Walk in the Light

August 22, 2023

August 22nd, 2023

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Exodus 5-6

Highlight Verses:

“Then Moses went back to the Lord and protested, “Why have you brought all this trouble on your own people, Lord? Why did you send me? Ever since I came to Pharaoh as your spokesman, he has been even more brutal to your people. And you have done nothing to rescue them!””
‭‭Exodus‬ ‭5‬:‭22‬-‭23‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Have you ever had one of those Exodus 5 moments when you try to do everything right but nothing seems to work?

In fact, the very moment you take that bold action for the Lord, it seems to backfire and make things worse.

What Moses didn’t realize in that moment was that God was using every apparent setback to set up for the greatest victory in Israelite history.

Without that resistance from Pharaoh, Israel may have escaped, but it wouldn’t have been that resounding victory that it was.

Not every setback will result in resounding victory for you and I. But, with the tenacity of Moses and Aaron, it could.

Remember, when things look the bleakest, that’s often when breakthrough is about to come.

Have you experienced breakthrough in the midst of apparent failure? Share the story!
Are you in the middle of a desperate situation? Tell us and the rest of us will lift you in prayer to help start the breakthrough.
August 21, 2023

August 21st, 2023

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Matthew 6

Highlight Verse:

“Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭20‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Whenever I read this verse, I think back to a friend in college who had built up an impressive book collection. He was very protective of his books until one day.

He had a dream that he went to heaven, got his heavenly mansion, and found that it had a very small library. He asked God why his library was so small when he loved books so much. God replied, “Those are all the books that you loaned out that never got returned.”

After that he became very generous with his book collection.

I don’t know how theologically correct that story was.

I do know there are no trailer hitches on hearses and he who dies with the most toys doesn’t win, they take just as many worldly goods with them as the beggar on the streets.

One thing I hope will make it to heaven with me is all the people whose lives I touch.

I don’t care if I ever receive thanks from them. I just want to know that I made a difference .

Whether the effect came from a personal relationship or as a result of me serving or giving, I believe God will grant me the blessing of that knowledge.

What do you hope to bring with you to heaven?
If it is something you believe God will grant, what are you doing now to make it happen?
August 20, 2023

August 20th, 2023

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Psalms 103-104

Highlight Verse:

“He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭103‬:‭12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

A thousand years before Jesus, David already had a good understanding of the redemptive work of God.

In this single verse, David recognizes that we mess up and that God is able to remove our guilt from us.

As far as east is from the west is an expression that presupposes that east and west never meet. Therefore our guilt is so far gone, we’ll never see it again.

This verse is in the middle of a Psalm of praise in which David lists many amazing attributes of God, any one of which is worthy of praise.

Understand the amazing gifts of God starting with Jesus’ sacrifice that paid the price for all we’ve done wrong, past, present, and future. Then you will have plenty of incentive to praise Him.

Does dwelling on the attributes of God, especially His forgiveness, make you want to bring Him praises?
Have you ever found yourself taking His grace for granted? Did it result in you praising less?
August 19, 2023

August 19th, 2023
Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – James 3:1-12

Highlight Verse:

“Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly.”
‭‭James‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

It’s back to school time.

Did you know that my first choice of career was going to be that of a teacher?

Things didn’t work out so well for that. In college, money was running out and I wasn’t selected for the education program I was trying to get into for my senior year.

I could have changed schools and easily gotten an education degree and certification. But I chickened out and went for a career that was available and didn’t require spending a ton more money on another year of college.

That worked out well for me.

And I still get to teach in a very important way.

I’ve had the privilege of teaching children and youth at church for many years now.

I often get asked if I get nervous speaking in front of a large group of students. Honestly, I don’t – except for two things.
- My main concern is that I rightly present the teachings of God to them.
- Secondly, I want to be sure that I’m living out the things that I teach.
I know that if I live differently than what I teach, it not only negates the teaching but it may irreparably damage the faith of those who trusted my words.

