Tag: Prophets

February 7, 2025

February 7th, 2025

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Isaiah 16-18

Highlight Verses:

“Only a few of its people will be left, like stray olives left on a tree after the harvest. Only two or three remain in the highest branches, four or five scattered here and there on the limbs,” declares the Lord, the God of Israel. Then at last the people will look to their Creator and turn their eyes to the Holy One of Israel.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭17‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

A once vital church in Prescott, Arizona was down to just over a dozen devoted members.

Everyone told them to cash it in. Move on.

Everyone except God.

They sought the counsel of a group that helps revive churches. They made some radical changes that made them relevant to the local culture and generations while remaining faithful to God’s Word.

I started attending Prescott Heights when they had around a hundred people. By the time I moved away a couple years later, they were around 400 people.

I don’t know if their growth continued but I know from their website, they are still around and making a difference in their community.

Sometimes our ministries get off-target and suffer diminishment.

Sometimes our own effectiveness wanes as we wander from the calling or devotion that first brought us progress.

When we find ourselves losing influence, feeling at the end of our hope, God can restore.

If we are open to the direction of the Holy Spirit, He can restore our first love. He can restore our effectiveness. He can restore His ministry through us.

How have you coped with times of low effectiveness?
How has wise advice helped you get out of low times?
January 31, 2025

January 31st, 2025

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Isaiah 13-15

Highlight Verse:

“Scream in terror, for the day of the Lord has arrived— the time for the Almighty to destroy.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭13‬:‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Does it trouble you to read about God being angry?

It used to trouble me.

Then I became a dad.

Let’s just say, if anyone messes with my kids, they better be prepared to deal with me too.

Babylon messed with God’s kids. So did the other nations mentioned in today’s reading.

And I understand God’s anger.

God didn’t just protect the nation of Israel. He orchestrated all of history so that His Son could come and pay the penalty for our sin.

That’s some seriously fierce Fatherly love!

If you have kids, what would you do to protect them?
Can you understand the things God did to protect His children?
January 23, 2025

January 24th, 2025

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Isaiah 10-12

Highlight Verse:

“Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot— yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭11‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

When I lived in Santa Cruz in the 80s, there was a congregation there called Tsemech Adonai – The Branch of the Lord.

It was a Jewish Synagogue that believed that the Messiah had already come in the person of Jesus Christ.

They were right.

According to some scholars, Isaiah contains 48 prophecies about the Messiah.

The odds of any person filling all those prophecies are 1 in 10 to the 157th power (1 followed by 157 zeroes).

Even if you only believe in the eight most obvious prophecies, that puts the chances at 1 in 10 to the 17th power (1 in 100,000,000,000,000,000) (source: preceptaustin dot org)

That’s more that a hundred million times longer odds than winning the lottery

But one person did fulfill all those prophecies.

His name is Jesus – The Branch of the Lord.

What more proof do you need?
If you have faith, do you even need that proof?
January 11, 2025

January 11th, 2025

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Isaiah 40:26-31

Highlight Verse:

“But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭40‬:‭31‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This time of year, it’s dark when I leave for work. By the time I get home it’s getting dark again.

The older I get, the more the cold Colorado weather makes me ache.

If you haven’t guessed by now, winter is not my favorite season.

I love the longer days and warmer temperatures of spring and summer and the colors of fall.

In winter, I want to push the fast forward button.

Today’s verse in most translations begins with “they that wait upon the Lord.”

While the NLT might more accurately convey the meaning of the text,

I love the imagery of waiting as trusting.

So, instead of hibernating until spring, I’ll trust God to see me through the winter.

And if you see an eagle fly by, you might want to take a look and see if I’m up there with it.

Are you affected by the seasons?
How do you get through the tougher seasons?
What does soaring like eagles look like for you?
January 10, 2025

January 10th, 2025

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Isaiah 4-6

Highlight Verse:

“Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me.””
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭6‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I’ve seen and met many missionaries.

Their stories are inspiring.

The things God does through them are amazing.

I’ve even imagined what it would be like if I were in their shoes.

Have I ever said “here I am, send me” when they invite people to join them?

Nope.

God hasn’t called me to that ministry.

But He has called me.

And I’ve said yes to what He has asked me to do. Sometimes reluctantly, but I eventually say yes.

God has a calling on each of his people. Sometimes it’s missions. Sometimes it’s local ministry. Sometimes it’s in areas some wouldn’t consider to be a calling.

Whatever it is, if it’s truly from God, by all means, just say yes already.

What have you been called to do?
Are you doing it?
January 3, 2025

January 3rd, 2025

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Isaiah 1-3

Highlight Verse:

“Stop bringing me your meaningless gifts; the incense of your offerings disgusts me! As for your celebrations of the new moon and the Sabbath and your special days for fasting— they are all sinful and false. I want no more of your pious meetings.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭1‬:‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

And that’s what God thinks of empty religion.

If your faith is an insurance policy paid for with pious acts of worship, singing on Sunday morning, paying your tithes, listening to the right music, not swearing, maybe even watching the babies at church once a month, then it is worthless.

But if your faith is visible through acts of love and charity (see verse 17) rooted in your love for God and trust in His leading, you have a true faith.

You may do all those religious things above, but you know that they are not your insurance policy.

If you have that true faith, you don’t need an insurance policy; you already have eternal life.

Out of the abundance of that life come all the good deeds, obedience, and yes, even meaningful religious acts.

Are you just religious, or alive in your faith?
When and how did you realize that faith ran far deeper than religion?
New Year’s Eve, 2024

December 31st, 2024
Introduction to Walk in the Light Bible Study, 2025-26

Reading – 2 Timothy 3:14-17

Highlight Verse:

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.”
‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I was on Times Square on this day in 1992/93.

At three in the afternoon.

