Walk in the Light

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?
October 11, 2024

October 11th, 2024

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Zephaniah 1-2

Highlight Verse:

“They will receive the wages of their pride, for they have scoffed at the people of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.”
‭‭Zephaniah‬ ‭2‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

One of the things I love about America is we get to vote for who we believe will best represent us in government.

But I can’t stand election season.

Everywhere I turn, there are ads declaring how terrible the other person is.

Sadly, a lot of those ads work on a lot of people.

I wouldn’t mind the season so much if the ads were both positive and honest.

But the worst part is when Godly people are painted as monsters out to take away your rights.

I’d like to say that those people get what they deserve.

Instead, unfortunately, the whole country suffers when they succeed as the consequences of ungodly policies take effect.

How can we rise above the battle? Ignore the mudslinging and vote your values.

Has negative campaigning had an effect on your voting?
How can you reduce the amount of scoffing of the godly in our land, especially in election season?
October 10, 2024

October 10th, 2024

Thursday – Letters

Reading – Revelation 11

Highlight Verse:

“Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices shouting in heaven: “The world has now become the Kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign forever and ever.””
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭11‬:‭15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

One of the questions I keep in mind when I read the Bible is “How does this affect the way I should live today?”

The answer today is that I can live with hope and confidence.

No matter how bad this world gets, I know who wins in the end – Jesus!

That makes me want to invite as many people as I can to the winning team.

Nuff said.

Does this chapter give you hope or fear?
Why?
October 9, 2024

October 9th, 2024

Wednesday – History

Reading – Nehemiah 1-2

Highlight Verse:

“When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven.”
‭‭Nehemiah‬ ‭1‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT

When I read this, I picture Nehemiah praying face down before God for days straight.

Maybe he did.

Maybe he was working and only prayed and fasted while off-duty.

Whatever he did, he did it with passion, giving his all to bring the plight of his country before God.

He waited 6 months to be bold enough to show his sorrow before the king.

I believe he prayed every day during that entire time.

And God answered by giving him favor with the king.

What would happen if we prayed with that same intensity and consistency for our country?
How about we try it and find out?
October 8, 2024

October 8th, 2024

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Deuteronomy 11-12

Highlight Verse:

““Your children didn’t see how the Lord cared for you in the wilderness until you arrived here.”
‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭11‬:‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Our children didn’t have our experiences.

No matter how many times we tell our kids stories of how God has shown Himself faithful in our lives, they did not experience those stories themselves.

We should still tell them those stories, instruct them, and guide them to God.

But we also need to let them experience the faithfulness of God.

They need to have their own stories to strengthen their faith.

It’s a tough line to tread between protecting them and letting them experience life.

I pray God will guide us while we walk that line.

In what ways have you tried to get your kids or others to understand your experiences?
How have you helped them, or others find their own experiences?

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.

But I can’t stand election season.

How can we rise above the battle? Ignore the mudslinging and vote your values.

The answer today is that I can live with hope and confidence.

That makes me want to invite as many people as I can to the winning team.

Whatever he did, he did it with passion, giving his all to bring the plight of his country before God.

I believe he prayed every day during that entire time.

What would happen if we prayed with that same intensity and consistency for our country?How about we try it and find out?

Our children didn’t have our experiences.

We should still tell them those stories, instruct them, and guide them to God.

What would happen if we prayed with that same intensity and consistency for our country?
How about we try it and find out?