Walk in the Light

February 28, 2023

February 28th, 2023

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Genesis 14

Highlight Verse:

“Abram recovered all the goods that had been taken, and he brought back his nephew Lot with his possessions and all the women and other captives.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭14‬:‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

If you’re wondering why I’m not talking about Melchizedek, then you already know about him and don’t need another lesson on the ancient priest. If you have no idea who Melchizedek is, you should look him up. Very interesting character.

What stood out to me today is the fact that four armies were able to attack and capture the people and goods from five armies, and then got defeated by Abram and his 318 soldiers.

That ain’t normal.

But then neither was Abram.

When Lot chose the easy path, Abram took the path that strengthened him and his army. Through God’s blessing and training, his army had no problem defeating their enemies.

Lot thought the choice was obvious. He was wrong.

You will be faced with many choices. Sometimes the best choice is not the easy one. Remember Lot and that the obvious choice didn’t work out so well for him.

Do you have stories of when you made a choice that you knew would be hard?
How did that turn out for you?
How did you determine which choice is really best.?
February 27, 2023

February 27th, 2023

Monday – Gospels

Reading – John 10

Highlight Verses:

“But you don’t believe me because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”
‭‭John‬ ‭10‬:‭26‬-‭27‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Why is it that some believe and others don’t?

I have heard it said that only some are predestined to be saved and that some couldn’t choose faith if they wanted to. Honestly, I think that’s, um, let’s just used the polite word “incorrect”.

In 2nd Peter 3, we find that God doesn’t want any to perish. We also know that “God so loved the world,” not just certain parts of it.

I think it goes back to the simple principle of free-will.

If we didn’t have the true ability to decide for ourselves, it wouldn’t be true faith or love. With the choice, comes faith. Without the ability to say no to faith, we wouldn’t be believers, we’d be robots.

It saddens me whenever I see someone reject faith in Jesus, especially those close to me. But I have to respect their choice and do my best to positively influence them.

I have seen harsh critics of God come to faith.

I have faith for my loved ones who currently reject God, that they may be influenced by my faith and my life and that of others around them. God does not want them to perish and will give them every opportunity to accept Him.

Who is it that you would like to see come to believe in Jesus?
What are you doing to help influence their decisions?
February 26, 2023

February 26th, 2023

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Psalms 25-27

Highlight Verse:

“The Lord is my light and my salvation— so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭27‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

David was a prime example of courage.

Even as a boy shepherding the family flock, he faced lions.

In front of Goliath, he trusted God to the point of not fearing but defeating the giant.

How did David obtain such courage?

I believe it started in the fields. As he watched the flock, he wrote and dwelt on the greatness of the Lord. He wrote many psalms expressing his fear and frustration but wrapped those psalms up with a reassurance of the Lord’s great strength.

I believe we would do well to meditate on God’s strength as well as confessing our weakness.

We have the great advantage of having God’s Word available to us.

His Word can remind us of His strength and power and grace, giving us confidence to stand in any situation.

Do you gain confidence from dwelling on the strength and grace of God?
Can you share any situation where that confidence has helped you to stand?
February 25, 2023

February 25th, 2023

Saturday – Open Topic

Highlight Verses/ Reading –

“He sends the snow like white wool; he scatters frost upon the ground like ashes. He hurls the hail like stones. Who can stand against his freezing cold? Then, at his command, it all melts. He sends his winds, and the ice thaws.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭147‬:‭16‬-‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I was at an outdoor Christian music festival in Colorado when a large thunderstorm could be seen heading straight for us. It was the evening and a time of worship and preaching was about to begin. The festival planners had a group of prayer warriors in a platform raised high above the event grounds. This storm was not looking safe for the crowds and especially those on the prayer platform.

They prayed.

We prayed.

I am not exaggerating when I tell you that I witnessed the storm split in two and pass by on either side of the grounds.

I can also tell you about a similar festival in New Jersey where I spent more time helping people get unstuck from the muddy field used for parking than I did watching concerts.

The remnants of a hurricane blew through that day.

I must say I gained new respect for KJ52 and MXPX as they put on incredible performances on a rain soaked stage.

We know from the Bible that God both created weather and and control weather. Why does he intervene in some cases and not others?

I don’t know.

But I trust that God does and leave those kind of decisions to Him.

Do you have a fascination for weather like I do?
Have you ever prayed for weather to change?
Do you trust God for the outcome of those prayers?
February 24, 2023

February 24th, 2023

Friday – Prophets

Reading- Isaiah 22-24

Highlight Verse:

“Priests and laypeople, servants and masters, maids and mistresses, buyers and sellers, lenders and borrowers, bankers and debtors—none will be spared.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭24‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

As I write this, I’m sitting in the Nashville airport watching people go by.

There are business people in suits and vacationers in T-shirts.

Bleary eyed children stumble by and determined travelers power walk to catch their flights.

At a food counter, I stood next to a man and daughter with a middle eastern accent.

A kaleidoscope of hair and skin colors fill the gate seats.

The one thing we have in common is diversity.

The same is even more true in tragedy.

When things fall apart, people must come together.

The context for today’s highlight verse is war. The same principle applies to all tragedies.

How much better would it be if we came together before tragedy struck?

Do you know your neighbors?
Do you have a group of friends who support you and whom you can support?
February 23, 2023

February 23rd, 2023

Thursday – Letters

Reading – Romans 8

Highlight Verses:

“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 8:38-39 NLT

I remember being asked as a teenager how I could be sure I was going to heaven when I died. As my Bible knowledge was rather limited at the time, I had no answer.

