Walk in the Light

August 16, 2025

August 16th, 2025

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Romans 12:9-21

Highlight Verse:

“Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I have a decent job with one big drawback.

Most days I have to work downtown.

Fortunately, it’s downtown Denver.

From our neighborhood to the north, I can avoid the freeways and stay on less travelled surface roads.

The main reason I do this is because I know that the biggest trigger for anger for me is traffic, especially impatient, reckless drivers.

They stay mostly on the freeways.

Driving the side roads, I don’t get mad.

It’s one way that I can follow today’s Scripture and leave at peace with others.

What do you do to live at peace with one another?
When is it not possible as far as it is up to you?
August 15, 2025

August 15th, 2025

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Jeremiah 31-33

Highlight Verse:

“The young women will dance for joy, and the men—old and young—will join in the celebration. I will turn their mourning into joy. I will comfort them and exchange their sorrow for rejoicing.”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭31‬:‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Jeremiah is known for his doom and gloom prophecies.

But today’s reading is full of hope, restoration, and celebration.

Out of the darkest times came the greatest celebrations.

The most joyous times in my life came after the hardest times.

• The joy of the arrival of our firstborn after 11 years of infertility.
• A godly wife after years of betrayal and loneliness.
• Financial freedom after years of debt.

All these joys and more were made all the greater from the pain that preceded them.

And through it all, regardless of the strength of my faith, God was always there giving me strength to get through and carrying me when my strength was gone.

Never once did He fail.

This life will have times of pain, weakness, loneliness, and despair.

God will carry you through no matter how hard times become.

And He will bring on the joy and celebration on the other side leading eventually to the greatest celebration in heaven.

What has been the greatest celebration in your life so far?
What did you have to come through to get there?
August 14, 2025

August 14th, 2025

Thursday – Letters

Reading – Galatians 3-4

Highlight Verse:

“Those false teachers are so eager to win your favor, but their intentions are not good. They are trying to shut you off from me so that you will pay attention only to them.”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭4‬:‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Paul’s letter to the Galatians was aimed at correcting the legalistic teaching of another teacher who had led many away from the true Gospel.

The new Christians of Galatia were easily led astray by eloquent teaching.

They no doubt thought they were learning to grow deeper in their faith.

Instead, the were leaving the Good News of Jesus behind.

So how do we know when someone is truly teaching the Gospel?

Eloquent preaching using Scripture is a favorite tool of those whom I’ve heard called modern-day Gnostics.

I use that term to refer to those who think they have exclusive knowledge that is essential to be in right standing with God.

In that description is the way to distinguish them.

Those who claim to have the only exclusive accurate interpretation of the Bible – don’t.

If the attention is on them and their unique message, they match Paul’s description in today’s highlight verse. They crave your attention.

When you study the Bible, I urge you to use multiple reputable sources (commentaries, Hebrew and Greek dictionaries, and concordances) to understand it.

I dare say that none of us will be 100 percent correct in our interpretations of the Bible but we can cling to the essentials of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus alone.

Those who claim that you need to believe their unique interpretations to be saved are likely lost themselves.

Have you ever been led astray by a unique teaching? How did you figure out the truth?
What do you do to make sure what you are being taught is accurate?
August 13, 2025

August 13th, 2025

Wednesday – History

Reading – 1 Samuel 25-26

Highlight Verse:

“As she was riding her donkey into a mountain ravine, she saw David and his men coming toward her.”
‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭25‬:‭20‬ ‭NLT‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

We look at Esther and Ruth as great female role models.

But I think Abigail outshines them.

Here’s this lady who had to endure a rude and selfish husband.

When she sees that husband mess up big time, she takes immediate action.

Notice in the reading that the servants obey her without question.

And in today’s highlight verse, she rides straight towards David.

Think about it. The average person with any sense would have run away as far as possible until David and his men finished with Nabal.

Instead, she heads straight into danger to deal directly with the problem.

David recognized her bravery and sense. He listened and spared Nabal and his people.

And after Nabal died, David showed his admiration of her by asking her to become his wife.

Abigail’s wisdom, bravery, and eloquence show her to be an amazing role model.

What did you like best about Abigail’s story?
Who do you think is the best role model in the Bible (besides Jesus)?
August 12, 2025

August 12th, 2025

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Exodus 1-2

Highlight Verse:

“So the Egyptians made the Israelites their slaves. They appointed brutal slave drivers over them, hoping to wear them down with crushing labor. They forced them to build the cities of Pithom and Rameses as supply centers for the king.”
‭‭Exodus‬ ‭1‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I find it amusing when people claim that there is no historical evidence that shows that the Israelites lived in Egypt for 400 some years.

