Walk in the Light

June 14, 2026

June 14th, 2026

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Ecclesiastes 5-6

Highlight Verse:

“And it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life—this is indeed a gift from God.”
‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭5‬:‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Ahh, a good prosperity theology verse.

If you know me, you know that I cannot stand prosperity theology.

If you are not familiar with it, prosperity theology teaches that if you are a faithful believer, giving faithfully, and claiming God’s promises in faith, you will be blessed with wealth, health, and basically anything you want.

That is not what the Gospel is about.

Yes, God blesses faithful giving and hard work.

One of the things this verse tells me is that all blessings ultimately come from God.

We should welcome those blessings and enjoy them.

But those blessings should not be the motivation for our faithfulness.

Nor is our faithfulness always rewarded with physical blessings.

I have enjoyed my career despite looking forward to retirement. It has brought me many friendships and great satisfaction in knowing my work has made a difference in this world.

I also enjoy the work of writing, and I hope it may bring some financial blessings in retirement.

If I didn’t enjoy writing, you wouldn’t be reading this.

Right now, I am enjoying vacation and the chance to explore some of God’s beautiful creation with my family (don’t worry, we have someone taking care of the house and the dogs).

I consider this time to be a great blessing from God.

How has God blessed you through your work or career?
What future blessings do you look forward to?
June 13, 2026

June 13th, 2026

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Acts 8

Highlight Verse:

“But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went.”
‭‭Acts of the Apostles‬ ‭8‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I write this from a hotel room in Roseburg, Oregon.

Unlike the New Testament believers, I am not traveling because of persecution.

But like them, I do want to spread the Gospel wherever I go.

Granted, I’m not going around and preaching the Good News from every corner while I’m on vacation.

But I am trying to be kind, helpful, and patient with people as I go through my days.

Many of my T-shirts identify me as a believer. More often than not, I let that stand as the implied motivation for why I act as I do.

Sometimes, I use my apparel and actions as a springboard to talk about Jesus.

I’m no traveling evangelist, but I like take the good news of Jesus with me wherever I go.

As you travel during summer vacation season or as you go about your daily lives, be sure to bring the good news with you.

Share the Gospel through your deeds and words in every situation.

What creative ways have you shared the Gospel while on vacation?
How do you share the Gospel without being “preachy”?
June 12, 2026

June 12th, 2026

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Joel 3

Highlight Verse:

“The Lord’s voice will roar from Zion and thunder from Jerusalem, and the heavens and the earth will shake. But the Lord will be a refuge for his people, a strong fortress for the people of Israel.”
‭‭Joel‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This chapter can be summed up in two words – God wins.

Joel challenges God’s enemies to prepare for war bringing all they have.

And then predicts how thoroughly they will be defeated.

Some say this predicted the Roman emperors’ mistreatment of Israel and Christianity.

And all those emperors were defeated in one way or another.

Others say it predicts the end times and Armageddon, in which case Revelations agrees with that prediction.

What does that mean for us?

We don’t have to cower when the enemies of God attack us.

He will defeat all of His enemies.

We just need to be allied with God.

Are you allied with God through faith in Jesus?
Do you have confidence that God will defeat all His enemies?
June 11, 2026

June 11th, 2026

Thursday – Letters

Reading – 1 John 2

Highlight Verse:

“Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you.”
‭‭1 John‬ ‭2‬:‭15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This is one of the first verses in the Bible that I ever memorized (though I usually forget the exact reference).

When I memorized it, I was a young man still learning the ins and outs of my faith.

Memorizing that verse helped guide my thoughts and desires as I sought to follow Jesus more closely.

To be clear, this verse is aimed at directing our attentions away from a worldly or sinful lifestyle.

It does not mean to not love the people of this world but to not pursue worldly desires.

We should always try to bring the love of Jesus to the people of the world.

For me as a young Christian, that meant avoiding alcohol as I likely have a genetic bent toward addiction. Additionally, it caused me to exercise caution in my dating relationships that I may avoid sexual temptations.

At my age, it applies more to not putting so much effort into pursuing wealth and earthly goods that my relationships with God and with others suffer.

The world brings different temptations to each believer. If our faith and trust in God comes first, we should be able to defeat all those temptations.

How does the world try to undermine your faith?
What are you doing to defeat those temptations?
June 10, 2026

June 10th, 2026

Wednesday – History

Reading – 2 Chronicles 1-3

Highlight Verse:

“Then he set up the two pillars at the entrance of the Temple, one to the south of the entrance and the other to the north. He named the one on the south Jakin, and the one on the north Boaz.”
‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭3‬:‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

We tend to name things in our household.

