VERSE from HEARTLIGHT

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT

January 7, 2012

VERSE:
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.
-- 1 John 1:7


THOUGHT:
As we draw near to the Lord and live for him, two amazing
blessings come our way. First, we find that our sins are forgiven
and we're cleansed of those sins thanks to the loving sacrifice of
Jesus. Second, we find that we are not alone in this wonderful
cleansing. True fellowship among believers is built when folks
seeking the Lord find each other in his presence. This fellowship
isn't forced or contrived, just heavenly.


PRAYER:
Almighty and holy God, I want to honor Jesus' sacrificial death
by living a life that is pure, honorable, and holy. Thank you for
providing my cleansing through Jesus' blood and leading me to
others who live for you. Please intensify my hunger to know you,
your Son, and other believers more. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT

January 6, 2012

VERSE:
You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe
suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy
Spirit.
-- 1 Thessalonians 1:6


THOUGHT:
We find it so easy to let our circumstances determine our moods.
Paul reminds this group of new Christians under attack that their
new life in Christ had brought them joy despite the outwardly harsh
circumstances they were facing. Their joy was not the fleeting,
circumstance- determined veneer. Instead, they had welcomed the
powerful message of salvation with joy! This joy was not dependent
upon their circumstances. It was rooted in their Savior's example,
in his abiding presence through the Holy Spirit, and the salvation
available through Jesus.


PRAYER:
Dear heavenly Father, please make my joy immune to outward
circumstances and please empower that joy by your Holy Spirit.
Please bless me as I seek to conform my life and attitude to the
example of my Savior. Please help me become a better example of
spiritual joy to those around me. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT
January 5, 2012

VERSE:
Make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to
goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to
self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to
godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.
-- 2 Peter 1:5-7


THOUGHT:
Sometimes we get so frightened by the thought of "works-won"
salvation that we forget that love and grace ultimately call us to
action, and not just reflection. Action means effort. That's
exactly what Peter is calling us to make -- "every effort." Peter
explains why this effort is important in the next few verses. "If
we possess these qualities in increasing measure," they help us be
productive in our knowledge of Jesus! Let's be productive! As we
make "every effort," we can be assured that the Holy Spirit is the
power at work producing the fruit that makes effectiveness
possible! (cf. Galatians 5:22-25)


PRAYER:
Mold me and make me, Father, more perfectly conformed to your
will and more perfectly consistent with your character. I do not
pray this for my glory, but so that you can more effectively use me
to share your blessings and grace with those around me. In Jesus'
name I pray. Amen.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT
January 4, 2012

VERSE:
In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because
of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now...
-- Philippians 1:4-5


THOUGHT:
As we begin this new year, let's remember those with whom we are
partnered in mission and outreach. If we are evangelists or
missionaries by calling, then let's make a commitment to pray a
prayer of praise and thanksgiving for our supporting partners. If
we are members of a supporting congregation, then let's give thanks
for being able to support those who share the Gospel in foreign
lands and those who work among different cultures and in different
locations in our own country. To share in God's work with God's
people is truly a great blessing and privilege!


PRAYER:
Father of all peoples, give your Church a greater sense of
partnership in reaching those who do not know your saving grace.
Bless those everywhere who share the truth of Jesus with love,
courage, and faithfulness. In the name of the only true Savior,
Jesus, I pray. Amen.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT
January 3, 2012

VERSE:
The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact
representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful
word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at
the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
-- Hebrews 1:3


THOUGHT:
We talk about Mother Nature, but did you know that Scripture
identifies Jesus as the power behind the order of our universe? He
sustains our world by his powerful word. Not only did he save us by
the sacrifice of his life, but he also sustains us by his word. He
sustains us spiritually by his word of teaching and sustains our
world by his word of power and grace.


PRAYER:
Please be with me, Almighty God, as I commit to live for you
based on Jesus' word. Help me as I seek to understand it and apply
it. More than that, dear Father, please help me to come to know you
through his words. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.


TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT

January 2, 2012

VERSE:
He [the Word, Jesus] was with God in the beginning. Through him
all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been
made.
-- John 1:2-3


THOUGHT:
Jesus was there. He was with God in the beginning. But he was
more than just a witness of Creation; he created it! Jesus, who
allowed himself to be limited to human flesh and to die a cruel and
agonizing death on the Cross, was there at the beginning as the
Word speaking our world into existence. He made it. It is his. Yet
he came and died to redeem it. More specifically, he came to redeem
you and me. So when the Word speaks to us telling us how to live to
please God, don't you think we'd better pay attention? Better yet,
don't you think we ought to do it?