That’s a burden I never want to live with.

In what ways have you been given the opportunity to teach?
Have you been able to stay faithful to your teaching?
August 18, 2023

August 18th, 2023
Friday – Prophets

Reading – Jeremiah 31-33

Highlight Verse:

“While Jeremiah was still confined in the courtyard of the guard, the Lord gave him this second message:”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭33‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

God was speaking through Jeremiah while he was essentially in jail.

Granted, he was in jail for speaking the truth. But I believe this verse illustrates what is a repeating theme in the Bible.

God works through people no matter what their situation is.
- David wrote many of the Psalms while tending sheep.
- Ruth was a poor immigrant widow.
- Esther was exiled in the land of the nation that defeated Israel.
- Paul wrote some of his letters from Roman imprisonment.
I could go on. The point is, no matter what your situation, if you trust in Jesus and are willing to follow Him,

He can work through you.

Trust Him. Seek Him. Be willing to act or speak when He tells you; and there’s no limit to what He can do through you.

Do you feel like your circumstances limit what you can do for the Lord?
What can you do to put yourself in a position to be used by God?
August 17, 2023

August 17th, 2023

Thursday – Letters

Reading – Galatians 3-4

Highlight Verse:

“How foolish can you be? After starting your new lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort?”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭3‬:‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I have had days when every little mistake made me feel guilty. I felt like I had to be perfect in order to appease God.

I was doing the same thing that Paul admonished the Galatians for.

We shouldn’t try to be perfect so that we appear to be good Christians. We should trust Jesus for our salvation and do good things out of love and gratitude and because we trust Him to guide us.

And when we mess up, we shouldn’t beat ourselves up and try to do better to appease God.

Instead we should fall back on the trust we have in Him.

So how do you know whether what you do is out of guilt or out of trust?

Guilt knocks you down. Trust builds you up.

Be encouraged today because God is on your side and wants only what’s the best for you.

Then act out of trust, not out of guilt.

Do you act out of trust or out of guilt?
Can you tell the difference?
August 16, 2023

August 16th, 2023

Wednesday – History

Reading – 1 Samuel 25-26

Highlight Verse:

“David replied to Abigail, “Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, who has sent you to meet me today!”
‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭25‬:‭32‬ ‭NLT‬‬

We don’t talk very much about Abigail.

In a man’s world of greed and warfare, she brought words and actions of wisdom. She interceded for her foolish husband, Nabal, and stopped the rash anger of David.

For this she was rewarded with the death of her foolish husband and the dubious privilege of becoming David’s third wife.

All we know after that is she was captured by the Philistines and rescued by David. She had at least 1 son who, as you know, was passed over for the kingship by the son of Bathsheba who was much younger than he.

Well, at least she escaped what must have been a rough life with Nabal.

Do you see Abigail as a heroine of the Bible? Why or why not?
Are there other heroines from the Bible that you look up to more than Abigail?
August 15, 2023

August 15th, 2023

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Exodus 3-4

Highlight Verses:

“But Moses protested again, “What if they won’t believe me or listen to me? What if they say, ‘The Lord never appeared to you’?” Then the Lord asked him, “What is that in your hand?” “A shepherd’s staff,” Moses replied.”
‭‭Exodus‬ ‭4‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

If you read the whole reading, you know that Moses was tending sheep in the wilderness on Mount Sinai. Of course he has the tool of his trade – his staff.

It’s kind of like if God spoke to me while I was repairing a copier –

God, “What’s that in your hand?”

Me, “A power screwdriver.”

God, “Throw it down.”

Me, “What, no way! It cost over a hundred bucks!”

Okay, maybe not exactly the same but…

God used what Moses had.

Frankly, going into the job, Moses didn’t have much.

He couldn’t speak well.
He ran away from Egypt and his people.
He didn’t even know God well enough to recognize His presence in the burning bush.

