Author: Dave Dishman (Page 253 of 475)

Peter reminded his readers of a most important fact for those who follow the Lord—God’s word endures forever.

By repeating a passage from Isaiah 40, Peter highlighted the value of the scriptures. Peter underlined and circled the truth that the word of God remains forever.

If you’ve come to faith in Jesus, then you’ve been born a second time through the living and abiding word of God.

All that humankind produces fades like grass in the winter, but the word of the Lord remains forever. And this word is the good news that was preached to you.

If this Holy Bible I possess contains the abiding words of God, then it’s worth my time. If these words and ideas and concepts live, then they’re worth my energy. If all this is true, then herein lies value like nothing else, because nothing else lasts.

If I read the word, listen to the word, give time to the word, and live the word, then I’m investing in the right direction.

1 Peter 1 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Aaron Burden

It’s natural to hope for the end of difficult times. It’s also normal to question the Lord as we struggle with our faith during periods of testing and doubt. But if we hang in, the reward outruns our imagining.

Peter writes of an inheritance kept in heaven, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

A faith tested by battle and hardened through persecution and trial gains a value far greater than I perceive. Gold, a metal still coveted and trading today at $1,674 per ounce, looks cheap in comparison.

The tested genuineness of faith is more precious than gold.

What does a tested, genuine faith look like? Confident, calm, trusting the Lord remains present and in control, patient and concerned for others. You want to stay close to such people. If possible, you and I want to become such a person.

As the trials of faith constantly swirl, persevere and keep one rare outcome in mind—the incomparable value of a tested genuineness of faith.

James 1 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Jingming Pan

It’s easy to think I should get what I want, that I’m entitled to more, that I deserve it. Either because of my hard work or my basic goodness I should receive my due—whatever that may be. But the Lord reminds me of his perspective:

It is I who by my great power and my outstretched arm have made the earth, with the men and animals that are on the earth, and I give it to whomever it seems right to me.

In other words, the earth is the Lord’s and all it contains, and he’s in charge of doling stuff out, not me (as unfortunate as that feels at times). The frustrating aspect of this is the phrase I give it to whomever it seems right to me.

I hold different perspectives on who should receive and who should not. I question the Lord on his indifference to some and his largesse towards others. What seems right to the Lord often seems wrong to me.

So I step haltingly into the realm of faith. I trust the Lord’s overarching goodness, in his plans for me and mine and for those around the world. I have to trust—what else it there? Rebellion and despair otherwise.

Even though I may not understand, trusting the Lord in all circumstances is the way to life. Choose life, we’re told, and such life is found only in the Lord, regardless of the presence or lack of all the things we think we deserve.

Jeremiah 27 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Qingbao Meng

You can’t tame the tongue, you only hope to subdue it.

For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

Social media represents the untamed tongue like nothing else in history. Vast expanses of opinions, complaints and attacks on anyone and everyone. When James wrote this line 2,000 years ago—the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness—doesn’t it sound like he wrote it this week?

Self-control faces no stronger test than the tongue. All I know to do is to ask the Holy Spirit to guide my language, to count to 10 when angry, to walk away while I can. Then, when all this fails, to seek forgiveness.

Because you can’t tame the tongue, you can only hope to subdue it.

James 3 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Johannes Krupinski