Walk in the Light

March 10, 2023

March 10th, 2023

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Isaiah 28-30

Highlight Verse:

““What sorrow awaits my rebellious children,” says the Lord. “You make plans that are contrary to mine. You make alliances not directed by my Spirit, thus piling up your sins.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭30‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

How often have I done this?

I’ll pray as an afterthought, asking God to bless my plans.

I should have begged God for His plans.

Even if they come one little step at a time, at least it would be a step in the right direction.

Instead, on my own I put the proverbial cart before the horse.

The plans Israel made at that time made sense to them. They seemed reasonable. But they didn’t consult God for His plans. He saw the big picture and knew their plans would end in disaster.

And they did.

Have you ever made plans without asking God for His plans first?
How’d that work out for you?
How do you go about seeking God’s input?
March 9, 2023

March 9th, 2023

Thursday – Letters

Reading – Romans 10

Highlight Verse:

“I know what enthusiasm they have for God, but it is misdirected zeal.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭10‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I recently heard about a man who was headed for a business trip to Glasgow, Scotland. He thought it was odd that the flight should be on such a small plane – until it landed in Glasgow, Montana.

That was an expensive mistake!

It was not nearly as expensive as the mistake people were making in today’s verse.

How many times have you heard, “I’m glad that works for you,” or “God can be found in all religions,” or the famous “whatever floats your boat?”

People think it harsh to say that salvation comes through Christ alone but the truth of the matter is we could never be good enough to earn our way to heaven and Jesus is the only one who paid the price for our sin. In fact, He was the only one who COULD pay the price for our sin.

What’s harsh is trying to get to heaven by our own efforts.

What’s pure love is found in verse 13 – “For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

The door is wide open for anyone who trusts in Jesus and His gift of life.

Just like that man who sincerely believed he was going to Scotland even though his ticket said Montana, You can’t get to heaven unless you get your ticket from Jesus, no matter how zealously you follow any other faith.

Do you realize that Heaven is only accessible through Jesus?
Are you willing to lovingly share that good news to those who are heading the wrong direction?
March 8, 2023

March 8th, 2023

Wednesday – History

Reading – Judges 4-5

Highlight Verses:

“Deborah, the wife of Lappidoth, was a prophet who was judging Israel at that time. She would sit under the Palm of Deborah, between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites would go to her for judgment.”

Judges 4:4-5 NLT

Israel was a Patriarchal society. Priests were always men. Rulers were almost always men. Men ruled their households.

For that reason, Deborah stands out.

There is no mention of how she became a judge except for being called a prophetess.

For this reason, it appears that the most important factor of leadership for her was the ability to hear from God and the boldness to speak out.

People trusted her to lead Israel even to the point of refusing to go into battle unless she travelled with them.

Every person judges leaders by deciding whether or not to follow them.

For me, knowing they have a solid, close relationship with Jesus is far more important than gender, education, or experience.

What is it that makes you trust a leader?

What qualities are you growing in yourself that would tend to make you trusted as a leader?
March 7, 2023

March 7th, 2023

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Genesis 15-16

Highlight Verse:

“But Abram replied, “O Sovereign Lord, what good are all your blessings when I don’t even have a son? Since you’ve given me no children, Eliezer of Damascus, a servant in my household, will inherit all my wealth.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭15‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I understand a little bit of Abram’s pain.

Yes, I know I have four kids. But the first didn’t come until I was 36. Sure that’s nothing compared to Abram who was 86 when Ishmael was born and 100 when Isaac was born.

I did say a little bit.

This verse jumped out at me today in part because of our church’s message last Sunday.

In his message our teaching pastor, Tyler, reminded us that Jesus is still near regardless of our circumstances and that we should not let our waiting time be wasted time.

You may be waiting for your purpose to be fulfilled in some way, but that doesn’t mean that you are useless in the meantime. Far from it.

God can use your circumstances to bless you and others around you in ways you couldn’t imagine as you struggle in the frustrating times. Just be open to the ways that He can use you as you wait.

If you feel like you are in the waiting room of life, what is it that you are waiting for?
What can you be doing as you wait?
March 6, 2023

March 6th, 2023

Monday – Gospels

Reading – John 11

Highlight Verse:

“Thomas, nicknamed the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let’s go, too—and die with Jesus.””
‭‭John‬ ‭11‬:‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Yes, this is the same Thomas who later doubts the resurrection. We tend to paint him with the word “doubting”. It could be said that he doubted here since he thought that Jesus would die.

But, no one can doubt his dedication to Jesus.

He was willing to follow Jesus anywhere even if it meant death.

What about me and you?

If we were in Thomas’ shoes, would we be willing to follow Jesus even to death?

I’ve never had to answer that question in real life. I would like to think that I would without hesitation. But, it’s unlikely that I will ever be put to that test.

The test for you and I is, are we willing to follow Jesus when that path goes through some very uncomfortable places?

That may mean speaking out in love and boldness when Christ’s name is belittled. It may mean making a bold career move to put ourselves in line for what God wants us to do. For some, it may involve being willing to go into missionary work.

Can we be as bold as “Doubting” Thomas?
Are we willing to follow Jesus when it truly costs us?
March 5, 2023

March 5th, 2023

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Psalms 28-30

Highlight Verse:

“Save your people! Bless Israel, your special possession. Lead them like a shepherd, and carry them in your arms forever.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭28‬:‭9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

David spoke this about the people of Israel but the same applies to those who are adopted into God’s family today. You are His special possession.

