Heartlight/Leaves of Light

[Judy Harder]

March 21

Jeremiah 17:7-8
Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought.

Thoughts on today's verse

Trust. Can we trust in God? Is the Lord faithful? While we may wish to have been alive when Jesus walked the earth or Jeremiah spoke fearlessly God's hard truth, we are especially blessed to be alive today. We stand at the end of an incredible stream of God work and know him to be profoundly faithful to his people. We can launch out into the future with boldness because we know, as Psalm 139 says, God is there!

Prayer:

Holy God, I know you are there! In the morning, in the evening, in the long nights, I know I am not alone. Thank you for knowing me and going with me through all my days. Please make your presence known to me this day as I seek to honor you in what I do and say. Through Jesus my Lord I ask this. Amen.

[Judy Harder]

March 22

Ephesians 6:10-11
Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.

Thoughts on today's verse

Many of the struggles in our lives are not mere accidents! In fact, many of them are not put there by God. Our challenges often come from the hand of our enemy, Satan. He always prowls around looking for the best scheme to knock us out of our commitment to, and relationship with, the Lord. Placing ourselves firmly in the hands of the Lord and using his tools of warfare will help us defeat our enemy, who has already been humiliated by Jesus and the cross.

Prayer:

Strengthen me, O God, that I may stand against my foe and triumph by the power of your Spirit and bring honor and glory to my conquering Savior You will return one day and take me home in victory. Through the Rider on the White Horse I pray. Amen.

[Judy Harder]

March 23

James 1:12
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive he crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

Thoughts on today's verse

Only Christians win at life. That's because none of us have the power to hold back our greatest enemy, death. But when we have persevered, we are given the ultimate victory, LIFE that will not end.

Prayer:

Thank You, O Father, for giving me the assurance that when all is said and done, I will share in your life and your victory forever. Help me this day to live confidently, knowing that I have your life. Through Jesus, my conquering King, I pray. Amen.

[Judy Harder]

March 24

Romans 6:23
The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Thoughts on today's verse

When we get death for sin, we're only being paid what we're owed -- sin is rebellion against the God who loves us and gave us his most precious gift to redeem us from sin! But God's gift is free -- eternal life in Jesus Christ. He gave it without our assurance of following.

Prayer:

Thank you, God, for loving me when no one else could or would. Thank you for sacrificing the most precious gift of heaven so I could join you there. Of all the gifts I've ever received, yours is the best. This thanksgiving I offer through the gift that set me free! Amen.

[Judy Harder]

March 25

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Thoughts on today's verse

We can be forgiven of our sins! That's great. We can be purified of any stain from sin!! That's incredible. But only because of God's grace and his willingness to give us the perfect sacrifice for our sins.

Prayer:

Forgiving Father, please forgive me today for my lack of passion to love and forgive others in the way you have forgiven me. Create in me a heart like your own. Through Jesus I pray. Amen.

[Judy Harder]

March 26

Philippians 1:29
It has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him.

Thoughts on today's verse

When we read the book of Acts, we find the disciples overjoyed at suffering "for the sake of the name." Jesus' followers consider it a privilege and not just a hardship. The truth of our commitment is often best shown to the skeptical when we are "under fire."

Prayer:

What a precious name you have given to your son, O Lord. May it be exalted in all the earth and through out all the heavens, until all existence knows that he is truly Lord. Through him I pray. Amen.

[Judy Harder]

March 27

Psalm 62:7
My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.

Thoughts on today's verse

Who we are, what becomes of us in life, is in God's hands. We cannot purchase or achieve lasting honor for ourselves without his blessing. We cannot secure the future or our safety without his protection and blessing. The basis of all achievement and glory is dependent upon us placing our lives in his care.

Prayer:

O Rock, Fortress of my life, I place myself in your care. Take charge of my future and use me for your glory. In you I take refuge, and on your strength I rely to make my days worthwhile. In the precious name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

[Judy Harder]

March 28

1 Timothy 2:5-6
There is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men.

Thoughts on today's verse

We do not need another person, no matter how mighty, pious, or special, to intercede for us before God. As his children, we can go freely, knowing that God himself has provided the perfect mediator between us and himself. That mediator alone is head of the church and chief priest before God for us. His name is Christ Jesus, our Lord.

Prayer:

O God, you are my God, and I praise you for making yourself so available. I know that in my power, I have no right to approach you. Yet in your grace you not only provided a ransom for my sin but a mediator for my approach to you. Jesus, I thank you as well, for paying the price and staying at the Father's side to intercede and speak for me! Thank you for making this prayer known to the Father. Amen.

[Judy Harder]

March 29

2 Corinthians 5:21
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Thoughts on today's verse

Righteousness! That's what we are. God's righteousness. We are the testimony of how holy, just, and gracious he truly is, because in Jesus, we are his righteousness!

Prayer:

Thank you, O Almighty God, for making me righteous in the blood of your son's death. May people see in me a reflection of your holiness, justice, and mercy. Through Jesus, who sacrificed for my sins, I pray. Amen.

[Judy Harder]

March 30

Isaiah 53:3-4 
He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he took up our infirmities and he carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.

Thoughts on today's verse

Jesus was everything and became nothing and we didn't notice what he did for us. We just assumed he deserved it, and so we did not repent. But there was something about that sacrificial story that grabbed our hearts and called us home we found in him not only a Savior, but a servant.

Prayer:

God Almighty, your plan to redeem me takes my breath away. How and why you chose to take your precious son and expose him to such public disgrace I will never comprehend. But this I do know: you love me with an everlasting love. I pledge to you that I will serve you with all of my strength in thanks for his great sacrifice. Through Jesus I pray. Amen.