Walk in the Light

September 24, 2023

September 24th, 2023

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Psalms 116-118

Highlight Verse:

“The Lord cares deeply when his loved ones die.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭116‬:‭15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This morning, I had the privilege of having breakfast with a group of guys that included a widower.

After six decades of marriage, he found the strength through the Lord to carry on.

Now, a year later, he lives a vibrant life that includes sharing his wealth of experience with us other guys.

This evening (I write these the evening before they get posted) I got word that the wife of a dear old friend from my Santa Cruz days passed away. I know that she is in the presence of Jesus now and all her pain has been washed away.

My friend’s pain right now is deep.

I know that he has a close relationship with God and will find strength drawn from that relationship.

Even so, he and his kids and grandkids could use all our prayers to get through this time.

From this passage we know that God cares for those who have passed from this world into His heavenly kingdom.

I believe without a doubt that he cares just as deeply for those left behind.

The psalmist speaks of moving on with an attitude of thankfulness. With that, God can get you through the hardest of times.

Have you had to deal with losing a close loved one?
How have you dwelt with that anguish? Please share that others may benefit from your experiences.
September 23, 2023

September 23rd, 2023

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Proverbs 16:31, 20:29

Highlight Verse:

“The glory of the young is their strength; the gray hair of experience is the splendor of the old.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭20‬:‭29‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Every morning I look in the mirror and wonder who that old man is that’s looking back at me.

I don’t usually feel old. I’ve claimed to be 29 for 30 years now. BuT I’m starting to feel it.

Now I welcome this first day of Autumn with trepidation,

knowing the cold of the coming winter means more aches and snow shoveling becomes an ever more daunting task.

But it beats the alternative.

I forget my age when I’m playing games with the middle school students I help lead on Wednesday nights. This week that’s led to more aches than I’ve felt in a while.

Still, I march on. At work, I walk a lot and try to take the stairs when I’m only going up a few flights. This week, the stairs have taken more time. But I make it up them by concentrating on the strength in my legs rather than the ache in my muscles as I take each step.

Likewise, I try to concentrate on the strengths I’ve acquired with age.

I may not be able to sprint, but I know the value and results of good hard work.

My reaction time when I drive is not what it used to be, but experience has taught me what to watch for to avoid needing that quick reaction time.

I can repair machines with skill and accuracy.

I know the Bible better than ever before.

Experience and knowledge help me make wise decisions more easily.

So, yeah, I’ll keep the grey hair and aging features. They come with strengths I didn’t have when I was younger.

Have you been able to look past the aches of age to focus on your strengths?
If you are younger, have you learned to tap the knowledge and wisdom of those around you who are older?
September 22, 2023

September 22nd, 2023

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Jeremiah 45-47

Highlight Verse:

“You have said, ‘I am overwhelmed with trouble! Haven’t I had enough pain already? And now the Lord has added more! I am worn out from sighing and can find no rest.’”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭45‬:‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This chapter is unique in Jeremiah as it is written to an individual who is not a ruler. It was written to Baruch, Jeremiah’s faithful scribe.

Apparently, Baruch was having a pity party.

Through Jeremiah, God pointed out that he had allowed Baruch to survive. A privilege many Israelites did not get to share.

Pity parties are uniquely selfish.

While they are not necessarily prideful, they focus on the problems the complainer is facing rather than the many more blessings that God has supplied.

On an interesting note, I just read that Baruch is the only Old Testament character who has been fingerprinted. (Source enduringword dot com). Apparently, Baruch’s seal was recently found on some manuscripts and it contained an impression of his thumbprint.

That’s a unique blessing.

You could say that he was kept alive in a unique way longer than anyone else from that time.

Just another blessing he could have been counting.

