Heartlight/Leaves of Light

[Judy Harder]

August 15

Romans 14:8
If we live, we live to the Lord: and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.

Thoughts on today's verse

One of the incredible realizations we can have as Christians is that our relationship with the Lord can be eternal. As long as we seek after him, he is always there and no one can separate us from his love. Even when we die, we go to be with the Lord. When we sleep in death, we are still "in the Lord." Everything we have on earth is temporary except our love for the Lord Jesus and those with whom we share that love!

Prayer:

Almighty God, thank you so much for binding yourself to our world in Jesus and binding me close to you through his Lordship in my life. I look forward to the day when the Lord who I kneel to worship today will be recognized by all the living and the dead as the One True Lord. I pledge to you Father, that I will live this day to honor him and by honoring him, honor you. In his name I pray. Amen.

[Judy Harder]

August 16

2 Corinthians 7:1
Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out reverence for God.

Thoughts on today's verse

In a world so full of distractions and temptations, purity is difficult. Even more than difficult, the call to purity often goes forgotten and ignored. Cheap grace is substituted for a call to passionate living. While we never want to give in to a "works righteousness," we also must remember that impurity through laziness, lack of commitment, or simple rebellion are contaminating to those claiming to be Christians and ruin our influence before the watching world.

Prayer:

Purify my heart, my life, my body, my influence, O God. May my words and my thoughts be blameless in your sight. I want to be holy as you are holy and honor you as only you are worthy of honor. You alone are God! Through Jesus I ask it. Amen.

[Judy Harder]

August 17

2 Corinthians 10:17-18
"Let him who boasts boast in the Lord." For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.

Thoughts on today's verse

In a world with skewed values, and false promises, and fleeting fame, what can we boast in other than the steadfastness of the Lord's love, the incredible riches of the Lord's grace, the incomparable supply of the Lord's blessings, the sweetness of the Lord's people, the mercy of the Lord's plan for our salvation, the promise of the Lord's tomorrow, the..... of the Lord's...!

Prayer:

Lord of Majesty and Mercy, every good and enduring thing in my life I have because of you. While the words are simple, they are heartfelt -- In Jesus name, thank you!

[Judy Harder]

August 18

Philippians 1:21
To me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Thoughts on today's verse

The truth is often as simple as it is sweet -- if Jesus is our life, then our life has no end.

Prayer:

Eternal God, thank you for sending Jesus to show me your love and thank you for sending him again soon to take me home. He is my anchor in the storms of life and my light in the darkest nights, reminding me that you love me with an undying love. Through him I pray. Amen.

[Judy Harder]

August 19

1 John 5:12
He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.

Thoughts on today's verse

This statement is both a reminder of God's glorious grace and also of our need to share that grace with others.

Prayer:

Father of all nations, resurrect in your people a desire to spread your grace to every language, tribe, nation, and people. Empower us with your Spirit so we will speak the Gospel of Jesus with boldness and respect to a world that does not know him. Use us to help others come to life in the Son! Through whom we pray. Amen.

[Judy Harder]

August 20

Psalm 16:8
I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

Thoughts on today's verse

There are many things that can trouble our lives, but none that can shake us loose from the grip of God's grace if our hearts remain close to Jesus as our Lord, and our hope remains focused on the Lord's return. If Jesus is our Lord, then all of life's greatest blessings lie ahead of us and we will let nothing rob us of this coming glory!

Prayer:

Holy Lord, you are worthy of majesty, honor, and praise. I lift up your name, O God, and place it above every name. As I look to the future, I want to honor you and find you there. Since I believe you will never leave or forsake me, I will always look ahead to find you leading the way. Through Jesus I pray. Amen.

[Judy Harder]

August 21

Psalm 42:8
By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me -- a prayer to the God of my life.

Thoughts on today's verse

I have always loved music. To this day, songs help unlock the part of me that is most yielded to God. It helps me declare my love for him and my praise to him. But as the psalmist says, at night, especially on those nights when sleep is hard to come by, his song is with me.

Prayer:

O God of my life, thank you for music and song. Thank you for giving me so many good things to sing joyfully about. Thank you for hearing my heart when I sing, not just my words or just the song's melody. I long, dear Father, for the day I get to hear you sing. Until then, fill my life with your song. Through Jesus I ask it. Amen.

[Judy Harder]

August 22

Romans 8:32
He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all -- how will he not also, along with him, give us all things?

Thoughts on today's verse

If God gave up his Son to save me, what would he not give up to bless us and keep us! That's Paul's point. In 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, he tells us we are bought with a price to encourage us toward holiness. Here, he makes the same point, but to give us assurance. Isn't it amazing how the truth of God's grace contains such a multifaceted blessing.

Prayer:

Almighty God, I am overwhelmed at your sacrificial love offered to me in Jesus. Father, please use your Spirit to stir me to service in response to your grace and have this Comforter build my assurance of the salvation and blessings that you so long to give me. Through Jesus I pray. Amen.'

[Judy Harder]

August 23
Psalm 94:18-19
When I said, "My foot is slipping," your love, O Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.

Thoughts on today's verse

While we are amazed at the vastness of God's reach and the awesome breadth of his power and the glorious sweep of his majesty, the incredible truth is his personal nearness to us. He chooses to know us and be actively involved in the trials and triumphs of each day with us. How will today, or tomorrow, be different because you are aware of his presence and companionship?

Prayer:

God who is near, please hear my heart. I am overwhelmed at your presence near me and within me. The comfort you bring when I am under siege, the strength you offer when I am weak, the courage you give when I am under attack, and the hope you instill when all seems hopeless -- these gifts of your presence are precious to me. Without your presence I would not know where to go or why I am here. Thank you for knowing me. I look forward to knowing you one day as you know me today. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

[Judy Harder]

August 24

Psalm 116:1-2
I love the Lord, he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.

Thoughts on today's verse

Understanding the Lord's love and nearness should lead us to serve him and continue our relationship with him. While we love God for many reasons, we want to express our love to him today especially for his personal concern for us.

Prayer:

Father who knows each hair on my head and thought of my heart, thank you for hearing my prayers. Thank you for answering so many with the answer I sought from you. Give me patience when I cannot see your hand in other situations. I believe and trust you are there and working for my good even when I can't see it. Please strengthen my faith so that I will never outlive my trust and faith in you. Through Jesus I ask this. Amen.