Heartlight/Leaves of Light

[Judy Harder]

August 29

Galatians 3:28
There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Thoughts on today's verse

Wouldn't it be great if we could tear down all the walls that divide us -- racial, social, and gender. The apostle Paul spent his entire life trying to do just that, to tear down the walls that divided people by bringing them to Jesus and the cross. There are no positions of superiority or inferiority at the foot of the cross, only those who discover God's might displayed in sacrifice and God's love displayed in the face of human cruelty. While the forces of culture and human selfishness are always finding ways to divide us, we must remember that in Jesus, and only in Jesus, we can be one.

Prayer:

Forgive me, O God, when I have let prejudice and suspicion keep me from fully loving those whom you have claimed as your children. I pray that my life will be an example of redemption and unity as I seek to love your children as you do. Through him whose dying prayer was for unity, I pray. Amen.

[Judy Harder]

August 30

Ephesians 2:19
"You are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household."

Thoughts on today's verse

Those of us who have been Christians a long time sometimes forget that we have no claim or right to the grace we have received. When we feel we deserve it, that it is ours by right, it is no longer grace and we no longer have it. To be a part of God's family is grace. Our lives are a gift from the Holy One who spoke into existence the universe (in which we are) and who knows how to share and love in ways we can't even imagine.

Prayer:

For the incredible and boundless love you have given to me, O Almighty God, I can only fall to my knees and thank you. Your power is beyond my comprehension. Your awesome holiness is beyond my understanding. Yet your infinite grace is mine because of your love, which cost you so much. "Thank you. A million times over I say it, "Thank you!" Through Jesus my Lord

[Judy Harder]

August 31

Psalms 95:6-7
Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.

Thoughts on today's verse

Worship is more than our heart, soul, and words offered to God. It's our posture. When we understand the grace he has given us to be called his children, what else can we do but bow down. We come to him as a conquering ruler in full submission, and he chooses to treat us tenderly, like a loving shepherd.

Prayer:

Pastor of my soul, I come to you seeking your protection and rest as one of your sheep, often harried and driven by life's pressures and temptations. But I come to you, not demanding, but submitting myself to be used for your glory -- not just today, but for the rest of my life. In Jesus I pray. Amen.

[Judy Harder]

September 1

Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

Thoughts on today's verse

Children don't need to be taught, they need to be trained. Life is not about intellectual lessons, but about integrating truth into the fabric of our daily lives. God calls us to move our children and their training up on the list of our priorities.

Prayer:

Great and Holy Counselor, help me as I seek to know the best thing to do with my children to share my love and your truth with them. I want them to know and love you even better than I do. Give me wisdom and courage to make wise decisions and tenderness to implement them in my family's life. Through Jesus I pray. Amen.

[Judy Harder]

September 2

Psalms 119:64
The earth is filled with your love, O Lord; teach me your decrees.

Thoughts on today's verse

Sometimes we get so caught up in the wonders of God's creation and the marvelous blessings of his grace we forget to ask him to teach us his truth.

Prayer:

Holy and Precious Father, teach me your truth, lead me to your will, and guide me in your wisdom that my life may be a reflection of your plan for me when you made me new in my mother's womb. In Jesus I ask these things. Amen.'

[Judy Harder]

September 3

Isaiah 48:17
This is what the Lord says -- your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: "I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go."

Thoughts on today's verse

I sometimes long for the pillar of fire at night and the cloud by day to guide me as I make my way through this world. But I am reminded of God's abiding presence in the Spirit and his promise to never forsake me. I believe that if I seek his glory he will get me where I need to be to do his will.

Prayer:

Guide me, O Father, guide me to the places you want me to be, the ministries you want me to offer, and the people you want me to touch. Capture my heart to do your work and never let me lose sight of your coming glory. In Jesus name. Amen.'

[Judy Harder]

September 5


Matthew 28:18-20
[Jesus said,] "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to very end of the age."

Thoughts on today's verse

Last words. The last words of a parent to a child leaving for college. The last words of a loved one at the bedside of someone dying. The last words of a friend before moving to a distant place. These last words are chosen with care because they leave a lasting impact. Jesus' last words are our marching orders. "Go make disciples of all peoples! To do this," he emphasized, "you must go where they are, baptize them, and then teach them to do what I taught you to do." Not hard to understand, so what are we doing about obeying those last commands?
Prayer:

Father from whom all peoples derive their hope, use yo! ur Spirit to rouse within me a passion to share your grace with all peoples. Nudge me out of my safety zone and call me into your empowering and sacrificial grace so that I help others come to know you. Through Jesus I pray. Amen.'

[Judy Harder]

September 6


John 14:23
Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him."

Thoughts on today's verse

At many Christian funerals, the preacher emphasizes how Jesus has left to make a place ready for us to join him in heaven. Then he is going to come back for us. But just a few verses later, Jesus adds this promise. He's telling us that until we can come be with him at his place, he will come live with us here in our hearts. It all hinges on one thing, our willingness to obey him. Not a bad deal, is it. So let's not let obedience be a forgotten word in our lifestyle!
Prayer:

Holy God, I know Jesus came to earth and obeyed your will. Give me discernment that my obedience will not simply be the obedience of your words, but will also be the obedience of your will. I long to honor you because you have done so much to save me. Thank you. Through Jesus I pray. Amen.'

[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.'

[Judy Harder]

September 8


Psalms 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. '