Walk in the Light

October 4, 2023

October 4th, 2023

Wednesday – History

Reading – 2 Samuel 9-10

Highlight Verses:

“One day David asked, “Is anyone in Saul’s family still alive—anyone to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?””
‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭9‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬
“So Hanun seized David’s ambassadors and shaved off half of each man’s beard, cut off their robes at the buttocks, and sent them back to David in shame.”
‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭10‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I picked one verse from each chapter today because I thought they showed a good contrast between honor and pride.

It was David’s honor that caused him to want to recognize his deep friendship with Jonathan by showing kindness to Mephibosheth (one of my favorite Bible names).

It was Hanun’s pride that caused him to dishonor David’s ambassadors.

David’s honor resulted in a good relationship with Mephibosheth and more respect for David by the people.

Hanun’s pride resulted in the resounding defeat of his own people.

Much of what we call pride today is honor. We honor our troops, our country, those who have gone on before us, and those who have been a blessing to us. We can humbly accept honor when we are recognized for our achievements or victories.

When we take all the credit for ourselves for those victories, that’s pride.
When we focus on ourselves, our desires, our ideas, our own achievements, that’s pride.
When other’s opinions are less important than our own, that’s pride.

That didn’t work out so well for the Ammonites.
How is it working for you?

Do you find yourself acting in honor or selfish pride?
How do you think you can tell the difference?
October 3, 2023

October 3rd, 2023

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Exodus 15

Highlight Verse:

“The Lord is my strength and my song; he has given me victory. This is my God, and I will praise him— my father’s God, and I will exalt him!”
‭‭Exodus‬ ‭15‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I love how the Bible sometimes resembles a musical.

Some events are so memorable and exciting that they inspire songs on the spot. While they probably lacked the choreography of a Broadway musical, I’m sure that celebrations like this one included spontaneous song and dance.

Why can’t life be like that now?

Seriously, why not?

The times I’ve seen spontaneous song, it has always brought joy. If a few people would share their celebrations with song in the middle of everyday life, there would be quite a bit more joy in this world.

So, let’s make a joyful noise and bring some smiles back into this world.

Have you witnessed spontaneous music break out near you?
Have you brought that music yourself?
Share your stories!
October 2, 2023

October 2nd, 2023

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Matthew 12

Highlight Verse:

“But if I am casting out demons by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭12‬:‭28‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Let’s settle this once and for all. Demons are real.

There’s a lot we don’t know about them but there is some that we know.

We know they bind people in sickness and disabilities.

We know they can possess people.

We know they are evil and of the devil (who is also real).

Most importantly, we know that Jesus has the power to stop them!

So, as we enter the season where demons and other scary things are celebrated in decorations and stories, let’s remember that Jesus can and will neutralize demons if we only ask him. Therefore, if we are children of God, we have no need to fear demonic forces or any kind of evil. Let’s practice that in word and deed.

Have you feared evil forces is your life?
Have you ever fought back against demonic forces – and won?
October 1, 2023

October 1st, 2023

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Psalm 119

Highlight Verse:

“I will walk in freedom, for I have devoted myself to your commandments.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭45‬ ‭NLT‬‬

To some, that may seem counterintuitive.

How can you have freedom if you are following a bunch of commands?

There was a study a long time ago that studied playground behavior at elementary schools.

At schools that had fences, children used the entire field right up to the fence.

At schools that had no fences, children tended to gather around the playground equipment and buildings.

The fence gave a sense of security.

Our security comes from the Lord. In the days this Psalm was written, it was from following the law. Now that Jesus has fulfilled the requirements of the law,

our security, and therefore, freedom comes from trusting Jesus.

Do you know that freedom?
Can you grasp the concept of freedom in putting trust in Jesus?
This is a safe place to ask more about it.
September 30, 2023

September 30th, 2023

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Philippians 4:8-9

Highlight Verse:

“Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

There was so much in this chapter that I just had to continue from Thursday.

This chapter and these verses are where the proverbial rubber meets the road.

All the scripture knowledge in the world is useless unless you put it into practice.

When you do put it into practice, that’s when that final verse happens. The God of peace will be with you!

Here’s to a peaceful, God filled life!
September 29, 2023

September 29th, 2023

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Jeremiah 48-50

Highlight Verse:

“In those days,” says the Lord, “no sin will be found in Israel or in Judah, for I will forgive the remnant I preserve.”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭50‬:‭20‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Just as yesterday’s reading was full of blessings and wonderful news; today’s reading is full of curses and bad news.

The world in Jeremiah’s time was full of evil and warfare.

God’s people were few.

But those who listened to the Word of God through Jeremiah found their way back to the promised land and lived in forgiveness and restoration.

Sound like today? I thought so to.

The bottom line from the “doom and gloom” prophet is, live for the Lord and there is hope.

It took hundreds of years from this time until Jesus brought the fulfillment of hope.

But Hope came!

Those who believed found Him.

Just as they can today!

Have you found Hope?
Are you living in faith trusting for that Hope?
September 28, 2023

September 28th, 2023

Thursday – Letters

Reading – Philippians 3-4

Highlight Verses:

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I remember years ago when I was on call at a company that provided audio-visual and lighting equipment. I got a call on a Saturday saying,”Where’s our equipment?” A salesperson had failed to put in the order but I was still obligated to fill it.

I remember running around the warehouse throwing stuff on a truck.

Suddenly, my body refused to go on.

