Walk in the Light

November 14, 2025

November 14th, 2025

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Ezekiel 1-3

“From what appeared to be his waist up, he looked like gleaming amber, flickering like a fire. And from his waist down, he looked like a burning flame, shining with splendor.”
‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭1‬:‭27‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Is this what God looks like?

Ezekiel’s visions are pretty incredible. He described living beings with, shall we say, very interesting details.

He goes on to describe God like He was on fire.

Was this a product of his imagination?
Is this what God looks like?
Does this description fit with other descriptions of God in the Bible?

In the New Testament, we have good descriptions of God in the form of Jesus.

While Ezekiel’s vision seems a little fantastical, I don’t doubt that He appeared to Ezekiel in that form.

This is what Ezekiel needed to see and how the exiles needed Him described.

Outside of Jesus, most Biblical descriptions of God say that His glory was too much to view.

Perhaps Ezekiel gets the welder’s mask view.

But the view of God in the New Testament is a God with us.

Jesus was both human and God, able to relate to his disciples, hang out with them, and lead them in a very personal way.

God may be radiant beyond comprehension, but He is also personal.

Through Christ’s sacrifice, we are able to be in His presence, with reverence and relationship.

Is your vision of God one of blazing radiance or personal familiarity?
What kind of vision of Him do you think God would want you to see today?

Today I am thankful that God wants to have a personal relationship with me and you.
November 13, 2025

November 13th, 2025

Thursday – Letters

Reading – 1 Timothy 2

Highlight Verse:

“I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.”
‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The thing I love about the letters to Timothy is we get to sit in on the lessons between the master evangelist, Paul, and his best student, Timothy.

If the master evangelist puts the top priority on praying for people, maybe we should listen.

Today I’m thankful for the many people God has put in my life – my wife and family, my friends, those who have mentored me, coworkers both in Christ and in my earthly job, the students I’ve worked with in the past present and future, and anyone else who may fall within my sphere of influence.

I pray that I may be a positive influence on their lives and an instrument of God to help them.

Who are you thankful for?
How would you like to influence them?
Note: I kept this short so you can have more time to pray for these people.
November 12, 2025

November 12th, 2025

Wednesday – History

Reading – 2 Samuel 21-22

Highlight Verses:

“He sang: “The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. He is my refuge, my savior, the one who saves me from violence.”
‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭22‬:‭2‬-‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This Psalm of David is inserted here near the end of his life.

David looked back over his life and saw all the times God stepped in and protected him.

As a warrior king, those times were numerous.

And for that, David gave thanks.

I wouldn’t say I’m near the end of my life but I’ve lived long enough to be thankful for the Lord’s protection and provision.

There was the time at age 14 when I foolishly rode my bike from San Mateo to San Francisco and back, passing through dangerous neighborhoods, a protest at City Hall, and exposure to traffic.

Or the time a semi truck came around a curve in my lane on a narrow two lane highway in the mountains of North Carolina. I firmly believe God guided my little car right into that tiny space next to the guard rail as the truck flew past.

Or when my van’s engine blew up late at night on the Pennsylvania Turnpike as I was moving here to Colorado. God provided everything I needed to complete the move.

These are a tiny sampling of the times when God stepped in and protected and provided for me. I’m sure there were many more I never knew about.

For all of them, I am eternally thankful.

When in your history has God protected or provided for you far beyond normal?
How can we all show our thanks for these instances?
November 11, 2025

November 11th, 2025

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Exodus 23

Highlight Verses:

““If you come upon your enemy’s ox or donkey that has strayed away, take it back to its owner. If you see that the donkey of someone who hates you has collapsed under its load, do not walk by. Instead, stop and help.”
‭‭Exodus‬ ‭23‬:‭4‬-‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I once ticked off a coworker inadvertently.

It’s a long irrelevant story but, suffice it to say, he did everything he could to snub me and undermine me at work.

While I couldn’t fully understand his reasoning, I made an effort to be friendly and helpful whenever I could.

