Walk in the Light

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?
April 15, 2024

April 15th, 2024

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Luke 16

Highlight Verse:

“And besides, there is a great chasm separating us. No one can cross over to you from here, and no one can cross over to us from there.’”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭16‬:‭26‬ ‭NLT‬‬

First, this disclaimer – It is purely coincidental that we are reading about hell on what is Tax Day in the U.S.

As bad as taxes can feel, hell is far worse.

We’d all like to think that hell is just a philosophical construct to get people to behave.

If you believe in the Word of God, today’s reading debunks that theory. Hell is a very real and bad place.

I’ve heard many say that a loving God would never condemn people to an eternity in hell.

They’re right.

God never condemns people to hell. People choose to go there by not trusting God to lead them to heaven through His grace and mercy.

The choice is for eternity and must be made here on earth.

I know there can be “death bed confessions” where someone can choose to trust at the last moment. Jesus showed that on the cross when He accepted the confession of the sympathetic robber on the next cross over from Him.

But why would anyone want to wait that long.

New life begins the moment someone chooses to trust Jesus. Freedom from guilt begins immediately and continues through eternity.

And none of us are guaranteed another waking moment.

Whenever I think about this, I can’t help thinking about my dad. He knew the Gospel from those of us who urged him to accept Jesus. He didn’t believe that someone as messed up as him could be forgiven.

It is my hope that he saw the truth and accepted it before he passed alone. Someday I will find out when I shed this mortal skin.

In the meantime, I will enjoy a life full of hope and freedom for now and eternity.

Do you know where you will spend eternity? The choice is yours.
Are you living a life of freedom in the grace and mercy of Jesus?
April 14, 2024

April 14th, 2024

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Proverbs 22-23

Highlight Verse:

“The rich and poor have this in common: The Lord made them both.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭22‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Judging by the cars on our street, we live in a very diverse neighborhood.

A late model Jaguar and Lincoln share the same street as an old Suzuki and no less than 3 old Ford F-150’s.

When I drive my 18-year-old F-150, I don’t envy the nice new Tacoma down the street. It’s comfortable, reliable and safe despite its 251 thousand miles. More importantly, it’s paid off.

Does that make us poorer than our neighbors? Not in my book.

Each and every one of us are given the same number of hours, minutes, and seconds each day.

More importantly, we each have the same infinite number of years to our future.

If we spend our present in joyous preparation for life everlasting, we are wealthy indeed!

My bottom line today is the Lord gave each of us the same opportunities to prepare for eternal life.

It’s what we do with those opportunities that make us truly wealthy.

How would you define true wealth?
What is one thing you do on a regular basis that works more toward your eternal life and not life here on earth?
April 13, 2024

April 13th, 2024

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Genesis 1

Highlight Verse:

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

In about a month, I get to present one of my favorite topics to our middle school students at church.

In preparation, I am laying the groundwork for it with some basic studies here.

What better place to start than with the literal laying of the groundwork.

To me, it is unfathomable to look at the amazing beauty of this earth and to think that it just happened by chance.

If you’ve ever stood at the edge of a canyon and seen the intricate formations and incredible shades of color, it’s easy to see the artistry of our Creator.

Or if you’ve stood on a rocky shore and felt the mighty waves strike the cliffs, heard the roar of the ocean, and seen the blaze of the sunset, I find it impossible to not sense the strength of the God who created all of it with just His voice.

That same God created each of us to reflex His image. He made each atom in our bodies possible. He knows us better than we know ourselves.

If He is so powerful as to speak the world into existence, yet so intimate that he knows our every thought, how can we fail to trust Him.

What is your favorite place in this creation? (Feel free to share a landscape photo).
What part or characteristic of you are you the happiest that God created?
April 12, 2024

April 12th, 2024

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Daniel 11-12

Highlight Verse:

“Many of those whose bodies lie dead and buried will rise up, some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting disgrace.”
‭‭Daniel‬ ‭12‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

To all those who think that salvation was strictly a New Testament concept – here you go.

Daniel laid it out some 400 years before the New Testament.

The only thing missing was the method of salvation, which we can find in Isaiah.

Today is just one more piece of evidence that the Bible is united in purpose.

That purpose is to bring more people to life and bring more life to people.

Chapter 11 also goes on to prove the veracity of the Bible.

The predictions in that chapter came to pass with the splitting of Alexander’s empire and the rise of the Ptolemies and Seleucids.

So, what lesson can we learn from today’s reading?

The Bible can be trusted, and it points to eternal life.

Do you have trouble believing in the truth of the Bible?
Do you now look at things differently? In what way?

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.

If you believe in the Word of God, today’s reading debunks that theory. Hell is a very real and bad place.

God never condemns people to hell. People choose to go there by not trusting God to lead them to heaven through His grace and mercy.

New life begins the moment someone chooses to trust Jesus. Freedom from guilt begins immediately and continues through eternity.

Judging by the cars on our street, we live in a very diverse neighborhood.

Each and every one of us are given the same number of hours, minutes, and seconds each day.

It’s what we do with those opportunities that make us truly wealthy.

To me, it is unfathomable to look at the amazing beauty of this earth and to think that it just happened by chance.

That same God created each of us to reflex His image. He made each atom in our bodies possible. He knows us better than we know ourselves.

If He is so powerful as to speak the world into existence, yet so intimate that he knows our every thought, how can we fail to trust Him.

To all those who think that salvation was strictly a New Testament concept – here you go.

Chapter 11 also goes on to prove the veracity of the Bible.

The Bible can be trusted, and it points to eternal life.