Walk in the Light

February 18, 2026

February 18th, 2026
Wednesday – History

Reading – 2 Kings 6-8

Highlight Verse:

“But as one of them was cutting a tree, his ax head fell into the river. “Oh, sir!” he cried. “It was a borrowed ax!””
‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭6‬:‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I love this story.

It isn’t the fact that Elisha and the prophets were working together to expand their building.

It’s not the incredible fact that Elisha made the axe head float.

I mean that’s cool but it’s not what caught my attention.

What really got me was how concerned the prophet was about the axe being borrowed.

The Bible says more about lending than borrowing.

My parents always taught me that, if you borrow something, you should return it in better shape than when you got it.
- If it’s a vehicle, top off the gas and wash it if possible.
- If it’s a tool, make sure to return it clean and properly maintained.
- If it’s an axe head, wash it off and make sure it has a strong and secure handle. At least that’s what Elisha and the prophet did.
The general idea is to always think of others first.

If you need to borrow, always return more than you borrow.

It is always better to lend generously than to borrow.

How have you improved what you have borrowed?
Do you have any outstanding stories (good or bad) about how things have been returned to you?
Tuesday – Pentateuch

February 17th, 2026

Reading – Leviticus 7-8

Highlight Verse:

““If you bring an offering to fulfill a vow or as a voluntary offering, the meat must be eaten on the same day the sacrifice is offered, but whatever is left over may be eaten on the second day.”
‭‭Leviticus‬ ‭7‬:‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Here’s the early church potlucks!

Okay, not exactly. But did you know that some of the sacrifices beyond the normal guilt and sin offerings were eaten by the people who brought them instead of giving them to the priests or having them burnt up?

This passage refers to the peace offering, a voluntary offering above and beyond the normal sacrifices required by law.

This along with sacrifices made at Passover, Harvest, and the Festival of Shelters were celebrations of the goodness of God to His people.

Having been to some modern Jewish festivals, I can tell you that if the Old Testament festivals were anything like the ones I’ve been to, they must have been a blast.

It’s easy to look back at Leviticus and think how terrible it would have been to have to offer sacrifices all the time.

While Jesus gave the perfect sacrifice to end the constant animal sacrifice system, the Old Testament system provided the predecessor to Jesus’s sacrifice.

The temporary atonement and expression of devotion to God brought great joy to God’s people.

As you read these seemingly endless descriptions, think about the joy surrounding them.

Then think how much greater joy we should have when we accept the complete and permanent atonement of Jesus’ sacrifice for us.

What is the most fun you have had at a church or faith-based celebration?
What differences do you see in Old Testament celebrations compared to New Testament or modern celebrations?
February 16, 2026

February 16th, 2026

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Luke 7

Highlight Verse:

“When Jesus had finished saying all this to the people, he returned to Capernaum.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭7‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Jesus had a home base.

He often returned to Peter’s home in Capernaum.

Kfar Nahum, the original name of Capernaum can be translated “place of comfort” or “village of comfort.”

Image courtesy of http://www.HolyLandPhotos.org – Capernaum today.

Mentioned 16 times in the New Testament, it was a small fishing village on the north shore of the Sea of Galilee.

Jesus recruited Peter and Andrew from there and likely John and James too.

For a time, He was accepted there, teaching in the synagogue and performing quite a few miracles there.

Eventually the establishment there rejected Jesus, prompting Him to mention Capernaum as a place that was condemned for their unbelief despite the miracles performed there. (Luke 10:13-14)

Why do I focus on a place today?

It was a place that Jesus could launch His ministry from.

Having a home base gave Jesus a place to regain his physical energy.

At times, the house he lived in (Peter’s house) was a place of ministry where people came to hear the Word of God and receive healing.

When we bought our home, we hoped that it would be a place of ministry.

Since then, we have hosted small groups, housed a church intern, raised 4 kids, and spent many hours of reading, studying, praying, and writing.

I’m certainly not Jesus, but I am called to do His work.

If you follow Him, so are you.

Where is your home base?
How is God using it for His work?
February 15, 2026

February 15th, 2026

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Proverbs 11

Highlight Verse:

“Your kindness will reward you, but your cruelty will destroy you.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭11‬:‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Let’s keep it simple today.

Simply put, being a giving person will bring you reward.

