Walk in the Light

December 21, 2023

December 21st, 2023

Thursday – Letters

Reading – 2 Timothy 1-2

Highlight Verse:

“This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you.”
‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭1‬:‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Paul gives us a good definition of a mentor in this simple verse –

One who fans into flames the spiritual gifts of another.

Or at least reminds them to fan those gifts into flame.

Either way, Paul helped Timothy identify the gifts God gave him. He encouraged Timothy to exercise those gifts. He gave Timothy specific instructions on how to put the gifts into practice. And he gave Timothy opportunities to practice those gifts.

That sounds like a pretty good mentor to me.

You might say, “I’m no Paul. I can’t do those things.”

To that I would say, every follower of Jesus should have a mentor and be a mentor.

We need to be open to the leading of one who has gone before us or beside us and we need to bring others along too.

There’s always someone who can encourage you in your walk with Jesus.

And there’s always someone whom you can encourage.

Have you had a mentor? How have they helped you?
Have you been a mentor? What was/is that experience like for you?
December 20, 2023

December 20th, 2023

Wednesday – History

Reading – 1 Kings 7

Highlight Verse:

”Solomon also built a palace for himself, and it took him thirteen years to complete the construction.“
‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭7‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

About 14 years ago, I helped a family I knew move into a new rental home. Through some unforeseen circumstances, they lost the house they had owned but they found a larger, nicer house to rent at an affordable rate.

When I saw the house, I thought, “Wow, this is a really nice big house. I wish I could afford a house like this.”

I write this from the basement of a house my wife and I bought almost ten years ago. It’s the same house.

There is much more to that story that I don’t have room for here.

Most importantly, the sellers, who were that other family’s landlords, prayed for us and the house that it would be a place of ministry.

We and others have been greatly blessed here and and we pray that the ministry would continue. Every night as I climb the stairs to our bedroom, I thank God for letting us live here.

Solomon’s palace was far larger than this house, but I believe he also saw it as a place for ministry.

It included areas for celebration, justice, and ruling.

A home is more than a space for separating ourselves into family units.

It is a place of hospitality.

It is a place of family bonding and building.

It is a place of study.

It is a place of love shared within a family and shown outward to a community.

In short, it is a place of ministry.

How do you view your home?
Do you have stories of ministry that has happened in your home that you could share?
December 19, 2023

December 19th, 2023

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Exodus 32

Highlight Verse:

“Aaron saw how excited the people were, so he built an altar in front of the calf. Then he announced, “Tomorrow will be a festival to the Lord!””
‭‭Exodus‬ ‭32‬:‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

When God called Moses to lead His people out of Egypt and then brought in Aaron to be the mouthpiece of Moses, who couldn’t speak well, you might have wondered, “Why didn’t God just have Aaron lead the people out of Egypt?”

This verse makes the answer to that question quite clear.

Moses was committed to pleasing God.

Aaron was committed to pleasing people.

It makes sense that God was far more interested in using the person who was dedicated to Him, even if that person lacked all the talent needed for the job.

If you are truly interested in pleasing God, I wouldn’t worry about your talent (or lack thereof). If you are willing to serve, God will provide the talent, whether in yourself or someone else to help you.

Have you witnessed God use you or someone around you in a way that went beyond your/their talents? Share it!
Are you willing to step out in faith and follow God’s leading, even in areas that are not your strong suit?
December 18, 2023

December 18th, 2023

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Matthew 26

Highlight Verse:

“Then they sang a hymn and went out to the Mount of Olives.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭26‬:‭30‬ ‭NLT‬‬

In this very long chapter full of a very rich narrative, why would I pick this short, obscure verse.

Frankly, I picked it because it is obscure.

We’ve all heard or read about most of the other sections of this chapter.

Besides, have you ever stopped to think about why they sang, what they sang, and what they sounded like.

This little verse reminds us that Jesus and the disciples were brought up in relatively traditional Hebrew families. Adhering to Hebrew traditions would have come naturally to them.

