Walk in the Light

April 5, 2024

April 5th, 2024

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Daniel 9-10

Highlight Verse:

“Then he said, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer.”
‭‭Daniel‬ ‭10‬:‭12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This chapter is where my favorite author, Frank Peretti, got part of the idea for his first best selling book, This Present Darkness.

The spiritual warfare that goes on behind the scenes would probably blow our minds.

But I love how the angel (probably Gabriel – see Chapter 8.) begins. “Don’t be afraid.”

Even though there’s all this unseen warfare around and Daniel has caught some harrowing glimpses of what is to come, “Don’t be afraid.”

Let’s bring that home.

Even though the world is fraught with war and injustice, don’t be afraid as there’s more to the picture than what we can see.

Even though the politics of our country and the world seem out of control, don’t be afraid. There’s only one true King.

Even when there seems no hope ahead, don’t be afraid.

There is One who holds your future and if you trust Him, your future is both bright and eternal.

Do you struggle with fear and anxiety (as so many do)?
Can you daily give those fears over to Jesus who can both take you through them and take them away?
April 4, 2024

April 4th, 2024

Thursday – Letters

Reading – Hebrews 13

Highlight Verse:

“May he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭13‬:‭21‬ ‭NLT‬‬

God doesn’t call the equipped, He equips the called.

It may be a cliché phrase by now but that doesn’t make it any less true.

It’s easy to think, “I don’t have what it takes to serve God.”

That’s true. You probably don’t.

But if God calls you to do something, He will provide the necessary skills and tools.

What has God called you to do?
Have you had to step out of your comfort zone in order to be obedient to God?
April 3, 2024

April 3rd, 2024

Wednesday – History

Reading – 1 Chronicles 1-3

Highlight Verse:

“These were the sons of David, not including his sons born to his concubines. Their sister was named Tamar.”
‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭3‬:‭9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

My wife and I have 4 kids. They are mostly grown up now but there were times when they were a bit of a handful.

David had 19 legitimate sons. That doesn’t include the sons from his concubines or his daughters.

Can you imagine if they lived today, the sheer number of diapers that family would have gone through!

Chronicles starts out with a detailed genealogy. The writer leaves nothing out as far as I can tell.

Hidden among the words of who begat who are all the details including some of the more embarrassing characters.

To me, that just proves that the Bible is a very good source, both for history and advice because it is honest. It doesn’t try to cover up the flaws.

What lessons do you see hidden among the many names?
Does the honesty of the Bible make you more or less inclined to believe it?
April 2, 2024

April 2nd, 2024

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Leviticus 20-21

Highlight Verse:

“Give the following instructions to Aaron: In all future generations, none of your descendants who has any defect will qualify to offer food to his God.”
‭‭Leviticus‬ ‭21‬:‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Whoa! Is this God’s attitude toward anyone with physical defects of any sort?

Fair question.

A quick look at Jesus should dispel that notion.

Jesus healed the sick. He touched the leper. He had compassion on the hurting.

Not only did he not judge those who had physical disabilities, He made them whole.

That sounds a lot like what he did for sinners (that’s all of us).

Some of the sins listed in today’s reading are downright heinous. Some would come with some very serious legal penalties even today. (Sacrificing children is strongly frowned upon).

But Jesus provided eternal forgiveness even for murderers.

Yes, people still have to pay the legal penalties for breaking earthly laws. But Jesus makes them whole, even while they go through their just punishments on earth. When the sinner trusts Jesus as Savior and Lord, they are freed from the eternal effects of sin, welcomed to Heaven.

And whether or not they receive healing in their earthly body, the believing disabled person become physically whole in heaven.

Have you experienced or seen physical healing? Tell us about it.
Have you experienced healing from sin? Feel free to share your story.
April 1, 2024

April 1st, 2024

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Luke 14

Highlight Verse:

“And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭14‬:‭27‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Many have interpreted this to be a form of earning salvation.

Other Scriptures make it clear that is not the case.

Jesus took away all of the guilt that kept us from a relationship with God. We need not fear any eternal judgement if we have trusted Jesus and accepted His sacrifice.

The people in the region and time Jesus lived on earth knew all about carrying the cross.

They understood that just following Jesus came with the risk of crucifixion.

Today in most of Western culture, the worst we face is a rare bit of ridicule and unfair stereotyping. Frankly, that has led us to be spoiled believers. In many cases, our faith can be shown weak when we face real challenges.

In many parts of the world, it is a capital offense to worship Jesus and to share His love. It is there that people truly understand this verse.

They must have a solid faith so they can stand like steel!

I would never advocate persecution for the sake of strengthening faith. But I think we would do well to remember daily those who lay their lives on the line every day to follow Jesus.

Wisdom would remind us to realize that we could be among the persecuted someday.

