Walk in the Light

July 19, 2023

July 19th, 2023

Wednesday – History

Reading – 1 Samuel 17-18

Highlight Verse:

“He picked up five smooth stones from a stream and put them into his shepherd’s bag. Then, armed only with his shepherd’s staff and sling, he started across the valley to fight the Philistine.” 1 Samuel 17:40 NLT

‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭17‬:‭40‬ ‭NLT‬‬

If you read this through, you know that it only took one stone to kill Goliath.

Why did David grab 5?

Was he afraid one wouldn’t cut it?

It’s clear that David was running straight toward Goliath. While he was capable of loading his slingshot on the run, it’s unlikely he would have had time for a second shot had the first missed.

I believe he ran into battle with great confidence that one shot would take care of Goliath.

But Goliath had comrades, some of whom were his brothers and huge like Goliath.

David would have been a fool if he had not prepared to do battle with more warriors than Goliath.

He was no fool. Instead, he lead the people into battle against the Philistines starting with Goliath. And won!

Are you confident in your battles against the enemy?
Are you going into battle prepared for prevailing in the next four battles too?
July 18, 2023

July 18th, 2023

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Genesis 47

Highlight Verses:

““How old are you?” Pharaoh asked him. Jacob replied, “I have traveled this earth for 130 hard years. But my life has been short compared to the lives of my ancestors.” Then Jacob blessed Pharaoh again before leaving his court.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭47‬:‭8‬-‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I found this whole interaction interesting.

Jacob obviously must have looked very old because – you guessed it – he was.

I got the impression that both Pharaoh and Jacob held each other in high regard.

This shouldn’t be surprising.

What jumped out at me is that Pharaoh’s respect for Jacob was likely highly enhanced by Jacob’s age.

More and more as I grow older, I can attest to that effect. The grayer my hair, the more deference most people show me.

Twelve years ago, when the clerk at Golden Corral asked if I qualified for the senior discount, I didn’t much appreciate it.

Now, less than a decade from retirement, I’ll accept that discount, and the respect – often with the simple gesture of me pointing to my gray head and uttering two simple words, “four teenagers.”

I look at today’s verse and am reminded that those older than me have more experience, more wisdom, and likely more knowledge than I.

I can respect that.

Have you stopped to think about the experience, wisdom, and knowledge of those who have been on this earth longer than you?
If you have been around long enough to show the signs of aging like me, have you experienced the increase in respect from others? Got any stories to relate about it?
July 17, 2023

July 17th, 2023

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Mark 14

Highlight Verse:

“Then they sang a hymn and went out to the Mount of Olives.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭14‬:‭26‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This is another one of those “I never noticed that before” verses.

But then, as one who has been exposed to the Messianic Jewish culture, I am not surprised.

Song and dance played a prominent part of the culture.

That should explain why the longest book in the Bible is a book of songs (Psalms).

The song they sang to conclude the Passover meal was most likely the second half of the Hallel Psalms 115-118.

Right after those deep words of worship, they went out to Gethsemane where Jesus prayed in anguish as He faced what was about to happen.

Tonight we had a student night at a local park with another church. It was a lot of fun though many of us fairly melted in the heat.

At the end, a group got together in a circle and sang a worship song.

To me that was the best part of the evening.

That simple beautiful act focused my attention on why we were there in the first place.

I can’t help but think that the singing at the end of the Passover meal had the same effect on Jesus and His disciples.

Does the right music help you to focus on God?
Can you imagine what it would have been like to be in the room and listen to that group sing those beautiful Psalms?
What would that have felt like?
July 16, 2023

July 15th, 2023

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Psalms 86-88

Highlight Verse:

“Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭86‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I will confess tonight that the hour is late and my brain is a bit foggy after a very long day.

Like David, I am completely dependent on the Lord tonight.

David recognizes that he has much to learn from God and that the only way to have a pure heart is to seek that pure heart from God.

He is 100% dependent on God and he knows it.

It is so easy to rest on our accomplishments while God is knocking at our door trying to take us to the next level.

The next level is not achieved by the heights of our accomplishments but rather the depths of our dependence on God.

In what ways are you completely dependent or God?
What areas do we fall short of relying completely on God.
July 15, 2023

July 15th, 2023

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Genesis 2:21-24

Highlight Verse:

“This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭2‬:‭24‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Today we have a party.

Our second daughter is engaged so a bunch of friends and family are coming to celebrate with us today.

One of the reasons we celebrate is because this is how it was meant to be from the beginning.

As much as we sometimes don’t want them to grow up, our kids were meant to become adults.

They’re meant to fly from the nest.

They do best when they soar on their own wings.

In most cases, marriage to the right person brings about a new family with a new life of its own.

We have two more kids to go before we complete the transition to the empty nest. While I look forward to the time my wife and I will have together in retirement, I am more excited about seeing our kids launch into their own families.

Of course, the time flies too quickly so we will cherish each of these days we have with them now.

What stage of family life are you in?
What do you look forward to the most when your kids launch into their own lives?
What do you fear the most?
July 14, 2023

July 14th, 2023

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Jeremiah 16-18

Highlight Verse:

“Lord, you are my strength and fortress, my refuge in the day of trouble! Nations from around the world will come to you and say, “Our ancestors left us a foolish heritage, for they worshiped worthless idols.”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭16‬:‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I know the feeling. My dad and his dad worshipped knowledge. They didn’t believe in God. Knowledge for them became that idol that kept them from seeing God.

To his credit, my dad completed his bachelor’s and master’s degrees while working full-time and raising 5 kids. But, like so many, he didn’t believe in anything he couldn’t see, hear, or feel.

My parents took us kids to church because my mom believed at least some, and my dad liked keeping up appearances.

The seeds were planted and I trusted in God.

