Walk in the Light

April 26, 2024

April 26th, 2024

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Hosea 3-4

Highlight Verse:

“Then the Lord said to me, “Go and love your wife again, even though she commits adultery with another lover. This will illustrate that the Lord still loves Israel, even though the people have turned to other gods and love to worship them.”
‭‭Hosea‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Did you notice that Hosea didn’t wait for his wife to want to return to him?

He actually paid to bring her back even while she was living an adulterous life.

Okay, that has all sorts of strange implications, but let’s not miss the point.

God paid the price to bring us back to Him even before we wanted back.

He was willing to take a risk on us, knowing that many would choose not to come to him.

He loved us so much that He had to try.

Unlike Hosea’s wife, we have a choice.

That should make us all the more willing to come back to the God who gave sacrificially for us.

We are not slaves but saved.

We are not captives but captivated by His love for us.

We are not bound but bought and beloved.

Do you realize how long God waited for you?
Do you know how much He paid for you and I to be free?
April 25, 2024

April 25th, 2024

Thursday – Letters

Reading – James 3

Highlight Verse:

“In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire.”
‭‭James‬ ‭3‬:‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“Fourscore and Seven years ago, Our forefathers…”

“Ask not what your country can do for you…”

“I have a dream…”

“Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”

These are little snippets from famous speeches in American History.

Those speeches changed history for the better by inspiring millions.

“You’ll never amount to anything.”

“Don’t be so stupid.”

“Why can’t you get that right?”

Those words (some of which I heard from my stepfather) inspire people to give up and fulfill the negative image painted for them.

They are easy to say while the inspiring speeches take great effort.

But the effort is worth it!

While I make great effort not to demean anyone with my words, I have had my share of words I needed to apologize for. I’m sure I have spoken accidentally careless or hurtful words and never noticed.

Words of kindness, encouragement, and joy have given me the strength to carry on.

Have you ever caught yourself verbally discouraging someone?
What can you do to create opportunities to encourage others?
April 24, 2024

April 24th, 2024

Wednesday – History

Reading – 1 Chronicles 10-12

Highlight Verse:

“God forbid that I should drink this!” he exclaimed. “This water is as precious as the blood of these men who risked their lives to bring it to me.” So David did not drink it. These are examples of the exploits of the Three.”
‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭11‬:‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The first time I read this I thought, “How rude. These guys risked their lives for this water and David just pours it out.”

I now realize that David was making sure his warriors knew who was really worthy of their sacrifice.

He poured out the water before the Lord that they would know that it was God who was worthy, not him.

Would I have done the same?

Well, I’ve never had someone risk their life to get me a drink of water.

But I have had people complement me.

While I want to continue doing things worthy of compliments, what is more important to me is that I would direct people to the One who is truly worthy of all praise.

My hope is that my life would cause people to want to follow Jesus, not me.

Do people know that the good things you are doing are directing them to Jesus?
What are ways that your words and actions would deflect their praise to Jesus?
April 23, 2024

April 23rd, 2024

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Leviticus 26-27

Highlight Verse:

“I will give you peace in the land, and you will be able to sleep with no cause for fear. I will rid the land of wild animals and keep your enemies out of your land.”
‭‭Leviticus‬ ‭26‬:‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This is one of those verses that would look good on a Facebook post with a tranquil scene.

That’s not why I highlighted it.

In context, many of those good things in today’s reading are a result of obedience.

The same principle holds true today.

I’m not saying life will be perfect if you only behave.

I am saying that God’s way of doing things will naturally have good results.

Likewise, going against God’s principles may naturally have bad results.

God created us.

He knows what works best for us.

He wrote a bunch of what works best down for us to benefit from.

I say, we should take advantage of that and follow His instructions.

Have you resisted Biblical principles for living because they seemed too restrictive or legalistic? (I have in the past).
Have you considered the possibility that those principles were given for our good?
April 22, 2024

April 22nd, 2024

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Luke 17

Highlight Verse:

“Jesus asked, “Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine?”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭17‬:‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This verse will preach. In fact, it did.

