Walk in the Light

May 5, 2023

May 5th, 2023

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Isaiah 52-54

Highlight Verse:

“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns!”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭52‬:‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

You want to look beautiful? Here you go.

Seriously. When you’re filled with the joy of the Lord and share the Good News in a loving way, you look good!

When I was in college I attended a somewhat traditional church at first. They were good people and the Gospel was preached there, but there weren’t that many people on fire for the Lord.

I remember the first time I saw their choir perform. There was one girl who stood out among the rest. Sure it didn’t hurt that she was about my age and wasn’t bad looking. But she wasn’t the most beautiful in the group. But she was the most attractive.

Before you ask, no I didn’t date her. She left for another church not long after I got there. But what made her attractive was the fact that she was full of the joy of the Lord. Her passion for Jesus came out through her smile and her enthusiasm.

I am now blessed to go to a church that is on fire for Jesus and am married to a godly woman whose natural beauty is enhanced by the deep joy within her.

It’s my hope that people see that joy in me and hear the Good News that I talk about and want more of Jesus.

In what ways are you a messenger who brings Good News?
Do you have that deep joy that springs forth to spread the Good News?
May 4, 2023

May 4th, 2023

Thursday – Letters

Reading – 1 Corinthians 3-4

Highlight Verse:

“I had to feed you with milk, not with solid food, because you weren’t ready for anything stronger. And you still aren’t ready,”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭3‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

We got yet another graduation notice in the mail today. All the kids are growing up so fast.

But graduation isn’t all it takes to grow up.

Paul basically says here, “I’ve taught you all the elementary stuff but you’re still not ready to move on.” He goes on to describe the jealousy and pride that is keeping the church at Corinth divided.

The people are looking at what sets them apart from each other rather than what unites them.

A baby can’t walk, much less work. Someone stuck in pride and jealousy will likewise find it hard to walk the life that God has for them.

Even as I have been walking with the Lord for decades, I still get caught up in pride that impedes my progress toward accomplishing the goals set before me.

I need to not be afraid to become one of those fools from verse 18 of chapter 3.

What is holding you back from living your spiritual life to the fullest?
Do you have a problem with being perceived as a fool?
May 3, 2023

May 3rd, 2023

Wednesday – History

Reading – Judges 20-21

Highlight Verse:

“In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.”
‭‭Judges‬ ‭21‬:‭25‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The final verse of Judges pretty much sums up that time in Israel’s history.

Some of the judges provided a moral compass, leading Israel back to worshipping God. Other’s were just plain whacked.

Keep reading. There are better days ahead for Israel’s story.

In the meantime, let me just say that the crazy, messed up stories in Judges serve to lend credence to the authenticity of the Bible.

In other words, if the Bible were a religious book written with the purpose of fooling people into following a religion, they never would have put such honestly crazy stories in it.

Truth is stranger than fiction.

The Bible is full of truth. If you stick around, you’ll find life changing truth.

Have you wondered if the Bible was true?
If so, what parts of the Bible are harder for you to believe?
Let’s talk about it.
May 2, 2023

May 2nd, 2023

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Genesis 29-30

Highlight Verse:

“When Rachel saw that she wasn’t having any children for Jacob, she became jealous of her sister. She pleaded with Jacob, “Give me children, or I’ll die!””
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭30‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Let’s face it. Today’s reading is messed up.

First, Jacob meets Rachel and basically says, “Hi. I’m your cousin. Let’s get married.”

Then Rachel’s dad delivers Leah instead of Rachel. And Joseph doesn’t notice until morning?

Then Joseph ends up with two wives. Jealousy ensues which brings us to today’s verse.

Rachel’s jealousy leads her to make poor decisions. Mainly, she tells him to have a baby with her slave (I know it says servant but someone who can be forced to have a child with your boss’s husband is a slave).

The jealousy in that family runs rampant leading to Leah forcing her slave to have a child by Jacob and culminating in the jealous grown brothers of Joseph selling him into slavery.

Like I said, messed up reading today.

But, it warns us of the dangers of jealousy.

Have you been known to make poor decisions when you struggle with jealousy?
How can you keep a level head when people around you get all the breaks?
May 1, 2023

May 1st, 2023

Before we get into today’s study, you should know that the reading list for May and June is now posted at WITLBible.com/reading-list/

Monday – Gospels

Reading – John 19

Highlight Verse:

“Pilate went outside again and said to the people, “I am going to bring him out to you now, but understand clearly that I find him not guilty.””
‭‭John‬ ‭19‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

One begins to sympathize with Pilate for being put in the position of having to condemn an innocent man by the pressure of the people.

Then you realize that he just had Jesus brutally flogged with a lead tipped whip.

Pilate was a cruel man.

The Roman system of justice was cruel.

Granted, some of the previous justice systems in the world would result in instant death for someone who had the bad fortune of being accused of a crime.

The Romans did have a type of trial. But those found guilty suffered the most painful, torturous death imaginable!

Naked.

In public.

On a cross where they were suspended from the most painful places while they slowly bled to death and were kept on the edge of suffocation.

Often for hours.

Why would God bring His son into the world in that time and place? Couldn’t He have come at a time when the death penalty was more humane?

To that I would have to say, God knew exactly what He was doing.

The depth of Christ’s pain and humiliation demonstrated in no uncertain terms the depth of His love for us.

Let that sink in.

Do you know how deep and extravagant God’s love for you is?
How will you begin to return that love today?
April 30, 2023

April 30th, 2023

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Psalms 52-55

Highlight Verse:

“But I am like an olive tree, thriving in the house of God. I will always trust in God’s unfailing love.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭52‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This is the kind of heart I want toward God.

