Walk in the Light

June 4, 2023

June 4th, 2023

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Psalms 69-71

Highlight Verse:

“O God, you know how foolish I am; my sins cannot be hidden from you.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭69‬:‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This is David, the man after God’s own heart writing this.

I can relate.

I know full well that God can see my every sin. Still I find myself sinning anyway. Might as well keep it all in the open.

That brings us to the question, “What is sin?”

I know there are several definitions from breaking the commandments to breaking rules that churches have made.

I have a very simple definition with far reaching connotations.

Any time you do something that drives a wedge in your relationship with God, it’s sin.

That might be breaking a commandment. It might be doing so much church work that you neglect your relationship with Him or with your family. Sometimes it’s ignoring that little prod from the Holy Spirit to go talk to someone.

Needless to say, we all sin. The question is, what do we do with it. Are we moving forward, learning as we go? More importantly, are we accepting Jesus’ sacrifice for our sin, repenting, and moving forward?

Even if it’s sometimes three steps forward and two steps back, regain and keep that forward momentum.

Are there sins that you didn’t realize were sins in your life?
Are you dealing with them through the grace of God?
June 3, 2023

June 3rd, 2023

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Luke 1: 1-4

“Many people have set out to write accounts about the events that have been fulfilled among us. They used the eyewitness reports circulating among us from the early disciples. Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write an accurate account for you, most honorable Theophilus, so you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Luke was a doctor. He was also a writer.

I just spent the better part of a week at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference. There I met doctors, teachers, police officers, students, retirees, and yes, even writers. We were all there to improve our writing skills, and connect with agents, publishers, and each other.

Like Luke, we all want to improve our ability to make the Good News of Jesus understandable to our readers. Some accomplish that through writing devotionals. Some write encouraging and informative non-fiction books. Some, like me, connect to our readers like Jesus did with parables by writing fiction.

Everyone has a story to tell.

Some, like me, have heads bulging with stories clambering to get out.

If you have a story to tell, I urge you to share it, either by writing it or by sharing it with a co-writer. And if you are a writer I urge you to get training to become the best writer possible.

What story(ies) do you have that are begging to be written?
What is keeping you from writing them?
June 2, 2023

June 2nd, 2023

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Isaiah 64-66

Highlight Verse:

“This is what the Lord says: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Could you build me a temple as good as that? Could you build me such a resting place?”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭66‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Isaiah had just written of the fall of Jerusalem and the rise of a new Jerusalem. While the temple in Jerusalem was rebuilt after this time, I believe that Isaiah alludes to the ultimate problem – Mankind cannot repair the breach between God and man.

Only God can do that!

Isaiah already prophesied 27 or 28 times (depending on how you count them) about Jesus. He knew the Messiah was coming. He would provide the answer to problem of sin.

He alone was without sin.

He was and is the only sacrifice capable of paying for our sin.

Are you struggling to live a life good enough to we worthy of Heaven?
Are you willing to give up on that struggle and trust the sacrifice the Jesus made?
June 1, 2023

May 31st, 2023

Thursday – Letters

Reading – 1 Corinthians 11-12

Highlight Verse:

“Yes, if she refuses to wear a head covering, she should cut off all her hair! But since it is shameful for a woman to have her hair cut or her head shaved, she should wear a covering.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭11‬:‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Oh how I was tempted to take a verse from chapter 12. There’s so much good stuff to draw on there.

You and I both know that chapter 11 raises more questions. So here we go.

When I was in Bible college, I took part in a ministry that visited a local nursing home every week. Keep in mind that this was 25 years ago. The instructors warned us that whoever was giving the message had better dress the part. People from that generation would not listen if the preacher was dressed in a t-shirt and jeans.

In chapter 11, Paul is speaking in no uncertain terms to a culture that was very different than ours. The guidelines he was insisting on would have made sense to the Corinthian church members of that time. They were not matters of morality but of cultural relevance.

Likewise, we should remain culturally relevant to those we are trying to reach with the Good News of Jesus.

Within the boundaries of Biblical morality, we need to bring the Gospel to people in a manner that will be both understood and not rejected for cultural reasons.

Do you wish for the days of more strict dress and grooming standards?
Would you be willing to study and understand the culture you are trying to reach with the Gospel?
May 31, 2023

May 31st, 2023

Wednesday – History

Reading – 1 Samuel 3-4

Highlight Verse:

“As Samuel grew up, the Lord was with him, and everything Samuel said proved to be reliable.”
‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭3‬:‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I wish that could be said about me!

Hopefully I will prove reliable for the rest of my life and ministry.

What was Samuel’s secret to success?

1 – He was open to hearing from God.
2 – He got to know God’s voice.
3 – He was honest and open about what God said.

We can follow Samuel’s example.

1 – We should go into Bible study and prayer with an open mind and heart to the truth that God wants to bring to us.
2 – Our open mind should be tempered by how well we know the Lord’s voice. We know His voice by learning His Word. Scripture should be taken in the context of the whole Bible.
3 – We should be open about sharing the Word of God, not shoving it in people’s faces but living in such a way that they would want to hear about it from us the way people would come to Samuel for the Word.

Would you like to be successful in sharing God’s Word like Samuel?
Are you willing to take the time to get to know God’s voice in His Word?
May 30, 2023

May 30th, 2023

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Genesis 37

Highlight Verse:

“But his brothers hated Joseph because their father loved him more than the rest of them. They couldn’t say a kind word to him.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭37‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I admit it. I was the spoiled younger brother. I can relate to Joseph.

