Walk in the Light

February 24, 2024

February 24th, 2024
Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Acts 16:16-40

Highlight Verse:

“Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening.”
‭‭Acts of the Apostles‬ ‭16‬:‭25‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Every time I read this; I have to wonder what I would be doing.
- Trying to sleep?
- Brooding in anger at the injustice?
- Desperately praying for deliverance?
- All of the above?
But Paul and Silas sang as they prayed.

And when miraculous deliverance came, they chose to stay so they could minister to those around them including their jailor.

Paul would call those times “light and momentary trials.”

Most of us would crumble under those circumstances.

Maybe if we (me included) would pray and sing in the midst of our truly light trials, we would be able to stand up under the heavier ones.

What trials are going on in your life that you could stand to pray and sing in the midst of?
How would that change your perspective?
February 23, 2024

February 23rd, 2024

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Ezekiel 43-45

Highlight Verse:

“And the glory of the Lord came into the Temple through the east gateway.”
‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭43‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

If this whole section sound familiar, that’s because it repeats many of the themes from Exodus, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy.

Like before, God’s glory fills the temple.

While this is a vision of the near future, the hope cast by this vision comes to life little by little as the exiles return from captivity.

You might even say that it is a vision of Israel’s rebirth.

The holy nation was “dead” in exile but returns to life as the exiles come back to the land.

This section also serves to remind me of the rebirth that we can experience today.

As we repent and trust God, true life returns to us.

How do you perceive the purpose of this prophecy?
Is there a part that stands out to you? Let’s talk about it.
February 22, 2024

February 22nd, 2024

Thursday – Letters

Reading – Hebrews 8

Highlight Verse:

“They serve in a system of worship that is only a copy, a shadow of the real one in heaven. For when Moses was getting ready to build the Tabernacle, God gave him this warning: “Be sure that you make everything according to the pattern I have shown you here on the mountain.””
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭8‬:‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This verse puts the Old Testament system of sacrifices and worship at the Temple into perspective.

That was but a shadow of the real one!

The Old Testament priests made repeated sacrifices in a futile attempt to remove all guilt.

Jesus made one perfect sacrifice for all time for all sin for those who trust Him.

While some may see the Old and New Testaments as night and day, this verse paints them as light and shadow.

The light cannot be seen except for the shadow it cast.

The new covenant could not be understood save for the old system of sacrifice.

Do you have a hard time dealing the differences between Old and New Testament?
Does the knowledge that the Old can be considered a shadow of the New help you understand the role of the Old Testament?
February 21, 2024

February 21st, 2024

Wednesday – History

Reading – 2 Kings 6-8

Highlight Verse:

““Where did it fall?” the man of God asked. When he showed him the place, Elisha cut a stick and threw it into the water at that spot. Then the ax head floated to the surface.”
‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭6‬:‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

I’ve seen a lot of miracles over the years.

But I have never seen an axe head float.

Sometimes God uses some very unorthodox ways to get our attention.

Whether it be a mechanical miracle or the right words at the right time to encourage me, God has always known how to wake me up.

In what ways has God gotten your attention?
Have you always paid attention when unusual things happen?
February 20, 2024

February 20th, 2024

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Leviticus 9-10

Highlight Verse:

“Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu put coals of fire in their incense burners and sprinkled incense over them. In this way, they disobeyed the Lord by burning before him the wrong kind of fire, different than he had commanded.”
‭‭Leviticus‬ ‭10‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

What was your reaction when you first read this story?

If you’re like me, you may have found it a bit harsh. Okay, maybe very harsh.

I mean, what was so bad about adding a little variety to the rituals?

Pride.

You see, Nadab and Abihu wanted to show they knew how to do religious rituals better than Moses.

It’s possible that they didn’t really believe in God and thought these religious rights were just a show. And what a show they would put on.

God’s show was more impressive.

I am glad that we live under a new covenant of grace and mercy because my pride can show up from time to time.

There’s something to be said for community pride and patriotic pride.

But when my pride puts me before God, that’s misplaced pride.

That kind of pride truly goes before a fall.

Just ask Nabad and Abihu.

What do you think Nadab and Abihu’s motivations were for doing things their own way?
Like me, do you struggle with too much pride?
Where do you find a balance between too much pride and too little self esteem? (We could have a whole other conversation about that).
February 19, 2024

February 19th, 2024

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Luke 8

Highlight Verse:

“He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of God. But I use parables to teach the others so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled: ‘When they look, they won’t really see. When they hear, they won’t understand.’””
‭‭Luke‬ ‭8‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

There are people I love dearly who, no matter how many times and how many different ways I explain the Gospel, they never seem to understand it.

They run all my words through a filter that tells them “It’s just another way the church manipulates people.”

So, do I give up on these people?

Never!

But I realize that I will never get through to them on my own power or intelligence.

I need to pray.

And pray.

And, you guessed it, pray!

I pray in hope and confidence knowing that the Holy Spirit can eventually break that filter and allow them to hear the truth.

I do not believe that God would ever force anyone into heaven.

But I do believe that He will give them a chance to truly hear the Gospel, especially when people are fighting against the forces of evil that are trapping them.

Do you have loved ones who do not understand when you present the Gospel to them?
Are you going to battle for them in prayer?
February 18, 2024

February 18th, 2024
Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Proverbs 11

Highlight Verse:

”The godly are directed by honesty; the wicked fall beneath their load of sin.“
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭11‬:‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Let’s be honest – Sin is fun…

In the moment.

And then come the consequences.

The lies to cover it up.

The relationships damaged.

The mental and emotional damage from dealing with guilt.

The physical damage from neglecting or essentially poisoning our bodies.

It’s a weight that can become enormous if not dealt with.

But with honesty comes confession and repentance.
- We all sin, but if we are honest with God, He is faithful to forgive those sins for those who trust Him.
- If we are honest with trusted friends, we avoid many of those sins through accountability.
- If we are honest with ourselves, we realize that we can’t live perfect lives in our own power.
So, yes, “The godly are directed by honesty; the wicked fall beneath their load of sin.”

Are there any areas where shame or greed has kept you from honesty?
Do you have friends with whom you can be completely honest?
February 17, 2024

February 17th, 2024

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Luke 15

Highlight Verse:

“To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story: “A man had two sons.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭15‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Thus begins the story of the Prodigal Son. It’s a beautiful story perfectly aimed at a specific audience. Not only that but it did a great job of illustrating an important truth.

Jesus was a Christian Fiction Author!

Those who know me know where I’m going with this. I’ve been an amateur fiction author since my teens. In recent years I’ve taken steps to hone the craft learning from some amazing authors.

The aim with my fiction writing is similar to my aim for this study as well as my blogs –

To impact people with the principles found in the Gospel of Jesus.

Many people are highly influenced by fiction. I’ve seen some swayed away from Jesus by reading some very relatable writing that subtly undermines faith.

With all the stories rattling around in my head, I can’t, in good conscience, let misleading fiction monopolize reader’s time.

I’d rather let the stories from this overactive imagination lead people to Christ.

Do you have an abundance of stories that need to be told?
Are you willing to hone the talents God gave you?
February 16, 2024

February 16th, 2024

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Ezekiel 40-42

Highlight Verse:

“He said to me, “Son of man, watch and listen. Pay close attention to everything I show you. You have been brought here so I can show you many things. Then you will return to the people of Israel and tell them everything you have seen.””
‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭40‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I have a book that lists details from every year and model of Type 3 Volkswagen from the Squareback to the Fastback, Notchback, and Euro-spec Karmann Ghia’s (the US got Karmann Ghia’s based on the Type 1 beetle platform).

Why would I have a book like that?

When I retire, one of the first projects I want to do is to restore an old VW Squareback.

I know I sound crazy but they’re cheap to buy and easy to work on and one figures prominently in my Wil Clarey novel series.

That book gives me encouragement as I look forward to the day I retire.

Ezekiel’s prophecy here seems unnecessarily detailed. But it gives the people of Israel something to look forward to on the day that they return from exile.

One of the first projects they want to do is to rebuild the temple.

This prophecy gives them encouragement toward that goal.

What odd things have given you encouragement?
Does this passage give you any ideas on how you can encourage others?
February 15, 2024

February 15th, 2024

Thursday – Letters

Reading – Hebrews 7

Highlight Verse:

“For the law never made anything perfect. But now we have confidence in a better hope, through which we draw near to God.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭7‬:‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Hope can be tough to come by.

We can get discouraged by our sins and failures.

We can get overwhelmed by responsibilities.

We get lonely, angry, frustrated, and occasionally furious.

But there is hope in Jesus.

The law serves only to remind us of our imperfections.

Our hope reminds us that there is redemption in Jesus.

Seeking and permitting that redemption draws us closer to God.

Have you struggled with sin for years and find you are still fighting it?
Have you lost your hope? Let us help you find it again.

Every time I read this; I have to wonder what I would be doing.

Maybe if we (me included) would pray and sing in the midst of our truly light trials, we would be able to stand up under the heavier ones.

You might even say that it is a vision of Israel’s rebirth.

As we repent and trust God, true life returns to us.

This verse puts the Old Testament system of sacrifices and worship at the Temple into perspective.

While some may see the Old and New Testaments as night and day, this verse paints them as light and shadow.

I’ve seen a lot of miracles over the years.

Whether it be a mechanical miracle or the right words at the right time to encourage me, God has always known how to wake me up.

What was your reaction when you first read this story?

Pride.

But when my pride puts me before God, that’s misplaced pride.

There are people I love dearly who, no matter how many times and how many different ways I explain the Gospel, they never seem to understand it.

Never!

I pray in hope and confidence knowing that the Holy Spirit can eventually break that filter and allow them to hear the truth.

Let’s be honest – Sin is fun…

In the moment.

It’s a weight that can become enormous if not dealt with.

But with honesty comes confession and repentance.

Jesus was a Christian Fiction Author!

To impact people with the principles found in the Gospel of Jesus.

I’d rather let the stories from this overactive imagination lead people to Christ.

That book gives me encouragement as I look forward to the day I retire.

This prophecy gives them encouragement toward that goal.

But there is hope in Jesus.