Walk in the Light

June 16, 2023

June 16th, 2023

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Jeremiah 4-6

Highlight Verse:

“My heart, my heart—I writhe in pain! My heart pounds within me! I cannot be still. For I have heard the blast of enemy trumpets and the roar of their battle cries.”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭4‬:‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The student newspaper of the college I went to was called the Jeremiad. Like Jeremiah, they reported a lot of bad news. Unlike Jeremiah, they enjoyed it.

Jeremiah gave the people of Israel some of the worst news in their history.

It tore him up inside.

He hated being the bearer of bad news but it was the job he’d been given. He was faithful with it.

Sometimes God asks us to do things that aren’t pleasant. It’s okay not to like it.

The question is, will we do it?

Do you have stories of when you have had to do something unpleasant for God?
How have you handled those kind of situations?
June 15, 2023

June 15th, 2023

Thursday – Letters

Reading 1 Corinthians 15-16

Highlight Verse:

“On the first day of each week, you should each put aside a portion of the money you have earned. Don’t wait until I get there and then try to collect it all at once.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭16‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

There’s just a few short lines about giving in this letter. But, they are very telling.

The way Paul words these lines implies that giving is already on the minds of the people of Corinth. He just gives them a little advice to make it go more smoothly.

The lesson I get out of those short lines is to give regularly and don’t fall behind in your giving.

To that end, before I started writing I checked to be sure we were current on our giving. I forgot to tithe on my wife’s last paycheck! Don’t worry, I took care of it so I can write this without feeling like a hypocrite.

There are many other teachings about money. I won’t go into all those here.

What I will say is that giving on a regular basis is a freeing experience.

It is easy to become a slave to the almighty dollar (or Euro or whatever is in your country). Giving a portion of it to the church and/or other ministries frees you from that slavery and helps you trust that God has it all under control.

I know it’s easier for some to give than others. There’s been times in my own life when it has been very tough to give. It’s not easy right now.

But I’ve never been able to outgive God.

No matter how dire the situation, He has always pulled me through. Usually, when I’m giving regularly, I find He provides me with more than what I’ve given.

Do you have stories you can share of how God has provided for you when you’ve given regularly?
If you have a difficult time trusting God to provide for you, what would it take to earn that trust?
June 14, 2023

June 14th, 2023

Wednesday – History

Reading – 1 Samuel 7-8

Highlight Verse:

“Do as they ask, but solemnly warn them about the way a king will reign over them.””
‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭8‬:‭9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Today is Flag Day in the United States. It’s a national day to be proud of our flag and our country. Nothing wrong with that.

Israel wanted some national pride. Samuel had done a good job of leading them but his sons were corrupt. All the nations around them had powerful kings to lead their nations. They wanted a king they could be proud of.

They couldn’t say God didn’t warn them.

We have an incredible amount of freedom to choose today. We not only choose our leaders but we also choose our careers, our spouses, where to live, who to hang out with, even what clothes to wear.

We have complete freedom to make our own decisions.

But we must also deal with the consequences of those decisions.

Israel was warned about choosing to have a king over them. They made that choice anyway and they had to deal with Saul.

We would do well to listen to God’s warnings to us if we want to avoid some of the horrible consequences of our decisions.

Have you had to deal with terrible consequences from bad decisions?
Are there decisions you face today that could have far reaching consequences?
June 13, 2023

June 13th, 2023

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Genesis 39-40

Highlight Verse:

“Before long, the warden put Joseph in charge of all the other prisoners and over everything that happened in the prison.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭39‬:‭22‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I was passed over for promotion twice. A third position came up that I was encouraged to apply for but it would have meant moving so I passed on it.

I’m still just a plain old field tech (Technical Services Representative to be exact), and I’m so glad. Both the positions I was passed up for and the one I passed on were eliminated during COVID downsizing.

I might not have the prestige of a management position, but I have a steady decent-paying job.

Joseph got the promotion, but then was seriously demoted to jail. That would discourage most (almost all) people.

Joseph dusted off his ego and proceeded to do the best job he could with the tasks he was given.

You know the results.

Just in case you didn’t know, Joseph was promoted multiple times until we was second in command over all Egypt. That put him in a position to save his family, the growing tribe of Israel.

