My Inbox of Daily Inspirations: 01/17/09

Today's Verse : Romans 5:3-4

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January 18, 2009

VERSE:
Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we
know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character;
and character, hope.

-- Romans 5:3-4
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Romans+5:3-4

THOUGHT:
What are you living to produce in your life? Wealth? Fame?
Status? Significance? Legacy? How about character! Isn't having the
character of God our real goal in life? So even in our worst of
times, if we can be people of character, then nothing can steal
from us our most desired goal, the character of God, given us in
Jesus Christ.

PRAYER:
Dear Father, please bless me so that I can be strong in
difficult times and consistent in holy character. Please give me a
heart of courage and compassion so that in some small way I can
more nearly remind others what you are like and what you can do in
their lives. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/todaysverse.cgi?day=20090118

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SURPRISED BY HOPE: RETHINKING HEAVEN, THE RESURRECTION, AND THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH, by N. T. Wright
Wright convincingly argues that what we believe about life after death
directly affects what we believe about life before death.
http://shopping.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/link?223

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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,
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Today's KJV Verse : Romans 5:3-4

January 18, 2009

VERSE:
And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that
tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and
experience, hope:

-- Romans 5:3-4
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Romans+5:3-4&translation=kjv

http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/todaysverse.cgi?day=20090118&ver=kjv

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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

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Daily Wisdom KJV : Proverbs 4:6

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Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she
shall keep thee.

Proverbs 4:6, King James Version
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Proverbs+4:6&translation=kjv

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Daily Wisdom NIV : Proverbs 4:6

Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and
she will watch over you.

Proverbs 4:6, New International Version
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Proverbs+4:6

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Quotemeal: "We're in spiritual combat - ..."

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We're in spiritual combat - cosmic combat for the heart and soul
of humankind.

-- Chuck Colson

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JUST LIKE JESUS: LEARNING TO HAVE A HEART LIKE HIS, by Max Lucado
In his best-selling book Just Like Jesus, Max Lucado explains that God
loves you just the way you are ... but He refuses to leave you that
way.
http://shopping.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/link?253

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Daily Heartlight -- January 17, 2009

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January 17, 2009

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Who Cares?, by Hal Runkel, LMFT

You do.

People tend to fall into two camps when it comes to relationships.
Those who care too much about what others think and those who say they
don't ... but still do.

The truth is, we all care deeply about people's responses to us. And we
should. If a person truly didn't care what type of response their
actions created, then they wouldn't be a cool cat worth admiring,
they'd be a sociopath worth fearing. The trick is to find some sort of
balance. It's not easy, but it is possible ... sometimes. Let me give
you an example.

A few years ago, I broke down and bought a basketball goal for our
driveway. After five years of promises, and one year of my son's
begging, I finally bit the bullet. I had no idea how much construction
time this purchase would involve; but looking back, I'm glad that I got
to spend nine wonderful building hours with my then 6-year-old son,
Brandon. We examined the directions together, wrenched the bolts
together, and even called each other "sir" the whole time. It was very
cool.

We finished as dusk approached on Sunday night, so our playing daylight
was limited. But, we did play. We celebrated accomplishing achieving
our "goal" with several neighborhood kids, all shooting -- and mostly
missing -- with exuberance. As I watched my son's pure joy, I reflected
on our weekend together -- man, I loved just spending time with that
kid. As I then stopped playing and began picking up all our tools, I
realized that the least of what we had built that weekend was this
basketball goal. I felt like I had given him a great gift.

That was when I felt the thud -- my adorable, maturing son had just
rifled his basketball at my head. "YOU SAID WE WOULD PLAY FOR A LONG
TIME!!!" he whined through ungrateful tears.

How quickly the cherished moments can pass. I was, needless to say,
angry. And hurt. Literally. This was not the response I wanted or the
success story I envisioned. Even though I had done everything "right,"
my son was not responding the way that I wanted him to. It's
paradoxical. Whenever we need a particular reaction from our kids, it
actually decreases the chances of getting it. The truth is, whenever
we're more concerned about their response than our own, we come across
as manipulative, controlling, and needy. And this actually serves as an
invitation for them to defy us, just so they can retain their own
individuality.

