Walk in the Light

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.
February 14th, 2024

February 14, 2024

Wednesday – History

Reading – 2 Kings 3-5

Highlight Verse:

“So she did as she was told. Her sons kept bringing jars to her, and she filled one after another.”
‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭4‬:‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I was close to my Grandma Clarey.

So when I got word that she was close to dying, I had to get there.

Problem was, my car needed a new clutch and there were two mountain passes between me and her.

My then fiancé and I set out anyway.

When the clutch started slipping on the gentle hills on the way out of town, we prayed.

The clutch did not slip the rest of the way there and back. Two steep passes twice and not a single slip.

The next day the car would barely move.

If anyone tries to tell you that God doesn’t work miracles anymore, don’t believe them.

He provided for the widow in 2 Kings and for many others in the Bible and ever since.

While He doesn’t always do everything we ask since we can’t see the big picture, He’s still the Creator and can bend the rules of creation any time He likes.

I say, bring it on!

Have you seen God provide miraculously in your life? Please share it!
Is there any reason that you have a hard time believing that God can provide no matter what?
February 13, 2024

February 13th, 2024

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Leviticus 7-8

Highlight Verse:

“If any of the meat from the peace offering is eaten on the third day, the person who presented it will not be accepted by the Lord. You will receive no credit for offering it. By then the meat will be contaminated; if you eat it, you will be punished for your sin.”
‭‭Leviticus‬ ‭7‬:‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Long before science had any concept of germs, the Bible was protecting people from food-borne illness.

This actually goes way back to Genesis with the banning of pork. While pork (and bacon!) is safe for us to eat now, it was a very easy way to get tapeworms back then.

While my professors at Bible college made it very clear that the Bible was not intended to be a science textbook, it is amazing how many statements in the Bible point to it being far ahead of the time of writing in various areas of science.

The rules of diet (kosher rules) probably saved the early Hebrews from a ton of misery.

If He could protect His people from that which they knew nothing of back then, certainly He can protect His people from our own ignorance today.

Have you ever considered the fact that the rules in the Bible were for our good?
What rules do you know of in the Bible that would help us if we followed them today?
February 12, 2024

February 12th, 2024

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Luke 7

Highlight Verse:

”When the Lord saw her, his heart overflowed with compassion. “Don’t cry!” he said.“
‭‭Luke‬ ‭7‬:‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Jesus was subject to extreme emotions.

Theologically, that confirms His humanity.

On a more practical level, it shows how much He loves people and tells us that he cares so much about us that we can completely trust Him.

He looks at us with a heart of compassion and always does what’s best for us, even when we cannot see it.

And when His emotions are stirred, He takes positive action.

Does knowing God’s compassion help you to trust Him?
Do you take positive action when you are stirred with a heart of compassion?
February 11, 2024

February 11th, 2024

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Proverbs 10

Highlight Verse:

”Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.“
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭10‬:‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Of all the proverbs in today’s reading, this one stings the most.

For one who is introverted by nature, I talk entirely too much.

I’ve been known to say too much to customers at work.

There are times when my words can be annoying at home, especially since sarcasm is my native language.

And then there are times when I just babble on.

So, this is where I need to exercise wisdom and stop.

Are you one who talks too much or too little (or just right – bless your heart)?
Has using too many words gotten you into trouble? Tell us about it using as few words as possible.
February 10, 2024

February 10th, 2024

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – 1 Corinthians 12:12-27

Highlight Verses:

“Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭12‬:‭14‬-‭15‬ ‭NLT

I write this late Friday night in a state of physical exhaustion. But it is a good exhaustion.

Tonight was Night to Shine – a prom for people with special needs put on by the Tim Tebow Foundation and national and local sponsors including our church.

There was such an atmosphere of joy and celebration all evening long.

Yes, there was a lot of effort put forth by the hundreds of volunteers, but the joy that filled the place came from the guests!

These were people who have had it rough.

They’ve been misunderstood, demeaned, endured endless medical treatments, and shut out of a significant part of life that many take for granted.

Tonight was about bringing a little of that ordinary fun life to a place where they can enjoy it and to do our best to convey a sense of acceptance and dignity to people who are just as much beautiful creations of God as any of us.

And the appreciation and joy they gave back to those who made tonight happen dwarfed our efforts.

We need to remember that the body of Christ goes way beyond our preconceived notions. Those we tend to ignore are often the ones capable of bringing unbridled joy, deep sensitivity, and unrestrained creativity to the body.

We would be fools not to make every effort to include them.

Are you a person with special needs struggling to be included? This is a safe place to speak up (even if it is to correct my exhausted brain’s way of expressing this).
What are ways that you or your church are making efforts to include people who may be differently abled. ‬
February 9, 2024

February 9th, 2024

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Ezekiel 37-39

Highlight Verse:

“So I spoke the message as he commanded me, and breath came into their bodies. They all came to life and stood up on their feet—a great army.”
‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭37‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I know I usually lean toward the more obscure verses, but I couldn’t resist this. This is my favorite part of Ezekiel.

As part of a student ministry leadership meeting, we were asked what our best memory of serving students was.

For me, the best times by far have been when getting to the end of a teaching time and having students respond by putting their faith in Jesus.

I believe that is a modern-day equivalent of Ezekiel’s life-giving words.

Seeing new life come into the life of a student is no less wonderful than the valley of dry bones coming back to life.

It is not my words but the work of the Holy Spirit touching lives.