You might feel stuck in a position that lacks any prestige or glamour.

Your ego might need more than a little dust-off.

God used Joseph because he remained faithful and did his very best even in the worst of situations. If he can use that prisoner accused of being a sex-offender, he can use you no matter how far down you’ve fallen.

Learn from Joseph.

Leave the ego behind and just be faithful in the situation you’ve been put into.

Are you doing your best to remain faithful in a bad situation?
If you’re in a great situation, are you remaining faithful to do all He has called you to do in that situation?
June 12, 2023

June 12th, 2023

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Mark 7-8

Highlight Verses:

“Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God.’ For you ignore God’s law and substitute your own tradition.””
‭‭Mark‬ ‭7‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Here’s the difference between religion and relationship.

In religion, you obey a bunch of rules in order to earn your way into heaven.

When you have a relationship with God, you follow his leading out of gratitude for being given a new life and trust that God knows what’s best for you.

We can never earn our way into heaven because we will never meet God’s standard of perfection. Jesus is the only one who ever did. He laid down his life as a sacrifice in our place that we may be with Him for eternity in heaven and have a relationship with Him in this life. That’s an amazing gift that we do our best to live up to, though we know that we will fall short.

I’ve know many people who, even after they’ve accepted God’s forgiveness, still feel like they have to keep to a strict set of rules or they will lose their salvation. For you I have good news.

The only way you could lose your salvation is by rejecting Jesus.

I also know many people who have accepted God’s forgiveness and live like there are no rules. I have good news for you as well.

Following the principles set forth in the Bible will lead you to a richer, more fulfilling life.

Obeying God’s commands will not earn you heaven, but it will bring you closer to the God of all joy.

Some think that if they obey, they’ll miss out on all the fun. In obedience is more fun and joy than you can imagine.

The path of sin, if followed to the end, can lead you so far from Jesus that you reject Him and forgiveness, which is the furthest thing from joy I can imagine.

Have you been stressing over every little religious rule you’ve ever heard of?
Or have you been seeking fulfillment in sin?
Trade those paths in for the path of relationship with the God of all Joy!
June 11, 2023

June 11th, 2023

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Psalms 72-74

Highlight Verses:

“These fat cats have everything their hearts could ever wish for!
Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭73‬:‭7‬, ‭21‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I grew up poor. I’ve never been wealthy by American standards (though by third world standards…).

I’ve spent a fair amount of time wishing I had what other’s have.

I’ve even speculated what I would do if I won one of those huge lottery jackpots.

That might not be a horrible thing. But is it a good thing?

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with working hard to achieve financial success. In most cases, I don’t see a problem with winning the lottery (though the money bet could probably be better used elsewhere).

But we humans can be excessive.

We wallow in jealousy or self pity.
We ignore our family and spiritual life in pursuit of wealth.
We spend money we don’t have on things we don’t need.

Before we get to the point of being all torn up inside, let’s get our priorities back in order –

God
Family
Community and Country

Most of us should have no problem keeping those priorities without driving that Mercedes to our beach house sporting our RayBans and Coach accessories.

So the next time I find myself wrenching under the hood of the old minivan (again), I’ll think about how blessed I am.

I have all I need.

Do you?
June 10, 2023

June 10th, 2023

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – 2 Corinthians 5:1-5

Highlight Verse:

“For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

For those of you who have downloaded the reading list, you will notice a departure from what I had previously chosen. That’s because, today, we are in Nebraska to say our last goodbyes to my mother-in-law.

We are all mortal.

I feel the weight of years in this body, though I believe I have many years to go. But there will come a day when the weight of this body will be lifted and I will have a new body in heaven – one that will not wear out.

Today’s verse and several like it bear witness to that fact.

My kids’ grandma will be getting her new body soon. We will miss her desperately, but we know that she looked to Jesus for her eternal life. We will meet her again someday and she’ll be that spry, kind, and fun lady she once was.

Do you believe that you have a heavenly body waiting for you?
Have you trusted God for it?

If not, message me. Let’s talk about it.
June 9, 2023

June 8th, 2023

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Jeremiah 1-3

Highlight Verse:

““My wayward children,” says the Lord, “come back to me, and I will heal your wayward hearts.” “Yes, we’re coming,” the people reply, “for you are the Lord our God.”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭3‬:‭22‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Why do people return to the Lord?

