Walk in the Light

April 15, 2026

April 15th, 2026

Wednesday – History

Reading – 1 Chronicles 7-9

Highlight Verse:

“In all, there were 212 gatekeepers in those days, and they were listed according to the genealogies in their villages. David and Samuel the seer had appointed their ancestors because they were reliable men.”
‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭9‬:‭22‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Chronicles is written from the perspective of the returned exiles.

There were 212 gatekeepers at that time.

A rotating group of 212 dedicated people protected all aspects of the temple, from human security to making sure all the items used for worship were kept safe.

They were the temple cops.

They were Levites, the tribe of priests but their role supported the priests who were directly responsible for worship.

There are many roles in today’s churches.

Many of those are behind the scenes.

In many churches, you will never know about the safety personnel deployed all around.

But they are there, prepared to risk their lives to protect their fellow worshippers.

If your church has a safety team, make sure you thank them for what they do.

If you are one of them – thank you for helping us worship without worry.

What other unseen people support your church?
What can you do to support them?
Have you considered being one of them?
April 14, 2026

April 14th, 2026

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Leviticus 22-23

Highlight Verse:

“Do not bring shame on my holy name, for I will display my holiness among the people of Israel. I am the Lord who makes you holy.”
‭‭Leviticus‬ ‭22‬:‭32‬ ‭NLT‬‬

In chapter 22 alone, the phrase “I am the Lord” appears eight times.

When someone repeats something that many times in that short of a space, they might be trying to say something.

When it is repeated that many times in the Bible, one would be wise to take notice.

In this chapter, it doesn’t take a Bible scholar to figure out that God wants us to notice His holiness.

We are conditioned to think of humility as something to strive for and for us that is true.

Jesus set an example of humility for us when He subjected Himself to authorities even to the point of crucifixion.

But sometimes we tend to forget that upon Jesus’ ascension, God the Father elevated Him to the highest seat in heaven and made Him the name above all names (Philippians 2:9-11).

The truth of God’s holiness is not just an Old Testament thing as in this chapter but was still valid in the New Testament and is still true today.

We tend to emphasize God as a loving Father (which is true) and downplay His absolute holiness and glory.

There’s nothing wrong with enjoying a close relationship with the Father,

but we need to always keep in mind the absolute respect and reverence that He deserves.

Where do you think the balance between respect and familiarity should land?
What do you do to show respect to God?
Monday – Gospels

April 13th, 2026

Reading – Luke 15

Highlight Verse:

“Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭15‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Luke 15 is one of the better-known chapters of the Bible because of the “Lost” parables culminating in the Prodigal Son.

But did you ever notice how it begins?

The people who needed to hear these parables the most were the very ones who came to Jesus to listen to Him.

Is that how it is today?

For the most part, our churches are full of people who are very familiar with churchy things.

Yes, they (we) need to be taught and inspired too.

But the big question I have today is how can we draw in those who are not familiar with the Gospel?

Let me be up front and say, I don’t know.

I’ve seen various outreaches draw people in.

But I never saw Jesus run a car show, or a trunk or treat, or a food bank, though maybe He would in our time.

We do see Him teach the truth in love, heal the sick, and raise the dead.

When we bring that uncompromising version of Jesus to people, I believe people will seek Him.

How do you think we can best attract those who need to hear the Gospel?
What are you doing to see that happen?
Sunday – Poetry

April 12th, 2026

Reading – Proverbs 21

Highlight Verse:

“Justice is a joy to the godly, but it terrifies evildoers.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭21‬:‭15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

It took my most of my life, but I finally figured out how to avoid getting traffic tickets or getting in trouble with the law.

My secret? – Obey the law.

Why didn’t I think of that before?

I’ve known so many people who basically try to live right at the edge of what they can get away with.

They do whatever they can to hide illegal behavior.

They use radar detectors to try to spot police.

They constantly watch out for any law enforcement.

Meanwhile, I don’t worry about law enforcement.

I simply do my best not to break the law.

And that stress is absent from my life.

Now I can’t say that I never mess up.

Just like everyone else, I fall short of God’s ideal for my life.

But I don’t stress in that area either as I trust that Jesus has satisfied the requirements of God’s law.

