Walk in the Light

April 19, 2026

April 19th, 2026

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Proverbs 22-23

Highlight Verses:

“Don’t gaze at the wine, seeing how red it is, how it sparkles in the cup, how smoothly it goes down. For in the end it bites like a poisonous snake; it stings like a viper.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭23‬:‭31‬-‭32‬ ‭NLT‬‬

It’s no secret that I don’t like alcohol.

I have tasted it and had whole glasses of wine in the distant past.

But it always makes me think of the bad things that my dad did when he was drunk.

He was a very nice, likable person when he was sober.

But I won’t even speak of the things he would do when he was drunk.

In the end, the alcohol (and tobacco smoke) had done such damage to his body that he was unable to fight the cancer that took his life.

He was just 3 years older than I am now when he passed and left a legacy of pain and poverty.

Ultimately, the guilt of his actions kept him from accepting forgiveness from the God whom he finally recognized must exist.

I still hold out hope that the Gospel that I and others presented to him may have broken through in the end, though I will not know this side of heaven.

What I do know is that I have a very similar personality to his and if I were to start drinking, it is very possible that I would end up on that same path.

The Bible does not tell us to never drink alcohol.

But it does tell us not to pursue it or to get drunk.

I will never judge you for drinking.

But I will advise you to use great caution when it comes to alcohol or anything with similar effects.

And if it affects you adversely, well, I think you know what I would say.

Are you one who, like me, avoids alcohol? Why or why not?
If you drink, how are you checking the effects of it on you and those around you?
April 18, 2026

April 18th, 2026

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Acts 9:32-42

Highlight Verse:

“Meanwhile, Peter traveled from place to place, and he came down to visit the believers in the town of Lydda.”

‭‭Acts of the Apostles‬ ‭9‬:‭32‬ ‭NLT‬‬

My very first CD player back in 1985 was portable.

At this moment, I am listening to a CD on it after managing to get it working again.

I bought a portable player because I loved to travel and having my tunes with me was essential.

The love of travel and discovering new places and people has always been a big part of my personality.

Even this summer, I have a big road trip planned.

In today’s reading, it looks like Peter loved road trips too.

His adventures went way beyond discovering new places.

Wherever he went, He brought the Gospel.

The simple act of sharing the Gospel brought all sorts of adventures.

In this chapter, his adventures included healing and resurrection.

As a result, two people were returned to physical health and many from the towns of Lydda, Sharon, and Joppa found new life in Jesus!

I’ll be honest and say that I don’t expect to heal or resurrect anyone this summer, but I intend to be bold in my faith and where people are receptive, I intend to openly share the Gospel.

I’m no Peter or Paul, but I serve the same God. If He is willing to use me during my travels, I am willing to let Him.

Whether I am traveling or staying home, I am excited to see what God can do.

How has God used you in your travels?

What do you do to make yourself available to be used by God?
Friday – Prophets

April 17th, 2026

Reading – Hosea 1-2

Highlight Verse:

“When the Lord first began speaking to Israel through Hosea, he said to him, “Go and marry a prostitute, so that some of her children will be conceived in prostitution. This will illustrate how Israel has acted like a prostitute by turning against the Lord and worshiping other gods.””
‭‭Hosea‬ ‭1‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Hosea is one of the more unique prophets.

His name means “salvation.”

But that’s not what sets him apart.

It was his incredible obedience.

Let’s be frank, I don’t think I would have been obedient to that call.

Maybe he thought he would rescue Gomer from her life of prostitution.

He didn’t.

It is implied that at least one of the children she bore was from prostitution.

That would have been heart breaking.

And then to be commanded to call his daughter “Not Loved” and his second son “Not Mine” would give him constant reminder of Gomer’s unfaithfulness.

And he would have a unique understanding of how God felt when the people of Israel were unfaithful.

A unique painful understanding.

Make sure you read all the way through today’s reading.

God granted new names for the kids.

“Not loved” became “Loved” and “Not mine” became “Mine.”

Likewise, God offered restoration to His people.

He still does today!

Have you felt like “Not Loved” or “Not Mine”?
Have you experienced betrayal like that?
Have you experienced restoration?
Why or why not?
April 16, 2026

April 16th, 2026

Thursday – Letters

Reading – James 2

Highlight Verse:

“What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone?”

‭‭James‬ ‭2‬:‭14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I believe that if I work, I will get paid and be able to support my family.

Regardless of how earnestly I believe that, if I don’t work, I won’t get paid and I won’t support my family.

