ACTS International Inc

ACTS International Inc ACTS International Inc. is a non-profit organization that provides Daily Encounters (devotionals), and Christian resources via our website.

We also serve in local and international missions with the goal of spreading Christ's love and hope to others.

08/25/2026

Shipwreck From Within

“Cling tightly to your faith in Christ and always keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked.”1

Victor Hugo, who is famous for his novel the Hunchback of Notre Dame, also wrote a story called "Ninety-Three." It tells of a ship caught in a dangerous storm on the high seas. At the height of the storm, the frightened sailors heard a terrible crashing noise below the deck. They knew at once that this new noise came from a cannon, part of the ship's cargo, that had broken loose. It was moving back and forth with the swaying of the ship, crashing into the side of the ship with terrible impact. Knowing that it could cause the ship to sink, two brave sailors volunteered to make the dangerous attempt to retie the loose cannon. They knew the danger of a shipwreck from the loose cannon was greater than the fury of the storm.2

Life can be like this. At times, it isn't the external storms that cause us the most problems, but the storms that rage within us. Bitterness, jealousy, pride, greed, and other "loose cannons" like unresolved hurt, anger, a lack of forgiveness, guilt, amongst several other feelings and internal problems can cause much damage. If we don’t confront and work to resolve these, they can cause a shipwreck within our relationships, our faith, or even our life. People with “loose cannons” in their lives can also cause damage within the churches, or other organizations they are a part of. In order to reach the full potential God has for us and be a productive part of His Kingdom work, let’s take care of the loose cannons we may have in our lives and be ready and willing to be used by God.

Suggested prayer: Dear God, thank You for Your Word that continuously reminds me of how I should live. Please confront me with any issue in my life that needs to be resolved, so that I can avoid any shipwrecks within my faith, relationships, and life in general. I want to be free of any bo***ge and be used by you. In Jesus' name, amen.

1. 1 Timothy 1:19 (NLT).
2. Brett Blair, Cited on www.eSermons.com

The Encounter for today was written by: Crystal B.

08/24/2026

Guided By the Spirit

"So, I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, or**es, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." 1

The Holy Spirit is one of God's most precious gifts to His children. The Spirit comes to dwell in believers at the time of salvation and enables them to overcome sin and live to the glory of God (John 15:26-27). However, the power of the Holy Spirit can be hindered or ignored.

Walking in the Spirit implies trust in Him. He guides us, and we follow Him. When He speaks, we listen to Him, heed His warnings, and obey His instructions. His path is a path of surrender that, while difficult at times, leads to the fullness of life. The Holy Spirit not only guides us but also empowers us, giving us all that we need to live righteously and bear fruit (Galatians 5:22-23).

Being led by the Holy Spirit should be the natural lifestyle of all of God's children. We should seek to maintain an awareness of His presence always. As we do, He makes us sensitive to the things of God and gives us understanding of the situations and people around us.

Take a walk with the Holy Spirit today. Learn to recognize His voice by spending time in the Word and in prayer. Focus your thoughts on Him, asking Him for His guidance and waiting for His direction.

Suggested Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that we are not alone. As Your children we have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us. Let me be aware of the presence of the Holy Spirit in my life and be guided, empowered, and bear fruit. May it all be to give You honor and glory. In Jesus' name, Amen.

1. Galatians 5:16-25 (NIV).

The Encounter for today was written by: Rosina N.

08/21/2026

The Precious Blood of Christ

And remember that the heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites. He will judge or reward you according to what you do. So you must live in reverent fear of him during your time here as "temporary residents". For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. God chose him as your ransom long before the world began, but now in these days he has been revealed for your sake.1

Bloodshed is essential to the Christian faith: without a sacrifice, no one can come to the Heavenly Father. For that reason, God wove together the story of death, renewal, and reconciliation from Genesis to Revelation.

The Lord designed redemption in a way that demonstrated the connection between the shedding of blood and deliverance from sin. In the Old Testament, He gave instructions that only flawless animal sacrifices be offered. God wanted everyone to understand that sin brought terrible consequences and resulted in death. The first death recorded in the Bible was that of the animal whose skin became the covering of Adam and Eve after they sinned (Genesis 3:11-13, 21). Later, the Israelites had to make sacrifices to be absolved of their sins, whenever they brought a lamb or a pair of doves to the priest, they recognized that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). But God, out of His goodness, sent His Son to pay the price for our sins once and for all.

The passage above says that we were ransomed, not with perishable things... but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish. Let us always remember to be thankful for His sacrificial gift.

Suggested Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, I want to thank You for the precious blood of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Thank You for Your sacrificial gift on the cross. Thank You, Beloved Father, that out of Your goodness and love for mankind, You sent Your Son to pay for our sins once and for all! In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

1. 1 Peter 1:17-21 (NLT).

The Encounter for today was written by: Rosina N.