As it happens, our pastor used this verse yesterday to illustrate how Jesus understands when we are unappreciated.

I don’t think he would mind if I filled you in on the point he made that struck a chord with me.

What is unseen by people is often what is most significant to God.

Often, the most significant impact comes from what happens behind the scenes.

Your faithful actions may be unseen by others but God sees each kind word, each kind and helpful act, and each prayer lifted in silence and He will reward you for it (Matthew 6:4).

Does it frustrate you when people don’t acknowledge the good things you have done for them?
Do you realize that Jesus can sympathize with that and will reward you for your faithfulness in the hidden things?
April 20, 2024

April 20th, 2024

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Romans 5:1-11, 1 John 4:7-10

Highlight Verse:

“But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭5‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I started laying down some basics last Saturday with the topic of God the Creator.

As Creator, God is our Father.

He has a Father’s love for us.

I have 4 kids. Okay, 4 teens and young adults.

When my oldest was born, I began to comprehend the truth about God’s love.

The moment I laid eyes on her, I knew there was nothing I wouldn’t do to protect her and there was nothing that she could do to take away my love for her.

My kids have certainly done things that I don’t agree with.

But I love them fiercely.

I would lay down my life for any one of them in a heartbeat.

God did that.

He didn’t just talk about it.

He came to Earth as a mortal man and laid down that life that we may live.

There is no greater love.

Is there anyone for whom you would lay down your life?
Does that help you understand the depths of God’s love for you and me?
April 19, 2024

April 19th, 2024

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Hosea 1-2

Highlight Verse:

“At that time I will plant a crop of Israelites and raise them for myself. I will show love to those I called ‘Not loved.’ And to those I called ‘Not my people,’ I will say, ‘Now you are my people.’ And they will reply, ‘You are our God!’”
‭‭Hosea‬ ‭2‬:‭23‬ ‭NLT

Hosea is the first of the Minor Prophets, so named due to the short length of their writings, not according to their importance.

In case you didn’t have a chance to read it, at the Lord’s request, he married a prostitute, and gave his kids some pretty whacked names. Just ask his daughter “Not Loved” and ‬‬son “Not my people.”

Some would say this book is strictly allegorical. That is to say, it didn’t really happen. That is was a story to make a point.

Others would point out that Gomer was only one of his wives.

That may be true, but who would name their kids like that?”

Frankly, I don’t know the answer, though I tend to take it literally.

But I do know the story illustrates how far Israel had strayed and the love that God had brought redemption to the remnant of Israel.

“Not loved” became “loved”. “Not my people” became “my people.”

I just hope that Hosea used different nicknames for his kids as they grew up.

Do you think this story was literal or only allegorical? Why?
What would you do if God asked you to live out an illustration?
April 18, 2024

April 18th, 2024

Thursday – Letters

Reading – James 2

Highlight Verse:

“You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror.”
‭‭James‬ ‭2‬:‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

In the past, this chapter made me uncomfortable. It sounds too close to trying to earn your salvation.

In fact, it is the inverse. The good works are a result of faith.

Too often, we think of faith as simply believing.

I have this world view therefore I embrace this faith.

In reality, true faith is about trust.

If we trust that Jesus spoke the truth, we will do what He tells us to do.

At the very least we will try. And when we fail, we’ll try again.

It’s easy to believe something is true.

It’s much harder to trust something enough to let it change the way we live.

As you learn more and more of Jesus’ teachings, do you find it difficult to act them out?
How would your life be different if you followed Jesus’ teachings as if your life depended on it?
April 17, 2024

April 17th, 2024

Wednesday – History

Reading – 1 Chronicles 7-9

Highlight Verses:

”The first of the exiles to return to their property in their former towns were priests, Levites, Temple servants, and other Israelites. Some of the people from the tribes of Judah, Benjamin, Ephraim, and Manasseh came and settled in Jerusalem.“
‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭9‬:‭2‬-‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Today’s reading caps off a rather comprehensive genealogy of Israel and is completed with the return from exile.