PRAYER:
Holy Father, your plan to save me overwhelms and humbles me.
That you would send Jesus, the Word who created the world that I
know, is more wonderful than I can fully grasp. That he would allow
himself to be limited to the world he had made boggles my
imagination. That he would die for me so that I can live with you
captures my heart! Please help me as I seek to live my life based
on his teachings and your will. In the name of Jesus, the Living
Word, I pray. Amen.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT
January 1, 2012

VERSE:
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
-- Genesis 1:1


THOUGHT:
We are creatures of the earth. Yes, we are much more than that,
but occasionally we need to be reminded of that! We can't truly
understand existence before time, yet before the beginning of time
as we know it, God existed -- he has revealed himself as "I Am,"
the one who was and who is and who is to come. Before there was an
ordered universe to provide the basis of our existence, God is "I
Am." He had existence before, beyond, and without our created
universe. We can't even truly comprehend this in its entirety.
That's why every new beginning -- whether it is a day, a week, a
year, or a millennium -- should begin with God. He alone is the
ultimate Genesis, our beginning.


PRAYER:
Almighty Creator and God of all of the universe, I praise you
for your incomparable power and your incomprehensible glory. As I
begin this new year, I know that my future rests in your will, your
grace, and your salvation. Please go with me as I journey toward
this future. Please be glorified in the way I live my life today,
this year, and for as long as you give me earthly life. In Jesus'
name I pray. Amen.



TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT
December 31, 2011

VERSE:
"I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not give my glory to
another. ... See, the former things have taken place, and new
things I declare; before they spring into being, I tell you of
them."
-- Isaiah 42:8-9


THOUGHT:
No matter what happens over the next few days, months, or
years, God is already there! He is not bound by space and time. He
creates reality by his powerful word. While some may tremble with
fear because of the unknown, Christians can take comfort in knowing
that wherever we find ourselves, our Father is already there. He is
already working on our deliverance and salvation. Even now he is
declaring new things for us -- things about our future that we
cannot see. So as we journey into our unknown future, let's make
sure we journey with the one to whom the future is not unknown.

PRAYER:
Thank you Father! You know where my life and my world are
headed. With so much tumult about the changing of the year and the
passing of time, I consciously and confidently trust that my future
is in your hands. There is no other place I would rather it be!
Please bless me with confidence and banish anxiety from my heart as
your future unfolds before me. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT
VERSE:
For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find
disorder and every evil practice.
-- James 3:16


THOUGHT:
So, what are your goals and plans for the New Year? Do you have
great dreams and laudable goals? I hope so. But, please join me as
I seriously look at why I set the goals I do and make the plans I
make. In the afterglow of Christmas, that great season of giving,
let's make sure our plans for the future are not selfish or based
on envy, lust, or greed. Instead, let's set our hearts to reach
great heights for God's glory and to do great things to be a
blessing to others. Otherwise, all our attempts to reach great
things ultimately will end in chaos, heartbreak, and destruction.


PRAYER:
Eternal God, please be with me as I seek to set goals for the
coming year. I want to do great things for your glory. Please use
me to accomplish your will in the world in which I live and in the
group of people to whom you have sent me. In Jesus' name I pray.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT
December 28, 2011

VERSE:
Now to him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the
proclamation of Jesus Christ ... to the only wise God be glory
forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.
-- Romans 16:25-27


THOUGHT:
God doesn't just bless us. He establishes us! He makes us
strong! He matures us into solid and true disciples. He does this
in many ways. One of the most important, however, is through the
words the Holy Spirit inspired and shared with us through Jesus'
early disciples. As this year moves towards its close and another
stands at the door, let's make a renewed commitment to spend time
each day in the Bible. Let's not let this powerful tool and great
resource for living be relegated to being a coffee-table book or a
good luck charm to take with us to church.


PRAYER:
I thank you, O God, for your Spirit that breathed out your
message through human agents. I thank you for those human partners
who shared the Spirit's message with us in Scripture. I thank you
for the many fine translations of the Bible that are available to
us today. I thank you for the freedom to have a copy of the Bible
in my home. Please help me not squander the incredible blessing of
your written word. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT
December 27, 2011

VERSE:
Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will
also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the
harvest of your righteousness.
-- 2 Corinthians 9:10


THOUGHT:
God has blessed us so much in Jesus. Yet God longs to bless us
even more. Why? God longs to bless us because ... he is a generous
God ... because he is our loving Father ... because that is his
nature ... because he wants us to be like him! God blesses us to be
a blessing to others!


