Walk in the Light

October 21, 2024

October 21st, 2024

Monday – Gospels and Acts

Reading – Acts 19

Highlight Verse:

““Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” he asked them. “No,” they replied, “we haven’t even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.””
‭‭Acts of the Apostles‬ ‭19‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I’ve been to many different kinds of churches.

Some ignore the Holy Spirit altogether.

Some spend every moment teaching about the Holy Spirit and trying to practice the gifts of the Spirit.

In my experience, the Holy Spirit is key to drawing people to Jesus.

People have to make their own decisions, but the Holy Spirit can work in them and through others around them to draw people to the place where they can make that decision.

To ignore the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit is foolish.

So is ignoring the rest of life in Christ to chase the miraculous.

The people of Ephesus had believed in the Gospel but had not experienced the Holy Spirit.

When they received the Holy Spirit, the ministry there took off like crazy.

Have you asked the Holy Spirit to come into your life?
Are you willing to let the Holy Spirit move in miraculous ways in your life?
October 20, 2024

October 20th, 2024

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Job 23-24

Highlight Verse:

““Why doesn’t the Almighty bring the wicked to judgment? Why must the godly wait for him in vain?”
‭‭Job‬ ‭24‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Have you ever asked questions like that?

You go through life struggling to get by while some jerk you know is making a killing with their successful business based on ungodly principles.

Why those people succeeded I have no idea. This chapter doesn’t tell us though we know that this life on earth is just a quick drop in the bucket compared to eternal life.

What this chapter does demonstrate for us is that it’s okay to ask the tough questions of God.

Job was venting his frustration.

As we find our later,

God was listening.

Are there frustrations you have been bottling up?
Have you let God know of your struggles?
October 19, 2024

October 19th, 2024

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – 1 Peter 5

Highlight Verse:

“Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.”
‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭5‬:‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I’ve often heard this verse used flippantly.

It’s sometimes used as the “Don’t worry, be happy” verse of the Bible.

This chapter, however, is full of tough commands.

Care for the flock, be humble, stay alert, watch out for the devil. Oh yes, and you’ll suffer.

Add to that the toughest command, cast your cares to God.

It’s not a promise that life will be happy and carefree.

It is a promise that God will carry you through it.

Is it harder for you to “Watch out” or to “give your worries and cares to God?”
Can we pray for you and each other as we all do the tough job of giving our worries to God?
October 18, 2024

October 18th, 2024

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Zephaniah 3

Highlight – Verse:

“For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.””
‭‭Zephaniah‬ ‭3‬:‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This chapter begins with condemning Jerusalem.

In this verse, He delights over His people in Jerusalem.

What changed in 17 verses?

Jesus.

Zephaniah predicts God dwelling in Jerusalem in His perfection and purifying His people.

Jesus did that.

And there was much rejoicing!

Have you ever pictured Jesus singing and celebrating over you?
Do you know how delighted He is by the salvation of His children?
October 17, 2024

October 17th, 2024

Thursday – Letters

Reading – Revelation 12

Highlight Verse:

“This great dragon—the ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, the one deceiving the whole world—was thrown down to the earth with all his angels.”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭12‬:‭9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This verse always reminds me of the great old anti-pickup line, “Did you fall to earth from heaven… ‘cause so did Satan.”

Except he didn’t fall, he was thrown.

I take great comfort in that because the same hands that grabbed Satan by the collar and tossed him and his minions from heaven can easily keep that devil away from me.

I do not fear the devil.

I don’t just know the final score (God – ∞, Satan – 0) but I know Who has the strength to get me through each and every battle.

Who holds the power in your life?
Whom do you fear?
October 16, 2024

October 16th, 2024

Wednesday – History

Reading – Nehemiah 3-4

Highlight Verse:

“Above the Horse Gate, the priests repaired the wall. Each one repaired the section immediately across from his own house.”
‭‭Nehemiah‬ ‭3‬:‭28‬ ‭NLT‬‬

You read that right.

Even the priests were doing construction.

Those who had returned to Jerusalem after the exile found themselves in a desperate situation.

Their enemies were threatening to undo their work and return the city to ruins.

They could have panicked and fled.

They could have fought among themselves about how to respond until it was too late.

Or they could have united and worked together, everyone doing their part regardless of social position.

And that’s exactly what they did.

