Walk in the Light

November 13, 2023

November 13th, 2023

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Matthew 21

Highlight Verse:

“They asked Jesus, “Do you hear what these children are saying?” “Yes,” Jesus replied. “Haven’t you ever read the Scriptures? For they say, ‘You have taught children and infants to give you praise.’””
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭21‬:‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I had the privilege of teaching the 1st through 3rd graders at church yesterday morning.

When I tried to explain to them what worship was all about, most of them didn’t really get it.

But when it came time to worship, most of them dove into it wholeheartedly.

They were willing to act on what God said even when they didn’t fully understand it.

Let’s face it, there’s a lot that most of us don’t understand about God.

We tend to shy away from things we don’t get.

We fear failure or judgement when we act on a command of God that we don’t fully grasp.

If we come at it from a child’s perspective, we would act on the command even if we didn’t know why.

Why as adults need to get past our stubbornness and regain a childlike faith.

Like children, we need to simply trust God even when we don’t understand him.

Do you have a hard time trusting that which you don’t understand?
In what areas do you struggle with trusting God’s commands?
November 12, 2023

November 12th, 2023

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Psalms 140 – 141

Highlight Verse:

“Take control of what I say, O Lord, and guard my lips.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭141‬:‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

That should probably be my prayer every day.

Far too often, I forget to turn a speech filter on. I speak before considering how what I say will affect those around me.

Sometimes what I say has a positive effect on those around me. I can be encouraging and give hope to those who struggle.

There are times when I wish I could take back what I say the moment the words leave my mouth. Apologies spill forth but only whitewash over the damage caused.

And then there are the times when I am totally clueless. I don’t realize my words cause pain or confusion.

When I truly let the Lord guide my speech, I avoid the pitfalls I often seem to fall into and use words of faith, hope, and love to lift up all those around me.

Have you experienced those moments of speech you wish you could take back?
Do you have any advice to share about how you let God control your speech?
November 11, 2023

November 11th, 2023

Saturday – Open Topic – Veterans Day

Reading – 1 Chronicles 12

Highlight Verse:

“All these men came in battle array to Hebron with the single purpose of making David the king over all Israel. In fact, everyone in Israel agreed that David should be their king.”
‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭12‬:‭38‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Just like David’s troops had a single purpose, our military today has the simple purpose of protecting freedom for the American people and their allies.

As one of those people who has grown up with the advantage of freedom and democracy, I want to say thanks today for all those who have given part of their lives in defense of freedom in our military.

I encourage you today to express your thanks to the veterans and active-duty military that you know or encounter today.

Are you a veteran or an active-duty member of the military? Let us know so we can express our thanks to you.
November 10, 2023

November 10th, 2023

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Lamentations 5

Highlight Verse:

“Restore us, O Lord, and bring us back to you again! Give us back the joys we once had!”
‭‭Lamentations‬ ‭5‬:‭21‬ ‭NLT‬‬

My middle school students reminded me last night that November is the perfect month to remember to give thanks every day.

Lamentations is kind of the opposite of that – until we get to the few verses like this scattered through the book.

While it is not exactly giving thanks, today’s verse points to the fact that God is able to restore His people. Joy can return. They have not gone beyond the point of no return.

God did restore His people to their land, in His timing.

His people did return to joyous praise and worship.

No matter how bad your situation, there is always room for giving thanks, even if it is just for the potential of joy existing.

Have you ever been in a situation where all you had to give thanks for was the fact that there was nowhere to go but up?
What are some of the things you can give thanks for today?
November 9, 2023

November 8th, 2023

Thursday – Letters

Reading – 1 Timothy 1

Highlight Verse:

“This letter is from Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus, appointed by the command of God our Savior and Christ Jesus, who gives us hope.”
‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This first verse of 1st Timothy raises more questions than it answers.

• First, why does Paul have to introduce himself to someone whom he mentored?
• Second, where was this command to make Paul an Apostle?
• Third, why does he highlight just the fact that Jesus gives us hope?

I think the answer to the first question is quite simple. This letter was meant to be read by more people than Timothy. Paul had already set a precedent by writing public letters to the different churches that he helped found. This letter would serve as proof that the ideas put forth by it were not just Timothy’s ideas.

The commission of Paul is given in Acts 9:15-16 where Paul is called upon to be God’s voice to the Gentiles.

Honestly, I don’t know why the hope given by Jesus is highlighted. Perhaps that is due to the lateness of the hour when I write this.

What are your thoughts on the matter?
Is Paul truly an Apostle and how will he influence the reader?
November 8, 2023

November 8th, 2023

Wednesday – History

Reading – 2 Samuel 19-20

Highlight Verse:

“Then Joab went to the king’s room and said to him, “We saved your life today and the lives of your sons, your daughters, and your wives and concubines. Yet you act like this, making us feel ashamed of ourselves.”
‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭19‬:‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I feel for David in this situation. He was already depressed since his son Absalom had stolen his kingdom. He had hoped to regain his kingdom without Absalom dying, but Absalom was killed.

He mourned the loss of his son.

Too much.

His mourning demoralized his troops.

Joab wouldn’t stand for it.

We all need a Joab.

We need that friend who is bold enough to call us out if we are way out of line.

To David’s credit, he listened to Joab. He did what he needed to do to maintain his authority as King of Israel.

As much as we need that Joab, we also need to listen to that person,

honestly evaluate what they are saying, and take the appropriate action.

Do you have that person to correct you when you need it?
Do you listen to them?
November 7, 2023

November 6th, 2023

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Exodus 23

Highlight Verse:

““You must not follow the crowd in doing wrong. When you are called to testify in a dispute, do not be swayed by the crowd to twist justice.”
‭‭Exodus‬ ‭23‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

We just had a discussion last night about jury duty.

