Author: Dave Dishman (Page 272 of 458)

While a few leaders gain splash and attention in any successful organization, it’s the behind the scenes, quiet and effective workers that move the cause forward. I know many in this category who teach children, hold training seminars at the end of long days, pay bills, or carry out the trash. We all benefit from their selfless service.

Paul met a couple like this in Corinth. Aquila, along with his wife Priscilla (they are always mentioned together), made a living as tentmakers. Paul worked with them while he spent his Sabbath days in the synagogue reasoning about the faith. Aquila and Priscilla made sure Paul’s needs were met, allowing him to advance the faith without worry for food or a place to sleep.

In those long days of sewing, Paul’s theology rubbed off on his fellow tentmakers. Eighteen months later they all moved to Ephesus, where Pricilla and Aquila remained when Paul continued on his journeys. Later another teacher arrived who spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus. Yet this new teacher, Apollos, lacked the depth of knowledge carried by Paul and the apostles.

Enter Priscilla and Aquila.

When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.

Aquila and Priscilla welcomed Apollos into their house and molded a young man with fervor and gifts into a powerful communicator of the gospel—an echo of the way they created a haven for Paul’s ministry to flourish.

Two of the greatest gospel preachers in the early church benefited from the hospitality and wisdom of this faithful couple. You and I also benefit every time we open our New Testaments. How many, many more served quietly over the years in ways we benefit from but will never know? Of course, many of us serve in such ways today. Thank you for all you do.

So it encourages me to take heart and remember—quietly effective men and women change the world.

Acts 18 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Cindy Chen

Sometimes we just get lucky. Obed-Edom hosted the ark of the covenant for three months, totally by chance. King David parked it after a tragedy involving the ark’s move to Jerusalem. While David regrouped, Obed-Edom watched over the ark.

The scriptures put it this way: The ark of the Lord remained in the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite for three months, and the Lord blessed him and his entire household.

In what ways did the Lord bless this man and the people under his care? Did his fields bloom with the promise of a magnificent harvest? Or flocks and herds multiple? Did milk flow and bees produce honey in abundance?

Maybe barren women become pregnant? It’s recorded that the Lord blessed the following generations with capable men with the strength to do the work—descendants of Obed-Edom, 62 in all (1 Chronicles 25:5-8). That’s a lot of kids and grandkids—the blessings didn’t stop when the ark moved to Jerusalem.

I also wonder if relationships mended and people showed new kindnesses to one another? As the peace of the Lord descended on the household, they enjoyed a small taste of heaven.

In experiencing the presence of the ark, which was been in the presence of the Lord, these folks benefited from the reflection of his goodness. Not just in subtle ways, but in exuberant, lavish gifts from the hand of God, obvious enough to be recorded in the pages of scripture.

The choice to follow the Lord, to pursue that relationship, will eventually put all of us in the right place at the right time.

2 Samuel 6 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Robert Collins

I love the imagery conjured up when I read how creation will respond to the coming of the Lord: Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it. Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.

Trees in a mighty choir giving voice to their joy at the coming of the Lord. Does this figurative language not hint at something deeper, a hope more wonderful than we dare imagine?

I wonder if at the dawn of creation trees actually sang? Perhaps the entry of sin and death into the world brought about at least one deeper repercussion than we realize—the silencing of the trees.

What music must remain pent up in our muted forests! When the Lord returns, how quickly will the woodlands of North American wake up and sing? As they blend their voices with those from vast stretches of Siberian pine and birch, imagine the crescendo when the harmonizing rainforests of the Amazon enter the score.

Better cover your ears.

So much exists around us on a spiritual plane we know nothing about. We glimpse only shadows playing on a wall. I believe we vastly underestimate the power and creativity and goodness of the Lord. Trees of the forest singing for joy hint at a world more wonderful that I can imagine.

Outside my window I look at a large ash tree, finally bearing fresh leaves after the long winter. I imagine it’s a tenor. When it wakes up to sing I hope I’m around to join in.

Psalm 96 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by David Bruyndonckx

I’ve entered foreign countries where my American passport elicited hardly a sniff. A glance, a stamp, and welcome to our country. Other nations, however, take a more thorough approach. Mostly the attitude depends on the current political climate between the country I’m entering and the United States. Communist borders always bring suspicious glares.

Despite a few instances, my American passport opens doors around the world. Citizenship carries benefits, which is why so many people apply every year. It pays to belong.

The apostle Paul appealed to his citizenship often. In Jerusalem, as Roman soldiers stretched him out in order to flog him, Paul brought up his citizenship. After questioning, the commander himself was alarmed when he realized that he had put Paul, a Roman citizen, in chains. Paul was untied from the flogging post and released the next day.

Paul never praised or supported the brutality of Roman rule, but Paul never shied away from using the benefits of his status. While never preaching directly against the secular rule of Rome, Paul’s message of the coming King and the undivided loyalty Jesus required eventually unnerved those in power.

As a result the emperor took off Paul’s head, despite his citizenship. But 300 years later another emperor embraced the message Paul proclaimed and converted the empire to the faith. Whether he did so out of pure motives or not, the influence of the message of Jesus permeated Rome and beyond.

I carry my passport and use it whenever I travel. It holds gravitas and value. But it fades in comparison to the power inherent in the gospel. When citizenship opened doors Paul played that card, but always to introduce new people to Jesus, the ultimate guard over the borders of life and death.

Acts 22 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Jeremy Dorrough