Author: Dave Dishman (Page 339 of 475)

As we approached the ancient marble bust, my tour guide nodded to the head and instructed me to do the same. After I nodded he said, “you have now prayed to Shiva, would you like to pray some more?” I said “no thank you,” out loud, and silently shot up my own prayer—“Lord, I really didn’t mean to pray to Shiva.”

When I told my friend, “Hey, I really didn’t mean to pray to Shiva,” he replied in his understated way, “Well, it sure looked like you were praying to Shiva.” Lord forgive me, led astray by a kind little tour guide.

This incident of alleged idol worship occurred several years ago in Calcutta, India, a city with shrines and representations of deities on every corner. Paul wrote to the Corinthian church about similar issues they faced as they navigated a society filled with gods.

Paul addressed the question of eating food formerly offered to idols. Not surprisingly, the gods never ate any of their presents, so before going bad, the pagans sold these delicacies at a good price. Many Christians, hankering for a choice cut of meat, enjoyed the bargains. But some of their fellow church members struggled with the practice.

Which brings me to Paul’s argument. Pauls said they could eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience. But he also said that while I have the right to do anything, not everything is constructive. No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.

Seeking the good of others trumps a great sale on beef. I’m to consider the good of others in my decision-making, my consumption of goods, and my life-style. Yes, I have a right to most anything as a follower of Jesus (it’s really quite freeing), but I must couple my rights with my obligation to fellow believers.

Paul preached an other-centered life. Paul subjugated his rightful desires in order to build up the faith of others—for I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.

I’m to consider the same thought. How do my actions benefit, or harm, my fellow believers? Sometimes hard to remember, and certainly to practice, but I must think about more than just myself.

I Corinthians 10 in week thirty-six of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by PK

The Assyrian army outside Jerusalem felt like a tidal wave cresting against the walls. No other city had survived their attacks. No previous gods rescued their people from these conquering warriors. Nothing and nobody slowed the steady march of Sennacherib, the Assyrian king, through the nation of Judah. What possibly could be done to stop them? Would the meager defensive preparations hold? For how long?

All these thoughts and more rolled through the mind of Hezekiah, the king of Judah, as he stood on the wall and gazed at this vast collection of men and war machinery before him. All of them there to end his life and to destroy Jerusalem.

In this dark hour, with the barbarians at the gate, Hezekiah gave a speech. He assembled the people and told them, Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the King of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles.

That’s it. Short and to the point.

How did the besieged people respond? And the people gained confidence from what Hezekiah the King of Judah said. Hezekiah’s words, his trust in the Lord, his vision of who fights for the nation instilled confidence in these besieged citizens. His speech helped them to stand firm in the face of an overwhelming force.

A leader motivates. A leader may not be a gifted speaker or a talented writer, but a leader figures out how to motivate his followers to a desired end.

In this case of Hezekiah, his well-spoken words come at just the right time. As we watch the story unfold, the Lord responded to Hezekiah’s faith and the blasphemy of Sennacherib by sending an angel who wiped out every fighting man of Assyria.

The beaten king withdrew in shame and returned home where his sons assassinated him in the temple of his god. The Lord proves a point like no other. No arm of flesh stands a chance against the Lord. Mock the living God? Never a good idea. Wiser to pray and trust the Lord like Hezekiah.

Also, like Hezekiah, better to transfer that trust to others. The people gained confidence from what Hezekiah said. Have you ever been the recipient of a well-spoken word? Perhaps a compliment when you needed it most, or a note of courage when afraid? How about a good yelling from a coach, or a challenge to excel from a teacher? A leader motivates. An influential leader motivates in such a way that the people gain confidence. Confidence breeds action. Confidence is contagious. Confidence paired with the Lord wins battles.

Learn to instill confidence in others as you lead. Better yet, learn to instill confidence in the Lord among those you lead and you might just change the world.

2 Chronicles 32 in week thirty-six of reading the Bible cover to cover.

This post is from Seers Sayers Schemers & Saints; Lessons on Leadership from Overlooked Men and Women of the Bible

Photo by K. Mitch Hodge

After years of neglect and indifference, Hezekiah opened the doors of the temple in Jerusalem. A fresh king, Hezekiah intended to right the wrongs of his father. He began the restoration process in the very first month of his reign.

After months of preparations, the nation celebrated Passover in grand style—Since the days of Solomon son of David king of Israel there had been nothing like this in Jerusalem.

But in their rush to worship, not all the people purified themselves according to instruction. Hezekiah prayed for them: May the Lord, who is good, pardon everyone who sets their heart on seeking God…even if they are not clean according to the rules. And the Lord heard Hezekiah and healed the people.

I love both the prayer and the Lord’s response. Hezekiah intended to lead his people back to the Lord, and they followed wholeheartedly. Not wanting anyone punished for their enthusiasm, Hezekiah went to his knees. The Lord answered, once again underlining the principle that faith proves more valuable that religious ritual.

We read it over and over both in the Old Testament and New. Samuel corrected Saul with the words—to obey is better than sacrifice, while Jesus healed on the Sabbath. Ritual helps point us to the divine, but it’s the attitude of our heart that the Lord recognizes.

We may not always present everything right and proper, but if the heart seeks the Lord, then the Lord takes note.

That’s encouraging.

2 Chronicles 30 in week thirty-six of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by Edwin Andrade

I’m not much into tattoos.

The gym where I work out features loads of folks with tattoos. Both men and women proudly display their artwork as they tone their bodies. I’m in the minority, one of the older guys with bare arms and legs. Now, I’ll admit that an inked-up bicep curling a heavy dumbbell looks impressive, and I feel hip around this group. But I can’t see myself visiting a tattoo artist.

I thought of these nice folks at my gym when reading Paul’s admonition to the Corinthian church this morning. When discussing the issue of circumcision, which caused great controversy in the earliest churches where Jewish-background believers meshed with Gentile-background believers, Paul focused on the primary issue:

Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God’s commands is what counts.

The way I look on the outside matters little if I refuse to keep the Lord’s commands. We all know this, right? However, it’s easy to slide into greater concern for appearance than obedience. I think for religious people—people truly concerned about living a life of faith—this presents a constant challenge.

A tattoo doesn’t add a bit of muscle mass, or quickness, or agility. Those who work out regularly obey a set of commands that guide their pursuit of fitness and strength. They know that tattoos don’t keep them in shape, rather hard work and discipline builds their bodies. It’s easy in the gym to tell who’s really strong, and the tattoo doesn’t matter. It’s a decoration.

Paul cuts to the core. The hard work and discipline of keeping God’s commands builds our faith. Focus here, and let the peripheral issues sort themselves out.

So, no tattoo for me, but I appreciate the reminder from my friends at the gym that sticking to the program—the commands—is what counts.

I Corinthians 7 in week thirty-five of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by Alora Griffiths