VERSE from HEARTLIGHT

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT
August 9, 2011

VERSE:
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for
the sheep.
-- John 10:11


THOUGHT:
How do we determine who we will follow? How can we tell the
religious predators, shysters, and charlatans from those who truly
speak for God? Jesus comes and shows us the ultimate test; will the
Shepherd lay down his life for them?


PRAYER:
Thank you, Lord God, for sending Jesus to be my Shepherd. I
praise you for his faith, his courage, and his conviction that led
him to not only lay down his life for me, but for everyone in the
world. I praise you, Lord Jesus, for your sacrificial love and
perfect sacrifice. To "him who sits on the throne" and to "the lamb
that was slain," I offer up my deepest appreciation and loving
praise for your grace and mercy! In the name of the only Savior of
the world, Jesus, I pray. Amen.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT
August 8, 2011

VERSE:
Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to
eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the
Father has placed his seal of approval.
-- John 6:27


THOUGHT:
What are you spending the biggest bulk of your life working for?
Is it a boss, a promotion, a sense of importance, a secure
lifestyle ...? If it can be taken from you, or you can be removed
from it, then it's not very permanent, is it! Only what Jesus gives
us is truly lasting, and it comes from God's grace. So how can you
more fully invest yourself in work that "endures to eternal life"?


PRAYER:
Un-cloud my thinking, dear God, so that I may more clearly see
what it is that I'm working for in my life. Help me find ways to
invest myself, "my" time, and "my" money in those things that are
eternal. But, dear Father, I must confess that I will need your
help to find my significance in my relationship with you and not in
what I do, produce, and accomplish. Please forgive and strengthen
me as I commit to seek you above all other things. In the name of
Jesus, your Son and my Savior, I pray. Amen.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT
August 7, 2011

VERSE:
Six days do your work, but on the seventh day do not work, so
that your ox and your donkey may rest and the slave born in your
household, and the alien as well, may be refreshed.
-- Exodus 23:12


THOUGHT:
Refreshed! Boy that's often hard in any time, but it's
especially hard in August, isn't it? It's either the dead of summer
or the dead of winter depending on which side of the equator you
find yourself. Either way, we need to hear God's desire for all of
us to be refreshed and to allow those around us to be refreshed in
his presence, his grace, and his rest.


PRAYER:
Forgive me, God, for being so busy being busy that I don't
intentionally take time to be refreshed in your rest. Teach me
gently, Father, that I need this weekly rest in your presence and
with my family to be all that you want me to be, and all that I can
be. Restore my soul, O God, and fill me with your restful joy. In
Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT
August 6, 2011

VERSE:
A bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said,
"This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to
him!"
-- Matthew 17:5


THOUGHT:
Moses and Elijah appeared with Jesus on the "Mount of
Transfiguration" before Jesus' closest disciples. This was the
ultimate honor for them as faithful Jews. God, however, wanted them
to know that as important as Moses and Elijah are, only Jesus is
his Son. His Son's words are the ultimate authority and the
bottom-line truth of God's will. If we are to be refreshed,
renewed, and restored, we must begin by listening to and obeying
God's Son and our Lord, Jesus Christ.


PRAYER:
Righteous Father, please give me a holy hunger for the words of
Jesus. Help me as I seek to not only understand them, but also live
them. I want to make honoring you my life's work just as it was
his. Please give me wisdom today, as I seek to make decisions and
face difficult circumstances with integrity, grace, and obedience.
In the name of the Lord Jesus I pray. Amen.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT

August 5, 2011

VERSE:
But when they [the disciples] saw him [Jesus] walking on the
lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, because they all
saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said,
"Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."
-- Mark 6:49-50


THOUGHT:
In the middle of our storms and terror, Jesus passes close by,
just waiting for us to acknowledge our fear and need, so that he
can join us in our worst nightmares and help us through.
Incredibly, Jesus' words here are literally, "Take courage! I Am."
God revealed himself to Moses in Exodus 3 as I Am, reminding Moses
that he heard the cry of the Israelites and had seen their hardship
and was now coming down to help them. Jesus does the same for us!