But he had his shepherd’s staff.

Maybe it’s the same with us.

God will use what we have to do His will.

If we are willing, he will take our little and do a lot.

Like Moses, we might take some convincing before we’re willing to step out in faith with our meager tools. But, once we do, there’s no limit to what God can do with us.

Have you had any of those “step out in faith moments?” Please share!
Are you willing to step out in faith when God calls you?
August 14, 2023

August 14th, 2023

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Matthew 5

Highlight Verse:

““Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭23‬-‭24‬ ‭NIV‬‬

In a day when sacrifices at the temple in Jerusalem were of utmost importance,

Jesus made it plain that relationships were more important.

I have different opinions on politics, religion, and other topics from some of my siblings, kids, and friends. I have tried to make it perfectly clear to each that I value my relationship with each of them more than standing up for my opinions.

We do occasionally get into discussions about our differences but we keep our conversations polite and respectful, recognizing that we have the right to have different opinions.

I’ll admit that sometimes takes great effort.

But the effort is worth it. We live in a time when everyone can fully express their opinions on social media (until certain content censors kick in). Many do so in terms that belittle anyone who disagrees with them.

I recognize that certain issues are very important, but we would do well to remember that Jesus valued relationships above all else. He would probably sum it up with the phrase

“Love God and love people.”

Let’s do that even here on social media.

Before anyone takes offense at this post, know that I am not thinking of any particular person. I just know I’ve seen post wars on social media that were anything but loving and respectful.

Are there relationships that you could help repair with offering a little more respect?
What are ways we can express our opinions in a respectful manner?
August 13, 2023

August 13th, 2023

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Psalms 99-102

Highlight Verse:

“Let this be recorded for future generations, so that a people not yet born will praise the Lord.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭102‬:‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I’ve never been good at journaling.

I gave it a try many years ago. I remember running across that journal some time ago and being impressed by my faith so long ago.

Then there’s the old Bible that I use for this study. I bought it 35 years ago long before the advent of YouVersion and Biblegateway dot com. While my study wasn’t as consistent as it is now, there are many highlighted or underlined passages and some scribbled notes in the margins.

44 years ago, my mom bought me a copy of “The Way”, a version of The Living Bible. I just grabbed it off the bookshelf and was surprised to find a few notes in there from early in my walk of faith.

That walk of faith began on this day, August 13, 1977, 46 years ago.

From margin notes to journals to this study, I have a not-so-steady trail to continue to inspire me to move forward and to pass on to future generations.

Without much thought, I’ve been living out this verse. And I’m glad to be able to look back on it.

Have you put down in words your thoughts and impressions about God’s Word and your faith?
Is there anything stopping you from writing now?

Have you ever had one of those Exodus 5 moments when you try to do everything right but nothing seems to work?

Without that resistance from Pharaoh, Israel may have escaped, but it wouldn’t have been that resounding victory that it was.

Remember, when things look the bleakest, that’s often when breakthrough is about to come.

One thing I hope will make it to heaven with me is all the people whose lives I touch.

A thousand years before Jesus, David already had a good understanding of the redemptive work of God.

It’s back to school time.

And I still get to teach in a very important way.

I know that if I live differently than what I teach, it not only negates the teaching but it may irreparably damage the faith of those who trusted my words.

God was speaking through Jeremiah while he was essentially in jail.

God works through people no matter what their situation is.

He can work through you.

I was doing the same thing that Paul admonished the Galatians for.

Guilt knocks you down. Trust builds you up.

We don’t talk very much about Abigail.

Well, at least she escaped what must have been a rough life with Nabal.

God used what Moses had.

If we are willing, he will take our little and do a lot.

Jesus made it plain that relationships were more important.

I’ll admit that sometimes takes great effort.

“Love God and love people.”

I’ve never been good at journaling.

That walk of faith began on this day, August 13, 1977, 46 years ago.