Walk in the Light

November 21, 2023

November 21st, 2023

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Exodus 26

Highlight Verse:

““For the inside of the Tabernacle, make a special curtain of finely woven linen. Decorate it with blue, purple, and scarlet thread and with skillfully embroidered cherubim.”
‭‭Exodus‬ ‭26‬:‭31‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I read this over and over and consulted commentaries trying to figure out what to say about curtains.

Some commentaries drew all sorts of farfetched conclusions about the symbolism of the different features of the tabernacle.

Maybe.

Nah. Not going there.

What I saw, the more times I read this chapter was that the inside of the tabernacle was exquisitely beautiful!

According to the description, it took some very talented people to make the tabernacle as good looking as the description.

Now the Old Testament tabernacle made by human hands has returned to dust.

The New Testament tabernacle is our bodies and spirits. It is constructed by God to be his tabernacle.

If the Old Testament tabernacle was very wonderfully made, how much more so the one made by the hand of God.

Do you realize what a work of art that you are?
During this week of Thanksgiving, can you be thankful for the temple that God has provided for you?
November 20, 2023

November 20th, 2023

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Matthew 22

Highlight Verse:

“Jesus replied, “Your mistake is that you don’t know the Scriptures, and you don’t know the power of God.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭22‬:‭29‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Jesus made this bold statement to a group of people, the Sadducee’s, who studied the Hebrew Bible religiously, literally.

And yet, they didn’t get it because they didn’t know the power of God.

They read the Bible with an eye toward reinforcing their long-held beliefs rather than being open to what God would teach them of it.

How often do we do that now?

I’ll admit, I’ve done that myself and am still sometimes guilty of reading only to reinforce my own biases. I need to remind myself even tonight to pray before I read and to keep an open attitude toward what God would teach me.

It’s not easy.

And sometimes it hard to know what God wants us to learn from a specific passage. In fact, sometimes God uses the same passage to teach us different lessons that apply to our lives in different ways at different times.

With the Holy Spirit’s help, the guidance of those who have studied before us, and our own increasing knowledge of Scripture, our study of the Bible will help us live a richer, more fulfilling, and God pleasing life.

How do you know when you are hearing from God through His Word?
How has your understanding of the Bible changed as you have grown to know it better?
November 19, 2023

November 19th, 2023

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Psalms 144-146

Highlight Verse:

“Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! No one can measure his greatness.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭145‬:‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

If you could weigh the Earth, it would be about 13,170,000,000,000,000,000,000,000lbs.

But you can’t because it is the very mass of the earth that creates the gravity that allows things to be weighed.

If you could measure the distance to the edge of the known universe, it would be 270,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 miles.

But no one can travel that far.

No one except God, who created all things!

That’s the kind of greatest I’m taking about – Greatness that cannot be measured.

I think we can afford to set aside a little time to bring Him praise!

Can you fathom Gods true size?
Are you willing to praise Him?
November 18, 2023

November 17th, 2023

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – 1 Corinthians 10:12-13

Highlight Verse:

“The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭10‬:‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Today we venture back into the world of things that sound like they’re from the Bible but aren’t really.

“God won’t give you more than you can handle.” Is a common misquote of this verse.

God will show you a way out. We always have the option to take that way. But sometimes we fail miserably if we try on our own.

Very often the way out is through the accountability of a friend or mentor/sponsor.

Quite often we fail.

That’s when we need the forgiveness that Jesus provided. That is always there until we reach the point of rejecting it.

Mind you, many have let sin grow in their lives to the point of believing they no longer need or deserve God’s forgiveness.

I have good news. We never deserved God’s forgiveness. He offers it anyway.

So, the next time you feel like you’ve blown it one too many times, because you didn’t take that way out that God provided, realize that His forgiveness is still there.

The more you walk in that forgiveness, the less tempting that sin becomes.

And the more you take advantage of that way out through accountability, the more you triumph over that sin.