PRAYER:
Thank you, O God, for not only being there, but being close by
-- always waiting to respond to my cry of distress and fear.
Forgive me for not inviting you and the Lord Jesus daily into a
more active role in my life. I know you are near, so I ask that you
not only make your presence known, but that you will gently
confront me when I push you to the periphery of my daily life. In
the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT

August 4, 2011

VERSE:
Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did
not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, "Come with me by
yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest."
-- Mark 6:31


THOUGHT:
"Come away." We do need to withdraw -- not once-in-a-while, but
often, daily! What is incredible is that Jesus invites his
disciples (today that's us!) to withdraw with him to a quiet place
and rest with him. The little childhood prayer is appropriate here:
"Now I lay me down to sleep and pray the Lord my soul to keep."
Only this isn't just about a good night's sleep; it's about taking
time in the middle of our wild and crazy days to join him for a few
moments of grace, rest, and refreshment. Let's make these daily
stops in God's Word more than quick e-mail viewing; let's let it be
a time to withdraw with the Savior and take a few minutes of rest!


PRAYER:
Holy and gentle Shepherd of my soul, thank you for your constant
care and loving faithfulness. Please touch my heart as I try to be
more disciplined in my rest times with you. Please keep my soul,
but even more, please restore my soul as I withdraw to spend time
with your Son and my Savior Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT
August 3, 2011

VERSE:
On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said
in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and
drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture said, streams of
living water will flow from within him."
-- John 7:37-38


THOUGHT:
Streams of water -- living water for dying hopes, cool water for
parched hearts, refreshing water for those tired and weary. This
is, of course, much more than a liquid we can drink with our lips.
This is the ultimate water of the soul that God longs to give to
us, his children. Let's spend the month of August, refreshing
ourselves with the promises of Jesus and trusting that, as we draw
close to him, the Spirit will restore our soul.


PRAYER:
Loving Father, thank you for sending Jesus to save me and the
Holy Spirit to sustain and renew me. Please bless me, especially
this month, as I seek to draw closer to my Savior and restore my
soul with the refreshing living water of your Holy Spirit. In
Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT
August 2, 2011

VERSE:
You gave abundant showers, O God; you refreshed your weary
inheritance.
-- Psalm 68:9


THOUGHT:
Dryness, whether spiritual or physical, is sapping to the spirit
and wilting to all living things. Let's join our hearts together
today, tens of thousands strong, praying that God will do two
things: (1) that he bring rain and refreshment on those lands that
are parched and where times are hard; and (2) that he will refresh
all of his servants who are discouraged and close to giving up in
their difficulties, challenges, temptations, discouragements, and
failures. Let's pray for today to be a day of refreshment and the
beginning of revival in our world and among God's people!


PRAYER:
Lord God Almighty, the one able to do more than all we ask or
imagine, today, we join our voices and our hearts in asking you for
refreshment for every land and every heart parched and wilted. Send
your rains on the drought laden parts of our world. And dear
Father, please bring revival throughout our world in our churches
and the hearts of those who serve you. We ask this together in the
name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and King. Amen.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT
August 1, 2011

VERSE:
Can a man walk on hot coals without his feet being scorched?
-- Proverbs 6:28


THOUGHT:
I don't know about where you are, but this time of year, it's
really hot in Austin, Texas. You don't have to worry about hot
coals; just try the sidewalk. But this reminder about scorching
coals is sure good for me. We get to feeling so strong inside
spiritually, or we get seduced by a "favorite" temptation, and we
decide we can flirt with what is sinful. But the Holy Spirit
reminds us through the Wise Man that when we flirt with evil, we're
eventually going to get burned.


PRAYER:
Almighty God, loving Father, and tender Shepherd, please forgive
me. I confess that sometimes I allow myself to flirt with what is
not wholesome, right, and holy. Thank you for delivering me so
often from my stupidities in this area and bless me with strength
and renewed conviction as I seek to offer myself fully and
completely to you and as I seek to flee what is dangerous and
sinful. In Jesus' name. Amen.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT

July 31, 2011

VERSE:
To all who received him, to those who believe in his name, he
gave the right to become children of God -- children born not of
natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but
born of God.
-- John 1:12-13


THOUGHT:
We live in a time and culture of rights. "It's my right to ___."
Just fill in the blank. But we don't have a right to be God's
child. We are given that right by God's grace. This right came to
us at great cost to God. Jesus came to earth, lived, died and was
raised from the dead. We receive this grace through faith: God
gives us new birth as we trust in Jesus as Lord and we are baptized
and reborn through the power of the Holy Spirit (John 3:3-7; Titus
3:3-7). To be born of God, to be born from above, to be born
"again" is the gift of adoption into God's family and brings us all
the rights of heirs in God's house (Galatians 3:26-4:7).


