Author: Dave Dishman (Page 31 of 390)

It’s nice to receive a random act of kindness. My neighbor, whose yard borders mine, made a few extra passes with his mower across our property line last week. I discovered his act when I mowed my yard the next day. I enjoyed the lighter load on a hot day. Random acts of kindness are great, but Paul encouraged more from those who follow Jesus.

In a letter to Titus, a young pastor, Paul reminded him to spotlight the rebirth and renewal found only through Jesus. Then Paul added:

I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

Jesus followers are saved in order to do good. Not just to be good, or to critique the lack of goodness in others. But to be careful to devote themselves to doing good. Careful brings to mind thoughtfulness, planned actions leading to good outcomes. Putting shoe leather to ideas of how to help. Devote implies a commitment. Doing good costs us something, like giving up free hours or handing over extra money. A devoted person does so regularly.

Paul sees thoughtful, committed service as the outcome of faith in Jesus Christ. God’s grace in our life boomerangs back into the lives of others. This way of living remains excellent and profitable for everyone. It serves the Lord, the believer, and the beneficiaries of our good works. Or as a famous office manager once said, it creates a win-win-win situation.

Titus 3 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Elianna Gill

Paul adds a cryptic reference to the final lines of his second letter to Timothy, indeed his last recorded writings:

At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth.

Who was this lion Paul referenced? Likely Nero, the emperor of Rome. Nero opposed early Christians and heavily persecuted the church. Along with many of the faithful, Nero also ordered the death of Peter by crucifixion.

Alas, Paul did not escape the lion for long. Nero later sentenced Paul to be beheaded, carrying out the execution near Rome. Which makes Paul’s next line to Timothy especially poignant:

The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

The Lord rescued Paul from every attack save one. Nero finally ended Paul’s life, but we can rest assured that the Lord safely carried Paul to his heavenly kingdom.

2 Timothy in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Ajeet Panesar

Sometimes in my planning I forget to pray about my thoughts and ideas. While I claim to follow the Lord in all things big and small, I practically ignore this proven way of wisdom.

The Lord appeared to King David at the beginning of his reign, and to his son Solomon as well. But Rehoboam, the next in line, turned first to his advisors. The older, wiser counselors advised Rehoboam to approach the nation with humility. A gang of his brash, hot-headed friends offered an in-your-face approach. Rehoboam chose poorly, and the nation split in half.

This tragedy resulted from the Lord’s anger with Solomon for worshipping the demonic gods of neighboring lands. God said, I’m going to tear the kingdom from Solomon’s hand…I will do this because they have forsaken me.

It appears Rehoboam knew nothing of this prophecy. Had he turned to the Lord for insight in this pivotal time of decision, might the Lord have pushed off judgement for another generation? God did so for others. Also, it appears that Rehoboam failed to receive any advice from his father, the wisest of all kings. Did they converse about the transfer of power, or did Solomon abrogate that responsibility during his end of life malaise?

A bad leadership transition caused years of heartache for the nation. Solomon failed in his duty to his son, and Rehoboam failed to consult the God who had blessed their nation through the reigns of his father and grandfather. He soon learned that ignoring the wrong consultant carries consequences.

1 Kings 11 & 12 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Kelly Sikkema

No one gets very far on their own. Many people I know possess a great deal of drive and personal motivation, but even the most determined among us benefit from a hand along the way. An encouraging teacher, supportive parents or a good boss all help. Solo fails to describe a successful life.

Paul wrote to Timothy encouraging him to invest in the lives of others. You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.

Our Christian faith is not exclusively ours. We heard it from someone else, and we pass the faith on. A follower of Jesus stays involved with such connections all through life. We learn from others (in church or a small group or in conversations or reading good books or listening to wise teachers) and we instruct others (sharing with our children or teaching a class or leading a group or speaking with a friend).

An active, growing faith involves community. Be strong in grace, like Paul instructs, because we’ll need it when engaging with one another. Then take your place in the chain of Jesus-followers growing in the faith and passing it on the the next generation.

1 Timothy 2 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Terren Hurst