Walk in the Light

August 12, 2023

August 12th, 2023

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading / Highlight Verse:

“Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by living a godly life.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭16‬:‭31‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Yesterday (today as I write this) would have been my mom’s 85th birthday.

In the days when her hair was grey, she became known as the sweet lady who loved to talk to everyone in the senior living complex.

By the time she was in the nursing home, her hair had gone white and she had lost the ability to recognize people, even her children.

Over three years ago, COVID took her to where her mind and body are restored in heaven.

She left behind a lifetime of memories and touches on other people’s lives.

I like to say that each of my grey hairs are earned through raising teenagers. I know they are simply a result of years of living.

While I wish I had the energy and strength of youth still, with age, I now carry the confidence that comes from nearly 60 years of experiences.

I wouldn’t trade that for the world.

Besides, it beats the alternative.

If you dread getting older, let me encourage you to live a full life and when you are older, you may realize that, with the good and the bad, how sweet it is!

If you are older, what experience gave you the most confidence?
If you are younger, what are you most looking forward to in your later years?
Please share.
August 11, 2023

August 11th, 2023

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Jeremiah 28-30

Highlight Verse:

“And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare.””
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29‬:‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The Israelites had been sent into the lands of their enemies. The survivors of Babylon’s conquest of the land were uprooted and forced to live in a foreign land.

And Jeremiah says to work and pray for the peace and prosperity of the city they’d been dragged off to?

Aren’t you glad you don’t live in that time?

Aren’t you glad that prophecy doesn’t apply to you?

Or does it?

Many of us have been put into less than ideal situations. For some, corporate takeovers have landed you with jobs in companies you thought you had avoided. Maybe circumstances have forced you into less than ideal living conditions.

We all have things we could grumble about.

Jeremiah basically says to live your life to its fullest praying and working for the best of those around you. Just because life isn’t ideal doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy it.

Please note that I am not advocating staying in abusive and/or dangerous situations. God and other people can help you find a way to safety.

For the rest of us,

let’s be thankful in our situations and and work and pray for the best.

Do you maintain a positive attitude even when situations don’t seem very positive?
What ways have you found to make the best of a less than perfect situation? Please share!
August 10, 2023

August 10th, 2023

Thursday – Letters

Reading – Galatians 1-2

Highlight Verse:

“And they praised God because of me.”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭1‬:‭24‬ ‭NLT‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Pretty bold words there. It almost sounds like Paul is bragging.

But then, what Paul is talking about is the radical transformation he went through since encountering Jesus. He went from persecuting the followers of Jesus to preaching the Gospel of Jesus.

My transformation wasn’t so dramatic.

But, I still hope that people will praise God because of what He has done in my life.

Have you had a radical transformation or a more subtle gradual change or none at all?
Has your life become one that people would praise God about?
August 9, 2023

August 9th, 2023

Wednesday – History

Reading – 2 Samuel 3-4

Highlight Verse:

“One day news came to David that the Philistines were at Keilah stealing grain from the threshing floors. David asked the Lord, “Should I go and attack them?” “Yes, go and save Keilah,” the Lord told him.”
‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭23‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I could have gone to a military academy when I graduated high school and entered one of the armed services as an officer.

They were recruiting me.

But at that time I didn’t believe in war.

I was short-sighted.

I admit, part of me says that because of the benefits a military career would have given me.

But, mostly, I now believe that sometimes war is necessary and it is a good thing to be well prepared for it.

I won’t argue individual wars or police actions. I try to stay politically neutral here.

I will say it sometimes takes military strength to protect people.

If you could ask the people of Keilah, I’m sure they would agree.

David and his men stepped up against the odds and defeated the Philistines who were raiding Keilah. He prevailed and saved the town.

On a more practical note, you don’t have to be a warrior to protect the oppressed.

You can take a stand against bullies of all ages and types.

You can contribute to organizations that fight for the oppressed.

And you can pray for the oppressed as well.

What will you do to follow the example that David set for us?
Who is it that you can step up and help protect?
August 8, 2023

August 8th, 2023

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Exodus 1-2

Highlight Verse:

“The woman became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She saw that he was a special baby and kept him hidden for three months.”
‭‭Exodus‬ ‭2‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Okay, what mom doesn’t think that their baby is special?

In case you didn’t read the context, Pharaoh had commanded that all the Hebrew baby boys be throw into the Nile after birth.

His previous order to the midwives to kill all the baby boys at birth had gone ignored.

We are not told for sure how well this order was followed. It is implied that baby Moses’ case was the exception.

In his case, Pharaoh’s decree was followed. They just added the little boat to keep baby Moses afloat.

God and Moses’ mother arranged it so that Moses could survive to save his people.

Do you think that still happens today?

I do.

I’m not saying that those who die early had nothing else they could do with their lives. Tragedies happen. Lives are cut far too short.

I cannot explain why, in some situations, God allows people to pass from this world far too soon.

I can say that there are times when God intervenes and protects people from harm or death. I’ve heard far too many amazing stories to think otherwise.

