Walk in the Light

February 22, 2026

February 22nd, 2026

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Proverbs 12-13

Highlight Verse:

“The godly care for their animals, but the wicked are always cruel.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭12‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Proverbs can make it tough to highlight a single verse.

There are so many little treasures of wisdom in each chapter.

I think this verse stood out to me today because I haven’t written much about animals.

The first thing I think of is how we treat our dogs (we’re a dog family, substitute cats if that’s your thing).

While they drive me crazy sometimes, our dogs are spoiled – well fed, have their own yard, and kept warm in the house when not patrolling the yard.

I should be mentioned that the word used for “animals” in this verse implies beasts of burden like donkeys, horses, camels, or oxen. It may have been understood to include livestock that could end up as food.

Regardless of the purpose of the animals, the owners and caregivers are urged here to show care for them and avoid cruelty.

By implication, use of animals for performing work or feeding people is not cruel in itself.

Overworking the animals, withholding feed, or causing excessive pain could be considered cruel.

Balaam beating his donkey comes to mind.

Bottom line – treat your animals well.

What verse stood out the most to you in today’s reading?
How would you apply that verse?
February 21, 2026

February 21st, 2026

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Acts 20:13-38

Highlight Verse:

“But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.”
‭‭Acts of the Apostles‬ ‭20‬:‭24‬ ‭NLT‬‬

At first glance, you might feel pity for Paul.

He says his life is worth nothing if he doesn’t do the work God set out for him.

Then you realize that he did fulfill that assignment and then some.

Nearly every Christian today can trace their spiritual heritage to Paul.

He had a heavy responsibility, but he stepped into it and God supplied the ability and opportunities and the work of the Holy Spirit to fulfill it.

Not too many of us are called to spread the Gospel to the known civilized world.

Wait, that’s not quite true.

We are ALL called to spread the Gospel to the entire world.

We each have our part in that calling.

Some preach to the masses, some make friends and share the love of Jesus, some produce content to influence people toward Jesus, some support the work in various ways.

If you feel like your life is useless, let me assure you that, if you join in the calling to Spread the Gospel, there is great purpose in every breath you take.

Do you know your current part in spreading the Gospel?
What can you do today to help spread the Gospel to the World?
February 20, 2026

February 20th, 2026

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Ezekiel 43-45

Highlight Verse:

“Suddenly, the glory of the God of Israel appeared from the east. The sound of his coming was like the roar of rushing waters, and the whole landscape shone with his glory.”
‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭43‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I love standing on a rocky shoreline watching the waves pound on the rocks, shaking the ground and spraying high into the air.

I feel like it gives me a little glimpse of the glorious power of the Lord.

I find myself a little envious of Ezekiel when he saw this vision of the glory of God.

Then I realize…

One day I will get to see the glory of God in all its majesty in person.

Not in a vision but a front row seat to sights and sounds and sensations that I could not even begin to imagine.

Take that Ezekiel.

Oh yeah, he’ll be there too.

And so will you if you trust Jesus for new life.

I cannot say that I know what heaven will be like.

There are glimpses here and there in the Bible, but I dare say that we have no frame of reference to grasp how incredible it will be.

Let’s just say that I don’t think there will be any opportunity for boredom in heaven.

What do you think heaven will be like?
Are you ready to experience the presence of God?
February 19, 2026

February 19th, 2026

Thursday – Letters

Reading – Hebrews 7

Highlight Verse:

“For the law never made anything perfect. But now we have confidence in a better hope, through which we draw near to God.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭7‬:‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

There are many ways that Jesus is so much better of a priest than the Old Testament priests.

This whole chapter is a nice logical discourse on that subject.

But this one verse sums it up nicely.

Basically, the law fell short of what Jesus did. Jesus made the perfect sacrifice, taking away our guilt so that we can be close to God.

That truly is the best hope and the deepest joy.

As we go through this season of Lent (which I completely forgot about yesterday, Ash Wednesday), let’s focus on that hope that was fulfilled on Easter Sunday 2000 years ago.