PRAYER:
Abba Father, thank you for including me in your family. May my
life today reflect your influence, character, mercy, holiness,
compassion, righteousness, and love. I want to be like you, my
Father. So just as I was born into your family by the power of the
Holy Spirit, please fill me with your Spirit today so that I will
reflect you in all I do and say this day. In the name of my older
brother Jesus I pray. Amen.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT

July 31, 2011

VERSE:
To all who received him, to those who believe in his name, he
gave the right to become children of God -- children born not of
natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but
born of God.
-- John 1:12-13


THOUGHT:
We live in a time and culture of rights. "It's my right to ___."
Just fill in the blank. But we don't have a right to be God's
child. We are given that right by God's grace. This right came to
us at great cost to God. Jesus came to earth, lived, died and was
raised from the dead. We receive this grace through faith: God
gives us new birth as we trust in Jesus as Lord and we are baptized
and reborn through the power of the Holy Spirit (John 3:3-7; Titus
3:3-7). To be born of God, to be born from above, to be born
"again" is the gift of adoption into God's family and brings us all
the rights of heirs in God's house (Galatians 3:26-4:7).


PRAYER:
Abba Father, thank you for including me in your family. May my
life today reflect your influence, character, mercy, holiness,
compassion, righteousness, and love. I want to be like you, my
Father. So just as I was born into your family by the power of the
Holy Spirit, please fill me with your Spirit today so that I will
reflect you in all I do and say this day. In the name of my older
brother Jesus I pray. Amen.


TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT
July 30, 2011

VERSE:
The LORD was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of his
words fall to the ground.
-- 1 Samuel 3:19


THOUGHT:
Samuel began his ministry at such a young age and was so
important in bridging the generations between the period of the
Judges and the period of the Kings. During that whole time, God was
with him and empowered his ministry, making his words true and
effective. Let's pray that God does the same with his spokespeople
today. May God use his servants effectively all their lives and not
let any of their words fall to the ground.


PRAYER:
Today, O God, I ask you to empower your faithful servants who
proclaim your Word all over the world. Please bless them with a
season of freedom from satanic attack. Bless them with health,
vigor, and passion. Please give them a long life full of useful
service empowered by your grace. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT

July 29, 2011

VERSE:
Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I
declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who
are to come.
-- Psalm 71:18


THOUGHT:
In the beautiful hymn entitled, "O Sacred Head," the final verse
ends with this plea: "Lord, let me never, never, outlive my love to
thee." To this sentiment we want to add one other: "Lord, let me
never, never, die until the next generation knoweth thee!"


PRAYER:
Lord God Almighty, the great I AM, help me and those in my
generation to pass on an appreciation of your power and glory to
those who come after us. Bless your Church's future with many more
continuous generations of faith after me or until that day you send
your Son to bring your people home. In the name of my coming Lord,
Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.



TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT
July 28, 2011

VERSE:
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have
kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of
righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to
me on that day...
-- 2 Timothy 4:7-8


THOUGHT:
I am so thankful for Paul's confidence as he faces his death. He
is all but abandoned and is worried about the future of the Church,
but he knows two things: he has served the Lord faithfully and the
Lord will receive him when he dies! Shouldn't those two things be
our most important goals in life? So if they are our goals, how do
we live each day to fulfill them?


PRAYER:
Faithful and loving God, you have so richly blessed me with
salvation by your grace. Please strengthen me out of the riches of
that grace. I am sometimes weak and falter in my faithfulness. I
know your grace is lavish, but I don't want to presume on it or
abuse it. Please give me strength and courage to live faithfully
and passionately for you until the day I see you face to face and
share with you in your glory and victory. In Jesus' name I pray.
Amen.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT
July 27, 2011

VERSE:
Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as
did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and not a few prominent
women.
-- Acts 17:4


THOUGHT:
Women have always played an important role in the work of God.
This was especially true in Macedonia (Philippi, Thessalonica, and
Berea) in the first century. In each of these places, many of the
leading women of the community were touched by the Gospel. We know
they played important roles in supporting the missionary enterprise
(Lydia) and sharing the Gospel with those around them (Euodia and
Syntyche). Why not take time today to let a godly woman in your
congregation know how important she is to the Lord's work and to
you.


