Walk in the Light

June 18, 2024

June 17th, 2024

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Number 15-16

Highlight Verse:

“When you see the tassels, you will remember and obey all the commands of the Lord instead of following your own desires and defiling yourselves, as you are prone to do.”
‭‭Numbers‬ ‭15‬:‭39‬ ‭NLT‬‬

No, I’m not advocating bringing back tassels on clothing (though that could be interesting).

But there are things we can put around us to remind us of the right way to live.

Notice that the purpose of the tassels was not to advertise how holy you are but to give you personal reminders to stay on the right path.

For this reason, the “tassels” we wear in public should draw our attention to God rather than drawing attention to ourselves.

My “tassels” range from the music I choose to start my day with (WAY-FM) or this little sign on the wall by my desk.

One of my favorites was a little polished square of steel in my pocket that reminded me to “stand like steel.”

What are your “tassels”?
What reminds you to keep following God and how do they work for you?
June 17, 2024

June 17th, 2024

Monday – Gospels and Acts

Reading – Acts 1

Highlight Verse:

“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!”
‭‭Acts of the Apostles‬ ‭1‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

To me, faith has always been about action.

I’m not saying that we shouldn’t spend time worshiping and trying to figure it out like the disciples and apostles were doing in this verse after Jesus ascended into heaven.

In their case, it took a pair of angels to get them to go where they could experience the coming of the Holy Spirit and put the Gospel into action.

Once the Holy Spirit came, the early church spread the truth of the Gospel throughout Jerusalem and beyond. They encouraged each other and supported one another. They demonstrated the love of God in every community they entered.

The Holy Spirit is already here. We should do no less.

Let’s enjoy the worship and seeking after God’s truth. But then let’s get out and share it in words and deeds.

Can you share about a time when you stayed too long in worship and learning without putting the Gospel into action?
What are some ways that you have put your faith into action?
June 16, 2024

June 15th, 2024

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Ecclesiastes 7-8

Highlight Verse:

“Finishing is better than starting. Patience is better than pride.”
‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭7‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

There is a lot of wisdom in today’s reading.

For instance, I still need to finish programming my sprinklers for this season but I haven’t had the patience to figure out the process.

Solomon hit a double for me with today’s highlight verse! (Maybe he should sign for the Rockies, couldn’t hurt this season).

Seriously, I’m pretty good at starting things or at least planning them.

I’m not so good at finishing them.

Often that’s because I don’t exercise enough patience to do something exactly right (and I am a perfectionist).

I’m still learning and I’ll let this verse remind me to follow through on what I start.

What verse in today’s reading brought conviction for you?
What are you going to do about it?
June 15, 2024

June 15th, 2024
Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Numbers 22:21-41

Highlight Verse:

““But I am the same donkey you have ridden all your life,” the donkey answered. “Have I ever done anything like this before?”
“No,” Balaam admitted.”
‭‭Numbers‬ ‭22‬:‭30‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Today I decided to try to find the funniest story in the Bible.

My wife suggested this one. I agree with her.

Not only is Balaam saved by his donkey, the animal proceeds to explain the situation to him.

I mean, I’d be whipping out my cellphone and recording that conversation!

Yes, I know that cellphones didn’t exist back then, but NEITHER DID TALKING DONKEYS!

Well, except one.

I can’t leave this topic without quoting the song Balaam, that Don Francisco wrote in the late 70s.

The final lines read:

“So when the Lord starts usin’ you
Don’t you pay it any mind.
He could have used the dog next door
If He’d been so inclined.”
- Balaam, ©️1979, Don Francisco
The bottom line is God can use anyone or any thing He chooses.

And sometimes, the funnier, the better.

What do you think the most humorous story of the Bible is?
What have you learned from humor in the Bible?
June 14, 2024

June 14th, 2024

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Joel 3

Highlight Verse:

“Thousands upon thousands are waiting in the valley of decision. There the day of the Lord will soon arrive.”
‭‭Joel‬ ‭3‬:‭14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Joel wrote to the Israelites to warn them to repent before the coming plagues.