What is one way you can sharpen your daily focus on Jesus?
Have you ever found yourself trying to earn your way to heaven through keeping the Old Testament Law (or legalistic church rules)? In what ways has accepting Jesus brought you closer to God?
February 18, 2026

February 18th, 2026
Wednesday – History

Reading – 2 Kings 6-8

Highlight Verse:

“But as one of them was cutting a tree, his ax head fell into the river. “Oh, sir!” he cried. “It was a borrowed ax!””
‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭6‬:‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I love this story.

It isn’t the fact that Elisha and the prophets were working together to expand their building.

It’s not the incredible fact that Elisha made the axe head float.

I mean that’s cool but it’s not what caught my attention.

What really got me was how concerned the prophet was about the axe being borrowed.

The Bible says more about lending than borrowing.

My parents always taught me that, if you borrow something, you should return it in better shape than when you got it.
- If it’s a vehicle, top off the gas and wash it if possible.
- If it’s a tool, make sure to return it clean and properly maintained.
- If it’s an axe head, wash it off and make sure it has a strong and secure handle. At least that’s what Elisha and the prophet did.
The general idea is to always think of others first.

If you need to borrow, always return more than you borrow.

It is always better to lend generously than to borrow.

How have you improved what you have borrowed?
Do you have any outstanding stories (good or bad) about how things have been returned to you?
Tuesday – Pentateuch

February 17th, 2026

Reading – Leviticus 7-8

Highlight Verse:

““If you bring an offering to fulfill a vow or as a voluntary offering, the meat must be eaten on the same day the sacrifice is offered, but whatever is left over may be eaten on the second day.”
‭‭Leviticus‬ ‭7‬:‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Here’s the early church potlucks!

Okay, not exactly. But did you know that some of the sacrifices beyond the normal guilt and sin offerings were eaten by the people who brought them instead of giving them to the priests or having them burnt up?

This passage refers to the peace offering, a voluntary offering above and beyond the normal sacrifices required by law.

This along with sacrifices made at Passover, Harvest, and the Festival of Shelters were celebrations of the goodness of God to His people.

Having been to some modern Jewish festivals, I can tell you that if the Old Testament festivals were anything like the ones I’ve been to, they must have been a blast.

It’s easy to look back at Leviticus and think how terrible it would have been to have to offer sacrifices all the time.

While Jesus gave the perfect sacrifice to end the constant animal sacrifice system, the Old Testament system provided the predecessor to Jesus’s sacrifice.

The temporary atonement and expression of devotion to God brought great joy to God’s people.

As you read these seemingly endless descriptions, think about the joy surrounding them.

Then think how much greater joy we should have when we accept the complete and permanent atonement of Jesus’ sacrifice for us.

What is the most fun you have had at a church or faith-based celebration?
What differences do you see in Old Testament celebrations compared to New Testament or modern celebrations?
February 16, 2026

February 16th, 2026

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Luke 7

Highlight Verse:

“When Jesus had finished saying all this to the people, he returned to Capernaum.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭7‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Jesus had a home base.

He often returned to Peter’s home in Capernaum.

Kfar Nahum, the original name of Capernaum can be translated “place of comfort” or “village of comfort.”

Image courtesy of http://www.HolyLandPhotos.org – Capernaum today.

Mentioned 16 times in the New Testament, it was a small fishing village on the north shore of the Sea of Galilee.

Jesus recruited Peter and Andrew from there and likely John and James too.

For a time, He was accepted there, teaching in the synagogue and performing quite a few miracles there.

Eventually the establishment there rejected Jesus, prompting Him to mention Capernaum as a place that was condemned for their unbelief despite the miracles performed there. (Luke 10:13-14)

Why do I focus on a place today?

It was a place that Jesus could launch His ministry from.

Having a home base gave Jesus a place to regain his physical energy.

At times, the house he lived in (Peter’s house) was a place of ministry where people came to hear the Word of God and receive healing.

When we bought our home, we hoped that it would be a place of ministry.

