Walk in the Light

October 15, 2025

October 15th, 2025

Wednesday – History

Reading – 2 Samuel 13-14

Highlight Verse:

“So at Absalom’s signal they murdered Amnon. Then the other sons of the king jumped on their mules and fled.”
‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭13‬:‭29‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This one verse raises so many questions.

The first thing that stands out to my slightly warped brain is, “Mules? Why mules? Didn’t they have horses?”

I don’t know the answer to that nor do I really care. The important thing is that they got away.

What next stands out to me is the fact that Absalom was incredibly persuasive. I’m sure his good looks helped, but to get people to kill for you takes a diabolical amount of persuasive power.

Looking back at his life, things look like they started going sideways when Amnon took advantage of his sister.

Instead of seeking justice, he sought revenge.

His revenge against Amnon came quickly but he extended his rage against his father and brothers.

More on that in the coming weeks.

Today we see Absalom’s rage turn pathological. It controlled him to the point that his actions became diabolical in the literal sense of the word.

He let the devil control his thoughts and actions in an attempt to destroy David’s kingdom.

All this started with taking justice into his own hands rather than turning it over to God and the justice system God put into place in Israel.

Terrible things happen. The need for justice can make people do desperate things.

But God is the ultimate judge and will bring justice one way or another.

Have you ever been tempted to take justice into your own hands?
What do you do when you doubt that justice will be served?
How can you help assure that proper justice will be served?
October 14, 2025

October 14th, 2025

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Exodus 16

Highlight Verse:

“On the sixth day, they gathered twice as much as usual—four quarts for each person instead of two. Then all the leaders of the community came and asked Moses for an explanation.”
‭‭Exodus‬ ‭16‬:‭22‬ ‭NLT‬‬

At this point, the people of Israel had worked every day for their entire lives.

There was no Sabbath for them in Egypt.

But God called for their lives to be radically different.

In addition to trusting God to lead them through the wilderness, they had to trust God to provide for them through a day of rest every week.

To those of us with a 5-day work week, a day of rest seems normal.

To them it was a new concept.

While we are used to the concept of weekends, sometimes God calls us to step out in radical faith.

Just like God provided extra Manna on the sixth day,

God will provide for your needs when you step into His calling.

When God called me to go to Bible College, He provided the opportunity for me to start a business that provided my living expenses while giving me the flexibility to attend classes and assignments.

It was hard work, but God always provided.

Has God provided for you when He called you to step out in faith? Please share.
Is there something God has called you to do but you have hesitated because of fear of failure (financially or otherwise)? What would it take for you to follow His call?
October 13, 2025

October 13th, 2025

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Matthew 13

Highlight Verse:

“Then they scoffed, “He’s just the carpenter’s son, and we know Mary, his mother, and his brothers—James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭13‬:‭55‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The modern version of this could be complacent Christianity.

It’s easy to take Jesus for granted when the culture is saturated by churchy things.

Even in the Bible Belt, it is easy to relegate Jesus to a social activity on Sunday morning.

I once personally knew a healing evangelist who held revivals in the Southeast US and in India.

His meetings in the US might have 50 to a hundred people attend and a handful of healings. It was rare that unbelievers attended, much less found Jesus.

In India, thousands flocked to the meetings and hundred were healed and saved.

You might not agree with the tactics of a healing evangelist (I had a hard time dealing with his style), but you can’t deny how much more God moved in areas where Jesus wasn’t a household word.

While we strive for Christian values to be restored in America (a worthy cause), we should also strive for people to truly trust Jesus as a life changing savior, not just a cultural icon.

Our faith should lead to life changing commitment, not just cultural conformity.

If someone threatened your life unless you renounced Jesus, how would you react?
How can we help others move from cultural acceptance to trust in Jesus?
October 12, 2025

October 12th, 2025

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Psalms 120-124

Highlight Verse:

“I look up to the mountains— does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭121‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I’m at the edge of the mountains as I write this.

Yesterday afternoon, I went for a hike up what felt like a mountain to a place deceptively called Ladybug Lookout.

Mountain goats take one look at the last 50 feet of that trail and say, “No thank you!”

Not being of the mountain goat persuasion, I went for it.

While I scrambled up those rocks, I had the audacity to think, “At least I have good cell service up here if I get hurt.”

When I got to the top, I could clearly see the Garden of the Gods, a stunning collection of red rock formations, and the surrounding ridges and hills with Peaks Pike looming above.

I hear people say that these ridges were formed millions of years ago by the forces of plate tectonics that raised Pikes peak, tilting these ridges exposing the different colors of sandstone that wore into these beautiful shapes.