Because my dad did not lead me in the way of God, my true spiritual father was God Himself. That disadvantage turned into an advantage as I sought God ever deeper for guidance.

Don’t get me wrong. I believe being a godly dad is very important.

But, if your heritage is on the foolish side, cling all the more tightly to the Father. He will be your refuge!

In what ways has God been a “strength and fortress” and “refuge” for you?
Are you in a place where you can pass along a godly heritage to your kids or others? How do you do that?
July 13, 2023

July 13th, 2023

Thursday – Letters

Reading – 2 Corinthians 6

Highlight Verse:

“For God says, “At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.” Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭6‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Let’s face it, I’m a procrastinator. Just tonight I eyed the dead light fixture above my work area in the garage and decided it was too hot to drag the ladder out to troubleshoot it.

The other lights in the garage work just fine.

Some things are a little more important.

How many times do we tell ourselves, I’ll deal with that behavior when I’m older? We get FOMO (fear of missing out) and think we need to have fun now while we can.

What we sometimes don’t realize is that shallow temporary “fun” robs us of deeper joy.

In fact, I can tell you beyond the shadow of a doubt that fun enjoyed in right relationship with God is far more fun than those things that just feel good.

Then add to that, joy!

Take a look at verse 10. Then go back and read verses 3-10 again. Go ahead. I’ll wait.

We have it so much easier than Paul and his group, yet he had joy despite pain.

In Paul’s words, “We have everything.” (End of verse 10).

Why would we put that off? Now is the day.

Have you procrastinated putting your whole trust in Jesus?
Are there other things in your life that are keeping you from joy?
July 12, 2023

July 12th, 2023

Wednesday – History

Reading – 1 Samuel 15-16

Highlight Verse:

““I am sorry that I ever made Saul king, for he has not been loyal to me and has refused to obey my command.” Samuel was so deeply moved when he heard this that he cried out to the Lord all night.”
‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭15‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

When was the last time you were so deeply moved that you cried out to the Lord all night?

The only events that pop into my mind are the loss of a loved one.

So here’s Samuel, who opposed the idea of Israel having a king, mourning the loss of God’s blessing on the king.

I believe that Samuel was mourning the loss of godly leadership in Israel.

Did God tell Samuel to get over it or remove Saul from kingship?

No, but God did answer Samuel’s prayers.

He had Samuel anoint the next king – the “man after God’s own heart” – David.

I don’t believe that was the answer Samuel expected.

Nor do I think that Samuel thought Saul would hang onto power for at least 11 more years (David became king at 30 and could not have been more than 19 at the time of anointing as he wasn’t yet of age to serve in the army).

But God answered Samuel’s prayers in the best possible way.

Have you have God answer your most earnest prayers in unexpected ways? – Please share.
Are you in the middle of desperate prayers? God has your answer. It just might not be what you expect.
July 11, 2023

July 11th, 2023

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Genesis 46

Highlight Verse:

“Benjamin’s sons were Bela, Beker, Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim, and Ard.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭46‬:‭21‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Benjamin was his father’s favorite son after Joseph was assumed dead.

He was the youngest. In fact, his brother’s made it sound like he was still a child when they came to Egypt for grain.

The fact was he had the most kids out of any of his brothers at the time that they moved to Egypt. This verse says nothing about what his life was like, how old he was, and other things. This young man who appears on this list, ends up being pivotal.

Benjamin is known as the smallest tribe, especially after their near extinction during the time of the judges.

King Saul was a descendant of Benjamin.

So was Esther, who was key to saving all the Israelites when they were in exile.

Finally, so was Paul.

All this from the spoiled youngest son of Jacob.

Have you ever felt insignificant?
Did you know that your little branch of the family tree could be very significant with, even if you’ve the spoiled youngest of the family?
July 10, 2023

July 10th, 2023

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Mark 13

Highlight Verse:

“For the Good News must first be preached to all nations.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭13‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I have heard this verse from the mouths of missionaries on multiple occasions. I never really looked at the context.

It’s sandwiched between verses about being arrested and whipped and brought to trial.

This section of Mark is basically warning us that we will be persecuted but that persecution is a good thing because it will proved an opportunity to bring the Gospel before the leaders of the nations.

I’m not saying we should not go as missionaries or send missionaries. Mark himself went on a couple of mission trips with Paul and Barnabas.

What I believe Jesus is saying in this section is to be aware that God may allow you to be arrested, thereby providing the opportunity to preach the Gospel before the leaders of the nations.

You could apply that to mean to be bold enough to share whenever strategic opportunity strikes.

Are you ready for when God provides the opportunity to share the Good News?

Why did David grab 5?

He was no fool. Instead, he lead the people into battle against the Philistines starting with Goliath. And won!

I got the impression that both Pharaoh and Jacob held each other in high regard.

I can respect that.

Song and dance played a prominent part of the culture.

Right after those deep words of worship, they went out to Gethsemane where Jesus prayed in anguish as He faced what was about to happen.

That simple beautiful act focused my attention on why we were there in the first place.

Like David, I am completely dependent on the Lord tonight.

The next level is not achieved by the heights of our accomplishments but rather the depths of our dependence on God.

One of the reasons we celebrate is because this is how it was meant to be from the beginning.

They do best when they soar on their own wings.

But, if your heritage is on the foolish side, cling all the more tightly to the Father. He will be your refuge!

Some things are a little more important.

Then add to that, joy!

Why would we put that off? Now is the day.

When was the last time you were so deeply moved that you cried out to the Lord all night?

But God answered Samuel’s prayers in the best possible way.

All this from the spoiled youngest son of Jacob.

It’s sandwiched between verses about being arrested and whipped and brought to trial.

You could apply that to mean to be bold enough to share whenever strategic opportunity strikes.