Walk in the Light

May 21, 2024

May 21st, 2024

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Numbers 7-8

Highlight Verse:

“So Aaron did this. He set up the seven lamps so they reflected their light forward, just as the Lord had commanded Moses.”
‭‭Numbers‬ ‭8‬:‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

It is worth noting that the lamps appear to be separate from the lamp stand.

The lamp stand was needed to position the lamps to give off the most light.

They needed the lamps to be able to burn the oil to give off the light.

Finally, they needed the oil itself to provide the fuel for the lamps.

I have heard it said that the lamp stand is like the Church, providing the framework for the lamps to shine forth.

The lamps are the people of the church, through whom the light shines to enlighten all within their reach.

The oil is the Holy Spirit.

Without the oil, no matter how beautiful the lamp stand and the lamps are, there will be no light.

Without the Holy Spirit, we might as well be an exclusive social club that never allows anyone new in.

That’s not what we were made for.

We were made to shine.

We shine only through the power of the Holy Spirit.

We shine the brightest through the support of the framework of the Church.

How bright is your light?
Does the Holy Spirit shine through you?
Does the light that burns from you reach its greatest effect by being in the framework of the Church?
May 20, 2024

May 20th, 2024

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Luke 21

Highlight Verse:

“Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on a cloud with power and great glory.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭21‬:‭27‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I’ve confessed before that verses about the end times used to freak me out. That was true even when it was Jesus speaking like in this chapter.

I’m tempted to think, “What if I miss the signs?”

From what Jesus says in this chapter, the signs will be pretty obvious.

If that isn’t enough, when He actually returns “EVERYONE will see the Son of Man coming…”

We won’t miss it.

Our lives may not be perfect by then, but if we trust in Jesus, His sacrifice guarantees that we will be part of His family when that day comes.

That is true whether we are still here on Earth or in His presence in Heaven.

No need to freak out.

Does talk of the end times make you nervous?
Do you think it is near or far in the future?
May 19, 2024

May 19th, 2024

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Proverbs 31

Highlight Verse:

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭31‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

And you thought I was going to take advantage of this chapter to brag on my wife.

My wife is amazing and the closest thing to a Proverbs 31 woman that I have met. (Oops, I guess I did take advantage of this chapter).

But most people overlook the first part of this chapter.

I’ve heard so many say that the Old Testament should be ignored because it is full of old rules and violence.

To those who would say that, let me remind you that our faith stands on the foundation that the Old Testament laid for us.

Jesus knew the Scriptures well (he did play a part in writing them after all). It was concepts from verses like this that He chose to teach to His followers.

There are so many ways to follow the commands of this verse.

From just voting in honest politicians (not easy) to taking the side of the disadvantaged in court, we have many ways we can stand up for those who cannot stand for themselves.

Personally, I choose to start by living a life of integrity that doesn’t take unfair advantage of people and encourages others to do the same.

How would you see this verse applied to your life?
Who is it in your life that cannot speak up for themselves?
May 18, 2024

May 18th, 2024

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Psalm 57

Highlight Verse:

“Wake up, my heart! Wake up, O lyre and harp! I will wake the dawn with my song.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭57‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Spring is my favorite time of year;

Longer days, warmer temperatures, and the brown Colorado landscape turns green again.

It’s like the world in waking up from a too long night of sleep.

I to admit that I won’t likely wake the dawn tomorrow. It comes too early for that (If God wanted us to see the sunrise, He would have put it later in the day).

Besides, I was up before the sun all week.

But that’s not what this passage is talking about it.

What a joy it is to awaken the soul.

Like cleaning the junk out of the garage, now is a good time to clear the junk from my life.

Freed from the tether of the sinful junk that slows me down, I will thrive.

Do you have junk that slows you down?
What would it take to free yourself from those chains.
May 17, 2024

May 17th, 2024

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Hosea 9-10

Highlight Verse:

“The time of Israel’s punishment has come; the day of payment is here. Soon Israel will know this all too well. Because of your great sin and hostility, you say, “The prophets are crazy and the inspired men are fools!””
‭‭Hosea‬ ‭9‬:‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Can you imagine a time when people who spoke out for righteousness were called crazy and those who championed faith were called fools?

Sorry, sarcasm is my native language.

But the situation in the northern kingdom of Israel in the days just before the exile bears a marked resemblance to America today.

Yes, the world is different today and Jesus has already paid the price for sin.

Even so, I believe we would do well to learn from the failures of Israel before the exile and bring more faith and faithfulness back to our society.

I do not want to make this political.

I do want to see revival in our land!

How do we do that?
What do you believe is our next step to bring that about?
May 16, 2024

May 16th, 2024

Thursday – Letters

Reading – 1 Peter 1-2

Highlight Verse:

“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation,”
‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭1‬:‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

And you thought that “born again” was some cheesy American Christian phrase.

