Walk in the Light

October 1, 2024

October 1st, 2024

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Deuteronomy 9-10

Highlight Verse:

“But recognize today that the Lord your God is the one who will cross over ahead of you like a devouring fire to destroy them. He will subdue them so that you will quickly conquer them and drive them out, just as the Lord has promised.”
‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭9‬:‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

How many times have you been stuck in the wilderness, stuck on the edge of “The Promised Land” but you just can’t seem to make it?

I’ve been there.

Those battles that stand in the way seem impossible.

They are.

But it’s not up to us to fight them.

It is up to us to trust the one who will fight for us.

When we trust, we can step over that border in victory, praising the one who bought that victory for us.

Can you share any victory stories?
Can we pray for the victory in your situation?
September 30, 2024

September 30th, 2024

Monday – Gospels and Acts

Reading – Acts 16

Highlight Verse:

“That night Paul had a vision: A man from Macedonia in northern Greece was standing there, pleading with him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us!””
‭‭Acts of the Apostles‬ ‭16‬:‭9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Long ago, a missionary family that was on leave from their location in the Macedonian region sang a song that they had made up from today’s highlight verse.

It was incredibly corny.

I didn’t see a vision or feel called to rush over to Macedonia.

Nor can I say that I have ever seen any visions like Paul.

But I have felt the Holy Spirit lead me.

Paul was constantly focused on God in prayer, study, and discussion.

The more focused on the Lord I get, the easier it is to hear His leading.

This is especially true when it comes to prayer and studying the Bible.

Have you seen genuine visions or felt the definite leading of God?
What helps you discern that leading?
How do you discern its authenticity?
September 29, 2024

September 29th, 2024

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Job 17-18

Highlight Verse:

““How long before you stop talking? Speak sense if you want us to answer!”
‭‭Job‬ ‭18‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

These are the words of the shortest man in the Bible – Bildad the “Shoe-height.”

Sorry, I just had to.

Seriously, this friend of Job’s came to “comfort” him and ends up rudely arguing with him.

What was he thinking?

But then, I’ve probably done the same thing.

Maybe not so blatantly.

But it’s not hard to misread a situation and make untrue assumptions.

When we make assumptions, it is very easy to be insensitive.

The solution.

It may be cliché, but it’s true that God gave us two ears and one mouth.

We should listen before we speak.

By listening, I don’t mean letting the other person talk while you formulate a response.

I do mean actually listening to everything they say and asking for clarification if needed.

Then responding when appropriate.

I wish I could say I always do that. I’m still learning. You wanna learn with me?

How well would you say you listen?
How well would your spouse or friends say you listen?
September 28, 2024

September 28th, 2024

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Matthew 5:13-16

Highlight Verse:

““You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

My very first public speech was on the subject of smiling.

It served me well, taking me to the Virginia 4H State Congress in my senior year of high school.

It has served me well since.

Almost every time I share a smile, I get one back.

One time, at a conference, something made me smile and someone commented that it was the first time they had seen me smile that day. I was horrified and apologized. It must have been a stressful day.

Just like that simple smile can spread joy anywhere we share it, so too the Good News of Jesus, shared openly and honestly, can spread great joy.

When I share my smiles, it is out of the joy that Jesus supplies in abundance.

When I share the Gospel, it is not out of an obligation or guilty feeling. Rather, it is out of an honest desire to bring the joy that is within me to other people.

Do you have joy to share with others?
How do you share the source of that joy with others?
September 24, 2024

September 28th, 2024

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Deuteronomy 7-8

Highlight Verse:

“Rather, it was simply that the Lord loves you, and he was keeping the oath he had sworn to your ancestors. That is why the Lord rescued you with such a strong hand from your slavery and from the oppressive hand of Pharaoh, king of Egypt.”
‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭7‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

God blessed the Israelites because He loved them, and He was faithful to His promises to their ancestors.

That’s why He treated Israel so well.

That’s why He treats us so well.

I may not be an Israelite, but I was adopted into the family of God.

I inherited all the rights and responsibilities of an Israelite.

I have no genetic ties to three of my four children. But the moment I married their mother, they became my children. I love them as much as I love my oldest daughter, who does carry my genes.

If I, a far from perfect man, could love all his children that way, how much more could God love all His children, both Hebrew and Gentile?

Do you truly understand the depth of God’s love for you?
Can you believe He is faithful?
September 27, 2024

September 27th, 2024

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Habakkuk 1-2

Highlight Verse:

“The Lord replied, “Look around at the nations; look and be amazed! For I am doing something in your own day, something you wouldn’t believe even if someone told you about it.”
‭‭Habakkuk‬ ‭1‬:‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Habakkuk and I go way back. When I was in college, InterVarsity created a huge multimedia production based around Habakkuk. That’s college aged me sporting their T-shirt.

It was a new concept in that time and reached thousands of students with the ageless message of the Bible.

It wouldn’t fly today,

at least not in the same form.

The message of the Gospel remains the same throughout the ages.

The methods of sharing have to change in order to reach each new generation.

Student ministry at our church looks vastly different than it did back in my youth, and that’s good.

Students are responding to Christ as we reach them where they are.