08/20/2026

Be Refreshed

"He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul."1

"For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish.”2

A man came upon a wooden well bucket. As he inspected it, he decided it was useless because it had been sitting next to a barn in the sun, unused for a long time. He could see daylight between the wooden slats of the bucket. Certainly, this thing would never hold water again. But an older man, who was with him, tied the bucket to the well rope and let it drop into the water below. In a couple of days, they came back and turned the crank to draw the bucket back up. It was full of clear, cool well water and was not leaking a drop. The water had re-hydrated the wooden slats until they fit together as originally designed, and the bucket was useful again, ready to be used as intended.3

Maybe you have been spiritually sitting out in the sun for too long. Your soul is feeling dried up and cracked. Jesus says, “Come to me”! (Mat. 11:28) The Lord has seen your worth and wants to use you for His glory once again. Be rehydrated in His Word and allow It to refresh you and fill you with the joy of renewal.

Suggested prayer: Dear Lord, I have been away from you long enough to feel dry. I long to be used by you again and so I come to you asking you to water my soul with the cool refreshment of your Spirit and make me worthy of your glory once again. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

1. Psalm 23:2-3a.
2. Jeremiah 31:25.
3. www.sermoncentral.com

The Encounter for today was written by: Veronica B.

08/19/2026

God's Work

"Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy. For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love. By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth. He gathers the waters of the sea into jars, he puts the deep into storehouses. Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere him. For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm. The Lord foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations."1

God's work is creative. He made heaven, earth, and all living creatures. He formed Adam and Eve in His image and knit us together in our mother's womb. His work is also powerful. Through His Son, He reconciled us to Himself and adopted us into His family. God's work continues, and Christ is the one who holds all things together (Colossians 1:17).

To recognize God's work, we need to pray actively and persistently. Christ-centered prayers focus our attention on the Lord. Then we can better identify His actions and see how we can join Him in His work.

God wants our hearts and minds to yield to His will. An attitude of submission prepares us to listen and obey. Focusing on His Word will clear our minds and help us understand what He is doing. When we combine these disciplines with discernment and patience, we will have positioned ourselves to discover how God is working in our lives and in our world. God is still at work today. Ask Him to open your eyes to see how He is working around you.

Suggested Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, You created heaven, earth, and everything I can see around me. Your work is powerful. Help me to surrender my mind and heart to Your will each day. Help me to have a submissive attitude before You so that I can hear and obey You. Use me to be part of your amazing work and plan. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

1. Psalm 33:3-11 (NIV).

The Encounter for today was written by: Rosina N.

08/18/2026

Prayer as a Priority

"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone."1

Prayer should be a priority for anyone who desires to be used by God. Christ often set aside to spend time with His Father (Matthew 14:22-23). If He needed to pray, then surely so do we! Those who fend for themselves get tired of carrying unnecessary burdens.

Carrying that extra weight has other serious results as well. When we are spiritually, emotionally, or physically exhausted, we are more susceptible to discouragement. By not spending time in prayer and Bible study, we enter a cycle where problems look bigger and bigger as human solutions fail.

Loss of confidence is soon followed by doubt. Someone who questions God’s faithfulness will seek refuge in anything except prayer and the Bible. But a believer immersed in them will find security in God’s power and presence.

Neglecting prayer leads to negative results, but that can be reversed at any time. Confess your lack of prayer and prioritize your time with God. He is waiting for you with open arms, ready to lighten your burdens (Matthew 11:28-30), offer encouragement, and fill your heart with confidence.

Suggested Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, help me to be mindful when I neglect prayer and my alone time with you. I ask your forgiveness for the times I have left my time studying the Word for later due to lack of time. Lord, help me to have my priorities clear by putting You first in my life, as the center of my life. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

1. Colossians 4:2-6 (NIV).

The Encounter for today was written by: Rosina N.

08/17/2026

I Did It! I Did It!

"Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.”1

I once heard about an experience author Max Lucado had on a family outing. Their goal was to visit and reach the top of a snow-capped mountain. They were able to drive most of the way, but for the last mile they had to hike on foot. As soon as they were out of their vehicles and standing in snow, Lucado's youngest daughter, about three or four at the time, said to her father, "Pick me up. Pick me up." As the going was tough, other family members took turns carrying the child.

As soon as they reached the top and put the child down, excitedly she exclaimed, "I did it! I did it!"

For those of us who are followers of Jesus, do we regularly consider all that God has done for us? How he has saved some of us from a life of hopelessness and carried us through the storms of life, protected us from evil, and delivered us from many temptations? Or do we, like the little child, pat ourselves on the back for our goodness, take pride in our self-righteousness, and say at least within our heart, "I did it! I did it!"?

This one thing I know, if it were not for the grace of God, I would not be where I am today. His great care has patiently guided me through the toughest storms, and his great love has carried me and given me hope when needed most.

Suggested prayer: Dear God, thank you for caring so deeply for me and giving me salvation through Jesus. Help me to live in gratitude for all you have done. In the name of Jesus I pray, amen.

1. 1 Peter 5:7.

The Encounter for today was written by: Crystal B.

08/14/2026

Almost Persuaded

"Almost you persuade me to be a Christian."1

When Mahatma Gandhi was attending university in London, he became almost convinced of the validity of Christianity, seeing it as possibly the one true supernatural religion.