Are you struggling with discouragement because of a sin that you keep falling into?
Have you realized that God’s forgiveness is endless?
Did you know that the way out usually involves seeking help from others?
November 17, 2023

November 17th, 2023

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Ezekiel 1-3

Highlight Verses:

“Then he added, “Son of man, let all my words sink deep into your own heart first. Listen to them carefully for yourself. Then go to your people in exile and say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says!’ Do this whether they listen to you or not.””
‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭3‬:‭10‬-‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

A prophet is someone who brings the Word of God to people who are wandering from God’s will with the purpose of bringing people back into a relationship with God.

In order to truly make a difference, verse 10 must be true in a prophet’s life.

Anyone who wishes to bring the Word of God to the people around them must first be immersed in that Word of God already.

This is for two reasons –

First – how can you expect to lead a people to God if you don’t know God yourself.

Second – people won’t follow you if you don’t practice what you preach.

The same applies to anyone who seeks to bring people to Jesus.

Since you are reading this, we know that you are committed to learning all you can about God.

Are you seeking to know more about God so you can bring the Word to them?
What are some of the favorite things you have learned about since you started studying the Bible?
November 16, 2023

November 16th, 2023

Thursday – Letters

Reading – 1 Timothy 2

Highlight Verse:

“I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf and give thanks for them.”
‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

When Paul’s letters say things like “urge you” or “first of all, I take notice. This could be important!

The number 1 thing on Timothy’s agenda – pray for all people.

Then Paul gives specific instructions on how to pray for them.

“Ask God to help them” – Pray that God would supply their needs, protect them, and guide them.

“Intercede on their behalf” – Pray that God would bring them to salvation.

“And give thanks for them” – Adding that essential element of gratitude to every prayer and every moment.

Have you made it a habit to pray for others every day?
Do you have stories of how your prayers have resulted in changed lives? Share them!
November 15, 2023

November 15th, 2023

Wednesday – History

Reading – 2 Samuel 21-22

Highlight Verses:

““He reached down from heaven and rescued me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemies, from those who hated me and were too strong for me.”
‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭22‬:‭17‬-‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

I will admit that I am not very familiar with anxiety.

November 15, 2023

In fact, I probably lean a little too far toward confidence, causing me to put off things I should take care of for safety’s sake.

But there are some things I tend to worry about.

There are also those around me who tend to let anxiety keep them from enjoying life to its fullest.

There should be a balance between anxiety and responsibility.

For me, my attitude toward worry can be summed up in a line from an old song by the musical group Big Tent Revival. It says,
“Take the biggest thing that’s got you down.
Stand it up right next to God.
Anyone can see who’s bigger now.
It don’t take no astronaut.”
(Jesus is Your Friend – Big Tent Revival)

When I was young, I was much less confident. I have come through so many different tough situations since then that now I rest assured that God will pull me through one way or another.

Just like God repeatedly rescued David from those who were too strong for him, so God has rescued me from many impossible situations.

What kind of impossible situations has God brought you through?
What impossible situations are you dealing with today? Please share!
November 14, 2023

November 14th, 2023

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Exodus 24-25

Highlight Verse:

“And though these nobles of Israel gazed upon God, he did not destroy them. In fact, they ate a covenant meal, eating and drinking in his presence!”
‭‭Exodus‬ ‭24‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I’ve always read right past this verse before, not giving it much thought.

But these 74 priests and elders of Israel were at a feast with God, in the wilderness.

They saw God!

They had a meal with God!

And they survived!

In that culture, sharing a meal together was the usual sealing of a covenant, agreement, or treaty. It signified that all present were working toward one purpose.

The priests and elders were in complete agreement with God’s purpose for the people of Israel.

You don’t have to read too many chapters ahead to know how uncommitted the elders really were to that covenant.

But where the priests and elders failed, Jesus renewed the covenant and took it straight to the people who would follow Him.

Every time we worship through communion, we renew that covenant.

