Walk in the Light

April 11, 2024

April 11th, 2024

Thursday – Letters

Reading – James 1

Highlight Verse:

“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.”
‭‭James‬ ‭1‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This is one of those verses that you don’t want someone to quote to you when you’re feeling down.

That’s especially true if you are in mourning.

Before you up and slap that well meaning person who turns this verse into a cliché, let’s remember not to confuse joy with happiness.

Happiness depends on happenings. When things go our way, we can smile and feel good.

Joy pervades even when things don’t go our way. If we have an underlying confidence in the rightness of God and our position with Him, we know that we can get through the bad times.

It may not feel good as we go through it, but we know we will make it through and will be stronger from the experience.

The still doesn’t mean you should quote this verse to someone going through a rough patch.

But it will be helpful in our lives if we know this passage and this principle to help us through the tough times.

Have you been able to find joy in the midst of trial? Tell us about it.
Are you going through trials? Let’s pray for each other.
April 10, 2024

April 10th, 2024
Wednesday – History

Reading – 1 Chronicles 4-6

Highlight Verse:

“There was a man named Jabez who was more honorable than any of his brothers. His mother named him Jabez because his birth had been so painful.”
‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭4‬:‭9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“Jabez” sounds like the Hebrew word for pain.

It’s quite possible that he was a “pain” to those around him. After all, he was more honorable than those around him – so much so that they named the town after him. (1 Chronicles 2:55).

In fact, he was honorable enough to become a historical footnote in the middle of a Biblical genealogy.

The only words of his that were preserved were his prayer.

What did he pray for?
- That God would bless him – fill him with the joy that comes from God providing his needs.
- That God would enlarge his territory – that he would be a greater influence over more people.
- That God protect him from harm.
- And finally, that God would protect him from pain (or evil depending on the translation).
While some would use his prayer to promote prosperity theology,

I see it as a plea for God to honor his integrity.

There is nothing said here about Jabez’s wisdom or intelligence.

Instead, he is honorable.

Out of that integrity, He asks God to bless him.

Have you built a base of integrity that God can bless abundantly?
Have you asked for that blessing and protection?
April 9, 2024

April 9th, 2024
Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Leviticus 22-23

Highlight Verse:

“In addition to the Sabbath, these are the Lord’s appointed festivals, the official days for holy assembly that are to be celebrated at their proper times each year.”
‭‭Leviticus‬ ‭23‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬
- We have a seven-day calendar because of Hebrew law.
- The tradition of celebrating annual holidays came from Hebrew law.
- The idea of a weekend comes from Hebrew law.
True, we celebrate different holidays and have two-day weekends now, but the principle is the same.

God created humankind in His image. He knew that humans would need times of rest, both physically and emotionally.

He also knew that humans would need to connect to Him in worship and to connect with fellow believers.

And so, “The Lord said to Moses” (a phrase that occurs eight times in today’s reading) to bring on the rest and the worship.

I can get behind that tradition!

Do you get a weekly rest?
Do you get extended breaks at least a couple times a year?
Do you spend at least some of that time in worship and hanging out with other believers?
April 7, 2024

April 8th, 2024

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Luke 15

Highlight Verse:

“And when she finds it, she will call in her friends and neighbors and say, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost coin.’”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭15‬:‭9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This is one of my favorite chapters in the Bible. The “lost parables” (Lost sheep, lost coin, lost son) go a long way toward showing the depth of God’s love for us.

The lost coin parable is often the least understood, especially here in America.

We usually think of a coin as being worth a dollar or less. Not a big deal. Though if she only has ten dollars in savings, maybe a little bigger deal.

The word for coin here signifies a day’s wages. So, while her savings aren’t exactly huge, that lost coin means quite a bit more. It’s another day that her family can survive in the event of illness or injury.

To the average American, that one coin would be worth about $300.

Worth at least a minor celebration if found. To someone struggling to survive, finding that lost amount would be a huge relief.

