Walk in the Light

February 8, 2023

February 8th, 2023

Wednesday – History

Reading – Joshua 16-18

Highlight Verse:

“Joshua replied, “If there are so many of you, and if the hill country of Ephraim is not large enough for you, clear out land for yourselves in the forest where the Perizzites and Rephaites live.””

Joshua 17:15 NLT

Consider that this is just after Caleb asked for land that he would have to conquer. Joshua wasn’t putting up with Ephraim and Manasseh and their pleas for more land. As far as he was concerned, they could go conquer their own land.

Maybe the leaders of Ephraim and Manasseh were acting like spoiled brats.

Maybe they just needed a good kick in the pants.

Joshua was glad to provide it.

I don’t know about you but sometimes I just need a good kick in the pants to get motivated.

I may not like it at the time, but I need it.

Likewise, there are times when I as a parent or a leader, I need to give out the kick.

Not literally, mind you.

But sometimes those I lead need a little extra motivation to get moving. The tricky part is knowing when.

Are you in need of a little more “Seat of your pants” motivation?

Do you know someone who needs a little motivation?

Are you in their sphere of influence to be able to provide that motivation?
February 7, 2023

February 7th, 2023

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Genesis 9

Highlight Verse:

“I have placed my rainbow in the clouds. It is the sign of my covenant with you and with all the earth.”

Genesis 9:13 NLT

God bent light to show us His promise.

Okay, you could say that it is just the way that light acts when going through water droplets.

But who created the light and water and their properties?

It may be worth noting that rainbows are presented as a new concept. Many (including myself) believe that it had not rained before the flood. There is scientific evidence to support this.

Whether you believe that or not, it’s obvious that we are presented with the concept of a whole new beginning for mankind. It is the next step toward the building of relationship between man and God that culminates with the redemptive act of Jesus.

We are presented with the same challenge as Noah.

Each day we can work toward building a new and better Earth starting with building our families in a Godly way.

What do you think of when you see a rainbow?

Can you use it to remind you of all God’s promises to you?
February 6, 2023

February 6th, 2023

Monday – Gospels

Reading – John 7

Highlight Verse:

“While Jesus was teaching in the Temple, he called out, “Yes, you know me, and you know where I come from. But I’m not here on my own. The one who sent me is true, and you don’t know him. But I know him because I come from him, and he sent me to you.””

John 7:28-29 NLT

How frustrating must it have been for Jesus.

He was sent by God the Father to save the people He is speaking to, yet they are fickle and confused.

Some are convinced that He is the Messiah.

Others are convinced that he is a heretic who must be stopped at all costs.

Most probably don’t know what to think.

Yet, out of love for these people and all people, he endured the scorn and proceeded with His mission.

Where would you be if you gave up on the purpose that God gave you?

We learned in church yesterday that

the most important thing that successful people had in common was grit – the commitment to stick things out no matter what.

Jesus was the most successful human ever.

He accomplished His goal of providing mercy and grace for humans despite the strong odds against him.

Do you have the grit to complete the mission God has placed before you?

Do you realize the difference that your tenacity with make in the long run?
February 5, 2023

February 5th, 2023

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Psalms 17-18

Highlight Verse:

“It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he causes me to stand on the heights.”

Psalms 18:32-33 NIV

Have you ever felt inadequate to do what God has called you to?

I have.

Then I read verses like this. I am reminded of a shepherd boy, the youngest and smallest of his brothers. God called him to be a warrior and a King.

When he wrote this, David knew he was inadequate for the job.

He also knew that God was more than adequate to equip him for the job.

Now I can have confidence that I can do whatever God has called me to.

Can you?

Do you realize that God can equip you for any task that He assigns to you?
February 4, 2023

February 4th, 2023

Saturday – Open Topic

Highlight Verses:

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 NIV

The most popular sporting event in the United States is coming up next weekend. Players for the Chiefs and the Eagles have practiced their entire lives for this game. Their levels of discipline have been off the charts to prepare themselves for the Super Bowl.

The life changing opportunities in our lives are no less important than the Super Bowl.

For those we draw to Jesus, they are far more important.

For this reason, we would do well to discipline ourselves to train for the event of helping people find and follow Jesus.

In what ways do you discipline yourself for this life of following Jesus?

What has worked well for you to improve your spiritual and physical abilities? Please share so that the rest of us may learn from what works for you.
February 3, 2023

February 3rd, 2023

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Isaiah 13-15

Highlight Verse:

“Babylon, the jewel of kingdoms, the pride and glory of the Babylonians, will be overthrown by God like Sodom and Gomorrah.”

Isaiah 13:19 NIV

Do you ever go into these readings and think, “Ugh, not more death and destruction.”

Kind of makes you wonder what these prophets were up to.

Their job was to inspire people to follow God more closely through God given words, often offering a bit of God’s higher view or plan.

Here, God wanted to encourage His people to keep following and not give up since their oppressors would fall.

While these prophecies may seen tedious to read, they are part of a bigger picture that set up the redeeming sacrifice of Jesus.

