Walk in the Light

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?
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?

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.

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.