Walk in the Light

August 3, 2023

August 3rd, 2023

Thursday – Letters

Reading – 2 Corinthians 11-13

Highlight Verse:

“I may be unskilled as a speaker, but I’m not lacking in knowledge. We have made this clear to you in every possible way.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭11‬:‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

You might think that Paul is putting on false modesty when he says he is an unskilled speaker. But he was known to ramble on all night, putting some people to sleep. (Acts 20:7-12).

But it was he who brought the Gospel to much of known civilization.

It was he who was one of the most prolific writers of the New Testament.

He was the perfect example of qualifying the called rather than calling the qualified.

So what did he have that made such a big difference?

He was willing and passionate.

That passion turned into action. That action changed the world.

What is one skill that you think you’re not good at?
Do you understand how a weakness in God’s hands, could be used to change the world?
August 2, 2023

August 2nd, 2023

Wednesday – History

Reading – 1 Samuel 21-22

Highlight Verse:

“David went to the town of Nob to see Ahimelech the priest. Ahimelech trembled when he saw him. “Why are you alone?” he asked. “Why is no one with you?””
‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭21‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Ahimelech’s simple question, asked in two ways, speaks volumes about David.

It was so unusual for David to be alone that the priest trembled when he saw it.

If you read on, you know that David lied to Ahimelech to try to protect him. That was a tactic that didn’t work. Saul was so crazy with envy and rage that he had the priests at Nob killed.

That was the kind of desperate situation that David was in.

Saul’s insanity and the way David handled it is why so many people gathered around him. It’s what launched his reign as king when Saul finally died.

The key thought for me is that David was a natural leader. For that reason, he almost always had people around him.

It wasn’t because he came into power and told people to follow him. It was because he unselfishly led people that they followed him.

What does it take for you to want to follow someone?
How do you know if God has called you to be a leader?
August 1, 2023

August 1st, 2023

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Genesis 49-50

Highlight Verse:

“So Joseph and his brothers and their families continued to live in Egypt. Joseph lived to the age of 110.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭50‬:‭22‬ ‭NLT

Here’s a silly question –

Why?

Joseph lived in Egypt for many decades. Most of that time, his extended family was there too.

Why didn’t they go back to the promised land when Joseph, a powerful man in Egypt, was still alive?

Their land claims would have still been fresh. They could have resettled the land without much conflict.

Instead, the people of Israel chose to stay where it was comfortable. Egypt supported them as long as Joseph was alive. They had a good gig. They didn’t want to give it up.

Isn’t that just like us. We get comfortable and we don’t want anything that would challenge that comfort.

Let that go on too long and we end up just like the Israelites, gradually enslaved and trapped.

When was the last time you stepped out of your comfort zone to do the right thing at the right time?

How did it turn out?
July 31, 2023

July 31st, 2023

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Matthew 1-2

Highlight Verses:

“That night Joseph left for Egypt with the child and Mary, his mother, and they stayed there until Herod’s death. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “I called my Son out of Egypt.””
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭2‬:‭14‬-‭15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

In a sense, the flight to Egypt was a repeat in form of the people of Israel living in Egypt in Genesis.

Hosea appears to be talking about the people of Israel in the Matthew’s quote here, but it could just as easily prophetically refer to Jesus or both Israel and Jesus.

What’s more important here is that God provided for the protection of Jesus.

The gifts of the Magi gave Mary and Joseph the means to escape Herod’s paranoid wrath.

Joseph’s prophetic dream gave them the knowledge they needed to escape that wrath.

God gave Joseph great insight and wisdom in order to protect his young step-son. Joseph proved faithful to follow that insight.

Hebrews tells us that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

I believe He still gives miraculous insight today if we will take the time and give the attention to God.

To your knowledge, has the guiding voice of God saved you from peril?
How did you know it was God who protected you?
July 30, 2023

July 30th, 2023

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Psalms 92-94

Highlight Verse:

“You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done for me! I sing for joy because of what you have done.”

Psalms 92:4 NLT

I love this translation of this verse because it captures the excitement of realizing all the God has done for you.

Most translations use the term made me glad instead of thrill. That may be technically more accurate, but then –

Have you had that moment when you realize that you no longer have to carry the guilt of every shameful thing you’ve done?

Have you experienced that still small voice guiding you when your intellect and wisdom fall short?

Have you experienced the overwhelming presence of the Holy Spirit?

I think “thrill” is an appropriate translation.

I know not everyone has experienced that thrill. I do not mean to invalidate their faith. If that’s you, by all means, join in the song of praise.

For those who have experienced the thrill of God’s working, you have all the more reason to sing for joy!

In what ways have you been thrilled by God?

What keeps your faith solid between the thrills?
July 29, 2023

July 29th, 2023

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – John 2:1-12

Highlight Verses:

“The next day there was a wedding celebration in the village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the celebration.”
‭‭John‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The Bible has very few weddings.

The few that are there are not described in any detail.

In the Solano/Burbach household, we’ve had plenty of discussion about weddings. There’s been the ongoing debate about whether or not we can afford to go to my niece’s wedding in the fall (We’ll be there Jessica, I’ll RSVP soon). Then there’s our middle daughter’s wedding coming up next spring.

Many people invest large sums of money in their weddings but not that much into their marriages.

The Bible seems to be the opposite. There are far more passages about love and marriage than about weddings.

Trust me, divorce costs far more (both financially and emotionally) than repairing a troubled marriage.

I know (first hand) that sometimes divorce is unavoidable and healing can happen.

I also know that God’s ideal, therefore what is best for us, is one marriage partnership for life.

If we put the hard work into making that happen, we will be far better off.