One of those traditions would have been the singing of the second half of the Hallel Psalms (115-118) at the end of the Passover meal.

As to what they sounded like – I would have loved to be a fly on the wall for that.

No one knows.

But I’d bet it was a moving experience.

We know from Jesus’ teachings and life that he wasn’t into following meaningless traditions. From that we can assume that the singing of these Psalms was deep and meaningful for them, especially as Jesus knew what was about to happen.

What traditions do you follow?
How meaningful are they to you?
December 17, 2023

December 17th, 2023
Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Proverbs 3

Highlight Verse:

“Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I have taught many a child who is eager to answer each of my small group discussion questions, ready to show how much he/she knows.

I’ve been that kid/adult many times myself.

How many times do I need to remind myself to get back to basics?

Here’s the basics in regards to wisdom:
- My wisdom is foolishness compared to God’s.
- It is wiser to fear God than to know a lot about Him.
- All the knowledge in the world is useless if I don’t turn away from evil.
I’ll just keep it that simple – because it is.

Do you struggle with pride about how much of the Bible you know (like I do)?
How do you remind yourself to fear the Lord and turn away from evil?
December 16, 2023

December 16th, 2023

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Psalm 127

Highlight Verse:

“Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭127‬:‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

We had most of our children and a future son-in-law around the table tonight (Friday night before this is posted).

It was just pizza and decorating Christmas cookies.

Nothing spiritual.

Or was it?

I firmly believe that a good part of imparting your beliefs and values to the next generation is accomplished in the normal fun things you do with them.

In the midst of that fun, we talked about life including matters of faith (and how horrendous my angel shaped cookie looked when I was done with it – I ate the evidence).

It was a good time on multiple levels.

Our time of parenting is far too quickly transforming as our youngest is now nearly as tall as her mom.

They will always be our kids, but they will handle their own decisions and live with their own consequences – and eventually parent their own kids.

For those of you with young kids – cherish them and the time you get to spend with them. It will fly by.
For those of you with adult children – let them be adults that they may pass what you have taught them on to the next generation.
For those with no kiddos, enjoy your parents other family and friends while they are around.

What fun things do you do with your children or other family members?
How have you handled the different stages of parenting?
December 15, 2023

December 15th, 2023

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Ezekiel 13-15

Highlight Verse:

“Can your visions be anything but false if you claim, ‘This message is from the Lord,’ when I have not even spoken to you?”
‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭13‬:‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

While many bemoan the fact that there are so many denominations in the Church today, I look at denominations as different parts of the body just like Paul explained to the Corinthians.

I believe the phrase “in the essentials – unity, in the non-essentials – diversity is an appropriate way to look at unifying the Church and its many divisions.

Different denominations reach out and draw different people into the family of God.

I have spent much of my adult life in Pentecostal denominations and have seen amazing works of God happen through people who are willing to believe beyond their doubts.

I have also seen abuse of spiritual gifts.

“Thus sayeth the Lord” lends an air of spirituality and authority to the words that follow. Usually, the speaker firmly believes they are speaking for God.

Far too often those words are simply an emotional response to a given situation. Usually, the words have some basis in Scripture.

Sometimes they don’t.

I’ve seen it happen. I’ve had to check on “prophecies” spoken to me to see if they agree with the Bible and I’ve seen times when they didn’t.

Please don’t think that I am saying to ignore the spiritual gifts. I have seen awesome redemption and miracles through them.

But please, check any prophecy, word of knowledge, or word of wisdom to see if it lines up with the Word of God.

Always favor the Word of God if there is a difference.

Have you ever seen a false prophecy in person?
Have you ever been given a prophecy, Word of knowledge, or Word of wisdom that ended up being exactly what you needed to hear?
Let us hear about it!
December 14, 2023

December 14th, 2023

Thursday – Letters

Reading – 1 Timothy 6

Highlight Verse:

”So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.“
‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭6‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I grew up poor.

