VERSE from HEARTLIGHT

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT
March 23, 2012

VERSE:
... for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and
are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came
by Christ Jesus.
-- Romans 3:23-24


THOUGHT:
No matter how hard we try, how good we are, and how much we
work, we can never measure up to the only standard that matters --
the glory of Almighty God. Thankfully, God doesn't require us to
pretend to be what we are not -- perfect, spotless, and holy.
Instead, God makes us to be these (cf. Colossians 1:21-23) by
grace, through the gift of his Son who purchased our pardon and
gave us his righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21). Praise God. Praise
our Savior, Christ Jesus. Now let's live with Jesus as our Lord;
not to earn or secure our salvation, but to thank him for what he
has so freely given us!


PRAYER:
Most precious and holy Father, all I can say to your marvelous
grace is thank you! Please know that while these words are woefully
inadequate, they are genuine. Dear Father, I look forward to
showing you through the rest of my life how much I appreciate all
that you have done for me. In Jesus' glorious name, I pray. Amen.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT
March 22, 2012

VERSE:
... the Holy Spirit descended on him [Jesus] in bodily form like
a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love;
with you I am well pleased."
-- Luke 3:22


THOUGHT:
God spoke these wonderful words to his Son when Jesus was
baptized. God feels the same about us when we follow our Savior's
example and are baptized, too! Jesus pours out his Spirit on us
(Titus 3:4-7) guaranteeing that we are God's children (cf.
Ephesians 1:13-14). No matter what Satan may do to make us doubt it
(cf. Luke 4:3), we can confidently know that we are God's beloved
children, with whom he is well pleased! Because of the Spirit, we
can call God our Abba Father (Galatians 4:6) knowing that the
Spirit intercedes for us making even our inexpressible thoughts
known to our Father (Romans 8:26-27).


PRAYER:
Abba Father, I thank you for making me your child and making me
an heir of your gracious inheritance. Please give me confidence to
withstand the lies of Satan who tries to make me doubt my
relationship with you. Thank you for your Spirit who helps even now
by interceding for me as I pray. In Jesus' name. Amen.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT
March 21, 2012

VERSE:
But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made
known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This
righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all
who believe.
-- Romans 3:21-22


THOUGHT:
The Old Testament looks forward to a new time, a time when law
is not the basis of righteousness. The Law and Prophets testify to
this time. This righteousness comes from God and is built on the
sacrificial work of Jesus who liberates us from law and brings us
God's grace. The real issue for us is trust -- many today confuse
believing with simply thinking something in one's head, while the
Bible sees belief as something that involves our heart and changes
our behavior. So what is the basis on which you are building your
life today? What is the measure of your righteousness? On what is
your security tied? Thank God we can trust our life, our future,
and our salvation to Jesus Christ and not to law-keeping.


PRAYER:
Precious Father, thank you so much for providing me with a
Savior in Jesus. Thank you for declaring me righteous through the
sacrifice of your Son. Please help me as I entrust my life and
salvation to Jesus so that his life and character can be
exemplified in the way that I live. In Jesus' holy name I pray.
Amen.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT
March 20, 2012

VERSE:
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask
or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to
him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all
generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
-- Ephesians 3:20-21


THOUGHT:
We have far greater power than we often realize. That incredible
power is at work within us (see Ephesians 1:18-19). This promise of
power, however, is tied to two opportunities God gives us daily.
First, it is based on actively asking for God to do great things
based upon a holy charged imagination. Second, it is based on our
living to bring God glory. So let's ask, imagine, and give God
glory; then let's praise him for doing far greater things than what
we ask or even imagine!


PRAYER:
Dear Father in heaven, forgive me for my pedestrian dreams, my
selfish prayers, and my short-sighted goals. Awaken my heart to
your will and open my eyes to your plans by the power of your Holy
Spirit. As you do this, dear Father, please do it to your glory and
praise. In Jesus' name I ask this. Amen.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT
March 19, 2012

VERSE:
Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped
out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he
may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you -- even Jesus.
-- Acts 3:19-20


THOUGHT:
When was the last time that you caught yourself straying from a
passionate walk with the Lord? Refreshing times come when we change
our hearts and lives to live for God and with God in our everyday
lives! In fact, Jesus has told us that he will reveal himself to us
as we live obediently for him (see John 14:15-21). His home will be
in us until he returns for us and we get to enjoy the ultimate
refreshment -- going home to be with him forever.


