Walk in the Light

November 20, 2024

November 20th, 2024

Wednesday – History

Reading – Esther 1

Highlight Verse:

“These events happened in the days of King Xerxes, who reigned over 127 provinces stretching from India to Ethiopia.”
‭‭Esther‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I didn’t realize until today that the Persian Empire was huge.

2.1 million square miles to be exact.

That’s more than half the size of the United States.

It had 50 million people, 2500 years ago.

That was almost half the world’s population at that time.

And God put Esther, a refugee from a small country, right at the heart of the Empire.

Right where He needed her to be.

If God’s calling on your life seems way too big; if you feel inadequate for the position,

Think again.

To what do you believe God has called you?
Do you believe He can get you there?
He can!
November 19, 2024

November 19th, 2024

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Deuteronomy 23-24

Highlight Verse:

““Never take advantage of poor and destitute laborers, whether they are fellow Israelites or foreigners living in your towns.”
‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭24‬:‭14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Mixed among the various rules about purity are several rules about treating people fairly and with compassion.

I dare say, if employers had followed these principles with the compassion with which they were intended, slavery would have been gone long before it was, the Civil War may have never been fought, and unions would have been unneeded.

We cannot change the past. But we can change the future.

While the specifics have changed with the passing of time, the heart of compassion behind these rules can still be found and acted upon.

I say let’s do it.

In what ways can you extend a heart of compassion to those around you?
What other rules here reflect God’s heart.
November 18, 2024

November 18th, 2024

Monday – Gospels and Acts

Reading – Acts 23

Highlight Verse:

“That night the Lord appeared to Paul and said, “Be encouraged, Paul. Just as you have been a witness to me here in Jerusalem, you must preach the Good News in Rome as well.””
‭‭Acts of the Apostles‬ ‭23‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I couldn’t help but focus on God’s words in this chapter.

Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, came right out and gave Paul a message – Paul was to preach in Rome.

To preface he gave the purpose of the prophecy – “Be encouraged.”

I’m not the Holy Spirit but I can assure you that the same message is for you – the “Be encouraged” part.

You might not be called to preach in Rome, but each of us is called to ministry.

That ministry may not take the shape that we envisioned. I’m pretty sure Paul didn’t plan on traveling to Rome as a prisoner.

But God will make a way for you to step into the ministry role He has planned for you.

I would even be bold enough to say that the amount of determination you have to fulfill God’s calling on your life will help determine the number of obstacles God will help you overcome to fulfill that calling.

Where have you seen God move proverbial mountains so that you can move toward fulfilling the call on your life?
Are you willing to press on to overcome even more obstacles?
November 17, 2024

November 17th, 2024

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Job 31-32

Highlight Verse:
“Job’s three friends refused to reply further to him because he kept insisting on his innocence.”
‭‭Job‬ ‭32‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Many years ago, I met Gary Chapman, first husband of Christian Music icon Amy Grant.

He was a really nice guy.

A couple years later, I was incensed when Amy divorced him.

I had a very judgmental attitude toward her.

Just like Job’s friends had toward him.

Later, I learned more of the story behind the divorce. Then I lived through my own divorce story.

My judgmental attitude disappeared.

Even if he had kept himself clean from all other sin, he exhibited the sin of pride.

Job was not God.

But I harbor no judgement toward him.

It’s harder not to judge his friends but, given my past, I have no right to judge them either.

There is only one who has the right to pass judgement. That is, He who was truly without sin, Jesus.

And He is the only one who chose to pay for our sins by giving His life as a payment for our guilt.

Now, when I feel like I need to judge someone, I remember that is not in my job description.

My job is to lead people to the one who paid that price that their sins would not be held against them.

What is your opinion on judging others, especially fellow believers?
What can we do to lead to Jesus those you’ve thought should be judged?
November 16, 2024

November 15th, 2024

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Matthew 8:23-27

Highlight Verse:

“Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭8‬:‭26‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Several years ago, I was at an outdoor Christian music festival. In the evening, a time of worship and ministry had begun on the main stage as a nasty looking thunderstorm headed our way. The thousands there prayed.

I am not exaggerating when I describe the storm splitting in two and blowing past to the north and south of us.

As I write this, a tropical storm is pounding Honduras where a dear friend of ours runs a ministry in San Pedro Sula. The people she ministers to often live on the edge of survival already and flooding and winds threaten very many in that country.

I believe God is more than capable of calming that storm as well.

While I know that God does not always calm the storms when we pray for the miraculous. But I know He listens, and I believe that our prayers make a difference, whether it be calming the storm or helping people weather it.

Would you pray with me for the people of Honduras and that region?
November 15, 2024

November 15th, 2024

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Zechariah 5-6

Highlight Verse:

“I looked up again and saw a scroll flying through the air.”
‭‭Zechariah‬ ‭5‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

If I were Zechariah, I’d be thinking, “Okay, what was in those tacos?” Or something like that.

Let’s just say – there was some very creative imagery in this book.

In fact, there are several passages in the Bible that are uniquely artistic in their rendering.

Some might use this logic to cast doubt on the trustworthiness of the Bible.

I would say these unique artistic viewpoints support the trustworthiness of the Bible.

After all, religious people would be likely to sanitize these parts out to make the Bible appear more religiously correct.

If it really is the Word of God, then it would stand the test of time.

And it has.

