Walk in the Light

June 1, 2025

June 1st, 2025

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Psalms 66-68

Highlight Verse:

“Sing about the glory of his name! Tell the world how glorious he is.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭66‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

When I was I kid, I would sing “solo” – So low no one could hear me.

When I was a teen, I heard one worship leader say, “If God gave you a great voice, sing out loud in thanks for it. If He gave you a terrible voice, sing even louder and get even.”

From that moment I’ve sung out loud and unashamed.

I had the privilege not long after that, of attending a little country church in the hills of southwest Virginia.

We had no regular choir, but the song leader would put the call out each week for people to come sit in the choir section.

I always moved to that section.

I am sure that we sounded awesome.

Half of us were off key and too loud but we had undeniable joy.

I had come to church late enough times to know that the sound carried beyond those rafters to resound throughout Spring Valley.

The joy that went out in those rousing renditions of “Power in the Blood” and “Victory in Jesus” could make the dead rise.

When you sing in true praise and worship, proclaiming the greatness of God to the World, people take notice.

Many are those who have thought, “I wish I could be a part of that.”

You can.

And you can bring that joy to others.

What’s your favorite praise or worship song?
What has your experience in praise and worship been like?
May 31, 2025

May 31st, 2025
Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – John 7:37-39

Highlight Verse:

“On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me!”
‭‭John‬ ‭7‬:‭37‬ ‭NLT‬‬

It was the last day of the festival.
- Some people were getting tired and homesick – ready to hit the road for home.
- Some were enjoying the festivities, hanging out with their party people.
- And then there those whose desire to worship God was coming to a peak.
They thirsted for a close relationship with their Heavenly Father.

Jesus called out to them.

He was the only one who could quench that deep thirst.

He still is.

The more we seek Him, the more He will satisfy that thirst.

Have you gone through times when you weren’t very thirsty for Jesus?
What brought on that thirst again?
What can we do to become more thirsty now?

(BTW, today’s verse choice is courtesy of the random selection of my daughter Grace).
May 30, 2025

May 30th, 2025

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Isaiah 64-66

Highlight Verse:

“The Lord says, “I was ready to respond, but no one asked for help. I was ready to be found, but no one was looking for me. I said, ‘Here I am, here I am!’ to a nation that did not call on my name.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭65‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I caught a cold last weekend. Until today, I’ve just been powering through it.

Honestly, I only took today off because my workload was less, and it wouldn’t hurt anything to rest.

I’ve been taking meds and finally started taking supplements and the symptoms are improving slowly.

But reading this verse, I realized that I have barely mentioned this cold to God in my prayers.

My “power through it” mode didn’t leave much room for God’s help.

Maybe that’s kind of like what Israel was going through, though magnified in the extreme.

They got caught up in the region’s culture that valued military strength and local religious traditions.

They powered through, relying on their own strength rather than seeking the help and guidance of their Heavenly Father.

That didn’t go so well for them – at least until they turned back to God.

While my problems are minuscule compared to Israel when this verse was written, I can still learn from it.

As of today, I am expressly asking in God to carry me through this illness and to bring me back to strength quickly.

Don’t worry, I believe God would want me to continue to rest and take the right meds, But I will ask for help consistently in my prayers and be open to His guidance and support through it.

How quickly do you think of asking God for help in your day to day problems?
What does it take for Him to get your attention?
May 29, 2025

May 29th, 2025

Thursday – Letters

Reading – 1 Corinthians 11-12

Highlight Verses:

“Now, dear brothers and sisters, regarding your question about the special abilities the Spirit gives us. I don’t want you to misunderstand this. You know that when you were still pagans, you were led astray and swept along in worshiping speechless idols.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I’m not sure why this is such controversial chapter.

Perhaps it is because we tend to focus on only parts of the chapter.

Dispensationalists tend to focus on these first two verses and a verse in the next chapter. They say the gifts are no longer needed and only lead people astray.

