Walk in the Light

April 27, 2023

April 27th, 2023

Thursday – Letters

Reading – 1 Corinthians 1-2

Highlight Verse:

“God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭1‬:‭28‬-‭29‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I am reminded of Balaam’s Donkey.

Specifically, I’m reminded of Don Francisco’s retelling of the story in the Song Balaam. He ends the tale with “If the Lord starts using you, don’t you pay in any mind. He coulda used the dog next door if he’d been so inclined.” (Don Francisco, Balaam, from the album Beautiful to Me, 1998)

This first chapter points out how gifted and blessed the Corinthians are.

You’ll see Paul point out some major flaws that need correcting through the following chapters.

I believe that God gives gifts and can work through you and me no matter where in our spiritual growth path we are.

I’ve seen God work mightily through deeply flawed people.

I don’t think he wants people to hang on to those flaws but I believe he wants to work through them even as they struggle through their flaws.

Has God used you when you were in the midst of trying to overcome personal flaws?
Do you think those flaws affect your ability to minister to people?
April 26, 2023

April 26th, 2023

Wednesday – History

Reading – Judges 17-19

Highlight Verse:

““No,” his master said, “we can’t stay in this foreign town where there are no Israelites. Instead, we will go on to Gibeah.”
‭‭Judges‬ ‭19‬:‭12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

If you read this through, you know that this Levite and his servant would have been no worse off if they had stayed in the foreign town.

Suffice it to say, Israel, during this time of absence of leadership, was messed up!

Despite the Law and the Temple worship, the people of Israel had lost their moral compass and sense of unity. People did whatever they wanted.

Sounds a little like today.

We might not have the level of violence and debauchery of this story (though in some parts of the world it is that bad), but we have a lack of respect for one another, even in the Church.

We tend to ridicule those who believe differently than us. We make those who are different from us feel unwelcome in our churches. Perhaps worst of all, instead of trying to restore those who have fallen from grace, we tend to kick them when they are down, rejecting them and their pleas for help.

I’m not trying to preach a gospel of tolerance.

I am advocating a Gospel of love, restoration, and community.

What do you think that you can do to further that Gospel?
Have you fallen victim to that culture of disrespect and what have you done to rise above it?
April 25, 2023

April 25th, 2023

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Genesis 27-28

Highlight Verses:

“Then Jacob made this vow: “If God will indeed be with me and protect me on this journey, and if he will provide me with food and clothing, and if I return safely to my father’s home, then the Lord will certainly be my God.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭28‬:‭20‬-‭21‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Is it just me or does Jacob seem a little immature in his faith.

He reminds me of myself in middle school. “God, if you do this, I’ll believe.”

But then, of course, he was rather young.

So how does God react to Jacob’s weak faith?

He doesn’t. At least not in that moment.

Eventually Jacob returns to the Promised Land with two wives, many children, and great flocks of livestock.

I had a discussion with a friend today about the condition of the Church in America. For most people in America, faith is about as deep as a puddle that dries up when the sun comes out.

While I believe that we should grow ever deeper in our faith, I also believe that God can use faith that is puddle deep. The big thing that my friend and I agreed on is that, if faith is real, it should result in action.

So, whether your faith is puddle deep or fathomless, put what you believe into practice.

One way or another God will bless that – though maybe not with multiple wives and thousands of sheep.

Do you feel like your faith is like walking through a puddle or swimming in the deep end?
What are you doing to live out that faith?
April 24, 2023

April 24th, 2023

Monday – Gospels

Reading – John 18

Highlight Verse:

“Pilate said, “So you are a king?” Jesus responded, “You say I am a king. Actually, I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true.””
‭‭John‬ ‭18‬:‭37‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Did you notice that Jesus makes a purpose statement here?

Granted, He doesn’t state his entire purpose. To do that could jeopardize the purpose we usually focus on – that of being the sacrifice that cleanses all who believe from our sin.