PRAYER:
You have so richly blessed me, LORD, so please help me see the
opportunities you build into each day for me to bless others. Make
me a conduit of your blessings. I pray this in the name of Jesus
Christ my Lord. Amen.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT
December 26, 2011

VERSE:
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the
world, but to save the world through him.
-- John 3:17


THOUGHT:
God is not about condemnation. I know that Satan got the rumor
started a long time ago, but don't believe it. God is not some
fiendish teacher looking to flunk and embarrass his students. He is
not some cantankerous judge looking to shame, humiliate, and punish
all who interlope into his court, innocent or not. He is not some
gossip spreading rumors about our shortcomings across the
neighborhoods of heaven. No, this God wants to bless us with his
salvation. He wants to dispense mercy and grace. He wants us to be
his children. Yet he is also holy, righteous, awesome, and just. So
when these two realities of God collide, there is only one
solution: Jesus! God sent Jesus to save people of all nations and
races and cultures from sin and death -- yes, even us!


PRAYER:
I praise you, O God, for your desire to save me. I thank you for
demanding holiness from me to save me from the havoc sin causes in
my life. I thank you for calling me to righteousness, so that my
life will be a blessing to others and not a burden. I thank you for
challenging me to have your character, so that others can see your
glory in my good deeds. So please use me, Father. I know I am
flawed, but I want to be one of your tools letting the lost know
about your mercy and grace in Jesus. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.



TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT
December 25, 2011

VERSE:
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have
seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the
Father, full of grace and truth.
-- John 1:14


THOUGHT:
God's message wasn't content to stay confined to a book, a
prophecy, or a scroll. Praise God! This Message, this Word, took on
flesh and blood and bones! Praise God Almighty! This Message, this
Word, didn't remain far off, distantly holy and unapproachable.
Praise the LORD, God of Israel! He came to us in human flesh,
bringing us love, hope, redemption, mercy, salvation, joy...


PRAYER:
Almighty God, I praise and exalt your name above all names. Your
love is greater than the volume of all of our oceans. Your mercy
stretches farther than the great expanses of our known space. Your
grace is beyond calculation. Your salvation is marvelous beyond
compare. Thank you for blessing me with all of these in Jesus, who
came and lived in my world so I can make my home in yours. In the
name of Christ the Lord, I praise you. Amen.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT
December 24, 2011

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.
-- John 3:16


THOUGHT:
God wants us to have life! Real life. Life that lasts forever
with him! That's why he sent Jesus, so we could have life. That is
why Jesus left him and came to earth. That is why Jesus endured the
Cross and its humiliation. That's why Jesus rose from the dead. God
loves us with an everlasting love in Jesus! What other Christmas
gift can compare? "O come, let us adore him!"


PRAYER:
Of all your gifts, loving Father, none can compare to Jesus. You
are worthy of praise simply because of who you are. You are worthy
of honor because of all that you have done. You are worthy of
praise because of your mighty acts. Most of all, you are worthy of
my heart, soul, mind, and strength because of your love
demonstrated in Jesus. Thank you for the greatest gift of all! In
Jesus' name I praise you. Amen.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT
December 23, 2011

VERSE:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and
the Word was God.
-- John 1:1


THOUGHT:
God's Message of salvation was with him at creation. In fact, by
nature, the one who was the Message was God himself. John wants us
to know that Jesus, God's Word and ultimate Message, was with God
from the very beginning. The one who turns water to wine, feeds the
5000, and raises Lazarus didn't make his human appearance on earth
until he was born in Bethlehem, but he has always been there. He is
God with us, as Matthew puts it (Matthew 1:23). He is God come to
visit us as Luke tells us (Luke 7:16). He is the Son of God as Mark
reminds (Mark 1:1). He is God's ultimate and final Word (Hebrews
1:1-2)!


PRAYER:
Father, help me better know your Message, both in print and in
life. Please teach me more about Jesus and his heart for people and
his love for you. May he be my Lord in word, deed, and motivation.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT
December 22, 2011

VERSE:
Command them [the rich] to do good, to be rich in good deeds,
and to be generous and willing to share.
-- 1Timothy 6:18


THOUGHT:
Generosity is such a wonderful thing -- not just to those on the
receiving end, but also to those who are on the giving end. Those
of us who can read this devotional on a computer via e-mail are
rich by the world's standards, so this passage on being generous
with our blessings is especially applicable. Let this giving-time
of the year be God's opportunity to reawaken in us the need to be
generous with our time, energy, and monetary blessings year round.


