Walk in the Light

June 4, 2024

June 4th, 2024

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Numbers 11-12

Highlight Verse:

“But now our appetites are gone. All we ever see is this manna!””
‭‭Numbers‬ ‭11‬:‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

On Sunday we were bumped from a flight.

No warning. No explanation. Just a “your flight information has changed.”

Granted, the new flight was a direct instead of connecting.

Still, we would be home and hour and a half later and were already at the airport where then had to wait for nearly 9 hours.

Do I sound like I’m whining?

Kinda like the Israelites were doing in today’s reading.

In the last hour of waiting for our new nearly on time direct flight, we heard the boarding announcement for our previous flight, over 4 hours late. We would have been stuck in Dallas with no connection.

Instead, the airline provided us with the best way home given the circumstances.

God was providing the best for the Israelites but the didn’t like it. So, he gave in to their demands.

They didn’t like that so much either.

God provides what’s best for us through the opportunities he places in our path.

We would do well to accept those opportunities, make the most of them, and be thankful in the midst of them.

On a side note, I feel like I should mention that I don’t believe that abusive situations are God’s best for anyone. In that sort of situation, I believe it is best to ask (beg) God for a way out and to seize that way out when it arises.

What plans has God changed for you that seemed bad at first but turned out good?
In what ways have you provided God’s answer for those in bad situations?
June 3, 2024

June 3rd, 2024

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Luke 23

Highlight Verse:

“Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” And with those words he breathed his last.”

Luke 23:46 NLT

It’s all about trust.

Even Jesus knew that.

He trusted that the Father knew what He was doing when He came to Earth.

He trusted in the perfect and only plan to rescue humankind.

He trusted enough to allow himself to be arrested and tried.

He never trusted more than at the moment of His death on the cross.

On the third day the tables turned and He rose from the dead.

From then on, He has asked us to trust Him.

Have you?

Do you?
June 2, 2024

June 2nd, 2024

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Ecclesiastes 3-4

Highlight Verse:

“Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.”
‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭3‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I think it’s glaringly obvious that we cannot see the whole scope of God’s work.

What we sometimes miss is the fact that “God has made everything beautiful for its own time.”

We get down on ourselves and on our circumstances and forget how temporary they are.

God planted eternity in our hearts, but we dwell on the temporary.

If we could look at everything through the eyes of eternity, we could see how the worst of our troubles are temporary and that good will come from each one.

They may not be good while they are happening, but God can bring good from the worst of circumstances.

Can you think of any good that has come from your past bad circumstances?
How different would your life look today if you viewed it with an eternal perspective?
June 1, 2024

June 1st, 2024

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – 2 Thessalonians 3:6-14

Highlight Verse:

“As for the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good.”
‭‭2 Thessalonians‬ ‭3‬:‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

My kids know better than to tell me they’re bored.

Typically, my reply will be, “There’s plenty of weeds to be pulled.” Or “Mom’s van needs washing.”

Boredom is not something that I typically experience.

I have more than enough on my plate and usually have to force myself to relax (like I’m doing now on vacation).

But my summer schedule is often less busy, and I may find times of boredom.

In those times it may prove useful to remind myself of this verse.

There are many ways to be “doing good.”

It could be a simple as posting an encouraging note on Facebook or writing a thank you note.

It could be as complicated as getting involved with a good organization that can use your volunteer time.

I’m not saying to neglect the much needed times of rest.

I am saying that most of us could step beyond our comfort zones to do more good.

What are effective ways you have found to do more good?
Do you have any innovative ideas that go beyond the normal ideas of “doing good?”
May 31, 2024

May 31st, 2024

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Hosea 13-14

Highlight Verses:

“I took care of you in the wilderness, in that dry and thirsty land. But when you had eaten and were satisfied, you became proud and forgot me.”
‭‭Hosea‬ ‭13‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

My times of deepest faith came when things were the hardest.

Those days when I had no idea how I would make the rent or mortgage, much less buy food, forced me to rely on God completely.

A handful of times in my life, I have been to the point where I have had to say, “It’s all up to you, God. I’ve got nothing left.”

And every single time…

Not most of the time,

Every Single Time –

God came through.

Then, when I’m cruising through life and everything is going well, I tend not to think about where those blessings are coming from.

Worse, I tend to think about how well I’m doing at work or how good the budgeting is going.

I’m not saying those are bad things.

I am saying that all those blessings and opportunities ultimately have their source in the grace of God.

I need to keep that in mind and keep Him first, thanking Him for each and every blessing.

Have you learned to rely on God during the tough times?
Have you kept Him first in the good times as well?
Feel free to share stories of how God has blessed you in both the easy and the tough times.
May 30, 2024

May 30th, 2024
Thursday – Letters

Reading – 2 Peter 1-3

Highlight Verse:

“But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves.”
‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

As we are traveling and we just got settled into our rental at nearly 2am (1am at home), I will let you guys make the points today.

Simply discuss these questions:
- How can you tell if someone is a false teacher?
- Is it possible for a sincere teacher to become a false teacher (I would say yes)?
- If so, how do you keep from teaching falsely?
May 29, 2024

May 29th, 2024

Wednesday – History

Reading – 1 Chronicles 25-27

Highlight Verse:

“Ahithophel was the royal adviser. Hushai the Arkite was the king’s friend.”
‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭27‬:‭33‬ ‭NLT‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

I can’t believe I never noticed this before!

