dustydahlin

[dustydahlin]

[dustydahlin]

It's my 4 year anniversary on Tumblr 🥳

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Is "unmerited favor" the only way to define biblical grace?!

[dustydahlin]

With only 10 percent of American Christians reading their Bible regularly - more than a couple times a year - it explains why God's people feel like they're lacking depth in their relationship with God.

With prime deal days and the rapidly approaching Holiday season, I curated this list of recommendations to help you begin (or continue) building your Bible study library and habits.

One of the best ways to discover the heart of God, and begin learning how to hear from Him, is to dive into His Word.

I pray this list of suggested tools and resources will assist you on your journey to a deeper, more enjoyable, relationship with the Lord.

These items, as well as others, have truly helped me develop a habit of studying Scripture, getting to know my Savior, strengthen my relationship with Jesus, and discover deeper more refreshing depths to my relationship with God.

Check out this list, for some of my personal recommendations, but, more importantly, prayerfully dive into the treasure chest of the Bible.

You'll never know what life changing gems you will discover. 🌞

https://bit.ly/BibleStudyKit

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Are you Militantly Thankful?

Militant Thankfulness: An Essential Practice to a Full Spiritual Life

https://amzn.to/3JxTThA

Or learn more about my book at

www.militantthankfulness.com

Or check out my free audiobook offer at

https://bit.ly/militantthankfulness

Militantly Thankful Clothing:

https://my-store-c65461.creator-spring.com/listing/militantly-thankful

[dustydahlin]

The Gospel According to Ezekiel - A Theocentric Gospel

Christianity's most treasured gift is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus, God incarnate, demonstrated his love for mankind in one of history's greatest sacrifices. He died for the atonement and salvation of all who would believe in him. This truly is "good news of great joy" (Luke 2:10) to all who have been saved by grace through faith in Messiah (Eph. 2:8-9).

But many times, when we articulate the Gospel today, we view the Good News through human eyes. We relish the work of Christ through what it means - only - for us. While we do well to celebrate God's free gift of salvation to us (and for us), we do not often talk about salvation through Heaven's eyes. The blessings for us are rich and lavish. So it only makes sense that we should cherish and revel in what God has done for us. The forgiveness of our grotesque sins. The presence of God, the Holy Spirit, in our daily lives. The adoption into God's family. The promise of joy. The peace that surpasses understanding. The reality of eternal life with our Savior. These (and many more) should prompt our hearts to worship and our lips to rejoice. They are great pleasures to the believer.

But we can limit our understanding of the Gospel if we only focus on its human-centric aspects. When we go to God's Word, we will see how the Gospel is not only Good news for us. It is Good News for God as well!

The Gospel is not only Good News for us. It is Good News for God as well!

Scripture highlights the profundity of this point in Ezekiel 36:21-32. This iconic prophecy speaks to the Good News of the New Covenant which would be established by Jesus Christ. While this passage does list promises for God's people, this Scripture more specifically describes the Gospel of Jesus Christ as Good News for God; it describes the Good News through a theocentric lens.

One of the main emphases that make this prophecy so fascinating is how it describes God's motives for establishing the New Covenant. God states, "It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of my holy name" (vs. 22). This point is so emphatic that God communicates this motif four times (vs. 21, 22, 23, and 32).

Isn't that remarkable!? This means all the blessings and promises to us (and for us) are intentionally given so God would be glorified on earth. And that is it. God's motive is for the restoration of his renown (vs. 23). The Lord promises good to his people, but he does so with a seemingly singular purpose: his own glory and reputation.

God's motive is for the restoration of his renown.

This concept is not uncommon in Scripture. In fact, God's concern for his glory is one of the greatest metanarratives in the Bible.

Ezekiel 36: 21-32 also demonstrates the practical and theological foundation for how the establishment of the New Covenant is intended to magnify the Lord. Not only is God's motive discerned from this Text, but the missiological intent is also seen. It clearly states how it will be "through you I [will] vindicate my holiness before their eyes" (vs. 23). Explicitly, God is communicating how the good news of Jesus Christ will be good news for himself. He will bless his people with good so that they may live missional lives. The purpose is not that God's people sit around and singly enjoy the blessings of God. Rather, it is God's people who have received his Spirit (vs. 26-27) so that they may walk in a manner that serves, obeys, and articulates the goodness of God to the world.

