Walk in the Light

March 29, 2025

March 29th, 2025

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Philippians 4:4-13

Highlight Verse:

“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Have you ever searched for “Cleanliness is next to godliness” in the Bible?

You probably already know that it isn’t there.

In fact, Jesus criticized the ceremonial cleansing rituals of the Pharisees because they had become empty religious practices that did nothing to cleanse the soul.

Does that mean that God doesn’t value cleanliness?

During the time of the Exodus, God gave His people rules for cleanliness that protected them from disease.

Other times, order and precision is praised – such as the cleansing of the neglected temple (2 Chron. 34), the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s wall (Neh. 3), or the parable describing building a house on a rock (Mat. 7).

I’ve begun a bit of Spring cleaning in my garage workshop (it needs it badly). The more clean and orderly it gets, the less time it takes to do projects and the better they come out.

That helps me use my time more effectively in doing what God has called me to do.

And that’s not even counting spiritual cleansing.

Is there some cleaning that you need to get started on?
How will it help you fulfill God’s calling on your life?
March 28, 2025

March 28th, 2025

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Isaiah 37-39

Highlight Verse:

“After Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers and read it, he went up to the Lord’s Temple and spread it out before the Lord.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭37‬:‭14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Yes, I know this is a bit of history practically cut and pasted into Isaiah. Maybe I should have focused on the words of Isaiah but I couldn’t resist Hezekiah’s actions here.

Hezekiah had just been reassured by Isaiah when he got this threatening letter from his enemy.

Maybe he should have just burned it and ignored it’s message, but he was disturbed by it. He needed some reassurance.

So he brought it to the Lord and spread it out before Him.

I’ll let you read God’s reply to him.

Suffice it to say that Hezekiah set a good example for us.

When we face discouragement, we should bring it straight to God.

Then we might get a taste of the words of Big Tent Revival when they sang “Take the biggest thing that’s got you down, stand it up right next to God. Anyone can see who’s bigger now, It don’t take no astronaut.” (Jesus is Your Friend – copyright 1995, Big Tent Revival)

What discouraging situations have you brought to God?
How did He answer your cries for help?
March 27, 2025

March 27th, 2025

Thursday – Letters

Reading – Romans 13

Highlight Verse:

“For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭13‬:‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I finally figured out how to not get any traffic tickets – obey the traffic laws.

But seriously, I always wondered how Paul could write this as a follower of someone who was crucified for rebelling against authority.

But then I remember that Jesus was God, the ultimate authority.

Beyond that, Jesus submitted to earthly authorities where they aligned with God’s will. That included submitting to carrying the cross and being crucified.

Paul also submitted to authority to the point of imprisonment and death. He never stopped preaching, but he submitted to the earthly consequences for obeying God.

They did not ignore earthly authority. They respected it. They obeyed God. But when earthly authorities punished them for obeying God, they submitted.

Have you ever had to choose to obey God in defiance of earthly authority?
What happened and why?
March 26, 2025

March 26th, 2025

Wednesday – History

Reading – Judges 9

Highlight Verse:

“In this way, God punished Abimelech for the evil he had done against his father by murdering his seventy brothers.”
‭‭Judges‬ ‭9‬:‭56‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Abimelech gets a whole chapter in Judges but notice that he is never called a judge.

He connives his way into leading the town of Shechem, but he does that by killing his brothers.

In the end, he saves no Israelites but kills many.

Eventually he gets what he deserves when a woman drops a mill stone on his head.

Now he is known not for his greatness but for his evil – for the rest of all history.

I know that we should work to bring God glory rather than ourselves. But if we follow God’s call, our legacy will continue to draw people to God.

Even our memory will be part of our ministry.

What do you want to be remembered for?
What are you doing to achieve that goal?
March 25, 2025

March 25th, 2025

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Genesis 19-20

Highlight Verse:

“When Lot still hesitated, the angels seized his hand and the hands of his wife and two daughters and rushed them to safety outside the city, for the Lord was merciful.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭19‬:‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

It’s easy to judge Lot here.

The danger was eminent, yet he still hesitated.

I would like to believe that he hesitated out of love for his daughters who would be losing their fiancés.

But those would be the same daughters that he was willing to give to the mob the night before.

So, I don’t know his reasoning, but I know Lot was unsure enough to hesitate.

There have been times in my life when I was unsure about something that I thought God was calling me to do.

When He called me to Bible college, I wasn’t sure. But our house sold in less than two weeks for what we hoped to get for it. If that wasn’t enough, we found a perfect rental not far from the Bible college.

He practically dragged me there.

While things arose in my life and family that prevented me from completing my degree there,

what I learned at Bible college in the time I was there was priceless. Without it, ministry would be much more difficult.

Has God ever “dragged” you out of a dangerous situation or into a good one?
Did you hesitate? How did he convince you to go along with Him?
March 24, 2025

March 24th, 2025

Monday – Gospels

Reading – John 13

Highlight Verse:

“Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end.”
‭‭John‬ ‭13‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Jesus knew when He was going to die.

Of course, He also knew He was going to be resurrected but that time before His ascension would also be limited.

He timed His actions accordingly. He made the most of every opportunity to heal people, teach the Gospel, and especially train His disciples.

That brings me to the question, if I knew when I was going to die, how would I live differently?

Certainly, as the day approached, I would value each minute.