The Chronicler is listing off all these important officials and advisors to King David.

And then there’s Hushai the Arkite –

the king’s friend.

I love that!

All too often, people in leadership become isolated.

They get put on a platform of untouchability. Whether that’s from their own pride or because people fear getting too close. It varies from person to person.

I know of one pastor (I’m sure there are at least several more) of a large church who, in his isolation, let sin creep in and take over his life to the point where he lost everything. One true friend could have kept him on the right path.

If you are a leader and find people shying away from you, don’t be afraid to let down your guard and be friends with those around you.

If you happen to be acquainted with a leader that people respect so much that they shy away from friendship, offer your friendship with respect and honesty.

You could save someone’s life.

If you are a leader, have you experienced isolation? Have you escaped that isolation? How?
Are you a friend of a leader who might otherwise have been isolated? How did that friendship start?
May 28, 2024

May 28th, 2024

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Numbers 9-10

Highlight Verse:

““Give the following instructions to the people of Israel: If any of the people now or in future generations are ceremonially unclean at Passover time because of touching a dead body, or if they are on a journey and cannot be present at the ceremony, they may still celebrate the Lord’s Passover.”
‭‭Numbers‬ ‭9‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The merciful grace of God can be seen even in the laws of the Torah (also know as the Pentateuch or first 5 books of the Old Testament).

I believe it’s important to note that this particular exception to the law was made so that more people could be in fellowship with God.

Even from the beginnings of Israel, God wanted to be near his children.

As a dad, I can relate.

Can you understand that Father heart of God?
How do you respond to his call to be in His presence?
May 27, 2024

May 27th, 2024

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Luke 22

Highlight Verse:

“And Peter left the courtyard, weeping bitterly.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭22‬:‭62‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Today is Memorial Day, a day to remember those who gave their lives to protect our freedom.

We would also do well to remember those who survived combat situations.

Before coming down to my desk, I felt led to read the next chapter in a book I’ve been reading. The book is “Sharing Too Much” by Richard Paul Evans. The chapter is about double jeopardy.

Mr. Evans points out that, while our justice system is barred from putting us on trial more than once for the same crime, we all too often do that to ourselves.

Any soldier who has survived combat situations when others didn’t can attest to this. Survivor’s guilt is a real and difficult condition to overcome.

I believe Peter had a form of survivor’s guilt. He had to wonder if there was anything that he could have done to prevent the crucifixion.

Of course, there wasn’t, and Jesus graciously restored him.

While I have not experienced survivor’s guilt, there are plenty of things that I have tried and convicted myself of over the years – often over and over.

While Richard Paul Evans may not believe like me in some ways (he is a member of the Latter Day Saints) he has shared many ideas that are very Christ-like. This chapter was no exception.

He suggested that the next time that guilt pops back up, accept forgiveness from God again, write down the error on paper and burn the paper.

The next time that guilt pops up, remind yourself that you already dealt with that.

Have you dealt with (or are dealing with) survivor’s guilt? How would you advise others dealing with it?
Are there other sins that you have continued to kick yourself over? Does Mr. Evan’s advice help you?
May 26, 2024

May 26th, 2024

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Ecclesiastes 1-2

Highlight Verse:

“So I decided there is nothing better than to enjoy food and drink and to find satisfaction in work. Then I realized that these pleasures are from the hand of God.”
‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭2‬:‭24‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Solomon, for all his wisdom, did not have the full picture.

In fact, I think his father, David, had a better understanding of God’s grace that would arrive through his offspring.

But, to Solomon’s credit, he does understand that God has provided many pleasures for us humans.

Sure, humans have misused many of the pleasures that God provided. That didn’t make those pleasures any less valid. It only dulled the experience of those pleasures for those who abused them.

But, make no mistake, God has always wanted the best for us.

Therefore, He provided the best experience possible for us while we are here on earth and gave us His instructions through the Bible for us to make the most of our earthly lives.

What have you learned since reading the Bible that has made this life a better experience?
Where would you tell someone to turn to in the Bible to help understand how to live a more fulfilling life?

Do I sound like I’m whining?

God provides what’s best for us through the opportunities he places in our path.

It’s all about trust.

He never trusted more than at the moment of His death on the cross.

From then on, He has asked us to trust Him.

What we sometimes miss is the fact that “God has made everything beautiful for its own time.”

God planted eternity in our hearts, but we dwell on the temporary.

They may not be good while they are happening, but God can bring good from the worst of circumstances.

My kids know better than to tell me they’re bored.

In those times it may prove useful to remind myself of this verse.

There are many ways to be “doing good.”

My times of deepest faith came when things were the hardest.

Every Single Time –

God came through.

I need to keep that in mind and keep Him first, thanking Him for each and every blessing.

I can’t believe I never noticed this before!

the king’s friend.

You could save someone’s life.

I believe it’s important to note that this particular exception to the law was made so that more people could be in fellowship with God.

We would also do well to remember those who survived combat situations.

Mr. Evans points out that, while our justice system is barred from putting us on trial more than once for the same crime, we all too often do that to ourselves.

The next time that guilt pops up, remind yourself that you already dealt with that.

Solomon, for all his wisdom, did not have the full picture.

But, to Solomon’s credit, he does understand that God has provided many pleasures for us humans.

But, make no mistake, God has always wanted the best for us.