He is the Lord.

The only true God.

The Creator of the Universe.

He’s the Real Deal.

There is no other God.

He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

The God of Jeremiah, who restored the people of Israel can restore you and those you love.

Do you believe it?
June 8, 2023

June 8th, 2023

Thursday – Letters

Reading – 1 Corinthians 13-14

Highlight Verse:

“Let love be your highest goal! But you should also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives—especially the ability to prophesy.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭14‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Today, 14:1 jumped out as a good balance between the gifts of the Spirit and the love chapter.

I have seen people so adamant about the constant practice of the gifts of the Spirit that they drive people away from them.

I’ve seen some who are so focused on love that they ignore the working of the Holy Spirit and even repentance.

In this one verse, we find both love and power. They can coexist. Especially in prophecy.

True prophecy is rooted in love.

In the past, I have been confronted with “prophecy” that was rooted in gossip. It was not helpful. I dare say that it contributed to my ex-wife’s slide away from Christ and away from her commitment to our marriage.

I have also seen prophecy that was empowered by the Holy Spirit and rooted in God’s love.

Over the years, several Spirit prompted exhortations have helped keep me on the right path.

I should be clear that the gift of prophecy as I understand it, does not necessarily involve predicting the future. In my experience, it rarely does.

What it does involve is Holy Spirit prompted exhortation or advice that, when not messed up by the “prophet”, is exactly what the hearer needs to hear.

True prophecy will always line up with Scripture!

The Spirit will normally confirm the word of prophecy to the hearer and the speaker.

I could go on but I’ve already passed my self-imposed word limit.

What do you think prophecy should look like?
How do you think prophecy and love can coexist?
June 7, 2023

June 7th, 2023

Wednesday – History

Reading – 1 Samuel 5-6

Highlight Verse:
““Now build a new cart, and find two cows that have just given birth to calves. Make sure the cows have never been yoked to a cart. Hitch the cows to the cart, but shut their calves away from them in a pen.”
‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭6‬:‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

When I first read this, I had to ask – why on earth would they pick cows that had just given birth.”

The answer is simple.

Mama cows have a very strong instinct to protect and provide for their calves. Pile that onto all the other things and the cattle should have never taken the ark home.

But they went straight to where they belonged.

If that’s not a sign from God, nothing is.

I am not one who would recommend piling on the impossibilities. In fact, if I’m doing that, I’m probably trying to get out of something.

Still, if God is making something happen against all odds, you might want to pay attention and figure out why.

Have you ever tried piling on impossibilities just so you can be sure that you are in God’s will?
If so, did you have other motives to try to get out of doing the thing?

It tore him up inside.

The question is, will we do it?

The lesson I get out of those short lines is to give regularly and don’t fall behind in your giving.

What I will say is that giving on a regular basis is a freeing experience.

But I’ve never been able to outgive God.

They couldn’t say God didn’t warn them.

We have complete freedom to make our own decisions.

We would do well to listen to God’s warnings to us if we want to avoid some of the horrible consequences of our decisions.

Joseph dusted off his ego and proceeded to do the best job he could with the tasks he was given.

Leave the ego behind and just be faithful in the situation you’ve been put into.

Here’s the difference between religion and relationship.

The only way you could lose your salvation is by rejecting Jesus.

Following the principles set forth in the Bible will lead you to a richer, more fulfilling life.

But we humans can be excessive.

We wallow in jealousy or self pity.We ignore our family and spiritual life in pursuit of wealth.We spend money we don’t have on things we don’t need.

GodFamilyCommunity and Country

I have all I need.

We are all mortal.

If not, message me. Let’s talk about it.

He is the Lord.

The God of Jeremiah, who restored the people of Israel can restore you and those you love.

Do you believe it?

True prophecy is rooted in love.

Over the years, several Spirit prompted exhortations have helped keep me on the right path.

True prophecy will always line up with Scripture!

If that’s not a sign from God, nothing is.

Still, if God is making something happen against all odds, you might want to pay attention and figure out why.

We wallow in jealousy or self pity.
We ignore our family and spiritual life in pursuit of wealth.
We spend money we don’t have on things we don’t need.

God
Family
Community and Country