While there was and is debate as to the meaning of the different locusts, the message remained the same – repent before it is too late.

We may be beyond the plagues that Joel predicted but, the message remains the same:

Life will be hard. Your days may be limited. You need to repent before it’s too late.

In fact, they say there is only one sure thing in life and that is death (well, taxes too).

I believe that today’s verse is still appropriate for today. Thousands upon thousands stand ready to decide.

The real question is, will we help influence them to decide for Jesus or against?

A quick true story –

I knew a family who went to church many years ago. On one particular Sunday, the mom forced the kids to get ready and get in the car.

When they arrived at the church, the teenage son decided that he was not going in. He sat in the car through Sunday school and church.

When church got out, the mom told the other kids to ignore their older brother because he refused to go to church.

The boy never went to church again. In fact, he had a rather sad life that ended just 30 years later in large part due to substance abuse.

Eventually most of his siblings stopped going to church as well.

I will keep that story anonymous so as not to embarrass any member of that family who might get wind of this post. That said, the story is true.

That mom, who thought she was doing a service to God was actually driving one of God’s children away.

Thousands upon thousands stand ready to make decisions.

How will you and I influence those decisions by what we say and do?
June 13, 2024

June 13th, 2024

Thursday – Letters

Reading – 1 John 2

Highlight Verse:

“And now, dear children, remain in fellowship with Christ so that when he returns, you will be full of courage and not shrink back from him in shame.”
‭‭1 John‬ ‭2‬:‭28‬ ‭NLT‬‬

If Jesus were to return in the clouds today, would you be glad or sad, afraid or courageous? Would you cower or try to be the first to hug Him?

As a human who has fought my sinful nature my whole life, a small part of me trembles at the idea.

But, as a man who has known Jesus for many years,

I am confident that the sacrifice He made for me on the cross was enough to take away every sin.

I look forward to thanking Him personally and entering into Heaven to be with Him.

While I have not led a perfect life, I have remained in fellowship with Him and have courage to meet Him thanks to His sacrifice.

Do you know Jesus on a personal level?
Do you have confidence to meet Him?
Why or why not?
June 12, 2024

June 12th, 2024

Wednesday – History

Reading – 2 Chronicles

Highlight Verses:

“God said to Solomon, “Because your greatest desire is to help your people, and you did not ask for wealth, riches, fame, or even the death of your enemies or a long life, but rather you asked for wisdom and knowledge to properly govern my people— I will certainly give you the wisdom and knowledge you requested. But I will also give you wealth, riches, and fame such as no other king has had before you or will ever have in the future!””
‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭1‬:‭11‬-‭12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

If you’ve been here a while, you know I usually try to go for the more obscure verses to highlight.

I prayed for that today.

God said no.

Okay, I didn’t hear an audible “no” but I felt convicted since I knew that I sometimes seek wealth or recognition before wisdom.

This passage is the most popular part of today’s reading precisely because we need it so much.

It’s easy to think that I’m wise enough.

It’s not so easy to realize that any true wisdom I have comes from God. If I ignore what He says, that wisdom will blow away with the wind.

What is your first prayer for?
How firm is your grasp on wisdom?
June 11, 2024

June 11th, 2024
Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Numbers 13-14

Highlight Verse:

“Then they plotted among themselves, “Let’s choose a new leader and go back to Egypt!””
‭‭Numbers‬ ‭14‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬
- One sees the bone soaking cold rain darkening their spirits while another sees the miracle of water bringing life to the land.
- One sees the endless uphill trudge while another sees a majestic mountain to conquer.
- One hears an annoying high-pitched wail while another hears the healthy lungs of a newborn seeking love and attention.
- The majority of the Israelites saw potential defeat while Joshua and Caleb saw a land flowing with milk and honey that the Lord wanted to give to them.
When you look at your problems and challenges, what do you see?
June 10, 2024

June 10th, 2024

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Luke 25

Highlight Verse:

““And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.””
‭‭Luke‬ ‭24‬:‭49‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Many years ago, I heard the Holy Spirit explained in a story by a teacher at a conference center I worked at. I cannot remember the man’s name so if anyone knows it, let me know so I can give proper credit.