Pentecostals tend to focus on the gifts themselves. In my experience (as a long time Pentecostal) people can sometimes confuse emotions with spiritual gifts. That is an excellent reason to get to know the Bible well, because God will never contradict the Bible with a spiritual gift.

If you look at the whole chapter, the main point is how all the parts of the body of Christ work together. The gifts of the Spirit are the different functions of those parts that work together to make for a whole and healthy body.

We are still the functioning body of Christ so, yes, the gifts of the Spirit are still valid for today.

We do well to practice them as parts of the body of Christ.

Have you had difficulty making yourself available to the Holy Spirit to practice the gifts of the Spirit?
Have you ever found yourself so focused on the gifts of the Spirit that you lost sight of their place in the Body of Christ?
May 28, 2025

May 28th, 2025

Wednesday – History

Reading – 1 Samuel 3-4

Highlight Verse:

“And the Lord came and called as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel replied, “Speak, your servant is listening.””
‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭3‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I’d like to say I’ve heard the audible voice of the Lord.

Nope, though I do believe that is possible.

I have learned to understand His leading most of the time.

It’s not easy to distinguish between God’s actual guidance and what our minds and emotions want to interpret as God’s leading.

But it can be done.

How?

Samuel taught us a few things about how to hear God.

• By getting close to God.

Samuel actually slept in the temple.

We can foster a close relationship with God by staying consistent in prayer and worship and digging into God’s Word.

• By seeking wise counsel.

Samuel went to Eli for guidance. Eli pointed him the right way.

• By asking God for guidance.

Samuel made himself available to listen and directly asked God to speak to him.

These steps might not open our ears to hear the audible voice of God, but they will help us be sensitive to God’s guidance in our lives.

When have you witnessed the guidance of God in your life?
Have you ever misinterpreted God’s guidance in your life? How did you find out you were wrong?
May 27, 2025

May 27th, 2025

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Genesis 35-36

Highlight Verses:

“Now that Jacob had returned from Paddan-aram, God appeared to him again at Bethel. God blessed him, saying, “Your name is Jacob, but you will not be called Jacob any longer. From now on your name will be Israel.” So God renamed him Israel.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭35‬:‭9-10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This is the second time God told Jacob this (see ch 32).

That either indicates that God is emphasizing the name change or the fact that Jacob/Israel didn’t do anything about it the first time.

The name came about because Jacob had struggled with God.

Off-hand that sounds like it should have a negative connotation.

Think about it, though.

Would you rather have a relationship with someone who struggles to understand you, or with someone who doesn’t really care to understand you.

God chose the struggle.

Our relationship with God has been a struggle from the beginning.

• We struggled with and failed to keep His commands.
• We struggled to make enough sacrifices to atone for our sins.
• Even now, we often struggle to accept the totality of His love for us.

But He does love us – not just in spite of our struggles but because of them.

Do you struggle in your relationship with God?
Does that struggle cause you to try to learn more about Him?
May 26, 2025 – Memorial Day

May 26th, 2025

Note – If you are looking for a Memorial Day message, look at yesterday’s post. Today’s reading didn’t really line up with a Memorial Day Post.

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Mark 3-4

Highlight Verse:

“Jesus said to the man with the deformed hand, “Come and stand in front of everyone.””
‭‭Mark‬ ‭3‬:‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I wonder how awkward that man felt.

Imagine being singled out because of a defect you were probably embarrassed about anyway.

Now you’re in the middle of a conflict between the person you think is the Messiah and the religious leaders.

Awkward doesn’t begin to describe it.

But sometimes we are called to be that person on the spot.

Would you rise up and be put on the spot for Jesus?

I’m very glad this man chose to accept his healing.

May we have that much faith when the time arises.

Have you ever been “put on the spot” for Jesus?
How did that work out?
May 25, 2025

May 25th, 2025

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Psalms 62-65

Highlight Verse:

“My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭62‬:‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

David was a poet.

David was a King.

But here, in this Psalm, David was a warrior.

His battles were fought for the Lord alone.

He accepted honor from God alone.