PRAYER:
O loving God, you have been so generous with me and blessed me
with so many incredible blessings. Thank you! Stir in my heart an
awareness of the joy of giving. Make my heart more like your own,
generous and gracious. Break down the anxiety and miserliness that
sometimes cloud my vision and keep me from sharing my time, money,
energy, and love as I should. Thank you for showing me how to be
generous in Jesus. I pray this in the name of Jesus, my Savior and
Lord. Amen.


TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT
December 21, 2011

VERSE:
And again, Isaiah says, "The Root of Jesse will spring up, one
who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in
him."
-- Romans 15:12


THOUGHT:
When Jesus came, he did come to the nation of Israel, according
to the promises made to God's people. He was a proper descendant of
King David, the son of Jesse. His birth was prophesied by Jewish
prophets and recorded in the Bible of the Israelite people. But no
matter how Jewish his origins, Jesus came for all people in
fulfillment of Old Testament promises that God would save all
nations through Israel and the Jewish Messiah. While David brought
Israel great power and notoriety as an awesome warrior and King,
Jesus brought the reign of grace to the hearts of millions of Jews
and non-Jews by conquering death and bringing true life.

PRAYER:
Father, as this year draws to a close and ethnic and religious
emotions are stirred around the world, please bless us with peace.
Give us a deep sense of your love and presence. Shepherd us in your
grace. At the same time, rekindle in our hearts your desire to
bring all people together in peace through salvation in Jesus.
Please bless your children throughout the world who are lovingly
sharing your gospel to a culture other than their own. Bless them
as they are apart from their families. Most of all, bless them with
the joy of their desire -- using them to lead someone to salvation
during this holiday season. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT
December 20, 2011

VERSE:
[As the prophet has written:] "But you, Bethlehem, in the land
of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out
of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people
Israel."
-- Matthew 2:6


THOUGHT:
The birth of Jesus at Bethlehem is no accident. The Almighty God
had foretold this many years earlier through his prophets. Even
Herod's religious lackeys could determine that the Messiah was to
be born in the quaint old city of David. The human birth of the
promised Messiah would occur in the city of Israel's great King,
poet, and shepherd. This was God's plan. It is also a reminder that
God keeps his word and fulfills his promises.


PRAYER:
Loving God, I find it hard to complete my plans and fulfill my
promises. This makes the unfolding of your plans, foretold
throughout the winding story of the Old Testament, so amazing to
me. Please use your Spirit to remind me during the darker moments
of my soul that you do fulfill your promises and will bring your
deliverance right on time. Please give me patience to wait
faithfully, and to live courageously, for your salvation to be
fully revealed. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT
December 19, 2011

VERSE:
God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem
those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.
-- Galatians 4:4-5


THOUGHT:
God sent his Son. No one else would do. He had sent prophets,
priests, and preachers. Religion remained earthbound, legalistic,
and doomed. So God sent what is most precious to him, his Son. Why?
So measly human beings such as you and I could be adopted into his
family and have the same rights as the Savior, God's Son and our
brother in the faith!


PRAYER:
Thank you, Holy God, for bringing me back into your family
through your Son. Thank you for not treating me as my sins deserve.
Thank you for not leaving me under Law, but redeeming me through
your grace into a dynamic love relationship as your child. Thank
you for your plan of redemption that wound its way through Old
Testament history until the time came to fulfill all your promises.
Thank you for sending your Son. In the name of the Lord Jesus
Christ I thank you. Amen.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT
December 18, 2011

VERSE:
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus
Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present
evil age...
-- Galatians 1:3-4



THOUGHT:
Jesus comes to our rescue! Why? Because he knows the times in
which we live aren't easy. He knows that the world in which we live
is caught up in wickedness. That, however, is not the only reality.
He gives us great victory through his Cross. No wonder we can greet
each other with grace and peace. He purchased them for us.


