Walk in the Light

July 28, 2025

July 28th, 2025

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Mark 15-16

Highlight Verse:

“The soldiers took Jesus into the courtyard of the governor’s headquarters (called the Praetorium) and called out the entire regiment.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭15‬:‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Why would the soldiers call out the whole regiment?

In my first two years of high school, I went to school in a wealthy suburb of San Francisco. (I lived in one of the little duplexes at the bottom of the hill).

There was still a lot of racial tension back in the 1970s and when a fight broke out between a white local student and a black student that was bused in from East Palo Alto, hundreds ran down to the parking lot to watch.

It quickly escalated to a brawl.

I stayed as far away as I could.

It was a tough time to be a minority. My Mexican dad refused to speak Spanish at home for fear that us kids would learn and be discovered to be half Mexican.

The Roman Empire was a tough time and place to be a Hebrew.

The Roman soldiers would have thought it great fun to be given free reign to abuse and insult a Hebrew like Jesus.

They all gathered around to join in the “fun.”

It’s very easy to get caught up in the group mentality even when the group is going off the rails.

I’m sure there were some more levelheaded soldiers in that regiment, but they all gathered to take part in the abuse.

In this same chapter, some of the people who followed Jesus just days before shouted for his crucifixion.

I dare say that if I had been all white, I might have gotten caught up in that racist brawl.

We need to be diligent to follow Jesus even when the crowd goes a different way.

For those who are the victims of abuse, Jesus can truly understand what it is like to be abused.

His heart goes out to all those who have suffered abuse and discrimination.

Just like He healed bodies, He can heal your heart.

Have you ever gotten caught up in a bad group mentality? How did you break free from that?
How has Jesus healed your abused heart?
July 27, 2025

July 27th, 2025

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Psalms 89-91

Highlight Verse:

“You rule the oceans. You subdue their storm-tossed waves.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭89‬:‭9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

When I lived in the Santa Cruz, CA area, I loved to go out to West Cliff Drive toward Natural Bridges State Park.

I would stand on the cliffs and watch the waves pound so hard, the ground vibrated and the water sprayed higher than the tops of the cliffs.

Despite its plural name, Natural Bridges State Park now only has one natural bridge. One stormy night in 1980, the second, larger bridge collapsed under the constant pounding of the waves.

Every time I went there, I stood in awe when I felt the immense power of the ocean waves overwhelm my senses.

And God created that mighty ocean with a word.

With power that immense, my little problems are no problem at all to God, if I can only trust Him.

What parts of creation inspire you to worship God?
How does His amazing power affect the way you see Him?
July 26, 2025

July 26th, 2025

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Hebrews 6:1-12

Highlight Verse:

“So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭6‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

We go to an outreach-oriented church.

The Sunday sermons are geared toward new believers and non-believers.

They are very good but tend to stick with the basic truths.

It’s important that we find a way to dig a little deeper into God’s Word.

For us, that means daily reading the Bible and studying to find the whole of God’s message for us.

For me, that also means putting what I find into words and sharing it here.

A couple of our kids have found a weekly Bible study that also digs more deeply. That works well for them.

No matter how you do it, it’s important to go beyond the simple truths of grace and salvation to be able to live the fullest life God has for you.

How do you dig deeper into God’s Word?
What are some of the deeper truths that you have learned from studying the Bible?
July 25, 2025

July 25th, 2025

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Jeremiah 22-24

Highlight Verses:

““In that day,” says the Lord, “when people are taking an oath, they will no longer say, ‘As surely as the Lord lives, who rescued the people of Israel from the land of Egypt.’ Instead, they will say, ‘As surely as the Lord lives, who brought the people of Israel back to their own land from the land of the north and from all the countries to which he had exiled them.’ Then they will live in their own land.””
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭23‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Google auto-completes the phrase “as surely as…” with “the Lord lives” and “the sun rises.”

Good to know A.I. has learned from the Bible, even if people forget the events to which Jeremiah refers.

That brings to mind the question, “How would you complete that sentence.”

As surely as (or as sure as) –
• The Lord lives.
• The sun rises.
• Jesus saved me.
• Peaches are poison (actually a Google suggestion).
• Death and taxes.
• Jesus is Lord.

It’s good to know beyond doubt that God lives and He is good!

We all need something solid we can rely on.

There is nothing more certain in my book that the facts that Jesus lives, He loves me, and He saved me.

What are the surest facts in your life?
What funny alternatives to this saying have you heard?
July 24, 2025

July 24th, 2025

Thursday — Letters

Reading – 2 Corinthians 9-10

Highlight Verse:

“You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.””
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭9‬:‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This is always a tough subject to figure out.