It took over a year, but eventually, we were on friendly terms.

I wouldn’t call us besties but, in the end, we got along pretty well.

I don’t know if that is exactly what these verses are talking about.

I do know that God wants us to treat everyone with respect and generosity.

Everyone.

Including those we don’t get along with.

Maybe especially those we don’t get along with.

Both Jesus and Paul confirmed this in the New Testament. (Matthew 5:44, Romans 12:20).

Is there someone who could use your help that you have been avoiding?
What would happen if you started helping them?
November 10, 2025

November 10th, 2025
Monday – Gospels

Reading – Matthew 19-20

Highlight Verses:

““Lord,” they said, “we want to see!” Jesus felt sorry for them and touched their eyes. Instantly they could see! Then they followed him.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭20‬:‭33‬-‭34‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Jesus turned more than tables upside-down.

Today’s reading highlights several teachings and attitudes of the religious that Jesus turned upside-down:
- The ease which divorce could be granted to men. (19:6)
- The idea that He shouldn’t be bothered with children. (19:14
- The hopelessness of truly finding a relationship with God. (19:26)
- That God would favor the hardest workers. (20:16, 26)
- That the Messiah would overthrow the Romans. (20:18-19)
- That the imperfect should be ignored.
The true Gospel turned all these ideas around.

In two of these cases, Jesus also met a basic human need – touch.

He touched the children when He blessed them, bridging the gap of formality.

Then Jesus brought a healing touch to the blind men, turning around the idea that the imperfect need to be kept separate.

Jesus turned the religion of the day on its head.

He is still flipping our pious religious ideas around when they contradict the Gospel.

What religious ideas do we harbor now need to be flipped?
Are there any specific things this passage inspires you to do to live out the Gospel? What are they?
November 9, 2025

November 9th, 2025

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Psalms 137-139

Highlight Verse:

“Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭139‬:‭14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Today, I thank God for His amazing craftsmanship in creating not just this amazing universe but each incredibly complex inhabitant of it.

There are about 8 billion humans alive today and there have been about 117 billion since Adam and Eve.

God designed each one.

The possible number of gene combinations is about 4 to the 3 billionth power.

That’s 4 followed by 3 billion zeros!

One website I checked called it functionally infinite.

The God I trust designed each one of us.

Even identical twins have unique life stories laid out for them.

I’ve lived out over half of my earthly story but am still very excited to see what God has in store for me for the rest of it.

For that, I will gladly pause and give thanks today.

How has God surprised you with the gift of your life story?
What are you thankful for today?
November 8, 2025

November 8th, 2025

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Isaiah 9:1-7

Highlight Verse:

“For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭9‬:‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Today I am thankful for holidays.

Between now and the end of the year, I have 6 paid holidays.

I have friends who have already decorated for Christmas.

One of our local Christian radio stations has already started playing Christmas music.

To me, it’s way too early to go full Christmas mode, but I don’t see any problem with anticipating celebrating the birth of Jesus.

After all, Isaiah talked about it 700 years before it happened.

As far as I’m concerned, in December we can talk about Advent and the hope and joy that brings.

For now, I choose to concentrate on being thankful in November.

Do you keep Christmas restricted to December, start decorating in October, or rock it all year? Why?
What are you thankful for today?
November 7, 2025

November 7th, 2025

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Lamentations 5

Highlight Verses:

“Restore us, O Lord, and bring us back to you again! Give us back the joys we once had! Or have you utterly rejected us? Are you angry with us still?”
‭‭Lamentations‬ ‭5‬:‭21‬-‭22‬ ‭NLT‬‬

These are the final words of the Lament.

But they are not the last word on God’s relationship with us.

This book has an unfortunate end before the return from exile.

But the return happened.

And later, God Himself came in the form of Jesus.

And Jesus made the sacrifice that gives us the ability to enjoy new life with God.

It may be cliché but the saying “if it’s not good, then it’s not over” applies to every believer’s life.

