Today's Verse : 1 Samuel 12:20

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December 20, 2008

VERSE:
"Do not be afraid," Samuel replied [to the people of Israel].
"You have done all this evil; yet do not turn away from the LORD,
but serve the LORD with all your heart."

-- 1 Samuel 12:20
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=1+Samuel+12:20

THOUGHT:
Israel wanted a King. This crushed Samuel's heart and angered
God with the people's lack of faith. Samuel, however, reminds them
that while they have stumbled and fallen, they must not abandon the
LORD himself. Instead, their political concerns must give way to
their total allegiance to God and their willingness to serve him
fully.

PRAYER:
Forgive me, dear Father, for the sinfulness, short-sightedness,
and silliness that I have, at times, shown. I want to serve you
with an undivided heart, cleansed by your forgiveness and the
transforming power of your Holy Spirit. Thank you! In Jesus' name.
Amen.

http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/todaysverse.cgi?day=20081220

Today's Verse is also available in:
PORTUGUESE - http://www.iluminalma.com.br/dph/3/1220.html
SPANISH - http://www.laluzdelalma.com/vdh/3/1220.html

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YOU ARE MY HIDING PLACE: 50 PRAISE & WORSHIP SONGS, by The Maranatha Singers
You'll be lifting your hands and your voice while enjoying this
collection of praise & worship classics performed by the Maranatha
Singers---available only from CBD.
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Today's KJV Verse : 1 Samuel 12:20

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December 20, 2008

VERSE:
And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not: ye have done all this
wickedness: yet turn not aside from following the LORD, but serve
the LORD with all your heart...

-- 1 Samuel 12:20
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=1+Samuel+12:20&translation=kjv

THOUGHT:
Israel wanted a King. This crushed Samuel's heart and angered
God with the people's lack of faith. Samuel, however, reminds them
that while they have stumbled and fallen, they must not abandon the
LORD himself. Instead, their political concerns must give way to
their total allegiance to God and their willingness to serve him
fully.

PRAYER:
Forgive me, dear Father, for the sinfulness, short-sightedness,
and silliness that I have, at times, shown. I want to serve you
with an undivided heart, cleansed by your forgiveness and the
transforming power of your Holy Spirit. Thank you! In Jesus' name.
Amen.

http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/todaysverse.cgi?day=20081220&ver=kjv

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THE SECRET OF HAPPINESS, by Billy Graham
Teaches us to live above the circumstances of life and rest in the true
happiness God wants us to have.
http://shopping.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/link?153

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Daily Wisdom NIV : Psalm 146:5-6

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Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in
the LORD his God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and
everything in them-- the LORD, who remains faithful forever.

Psalm 146:5-6, New International Version
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Psalm+146:5-6

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Daily Wisdom KJV : Psalm 146:5-6

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Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope
is in the LORD his God: Which made heaven, and earth, the sea,
and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever.

Psalm 146:5-6, King James Version
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Psalm+146:5-6&translation=kjv

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Mustard Seed Thoughts: Difficult Stuff

ChristWeb.com : Mustard Seed Thoughts

Difficult Stuff

By: Ron Edmondson Mustard Seed Thoughts

When I say to a wicked man, �You will surely die,� and you do not warn him or speak out to dissuade him from his evil ways in order to save his life, that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood. Ezekiel 3:18

I am sorry, I know this is difficult stuff today, but you read it! If I don't tell you this, it is my fault. If you don't act upon it, then it is yours!

You need to know today that the word of God is true! (I hope you already knew that, but just in case....) This passage says that it is our responsibility (yes you and me) to tell people about the good news of Jesus. Jesus is the only answer we have to our sin problem. See, sin separates us from God because God is Holy and He cannot tolerate sin (any sin). Unrepented sin will lead to eternal separation from God. I tried to be delicate, but I can't any longer... if one does not accept Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior, he or she will go to Hell and stay th ere forever.

It is our obligation, those of us who are saved, to warn others of the dangers of Hell. We are God's messengers to the lost world. We are held accountable for those around us.

This brings up an interesting question. Do you know anyone who hasn't been warned about their need to accept Christ? Think hard, if you even have to. What about your family? Your friends? Those who work with you? Maybe you could borrow a cup of sugar from your neighbors and while you�re there�. Does your postman come by often? Have you been to the grocery store lately? Do you get the idea?

Tell someone about Jesus today! It's your job! God said so!

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Now that you've read Today's Mustard Seed Thought, have a little fun and go to the Web and try the Word Search Game. It's always based the current Mustard Seed Thought.

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Quotemeal: "We are not necessarily ..."

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We are not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for
us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be.||

-- C. S. Lewis

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THE DREAM GIVER: FOLLOWING YOUR GOD-GIVEN DESTINY, by Bruce Wilkinson
In this study of Exodus, Wilkinson exhorts Christians to leave our
comfort zones, brave wilderness trials, confront "border bullies," and
enter the "Promised Land" of God's will.
http://shopping.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/link?258

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Daily Heartlight -- December 19, 2008

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December 19, 2008

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

Christmas Is Near, by Rubel Shelly

Santa is prominent this time of year. So are Rudolph, Prancer, and the
other reindeer. Frosty is big. I've even seen larger-than-life replicas
of The Grinch of Whoville. But, it seems increasingly difficult to find
shepherds and angels. Where are the Wise Men? What became of Joseph and
Mary? Does anyone else recall when Jesus was center stage during this
holiday season?

