Walk in the Light

May 20, 2023

May 20th, 2023

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Acts 8:26-39

Highlight Verse:

“As for Philip, an angel of the Lord said to him, “Go south down the desert road that runs from Jerusalem to Gaza.””
‭‭Acts of the Apostles‬ ‭8‬:‭26‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Phillip is among those who had recently been kicked out of Jerusalem for following Jesus. This drove Phillip first to Samaria where he saw many Samaritan’s find faith in Jesus.

Then came this odd command from the Lord. “Go down the desert road.”

I don’t know about you but a walk in the desert would not be my first choice, especially if I was eager to share the Gospel.

But that’s exactly where God wanted Philip.

In the midst of the heat and dust, God put Philip in the exact spot where he could speak to an important Ethiopian.

History records that the church in Ethiopia likely traces its roots back to this very meeting. In fact, Ethiopia is the only country in that region that remained primarily Christian when Islam swept through that area. Today two-thirds of the population identifies as Christian.

All because Philip obeyed a rather odd request from God.

God may have you on a desert road.

Your life may not have gone according to your plans. That doesn’t mean that you’re not smack dab in the middle of God’s plans for you.

If you are open to being used by God in whatever way he chooses, the results may blow you away.

How have you seen God use you along the “desert road” of your life?
Are you open to sacrificing comfort to do God’s will?

Bonus:

Here’s Casting Crowns new song “Desert Road” – the idea of which came from this passage.
May 19, 2023

May 19th, 2023

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Isaiah 58-60

Highlight Verses:

““No, this is the kind of fasting I want: Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people. Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭58‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

In the prior verses, Isaiah talks about people fasting to impress people or to appear good. Not very good reasons to fast.

Instead, Isaiah offers a very practical approach to fasting.

In the context of that culture, Isaiah is saying fasting is to be able to share your resources with others.

I know there are other Biblical forms of fasting that Jesus modeled for us, but Isaiah’s type of fasting has piqued my interest.

What would be the effect if everyone took one day a month, fasted, and took the money they would have spent on food and used it to help others?

My best guess is that we would live in a different, better world.

I will admit that we don’t do that, but we do take more than the equivalent of a day’s groceries and support 3 children through Compassion International. If we fasted, maybe we could do more. We’ll have to think about that?

Have you considered supporting needy people either through Compassion or some other ministry?
If you are doing that, how has that affected your life?
May 18, 2023

May 18th, 2023

Thursday – Letters

Reading – 1 Corinthians 7-8

Highlight Verse:

“But you must be careful so that your freedom does not cause others with a weaker conscience to stumble.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭8‬:‭9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This was written in the context of eating meat that had been sacrificed to idols. It can cover so much more.

Your walk with God may not be adversely affected by drinking alcohol, watching R-rated movies, or any number of things that might be considered questionable.

That may be true but this verse reminds us to ask the question, “Is there anyone who will be adversely affected by seeing me do something?”

Will my drinking tempt someone weaker to drink leading them into addiction? Will what I watch tempt someone to slip into a porn addiction?

We would do well to watch what we do with an eye to how it affects those around us, not just ourselves.

Is there something you do that may be adversely affecting someone else?
Can you take the time to honestly ask those questions before doing something that some may see as questionable?
May 17, 2023

May 17th, 2023

Wednesday – History

Reading – Ruth 3-4

Highlight Verse:

““Who are you?” he asked. “I am your servant Ruth,” she replied. “Spread the corner of your covering over me, for you are my family redeemer.””
‭‭Ruth‬ ‭3‬:‭9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I have so many questions!

Why did Boaz sleep in the barn? How would Naomi know he would? Why didn’t Boaz pursue Ruth earlier?

I think it’s safe to say that it was tradition for farmers to sleep at the threshing floor at harvest time since Naomi knew he would be there.

In a time when everyone in Israel did as they pleased, Boaz stands out as a man of integrity.

Because of this, he would have assumed that Ruth would be claimed by the closer kinsman redeemer. Despite Ruth’s forwardness, he maintains his integrity by waiting to claim her until he gets the okay from that other man.

The real story here is Ruth.

With Naomi’s guidance, she sees the solution to their problems and boldly steps up and seeks that solution by asking Boaz to marry her (That’s what asking him to cover her meant in that culture).

Her boldness is balanced with humility that seeks what is right, not just what is best for her.

Because of her boldness her and Naomi’s poverty is ended.

Because of her boldness, she has a great grandson named David who would rule Israel with a heart after God.

Because of her boldness, we have a Messiah descended from her.

We would do well to imitate her balance of boldness and humility.

Have you had a time when you had to be bold and humble at the same time? Tell us about it.
Do you lean to boldness or humility or are you able to balance the two?
May 16, 2023

May 16th, 2023

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Genesis 33-34

Highlight Verse:

“Shechem wasted no time in acting on this request, for he wanted Jacob’s daughter desperately. Shechem was a highly respected member of his family,”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭34‬:‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This is another one of those stories that’s too messed up not to be true.

I’ll admit, I went into this praying, “Lord, what on earth can I pull out of this?”

Then the word “desperately” popped out at me.

Have you ever been desperate enough to do something foolish?

The Lord knows I have.

We think, “if I don’t settle for this person, I’ll never get married.” Or “I need a car so I have to accept these finance terms.”

Whatever the “desperate” situation, our desperation takes away our cognition.

We don’t think things through.

We agree to foolish terms.

In Shechem’s case, it cost his life and the lives of all the men in his town.

