Walk in the Light

August 21, 2025

August 21st, 2025

Thursday – Letters

Reading – Galatians 5-6

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

I lived in the South for a total of 12 years. I might go back there for more after I retire.

Why?

Because there’s a lot of people there who know how to live out the second part of this verse.

Oh, they have as many quarrels and differences as any where else, but when someone is hurting, they put aside those differences and help each other without a second thought.

In today’s reading, Paul shifts from telling the Galatians to not be legalistic to what they should be doing instead.

They, and we, should serve one another in love.

That’s not just for those in your same denomination or political party.

Verse 15 makes it sound like the Galatians didn’t get along with each other well at all.

Despite that, or maybe because of that, Paul commands them to serve each other in love.

While he lists 15 results of sinful nature, more than half of those are about getting along with each other. (5:19-21)

He calls us to be free from all sin, not just the classic naughty sins but from anything that would keep us from expressing God’s love to one another.

What ways have you found to serve your neighbor in love?
Does that service to your neighbor have an effect on your heart toward them?
August 20, 2025

August 20th, 2025

Wednesday – History

Reading – 1 Samuel 27-28

Highlight Verse:

“One day David said to Achish, “If it is all right with you, we would rather live in one of the country towns instead of here in the royal city.””
‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭27‬:‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I want to point to this and say,

“See, David was a good ol’ country boy.”

But, let’s face it, at this stage in his life,

he became the dread pirate David.

He left the royal city so he could deceive Achish into thinking they were on the same team.

This wasn’t the best chapter in David’s life.

Discouragement from being constantly pursued by King Saul had worn him out

to the point of running to the Philistines and resorting to raiding enemy villages while he lived there.

He raided villages to the south of Israel so, when he came back, he could make it look like he had been raiding Israelite villages, strengthening his bond with Achish.

That was a bond that he should never have had in the first place.

He wasn’t making wise decisions.

And this is where I draw my thoughts from today.

When we are discouraged, we are vulnerable.

We might not go raiding enemy villages, but we may turn to the wrong people and try to keep them happy.

That didn’t work so well for David.

How do we deal with that discouragement?

We can surround ourselves with encouragers

– people who radiate wise advice while encouraging us to stay faithful.

Has discouragement ever led you to follow the wrong people?
How did you get through it?
August 19, 2025

August 19th, 2025

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Exodus 3-4

Highlight Verses:

“One day Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian. He led the flock far into the wilderness and came to Sinai, the mountain of God. There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a blazing fire from the middle of a bush. Moses stared in amazement. Though the bush was engulfed in flames, it didn’t burn up.”
‭‭Exodus‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Moses, the man who was miraculously saved by the daughter of the Pharaoh, was just doing his job.

As far as we can tell, it was a normal workday for Moses.

It was hard work because pastureland was very sparse. Moses had to keep moving.

And then, in the middle of what was probably a very boring day,

God spoke.

I’ve never seen a burning bush that was not consumed by the flames. For that matter, I’ve never heard God speaking from any kind of bush.

But there have been times when God interrupted my workday.

Sometimes it was to teach me a lesson. Someone’s words or even an inspiration poster would capture my attention and redirect my thoughts to God’s plans for that moment.

Sometimes it was to use me in someone else’s life. A customer or coworker would open up to me about something that I could bring the Word of God to shed light on their situation.

No matter how mundane your situation may be, God can work in your day-to-day life.

The tough part is to pay attention so you can see or hear when God wants to speak to you or through you.

When have you seen God move in your day-to-day life?
How did you recognize that it was from God? (Or did you?)
August 18, 2025

August 18th, 2025

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Matthew 5

Highlight Verse:

““You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Have you ever had a meal with no salt or other spices?

Not very tasty.

Have you ever been to a church that was devoid of excitement or passion?

Not much fun.

I’m not saying that church should be entertainment. Far from it.

I am saying that we as believers should be excited to praise God together. We should be passionate about worship and compassionate with each other.

We should not base our faith on feelings, but if our faith doesn’t trigger emotions, how deep is it?

Consider this, Jesus underwent torture and crucifixion out of love for us.

That fact alone should move us to deep gratitude.

Throw in healing and fellowship and we should be beside ourselves with joy.

I do realize that some people are more emotional than others. But faith should inspire joy and gratitude.

Are you moved to emotion when you worship or pray?
What about your faith are you most passionate about?
August 17, 2025

August 17th, 2025

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Psalms 99-102

Highlight Verse:

“For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭100‬:‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I’ve been noticing several posts in social media claiming that Gen-Z is coming back to God in droves.