The first 9 chapters give reference material for all the historical stories given in the rest of the book.

Where the genealogy leaves off sets the date of writing this sometime after the return of Israel and Judah to the promised land.

Most likely this was written shortly after the return of the remnant to Jerusalem. Tradition and some evidence points to the author being Ezra. It is written from the perspective of someone who lived in that time period.

This was a time of great repentance and restoration and that is reflected in the book.

The author clearly wants to see the restored Israel to see the importance of obedience to God, that the restoration may be permanent.

If you had lived in the time of the restoration of Jerusalem, would you be eager to teach people the importance of obedience?
Would you be inclined toward fighting to protect the faith of Israel or would you rather be the one writing down the history of Israel?
April 16, 2024

April 16th, 2024

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Leviticus 24-25

Highlight Verse:

“This same standard applies both to native-born Israelites and to the foreigners living among you. I am the Lord your God.”
‭‭Leviticus‬ ‭24‬:‭22‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I am an American.

Which is to say I was born and raised in America to a mom with roots in Northern Europe and a Mexican dad.

But then to say I’m half Mexican is to say I’m a quarter Spanish and a quarter indigenous – Otomi tribe to be exact.

Each of my ancestors have unique and fascinating immigration stories.

I say that not to make any political statement about immigration policies. I have my opinions, but this is not the place for them as we welcome people from all backgrounds.

While we may have differing opinions about immigration, the Bible makes it clear that all people, no matter what their nationality or background, are loved by God and given the same opportunity to trust Him and accept His grace and mercy.

Even as far back as the very roots of Judaism, the forerunner of Christianity, the Bible speaks here of people being treated with the same standards regardless of national origin.

The beautiful truth of this is, I have brothers in the faith all over the world. That includes those believers of many different races here in America.

Have you experienced fellowship with believers from different parts of the world?
Have you been treated as an equal among diverse Christian groups?
What have you learned from fellowship with those from completely different cultures?

Did you notice that Hosea didn’t wait for his wife to want to return to him?

He was willing to take a risk on us, knowing that many would choose not to come to him.

That should make us all the more willing to come back to the God who gave sacrificially for us.

Those speeches changed history for the better by inspiring millions.

Those words (some of which I heard from my stepfather) inspire people to give up and fulfill the negative image painted for them.

Words of kindness, encouragement, and joy have given me the strength to carry on.

I now realize that David was making sure his warriors knew who was really worthy of their sacrifice.

My hope is that my life would cause people to want to follow Jesus, not me.

In context, many of those good things in today’s reading are a result of obedience.

He knows what works best for us.

I say, we should take advantage of that and follow His instructions.

As it happens, our pastor used this verse yesterday to illustrate how Jesus understands when we are unappreciated.

What is unseen by people is often what is most significant to God.

Your faithful actions may be unseen by others but God sees each kind word, each kind and helpful act, and each prayer lifted in silence and He will reward you for it (Matthew 6:4).

He has a Father’s love for us.

I would lay down my life for any one of them in a heartbeat.

He didn’t just talk about it.

He came to Earth as a mortal man and laid down that life that we may live.

Hosea is the first of the Minor Prophets, so named due to the short length of their writings, not according to their importance.

“Not loved” became “loved”. “Not my people” became “my people.”

Too often, we think of faith as simply believing.

In reality, true faith is about trust.

If we trust that Jesus spoke the truth, we will do what He tells us to do.

The first 9 chapters give reference material for all the historical stories given in the rest of the book.

The author clearly wants to see the restored Israel to see the importance of obedience to God, that the restoration may be permanent.

I am an American.

The beautiful truth of this is, I have brothers in the faith all over the world. That includes those believers of many different races here in America.