There’s no way I wanted to be in the middle of a million people to ring in the new year.

I did spend midnight with a few good friends as we encouraged each other into new beginnings.

That’s kind of what this Bible Study is about.

We are a group of people who encourage each other as we seek to get to know God and His Word better.

If you are new here, let me give you a little primer:

We are on a two-year journey through the Bible.

That journey is split up into different sections for each day of the week as follows:
- Sunday – Old Testament Poetry Books.
- Monday – Gospels through Acts.
- Tuesday – Pentateuch (1st five books of the Bible).
- Wednesday – Old Testament History Books.
- Thursday – New Testament Letters through Revelations.
- Friday – Old Testament Prophets.
- Saturday – Open Topic – Scriptures and devotions relevant to the current season or events.
The readings and devotions are posted by 12:05am Mountain Time each day at the Walk in the Light Bible Study Group on Facebook and at WITLBible.com.
Comments and discussions are welcome and encouraged on the Facebook page. (Please follow rules in the “about” section).

Two month reading lists and study guides as well as bookmarks are available to download on the website.

This Bible Study is not affiliated with any one local church. While the majority of the members are from Colorado (where I live), there are members and website followers from around the globe.

The devotions are written from a Bible believing Christian perspective, but we welcome members from all faiths, as long as participation is respectful. The rules apply equally to all participants.

If you have any questions or you would like to write some of the devotions, feel free to message me on Facebook.

May your New Year be overflowing with blessings and growth!
- Richard
December 27, 2024

December 27th, 2024

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Malachi 3-4

Highlight Verse:

““But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture.”
‭‭Malachi‬ ‭4‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Do you remember the first day of summer vacation?

Three months with no homework or having to get to school on time.

The walk or ride home from school had a feeling of freedom that we had waited for all year.

The end of the Old Testament has that kind of anticipation of a time of freedom.

Freedom from the bonds of sin by the grace of God through the work of Jesus came with the Gospels on the very next pages in the Bible.

When you remember the grace God has shown you, celebrate like calves set free in a pasture, or like children set free from the old of school.

Only remember your celebration is forever.

How do you celebrate your freedom from sin?
Can you celebrate it with the heart of a child?
December 6, 2024

December 6th, 2024

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Zechariah 11-12

Highlight Verse:

“This illustrates how I will give this nation a shepherd who will not care for those who are dying, nor look after the young, nor heal the injured, nor feed the healthy. Instead, this shepherd will eat the meat of the fattest sheep and tear off their hooves.”
‭‭Zechariah‬ ‭11‬:‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I realized after reading this verse that the 30 pieces of silver being thrown to the potter was not the only prophecy in this chapter.

Zechariah predicted the uncaring, politically motivated high priest in power during Jesus’ time in Jerusalem.

As terrible of a person that he was, we can be thankful this prophecy was fulfilled.

Without that terrible high priest, the sacrifice for our sins may have never been made.

But it was – thanks again to God, who sees the big picture.

Are there prophecies from the Bible that amaze you as this one amazes me?
Can you begin to see how God’s ways are far beyond ours?
November 22, 2024

November 22nd, 2024

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Zechariah 7-8

Highlight Verses:

““This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Judge fairly, and show mercy and kindness to one another. Do not oppress widows, orphans, foreigners, and the poor. And do not scheme against each other.”
‭‭Zechariah‬ ‭7‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Zechariah takes us to school – Living Right – 101.

The people he spoke to were getting caught up in how they thought God wanted them to celebrate holidays.

Zechariah points them to what matters in two verses.

We humans tend to overcomplicate things.

If we truly follow what Zechariah just spelled out so plainly, we’ll avoid all kinds of sin.

I dare say that all sin, from immorality to selfishness and pride violates at least part of what Zechariah sets forth.

If we ran all our words and deeds through that check list, we’d see amazing results.

How does your life line up with Zechariah’s commands here?
Can you see how much we need to rely on Jesus when we really look at fulfilling these commands?

Tag: Prophets

Everyone except God.

Sometimes our ministries get off-target and suffer diminishment.

When we find ourselves losing influence, feeling at the end of our hope, God can restore.

Does it trouble you to read about God being angry?

Then I became a dad.

And I understand God’s anger.

That’s some seriously fierce Fatherly love!

They were right.

That’s more that a hundred million times longer odds than winning the lottery

His name is Jesus – The Branch of the Lord.

If you haven’t guessed by now, winter is not my favorite season.

I love the imagery of waiting as trusting.

So, instead of hibernating until spring, I’ll trust God to see me through the winter.

I’ve seen and met many missionaries.

God has a calling on each of his people. Sometimes it’s missions. Sometimes it’s local ministry. Sometimes it’s in areas some wouldn’t consider to be a calling.

And that’s what God thinks of empty religion.

But if your faith is visible through acts of love and charity (see verse 17) rooted in your love for God and trust in His leading, you have a true faith.

If you have that true faith, you don’t need an insurance policy; you already have eternal life.

I was on Times Square on this day in 1992/93.

I did spend midnight with a few good friends as we encouraged each other into new beginnings.

We are a group of people who encourage each other as we seek to get to know God and His Word better.

If you are new here, let me give you a little primer:

May your New Year be overflowing with blessings and growth!

Do you remember the first day of summer vacation?

Freedom from the bonds of sin by the grace of God through the work of Jesus came with the Gospels on the very next pages in the Bible.

Only remember your celebration is forever.

As terrible of a person that he was, we can be thankful this prophecy was fulfilled.

But it was – thanks again to God, who sees the big picture.

Zechariah takes us to school – Living Right – 101.

If we truly follow what Zechariah just spelled out so plainly, we’ll avoid all kinds of sin.

If we ran all our words and deeds through that check list, we’d see amazing results.