Have you witnessed real persecution firsthand?
Is your faith solid enough to withstand true persecution?
March 31, 2024 – Easter / Resurrection Sunday

March 31st, 2024
Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Proverbs 20

Highlight Verse:

“Ears to hear and eyes to see— both are gifts from the Lord.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭20‬:‭12‬ ‭NLT‬‬
- The guards saw terror in the earthquake and the rolling stone.
- The religious leaders heard the end of their power draw near at the words of the guards.
- The people saw confusion in the conflicting stories.
- Mary saw fear and despair in the empty tomb.
- Peter and John saw the first hints of hope in the words of the angel.
- Thomas saw doubt in the reports of his fellow disciples.
- The Apostles saw joy in the presence of their living Messiah.
- God saw restoration in the tearing of the temple curtain that no longer kept mankind separate from Him!
What are you hearing and seeing on this Resurrection Day!
March 30, 2024

March 30th, 2024

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – John 21

Highlight Verse:

“She turned to leave and saw someone standing there. It was Jesus, but she didn’t recognize him.”
‭‭John‬ ‭20‬:‭14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I know from experience that it is tough to see when you’re blinded by tears.

Mary experienced that form of blindness at the graveside.

Foresight can be blinded by our situations.

Oversight can be blinded by the mundane details.

Insight can be blinded by what we want to see.

But hindsight is always 20/20.

Going into this Easter weekend culminating in Resurrection Sunday, let’s not lose sight of the tremendous cause for celebration that is the Resurrection of Jesus.

At His death and resurrection, Jesus set us free from slavery.

May your celebrations this weekend reflect the joy that comes from such freedom!

What are the best ways have you found to celebrate the Resurrection?
What brings you the most joy this time of year?
March 29, 2024

March 29th, 2024

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Daniel 7-8

Highlight Verse:

“While he was speaking, I fainted and lay there with my face to the ground. But Gabriel roused me with a touch and helped me to my feet.”
‭‭Daniel‬ ‭8‬:‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I can relate to Daniel.

I hear prophecies of the end times and strange prophetic dreams in the Bible and want to stick my fingers in my ears and go “lalalalala” so I can’t hear anything.

At least that used to be my perspective.

Then a wise person long ago told me that when I read end time prophecies, I should look for how they should change my life today.

I still don’t like to figure out timelines and how all the prophecies will play out.

But I don’t fear them.

These prophecies given to Daniel are especially confusing. But then my study Bible has a nice neat chart that illustrates how these prophecies already came true in history.

Daniel glimpsed history before the events played out.

I don’t know all the ins and outs of the prophecies, but I know that Daniel was a man of very high integrity and put in a position to make a difference in history.

It is one of my life goals to make a positive difference in this world, and this scripture confirms it for me.

Do unusual prophecies like these creep you out too?
What lessons have you gleaned from Daniel?
March 28, 2024

March 28th, 2024

Thursday – Letters

Reading – Hebrews 12

Highlight Verses:

“Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. For our God is a devouring fire.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭28‬-‭29‬ ‭NLT

Notice that it doesn’t say to earn your way to God by acting good. It says to be thankful by worshipping.

The worship is borne out of thankfulness, not duty.

By “devouring”, God means to consumes our entire attention.

It is not a meticulous following of rules, but a grateful response from an imperfect follower of Jesus.

Do you have that motivation for worship?
Do you understand how much we have to be grateful for?
March 27, 2024

March 27th, 2024
Wednesday – History

Reading – 2 Kings 21-25

Highlight Verse:

“Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-five years. His mother was Hephzibah.”
‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭21‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Sorry the reading was so long today. I guess it was appropriate since we read about the longest reigning king of Judah.

That begs the question, “Why was Manasseh, a king who did so much evil, allowed to reign for so long?”

It turned out that the account in 2 Kings 21 leaves out much of the story. If you read the account in 2 Chronicles 33, you find out that Manasseh was captured by the Assyrians and held captive.

After he humbled himself and repented before God, he was released and continued his reign.

To me, this illustrates 2 things:
- God honors humility.
- And, it’s always best to check the context, including the historical context.
Which wraps up my conclusions.

What did you observe in today’s long reading?
Did you check the context? How?

But I love how the angel (probably Gabriel – see Chapter 8.) begins. “Don’t be afraid.”

Let’s bring that home.

There is One who holds your future and if you trust Him, your future is both bright and eternal.

God doesn’t call the equipped, He equips the called.

But if God calls you to do something, He will provide the necessary skills and tools.

David had 19 legitimate sons. That doesn’t include the sons from his concubines or his daughters.

To me, that just proves that the Bible is a very good source, both for history and advice because it is honest. It doesn’t try to cover up the flaws.

Whoa! Is this God’s attitude toward anyone with physical defects of any sort?

Jesus healed the sick. He touched the leper. He had compassion on the hurting.

That sounds a lot like what he did for sinners (that’s all of us).

They understood that just following Jesus came with the risk of crucifixion.

Wisdom would remind us to realize that we could be among the persecuted someday.

Going into this Easter weekend culminating in Resurrection Sunday, let’s not lose sight of the tremendous cause for celebration that is the Resurrection of Jesus.

May your celebrations this weekend reflect the joy that comes from such freedom!

I can relate to Daniel.

I still don’t like to figure out timelines and how all the prophecies will play out.

I don’t know all the ins and outs of the prophecies, but I know that Daniel was a man of very high integrity and put in a position to make a difference in history.

That begs the question, “Why was Manasseh, a king who did so much evil, allowed to reign for so long?”

To me, this illustrates 2 things: