Heartlight/Leaves of Light

[Judy Harder]

March 1

Psalm 73:25-26
Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Thoughts on today's verse

What can truly fulfill and sustain us? Maybe the best way to answer that question is by asking another: What can we keep when our bodies are placed silently in their graves at death? Only our relationship with God and his people last beyond the grave. If he is what lasts, then how can we displace him for anything that doesn't?

Prayer:

Mighty Yahweh, Strength of Israel, Keeper of the Covenant and Fulfillment Maker of every prophecy--you are my hope, my strength, and my future. I live this day in wide-open amazement that the Keeper of the Universe knows my name, hears my voice, and cares for me. Thank you for being my past, my present, and my future, the Great I Am. Through my Savior, I pray. Amen.

[Judy Harder]

March 2

Job 23:10-11
He knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside.

Thoughts on today's verse

How we long for this to be our true confession. We are not yet gold, but long to be. We are not yet fully following his steps, but are trying. We have tried not to turn aside, but we sometimes falter. Thank God for his grace until our intentions and desires are fulfilled!

Prayer:

Magnificent Creator and Sustainer of the Universe, I confess my sin and my inablitiy to follow your paths. Forgive me. I commit my life to serve you in holiness and joy. Thank you for your grace, which covers my sin, and perfect in me the character of Jesus. Through him I pray. Amen.

[Judy Harder]

March 3

Isaiah 55:8-9
"My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Thoughts on today's verse

No matter how we try to perceive God, he is still God and we are not. We must forever remember that the original, and still primary sin was to try to become like God in terms of knowledge and understanding. We are to know God, but we can never fully know about him. We are to take on his character, but we cannot approach his majesty. This is both exciting and frustrating. But the promise remains that one day we will be like him and see him as he is.

Prayer:

Tender Shepherd, thank you for being so patient with me when I cannot fully understand and appreciate your holy and transcendent character. Thank you for sending Jesus so I can know you better and trust you to know me better than I know myself. I look forward to seeing you face to face when Jesus comes to bring me home. Until that day, please know I love you. Through Jesus I offer my thanks and praise. Amen.

[Judy Harder]

March 4

Joshua 1:9
Have not I commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

Thoughts on today's verse

Never alone. What a promise. As Psalm 139 emphasizes later, Joshua hears first hand. God will go with him, and us, through all the seasons of life, through all our ups and downs, through temptations and triumphs, even through death. So we can take courage and feel his strength. We are not alone!

Prayer:

O God who is and was and is to come, thank you for being there and staying there when all others forsake and leave. You are the one constant in my life, which is so full of change. Help me become more steadfast and faithful in my commitments and relationships to honor you and to learn more about you. Through Jesus I pray. Amen

[Judy Harder]

March 5

Deuternomy 6:7
These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

Thoughts on today's verse

Each day we are to begin with God. Each breath we take is a powerful reminder that he has granted us another day of life to serve him. Each heartbeat is God's drumbeat of love, reminding us that we are blessed with another minute to offer him our best. This blessing is so easily forgotten. We best remember when we teach it, show it, and live it with and before our children.

Prayer:

Almighty God, Gracious Sustainer, and Undeserved Friend, thank you! Thank you for this breath I take and for the heartbeat that sustains my life. Make me aware as I travel, talk, rest, and work that you are there and are worthy of my intentional best. Through Jesus, my gracious sacrifice I pray. Amen.

[Judy Harder]

Isaiah 25:1
O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago.

Thoughts on today's verse

God's actions are not reactions to current situations, but part of his long-term plan to bring redemption. Yes, he has done marvelous things: he took the evil intent of a mob who cried "Crucify him" and turned it into an opportunity to fulfill the prophesies and redeem us. He is perfect in faithfulness and has done marvelous things.

Prayer:

Holy God, you surprise me with new wonders and new things daily. Yet deep in my heart I know they are not new to you. Thank you for not making life boring or predictable so I might thirst after you, you who are forever fresh, new, exciting, and marvelous. Through my Savior I pray. Amen.

[Judy Harder]

March 7

Psalm 139:23-24
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Thoughts on today's verse

God knows us. We can't pretend we are something we are not with him. This should liberate us to a remarkable degree of intimacy, but most of us run from such a close relationship with God. If our desire, however, is to become more like him, the only way to be transformed is by inviting him and looking at our heart, our motivations, and our desires.

Prayer:

O God, I know you are the one who "searches hearts and minds" yet because of the grace you demonstrated in Jesus, I am confident that you love me. My heart is sorry for the sin I have committed, but I am really trying to serve you in honor and purity. Please fill me with your Spirit to enable me to become more like Christ. In the name of your holy Son I pray. Amen.

[Judy Harder]

March 8

2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all of our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

Thoughts on today's verse

We are comforted to comfort others. God doesn't bless us because we are somehow uniquely better than everyone else, but specifically to equip, empower, and encourage us to comfort others. God has human hands only when I use mine to his glory and for his purposes!

Prayer:

Tender Shepherd, there have been times when I was so broken I could not go on. I know the strength to continue came from your rich grace and mercy. Please use me this week to offer your comfort and love to others so they may feel your warm embrace and come to yearn more for the day we see you face to face in heaven. Through my brother Jesus, I pray. Amen.'

[Judy Harder]

March 9

2 Timothy 1:9
God has saved us and called us to a holy life -- not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time.

Thoughts on today's verse

Before the beginning of time! How do you understand when that was? God first thought of us at a time we cannot even begin to understand! His reason for thinking of us was to demonstrate his grace and call others to his side. Jesus has always been God's plan, and we have always been his goal. Let's make sure we respond by living that holy life!

Prayer:

Thank you so much, Father, for knowing me and thinking of my needs, even before there was a world. I dedicate this day to your honor and pledge to live a life that reflects your righteousness and grace. Through Jesus, the one who had no sin, I pray. Amen.

[Judy Harder]

March 10

1 Peter 3:15
In your hearts, set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.

Thoughts on today's verse

We are to be ready and able to tell folks about the hope that Jesus has brought to our lives! But when we share this hope, two things are important: our credibility -- is Jesus really Lord of our hearts -- and our character -- do we show gentleness and respect in our approach. The goal is not to win arguments, but hearts to the God of character!

Prayer:

Holy and Loving Father, thank you for speaking your grace in Jesus. I'm not sure I would have heard any other message. Give me the conviction I need to share my hope in Jesus, but in a way that reflects your grace. Through my Living Hope I pray. Amen.