So here's the challenge!

It took everything in me to breathe deeply and pause before reacting.
In that moment, I had to remind myself that ScreamFree Parenting does
not guarantee anything about our kids' responses. After all, it is not
really about your kids' responses. It's about your own. So, I had to
focus more on my behavior rather than my kid's to give myself the best
chance to be the type of parent he really needed: A parent who can
handle any outburst without taking it personally. One who can address
misbehavior, not in an effort to control, but in an effort to
influence.

It was really hard not to focus on his reaction and take it personally.
To be honest, I was tempted to launch the ball right back at him and
sentence him to a lifetime in his room ... without food or water!! Then
I remembered that it was my job to keep my cool and teach him how to
handle his anger appropriately. Mirroring his immaturity back to him
probably wouldn't do the trick.

Thankfully, I was able to calmly inform my son of the consequences,
enforce them, and move on. My memory of the day is not about how he may
have misbehaved, or how he didn't respond entirely as I may have wanted
him to -- no, my fond, cherished memory was about our wonderful Sunday
afternoon that we spent building something together.

And, as for my son, he got to taste the price of a lack of integrity.
In caring more about getting the response he wanted -- me to play
longer with him -- than about how he behaved, he experienced the
consequence of losing his basketball for a week and watching his new
goal go unused. Hopefully, I ended the day giving my son an even better
gift than I intended. I gave him a dad who he could count on to keep
his cool and stay in charge no matter what he throws my way.

So here's the challenge for all of us: to care deeply about people's
responses to us, and yet to care more about our own responses to those
responses. That's what it means to act with integrity. And I believe
that's what creates great relationships.

Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in
the training and instruction of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4).

---------
(c) 2009 Hal Runkel and Scream Free Living
<http://www.screamfree.com>

RELATED LINKS:
* Give Your Kids a Sporting Chance
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200710/20071020_goodsports.html
* Scream Free Parenting
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200608/20060803_screamfree.html
* Back to School, Cool
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200808/20080826_schoolcool.html
* Scream Free Living
http://www.screamfree.com

This article can be found on the web at:
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200901/20090117_whocares.html

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THE POWER OF A PRAYING WIFE, by Stormie Omartian
Today's challenges and pressures can make a fulfilling marriage seem
like an impossible dream. Stormie Omartian shares how God has
strengthened her own marriage since she began to pray for her husband
concerning key areas of his life.
http://shopping.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/link?256

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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Morning & Evening -- Revelation 14:1 and 2 Samuel 11:2

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Saturday, January 17, 2009

MORNING:

"And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion."
-- Revelation 14:1

The apostle John was privileged to look within the gates of heaven, and
in describing what he saw, he begins by saying, "I looked, and, lo, a
Lamb!" This teaches us that the chief object of contemplation in the
heavenly state is "the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the
world." Nothing else attracted the apostle's attention so much as the
person of that Divine Being, who hath redeemed us by his blood. He is
the theme of the songs of all glorified spirits and holy angels.
Christian, here is joy for thee; thou hast looked, and thou hast seen
the Lamb. Through thy tears thine eyes have seen the Lamb of God taking
away thy sins. Rejoice, then. In a little while, when thine eyes shall
have been wiped from tears, thou wilt see the same Lamb exalted on his
throne. It is the joy of thy heart to hold daily fellowship with Jesus;
thou shalt have the same joy to a higher degree in heaven; thou shalt
enjoy the constant vision of his presence; thou shalt dwell with him
for ever. "I looked, and, lo, a Lamb!" Why, that Lamb is heaven itself;
for as good Rutherford says, "Heaven and Christ are the same thing;" to
be with Christ is to be in heaven, and to be in heaven is to be with
Christ. That prisoner of the Lord very sweetly writes in one of his
glowing letters-"O my Lord Jesus Christ, if I could be in heaven
without thee, it would be a hell; and if I could be in hell, and have
thee still, it would be a heaven to me, for thou art all the heaven I
want." It is true, is it not, Christian? Does not thy soul say so?