What He does state so eloquently in one sentence is also a very important purpose. The truth that he testified would turn the world’s theology upside down.

He taught us how to love God and love others. In doing so, He expounded through parables how that happens.

We would do very well as we read the Gospels, to keep an eye out for Jesus’ instructions and put them into practice.

What was the last thing you remember learning from Jesus through reading the Gospels?
April 23, 2023

April 23rd, 2023

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Psalms 49-51

Highlight Verses:

“Listen to this, all you people! Pay attention, everyone in the world! High and low, rich and poor—listen!”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭49‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I’m not hard of hearing (much) but sometimes I am “hard of listening.”

I put filters on and only hear what I want to hear.

Usually I can get away with it.

Sometimes I find myself wondering, “Did they say this or that?”

I wind up getting lost or not knowing when I should take how much medicine since I missed part of the instructions.

Fortunately, that doesn’t happen often.

When it really matters is when I ignore the Word of God or a godly person’s sage advice. I can find myself in a pickle of poor decisions when I let my own desires supersede the advice I should have listened to.

So the next time I see the Bible say “listen” or “pay attention” I’d better pay attention.

Have you ever found yourself in a bad situation because you didn’t listen?
Is there a situation where listening to wise advice saved you from trouble?
April 22, 2023

April 22nd, 2023

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Philippians 4:4

“Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

When ever I read this, I hear Keith Green singing, “Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice.” (Scripture Song Medley, from the album The Ministry Years 1980-1982)

You’ll notice it doesn’t say, “rejoice in the Lord Sunday morning,” or “rejoice in the Lord on payday,” or my favorite, “rejoice in the Lord every Friday at 5.”

It’s “rejoice in the Lord always.”

You might say, “Well, Paul didn’t just have his car break down for the 5th time,” or “Paul wasn’t just laid off,” or Paul doesn’t have to deal with this person every day.”

Actually Paul was in jail. Most scholars believe it was his final jail sentence – not that far from his execution.

Still he said, “rejoice in the Lord always.”

Okay, Paul. I will.

Do you have a hard time rejoicing when things aren’t going well?
Can you share a time when you did rejoice through a hard time and it changed your perspective?
April 21, 2023

April 21st, 2023

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Isaiah 49-51

Highlight Verse:

“Sing for joy, O heavens! Rejoice, O earth! Burst into song, O mountains! For the Lord has comforted his people and will have compassion on them in their suffering.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭49‬:‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Isaiah speaks this to the exiled nation of Israel. In the midst of their suffering, they have cause for rejoicing.

Some might say, “If the Lord loves them so much, why did He allow them to be exiled?”

They were exiled because they didn’t heed the warnings of the prophets and wandered from God. In the midst of all that, God never stopped having compassion on them.

As a father loves his wandering child while he hurts to see them wander, so God loves His wandering children and compassionately woos them back.

If you or your loved ones wander from God’s path, don’t think God rages against you or them. He compassionately longs for you or them to return!

Do you know what it’s like to wander away from that perfect path God designed for you?
Have you experienced the Lord’s compassion draw you back to Him?
Share your experiences that others may see His compassion in action.
April 20, 2023

April 20th, 2023

Thursday – Letters

Reading – Romans 16

Highlight Verses:

“I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a deacon in the church in Cenchrea. Welcome her in the Lord as one who is worthy of honor among God’s people. Help her in whatever she needs, for she has been helpful to many, and especially to me.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭16‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

These lines help put into context what many see as overly sexist teachings elsewhere in Paul’s letters.

While the word “deacon” is translated servant in some translations, the Greek word implies a leadership role such as deacon or deaconess. Paul backs this up with the phrase “worthy of honor.”

Most scholars believe that she was the one who was entrusted to deliver this letter to the Christians of Rome.

The following verses imply that she lead a sizable party to Rome (short-term mission trip, anyone?).

What I get out of these verses is that, in this context, Paul is very egalitarian in his assignment of leadership.