PRAYER:
Father, please help me distinguish between good and evil as I
confront them daily in my life. Make evil repulsive to me despite
the many ways that Satan tries to make it look seductive. Thank
you, Jesus, for coming to my rescue when I was a sinner, unable to
save myself. Thank you for sharing your grace and giving me peace.
Through the blessed Holy Spirit I offer my thanks and praise in
Jesus' name. Amen.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT
December 17, 2011

VERSE:
You know my folly, O God; my guilt is not hidden from you. May
those who hope in you not be disgraced because of me, O Lord, the
LORD Almighty; may those who seek you not be put to shame because
of me, O God of Israel.
-- Psalm 69:5-6


THOUGHT:
While we're all weak and sinful, and while we do have Jesus to
atone for our sins and to intercede before the Father on our
behalf, there are still a couple of big problems with our sin. This
verse reminds us of one of them: we don't want our sin to be an
embarrassment to God or his people. Let's avoid sin because that is
what God wants us to do. Let's avoid sin so it won't reflect badly
on God's people. But let's also pray for ourselves and our brothers
and sisters in Christ that God will not allow our failures to bring
shame on his Church, his Christ, and his cause.


PRAYER:
Forgive me, loving Shepherd, for my sins. I am sorry for
rebelling against your grace. I am fully confident that you have
forgiven and cleansed me of my sins through Jesus' sacrifice. But
please, dear God, use your divine power to prevent them from
bringing shame or embarrassment on you and your people. In Jesus'
mighty name I pray. Amen.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT

December 16, 2011

VERSE:
Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to
help those who are being tempted.
-- Hebrews 2:18


THOUGHT:
Jesus was tempted like we are! He suffered like we do! God in
his grace made sure that we have someone in heaven who knows what
it is like to face suffering and mortality. This knowledge is not
only omniscient wisdom. Jesus also guarantees that heaven's
knowledge includes human experience. Aren't you thankful that Jesus
knew suffering and mortality and that he now lives to redeem, to
bless, and to ultimately help us mortals?


PRAYER:
Loving and Almighty God, I know you know me and what is best for
me. But Father, I'm even more confident in your care and
understanding because Jesus shared in our wrestling match with
suffering and mortality. Thank you, Jesus, for pleading my cause at
the Father's right hand. I ask for the Father's continued grace in
your name, Lord Jesus. Amen.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT
December 15, 2011

VERSE:
He had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that
he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to
God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.
-- Hebrews 2:17


THOUGHT:
There are not many things the Bible says Jesus "had" to do. This
is a key one. Jesus had to be one of us. Notice that he did this so
he could be like us, his brothers (and sisters) in every way. The
reason? So he could be the perfect and faithful high priest who not
only made atonement for our sins, but was also the atoning
sacrifice for those sins. Incredible!


PRAYER:
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for the incredible sacrifice you made so
I could be adopted into our Father's family and become your younger
sibling in our eternal family. Thank you for this grace that was
motivated out of your love and carried out by your loving
faithfulness. Through your name, Lord Jesus, I offer my praise and
thanks to our Father. Amen.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT
December 14, 2011

VERSE:
I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with
thanksgiving. This will please the LORD more than an ox, more than
a bull with its horns and hoofs. The poor will see and be glad --
you who seek God, may your hearts live!
-- Psalm 69:30-32


THOUGHT:
Our praise should not only please God, it should also produce
joy and gladness in the streets among the poor! Why? Because praise
invites us to not only applaud God for what he does, but to also
join him in partnership as he does it. God's generosity, which
evokes our praise, should stir our generosity, which in turn
blesses others and leads them to praise God!


PRAYER:
Holy God, Almighty and majestic King, you are worthy of all
honor and praise. You have done wonderful and mighty things. You
have poured out your blessings upon me. You have kept your promises
and provided me with the way of salvation. Please empower and
strengthen me as I commit myself to bless, serve, and encourage
others for your glory. In Jesus' name. Amen.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT
December 13, 2011

VERSE:
When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf,
do not go back to get it. Leave it for the alien, the fatherless
and the widow, so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the
work of your hands.
-- Deuteronomy 24:19


THOUGHT:
This is clearly a passage old Scrooge hadn't seen! God has
always set aside a provision for the poor. In this time of the year
when many people world over take special time to look after those
who are less fortunate, let's open our date books and schedule a
week to dedicate time for special generosity in May and in August
to go with a heart committed to be generous all the time. Let's not
let generosity and concern for those less fortunate be a once a
year thing!