The simple truth is, I will die. It could be 30 years from now or it could be next week.

I won’t get any of those minutes back to do over.

I want to make the most of each one by making a difference in the lives of those around me.

That’s why I try to be an involved father for each of my kids. It is why I’ve stayed involved in student ministry. It’s why I write novels. It’s even why I write this.

I miss many opportunities, and I have a tough time figuring out how to prioritize them each day. But I trudge on trying to do my best.

We each have been given the same number of minutes each day. We each have opportunities and gifts given to us.

How will you make the most of the opportunities given to you?
Is there anything you need to change to make more of those opportunities?
March 23, 2025

March 23rd, 2025

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Psalms 31-33

Highlight Verse:

“You are my rock and my fortress. For the honor of your name, lead me out of this danger.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭31‬:‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I firmly believe that the main reason God protects and delivers us from danger and through hardships is because of

His Fatherly love for us.

That said, it doesn’t hurt that he has the additional motivation of honor.

While our main motivations to obey God should be because

we love Him and trust that He knows what is best for us.

Likewise, bringing honor to God can serve as additional motivation for our obedience.

Our actions, especially when they demonstrate God’s great love for people, can bring honor to His Name and His Church.

In what ways has God brought honor to His name through His action towards you?
How have your actions honored God?

By the way, if you‘re curious from yesterday’s post, the art cart turned out okay, though my amateur welds were pretty messy.
March 22, 2025

March 22nd, 2025

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Luke 6:46-49

Highlight Verse:

“It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭6‬:‭48‬ ‭NLT‬‬

My wife brought home an art rack from work because it wouldn’t roll right. It turns out it was broken.

It broke because it was put together with some very poor welds. So bad that even I could do better.

So I bought a welder.

Today, I’ll make a bunch of practice welds and then I’ll repair the cart so that it is better than when it was new.

It’s going to take a while to be sure I get it right. But, if I take my time, prep it and weld it properly, I’m sure it will be better than new (I’ll let you know tomorrow).

And the next time I repair some welds, it will be better. And so on.

Today’s reading talks about getting into the Word of God like digging and building a foundation. It takes time and consistent hard work.

I’ve been reading the Bible for over forty years, daily for the last twenty. I’m still learning every day.

But, this house of faith isn’t collapsing any time soon.

Where are you in the foundation building process?
How are you holding up under the pressure of the hard work of building a foundation?
March 21, 2025

March 21st, 2025

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Isaiah 34-36

Highlight Verse:

“Yes, there will be an abundance of flowers and singing and joy! The deserts will become as green as the mountains of Lebanon, as lovely as Mount Carmel or the plain of Sharon. There the Lord will display his glory, the splendor of our God.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭35‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Today is the first full day of Spring! (Okay, technically it began before sunrise yesterday but it’s the first 24-hour day).

Today’s verse speaks of the land’s break from war to experience a natural revival.

Each Spring brings a natural revival to me.

The days are getting longer. Some fields are already turning green. There’s even an 80 degree day in the forecast!

Tomorrow is our city’s free landfill day so I’ll be clearing some old junk out so I’ll have plenty of room for projects in my garage workshop.

I just need to remember when it’s still light and pleasant out that I told myself I’d get some stuff done in the garage instead of getting sucked into the sofa.

What are your plans for the warmer days ahead?
What will motivate you to take advantage of the evening light?
March 20, 2025

March 20th, 2025

Thursday – Letters

Reading – Romans 12

Highlight Verse:

“Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭21‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This chapter is full of of ways to conquer evil.

My favorite was to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, resulting in knowing God’s good, perfect and pleasing will.

It’s a process, but one that leads to the very best of results.

What was your favorite verse(s) in this chapter?
How does that verse help you in your life?

Have you ever searched for “Cleanliness is next to godliness” in the Bible?

Does that mean that God doesn’t value cleanliness?

That helps me use my time more effectively in doing what God has called me to do.

So he brought it to the Lord and spread it out before Him.

Suffice it to say that Hezekiah set a good example for us.

When we face discouragement, we should bring it straight to God.

But then I remember that Jesus was God, the ultimate authority.

They did not ignore earthly authority. They respected it. They obeyed God. But when earthly authorities punished them for obeying God, they submitted.

Abimelech gets a whole chapter in Judges but notice that he is never called a judge.

Now he is known not for his greatness but for his evil – for the rest of all history.

Even our memory will be part of our ministry.

He practically dragged me there.

what I learned at Bible college in the time I was there was priceless. Without it, ministry would be much more difficult.

Jesus knew when He was going to die.

That brings me to the question, if I knew when I was going to die, how would I live differently?

I want to make the most of each one by making a difference in the lives of those around me.

His Fatherly love for us.

we love Him and trust that He knows what is best for us.

Our actions, especially when they demonstrate God’s great love for people, can bring honor to His Name and His Church.

It broke because it was put together with some very poor welds. So bad that even I could do better.

And the next time I repair some welds, it will be better. And so on.

Today’s reading talks about getting into the Word of God like digging and building a foundation. It takes time and consistent hard work.

Each Spring brings a natural revival to me.

I just need to remember when it’s still light and pleasant out that I told myself I’d get some stuff done in the garage instead of getting sucked into the sofa.

This chapter is full of of ways to conquer evil.

It’s a process, but one that leads to the very best of results.