Today I am breaking protocol and adding a link. I suggest you follow it and listen to a song that puts it all into perspective.

Whoever Touches You by Benny Hester

Here’s a little more modern take on the idea.

Perfectly Loved by Rachel Lampa (Feat. Tobymac)

Enjoy the music and realize how special you are to God.
March 4th, 2023

March 4, 2023

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Matthew 5:14

““You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I love lighthouses.

I like how they look.

Even more, I like what they stand for.

They were designed to protect people in ships from running aground on rocky shores. Over the years, they have saved countless lives from peril.

Today, lighthouses are mostly symbolic. Yes, many still operate, but they are only the last line of defense after all the navigation equipment available on ships today.

Like sea captains have many more tools to keep them safe, today, we can deploy many more tools to shine the light of Jesus to people trying to navigate this life.

Just as the coastline is far more visible with today’s technology, all our shortcomings are more obvious today than in the past.

We need to stay honest and true to the one who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

They may see our rocky coastlines with all our faults, but if we are honest, they will also see the One who is the Solid Rock.

Do you find it difficult to shine the light of Jesus to those around you?
How do you go about being honest about your faults while pointing to the One who brings restoration from those faults?
March 3, 2023

March 3rd, 2023

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Isaiah 25-27

Highlight Verse:

“But those who die in the Lord will live; their bodies will rise again! Those who sleep in the earth will rise up and sing for joy! For your life-giving light will fall like dew on your people in the place of the dead!”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭26‬:‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

For those who may think that resurrection was only found in the New Testament, think again.

Isaiah proclaims it loudly.

God made a way for mankind to find life.

While Jesus didn’t come to Earth until later, His sacrifice was for all who would trust Him regardless of when they lived. Many believe that He spent the time between the crucifixion and the resurrection searching Hades for the faithful who waited for His arrival.

The Bible does not specify that so I don’t know. What I do know is that Jesus was resurrected and ascended to Heaven. Before He went back to Heaven He said that He would prepare a place for us.

That place is for the living. There is life eternal in Jesus.

Let’s live it!

What does it mean to you to have eternal life in Jesus?
Do you have confidence in the Giver of life?
March 2, 2023

March 2nd, 2023

Thursday – Letters

Reading – Romans 9

Highlight Verse:

“And, “Then, at the place where they were told, ‘You are not my people,’ there they will be called ‘children of the living God.’””

Romans 9:26 NLT

Rome in the first century was not a good place to be. Yes, they had civilization, but with it, all kinds of immorality.

If you are familiar with The Hunger Games, it was like the Capital – rich on the labor of the territories it had conquered. It was a city with time to explore the extent of sinfulness – and it did.

They certainly wouldn’t be known as God’s people. Yet it was in Rome where Christianity blossomed. It hosted many “children of the living God.”

The love of God can be received by those you least expect.

I pray that we change our expectations to include all people.

Take a moment to pray for some of the people whom you think are least likely to come to Jesus.
March 1, 2023

March 1st, 2023

Tuesday – History

Reading – Judges 1-3

Highlight Verse:

“After that generation died, another generation grew up who did not acknowledge the Lord or remember the mighty things he had done for Israel.”
‭‭Judges‬ ‭2‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

And here’s where the cycle in Judges begins. It’s a roller coaster ride from beginning to end. They turn their back on God. They cry out to God. He rescues them. They turn their back… and on and on.

This evening, we just went to see the Jesus Revolution movie. That was a time in history when many had turned their back on God. For some, church was a religious ritual that you did because you had to. Others rejected God altogether.

That left a hole in which kindled a fire of love and hope and grace that grew to be what was likely the largest revival in American history.

I believe that hole has opened again.

We live in a time where hope is hard to find. Economic hardship is growing, people have grown used to living an isolated lifestyle, and wokeness has stripped away some our basic values.

In the midst of that darkness, fire is beginning to burn again.

The revival in Asbury is just the beginning of what could become an even greater revolution.

Like the Jesus Revolution 50 years ago, it will likely take a shape that many in the church will resist. We need to be open to the Holy Spirit and discern between what is holy and good and what is simply empty religion.

If we are open to it, the next revolution will blow us away.

What do you think?
Are we on the cusp of revival?
How do you think you can tell what is holy and what is just religious?
Are you on board?

How often have I done this?

I should have begged God for His plans.

It was not nearly as expensive as the mistake people were making in today’s verse.

What’s harsh is trying to get to heaven by our own efforts.

What’s pure love is found in verse 13 – “For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

For that reason, Deborah stands out.

Every person judges leaders by deciding whether or not to follow them.

You may be waiting for your purpose to be fulfilled in some way, but that doesn’t mean that you are useless in the meantime. Far from it.

If we were in Thomas’ shoes, would we be willing to follow Jesus even to death?

The test for you and I is, are we willing to follow Jesus when that path goes through some very uncomfortable places?

I love lighthouses.

We need to stay honest and true to the one who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

God made a way for mankind to find life.

Let’s live it!

The love of God can be received by those you least expect.

Take a moment to pray for some of the people whom you think are least likely to come to Jesus.

I believe that hole has opened again.

In the midst of that darkness, fire is beginning to burn again.

If we are open to it, the next revolution will blow us away.