PRAYER:
Almighty God, thank you for godly women of faith. Bless them and
their service and make it powerful and effective to your glory. In
Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT

July 26, 2011

VERSE:
Teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not
to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is
good.
-- Titus 2:3


THOUGHT:
"Teach ... to teach!" We need faithful women in God's family to
help show us the way to reverence God in our daily lives and to
live with character. That means we need to teach these women they
need to teach. We need to pray for them to step forward and be
mentors. We must openly respect their reverent lifestyles and
acknowledge their godly character.


PRAYER:
Holy and righteous Father, please raise up women of strong
character and faithful service. Give us the eyes to see their godly
lives and a willingness to hold them up as examples to your people.
Thank you for the many godly women in our Christian heritage who
have had tremendous impact for good -- women like Deborah, Esther,
Mary, Dorcas, and Priscilla. I also want to thank you for those
godly women who have made such a great difference in my life and
taught me so much about faith, hope, and love. In the name of Jesus
I pray. Amen.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT

July 25, 2011

VERSE:
Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect,
self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.
-- Titus 2:2


THOUGHT:
"Teach older men?" "Learn from younger folks?" Buried in this
verse is a profound understanding and respect that transcends
generations. For some of us who share our local churches with five
generations of people for the first time in human history, Paul's
challenging words mean even more to us today. Those who are younger
need leaders and mentors who are people of character if
transformation and renewal are to be sustainable. Those who are
older need to realize that God often uses the voices of the young
to speak his truth and bring renewal. We need to love, respect, and
pray for each other as we seek to be God's people in our time!


PRAYER:
O God, please give us wisdom, patience, and respect in your
Family so that we may value each person, listen to the voices of
character and maturity regardless of age, and be open to hearing
your truth no matter who you use to speak it to us. In Jesus' name
I pray. Amen.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT

July 24, 2011

VERSE:
Do not say, "Why were the old days better than these?" For it is
not wise to ask such questions.
-- Ecclesiastes 7:10


THOUGHT:
The only thing we get by spending our time looking in the rear
view mirror is a big disaster in our front windshield! Our best
days as Christians are always ahead. Jesus has promised to return
and take us home to God -- what better future could there be! So
let's not get distracted with nostalgic cynicism. We can thank God
for his past blessings, but let's not waste the present with
pessimism. Let's make a commitment to redeem our time and trust
that the same God who raised Jesus from the dead also holds our
future in his hands.


PRAYER:
Holy God, give me a sense of purpose in each day that you give
me life and give me an optimistic outlook on the future and on my
Lord who will meet me there. Please help me have a sense of genuine
joy knowing that no matter where the road leads me today, I will
journey with you. In Jesus' name I thank you for being my loving
God and eternal Father. Amen.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT
July 23, 2011

VERSE:
Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a
prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you.
-- 1 Timothy 4:14


THOUGHT:
Life seems so busy, so full of distractions and "to do" lists.
Let's not let our "busyness" keep us from our Father's "business."
Let's find the ways God has gifted us to serve him and his people;
then let's dedicate ourselves to that with all our heart, soul,
mind, and strength.


PRAYER:
Gracious God, you have blessed me in so many different ways.
Thank you for all these touches of your grace. But Father, I need
your help to more clearly see how you have gifted me to serve you
and to more passionately make that service a key priority in my
life each day. Thank you for always hearing my prayers. In Jesus'
name I pray. Amen.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT
July 22, 2011

VERSE:
Be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe
yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes
the proud but gives grace to the humble."
-- 1 Peter 5:5


THOUGHT:
The word "submissive" is often positive or negative based on its
relationship to us personally. It's nice having someone serve us
submissively, but serving someone else submissively is hard work.
Unfortunately, we are selfish way too much of the time. But God is
at work in direct opposition to anyone who is full of pride and
unwilling to serve others, especially if those "others" are older
believers! Whether it's easy to wear the clothes our Father demands
or not, we are to intentionally clothe ourselves with humility!


