document.open();
  document.writeln("<style type=\"text/css\"><!--");
  document.writeln("@import url(http://www.actsweb.org/style.css);");
  document.writeln("@import url(http://www.actsweb.org/syndicated.css);");
  document.writeln("--></style>");

  document.writeln("<span class=\"body\"><b><span class=\"headings2\"><span class=\"actsititle\">Taking the First Step </span></span></b><br>");
  document.writeln("<span class=\"actsilinks\"><a href=\"#\" onclick=\"window.print()\">Print this page</a></span>");document.writeln("<br><div id='actsartcl1'>");document.writeln("<font size=\"3\" face=\"Times New Roman\"></font>");
document.writeln("<p class=\"body\" style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 8pt\"><i><font size=\"3\">So do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced, those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish. Though you search for your enemies, you will not find them. Those who rage war against you will be as nothing at all. For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, \"Do not fear. I will help you.\'€�</font><sup><font size=\"2\">1</font></sup></i><font size=\"3\"> </font></p>");
document.writeln("<p class=\"body\" style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 8pt\"><font size=\"3\">Martin Luther King Jr. said, <i>Faith is taking the first step even when you do not see the whole staircase.</i></font></p>");
document.writeln("<p class=\"body\" style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 8pt\"><font size=\"3\">Taking that first step in any situation, especially difficult ones, requires a great deal of courage, something I would lack greatly if it were not for the Lord being with me. I am an introvert and prefer to avoid any kind of confrontation. However, over the years I have realized that our society is going deeper and deeper into sin, and there are things that I cannot stay silent about or just go with the flow. As Christians we are called to stand out and apart from the darkness, therefore it is a guarantee that we will suffer some type of persecution from those around us. The Bible tells us in 2 Timothy 3:12, <i>In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted</i>.</font></p>");
document.writeln("<p class=\"body\" style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 8pt\"><font size=\"3\">Whether it be defending the lives of unborn children, standing up for those who are not able to, loving others, not because it is easy, but because God first loved us, or obeying the Word of God even when it goes against peer pressure, it is possible. Not because of who we are, but because of who God is! </font></p>");
document.writeln("<p class=\"body\" style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 8pt\"><font size=\"3\">If we look through the Bible and see all the people God used to do His work, we find that none of them felt capable. We think of Moses who made all kinds of excuses when asked to go free the Israelites from Egypt, we see Joseph who was bullied by his brothers because of jealousy, we see David who appeared weak in comparison to his brothers. However, we see all of them take that first step in obedience and a great plan unfold! They made mistakes along the way, just as we will, but I encourage you to take heart and be courageous. We may not be able to see the big picture of what God has in store, but I can assure you that anything done for God is not in vain. God will be our strength and help us. We can have an impact in this world, but God is asking us to take that first step and trust that He will be what we are not. </font></p>");
document.writeln("<p class=\"body\" style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 8pt\"><font size=\"3\">Suggested prayer: Dear God, there are so many times I feel in inadequate when it comes to serving you, but this is only because I focus on who I am instead of who YOU are. I have weaknesses, but you say you will be my strength. I pray that you help me have faith and the courage to take the first step in obedience, trusting that your plan is greater than what I can see. In the name of Jesus I pray, amen.</font></p>");
document.writeln("<ol style=\"LIST-STYLE-TYPE: decimal; DIRECTION: ltr\">");
document.writeln("<li style=\"FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); FONT-STYLE: normal\">");
document.writeln("<p class=\"body\" style=\"MARGIN-BOTTOM: 8pt; MARGIN-TOP: 0in; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: #000000; FONT-STYLE: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1\"><font size=\"3\">Isaiah 41:10-13 (<i>NIV</i>). </font></p></li></ol><font class=\"body\" size=\"3\" face=\"Times New Roman\"><font size=\"3\">The Encounter for today was written by: Crystal B.</font> </font>");
document.writeln("<br></div>");  document.writeln("</div><hr /><span class=\"body\"><p class=\"actsicopyright\"> </p>");
  document.writeln("<p style=\"font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size: 10pt;\">This and other devotionals by Richard (Dick) Innes <a href=\"http://www.actsweb.org/archives.php\" target=\"_blank\">can be read online</a>.<br><br>Copyright &copy; 1990 - 2026<br /><a href=\"http://www.actsweb.org/\" target=\"_blank\">ACTS International</a></p>");
  document.writeln("</span>");
  document.close();