If we trust in God, He will make a way for us to live fulfilling lives culminating in a heavenly eternity (literally).

Can you relate to the laments in this book?
Do you know the peace and joy of trusting in God?
Do you trust Him to turn your mourning into dancing? (Psalm 30:11)
November 6, 2025

November 6th, 2025

Thursday – Letters

Reading – 1 Timothy 1

Highlight Verse:

“The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith.”
‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭1‬:‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I would have thought that Paul would have said that his purpose was to evangelize the world or something like that.

But then I read it again and he says that this is the purpose of his instruction.

I get it.

I’ve always been one of those teacher types.

I’ve trained other techs for many years.

I’ve taught children and youth at church since I was a youth myself.

But I have to stay on guard against teaching others so that I feel good about myself.

I’m not saying that people shouldn’t feel good about themselves, but that shouldn’t be the main purpose.

I’ve said before that I do this so that I would be held accountable to study the Bible for myself.

The truth is the main reason I do this daily writing is so that people would come to a better understanding of the relevance of God’s Word and would be empowered to put it into practice in their lives.

In today’s highlight verse, Paul makes it clear to his successor in training, Timothy that he wants to see the love of God in action among the believers.

Like it or not, we are all teachers with what we say or do.

So shouldn’t we do what we do with a purpose in mind?

What is it that you want other to learn from you?
What are the other main purposes in your life?
November 5, 2025

November 5th, 2025

Wednesday – History

Reading – 2 Samuel 19-20

Highlight Verse:

“One of Joab’s young men shouted to Amasa’s troops, “If you are for Joab and David, come and follow Joab.””
‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭20‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

We never know his name,

but this young man may have been the biggest factor in David’s complete return to power.

Joab and Abishai had already left in pursuit of the rebellious Sheba.

They apparently didn’t even think of the confusion Amasa’s body would cause.

Our anonymous young hero saw the problem.

He could have said, “Not my problem,” and moved on.

He could have asked an officer what to do.

But to him it was obvious. Those recruited by Amasa would obviously be confused by his corpse on the trail, so he took it upon himself to do the dirty work of moving and covering the body.

While we never learn his name, his deeds will always be remembered.

That’s the ideal that Jesus spoke of in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:3-4).

If we want rewards in heaven for our good deeds, we shouldn’t brag about them here on Earth.

Without mentioning names, what good deeds have you seen done around you?
What are ways that we can remain anonymous while performing good deeds?

Is this what God looks like?

This is what Ezekiel needed to see and how the exiles needed Him described.

God may be radiant beyond comprehension, but He is also personal.

Today I am thankful that God wants to have a personal relationship with me and you.

The thing I love about the letters to Timothy is we get to sit in on the lessons between the master evangelist, Paul, and his best student, Timothy.

I pray that I may be a positive influence on their lives and an instrument of God to help them.

And for that, David gave thanks.

For all of them, I am eternally thankful.

I once ticked off a coworker inadvertently.

It took over a year, but eventually, we were on friendly terms.

I do know that God wants us to treat everyone with respect and generosity.

Jesus turned more than tables upside-down.

He is still flipping our pious religious ideas around when they contradict the Gospel.

Today, I thank God for His amazing craftsmanship in creating not just this amazing universe but each incredibly complex inhabitant of it.

The God I trust designed each one of us.

For that, I will gladly pause and give thanks today.

Today I am thankful for holidays.

After all, Isaiah talked about it 700 years before it happened.

For now, I choose to concentrate on being thankful in November.

These are the final words of the Lament.

But they are not the last word on God’s relationship with us.

It may be cliché but the saying “if it’s not good, then it’s not over” applies to every believer’s life.

I get it.

But I have to stay on guard against teaching others so that I feel good about myself.

So shouldn’t we do what we do with a purpose in mind?

We never know his name,

Our anonymous young hero saw the problem.

That’s the ideal that Jesus spoke of in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:3-4).