Here’s the catch. If I don’t work, I don’t really believe that first statement.

That seems quite straightforward.

But there are many who claim to believe in Jesus but completely ignore His instructions.

Is that really faith?

None of us are perfect. We will all fall short of God’s ideal for us.

But if our faith is real, we will act on it.

We will endeavor to follow what Jesus wants for us.

We may fall short of ideal, but we will do our best and then try to improve on that.

What do you do that shows that your faith is real?What can you change to take your faith a step further?
April 15, 2026

April 15th, 2026

Wednesday – History

Reading – 1 Chronicles 7-9

Highlight Verse:

“In all, there were 212 gatekeepers in those days, and they were listed according to the genealogies in their villages. David and Samuel the seer had appointed their ancestors because they were reliable men.”
‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭9‬:‭22‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Chronicles is written from the perspective of the returned exiles.

There were 212 gatekeepers at that time.

A rotating group of 212 dedicated people protected all aspects of the temple, from human security to making sure all the items used for worship were kept safe.

They were the temple cops.

They were Levites, the tribe of priests but their role supported the priests who were directly responsible for worship.

There are many roles in today’s churches.

Many of those are behind the scenes.

In many churches, you will never know about the safety personnel deployed all around.

But they are there, prepared to risk their lives to protect their fellow worshippers.

If your church has a safety team, make sure you thank them for what they do.

If you are one of them – thank you for helping us worship without worry.

What other unseen people support your church?
What can you do to support them?
Have you considered being one of them?
April 14, 2026

April 14th, 2026

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Leviticus 22-23

Highlight Verse:

“Do not bring shame on my holy name, for I will display my holiness among the people of Israel. I am the Lord who makes you holy.”
‭‭Leviticus‬ ‭22‬:‭32‬ ‭NLT‬‬

In chapter 22 alone, the phrase “I am the Lord” appears eight times.

When someone repeats something that many times in that short of a space, they might be trying to say something.

When it is repeated that many times in the Bible, one would be wise to take notice.

In this chapter, it doesn’t take a Bible scholar to figure out that God wants us to notice His holiness.

We are conditioned to think of humility as something to strive for and for us that is true.

Jesus set an example of humility for us when He subjected Himself to authorities even to the point of crucifixion.

But sometimes we tend to forget that upon Jesus’ ascension, God the Father elevated Him to the highest seat in heaven and made Him the name above all names (Philippians 2:9-11).

The truth of God’s holiness is not just an Old Testament thing as in this chapter but was still valid in the New Testament and is still true today.

We tend to emphasize God as a loving Father (which is true) and downplay His absolute holiness and glory.

There’s nothing wrong with enjoying a close relationship with the Father,

but we need to always keep in mind the absolute respect and reverence that He deserves.

Where do you think the balance between respect and familiarity should land?
What do you do to show respect to God?
Monday – Gospels

April 13th, 2026

Reading – Luke 15

Highlight Verse:

“Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭15‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Luke 15 is one of the better-known chapters of the Bible because of the “Lost” parables culminating in the Prodigal Son.

But did you ever notice how it begins?

The people who needed to hear these parables the most were the very ones who came to Jesus to listen to Him.

Is that how it is today?

For the most part, our churches are full of people who are very familiar with churchy things.

Yes, they (we) need to be taught and inspired too.

But the big question I have today is how can we draw in those who are not familiar with the Gospel?

Let me be up front and say, I don’t know.

I’ve seen various outreaches draw people in.

But I never saw Jesus run a car show, or a trunk or treat, or a food bank, though maybe He would in our time.

We do see Him teach the truth in love, heal the sick, and raise the dead.

When we bring that uncompromising version of Jesus to people, I believe people will seek Him.

How do you think we can best attract those who need to hear the Gospel?
What are you doing to see that happen?
Sunday – Poetry

April 12th, 2026

Reading – Proverbs 21

Highlight Verse:

“Justice is a joy to the godly, but it terrifies evildoers.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭21‬:‭15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

It took my most of my life, but I finally figured out how to avoid getting traffic tickets or getting in trouble with the law.

My secret? – Obey the law.

Why didn’t I think of that before?

I’ve known so many people who basically try to live right at the edge of what they can get away with.

They do whatever they can to hide illegal behavior.

They use radar detectors to try to spot police.

They constantly watch out for any law enforcement.

Meanwhile, I don’t worry about law enforcement.