Have you found yourself wallowing in a pity party before? (Been there, done that).
What have you done to get away from the self pity? (Focusing on others and my blessings helped me).
September 21, 2023

September 21st, 2023

Thursday – Letters

Reading – Philippians 1-2

Highlight Verses:

“Those others do not have pure motives as they preach about Christ. They preach with selfish ambition, not sincerely, intending to make my chains more painful to me. But that doesn’t matter. Whether their motives are false or genuine, the message about Christ is being preached either way, so I rejoice. And I will continue to rejoice.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭17‬-‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I’ve heard it said that if you find a perfect church, don’t go there because then it wouldn’t be perfect anymore.

Pastors and preachers are normal human beings with faults and mixed-up motives just like everyone else. I’m sure most have pure, godly motives. But even the best have off days just like the rest of us.

I love Paul’s attitude about them. Just let Christ be preached so that people may know Him.

So, the next time you want to criticize a preacher, remember they’re human and have their own faults and weaknesses. Unless they’re actually preaching against the Gospel, cut them some slack and do your best to learn something from them.

Sometimes the best wisdom come from the most unlikely sources.

Can you imagine what it would take to maintain Paul’s positive attitude in the midst of imprisonment and persecution?
Have you ever taken a negative attitude about someone’s preaching?
September 20, 2023

September 20th, 2023

Wednesday – History

Reading – 2 Samuel 5-6

Highlight Verse:

“So David and all the people of Israel brought up the Ark of the Lord with shouts of joy and the blowing of rams’ horns.”
‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭6‬:‭15‬ ‭NLT‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

The Ark represented the presence of God with His people. For those who welcomed God’s presence, it was cause for great celebration.

There are two things that stand out from past studies I’ve seen on in this chapter.

First, when they brought the Ark from Obed Edom to Jerusalem, they carried it on poles rather than pull it on a wagon.

I believe that illustrates both that God is personal and to be highly respected.

The Ark was to be carried by priests showing the utmost care even to the point of stopping for a sacrifice every six steps. That was a very slow, respectful process.

Second, God’s presence was to be celebrated with abandon. David danced so hard he was accused by Michal of being undignified. David’s response? Let me be undignified and God be glorified!

Let me always remember that.

If God be glorified by it, may I be undignified!

Are you willing to be undignified if God is glorified by it?
Do you know what it’s like to be in God’s presence?
September 19, 2023

September 19th, 2023

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Exodus 12

Highlight Verses:

“Then your children will ask, ‘What does this ceremony mean?’ And you will reply, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice to the Lord, for he passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt. And though he struck the Egyptians, he spared our families.’” When Moses had finished speaking, all the people bowed down to the ground and worshiped.”
‭‭Exodus‬ ‭12‬:‭26‬-‭27‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I always thought that Passover was the most important Jewish festival.

After all, it is closely associated with Easter. In fact, that sacrifice was a foreshadowing of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross that our lives may be spared.

In fact, most scholars would call Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement the most important holiday.

Like Easter, it is all about the forgiveness of one’s sins.

Unlike Easter, one’s sins needed to be forgiven every year through sacrifice.

Jesus already made that sacrifice to pay the penalty for all we have done wrong.

Once and for all!

What is your favorite holiday?
Do you know first hand about the Day of Atonement?
September 18, 2023

September 18th, 2023

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Matthew 10

Highlight Verse:

“If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭10‬:‭39‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I remember this verse being spoken about during a young adult camp message series entitled “The Upside-Down Gospel.”

While that was nearly 40 years ago, the message still rings true.

The good news of Jesus is radically different from what the world would teach us.

“Look out for number one.”
“God helps those who help themselves.”
“Name it and claim it.”

All those work on the surface. Some people have applied the last one to living a life of faith.

The problem is, they are all focused on self when Jesus calls us to focus on others. The irony is in the fact that when we focus on others, our own lives become far richer and satisfying than if we were self-focused.

Living for Jesus is all upside-down and inside-out. And I can’t imagine it any other way.

Does it go against the grain for you to be focused on others rather than yourself?
Do you have stories of when you focused on others, and it became a huge blessing to you?
Would you share those stories to encourage others here?
September 17, 2023

September 17th, 2023

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Psalms 112-115

Highlight Verse:

“Good comes to those who lend money generously and conduct their business fairly.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭112‬:‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

You can’t out give God.