I am certain that we don’t always know when that happens.

For that reason, I firmly believe that

we should take each day as a gift

and take every opportunity we can to make a difference in this world.

Have you or someone you know seen supernatural protection that saved you or them from injury or death?
In what ways can you treat each day as a gift from God?
August 7, 2023

August 7th, 2023

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Matthew 3-4

Highlight Verse:

“Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭3‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This is John the Baptist speaking. The way he lived was radically repentant of sin.

If you’re wondering, locusts and wild honey were considered “clean” food.

Does that mean that we all need to live in the wilderness and eat locusts and wild honey.

Umm… NO!

But he did say “repented of your sins and turned to God”. That doesn’t mean we can be perfect. It does mean that we should be living our lives in a way that brings us closer to God and further from sin.

If we do that, people will see it and know that there is something different about us.

If they can’t tell the difference between us and those who are not living for God, we’d better take a closer look at what repentance means.

Can people tell that you are trying to live a life turned toward God?
What do you think repenting of sins should look like?
August 6, 2023

August 6th, 2023

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Psalms 95-98

Highlight Verse:

“Sing a new song to the Lord! Let the whole earth sing to the Lord!”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭96‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I find it ironic that it takes a really old song to remind us to keep making new music.

I truly believe that music is near and dear to God’s heart.

Throughout the Bible, music seems to pop up spontaneously. Not just in the Psalms and the Song of Solomon but in spur of the moment songs by Moses, Miriam, David, and Mary among others.

Years ago, we had a foster child. We had just visited my Mom and little brother. Everyone was tired. We climbed in the car and proceeded to bicker at each other until we decided that instead of arguing, we’d just listen to some worship music.

45 minutes later, the album ended as we were stuck in a bad traffic jam near home. It was a situation that could have sparked more argument. But we were happy. We even talked to other motorists as the traffic had come to a complete halt as they cleared an accident a mile ahead.

When we let it, music has power to soothe and comfort, inspire and encourage.

We worship and invite the Holy Spirit to join us in giving praise to God.

If you read this Sunday morning, I encourage you to join with a local church and bring that music to life.

If that’s not possible, at least turn on some music and sing a new song to the Lord!

Have you ever experienced the same kind of mood restoration from music?
What kinds of music brings about the best results for worship and mood lifting for you?
August 5, 2023

August 4th, 2023

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Matthew 14:22-33

Highlight Verse:

““Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭14‬:‭29‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I used to think that Jesus was the only person in history to walk on water.

I was wrong.

It says so right here. Peter walked on the water toward Jesus.

True, he lost sight of Jesus when he saw the wind and the waves and freaked out and started to sink.

He wasn’t perfect.

The only perfect person in all of history was Jesus.

Peter lost sight of Jesus in that moment. He messed up other times as well. But, in the end, he had a huge impact on he world.

We lose sight.

But if we are bold enough

to do the incredible things Jesus asks of us, we can make a huge impact as well.

Are there incredible things that Jesus has asked of you?
Have you been bold enough to do those things?
Will you be bold now?
August 4, 2023

August 3rd, 2023

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Jeremiah 25-27

Highlights Verse:

““For the past twenty-three years—from the thirteenth year of the reign of Josiah son of Amon, king of Judah, until now—the Lord has been giving me his messages. I have faithfully passed them on to you, but you have not listened.”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭25‬:‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Talk about a frustrating career!

No matter how much you warn, plead, argue, or persuade – people will make their own choices.

Obedience would not exist without free will. If you could force someone to follow your advice, they would be your robot rather than your loved one.

Jeremiah’s responsibility was to get the message of God out. How the people respond to it is not his responsibility.

Likewise, when someone we love is not following Jesus, we have the responsibility to make them aware of the Gospel by what we do and say. As long as we do that in grace and love, our loved one’s response is not our responsibility. A negative response may be painful, but at least it’s a response.

It’s important that we keep speaking to God about them.

I believe that it is also just as important to live out God’s love to that person rather than just constantly bug them.

Do you have someone close to you who does not follow your advice?
Does that discourage you?
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?

She left behind a lifetime of memories and touches on other people’s lives.

I wouldn’t trade that for the world.

Or does it?

We all have things we could grumble about.

let’s be thankful in our situations and and work and pray for the best.

Pretty bold words there. It almost sounds like Paul is bragging.

My transformation wasn’t so dramatic.

I was short-sighted.

On a more practical note, you don’t have to be a warrior to protect the oppressed.

Okay, what mom doesn’t think that their baby is special?

God and Moses’ mother arranged it so that Moses could survive to save his people.

we should take each day as a gift

Does that mean that we all need to live in the wilderness and eat locusts and wild honey.

If we do that, people will see it and know that there is something different about us.

I truly believe that music is near and dear to God’s heart.

When we let it, music has power to soothe and comfort, inspire and encourage.

I was wrong.

But if we are bold enough

No matter how much you warn, plead, argue, or persuade – people will make their own choices.

I believe that it is also just as important to live out God’s love to that person rather than just constantly bug them.

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

He was willing and passionate.