PRAYER:
For all of your wonderful gifts of kindness and grace, I thank
you, dear Father and God. Please stir my heart to care for others
as you do. Please help me keep that spirit of concern alive all
year long and not just around Christmas time. In Jesus' name I ask
this. Amen.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT

December 12, 2011

VERSE:
Do not hide your face from your servant; answer me quickly, for
I am in trouble. Come near and rescue me; redeem me because of my
foes.
-- Psalm 69:17-18


THOUGHT:
Jesus came to show God's face and rescue us from our enemies.
But today, in difficult parts of the world and in the places many
would least expect it, Christians are under attack. God sent Jesus
to save us ultimately and totally from sin and its power. Let's
pray that our mighty God will work mightily in our world today to
deliver his children from the clutches of tyranny, poverty,
violence, abuse, and ridicule. Let's also pray that God is praised
for doing so!


PRAYER:
Holy and righteous Father, please strengthen all your beloved
children who find themselves under attack. Make your deliverance
for them known and shown in the display of your mighty power. You
are our Redeemer and Savior. In the name of your Son, Jesus. Amen.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT
December 11, 2011

VERSE:
In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light
shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not overcome it.
-- John 1:4-5


THOUGHT:
Life! Not just living, but true, genuine life. Life that gives
us light that darkness cannot steal away. That's why God sent
Jesus! Thankfully that light still shines and all of Satan's horses
and all of Satan's men cannot put their deepest darkest darkness
together again! Hallelujah!


PRAYER:
For every good and perfect gift, for the light I have even in my
moments of deepest darkness, for the hope I have of living with you
in glorious and unapproachable light, I thank you and praise you
with eternal joy, now and forevermore. In Jesus' name. Amen.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT
December 10, 2011

VERSE:
Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do
righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can
light have with darkness?
-- 2 Corinthians 6:14


THOUGHT:
There is probably no other Scripture that has produced more
conflict for ministers than this one. While not applying just to
marriage, this verse is a powerful reminder that when we make
life-long partnerships with those who do not share our deepest
values, we are endangering our spiritual health. Just as God would
not allow the Israelites under the Law to yoke a donkey and an ox
together because it would ultimately break them both down, Paul
reminds Christians that the same is true in their deepest
relationships as well.


PRAYER:
Father God, I know your will is not arbitrary. I know you want
what is best for me. So please give me wisdom as I choose my
partners and my closest friends. Help us to help each other live
for you and share your blessings and grace. Help us to influence
others to come to know you, your mercy, and your salvation more
completely. In Jesus' name. Amen.


TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT
December 9, 2011

VERSE:
Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into
the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever
lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen
plainly that what he has done has been done through God.
-- John 3:20-21


THOUGHT:
What's the power behind your life? One clear way to find out is
to come to Jesus and ask him to search you and reveal anything
spiritually unhealthy, anything unholy, in you. Opening ourselves
up to the light of his scrutiny, to the truth of his Light, gives
us a remarkable sense of freedom. We don't have anything to hide.
Then God can do some truly remarkable things in us and through us
because there are no distorted motives.


PRAYER:
Thank you God, for shining your light into my heart through your
Son, the Light of the world. Please gently reveal to me the areas
of my weakness, my sinfulness, my duplicity, and my deception. I
want to live purely before you and purely for you. I humbly request
this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT
December 8, 2011

VERSE:
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation,
a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him
who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
-- 1 Peter 2:9


THOUGHT:
We are chosen with a purpose. We are brought out of the darkness
of sin and given the wonderful light of salvation so we can help
others. You see, we are blessed to be a blessing and given light to
shine to others. Most of all, we are called to point others to the
one, true, never-interrupted light -- Almighty God!


PRAYER:
Most holy and loving Father, thank you for giving me your light
to push darkness out of my heart. Stir in me a profound and holy
awe at being made part of your special people -- a priest, a part
of your holy nation, a child belonging to you. Your grace to save
me is further demonstrated in your desire to use me for your
glorious purposes. Thank you for your salvation. In the name of my
Savior, Jesus, I pray. Amen.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT
December 7, 2011

VERSE:
Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious
and compassionate and righteous man.
-- Psalm 112:4


THOUGHT:
What a powerful promise! Just as night passes into dawn, for the
gracious and compassionate and righteous, dawn comes even in the
worst nights of deep spiritual darkness. The Holy Spirit is
reminding us that even in those worst times of cultural decay and
decadence, Satan's darkness will not rule forever. His darkness
cannot stay where Jesus' disciples reflect the character of the
Light of the world.


PRAYER:
Holy and loving God, help me to shine your light of holiness and
Jesus' light of hope to those trapped in darkness. O God, please
forgive my sinful failures. Please cleanse me and create a pure
heart in me. I don't want to dim or to diminish your light as it
shines through me. Help me so that I can more perfectly shine your
light to those around me. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.