Heartlight/Leaves of Light

[Judy Harder]

June 20

Mark 8:36
What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his very soul?

Thoughts on today's verse

We chase after so many different things. Only one thing is needed. Having a fist full of dollars, a great estate, and lots of prestige doesn't mean a whole lot if you've gone to your ultimate address without the Lord. Even worse is to find that in the middle of your busy-ness, you awake to find yourself in the barren land where Christ does not dwell and life is not found.

Prayer:

Father, help me to keep my priorities right and my life holy and my heart open to your will rather than being blinded with my own self-seeking. Through Jesus I pray. Amen.

[Judy Harder]

June 21

Psalms 91:1
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

Thoughts on today's verse

How good it is to be as close to God as his shadow and share in the comfort of his shelter. He is not far if our hearts choose to draw near him.

Prayer:

O great Almighty God, tender Shepherd and Abba Father, make known to me your nearness. I long to live in your presence and reflect your holiness and grace. By Jesus' blood I draw near to you in full assurance of your love and grace. Amen.'

[Judy Harder]

June 22

Psalms 121:7-8
The Lord will keep you from all harm -- he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

Thoughts on today's verse

Our lives are not lived alone. The Lord is with us personally. He holds each of futures and our safety in his hands. We live to serve him and go to be with him when we die. The Lord will keep us from all harm!

Prayer:

Mighty Protector, Rock of my salvation. Thank you that my future is secure with you. Make this assurance the convicting power in my life to turn over my future and my life to you. Through Jesus I ask this. Amen.

[Judy Harder]

June 23

Isaiah 40:31
Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and will not be faint.

Thoughts on today's verse

It is easy for us to live victoriously for the Lord when we soar on eagles wings. It can be exciting when we run and don't grow weary in the work of the Lord, buoyed by his power and presence. But it often takes heroes to keep walking and not faint when trying times come. Keep on walking, brother and sister. The Lord is there when you most fear he has forgotten you!

Prayer:

Majestic God, whose voice holds together our universe, give those who can barely walk under the stress and assault the strength to continue. I specifically want to pray for those I know personally who are facing trying times. Please, dear LORD, give them strength and meet their most pressings needs. Through the intercession of Jesus I ask it. Amen.

[Judy Harder]

June 24

2 Thessalonians 3:3
The Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.

Thoughts on today's verse

It's amazing to me how Satan knows our "silver bullet sins" -- those sins that can especially wound and disable us from the work of Christ. Commit in your heart to ask God to protect you, your family, and one other person (you'll silently support) from the attacks of the evil one.

Prayer:

Mighty and Triumphant King, crush your enemies under your feet and liberate me and those I love from the oppressive attacks and the horrible consequences of sin. Not only forgive and cleanse me, but please guard my heart so that I might gain strength to serve you with passion and power. Through Jesus I pray. Amen.'

[Judy Harder]

June 25

Jeremiah 23:24
"Can anyone hide in secret places so that I cannot see them?" declares the Lord. "Do not I fill heaven and earth?" declares the Lord.

Thoughts on today's verse

There is no hiding from God, but for those who willingly and joyously seek him, there is comfort, power, and hope in his presence.

Prayer:

El Shaddai, God of the Mountains, be my sources of strength as I seek your presence. I acknowledge your presence in all I do and everywhere I go. Please, don't just keep blessing me, but use me to bless others in your name. Through Jesus. Amen.

[Judy Harder]

June 26

Leviticus 19:18
Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.

Thoughts on today's verse

Hanging on to bitterness and keeping alive grudges is consuming work. It leaves little energy for blessing others, praising God, or enjoying life. The only way to get over these things is to actively love (i.e., serve them) others in ways that bless their lives. If we can't do this because it's good and the right thing to do, we do it because we know God!

Prayer:

Father of light, love and mercy, please remove from my heart any cynicism or delight in seeing others around me fall. Instead, help me to be a rescuer rather than a neglector. I want your grace to be seen in my friendships. Through Jesus I pray. Amen.'

[Judy Harder]

June 27

Matthew 16:25
Spoken by Jesus: "...whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it."

Thoughts on today's verse

The key to life is letting go of ourselves and receiving Jesus. Please don't forget to relinquish your life to the one who gave up his own life. When we lose our life to him, we can have it back forever with him.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, I believe you are the Son of God, my Savior and King. I long for your life to be made visible in me. To your glory I pray. Amen.

[Judy Harder]

June 28

2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Thoughts on today's verse

Maranatha -- O Lord come! This cry of the early church, especially during times of trial, persecution, and difficulty, must be tempered with the reminder that there is a lost world around us -- many of whom are dear friends and family. Our passion for the Lord's coming must be equaled by our passion to share his grace with those who have not "come to repentance" and changed their lives to serve the Lord who died to bring them life.

Prayer:

O Great and Patient God, please do all within your power and grace to bring my loved ones and dear friends to repentance so that when Jesus appears they can share in my joy and your salvation. Through Jesus The Savior I pray. Amen.

[Judy Harder]

June 29

Psalms 138:8
The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever -- do not abandon the works of your hands.

Thoughts on today's verse

God has a purpose and plan for each of our lives. The greatest thing we can do is to find that purpose and live it out. We can trust his purpose in us because it is based on his wisdom and love. As long as we seek his will, we're not going to do anything that can ultimately spoil his purpose in us. Yes, we may at times stray from the perfect channel he wants us to travel, but we never get totally out of the main channel. As long he does not abandon us, (and he promised he never would forsake us he will use us) for his purposes.

Prayer:

O Sovereign God, help me discern today what my life is intended to fulfill. Thank you for loving me and promising to walk beside me every step of my life. I live trusting that you will never forsake me. Through Jesus I pray. Amen.