PRAYER:
Abba Father, I am consciously turning my life over to you today.
I ask for your forgiveness for any sin that I have committed.
Please refresh me through a deeper awareness of Jesus' lordship and
presence in my life today. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT
March 18, 2012

VERSE:
And we, who with unveiled faces all [contemplate and] reflect
the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with
ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the
Spirit.
-- 2 Corinthians 3:18


THOUGHT:
"Transformed ... with ever-increasing glory." In other words,
it's an ongoing process, but with the continual help of the Spirit,
we're going to arrive at our goal -- to be like Jesus! The point is
not to give up on our journey. Let's keep looking to Jesus and keep
trusting that the Holy Spirit is doing God's work in us, making us
more and more like Jesus each day.


PRAYER:
Father, please forgive me for the times when I've let my faith
grow complacent and I've lost my focus on Jesus. Please bless me as
I try to be more intentional in my plans, especially my spiritual
maturity. Please make me more like Jesus each day. In Jesus' name I
pray. Amen.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT
March 17, 2012

VERSE:
Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take
note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you.
-- Philippians 3:17


THOUGHT:
"I would rather see a sermon any day, than hear one." I'm not
distressed because people want to "see a sermon," but because so
many of us don't "practice what we preach." As leaders -- whether
as friends, parents, or in positions of authority -- our primary
tool of influence is our life of character (or lack of it). Do you
practice what you "preach"? All of us who seek to influence others
redemptively, MUST! Why? Because most folks need to both hear and
see the message before it becomes a part of them.


PRAYER:
Lord God Almighty, please forgive me, equip me, and make me fit
for your service. Please help me, dear Father, as I try to live a
life worth imitating and to lead others to Jesus. I know I can't do
either of those without your power and grace transforming my life.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT
March 16, 2012

VERSE:
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,
that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal
life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the
world, but to save the world through him.
-- John 3:16-17



THOUGHT:
Jesus came to save the world. Jesus came to save you. Jesus came
to save me. Why? Because of the Father's love!


PRAYER:
Holy and Righteous Father, thank you for your love. I know I
didn't earn it or deserve it, but thank you. Until the day I see
you face to face and express my appreciation and my praise, please
know my heartfelt gratitude and my deep and abiding joy because of
your plan, your Son, and your salvation. I thank you in Jesus'
name. Amen.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT
March 15, 2012

VERSE:
"And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between
your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will
strike his heel."
-- Genesis 3:15


THOUGHT:
This is God's curse upon the serpent who tempted Eve and Adam to
sin. Satan is the personality behind the serpent. Even in this
curse, even in the recognition of a struggle between the woman's
offspring and Satan, God embeds his promise for our better future.
In Jesus, that future comes! Satan appears to win the battle at the
Cross, but the passage of three days changes everything. Jesus'
triumph over death leaves him with only a "bruised heel," but
leaves Satan powerless to make death the final word. The Evil One's
best plans and greatest power lie crushed at the doorway of Jesus'
empty tomb!


PRAYER:
Thank you, dear Father, for taking the stinger out of death and
establishing an assured hope for my future. Not only do I believe
that Jesus rose from the dead, but I also believe you will also
raise me up and bless me with life forever in your presence. For
this enduring victory, I praise you in Jesus' name. Amen.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT
March 14, 2012
VERSE:
He appointed twelve -- designating them apostles -- that they
might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to
have authority to drive out demons.
-- Mark 3:14

THOUGHT:
While there are many intriguing and fascinating thoughts in this
short sentence, the one phrase that touches my heart is this one:
"... that they might be with him ...." This reminds me of that
great passage in Acts 4:13: "[T]hey recognized that they had been
with Jesus." Now I know that we can't "be with" Jesus in the same
way the twelve apostles were. But, we do have the four Gospels that
tell his story. When was the last time you sat down and read one
straight through? When was the last time you read a Gospel and
asked Jesus to make himself and his will known you? Why not spend
some time being with Jesus this week!

PRAYER:
Holy Father, thank you for the Scriptures. Thank you especially
for the Gospels that tell the story of your Son. Please forgive me
for not spending more time getting to know him better. As I
recommit myself to seek after your Son, please bless me with a
genuine sense of his presence and a clearer knowledge of his will.
In Jesus' holy name I pray. Amen.


TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT
March 13, 2012

VERSE:
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse
for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a
tree."
-- Galatians 3:13


THOUGHT:
Cursed! Not just in the sense that he was mocked and his
detractors cursed at him, but in the sense that he received the
curse of death because of our sin. He did what was hideous and
scandalous; he died on a Cross -- hung to a tree in front of a
jeering mob, executed like sub-human scum. But the beauty of his
shame and disgrace is that God made it our redemption. Jesus'
ridicule and curse bought us freedom from the curse of our own
sins. Praise God! Praise Jesus!


PRAYER:
Almighty Father, I can't even pretend to fathom your ways and
why you would require of yourself such a horrific sacrifice to
redeem me. Precious Savior, I can't imagine what it was like to
hang before a mob carrying the sin of the whole world. All I can do
is ask the Holy Spirit to make my thoughts and words convey the
gratitude of my heart as he intercedes for me now. Thank you!
Praise you! May my life truly honor you! In the mighty name of
Jesus, I praise. Amen.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT
March 12, 2012

VERSE:
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe
yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and
patience.
-- Colossians 3:12


THOUGHT:
What an incredible thought! We are dearly loved as God's chosen
and holy children. No wonder God calls us to a lifestyle of
compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience! Think of
how often our Father needs to use these qualities with us! How can
we not share with others what God so abundantly shares with us?


PRAYER:
Father in heaven, thank you for valuing me so highly. While I
know some of the ways I fall short of what you want me to be, and
many reasons why you might not want to choose me as your beloved
and holy child, I thank you that you love me so richly and value me
so highly! Please work powerfully in me through your Holy Spirit to
make me more like you, not for my glory, but for yours. In Jesus'
name I pray. Amen.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT
March 11, 2012

VERSE:
For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already
laid, which is Jesus Christ.
-- 1 Corinthians 3:11


THOUGHT:
There is only one foundation on which the Church and the
Christian life can be built. That foundation is Jesus Christ (cf. 1
Peter 2:4-7; Ephesians 2:20). He is the one whom God sent to save
us (John 3:16). He is the "way, the truth, and the life," the only
way to God (John 14:6). The Lord Jesus Christ is the name above all
names, the name at which every knee will bow (Philippians 2:5-11).
His is the only name by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12). Let's
take time today to specifically honor Jesus as Lord with our
hearts, our words, and our actions.


PRAYER:
Lord Jesus, your name is above every other name that has ever
been named. Your glory extends back beyond creation and will endure
after the light from every sun has been extinguished. Your
sacrificial love that saved me is awesome and beyond compare.
Please receive my heartfelt adoration and praise. To you belong all
glory, majesty, power, and grace for what you have done to save me
and what you will one day do to bring me home to you! Amen.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT
March 10, 2012

VERSE:
All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is
written: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything
written in the Book of the Law." Clearly no one is justified before
God by the law, because, "The righteous will live by faith."
-- Galatians 3:10-11


THOUGHT:
Thankfully, God provided us the Sacrifice that makes us
righteous and pays for our sins, because none of us keeps God's Law
perfectly. In his boundless grace, God sent Jesus to do what we
cannot do: live a perfect life and offer himself as the perfect
sacrifice for our sins. We don't have to live under law trying to
earn our perfection and God's acceptance. Instead, we live "by
faith," trusting that God will look at us through Christ's
perfection and not our imperfection, judge us based on Jesus'
holiness and not our transgressions, and view us through the Son's
righteousness and not our unrighteousness. In this way, we fulfill
the righteousness requirements of the Law, without having to be
bound to the "curse of the law."

PRAYER:
Almighty and Most Holy God, thank you for your plan of grace
that has brought me back from sin and death, and given me a way to
live victoriously for you. Thank you, dear Father, for Jesus and
his awesome and holy life, and his generous and loving sacrifice
for my sins. May the words I say, and the way I live, show that
your grace has captured my heart and that true faith in Jesus has
changed my life. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT
March 9, 2012

VERSE:
What shall we conclude then? Are we any better? Not at all! We
have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all
under sin. As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even
one ..."
-- Romans 3:9-10


THOUGHT:
Paul is driving home the point in Romans 3 that none of us can
even approximate the perfection and holiness of God. So how do we
get there? How do we escape the stranglehold of sin? God's answer
is Jesus! I believe that must be our answer, too!


