Walk in the Light

April 30, 2023

April 30th, 2023

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Psalms 52-55

Highlight Verse:

“But I am like an olive tree, thriving in the house of God. I will always trust in God’s unfailing love.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭52‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This is the kind of heart I want toward God.

David wrote this Psalm before he was king. He was being constantly tracked by King Saul and his men. Things were not going great for him, though he was able to stay one step ahead of King Saul.

In the midst of his trials, David had complete trust in God.

For him it was the beginning of a legacy.

Does your faith stay strong in the midst of your trials?
How do you cultivate that trust?
April 29, 2023

April 29th, 2023

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Genesis 2:15

“The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭2‬:‭15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Our front yard’s not in bad shape.

Sure, the lawn needs a little help, but it’ll come around. It’s only getting it’s first mowing today.

Our backyard on the other hand…

Let’s just say that Better Homes and Gardens has not scheduled a photo shoot yet.

With all the work that it needs, it’s a bit overwhelming.

I’m not really tending my garden like Adam was tasked with doing.

But then, is that what this verse should mean to us today?

I tend to think of this verse in terms of our entire environment.

Don’t worry, I’m not going to go all political with this. I recognize that different people see that task in different ways.

For me, I try to not be wasteful with the resources God has provided for me and do my part to keep my surroundings beautiful.

I’ll be working in the backyard today toward that aim.

What about you?
How do you see this verse playing out in your life?
What do you consider to be your garden and how are you taking care of it?
April 28, 2023

April 28th, 2023

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Isaiah 49-51

Highlight Verse:

“I replied, “But my work seems so useless! I have spent my strength for nothing and to no purpose. Yet I leave it all in the Lord’s hand; I will trust God for my reward.””
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭49‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I can relate to Isaiah.

Sometimes it seems like my work is in vain. My words fall on deaf ears. Adults I taught as kids or youth walk away from the Lord. Even some of my own kids turn their backs to the faith I tried to foster in them.

Then I run into someone I taught years ago and they tell me that I had a significant influence on them. And I catch my daughter and her boyfriend having devotions together (really, they were!).

I think about the people who influenced me whom I never got a chance to thank.

And then I realize that it really isn’t me who does any of that.

If I am faithful to do what God calls me to do, there will be fruit. I might not see it for a long time. I may never see it at all.

But, it’s not me that brings life and growth. It’s the Holy Spirit.

It’s our responsibility to do what God calls us to do. He’ll take care of the rest.

What has God called you to do?
What have you done to fulfill that call?
April 27, 2023

April 27th, 2023

Thursday – Letters

Reading – 1 Corinthians 1-2

Highlight Verse:

“God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭1‬:‭28‬-‭29‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I am reminded of Balaam’s Donkey.

Specifically, I’m reminded of Don Francisco’s retelling of the story in the Song Balaam. He ends the tale with “If the Lord starts using you, don’t you pay in any mind. He coulda used the dog next door if he’d been so inclined.” (Don Francisco, Balaam, from the album Beautiful to Me, 1998)

This first chapter points out how gifted and blessed the Corinthians are.

You’ll see Paul point out some major flaws that need correcting through the following chapters.

I believe that God gives gifts and can work through you and me no matter where in our spiritual growth path we are.

I’ve seen God work mightily through deeply flawed people.

I don’t think he wants people to hang on to those flaws but I believe he wants to work through them even as they struggle through their flaws.

Has God used you when you were in the midst of trying to overcome personal flaws?
Do you think those flaws affect your ability to minister to people?
April 26, 2023

April 26th, 2023

Wednesday – History

Reading – Judges 17-19

Highlight Verse:

““No,” his master said, “we can’t stay in this foreign town where there are no Israelites. Instead, we will go on to Gibeah.”
‭‭Judges‬ ‭19‬:‭12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

If you read this through, you know that this Levite and his servant would have been no worse off if they had stayed in the foreign town.

Suffice it to say, Israel, during this time of absence of leadership, was messed up!

Despite the Law and the Temple worship, the people of Israel had lost their moral compass and sense of unity. People did whatever they wanted.

Sounds a little like today.

We might not have the level of violence and debauchery of this story (though in some parts of the world it is that bad), but we have a lack of respect for one another, even in the Church.

We tend to ridicule those who believe differently than us. We make those who are different from us feel unwelcome in our churches. Perhaps worst of all, instead of trying to restore those who have fallen from grace, we tend to kick them when they are down, rejecting them and their pleas for help.

I’m not trying to preach a gospel of tolerance.

I am advocating a Gospel of love, restoration, and community.

What do you think that you can do to further that Gospel?
Have you fallen victim to that culture of disrespect and what have you done to rise above it?
April 25, 2023

April 25th, 2023

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Genesis 27-28

Highlight Verses:

“Then Jacob made this vow: “If God will indeed be with me and protect me on this journey, and if he will provide me with food and clothing, and if I return safely to my father’s home, then the Lord will certainly be my God.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭28‬:‭20‬-‭21‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Is it just me or does Jacob seem a little immature in his faith.

He reminds me of myself in middle school. “God, if you do this, I’ll believe.”

But then, of course, he was rather young.

So how does God react to Jacob’s weak faith?

He doesn’t. At least not in that moment.

Eventually Jacob returns to the Promised Land with two wives, many children, and great flocks of livestock.