Instead, I strive to live the best life I can both to please God and because I know that is what is best for me.

And I trust Jesus for the rest.

And in that trust, I have rest for my soul.

Do you stress about law enforcement? Why?
Do you stress about sin and whether you are forgiven? Again, why?
April 11, 2026

April 11th, 2026

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – 2 Corinthians 5

Highlight Verse:

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I love Spring.

It’s my favorite time of year.

Of course, it helps that I am not very affected by pollens.

Those tiny particles that irritate so many people are signs of new life.

Just a glance out our family room window shows new bright green leaves on the big tree in the back yard.

A closer look reveals new shoots on the rose bushes and flowers on the cherry trees down the street.

Life that had hidden through the winter is reminding me of the new life that Jesus wants to spread all around us.

While pollen brings new life to those ready for it and irritation to those who cannot tolerate it, we can be the spiritual pollen spreading God’s Word to all who are ready for it.

Let’s be life spreaders in this season and throughout the year.

How are you spreading life in this season?
What do you do for those who cannot tolerate the Word of Life?
Friday – Prophets

April 10th, 2026

Reading – Daniel 11-12

Highlight Verse:

““As for you, go your way until the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days, you will rise again to receive the inheritance set aside for you.””
‭‭Daniel‬ ‭12‬:‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Daniel has just been handed all these prophecies about future wars, success and failure and suffering.

And what is Daniel told to do with these prophecies?

Seal the prophecies and go your way.

I’d be like, “Then why did you tell me all this stuff?”

Obviously, the prophecies did not remain a secret forever.

I dare say that some of them have yet to be fulfilled.

They have and continue to prove God is all knowing and not bound by time.

Many have endeavored to explain each of these prophecies with historical events.

I honestly don’t know much about that.

In fact, I get to the end and see that “go your way” phrase and realize, the details of the prophecies do not matter to me personally.

What matters is that I walk in the way that God has called me.

I have a part to play in this historical spiritual battle.

While it is important that I understand the whole battle well enough to do my part well, I do not need to know every detail of every battle.

You might have noticed that the word calling is not used in this command for Daniel to go his way.

But look at Daniel. If ever there was a person with a clear calling and unswerving obedience to that calling, it was Daniel.

Daniel’s way was to walk in the calling God had for him.

If we lay hold of that same command, going your way does not me following the whims of your earthly desires.

It means to walk in the path that God has specially laid out for you.

What does “go your way” mean in the context of your life?
How are you following that command?
April 9, 2026

April 9th, 2026

Thursday – Letters

Reading – James 1

Highlight Verse:

“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.”
‭‭James‬ ‭1‬:‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Just ask.

Why didn’t I think about that?

But then, read it in context.

That wisdom may come with the price of suffering.

None of us really wants to pay that price.

But we can’t argue with the results.

I wish I could have perfect wisdom without pain, but that’s not the way it works.

Knowledge helps, especially when it’s from the Bible.

But nothing gets a lesson through our thick skulls as effectively as suffering.

I’m not saying you should run toward suffering, but if you are in the midst of it, stop and look at what lesson God is allowing you to learn from it.

Then reach beyond that suffering and thank God for that lesson.

What lessons have you learned through suffering?
What advice can you give those who are in the midst of suffering?
April 8, 2026

April 8th, 2026
Wednesday – History

Reading – 1 Chronicles 4-6

Highlight Verse:

“David assigned the following men to lead the music at the house of the Lord after the Ark was placed there.”
‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭6‬:‭31‬ ‭NLT‬‬

One of the biggest reasons I love going to church is worship.

Yes, I can worship on my own.

But there’s nothing like joining voices with fellow believers.

Over the decades, I’ve experienced worship in so many ways and places.
- In a traditional church with a pipe organ.
- On the beach around a fire with friends with guitars.
- With 35,000 other men at a NASCAR track.
- In a tiny country church with a poorly tuned piano and 20 some folks half of whom were off-key but still swung wide the gates of heaven with their worship.
- In awesome concerts with some of the best worship leaders in the world.
When I look back at thousands of worship situations and try to figure out which was the best, I can only identify one consistent trend.