He blesses his people with good so that they may live missional lives.

This means all the promises and blessings to and for us are secondary to God's central purpose: the magnification of his glory on earth. If we are not living under the missiological intent of the Good News of Jesus Christ, we are not walking according to God's purpose for himself.

Yes, we have been blessed. We have obtained the glorious riches of God's grace and salvation, but we have also been ushered into partnership with the Lord to glorify him on earth - both individually and collectively.

This is why Ephesians 2:8-10 reiterates, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." And again, "let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven" (Matt. 5:16).

This is the theocentric gospel; it is that, having been saved by his all-surpassing benevolence, we partner with God to glorify him. God's purpose for himself is that of making his glory known. And he calls us into this mission.

To walk according to the gospel of Jesus Christ is to live with the mission of bringing him the glory he wants and deserves.

To discover more about my ministry, you can find me on YouTube or my Website.

For additional recommendations, you can visit my affiliate page.

[dustydahlin]

Origami Swans | Matt. 15:9

The sounds of clinking espresso cups, the bubbling whistle of steaming breve, and warm caffeinated dialogue filled the dimly lit coffee shop. The ambiance invited conversation, which my friend and I took advantage of weekly. Sitting at our usual corner table with the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee tantalizing the senses, I will never forget the shock and horror of watching my friend tear page after page out of his Bible. Usually, our discussions about God and his Word were lively, but this took me completely off guard. He was up to something, either that or the six espresso shots in his Americano had taken over. About to interrupt his caffeine buzz, he put up a hand and, with uncharacteristic enthusiasm, his entire demeanor beamed with excitement, "I need to show you I learned!"

Folding my arms across my chest, I bit my tongue as he tore each sacred page from the Bible. My tenseness began to melt as he meticulously crafted the pages into what was becoming a work of art. Wonder and intrigue began to build alongside my heartbreak.

Fold after fold. Twist after twist. Each page was skillfully woven together.

He was absolutely immersed in the time-consuming process. I gulped my second cup of coffee and asked God for patience. Though I had difficulty following the complex design, I could see he was going somewhere. Giving him the quiet space he needed, I began to see a recognizable shape. I watched with fascination as he dipped his fingers in water and gently wetted the torn strips of Romans and Ephesians, which he fashioned into a swan's rounded body.

I could see it!

Nondescript appendages started to resemble a bird's graceful wings. He smoothed a long slender section into the elegant neck of his swan. Art and science, I thought.

His origami swan was beautiful, but what message did it hope to convey? As if coming up for air, he looked me in the eyes with a glowing satisfaction. Together we marveled at the brilliance of the design, the form, and the intelligent construction of the swan.

While the paper artform was complete and beautiful, I asked how the remaining pages fit into what he had heard from God. Dodging the question, he confidently explained his systematic process. How he had used certain pages to create the wings. How he chose certain passages of Scripture that were folded and twisted together to form the stylish neck of the swan. How he studied the techniques in dampening his fingertips to round the sturdy body.

Asking again, he seemed to hide his frustration as if I didn't appreciate the work that went into this sophisticated creation.

I had a problem using pages from his Bible, but I had to admit the end product was astonishing. He was thrilled with his creation. He was so infatuated with it that he could not see past the graceful bird to the hundreds of pages left in the binding of the sacred text.

I had no doubts about his sincerity. I knew he loved Jesus. I knew he lived to serve and glorify God. His motives were good. He simply could not see past his paper sculpture. He said this demonstration was analogous to the systematic formulation of his biblical doctrines.

I made a choice. I knew I could have used the remaining pages of Scripture to build a better swan. With what was left in the binding, I could have even integrated his swan into an origami lion - so that no pages were left out. I realized, however, it was better to let him cherish his swan - his preferred doctrine - since it was obvious that he would not be persuaded otherwise.

Besides, his swan only represented a secondary doctrine. It did not harm or compromise the Gospel. It was better not to fight over it.

This short story represents the needlessness of debates and arguments over secondary doctrines - non-essentials to the Christian faith. I hope that we (instead of arguing) can have a healthy appreciation of each other's theological and doctrinal preferences. Even if we disagree.