It is true that Egyptian historians have mostly purged the memory of Israel from their history.

I probably wouldn’t have wanted to remember a slave population who destroyed my country’s armies as they escaped either.

Not a great image for Egypt.

That aside, there have been mentions of Hebrews in Egypt (using various Egyptian terms that describe people coming from the region around Canaan) in multiple papyri (Egyptian documents made of papyrus).

There is even one describing one of these groups building the great monuments of Ramses II.

Evidence also points to Egyptian influence on the Hebrew language and writing as well as Hebrew influence on Egyptian culture.

Last but not least, the most reliable document from that era by a wide margin has a detailed account of Israel’s arrival to and escape from Egypt.

That would be the Torah, also known as the Pentateuch, or the first 5 books of the Bible.

Many times as many early manuscripts exist of the Torah than of any other writing of that era.

To not trust it because it is “religious” would be the height of folly.

I believe the Bible already stands on it own in accuracy and relevance.

But, it’s nice to see archeological evidence backing up what the Bible has said all along.

How do you see the Bible – religious diatribe or accurate and inspiration writing that was breathed by God through its writers (or something else)?
Why or why not?o
August 11, 2025

August 11th, 2025

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Matthew 3-4

Highlight Verse:

“But Jesus said, “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.” So John agreed to baptize him. After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭3‬:‭15‬-‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

During this week in 1977, I attended confirmation camp.

It was life changing.

That week I realized that God was real and gave His life that I could live eternally.

The change to my life was phenomenal.

And I celebrated a year later in my confirmation ceremony.

It was anticlimactic to say the least.

But at least I wasn’t one of those crazy evangelicals who got dunked under water.

Then I started reading and studying the Bible.

I began to understand that baptism was supposed to be a radical act that publicly confessed the serious change in my life.

Eventually, I took that radical step and on a cool autumn evening in Santa Cruz at a big church party, I was baptized by immersion in an unheated hot tub.

Did the heavens open and a dove descend? Of course not.

Did I come out of the water feeling different? Well, I was cold.

More importantly, I had the satisfaction of being obedient to what God made clear in his Word.

I certainly don’t think that my salvation depended upon my being baptized.

But I do think that it is important to be baptized after coming to faith in Jesus.

If even Jesus felt like it was right for Him to be baptized, how could I do less?

Our church is performing baptisms this coming Sunday (Sept 17, 2025). If you are local to the Denver, Colorado area and want to get baptized, message me and I’ll let you know the details.

If you are elsewhere and you have trusted Jesus for salvation but have not yet been baptized, I encourage you to find a local church that baptizes by immersion and make your faith public.

For those who have been baptized, what has it meant for you?
If you trust Jesus and haven’t been baptized, what’s holding you back?
August 10, 2025

August 10th, 2025

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Psalms 95-98

Highlight Verse:

“Sing a new song to the Lord! Let the whole earth sing to the Lord!”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭96‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I grew up in a very traditional church. All the songs we ever sang were contained in a hymnal along with liturgies for every occasion.

The church we are a part of now is, shall we say, a little more contemporary.

New songs are common.

While the people around me may not like to hear me butcher the words and the notes the first few times, I love to learn the new songs.

They help keep my worship fresh.

You might notice that this Psalm says nothing about church or synagogue.

Instead, it says to proclaim the good news each day.

Now, I’m not saying that you should walk down the street every day singing worship songs.

But then, why not?

If that is your way of sharing the good news of God’s grace, sing it.

These Psalms were literally written to be sung as the people travelled to Jerusalem. They shared the joy of worshipping God as the prepared their hearts for the various religious festivals.

It certainly wouldn’t hurt to make singing part of our normal routine. If not in public, at least in our personal times.

You might be surprised at how much more enjoyable it might make your days.

Is singing praise and worship part of your daily life?
What effect does that worship have on your life?
August 9, 2025

August 9th, 2025

Saturday – Open topic

Reading – Isaiah 25

Highlight Verse:

“But you are a tower of refuge to the poor, O Lord, a tower of refuge to the needy in distress. You are a refuge from the storm and a shelter from the heat. For the oppressive acts of ruthless people are like a storm beating against a wall,”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭25‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I grew up in Fresno where the average summer high temperature was over 100F (38C).

One hot day riding with the family in the old VW bus (AC wasn’t even an option) we stopped at a gas station to get drinks from a vending machine.

They were warm. (That’s when I discovered warm Dr. Pepper was not as disgusting as warm coke)

We didn’t like the heat, but we adapted to it (sometimes with warm sodas).

This week has been in the upper 90’s (F) here in the Denver area. I think I’ve heard more complaints about heat this week than when I lived in Fresno.
Okay, I admit, some of them came from me.