Did I just say "holiday season"? Why, there's another evidence of our
loss. What used to be "Merry Christmas!" is now more often just "Happy
Holidays!" A penchant for political correctness has taken us to the
point that strangers to our culture would hardly guess there was once a
religious celebration during this time of year.

It was years ago now that columnist Dave Barry wrote: "To avoid
offending anybody, the schools dropped religion altogether and started
singing about the weather. At my son's school, they now hold the winter
program in February and sing increasingly non-memorable songs such as
'Winter Wonderland,' 'Frosty the Snowman' and -- this is a real song --
'Suzy Snowflake,' all of which is pretty funny since we live in Miami.
A visitor from another planet would assume that the children belonged
to the Church of Meteorology."

In trying not to offend, a music teacher in Bethel, Washington,
replaced the word "Christmas" with "winter" in an elementary school
concert four years back. Although a few parents were offended by his
action, school officials backed the teacher. Thus Christmas carols
became holiday jingles.

"In honor of the Lord."

You might simply glance over the selection of greeting cards in your
favorite store. My guess is that you'll find what I've detected. Some
stores don't even stock cards with a religious theme -- no Star over
Bethlehem, Mary and child, Baby Jesus in a manger. Christmas has been
sanitized. It has been stripped of its historic connection to Jesus
Christ. It has been turned into a "secular" holiday.

There is no biblical commandment requiring Christians to celebrate
Mothers Day, Thanksgiving, or Christmas. But, Paul does lay down the
principle that any holiday Christians elect to keep should be
celebrated "in honor of the Lord" (Romans 14:5-6). So I'm not
suggesting that you tear down the secular trappings of the season. If
you do honor this holiday, however, do so with holy intent. Sing of
Jesus. Read of Bethlehem. Tell the real Christmas story.

The root of Christmas lies deep in God's love. Its fruit is borne by
generous hearts, confessing lips, and surrendered lives during this
holy time of year.

---------
(c) 2008 Used by permission. From Rubel Shelly <rshelly@rc.edu>'s
"FAX of Life" printed each Tuesday. See Faith Matters for
previous issues of the "FAX of Life."

RELATED LINKS:
* Inflatable Christmas
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200712/20071216_inflatable.html
* Keeping Christ in Christmas
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200711/20071128_Christmas.html
* The Place of Christmas
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200612/20061223_placeofchristmas.html
* RubelShelly.com
http://www.rubelshelly.com/

This article can be found on the web at:
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200812/20081219_christmasnear.html

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

RESURRECTION MORNING, by Max Lucado
Best-selling author Lucado brings to life the story of a Roman soldier
assigned to watch the garden tomb. What he sees pierces his soul!
http://shopping.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/link?257

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Morning & Evening -- Proverbs 16:33 and Revelation 21:1

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Friday, December 19, 2008

MORNING:

"The lot is cast into the lap, but the whole disposing thereof
is of the Lord."
-- Proverbs 16:33

If the disposal of the lot is the Lord's whose is the arrangement of
our whole life? If the simple casting of a lot is guided by him, how
much more the events of our entire life-especially when we are told by
our blessed Saviour: "The very hairs of your head are all numbered: not
a sparrow falleth to the ground without your Father." It would bring a
holy calm over your mind, dear friend, if you were always to remember
this. It would so relieve your mind from anxiety, that you would be the
better able to walk in patience, quiet, and cheerfulness as a Christian
should. When a man is anxious he cannot pray with faith; when he is
troubled about the world, he cannot serve his Master, his thoughts are
serving himself. If you would "seek first the kingdom of God and his
righteousness," all things would then be added unto you. You are
meddling with Christ's business, and neglecting your own when you fret
about your lot and circumstances. You have been trying "providing" work
and forgetting that it is yours to obey. Be wise and attend to the
obeying, and let Christ manage the providing. Come and survey your
Father's storehouse, and ask whether he will let you starve while he
has laid up so great an abundance in his garner? Look at his heart of
mercy; see if that can ever prove unkind! Look at his inscrutable
wisdom; see if that will ever be at fault. Above all, look up to Jesus
Christ your Intercessor, and ask yourself, while he pleads, can your
Father deal ungraciously with you? If he remembers even sparrows, will
he forget one of the least of his poor children? "Cast thy burden upon
the Lord, and he will sustain thee. He will never suffer the righteous
to be moved."

My soul, rest happy in thy low estate,
Nor hope nor wish to be esteem'd or great;
To take the impress of the Will Divine,
Be that thy glory, and those riches thine.

