My Inbox of Daily Inspirations: Daily Heartlight -- February 20, 2008

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\ / HEARTLIGHT(R) Magazine --

http://www.heartlight.org/
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February 20, 2008

Editor's Note:
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This week Phil is in Uganda, Africa with 15 other bloggers
who are seeing first-hand the work of Compassion International.

You can read the moving story of Phil personally meeting
Doreen, the little girl his family sponsors:
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200802/20080213_doreen.html

He is posting updates from his trip on his blog:
http://blogs.heartlight.org/phil/

Please prayerfully consider taking part in this effort!
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=========================== TODAY'S ARTICLE ==========================

Radical Surgery, by Steve Ridgell

When the doctor asked if I had noticed whether the spot on my chest
had changed in the last few months, I hadn't even realized there was a
spot. So she took a sample for tests. Then she called back with good
news and bad news. The bad news: it was melanoma. The good news: it was
confined to the surface. So I asked what we do about it. The answer was
quick and aggressive. Act quickly, cut it out and excise the area
around it so it is completely removed, and check back every few months
to be sure no more occur.

Then it dawned on me that this was a blueprint for how to handle sin in
my life. When you find something in your life that should not be there,
get aggressive in treatment. Act quickly. Sin will only wrap you deeper
and deeper. It does not go away on its own. Cut it out. Do not fool
around with sin. Remove it. Be radical. Cut off inappropriate
relationships completely. Take any steps necessary to rid yourself of
sin. Be preventative. Ask people to watch for danger signs in your
life. Be on guard for situations that may lend themselves to
temptation. Know your weakness.

For some of you, this may sound harsh, but I am talking to those who
are ready to live radical lives for Jesus. Christianity is not a hobby,
or a habit, or one of the important things to do. It is life. Real
Christianity is being sold out to Jesus.

This approach works. So far I am cancer free. And this approach works
spiritually. I know because I have been there. I have done radical
surgery on my life to battle the cancer of sin. I have people who help
me guard against its recurrence. Even more than my physical health, my
spiritual health is real life. Now and forever.

Jesus calls us to radical Christianity, doing whatever it takes to live
the life to which he has called us.

I know this may not be the view of Christianity that some of you may
have seen, but it is the call of Jesus: to die with him ... and then
live in him forever.

If you have wondered about becoming a radical Christian, write me at
steve@hopeforlife.org. We'll talk about it.

(Expressed written consent must be obtained prior to republishing,
retransmitting or otherwise reusing the content of this article. Email
info@hopeforlife.org for information.)

Are you presently experiencing a new life? God's word says, "if anyone
is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has
come!"

This new life is a free gift of God through faith in Jesus Christ. If
you want to know more about this life that only Jesus can give you,
sign up for one of our Bible courses. Wherever you are in life,
whatever you've done, you can begin again.

You may also contact us at info@hopeforlife.org if you have questions
about becoming a new creation.

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(c) 2008 Herald of Truth Ministries

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Daily Heartlight -- February 20, 2008