Walk in the Light

February 4, 2024

February 4th, 2024

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Proverbs 10

Highlight Verse:

“People who accept discipline are on the pathway to life, but those who ignore correction will go astray.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭10‬:‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I thought I was qualified. I had worked in maintenance at the camp the summer before. I was going into my junior year of college, and I should’ve been ready to be a summer camp counselor.

But I was turned down for the job.

I had to find out why.

I showed up at the camp director’s doorstep and came right out and asked two questions. Why was I passed up? And what could I do to get the job next year?

He kindly and wisely showed me where I was lacking and gave me advice on how to improve.

I took the advice gratefully and set about making changes. In the meantime I took whatever job was available at the conference center.

In the middle of the first week of summer, I was called into the office of my new job. I thought I did something wrong.

It turned out that one of the counselors had realized that he wasn’t up to the task, and I was the first person the director thought of to take his place.

It was an amazing summer.

That’s the condensed version of when I learned to take correction with grace. I haven’t always done that well with discipline. But, when I have, it has been of great benefit to my life.

Have you done well with discipline or has been a source of difficulty to you?
Can you share your stories of life changing discipline?
February 3, 2024

February 3rd, 2024

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – 2 Peter 3:8-18

Highlight Verse:

”But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day.“
‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭3‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I’m writing this on Groundhog Day. Three guesses as to what movie we watched as a family tonight…

Yup, you got it – Groundhog Day.

Which is kind of ironic, watching a movie about someone for whom one day is lasting many days on a day when I read about a day being like a thousand years. (No, I did NOT pick the reading because of the movie).

In the movie, Phil doesn’t move on to the next day until he makes Groundhog Day perfect.

In reality, God doesn’t expect us to be perfect. Instead, He provides the perfection through the sacrifice of Jesus.

So what’s delaying God’s return?

He’s waiting for everyone to have a chance to accept His sacrifice.

He’s been waiting for generations.

He may choose to wait for many more generations.

Or He may return tonight.

He alone sees the big picture and knows the right timing.

While we cannot fathom what that looks like, we would do well to work toward the same goal as God – that all may know Him.

What does that goal look like in your life?
What can you do to hasten the day of God’s return?
February 2, 2024

February 2nd, 2024

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Ezekiel 34-36

Highlight Verse:

”I will be like a shepherd looking for his scattered flock. I will find my sheep and rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on that dark and cloudy day.“
‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭34‬:‭12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

When I was a junior in high school, I had a job as a hand on a small farm. In the winter, one of my jobs was to feed the sheep.

I loaded a couple of bales of hay on an old pickup truck and hauled it to a hillside in the frozen pasture.

The moment the sheep heard that old International pickup come up the hill, they came running.

I told that story a few weeks ago to our middle schoolers when I taught a lesson about Jesus as the Good Shepherd.

I didn’t realize that this concept was foretold in Ezekiel.

One of the things we learned about was that sheep recognize the sound of the shepherd’s voice and trust him since they knew that he protected them and led them to food and water.

Just like the sheep reacted to the sound of the truck, they know a good thing when they hear it.

Likewise, we can trust the voice of Jesus because we know he loves us and provides for us.

He is always faithful, even when we’re not.

We can trust His voice as we hear it in the words of the Bible.

When you hear or read the word of God, do you trust it completely?
Did you know that he will always lead you to what is good for you – never bad?
February 1, 2024

February 1st, 2024

Thursday – Letters

Reading – Hebrews 4

Highlight Verse:

“We know it is ready because of the place in the Scriptures where it mentions the seventh day: “On the seventh day God rested from all his work.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

What struck me in this verse is the fact that the writer of Hebrews apparently knew Scripture quite well but did not see importance in quoting chapter and verse or even book.

The answer to part of that is obvious to any Bible scholar. The Bible wasn’t divided into chapters until the 13th century. Verses didn’t arrive until the mid 16th century.

But the writer doesn’t even worry about book names.

I know the Bible pretty well.

But the number of verses that I can quote with their exact location is rather small.

Knowing the limitations of my memory, I have chosen to concentrate on remembering concepts and life lessons rather than exact verses with their references.

