Author: Dave Dishman (Page 299 of 459)

I fear the demoniac inside me.

Controlled by the powers of this fallen world, souls never rest. Minds wander endlessly, like a madman through the tombs, looking for the next thing or person to satisfy that deep longing. Health fades, relationships sour, money takes wings, and all the while the shiny beckons.

After an encounter with Jesus (and totally on the initiative of Jesus), the Gerasene demoniac sat peacefully with the teacher, clothed and in his right mind.

Clothed—ready to connect to his people—and in his right mind—now connected with the Lord.

Augustine famously wrote of this problem: You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.

I tend to feed this restlessness throughout the day, my inner demoniac, unsettled and forgetful of the one place my heart might find peace.

I’ve always looked at this man groveling among the dead as a sideshow character, a biblical Gollum from Lord of the Rings. But in reality I should see myself in him. Legions of various kinds once separated me from the Lord as well.

But thankfully, Jesus walked through the gates of the graveyard and delivered a new hope of connection with the Lord and with others.

Mark 5 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Ante Hamersmit

The writer of psalm 148, whom we do not know, encourages the exuberant and expansive praise of God. The writer hopes to fill the air with praise from everybody and everything. Here’s a partial list of his potential praisers:

Angels, heavenly hosts, sun and moon, shining stars (in the skies and from Hollywood, I presume), waters above the skies, sea creatures, lightning, hail, snow, fruit trees, wild animals, cattle, small creatures, birds, kings, princes, rulers, young men and women, old men and children.

Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.

I’m sure he intends such acclaim from me and for you as well. Sounds like a good habit to practice in 2022. Praise the Lord every day, thanking him for his wonderful gifts. Complain less, and celebrate the Lord more.

Praise the Lord.

Psalm 148 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Joshua Earle

Lots of baking happened at our house over Christmas and the New Year holidays. We’ve had family home, and between their favorites, and friends dropping by plates full of goodies, I’ve enjoyed lots of delightful treats, filled with sugar and spice. My midsection bears proof of my pleasure.

The flavors we enjoy meld together during the baking process. Beginning from separate ingredients, fusing in the heat of the oven, they re-form into wonderful delicacies. Which we top with sugar.

Much like how the Lord made you and me and every person who ever lived.

God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

The Lord underscored the value of human life when He carefully instructed Noah on life after the flood. God stressed that if anyone sheds human blood, then their life is forfeit—for in the image of God has God made mankind.

God baked his image into you and me. Every person who’s ever lived, male or female, bears the flavor of that image. As a result, to destroy an image-bearer carries profound consequences.

Every person I will meet today holds the image of the God I claim to follow. The way I interact with my fellow image bearers reveals a great deal about whether my claims of devotion in my quiet room match my practices once I leave the house.

Genesis 1 & 9 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Monika Grabkowska

When I sit down to read from my Bible, or when I listen to the words of Scripture, I always try to preface my time with a simple prayer. A few words to help me focus, and more importantly, to invite the Holy Spirit’s involvement. I don’t want to just scan words across a page (which sometimes happens), but I hope the wisdom contained sinks deep roots into my heart.

The following are a few passages from scripture that I pray regularly, cycling through them at different times. I’ll share the passage and then the prayer I say from it.

Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.

Lord, as I read today, open my eyes and let me see the wonderful things in your law.

Psalm 119:18

I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord.

Lord, please give me a heart to know you, and may this time in your word grow that heart.

jeremiah 24:7

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.

Lord, may this time in your word bring light to my path.

psalm 119:105

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 

Lord, I want to know you better. Please grant me your Spirit of wisdom and revelation as I spend time in your word.

ephesians 1:17

Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.

Lord, open my mind so that I can understand these Scriptures.

Luke 24:45

As you can see, I simply pray the line from scripture back to the Lord. It’s not hard, as long as I remember to do it, and I write these prayers in my journal so I won’t forget.

Inviting the Holy Spirit to read over my shoulder helps me gain the most from the time I devote to reading or listening to the Scriptures. On my own I gain head knowledge, but with the Holy Spirit I gain his knowledge.

Which is what I’m after.

Photo by Patrick Fore