Everyone worked, either laboring to build the wall or protecting the laborers.

What would this world be like if all believers came together with one purpose?
What are we desperate for enough to do that?
October 15, 2024

October 15th, 2024

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Deuteronomy 13-14

Highlight Verses:

“and the predicted signs or miracles occur. If they then say, ‘Come, let us worship other gods’—gods you have not known before— do not listen to them. The Lord your God is testing you to see if you truly love him with all your heart and soul.”
‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭13‬:‭2‬-‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

There have been many respected people who have lead people astray from the Gospel with convincing arguments and enticing promises.

Some have even “proven” their authority by miraculous signs.

But let’s be very clear, if their words disagree with the Word of God, they are at best, wrong, and at worst, purposely trying to keep people out of heaven.

Do you know the Word of God well enough to tell when someone is trying to lure you away from devotion to God?
What are some things that could attempt to lure you away from pure devotion to God?
October 14, 2024

October 14th, 2024

Monday – Gospels and Acts

Reading – Acts 18

Highlight Verse:

“Paul lived and worked with them, for they were tentmakers just as he was.”
‭‭Acts of the Apostles‬ ‭18‬:‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Did you know that Paul was a working man?

His profession allowed him to work almost anywhere. Leather working tools could be carried with him as he travelled.

It also enabled him to make friends with people like Priscilla and Aquila.

During his extended stays in Athens and Corinth, he was able to support himself with his profession.

Most ministers of the Gospel are not full-time pastors.

The gospel is best spread by ordinary people.

Yes, what Paul did in bringing the Gospel to the world was extraordinary.

But he was an ordinary guy.

Did you know that you have the same qualifications to spread the Gospel as Paul?
What opportunities for spreading the Gospel are available in your ordinary life?
October 13, 2024

October 13th, 2024

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Job 21-22

Highlight Verse:

“You must have refused water for the thirsty and food for the hungry.”
‭‭Job‬ ‭22‬:‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

In light of yesterday’s reading, it was easy to notice that the sins that Eliphaz falsely accuses Job of revolve around not being generous.

The idea that selfishness is sin agrees with Jesus’ teaching in the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37).

Eliphaz was just ranting incorrectly about Job, but his rantings reflected the importance of generosity in Hebrew culture.

That generosity is rooted in God’s Word from the start.

That generosity is still what God expects from us today.

What do you think God expects from us regarding generosity?
How are you doing in fulfilling that expectation?
October 12, 2024

October 12th, 2024

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Hebrews 5:11-14

Highlight Verse:

“Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭5‬:‭14‬ ‭NLT‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Last Sunday we were treated to a message from Andy Stanley.

He pointed out that

Jesus didn’t call people to be more spiritual but to be more mature.

As today’s verse implies, he pointed out that maturity is not ME focused, but WE focused.

That is the biggest difference between right and wrong.

Is your faith focused on yourself or others?
What are some ways that we can focus on others instead of ourselves?

In my experience, the Holy Spirit is key to drawing people to Jesus.

To ignore the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit is foolish.

So is ignoring the rest of life in Christ to chase the miraculous.

Have you ever asked questions like that?

What this chapter does demonstrate for us is that it’s okay to ask the tough questions of God.

God was listening.

It’s sometimes used as the “Don’t worry, be happy” verse of the Bible.

Care for the flock, be humble, stay alert, watch out for the devil. Oh yes, and you’ll suffer.

It is a promise that God will carry you through it.

What changed in 17 verses?

Jesus.

And there was much rejoicing!

Except he didn’t fall, he was thrown.

I don’t just know the final score (God – ∞, Satan – 0) but I know Who has the strength to get me through each and every battle.

Even the priests were doing construction.

Or they could have united and worked together, everyone doing their part regardless of social position.

And that’s exactly what they did.

But let’s be very clear, if their words disagree with the Word of God, they are at best, wrong, and at worst, purposely trying to keep people out of heaven.

Did you know that Paul was a working man?

The gospel is best spread by ordinary people.

But he was an ordinary guy.

The idea that selfishness is sin agrees with Jesus’ teaching in the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37).

That generosity is rooted in God’s Word from the start.

That generosity is still what God expects from us today.

Jesus didn’t call people to be more spiritual but to be more mature.

As today’s verse implies, he pointed out that maturity is not ME focused, but WE focused.