Walk in the Light

March 20, 2023

March 20th, 2023

Monday – Gospels

Reading – John 13

Highlight Verse:

“Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end.”
‭‭John‬ ‭13‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

We know that God loved the whole world so much that He sent his only son to die for us. But this is different.

Jesus, God the Son, specifically loved his disciples.

Keep in mind that this is an eye witness account from John, the “disciple whom Jesus loved” (Verse 23).

John witnessed firsthand Jesus taking the position of a servant and washing each of the disciples feet.

John witnessed Jesus graciously allowing Judah to betray him.

John witnessed Jesus predicting Peter’s denial and, later, Jesus restoring Peter.

Jesus really did show amazing care and love for His closest friends at a time when they should have been showing that love to him.

Jesus set an example for how we should love those closest to us. We would do well to follow that example.

How do you show love to your closest friends?
Is there more you should be doing or saying?
Are there those who should be restored to relationship with you like Peter?
March 19, 2023

March 19th, 2023

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Psalms 33-36

Highlight Verse:

“The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭34‬:‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I can’t tell you how many times I have been at my wit’s end. I could see no way out. I didn’t know how I could go on.

But God did.

Every single time, when all the doors were shut tight, padlocked and barred, God opened an escape hatch. Sometimes I had to do some crawling or some climbing but I got through every time.

I think that’s where David is coming from in this verse. He saw God come through so many times, even before he became king, that he automatically knew he would be alright.

And he was.

God’s timing might not be my preferred timing. His answer might not be my preferred answer, but I know, beyond the shadow of a doubt, He will always pull me through.

What situations have you seen God pull you through?
Is it getting easier for you to trust Him after each rough patch?
March 18, 2023

March 18th, 2023

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading –

““Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭10‬:‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Okay everyone, who loves snakes, raise your hand.

Not too many hands going up, are there?

I’m going to go against most commentaries here. They say we have something to learn from the evil wisdom of snakes.

I don’t know about that, but I do know what a snake’s best defense is.

Invisibility.

Snakes blend into their environments. If you don’t believe me, go to the reptile house at any zoo and see how long it takes you to find all the snakes.

This verse is part of Jesus’ pep-talk to his disciples when He sent them out to spread the gospel.

Is He telling them to hide?

In context, we find out that the disciples are told to bring the Gospel to the families who will listen, and to not waste time sharing with people who reject the message.

In other words, don’t be obnoxious when you share the Gospel.

If people don’t want to hear about it, respect them and their wishes. That will go a lot farther toward bringing people to God than speaking an unwanted message.

Do you listen to people with whom you share the Gospel?
Do you show them respect by not trying to force Jesus on them?
Have you found other ways to spread the Word about salvation?
March 17, 2023

March 17th, 2023
Friday – Prophets

Reading – Isaiah 31-33

Highlight Verse:

“The people of Israel will no longer say, “We are sick and helpless,” for the Lord will forgive their sins.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭33‬:‭24‬ ‭NLT‬‬‬‬‬

Is it a stretch to say that living in sin will lead to illness?

Maybe, but I believe that forgiveness leads to healing –
- Healing from spiritual emptiness.
- Healing from the stress of guilt.
- Healing from illness or injury.
Yes, I believe that healing extends to the physical. Some would say that’s only a side affect of the psychological healing. I’m sure that’s partially true.

I’m also sure that God brings about physical healing as a direct result of trusting Him for salvation.

Jesus and the Apostles often saw physical healing go hand in hand with salvation.

I’ve seen physical healings happen alongside salvation, sometimes leading up to salvation, sometimes following it.

I’ve also seen illness come as someone has turned away from faith.

I am far from the “Name it and claim it” theology of some and do not believe that salvation always brings healing to those who have physical conditions. I also do not believe that people don’t get healed because they lack faith.

I’m just saying that sometimes, forgiveness of sin comes at the same time as healing.

It is real.