This would suggest that where he limits women’s roles elsewhere should be limited to those contexts

What’s your take on that?
Am I reading too much into these verses or do you agree with me that Paul looked more at the individual than the gender?
April 19, 2023

April 19th, 2023

Wednesday – History

Reading – Judges 15-16

Highlight Verse:

“But before long, his hair began to grow back.”
‭‭Judges‬ ‭16‬:‭22‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Can I admit that it was hard to keep today’s study positive?

Samson messed up in so many ways. Read through it and see for yourself. It culminated in his power being taken when his hair was cut. He was taken captive and brutally blinded.

Then comes today’s verse.

It’s a ray of hope in a devastated life.

He had to decide what to do with that hope.

Some would argue that he did the best possible thing by dealing such a crushing blow (pun intended) to the Philistines.

I’m not so sure. What I am sure of is that his motives were selfish. He wanted revenge for the loss of his eyes, not the deliverance of Israel from the Philistines.

Today, whether or not his decision was right is not what matters.

What does matter is that you know that even when your life has been fully defeated, God can restore your strength.

It’s up to you to decide what to do with that strength.

Choose wisely.

Is there a part of your life where you feel like you need to have your strength restored?
What can you do to help bring back that strength?
April 18, 2023

April 18th, 2023

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Genesis 25-26

Highlight Verses:

“Abraham lived for 175 years, and he died at a ripe old age, having lived a long and satisfying life. He breathed his last and joined his ancestors in death.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭25‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I mentioned a couple of days ago that I am not afraid of death.

That’s true – but…

I wouldn’t mind living a long life like Abraham.

Yes, I know I won’t make it to 175 like he did. But, I’d like to see my grandchildren grow up and I’d like to enjoy a good amount of retirement.

Too bad Abraham didn’t write down his secrets.

Or maybe he did.

We know from Genesis that he traveled (ch 12), wasn’t selfish (13:9), was generous (14:20), was faithful to God (15:6), was blessed by God (17:6), and completely trusted God (22:8-9).

I could go on about how he ate all natural food, worked hard, and acted wisely.

None of these things guarantee a long life. But what good is a long life without the second part – a satisfying life.

It’s true that I am looking forward to eternal life in heaven. But I want to live a satisfying life now.

I can tell you without a doubt that the closer I’ve walked with Jesus, daring to follow His lead, the more satisfying my life has been.

Is your life satisfying?
In what ways can you walk closer to Jesus?

I am reminded of Balaam’s Donkey.

Suffice it to say, Israel, during this time of absence of leadership, was messed up!

Sounds a little like today.

I am advocating a Gospel of love, restoration, and community.

Is it just me or does Jacob seem a little immature in his faith.

So, whether your faith is puddle deep or fathomless, put what you believe into practice.

Did you notice that Jesus makes a purpose statement here?

We would do very well as we read the Gospels, to keep an eye out for Jesus’ instructions and put them into practice.

I’m not hard of hearing (much) but sometimes I am “hard of listening.”

So the next time I see the Bible say “listen” or “pay attention” I’d better pay attention.

It’s “rejoice in the Lord always.”

Okay, Paul. I will.

Some might say, “If the Lord loves them so much, why did He allow them to be exiled?”

As a father loves his wandering child while he hurts to see them wander, so God loves His wandering children and compassionately woos them back.

These lines help put into context what many see as overly sexist teachings elsewhere in Paul’s letters.

What I get out of these verses is that, in this context, Paul is very egalitarian in his assignment of leadership.

Can I admit that it was hard to keep today’s study positive?

Then comes today’s verse.

What does matter is that you know that even when your life has been fully defeated, God can restore your strength.

Choose wisely.

I wouldn’t mind living a long life like Abraham.

Too bad Abraham didn’t write down his secrets.

I can tell you without a doubt that the closer I’ve walked with Jesus, daring to follow His lead, the more satisfying my life has been.