Author: Dave Dishman (Page 10 of 396)

So goes the title of a classic devotional book by William Law, an 18th century Anglican priest. Law challenges those of us who claim to follow Jesus not just to devout living, but to renewed commitment to serving Christ, reading the Scriptures, prayer, worship and service. It’s a heavy read, running counter to the breezy faith I’m often guilty of practicing.

Law takes his inspiration from Jesus, who explained this way of living to his disciples. Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them…Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

As disciples of Jesus we’re called to keep his commands. So, what did he command?

We find multiple directives from the mouth of Jesus. A few immediately come to mind. Love the Lord with all your heart, mind, soul and strength. Love your neighbor as yourself. Honor God’s law. Follow me. Make disciples. Love your enemies.

One cannot remain flippant in the face of such injunctions. I can either ignore them, or attempt to act in accordance. If I shrug off the commands of Jesus I’ll probably be ok. God won’t strike me dead. But I’ll never know what I’ve missed.

By understanding and keeping his commands I open my life to the great promises of God—including the love of the Father and the active work of Jesus in my life.

John 14 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Motoki Tonn

A couple of weeks ago we replaced several decrepit windows and a patio door in our house. A well-trained and courteous crew did the work and the results look fantastic. I’m happy for new windows before the snow flies.

While the professionals installed the windows, I did the prep and follow-up. Before they arrived I took down curtains and window coverings, moved all the furniture away from the windows, cleared the deck, and moved into the basement for a few days. Afterwards I touched up paint, put the window coverings back up (including several sets of new curtains), and reset all the furniture. It takes a lot of work to prepare a place for living.

Jesus prepared his disciples for the storm that would soon engulf them. Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me so that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.

Thomas, my favorite disciple because I share his doubting nature, then asked, Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way? Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Our Father’s house is filled with rooms freshly prepared. New windows, breezy curtains, pristine furniture, all waiting for me and you. No prep work required—Jesus took care of all that. But there’s only one gate allowing entry to his mansion.

Jesus is the opportunity, the only way, the one true path for our souls. The Father’s rooms will be unlike any we imagine, and their access is clearly marked. We just have to move in the direction pointed out by Jesus.

John 14 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Leohoho

David prayed, Hear me, Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.

We’ve all prayed a similar prayer. In our distress we seek answers and comfort. Indeed, we should go to the power behind the universe, and God encourages us to carry our needs to him. But as often as we pray like David, we may also feel like no one answers.

David displayed his confidence even as he stewed. You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. Hear my prayer, Lord; listen to my cry for mercy. When I am in distress, I call to you, because you answer me.

Remembering God’s past responses, David returned to the Lord. He knew his heart was not always right, and he often prayed with selfish motives. But despite his sometimes blatant sins, or maybe because of them, David humbly chased after God.

God answered in response. We don’t know in this case how God answered, if the answer came quickly or slowly, or if the answer was to David’s liking. Maybe the answer was silence? But David took comfort from his relationship with the Lord. His confidence in the one to whom he prayed radiates from the page.

I also have a convoluted relationship with the Lord. But I offer up my distresses and frustrations, trusting in his abounding love to those who call on him. Then I wait for an answer, in whatever form and timing it may appear.

Psalm 86 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Annie Spratt

We face some big questions in life. Should I go to college? What should I study? Should I marry? Is this the person to spend a lifetime with? Where should I live? Should I take this job? Should I hang with this crowd? Sometimes I slide easily into a decision, but others create angst.

Often I rely on strategic indecision—do nothing and hope the problem goes away. But with major life decisions this approach rarely satisfies. Eventually I must decide, and then live with the consequences.

Jesus decided to delay after hearing of his friend’s grave illness. He arrived too late, Lazarus having laid in the grave four days already. Martha, Lazarus’s sister, sought comfort from Jesus. She spoke of her future hope of resurrection, that Lazarus would rise again on the last day.

Jesus looked Martha in the eyes and said, I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?

Martha’s answer? Yes, Lord. I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.

Of all the big questions in life, this remains the biggest. What we decide about Jesus influences every aspect of life and impacts our eternity. A decision changes our reason for living. Those are enormous consequences. But turning away carries equally enormous, and I would argue catastrophic, outcomes.

It’s a decision we all face, and one we ought to review and remember. Jesus claims to be the resurrection and the life, to hold the keys to the kingdom, to be the one narrow gate to eternity. He says he’s the only way.

Do you believe this?

John 11 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Christian Lue