Walk in the Light

May 13, 2025

May 13th, 2025

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Genesis 31-32

Highlight Verse:

“He has reduced our rights to those of foreign women. And after he sold us, he wasted the money you paid him for us.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭31‬:‭15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I find it ironic that Rachel and Leah are complaining about being sold by their father to the man who bought them.

Reading between the lines, it appears that Jacob treated them much better than their father Laban did.

The very fact that Rachel and Leah felt free to say, “That’s fine with us!” (v.14) shows that Jacob respected them.

What I find sad in this whole story is how Laban made his daughters and son-in-law feel like they didn’t belong in the family.

From his speech later in the chapter, it’s evident that Laban did not see anything wrong with his actions and attitude toward Jacob and his daughters.

I pray that I would never be so blind as to make my extended family feel that disrespected.

If you have grown children and children-in-law, how do you keep them feeling welcome?
If you are younger adults, how do your parents and in-laws make you feel?
How do you positively contribute to those relationships?
May 12, 2025

May 12th, 2025

Monday – Gospels

Reading – John 20-21

Highlight Verse:

“Simon Peter said, “I’m going fishing.” “We’ll come, too,” they all said. So they went out in the boat, but they caught nothing all night.”
‭‭John‬ ‭21‬:‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

There’s not a lot of detail before this story. We know that Jesus already appeared to the disciples. Apparently, some time had passed, and the disciples had been waiting.

Peter got impatient.

Maybe they were running out of food or money.

Maybe they were just bored.

But Peter said I’m fishing, and the others followed his lead back to their old profession.

It might have been the wrong thing to do.

They probably should have had more faith and patience.

But Jesus met them where they were, though He had to get their attention through the fish.

He then went out of His way to make sure that Peter felt forgiven from his denials (ch 18) and that knew he was to lead Jesus’ followers.

Sometimes we miss the path that God set before us.

We may not be doing anything bad, but God might have a better path for us.

Rest assured that He will meet us where we are and guide us to where we should be.

We have only to listen and trust.

What course corrections has God made in your life?
What did it take to get your attention?
May 11, 2025

May 11th, 2025

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Psalms 56-58

Highlight Verse:

“I praise God for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭56‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

When I was young, I feared a lot of things.
• What do people think about me?
• What if I get lost?
• Is someone going at attack me?
• Will I get in a car wreck?

When I read this verse, I had to think about when the last time I had any fear.

I don’t fear often now but my fears mostly happen when one of my children or my wife is late getting home.

Then there’s the fear of any of my children not finding salvation in time – a very real possibility at this point.

As much as those are concerns to me, there is one in this household whose concern for our children is even stronger.

A mother’s love goes deeper than life itself.

She fears for her children every day and intercedes on their behalf constantly.

And if you try to harm her children, you’d better fear!

My mom has been in heaven for almost 5 years now.

With that in mind, I would urge those of you who still have their moms around to show her your appreciation today while you have her around.

Letting her know you’re doing well might help her feel better too.
May 10, 2025

May 10th, 2025

Saturday – Open topic

Reading – Genesis 2:1-3

Highlight Verse:

“On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭2‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I had a busy week with a lot of physical activity.

When Friday morning came, my body said, “I don’t think so.”

Since I didn’t have anything I needed to do in person, I decided to take the day off after a morning online meeting.

Then the workaholic kicked in and I spent over half the day getting some computer work done, but at least I gave my body a break.

Seriously, I have always had a tendency to overdo it.

As I age, I realize more and more the importance of giving my body and mind a break.

God’s standard for rest is one day a week.

In recent years I’ve been more consistent in getting that rest.

I also believe the precedent set in the Old Testament for consistent worship with others on that day off is still valid today.

If it worked for God and the people of Israel, why shouldn’t it work for me?

Do you get the rest God commanded us to take?
Have you been able to work in group worship time each week too?
May 9, 2025

May 9th, 2025

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Isaiah 55-57

Highlight Verse:

““My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭55‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I’d like to think that I’ve gotten close enough to God to understand His thoughts.

But then, when I first read this chapter, my thoughts went something like, “Ooh, free food and drink.”

My perspective is so tied to this physical life that I often totally miss God’s perspective.

My limited perspective makes completely understanding God impossible.

My best bet is to follow the advice of verse 3 and listen with my ears wide open to what God would want me to hear.

Have you been able to get glimpses of God’s perspective?
How did it differ from your perspective?
May 8, 2025

May 8th, 2025

Thursday – Letters

Reading – 1 Corinthians 5-6

Highlight Verse:

“It isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I glance at this verse and wonder if it gives me license to start preaching “hell-fire and brimstone” to those in the church acting sinfully.

Tempting, but I honestly don’t think that’s the point here.

Knowing the heart of God in the context of the New Testament and Paul and the church he is writing to, I see the Father using every means possible to guide His children to the best life possible.

I also see His heart wanting to save people from hell.

It should also be noted that the first readers of this letter would be the leaders of the church. It urges them to lead.

The leaders of the church at Corinth were doing a terrible job of guiding people away from sin. For the sake of those people, the leaders needed to recognize sin and warn them of it.

While the people’s sin would not cause them to directly lose their salvation, when they wander too far down the path of sin, they were in real danger of losing their trust in God, thereby losing salvation.

Quite often people that far off the path pull others down that path with them, prompting Paul’s warning not to associate with them.

The point is, stay as far away as possible from the path that leads to losing faith and encourage other to stay of the path of faith.