Is there anything that you are desperate about today?
Is there something you can do to recognize that your “desperate” situation may not be as desperate as you think?
Can you trust God instead of a foolish decision to get you out of those situations?
May 15, 2023

May 15th, 2023

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Mark 1-2

Highlight Verse:

“And they left their nets at once and followed him.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭1‬:‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

We start a new Gospel today. Mark is one of the synoptic Gospels. That means that it draws on the same material as Matthew and Luke. Many scholars believe Mark to be the source of the material which those other two Gospels build on with other sources.

It is believed that Mark (John Mark in Acts) got his accounts of Jesus from Peter.

You will see as we go through it that Mark gets right to the point. He moves the narrative along quickly and tends to have the subjects move quickly with terms like “immediately” and “at once”.

Whether the “at once” in today’s verse is literal or just expressing the fact that they left without second thought, it is obvious that the first apostles Jesus called were fully committed to following Jesus. They left behind their livelihoods and families to learn from the Messiah.

While we are not called to ditch our families, we would do well to have a strong commitment to learning from Jesus and following the mission that he has for us.

Are you fully committed to learning everything you can from Jesus?
Are you willing to do what you need to follow the mission Jesus has for you?
May 14, 2023

May 14th, 2023

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Psalms 59-61

Highlight Verse:

“From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety,”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭61‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

When a young child gets separated from their mother, lost in a crowd or in a supermarket, that mother will seek her child like nothing else in the world existed. And when that child finds his or her mom, they cling to that safety.

On this Mother’s Day, this verse reminds me of the security a child finds in his or her mom.

As an adult, that security for David, the author of this Psalm, and for me is found in God.

I believe God seeks earnestly after each soul that is lost.

When that soul finds refuge in the saving Grace and new life in Jesus, he or she finds that towering rock of safety.

That safety goes well beyond anything this world can provide.

Have you experienced that sense of safety in the presence of God?
Have you thanked your mom today for providing that sense of safety to you when your were growing up?
May 13, 2023

May 13th, 2023

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Jeremiah 29:4-23

Highlight Verse:

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I hate to admit it but this is one of my pet-peeve verses.

It’s a wonderful encouraging passage.

But it’s usually taken out of context.

What most people fail to mention is Jeremiah is telling the exiles to cool their heels for the next 70 years. The nation of Israel will return to Jerusalem but it won’t be for a long time so you might as well get comfortable in this strange land.

So, go ahead and put up your Jeremiah 29:11 plaques. Just keep in mind that it might just be telling you to be faithful and endure this time that is less than comfortable.

God wants your best and he holds your future in His hand, but your future is in His time, not necessarily ours.

Have you come through lengthy times of trial and experienced a time of restoration after enduring in faithfulness?
Can you trust in your present trials that God will bring you through?
May 12, 2023

May 12th, 2023

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Isaiah 55-57

Highlight Verse:

“Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭55‬:‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

My first thought when I see this is “Isn’t the Lord always near?”

But then there are seasons.

Here in Colorado, it is Miller moth season. In fact, one found its way into the house and is fluttering around my lamp. Most likely, by morning its fluttering will be over and its life spent.

That moth’s life seems very short to us. But, compared to the eternity that awaits, our lives are a blink of an eye.

On average, we have less than 80 years to make the call for our eternity.

Some more, some less.

One mistake many people make is assuming that eternal life begins when we die. They think they have to “live it up” and have their “fun” while they are young. Then, when they are older, they can get more serious about God.

I found out one August day in 1977 that eternal life begins when we start to live it for God.

The most joy filled times of my life have been when I am living in the center of His will.

The most miserable times were when I was living for myself.

What times in your life have been the most joyful?
Has your true eternal life begun yet? If not, what’s holding you back?
May 11, 2023

May 11th, 2023

Thursday – Letters

Reading – 1 Corinthians 5-6

Highlight Verses:

“When I wrote to you before, I told you not to associate with people who indulge in sexual sin. But I wasn’t talking about unbelievers who indulge in sexual sin, or are greedy, or cheat people, or worship idols. You would have to leave this world to avoid people like that.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

In the previous verses, Paul warns the Corinthians not to allow someone unrepentant to associate with the church.

His heart is clear. He wants people to repent.

If we act like sin is not sin, people will neglect repentance, trading a Gospel of new life for one of tolerance that robs the supposed Christian of salvation from sin.

Paul’s heart wants people to find Jesus. Let’s not drive them away from salvation by pretending there’s no need for it.

Are you tempted to value tolerance over repentance?
Can you see how that would drive people away from God?

But that’s exactly where God wanted Philip.

If you are open to being used by God in whatever way he chooses, the results may blow you away.

Instead, Isaiah offers a very practical approach to fasting.

We would do well to watch what we do with an eye to how it affects those around us, not just ourselves.

In a time when everyone in Israel did as they pleased, Boaz stands out as a man of integrity.

The real story here is Ruth.

Her boldness is balanced with humility that seeks what is right, not just what is best for her.

We would do well to imitate her balance of boldness and humility.

Have you ever been desperate enough to do something foolish?

Whatever the “desperate” situation, our desperation takes away our cognition.

While we are not called to ditch our families, we would do well to have a strong commitment to learning from Jesus and following the mission that he has for us.

On this Mother’s Day, this verse reminds me of the security a child finds in his or her mom.

I believe God seeks earnestly after each soul that is lost.

When that soul finds refuge in the saving Grace and new life in Jesus, he or she finds that towering rock of safety.

But it’s usually taken out of context.

God wants your best and he holds your future in His hand, but your future is in His time, not necessarily ours.

But then there are seasons.

On average, we have less than 80 years to make the call for our eternity.

The most joy filled times of my life have been when I am living in the center of His will.

If we act like sin is not sin, people will neglect repentance, trading a Gospel of new life for one of tolerance that robs the supposed Christian of salvation from sin.