Walk in the Light

June 14, 2024

June 14th, 2024

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Joel 3

Highlight Verse:

“Thousands upon thousands are waiting in the valley of decision. There the day of the Lord will soon arrive.”
‭‭Joel‬ ‭3‬:‭14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Joel wrote to the Israelites to warn them to repent before the coming plagues.

While there was and is debate as to the meaning of the different locusts, the message remained the same – repent before it is too late.

We may be beyond the plagues that Joel predicted but, the message remains the same:

Life will be hard. Your days may be limited. You need to repent before it’s too late.

In fact, they say there is only one sure thing in life and that is death (well, taxes too).

I believe that today’s verse is still appropriate for today. Thousands upon thousands stand ready to decide.

The real question is, will we help influence them to decide for Jesus or against?

A quick true story –

I knew a family who went to church many years ago. On one particular Sunday, the mom forced the kids to get ready and get in the car.

When they arrived at the church, the teenage son decided that he was not going in. He sat in the car through Sunday school and church.

When church got out, the mom told the other kids to ignore their older brother because he refused to go to church.

The boy never went to church again. In fact, he had a rather sad life that ended just 30 years later in large part due to substance abuse.

Eventually most of his siblings stopped going to church as well.

I will keep that story anonymous so as not to embarrass any member of that family who might get wind of this post. That said, the story is true.

That mom, who thought she was doing a service to God was actually driving one of God’s children away.

Thousands upon thousands stand ready to make decisions.

How will you and I influence those decisions by what we say and do?
June 13, 2024

June 13th, 2024

Thursday – Letters

Reading – 1 John 2

Highlight Verse:

“And now, dear children, remain in fellowship with Christ so that when he returns, you will be full of courage and not shrink back from him in shame.”
‭‭1 John‬ ‭2‬:‭28‬ ‭NLT‬‬

If Jesus were to return in the clouds today, would you be glad or sad, afraid or courageous? Would you cower or try to be the first to hug Him?

As a human who has fought my sinful nature my whole life, a small part of me trembles at the idea.

But, as a man who has known Jesus for many years,

I am confident that the sacrifice He made for me on the cross was enough to take away every sin.

I look forward to thanking Him personally and entering into Heaven to be with Him.

While I have not led a perfect life, I have remained in fellowship with Him and have courage to meet Him thanks to His sacrifice.

Do you know Jesus on a personal level?
Do you have confidence to meet Him?
Why or why not?
June 12, 2024

June 12th, 2024

Wednesday – History

Reading – 2 Chronicles

Highlight Verses:

“God said to Solomon, “Because your greatest desire is to help your people, and you did not ask for wealth, riches, fame, or even the death of your enemies or a long life, but rather you asked for wisdom and knowledge to properly govern my people— I will certainly give you the wisdom and knowledge you requested. But I will also give you wealth, riches, and fame such as no other king has had before you or will ever have in the future!””
‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭1‬:‭11‬-‭12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

If you’ve been here a while, you know I usually try to go for the more obscure verses to highlight.

I prayed for that today.

God said no.

Okay, I didn’t hear an audible “no” but I felt convicted since I knew that I sometimes seek wealth or recognition before wisdom.

This passage is the most popular part of today’s reading precisely because we need it so much.

It’s easy to think that I’m wise enough.

It’s not so easy to realize that any true wisdom I have comes from God. If I ignore what He says, that wisdom will blow away with the wind.

What is your first prayer for?
How firm is your grasp on wisdom?
June 11, 2024

June 11th, 2024
Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Numbers 13-14

Highlight Verse:

“Then they plotted among themselves, “Let’s choose a new leader and go back to Egypt!””
‭‭Numbers‬ ‭14‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬
- One sees the bone soaking cold rain darkening their spirits while another sees the miracle of water bringing life to the land.
- One sees the endless uphill trudge while another sees a majestic mountain to conquer.
- One hears an annoying high-pitched wail while another hears the healthy lungs of a newborn seeking love and attention.
- The majority of the Israelites saw potential defeat while Joshua and Caleb saw a land flowing with milk and honey that the Lord wanted to give to them.
When you look at your problems and challenges, what do you see?
June 10, 2024

June 10th, 2024

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Luke 25

Highlight Verse:

““And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.””
‭‭Luke‬ ‭24‬:‭49‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Many years ago, I heard the Holy Spirit explained in a story by a teacher at a conference center I worked at. I cannot remember the man’s name so if anyone knows it, let me know so I can give proper credit.

