Bible Toolbox by Authentic Walk Ministries

Today's Verse : Romans 15:12

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December 21, 2007


VERSE:
And again, Isaiah says, "The Root of Jesse will spring up, one
who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in
him."
-- Romans 15:12

http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Romans+15:12

THOUGHT:
When Jesus came, he did come to the nation of Israel, according
to the promises made to God's people. He was a proper descendant of
King David, the son of Jesse. His birth was prophesied by Jewish
prophets and recorded in the Bible of the Israelite people. But no
matter how Jewish his origins, Jesus came for all people in
fulfillment of Old Testament promises that God would save all
nations through Israel and the Jewish Messiah. While David brought
Israel great power and notoriety as an awesome warrior and King,
Jesus brought the reign of grace to the hearts of millions of Jews
and non-Jews by conquering death and bringing true life.

PRAYER:
Father, as this year draws to a close and ethnic and religious
emotions are stirred around the world, please bless us with peace.
Give us a deep sense of your love and presence. Shepherd us in your
grace. At the same time, rekindle in our hearts your desire to
bring all people together in peace through salvation in Jesus.
Please bless your children throughout the world who are lovingly
sharing your gospel to a culture other than their own. Bless them
as they are apart from their families. Most of all, bless them with
the joy of their desire -- using them to lead someone to salvation
during this holiday season. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/todaysverse.cgi?day=20071221

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LOOK GREAT, FEEL GREAT: 12 KEYS TO ENJOYING A HEALTHY LIFE NOW, by Joyce Meyer
Joyce guides us to a healthier way of living, reminding us that turning
every issue over to God gives us the strength to make lasting changes.
http://shopping.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/link?250

Find more great books, CDs and videos at the Heartlight store! With
each purchase you make, you're helping to support Heartlight's
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Today's Verse is written by Phil Ware <phil@heartlight.org> and is
part of HEARTLIGHT Magazine, the leading Christian living e-zine
on the Web. Visit HEARTLIGHT on the web for even more articles,
plus music, devotionals and more for your Christian walk!

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Today's KJV Verse : Romans 15:12

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December 21, 2007


VERSE:
And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he
that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the
Gentiles trust.
-- Romans 15:12

http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Romans+15:12&translation=kjv

THOUGHT:
When Jesus came, he did come to the nation of Israel, according
to the promises made to God's people. He was a proper descendant of
King David, the son of Jesse. His birth was prophesied by Jewish
prophets and recorded in the Bible of the Israelite people. But no
matter how Jewish his origins, Jesus came for all people in
fulfillment of Old Testament promises that God would save all
nations through Israel and the Jewish Messiah. While David brought
Israel great power and notoriety as an awesome warrior and King,
Jesus brought the reign of grace to the hearts of millions of Jews
and non-Jews by conquering death and bringing true life.

PRAYER:
Father, as this year draws to a close and ethnic and religious
emotions are stirred around the world, please bless us with peace.
Give us a deep sense of your love and presence. Shepherd us in your
grace. At the same time, rekindle in our hearts your desire to
bring all people together in peace through salvation in Jesus.
Please bless your children throughout the world who are lovingly
sharing your gospel to a culture other than their own. Bless them
as they are apart from their families. Most of all, bless them with
the joy of their desire -- using them to lead someone to salvation
during this holiday season. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/todaysverse.cgi?day=20071221&ver=kjv

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THE SECRET MESSAGE OF JESUS: UNCOVERING THE TRUTH THAT COULD CHANGE EVERYTHING, by Brian McLaren
Unafraid of controversy or the uncomfortable gray areas of life,
McLaren's quest is to find the essential message of Jesus' life - even
if it overturns our conventional ideas, priorities, and practices.
http://shopping.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/link?253

Find more great books, CDs and videos at the Heartlight store! With
each purchase you make, you're helping to support Heartlight's
ministry. Thanks SO MUCH for your help!

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Today's Verse is written by Phil Ware <phil@heartlight.org> and is
part of HEARTLIGHT Magazine, the leading Christian living e-zine
on the Web. Visit HEARTLIGHT on the web for even more articles,
plus music, devotionals and more for your Christian walk!

