Walk in the Light

July 14, 2024

July 14th, 2024

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Song of Solomon 3-4

Highlight Verse:

“You are beautiful, my darling, beautiful beyond words. Your eyes are like doves behind your veil. Your hair falls in waves, like a flock of goats winding down the slopes of Gilead.”
‭‭Song of Songs‬ ‭4‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

In today’s culture, the metaphors used in this chapter are almost comical.

In fact, years ago, Christian comedian Mark Lowry composed a very funny song using these verses.

But, if we go back to the culture and context in which this was written,

the young man who wrote this was very romantic.

He was so romantic that, despite the desires of the amazing King Solomon, he is able to keep his beloved committed to him.

While I can write, and my first published work was poetry (middle school project), I have never been good at writing romantic poetry.

But, I have other ways of expressing romance to my wife.

While I have enjoyed our committed relationship,

I could use more ideas for romance.

What do you do to express romance to your spouse or future spouse? (Keep it rated G or PG, please)
What does your spouse do that kindles the fires of romance? (Again – G or PG rated)
July 13, 2024

July 13th, 2024

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – John 2:1-12

Highlight Verse:

“The next day there was a wedding celebration in the village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the celebration.”
‭‭John‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Our church is about to start its annual “At the Movies” series. It is the biggest series of the year, drawing in thousands of people who may not otherwise set foot in a church.

But, it got me thinking, “How Biblical is entertainment?”

Obviously, movies weren’t a thing back in Bible times, but parties were.

Today’s reading makes it obvious that Jesus didn’t mind attending parties with His disciples. He even supplied some of the wine.

In other places, the Bible mentions sports (1 Corinthians 9:24-26) and theatrical events (a parade – 1 Corinthians 4:9).

Besides that, we have a whole section of the Bible dedicated to music and poetry.

That said, I probably don’t need to tell you that we should keep our entertainment wholesome and limited to amounts that don’t push us into laziness.

Remember, King David’s entertainment (watching Bathsheba bathe) ended rather painfully.

King Herod’s entertainment led to the death of John the Baptist.

And, Proverbs reminds us not to let laziness take over.

So, feel free to seek an appropriate amount of wholesome entertainment.

And you might start with “At the Movies” at Orchard Church in Brighton from July 21st through August 11th.

What is your favorite form of entertainment?
How much is too much entertainment for you?
July 12, 2024

July 12th, 2024

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Amos 7-8

Highlight Verse:

“So the Lord relented from this plan. “I will not do it,” he said.”
‭‭Amos‬ ‭7‬:‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

How can such a simple verse open up such a deep theological conundrum?

It raises the question, “If God knows everything that is ever going to happen, how can He change his mind when someone prays?”

I would respond to that with another question, “If God’s will cannot be changed,

why pray at all?”

We could debate circles around this topic but I believe that simple answer is that God is sovereign. That means,

if He wants to change His mind, He can.

I also believe that God wants to hear from His children and allows us to influence His decisions.

He may even choose not to know what He will decide until it comes to pass.

God may live outside of time and have the capacity to know everything that has ever happened and ever will happen, I think He can choose what knowledge to access.

What is your opinion?
Are you a strict Calvinist believing that everything is predestined or do you believe that God chooses to let us influence what He decides and what will ultimately happen?
July 11, 2024

July 11th, 2024

Reading – 2 John

Highlight Verse:

“I have much more to say to you, but I don’t want to do it with paper and ink. For I hope to visit you soon and talk with you face to face. Then our joy will be complete.”
‭‭2 John‬ ‭1‬:‭12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This is a tiny book with a lot to unpack.

To begin with, there’s the question of whether the “chosen lady” is a person or a church.

Upon review, I say – it doesn’t matter.

The message is the same.

Stop those who are undermining the Gospel.

A sect known as the Gnostics were preaching that Jesus didn’t really physically come here so you had to follow their set of rules to be saved.