I checked the research to see if that was true.

According to Google, most research shows that the decline in number of Christians in America has stalled.

As the research is normally out of date by the time it is published, it is quite possible that the downward trend has reversed.

Having been in next generation ministry for a long time, I can tell you the recent trends in our area.

There was a great decrease in church attendance among youth during and just after the pandemic.

Now that trend has reversed.

Our last big student event had record breaking attendance.

More importantly, most of our students are serious about learning more about Jesus, salvation, and how to live the best life.

Why?

Honestly, I see much of the interest lately being driven by celebrities who have turned to Jesus. People like Jelly Roll, Justin Bieber, Kanye West, and Chris Pratt being bold with their faith have inspired many.

Add to that the fact that a large number of Christian influencers have become very popular on Tik Tok and other social media outlets.

Young people want to know what this Jesus is all about.

As in today’s highlight verse, God is continuing His faithfulness to this generation and they are responding!

Now is an amazing time to reach out to the next generation with the Gospel.

I firmly believe we need to take every advantage of this time to share the Gospel.

What first drew you to Jesus?
What are you doing to make that happen for the next generation?
August 16, 2025

August 16th, 2025

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Romans 12:9-21

Highlight Verse:

“Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I have a decent job with one big drawback.

Most days I have to work downtown.

Fortunately, it’s downtown Denver.

From our neighborhood to the north, I can avoid the freeways and stay on less travelled surface roads.

The main reason I do this is because I know that the biggest trigger for anger for me is traffic, especially impatient, reckless drivers.

They stay mostly on the freeways.

Driving the side roads, I don’t get mad.

It’s one way that I can follow today’s Scripture and leave at peace with others.

What do you do to live at peace with one another?
When is it not possible as far as it is up to you?
August 15, 2025

August 15th, 2025

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Jeremiah 31-33

Highlight Verse:

“The young women will dance for joy, and the men—old and young—will join in the celebration. I will turn their mourning into joy. I will comfort them and exchange their sorrow for rejoicing.”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭31‬:‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Jeremiah is known for his doom and gloom prophecies.

But today’s reading is full of hope, restoration, and celebration.

Out of the darkest times came the greatest celebrations.

The most joyous times in my life came after the hardest times.

• The joy of the arrival of our firstborn after 11 years of infertility.
• A godly wife after years of betrayal and loneliness.
• Financial freedom after years of debt.

All these joys and more were made all the greater from the pain that preceded them.

And through it all, regardless of the strength of my faith, God was always there giving me strength to get through and carrying me when my strength was gone.

Never once did He fail.

This life will have times of pain, weakness, loneliness, and despair.

God will carry you through no matter how hard times become.

And He will bring on the joy and celebration on the other side leading eventually to the greatest celebration in heaven.

What has been the greatest celebration in your life so far?
What did you have to come through to get there?
August 14, 2025

August 14th, 2025

Thursday – Letters

Reading – Galatians 3-4

Highlight Verse:

“Those false teachers are so eager to win your favor, but their intentions are not good. They are trying to shut you off from me so that you will pay attention only to them.”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭4‬:‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Paul’s letter to the Galatians was aimed at correcting the legalistic teaching of another teacher who had led many away from the true Gospel.

The new Christians of Galatia were easily led astray by eloquent teaching.

They no doubt thought they were learning to grow deeper in their faith.

Instead, the were leaving the Good News of Jesus behind.

So how do we know when someone is truly teaching the Gospel?

Eloquent preaching using Scripture is a favorite tool of those whom I’ve heard called modern-day Gnostics.

I use that term to refer to those who think they have exclusive knowledge that is essential to be in right standing with God.

In that description is the way to distinguish them.

Those who claim to have the only exclusive accurate interpretation of the Bible – don’t.

If the attention is on them and their unique message, they match Paul’s description in today’s highlight verse. They crave your attention.

When you study the Bible, I urge you to use multiple reputable sources (commentaries, Hebrew and Greek dictionaries, and concordances) to understand it.

I dare say that none of us will be 100 percent correct in our interpretations of the Bible but we can cling to the essentials of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus alone.

Those who claim that you need to believe their unique interpretations to be saved are likely lost themselves.