On the other hand, if we consider someone to adhere to a "false gospel" which may inhibit their salvation, we should seek to evangelize them with all the love and mercy of God - the same love and compassion with which we received from Jesus Christ. Not fight with them. Fighting and arguing are terrible ways to evangelize.

It is paramount to keep secondary that which is secondary and primary that which is primary. This is true even if the person across the table appears to have unfairly treated God's Word. The irony is that it may only seem like an unfair treatment of a secondary doctrine simply because we cannot see past our own swans.

We all have our origami swans - including myself.

To learn more about my ministry, discover me on YouTube (1) The Lamp by Dusty Dahlin - YouTube or my website Home (thelampchurch.com)

*Images created through Dream by Wombo.

[dustydahlin]

How to Use AI to Study the Bible (with Dr. Mark Dahlin)

I am stoked about the training video I put together with Dr. Mark Dahlin on "How to Use AI to Study the Bible."

I am also excited about providing this free Prompt Sheet to help you get started. This list contains 6 categories of prompts you can copy and paste directly into your preferred AI chat bot.

These prompts may be a wonderful way to start focusing your biblical research for sermon preparation, writing essays, or leading your small group.

It can also be helpful for personal studies as well.

Free Suggested Prompt Sheet:

https://bit.ly/SuggestedPrompts

[dustydahlin]

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Experiencing God’s Presence and Pleasure

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Journey to the Light - Phil. 2:15

I have roamed the vastness of the universe for what feels like an eternity, seeking to uncover my true identity. I have tirelessly journeyed across galaxies, hoping to find something that could give me the answers for which I longed.

For so long, I searched high and low, but alas, I found nothing. No answers about who I am. One day, I chanced upon a dark, enigmatic cave. At first, I hesitated, pondering whether or not to venture inside. However, there was a force within me that urged me forward.

For the first time in my life, I felt truly at home. I realized that my purpose was to shine and light up the darkness.

Taking a deep breath, I plunged into the abyss of the cave. I whizzed through the dimly lit tunnels and passages, feeling desolate and disorientated. But as I delved deeper, something magical occurred.

The darkness around me began to glow, and I suddenly realized that I was not alone at all. There in the darkness, I was joined by others just like me. Together we were shining brightly, illuminating the cave in a dazzling display of color and radiance.

From that moment on, I never felt lost or alone again. I embraced my identity and my true purpose, shining brighter than ever before and illuminating the way for all those who entered the cave. And even though I had traveled across the universe in search of myself, it was only in the darkness of the cave that I truly found my light.

I am a light particle. I was born of the sun and was gifted the purpose of shining in dark spaces.

"That you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world"

(Phil. 2:15; ESV).

*Parts of this devotion were brainstormed through, and adapted from, GPT.

[dustydahlin]

Thank you @imsaucygirl and everyone who got me to 5 reblogs!

Women in God's Economy - James 1:27

Subject: A look at the special role of women in God's economy.

Women, in God's economy, are highly esteemed. Throughout history, God has utilized women in some of the most profound and significant ways! God had ordained that it would be through the loving care and concern of a woman that Moses would be rescued – resulting in the deliverance of the Hebrews from their Egyptian captivity (Ex. 2:5-6). It was a strong woman (Deborah) whom God would anoint with the Holy Spirit as a prophetess and judge to shepherd and lead Israel in a time of crisis (Judges 4:4-5). It was through the heartfelt prayers of a woman (Hannah) that God gave Israel one of their most significant prophets (Samuel) (1 Sam. 1:9-17). It was through a prophetess (Isaiah 8:3) that the Lord would give one of the greatest messianic signs in the entire Bible (Isaiah 7:14; 8:3, 18; 9:6-7). It was through a woman of great faith (Mary) that the Lord would give birth to Jesus Christ – The most significant moment in God's redemptive plan (second only to the resurrection of Jesus) (Luke 1:26-38). It was through an incredibly devote woman and prophetess named Anna that God would issue one of the earliest declarations of Jesus' messiahship (Luke 2:36-38). It was through a wealthy businesswoman named Lydia that God would choose to plant and shepherd the first church in Philippi - the first church outside Asia Minor (Acts 16:13-15, 40).