The very fact that tithing is a principle taught in the Bible brings on pressure to give.

So how do we give without pressure?

First, I should mention that the gift Paul was collecting was to support those in need in Jerusalem. The Corinthians were already supporting their local church (which is what the tithe is for).

That’s not to say that the tithe shouldn’t be given cheerfully.

For us, it is just part of the normal monthly budget, and I rejoice when I see it spent to bring people to Jesus.

From time to time, there are other causes that stir your heart.

It could be sponsoring a child in need to hear the gospel and receive an education through the many ministries that provide that.

It could be helping victims of a natural disaster.

Or maybe it’s supporting a cause that is near and dear to your heart.

I can tell you from experience that being able to give as your heart directs is a far greater joy than holding on to money out of fear or greed (though saving for the future is also important).

I’ve also been on the side that has received help from other people’s giving.

That is humbling.

Finally, I’ve known people like the Macedonians (read the rest of the chapter) who would give even when it meant doing without themselves.

And they were some of the most joy filled people I have known.

No pressure here. (I’m not a non-profit so don’t try to give to me).

But if you want to know pure joy, give!

How has giving been a joy in your life?
In what situations have you seen people give who got more than their share of joy in return?
July 23, 2025

July 23rd, 2025

Wednesday – History

Reading – 1 Samuel 18-19

Highlight Verse:

“Then she took an idol and put it in his bed, covered it with blankets, and put a cushion of goat’s hair at its head.”
‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭19‬:‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Michal’s willingness to throw her dad and his men off David’s trail shows that she was willing to go to great lengths to protect him.

But this verse makes it clear that she had an idol at the ready.

From what I’ve read, these idols weren’t like the ones found in pagan countries. They didn’t represent some fake God.

Even though they represented God, they turned the true faith of worshipping God into a religious construct.

Instead of receiving God’s grace, people tried to earn their way to heaven by the attention that they gave to the idols.

Michal’s faith required her to show herself worthy of relationship with God.

David’s faith was based on his true personal relationship with God.

He knew God!

He had no need for any idol.

He had a close relationship with the real thing.

Today, an idol is anything that draws your attention away from God.

If it distracts you from worshipping God, it’s an idol.

If it turns worship into work, it’s an idol.

What are the idols in your life?
How do you fight against something that would block you from worshipping God?
July 22, 2025

July 22nd, 2025

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Genesis 47

Highlight Verse:

“So Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh. All the Egyptians sold him their fields because the famine was so severe, and soon all the land belonged to Pharaoh.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭47‬:‭20‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I work for a major corporation.

Like most major corporations, it has some policies that I don’t necessarily agree with.

There are times when I question whether I should be doing my best to help the corporation make the best profits possible.

When you read today’s chapter, you must realize there were things that Pharaoh stood for that were contrary to Joseph’s values.

That didn’t stop Joseph from using his wisdom and leadership skills to help solidify Pharaoh’s power in Egypt.

In that generation, Joseph’s family prospered as a result.

My influence on my employer’s profits can’t be compared to Joseph’s.

Nonetheless, I have been a key player in keeping one of our largest customers in this area.

I continue doing my best for my employer, not for the purpose of profits but so people will see my faith in my work and be drawn toward Jesus.

How does your faith affect how you approach your work?
Have you had people ask you what motivates you to do your best?
How do you answer?
July 21, 2025

July 21st, 2025

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Mark 14

Highlight Verse:

“But after I am raised from the dead, I will go ahead of you to Galilee and meet you there.””
‭‭Mark‬ ‭14‬:‭28‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This little comment by Jesus seems to have been ignored by the disciples.

Peter got defensive and contradicted what Jesus had said just before this line.

The line was not completely forgotten, or we wouldn’t be able to read it here.

But, if they had listened to Jesus and believed what He just said, they would have been filled with hope and excitement for Jesus to show back up.

They would have gone to Galilee to wait and wouldn’t have bothered to go fishing the day when Jesus appeared on the beach of Galilee.

Speaking for myself, I have been know to completely miss the words of God that seem to me to be aimed at those with newer faith.

God’s words apply to all believers, not just those whose faith is young.

How easy it is for me to overlook the basics, especially when I need to be reminded of them!

Have you ever missed the words of God that could have encouraged you?
Have you had such confidence in your own faithfulness that you missed the words of God that required a humble heart to hear?
July 20, 2025

July 20th, 2025

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Psalm 86-88

Highlight Verse:

“Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭86‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

David knew what he was talking about here.

