Author: Dave Dishman (Page 29 of 451)

A check engine light on my Jeep lit up, so I started a search to discover the problem. When an investigation of the owner’s manual left me vague, I jumped to the internet. After perusing a few articles, I hit on a YouTube video that explained the situation and what I needed to do next. I found it helpful to watch someone with a similar issue tell me what to check, rather than decipher instructions from the page.

Clarity is a wonderful thing.

The same is true as we read the Bible and develop our beliefs about God. As a young believer, I wondered how the three persons of the Trinity—Father, Son and Holy Spirit—actually work together? The word trinity is not used anywhere in the Scriptures, so how did this concept arise? Then I discovered these lines:

When the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Paul (the author of the passage) laid out this statement of clarity regarding the means of our salvation. God saved us through his own goodness and loving kindness, not our inherent qualities. He washed us, regenerated our souls and renewed our hearts by pouring the Holy Spirit into our lives via the grace of Jesus Christ. Father, Son and Holy Spirit working as one to mold lost sinners into heirs of God possessing the hope of eternal life.

From these thoughts I understand better the undeserved grace of God who turns lives from death to life. I picture a bit more clearly the actions of the Trinity. It’s one reason why I appreciate the works of Paul. He’s clear in his teachings and his arguments. I may not like all I read, but I know what I’m wrestling with.

I ran my Jeep by the dealer to be sure my self-diagnostic was accurate. No major repair needed, just an adjustment. Clarity is a wonderful thing, both when is comes to the riddles of vehicles and to the profound mysteries of God.

Titus 3:4-7

Photo by Sigmund

In one of the saddest lines in the Bible, Paul sends news of a friend. Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica.

Demas is mentioned as a companion of Paul in other letters in the New Testament (Colossians 4:14 & Philemon 1:24). He traveled widely, spread the good news of Jesus, and enjoyed the pleasures and pains of missionary life. But for some unknown reason, Demas ditched the faith and left Paul alone in a dank cell.

Why did Demas leave? Perhaps he also faced prison and hoped to escape? Maybe he saw the possibility of losing his life, as Paul later did, and backed away? Did he sense that Paul’s teachings had led to a dead end and it was time to cut bait? Maybe a woman pulled him away?

The phrase in love with this present world provides a clue. Makes me think that Demas left for greener pastures, a larger payday, for money and all that money buys. Paul had several wealthy benefactors who supported the church planters. Perhaps Demas wanted what they had, but lacked their generosity and commitment to the cause of spreading the gospel. News of Demas went cold. The Bible offers no further details, so whether he returned to the faith or remained devoted to worldly pursuits remains unknown.

Regardless, Demas slipped away, and in so doing betrayed his mentor, his friends and his faith.

Stay strong. Keep focused. Pray, read the Bible and associate with fellow believers. Avoid the fate of Demas. Let us keep the faith when the going gets tough.

2 Timothy 4:10

Photo by Linh Nguyen

One the one hand, I hear that God surrounds us, is ever-present, never leaves us or forsakes us. But on the other, I wonder (like the psalmist) why God seems to abandon me? Where to I actually find God when I need him?

In Psalm 46 I read that God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. A few lines later the writer adds, Be still, and know that I am God.

Where is God found? In stillness, in quiet, in whispers. I don’t experience the presence of God when I’m looking at my phone. Social media fails to draw me closer to the divine. Rushing around in busy mode leaves me wanting. But sitting in quiet, outside preferably, creates the right atmosphere to listen for God.

Another writer, Paul, encouraged a young protégée to seek the the Lord through the Scriptures—the sacred writings which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Where is God found? In stillness, and in the sacred writings bound and lying on my desk.

Combine the two, and in the midst of my cacophonous world the Lord might still be found. It’s not easy to carve out a space for silence, solitude and uninterrupted thought on the Scriptures. But such times form a proven path to the amazing God I hope to discover.

Psalm 46 & 2 Timothy 3

Photo by David Tip

I’m not generally a quarrelsome person, until I peruse social media feeds. As I read arguments, name calling, and mocking comments, I find myself drawn in. Quick-witted, I think of snappy responses. Usually I turn away, but not without the temptation to add a few inappropriate comments.

So I find this biblical injunction helpful. Writing to Timothy, a young pastor leading a congregation in difficult circumstances, the Apostle Paul warned: Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness.

Is there a more perfect place for foolish, ignorant controversies than social media? Paul wisely advises keeping those platforms at a distance. I post my blog so others might read, but I rarely respond to comments and never debate. The platforms at hand are too fraught with misunderstandings, anger and malice.

While still challenging, face to face interactions create an easier venue for kindness, patience and endurance. I might quarrel, but I find it easier to extend grace when looking at someone versus staring at a screen. Behind the wall of my keyboard it’s easy to get snarky, which I believe goes hand and hand with quarrelsome.

2 Timothy 2:23 & 24

Photo by Lucas Myers