God really did give these visions.

And we would do well to learn from them.

Why do you think God used such creative imagery in these prophecies?
How can you tell they are real?
November 14, 2024

November 14th, 2024

Thursday – Letters

Reading – Revelations 16

Highlight Verse:

“and they cursed the God of heaven for their pains and sores. But they did not repent of their evil deeds and turn to God.”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭16‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The Book of Revelation has always made me uncomfortable.

When I was young, I avoided it altogether.

And now, I struggle with what verse to pick and what to say about it.

The thought occurred to me that chapters like this show the earth as a construction zone in the demolition phase.

But then I thought that was an insensitive and even crass way to look at it.

I look at verse 5 and think that God is completely justified in punishing those who rejected him.

But I think that misses the ultimate heart of God.

I believe the ultimate heart of God comes in the desperate attempt before the final chapter of Earth, to bring people to a place where they can finally come to eternal life.

Twice this chapter mentions that people did not repent. Other times it speaks of people cursing God.

To me, that means God’s desire was for people to turn from evil and repent into new life.

One final thing this chapter shows me is that it will be much easier to come to new life now than it will be in those final last days.

What do you think? Is it God’s will to judge or to bring people to repentance? Or both?
What can we do to spare people the pain and suffering that will be here during the final days?
November 13, 2024

November 13th, 2024

Wednesday – History

Reading – Nehemiah 11-13

Highlight Verse:

“The two choirs that were giving thanks then proceeded to the Temple of God, where they took their places. So did I, together with the group of leaders who were with me.”
‭‭Nehemiah‬ ‭12‬:‭40‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Once the wall was finished, Nehemiah had two choirs march along the top of the wall surrounding the city with thanks.

This wall was broad enough for 2 or 3 people to walk beside each other. It stretched two and a half miles around the center of the city.

Couple that with the fact the choirs were huge, it must have been quite the site (and sound).

I doubt anyone left unchanged.

Do you make it a practice to give God thanks?
What kind of differences would you expect if you gave thanks in every victory?
November 12, 2024

November 12th, 2024

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Deuteronomy 21-22

Highlight Verse:

““If you see your neighbor’s ox or sheep or goat wandering away, don’t ignore your responsibility. Take it back to its owner.”
‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭22‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

There are a lot of rules in this chapter that were either specific to the culture or superseded by the Cross.

But they all had strong principles behind them.

Today’s verse has a unique command.

While it’s much less likely today that people would have to follow the letter of this law, the idea still holds true.

Simply put, watch out for your neighbor’s stuff.

If we watched out for each other like suggested here, our communities would be stronger and safer.

Have you ever returned one of your neighbor’s possessions you found?
What other things can you do for your neighbor to build community?
November 11, 2024

November 11th, 2024

Monday – Gospels and Acts

Reading – Acts 22

Highlight Verse:

“The crowd listened until Paul said that word. Then they all began to shout, “Away with such a fellow! He isn’t fit to live!””
‭‭Acts of the Apostles‬ ‭22‬:‭22‬ ‭NLT‬‬

What made the crowds so violently angry with Paul?

He just told them that he would take the message that they rejected and give it to the Gentiles.

At first, this makes no sense. Why would they care as long as Paul quits trying to share that message with them?

Someone among them knew there was power in that message. They knew their agenda would be hindered if the powerful message of salvation got out into the world.

They did everything they could to stop it.

What I love about this situation is that, not only could they not stop the message from spreading, but their violent reaction also helped spread it farther by giving Paul the means to bring it to those in charge in Rome.

Sometimes we run into roadblocks as we try to spread God’s love to the world.

When that happens, we don’t need to wallow in self pity. We just need to look for the new opportunities opening up as a result of that roadblock.

Have you experienced roadblocks to sharing the Gospel?
What new opportunities opened up for you?

I didn’t realize until today that the Persian Empire was huge.

That was almost half the world’s population at that time.

And God put Esther, a refugee from a small country, right at the heart of the Empire.

Think again.

We cannot change the past. But we can change the future.

To preface he gave the purpose of the prophecy – “Be encouraged.”

I’m not the Holy Spirit but I can assure you that the same message is for you – the “Be encouraged” part.

But God will make a way for you to step into the ministry role He has planned for you.

I had a very judgmental attitude toward her.

My judgmental attitude disappeared.

And He is the only one who chose to pay for our sins by giving His life as a payment for our guilt.

Would you pray with me for the people of Honduras and that region?

Let’s just say – there was some very creative imagery in this book.

If it really is the Word of God, then it would stand the test of time.

And we would do well to learn from them.

The Book of Revelation has always made me uncomfortable.

But I think that misses the ultimate heart of God.

To me, that means God’s desire was for people to turn from evil and repent into new life.

One final thing this chapter shows me is that it will be much easier to come to new life now than it will be in those final last days.

Couple that with the fact the choirs were huge, it must have been quite the site (and sound).

I doubt anyone left unchanged.

But they all had strong principles behind them.

Simply put, watch out for your neighbor’s stuff.

What made the crowds so violently angry with Paul?

What I love about this situation is that, not only could they not stop the message from spreading, but their violent reaction also helped spread it farther by giving Paul the means to bring it to those in charge in Rome.

When that happens, we don’t need to wallow in self pity. We just need to look for the new opportunities opening up as a result of that roadblock.