Can you read this while imagining you are part of a nation oppressed by the object of the prophecy?

Would it encourage you?

How would your encouragement of others differ today? (Hopefully you’re not prophesying the doom of nations today).
February 2, 2023

February 2nd, 2023

Thursday – Letters

Reading – Romans 5

“Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”

Romans 5:11 NIV

And another thing…

Paul seems to get excited in this chapter about so many of the benefits of accepting God’s gift of sacrifice for us. Phrases like “not only” and “how much more” are scattered throughout the chapter.

This gift of new life is not just reason to be glad and celebrate.

It’s reason to boast – not the “I’m better than you,” kind of boast but the “look what God has done for me,” kind of boast!

Have you boasted lately?

Can you find it in you to boast about the amazing grace and mercy of God?
February 1, 2023

February 1st, 2023

Wednesday – History

Reading – Joshua 13-15

Highlight Verses:

““Now, as you can see, the Lord has kept me alive and well as he promised for all these forty-five years since Moses made this promise—even while Israel wandered in the wilderness. Today I am eighty-five years old. I am as strong now as I was when Moses sent me on that journey, and I can still travel and fight as well as I could then.”

Joshua 14:10-11 NLT

This is Caleb speaking.

At age 85, he boldly reminds Joshua of Moses’ promise to him and chooses land that needs to be conquered yet.

If you read chapter 15, you find that he conquers that land and settles his people there.

While I may have a few more aches than when I was forty (nearly 19 years ago now), for the most part, I’m feeling pretty good physically. The question is, will I be that way at 85?

Caleb was.

I’ve known others that have kept fit into their eighties. If I make the effort, I should be able to as well.

To that end, I am making monthly goals. Last month I did a partial fast, eating one meal per day for 21 days. So far, most of those pounds are staying off and I’ve stopped some unhealthy eating habits. This month I plan on getting to bed at a decent time – a tough one for this night owl. Later, I may concentrate on exercise.

I’m far from a great example of fitness, but I’m heading the right direction one step at a time.

What does this have to do with today’s passage?

Caleb made a great example of treating the body as God’s temple.

I hope to follow that example.

Do you have plans to keep your body healthy?

What kind of difference can you make if you stay healthy later in life?

How can you start down that path today?
January 31, 2023

January 31st, 2023

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading: Genesis 7-8

Highlight Verses:

“Noah was now 601 years old. On the first day of the new year, ten and a half months after the flood began, the floodwaters had almost dried up from the earth. Noah lifted back the covering of the boat and saw that the surface of the ground was drying. Two more months went by, and at last the earth was dry!”

Genesis 8:13-14 NLT

First off, you should know that I believe this story was real. There is a significant amount of scientific and anthropological evidence for a worldwide flood – not to mention the Biblical record of it.

That said, Noah was one patient guy.

It had to have taken many years to build the ark. The Bible doesn’t specify that time.

The Bible is very specific about how long the flood lasted.

The rain and the eruption of underground water lasted forty days.

After exactly 5 months, the ark came to rest on Ararat.

After ten months, Noah uncovered the ark.

After a year and ten days, God told Noah to leave the ark.

The Bible doesn’t mention Noah’s attitude at this point but I would be very anxious to get out of the ark by then. Noah waited for God’s command.

Do you, like me, ever get impatient for God’s instructions to move?

Noah waited for the land to be ready to support him and his family and the animals. Are there things that you and I need to wait for to be ready before we act?

Feel free to share stories about that.
January 30, 2023

January 30th, 2023

Monday – Gospels

John 6

Highlight Verse:

“But Jesus replied, “Stop complaining about what I said.”

John 6:43 NLT

Was Jesus getting frustrated?

Yes, I think He was.

So many people have the idea that God is a force. They try to tap into that force’s power or at least try to get into the flow of that power.

Even in this situation, people were trying to manipulate Jesus to show His power in the form of a miracle.

God is not a force to be manipulated.

God is a person.

Three person’s in one to be exact – Jesus, the Father, and the Holy Spirit.

That mean’s He has a personality. He has emotions. He is real!

And here these people are talking to Jesus, God the Son and trying to coax a miracle out of Him.

How often do we do that?

We may say something like, “God, if you’re real, do this,” when He taught us to pray “Your will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.”

I’m not saying we shouldn’t bring our requests to God. I am saying that we should bring them to God and trust that He will do the right thing.

God wants the best for us.

We need to trust in that.

Do you have a hard time believing that God really wants the best for you?

What might change if you approached Him with complete trust?

Maybe they just needed a good kick in the pants.

I don’t know about you but sometimes I just need a good kick in the pants to get motivated.

God bent light to show us His promise.

How frustrating must it have been for Jesus.

I have.

He also knew that God was more than adequate to equip him for the job.

The life changing opportunities in our lives are no less important than the Super Bowl.

Do you ever go into these readings and think, “Ugh, not more death and destruction.”

And another thing…

Caleb made a great example of treating the body as God’s temple.

That said, Noah was one patient guy.

God is a person.

How often do we do that?

God wants the best for us.

We need to trust in that.