Walk in the Light

March 6, 2025

March 6th, 2025
Thursday – Letters

Reading – Romans 10

Highlight Verse:

“I know what enthusiasm they have for God, but it is misdirected zeal.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭10‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Paul spoke this about the people of Israel. They loved God but missed the coming of the Messiah.

There are many religions and denominations in this world. Each one is convinced that theirs is the correct theology.

Which is the right one?

I’ve always said that when we get to heaven, each one of us will likely find out something that was wrong with our theology.

It is so easy to misinterpret Scripture. But there are certain truths that are more obvious than others.
- God created everything.
- He sent His only Son Jesus to pay the price for our sin so we could spend eternity in relationship with God.
- That gift of salvation is by grace alone, not because of anything we do but by whom we trust by accepting that gift.
- Jesus died and was resurrected and then ascended to heaven.
- He sent the Holy Spirit to dwell with us and help guide us through this life.
These and probably a couple I’ve missed (this isn’t a theology class) are the essentials. There is room for disagreement on other tenets of theology.

We should not let our zeal for theological details to get in the way of the redemptive work of Jesus, no matter how convinced we are that we are right.

I’ve seen too many churches drive people away by overemphasizing beliefs that are unique to them.

And I’ve seen unstoppable revival when churches unite behind the truth of the Gospel.

Does your unique viewpoint ever get in the way of drawing people to redemption in Jesus?
Have you found ways to work with those with different takes on non-essential theology?
How did each situation work out?
March 5, 2025

March 5th, 2025

Wednesday – History

Reading – Judges 4-5

Highlight Verse:

“Sisera, who had 900 iron chariots, ruthlessly oppressed the Israelites for twenty years. Then the people of Israel cried out to the Lord for help.”
‭‭Judges‬ ‭4‬:‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

My day job is fixing copiers. It always amazes me when someone says something like, “oh it’s been doing that for months.”

I ask, “Why didn’t you call?”

The excuses vary from “we didn’t know it was covered” to “no one knew how to call,” at which time I point to the sticker with the phone number, email address and website right there on the machine.

The Israelites waited twenty years before calling for help!

Why?

I can only guess they thought they could handle it themselves. Or maybe they were ashamed.

Either way, help was a sincere prayer away.

How many times do we do the same thing?

Maybe not for twenty years, but we try to take care of the impossible ourselves?

Maybe we think we deserve what we get. Or we think we aren’t worthy?

News flash – we’re not worthy. But, he loves us anyway and wants the best for us.

Like a loving Father, God is willing to step into the most impossible situation and rescue us or give us the strength to get through it.

We can ask for God’s help anytime.

Why wait?

Have you ever delayed asking for God’s help?
When you got around to asking, did He fix the situation or you?
March 4, 2025

March 4th, 2025

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Genesis 14

Highlight Verses:

“Abram replied to the king of Sodom, “I solemnly swear to the Lord, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, that I will not take so much as a single thread or sandal thong from what belongs to you. Otherwise you might say, ‘I am the one who made Abram rich.’”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭14‬:‭22‬-‭23‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Was it Abram’s pride or wisdom that made him not accept Sodom’s wealth?

Maybe both.

Certainly Sodom’s reputation was known to Abram. It was not a group of people with which he wanted to be associated.

Instead, Abram used this situation to show his dedication to the Lord by giving to Melchizedek, a priest of God.

Jesus said that where your treasure is, there is your heart.

Abram’s heart was with the Lord.

If you want to know where your heart is, take a look at your bank statements.

As one who has struggled with giving in the past, I can tell you that I understand if you have struggled with it too.

I can also tell you from experience that God honors generous giving with provision.

Has giving ever been a financial challenge to you?
How has the Lord provided when you have risen to the challenge?
March 3, 2025

March 3rd, 2025

Monday – Gospels

Reading – John 10

Highlight Verse:

“The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.”
‭‭John‬ ‭10‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

If you follow Jesus and your life is boring, you’re doing it wrong.

Sure, I’ve had some fun and excitement when I’ve done things my way. But that doesn’t compare with the joy, wonder, and peace that come when I follow what Jesus taught.

If we are open to it, God will challenge us beyond what we ever thought possible.

He’d have us step out of our safe zone into a life full of the miraculous.

He’d have us experience joy that goes beyond definition.

He’d have us change the world.

So, if life is boring right now and you are willing to let it get interesting in a good way, ask God to show you where He wants you to step out in faith.

