Walk in the Light

October 27, 2023

October 27th, 2023

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Lamentations 3

Highlight Verses:

“The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.”
‭‭Lamentations‬ ‭3‬:‭22‬-‭23‬ ‭NLT‬‬

In the summer of 1985, I ran sound for a large Christian conference center. The theme that summer was “God is Faithful.”

Twice a day, all summer long, we sang the hymn, Great is Thy Faithfulness.

Some of you may be thinking, “how boring.”

I look back and think, “how strengthening!”

Hearing and singing that day after day for a full summer helped ingrain into my mind how faithful God really is.

It was then that I learned the origin of that hymn was from today’s Bible reading.

In the midst of a book of literal laments, blooms this little gem of faith.

No matter how bad the Israelites’ situation seemed, God was still faithful to them.

That helped me to realize that no matter how bad my situation may get, God is still faithful.

He stands by His promises. He provides what I need. He leads me on the best path. He carries me through the storms.

In my life, He always has!

In what ways has God proven faithful to you?
How has He carried you through life’s storms?
Can you trust that He will be faithful going forward?
October 26, 2023

October 26th, 2023

Thursday – Letters

Reading – 1 Thessalonians 3-5

Highlight Verses:

“Finally, when we could stand it no longer, we decided to stay alone in Athens, and we sent Timothy to visit you. He is our brother and God’s co-worker in proclaiming the Good News of Christ. We sent him to strengthen you, to encourage you in your faith,”
‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I love how Paul and his associates care enough to follow up with the people whose lives their ministry has affected.

The Thessalonians were going through some pretty serious persecution.

Paul was concerned.

He turned that concern into action by sending his apprentice Timothy to check on them and encourage them.

How well do we do at follow up?

Speaking for myself, not very well.

I have a tough time remembering to contact the people I am supposed to be leading.

I let life get in the way and procrastinate far too much.

That’s not to say that I don’t follow up at all. But certainly not enough.

What people do you affect through your ministry, be it professional or informal?
Do you follow up and express care to those you affect for Christ?
October 25, 2023

October 25th, 2023

Wednesday – History

Reading – 2 Samuel 15-16

Highlight Verse:

“Absalom did this with everyone who came to the king for judgment, and so he stole the hearts of all the people of Israel.”
‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭15‬:‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

And here’s a prime example of someone breaking almost all the commandments pertaining to loving your neighbor.

• Absalom certainly wasn’t honoring his father.
• He committed adultery with David’s concubines.
• He coveted what his father had so badly that…
• He deceived the people of Israel to turn against his father, ultimately…
• Stealing the throne from his father.

Which leads me to the question, how did no one see this coming?

Surely there had to be signs.

But then, how many times has life blind-sided me.

We hope for the best and are shocked when the worst happens.

I don’t want to be that person who trusts no one because of past hurt.

But I also want to have discernment to recognize problems as they approach.

I believe the answer lies in those two commandments Jesus highlighted – love God and love people.

If we do that, when the bad comes, there will be those who love us back and will help us through.

Ultimately, God will always help us through every hard time.

Have you ever been on the receiving end of a betrayal?
Did you see it coming?
How did you make it through?
October 24, 2023

October 24th, 2023

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Exodus 19-20

Highlight Verse:

““You must not testify falsely against your neighbor.”
‭‭Exodus‬ ‭20‬:‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I was tempted to point out that this verse does not say “Thou shalt not lie.” (Which I just did). Then I realized that I was nitpicking at Old Testament Law the same way that the Pharisees did.

Jesus’ reply to the Pharisees was that all the law and prophets were based on two commandments.
• Love the Lord.
• Love your neighbor.

That is reflected in the Ten Commandments themselves. The first four are all about loving God. Commandments five through ten are all about loving your neighbor.

If you truly love your neighbor (which Jesus defined in the parable of the Good Samaritan), you won’t say anything malicious about them or to them.

If we look at all the commandments in the light of Jesus’ summation of them, it brings new life to them.

We no longer look for the loopholes but seek ways to obey them with love in mind.

It may not make the commandments easier to obey. After all, not every neighbor is easy to love. But it should make the spirit behind the commandments more obvious to better guide our words and actions.

Does knowing the intention behind the commandments make it easier or harder for you to obey them?
Do you have those neighbors you would rather not have to love?
How do you get past the reluctance to love certain neighbors?
October 23, 2023

October 23rd, 2023

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Matthew 15-16

Highlight Verse:

“A vast crowd brought to him people who were lame, blind, crippled, those who couldn’t speak, and many others. They laid them before Jesus, and he healed them all.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭15‬:‭30‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I admit I am selfish in my choice of verses.

I believe that God still heals, and he hears the voices of His people.

I am feeling quite cruddy tonight and will most likely be staying home sick as you read this.

With your prayers and faith, I’d say there’s a very good chance I’ll be feeling fine tomorrow.

Therefore, I will keep this short and ask that you pray for my healing as well as the healing of the many with health needs.

Thank you and have a blessed Monday.
October 22, 2023

October 21st, 2023

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Psalms 130-133

Highlight Verse:

“How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭133‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Most translations use the word “unity” instead of harmony. I believe both words convey the truth behind this verse.

But I love the connotations behind the word harmony.

In order to have harmony in music, there must be different voices.

Together, the different voices make a more beautiful sound than the individual voices on their own.

The same is true in the body of Christ. Diversity within the body makes for a much more wonderful and pleasant expression of the life of Christ. The different parts working together are far more effective than all the individuals working separately.