Granted, the King James say “hath begotten us again.”

Same thing.

The important part is the fact that putting your faith in Jesus gives you a whole new life.

It’s not just a different philosophy or outlook.

It is life!

Trusting Jesus makes the Holy Spirit available to encourage and strengthen you.

It gives you a hope beyond all reason.

It gives you a life beyond any other.

Most say it gives you life after death, but did you know that it gives you new life before death too?Have you experienced that new life?
May 15, 2024

May 15th, 2024

Wednesday – History

Reading – 1 Chronicles 19-21

Highlight Verse:

“But David was not able to go there to inquire of God, because he was terrified by the drawn sword of the angel of the Lord.”
‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭21‬:‭30‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Today, this seems like an irrational fear.

After all, David was a “man after God’s own heart.” What did he have to fear?

Well, there was the little matter of 70 thousand people who just died in a plague because of his poor decision.

I might be a little freaked out too.

It’s easy to judge others when they have what seem to be irrational fears.

Perhaps it would be best to look at things from their perspective.

Maybe then we would understand.

But then, sometimes we don’t understand our own fears.

Do you tend to judge people for their irrational fears? (Guilty here)
How would it be different if you could see through their eyes?
May 14, 2024

May 14th, 2024

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Numbers 5-6

Highlight Verse:

“‘May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.’”
‭‭Numbers‬ ‭6‬:‭24‬-‭26‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This little section is called the Aaronic benediction.

It’s a beautiful poetic blessing in the middle of the book of Numbers.

The contrast makes it all the more powerful.

I remember a pastor who would end every service with this blessing and I would always leave church feeling like I had been truly blessed.

Try it on for size.

Bless those around you.

Then see if you feel blessed as well.

Have you ever made a practice of blessing those around you?
Can you think of occasions when this or a similar blessing would be appropriate?
May 13, 2024

May 13th, 2024

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Luke 20

Highlight Verse:

“So he is the God of the living, not the dead, for they are all alive to him.””
‭‭Luke‬ ‭20‬:‭38‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Tonight I am typing with brand new, but cheap, keyboard.

My old but very nice keyboard seems to have typed its last. My iPad doesn’t even recognize it anymore.

I can’t complain; I’ve used it a ton.

But it’s dead.

It wore out.

Sometimes I know the feeling.

The older I get, the more worn out I feel.

Oh, I still have a bunch of good years ahead. I’m not even close to giving up.

But I know that my time will come eventually.

Then what?

I am confident from this and many other passages like it that there is a new life awaiting me.

This life is a drop in the bucket compared to what awaits.

I don’t know much in the way of specifics but I know it will be awesome.

While I look forward to completing all the plans God has for me here on Earth, I joyously anticipate heaven.

I hope to see you there.

Do you believe there is a heaven awaiting us in the next life?
What do you most look forward to in heaven?
May 12, 2024

May 12th, 2024

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Proverbs 30

Highlight Verse:

“Some people curse their father and do not thank their mother. They are pure in their own eyes, but they are filthy and unwashed.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭30‬:‭11‬-‭12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Don’t want to be filthy and unwashed (or any of the other nasty things in the following verses?

Thank your mother. Today!

Happy Mother’s Day!

Let’s honor each of the moms in our lives today!

Nuff said.

It is worth noting that the lamps appear to be separate from the lamp stand.

Without the Holy Spirit, we might as well be an exclusive social club that never allows anyone new in.

That’s not what we were made for.

We were made to shine.

I’m tempted to think, “What if I miss the signs?”

We won’t miss it.

No need to freak out.

But most people overlook the first part of this chapter.

There are so many ways to follow the commands of this verse.

Personally, I choose to start by living a life of integrity that doesn’t take unfair advantage of people and encourages others to do the same.

Spring is my favorite time of year;

What a joy it is to awaken the soul.

Can you imagine a time when people who spoke out for righteousness were called crazy and those who championed faith were called fools?

Even so, I believe we would do well to learn from the failures of Israel before the exile and bring more faith and faithfulness back to our society.

I do want to see revival in our land!

And you thought that “born again” was some cheesy American Christian phrase.

The important part is the fact that putting your faith in Jesus gives you a whole new life.

Today, this seems like an irrational fear.

Perhaps it would be best to look at things from their perspective.

But then, sometimes we don’t understand our own fears.

It’s a beautiful poetic blessing in the middle of the book of Numbers.

Bless those around you.

Sometimes I know the feeling.

Then what?

This life is a drop in the bucket compared to what awaits.

I hope to see you there.

Thank your mother. Today!

Happy Mother’s Day!