Personally, I believe God created them this way.

But even if He chose to use plate tectonics to create them, it was His artistic touch that made them beautiful.

He didn’t have to infuse them with the elements that made those amazing colors.

He didn’t have to give us the ability to see 100 million different colors.

He didn’t have to supply the right amount of erosion to create those amazing shapes.

But He did.

My dad was an atheist for most of his life.

After seeing enough of the amazing beauty of creation, he finally came to accept that there must be a Creator.

If God has the ability and imagination to create this amazing planet, He can help when we call out to Him with our needs as well.

When is the last time you got out to enjoy God’s creation?
How did it inspire you?
October 11, 2025

October 11th, 2025

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – 2 Timothy 4

Highlight Verse:

“And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.”
‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭4‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The Dove Awards aired last night.

There was a lot of good music by a lot of good artists.

And one artist I like wasn’t there.

He said he wanted his award in heaven and that he shouldn’t get an award that points to his talent when all the glory should go to God.

Ironically, he won Artist of the Year.

Then there was my friend in college who loved to read and collected many books.

He once had a dream that he went to heaven and was shown his heavenly home with a huge library.

When he asked why he deserved such a library, Jesus told him, “These were all the books you loaned out and never got back.”

After that he was constantly trying to loan out books.

I don’t know if either or both of these men were correct in their thinking.

I do know there is one great award for each of us. Paul spoke of it in today’s verse.

Whether we have believed our whole lives or finally trust Jesus in our final breath, every believer will receive a crown of righteousness in heaven.

As far as libraries or mansions or other rewards go, in a quick search yesterday, I didn’t find anything definitive to Biblically support or refute them.

But, just like that long list of questions I have for God when I get to heaven, I think when I get there,

I’ll be so overwhelmed by the presence of God that nothing else will matter.

If there is one reward or award you would like to receive in heaven, what is it?
Is there an earthly award you think it is best to avoid?
October 10, 2025

October 10th, 2025

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Lamentations 1

Highlight Verse:

““Lord, see my anguish! My heart is broken and my soul despairs, for I have rebelled against you. In the streets the sword kills, and at home there is only death.”
‭‭Lamentations‬ ‭1‬:‭20‬ ‭NLT‬‬

While the book of Lamentations is not specifically a book of prophecies, The Prophet Jeremiah is the most likely author.

Like with his prophecies, there is much to be learned from Lamentations.

Today’s highlight verse gives a good example of crying out to God in the midst of a bad situation.

The author pours his broken heart out to God in a repentant attitude.

It’s not “How could you do this to me?” But “Lord, I blew it, please help me!”

As a dad, I can understand the sadness God must have felt in seeing his children in anguish.

But I know there must be a glimmer of hope and even delight as God sees His children repenting.

The joy of restoration is just around the corner.

That’s something to celebrate!

What negative thing in your life can you thank God for in the midst of hard times?
Have tough times ever brought you to a place of repentance and restoration?
October 9, 2025

October 9th, 2025

Thursday – Letters

Reading – Colossians 3-4

Highlight Verse:

“Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

That’s easier said then done.

God gave us a lot of good things on this earth.
• Family
• Friends
• Beauty
• Food
• Natural Wonders

There’s a lot for which we can be thankful – a lot that we get attached to.

I first heard it put into perspective by the late Keith Green.

He said that if this world with all its wonders took six days to create, and Jesus has been preparing heaven for us for 2000 years so far,

“Hey man, this is living in a garbage can compared to what’s going on up there.”

(Intro to I Can’t Wait to Get to Heaven – Keith Green).

So, the most amazing site we see here on earth will seem mundane compared to what we find in heaven!

Besides people, what is the most beautiful site you have ever seen?
What are you looking forward to the most in heaven?

For me, it would have to be a coastal sunset – I never get tired of them.
As for Heaven, being a curious person, I look forward to having questions answered, but I have a feeling that I will be so overwhelmed by the place that I won’t recall a single question.
October 8, 2025

October 8th, 2025

Wednesday – History

Reading – 2 Samuel 11-12

Highlight Verse:

“Then David confessed to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” Nathan replied, “Yes, but the Lord has forgiven you, and you won’t die for this sin.”
‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭12‬:‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This is one of the most painful passages in the Bible.

Here was the greatest king of Israel. One who led his people in righteousness and worship.

And he failed.

Big time.

In multiple ways.

God was gracious enough to send Nathan to call him out in a way that he would understand.

And he repented.

Big time.

And God forgave him.

Big time.

David had his problems.

We all do.

But God saw his heart and gave him the chance to repent and be restored.

