Walk in the Light

April 25, 2023

April 25th, 2023

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Genesis 27-28

Highlight Verses:

“Then Jacob made this vow: “If God will indeed be with me and protect me on this journey, and if he will provide me with food and clothing, and if I return safely to my father’s home, then the Lord will certainly be my God.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭28‬:‭20‬-‭21‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Is it just me or does Jacob seem a little immature in his faith.

He reminds me of myself in middle school. “God, if you do this, I’ll believe.”

But then, of course, he was rather young.

So how does God react to Jacob’s weak faith?

He doesn’t. At least not in that moment.

Eventually Jacob returns to the Promised Land with two wives, many children, and great flocks of livestock.

I had a discussion with a friend today about the condition of the Church in America. For most people in America, faith is about as deep as a puddle that dries up when the sun comes out.

While I believe that we should grow ever deeper in our faith, I also believe that God can use faith that is puddle deep. The big thing that my friend and I agreed on is that, if faith is real, it should result in action.

So, whether your faith is puddle deep or fathomless, put what you believe into practice.

One way or another God will bless that – though maybe not with multiple wives and thousands of sheep.

Do you feel like your faith is like walking through a puddle or swimming in the deep end?
What are you doing to live out that faith?
April 24, 2023

April 24th, 2023

Monday – Gospels

Reading – John 18

Highlight Verse:

“Pilate said, “So you are a king?” Jesus responded, “You say I am a king. Actually, I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true.””
‭‭John‬ ‭18‬:‭37‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Did you notice that Jesus makes a purpose statement here?

Granted, He doesn’t state his entire purpose. To do that could jeopardize the purpose we usually focus on – that of being the sacrifice that cleanses all who believe from our sin.

What He does state so eloquently in one sentence is also a very important purpose. The truth that he testified would turn the world’s theology upside down.

He taught us how to love God and love others. In doing so, He expounded through parables how that happens.

We would do very well as we read the Gospels, to keep an eye out for Jesus’ instructions and put them into practice.

What was the last thing you remember learning from Jesus through reading the Gospels?
April 23, 2023

April 23rd, 2023

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Psalms 49-51

Highlight Verses:

“Listen to this, all you people! Pay attention, everyone in the world! High and low, rich and poor—listen!”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭49‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I’m not hard of hearing (much) but sometimes I am “hard of listening.”

I put filters on and only hear what I want to hear.

Usually I can get away with it.

Sometimes I find myself wondering, “Did they say this or that?”

I wind up getting lost or not knowing when I should take how much medicine since I missed part of the instructions.

Fortunately, that doesn’t happen often.

When it really matters is when I ignore the Word of God or a godly person’s sage advice. I can find myself in a pickle of poor decisions when I let my own desires supersede the advice I should have listened to.

So the next time I see the Bible say “listen” or “pay attention” I’d better pay attention.

Have you ever found yourself in a bad situation because you didn’t listen?
Is there a situation where listening to wise advice saved you from trouble?
April 22, 2023

April 22nd, 2023

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Philippians 4:4

“Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

When ever I read this, I hear Keith Green singing, “Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice.” (Scripture Song Medley, from the album The Ministry Years 1980-1982)

You’ll notice it doesn’t say, “rejoice in the Lord Sunday morning,” or “rejoice in the Lord on payday,” or my favorite, “rejoice in the Lord every Friday at 5.”

It’s “rejoice in the Lord always.”

You might say, “Well, Paul didn’t just have his car break down for the 5th time,” or “Paul wasn’t just laid off,” or Paul doesn’t have to deal with this person every day.”

Actually Paul was in jail. Most scholars believe it was his final jail sentence – not that far from his execution.

Still he said, “rejoice in the Lord always.”

Okay, Paul. I will.

