Author: Dave Dishman (Page 59 of 412)

As I read through the Bible over and over, regularly some fresh idea jumps out. I’ve either not noticed it in the past, or I’ve noticed but forgotten (very possible).

Today this line from Proverbs emerged: The name of the righteous is used in blessings, but the name of the wicked will rot.

Strong word—Rot. What does that mean for you and me? Another version of the Bible (The Message) says in this way: A good and honest life is a blessed memorial; a wicked life leaves a rotten stench.

I’ve had the good fortune of knowing numerous people who lived a good and honest life, and I indeed remember them with gratitude. Unfortunately, I know a few who’ve left a rotten stench.

It’s worth reflecting on how the next generation might remember our names when we’re dead and gone. Will they hold their nose, or speak words of respect and appreciation?

Proverbs 10:7 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by CHUTTERSNAP

Cell phone reception continues to improve. I get a signal most anywhere I go, except for Rocky Mountain valleys or sections of the Great Plains. Holes in coverage continue to shrink, and we connect with each other easier than ever before.

Paul wrote to encourage his readers in Rome to stay in coverage: Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.

Faith initially dawned through messengers carrying the news about Jesus. Then words about Christ, as discovered in the Scriptures, sustained the faith of these fresh believers.

As followers of Jesus we need both that first message to come to faith, as well as ongoing messaging to grow in our faith. Our signal tower—the Bible—emits words of life. Stay within coverage and keep the faith.

Romans 10 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Joshua Slate

Not long ago, while picking out plants for my garden, a fellow shopper started telling me the best way to grow tomatoes. I didn’t ask for her advice, yet she freely shared her copious thoughts. She failed to ask me if I knew anything about tomatoes, just assumed I needed help. Perhaps I gave off that vibe.

I hear a lot of advice from a lot of people. Some asked for, some not, some helpful, some inane. All I can do is choose what to consider and what to ignore (like how to plant tomatoes from a chatterbox).

Solomon laid out the theme of a book filled with wise advice in this way:

The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight; for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young—let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance.

Solomon’s thoughts are justified and well-founded, with no cause for uncertainty. They come with a life-time warranty. For thousands of years people matched their behavior to his instructions and reaped the benefits.

Free for the taking, Solomon’s advice waits quietly in the pages of my Bible. No one’s chatting it in my ear. It’s up to me to open the book, thumb through the pages, read, consider, and apply. So good, so helpful, and so much better than the unsolicited advice I hear every day from the world around me.

Proverbs 1 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Courtney Smith

The book of Proverbs advises the reader to seek the types of wisdom and knowledge that come only from the Lord. In a world where conflicting ideas of sound thinking blizzard around us, it pays to give attention to this ancient text:

Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.

Very little advice I hear matches this encouragement to discover understanding found through the Lord. Like opening a locked chest containing unknown treasure, we don’t know what we’ll find, except we can be assured it’s better than silver or gold or rubies.

This week I finished the final reviews for my Doctor of Ministry degree. I submitted the last bit of paperwork and now await a diploma in the mail. It took two and a half years to complete the program, and cost me a chunk of time and money and attention. As part of my work I produced a tool for helping professors better tell their story of faith. You can check it out here.

Through this process of study and research I learned a great deal about academics and story-telling. The intellectual knowledge is helpful, but insights into the needs of others proved invaluable. I gained a greater depth of understanding, which is more precious than rubies, or even a diploma to hang on my wall.

Proverbs 3 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Ashin K Suresh