My white minivan is named “Marshall” after a previous white family minivan named “Marshmallow.”

My youngest daughter has several plants with names like Mr. Darcy, Emma, etc.

Those names are just for fun.

Solomon was a man of purpose and detail. I am certain that he named the two columns for a reason.

“Jakin” means “He shall establish” and “Boaz” means “in strength.”

In essence, the names of the pillars were to remind worshippers that God is established in strength.

If we had columns at the front of our home, I might be inspired to name them to remind me of God’s purpose for our home.

Even if we don’t name stuff with a purpose, it is good to have reminders of God’s strength and purpose around to remind us.

For example, I have a sign at my desk that says, “Do not pray for easy lives, pray to be stronger men.”

And then there’s the little FunkoPop of Bob Wiley (character in the movie “What about Bob?”) to remind me not to take this life too seriously.

How do you remind yourself of important truths in your daily life?
Are there any grand monuments that remind you of some attribute of God?
June 9, 2026

June 9th, 2026

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Numbers 11-12

Highlight Verses:

““We remember the fish we used to eat for free in Egypt. And we had all the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic we wanted. But now our appetites are gone. All we ever see is this manna!””
‭‭Numbers‬ ‭11‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

It’s so easy to have selective memory.

On hot days like today, I look fondly back at early spring, completely ignoring those late snowfalls.

Of course, when I’m shoveling snow and getting home from work in the dark, I long for those long summer evenings when I can do stuff in the yard and garage while it is still light out. Mosquitos and sweat kindly disappear from my recollections.

The people of Israel looked back at the variety of food they had in Egypt, conveniently forgetting about the long hours of hard labor that barely left them enough time to eat.

They kept looking back and missed out on the glorious prospects that lay ahead in the promised land.

We have a choice to live in the past, comparing everything to the best of yesteryear, or to live in the present, living in joyful gratitude for the blessings God provides.

Beyond that, we can look forward to the fulfillment of the promised blessings of the future!

Do you spend more time thinking about the past, the present, or the future?
What promises do you look forward to the most?
June 8, 2026

June 8th, 2026

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Luke 23

Highlight Verse:

“As they had requested, he released Barabbas, the man in prison for insurrection and murder. But he turned Jesus over to them to do as they wished.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭23‬:‭25‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Barabbas was a murderer and insurrectionist.

And literally the first person to benefit from Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.

True, we don’t know if he repented and trusted Jesus.

In fact, we have no idea what happened to him after the crucifixion.

It seems likely that he would have been moved to repentance by the sacrifice of Jesus.

Some early sources say that his first name was Jesus. And “Barabbas” translates to son of the father.

So, Pilate substituted one Jesus for another, both of whom were known for their relationships with their fathers.

Coincidence?

Probably.

What isn’t coincidence is the fact that Jesus directly took the place of someone who needed redemption.

And if that first sacrifice could be made for someone who clearly did not deserve it,

there is no one for whom Jesus would not die.

Is there anyone you know who doesn’t deserve to be forgiven?
If Jesus can forgive them (He can), is there any reason why you couldn’t forgive that person?
June 7, 2026

June 7th, 2026

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Ecclesiastes 3-4

Highlight Verses:

“So I concluded there is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can. And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God.”
‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭3‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Some consider Ecclesiastes to be rather hedonistic, emphasizing pleasure over eternity.

I don’t know about you, but

I don’t see anywhere in this book where it says to go out and sin because there are no consequences.

I also don’t see anywhere in the Bible where it tells us to have a miserable life.

Today’s highlight verses have nothing to do with sinning. Instead, they tell us to be happy and enjoy the gifts God has given.

These gifts include:

Food.
Employment to be able to afford the food.
Water and other beverages to drink.
And the very life that makes enjoyment possible.

The world around us has pushed the lie that you have to have sin to enjoy life.

Sin is like a greedy lender that lets you buy something you want right now but takes away the opportunity to buy stuff later because of the high cost of interest.

Sin may offer temporary pleasure now, but it steals pleasure and joy later.

Life lived in joyous relationship with God brings daily joy and pleasure in everything you do.

What brings you the most enjoyment in this life (remember to keep this family friendly)?
Have you ever had a time when your joy was robbed by the consequences of sin?
Did you get that joy back? How?
June 6, 2026

June 6th, 2026

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Hebrews 5:11 – 6:12

Highlight Verse:

“Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭5‬:‭14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

As I mentioned before, my youngest daughter graduated high school last Monday.