Do you have a hard time rejoicing when things aren’t going well?
Can you share a time when you did rejoice through a hard time and it changed your perspective?
April 21, 2023

April 21st, 2023

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Isaiah 49-51

Highlight Verse:

“Sing for joy, O heavens! Rejoice, O earth! Burst into song, O mountains! For the Lord has comforted his people and will have compassion on them in their suffering.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭49‬:‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Isaiah speaks this to the exiled nation of Israel. In the midst of their suffering, they have cause for rejoicing.

Some might say, “If the Lord loves them so much, why did He allow them to be exiled?”

They were exiled because they didn’t heed the warnings of the prophets and wandered from God. In the midst of all that, God never stopped having compassion on them.

As a father loves his wandering child while he hurts to see them wander, so God loves His wandering children and compassionately woos them back.

If you or your loved ones wander from God’s path, don’t think God rages against you or them. He compassionately longs for you or them to return!

Do you know what it’s like to wander away from that perfect path God designed for you?
Have you experienced the Lord’s compassion draw you back to Him?
Share your experiences that others may see His compassion in action.
April 20, 2023

April 20th, 2023

Thursday – Letters

Reading – Romans 16

Highlight Verses:

“I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a deacon in the church in Cenchrea. Welcome her in the Lord as one who is worthy of honor among God’s people. Help her in whatever she needs, for she has been helpful to many, and especially to me.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭16‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

These lines help put into context what many see as overly sexist teachings elsewhere in Paul’s letters.

While the word “deacon” is translated servant in some translations, the Greek word implies a leadership role such as deacon or deaconess. Paul backs this up with the phrase “worthy of honor.”

Most scholars believe that she was the one who was entrusted to deliver this letter to the Christians of Rome.

The following verses imply that she lead a sizable party to Rome (short-term mission trip, anyone?).

What I get out of these verses is that, in this context, Paul is very egalitarian in his assignment of leadership.

This would suggest that where he limits women’s roles elsewhere should be limited to those contexts

What’s your take on that?
Am I reading too much into these verses or do you agree with me that Paul looked more at the individual than the gender?
April 19, 2023

April 19th, 2023

Wednesday – History

Reading – Judges 15-16

Highlight Verse:

“But before long, his hair began to grow back.”
‭‭Judges‬ ‭16‬:‭22‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Can I admit that it was hard to keep today’s study positive?

Samson messed up in so many ways. Read through it and see for yourself. It culminated in his power being taken when his hair was cut. He was taken captive and brutally blinded.

Then comes today’s verse.

It’s a ray of hope in a devastated life.

He had to decide what to do with that hope.

Some would argue that he did the best possible thing by dealing such a crushing blow (pun intended) to the Philistines.

I’m not so sure. What I am sure of is that his motives were selfish. He wanted revenge for the loss of his eyes, not the deliverance of Israel from the Philistines.

Today, whether or not his decision was right is not what matters.

What does matter is that you know that even when your life has been fully defeated, God can restore your strength.

It’s up to you to decide what to do with that strength.

Choose wisely.

Is there a part of your life where you feel like you need to have your strength restored?
What can you do to help bring back that strength?
April 18, 2023

April 18th, 2023

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Genesis 25-26

Highlight Verses:

“Abraham lived for 175 years, and he died at a ripe old age, having lived a long and satisfying life. He breathed his last and joined his ancestors in death.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭25‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I mentioned a couple of days ago that I am not afraid of death.

That’s true – but…

I wouldn’t mind living a long life like Abraham.

Yes, I know I won’t make it to 175 like he did. But, I’d like to see my grandchildren grow up and I’d like to enjoy a good amount of retirement.

Too bad Abraham didn’t write down his secrets.

Or maybe he did.

We know from Genesis that he traveled (ch 12), wasn’t selfish (13:9), was generous (14:20), was faithful to God (15:6), was blessed by God (17:6), and completely trusted God (22:8-9).

I could go on about how he ate all natural food, worked hard, and acted wisely.

None of these things guarantee a long life. But what good is a long life without the second part – a satisfying life.

