Walk in the Light

February 29, 2024

February 29th, 2024

Thursday – Letters

Reading – Hebrews 8

Highlight Verse:

”And they will not need to teach their neighbors, nor will they need to teach their relatives, saying, ‘You should know the Lord.’ For everyone, from the least to the greatest, will know me already.“
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭8‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

All I can say is – let it be so!

We do live in the time of the New Covenant but before the second coming of Christ.

We have the mercy and grace of Jesus, but not the new Jerusalem.

Some day we won’t need to be concerned that someone needs to know Jesus because all will.

Until that day, we need to let our neighbors and relatives know about the love and grace and peace we’ve found in Jesus.

Today, instead of answering questions, let’s lift up the people who have not come to know Jesus.
If you’re not sure if you really know Jesus, feel free to put your name up and we would all be glad to pray with you.

For me, I’d love your prayers for my son and my oldest daughter. I thank you for lifting them up to God!
February 28, 2024

February 28th, 2024

Wednesday – History

Reading – 2 Kings 9-11

Highlight Verse:

“But Jehu did not obey the Law of the Lord, the God of Israel, with all his heart. He refused to turn from the sins that Jeroboam had led Israel to commit.”
‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭10‬:‭31‬ ‭NLT‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

This was a tough reading today.

Part of me wants to cheer on Jehu as he clears away any trace of Baal worship.

A bigger part of me is disgusted by all the bloodshed and violence.

Is this guy really doing what God told him to do?

I know that it was a violent time in history that sometimes required violence to make things right. But it seemed like Jehu wasn’t really motivated by zeal for the Lord.

His violence did more to establish his absolute rule than to bring true worship back to Israel.

This was confirmed by verse 31.

I know someone who often cites stories like this to discredit organized religion.

It is true that much violence has been done in the name of religion from the Crusades to witch-hunts.

Despite that, human error does not make God any less true.

The hatred and violence of man does not negate the undying sacrificial love of God.

Have the past injustices of religions ever kept you from Jesus?
How do you respond to someone who cannot get past how religious people have acted?
February 27, 2024

February 27th, 2024

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Leviticus 11-12

Highlight Verse:

“For I, the Lord, am the one who brought you up from the land of Egypt, that I might be your God. Therefore, you must be holy because I am holy.”
‭‭Leviticus‬ ‭11‬:‭45‬ ‭NLT‬‬

It’s easy to look at this section of Scripture and dismiss it altogether as old religion that has been superseded by the New Covenant found in Jesus.

But there are reasons this is still part of the Bible. I don’t just mean that it’s there to show how good we have it today. (We do).

If we look beyond the detailed rules we find a glimpse of the Father heart of God.

I’m not suggesting we go back to all those Old Testament rules, but we can certainly learn from them.

That loving Father God rescued His children from the land of Egypt into freedom.

He gave them rules that would both keep them healthy and guide them toward holiness.

He guided them closer to Himself.

A good father wants to raise his children to be good people and to be able to spend time with them.

God the Father shows us a perfect model for that.

What have you learned from reading about the rules and rituals found in Leviticus?
How can you apply that knowledge to your life today?
February 26, 2024

February 26th, 2024

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Luke 9

Highlight Verse:

“Jesus said, “You faithless and corrupt people! How long must I be with you and put up with you?” Then he said to the man, “Bring your son here.””
‭‭Luke‬ ‭9‬:‭41‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Can you hear the frustration in Jesus’ voice?

No matter how much he taught them, they didn’t seem to grasp the concept of faith.

But then, I would probably be like one of the disciples who failed to deliver the boy from the demon. I would try, but would I have the faith?

I profess faith but when the rubber hits the road and it comes to praying for miracles, sometimes my faith comes up short.

Don’t get me wrong. I’ll never be a “name it and claim it” kind of person. But, with as many miracles as I’ve seen, I should expect more.

The next time I pray for healing or some other miracle, I need to pray with a faith that expects the miracle to be the rule not the exception.

Have you seen God pull off the miraculous? Tell us about it.
Can you pray with me from a platform of faith rather than doubt?
February 25, 2024

February 25th, 2024

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Proverbs 12-13

Highlight Verse:

“A worthy wife is a crown for her husband, but a disgraceful woman is like cancer in his bones.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭12‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Let’s face it – I’m blessed!

My wife is definitely my better half.

I married out of my league.

And I can fully attest to the first part of this verse.

The second part of this verse does not apply to her or me.

But I know some for whom it does apply.

All I can say about that is God can heal cancer so he can certainly heal marriages too.

So, to you who are blessed or are the blessing, may God richly bless you beyond what you can imagine.

For those who relate to the second half of this verse, I pray for your healing in every way, again, beyond what you can imagine!

If you are blessed with a godly spouse, feel free to give them a shout out here.
If you feel like you relate more to the second part of this verse, don’t be afraid to seek counsel and prayer, having faith that God can heal.
February 24, 2024

February 24th, 2024
Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Acts 16:16-40

Highlight Verse:

“Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening.”
‭‭Acts of the Apostles‬ ‭16‬:‭25‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Every time I read this; I have to wonder what I would be doing.
- Trying to sleep?
- Brooding in anger at the injustice?
- Desperately praying for deliverance?
- All of the above?
But Paul and Silas sang as they prayed.

And when miraculous deliverance came, they chose to stay so they could minister to those around them including their jailor.

