COME AS YOU ARE

COME AS YOU ARE

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened,
and I will give you rest." -- Jesus (Matthew 11:28, NIV)

In the ACTS hard copy "Encounter" magazine* Douglas Moore
writes, "In John Steinbeck's well-known story, 'The Pearl',
a man finds a beautiful pearl, but after close scrutiny he
realizes that it has one tiny flaw. He takes the pearl to a
jeweler, hoping that the flaw can be removed and the pearl
perfected. His obsession gets the best of him, however.

"Layer upon layer of the pearl is peeled away in an attempt
to remove the flaw. Finally, nothing is left. What was once
of great value is completely lost because of his refusal to
accept one tiny flaw.

"Our relationships with each other will never be perfect. We
all have flaws. Try to accept people as they are. Don't lose
something of great value because you are not willing to
accept a small flaw."

Thank God that we can come to him with all our flaws and
that he loves and accepts us just as we are.

"Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank you that you love me
just as I am -- with every burden, problem, weakness, and
every flaw. Please help me to keep growing so I can love and
accept others just as you love and accept me. Gratefully in
Jesus' name. Amen."

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[8] If copying or forwarding please include the following:
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       Subscribe from: http://www.actsweb.org/subscribe.htm>

DAILY ENCOUNTER is written by Dick Innes
and published by ACTS International, a non-profit
organization. It is supported by interested friends.
(U.S. gifts are tax deductible). ACTS secure
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Dick Innes
ACTS International
250 W. Colorado Blvd., Suite 100
Arcadia, CA 91007-2608
U.S.A.