EVENING:

"And there was no more sea."
-- Revelation 21:1

Scarcely could we rejoice at the thought of losing the glorious old
ocean: the new heavens and the new earth are none the fairer to our
imagination, if, indeed, literally there is to be no great and wide
sea, with its gleaming waves and shelly shores. Is not the text to be
read as a metaphor, tinged with the prejudice with which the Oriental
mind universally regarded the sea in the olden times? A real physical
world without a sea it is mournful to imagine, it would be an iron ring
without the sapphire which made it precious. There must be a spiritual
meaning here. In the new dispensation there will be no division-the sea
separates nations and sunders peoples from each other. To John in
Patmos the deep waters were like prison walls, shutting him out from
his brethren and his work: there shall be no such barriers in the world
to come. Leagues of rolling billows lie between us and many a kinsman
whom to-night we prayerfully remember, but in the bright world to which
we go there shall be unbroken fellowship for all the redeemed family.
In this sense there shall be no more sea. The sea is the emblem of
change; with its ebbs and flows, its glassy smoothness and its
mountainous billows, its gentle murmurs and its tumultuous roarings, it
is never long the same. Slave of the fickle winds and the changeful
moon, its instability is proverbial. In this mortal state we have too
much of this; earth is constant only in her inconstancy, but in the
heavenly state all mournful change shall be unknown, and with it all
fear of storm to wreck our hopes and drown our joys. The sea of glass
glows with a glory unbroken by a wave. No tempest howls along the
peaceful shores of paradise. Soon shall we reach that happy land where
partings, and changes, and storms shall be ended! Jesus will waft us
there. Are we in him or not? This is the grand question.

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THE MESSAGE: THE BIBLE IN CONTEMPORARY LANGUAGE, by Eugene H. Peterson
Many have awaited the day Eugene Peterson would complete the entire
Bible in his unique translational-paraphrase. Well, the wait is over!
http://shopping.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/link?260

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Morning & Evening is the classic devotional by 19th-century writer
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My Utmost For His Highest : "What To Concentrate On"

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December 19, 2008

WHAT TO CONCENTRATE ON

I came not to send peace, but a sword.

Matthew 10:34
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=mt+10:34&sr=1

Never be sympathetic with the soul whose case makes you come to the
conclusion that God is hard. God is more tender than we can conceive,
and every now and again He gives us the chance of being the rugged
one that He may be the tender One. If a man cannot get through to God
it is because there is a secret thing he does not intend to give up -
I will admit I have done wrong, but I no more intend to give up that
thing than fly. It is impossible to deal sympathetically with a case
like that: we have to get right deep down to the root until there is
antagonism and resentment against the message. People want the
blessing of God, but they will not stand the thing that goes straight
to the quick.

If God has had His way with you, your message as His servant is
merciless insistence on the one line, cut down to the very root,
otherwise there will be no healing. Drive home the message until
there is no possible refuge from its application. Begin to get at
people where they are until you get them to realize what they lack,
and then erect the standard of Jesus Christ for their lives - "We
never can be that." Then drive it home - "Jesus Christ says you
must." "But how can we be?" "You cannot, unless you have a new
Spirit." (Luke 11:13.)

There must be a sense of need before your message is of any use.
Thousands of people are happy without God in this world. If I was
happy and moral till Jesus came, why did He come? Because that kind
of happiness and peace is on a wrong level; Jesus Christ came to send
a sword through every peace that is not based on a personal
relationship to Himself.

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

WHEN FAMILIES PRAY, by Cheri Fuller
Families need prayer. In Cheri Fuller's latest release she addresses
what so many parents express - the need to slow down and connect with
our God.
http://shopping.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/link?260

Find more great books, CDs and videos at the Heartlight store! With
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MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST - by Oswald Chambers /\/\
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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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PRAYING WITH PAUL from HEARTLIGHT /\/\
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WJD! -- Gathering His Courage -- Mark 15:42-43

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Friday, December 19, 2008

Gathering His Courage

This day was called Preparation day. (That means the day
before the Sabbath day.) It was becoming dark. A man named
Joseph from Arimathea was brave enough to go to Pilate and
ask for Jesus' body. Joseph was an important member of the
Jewish council. He was one of the people that wanted the
kingdom of God to come.

-- Mark 15:42-43 (ERV)

KEY THOUGHT:
If we love Jesus and remember his suffering and humiliation on the
Cross, we too can gather our courage and stand up for him -- even when
there is much to lose and there appears to be nothing to gain.
(However, we need to remember that there is always something to be
gained because God can do great things even from our faithfulness in
the smallest things.

TODAY'S PRAYER:
O God Almighty, stir my courage and empower me to stand for Jesus even
when things do not look promising and many enemies surround me. In
Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

>> NEW: Phil's What Jesus Did devotional is now
>> available as a book. Click below to order!
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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/mark/1219-wjd.html

>> For further study of today's passage, use our
>> online Bible study site: SearchGodsWord.org!
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Mark+15:42-43&sr=1&t=erv

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NEXT DOOR SAVIOR, by Max Lucado
Master storyteller Lucado presents the stunning contrasts of Jesus--his
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WHAT JESUS DID! from HEARTLIGHT /\/\
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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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