God feels that same relief and joy when one person comes to faith through repentance.

Have you ever lost and then found something of significant value?
How would you describe the feeling upon having that item restored?
Better yet, if you have led a family member or friend to faith, how would you describe that feeling?
Can you imagine how the Father feels?
April 7, 2024

April 7th, 2024

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Proverbs 21

Highlight Verse:

“Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in their own time of need.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭21‬:‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I work in downtown Denver. To say that homelessness is a problem there is a massive understatement.

While I feel for those who are stuck in homelessness, it’s hard to translate that compassion to action.

On the one hand, homeless advocates usually advise people not to give cash directly to those asking for help as there is a good chance that it will just feed the addictions that put them on the street in the first place.

On the other, there’s only so many care packages they can use.

And then there was that one panhandler I saw running across the street with his walker in one hand and basket on a broom handle in the other. Call me a cynic, but I don’t think it was a miraculous healing.

Of course, one way is to help those in your immediate community who are in need.

In the past, there have been several times when I have been helped, sometimes with amazing generosity. I have done my best to pay that forward to others in need.

Another way is to give and volunteer for organizations who reach out to the poor. Locally, the Denver Rescue Mission does an amazing job helping people.

For us, the primary way is through child sponsorship (Compassion Intl, etc.) and supporting a missionary friend making a difference among the poor in Honduras (Via Love Intl).

No matter how much we have given, we have always found that you can’t out give God.

The blessings we get in return are priceless.

What do you think is the best way to put compassion into action?
Do you have any good stories of when you have been helped or helped others? Share them!
April 6, 2024

April 6th, 2024

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Ephesians 6:10-18

Highlight Verse:

“In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6‬:‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Last night I decided to cook on the gas grill outside.

I might have let it get too hot.

And I might need to clean the grease off the inside of the grill.

I’m happy to report that I was able to save the brats and burgers and finish them in the air fryer.

I have to admit that before I use the gas grill again, I need to clean the grease from the inside of the grill.

I should also clean off all the fire extinguisher residue.

With all the build up, once the grease ignited, it just kept getting hotter and hotter. It quickly became obvious that it was heading for disaster if I didn’t intervene.

You might think I’m going to say that faith is like that extinguisher dousing the flames of the evil one.

While that may be true, that’s not the best way to do things.

You see, if I had kept that grill cleaned out like I should have, the flames would not have gotten out of control.

When we consistently raise that shield of faith, we won’t let our lives get to the point where they get out of control and need radical intervention.

Consistency is the key. It’s not that easy. But the more consistently we walk by faith, the easier it gets.

Have you ever gotten to the point where your life proverbially blew up and you needed intervention to get back under control?
If you’ve been able to stay consistent with your faith, what advice can you give to everyone else?
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.

This is one of those verses that you don’t want someone to quote to you when you’re feeling down.

But it will be helpful in our lives if we know this passage and this principle to help us through the tough times.

In fact, he was honorable enough to become a historical footnote in the middle of a Biblical genealogy.

I see it as a plea for God to honor his integrity.

Out of that integrity, He asks God to bless him.

God created humankind in His image. He knew that humans would need times of rest, both physically and emotionally.

And so, “The Lord said to Moses” (a phrase that occurs eight times in today’s reading) to bring on the rest and the worship.

The lost coin parable is often the least understood, especially here in America.

To the average American, that one coin would be worth about $300.

God feels that same relief and joy when one person comes to faith through repentance.

While I feel for those who are stuck in homelessness, it’s hard to translate that compassion to action.

Of course, one way is to help those in your immediate community who are in need.

No matter how much we have given, we have always found that you can’t out give God.

I might have let it get too hot.

You see, if I had kept that grill cleaned out like I should have, the flames would not have gotten out of control.

Consistency is the key. It’s not that easy. But the more consistently we walk by faith, the easier it gets.

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).