Walk in the Light

July 7, 2025

July 7th, 2025

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Mark 11-12

Highlight Verse:

“He noticed a fig tree in full leaf a little way off, so he went over to see if he could find any figs. But there were only leaves because it was too early in the season for fruit.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭11‬:‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This scene always confused me.

Here’s the perfect man losing His temper over a tree that shouldn’t have had figs on it yet in the first place.

Huh?

We never covered this in Bible college (I didn’t get that far along).

So, I turned to my favorite commentary sites – Blue Letter Bible, and Enduring Word.

It turns out that, while not definitive, the Greek implies that either it was a bad season for figs or that tree was having a bad season.

That still leaves the disturbing image of Jesus losing His temper over a minor circumstance…

Unless…

Could He have been trying to teach us a lesson?

That tree had all the indications of bearing fruit. It was in full leaf, well past flowering. It should have had fruit by now.

It didn’t.

In our journey of faith, if we are past the initial blossoming of faith, we should be bearing fruit.

If something is wrong that is holding us back from bearing fruit, we shouldn’t act like that tree, like everything is normal.

But let’s face it, our default is to put on our best front and look to those around us like everything is fine.

That’s not fine.

Jesus was in a mode of cleansing the religious corruption and extended that mode to make an example of this fig tree.

But keep in mind that he brought redemption to those of the religious establishment who chose to follow Him – Nicodemus, Levi, Paul, etc.

If you or I find ourselves hiding behind a religious front, we still have the opportunity to step out from behind that fake front into a healed and whole faith.

Then we won’t be able to stop the fruit of faith that we will bear.

Have you ever recovered from a fruitless fake season of faith? How did you get past it?
Are you in that season now? Do you want help out? Let us know.
July 6, 2025

July 6th, 2025

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Psalms 80-82

Highlight Verses:

“Come back, we beg you, O God of Heaven’s Armies. Look down from heaven and see our plight. Take care of this grapevine that you yourself have planted, this son you have raised for yourself.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭80‬:‭14‬-‭15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This was likely written when the people of Israel had wandered away from worshipping God and were being threatened by their enemies.

Though this descendant of the original Asaph seems to have remained faithful to God, he lived in a nation that had turned away.

He cried out to God to come back and draw the people back to Him.

Can you relate?

I mentioned before that the United States had just experienced a great revival at its founding.

Today, we are far from that revival and living in a culture that practically excludes God.

Asaph’s prayer is as meaningful today as it was when it was written.

We would do well to pray to that effect everyday.

How do you think we should be praying for our country?
What results have you seen from such prayers?
July 5, 2025

July 5th, 2025

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Galatians 5:1-15

Highlight Verse:

“For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

In the mid 1700’s Reverend Jonathan Edwards realized that faith wasn’t about following the rules and traditions of the church but about the sacrifice Jesus made, and the freedom found in that.

He preached that in his church in New Jersey. The Holy Spirit got a hold of that church and brought such revival that it could not be contained.

Anglican minister George Whitfield caught the same message and took it on the road preaching more than 18,000 sermons throughout the colonies and England.

The Holy Spirit gave the colonists a spiritual freedom and unity not seen since the early church.

That taste of spiritual freedom and unity helped inspire the American Revolution.

We live in that freedom still.

If we trust in Jesus, our freedom goes far beyond our rights here in the USA.

As we revel in the freedom the American Revolution brought us, let’s bring spiritual freedom to ourselves and our country!

How do you remember Jesus in your 4th of July celebrations?
How will you continue to encourage revival through the rest of your summer?
July 4, 2025

July 4th, 2025

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Jeremiah 13-15

Highlight Verse:

“Then the Lord said, “These prophets are telling lies in my name. I did not send them or tell them to speak. I did not give them any messages. They prophesy of visions and revelations they have never seen or heard. They speak foolishness made up in their own lying hearts.”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭14‬:‭14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Lies come at us from all directions.

Broadcasters cater their news around ratings and advertisers.

Social media influencers put out whatever gains them views and followers.

Even some pastors shape their messages so they don’t offend, even if that means ignoring sound doctrine.

I’m not going to say it’s worse now than ever.

It might be but this sort of behavior has been going on for thousands of years. Paul spoke of it and here, Jeremiah speaks of it too.

