true of you and every child that was ever born. All are known by God from the foundation of the world. You, too, are a part of God's eternal plan. God loves you eternally. Jesus died on the cross for YOU. And if you have never accepted God's gift of forgiveness and salvation by receiving Jesus as your Savior, I urge you to do that today. For help, please read the article, "How to Be Sure You're a Real Christian" online at: www.actsweb.org/christian.

Also, at the beginning of every day I encourage you to pray the following prayer:

"Dear God, again today I commit and trust my life and way to you. Please guide me in the way that I should go, and help me to become the person you want me to be. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus' name, amen."

Note: And, Dear Reader, I encourage you to do the same as I have been doing pretty much every day since my youth and plan on praying this prayer every day until the day I go to be with the Lord.

1. John 3:16 (NKJV).

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