Heartlight/Leaves of Light

[Judy Harder]

July 20


1 John 1:7
If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

Thoughts on today's verse

As we seek to please God and trust his grace, more grace is supplied. While Jesus' death was "once for all," its cleansing power goes on and on as long as our hearts are tuned to his grace.
Prayer:

Loving Father, thank you for the gift of Jesus and the cleansing his death brings me. Help me today to live a more dedicated that life. Thank you for the assurance that as I seek your will and live your life you are also forgiving me of my sins and cleansing me and making me new. Through Jesus I offer this thanks. Amen.
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[Judy Harder]

July 21


Psalm 119:30
I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws.

Thoughts on today's verse

Jesus reminded us to "pick up your cross daily and follow" him. The way of truth is a daily choice. To not choose God's way, to not intentionally seek to put him at the center of our life and as the top priority in all of our decisions, is to slip a little bit further away from the life he calls us to lead. Lack of a decision is a decision to not follow.
Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I choose to follow you and your truth today. Open my eyes so I may see your truth and open my heart that I may live it. I decide today, again, to follow, you with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
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[Judy Harder]

July 22


Matthew 16:15-16
"What about you?" Jesus asked. "Who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

Thoughts on today's verse

There is no other name under heaven that can save us (Acts 4:12). We are to confess Jesus before others, and when we do we are assured that he confesses us before the Father in heaven. We may not know all the theological import behind those words -- after all, Peter didn't at the time -- but we can make a commitment to know him and follow him until we do.
Prayer:

Living God and Holy Father, I believe you sent Jesus as your Son to save me. I confess to you that I want Jesus to be Lord of my life because I believe him to be your Son and my Savior. It is through your Son, the Christ promised in Scripture, that I pray. Amen.
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[Judy Harder]

July 23


Matthew 19:14
Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

Thoughts on today's verse

Jesus' love for children in an age when they weren't those whom highly regarded is a powerful reminder of God's love for the world often abuses or abandons. We are called to love the unloved, the forgotten, the abused and neglected. Why? Because that is what Israel was in Egypt and that is what Jesus was at Calvary and that is what we were without grace (Romans 5:6-11). How can we claim to know salvation and not share it with others who need that grace!?
Prayer:

Father, I want to be more of a Father like you -- a holy and loving father to my children and a tender father to the forgotten children of today. Help me be aroused by the neglect and abuse children suffer in my world, and to be moved to act in ways that bless them. Through Jesus, the great lover of all children, I pray. Amen.
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[Judy Harder]

July 24


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

Thoughts on today's verse

Generosity is love expressed in practical ways with joy. Generosity and justice needed in our selfish world. They come from a heart touched by grace.
Prayer:

Loving Father, I know I will meet people today who need me to be generous with my love, time, forgiveness and money. Please help me to treat them fairly and with love, just as you have treated me. May my life reflect your grace to others who need your love. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
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[Judy Harder]

July 25


Psalm 119:60
I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands.

Thoughts on today's verse

Obedience is faith put into practice. Without action, our faith is not real, James 2 reminds us. So without arguing, let's quickly obey, even when we don't fully understand why, because we've seen God's love demonstrated to us in Jesus and we've seen the protection that his will has for us when we obey him.
Prayer:

O God, give me a heart that is quick to obey and a faith that is quick to express itself in action. I want to please you with my words and thoughts, but even more, Father, I want to live a life full of your character, wisdom, and grace. Help me to quickly obey your voice. Through Jesus I pray. Amen.
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[Judy Harder]

July 26

Hebrews 11:1
Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

Thoughts on today's verse

While the road ahead of us may be filled with questions and concerns, we can look back and see the many ways God has acted in our behalf to get us to the places we need to be. We see his work through history and we can take assurance that his promises are true and his victory in us is assured.
Prayer:

Almighty God, I believe that before there was a world, you existed. I trust that even now you sustain our world with your word of grace. I am confident that before the future arrives you are already there preparing it for us. Help me when I worry to remember my faith and to press on trusting that you are there. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
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[Judy Harder]

July 27


Hebrews 12:1
Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

Thoughts on today's verse

Like the great heroes of the Bible, both big and small, we can do God's work with confidence. But to boldly go where he wants us to go, we must first be willing to let go of the sin that entangles our lives, distorts our vision, and robs us of spiritual vitality and stamina.
Prayer:

Holy Father, forgive me for my sin. Not just my blatant sins, but my willingness to dabble in things that are not holy, to flirt with things that are spiritually dangerous, and to expose myself to things that leave a residue of Satan's world. Give me strength to say no to the things that distract me from you and to embrace with passion those things that make me more like you. Through Jesus my Lord I pray. Amen.
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[Judy Harder]

July 28


Philippians 3:14
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Thoughts on today's verse

The way to walk a tightrope is to keep one's sight on the goal, not on the ground or what is behind. The way to walk with Jesus is to keep our eyes on the goal, his victory waiting for us when he returns, not on the ground (our failures) and not what is behind (our accomplishments). The goal of the Christian walk is to keep walking toward Jesus until we walk with him in heaven.
Prayer:

Lord, I look forward to the day when you call me by name and walk hand in hand with me. Until that day, help me fix my eyes on what you want me to be and not what I've done. By your grace I ask it. Amen.
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[Judy Harder]

July 29


Psalm 119:93
I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life.

Thoughts on today's verse

Much like the rules parents have for young children -- don't drink what's under the cabinet, don't play in the street, don't walk behind parked cars -- God's guidance is not intended to restrict us, but to protect us. His commands, both positive and negative, are for our protection and perfection. By them we find life and have it preserved.
Prayer:

Holy Lord, help me see your words as life. I know you have given your commands, your will for holiness, to bless me and protect me. Use your Spirit to make my heart less stubborn and my life more nearly conformed to your will. Through Jesus' power I ask it. Amen.
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