One of my daughters potentially has jury duty on the day after her birthday. She is not thrilled.

I have served on three juries and was the foreman each time.

How do you get to be foreman? Just mention that you’re willing, and they’ll vote you in immediately.

I have to admit, I actually enjoy jury duty. I love justice and count it a privilege to help find it.

The toughest thing about jury duty is being able to tell when someone is telling the truth or a lie.

There are some really good liars out there. I’m not one of them. There’s not much I can get away with.

You don’t have to be involved with a jury trial in order to help with justice. Sometimes it is meted out in a courtroom.

Sometimes, justice comes in the court of public opinion. Your opinion can influence how people see others.

No matter where our opinions are expressed, we have a responsibility to be honest and fair in our testimonies.

In what kid of situations have you had to share your testimonies?
Have you been able to take part in our justice system?
November 6, 2023

November 6th, 2023

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Matthew 19-20

Highlight Verses:

““Haven’t you read the Scriptures?” Jesus replied. “They record that from the beginning ‘God made them male and female.’” And he said, “‘This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.’”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭19‬:‭4‬-‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I strive to not get political or judgmental in these studies.

But Jesus spoke the truth unashamedly.

His words are obvious, so I really need make no further comment. But you know me. Here I go.

“But Richard, you’ve been divorced.”

Yup, it’s true.

I could hide behind the fact that I stayed committed until after my ex was unfaithful. The truth is, I was not a perfect husband, nor have I ever been a perfect man.

No one is.

Therefore, I don’t use Jesus’ words as judgement but as guidance.

There is forgiveness for every sin except that of rejecting that forgiveness.

From yesterday’s reading, we know that God designed us from the beginning. He knows us through and through.

He knows what’s best for us and wants us to follow that design so that we can have the best life. We fall short but that doesn’t mean we can’t make course corrections throughout our life to get closer and closer to that perfect path.

My advice here? Do whatever you can to stay faithful and committed to your spouse.

For those who have gone down the LGBQT path, I won’t judge you, but I will say that path will never offer the true fulfillment that God’s natural plan for marriage provides. No matter what modern society tells you, that is not the way God designed you.

For those who fall on my side of the of these issues, can you accept those who believe differently with love?
For those one the “woke” side, can you be open to the possibility that God truly designed you differently than what woke culture tells you?
November 5, 2023

November 5th, 2023

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Psalm 137-139

Highlight Verse:

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭139‬:‭23‬-‭24‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I found it slightly amusing that David spends the majority of this Psalm talking about how well God knows him and then says, “search me.”

Wouldn’t God already know him thoroughly enough to know his heart?

That said, I love David’s example of humility before God and the kingdom (this Psalm wasn’t private).

He’s basically saying, “I’m not perfect. Show me my faults and lead me in the right direction.”

I was taught early on to include a time of confession in my prayers.

This takes it a step further by inviting God to point out where we need to confess.

If you want to get into deep theological thought, we must wonder if God knows our faults since He’s already forgiven them and sent that guilt far from us.

Regardless of what God chooses to remember of our faults, I believe He is always willing to guide us along the correct path for our lives.

Are we willing to listen to His direction?
Are we also willing to act on the leading He gives us?
November 4, 2023

November 4th, 2023

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Leviticus 19:23-37

Highlight Verse:

““Do not trim off the hair on your temples or trim your beards.”
‭‭Leviticus‬ ‭19‬:‭27‬ ‭NLT‬‬

It’s November again. Many men observe “No Shave November” to bring attention to men’s health issues or because they want an excuse to not shave.

If you’ve seen me personally, you know that I got a jump on November and quit shaving simply because I like the warmth of a beard in the winter.

If you read today’s passage, you find that growing a full beard was as virtuous as making sure your daughter doesn’t become a prostitute.

Whoa!

Why have I been shaving all these years?

Of course, that was one of a long list of rules, many of which still make sense today, but many were specifically aimed at keeping the people of Israel pure in the midst of an idolatrous regional culture.

Untrimmed beards were one of those rules that made more sense at the time. Men in the surrounding cultures would trim their beards in specific shapes to honor certain idols.

Beard trimming and shaving no longer has that cultural significance.

But, in the cold Colorado winters, the thicker the beard, the warmer the face.

What are some other Old Testament rules that no longer make sense in today’s culture?
What are there some rules you could come up with that might help keep a person on the right track today?

They were willing to act on what God said even when they didn’t fully understand it.

Like children, we need to simply trust God even when we don’t understand him.

That should probably be my prayer every day.

When I truly let the Lord guide my speech, I avoid the pitfalls I often seem to fall into and use words of faith, hope, and love to lift up all those around me.

Just like David’s troops had a single purpose, our military today has the simple purpose of protecting freedom for the American people and their allies.

I encourage you today to express your thanks to the veterans and active-duty military that you know or encounter today.

My middle school students reminded me last night that November is the perfect month to remember to give thanks every day.

No matter how bad your situation, there is always room for giving thanks, even if it is just for the potential of joy existing.

This first verse of 1st Timothy raises more questions than it answers.

We all need a Joab.

As much as we need that Joab, we also need to listen to that person,

We just had a discussion last night about jury duty.

No matter where our opinions are expressed, we have a responsibility to be honest and fair in our testimonies.

But Jesus spoke the truth unashamedly.

There is forgiveness for every sin except that of rejecting that forgiveness.

He’s basically saying, “I’m not perfect. Show me my faults and lead me in the right direction.”

This takes it a step further by inviting God to point out where we need to confess.

Why have I been shaving all these years?

Beard trimming and shaving no longer has that cultural significance.