It goes something like this:

Bob got a brand-new Mercedes, and he brought it to show to his best friend, Dan.

Bob came to the door all covered in sweat and rang the doorbell.

“Hi Bob.”

“Hi Dan,”pant pant, “I brought my new car over to you to show it off.”

“Whoa, that’s cool. But why are you panting and covered with sweat?”

“Well, it’s kinda heavy and you do live at the top of a hill?”

“You mean you pushed it here?”

“Yeah, well, I had to get it here somehow.”

“Don’t you have the key?”
“Of course, how else could I unlock the doors and steer it?”

“Let me see that.” Dan takes the key from Bob and sits in the driver’s seat while Bob gets in the passenger side.

He put the key in the ignition, started the engine, put it in drive and accelerated down the street.

Bob’s eyes got wide. “I didn’t know it could do that!”

You just had to turn the key.

That’s the way many Christians live their lives.

They keep pushing forward under their own power. They’re trying to steer the right direction but without the power of the Holy Spirit, they’re hardly getting anywhere.

Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to unleash His power through His people.

We just need to decide to accept the Holy Spirit to turn on that power.

You may choose to call it the Baptism of the Holy Spirit or just living in the power of the Holy Spirit, but

that power with all the spiritual gifts listed in Paul’s letters (1 Corinthians 12 and 14 to start) is available to every believer.

It is true that with power comes responsibility so please study the gifts before you claim to have them (I have seen them misused). But that is no reason to ignore the power of the Holy Spirit.

Have you seen the Holy Spirit in action?
What are some of the good things you have seen come from the power of the Holy Spirit?
June 9, 2024

June 9th, 2024

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Ecclesiastes 5-6

Highlight Verse:

“Don’t make rash promises, and don’t be hasty in bringing matters before God. After all, God is in heaven, and you are here on earth. So let your words be few.”
‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭5‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This is a painful verse for a writer like me – even more painful when you consider how much I like to talk.

But then it was written by one of the more prolific writers in the Bible (Solomon).

In context, I believe this passage can be summed up as “you don’t know the big picture so don’t make promises you can’t keep.

I’ve been there. I’ve said I would do something and failed to follow through.

Sometimes outside circumstances intervened.

Sometimes I’ve flaked out.

Every time I should have followed the advice of this verse.

Now, most times, I pray it through and count the cost before I make promises. I still make mistakes but I am learning to keep my mouth shut and let my actions speak louder a little more often.

Have promises you’ve made gotten you into trouble before?
How do you wisely determine what promises to make?
June 8, 2024

June 8th, 2024

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Genesis 2

Highlight Verse:

“Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.””
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭2‬:‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Today is wedding day for my daughter Hannah so

I thought that a peek back to the origin of marriage would be appropriate.

Many would say that the story of Eve coming literally from Adam’s rib was a literal historical account.

I’d say, God could create people however He wanted to and I’m fine with that.

Even if you come from the viewpoint that this story is more poetic than literal, that doesn’t keep it from being true. It was not good for Adam to be alone.

For one thing, none of us would be here if they didn’t have kids.

Though God could have created another way for humans to procreate.

Instead, He made us male and female so that we could raise kids and live life in partnership.

We give each other companionship.

We encourage each other.

We keep each other from doing stupid things(or at least try).

We pour our lives into our children.

Most importantly, we show each other love.

God could have created us however He wanted to, but He chose to make us in His image.

And God is Love! (1 John 4:8)

There is much more I could write about this subject regarding those called to be single or the problems with “pride.” I haven’t forgotten those aspects, but I chose to celebrate marriage today.

If you are married, how many years have you been married (10 for us)?
What secrets can you share for a long happy marriage?
June 7, 2024

June 7th, 2024

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Joel 1-2

Highlight Verse:

“Tell your children about it in the years to come, and let your children tell their children. Pass the story down from generation to generation.”
‭‭Joel‬ ‭1‬:‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

We all know that it’s important to pass on the stories of the Bible to the next generation.