I simply do my best not to break the law.

And that stress is absent from my life.

Now I can’t say that I never mess up.

Just like everyone else, I fall short of God’s ideal for my life.

But I don’t stress in that area either as I trust that Jesus has satisfied the requirements of God’s law.

Instead, I strive to live the best life I can both to please God and because I know that is what is best for me.

And I trust Jesus for the rest.

And in that trust, I have rest for my soul.

Do you stress about law enforcement? Why?
Do you stress about sin and whether you are forgiven? Again, why?
April 11, 2026

April 11th, 2026

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – 2 Corinthians 5

Highlight Verse:

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I love Spring.

It’s my favorite time of year.

Of course, it helps that I am not very affected by pollens.

Those tiny particles that irritate so many people are signs of new life.

Just a glance out our family room window shows new bright green leaves on the big tree in the back yard.

A closer look reveals new shoots on the rose bushes and flowers on the cherry trees down the street.

Life that had hidden through the winter is reminding me of the new life that Jesus wants to spread all around us.

While pollen brings new life to those ready for it and irritation to those who cannot tolerate it, we can be the spiritual pollen spreading God’s Word to all who are ready for it.

Let’s be life spreaders in this season and throughout the year.

How are you spreading life in this season?
What do you do for those who cannot tolerate the Word of Life?
Friday – Prophets

April 10th, 2026

Reading – Daniel 11-12

Highlight Verse:

““As for you, go your way until the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days, you will rise again to receive the inheritance set aside for you.””
‭‭Daniel‬ ‭12‬:‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Daniel has just been handed all these prophecies about future wars, success and failure and suffering.

And what is Daniel told to do with these prophecies?

Seal the prophecies and go your way.

I’d be like, “Then why did you tell me all this stuff?”

Obviously, the prophecies did not remain a secret forever.

I dare say that some of them have yet to be fulfilled.

They have and continue to prove God is all knowing and not bound by time.

Many have endeavored to explain each of these prophecies with historical events.

I honestly don’t know much about that.

In fact, I get to the end and see that “go your way” phrase and realize, the details of the prophecies do not matter to me personally.

What matters is that I walk in the way that God has called me.

I have a part to play in this historical spiritual battle.

While it is important that I understand the whole battle well enough to do my part well, I do not need to know every detail of every battle.

You might have noticed that the word calling is not used in this command for Daniel to go his way.

But look at Daniel. If ever there was a person with a clear calling and unswerving obedience to that calling, it was Daniel.

Daniel’s way was to walk in the calling God had for him.

If we lay hold of that same command, going your way does not me following the whims of your earthly desires.

It means to walk in the path that God has specially laid out for you.

What does “go your way” mean in the context of your life?
How are you following that command?

It’s no secret that I don’t like alcohol.

But I won’t even speak of the things he would do when he was drunk.

What I do know is that I have a very similar personality to his and if I were to start drinking, it is very possible that I would end up on that same path.

But I will advise you to use great caution when it comes to alcohol or anything with similar effects.

I bought a portable player because I loved to travel and having my tunes with me was essential.

His adventures went way beyond discovering new places.

As a result, two people were returned to physical health and many from the towns of Lydda, Sharon, and Joppa found new life in Jesus!

I’m no Peter or Paul, but I serve the same God. If He is willing to use me during my travels, I am willing to let Him.

Hosea is one of the more unique prophets.

That would have been heart breaking.

“Not loved” became “Loved” and “Not mine” became “Mine.”

Here’s the catch. If I don’t work, I don’t really believe that first statement.

But there are many who claim to believe in Jesus but completely ignore His instructions.

But if our faith is real, we will act on it.

They were the temple cops.

Many of those are behind the scenes.

If your church has a safety team, make sure you thank them for what they do.

In chapter 22 alone, the phrase “I am the Lord” appears eight times.

The truth of God’s holiness is not just an Old Testament thing as in this chapter but was still valid in the New Testament and is still true today.

but we need to always keep in mind the absolute respect and reverence that He deserves.

But did you ever notice how it begins?

Let me be up front and say, I don’t know.

When we bring that uncompromising version of Jesus to people, I believe people will seek Him.

Why didn’t I think of that before?

And that stress is absent from my life.

And in that trust, I have rest for my soul.

I love Spring.

Life that had hidden through the winter is reminding me of the new life that Jesus wants to spread all around us.

And what is Daniel told to do with these prophecies?

What matters is that I walk in the way that God has called me.