Author: Dave Dishman (Page 10 of 462)

The two greatest resources available to the Christian are the Holy Scriptures and the Holy Spirit. My Bible sits close by, easy to pick up, but the Holy Spirit remains mysterious. Jesus promised the gift of the Holy Spirit, who he also referred to as the Helper and Spirit of Truth. I know one thing I need in this cacophonous world is a trusted source of truth.

The Holy Spirit appears in the Bible literally from day one: In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

The Spirit of God anticipated the acts of creation. In the Spirit’s presence light dawned for the first time. The stars aligned, plants formed, animals emerged, and humankind stepped into the garden—the Spirit of God present step by step.

In much the same way the Spirit of God hovers over our world. The Holy Spirit remains quietly at hand, ready to illuminate my life with the wisdom of God and the fruit produced by his hand: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. I just need to ask him to shine in the dark corners of my life and empower me to follow his will.

We cannot see him, but the Spirit of God hovers near at hand. Ask him to light up your life and see where the Spirit takes you.

Genesis 1:1-3; John 14:16-17; Galatians 5:22-23

Photo by Shubhankar Bhowmick

It’s easy in this world of 24/7 news feeds to find myself worried and unsettled. It doesn’t help that angst prevails among every single person displayed on my screens. But this world has always produced fears and trepidations, wars and rumors of wars, economies good and bad. Troubled hearts, despite our tendency to view the past through rose-colored glasses, are not a new phenomenon.

Jesus, at an intimate dinner with his disciples, spoke to their fears: Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.

Then Jesus explained hope in three parts. First, he readies a mansion for all who follow him. In my Father’s house are many rooms…if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

Along with this future promise, Jesus opens the door to a mysterious connection in the here and now: I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth…You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.

Finally, Jesus reveals an underlying truth too amazing, too wonderful to fully comprehend. Those who follow him become blood brothers with Jesus, God the Father, and the Holy Spirit. Because I live, you also will live. In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.

The Holy Spirit indwelling and empowering me. Grafted into an amazing association of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. A room in his mansion, together with all those who also follow Jesus, reserved for me in heaven. These truths, stacked on top of each other, create a powerful counter to the worries of this world. Small wonder Jesus said, Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.

John 14

Photo by Tom Barrett

I’m not very good at prayer. When I pray I find myself daydreaming or dozing off, which is hard to admit as a career minister. I do, however, pray at least a few minutes in the morning, and when I say I’ll pray for someone I always follow through. I figure these meagre offerings add up over time.

Thankfully, my modest prayers go in the right direction — to the God of the Universe. My object of prayer is much more important than my performance at prayer. So I sigh in relief.

Paul encouraged the folks in Colossae to hang in there when it came to prayer. He offered a simple construct on how to pray: Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. I find helpful direction from Paul’s perspective:

First, continue steadfastly. Don’t give up so easily. Return from my daydreams and pray some more. Call on the Lord a little bit every day. Talk to him throughout my waking hours and enjoy a conversation with the Creator.

Second, be watchful. Pay attention to the world and pray for what I notice. Lift up my neighbors as they walk by. Pray for folks I engage with at the store, those who stock the shelves and others who help me check out. Pray as I watch the news and take in the world situation. Don’t just complain and worry, but carry those worries and fears to the Lord. Pray for the famous and powerful people splashed across my screens to come to faith in Jesus Christ.

Third, pray with thanksgiving. Herein lies the a most powerful aspect of prayer. Thankfulness aligns mind, body and soul. A grateful heart adds power to prayer. All this and heaven too, as the old saints used to say. If I dwell on the good things God has brought into my life, the work of prayer grows more fulfilling.

It’s embarrassing to admit that I sometimes approach prayer as a drudgery or an exercise in make-believe. Paul’s formulation uncomplicates the practice. I can enjoy walking and talking with my Creator. I’m grateful that even with all my daydreams, the Lord continues to pay attention to my prayers.

Colossians 4:2

Photo by Edurne Tx

Dress for success is an age-old mantra. When I go into a store for a major purchase (my wife and I shopped for a new mattress recently) I expect to work with a well-dressed, nicely groomed salesperson. If I’m greeted by a slovenly host I’ll leave, even if the slob knows mattresses like Houdini knew magic. As we tested beds several stylish employees engaged with us. Those folks know that first impressions matter.

Did you know that dress for success is a Biblical concept as well? Paul told the Colossian church members to put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.

Picture exchanging a ratty outfit for fresh gear. Paul exhorts us to put away the practices of our old selves, the anger, slander and obscene talk of our original nature. The old self focuses instinctively upon ourselves to the exclusion of others, an insidious form of idolatry we find particularly alluring.

This new clothing comes through seeking the knowledge of the Creator. Jesus said, Seek first the kingdom of God. Paul reminded Roman believers to be transformed by the renewal of your mind. Change is possible. Our lives can shift to ones marked by compassion, kindness, humility and patience.

But doing so is a choice. With the power of the Holy Spirit we can exchange our wardrobe. The new attire won’t fade or wear out. In fact, the living apparel Paul references grows more vibrant the longer we wear it.

Dress for success. Certainly a proven maxim, and also a wondrous truth made available to us by the kindness of our Creator.

Colossians 3:10; Matthew 6:33; Romans 12:2

Photo by Alexander Naglestad