Being a selfish person will have the opposite effect.

It doesn’t pay to be selfish.

Enough said.

How have you been rewarded for being a giving person?
Has selfishness ever backfired on you? Explain.
February 14, 2026

February 14th, 2026

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Psalm 139

Highlight Verse:

“Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭139‬:‭14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

God designed each and every one of us.

As His creations, each and every one of us is precious in His site.

We are all different, but that is part of the wonderful tapestry of humanity – the masterpiece of the ultimate artist.

Some of God’s people have special needs. While some people would tend to shun them, they are just as loved by God as anyone else.

Last night we celebrated people with special needs through the annual “Night to Shine” event.

Night to Shine at Orchard Church, Brighton, CO

It was a night filled with joy and celebration – the highlight of the year for guest and volunteer alike.

Today’s reading highlights God’s designing touch in each of our lives.

We should respect that touch both in ourselves and in those around us.

We are all His workmanship.

Is it easier or harder for you to appreciate and love people with special needs? Why?
What can you do today to help those with special needs feel God’s loving design?
February 13, 2026

February 13th, 2026

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Ezekiel 40-42

Highlight Verse:

“He said to me, “Son of man, watch and listen. Pay close attention to everything I show you. You have been brought here so I can show you many things. Then you will return to the people of Israel and tell them everything you have seen.””
‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭40‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

When the Bible says to pay close attention, my mind goes, “Oh, maybe I should pay close attention here.”

In all seriousness, sentences like this grab my attention and I brace for something mind blowing.

And then we get a detailed description of a temple.

Some say the description was figurative. But why would God spend the next nine chapters in detailed description if it was just figurative.

Some say it describes the temple as it will be in heaven. I have a hard time with that because I believe we will be in the direct presence of God. Why would we need a temple and priests?

Others say it was meant as plans for the temple and the land for the Israelites when they returned to the land.

You could say that’s not true because the Israelites did not follow those instructions.

But then, how many times have we not followed the detailed instructions of God to the letter?

Maybe it would be easier to ask how many times we did follow God’s instructions.

Ezekiel paid close attention and wrote the descriptions down in great detail.

The people heard the instructions and rebuilt the temple and the nation their own way.

Life could have been much different if they had followed the instructions.

Have you ever been given detailed instructions and did things your own way? How did that turn out?
Have you ever followed detailed instructions from God? How did that turn out?
February 12, 2026

February 12th, 2026

Thursday – Letters

Reading – Hebrews 6

Highlight Verses:

“For it is impossible to bring back to repentance those who were once enlightened—those who have experienced the good things of heaven and shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the power of the age to come— and who then turn away from God. It is impossible to bring such people back to repentance; by rejecting the Son of God, they themselves are nailing him to the cross once again and holding him up to public shame.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭6‬:‭4‬-‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I so wanted to pick one of the easier verses to comment on.

But this is one of the most controversial passages in the New Testament.

And that’s exactly why I felt I had to comment on it.

I had at least one professor in Bible college who took the hard line on this passage saying that if you are a Christian and then turn your back on God, there’s no hope of restoration.

I remember the debates he had with one of my fellow students who had fallen away and then came back to the Lord.

I’ve also read commentaries from both sides of the debate and some in the middle.

I cannot say that I fully understand it myself.

That’s when I come back to the question, “What can I learn from this passage?”

That’s simple.

Stay faithful.

You can debate the subject all you like but no matter which side you take, you never want to fall away.

If you are one prone to going in and out of belief, let this push you into pursuing a steady, true, and fruitful faith.

If you have been doubting the faith lately, know that doubts are normal. It wouldn’t be faith if there was no possibility of doubt.

Stay faithful to Him even through the doubts and trials.

Know that He who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life will always be faithful to you.

Have you ever read this passage and been scared back into the faith?
What would help you stay firm in your faith?
February 11, 2026

February 11th, 2026

Wednesday – History

Reading – 2 Kings 3-5

Highlight Verse:

“Elisha replied, “As surely as the Lord Almighty lives, whom I serve, I wouldn’t even bother with you except for my respect for King Jehoshaphat of Judah.”
‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭3‬:‭14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Respect isn’t given, it is earned.

King Joram of Israel had not earned it in Elisha’s eyes.

The king of Edom certainly had not earned it.