What happens when people ignore outside pressures and speak the Gospel boldly in love, without fear as lead by the Holy Spirit?

Revival!!

That can start today.

If you read this on the day I post it, you can remember to be honest, bold and loving as you share Gospel truth with those you meet at Independence Day gatherings.

In the future, you can follow the Holy Spirit’s prompting whenever you meet people.

Are you ready for revival?
Have you seen it? How have you seen it come about?
June 3, 2025

July 3rd, 2025

Thursday – Letters

Reading – 2 Corinthians 4-5

Highlight Verse:

“If it seems we are crazy, it is to bring glory to God. And if we are in our right minds, it is for your benefit.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

When I see those pretty little signs with inspirational verses, the first thing I often think about is how those verses are taken out of context.

Then I have to remember how many times I’ve taken this, my favorite verse of the Bible, out of context.

So let’s look at it in context.

Before this verse, Paul talks about how hard working and committed he and his people have been.

After it he speaks of the completely different point of view that Jesus has given them.

In earthly human terms, living by faith in those times was nuts.

They were misunderstood, persecuted, punished, and even killed for their faith.

But their commitment stayed firm because of their new perspective, God’s perspective.

They knew that there was nothing anyone could do that would shake their faith.

That’s being 100% sold out to Jesus!

That’s crazy.

That’s awesome!

What is your favorite verse in the Bible?
What context surrounds it?
July 2, 2025

July 2nd, 2025
Wednesday – History

Reading – 1 Samuel 13-14

Highlight Verse:

““Let’s go across to the outpost of those pagans,” Jonathan said to his armor bearer. “Perhaps the Lord will help us, for nothing can hinder the Lord. He can win a battle whether he has many warriors or only a few!””
‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭14‬:‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The first thing that popped into my head when I read this was, “Now there’s a leader!”
- Jonathan didn’t stand up in front of the army and tell them what to do.
- He didn’t give them some inspiring speech.
- He didn’t even let the troops know to watch what he was about to do.
He just stepped into action that would bring glory to God and potentially save the Israelites.

He took the risk on himself and allowed his closest follower, his armor bearer to go with him.

He took the step of faith and the Lord blessed him and the Israelites victory as a result.

Now, I’m not saying you should go take on an enemy army single-handedly.

But I am saying that true leadership often requires high risk and bold actions.

Have you lead through risk taking? What was the result?
Do you have some risky decisions to make? Would success from taking those risks bring glory to God or yourself?
July 1, 2025

July 1st, 2025

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Genesis 42-43

Highlight Verse:

““Relax. Don’t be afraid,” the household manager told them. “Your God, the God of your father, must have put this treasure into your sacks. I know I received your payment.” Then he released Simeon and brought him out to them.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭43‬:‭23‬ ‭NLT‬‬

There is so much in this verse that made me say,

“Wait – what!?”

First, the household manager used language used many times in the Bible.

“Don’t be afraid.”

Jesus said it several times. So did some of the prophets.

The term implies that God was about to do something big – and He did.

Second, the household manager reflected the effects of Jesus.

He brought forgiveness to his brothers and eventually, to the whole world.

He also provided abundantly for the brothers to eat and celebrate.

Finally, the effects were immediate.

God didn’t wait for the brother’s to be a death’s doorstep. He welcomed them to their new lives.

The brothers reaped the benefits of that miraculous forgiveness right away, not just as they exited this world.

You and I are the spiritual heirs of the brothers.

Through God’s forgiveness, we receive that miraculous forgiveness and step into the provision of God.

Have you ever felt like you had to bargain with God for His forgiveness?
Were you surprised when you found out that God was and is on your side?
June 30, 2025

June 30th, 2025

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Mark 10

Highlight Verse:

Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.””
‭‭Mark‬ ‭10‬:‭ ‭27‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Honestly, I feel like I am tapping into the impossible a little tonight.

I put this off until a little too late and it may very well be the Holy Spirit keeping me awake to write this out.

Beyond that, I believe it is the Holy Spirit who helps me understand God’s Word.

I am an imperfect vessel for the Holy Spirit and sometimes I miss what He is trying to say to and through me.

But for that which I do understand, I believe it is the Holy Spirit who brings that understanding.

