Walk in the Light

February 19, 2024

February 19th, 2024

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Luke 8

Highlight Verse:

“He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of God. But I use parables to teach the others so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled: ‘When they look, they won’t really see. When they hear, they won’t understand.’””
‭‭Luke‬ ‭8‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

There are people I love dearly who, no matter how many times and how many different ways I explain the Gospel, they never seem to understand it.

They run all my words through a filter that tells them “It’s just another way the church manipulates people.”

So, do I give up on these people?

Never!

But I realize that I will never get through to them on my own power or intelligence.

I need to pray.

And pray.

And, you guessed it, pray!

I pray in hope and confidence knowing that the Holy Spirit can eventually break that filter and allow them to hear the truth.

I do not believe that God would ever force anyone into heaven.

But I do believe that He will give them a chance to truly hear the Gospel, especially when people are fighting against the forces of evil that are trapping them.

Do you have loved ones who do not understand when you present the Gospel to them?
Are you going to battle for them in prayer?
February 18, 2024

February 18th, 2024
Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Proverbs 11

Highlight Verse:

”The godly are directed by honesty; the wicked fall beneath their load of sin.“
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭11‬:‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Let’s be honest – Sin is fun…

In the moment.

And then come the consequences.

The lies to cover it up.

The relationships damaged.

The mental and emotional damage from dealing with guilt.

The physical damage from neglecting or essentially poisoning our bodies.

It’s a weight that can become enormous if not dealt with.

But with honesty comes confession and repentance.
- We all sin, but if we are honest with God, He is faithful to forgive those sins for those who trust Him.
- If we are honest with trusted friends, we avoid many of those sins through accountability.
- If we are honest with ourselves, we realize that we can’t live perfect lives in our own power.
So, yes, “The godly are directed by honesty; the wicked fall beneath their load of sin.”

Are there any areas where shame or greed has kept you from honesty?
Do you have friends with whom you can be completely honest?
February 17, 2024

February 17th, 2024

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Luke 15

Highlight Verse:

“To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story: “A man had two sons.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭15‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Thus begins the story of the Prodigal Son. It’s a beautiful story perfectly aimed at a specific audience. Not only that but it did a great job of illustrating an important truth.

Jesus was a Christian Fiction Author!

Those who know me know where I’m going with this. I’ve been an amateur fiction author since my teens. In recent years I’ve taken steps to hone the craft learning from some amazing authors.

The aim with my fiction writing is similar to my aim for this study as well as my blogs –

To impact people with the principles found in the Gospel of Jesus.

Many people are highly influenced by fiction. I’ve seen some swayed away from Jesus by reading some very relatable writing that subtly undermines faith.

With all the stories rattling around in my head, I can’t, in good conscience, let misleading fiction monopolize reader’s time.

I’d rather let the stories from this overactive imagination lead people to Christ.

Do you have an abundance of stories that need to be told?
Are you willing to hone the talents God gave you?
February 16, 2024

February 16th, 2024

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Ezekiel 40-42

Highlight Verse:

“He said to me, “Son of man, watch and listen. Pay close attention to everything I show you. You have been brought here so I can show you many things. Then you will return to the people of Israel and tell them everything you have seen.””
‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭40‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I have a book that lists details from every year and model of Type 3 Volkswagen from the Squareback to the Fastback, Notchback, and Euro-spec Karmann Ghia’s (the US got Karmann Ghia’s based on the Type 1 beetle platform).

Why would I have a book like that?

When I retire, one of the first projects I want to do is to restore an old VW Squareback.

I know I sound crazy but they’re cheap to buy and easy to work on and one figures prominently in my Wil Clarey novel series.

That book gives me encouragement as I look forward to the day I retire.

Ezekiel’s prophecy here seems unnecessarily detailed. But it gives the people of Israel something to look forward to on the day that they return from exile.

One of the first projects they want to do is to rebuild the temple.

This prophecy gives them encouragement toward that goal.

What odd things have given you encouragement?
Does this passage give you any ideas on how you can encourage others?
February 15, 2024

February 15th, 2024

Thursday – Letters

Reading – Hebrews 7

Highlight Verse:

“For the law never made anything perfect. But now we have confidence in a better hope, through which we draw near to God.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭7‬:‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Hope can be tough to come by.

We can get discouraged by our sins and failures.

We can get overwhelmed by responsibilities.

We get lonely, angry, frustrated, and occasionally furious.

But there is hope in Jesus.

The law serves only to remind us of our imperfections.

Our hope reminds us that there is redemption in Jesus.

Seeking and permitting that redemption draws us closer to God.

Have you struggled with sin for years and find you are still fighting it?
Have you lost your hope? Let us help you find it again.
February 14th, 2024

February 14, 2024

Wednesday – History

Reading – 2 Kings 3-5

Highlight Verse:

“So she did as she was told. Her sons kept bringing jars to her, and she filled one after another.”
‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭4‬:‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I was close to my Grandma Clarey.

So when I got word that she was close to dying, I had to get there.

Problem was, my car needed a new clutch and there were two mountain passes between me and her.

My then fiancé and I set out anyway.

When the clutch started slipping on the gentle hills on the way out of town, we prayed.

The clutch did not slip the rest of the way there and back. Two steep passes twice and not a single slip.

The next day the car would barely move.

If anyone tries to tell you that God doesn’t work miracles anymore, don’t believe them.

He provided for the widow in 2 Kings and for many others in the Bible and ever since.