In this case, the prophet Joel is urging people to pass on the story of a locust storm that is about to strike Israel.

To him, it is a contemporary event.

What about the stories that happen all around us – the contemporary events that shape our lives.

As any student I’ve taught can tell you, I love to tell of the real stories that have happened in my life to illustrate lessons I’ve learned.

If you’ve been reading this long enough, you know I sometimes use those stories here.

You can bet my kids know most of those stories too.

If we want to pass along our faith to our children, I think it’s important that they see it in action and hear of the stories that made it what it is.

What true stories have you passed along to your kids or to anyone of the next generations?
Can you share one here?
June 6, 2024

June 6th, 2024

Thursday – Letters

Reading – 1 John 1

Highlight Verse:

“We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning, whom we have heard and seen. We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. He is the Word of life.”
‭‭1 John‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This is one of those chapters that is so full of good verses that it’s tough to pick just one.

Then I realized that this verse establishes who is writing this.

It’s not just some leader from the early church.

This was John, Jesus’ best friend.

He heard everything that Jesus taught and saw all that he had done during his ministry years.

We should pay attention here.

Of course, pay attention to the whole Bible but here is one who has firsthand knowledge of Jesus.

He’s got some especially good insight.

Which verse(s) in this chapter stood out to you?
Why?
June 5, 2024

June 5th, 2024

Wednesday – History

Reading – 1 Chronicles 28-29

Highlight Verse:

“So now, with God as our witness, and in the sight of all Israel—the Lord’s assembly—I give you this charge. Be careful to obey all the commands of the Lord your God, so that you may continue to possess this good land and leave it to your children as a permanent inheritance.”

1 Chronicles 28:8 NLT

My middle daughter is getting married in just a few days.

That wedding will be a public proclamation of their commitment to each other.

Some things need to be proclaimed publicly.

My daughter and son-in-law will be far more committed to each other if everyone knows they are married.

Solomon and the leaders of Israel were far more likely to follow through with the building of the temple and the worship of God when the entire nation knew what they had committed to doing.

Politicians will be far more committed… uhh… a bit more committed to follow through with something if they proclaim it publicly.

The point is, if it is important, we should make it known in public so that we will be fully committed to following through with what we proclaimed.

In the process, others may see our faithfulness and make some positive commitments of their own.

What kinds of things have you made public in your lives?

What are some other things that should be proclaimed but often are not?

Life will be hard. Your days may be limited. You need to repent before it’s too late.

The real question is, will we help influence them to decide for Jesus or against?

That mom, who thought she was doing a service to God was actually driving one of God’s children away.

I am confident that the sacrifice He made for me on the cross was enough to take away every sin.

I look forward to thanking Him personally and entering into Heaven to be with Him.

God said no.

It’s not so easy to realize that any true wisdom I have comes from God. If I ignore what He says, that wisdom will blow away with the wind.

When you look at your problems and challenges, what do you see?

You just had to turn the key.

We just need to decide to accept the Holy Spirit to turn on that power.

that power with all the spiritual gifts listed in Paul’s letters (1 Corinthians 12 and 14 to start) is available to every believer.

In context, I believe this passage can be summed up as “you don’t know the big picture so don’t make promises you can’t keep.

Every time I should have followed the advice of this verse.

I thought that a peek back to the origin of marriage would be appropriate.

Even if you come from the viewpoint that this story is more poetic than literal, that doesn’t keep it from being true. It was not good for Adam to be alone.

And God is Love! (1 John 4:8)

To him, it is a contemporary event.

If we want to pass along our faith to our children, I think it’s important that they see it in action and hear of the stories that made it what it is.

This is one of those chapters that is so full of good verses that it’s tough to pick just one.

This was John, Jesus’ best friend.

He’s got some especially good insight.

Some things need to be proclaimed publicly.

The point is, if it is important, we should make it known in public so that we will be fully committed to following through with what we proclaimed.

In the process, others may see our faithfulness and make some positive commitments of their own.