How are you investing in your marriage?
If you are not married but plan on one day getting married, what are you doing now to prepare yourself for being a better spouse?
July 28, 2023

July 28th, 2023

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Jeremiah 22-24

Highlight Verse:

“But stop using this phrase, ‘prophecy from the Lord.’ For people are using it to give authority to their own ideas, turning upside down the words of our God, the living God, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭23‬:‭36‬ ‭NLT‬‬

During this time in history, most of the prophets in Israel were giving messages that were politically expedient. They would tell the people that everything was going to turn out okay because this is what those in power wanted them to say.

Sound familiar?

I’m not going to turn this into a political statement. Misleading teaching happens all across the political and denominational spectrums. People convince themselves that what they preach and teach is the truth.

That’s one of the reasons that you follow this reading plan. The more you know the Word of God, the more you can tell the good “prophets” from the bad.

God will not use a modern day “prophet” to contradict His Word.

Bottom line: If a teaching or prophecy agrees with the Word of God, that teaching is sound.
If it disagrees, It ain’t right.

If you’re not sure, keep reading the Bible until you figure it out.

And if you ever find me saying something here that disagrees with the Bible (which I pray I would never write anything like that) speak out against it. Some of the bad teachings out there are simply good people misunderstanding the Word of God. I’m human and can mess up too.

Do you tend to agree with any teaching that feels good without checking it in the Bible? (Not a good idea).
Do you, instead, question any teaching or “word from God” by comparing it to what the Word of God says in the Bible? (Now we’re talking truth).
July 27, 2023

July 27th, 2023

Thursday – Letters

Reading – 2 Corinthians 9-10

Highlight Verse:

“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭10‬:‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I switched to the NIV for this verse because I love the word they use to describe our spiritual weapons – “demolish.”

It’s not just tear down, defeat, get victory over – It’s “demolish.” Complete decisive destruction.

Those of you who know me personally know that I am not generally a timid person. I don’t tremble in fear whenever something difficult heads my way.

I’m that way because I have seen over and over again the power of the Holy Spirit at work in my life and the lives of those around me.

I don’t fear demons, or ghosts, and the devil himself because I have complete confidence in the power of my God. I may experience trials, but

I know who’s in that fiery furnace with me and I will come out unscathed.

Do you have confidence when faced with spiritual trials or attacks?
Do you know the spiritual power that is available to you as a Holy Spirit filled believer?
July 26, 2023

July 26th, 2023

Wednesday – History

Reading – 1 Samuel 19-20

Highlight Verses:

“But one day when Saul was sitting at home, with spear in hand, the tormenting spirit from the Lord suddenly came upon him again. As David played his harp, Saul hurled his spear at David. But David dodged out of the way, and leaving the spear stuck in the wall, he fled and escaped into the night.”
‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭19‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I love how honest the Bible is.

In this case we see Saul in full blown mental illness.

I won’t try to diagnose Saul nor excuse his actions. He was obviously jealous to a disturbing level.

David, on the other hand, stayed level-headed and got himself out of that bad situation. He maintained respect for Saul despite his obvious problems.

It’s so easy to lash back when we’re hurt. The injustice and feeling of persecution puts us on the defensive.

What would happen to us if we were able to stay in control and just remove ourselves from terrible situations?

In David’s case, he outlasted the persecution with integrity

which resulted in him becoming one of the greatest kings of all time.

How do you react when persecuted?
What would happen if you removed yourself from the line of fire while maintaining respect for your persecutor as a person?

If you are a mental health professional, please tell me if I am way off with this line of thought.
July 25, 2023

July 25th, 2023

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Genesis 48

Highlight Verse:

“One day not long after this, word came to Joseph, “Your father is failing rapidly.” So Joseph went to visit his father, and he took with him his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭48‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

When I was in my 20’s, I got a call that my Grandma Clarey was going downhill fast and if I wanted to see her again I needed to go. My then fiancé and I took to the road in my 8-year-old VW Rabbit that was in bad need of a clutch. The clutch was slipping even as we went up the gentle hills in Santa Cruz. It couldn’t possibly make it to Fresno.

We prayed.

It made it over the two passes without a problem – and back!

The next day it wouldn’t even work on level ground.

I believe that God saw it as important that I be able to say goodbye to my closest grandmother – So much so that he held the clutch together for that trip.

Joseph gives us a good example of what to do in that kind of situation.

Go spend time with your loved ones while you can. Bring the kids so they can get to know them.

In the case of Manasseh and Ephraim, they received a literal blessing as well.

Do you have a parent or close relative who may not be around for too many more years?
Have you made it a priority to spend more time with them?

But it was he who brought the Gospel to much of known civilization.

He was willing and passionate.

It was so unusual for David to be alone that the priest trembled when he saw it.

The key thought for me is that David was a natural leader. For that reason, he almost always had people around him.

Why didn’t they go back to the promised land when Joseph, a powerful man in Egypt, was still alive?

Let that go on too long and we end up just like the Israelites, gradually enslaved and trapped.

What’s more important here is that God provided for the protection of Jesus.

I believe He still gives miraculous insight today if we will take the time and give the attention to God.

Have you had that moment when you realize that you no longer have to carry the guilt of every shameful thing you’ve done?

I think “thrill” is an appropriate translation.

The Bible has very few weddings.

Many people invest large sums of money in their weddings but not that much into their marriages.

Sound familiar?

If you’re not sure, keep reading the Bible until you figure it out.

It’s not just tear down, defeat, get victory over – It’s “demolish.” Complete decisive destruction.

I know who’s in that fiery furnace with me and I will come out unscathed.

I love how honest the Bible is.

In David’s case, he outlasted the persecution with integrity

Joseph gives us a good example of what to do in that kind of situation.

Go spend time with your loved ones while you can. Bring the kids so they can get to know them.