Thanks to today’s verses, we now do. (Have an answer, that is).

Once we have entrusted our salvation to Jesus, there is nothing that can take it away. In fact, there is no way to lose salvation. We can only give it up by refusing to believe anymore.

I don’t know about for you, but for me, this is fantastic news. I can face any hardship, any trial, any enemy and not fear for my eternal life.

In case you were looking for a great scripture passage to memorize, look no further.

Are you certain of your salvation?

Can you believe in the certainty that this passage provides?
February 22, 2023

February 22nd, 2023

Wednesday – History

Reading – Joshua 22-24

Highlight Verse:

³¹The people of Israel served the Lord throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him—those who had personally experienced all that the Lord had done for Israel.

Joshua 24:31 NLT

How do you know a great leader?

By how well and how many people follow.

Joshua inspired an entire nation to follow him. The people remained faithful to the Lord not only during his lifetime but during the lifetimes of the leaders that he trained.

I know that I do not have anywhere near the level of influence that Joshua had, but I pray that I would inspire those whom I do influence to follow the Lord more closely.

Beyond that, I pray that I would inspire each of you to lead those in your spheres of influence to follow the Lord more closely.

What do you think it was about Joshua that gave him such influence on the people of Israel?

How can you emulate that influence?
February 21, 2023

February 21st, 2023

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Genesis 12-13

Highlight Verse:

“The whole countryside is open to you. Take your choice of any section of the land you want, and we will separate. If you want the land to the left, then I’ll take the land on the right. If you prefer the land on the right, then I’ll go to the left.””
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭13‬:‭9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Abram was generous in letting Lot choose where he wanted to settle. Certainly he was right to try to settle the disputes between his and Lot’s people.

Instead of working those differences out through arbitration or even chance, he allowed Lot to be selfish.

That choice came back to haunt them both as Lot’s family was irreparably damaged by his choice to associate with the people of Sodom and Gomorrah.

If they had reasoned together, perhaps they would have both avoided associating with Sodom and Gomorrah and the subsequent troubles.

Instead Abram abdicated responsibility and Lot chose poorly.

How do you settle disputes among your family members?
What would have had the best outcome for Abram and Lot’s families?
How do you find the best outcome for your family?

I should note that this is one situation that I do not have any strong wise answers for.
February 20, 2023

February 20th, 2023

Monday – Gospels

Reading – John 9

Highlight Verse:

“As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth.”

John 9:1 NLT

The first thing that struck me about today’s reading was the very first line.

“As Jesus was walking along.”

He was walking from one place to another in Jerusalem when He seized on a moment to both heal and teach.

Keep in mind that, in the last chapter, Jesus was almost stoned for preaching the truth. You might think He would want to keep a low profile, especially since He knew they didn’t want Him healing on the Sabbath.

Despite this, Jesus noticed the need for teaching and healing and He stepped in to help.

This week, I am in Nashville on business. Just because I’m not at home does not mean I should ignore all the needs around me.

If I follow the principles of this passage, I should keep my eyes open for ministry opportunities as I go along my way everyday, even when I am traveling.

Have you experienced ministry opportunities as you went along you way?

How can you spot those opportunities?
February 19, 2023

February 19th, 2023

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Psalms 22-24

Highlight Verses:

“My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far away when I groan for help? Every day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer. Every night I lift my voice, but I find no relief.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭22‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Feel the desperation as David cries out in anguish for his descendant.

He felt the depth of despair that Jesus felt as He departed from the Father’s presence in order to pay the price for our sins.

Think of your deepest moment of despair. That desperate sadness that rendered you immobile; that racked your mind and body with the worst imaginable pain.

Jesus felt that.

He took on all the pain of all believers for all time.

For that He cried out “Why have you forsaken me?”

David doesn’t end the Psalm there.

Neither did Jesus.

In three days, He rose to great joy. Later, He ascended to heaven to await the companionship of all who would follow Him.

He took on our pain and changed it to celebration.

He turned our mourning into dancing.

Do you struggle with believing that God wants to take on your hurts?
Can you give them up to Him and exchange them for joy?

That ain’t normal.

But then neither was Abram.

Lot thought the choice was obvious. He was wrong.

Why is it that some believe and others don’t?

I think it goes back to the simple principle of free-will.

How did David obtain such courage?

I believe we would do well to meditate on God’s strength as well as confessing our weakness.

I am not exaggerating when I tell you that I witnessed the storm split in two and pass by on either side of the grounds.

But I trust that God does and leave those kind of decisions to Him.

The one thing we have in common is diversity.

The same is even more true in tragedy.

When things fall apart, people must come together.

How much better would it be if we came together before tragedy struck?

Thanks to today’s verses, we now do. (Have an answer, that is).

In case you were looking for a great scripture passage to memorize, look no further.

Instead of working those differences out through arbitration or even chance, he allowed Lot to be selfish.

Instead Abram abdicated responsibility and Lot chose poorly.

The first thing that struck me about today’s reading was the very first line.

Despite this, Jesus noticed the need for teaching and healing and He stepped in to help.

Feel the desperation as David cries out in anguish for his descendant.

Jesus felt that.

David doesn’t end the Psalm there.

Neither did Jesus.

He took on our pain and changed it to celebration.

He turned our mourning into dancing.