Since then, we have hosted small groups, housed a church intern, raised 4 kids, and spent many hours of reading, studying, praying, and writing.

I’m certainly not Jesus, but I am called to do His work.

If you follow Him, so are you.

Where is your home base?
How is God using it for His work?
February 15, 2026

February 15th, 2026

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Proverbs 11

Highlight Verse:

“Your kindness will reward you, but your cruelty will destroy you.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭11‬:‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Let’s keep it simple today.

Simply put, being a giving person will bring you reward.

Being a selfish person will have the opposite effect.

It doesn’t pay to be selfish.

Enough said.

How have you been rewarded for being a giving person?
Has selfishness ever backfired on you? Explain.
February 14, 2026

February 14th, 2026

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Psalm 139

Highlight Verse:

“Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭139‬:‭14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

God designed each and every one of us.

As His creations, each and every one of us is precious in His site.

We are all different, but that is part of the wonderful tapestry of humanity – the masterpiece of the ultimate artist.

Some of God’s people have special needs. While some people would tend to shun them, they are just as loved by God as anyone else.

Last night we celebrated people with special needs through the annual “Night to Shine” event.

Night to Shine at Orchard Church, Brighton, CO

It was a night filled with joy and celebration – the highlight of the year for guest and volunteer alike.

Today’s reading highlights God’s designing touch in each of our lives.

We should respect that touch both in ourselves and in those around us.

We are all His workmanship.

Is it easier or harder for you to appreciate and love people with special needs? Why?
What can you do today to help those with special needs feel God’s loving design?
February 13, 2026

February 13th, 2026

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Ezekiel 40-42

Highlight Verse:

“He said to me, “Son of man, watch and listen. Pay close attention to everything I show you. You have been brought here so I can show you many things. Then you will return to the people of Israel and tell them everything you have seen.””
‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭40‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

When the Bible says to pay close attention, my mind goes, “Oh, maybe I should pay close attention here.”

In all seriousness, sentences like this grab my attention and I brace for something mind blowing.

And then we get a detailed description of a temple.

Some say the description was figurative. But why would God spend the next nine chapters in detailed description if it was just figurative.

Some say it describes the temple as it will be in heaven. I have a hard time with that because I believe we will be in the direct presence of God. Why would we need a temple and priests?

Others say it was meant as plans for the temple and the land for the Israelites when they returned to the land.

You could say that’s not true because the Israelites did not follow those instructions.

But then, how many times have we not followed the detailed instructions of God to the letter?

Maybe it would be easier to ask how many times we did follow God’s instructions.

Ezekiel paid close attention and wrote the descriptions down in great detail.

The people heard the instructions and rebuilt the temple and the nation their own way.

Life could have been much different if they had followed the instructions.

Have you ever been given detailed instructions and did things your own way? How did that turn out?
Have you ever followed detailed instructions from God? How did that turn out?

Proverbs can make it tough to highlight a single verse.

Bottom line – treat your animals well.

Nearly every Christian today can trace their spiritual heritage to Paul.

We are ALL called to spread the Gospel to the entire world.

If you feel like your life is useless, let me assure you that, if you join in the calling to Spread the Gospel, there is great purpose in every breath you take.

One day I will get to see the glory of God in all its majesty in person.

Take that Ezekiel.

Let’s just say that I don’t think there will be any opportunity for boredom in heaven.

But this one verse sums it up nicely.

That truly is the best hope and the deepest joy.

I love this story.

What really got me was how concerned the prophet was about the axe being borrowed.

The general idea is to always think of others first.

Here’s the early church potlucks!

As you read these seemingly endless descriptions, think about the joy surrounding them.

Jesus had a home base.

It was a place that Jesus could launch His ministry from.

If you follow Him, so are you.

Let’s keep it simple today.

It doesn’t pay to be selfish.

When the Bible says to pay close attention, my mind goes, “Oh, maybe I should pay close attention here.”

But then, how many times have we not followed the detailed instructions of God to the letter?

Life could have been much different if they had followed the instructions.