I lay on the warehouse floor for a good five minutes while I cried out to God for help. My brain and my body reconciled the situation and I managed to put together a setup that met their needs (barely) by showtime (barely) and I got through it.

In those few minutes of mental and physical lockdown, I came to the conclusion that

I could only do what I could do, and God would take care of the rest.

I doesn’t take that drastic of a situation for us to be paralyzed by stress. When we cannot see a way out of a situation, it’s easy to become overwhelmed.

One advantage of walking with Jesus for as many decades as I have is that I’ve been in many stressful situations that God brought me through. Some were impossible and God brought the miracles that changed them into possibilities.

No matter what the situation, God’s got it.

Have you had a high stress impossible situation that paralyzed you?
How did you get through it?
Did it bring you more ability to trust God in those types of situations?
September 27, 2023

September 27th, 2023

Wednesday – History

Reading – 2 Samuel 17-18

Highlight Verse:

“And now, may it please you to bless the house of your servant, so that it may continue forever before you. For you have spoken, and when you grant a blessing to your servant, O Sovereign Lord, it is an eternal blessing!””
‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭7‬:‭29‬ ‭NLT‬‬

In my life, I have only ever once walked out of a church in disgust.

Sure, I’ve visited some that I was less than impressed with. I’ve even politely debated theology with some pastors. But this one I was so disgusted with that I stood up and walked out in the middle of the sermon.

The preacher was showing off his Rolex and fancy rings, bragging about his Porsche while telling us that God wants to bless us all with wealth. I didn’t stick around to hear the “give and thou shalt receive” bomb drop.

That is not what this verse is about.

Yes, God will bless us for giving and He will always provide for his kids (us).

But that preacher took it to a disgustingly selfish level.

David was far more humble about it.

God had spoken through Nathan the prophet about how God was going to bless David and his dependents. David’s response that culminated in this verse was basically, “I’m not worthy but if you say so – bring it on. And, thanks!”

I’d love to be blessed financially. Truth is – I am. We’re certainly not “American wealthy” but compared to most of the world, we’ve got it made. We have food on the table, roof over our heads, reliable paid-for vehicles and far more “toys” than we need.

My bold prayer like David’s is that my sphere of influence would be increased

and that I would accurately and lovingly share more of God’s words and wisdom to more and more people.

If you are boldly asking God for blessings, what forms do you see those blessings take?
Do you make it a habit to pray for blessings for you and your family.
September 26, 2023

September 26th, 2023

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Exodus 13-14

Highlight Verse:

“When Pharaoh finally let the people go, God did not lead them along the main road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest route to the Promised Land. God said, “If the people are faced with a battle, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.””
‭‭Exodus‬ ‭13‬:‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I love road trips. My favorite part is taking detours.

Most of the coolest sites are along the back roads and in the small towns.

I moved from California to Virginia in 1990. On the way, I turned north off the main highway to see a big hole in the ground.

Even though it was tough to find parking for the moving truck, the view of the Grand Canyon was well worth the longer day and extra gas.

The Israelites had a huge detour through the wilderness.

Along the way, they learned to trust God and to work together.

It was not the quickest route but for me at that time, it was the best way.

Have you ever made plans just to have circumstances ruin them? Did you learn something along the detoured route?
September 25, 2023

September 25th, 2023

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Matthew 11

Highlight Verses:

““To what can I compare this generation? It is like children playing a game in the public square. They complain to their friends, ‘We played wedding songs, and you didn’t dance, so we played funeral songs, and you didn’t mourn.’”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11‬:‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Jesus is talking about how so many people of that generation completely missed the significance of John the Baptist and Jesus.

It’s easy to judge that generation from the vantage point of our knowledgeable times.

But how many times do we miss it?

Most of us reading this are familiar with the Gospel but how many times do we miss opportunities to share it? How many times do we pass by people who need to see a little hope? How often do we miss a chance to share the love of God?

Notice my use of the word “we” in that paragraph. I’m not judging since I would would probably win a prize for the most missed opportunities.

I pray that you and I will have our eyes opened to the possibilities for sharing the love of Jesus to those around us.

Let’s not miss the opportunities to dance and mourn with those who need the hope of Jesus.

Do you have stories of times when you caught the opportunity to share the hope of Jesus? Share them with us.
Can you pray with me that our eyes would be opened to every opportunity and our hearts be opened to leaping at those opportunities?

I picked one verse from each chapter today because I thought they showed a good contrast between honor and pride.

David’s honor resulted in a good relationship with Mephibosheth and more respect for David by the people.

Hanun’s pride resulted in the resounding defeat of his own people.

I love how the Bible sometimes resembles a musical.

Why can’t life be like that now?

So, let’s make a joyful noise and bring some smiles back into this world.

Let’s settle this once and for all. Demons are real.

Most importantly, we know that Jesus has the power to stop them!

To some, that may seem counterintuitive.

our security, and therefore, freedom comes from trusting Jesus.

There was so much in this chapter that I just had to continue from Thursday.

Here’s to a peaceful, God filled life!

God’s people were few.

Sound like today? I thought so to.

But Hope came!

Suddenly, my body refused to go on.

I could only do what I could do, and God would take care of the rest.

No matter what the situation, God’s got it.

In my life, I have only ever once walked out of a church in disgust.

My bold prayer like David’s is that my sphere of influence would be increased

Most of the coolest sites are along the back roads and in the small towns.

Along the way, they learned to trust God and to work together.

But how many times do we miss it?

Let’s not miss the opportunities to dance and mourn with those who need the hope of Jesus.