I decided to look for mentions of heat in the Bible.

There were very few.

And most of the action in the Bible is in the Middle East, an area that makes Fresno look like a ski resort.

Why the difference?

I think it’s because most of the people in the Bible were far more interested in truth than comfort.

Today’s reading shows us that God will protect us, even from heat.

So, while seeking shade or AC is not a bad thing, our first priority should be seeking God.

How have you found shelter in God recently?
Are there comforts in your life that get in the way of seeking God?
August 8, 2025

August 8th, 2025

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Jeremiah 28-30

Highlight Verse:

“And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare.””
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29‬:‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

You could call this, “Lessons for the Exile Life.”

You might say, “But I’m not in exile.”

Good for you.

But most of us have at least something they aren’t satisfied with in their living situation.

Maybe your job is less than ideal, or your employer has values that don’t line up that well with your values. (That would be me).

Maybe your house or apartment is too small, old, hot or cold.

Maybe you wish you could move back to an area where you know more people.

You long for the “good life” where things go your way.

Israel wanted to be back in their own country.

Jeremiah told them to settle in and make the best of the situation.

Blessing those around them would bless them.

The same is true for us.

Even if we aren’t where we want to be, we need to take a positive attitude and help those around us.

If you have kept a positive attitude through a bad situation, how did your attitude help?
What does that look like in your situation today?
August 7, 2025

August 7th, 2025

Thursday – Letters

Reading – Galatians 1-2

Highlight Verse:

“When he first arrived, he ate with the Gentile believers, who were not circumcised. But afterward, when some friends of James came, Peter wouldn’t eat with the Gentiles anymore. He was afraid of criticism from these people who insisted on the necessity of circumcision.”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭2‬:‭12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

It’s all about the optics. NOT!

It’s easy to get caught up in pleasing people at the expense of truth. Legalism is often rooted in people pleasing.

Even Peter fell into that trap.

And Paul called him out.

Like Peter, it pays to have friends who aren’t afraid to point out when you blow it.

Even when you have those friends, it’s tough to listen to them.

If someone does speak a correction into your life, verify what they are saying in God’s Word.

If there’s truth in it, be grateful and do something about it.

If they missed the mark, you can still be thankful that they cared enough to speak up but stick with the truth in the Bible.

I’ve been in both situations.

The true corrections I’ve received have been priceless.

On a couple of occasions, the correction was off base.

While it is tough to get past what feels like meddling, I recognize that my friends are just as flawed as me.

I need to give them the grace to make mistakes without rejecting them.

Being the advisor is a subject for another day.

How have friends spoken into your life?
How have you dealt with it when they were wrong?

The main reason I do this is because I know that the biggest trigger for anger for me is traffic, especially impatient, reckless drivers.

It’s one way that I can follow today’s Scripture and leave at peace with others.

Out of the darkest times came the greatest celebrations.

All these joys and more were made all the greater from the pain that preceded them.

God will carry you through no matter how hard times become.

They no doubt thought they were learning to grow deeper in their faith.

Those who claim to have the only exclusive accurate interpretation of the Bible – don’t.

When you study the Bible, I urge you to use multiple reputable sources (commentaries, Hebrew and Greek dictionaries, and concordances) to understand it.

But I think Abigail outshines them.

Instead, she heads straight into danger to deal directly with the problem.

Abigail’s wisdom, bravery, and eloquence show her to be an amazing role model.

I find it amusing when people claim that there is no historical evidence that shows that the Israelites lived in Egypt for 400 some years.

Not a great image for Egypt.

Last but not least, the most reliable document from that era by a wide margin has a detailed account of Israel’s arrival to and escape from Egypt.

To not trust it because it is “religious” would be the height of folly.

It was anticlimactic to say the least.

I began to understand that baptism was supposed to be a radical act that publicly confessed the serious change in my life.

But I do think that it is important to be baptized after coming to faith in Jesus.

If even Jesus felt like it was right for Him to be baptized, how could I do less?

While the people around me may not like to hear me butcher the words and the notes the first few times, I love to learn the new songs.

But then, why not?

You might be surprised at how much more enjoyable it might make your days.

I grew up in Fresno where the average summer high temperature was over 100F (38C).

And most of the action in the Bible is in the Middle East, an area that makes Fresno look like a ski resort.

I think it’s because most of the people in the Bible were far more interested in truth than comfort.

You could call this, “Lessons for the Exile Life.”

But most of us have at least something they aren’t satisfied with in their living situation.

Even if we aren’t where we want to be, we need to take a positive attitude and help those around us.

And Paul called him out.

If there’s truth in it, be grateful and do something about it.

While it is tough to get past what feels like meddling, I recognize that my friends are just as flawed as me.