Yet we do well to honor him still as he laid the groundwork for our Messiah to come and bring us spiritual freedom.

This weekend we honor those who gave their lives for us in the US military.

Many, if not most fought for God.

All fought to win and maintain our freedom.

We do well to honor them!

As you enjoy the weekend with your family, traveling or relaxing at home, take some time to honor those who gave everything that we may be a free nation under God.

If there is someone you know of that gave their life in military service for our country, feel free to name them here.

I’ll start with Staff Sargent Howell Thompson, USMC, my great uncle (Grandma Clarey’s brother). Lost over the Bermuda Triangle on December 5, 1945 along with 26 other Marines and Navy airmen.
May 24, 2025

May 24th, 2025

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Psalm 119:101-109

Highlight Verse:

“Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭105‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Airmail service began about a hundred years ago.

At first, pilots sat in open cockpits with nothing to guide them but the landscape and the earliest of the country’s highways, which did not run very straight.

To guide them, the federal government built a network of beacons and arrows (many of which can still be found) to point them along a system of airways.

That was fine in good weather, but when it rained, snowed or got foggy, pilots had to pay very close attention and be sure they followed the exact direction of the arrows.

To stray just a little could have dire consequences farther along.

God’s Word can be like that system of beacons and arrows.

His Word is there to guide us. Following it keeps us from wandering too far off course.

Just as those early pilots were thankful for the guidance provided for them, so we also should be thankful for the guidance God provides in His Word.

In what ways has God’s Word guided you?
What difficulties have you experienced in trying to follow His Word?
May 23, 2025

May 23rd, 2025

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Isaiah 61-63

Highlight Verse:

“To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭61‬:‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Years ago, a couple we were close with had a tragic late-term miscarriage.

About a year later, they told us they were going to try to have another child, but they were praying that we would have one first.

We had tried for eleven years so we told them to go ahead and pray but don’t wait for us.

Within a month, our firstborn was on her way. Within another month, they were expecting too.

After eleven years of pain and disappointment, I can tell you the moment our first daughter entered this world was the

most joy

I had experienced to that point.

I firmly believe that joy was far deeper because of the years of pain and disappointment before she came along.

Sorrows will come in this life. That’s an unavoidable fact.

But if we had no sorrows, our times of joy would be much less powerful.

If you are in the midst of a difficult time, while I do not want to ignore the depth of hurt you may be going through, I do want to encourage you to think about the joys you have experienced.

Know that the joys to come can be even greater because of your current suffering.

What have you been through that magnifies the joy you can now have?
Have the joys you’ve experienced after pain helped encourage you through the tough times?

From that moment I’ve sung out loud and unashamed.

The joy that went out in those rousing renditions of “Power in the Blood” and “Victory in Jesus” could make the dead rise.

And you can bring that joy to others.

They thirsted for a close relationship with their Heavenly Father.

He still is.

The more we seek Him, the more He will satisfy that thirst.

But reading this verse, I realized that I have barely mentioned this cold to God in my prayers.

My “power through it” mode didn’t leave much room for God’s help.

That didn’t go so well for them – at least until they turned back to God.

Perhaps it is because we tend to focus on only parts of the chapter.

We do well to practice them as parts of the body of Christ.

But it can be done.

• By getting close to God.

• By seeking wise counsel.

• By asking God for guidance.

The name came about because Jacob had struggled with God.

God chose the struggle.

But He does love us – not just in spite of our struggles but because of them.

Awkward doesn’t begin to describe it.

Would you rise up and be put on the spot for Jesus?

May we have that much faith when the time arises.

But here, in this Psalm, David was a warrior.

We do well to honor them!

To stray just a little could have dire consequences farther along.

God’s Word can be like that system of beacons and arrows.

Just as those early pilots were thankful for the guidance provided for them, so we also should be thankful for the guidance God provides in His Word.

most joy

Sorrows will come in this life. That’s an unavoidable fact.

Know that the joys to come can be even greater because of your current suffering.