When the worship leader spent more time preparing in prayer than in rehearsal, that’s when the worship connected, bridging the gap between worshipper and God.

That has proven true in that tiny country church, in a midsized church with a dedicated worship leader, in that huge men’s event, and in our current church each week.

Ironically, that same men’s organization had another large event with a popular worship leader with an incredible voice. Worship fell flat as the leader seemed to concentrate more on showing off his voice than entering God’s presence.

The bottom line is that worship is about connecting as a group with God.

God has called some very special people to lead worship.

Like David, we should do what we can to make sure those people are put in places where they can accomplish that mission.

What worship experience(s) stand(s) out in your memory?
What made them special?
April 6, 2026

April 7th, 2026

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Leviticus 20-21

Highlight Verse:

““I will also turn against those who commit spiritual prostitution by putting their trust in mediums or in those who consult the spirits of the dead. I will cut them off from the community.”
‭‭Leviticus‬ ‭20‬:‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I have known quite a few people who were into “New Age” practices, even while they claim to be Christian.

The irony is that those same practices are actually some of the oldest and most evil practices of all time.

Consulting mediums and attempting to contact the souls of the departed (in reality contacting demons in disguise) was practiced right alongside the sacrifice of children to Molech and other pagan “gods”.

God detests such practices.

They lead people away from truth and into lies of the most evil kind.

Yes, it is true that God forgives all sin, even such as these.

But there are probably no other sins that lead people away from God and into death more rapidly than consulting the lies of the devil.

If you are dabbling in “new age” meditation that seeks to contact spirit guides, I challenge you to explore what the Bible says about it and pray for direction in the right way to go.

Have you been into “new age” practices in the past and found your way to faith in Jesus?
Please share your story.
What other scriptures do you know of that deal with these types of practices?
April 6, 2026

April 6th, 2026

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Luke 14

Highlight Verse:

“For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.””
‭‭Luke‬ ‭14‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The irony of this verse is it seems to suggest that the reason you should be humble is so you can be exalted.

That’s not the point.

Jesus comes out against the narcissist who would elevate themselves above everyone else.

Inevitably, that person will be brought down, if not in this life, certainly in the next.

The falsely humble person who chooses humility to gain recognition may get that recognition in this world, but God, who sees through to the heart, will only recognize true humility in the next life.

The truly humble will not seek recognition of any sort, in this life or the next.

Those are the ones whom God can trust to lead in the next life.

While trust in Jesus and repentance is what opens the door to eternal life, humility will earn the humble a place of honor and trust.

What is your take on humility?
Do you think that the truly humble can seek a reward of honor? Or is that reward simply a consequence of humility?

They were the temple cops.

Many of those are behind the scenes.

If your church has a safety team, make sure you thank them for what they do.

In chapter 22 alone, the phrase “I am the Lord” appears eight times.

The truth of God’s holiness is not just an Old Testament thing as in this chapter but was still valid in the New Testament and is still true today.

but we need to always keep in mind the absolute respect and reverence that He deserves.

But did you ever notice how it begins?

Let me be up front and say, I don’t know.

When we bring that uncompromising version of Jesus to people, I believe people will seek Him.

Why didn’t I think of that before?

And that stress is absent from my life.

And in that trust, I have rest for my soul.

I love Spring.

Life that had hidden through the winter is reminding me of the new life that Jesus wants to spread all around us.

And what is Daniel told to do with these prophecies?

What matters is that I walk in the way that God has called me.

Why didn’t I think about that?

But nothing gets a lesson through our thick skulls as effectively as suffering.

Then reach beyond that suffering and thank God for that lesson.

One of the biggest reasons I love going to church is worship.

Over the decades, I’ve experienced worship in so many ways and places.

The bottom line is that worship is about connecting as a group with God.

The irony is that those same practices are actually some of the oldest and most evil practices of all time.

God detests such practices.

If you are dabbling in “new age” meditation that seeks to contact spirit guides, I challenge you to explore what the Bible says about it and pray for direction in the right way to go.

The irony of this verse is it seems to suggest that the reason you should be humble is so you can be exalted.

The truly humble will not seek recognition of any sort, in this life or the next.

Those are the ones whom God can trust to lead in the next life.