I had a discussion with a friend today about the condition of the Church in America. For most people in America, faith is about as deep as a puddle that dries up when the sun comes out.

While I believe that we should grow ever deeper in our faith, I also believe that God can use faith that is puddle deep. The big thing that my friend and I agreed on is that, if faith is real, it should result in action.

So, whether your faith is puddle deep or fathomless, put what you believe into practice.

One way or another God will bless that – though maybe not with multiple wives and thousands of sheep.

Do you feel like your faith is like walking through a puddle or swimming in the deep end?
What are you doing to live out that faith?
April 24, 2023

April 24th, 2023

Monday – Gospels

Reading – John 18

Highlight Verse:

“Pilate said, “So you are a king?” Jesus responded, “You say I am a king. Actually, I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true.””
‭‭John‬ ‭18‬:‭37‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Did you notice that Jesus makes a purpose statement here?

Granted, He doesn’t state his entire purpose. To do that could jeopardize the purpose we usually focus on – that of being the sacrifice that cleanses all who believe from our sin.

What He does state so eloquently in one sentence is also a very important purpose. The truth that he testified would turn the world’s theology upside down.

He taught us how to love God and love others. In doing so, He expounded through parables how that happens.

We would do very well as we read the Gospels, to keep an eye out for Jesus’ instructions and put them into practice.

What was the last thing you remember learning from Jesus through reading the Gospels?
April 23, 2023

April 23rd, 2023

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Psalms 49-51

Highlight Verses:

“Listen to this, all you people! Pay attention, everyone in the world! High and low, rich and poor—listen!”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭49‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I’m not hard of hearing (much) but sometimes I am “hard of listening.”

I put filters on and only hear what I want to hear.

Usually I can get away with it.

Sometimes I find myself wondering, “Did they say this or that?”

I wind up getting lost or not knowing when I should take how much medicine since I missed part of the instructions.

Fortunately, that doesn’t happen often.

When it really matters is when I ignore the Word of God or a godly person’s sage advice. I can find myself in a pickle of poor decisions when I let my own desires supersede the advice I should have listened to.

So the next time I see the Bible say “listen” or “pay attention” I’d better pay attention.

Have you ever found yourself in a bad situation because you didn’t listen?
Is there a situation where listening to wise advice saved you from trouble?
April 22, 2023

April 22nd, 2023

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Philippians 4:4

“Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

When ever I read this, I hear Keith Green singing, “Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice.” (Scripture Song Medley, from the album The Ministry Years 1980-1982)

You’ll notice it doesn’t say, “rejoice in the Lord Sunday morning,” or “rejoice in the Lord on payday,” or my favorite, “rejoice in the Lord every Friday at 5.”

It’s “rejoice in the Lord always.”

You might say, “Well, Paul didn’t just have his car break down for the 5th time,” or “Paul wasn’t just laid off,” or Paul doesn’t have to deal with this person every day.”

Actually Paul was in jail. Most scholars believe it was his final jail sentence – not that far from his execution.

Still he said, “rejoice in the Lord always.”

Okay, Paul. I will.

Do you have a hard time rejoicing when things aren’t going well?
Can you share a time when you did rejoice through a hard time and it changed your perspective?
April 21, 2023

April 21st, 2023

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Isaiah 49-51

Highlight Verse:

“Sing for joy, O heavens! Rejoice, O earth! Burst into song, O mountains! For the Lord has comforted his people and will have compassion on them in their suffering.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭49‬:‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Isaiah speaks this to the exiled nation of Israel. In the midst of their suffering, they have cause for rejoicing.

Some might say, “If the Lord loves them so much, why did He allow them to be exiled?”

They were exiled because they didn’t heed the warnings of the prophets and wandered from God. In the midst of all that, God never stopped having compassion on them.

As a father loves his wandering child while he hurts to see them wander, so God loves His wandering children and compassionately woos them back.

If you or your loved ones wander from God’s path, don’t think God rages against you or them. He compassionately longs for you or them to return!

Do you know what it’s like to wander away from that perfect path God designed for you?
Have you experienced the Lord’s compassion draw you back to Him?
Share your experiences that others may see His compassion in action.

This is the kind of heart I want toward God.

In the midst of his trials, David had complete trust in God.

Our front yard’s not in bad shape.

Our backyard on the other hand…

But then, is that what this verse should mean to us today?

I can relate to Isaiah.

But, it’s not me that brings life and growth. It’s the Holy Spirit.

I am reminded of Balaam’s Donkey.

Suffice it to say, Israel, during this time of absence of leadership, was messed up!

Sounds a little like today.

I am advocating a Gospel of love, restoration, and community.

Is it just me or does Jacob seem a little immature in his faith.

So, whether your faith is puddle deep or fathomless, put what you believe into practice.

Did you notice that Jesus makes a purpose statement here?

We would do very well as we read the Gospels, to keep an eye out for Jesus’ instructions and put them into practice.

I’m not hard of hearing (much) but sometimes I am “hard of listening.”

So the next time I see the Bible say “listen” or “pay attention” I’d better pay attention.

It’s “rejoice in the Lord always.”

Okay, Paul. I will.

Some might say, “If the Lord loves them so much, why did He allow them to be exiled?”

As a father loves his wandering child while he hurts to see them wander, so God loves His wandering children and compassionately woos them back.