PRAYER:
Father, thank you so much for the great heroes of faith listed
in Scripture. Thank you for those other heroes of faith who have
shared their examples and lives with me. Bless them with strength
and health. And Father, please use me to bless and to serve all of
your children, especially those who have lived many years in
faithful service to you and your Kingdom. Because of the grace of
Jesus, and in his name I pray. Amen.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT
July 21, 2011

VERSE:
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the
weak.
-- Isaiah 40:29


THOUGHT:
Even the most pumped up and positive ones of us find ourselves
broken and weary at some point in our life. It isn't so hard to
believe and follow Jesus when we are soaring on the wings of eagles
or running and not getting weary in our walk with God. Often the
toughest time to keep our faith vibrant is when we are trying to
keep putting one foot in front of the other while not fainting. In
those moments of absolute powerlessness, weakness, and brokenness
the Lord is often most real, most powerful, and most present.


PRAYER:
Thank you, God, for sustaining me and keeping my faith alive
when I have been under attack from the Evil One and have grown
weary with the challenges and hardships of life. Please give those
I love, and mention now by name, ... the strength to press on even
though they are weary and weak. Please be real in their lives and
let them know that you are coming with grace to help and redeem as
their Great Deliverer. In Jesus' name I ask it. Amen.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT
July 20, 2011

VERSE:
Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days
of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, "I find
no pleasure in them."
-- Ecclesiastes 12:1


THOUGHT:
When we are young and have so many things to do, many things can
distract us from what is important. We must let the Lord gather our
passions under his grace in those early days of excitement and
frenetic joy so we can be used for God's greater good. For most of
us, age brings a crescendo of limitations of one kind or another.
This doesn't mean life has to be bad, just that we had better put
our priorities in order. Hopefully we learned the lessons of faith
in our youth so that we have the maturity and wisdom to be mentors,
examples, and counselors for those who come after us on the path.


PRAYER:
Holy God, I pray for the youth of your Church. Give them passion
and joy as they find you and follow Jesus. May their faith be real,
vibrant, joyous, and triumphant! Give them a sense of your glory.
Sustain them through their later years with a deep assurance of
your presence, victory, and grace. In Jesus' name. Amen.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT
July 19, 2011

VERSE:
Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my
strength is gone.
-- Psalm 71:9


THOUGHT:
We live in an age where those who are older are often shoved
aside. This is true in the professional world with employees. This
is also true in churches which often find themselves pandering to
those who are younger or more financially powerful, while
forgetting the aging and powerless. Let's remember that God cares
what happens to each one of us, no matter status or stature or age.


PRAYER:
Almighty God, I know that you will never leave me or forsake me.
I believe the promise that nothing can separate me from your love
for me in Christ Jesus. But Father, I see so many who are older and
forgotten that I must admit that I am frightened that I, too, will
face loneliness and feebleness in those last days. Please give me
confidence to cast my anxieties on you and trust in your presence.
Most of all, Father, I pray that you will be glorified in my body
in life and death, in health and sickness, and in youth and age. In
Jesus' glorious name I pray. Amen.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT
July 18, 2011

VERSE:
Speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into
him who is the Head, that is, Christ.
-- Ephesians 4:15


THOUGHT:
Our goal as believers is to mature into the full presence of
Jesus Christ in the world by being his unified Body of believers.
This challenging goal can only be accomplished if we speak the
truth -- God's Spirit-inspired message -- and do so with an
attitude of love. How can we expect to convey the message of God's
love which sent Jesus if we don't live that love ourselves?


PRAYER:
Almighty and sacrificial God, please help me capture all my
impure motives and ungodly attitudes and clothe them in your love.
I need the purifying and transforming presence of the Holy Spirit
even more powerfully present in my life each day, so please fill me
and make the Spirit's fruit more real in my attitudes and actions.
In the name of the Lord Jesus I pray. Amen.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT
July 17, 2011

VERSE:
In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all
people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will
see visions, your old men will dream dreams.
-- Acts 2:17


THOUGHT:
As those living in the last days, each believer -- young and
old, male and female -- must be Spirit-led and Spirit-empowered to
give his or her personal testimony to the grace of God given us in
Jesus Christ. As Jesus prayed for us before his death (John
17:20-23), we must be united across the gender barriers and across
the age barriers and across the racial barriers if the world is to
truly know that God sent his Son as Savior of the world!