What new ways have you found to spread the Good News of Jesus?
How have you stayed true to the Gospel when sharing in new ways?

NOTE: Yes, I know I took this verse out of context but the general concept still applies both in Habakkuk and today.
September 26, 2024

September 26th, 2024

Thursday – Letters

Reading – Revelation 9

Highlight Verse:

“But the people who did not die in these plagues still refused to repent of their evil deeds and turn to God. They continued to worship demons and idols made of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood—idols that can neither see nor hear nor walk!”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭9‬:‭20‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This is where Revelation gets frightening.

Okay, the pre-tribulation theologians say believers won’t be there to experience this.

The post-tribbers say we can handle it.

The mid-tribbers – I don’t know what they say.

I say all this scary stuff is there to convince people to repent.

Precious few do.

But for those who trust Jesus, Repentance brings healing and life – forever.

The good outweighs the bad by a long shot.

Are you looking forward to the end times?
Are you ready for them?
September 25, 2024

September 25th, 2024

Wednesday – History

Reading – Ezra 7-8

Highlight Verse:

“So we fasted and earnestly prayed that our God would take care of us, and he heard our prayer.”
‭‭Ezra‬ ‭8‬:‭23‬ ‭NLT‬‬

What is the line between faith and foolishness?

Ezra had about 1500 men (plus women and children) with him for the journey to Jerusalem. But these were not warriors.

They were ordinary people.

And they were carrying a sizable fortune.

Through a treacherous area.
Where bands of raiders could outnumber their own.

But Ezra trusted God to protect them.

And God did.

Have you ever made a leap of faith like Ezra did?
Did it turn out to be faith or foolishness?
September 24, 2024

September 24th, 2024

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Deuteronomy 7-8

Highlight Verse:

“Rather, it was simply that the Lord loves you, and he was keeping the oath he had sworn to your ancestors. That is why the Lord rescued you with such a strong hand from your slavery and from the oppressive hand of Pharaoh, king of Egypt.”

Deuteronomy 7:8 NLT

God blessed the Israelites because He loved them, and He was faithful to His promises to their ancestors.

That’s why He treated Israel so well.

That’s why He treats us so well

I may not be an Israelite, but I was adopted into the family of God. I inherited all the rights and responsibilities of an Israelite.

I have no genetic ties to three of my four children. But the moment I married their mother, they became my children. I love them as much as I love my oldest daughter, who does carry my genes.

If I, a far from perfect man, could love all his children that way, how much more could God love all His children, both Hebrew and Gentile?

Do you truly understand the depth of God’s love for you?

Can you believe He is faithful?
September 23, 2024

September 23rd, 2024

Monday – Gospels and Acts

Reading – Acts 14 (Note: Last week I accidentally did this week’s chapter, so this is last week’s).

Highlight Verses:

“When the apostles learned of it, they fled to the region of Lycaonia—to the towns of Lystra and Derbe and the surrounding area. And there they preached the Good News.”
‭‭Acts of the Apostles‬ ‭14‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

You might think it was terrible how much violent opposition Paul and those with him encountered as they spread the Gospel.

Notice, if there wasn’t opposition, they might not have covered as large of an area.

When the opposition grew violent, it forced them to move on. Eventually, they covered the entire region.

When we encounter opposition, it might be time to move on.

Granted, they stayed until the opposition turned violent.

If opposition reaches that level today, that doesn’t necessarily mean failure. It may signal the beginning of a new opportunity.

Have you ever had to deal with violent opposition?
We’re you able to find another opportunity in the midst of the opposition?

How many times have you been stuck in the wilderness, stuck on the edge of “The Promised Land” but you just can’t seem to make it?

But it’s not up to us to fight them.

It is up to us to trust the one who will fight for us.

But I have felt the Holy Spirit lead me.

The more focused on the Lord I get, the easier it is to hear His leading.

What was he thinking?

We should listen before we speak.

I do mean actually listening to everything they say and asking for clarification if needed.

My very first public speech was on the subject of smiling.

Just like that simple smile can spread joy anywhere we share it, so too the Good News of Jesus, shared openly and honestly, can spread great joy.

When I share the Gospel, it is not out of an obligation or guilty feeling. Rather, it is out of an honest desire to bring the joy that is within me to other people.

God blessed the Israelites because He loved them, and He was faithful to His promises to their ancestors.

I may not be an Israelite, but I was adopted into the family of God.

If I, a far from perfect man, could love all his children that way, how much more could God love all His children, both Hebrew and Gentile?

It was a new concept in that time and reached thousands of students with the ageless message of the Bible.

It wouldn’t fly today,

The methods of sharing have to change in order to reach each new generation.

This is where Revelation gets frightening.

I say all this scary stuff is there to convince people to repent.

But for those who trust Jesus, Repentance brings healing and life – forever.

What is the line between faith and foolishness?

And God did.

God blessed the Israelites because He loved them, and He was faithful to His promises to their ancestors.

If I, a far from perfect man, could love all his children that way, how much more could God love all His children, both Hebrew and Gentile?

Notice, if there wasn’t opposition, they might not have covered as large of an area.

If opposition reaches that level today, that doesn’t necessarily mean failure. It may signal the beginning of a new opportunity.