Author: Dave Dishman (Page 286 of 459)

I tend to lean into the promises of life and grace and kindness as I read the scriptures, and there exists plenty to lean into. However, I ignore the warnings to my detriment.

David speaks of the conspiracy of the wicked, of evildoers who sharpen their tongues like swords and ambush the innocent…people who plot injustice.

Then David adds this poignant insight: Surely the human mind and heart are cunning.

Does this passage remind anyone else of the Russian president?

The author of Hebrews also issues a stark warning: If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, only a fearful expectation of judgement and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.

The Russian leader certainly knows and talks his religion. But he ignores the words of Jesus.

As these words from scripture remind us, judgement belongs to the Lord. These passages also point out that the Lord judges either in this life, or the next, and most often both. So it’s wise to remember this final, terrible line of scripture:

It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Don’t ignore the warnings.

Psalm 64 and Hebrews 10 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Pop & Zebra

In our small group at church we looked at the concept of spiritual gifts this past week. One way to think of these gifts are other-focused talents given by the Holy Spirit upon accepting Christ. Spiritual gifts are discussed in several places in the New Testament, and it’s fascinating to think about how the Holy Spirit infuses believers with different gifts to benefit those around us.

Encouragement is one such gift. As we went around our group and discussed our gifts (we each took a spiritual gifts assessment the week prior), multiple hands shot up when I asked, who scored high on the gift of encouragement?

A bunch of encouragers—that’s a good group to hang with.

The writer of Hebrews, also an encourager, put it this way: Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another.

Those with this gift offer encouragement as easily as I reach for a second cupcake.

But those of us without this gift should still work to encourage others. I think this passage was specifically written for people like myself. I need to consider how to encourage others, to stop and think about it. Just because I’m not gifted doesn’t spare me the responsibility of spurring others on to love and good deeds.

Besides, no one minds a little encouragement, even from those of us without the gift.

Hebrews 10 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by krakenimages

I’ve heard this benediction many times, and I always enjoy a pastor or teacher closing a service with these words:

The Lord bless you and keep you;

The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;

The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.

But I forget these words came directly from the mouth of God. The Lord said to Moses, “Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites.'”

This is referred to as the priestly blessing, as Aaron and his descendants served as the priests for the nation of Israel. But as followers of Jesus, members of a new royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9), we may also pronounce this blessing on those around us.

Feel free to bless others today, and if you need some words to do so, you won’t find any better than these.

Numbers 6 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Illiya Vjestica

Our two boys spent an afternoon one summer with a bunch of friends at a local go-cart track and games pavilion. The oldest drove our old Mitsubishi Montero, a car I loved. The SUV ran really well, went everywhere in the snow, and was already beat up so I didn’t worry about teenagers denting anything.

While the kids enjoyed their afternoon, two other local teenagers practiced their craft of breaking into cars in the parking lot. They stole stuff from several vehicles, damaging each in the process. They hit our Montero, getting some CDs and change from the console. But the major bummer was they broke in by shoving a screwdriver into the doorlocks, tearing up both.

The two thieves where quickly caught—breaking into cars at a popular hang-out in broad daylight didn’t help their escape. After filing a report, a few weeks later I heard from the judge. I sent in the bills for replacing the locks, and the judge ordered the two boys to pay the costs, plus extra for the time and hassle I spent getting the car fixed.

He ordered restitution—a biblical concept.

The Lord said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites: ‘Any man or woman who wrongs another in any way and so is unfaithful to the Lord is guilty and must confess the sin they have committed. They must make full restitution for the wrong they have done, add a fifth of the value to it and give it to the person they have wronged.‘”

Over time, the boys who broke into my car paid me back every dollar I spent on the locks and then some. I got checks every 6 weeks for about a year. The culprits paid everyone back, and learned a valuable lesson (either crime costs you more than you receive, or avoid breaking into cars in broad daylight).

A lesson also played out within me. My attitude towards the young men who smashed my locks changed. I forgave much easier as they paid me back for their misdeeds. I rooted for them to learn and make better decisions in the future.

Their steady payments of restitution moved me from adversary to ally.

I have no idea where these young men are today. But I hope they benefited from their run-in with a wise judge applying biblical concepts.

Numbers 5 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

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