Still, I knew better than to taunt my brother with visions of superiority.

Maybe that’s why he never sold me into slavery. He was probably tempted, though.

Israel’s family dynamics were far more messed up than ours.

We had to overcome some trust and hurt issues but all us Solano kids get along well now.

God redeemed the hurt and guilt issues of Israel’s family and used the situation to save them and eventually the whole world.

If you are dealing with family strife, realize that God can redeem it too!

Are there feelings of hurt or guilt you are dealing with in your family?
What would it take to put them aside and seek healing in those relationships?
May 29, 2023

May 29th, 2023

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Mark 5

Highlight Verse:

“So the man started off to visit the Ten Towns of that region and began to proclaim the great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed at what he told them.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭5‬:‭20‬ ‭NLT‬‬

In case you didn’t read the first part, this man was just restored after being possessed by at least 2000 demons.

He’s not the kind of guy that people wanted to model their lives after.

If I had done the kinds of things this guy had done and then been freed from the demons, I’d probably want to hide in shame – maybe become a monk or something like that.

He didn’t do that.

In his joy and excitement over being freed, he told as many people as he could about Jesus.

And because of his past, they believed!

I guarantee that your past is not as bad as this guy’s. God can use your past too.

What would happen if you shared freely about your past and what Jesus has done to free you from it?
Is there anything keeping you from sharing it?
May 28, 2023

May 28th, 2023

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Psalms 66-68

Highlight Verses:

“Shout joyful praises to God, all the earth! Sing about the glory of his name! Tell the world how glorious he is.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭66‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Shout, sing, tell. Which is it?

To which you reply “all three”.

If you were to shout joyful praises to God in the church I grew up in, they would probably kindly escort you to the mental health facility of your choice.

At the church I attend now, you could shout and no one would hear you above the sound of the worship band.

Which one is right?

I don’t know about the mental health facility but there is something to be said for quiet contemplative worship.

On the other hand, many find their way to the heart of worship through uninhibited loud praise and worship.

Personally, I like both in their times.

The important thing is to bring God the praise due Him.

Today and this week, as I am away from home, the worship will be different from what I am used to, but I will bring my whole heart to it.

What king of worship do you prefer?
Are you able to worship with your whole heart in styles that you are not used to?
May 27, 2023

May 27th, 2023

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Joshua 4:1-9

Highlight Verse:

“We will use these stones to build a memorial. In the future your children will ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’”
‭‭Joshua‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Several years ago on this weekend, I was visiting Washington, DC and found myself in Arlington Cemetery. There was a general flow toward the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. I followed the crowd and ended up in the amphitheater listening to a Memorial Day speech from the President.

While he was not the person I voted for, I found myself agreeing with him as he expressed the country’s gratitude for all the people who gave their lives for our freedom. He made sure that they were remembered for their sacrifice.

Today’s passage shows how Joshua memorialized God’s participation in bringing Israel into the Promised Land. He wanted to be sure the people did not forget God after they settled in the land.

We would do well to remember God’s role throughout history, the role of those who gave their lives for our freedom, and especially the sacrifice that Jesus made for our spiritual freedom!

Has Memorial Day become just an excuse to barbecue and take a day off work?
How will you remember those who sacrificed for your freedom?
May 26, 2023

May 26th, 2023

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Isaiah 61-63

Highlight Verse:

“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭61‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

These are the words that Jesus read in a synagogue in Luke 4. When Jesus confirmed that the words were spoken about Him, the Jews turned on him and tried to throw Him over a cliff. I don’t think they were convinced that He was the Messiah.

Today, relatively few practicing Jews believe there will even be a Messiah.

Among all the world’s population, people who believe that Jesus is the Messiah are a small minority.

This verse by itself is enough to sadden me at that fact. The things that they miss out on!

He brings joys in the midst of poverty.

There is no greater healer from hurt than Jesus.

There is no one at all besides Jesus who can free us from the bonds of sin.

And those are just what this verse mentions. How rich are the mercies and blessings Jesus brings!

What has trusting in Jesus blessed you with?
If you haven’t trusted in Jesus, what’s holding you back?

I can relate.

Any time you do something that drives a wedge in your relationship with God, it’s sin.

Even if it’s sometimes three steps forward and two steps back, regain and keep that forward momentum.

Luke was a doctor. He was also a writer.

Everyone has a story to tell.

Only God can do that!

He was and is the only sacrifice capable of paying for our sin.

Within the boundaries of Biblical morality, we need to bring the Gospel to people in a manner that will be both understood and not rejected for cultural reasons.

What was Samuel’s secret to success?

I admit it. I was the spoiled younger brother. I can relate to Joseph.

Israel’s family dynamics were far more messed up than ours.

If you are dealing with family strife, realize that God can redeem it too!

He’s not the kind of guy that people wanted to model their lives after.

And because of his past, they believed!

I guarantee that your past is not as bad as this guy’s. God can use your past too.

The important thing is to bring God the praise due Him.

We would do well to remember God’s role throughout history, the role of those who gave their lives for our freedom, and especially the sacrifice that Jesus made for our spiritual freedom!

He brings joys in the midst of poverty.

There is no greater healer from hurt than Jesus.

There is no one at all besides Jesus who can free us from the bonds of sin.