PRAYER:
God of all nations, please break down the barriers that divide
us and that blunt the wonderful message of your grace. Pour out
your Spirit upon us and convict us of our prejudice and
selfishness, and replace it with your transcending love. Forgive
us, forgive me, when my own shortsightedness and selfishness
interferes with the world seeing a united Church proclaiming Jesus
as Lord and Savior. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT
July 16, 2011
VERSE:
The people served the LORD throughout the lifetime of Joshua and
of the elders who outlived him and who had seen all the great
things the LORD had done for Israel.
-- Judges 2:7

THOUGHT:
Each generation must have its own first-hand faith. Transforming
faith takes more than receiving a godly heritage and stories of the
past deeds of God. It requires a fresh experience of God's mighty
presence!

PRAYER:
Holy God, help me pass down my faith in you, and my love for
you, to my children and to other young believers. More than that,
Abba Father, help them experience your mighty power and great deeds
personally through ministry and sacrificial service. I pray this in
the mighty name of Jesus! Amen.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT
July 15, 2011
VERSE:
Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need.
-- 1 Timothy 5:3

THOUGHT:
Practical loving concern for those who are powerless and
forgotten is rooted in the heart of God and championed in Old
Testament Law. One of the first internal problems the early church
urgently and positively dealt with was prejudice and neglect of the
Greek speaking widows in Jerusalem. It was important to God and to
them! Paul further reminds us that we better have the same concern
for widows today! (Notice that James extends that same concern for
both widows and orphans! James 1:27)

PRAYER:
Forgive me, loving Father, for I sometimes get so lost in my own
opportunities and problems that I don't look around and check on
those in my church family who need my help much less those in need
who are not Christians. Touch me with your Spirit so that I may
better hear, see, and respond to their needs. Thank you for your
concern for all people, and please use me as one of your tools of
concern to bless those in need. In the precious name of Jesus I
pray. Amen.

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT

July 14, 2011

VERSE:
Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were
your father.
-- 1 Timothy 5:1


THOUGHT:
There is an eagerness, passion, and a clear sense of purpose
that can go with being young -- headstrong, untested, and rash is
how some who are older might describe it. There is a surety with
age because of tried and true methods proven over time -- staid,
predictable, and unmovable is how some who are younger might
describe it. These differences can cause tension and conflict; yet
both have something to be learned from the other. No matter how
mistaken an older Christian may be, he or she should be treated
with the respect that comes from a life proven in faith. But older
Christians must also be willing to receive correction from a
younger one, especially if it is done prayerfully by a young
believer who has demonstrated his humility, love, and respect
toward those who are older.


PRAYER:
O Eternal Father, God of my ancestors' history and the assurance
of my future, please help me be a person of integrity, especially
when I deal with those who are not of my age group. May I be
respectful and careful with my tone as I speak with those who are
older. May I be pliable and open to change when confronted with my
errors by those who are younger. Most of all, Father, please lead
those people into my life who will love me enough to forgive my
errors and also love me enough to point them out to me and to help
me grow beyond them. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

-----

TODAY'S VERSE from HEARTLIGHT
July 13, 2011
VERSE:
Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set
an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith
and in purity.
-- 1 Timothy 4:12

THOUGHT:
How do you command the respect of others when you are young? You
don't! You earn that respect by the character and quality of your
life. Those of us who are older must recognize and validate younger
Christians who are people of character and faith. Those of us who
are younger, need to live a life of character that cannot be
questioned. Character, morality, faith, and loving kindness are
essential attributes of the Christian, no matter his or her age.

PRAYER:
Holy God, I thank you for those in our church family who are
young and stand for your character and who live godly lives despite
pressure from their peers to do otherwise. Father, I also thank you
for those who are older in the faith, who have given me a chance to
use my gifts and who have influenced and encouraged me in my
spiritual growth. Please help us keep our church united in mission
and purpose across the different age groups, to your glory and for
the growth of your Kingdom. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.