While I don’t understand all the hows and whys, I understand that God delights in healing people and does so whenever it is the right thing in His wisdom.

Have you ever experienced healing?
Was it physical, spiritual, or emotional?
Did it come at the same time as forgiveness?
March 16, 2023

March 16th, 2023

Thursday – Letters

Reading – Romans 11

Highlight Verse:

“Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways!”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭11‬:‭33‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This is honestly how I feel after reading some chapters.

Almost this whole chapter dealt with the role of 1st Century Israelites in the salvation of the Gentiles. It was confusing especially since I know very little about 1st Century Israelites.

After reading through the Bible many times and doing many classes and studies, I know the Bible quite well. I dare say that my theology is rather thorough and reasonably accurate to the Bible.

That said, with all the many different theological opinions out there, I am sure, when I get to heaven, I’ll find out that I was dead wrong about something. We most likely all will.

For that reason, I do two things.

First, I go into these daily readings and studies with an open mind, allowing the Holy Spirit to speak correction to my mind when I see that I had something wrong.

Second, I give a lot of latitude for differences of opinion about what a scripture means. I go by the old saying “In the essentials – unity. In the non-essentials – diversity.”

Salvation by grace through acceptance of the sacrifice of Jesus alone, and the God breathed authority of Scripture are two things I consider essential.

Everything else – let’s talk about it.

Is there anything that you believed for a long time and then found to be wrong?
Is there anything else you would add to the essentials list?
March 15, 2023

March 15th, 2023

Wednesday – History

Reading – Judges 6

Highlight Verse:

““Sir,” Gideon replied, “if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? And where are all the miracles our ancestors told us about? Didn’t they say, ‘The Lord brought us up out of Egypt’? But now the Lord has abandoned us and handed us over to the Midianites.””
‭‭Judges‬ ‭6‬:‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I don’t know about you but, if an angel of the Lord stood before me, I would be hesitant to complain to him.

But then, maybe that’s why God chose Gideon.

Gideon was passionate about Israel’s suffering.

He desperately wanted the situation changed.

Notice that God didn’t call Gideon to deliver Israel because of his skills. He called Gideon because of his passion.

Gideon followed that calling with all the passion that got him the calling in the first place.

Is there something that you are passionate about that touches God’s heart?
Has He given you a calling to turn that passion into action?
What are you waiting for?
March 14, 2023

March 14th, 2023

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Genesis 17-18

Highlight Verse:

“What’s more, I am changing your name. It will no longer be Abram. Instead, you will be called Abraham, for you will be the father of many nations.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭17‬:‭5‬ ‭NLT

My name is Richard. It’s always been Richard. There have been major changes in my life but It’s stayed Richard.

There were a several cases in the Bible where God has changed peoples names.

Abram became Abraham.

Jacob became Israel.

Saul became Paul.

In each of these cases, God caused such a huge life change that new names were needed to describe the person.

I wouldn’t mind that.

A few I could think of would be Man of God, the Good Dad, the Good Husband, Finder of Lost Sheep, Writer of the Right Words.

For now, I’ll stick with Richard the Child of God and Follower of Jesus. I’ll keep on trying to shine the light through my words.

Eventually, I’ll hear the name I long to hear – Good and Faithful Servant.

Until then, you can call me Richard (or Rich, or hey you…)

If God were to change your name, what name would you desire the most?
What are you doing to live up to that name?
March 13, 2023

March 13th, 2023

Monday – Gospels

Reading – John 12

Highlight Verses:

“That was the reason so many went out to meet him—because they had heard about this miraculous sign. Then the Pharisees said to each other, “There’s nothing we can do. Look, everyone has gone after him!””
‭‭John‬ ‭12‬:‭18‬-‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Jesus went viral.

Okay, it wasn’t some TikTok or YouTube video, but the crowd dynamics were remarkably similar.

Word of Lazarus being raised from the dead and Jesus’ other miracles got around. People were impressed – even amazed.