Paul would call those times “light and momentary trials.”

Most of us would crumble under those circumstances.

Maybe if we (me included) would pray and sing in the midst of our truly light trials, we would be able to stand up under the heavier ones.

What trials are going on in your life that you could stand to pray and sing in the midst of?
How would that change your perspective?
February 23, 2024

February 23rd, 2024

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Ezekiel 43-45

Highlight Verse:

“And the glory of the Lord came into the Temple through the east gateway.”
‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭43‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

If this whole section sound familiar, that’s because it repeats many of the themes from Exodus, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy.

Like before, God’s glory fills the temple.

While this is a vision of the near future, the hope cast by this vision comes to life little by little as the exiles return from captivity.

You might even say that it is a vision of Israel’s rebirth.

The holy nation was “dead” in exile but returns to life as the exiles come back to the land.

This section also serves to remind me of the rebirth that we can experience today.

As we repent and trust God, true life returns to us.

How do you perceive the purpose of this prophecy?
Is there a part that stands out to you? Let’s talk about it.
February 22, 2024

February 22nd, 2024

Thursday – Letters

Reading – Hebrews 8

Highlight Verse:

“They serve in a system of worship that is only a copy, a shadow of the real one in heaven. For when Moses was getting ready to build the Tabernacle, God gave him this warning: “Be sure that you make everything according to the pattern I have shown you here on the mountain.””
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭8‬:‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This verse puts the Old Testament system of sacrifices and worship at the Temple into perspective.

That was but a shadow of the real one!

The Old Testament priests made repeated sacrifices in a futile attempt to remove all guilt.

Jesus made one perfect sacrifice for all time for all sin for those who trust Him.

While some may see the Old and New Testaments as night and day, this verse paints them as light and shadow.

The light cannot be seen except for the shadow it cast.

The new covenant could not be understood save for the old system of sacrifice.

Do you have a hard time dealing the differences between Old and New Testament?
Does the knowledge that the Old can be considered a shadow of the New help you understand the role of the Old Testament?
February 21, 2024

February 21st, 2024

Wednesday – History

Reading – 2 Kings 6-8

Highlight Verse:

““Where did it fall?” the man of God asked. When he showed him the place, Elisha cut a stick and threw it into the water at that spot. Then the ax head floated to the surface.”
‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭6‬:‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

I’ve seen a lot of miracles over the years.

But I have never seen an axe head float.

Sometimes God uses some very unorthodox ways to get our attention.

Whether it be a mechanical miracle or the right words at the right time to encourage me, God has always known how to wake me up.

In what ways has God gotten your attention?
Have you always paid attention when unusual things happen?
February 20, 2024

February 20th, 2024

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Leviticus 9-10

Highlight Verse:

“Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu put coals of fire in their incense burners and sprinkled incense over them. In this way, they disobeyed the Lord by burning before him the wrong kind of fire, different than he had commanded.”
‭‭Leviticus‬ ‭10‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

What was your reaction when you first read this story?

If you’re like me, you may have found it a bit harsh. Okay, maybe very harsh.

I mean, what was so bad about adding a little variety to the rituals?

Pride.

You see, Nadab and Abihu wanted to show they knew how to do religious rituals better than Moses.

It’s possible that they didn’t really believe in God and thought these religious rights were just a show. And what a show they would put on.

God’s show was more impressive.

I am glad that we live under a new covenant of grace and mercy because my pride can show up from time to time.

There’s something to be said for community pride and patriotic pride.

But when my pride puts me before God, that’s misplaced pride.

That kind of pride truly goes before a fall.

Just ask Nabad and Abihu.

What do you think Nadab and Abihu’s motivations were for doing things their own way?
Like me, do you struggle with too much pride?
Where do you find a balance between too much pride and too little self esteem? (We could have a whole other conversation about that).

All I can say is – let it be so!

Until that day, we need to let our neighbors and relatives know about the love and grace and peace we’ve found in Jesus.

A bigger part of me is disgusted by all the bloodshed and violence.

I know someone who often cites stories like this to discredit organized religion.

The hatred and violence of man does not negate the undying sacrificial love of God.

If we look beyond the detailed rules we find a glimpse of the Father heart of God.

A good father wants to raise his children to be good people and to be able to spend time with them.

God the Father shows us a perfect model for that.

Can you hear the frustration in Jesus’ voice?

But then, I would probably be like one of the disciples who failed to deliver the boy from the demon. I would try, but would I have the faith?

The next time I pray for healing or some other miracle, I need to pray with a faith that expects the miracle to be the rule not the exception.

Let’s face it – I’m blessed!

All I can say about that is God can heal cancer so he can certainly heal marriages too.

Every time I read this; I have to wonder what I would be doing.

Maybe if we (me included) would pray and sing in the midst of our truly light trials, we would be able to stand up under the heavier ones.

You might even say that it is a vision of Israel’s rebirth.

As we repent and trust God, true life returns to us.

This verse puts the Old Testament system of sacrifices and worship at the Temple into perspective.

While some may see the Old and New Testaments as night and day, this verse paints them as light and shadow.

I’ve seen a lot of miracles over the years.

Whether it be a mechanical miracle or the right words at the right time to encourage me, God has always known how to wake me up.

What was your reaction when you first read this story?

Pride.

But when my pride puts me before God, that’s misplaced pride.