Can you share any interesting stories of when God led you into a time of trusting God beyond the ordinary?
How has God blessed you when you have been willing to step out in faith?
March 2, 2025

March 2nd, 2025

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Psalms 25-26

Highlight Verses:

“I trust in you, my God! Do not let me be disgraced, or let my enemies rejoice in my defeat. No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced, but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭25‬:‭2‬-‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Moral failure among leaders has been an unfortunate truth in Christian society. Prominent leaders sometimes lead a double-life, hiding their secret sins.

In some cases, the lies go on and build up for so long that the effects ripple throughout the community.

In every case, if these leaders had caring, honest accountability, tragedy could have been averted. Sin could have been proverbially “nipped in the bud.”

Every one of us is human and susceptible to sin and it’s effects. Even King David, who wrote this Psalm felt the effects of serious sin.

God heals and restores from even the most serious sin.

It is far better to seek that healing before the need becomes far more widespread.

Do you have someone you can confide in for accountability?
Have you lived through such a restoration? What advice can you give those in need of restoration?
March 1, 2025

March 1st, 2025

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – 2 Peter 1

Highlight Verse:

“In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.”
‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭1‬:‭5‬-‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Lent begins Wednesday.

But that’s not why people are partying in New Orleans and Rio this week.

Oh, it’s the excuse for the party but it’s safe to say that a majority of the people who throw off restraint this week for Mardis Gras won’t be fasting for Lent.

This might sound judgmental but I must confess that I can be guilty of the same type of behavior.

No, I’m not getting drunk or being unfaithful to my wife. But I tend to overeat before a fast. And, of course, I eat way too much over the holidays just before time for New Year’s resolutions. Not to mention my selfish tendencies.

Why do we humans do that?

I don’t know about you but I’m still in the midst of my walk down this moral excellence road. Moral excellence will never earn me salvation. That is through God’s grace alone.

We seek to be the most godly we can be in response to God’s amazing promises to us.

As this passage implies, it is a journey. Most of the time I’m heading the right way on that path.

What direction are you heading?
What do you do to keep on the right path?
February 28, 2025

February 28th, 2025

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Isaiah 25-27

Highlight Verse:

“But you are a tower of refuge to the poor, O Lord, a tower of refuge to the needy in distress. You are a refuge from the storm and a shelter from the heat. For the oppressive acts of ruthless people are like a storm beating against a wall,”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭25‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

One afternoon, I went for a hike on a mountain trail in Virginia.

Just after starting up the trail, it started to sprinkle. It felt good in the August heat.

Before we reached the top, it didn’t feel so good.

Lightning struck every few seconds. Rain came down sideways in sheets. I was soaked to the bone.

At the top of the trail was a stone cabin. Everyone on the upper half of the trail rushed to the cabin for shelter. When I got into the cabin, it was packed with people but I was relieved when I stuffed myself into the crowd.

I was safe.

The strong towers of Biblical times kept people safe from storms and enemies.

They united the people of a town for protection. (See Judges 9:50-53)

Those who did not rush to the strong tower did so at their own peril.

To finish my story, I left that mountain top shelter to get to a bus shelter for a ride down the mountain. While in the open wooden bus shelter, lightning struck it.

The shock from that bolt of lightning was intense but, as it hit several of us indirectly, it wasn’t life threatening.

Today we can find shelter from life’s storms in God’s presence with lots of other people seeking shelter.

While it is possible to be a believer on your own, doing so leaves you exposed to all the attacks of the enemy and storms of life.

When we seek God together, we find protection, healing, and growth.

Where do you find shelter?
Have you ever tried to “go it alone”? How did that work out?
February 27, 2025

February 27th, 2025

Thursday – Letters

Reading – Romans 9

Highlight Verse:

“Concerning the Gentiles, God says in the prophecy of Hosea, “Those who were not my people, I will now call my people. And I will love those whom I did not love before.””
‭‭Romans‬ ‭9‬:‭25‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I took one of those ancestry DNA tests.

When it comes to ethnic heritage, I’m a mess.

True, my dad was pure Mexican, but that’s like saying he was American. My grandpa was a Spaniard and my grandma was indigenous.

And my mom? Take every northern European race with very fair skin and mix them all together and you get my mom, whose skin was so white it was translucent.

I mostly got my mom’s skin. I tell my friends I’m half Mexican and when they stop laughing they say, “no really, what nationality are you?”