Some of you may be very good at memorization.

That’s awesome. I’ll even admit that I’m a bit jealous of that ability.

I would only suggest that you should understand the lessons from the Scripture that you read and get them into your heart.

That way, when trials and temptations come along (and they will), the way to get through them will be obvious.

If you are good at memorization, do you have a method that you could share with the rest of us to improve our memorization skills?
What are some verses that you have remembered and how has knowing them helped you?
January 31, 2024

January 31st, 2024

Wednesday – History

Reading – 1 Kings 21-22

Highlight Verse:

“An Aramean soldier, however, randomly shot an arrow at the Israelite troops and hit the king of Israel between the joints of his armor. “Turn the horses and get me out of here!” Ahab groaned to the driver of his chariot. “I’m badly wounded!””
‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭22‬:‭34‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This story happened after God had spared Ahab because he had repented. By this time, Jehoshaphat, the good king of Judah, had made peace with him.

Jehoshaphat was so intent on keeping that peace that he went along with Ahab’s plans to survive despite what the prophet Micaiah had predicted. (Read the whole chapter for more details).

God faithfully protected Jehoshaphat despite his foolish obedience to Ahab.

The prophecy against Ahab, however, was fulfilled despite their best efforts to protect him.

There are many nuances to this whole story.

To me, the bottom line is two fold.

First, God may change His plans for someone who is truly repentant.

He did this when Ahab repented.

Second, no amount of selfish scheming, no matter how clever, can stop God’s plans from being fulfilled.

Even though his clever plans fooled the enemy, God brought the arrow that broke Ahabs plans.

Have you ever tried to outsmart God? How’d that work for you?
Have you seen God pour out his grace and change the circumstances around you when you truly repented? Please share with us.
January 30, 2024

January 30th, 2024

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Leviticus 3-4

Highlight Verse:

“Lay your hand on the animal’s head, and slaughter it at the entrance of the Tabernacle. Then Aaron’s sons, the priests, will splatter its blood against all sides of the altar.”
‭‭Leviticus‬ ‭3‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

First thing that struck me about this verse is that it addresses the worshipper rather than the priests.

It says to “lay your hand on the animal’s head.”

In my mind, that makes the sacrifice more personal.

The fact that the worshipper is the one to slaughter the animal takes it one step deeper.

Keep in mind that this was the very beginning of the Hebrew system of sacrifices. Right from the start, God wanted the people to be personally involved in worship.

It reminds me of a friend in college who grew up in a much more traditional church. When I asked if she had a Bible or had any interest in studying the Bible, she just said that she just trusted what the priests said and had no need to find out more on her own.

That’s a concept that I cannot grasp.

Jesus paved the way for us to come directly to God. No priest needed.

It doesn’t get any more personal than that.

What would you say to friends who feel no need to get to know God personally?
How personal is your faith?
January 29, 2024

January 29th, 2024

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Luke 5

Highlight Verse:

“In one of the villages, Jesus met a man with an advanced case of leprosy. When the man saw Jesus, he bowed with his face to the ground, begging to be healed. “Lord,” he said, “if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.” Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” And instantly the leprosy disappeared.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭5‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Having an advanced case of leprosy 2000 years ago was a certain death sentence.

There was no hope.

Compounding this, people would have done everything possible to avoid that person. They wouldn’t want any chance of catching what he had.

Jesus turned those attitudes on their head. Through his preaching and healing others, Jesus brought enough hope for the man to plead for healing.

Instead of avoiding him, Jesus touched the man.

In that touch and in His words came complete healing.

As disciples of Jesus, we have the ability to bring that hope and healing to a hopeless and dying world.

We need to be willing to bring Jesus’ words of hope and healing and not be afraid to reach out and touch the hurting with God’s love.

Are you in need of a touch from Jesus? Reach out to him!
Are you willing to bring the words and touch of Jesus to the world around you? Be bold!
January 28, 2024

January 28th, 2024

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Proverbs 9

Highlight Verse:

”Wisdom will multiply your days and add years to your life.“
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭9‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The older I get, the more I appreciate this verse.

My father was just 5 years older than I am now when he passed away. Unfortunately, he did not live wisely most of his life and the cigarettes and alcohol did not do him any favors.