But it does not stop there! Within God's kingdom, God ordained that both men and women bare the image of God – the imago Dei. Genesis 1:26-28 declares:

"Then God said, 'Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.'

So God created mankind in his own image,

in the image of God he created them;

male and female he created them.

God blessed them and said to them, 'Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it'" (NIV).

This little passage holds incredible significance. It not only demonstrates God's desire for his image-bearers to fill the earth with his image and likeness with the intent of bringing glory to God across the earth. But it also shows the unified effort of the community in bearing the image of God.

It is no coincidence that God's image and likeness are born in both "male and female." The Genesis account makes clear that the completeness of God's image is found in both male and female. It is the totality of God's community – the confluence of men and women – which shows the glorious entirety of God's image and likeness. The combination of attributes that make men and women unique are the elements that holistically comprise the image and likeness of God. In other words, the natural qualities of men (the drive to conquer, dominate, earn respect, etc...) and the natural qualities of women (the drive to care, nurture, maternally raise, etc...) together grant the whole picture of God's image and likeness. Neither men by themselves, nor women by themselves can represent the entirety of God's image and likeness. It is only through community that God's greatness can be fully seen.

{Recommended by Dusty}

That being said, God created women to represent the more beautiful attributes of himself. Everything that represents God's care, maternal concern, gentleness, and undying love is present in women. Without you, the full majesty and beauty of God would not be seen on earth nor represented to the unbelieving world. It was all within God's grand design to create "mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." Within God's economy, women are highly esteemed and greatly valued. If this wasn't the case, he never would have created you in his image and likeness to bear his beauty on earth!

Guess what! It doesn't stop there! I want to highlight one more detail of significance regarding women within the economy of God.

True Religion (James 1:27)

In James 1:27, we are given an inspired description of what true, or pure, religion is. James states, "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world." In this incredible passage, God is setting up a picture of what is true religion. This picture of pure religion is set in a remarkable and challenging contrast.

Beginning in verse 22, James begins to paint the picture of what is pure religion. Of course, he starts by stating what it is not; he states how it is not found in hearing only. He illustrates how investigating, scanning, or searching scripture that leads only to hearing God's Word is useless.

God then goes on to shows us how hearing the Word of God is useless unless it produces action. We need to be both hearers and doers of God's Word. This is true, God-honoring religion. All-day long we can investigate Scripture, but, if we do no act upon what is written therein, our religion is useless and we deceive ourselves into thinking we participate in something that honor's God.

{Recommended by Dusty}

"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing" (1:22-25).

This picture of pure religion, then, comes to its final portrait in verse 27 where we are instructed to "visit" the orphan and the widow. James sets up the comparison in his usage of the word visit (ἐπισκέπτεσθαι - episkeptomai). Fascinatingly, this Greek work holds two implications: 1) it maintains the idea of investigating, looking upon, examining with the eyes, and to look with intent upon something (much like the image of the man looking intently into the mirror in verse 23-24). Secondly, 2) it is Hebraic terminology for "looking upon in order to help or to benefit, [and is] equivalent to look after, have a care for, provide for" (Thayer's Lexicon). This can be witnessed in the Septuagint's rendering of Gen. 21:1 and Exodus 4:31. And it is further reinforced in Psalm 10:14, where God is described as looking intently upon the needs of the widow and the orphan.

James thusly, in describing true religion, makes a comparison between examination and investigation which leads to action. The comparison is clearly set between the individual who intently examines and searches scripture and is moved to action WITH the individual who examines and searches out the needs of the afflicted so as to act on their behalf.

This ultimately offers the principle of caring for, and loving, those who are afflicted. We have given to us from this scripture that God-honoring religion is the one that seeks out, examines lives, and investigates one's immediate context to identify those who need tender care and loving action. This is the principle we see from James: we are to intently examine our surroundings to see those to whom we can care for and love. We are to actively love our neighbor, after diligently looking for an opportunity to act!

Moms – the picture of true religion!

The picture that is being painted here is this: true, Christ-honoring religion is like a mother scanning and examining her household to see how she can attend to the children who need her love and care! James paints the picture of Christianity as being one of action on behalf of the weak and needy. What could be a more appropriate picture of the greatest commandment in Christianity than the love of a mother for those in her home!

