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]

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 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.

[Judy Harder]

August 9

Luke 12:6-7
Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Thoughts on today's verse

In a universe so vast, what is our little planet? In a planet so diverse and so full of life, what are people? Among all the billions of people alive and who have lived and already died, what significance do I have? Jesus reminds us that our significance is great -- not because we are so important but because we are known personally by God. We don't have to be afraid, we are known and loved by the One who is and was and is to come!

Prayer:

Eternal God, Almighty Father, Tender Shepherd, you already know my heart. You know where I struggle with sin, so please empower and forgive. You know my fears, so please encourage and strengthen. You know my immaturity, so please nurture and grow. You know my weakness and disease, so please comfort and heal. But even if none of these are answered, I am still awed by the fact that you choose to know me. Thank you! In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

[Judy Harder]

Psalms 119:14
I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches.

Thoughts on today's verse

Our treasure and our truth come from Scripture, God's guidance to avoid Satan's harmful traps and live in God's blessed life.
Prayer:

Holy God, thank you for your written word, the Scriptures. May they come alive in my life just as they do in my heart and mind. Through Jesus I pray. Amen.

[Judy Harder]

1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.

Thoughts on today's verse

We are God's temple! He lives in us and what we do in our bodies is part of our worship to him. We are called to not only abstain from impurity, but we are called to glorify God in our bodies.
Prayer:

Father, I confess to you that I sometimes lose sight of how precious my body is to you. With aging and the other challenges that daily remind me that my body is a vessel of decay, I find it hard to believe that I can glorify you with it. Please, through your indwelling Spirit, quicken in me a deeper reverence and appreciation of your presence in me. Through Jesus I pray. Amen.'