But King Jehoshaphat of Judah had spent many years by this time doing his best to lead the people of Judah in righteousness.

It took great effort, patient persistence, and bold faithfulness.

But the respect that Elisha held for Jehoshaphat was well earned.

In this case, it may very well have made the difference between life and death for many in Judah and Israel.

Whose respect would you most like to earn?
What are you doing to earn that respect?
February 10, 2026

February 10th, 2026
Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Leviticus 5-6

Highlight Verse:

“Remember, the fire must be kept burning on the altar at all times. It must never go out.”
‭‭Leviticus‬ ‭6‬:‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I’m a hillbilly at heart.

Yes, I know I grew up in California and have spent the last 20 years in suburban Colorado, but I lived 12 years in the New River Valley of southwest Virginia and that culture got into my soul.

They had a saying – “If that don’t light your fire, you got wet wood!”

The little church in Spring Valley that I went to in High School made such a joyful noise to the Lord every Sunday.

It may not have always been on key, but it always opened the doors of heaven.

The honest country folk of that area weren’t hung up on impressing their neighbors or being famous or even popular.

They simply loved the Lord and weren’t afraid to show it.

No wet wood there.

Then there’s the students I volunteer with on Monday nights (pictured here).

The have a fire for worship and a deep hunger for learning more about Jesus.

Not much wet wood there either.

If you are in that place, awesome! Keep that fire burning.

I dare say that the majority of Christians have wet wood.
- They douse it with the water of worry.
- They throw in the fire retardant of distraction.
- Then they plunge it into the stagnant lake of politics.
- And attach the diving weights of popularity.
God loves us with a fervor that cannot be quenched.

We should throw off our flame retardants and fan the fire of our love for Him.

How have you quenched the fire of your passion for God?
What are you doing to fan that flame?

Just a quick note for Biblical Scholars. Yes, I took this verse out of context but I believe it the Levitical principle of keeping the flame of worship alive applies in today’s context. So, after praying, I went with it.
February 9, 2026

February 9th, 2026
Monday – Gospels

Reading – Luke 6

Highlight Verse:

““But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭6‬:‭27‬-‭28‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Are you willing to listen?

These are hard lessons to put into practice.

Our first response is to retaliate against those who hurt us.

I’m no exception. Relatively minor offenses like bad driving can trigger angry words in me.

Major offenses can trigger rage.

This is normal.

It’s even just on some level.

Until we think about the fact that we all fall short. We are all worthy of judgement.

If you have accepted it, that judgement falls on Jesus at the Cross.

Does that mean that we should just let people walk all over us?

Do you really think that our Father would want that?

He would desire a change in the people who hurt us that they would stop causing harm to others.
- Sometimes that starts with someone expressing forgiveness to them.
- Sometimes that starts with jail and healing comes though the justice system.
- Sometimes that behavior never changes and the offender needs to be stopped from hurting others by what ever means possible.
And still, we are called to forgive them, pray for them, and love them even if it is not accepted.

Without forgiving, the healing in us will be forever hindered.

Are there those who you need to forgive?
What thought patterns in you (and me) need to change to make thoughts of forgiveness come before thoughts of revenge?

I love this story.

What really got me was how concerned the prophet was about the axe being borrowed.

The general idea is to always think of others first.

Here’s the early church potlucks!

As you read these seemingly endless descriptions, think about the joy surrounding them.

Jesus had a home base.

It was a place that Jesus could launch His ministry from.

If you follow Him, so are you.

Let’s keep it simple today.

It doesn’t pay to be selfish.

When the Bible says to pay close attention, my mind goes, “Oh, maybe I should pay close attention here.”

But then, how many times have we not followed the detailed instructions of God to the letter?

Life could have been much different if they had followed the instructions.

But this is one of the most controversial passages in the New Testament.

Stay faithful.

Know that He who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life will always be faithful to you.

Respect isn’t given, it is earned.

But the respect that Elisha held for Jehoshaphat was well earned.

They had a saying – “If that don’t light your fire, you got wet wood!”

No wet wood there.

Not much wet wood there either.

I dare say that the majority of Christians have wet wood.

We should throw off our flame retardants and fan the fire of our love for Him.

These are hard lessons to put into practice.

Do you really think that our Father would want that?

Without forgiving, the healing in us will be forever hindered.