I count it a privilege to be able to speak to students but that is certainly not the only way God uses to speak life into people.

The Holy Spirit can use something as simple as a t-shirt or bumper sticker to start someone down the right path.

Acts of kindness, living out God’s love to people, go a long way toward drawing people to God.

And consistent friendship is priceless in the Holy Spirit’s book.

When have you seen God speak life through you?
Are there ways that you would like God to use you to bring life to people?
February 5, 2024

February 8th, 2024

I don’t know how this got missed here.

All the posts here are also on Facebook in the group “Walk in the Light Bible Study.” I copied this from there when I just notice tonight that it was missing here.

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Luke 6

Highlight Verse:

“What sorrow awaits you who are praised by the crowds, for their ancestors also praised false prophets.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭6‬:‭26‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Taken in context, this almost seems like a contradictory statement.

Jesus gave the beatitudes at the height of his popularity. The crowds loved Him!

So was He talking about Himself?

Ummm, no.

But to most of us, popularity is addicting.

You know what I mean. Maybe you had that social media post that got more likes than you thought was possible. Or you did something at work or school that got everyone saying what a great job you did.

Pretty soon, you’re checking for the number of likes on your next post. Or you feel disappointed when you do something else you thought was great but no one notices.

Jesus knew who He was when the crowds loved Him and when they shouted “Crucify Him”.

He is the Son of God – fully God and fully man.

We do well to remember who we are when we get praised or dissed.

We are children of God. Perfect in His eyes by the grace and mercy of God.

So don’t rely on that euphoria that comes from people’s praise or crash into depression when that praise turned to discouragement.

Instead, rely on God for your strength and identity.

Have you found yourself addicted to people pleasing?
How have you escaped the rollercoaster of praise and discouragement?
February 8, 2024

February 8th, 2024

Thursday – Letters

Reading – Hebrews 5

Highlight Verse:

“And no one can become a high priest simply because he wants such an honor. He must be called by God for this work, just as Aaron was.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭5‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

There were only 2 high priests who were not descended from Aaron – Melchizedek and Jesus.

All the high priests were chosen, either by birth or by divine intervention.

Now the job has been permanently assigned to Jesus, who pleads for us before God the father.

What is your calling?

I remember applying to Bible College. On the application, I had to explain why I thought that I was called to ministry.

In other words, I had to toot my own horn.

Was I right?

I may not have gotten the degree I was aiming for, but I’ve never regretted the time I spent learning about God and about ministry.

While I might not have been called to full-time ministry, I believe I was called to ministry.

Honestly, I believe that every believer is called to ministry. That calling can be for ministry in many different areas. But we each have a calling on our life.

What are you called by God to do and be?
How do you know it?
February 7, 2024

February 7th, 2024

Wednesday – History

Reading – 2 Kings 1-2

Highlight Verse:

“Elisha left Jericho and went up to Bethel. As he was walking along the road, a group of boys from the town began mocking and making fun of him. “Go away, baldy!” they chanted. “Go away, baldy!”
‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭2‬:‭23‬ ‭NLT‬‬

How rude!

But was the mockery worth cursing them so that they were mauled by bears?

I always thought this was a bit harsh until I saw that 42 of the “youths” (A term which can mean anything from teen to twenty something) were mauled by the bears.

Forty two!

That was a heck of a crowd that was threatening Elisha. He had to be concerned for his life.

Add to that, as one of the commentaries (blueletterBible.org) on this verse mentions, this was the city where the people worshiped a golden calf, and they had no happy thoughts for a prophet who made it clear that idol worship was strictly forbidden.

So, while the bear mauling may sound harsh, God put a high priority on protecting his prophet.

Now that we are the royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9), I believe God places a high priority on protecting us.

What would you do in Elisha’s place?
Do you think that the right thing happened?

But there is hope in Jesus.

Problem was, my car needed a new clutch and there were two mountain passes between me and her.

When the clutch started slipping on the gentle hills on the way out of town, we prayed.

The clutch did not slip the rest of the way there and back. Two steep passes twice and not a single slip.

I say, bring it on!

Long before science had any concept of germs, the Bible was protecting people from food-borne illness.

If He could protect His people from that which they knew nothing of back then, certainly He can protect His people from our own ignorance today.

On a more practical level, it shows how much He loves people and tells us that he cares so much about us that we can completely trust Him.

And when His emotions are stirred, He takes positive action.

Of all the proverbs in today’s reading, this one stings the most.

So, this is where I need to exercise wisdom and stop.

I write this late Friday night in a state of physical exhaustion. But it is a good exhaustion.

And the appreciation and joy they gave back to those who made tonight happen dwarfed our efforts.

We would be fools not to make every effort to include them.

For me, the best times by far have been when getting to the end of a teaching time and having students respond by putting their faith in Jesus.

I count it a privilege to be able to speak to students but that is certainly not the only way God uses to speak life into people.

Taken in context, this almost seems like a contradictory statement.

We are children of God. Perfect in His eyes by the grace and mercy of God.

I remember applying to Bible College. On the application, I had to explain why I thought that I was called to ministry.

Honestly, I believe that every believer is called to ministry. That calling can be for ministry in many different areas. But we each have a calling on our life.

I always thought this was a bit harsh until I saw that 42 of the “youths” (A term which can mean anything from teen to twenty something) were mauled by the bears.

Now that we are the royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9), I believe God places a high priority on protecting us.