Have you seen people pull others with them down a path away from faith? (I have, multiple times).
Have you ever started down that path yourself? What brought you back?
May 7, 2025

May 7th, 2025

Wednesday – History

Reading – Ruth 1-2

Highlight Verse:

“May the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully for what you have done.””
‭‭Ruth‬ ‭2‬:‭12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

We are saved by grace alone, not by works.

The idea of karma and “What goes around comes around” is misleading.

But let’s be honest, the good things we do often have good results.

Thankfulness to and love for God are far better reasons to do good.

But I don’t think it’s harmful to believe that when we are faithful, generous, and diligent, we are likely to reap some reward for that here on earth.

The reward may only be the satisfaction of knowing you did well.

Then again, sometimes we see a more tangible reward. Promotions, raises, respect, and even gifts are often rewarded to those who are faithful, generous, and diligent.

Ruth is a prime example of blessings received from faithfulness.

Those blessings should not be expected but they can be appreciated and gracefully accepted like in Ruth’s story.

Have you seen blessings as a result of faithfulness, generosity, or diligence?
How did you handle it?
May 6, 2025

May 6th, 2025

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Genesis 29-30

Highlight Verse:

“Then Jacob kissed Rachel, and he wept aloud.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭29‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Let’s get the obvious out of the way. The kiss was a traditional kiss of greeting with no romantic connotations.

Still, the scene is a bit surprising.

In light of that, I decided to try to imagine the scene from Jacob’s point of view.

He had just travelled across the desert.

On the way he had an incredible vision of a ladder to Heaven.

Now he was seeing long lost family. – It didn’t hurt that they were glad to see him.

Perhaps meeting his future wife may have added to his emotions.

Whatever the reason, he had no problem with showing his emotions.

The display didn’t seem to disturb his relatives.

He dealt with his emotions quickly and proceeded to get to know his new-found family.

How do you deal with emotions?
Do they simmer or flow freely?
May 5, 2025

May 5th, 2025

Monday – Gospel

Reading – John 19

Highlight Verse:

“When Jesus had tasted it, he said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”
‭‭John‬ ‭19‬:‭30‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“¡Todo se ha cumplido!” in Spanish (in honor of Cinco de Mayo).

“Tetelestai” (τετελεσται) in Greek.

“It is finished!”

The original Greek word implies an action that has been completed but has lasting effects.

In that moment, on the cross, the work for our salvation was completed.

No more work is needed. It is complete.

You don’t have to make sacrifices, do good works, or complete religious acts to be saved.

You don’t even have to behave.

It is finished!

Of course, there are good reasons to live a righteous life including gratitude to God and the positive effects it will have on your life.

Also, turning from sin and doing good things are usually the first evidence that you have accepted that salvation.

But your salvation is a done deal. All you need to do is accept it.

Does that make you breathe a sigh of relief?
Are you tempted to do good deeds out of guilt or duty? Have you tried doing good things just for the joy of it?
May 4, 2025

May 4th, 2025
Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Psalms 52-55

Highlight Verse:

“Please listen and answer me, for I am overwhelmed by my troubles.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭55‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

When I moved to Colorado, I was nearly broke.

I had all my worldly goods packed in and on an old minivan.

About 10pm on that first travel day, 10 miles from the nearest exit on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, in nearly freezing rain, the van threw a rod.

The engine was toast.

When I finally got towed off the Turnpike and got myself safely into a motel, I had a little talk with God.

All I could say was,

“I’ve got nothing God,

this is all up to you. Please provide a way to complete my move so I can be near my kiddo.”

I was overwhelmed.

Granted, I wasn’t being chased by enemies, but it felt like it.

And God provided.
- He provided a mechanic.
- He provided an engine.
- He provided a much needed 4 day rest.
- He provided a generous relative.
- He provided a patient new employer.
- And He provided a patient new landlord.
He’s been providing ever since.

If you’ve heard this story before, I apologize but I felt like someone needed the encouragement today.

Have you been in impossible situations before?
How did God bring you through?

I find it ironic that Rachel and Leah are complaining about being sold by their father to the man who bought them.

What I find sad in this whole story is how Laban made his daughters and son-in-law feel like they didn’t belong in the family.

I pray that I would never be so blind as to make my extended family feel that disrespected.

Peter got impatient.

But Jesus met them where they were, though He had to get their attention through the fish.

Rest assured that He will meet us where we are and guide us to where we should be.

As much as those are concerns to me, there is one in this household whose concern for our children is even stronger.

With that in mind, I would urge those of you who still have their moms around to show her your appreciation today while you have her around.

When Friday morning came, my body said, “I don’t think so.”

As I age, I realize more and more the importance of giving my body and mind a break.

If it worked for God and the people of Israel, why shouldn’t it work for me?

But then, when I first read this chapter, my thoughts went something like, “Ooh, free food and drink.”

My best bet is to follow the advice of verse 3 and listen with my ears wide open to what God would want me to hear.

Tempting, but I honestly don’t think that’s the point here.

The leaders of the church at Corinth were doing a terrible job of guiding people away from sin. For the sake of those people, the leaders needed to recognize sin and warn them of it.

The point is, stay as far away as possible from the path that leads to losing faith and encourage other to stay of the path of faith.

But let’s be honest, the good things we do often have good results.

Thankfulness to and love for God are far better reasons to do good.

Those blessings should not be expected but they can be appreciated and gracefully accepted like in Ruth’s story.

Still, the scene is a bit surprising.

Whatever the reason, he had no problem with showing his emotions.

He dealt with his emotions quickly and proceeded to get to know his new-found family.

The original Greek word implies an action that has been completed but has lasting effects.

No more work is needed. It is complete.

But your salvation is a done deal. All you need to do is accept it.

The engine was toast.

“I’ve got nothing God,

He’s been providing ever since.