Okay, American poor.

We always had clothes, though I mainly had hand-me-downs.

And food, though not in abundance or high quality.

So, was I content?

Not usually.

Now that I’m grown, we have a nice house, plenty of food and everything we need and then some. We’re not wealthy (by American standards) but we’re not poor.

So, am I content now?

Usually.

But even now I have my moments of drooling over that new car or nicer home.

But, at the end of the day, as I walk upstairs to bed, I look around me, at the roof and walls that keep us warm and dry, and think about my family safe in their rooms, and the good meal I had just a few hours before.

In those moments, I find complete contentment and whisper a prayer of thanks for the One who provided everything for us.

Do you have moments of complete contentment?
How do they compare with your moments of envy?
Have you counted your blessings lately?
December 13, 2023

December 13th, 2023

Wednesday – History

Reading – 1 Kings 4-6

Highlight Verse:

“He could speak with authority about all kinds of plants, from the great cedar of Lebanon to the tiny hyssop that grows from cracks in a wall. He could also speak about animals, birds, small creatures, and fish.”
‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭4‬:‭33‬ ‭NLT‬‬

We all know that Solomon was wise, but did you know that he was also smart and well-educated?

We learn this just after learning about his wisdom, wealth, and the amazing peace and prosperity of his kingdom.

What was the source of his wisdom?

He asked for it.

The prosperity that came with that wisdom was just icing on the cake.

Not bad for the son of adulterers.

It’s a hard fact that we cannot all be Solomons. He had some family connections that couldn’t be beat.

But what if we humbly asked for wisdom like Solomon did?

I’m willing to give a try.

Have you ever asked God for wisdom?
How did God answer that prayer?
December 12, 2023

December 12th, 2023

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Exodus 30-31

Highlight Verse:

”“Look, I have specifically chosen Bezalel son of Uri, grandson of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. I have filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability, and expertise in all kinds of crafts.“
‭‭Exodus‬ ‭31‬:‭2‬-‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Upon establishing the nation of Israel, a couple of the first people that God chooses are artists!

The warriors, prophets, kings and most of those kinds of people come later. Instead, God chooses Bezazel and Oholiab to make beautiful things.

Notice that God does not choose them because they are great artists. Instead, he empowers them with the right skills to prepare them for their calling to make all the beautiful things for the tabernacle.

I have done a handful of paintings. They’re not bad. But they’re not that good either.

Instead, God has equipped me for other things more appropriate for my calling.

I also happened to be blessed with a wife who is a skilled artist.

God has or will equip you for what He has called you to.

He might even bring on more callings and equip you for each.

What are some of the things that God has equipped you for?
How did you know that the calling was from God?

One who fans into flames the spiritual gifts of another.

To that I would say, every follower of Jesus should have a mentor and be a mentor.

Most importantly, the sellers, who were that other family’s landlords, prayed for us and the house that it would be a place of ministry.

A home is more than a space for separating ourselves into family units.

Moses was committed to pleasing God.

Aaron was committed to pleasing people.

Frankly, I picked it because it is obscure.

But I’d bet it was a moving experience.

How many times do I need to remind myself to get back to basics?

Nothing spiritual.

Or was it?

They will always be our kids, but they will handle their own decisions and live with their own consequences – and eventually parent their own kids.

Different denominations reach out and draw different people into the family of God.

I have also seen abuse of spiritual gifts.

Far too often those words are simply an emotional response to a given situation. Usually, the words have some basis in Scripture.

Always favor the Word of God if there is a difference.

So, was I content?

But even now I have my moments of drooling over that new car or nicer home.

In those moments, I find complete contentment and whisper a prayer of thanks for the One who provided everything for us.

We all know that Solomon was wise, but did you know that he was also smart and well-educated?

He asked for it.

But what if we humbly asked for wisdom like Solomon did?

Upon establishing the nation of Israel, a couple of the first people that God chooses are artists!

God has or will equip you for what He has called you to.