Even as I write this, I think of those who did live wisely who did not live long lives.

Just in the past year or so, I’ve lost two pastor friends to heaven. Both were about my age.

What about them?

I cannot begin to understand God’s reasoning for calling them and many others home.

I can understand the peace in each of their lives in their last days.

One of them I had the privilege of seeing a couple weeks before he passed. In his presence, though I knew he was in pain, I felt such a sense of peace.

So, maybe this verse refers not just to time but to quality time.

In wisdom, these friends of mine were able to live out their days in joy and peace.

I pray for that joy in my life and in yours.

What is your take on this verse?
How has wisdom increased your days?
January 27, 2024

January 27th, 2024

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Ephesians 2:1-10

Highlight Verse:

”For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.“
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

As a fiction author, I have had to learn that I really need to know my characters’ identities. Who they are, how they think, and what they believe all govern how they act. When they act differently than who they are, they are less believable.

Our identity drives the choices we make.

We will act like who we believe we are.

The first sentence in today’s highlight verse points to the truth about what our true identity is.

We are God’s masterpiece.

When we truly start to believe that, we start to act it out.

Of course, we are all works in progress, but the more we embrace that truth, the easier it will become to live it out.

Do you see yourself as a masterpiece or a mistake?
If you have trusted God, do you know how God sees you?
How does one live like a masterpiece?
January 26, 2024

January 26th, 2024

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Ezekiel 31-33

Highlight Verse:

”As surely as I live, says the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of wicked people. I only want them to turn from their wicked ways so they can live. Turn! Turn from your wickedness, O people of Israel! Why should you die?“

Ezekiel 33:11 NLT

I will admit, I don’t always look forward to preparing these Friday lessons from the Prophets.

There’s a whole lot of judgement.

Sorrow and death are major themes of many of Friday’s chapters.

But there is a purpose to these doom and gloom chapters and that is summed up in this verse.

God’s heart is always for the good of His people. It’s not always easy. Sometimes it’s downright terrifying.

But it all comes down to the main story of the Bible. That is the reconciliation of man to God through the loving mercy and grace of God.

Let’s never forget that He loves us so much that He went to the most extreme lengths to save us. Even as far as sacrificing His only Son.

Have you ever stopped to think about what the overall message of the Bible is?

Can you believe that God loves you beyond every measure?

I had to find out why.

I took the advice gratefully and set about making changes. In the meantime I took whatever job was available at the conference center.

It was an amazing summer.

I’m writing this on Groundhog Day. Three guesses as to what movie we watched as a family tonight…

He’s waiting for everyone to have a chance to accept His sacrifice.

While we cannot fathom what that looks like, we would do well to work toward the same goal as God – that all may know Him.

I didn’t realize that this concept was foretold in Ezekiel.

We can trust His voice as we hear it in the words of the Bible.

What struck me in this verse is the fact that the writer of Hebrews apparently knew Scripture quite well but did not see importance in quoting chapter and verse or even book.

Knowing the limitations of my memory, I have chosen to concentrate on remembering concepts and life lessons rather than exact verses with their references.

God faithfully protected Jehoshaphat despite his foolish obedience to Ahab.

The prophecy against Ahab, however, was fulfilled despite their best efforts to protect him.

First, God may change His plans for someone who is truly repentant.

Second, no amount of selfish scheming, no matter how clever, can stop God’s plans from being fulfilled.

First thing that struck me about this verse is that it addresses the worshipper rather than the priests.

Jesus paved the way for us to come directly to God. No priest needed.

It doesn’t get any more personal than that.

There was no hope.

Instead of avoiding him, Jesus touched the man.

We need to be willing to bring Jesus’ words of hope and healing and not be afraid to reach out and touch the hurting with God’s love.

The older I get, the more I appreciate this verse.

I can understand the peace in each of their lives in their last days.

So, maybe this verse refers not just to time but to quality time.

Our identity drives the choices we make.

But there is a purpose to these doom and gloom chapters and that is summed up in this verse.

Let’s never forget that He loves us so much that He went to the most extreme lengths to save us. Even as far as sacrificing His only Son.