Have you ever been led astray by a unique teaching? How did you figure out the truth?
What do you do to make sure what you are being taught is accurate?
August 13, 2025

August 13th, 2025

Wednesday – History

Reading – 1 Samuel 25-26

Highlight Verse:

“As she was riding her donkey into a mountain ravine, she saw David and his men coming toward her.”
‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭25‬:‭20‬ ‭NLT‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

We look at Esther and Ruth as great female role models.

But I think Abigail outshines them.

Here’s this lady who had to endure a rude and selfish husband.

When she sees that husband mess up big time, she takes immediate action.

Notice in the reading that the servants obey her without question.

And in today’s highlight verse, she rides straight towards David.

Think about it. The average person with any sense would have run away as far as possible until David and his men finished with Nabal.

Instead, she heads straight into danger to deal directly with the problem.

David recognized her bravery and sense. He listened and spared Nabal and his people.

And after Nabal died, David showed his admiration of her by asking her to become his wife.

Abigail’s wisdom, bravery, and eloquence show her to be an amazing role model.

What did you like best about Abigail’s story?
Who do you think is the best role model in the Bible (besides Jesus)?
August 12, 2025

August 12th, 2025

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Exodus 1-2

Highlight Verse:

“So the Egyptians made the Israelites their slaves. They appointed brutal slave drivers over them, hoping to wear them down with crushing labor. They forced them to build the cities of Pithom and Rameses as supply centers for the king.”
‭‭Exodus‬ ‭1‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I find it amusing when people claim that there is no historical evidence that shows that the Israelites lived in Egypt for 400 some years.

It is true that Egyptian historians have mostly purged the memory of Israel from their history.

I probably wouldn’t have wanted to remember a slave population who destroyed my country’s armies as they escaped either.

Not a great image for Egypt.

That aside, there have been mentions of Hebrews in Egypt (using various Egyptian terms that describe people coming from the region around Canaan) in multiple papyri (Egyptian documents made of papyrus).

There is even one describing one of these groups building the great monuments of Ramses II.

Evidence also points to Egyptian influence on the Hebrew language and writing as well as Hebrew influence on Egyptian culture.

Last but not least, the most reliable document from that era by a wide margin has a detailed account of Israel’s arrival to and escape from Egypt.

That would be the Torah, also known as the Pentateuch, or the first 5 books of the Bible.

Many times as many early manuscripts exist of the Torah than of any other writing of that era.

To not trust it because it is “religious” would be the height of folly.

I believe the Bible already stands on it own in accuracy and relevance.

But, it’s nice to see archeological evidence backing up what the Bible has said all along.

How do you see the Bible – religious diatribe or accurate and inspiration writing that was breathed by God through its writers (or something else)?
Why or why not?o

Because there’s a lot of people there who know how to live out the second part of this verse.

They, and we, should serve one another in love.

While he lists 15 results of sinful nature, more than half of those are about getting along with each other. (5:19-21)

“See, David was a good ol’ country boy.”

he became the dread pirate David.

Discouragement from being constantly pursued by King Saul had worn him out

When we are discouraged, we are vulnerable.

We can surround ourselves with encouragers

As far as we can tell, it was a normal workday for Moses.

God spoke.

No matter how mundane your situation may be, God can work in your day-to-day life.

Not very tasty.

Not much fun.

That fact alone should move us to deep gratitude.

Now that trend has reversed.

Young people want to know what this Jesus is all about.

Now is an amazing time to reach out to the next generation with the Gospel.

The main reason I do this is because I know that the biggest trigger for anger for me is traffic, especially impatient, reckless drivers.

It’s one way that I can follow today’s Scripture and leave at peace with others.

Out of the darkest times came the greatest celebrations.

All these joys and more were made all the greater from the pain that preceded them.

God will carry you through no matter how hard times become.

They no doubt thought they were learning to grow deeper in their faith.

Those who claim to have the only exclusive accurate interpretation of the Bible – don’t.

When you study the Bible, I urge you to use multiple reputable sources (commentaries, Hebrew and Greek dictionaries, and concordances) to understand it.

But I think Abigail outshines them.

Instead, she heads straight into danger to deal directly with the problem.

Abigail’s wisdom, bravery, and eloquence show her to be an amazing role model.

I find it amusing when people claim that there is no historical evidence that shows that the Israelites lived in Egypt for 400 some years.

Not a great image for Egypt.

Last but not least, the most reliable document from that era by a wide margin has a detailed account of Israel’s arrival to and escape from Egypt.

To not trust it because it is “religious” would be the height of folly.