Whether your generosity is in the form of low or no interest loans to the needy as suggested in this verse, or outright giving, the more you give up to help others, the more you store up in heaven.

It doesn’t stop there. I’m not sure how or why, but it seems like the more you give, the more God will bless your situation. It might not be financially, though it might be.

It seems like every time we take a risk and give more, some opportunity comes up or some windfall comes down and we have enough to make it.

Bottom line is, if you’re generous, give more and you will be blessed. If you’re selfish, give anyway. You may find you have more to live on after you give.

More importantly, you may find God changing that selfish heart into a generous one.

Now, if you’ll pardon my, I just remembered we got paid this week so I’m gonna go online and give some of it to the church.

Do you have stories of how you’ve been blessed with more than what you’ve given? Share them here.
Do you struggle with the idea of giving? Share and we’ll do our best to encourage you.
September 16, 2023

September 16th, 2023

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Hebrews 12:1-13

Highlight Verse:

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I have so much to do tomorrow that I wrote a to do list. That’s not normal for me.

It’s been a busy week so tonight I relaxed and plan to hitting the ground running tomorrow.

Sometimes it feels like a marathon.

My list of work, ministry, and writing tasks seems endless.

But maybe that’s good.

I love seeing the fruit of my labor. It adds to my energy level to get the next thing done.

And don’t worry, I am taking Sabbath times of rest. That’s an essential.

The bottom line is, the closer I stick to the plan God has set for my life, the more endurance and passion I have for the work. The race God has set before me becomes doable.

When I stick to God’s plan and principles,

He provides the endurance!

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the list of things you have to do?
Does that list of things to do align with the calling God has on your life?
Do you know your calling?

Let’s talk about it.
September 15, 2023

September 15th, 2023

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Jeremiah 42-44

“Ten days later the Lord gave his reply to Jeremiah.”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭42‬:‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Why did I pick a verse that has nothing to do with the message of prophesy that God gave to Jeremiah?

We live in a world of instant gratification.

When Jeremiah delivered the message from God to the people who had inquired of God, there was no questioning why it took so long for the message to come back from God.

I’m not saying they were godly people, though they waited patiently for the message. In fact, they rejected it and went and did what they wanted to do despite the fact that they asked what God wanted them to do.

A lot of times when we pray, we want answers now.

(“Lord, give me patience – I need it now!”)

In the Bible, sometimes answers came immediately. Sometimes they took days. Sometimes they took years. Sometimes they took generations.

The tough thing is to learn to trust in God’s timing.

Oh, and it’s a good idea to follow His instructions too!

Do you have prayers that you wanted answered yesterday?
What are some things you can do to trust in God’s timing?

This morning, I had the privilege of having breakfast with a group of guys that included a widower.

I believe without a doubt that he cares just as deeply for those left behind.

Every morning I look in the mirror and wonder who that old man is that’s looking back at me.

Now I welcome this first day of Autumn with trepidation,

So, yeah, I’ll keep the grey hair and aging features. They come with strengths I didn’t have when I was younger.

Apparently, Baruch was having a pity party.

Pity parties are uniquely selfish.

Just another blessing he could have been counting.

I’ve heard it said that if you find a perfect church, don’t go there because then it wouldn’t be perfect anymore.

Sometimes the best wisdom come from the most unlikely sources.

I believe that illustrates both that God is personal and to be highly respected.

If God be glorified by it, may I be undignified!

I always thought that Passover was the most important Jewish festival.

Jesus already made that sacrifice to pay the penalty for all we have done wrong.

The good news of Jesus is radically different from what the world would teach us.

Living for Jesus is all upside-down and inside-out. And I can’t imagine it any other way.

You can’t out give God.

More importantly, you may find God changing that selfish heart into a generous one.

Sometimes it feels like a marathon.

He provides the endurance!

We live in a world of instant gratification.

(“Lord, give me patience – I need it now!”)

The tough thing is to learn to trust in God’s timing.