David wrote this Psalm before he was king. He was being constantly tracked by King Saul and his men. Things were not going great for him, though he was able to stay one step ahead of King Saul.

In the midst of his trials, David had complete trust in God.

For him it was the beginning of a legacy.

Does your faith stay strong in the midst of your trials?
How do you cultivate that trust?
April 29, 2023

April 29th, 2023

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Genesis 2:15

“The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭2‬:‭15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Our front yard’s not in bad shape.

Sure, the lawn needs a little help, but it’ll come around. It’s only getting it’s first mowing today.

Our backyard on the other hand…

Let’s just say that Better Homes and Gardens has not scheduled a photo shoot yet.

With all the work that it needs, it’s a bit overwhelming.

I’m not really tending my garden like Adam was tasked with doing.

But then, is that what this verse should mean to us today?

I tend to think of this verse in terms of our entire environment.

Don’t worry, I’m not going to go all political with this. I recognize that different people see that task in different ways.

For me, I try to not be wasteful with the resources God has provided for me and do my part to keep my surroundings beautiful.

I’ll be working in the backyard today toward that aim.

What about you?
How do you see this verse playing out in your life?
What do you consider to be your garden and how are you taking care of it?
April 28, 2023

April 28th, 2023

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Isaiah 49-51

Highlight Verse:

“I replied, “But my work seems so useless! I have spent my strength for nothing and to no purpose. Yet I leave it all in the Lord’s hand; I will trust God for my reward.””
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭49‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I can relate to Isaiah.

Sometimes it seems like my work is in vain. My words fall on deaf ears. Adults I taught as kids or youth walk away from the Lord. Even some of my own kids turn their backs to the faith I tried to foster in them.

Then I run into someone I taught years ago and they tell me that I had a significant influence on them. And I catch my daughter and her boyfriend having devotions together (really, they were!).

I think about the people who influenced me whom I never got a chance to thank.

And then I realize that it really isn’t me who does any of that.

If I am faithful to do what God calls me to do, there will be fruit. I might not see it for a long time. I may never see it at all.

But, it’s not me that brings life and growth. It’s the Holy Spirit.

It’s our responsibility to do what God calls us to do. He’ll take care of the rest.

What has God called you to do?
What have you done to fulfill that call?
April 27, 2023

April 27th, 2023

Thursday – Letters

Reading – 1 Corinthians 1-2

Highlight Verse:

“God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭1‬:‭28‬-‭29‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I am reminded of Balaam’s Donkey.

Specifically, I’m reminded of Don Francisco’s retelling of the story in the Song Balaam. He ends the tale with “If the Lord starts using you, don’t you pay in any mind. He coulda used the dog next door if he’d been so inclined.” (Don Francisco, Balaam, from the album Beautiful to Me, 1998)

This first chapter points out how gifted and blessed the Corinthians are.

You’ll see Paul point out some major flaws that need correcting through the following chapters.

I believe that God gives gifts and can work through you and me no matter where in our spiritual growth path we are.

I’ve seen God work mightily through deeply flawed people.

I don’t think he wants people to hang on to those flaws but I believe he wants to work through them even as they struggle through their flaws.

Has God used you when you were in the midst of trying to overcome personal flaws?
Do you think those flaws affect your ability to minister to people?
April 26, 2023

April 26th, 2023

Wednesday – History

Reading – Judges 17-19

Highlight Verse:

““No,” his master said, “we can’t stay in this foreign town where there are no Israelites. Instead, we will go on to Gibeah.”
‭‭Judges‬ ‭19‬:‭12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

If you read this through, you know that this Levite and his servant would have been no worse off if they had stayed in the foreign town.

Suffice it to say, Israel, during this time of absence of leadership, was messed up!

Despite the Law and the Temple worship, the people of Israel had lost their moral compass and sense of unity. People did whatever they wanted.

Sounds a little like today.

We might not have the level of violence and debauchery of this story (though in some parts of the world it is that bad), but we have a lack of respect for one another, even in the Church.

We tend to ridicule those who believe differently than us. We make those who are different from us feel unwelcome in our churches. Perhaps worst of all, instead of trying to restore those who have fallen from grace, we tend to kick them when they are down, rejecting them and their pleas for help.

I’m not trying to preach a gospel of tolerance.

I am advocating a Gospel of love, restoration, and community.

What do you think that you can do to further that Gospel?
Have you fallen victim to that culture of disrespect and what have you done to rise above it?

You want to look beautiful? Here you go.

It’s my hope that people see that joy in me and hear the Good News that I talk about and want more of Jesus.

But graduation isn’t all it takes to grow up.

I need to not be afraid to become one of those fools from verse 18 of chapter 3.

The final verse of Judges pretty much sums up that time in Israel’s history.

Truth is stranger than fiction.

The Bible is full of truth. If you stick around, you’ll find life changing truth.

Let’s face it. Today’s reading is messed up.

But, it warns us of the dangers of jealousy.

Pilate was a cruel man.

To that I would have to say, God knew exactly what He was doing.

Let that sink in.

This is the kind of heart I want toward God.

In the midst of his trials, David had complete trust in God.

Our front yard’s not in bad shape.

Our backyard on the other hand…

But then, is that what this verse should mean to us today?

I can relate to Isaiah.

But, it’s not me that brings life and growth. It’s the Holy Spirit.

I am reminded of Balaam’s Donkey.

Suffice it to say, Israel, during this time of absence of leadership, was messed up!

Sounds a little like today.

I am advocating a Gospel of love, restoration, and community.