In God’s book, it doesn’t matter one bit.

Sure, I’ll go one celebrating Cinco De Mayo and Saint Patrick’s Day, but my identity is in Christ.

It is He who will define my worth. (Hint, He values me and you so much that He died for us).

It is He who will define my role in life. I find value in fulfilling it.

How does your identity in Christ help define your role in life?
Does your earthly heritage affect your identity in Christ?
February 26, 2025

February 26th, 2025

Wednesday – History

Reading – Judges 1-3

Highlight Verse:

“Whenever the Lord raised up a judge over Israel, he was with that judge and rescued the people from their enemies throughout the judge’s lifetime. For the Lord took pity on his people, who were burdened by oppression and suffering.”
‭‭Judges‬ ‭2‬:‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The people of Israel didn’t need a king. They had the Lord.

The problem was, they didn’t know how to listen to the Lord. So

God gave them leaders who heard from God and inspired the people to overcome their problems through God’s power.

Why were the called judges?

It was because they established justice within Israel and brought justice to Israel’s enemies.

In the following chapters, we will read of many interesting characters who filled that role in the time of the judges.

What leaders have inspired you to follow God more closely?
How have you seen leaders bring justice?
February 25, 2025

February 25th, 2025

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Genesis 12-13

Highlight Verse:

“But the Lord sent terrible plagues upon Pharaoh and his household because of Sarai, Abram’s wife.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭12‬:‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I was a history major in college (the first time around).

I wanted to teach history to teens because, as one of my professors put it,

“he who ignores history is destined to repeat it.”

Pharaoh at the time of Moses must have ignored history.

The Pharaoh at Abram’s time sent Abram and Sarai away with gifts when God sent plagues on his household.

The later Pharaoh took a lot longer to convince.

I’ve also heard it said that, while we should learn from our mistakes, it’s better to learn from other people’s mistakes before they become our mistakes.

I know I learned a lot from my older brother’s mistakes. He had to deal with a lot more problems because he was the one who made them.

I got off easy having avoided some of those pitfalls of youth.

Learning never ends.

One thing I have learned in life is that it is a whole lot easier to find the right path than to stray from it.

I am thankful for all that people in my life who have helped me stay on it (or get back on it when I strayed) – some by good example, some by bad.

What have you learned from history that has influenced your life for the better?
What have you learned from other’s bad examples?

Which is the right one?

I’ve seen too many churches drive people away by overemphasizing beliefs that are unique to them.

And I’ve seen unstoppable revival when churches unite behind the truth of the Gospel.

The Israelites waited twenty years before calling for help!

Why?

News flash – we’re not worthy. But, he loves us anyway and wants the best for us.

Like a loving Father, God is willing to step into the most impossible situation and rescue us or give us the strength to get through it.

Why wait?

Was it Abram’s pride or wisdom that made him not accept Sodom’s wealth?

Jesus said that where your treasure is, there is your heart.

If you want to know where your heart is, take a look at your bank statements.

If you follow Jesus and your life is boring, you’re doing it wrong.

He’d have us experience joy that goes beyond definition.

He’d have us change the world.

In every case, if these leaders had caring, honest accountability, tragedy could have been averted. Sin could have been proverbially “nipped in the bud.”

It is far better to seek that healing before the need becomes far more widespread.

Lent begins Wednesday.

But that’s not why people are partying in New Orleans and Rio this week.

This might sound judgmental but I must confess that I can be guilty of the same type of behavior.

We seek to be the most godly we can be in response to God’s amazing promises to us.

As this passage implies, it is a journey. Most of the time I’m heading the right way on that path.

I was safe.

Those who did not rush to the strong tower did so at their own peril.

When we seek God together, we find protection, healing, and growth.

When it comes to ethnic heritage, I’m a mess.

Sure, I’ll go one celebrating Cinco De Mayo and Saint Patrick’s Day, but my identity is in Christ.

It is He who will define my role in life. I find value in fulfilling it.

God gave them leaders who heard from God and inspired the people to overcome their problems through God’s power.

It was because they established justice within Israel and brought justice to Israel’s enemies.

“he who ignores history is destined to repeat it.”

I’ve also heard it said that, while we should learn from our mistakes, it’s better to learn from other people’s mistakes before they become our mistakes.

I am thankful for all that people in my life who have helped me stay on it (or get back on it when I strayed) – some by good example, some by bad.