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Daily Wisdom NIV : Matthew 5:8

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Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Matthew 5:8, New International Version
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Matthew+5:8

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Daily Wisdom KJV : Matthew 5:8

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Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

Matthew 5:8, King James Version
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Matthew+5:8&translation=kjv


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Mustard Seed Thought: Nativity 4

The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. Romans 8:19 NIV

We have looked for a few days at those who you DON'T have in your nativity set this Christmas. The innkeeper (if there was one), the religious leaders, the people of Bethlehem, and most of the world missed Christmas!

Still, most of us do have a nativity set sitting around for Christmas. The greatest single event in human history (next to His resurrection) did occur, and there was an audience for the event. So, for the next couple of days, let us look at who WAS at that first Christmas.

If your nativity set is like most I've seen, you no doubt have a few animals sitting around. Maybe a cow or two, a sheep, even a camel if it is a really fancy set! Jesus was placed in a manger, which is basically a feeding troth for animals, so there certainly would have been one or two close by.

It shouldn't surprise us that animals witnessed the birth of the Christ child. Jesus was the Creator. He was with God from the very beginning, planning each intricate part of Creation. All creation, with the exception of man, glorifies the Creator. A cow does as a cow is supposed to do. A camel is a camel is a camel. You don't have to train a bird to tweet, it does as it was created to do.

The creation waits in eager expectation for God's Son to be revealed! This was the Creator! This was their Master; the Inventor of life!

I once read a story about a mother whose nativity scene kept being disrupted. She would enter the room to find all the pieces in one big pile. She would straighten it, only to find it messed up a few hours later. One day she witnessed her daughter piling the pieces together. When questioned, the little girl replied, "Mommy, it's Christmas! Everyone wants to be real close to Jesus!"

It's Christmas! Don't be surprised that the animals were present at Jesus birth! And keep them close in your nativity! Creation is praising its Creator!

And don't be surprised if you see a smile on a animal or two on Christmas day!

AUTHOR'S NOTE: This ministry is reaching people around the world with the Gospel. If you would like to help this ministry financially, send donations to Mustard Seed Ministry, PO Box 3698, Clarksville, TN 37043, USA or through www.paypal.com to email address ron.mustardseed@Christweb.com


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Quotemeal: "The historical facts around ..."

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The historical facts around Christ's life are both outward and
clear. Certainly the theological truths that define Jesus are
sure. Yet the realities of faith are always a matter of the
heart. The fullness of his great love defies definition, and yet
the open glory of his salvation spills over the edges of our
most private selves.

-- Calvin Miller


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SEE THE MORNING, by Chris Tomlin
Award-winning artist Tomlin offers a whole new set of soul-inspiring
easy-to-sing songs about God's faithfulness.
http://shopping.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/link?260

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Daily Heartlight -- December 20, 2007

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December 20, 2007

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=========================== TODAY'S ARTICLE ==========================


Is This On Your List?, by Larry Davies


Let's see if I've got my Christmas to-do list done?

&#8730; Put up the Christmas tree -- check. &#8730; Bought
Christmas presents -- check. &#8730; Hung stockings with care --
check. &#8730; Children visited Santa -- Oops! too old! &#8730;
Watched Miracle on 34th St 4 times -- check. &#8730; Heard,
"Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer" 400 times -- Ecch! check.
&#8730; Confessed and repented of my sins! What?

"Confess and repent?" What a depressing way to think about Christmas.
Larry, don't you know those old-fashioned terms are out? Codependency,
dysfunctional, fetish, psychosis, neurosis and other excuses are the
new terms for the 21st century. Why go back in time? Yet every year
during Christmas and Easter, church leaders and pastors usually read
from the Bible about a prophet named John the Baptist and his emphasis
on confession and repentance. Why?

This is probably not the Christmas message you want to hear. Am I
right? Don't lose hope; there is an uplifting ending, so stay with me.

In each of the four Gospels, you can almost hear the shrill voice of
John the Baptist, the animal skin clad, bug-eating prophet who
proclaimed himself as "A voice shouting in the wilderness; 'Prepare a
pathway for the Lord's coming! Make a straight road for Him!'" (Luke
3:4).

His next statement, however, should get your attention: "You ungrateful
pile of snakes! Don't just talk about being a follower of God, do
something about it!" That's pretty strong language. Wait! There is
more! "Even now the ax of God's judgment is poised ready to sever your
roots. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped
down and thrown into the fire" (Luke 3:7-9).

* You ungrateful pile of snakes!