For her, that was a big step into adult life.

Granted, she will be living at home while she furthers her education, but she is taking on more and more responsibilities herself.

I am happy to report that, in many ways, she is far more mature than I was at that age.

So how do you know when you are spiritually mature?

You might think that it is the hidden teacher and pastor in me that motivates me to write these daily devotions.

That might factor into it a little bit, but my main motivation is so that I keep learning and going deeper in my faith.

Frankly, you guys are here to hold me accountable.

By the way – thanks for that.

No matter how many times I’ve read through the Bible, I am constantly learning new things.

Maybe I’m just slow and miss a lot of stuff every time I read a passage so there’s more to learn next time through.

But, when I go into my studies prayerfully with a mind open to what God wants to show me but rooted in the essential truths of the Word,

there is always another lesson to learn.

Faith should be rooted in the spiritual milk of the basic truths of the Gospel and deepened daily at we dig into the solid food of the Word of God.

Are you well rooted into the basic truths of the Gospel?
What fresh lessons has God taught you lately?
June 5, 2026

June 5th, 2026

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Joel 1-2

Highlight Verse:

“After the cutting locusts finished eating the crops, the swarming locusts took what was left! After them came the hopping locusts, and then the stripping locusts, too!”
‭‭Joel‬ ‭1‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I learned something I didn’t know before while studying for this.

It wasn’t about the Bible but about insects – grasshoppers to be exact.

The word “locust” has more to do with the behavior of certain grasshoppers than with a biological distinction.

It is the swarming behavior that sets apart certain grasshopper species as locusts.

The four types of locusts mentioned in today’s highlight verse point to different types of behavior of different swarms, not necessarily biological distinctions.

That would explain why there is primarily one type of locust in the Middle East. The same species behaves differently in different swarms.

Regardless of what type of locust did what, they all caused great damage and destruction.

The grasshoppers we have here in North American do not usually swarm.

The ones described in today’s verse cut, swarm, hop and strip.

Not something I would like to witness.

While we may not have a lot of locusts, we have plenty of things that try to invade and attack in several different ways.

They all come down to one enemy trying to mess up our lives in many different ways.

That enemy may attack our bodies, our wealth, our mental health, etc.

This book will give us ways to fight the enemy regardless of its methods. Stay tuned for more.

What “locusts” have you seen used against you in this life?
How do you defend against such attacks?

One of the things this verse tells me is that all blessings ultimately come from God.

But those blessings should not be the motivation for our faithfulness.

I consider this time to be a great blessing from God.

But like them, I do want to spread the Gospel wherever I go.

I’m no traveling evangelist, but I like take the good news of Jesus with me wherever I go.

Share the Gospel through your deeds and words in every situation.

This chapter can be summed up in two words – God wins.

We don’t have to cower when the enemies of God attack us.

He will defeat all of His enemies.

Memorizing that verse helped guide my thoughts and desires as I sought to follow Jesus more closely.

It does not mean to not love the people of this world but to not pursue worldly desires.

The world brings different temptations to each believer. If our faith and trust in God comes first, we should be able to defeat all those temptations.

Those names are just for fun.

In essence, the names of the pillars were to remind worshippers that God is established in strength.

Even if we don’t name stuff with a purpose, it is good to have reminders of God’s strength and purpose around to remind us.

It’s so easy to have selective memory.

They kept looking back and missed out on the glorious prospects that lay ahead in the promised land.

We have a choice to live in the past, comparing everything to the best of yesteryear, or to live in the present, living in joyful gratitude for the blessings God provides.

And literally the first person to benefit from Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.

What isn’t coincidence is the fact that Jesus directly took the place of someone who needed redemption.

there is no one for whom Jesus would not die.

I don’t see anywhere in this book where it says to go out and sin because there are no consequences.

The world around us has pushed the lie that you have to have sin to enjoy life.

Life lived in joyous relationship with God brings daily joy and pleasure in everything you do.

So how do you know when you are spiritually mature?

there is always another lesson to learn.

Faith should be rooted in the spiritual milk of the basic truths of the Gospel and deepened daily at we dig into the solid food of the Word of God.

The word “locust” has more to do with the behavior of certain grasshoppers than with a biological distinction.

While we may not have a lot of locusts, we have plenty of things that try to invade and attack in several different ways.

This book will give us ways to fight the enemy regardless of its methods. Stay tuned for more.