And it is that same Holy Spirit who gives me the strength to walk out that understanding.

So, I press on through all my faults and weaknesses in an attempt to be faithful to His calling on me.

Where have you seen the Holy Spirit change the impossible into the possible in your life?
How easy or hard is it for you to trust Him through the process?
June 29, 2025

June 29th, 2025

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Psalms 78-80

Highlight Verse:

“We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about his power and his mighty wonders.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭78‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

If you know me, you know that I love next generation ministry.

Without it, faith in God dies here.

When I see what happens when our youth live out their faith, it gives me great hope for the future.

We need to remember to keep passing that baton of knowledge and action on to future generations –

praying for the Holy Spirit to continue to go forth through our kids and their kids, and their kids…

And then rejoice when we see them blossom into men and women of faith!

What have you done to pass your faith on to the next generation?
How have you seen them respond?
June 28, 2025

June 28th, 2025

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Psalm 51

Highlight Verse:

“Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭51‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The author of this song had messed up.

He stalked a beautiful lady.

It didn’t take long before he used his influence and position to bring her into his bed.

She got pregnant as a result.

To save his reputation, he did everything he could to cover it up, even to the point of having her husband killed and forcing her into marriage with him.

It wasn’t until an investigation brought the story to light that he repented.

Sound somewhat familiar today?

I’ve heard many say that Michael Tate’s (former lead singer for the News Boys) repentance wasn’t genuine since he waited until he was found out.

I won’t go into the details of his situation, mostly because I don’t know and don’t listen to the many crazy rumors going around.

Christian artists normally have a “purity clause” in their contracts that will end their careers if anything gets out that would harm their moral reputation.

That’s a good thing in that it holds them accountable for their message.

Unfortunately, it also drives them to cover up their failings, so they end up not getting the help and support that they need to get back on the right path.

That made me wonder if they should also have a “restoration clause” in their contracts that would kick in before the “purity clause.”

Ideally, that would lead them to seek help early and prevent irreparable damage to their message and their lives.

King David found restoration as seen here in this Psalm.

His repentance was genuine.

Despite the heinous nature of his sins, God restored him to a place where he became known as a “man after God’s own heart.”

There were consequences, but he got past them and back to a place of integrity.

I praying that Michael Tate would find that same kind of restoration.

Would you prefer public people who fail to be restored or cancelled? Please explain.
Have you been in that place where you needed restoration? How did you find it?

This scene always confused me.

In our journey of faith, if we are past the initial blossoming of faith, we should be bearing fruit.

If you or I find ourselves hiding behind a religious front, we still have the opportunity to step out from behind that fake front into a healed and whole faith.

Can you relate?

Today, we are far from that revival and living in a culture that practically excludes God.

We would do well to pray to that effect everyday.

The Holy Spirit gave the colonists a spiritual freedom and unity not seen since the early church.

If we trust in Jesus, our freedom goes far beyond our rights here in the USA.

As we revel in the freedom the American Revolution brought us, let’s bring spiritual freedom to ourselves and our country!

Lies come at us from all directions.

Even some pastors shape their messages so they don’t offend, even if that means ignoring sound doctrine.

Revival!!

So let’s look at it in context.

But their commitment stayed firm because of their new perspective, God’s perspective.

That’s being 100% sold out to Jesus!

The first thing that popped into my head when I read this was, “Now there’s a leader!”

He took the step of faith and the Lord blessed him and the Israelites victory as a result.

But I am saying that true leadership often requires high risk and bold actions.

“Wait – what!?”

“Don’t be afraid.”

You and I are the spiritual heirs of the brothers.

Beyond that, I believe it is the Holy Spirit who helps me understand God’s Word.

But for that which I do understand, I believe it is the Holy Spirit who brings that understanding.

So, I press on through all my faults and weaknesses in an attempt to be faithful to His calling on me.

Without it, faith in God dies here.

When I see what happens when our youth live out their faith, it gives me great hope for the future.

praying for the Holy Spirit to continue to go forth through our kids and their kids, and their kids…

Sound somewhat familiar today?

Unfortunately, it also drives them to cover up their failings, so they end up not getting the help and support that they need to get back on the right path.

Despite the heinous nature of his sins, God restored him to a place where he became known as a “man after God’s own heart.”