It goes something like this:

Bob got a brand-new Mercedes, and he brought it to show to his best friend, Dan.

Bob came to the door all covered in sweat and rang the doorbell.

“Hi Bob.”

“Hi Dan,”pant pant, “I brought my new car over to you to show it off.”

“Whoa, that’s cool. But why are you panting and covered with sweat?”

“Well, it’s kinda heavy and you do live at the top of a hill?”

“You mean you pushed it here?”

“Yeah, well, I had to get it here somehow.”

“Don’t you have the key?”
“Of course, how else could I unlock the doors and steer it?”

“Let me see that.” Dan takes the key from Bob and sits in the driver’s seat while Bob gets in the passenger side.

He put the key in the ignition, started the engine, put it in drive and accelerated down the street.

Bob’s eyes got wide. “I didn’t know it could do that!”

You just had to turn the key.

That’s the way many Christians live their lives.

They keep pushing forward under their own power. They’re trying to steer the right direction but without the power of the Holy Spirit, they’re hardly getting anywhere.

Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to unleash His power through His people.

We just need to decide to accept the Holy Spirit to turn on that power.

You may choose to call it the Baptism of the Holy Spirit or just living in the power of the Holy Spirit, but

that power with all the spiritual gifts listed in Paul’s letters (1 Corinthians 12 and 14 to start) is available to every believer.

It is true that with power comes responsibility so please study the gifts before you claim to have them (I have seen them misused). But that is no reason to ignore the power of the Holy Spirit.

Have you seen the Holy Spirit in action?
What are some of the good things you have seen come from the power of the Holy Spirit?
June 9, 2024

June 9th, 2024

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Ecclesiastes 5-6

Highlight Verse:

“Don’t make rash promises, and don’t be hasty in bringing matters before God. After all, God is in heaven, and you are here on earth. So let your words be few.”
‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭5‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This is a painful verse for a writer like me – even more painful when you consider how much I like to talk.

But then it was written by one of the more prolific writers in the Bible (Solomon).

In context, I believe this passage can be summed up as “you don’t know the big picture so don’t make promises you can’t keep.

I’ve been there. I’ve said I would do something and failed to follow through.

Sometimes outside circumstances intervened.

Sometimes I’ve flaked out.

Every time I should have followed the advice of this verse.

Now, most times, I pray it through and count the cost before I make promises. I still make mistakes but I am learning to keep my mouth shut and let my actions speak louder a little more often.

Have promises you’ve made gotten you into trouble before?
How do you wisely determine what promises to make?

But there are things we can put around us to remind us of the right way to live.

For this reason, the “tassels” we wear in public should draw our attention to God rather than drawing attention to ourselves.

To me, faith has always been about action.

The Holy Spirit is already here. We should do no less.

Seriously, I’m pretty good at starting things or at least planning them.

I’m not so good at finishing them.

I’m still learning and I’ll let this verse remind me to follow through on what I start.

Today I decided to try to find the funniest story in the Bible.

The bottom line is God can use anyone or any thing He chooses.

And sometimes, the funnier, the better.

Life will be hard. Your days may be limited. You need to repent before it’s too late.

The real question is, will we help influence them to decide for Jesus or against?

That mom, who thought she was doing a service to God was actually driving one of God’s children away.

I am confident that the sacrifice He made for me on the cross was enough to take away every sin.

I look forward to thanking Him personally and entering into Heaven to be with Him.

God said no.

It’s not so easy to realize that any true wisdom I have comes from God. If I ignore what He says, that wisdom will blow away with the wind.

When you look at your problems and challenges, what do you see?

You just had to turn the key.

We just need to decide to accept the Holy Spirit to turn on that power.

that power with all the spiritual gifts listed in Paul’s letters (1 Corinthians 12 and 14 to start) is available to every believer.

In context, I believe this passage can be summed up as “you don’t know the big picture so don’t make promises you can’t keep.

Every time I should have followed the advice of this verse.