Walk in the Light

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?
July 9, 2023

July 9th, 2023

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Psalms 83-85

Highlight Verse:

“What joy for those who can live in your house, always singing your praises. Interlude”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭84‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

There’s a reason I chose to read the poetry books on Sundays. So much good praise!

I’m blessed to go to a church that has a really good worship band that does an amazing job of bringing the congregation to the throne of God.

But that’s not the point of this verse.

When this Psalm was written, the faithful came to worship God at the Temple in Jerusalem. This Psalm celebrated those pilgrimages.

But today, God comes to us.

We are His temple.

Therefore we are those who can live in the house of the Lord, always singing His praises.

It’s good to gather with other believers to worship but we would do well to remember that we have the privilege of singing God’s praises every moment of every day.

You might ask, “Wouldn’t other people look at me funny if I did that all the time?”

Of course you shouldn’t ignore those around you just so you can sing constantly. But haven’t you met that person who is constantly whistling, or humming, or quietly singing as they go about their days. Sure, it might be annoying at times, but –

Don’t you want that kind of joy?

I assure you that, for those people, it started with a decision.

“I choose joy.”

It might not come naturally, but if you choose it constantly, it will come!

Do you want to be one of those people who are constantly singing praise?
Are you one of those people? If so, how did you get there?
July 8, 2023

July 8th, 2023

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Genesis 2:1-3

Highlight Verse:

“On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭2‬:‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I’ve read this dozens of times and never noticed this.

It’s always been about the rest. God even called the day of rest “holy”.

But here’s what came before the rest…

He FINISHED the work of creation.

I’ll admit, I’m one to start projects and never complete them. The fact that I’ve finished 3 novels is nothing short of miraculous. Mind you, I have at least 5 others started but not completed.

I’m so close to completing the clean up of our back yard in preparation for a gathering next week.

Yet here I am resting.

Okay, tonight I can’t work out there since it’s raining, but you get the point.

We (or at least I) tend to put more emphasis on the resting than the completion.

What would happen if we rested AFTER we completed a project (of reasonable size).

That might be normal for workaholics, but it could be life-changing for procrastinators like me.

What’s your take on this completion concept?
Do you lean more toward overworking or procrastinating?
Where is the balance point?
July 7, 2023

July 7th, 2023

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Jeremiah 13-15

Highlight Verses:

“Then I said, “O Sovereign Lord, their prophets are telling them, ‘All is well—no war or famine will come. The Lord will surely send you peace.’” Then the Lord said, “These prophets are telling lies in my name. I did not send them or tell them to speak. I did not give them any messages. They prophesy of visions and revelations they have never seen or heard. They speak foolishness made up in their own lying hearts.”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭14‬:‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Why would the false prophets lie about everything going to be okay?

Perhaps it was the King and other leaders wanting to avoid despair.

Perhaps they listened to the people who wanted to believe that everything would be okay.

Perhaps Satan himself gave the false prophets the words to say.

How did Jeremiah know they were lying?

Because he knew what the voice of God sounded like.

He had spent much time listening to God. He was well aware of the false voices. He relayed only messages from the one and only true God.

How well do you know the voice of God?
Can you tell when someone is trying to imitate God’s voice?
July 6, 2023

July 6th, 2023

Thursday – letters

Reading – 2 Corinthians 5

Highlight Verse:

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Okay, let’s see a show of hands – of those who know me, how many thought I was going to highlight verse 13.

I thought so.

Yes, 2 Corinthians 5:13 is still my favorite verse but the one that caught my eye today was verse 17. (Besides, I covered v. 13 on April Fools Day).

Today’s highlight verse begs the question “Why would I wait till I die to come alive?” (as quoted from the Switchfoot song, Afterlife )

When I was growing up, faith was an insurance policy guaranteeing eternal life. I have long since come to realize that my

new life began the day I said yes to Jesus!

Every day I try to live it to the fullest doing what I can to bring positive change to those around me.

Some days are better than others but one thing rings true through it all. This ain’t some dead religion I’m living out.

I’m alive through the grace of Jesus, the love of the Father, and the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.

Have you come alive yet?
Do you want that life?
July 5, 2023

July 5th, 2023

Wednesday – History

Reading – 1 Samuel 13-14

Highlight Verse:

“Saul was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned for forty-two years.”
‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭13‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This shouldn’t have surprised me. I’ve read this passage several times before.

How can such a foolish and corrupt king reign for so long?

Surely David was ready to reign before he did.

I believe that is where the key lies.

David, arguably the greatest King of Israel ever, proved his loyalty to God many times by refusing to harm Saul since Saul was anointed by God to be King.

If David had taken over earlier, perhaps he would not have developed into the great king that he was.

If someone else had taken over before David was of age, it likely would have been far worse for Israel.

Behind all of this history, God was at work setting things up to be the best possible situation for Israel.

Behind your history, God is setting things up for the best.

It’s often tempting to step out of our godly values and patience and make compromises to God’s direction for our lives.

The best – God’s very best for us – comes from following His values and His will for our lives to the best of our knowledge and ability.

Are there decisions or directions in your life in which you are compromising what you know are the best values in your life?
How would your life and the lives of those around you be different if you lived without compromising God’s values?

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.

We are His temple.

Don’t you want that kind of joy?

“I choose joy.”

I’ve read this dozens of times and never noticed this.

He FINISHED the work of creation.

What would happen if we rested AFTER we completed a project (of reasonable size).

Because he knew what the voice of God sounded like.

new life began the day I said yes to Jesus!

I’m alive through the grace of Jesus, the love of the Father, and the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.

How can such a foolish and corrupt king reign for so long?

Behind all of this history, God was at work setting things up to be the best possible situation for Israel.

The best – God’s very best for us – comes from following His values and His will for our lives to the best of our knowledge and ability.