While He doesn’t always do everything we ask since we can’t see the big picture, He’s still the Creator and can bend the rules of creation any time He likes.

I say, bring it on!

Have you seen God provide miraculously in your life? Please share it!
Is there any reason that you have a hard time believing that God can provide no matter what?
February 13, 2024

February 13th, 2024

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Leviticus 7-8

Highlight Verse:

“If any of the meat from the peace offering is eaten on the third day, the person who presented it will not be accepted by the Lord. You will receive no credit for offering it. By then the meat will be contaminated; if you eat it, you will be punished for your sin.”
‭‭Leviticus‬ ‭7‬:‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Long before science had any concept of germs, the Bible was protecting people from food-borne illness.

This actually goes way back to Genesis with the banning of pork. While pork (and bacon!) is safe for us to eat now, it was a very easy way to get tapeworms back then.

While my professors at Bible college made it very clear that the Bible was not intended to be a science textbook, it is amazing how many statements in the Bible point to it being far ahead of the time of writing in various areas of science.

The rules of diet (kosher rules) probably saved the early Hebrews from a ton of misery.

If He could protect His people from that which they knew nothing of back then, certainly He can protect His people from our own ignorance today.

Have you ever considered the fact that the rules in the Bible were for our good?
What rules do you know of in the Bible that would help us if we followed them today?
February 12, 2024

February 12th, 2024

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Luke 7

Highlight Verse:

”When the Lord saw her, his heart overflowed with compassion. “Don’t cry!” he said.“
‭‭Luke‬ ‭7‬:‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Jesus was subject to extreme emotions.

Theologically, that confirms His humanity.

On a more practical level, it shows how much He loves people and tells us that he cares so much about us that we can completely trust Him.

He looks at us with a heart of compassion and always does what’s best for us, even when we cannot see it.

And when His emotions are stirred, He takes positive action.

Does knowing God’s compassion help you to trust Him?
Do you take positive action when you are stirred with a heart of compassion?
February 11, 2024

February 11th, 2024

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Proverbs 10

Highlight Verse:

”Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.“
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭10‬:‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Of all the proverbs in today’s reading, this one stings the most.

For one who is introverted by nature, I talk entirely too much.

I’ve been known to say too much to customers at work.

There are times when my words can be annoying at home, especially since sarcasm is my native language.

And then there are times when I just babble on.

So, this is where I need to exercise wisdom and stop.

Are you one who talks too much or too little (or just right – bless your heart)?
Has using too many words gotten you into trouble? Tell us about it using as few words as possible.
February 10, 2024

February 10th, 2024

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – 1 Corinthians 12:12-27

Highlight Verses:

“Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭12‬:‭14‬-‭15‬ ‭NLT

I write this late Friday night in a state of physical exhaustion. But it is a good exhaustion.

Tonight was Night to Shine – a prom for people with special needs put on by the Tim Tebow Foundation and national and local sponsors including our church.

There was such an atmosphere of joy and celebration all evening long.

Yes, there was a lot of effort put forth by the hundreds of volunteers, but the joy that filled the place came from the guests!

These were people who have had it rough.

They’ve been misunderstood, demeaned, endured endless medical treatments, and shut out of a significant part of life that many take for granted.

Tonight was about bringing a little of that ordinary fun life to a place where they can enjoy it and to do our best to convey a sense of acceptance and dignity to people who are just as much beautiful creations of God as any of us.

And the appreciation and joy they gave back to those who made tonight happen dwarfed our efforts.

We need to remember that the body of Christ goes way beyond our preconceived notions. Those we tend to ignore are often the ones capable of bringing unbridled joy, deep sensitivity, and unrestrained creativity to the body.

We would be fools not to make every effort to include them.

Are you a person with special needs struggling to be included? This is a safe place to speak up (even if it is to correct my exhausted brain’s way of expressing this).
What are ways that you or your church are making efforts to include people who may be differently abled. ‬

There are people I love dearly who, no matter how many times and how many different ways I explain the Gospel, they never seem to understand it.

Never!

I pray in hope and confidence knowing that the Holy Spirit can eventually break that filter and allow them to hear the truth.

Let’s be honest – Sin is fun…

In the moment.

It’s a weight that can become enormous if not dealt with.

But with honesty comes confession and repentance.

Jesus was a Christian Fiction Author!

To impact people with the principles found in the Gospel of Jesus.

I’d rather let the stories from this overactive imagination lead people to Christ.

That book gives me encouragement as I look forward to the day I retire.

This prophecy gives them encouragement toward that goal.

But there is hope in Jesus.

Problem was, my car needed a new clutch and there were two mountain passes between me and her.

When the clutch started slipping on the gentle hills on the way out of town, we prayed.

The clutch did not slip the rest of the way there and back. Two steep passes twice and not a single slip.

I say, bring it on!

Long before science had any concept of germs, the Bible was protecting people from food-borne illness.

If He could protect His people from that which they knew nothing of back then, certainly He can protect His people from our own ignorance today.

On a more practical level, it shows how much He loves people and tells us that he cares so much about us that we can completely trust Him.

And when His emotions are stirred, He takes positive action.

Of all the proverbs in today’s reading, this one stings the most.

So, this is where I need to exercise wisdom and stop.

I write this late Friday night in a state of physical exhaustion. But it is a good exhaustion.

And the appreciation and joy they gave back to those who made tonight happen dwarfed our efforts.

We would be fools not to make every effort to include them.