Heartlight/Leaves of Light

[Judy Harder]

September 7


Colossians 1:28
We proclaim him [Jesus], admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we present everyone perfect in Christ.

Thoughts on today's verse

Our goal as Christians is not to obey some law, to adhere to some set of rules, or even be followers of some discipline. Our goal as Christians is to be conformed to the character and ministry of Jesus. This is the Spirit's work in us (2 Cor. 3:18) and as Paul makes clear here and in other places (Galatians 4:19) that this is his goal in working with others.
Prayer:

Holy Lord, conform my heart, my words, my life, my ministry, and my actions to those of Jesus. I want him to be my Lord, not just in my words but also in my life. Through him I pray. Amen.'
Would you like your own

[Judy Harder]

September 8


Psalm 143:10
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.

Thoughts on today's verse

We want the Spirit to be at work in us to make us like Jesus. For this to happen, we must open our heart to the will of God. There are no greater words God wants to hear than "teach me to do your will." That is what it means for him to be God, to have control over our life and our will.
Prayer:

Almighty God, I want you to truly be God in my life. I renounce any attempt on my part to try to manipulate or use your grace and kindness for my benefit. I submit my will to yours. But Holy Father, I confess that I struggle at times with my own selfish and evil desires that lead me astray. Please forgive me when my heart is cold and my ears are deaf to your will. Please, take control of my life today. Through Jesus my Lord, I ask you to assert your will as God in my life. Amen. '

[Judy Harder]

September 9


Titus 2:2
Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love, and in endurance.

Thoughts on today's verse

Worthy of respect! What a goal for our lives whether we are men or women! Don't you want your life to reflect the character of God because our faith expresses itself in a life of self-control. This work of the Spirit in our lives happens only as we dedicate ourselves to being what he is at work trying to accomplish in us.
Prayer:

Father, please strengthen me through your Spirit so that I may gain better control of my passions, my speech, my example, and my habits. Help me put to death the things that would rob me of my spiritual passion and my influence for good to those who do not know Jesus. Through whom I pray. Amen.'

[Judy Harder]

September 10


Isaiah 46:4
[The Lord says,] "Even to your old age and gray hairs, I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.

Thoughts on today's verse

God will not forget us when we're in trouble or when we are old. We may outlive our friends and be forgotten by those who know us, but God will never leave us or forsake us. He will sustain, carry, protect, and rescue us.
Prayer:

Thank you my Father, for promising to never forget me. Because of your faithfulness to your children of old, I know you will never forsake me. I trust that no matter where I am or where I go, you will go with me. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.'

[Judy Harder]

September 11


Psalm 121:1-2
I lift up my eyes to the hills -- where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Thoughts on today's verse

In a world of startling beauty and a universe of dazzling diversity, our hearts are to be drawn back to the One who made it and now sustains it. He knows us and will help us if we will believe what he has tried so many ways to say: "I love you as my child and I care what happens to you and those you love."
Prayer:

Almighty Creator, Majestic Architect and Eternal Engineer, it absolutely bewilders and delights me to know that you care for me. With all the things of such vast importance, I find your desire to know and love me humbling and assuring. Today I will worship, work, and witness while being aware of your presence and care. Thank you, dear Father, in Jesus name. Amen.

[Judy Harder]

September 12


Philippians 4:4
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again, Rejoice!

Thoughts on today's verse

Joy is found in the Lord, not in things. Joy is found in knowing that he always accompanies, sustains, helps, protects, and upholds me. How can we not rejoice?
Prayer:

Precious Father, thank you for always being there, knowing what is on my heart, and caring for me in ways that I cannot even imagine. To know you, to know your promises and your coming Kingdom's glory, I rejoice because I know my future is in your hands! Thank you through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.

[Judy Harder]

September 13


1 Peter 3:8
Live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.

Thoughts on today's verse

Unity and harmony are no accident! They happen because of intention and submission. But more than just states of being, they are commanded by God. How do we have unity and harmony? Peter reminds us that we must have three commitments 1) actively share concern with those who grieve; 2) share love just like a healthy family does; and 3) show compassion rather than arrogance as we deal with others failures toward us.
Prayer:

Father, I confess that I have let my own over-sensitive self be wounded, and have reacted with pettiness when my brothers and sisters in Christ have not treated me as I felt I deserved. I know Jesus was treated so rudely and shamefully by those he created, so I know I shouldn't be surprised. But Father, please help me to know when to challenge those who wound me with a loving confrontation and when to just ignore the barb and find a way to minister to them because of some deeper wound in their life. Father, let me be an instrument of your peace, harmony, and unity. Through Jesus I pray. Amen.

[Judy Harder]

James 4:6 - But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
Humility is not unworthiness. Humility is being aware of who others are in God's sight and being aware of who I am in Christ and acting on it.
　
Matthew 12:37 - For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
Affirmation
I LET MY WORDS CREATE THE CURRENT THAT SWEEPS ME INTO THE HEART OF GOD.
　
Luke 9:23 - And He was saying to them all, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me."
WHEN JESUS CALLED HIS DISCIPLES, IT WAS FOR TOTAL COMMITMENT. THEY HAD TO BE WILLING TO LEAVE EVERYTHING TO FOLLOW HIM, AND SO DO WE. IF HE IS NOT THE LORD OF ALL, THEN HE IS NOT OUR LORD AT ALL.
http://afministry.ning.com (New Studies Every Day)

[Judy Harder]

September 14


Philippians 2:1-2
If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.

Thoughts on today's verse

Our call to sacrificially submit ourselves to others does not begin with our sacrifice, but with God's blessings. The actual grammatical construction of this is better translated with all the "if"s changed to "since"! We are called to unity in spirit and purpose after having received all these blessings from being in Jesus!
Prayer:

Holy and righteous Father, you have blessed me so richly in Jesus. Open my eyes to see how those around me in my spiritual family need to receive those same blessings from me. Through Jesus I pray. Amen.'

[Judy Harder]

September 15


1 John 4:16
We know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.

Thoughts on today's verse

How do you know God is at home in your heart? You know when you are doing loving things to bless the lives of others! Just as we trust and rely on God's constant love for us, our brothers and sisters in Christ need love expressed to them, too!
Prayer:

Loving God and Almighty Father, fill me with your Spirit so I can be more loving to my family, my friends, and those whom you place in my path so they can learn about Jesus. Through whom I pray. Amen.'