Guidance from Overlooked Men and Women of the Bible

Author: Dave Dishman (Page 416 of 475)

Rich Young Rulers

Wealth. Mark 10 lets us overhear a conversation Jesus held with a rich young man. It’s not surprising that today, just like then, we have rich people among us whose wealth keeps them from fully following Jesus. What might surprise us is how much those rich people look just like us.

Jesus brings up both rich and poor in this story. Which category do I fall into? More on the rich side than the poor. I am absolutely wealthy in comparison to the rest of the world. If you’re wondering where you stand, check out this website: Global Rich List. Your eyes will open.

But does my wealth keep me from fully following Jesus? I have a feeling that it does. Jesus asked this young man to sell everything he had, give it to the poor, then come follow Him. Could I do such a thing? I really don’t think so, but Jesus has not asked me to do that. Not yet.

Jesus is ever challenging. It amazes me that the words of a Jewish teacher from 2,000 years ago still resonant in our lives. His words still push and bother and compel us today, which is remarkable and wonderful and most of all, hopeful.

The Reader

HODLER, Ferdinand c.1885

I love this painting I discovered in the Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum in Madrid, Spain, during our recent visit. I believe it’s a vision of my future as an eighty-year old man reading the newspaper at a coffee shop. I especially like the beard and will grow it as soon as I get the go-ahead from my wife!

Give to Missions on Giving Tuesday

Dawn and I both value involving people in missions, which is one reason why I wrote the book GO, Following Jesus to the Ends of the Earth, and continue to blog. It’s also why we led a group on the Camino de Santiago this fall. We hope to involve many, many more people in this great adventure.

As “Giving Tuesday” approaches, it’s a good time to give to the causes that are close to your heart. As you evaluate your contributions, would you consider joining with us in the work we are doing around the world?

Students are interested in hearing the good news of Jesus. Check out this recent story from one of our Cru missionaries in Greece:

My teammate and I met with two Greek students the other day. We were unsure where each student was spiritually, and we honestly had no idea where the conversation would lead. God gave us an open door to use the God tools app! (this is a phone app you can download). We were able to walk the girls through Knowing God Personally in Greek. It was incredible. They had never heard or seen things expressed in such ways and it was amazing to see how big of a difference it makes when the gospel is in their language!

As you would guess, taking advantage of opportunities like this requires financial resources. Any gift you give helps us pursue our goal of putting the gospel within arm’s reach of students everywhere.

If you are so led, you can make a contribution through this link to CRU.

Thank you for considering our work and have wonderful holiday season!

I’m Thankful For This Reality

Cross overlooking the sea at Finesterre, Spain

“Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.”

Rend your heart and not your garments. 

Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.

Joel 2:12 & 13

The heart, our interior reality, matters to the Lord, not our exterior signs of surface obedience. It’s good for me to know that justice exists and truth, solid and unassailable, counts as more than words or sentiment.

Isn’t that something to be thankful for this week of Thanksgiving?

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