Walk in the Light

March 6, 2024

March 6th, 2024
Wednesday – History

Reading – 2 Kings 12-14

Highlight Verse:

“But by the twenty-third year of Joash’s reign, the priests still had not repaired the Temple.”
‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭12‬:‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I’ve been meaning to procrastinate but I keep putting it off.

Seriously, though, I’m a master at the art of procrastination.

According to this verse, I’m not alone. They were procrastinating almost 3000 years ago and it’s still a very common thing.

What can we learn about escaping procrastination from this chapter?
- First, find accountability. Joash brought that for the priests. Making your commitments public or at least known to your friends can have the same motivating effect.
- Second, focus on the important. The priests had to stop all their little pet projects to make sure their money and time went to the important task of fixing up the temple.
- Third, get help. The priests hired contractors to get the work done. Sometimes we need to recruit help to get what we need done.
While I’m not sure I can afford to hire people to get stuff done, I can certainly prioritize my projects and tell people about my priorities. Let’s see if that works.

What about you? Are there important things that you’ve been putting off?
What’s your plan going forward?
March 5, 2024

March 5th, 2024

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Leviticus 13

Highlight Verse:

“As long as the serious disease lasts, they will be ceremonially unclean. They must live in isolation in their place outside the camp.”
‭‭Leviticus‬ ‭13‬:‭46‬ ‭NLT‬‬

On the one hand, it’s commendable that they knew how to avoid spreading diseases way back then.

On the other hand, it was an awfully cold way to handle those who needed help.

Today we don’t shun people.

Unless, of course, you say the wrong thing on social media.

Then people will “cancel” you.

And in some churches, if you say or do the wrong thing… you get the idea.

In the New Testament, Jesus showed by example how to treat the unclean.

He didn’t “cancel” them. In fact, he reached out to them and healed them.

Maybe instead of trying to be the palace for the perfect it’s time to be the hospital for the hurting.

Instead of shunning, let’s bring healing.

Are you one who has been shunned? Have you found healing?
Are you one who has played the roll of the clean, rejecting the unclean? What would it take to turn you into a healer?
March 4, 2024

March 4th, 2024
Monday – Gospels

Reading – Luke 10

Highlight Verse:

“These were his instructions to them: “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭10‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I did a little background research for this and was encouraged by what I found.

According to a recent Lifeway Research study, 42% of adult churchgoers actively volunteer at their church.

That’s higher than I thought.

Our church has a couple hundred volunteers each week doing everything from directing traffic, greeting, serving coffee and donuts to production team and teaching children. The amount of participation is amazing.

Somehow it never seems to be quite enough.

I was asked to substitute teach the 4th and 5th graders for one service yesterday morning. As I am committed to serving with the student ministry, I limit the times I agree to that, but I knew there was need.

There have been other times when classes have had to be combined for lack of qualified teachers. (Background checked and trained).

I am not about judging anyone for how much or how little they participate. Each person has their own circumstance.

But just in case there is anyone out there who, for whatever reason, has felt they were unqualified to serve, I suggest that you pray about it for two reasons –
- First, serving brings about such growth and encouragement to the person serving and
- Second, the workers are few and there are needs that can be met by you.
Do you have any great stories of being blessed while serving that you could share?
If you are not currently serving at a church, have you asked God to show you where you could participate?
March 3, 2024

March 3rd, 2024

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Proverbs 15-16

Highlight Verse:

“Better to have little, with fear for the Lord, than to have great treasure and inner turmoil.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭15‬:‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

When I was 14, I went a a short mission trip to Tijuana, Mexico.

One of the workers at the little center we went to wanted to host us kids for dessert at her house.

We loaded up in the brand-new Oldsmobile wagon and fairly new Chevy Suburban and rode to her barrio.

Her house was clean and colorful.

And tiny.

It was a simple cinderblock two room home with a cement floor and metal roof. The grey walls and floors were covered with colorful blankets and the family was covered with love and joy.