* Don't just talk, do something!

* God's judgment is poised like an ax!

* Every tree not producing fruit will be chopped down and burned!

Ouch! No wonder John the Baptist was beheaded. But he is right. We need
to hear the voice in the wilderness crying out to "Prepare a pathway!"
which describes three basic tenets of our faith:

1. Sin is anything that separates us from God. We all do it. We all
must face it.

2. Confession is the courage of admitting we are flawed human beings
in need of help.

This kind of preparation applies to all!

3. Repentance is our willingness to ask for and accept God's power to
change us.

A recent Gallup poll showed that Americans believe in Christ, but few
translate that belief into action. Studies show as much dishonesty and
unethical behavior within those claiming to be church members as among
those who do not. Divorce rates are as high within the church as out.
When surveyed, people described religion as a balm for overcoming
depression rather than a call for serious change. Yet the voice of John
the Baptist rings loud and clear: "Don't just talk; do something!"

The crowd responded to John the Baptist by asking, "What do we do?" (Luke
3:10-14). He said:

* Share: Not just with your family but anyone in need. Give some of
your blessings away. Learning to give is not just putting more
money in the offering plate; it's a foundation of your faith.

* Play Fair: Be honest in your relationship with others! Employers --
treat workers with genuine respect! Employees -- earn your pay!
Take a stand for what is right but with an attitude of love.

* Be Content: We all want to be successful but God often has
different ideas on what success really means. It may be time to
ask: "Am I where God wants me to be?"

This kind of preparation applies to all, from preachers to pew-sitters
to sleep-in-and-forget-about-it believers. "Making a straight path" may
be the most important Christmas preparation we attempt.

What about you? Does your Christmas list include an old-fashioned
straight talk with God about your sinful behavior? God promises to
listen with compassion, offer total forgiveness, enable you to change
and continue loving you. Isn't that great? The "Good News" is about
listening to John the Baptist now so you will really appreciate what
happens on Christmas Day. "Prepare a pathway for the Lord's coming!"

---------
(c) 2007 Larry Davies < LarryDavies@SowingSeedsofFaith.com>,
Sowing Seeds of Faith <http://www.sowingseedsoffaith.com>.

RELATED LINKS:
* I Offer You My Tent

http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200108/20010821_tent.html
* Through His Eyes

http://www.heartlight.org/feature/sf_980722_eyes.html
* Feeling Good about Feeling Bad?

http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200610/20061010_feelinggood.html
* Sowing Seeds of Faith

http://www.sowingseedsoffaith.com

This article can be found on the web at:
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200712/20071220_onlist.html

=========================== FEATURED PRODUCT =========================

CAPTIVATING: UNVEILING THE MYSTERY OF A WOMAN'S SOUL, by John & Stasi Eldredge
Many Christian women are tired, struggling under the weight of the
pressure to be a "good servant," a nurturing caregiver, passionate
lover, or capable home manager. What Wild at Heart did for men, this
book can do for women.
http://shopping.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/link?251

Find more great books, CDs and videos at the Heartlight store! With
each purchase you make, you're helping to support Heartlight's
ministry. Thanks SO MUCH for your help!


HEARTLIGHT DAILY EMAIL /\/\
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Visit HEARTLIGHT on the web for even more articles, plus music,
devotionals and more for your Christian walk!

ABOUT HEARTLIGHT:
Heartlight, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) religious non-profit organization.
Donations are welcome and tax-deductible! Find out how to help!
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EDITOR: Phil Ware, phil@heartlight.org

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Morning & Evening -- Jeremiah 31:3 and Matthew 20:8

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Thursday, December 20, 2007

MORNING:

"Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love."
-- Jeremiah 31:3

Sometimes the Lord Jesus tells his Church his love thoughts. "He does
not think it enough behind her back to tell it, but in her very
presence he says, 'Thou art all fair, my love.' It is true, this is not
his ordinary method; he is a wise lover, and knows when to keep back
the intimation of love and when to let it out; but there are times when
he will make no secret of it; times when he will put it beyond all
dispute in the souls of his people" (R. Erskine's Sermons). The Holy
Spirit is often pleased, in a most gracious manner, to witness with our
spirits of the love of Jesus. He takes of the things of Christ and
reveals them unto us. No voice is heard from the clouds, and no vision
is seen in the night, but we have a testimony more sure than either of
these. If an angel should fly from heaven and inform the saint
personally of the Saviour's love to him, the evidence would not be one
whit more satisfactory than that which is borne in the heart by the
Holy Ghost. Ask those of the Lord's people who have lived the nearest
to the gates of heaven, and they will tell you that they have had
seasons when the love of Christ towards them has been a fact so clear
and sure, that they could no more doubt it than they could question
their own existence. Yes, beloved believer, you and I have had times of
refreshing from the presence of the Lord, and then our faith has
mounted to the topmost heights of assurance. We have had confidence to
lean our heads upon the bosom of our Lord, and we have no more
questioned our Master's affection to us than John did when in that
blessed posture; nay, nor so much: for the dark question, "Lord, is it
I that shall betray thee?" has been put far from us. He has kissed us
with the kisses of his mouth, and killed our doubts by the closeness of
his embrace. His love has been sweeter than wine to our souls.

EVENING:

"Call thy labourers, and give them their hire."
-- Matthew 20:8

God is a good paymaster; he pays his servants while at work as well as
when they have done it; and one of his payments is this: an easy
conscience. If you have spoken faithfully of Jesus to one person, when
you go to bed at night you feel happy in thinking, "I have this day
discharged my conscience of that man's blood." There is a great comfort
in doing something for Jesus. Oh, what a happiness to place jewels in
his crown, and give him to see of the travail of his soul! There is
also very great reward in watching the first buddings of conviction in
a soul! To say of that girl in the class, "She is tender of heart, I do
hope that there is the Lord's work within." To go home and pray over
that boy, who said something in the afternoon which made you think he
must know more of divine truth than you had feared! Oh, the joy of
hope! But as for the joy of success! it is unspeakable. This joy,
overwhelming as it is, is a hungry thing-you pine for more of it. To be
a soul-winner is the happiest thing in the world. With every soul you
bring to Christ, you get a new heaven upon earth. But who can conceive
the bliss which awaits us above! Oh, how sweet is that sentence, "Enter
thou into the joy of thy Lord!" Do you know what the joy of Christ is
over a saved sinner? This is the very joy which we are to possess in
heaven. Yes, when he mounts the throne, you shall mount with him. When
the heavens ring with "Well done, well done," you shall partake in the
reward; you have toiled with him, you have suffered with him, you shall
now reign with him; you have sown with him, you shall reap with him;
your face was covered with sweat like his, and your soul was grieved
for the sins of men as his soul was, now shall your face be bright with
heaven's splendour as is his countenance, and now shall your soul be
filled with beatific joys even as his soul is.


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=========================== FEATURED PRODUCT =========================

WILD AT HEART, by John Eldredge
Helping men rediscover their masculine heart, this is a guide to
understanding Christian manhood and Christian men.
http://shopping.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/link?153

Find more great books, CDs and videos at the Heartlight store! With
each purchase you make, you're helping to support Heartlight's
ministry. Thanks SO MUCH for your help!

MORNING & EVENING from HEARTLIGHT /\/\
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http://www.heartlight.org/spurgeon

\/

Morning & Evening is the classic devotional by 19th-century writer
and preacher Charles Spurgeon. It's part of HEARTLIGHT Magazine,
the leading Christian living e-zine on the Web. Visit HEARTLIGHT
on the web for even more devotionals, plus music, articles and more
for your Christian walk!

http://www.heartlight.org

ABOUT HEARTLIGHT:
Heartlight, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) religious non-profit organization.
Donations are needed and welcome (and tax-deductible)! Find out how
to help!

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EDITOR: Phil Ware, phil@heartlight.org

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My Utmost For His Highest : "The Right Lines Of Work"

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December 20, 2007


THE RIGHT LINES OF WORK

I, if I be lifted up, will draw all men unto Me.

John 12:32

http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=joh+12:32&sr=1

Very few of us have any understanding of the reason why Jesus Christ
died. If sympathy is all that human beings need, then the Cross of
Christ is a farce, there was no need for it. What the world needs is
not "a little bit of love," but a surgical operation.

When you are face to face with a soul in difficulty spiritually,
remind yourself of Jesus Christ on the Cross. If that soul can get to
God on any other line, then the Cross of Jesus Christ is unnecessary.
If you can help others by your sympathy or understanding, you are a
traitor to Jesus Christ. You have to keep your soul rightly related
to God and pour out for others on His line, not pour out on the human
line and ignore God. The great note to-day is amiable religiosity.

The one thing we have to do is to exhibit Jesus Christ crucified, to
lift Him up all the time. Every doctrine that is not imbedded in the
Cross of Jesus will lead astray. If the worker himself believes in
Jesus Christ and is banking on the Reality of Redemption, the people
he talks to must be concerned. The thing that remains and deepens is
the worker's simple relationship to Jesus Christ; his usefulness to
God depends on that and that alone.

The calling of a New Testament worker is to uncover sin and to reveal
Jesus Christ as Saviour, consequently he cannot be poetical, he must
be sternly surgical. We are sent by God to lift up Jesus Christ, not
to give wonderfully beautiful discourses. We have to probe straight
down as deeply as God has probed us, to be keen in sensing the
Scriptures which bring the truth straight home and to apply them
fearlessly.

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Praying with Paul : "Dead and Risen"

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DEAD AND RISEN

Colossians 2:20-3:2

http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Colossians+2:20-3:2

Dear Father,

Help me to realize that I have died and have been resurrected with
Christ. Break the attachments of my old life and its bondage.

Don't let me live as if life were a matter of keeping regulations
- don't touch, don't taste, don't handle - but let me live out of a
deep sense of love and loyalty to my Savior.

Don't let me grasp for that which has merely an appearance of
wisdom and which might make a show of religiosity but not really do
anything to separate me from the pride and lusts of my fleshly
nature.

Rather let me seek the things that are above, where Christ is
seated at your right hand. Let me set my mind on the things that
are above, not on things that are on the earth.

In the name of Jesus I ask. Amen.


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WJD! -- The Gamble -- Luke 23:32-34

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Thursday, December 20, 2007


The Gamble


There were also two criminals led out with Jesus to be
killed. Jesus and the two criminals were led to a place
called "The Skull." There the soldiers nailed Jesus to his
cross. They also nailed the criminals to their crosses. They
put one criminal beside Jesus on the right, and they put the
other criminal beside Jesus on the left. Jesus said, "Father,
forgive these people {that are killing me}. They don't know
what they are doing." The soldiers gambled with dice to
decide who would get Jesus' clothes.

-- Luke 23:32-34 (ERV)


KEY THOUGHT:
The obvious gamble in this story occurs with the soldiers trying to win
a game of chance and get the clothes of the crucified Jesus. In another
sense, however, three other implicit "gambles" take place in this
passage. First, the "gamble" made by the crowd, epitomized by
crucifying Jesus between two criminals -- that Jesus is not the Son of
God, but a criminal worthy of crucifixion. Second, the "gamble" of
Jesus, epitomized by Jesus' words of forgiveness toward those who hate
him and kill him -- that his sacrificial and forgiving death would
somehow touch our hearts and win us to himself. Third, what we do with
this story is our "gamble." Do we believe that Jesus is God's Son, our
Savior, God's Messiah, and our Lord? If we do, then we will base the
rest of our life on this conviction. But having heard this story,
having been brought to the Cross of Jesus, we are forced to make a
choice; we are forced to "gamble" our life on either following Jesus or
rejecting him. There is no middle ground.


TODAY'S PRAYER:
Father, I believe that your love and grace have been powerfully
demonstrated by Jesus' death on the Cross. I gladly entrust my life to
this love and grace, believing that Jesus is your Son, the Messiah of
Israel's hopes, my Savior, and the Lord of all. I do not consider the
investment of my life in this story to be a gamble, but the basis of my
confident hope for a bright future with you. In Jesus' name I offer my
thanks and praise for this indescribable gift. Amen.

>> NEW: Phil's What Jesus Did devotional is now
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>> The WJD! web page has related scriptures and the
>> full text of today's key passage. Read it at:

http://www.heartlight.org/wjd/luke/1220-wjd.html

>> For further study of today's passage, use our
>> online Bible study site: SearchGodsWord.org!

http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Luke+23:32-34&sr=1&t=erv


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What Jesus Did! is a 365-day devotional through the book of Luke.
It is written by Phil Ware <phil@heartlight.org> and is part of
HEARTLIGHT Magazine, the leading Christian living e-zine on the
Web. Visit HEARTLIGHT on the web for even more articles, plus
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