John was rightfully angry about that since it was keeping people from experiencing the grace of God.

That brings us to the Highlight Verse.

Tuesday morning, I was working in a customer’s office helping set up a new machine. At the same time, I was in an online meeting, a portion of which I had to lead.

I wasn’t fully there for anyone.

I muddled through but it wasn’t ideal.

Nothing beats face to face in person interaction.

Communication is much clearer when you can see the each other’s body language. Add to that the ability to ask and respond to questions in real-time.

How often do you get to see your family and friends in person?
Do you have any stories of miscommunication when people meet in any other way that in person? Share them.
July 10, 2024

July 10th, 2024

Wednesday – History

Reading – 2 Chronicles 13-15

Highlight Verse:

“Then the Spirit of God came upon Azariah son of Oded, and he went out to meet King Asa as he was returning from the battle. “Listen to me, Asa!” he shouted. “Listen, all you people of Judah and Benjamin! The Lord will stay with you as long as you stay with him! Whenever you seek him, you will find him. But if you abandon him, he will abandon you.”
‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭15‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

It sounds harsh when you read that God will abandon you.

The effect is as simple as this; if you leave the Lord’s side, He will let you.

The abandonment aspect comes in when you realize that, on your own, you no longer have His protection to keep you safe.

Yes, that would feel like abandonment, but it is actually you stepping away when you turn your back on God.

Exposed to the attacks of the enemy and life in general, you could feel quite vulnerable.

Then, like the prodigal son, you might come to your senses and turn back to God.

Then God, the Father, will abandon all reservations and run to meet you!

Have you ever felt life without God?
How did that make you feel in terms of your security?
What was it like when you turned back to God?
July 9, 2024

July 9th, 2024

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Numbers 21-22

Highlight Verse:

“Then the Lord told him, “Make a replica of a poisonous snake and attach it to a pole. All who are bitten will live if they simply look at it!””
‭‭Numbers‬ ‭21‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The symbol of the snake on a pole is more than just a symbol of the medical profession (Though that’s another whole subject that we could explore).

It is one of many precursors to the Messiah, the one who can heal all those who turn to Him.

The symbolism doesn’t stop there.

The snake is a symbol of the tempter. Satan came as a serpent to fool Adam and Eve. He returns in this story to curse those who grumbled against Moses and God.

The snake empaled on a pole represents Satan’s defeat by the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross.

We are all “bitten” by the curse of sin, but healing comes when we simply have enough faith to turn to Jesus to receive our healing from sin and its consequences.

Have you defeated the curse by turning to Jesus for healing?
Have you spread the word that healing is available that easily?
July 8, 2024

July 8th, 2024

Monday – Gospels and Acts

Reading – Acts 4

Highlight Verse:

“All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had.”
‭‭Acts of the Apostles‬ ‭4‬:‭32‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I attended a professional soccer game for the first time last night.

It was good. The Rapids won. We had good fellowship (It was a group of students and parents). Even the weather was good with a storm missing us and cool temperature for July.

What stuck with me, however, was not any of those things.

It was the amazing amount of teamwork.

Each of those players had enough talent to bring the ball down the field by themselves. Instead, they chose to keep passing the ball back and forth.

They did that in a way that seemed well coordinated, each player knowing who to kick it to next.

That made it hard for the opposing team to catch up and get the ball back.

No one player hogged the ball.

We could learn something from that game as the Church.

Instead of a few talented players hogging the ball, the ministry could be accomplished better as a whole team.

That applies not just to individuals within local church bodies, but as church bodies in a community working together to defeat our mutual enemy, the devil.