You couldn’t find a more happy and content family in the nicest neighborhoods of Beverly Hills.

What little they had, they shared.

That, my friends, was all the proof I will ever need of the truth of this verse.

Are you content?
Do you own a lot of things or do a lot of things own you?
March 2, 2024

March 2nd, 2024

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Genesis 1

Highlight Verse:

“Then God said, “Let there be light,”and there was light.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭1‬:‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

It’s tough to find the right clothes when the closet light doesn’t work. And we won’t even talk about the basement bathroom.

Yes, we’ve had some electrical problems around here.

But what was it like before God created light.

God only knows – literally.

The university I attended right out of high school had the Latin motto “Fiat Lux” or “Let There Be Light.”

They believed that knowledge would enlighten a person. In a sense, they were right.

But some of what I learned there, I had to unlearn when I got into the real world and saw what life was really like.

Some fifteen years later I went back to college – this time a Bible college.

That was truly enlightening.

It was like today, when I replaced light fixtures in our closet and the basement bathroom. Suddenly everything became clearer.

God created literal light in today’s verse. But I don’t think it’s an accident that this verse is right at the beginning of the Bible since God’s Word can bring so much into focus.

What has become clearer to you now that you are studying God’s Word?
Is there anything that is blocking the light of His Word from you?
March 1, 2024

March 1st, 2024

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Ezekiel 46-48

Highlight Verse:

“He asked me, “Have you been watching, son of man?” Then he led me back along the riverbank.”
‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭47‬:‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I was in an office yesterday when someone stopped by looking for the normal occupant. I was just there working on a copier, so I didn’t know.

When the normal occupant returned, she asked me to describe the visitor.

Young guy in a black and grey hoodie was all I could think of.

I hadn’t been watching very well.

Then there’s those life lessons that I should have figured out but had to learn the hard way.

If I had paid attention when God tried to point out potential problems, I could have avoided them.

Where can you go to find answers to your questions about life?
Do you have examples of when you saw something you thought was unimportant that turned out to be something critical? How did you finally notice it?
February 29, 2024

February 29th, 2024

Thursday – Letters

Reading – Hebrews 8

Highlight Verse:

”And they will not need to teach their neighbors, nor will they need to teach their relatives, saying, ‘You should know the Lord.’ For everyone, from the least to the greatest, will know me already.“
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭8‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

All I can say is – let it be so!

We do live in the time of the New Covenant but before the second coming of Christ.

We have the mercy and grace of Jesus, but not the new Jerusalem.

Some day we won’t need to be concerned that someone needs to know Jesus because all will.

Until that day, we need to let our neighbors and relatives know about the love and grace and peace we’ve found in Jesus.

Today, instead of answering questions, let’s lift up the people who have not come to know Jesus.
If you’re not sure if you really know Jesus, feel free to put your name up and we would all be glad to pray with you.

For me, I’d love your prayers for my son and my oldest daughter. I thank you for lifting them up to God!
February 28, 2024

February 28th, 2024

Wednesday – History

Reading – 2 Kings 9-11

Highlight Verse:

“But Jehu did not obey the Law of the Lord, the God of Israel, with all his heart. He refused to turn from the sins that Jeroboam had led Israel to commit.”
‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭10‬:‭31‬ ‭NLT‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

This was a tough reading today.

Part of me wants to cheer on Jehu as he clears away any trace of Baal worship.

A bigger part of me is disgusted by all the bloodshed and violence.

Is this guy really doing what God told him to do?

I know that it was a violent time in history that sometimes required violence to make things right. But it seemed like Jehu wasn’t really motivated by zeal for the Lord.

His violence did more to establish his absolute rule than to bring true worship back to Israel.

This was confirmed by verse 31.

I know someone who often cites stories like this to discredit organized religion.

It is true that much violence has been done in the name of religion from the Crusades to witch-hunts.

Despite that, human error does not make God any less true.