"Not all the harps above
Can make a heavenly place,
If God his residence remove,
Or but conceal his face."

All thou needest to make thee blessed, supremely blessed, is "to be
with Christ."

EVENING:

"And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from
off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house."
-- 2 Samuel 11:2

At that hour David saw Bathsheba. We are never out of the reach of
temptation. Both at home and abroad we are liable to meet with
allurements to evil; the morning opens with peril, and the shades of
evening find us still in jeopardy. They are well kept whom God keeps,
but woe unto those who go forth into the world, or even dare to walk
their own house unarmed. Those who think themselves secure are more
exposed to danger than any others. The armour-bearer of Sin is
Self-confidence.

David should have been engaged in fighting the Lord's battles, instead
of which he tarried at Jerusalem, and gave himself up to luxurious
repose, for he arose from his bed at eventide. Idleness and luxury are
the devil's jackals, and find him abundant prey. In stagnant waters
noxious creatures swarm, and neglected soil soon yields a dense tangle
of weeds and briars. Oh for the constraining love of Jesus to keep us
active and useful! When I see the King of Israel sluggishly leaving his
couch at the close of the day, and falling at once into temptation, let
me take warning, and set holy watchfulness to guard the door.

Is it possible that the king had mounted his housetop for retirement
and devotion? If so, what a caution is given us to count no place,
however secret, a sanctuary from sin! While our hearts are so like a
tinder-box, and sparks so plentiful, we had need use all diligence in
all places to prevent a blaze. Satan can climb housetops, and enter
closets, and even if we could shut out that foul fiend, our own
corruptions are enough to work our ruin unless grace prevent. Reader,
beware of evening temptations. Be not secure. The sun is down but sin
is up. We need a watchman for the night as well as a guardian for the
day. O blessed Spirit, keep us from all evil this night. Amen.

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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!
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My Utmost For His Highest : "The Vocation Of The Natural Life"

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January 17, 2009

THE VOCATION OF THE NATURAL LIFE

But when it pleased God ... to reveal His Son in me ...

Galatians 1:15-16
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=ga+1:15-16&sr=1

The call of God is not a call to any particular service; my
interpretation of it may be because contact with the nature of God
has made me realize what I would like to do for Him. The call of God
is essentially expressive of His nature; service is the outcome of
what is fitted to my nature. The vocation of the natural life is
stated by the apostle Paul - "When it pleased God to reveal His Son
in me that I might preach Him" (i.e., sacramentally express ) "among
the Gentiles."

Service is the overflow of superabounding devotion; but, profoundly
speaking, there is no call to that, it is my own little actual bit
and is the echo of my identification with the nature of God. Service
is the natural part of my life. God gets me into a relationship with
Himself whereby I understand His call, then I do things out of sheer
love for Him on my own account. To serve God is the deliberate
love-gift of a nature that has heard the call of God. Service is
expressive of that which is fitted to my nature: God's call is
expressive of His nature; consequently when I receive His nature and
hear His call, the voice of the Divine nature sounds in both and the
two work together. The Son of God reveals Himself in me, and I serve
Him in the ordinary ways of life out of devotion to Him.

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LESSONS FROM A SHEEP DOG: A TRUE STORY OF TRANSFORMING LOVE, by Phillip Keller
Allow yourself to see Biblical truth in this classic tale of what can
happen when you yield to the Master.
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
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Praying with Paul : "The Seed of Righteousness"

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THE SEED OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

Romans 4:13-16
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Romans+4:13-16

Dear Father, father of the faithful,

Thank you for the marvelous promise made to Abraham and his seed,
that they should inherit the world. Thank you that it depends on
faith, so that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to
all his descendants, not only those who are adherents of the law
but to everyone who shares the faith of Abraham, who is father of
us all.