Likewise, our diversity allows Christ’s voice to reach far beyond where a single voice could.

As Tobymac would say, “Welcome to Diverse City.”

Have you found your place in the harmony that is the body of Christ?
October 21, 2023

October 21st, 2023
Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Romans 5:1-11

Highlight Verse:

“When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭5‬:‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Like last week, I want to highlight a phrase that many believe came from the Bible but didn’t.

I’ll start out with a correction from last week. The phrase “Cleanliness is next to godliness” did not come from Poor Richard’s Almanac but from a John Wesley sermon. (Thanks to an article from Aaron Earls from Lifeway Research for that info).

One saying that did come from Poor Richard’s Almanac was “God helps those who help themselves.”

Today’s highlight verse pretty much shoots that down. We are completely helpless when it come to salvation.

The bottom line is we need to depend completely on God.

But there is a little side note to that. God does bless our efforts.

A quick look at the lives of Joseph, Ruth, David, Paul and several other people in the Bible can confirm that.

Two key things to remember are:
- They were all acting in faith.
- They were helping others, not themselves.
They turned their faith into action and God blessed the results.

Have you been relying on your own deeds or on God’s grace through Jesus’ sacrifice for salvation?
How does your faith spur you into action?
October 20, 2023

October 20th, 2023

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Lamentations 2

Highlight Verse:

“The leaders of beautiful Jerusalem sit on the ground in silence. They are clothed in burlap and throw dust on their heads. The young women of Jerusalem hang their heads in shame.”
‭‭Lamentations‬ ‭2‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Disaster and war can be great equalizers.

In Israel’s case, the rulers and the wealthy had it tougher than the poor.

Most of the poor were allowed to stay in the land so they could do their normal jobs.

The wealthy who survived were carted off to Babylon.

The life of the poor changed little while the wealthy endured unheard of suffering (at least in their eyes).

God had compassion for them both.

Who can you relate to more – the rich or the poor?
Have you had to endure any of life’s great equalizers?
October 19, 2023

October 19th, 2023

Thursday – Letters

Reading – 1 Thessalonians 1-2

Highlight Verse:

“So you received the message with joy from the Holy Spirit in spite of the severe suffering it brought you. In this way, you imitated both us and the Lord.”
‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭1‬:‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Did you notice the mention of suffering?

What kind of joy stands up to suffering?

The joy of the Lord.

The joy that surpasses all understanding.

Does that mean that they experienced some sort of euphoria upon learning of Jesus?

While that may have happened, I believe the joy they speak of is a deep abiding hope, encouragement, and peace that comes from being spiritually alive and in fellowship with God and fellow believers.

This kind of joy stays alive even when hard times come and happiness is hard to find.

This kind of joy kept the church in Thessalonica together despite Paul having to flee the city for his life. It kept them going through serious persecution, even turning that persecution into a rallying cry that gave them uncommon strength.

That kind of joy has sustained me through the highs and lows of my life, keeping me on the path of life.

Do you know that kind of joy?
What has joy brought you through?
October 18, 2023

October 18th, 2023

Wednesday – History

Reading – 2 Samuel 13-14

Highlight Verse:

“Now Absalom was praised as the most handsome man in all Israel. He was flawless from head to foot.”
‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭14‬:‭25‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I told my wife that’s what people say about me. After she stopped laughing, I decided this would be the verse I would highlight today.

No, of course I don’t think that I’m flawless.

Neither was Absalom.

He was handsome, and very shrewd. But he wasn’t kind or forgiving.

Ok, he was kind to his sister Tamar by taking care of her after their half-brother Amnon raped her.

And then he murdered his brother.

Okay, harsh, though you might say Amnon had it coming.

Then he plotted the overthrow of his Father, King David.

Truly harsh!

But I’m getting ahead of today’s reading. Let’s just say it gets ugly.

It’s safe to say that David raised a narcissist.

Stay tuned for more of the story in coming weeks.

Can you begin to see how dramatic the true stories in the Bible are?
Does this passage make you more or less convinced of the accuracy of the Bible?

I look back and think, “how strengthening!”

He stands by His promises. He provides what I need. He leads me on the best path. He carries me through the storms.

Paul was concerned.

How well do we do at follow up?

And here’s a prime example of someone breaking almost all the commandments pertaining to loving your neighbor.

Which leads me to the question, how did no one see this coming?

I believe the answer lies in those two commandments Jesus highlighted – love God and love people.

Jesus’ reply to the Pharisees was that all the law and prophets were based on two commandments.• Love the Lord.• Love your neighbor.

We no longer look for the loopholes but seek ways to obey them with love in mind.

I believe that God still heals, and he hears the voices of His people.

In order to have harmony in music, there must be different voices.

Likewise, our diversity allows Christ’s voice to reach far beyond where a single voice could.

One saying that did come from Poor Richard’s Almanac was “God helps those who help themselves.”

The bottom line is we need to depend completely on God.

They turned their faith into action and God blessed the results.

Disaster and war can be great equalizers.

God had compassion for them both.

What kind of joy stands up to suffering?

This kind of joy stays alive even when hard times come and happiness is hard to find.

That kind of joy has sustained me through the highs and lows of my life, keeping me on the path of life.

Neither was Absalom.

Truly harsh!

Stay tuned for more of the story in coming weeks.

Jesus’ reply to the Pharisees was that all the law and prophets were based on two commandments.
• Love the Lord.
• Love your neighbor.