He had a tough road to travel with multiple trials, but he repented, was restored, and came back to lead his people in righteousness again.

There are many people in the world today who have fallen into serious sin like David. Like with David, God gives each a chance to repent.

Some do.

If we let them, some of these people can still have a great positive impact on the world.

I’m sure, for me, it would depend on the individual case.

In David’s case, he cried out for a restored, clean heart. He got it.

Here’s where I’d like to hear your honest opinion.

Can you trust someone whom God has restored to impact your life?
How can you tell if they have the heart of God?
Where do you draw the line of trust with those who have failed morally?
October 7, 2025

October 7th, 2025

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Exodus 15

Highlight Verse:

“When Pharaoh’s horses, chariots, and charioteers rushed into the sea, the Lord brought the water crashing down on them. But the people of Israel had walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground!”
‭‭Exodus‬ ‭15‬:‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

The debates over the parting of the Red Sea fascinate me.

Detractors claim that since there’s no archeological evidence of an army drowned in the Red Sea or its two major gulfs it must not have happened.

They are also quick to point out the lack of any other reporting of such an event in Egyptian history.

Those who wish to normalize the event say they must have crossed one of the shallow lakes north of the Gulf of Suez.

The truth is:

• The high salt content of the Red Sea and the wave and seismic activity would likely have obliterated or buried any evidence.
– But there have been recent discoveries of unusual coral formations that could suggest a drowned army.
• Ancient Egyptian History tends to omit anything not flattering to the pharaohs. Such a defeat would have been omitted from any official history.
– Other Papyri from the era point to plagues and unrest in Egypt, though the details are sketchy.
• The shallow lake theory simply doesn’t fit with Biblical accounts.

The Biblical account has far more early manuscripts than any other writing from that time which, when atheist bias is removed, gives it far more credence than any other writings of the era.

That said, the miraculous aspect of the Red Sea Crossing fits in well with other Old Testament stories.

God has never been afraid to use miracles to protect His people and provide salvation to the world.

I’m not afraid of believing the Red Sea crossing really happened.

What is your take on whether or not the Old Testament stories literally happened?
If God was capable of doing such miracles then, what do you think He can do today?
October 6, 2025

October 6th, 2025

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Matthew 12

Highlight Verse:

““A tree is identified by its fruit. If a tree is good, its fruit will be good. If a tree is bad, its fruit will be bad.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭12‬:‭33‬ ‭NLT‬‬

There are plenty of people obeying all the rules, living impeccable lives and having zero effect on those around them.

Then there are those who mess up time and again but love Jesus with a passion and do anything they can to show that love to everyone around them.

Which of these two people are bearing good fruit?

It’s true that neither of these situations are ideal.

But I would rather err on the side of love.

While sin can hinder your positive influence on those around you, lack of compassion will kill your influence.

The best way is to live a life of purity and action, showing Jesus’ love while staying pure and repenting quickly when you mess up.

Who in your life can you say is bearing good fruit in abundance?
What do you do to avoid bearing bad fruit?

This one verse raises so many questions.

Instead of seeking justice, he sought revenge.

But God is the ultimate judge and will bring justice one way or another.

But God called for their lives to be radically different.

While we are used to the concept of weekends, sometimes God calls us to step out in radical faith.

God will provide for your needs when you step into His calling.

The modern version of this could be complacent Christianity.

It’s easy to take Jesus for granted when the culture is saturated by churchy things.

Our faith should lead to life changing commitment, not just cultural conformity.

Yesterday afternoon, I went for a hike up what felt like a mountain to a place deceptively called Ladybug Lookout.

But He did.

If God has the ability and imagination to create this amazing planet, He can help when we call out to Him with our needs as well.

Ironically, he won Artist of the Year.

I do know there is one great award for each of us. Paul spoke of it in today’s verse.

I’ll be so overwhelmed by the presence of God that nothing else will matter.

Today’s highlight verse gives a good example of crying out to God in the midst of a bad situation.

But I know there must be a glimmer of hope and even delight as God sees His children repenting.

That’s something to celebrate!

That’s easier said then done.

There’s a lot for which we can be thankful – a lot that we get attached to.

“Hey man, this is living in a garbage can compared to what’s going on up there.”

And he failed.

And he repented.

In David’s case, he cried out for a restored, clean heart. He got it.

The debates over the parting of the Red Sea fascinate me.

God has never been afraid to use miracles to protect His people and provide salvation to the world.

I’m not afraid of believing the Red Sea crossing really happened.

Which of these two people are bearing good fruit?

But I would rather err on the side of love.

The best way is to live a life of purity and action, showing Jesus’ love while staying pure and repenting quickly when you mess up.