He’s been called a “man after God’s own heart.”

But even David had to ask God to give him purity of heart.

Some versions say, “unite my heart.”

David realized that his heart was divided between his selfish desires and dedication to God.

If we are honest, I think we can all say that about our hearts.

It’s likely that our hearts won’t be completely pure until we reach heaven.

In the meantime, we weed out that which divides our hearts.

But just like my yard, the weeds come back.

The gardens of our hearts need constant attention.

May we daily pray, “Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you.”

And follow that up with actually removing that which divides our hearts.

Have you made a habit of daily asking for purity of heart?
If you have been doing that daily, how has it changed your life?
July 19, 2025

July 19th, 2025

Saturday – Open Topic (In the Garage Series)

Reading – 1 Samuel 17:32-47

Highlight Verses:

“But David persisted. “I have been taking care of my father’s sheep and goats,” he said. “When a lion or a bear comes to steal a lamb from the flock, I go after it with a club and rescue the lamb from its mouth. If the animal turns on me, I catch it by the jaw and club it to death.”
‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭17‬:‭34‬-‭35‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Today, I’m bringing back what I am currently calling the “In the Garage Series” where I feature a classic car and relate a lesson from the Bible to that car. It’s a car guy thing so my apologies to those who are not into cars.

Today you are looking at a 1968 Plymouth Satellite Station Wagon.

This wasn’t just any Satellite, it was my first car.

I learned to drive in this car.

Normally you would think an American station wagon would be an easy car to learn with.

This one… not so much.

The only thing power on it was the rear window.

That’s right, no power brakes, no power steering.

If that wasn’t enough, it was a 3 speed column shifted manual transmission.

And I learned to drive on the narrow crowded curvy streets of the San Francisco Peninsula.

It took a while but I mastered that beast and felt like I could drive almost anything afterward.

David, as a teenager, drew the short straw and was sent to mind the families sheep.

From today’s verses, that sounds like a challenging job as he had ferocious animals to deal with.

But, with the help of God, he mastered those beasts.

That gave him the confidence he needed to convince Saul he could beat Goliath.

It also gave him the confidence to stand up to Goliath.

That brought freedom to Israel.

I’m not advocating fighting lions and bears or even learning to drive on a difficult car.

I am saying that we shouldn’t always take the easy path.

We especially shouldn’t always offer the easy path to our kids.

A difficult path often offers the greatest gifts.

What have you learned from the hard paths in your life?
How have you safely led your children down the more difficult paths?

Why would the soldiers call out the whole regiment?

It’s very easy to get caught up in the group mentality even when the group is going off the rails.

We need to be diligent to follow Jesus even when the crowd goes a different way.

His heart goes out to all those who have suffered abuse and discrimination.

When I lived in the Santa Cruz, CA area, I loved to go out to West Cliff Drive toward Natural Bridges State Park.

Every time I went there, I stood in awe when I felt the immense power of the ocean waves overwhelm my senses.

With power that immense, my little problems are no problem at all to God, if I can only trust Him.

The Sunday sermons are geared toward new believers and non-believers.

It’s important that we find a way to dig a little deeper into God’s Word.

No matter how you do it, it’s important to go beyond the simple truths of grace and salvation to be able to live the fullest life God has for you.

That brings to mind the question, “How would you complete that sentence.”

It’s good to know beyond doubt that God lives and He is good!

There is nothing more certain in my book that the facts that Jesus lives, He loves me, and He saved me.

This is always a tough subject to figure out.

And they were some of the most joy filled people I have known.

But if you want to know pure joy, give!

But this verse makes it clear that she had an idol at the ready.

Even though they represented God, they turned the true faith of worshipping God into a religious construct.

If it turns worship into work, it’s an idol.

There are times when I question whether I should be doing my best to help the corporation make the best profits possible.

That didn’t stop Joseph from using his wisdom and leadership skills to help solidify Pharaoh’s power in Egypt.

I continue doing my best for my employer, not for the purpose of profits but so people will see my faith in my work and be drawn toward Jesus.

This little comment by Jesus seems to have been ignored by the disciples.

But, if they had listened to Jesus and believed what He just said, they would have been filled with hope and excitement for Jesus to show back up.

God’s words apply to all believers, not just those whose faith is young.

But even David had to ask God to give him purity of heart.

In the meantime, we weed out that which divides our hearts.

May we daily pray, “Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you.”

This wasn’t just any Satellite, it was my first car.

It took a while but I mastered that beast and felt like I could drive almost anything afterward.

But, with the help of God, he mastered those beasts.

A difficult path often offers the greatest gifts.