Author: Dave Dishman (Page 189 of 458)

On occasion, God chooses to cut through our defenses like a bolt of lightning. The Lord decked Paul in the middle of his journey of persecution, transforming the man and pouring gasoline on the fires of the Christian faith.

Paul described his experience to King Agrippa, his wife Bernice and Festus, the regional governor: I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, blazing around me and my companions. We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, “Saul, Saul, why to you persecute me?

Brilliance of the light blinded Paul and broke his opposition to Jesus. Enveloped in darkness, Paul gained a new life mission. The Lord said: I am sending you to the Gentiles to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.

May God to strike people today blind with his brilliance. We hear stories of Muslims in the North Africa and the Middle East meeting Jesus in dreams. God reveals himself in different ways to different people.

Pray for friends and family that seem too far gone—pray they break under God’s brilliance. Paul was too far gone, until a blast knocked him off his high horse. Pray for God to blind those who either actively rebel, or slump in passive indifference.

Join me in praying for the blinding of younger generations by the overwhelming light of Christ. Our world needs it now more than ever.

Acts 26 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Todd Trapani

It’s hard to overestimate the value of a good collaborator. When David moved the ark of the Lord to Jerusalem, he assigned several Levites to minister around the ark, to always extol, thank and praise the Lord, the God of Israel.

The chief of these was Asaph, a trusted confidant of David’s. At their first meeting David shared instructions on how to lead the people in praise to the Lord. Here’s his first line:

Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of his wonderful acts.

Asaph took these words to heart. David wrote many of the psalms we enjoy today, and Asaph joined in. Psalms 50 & 73-83 are attributed to Asaph and his descendants. I picture these two scripting songs to the Lord, comparing notes on language and rhyme and meter, making each other better.

Years ago a group of men in England met regularly in a pub to discuss literature and writing. Known as The Inklings, their numbers included both CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien. They shared ideas and input on each other’s work in an collegial atmosphere over a pint (or maybe two). An astounding legacy flowed from these informal gatherings.

David and Asaph shared a similar relationship. Their sessions led to a flowering of the psalms. Two talented writers and musicians, collaborating shoulder-to-shoulder at just the right moment in history, were inspired by the Lord to produce works beloved for thousands of years.

1 Chronicles 16 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Patrick Tomasso

Felix and Drusilla made for quite a pair. Felix governed the region around Jerusalem for Rome, with Drusilla his Jewish wife always close at hand. She left her first husband for Felix, drawn to power and ruthlessness. Curious, or perhaps merely bored, they pulled Paul (their prisoner) out of his cell for an interview.

Not much for chit-chat, Paul dove right in, speaking about faith in Christ Jesus. As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgement to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.”

In his few minutes with this power couple Paul reached for their jugulars. Neither lived a life of self-control or righteousness and the idea of a coming judgement unnerved them. When Felix later met with Paul, he fished for bribes more than he listened. Neither Felix or Drusilla showed any hint of embracing the Way.

Paul spent two years in house arrest under Felix. It must have been agonizing for a man filled with determination and energy to sit and listen to the self-absorbed Felix diesel on and on. If Paul had any hair he pulled it out.

For some unknown reason, the Lord put Paul under Felix’s thumb. Even while Drusilla and Felix turned away, I wonder if members of their household or the Roman guard followed Jesus as a result of time with Paul? Perhaps this period allowed Luke to work uninterrupted on his two volume series we know as Luke & Acts?

I don’t know why God puts us in seemingly endless situations, trapped by our circumstances. But I do know that the Lord works beyond my sight. I need to maintain faith, knowing that more good happens behind the scenes than I realize.

Acts 24 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Jon Tyson

A group of determined men, furious at Paul over his teachings about Jesus, decided to silence him permanently—they formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. These amateur assassins planned to ambush Paul on his way to a meeting with the chief priests.

But they talked too much. Paul’s nephew heard of the intrigue, told Paul and then the Roman commander of Jerusalem. The centurion placed Paul under heavy guard and sent him north, foiling the plot. I wonder how long before the thirsty conspirators took a drink?

Paul owed his life to his sharp-eared nephew. Hearing the word on the street, this young man slipped quietly away with his information. Smart and brave and loyal to Paul, he proved the right person in a tight spot.

Paul got loads of help in tight spots. He obviously respected people, showed kindness to his family, and engendered feelings of concern and loyalty. Multiple people traveled with Paul, and many more helped meet Paul’s needs. He built friendships wherever he roamed. It’s a good practice for me to remember as I make my way through life.

In this instance we see one dramatic payback for Paul’s investment in people—his care for others reciprocated by his clever nephew.

Acts 23 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Viktor Talashuk