PRAYER:
Holy and Righteous God, I acknowledge before you the sinfulness
in my life. Please bless and empower me to live as your victorious
child. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT -
March 8, 2012

VERSE:
From the LORD comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your
people.
-- Psalm 3:8


THOUGHT:
God is The Great Deliverer! That's his chosen expertise. Whether
it was delivering the Israelites through the Red Sea from Pharaoh's
army ages ago, or it is rescuing a sinner from sin and death
through Christ today, our God is The Great Deliverer! So let's use
today to repeatedly pray for people who need God's deliverance from
sin, death, disease, family conflict, addiction, financial
concerns, legal matters, mental illness, abuse, and temptation.


PRAYER:
Holy and Righteous Father, please deliver the friends who are on
my heart, and whose names I place before you now. Please release
them from their bondage and deliver them into a time of blessing,
comfort, and assurance of your abiding presence. In Jesus' name I
pray. Amen.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT

March 7, 2012

VERSE:
But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake
of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to
the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, ....
-- Philippians 3:7-8


THOUGHT:
Paul had accomplished great things in his spiritual life before
he became a Christian. His devotion to God and to the Word of God
was legendary. But he counted his past accomplishments as garbage,
compared to knowing Christ and the grace he had received. What he
found in Jesus was salvation, not just salvation from sin and
death, but salvation to a life of grace and power.


PRAYER:
Almighty and Faithful Father, thank you for your grace that
rescued me from legalism, pride, arrogance, sin, and despair. Thank
you for the perfection you have given me in Jesus. Please use me to
help others come to know your grace more fully. In Jesus' name I
pray. Amen.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT
March 6, 2012

VERSE:
When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food
and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she
took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was
with her, and he ate it.
-- Genesis 3:6


THOUGHT:
Ouch! We've known the way of sin for thousands of years. Yet we
sometimes still follow the same path. We're lured by something
pleasing to our eyes. We pause for closer inspection of it,
allowing ourselves to be caught up in its desirability. We dabble
in it and play with it. We then participate in the sin. Finally, we
involve others in sin. You'd think we would have learned the
pattern and would have stopped by now. So with the help of the Holy
Spirit, why don't we start trying to do just that?


PRAYER:
Father, please forgive me for my rebellious and sinful heart. I
want to live wholly for you. I don't want to be captured by the
allure of sin or tempted by worldly passions, but I do want to
passionately live a godly life for your glory. In Jesus' mighty
name I pray. Amen.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT
March 5, 2012

VERSE:
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own
understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make
your paths straight.
-- Proverbs 3:5-6


THOUGHT:
What do you use for your life's compass? No matter how
insightful, wise, experienced, or knowledgeable we may be, only God
can guide our steps properly. God asks us to trust him and his
wisdom even when we can't immediately see the rationale behind it.
He wants us to recognize his presence, guidance, and grace in all
we do. As we trust and as we acknowledge his presence, we suddenly
realize that our paths are a lot straighter and our destinations
are a lot a closer.


PRAYER:
Abba Father, please give me courage to not lean on my own
understanding. I know my thinking can be flawed and what I intend
for good can blow up in my face. Please bless me with wisdom and
insight as I seek to live for you in today's confusing and immoral
world. In Jesus' name. Amen.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT

March 4, 2012

VERSE:
When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will
appear with him in glory.
-- Colossians 3:4


THOUGHT:
Today, my world is beautiful -- great weather, wonderful church,
loving spouse, great kids, and blessed with all I truly need. But
this will change. Life is bound up with mortality. Love is
connected with imperfect people. Separation by geographical
distance, disagreement, and death are bound to happen to a certain
extent. The incredible blessing I have in Christ, however, is that
my true and lasting life is hidden with Christ in God. So while
things may be good in my life now, they're always vulnerable to
being touched by mortality. When Christ comes, they will be
gloriously perfect and unstained by evil, death, or decay. Now
that's good news!


PRAYER:
Holy and Righteous God, thank you so much for your overwhelming
and generous grace that saved me from sin. Thank you for Jesus,
whose resurrection from the dead insures my resurrection to life
with you, and the resurrection reunion that I will have with all
those who belong to you. Until that day when I get to praise you
face to face, please receive my thanks and praise in Jesus' name.
Amen.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT
March 3, 2012

VERSE:
You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and
quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like
mere men?
-- 1 Corinthians 3:3


THOUGHT:
The Corinthians boasted in their wisdom, giftedness, and
tolerance. But, no matter how gifted a church, no matter how full
of earthly wisdom, no matter how tolerant, if the people of that
church are caught up in petty arguments, cliquishness and ugly
quarrels, they are immature. Rather than being a place where Christ
is known and shown, it is just another gathering of human foibles.