The hatred and violence of man does not negate the undying sacrificial love of God.

Have the past injustices of religions ever kept you from Jesus?
How do you respond to someone who cannot get past how religious people have acted?
February 27, 2024

February 27th, 2024

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Leviticus 11-12

Highlight Verse:

“For I, the Lord, am the one who brought you up from the land of Egypt, that I might be your God. Therefore, you must be holy because I am holy.”
‭‭Leviticus‬ ‭11‬:‭45‬ ‭NLT‬‬

It’s easy to look at this section of Scripture and dismiss it altogether as old religion that has been superseded by the New Covenant found in Jesus.

But there are reasons this is still part of the Bible. I don’t just mean that it’s there to show how good we have it today. (We do).

If we look beyond the detailed rules we find a glimpse of the Father heart of God.

I’m not suggesting we go back to all those Old Testament rules, but we can certainly learn from them.

That loving Father God rescued His children from the land of Egypt into freedom.

He gave them rules that would both keep them healthy and guide them toward holiness.

He guided them closer to Himself.

A good father wants to raise his children to be good people and to be able to spend time with them.

God the Father shows us a perfect model for that.

What have you learned from reading about the rules and rituals found in Leviticus?
How can you apply that knowledge to your life today?
February 26, 2024

February 26th, 2024

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Luke 9

Highlight Verse:

“Jesus said, “You faithless and corrupt people! How long must I be with you and put up with you?” Then he said to the man, “Bring your son here.””
‭‭Luke‬ ‭9‬:‭41‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Can you hear the frustration in Jesus’ voice?

No matter how much he taught them, they didn’t seem to grasp the concept of faith.

But then, I would probably be like one of the disciples who failed to deliver the boy from the demon. I would try, but would I have the faith?

I profess faith but when the rubber hits the road and it comes to praying for miracles, sometimes my faith comes up short.

Don’t get me wrong. I’ll never be a “name it and claim it” kind of person. But, with as many miracles as I’ve seen, I should expect more.

The next time I pray for healing or some other miracle, I need to pray with a faith that expects the miracle to be the rule not the exception.

Have you seen God pull off the miraculous? Tell us about it.
Can you pray with me from a platform of faith rather than doubt?

I’ve been meaning to procrastinate but I keep putting it off.

What can we learn about escaping procrastination from this chapter?

On the other hand, it was an awfully cold way to handle those who needed help.

He didn’t “cancel” them. In fact, he reached out to them and healed them.

According to a recent Lifeway Research study, 42% of adult churchgoers actively volunteer at their church.

But just in case there is anyone out there who, for whatever reason, has felt they were unqualified to serve, I suggest that you pray about it for two reasons –

When I was 14, I went a a short mission trip to Tijuana, Mexico.

You couldn’t find a more happy and content family in the nicest neighborhoods of Beverly Hills.

That, my friends, was all the proof I will ever need of the truth of this verse.

God only knows – literally.

That was truly enlightening.

God created literal light in today’s verse. But I don’t think it’s an accident that this verse is right at the beginning of the Bible since God’s Word can bring so much into focus.

I hadn’t been watching very well.

If I had paid attention when God tried to point out potential problems, I could have avoided them.

All I can say is – let it be so!

Until that day, we need to let our neighbors and relatives know about the love and grace and peace we’ve found in Jesus.

A bigger part of me is disgusted by all the bloodshed and violence.

I know someone who often cites stories like this to discredit organized religion.

The hatred and violence of man does not negate the undying sacrificial love of God.

If we look beyond the detailed rules we find a glimpse of the Father heart of God.

A good father wants to raise his children to be good people and to be able to spend time with them.

God the Father shows us a perfect model for that.

Can you hear the frustration in Jesus’ voice?

But then, I would probably be like one of the disciples who failed to deliver the boy from the demon. I would try, but would I have the faith?

The next time I pray for healing or some other miracle, I need to pray with a faith that expects the miracle to be the rule not the exception.