Do you tend to hog the ministry ball or shy away from it?
Does your local church body cooperate with other churches in the area?
What can you do to promote team playing in your church and community?
July 7, 2024

July 7th, 2024
Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Song of Solomon 1-2

Highlight Verse:

“This is Solomon’s Song of Songs, more wonderful than any other.”
‭‭Song of Songs‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

There have been many interpretations of the Song of Solomon. They boil down to three categories:
- It is an allegory of the love between man and God.
- It is the love story of Solomon and his one true love.
- Or it is the story of a young shepherdess who is wooed by Solomon but chooses to stay faithful to the simple young man to whom she is committed already.
We’ll spend the next few weeks looking at those possibilities as we read through it.

Today I want to focus on the simple fact that God values romantic love.

No matter how you think this book should be interpreted, it is couched in very romantic language.

While some are more romantic than others, the language of this book, along with the claim that it is “more wonderful than any other” makes it clear that

God strongly believes in romantic love.

Those of us who might not be the most romantic should take note.

Romance in the context of a committed relationship is important to God.

Lesson noted. I should work on that.

Those of you who are married or will soon be married, how can you better express that godly romance?
How should the concept of godly romance affect your relationship with God?
Which of the three main interpretations do you think is more accurate?
July 6, 2024

July 6th, 2024

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – John 11:1-44

Highlight Verse:

“Then Jesus wept.”
‭‭John‬ ‭11‬:‭35‬ ‭NLT‬‬

One of our members just lost their adult son to a long-term illness.

I cannot begin to express my sympathy for them. It is a situation that no parent should ever have to deal with.

As a father to an adult daughter who has multiple medical issues, the situation spikes my fears.

I don’t know what I would do in that situation.

But I know what Jesus would do.

He would weep.

He would sympathize with our sorrow. He is well acquainted with pain and sorrow.

There are times when He will step in and heal. I believe in healing and know that God is able to extend life.

I also know that all of us are only on this earth for a limited time.

In theory, I trust God’s timing.

I try to trust in practice as well.

Please join me in praying for that family who is dealing with loss that God would be their comfort and strength even as their faith is tested.

Thank you.
July 5, 2024

July 5th, 2024

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Amos 5-6

Highlight Verse:

“What sorrow awaits you who lounge in luxury in Jerusalem, and you who feel secure in Samaria! You are famous and popular in Israel, and people go to you for help.”
‭‭Amos‬ ‭6‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This verse struck me as I’m lounging in a recliner in our family room. (we’re staying up late to comfort the dogs with all the fireworks going off around us).

Our youngest and I walked down to the local park at the height of the fireworks.

It sounded like a war zone.

That made me think of people in some countries who were prospering when war came their way. Many lost everything to war and violence.

While it seems very unlikely here, I realize that nothing is impossible, and

I should work toward peace.

Some might think that means gun control or more police.

This scripture makes the answer clear.

If I want peace in this land, I should worship God alone, strive to follow in obedience to his leading, and encourage others to do the same.

How do you work for peace?
What does following in obedience to Him look like in your life?

In today’s culture, the metaphors used in this chapter are almost comical.

the young man who wrote this was very romantic.

I could use more ideas for romance.

But, it got me thinking, “How Biblical is entertainment?”

Besides that, we have a whole section of the Bible dedicated to music and poetry.

So, feel free to seek an appropriate amount of wholesome entertainment.

How can such a simple verse open up such a deep theological conundrum?

why pray at all?”

if He wants to change His mind, He can.

This is a tiny book with a lot to unpack.

The message is the same.

Nothing beats face to face in person interaction.

The effect is as simple as this; if you leave the Lord’s side, He will let you.

Exposed to the attacks of the enemy and life in general, you could feel quite vulnerable.

Then God, the Father, will abandon all reservations and run to meet you!

It is one of many precursors to the Messiah, the one who can heal all those who turn to Him.

What stuck with me, however, was not any of those things.

We could learn something from that game as the Church.

Instead of a few talented players hogging the ball, the ministry could be accomplished better as a whole team.

God strongly believes in romantic love.

He would weep.

It sounded like a war zone.

I should work toward peace.

This scripture makes the answer clear.