PRAYER:
Holy and Righteous Father, please convict me of my sins,
especially the ones I ignore or do not see. Help me see my
weaknesses. Bless me as I seek to overcome my sinfulness and
weakness with the help of your Spirit. In addition, dear Father,
humble me gently and call me to repentance when I am jealous,
quarrelsome, cliquish, or petty. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT
March 2, 2012

VERSE:
In those days John the Baptist came ... saying, "Repent, for the
kingdom of heaven is near."
-- Matthew 3:1-2


THOUGHT:
These words sound strange in a world that is afraid to tell the
truth about sin, wickedness, and evil. Yet every lost person
desperately needs to repent -- to change his or her heart and life,
seek after God, and live for Jesus as Lord. Yes, salvation is given
to us by God's incredible grace. On the other hand, grace that
leaves us unchanged is not true grace. Grace not only forgives us
through Jesus' sacrificial death on the Cross, but it also
liberates us from the empty and destructive life without God and
his guidance.


PRAYER:
Forgive me, dear Heavenly Father, for my sin. I want to turn my
heart to you and live my life according to your will and for your
glory. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT
March 1, 2012

VERSE:
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we
should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The
reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
-- 1 John 3:1


THOUGHT:
Some gifts are too precious for words and too wonderful to fully
appreciate. The greatest of these gifts is that we are God's
children! We have been adopted into the Father's family! Jesus
claims us as his younger siblings! Even though the world may not
acknowledge this, that condition doesn't make it any less true.
After all, the world didn't recognize its Creator when he became
flesh and lived among the people he had made. God's Word, however,
still proclaims the truth; we ARE the children of God!


PRAYER:
Thank you, dear Heavenly Father, for the incredible blessing of
being your child. I know that I haven't begun to understand all the
glorious things this gift means. However, dear Father, I look
forward to what I can learn now about what it means, and I joyously
anticipate the day when I can see you face to face and fully know
the meaning of this joy. In Jesus' name. Amen.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT

February 29, 2012

VERSE:
"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your
servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation ..."
-- Luke 2:29-30


THOUGHT:
Old Simeon uttered these words when he saw the Christ child.
This is our goal as well. While we cannot physically see Jesus who
is our salvation and hold him in our arms as Simeon did, we can see
him through Scripture, worship, ministry, evangelism, and the work
of the Holy Spirit. Let's make it our aim to honor God as the only
true God and to following Jesus as our Lord.


PRAYER:
Righteous Father, please help me to know Jesus better, to be
formed more perfectly into his image, and to live with his
character. Please, dear God, I want to be like Christ in my
character and conduct. I want to be a genuine disciple and become
more and more like my great Teacher everyday. It is in his name,
Jesus Christ, that I pray. Amen.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT
February 28, 2012

VERSE:
Where then are the gods you made for yourselves? Let them come
if they can save you when you are in trouble! For you have as many
gods as you have towns, O Judah.
-- Jeremiah 2:28


THOUGHT:
Let's focus on one simple concept today. Based on the allocation
of our time, interest, lifestyle, expenditures of money, and
speech, who or what is our god? Is it the Lord God?


PRAYER:
I am convicted, dear Heavenly Father, of how many false gods
crowd into my world and seek my attention. Please bless me and
empower me with an undivided heart. I want my heart to be free from
anything false that might distort or diminish my loyalty to you. In
Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT
February 27, 2012

VERSE:
Daniel replied, "No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can
explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, but there is a
God in heaven who reveals mysteries."
-- Daniel 2:27-28


THOUGHT:
What is the bedrock of your faith in uncertain times? Who knows
where all the upheaval, tumult, and uncertainty are truly heading?
In whom can you find the solution to your most perplexing problems?
For Daniel and his friends, there was one solid and true answer:
the Lord God of Israel. It wasn't in the so-called wise teachers of
the day. It wasn't in the religions of the East. It wasn't in the
super-spiritualists . It was in God alone.


PRAYER:
Dear Father, you are the One True and Living God! There is no
one or no thing that can compare to you in splendor, righteousness,
and majesty. To you, Father, belongs all praise, honor, and glory.
I trust you to lead my life and guide me into the understanding I
need to do your will. In the name of the Lord Jesus I pray. Amen.