After graduation, he continued to seek evidence that would persuade him to become a committed Christian. When he accepted employment in East Africa, and lived with a family who were members of an evangelical Christian church, he believed this would be his greatest source of evidence for the Christian faith.

Gandhi lived with this family for seven months, but after seeing their causal attitude towards God, hearing them complain about making sacrifices for Christ, and becoming aware of their religious apathy, he became disillusioned.

"No," he concluded, "Christianity is not the one true, supernatural religion I had hoped to find. A good religion, but just one more of the many religions in the world."

In the Bible, King Agrippa heard Paul's testimony and rejected it. And while the circumstances might have been very different, both he and Gandhi were almost persuaded to become a Christian, but didn’t.

May God help us be a true reflection of Him every day. Wherever we go, and whatever we do, may our words and actions always bring others closer to Christ and not push them away.

Suggested prayer: Dear God, I want to be part of Your plan to reach lost souls and bring them to a personal relationship with you. Help every aspect of my life to be an effective witness to others of Your great love, forgiveness, and the hope we have in You. Please keep me from ever being guilty of others rejecting You because of what they see in me. In the name of Jesus I pray, amen.

1. Acts 26:28.

The Encounter for today was written by: Crystal B.

08/13/2026

Life’s Detours

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."1

The year was 1920. The scene was the examining board for selecting missionaries. Standing before the board was a young man named Oswald J. Smith. One dream dominated his heart. He wanted to be a missionary. Over and over again, he prayed, “Lord, I want to go as a missionary for you. Open a door of service for me.” Now, at last, his prayer would be answered.

When the examination was over, the board turned Oswald Smith down. He did not meet their qualifications. He failed the test. Oswald Smith had set his direction, but now life gave him a detour. What would he do? As Oswald Smith prayed, God planted another idea in his heart. If he could not go as a missionary, he would build a church which could send out missionaries. And that is what he did. Oswald Smith was pastor of The People's Church in Toronto, Canada, which sent out more missionaries than any other church at that time. Oswald Smith brought God into the situation, and God transformed his detour into a main thoroughfare of service."2

Over the course of eighty years, Oswald Smith preached more than 12,000 sermons in 80 countries, wrote thirty-five books (which were translated into 128 languages), and wrote 1,200 poems (many of which have been set to music). His heart was to be a missionary and take the Gospel message around the world, and that is exactly what he did! God just had a different image in mind of what that looked like for Oswald.

So, when God puts a detour in your path, you will never know what results it may produce. Our limited mind cannot see the larger picture God has in mind, so trust His plan for you. Through Him you can do amazing things!

Suggested prayer: Dear God, thank you that when I surrender my life to you, you direct my paths and lead me in the way you want me to go. Help me trust your plan and be faithful in the work you have given me to do. In the name of Jesus I pray, amen.

1. Romans 8:28 (NIV).
2. Brian L. Harbour, Rising Above the Crowd. Cited on http://www.bible.org/

The Encounter for today was written by: Crystal B.

08/12/2026

It Is Written

"Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written…"1

Typically, we see this Scripture used in preachings and devotionals about temptation, as that was what Jesus was facing in this context. However, I want to focus on the tool He used, not only to fight off the tempter, but also how this tool led him to a place where his needs were met.

After Jesus used Scripture three times to fight off the temptations, Matthew 4:11 tells us that “the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.” The Word of God is powerful, not only to fight our enemy, but also to help us overcome any challenge in our lives and open the door for Jesus to meet us where we are.
Matt Woodly (Christian author and pastor) shared a story about his friend Theresa. She had married the man of her dreams, but soon after found herself in a pit of depression. She found herself consumed in darkness and started writing her obituary. Matt found himself without the words to give her solutions, so they prayed. After, they read Psalm 77, a psalm of agony and lament, then he went home. He left feeling powerless, and honestly felt he hadn’t helped his friend feel any better.

The next week another leader of their church visited Theresa. She was still suffering intensely, but when the leader asked if he could pray for her, Theresa said, “Yes, but before you pray, please read Psalm 77. I’ve been clinging to it all week. It’s my lifeline to God.”

Matt commented in an interview, “Apparently when we read Psalm 77 in utter powerlessness, God showed up in her life with power.”2

The best thing we can do at all times is go to the Word of God. It is God’s Word that gets through to the heart and has the power to bring light to any situation. The Word of God is Truth. We may have personal opinions or suggestions, but God’s Word will set us free, give us guidance, help us overcome challenges, and bring us to a place of rest.

Suggested prayer: Dear God, thank you for your Word which is powerful and speaks absolute Truth. Whether it be in my own life, or in the lives of those you place in my path, help the light of Your Word bring us closer to You. The enemy has no power when faced with Your Word. In Jesus’ name, amen.

1. Matthew 4:1-11 (NIV).
2. “Are You There, God?” An Interview with The Folly of Prayer Author Matt Woodley, IVP Books.

The Encounter for today was written by: Crystal B.

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