Then word leaked out about his arrival in Jerusalem for Passover so a huge premier event was thrown together.

People followed Him throughout the festival, mostly liking what they saw.

Then cancel culture stepped in.

Word spread that He spoke blasphemy against the current ways of thinking.

People couldn’t run away from Him fast enough.

Those executives who started the cancellation did a thorough job and thought they had completely gotten rid of Him and His influence.

But you can’t keep a good Influencer down!

Stayed tuned for Easter and the rest of the story…

Will you follow Jesus regardless of what the cancel culture would tell you?
Are you willing to be one of the “cancelled” if Jesus calls you to that?
March 12, 2023

March 12th, 2023

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Psalms 31-32

Highlight Verse:

“So rejoice in the Lord and be glad, all you who obey him! Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭32‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

There are at least 185 songs in the Bible.

150 of them are in Psalms alone.

There are times in the Bible when it seems almost like a musical where the characters burst out into spontaneous song.

I think it’s safe to say that God loves music.

There are praise and worship songs. There are dirges. There are victory songs. There are love songs.

I dare say, in their time, there were songs of every style and genre available.

Music is an integral part of my daily life. It lifts my spirit. It encourages and strengthens me. It helps express my feelings. It inspires me.

It helps connect me with God.

If you read this in time today, I encourage you to head to your local church and belt out a song or two with the rest of the congregation.

If it’s Sunday afternoon by the time you read this and you live in the Denver area, joins us at Orchard Church this evening for a night of worship! (March 12, 6:30pm, Orchard Church, 120th Ave. Henderson, CO.)

Is music an integral part of your life?
In what ways does it help connect you with God?
March 11, 2023

March 11th, 2023

Saturday – Open Topic

Today’s Reading –

“Father to the fatherless, defender of widows— this is God, whose dwelling is holy. God places the lonely in families; he sets the prisoners free and gives them joy. But he makes the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭68‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Maewyn was abducted from his family’s home at the age of 16. He was trapped in the world of human trafficking in a foreign land for the next 6 years. During that time of forced labor and oppression, he turned to God for hope.

He looked for escape at every opportunity.

Once he made good on his escape plans, he turned ever deeper to his faith. He went to seminary and eventually became a minister.

Then came the call on his life.

He heard that still small voice calling him to preach to the people in the land of his captivity.

He eventually followed that voice and led the largest revival ever in the land of Ireland.

He found family in that most unexpected place.

Did I mention that when he became a priest, he changed his name to Patrick?

There are many in this world who find themselves alienated from their families. Some have stories as dramatic as Saint Patrick. Others have done all the work of alienation themselves.

The one thing in common for all is that God welcomes them with open arms into His family.

They need only to choose to trust Him and join the family.

Do you feel alone without a family to support you?
If you are a part of the family of God, how have you felt supported?
How are you offering support to others?

Jesus, God the Son, specifically loved his disciples.

Jesus set an example for how we should love those closest to us. We would do well to follow that example.

But God did.

And he was.

Okay everyone, who loves snakes, raise your hand.

Invisibility.

In other words, don’t be obnoxious when you share the Gospel.

Maybe, but I believe that forgiveness leads to healing –

It is real.

This is honestly how I feel after reading some chapters.

For that reason, I do two things.

Everything else – let’s talk about it.

But then, maybe that’s why God chose Gideon.

Gideon followed that calling with all the passion that got him the calling in the first place.

There were a several cases in the Bible where God has changed peoples names.

I wouldn’t mind that.

Eventually, I’ll hear the name I long to hear – Good and Faithful Servant.

Jesus went viral.

Then cancel culture stepped in.

But you can’t keep a good Influencer down!

I think it’s safe to say that God loves music.

It helps connect me with God.

Then came the call on his life.

He found family in that most unexpected place.

The one thing in common for all is that God welcomes them with open arms into His family.