Each time we invite God to join us at our meals through a prayer of grace, we renew that covenant.

The covenant of grace for God’s people began that day in the wilderness.

We still reap the benefits today.

Are you continuing the renewal of God’s covenant with His people?
Do you know what it’s like to be in God’s presence?
November 13, 2023

November 13th, 2023

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Matthew 21

Highlight Verse:

“They asked Jesus, “Do you hear what these children are saying?” “Yes,” Jesus replied. “Haven’t you ever read the Scriptures? For they say, ‘You have taught children and infants to give you praise.’””
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭21‬:‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I had the privilege of teaching the 1st through 3rd graders at church yesterday morning.

When I tried to explain to them what worship was all about, most of them didn’t really get it.

But when it came time to worship, most of them dove into it wholeheartedly.

They were willing to act on what God said even when they didn’t fully understand it.

Let’s face it, there’s a lot that most of us don’t understand about God.

We tend to shy away from things we don’t get.

We fear failure or judgement when we act on a command of God that we don’t fully grasp.

If we come at it from a child’s perspective, we would act on the command even if we didn’t know why.

Why as adults need to get past our stubbornness and regain a childlike faith.

Like children, we need to simply trust God even when we don’t understand him.

Do you have a hard time trusting that which you don’t understand?
In what areas do you struggle with trusting God’s commands?
November 12, 2023

November 12th, 2023

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Psalms 140 – 141

Highlight Verse:

“Take control of what I say, O Lord, and guard my lips.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭141‬:‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

That should probably be my prayer every day.

Far too often, I forget to turn a speech filter on. I speak before considering how what I say will affect those around me.

Sometimes what I say has a positive effect on those around me. I can be encouraging and give hope to those who struggle.

There are times when I wish I could take back what I say the moment the words leave my mouth. Apologies spill forth but only whitewash over the damage caused.

And then there are the times when I am totally clueless. I don’t realize my words cause pain or confusion.

When I truly let the Lord guide my speech, I avoid the pitfalls I often seem to fall into and use words of faith, hope, and love to lift up all those around me.

Have you experienced those moments of speech you wish you could take back?
Do you have any advice to share about how you let God control your speech?

What I saw, the more times I read this chapter was that the inside of the tabernacle was exquisitely beautiful!

If the Old Testament tabernacle was very wonderfully made, how much more so the one made by the hand of God.

And yet, they didn’t get it because they didn’t know the power of God.

With the Holy Spirit’s help, the guidance of those who have studied before us, and our own increasing knowledge of Scripture, our study of the Bible will help us live a richer, more fulfilling, and God pleasing life.

That’s the kind of greatest I’m taking about – Greatness that cannot be measured.

“God won’t give you more than you can handle.” Is a common misquote of this verse.

The more you walk in that forgiveness, the less tempting that sin becomes.

And the more you take advantage of that way out through accountability, the more you triumph over that sin.

A prophet is someone who brings the Word of God to people who are wandering from God’s will with the purpose of bringing people back into a relationship with God.

First – how can you expect to lead a people to God if you don’t know God yourself.

Second – people won’t follow you if you don’t practice what you preach.

The number 1 thing on Timothy’s agenda – pray for all people.

“And give thanks for them” – Adding that essential element of gratitude to every prayer and every moment.

I will admit that I am not very familiar with anxiety.

Just like God repeatedly rescued David from those who were too strong for him, so God has rescued me from many impossible situations.

They had a meal with God!

Every time we worship through communion, we renew that covenant.

Each time we invite God to join us at our meals through a prayer of grace, we renew that covenant.

We still reap the benefits today.

They were willing to act on what God said even when they didn’t fully understand it.

Like children, we need to simply trust God even when we don’t understand him.

That should probably be my prayer every day.

When I truly let the Lord guide my speech, I avoid the pitfalls I often seem to fall into and use words of faith, hope, and love to lift up all those around me.