Author: Dave Dishman (Page 13 of 390)

A series of contests are playing out across the United States this fall of 2024. Two parties are fielding multiple candidates for positions in our government. The top of the ticket features a neck and neck race for the ultimate seat—the presidency. Power lurks behind all the campaigning and forms the prize sought by so many.

But a deeper power exists…

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Inexplicable power resides with the Lord. The Holy Spirit infuses energy. When we tap such strength we destroy arguments and ideas opposing knowledge of the Lord. Falsehoods that once dominated grow weak, stepped over like trash in the gutter.

My own cleverness fails to break down citadels. The Holy Spirit, given free rein, releases my soul from grandiose declarations proposed by the world around me.

I follow politics and I vote. But I dismiss much of the pontification, because I understand where deep power resides.

2 Corinthians 10 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by canmandawe

We make all sorts of choices throughout the day. Some hum-drum, like what to eat for breakfast, and others exciting, like what to order at a new restaurant. Occasionally a decision arises of real importance, and a few prove life-altering.

Paul praised a group of openhanded givers who contributed far beyond their slender means. Their generosity resulted from a transformational decision:

They exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us.

These followers of Jesus first decided to give their lives to the Lord. Fully bought in, they then joined Paul and his band to undergird the mission of spreading the amazing news of Jesus far and wide.

After their choice to give their full selves to God, the angst of donating faded. Paul described them as filled with overflowing joy despite their extreme poverty.

This choice lies before me today. The giving of my resources certainly helps those in need, but the Lord can provide resources from a breath. He first wants me and you to give ourselves to Him—every bit of us—and from there anything can happen.

2 Corinthians 8 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Florian Schmetz

Every election cycle features boasting. Candidates tout their credentials and brag on either the wonderful job they’ve done while in office, or will do if elected. With so many seemingly talented people it’s hard to believe we face any problems at all. Snide comments aside, I’m thankful for our system of government and value my right to vote for the candidates of my choice, even if democracy comes with lots of noise.

While it’s a necessary component of running for office, the Scriptures reminds me that if I’m going to boast, then I should boast in the right things:

This is what the Lord says: “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the Lord.

In the midst of calamity Jeremiah reminded listeners to pursue the Lord, to grow in their knowledge of their savior, and to discern his ways. Then trumpet the goodness of God.

Responding to false teachers puffing up their credentials, Paul bragged in an unorthodox way: If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. Paul’s weaknesses elevated the Lord in the eyes of his listeners. He followed, Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

The message? Deprecate my own wonderful self and talk big about God. Get out of the way and allow the awareness of the Lord to shine. When it comes to divine communication, the less the messenger demands attention the more power accompanies the message.

Politicians sing their own praises, that’s a part of getting elected. But when those of us who follow Jesus start boasting, let’s lay it on thick about the Lord.

Jeremiah 9; 2 Corinthians 11 & 12 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Jon Tyson

We all face times of decision in life—crossroads of one type or another. Occasionally choices are obvious, but mostly we pass through a series of small decisions leading us down paths we failed to anticipate.

Jeremiah wrote to his people who had chosen a road away from the Lord’s direction. Mired in greed and detestable conduct, they faced an impending disaster. The Lord’s patience wore thin, but still He left a route of return.

This is what the Lord says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.

Tragically, the people of Jerusalem refused paths carved by the Lord, and veered instead down a highway to hell on earth. They chose poorly.

Ask where the good way is, and walk in it. The crossroads remain in place. Take up the Good Book, discover the ways found within, and put them into practice. The Lord walks along the ancient paths, and there we will find that most elusive of wonders—rest for our souls.

Jeremiah 6 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Oliver Roos