Praise be to you, beneficent God, that I can be a descendant of
Abraham, not by being born in his lineage but by being born from
above by his kind of faith, the life-giving seed that makes me one
of his children.

Thank you that this is possible through Christ. In the name of
Jesus. Amen.

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

SIMPLY CHRISTIAN: WHY CHRISTIANITY MAKES SENSE, by N. T. Wright
Destined to become a classic alongside Lewis's Mere Christianity - a
fascinating and accessible apologetic for modern seekers.
http://shopping.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/link?260

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!

PRAYING WITH PAUL from HEARTLIGHT /\/\
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HEARTLIGHT(R) Magazine would like to thank Eldon Degge and Meridian
Publishing for permission to make this devotional available via email.

Praying with Paul is also available in a very attractive paperback book
that may be ordered directly from the author, Eldon Degge, 828 Byrd
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WJD! -- At the Door -- Matthew 3:1-2

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Saturday, January 17, 2009

At the Door

At that time John the Baptizer came and began telling people
a message {from God}. This was in the desert area of Judea.
John said, "Change your hearts and lives, because the kingdom
of heaven is coming soon."

-- Matthew 3:1-2 (ERV)

KEY THOUGHT:
So often the things we most desire, the things we are looking for most
earnestly, are near us, but we miss them. "If it had been a snake, it
would have bitten you," I heard growing up. We would "give our eye
teeth" to have been witnesses of all the things that will transpire
from the baptism of John down to the giving of the Great Commission. We
will see so many people who come into Matthew's story of Jesus and who
just flat out miss him and God's Kingdom. How could they be so close to
Jesus and not recognize him? The Kingdom and God's Son are right in
front of their eyes! But, the key to finding the Kingdom, both in their
day and in our own, is our willingness to change our hearts and reform
our lives to live passionately for God as we trust his grace to save
and redeem us. Those who followed John were ready to find Jesus and his
Kingdom. Those who refused to repent missed it.

TODAY'S PRAYER:
Holy God, Almighty Father, and King of Heaven, I confess that I often
lose my way and live for myself. This selfishness hurts my family,
those I work with, and especially me. But, dear Father, I know it hurts
you most of all, because it blinds me to your truth, hardens me to your
grace, and makes it so difficult for me to yield my life to Jesus as
Lord. By the power of your Spirit, transform me to be like your Son. In
Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

>> NEW: Phil's What Jesus Did devotional is now
>> available as a book. Click below to order!
http://images.ultracart.com/aff/ACU9/1414/108/185/575/0/index.html

>> The WJD! web page has related scriptures and the
>> full text of today's key passage. Read it at:
http://www.heartlight.org/wjd/matthew/0117-wjd.html

>> For further study of today's passage, use our
>> online Bible study site: SearchGodsWord.org!
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Matthew+3:1-2&sr=1&t=erv

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

THE WAY OF THE HEART: DESERT SPIRITUALITY AND CONTEMPORARY MINISTRY, by Henri Nouwen
The modern classic that interweaves the solitude, silence, and prayer
of the fourth and fifth century Egyptian Desert Fathers and Mothers
with our contemporary search for an authentic spirituality.
http://shopping.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/link?260

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!

WHAT JESUS DID! from HEARTLIGHT /\/\
===============================================================\ /===
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This devotional is made possible by YOUR donations! If you've found
our emails encouraging or inspiring, we pray you'll give a voluntary
donation to keep this ministry going. Donations are NOT required,
but they are appreciated!
http://www.heartlight.org/support

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
music, devotionals and more for your Christian walk!
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Daily Heartlight -- January 17, 2009

Morning & Evening -- Revelation 14:1 and 2 Samuel 11:2

My Utmost For His Highest : "The Vocation Of The Natural Life"

Praying with Paul : "The Seed of Righteousness"

WJD! -- At the Door -- Matthew 3:1-2