Heartlight/Leaves of Light

[Judy Harder]

July 30

Matthew 5:14-16
[Jesus said] "You are the light of the world. Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."

Thoughts on today's verse

Our life will not be neutral. We will either point others away from God or show them that allegiance to God is important. Let's make an intentional effort today to shine the light of God's holiness and grace in all we do and say.

Prayer:

O God, may the words of my mouth, the actions of my life, and the influence of my deeds show others your holiness and grace and lead them to acknowledge your majesty and might. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

[Judy Harder]

July 31

John 1:12-13
To all who received him, to those who believe in his name, he gave the right to become children of God -- children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.

Thoughts on today's verse

We live in a time and culture of rights. "It's my right to ___." Just fill in the blank. But there is one thing we don't have a right to be: God's child. We are given that right by grace through Jesus' coming to earth, living, dying and being raised from the dead. We appropriate it through faith, through which God gives us new birth when we are baptized and reborn through the power of the Holy Spirit (John 3:3-7). To be born of God, to be born from above, to be born again is the gift of adoption into God's family and entitles us to all the rights of heirs in God's house (Galatians 3:26-4:7).

Prayer:

Abba Father, thank you for including me in your family. May my life today reflect your influence, character, mercy, holiness, compassion, righteousness, and love. I want to be like you, my Father. So just as I was born into your family by the power of the Holy Spirit, please fill me with your Spirit today so that I will more closely reflect you in all I do and say. Through Jesus I pray. men.

[Judy Harder]

August 1

Psalms 112:5
Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice.

Thoughts on today's verse

We are pushed by our culture, and often by our own greed, to look for an angle, to get the upper hand, to try to use others for our own benefit. We are reminded today that our benefit is only found when we benefit and bless others.

Prayer:

Oh God, you have been so gracious to me. May I reflect your graciousness to others today in all I say and do. Through Jesus I ask it. Amen.

[Judy Harder]

August 2

James 1:22
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

Thoughts on today's verse

What we know and even what we believe are not that significant if they don't show up in the way we live. Pure and simple, faith not lived everyday is not faith, it is facade.

Prayer:

Holy God, help me put into practice what I know is your will and your truth today. Through Jesus I pray. Amen.'

[Judy Harder]

August 3

1 Samuel 16:7
The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.

Thoughts on today's verse

Have you ever wondered how many friends you may have lost simply by judging them on their first appearance or impression? I'm amazed at how the first impression very seldom tells us much of substance about another. We're not really going to be able to evaluate people properly until the Lord reveals at judgment what is really in their heart. Don't you think that we should give them time for their heart to show before we make a decision about them, too?!

Prayer:

Father, who alone knows each heart, help me be more patient with others before forming an opinion about them. Please give me eyes to see them as Jesus does. Through him I pray. Amen.

[Judy Harder]

August 4

Jeremiah 33:2-3
This is what the Lord says, he who made the earth, the Lord who formed it and established it -- the Lord is his name: Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.

Thoughts on today's verse

In a universe of billions of stars, think of the power of the God who made them and knows each of their names. Think of all he knows that we don't. Think of all he has seen that is not in a history book. Think of all he has done and can do. Add to this that he invites us to speak to him about the things of our heart.

Prayer:

Almighty God, there are so many things I am simply ignorant about. There are so many things in my world that I can't understand. There are so many things about you that I long to know but I can't begin to comprehend you. Please, dear Father, please give me more of you, and about you, that I may know you better. You are beyond me, so deal gently as you reveal yourself. I look with anticipation at the thought of knowing you, the Unsearchable, the Almighty, God, my Abba. Through Jesus I pray. Amen.

[Judy Harder]

August 5

Psalms 119:130
The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.

Thoughts on today's verse

Sometimes the right path is not so difficult to find, we just need to know where to begin our search -- the reading of God's words. The right way is very seldom just the property of the bright, wise, and scholarly. It is very clear if we will but look for it!

Prayer:

Holy Father, thank you for making your will known through your words in Scripture. Bless me today as I open your word. May I find not only the answer to my questions, but may I find you and your precious will. Through Jesus I pray. Amen.

[Judy Harder]

August 6

Psalms 119:160
All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.

Thoughts on today's verse

The requirements of morality and holiness are not temporary or fleeting because they reflect the nature of our Holy God who is eternal. They don't shift with the wishes of culture, but are true across cultures and times and wishes.

Prayer:

Righteous God Almighty, may my life reflect your character and nature in compassion, holiness, and justice. I know you are forever, and I want to invest my life in what lasts. Give me wisdom to see through the fleeting temptations of today and do what honors you beyond my lifetime. In Jesus name. Amen.

[Judy Harder]

August 7

Isaiah 33:22
The Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; it is he who will save us.

Thoughts on today's verse

When we think about God being our judge, we normally think of falling into judgment. Isaiah reminds us that God being our judge means that he will be there to judge us based on his will, his rule and his grace. He is on our side and is looking to save, not condemn. Using the New Testament idiom, when we stand before our Judge we see instead our Father.

Prayer:

Holy and Righteous Judge, I am glad that my fate, my future, and my life are in your hands. I know your love for me because of the gift of Jesus. I know your desire to save me because of your loving grace. I know your demand for holiness is met by the sacrifice of your Son. So God, I gladly and willingly trust my life, my soul, to you. Through Jesus I pray. Amen.

[Judy Harder]

August 8

Psalms 149:4
For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation.

Thoughts on today's verse

Jesus, who left heaven and made himself a servant, did so to enable the last to be first, the servant to be greatest, and the least to be best. For ages, the arrogant, abusive and the powerful have found it easy to reject the call of Christ. But those who are humble find him to not only be Savior, but also Conqueror.

Prayer:

Precious Servant, Almighty King, thank you for coming to our world and serving us at great cost and showing us that we can reign with you. I look forward to the day every other knee will join mine as I bow before you as my Lord. Until that day, I pray that you will use me to bless those so often forgotten by our busy and glamour-intoxicated world. Amen.