It’s true that I am looking forward to eternal life in heaven. But I want to live a satisfying life now.

I can tell you without a doubt that the closer I’ve walked with Jesus, daring to follow His lead, the more satisfying my life has been.

Is your life satisfying?
In what ways can you walk closer to Jesus?
April 17, 2023

April 17th, 2023

Monday – Gospels

Reading – John 17

Highlight Verse:

“I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.”
‭‭John‬ ‭17‬:‭21‬ ‭NLT‬‬

What does it mean to be one?

Does it mean that we all agree on everything?

I don’t think Jesus would realistically pray for that.

But it can be said that we all have one Father – God.

We can also be one in purpose – that the world will believe God sent Jesus.

Finally, we can be one in our love for Jesus (v24).

It was that united love and purpose that first brought me to Jesus. How many more can come to this life of faith if we only fulfill the prayer of Jesus here?

Do you believe that you are united with other believers?
What can we do to foster that perfect unity of believers?
April 16, 2023

April 16th, 2023

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Psalms 46-48

Highlight Verse:

“So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭46‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I grew up in California. Minor earthquakes were no big deal. I didn’t really fear them – Until October 17, 1989.

I was in a large meeting room with plate glass windows. At 5:04pm the floor shifted violently. It was immediately clear this was no minor tremor.

There were no tables in the room so I squeezed under a row of chairs. Around me I could hear things falling and breaking.

I was shaken in more ways than one.

I know, first hand, how significant it is to not fear during an earthquake.

Sixty three people passed from this earth as a result of that quake.

I no longer fear passing from this world. Mind you, I want to stick around as long as I can to see my kids and grandkids grow up and to be a positive influence on people. I’d also prefer to not suffer great pain in passing.

But I know where I am going. I may not know much about heaven but I know it will be amazing. I am confident that God will preserve me here on earth for as long as needed to accomplish His purposes.

And, yes, I do believe God can keep me alive for as long as He wants.

One interesting thing about that quake in 1989. It happened at a the height of rush hour, but right at the beginning of a baseball World Series game in which the two local teams were playing. A huge number of people had gone home early. Traffic on the Cypress Viaduct and the Bay Bridge was much lighter than usual – when they collapsed.

I know that God could step into my circumstances at any time. I am also confident that I will go to heaven when it is time.

So let the ground shake. I will not be shaken from my faith.

Do you know the confidence that comes from having total faith in Jesus?
Are you willing to let Him step into your circumstances?

Is it just me or does Jacob seem a little immature in his faith.

So, whether your faith is puddle deep or fathomless, put what you believe into practice.

Did you notice that Jesus makes a purpose statement here?

We would do very well as we read the Gospels, to keep an eye out for Jesus’ instructions and put them into practice.

I’m not hard of hearing (much) but sometimes I am “hard of listening.”

So the next time I see the Bible say “listen” or “pay attention” I’d better pay attention.

It’s “rejoice in the Lord always.”

Okay, Paul. I will.

Some might say, “If the Lord loves them so much, why did He allow them to be exiled?”

As a father loves his wandering child while he hurts to see them wander, so God loves His wandering children and compassionately woos them back.

These lines help put into context what many see as overly sexist teachings elsewhere in Paul’s letters.

What I get out of these verses is that, in this context, Paul is very egalitarian in his assignment of leadership.

Can I admit that it was hard to keep today’s study positive?

Then comes today’s verse.

What does matter is that you know that even when your life has been fully defeated, God can restore your strength.

Choose wisely.

I wouldn’t mind living a long life like Abraham.

Too bad Abraham didn’t write down his secrets.

I can tell you without a doubt that the closer I’ve walked with Jesus, daring to follow His lead, the more satisfying my life has been.

What does it mean to be one?

We can also be one in purpose – that the world will believe God sent Jesus.

Finally, we can be one in our love for Jesus (v24).

I was shaken in more ways than one.

So let the ground shake. I will not be shaken from my faith.