Author: Dave Dishman (Page 181 of 474)

A friend of mine in college believed that at least once a week he needed to reach popping point, meaning that he ate so much one more bite would make him explode. As a young man I embraced this philosophy wholeheartedly. It wasn’t until a few years later (when my metabolism slowed) the dangers of popping point emerged. But even today it’s a tempting prospect.

Several members of the church in Corinth employed a similar practice at their communal meals. They ate plenty, even to the point of pulling away into a private dining space with their own spread, excluding fellow church members. Paul called them out:

Your meetings do more harm than good. In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you…for while you are eating, some of you go ahead with your own private suppers. As a result, one person remains hungry and another gets drunk.

One group reached popping point, while another stared at empty plates. All in the same fellowship hall.

The church in Corinth faced many problems, but this stark dichotomy reveals a major one. The issue ran deeper than full bellies. The church stratified into a wealthy upper crust and lower class parishioners. Many churches over the years divided in the same way. Yet Paul cuts no slack.

The point of a church body is togetherness, sharing needs and plenty. Paul actually expected this group of believers to practice the words of their Savior – to do unto others as would be done unto them.

Today our lives and places of worship must also match the teachings of Jesus. The last person in the buffet line at a church supper should enjoy just as bountiful a spread as the first. Maybe that jello salad with marshmallows has disappeared, but there should still be plenty to eat.

1 Corinthians 11 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Markus Winkler

Eternal is a big word. I joke about sitting through eternal meetings, but when I really mull on the concept I find I cannot understand. Infinite, never-ending and timeless help a bit, but what do I know about infinity?

In one of my favorite chapters in the Bible, Isaiah reminds us of the eternal nature of God. Whom did the Lord consult to enlighten him, and who taught him the right way? Who was it that taught him knowledge, or showed him the path of understanding?

Who or what came before God? The answer—no one. Nothing. Nada. God always has been. Immortal, invisible, God only wise.

From everlasting to everlasting. Who can understand? Indeed Isaiah asks this question himself. Who can fathom the Spirit of the Lord, or instruct the Lord as his counselor?

We’re way behind, a drop in the bucket, dust on the scales. How do we approach boundless? Fortunately, a doorway exists. In light of our temporal nature and the Lord’s perpetualness, Isaiah revealed the one way at our disposal. The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.

How do you and I begin to grasp the concept of eternity? We invest time and thought and prayer into the book of wisdom provided for us. God’s word endures and his Spirit illuminates. Open the Bible. Its words are eternal, as God is eternal, as your soul and my soul are eternal.

Invest in eternity. It’s only a page away.

Isaiah 40 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Huỳnh Chương

In our world of personal choice, it’s easy to forget our dependence on the Lord. The psalmist reminds us:

I lift up my eyes to you, to you who sit enthroned in heaven. As the eyes of slaves look the the hand of their master, as the eyes of a female slave look to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God, till he shows us his mercy.

Deep down, below the easy decisions to fill our bellies, lies our need for goodwill and generosity and grace. We’re dependent on the Lord for all these and more.

The language here strikes hard. Not that of a loving parent to a child, but of a master to a slave. Repugnant imagery perhaps, to consider our relationship to God in such a way, but it illustrates our total dependence on the Lord.

The Master decides, not the slave. The owner chooses when to extend mercy, regardless the slave’s manipulation. The timing is not that of the slave’s, but rather at the pleasure of the Master.

We pray have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy on us, because only one possesses the ability to grant our deepest need—the Master.

Through the centuries believers prayed, Lord Jesus Christ Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Try praying this yourself throughout the day. Perhaps nothing is more essential to our faith than to desperately appeal to the master until he shows us mercy.

Psalm 123 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Jacob Bentzinger

I watch sports of all kinds. September is a great time of year for this habit, with football season kicking off and baseball heading into the playoffs. Along with unscripted drama, I enjoy the athleticism displayed on the field, from diving catches to flat out sprints. Athletes perform well because they trained their bodies in the months leading up the games. All the work pays off on the field.

The apostle Paul trained his body like an athlete in order to preach the gospel more effectively: I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like the boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

Bodily discipline influences spiritual effectiveness. I tend to dichotomize, separating body from soul. The Bible for the brain and doughnuts for the belly reflects my philosophy. But Paul took a different approach. He traveled broadly, suffered deprivations, and understood the need to keep his body in check. Staying healthy allowed him to evangelize across the Roman world for years and years.

Control your body. Exercise and eat right and maintain your health. Bodily discipline aids our development as effective ministers of the gospel.

1 Corinthians 9 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Bruno Nascimento