Moms you are a living parable! You are a visual demonstration of God's desire for the church. God chose to use the natural instincts and inherent maternal care for raising their children as one of the greatest pictures of what Christianity should look like. According to this, women, mothers specifically, are used by God as a kingdom of example for how Christians should live.

This concept is not only found here, in James. It is also demonstrated through the life of the Apostle Paul.

{Recommended by Dusty}

1 Thess. 2:7-8, "But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us" (ESV).

Paul describes how he patterned his actions after the care of a mother for her children. Paul, being obedient to Jesus' instruction to "love your neighbor as yourself" (Matt. 22:39), followed this kingdom principle of gentle self-giving, nurture, and maternal protection. Paul seemed to know how one of the greatest ways to raise the infant church in Thessalonica was to proverbially imitate the love of a mother.

Jesus also demonstrated this concept.

Following some of the hardest words to ever leave his lips, Jesus stated, "How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing" (Matt. 23:37). Jesus, revealing the heart of God, declares his desire for Jerusalem. His heart's cry was to gather Israel, like a mother hen gathering her chicks under her wings. He came in the fullness of time to gather his people to himself, just a mother would gather her scattered children.

Jesus followed the principle of pure religion as found in James 1. He knew what it meant to carefully scan your household and seek out those who needed loving care and nurturing. He, like a mother hen, examined the lost house of Israel. He, in his omniscience, found those who needed his love, and so he came to restore and heal the spiritually broken.

Conclusion:

Mothers: Every diaper you have changed. Every tear you have daubed. Every boo-boo you have kissed. Every sleepless night spent attending to a sick child. Every time you have scanned and examined your house to meet the needs of those in your care. You have painted a glorious and beautiful picture of how God's people are to love and care for their own.

You are a beautiful image bearer!

You have a place in God's redemptive plan for mankind.

You are a living example of the true religion that God intended for Christianity.

[dustydahlin]

[dustydahlin]

Thank you to everyone who got me to 50 likes!

[dustydahlin]

The Lightest Stones

Once upon a time, there was a village where people always seemed to be unhappy. One day, an old man arrived in the village and started telling stories about stones. He said that each stone represented a different emotion and that some stones were heavier than others. The villagers were confused but intrigued, so they asked the old man what he meant.

The old man explained that the heaviest stones represented sadness and grief, while the lighter stones represented joy and happiness. He then challenged the villagers to find as many light stones as they could and bring them to him. The villagers eagerly accepted the challenge and started searching for the lightest stones they could find.

As they searched, they began to realize that the act of searching for joy was making them happier. They started talking to each other, laughing, and enjoying each other's company. Whenever they found a light stone, they would hold it up and share their joy with the others.

Eventually, the villagers realized that the old man's stories were a metaphor for their own lives. They had been so focused on their problems and worries that they had forgotten how to find joy. But by searching for light stones, they were able to rediscover the joy that had always been there.

From that day on, the villagers made it a tradition to search for light stones whenever they were feeling down. They would gather together and share their joy, knowing that even in the darkest of times, there was always something for which to be joyously grateful.

This story is much like Jesus' words in John 15:1-11. Jesus, in this passage, describes how believers have ready access to the Joy of the Lord. In verses 10 and 11, Jesus demonstrates that his joy will be given to us - but only if we make a practice of abiding in relationship with Christ and bearing good fruit. When we realize that we have full access to God's joy and that we play a significant role in receiving and accessing that joy, we discover the same freedom and excitement as the villagers in this story. (Click here to read the full study on this concept of joy.)

As you go about your day, remember that there are always things for which to be thankful as we press into the joy-filled practice of abiding in Jesus.

If you would like to showcase your joy, you can pick up your conversation-starting testimony clothes here.

[dustydahlin]

Rejoice Always!

“Rejoice Always” (1 Thess. 5:16; ESV).

“To comment adequately on these diamond drops would be to outline a history of the Christian experience in its higher levels” (James Moffat).

This small, two-word verse is incredible. Couched in the context of the return of Jesus and general guidelines for Christian living, this directive comes to us as a beautiful depiction of God’s heart and as an instruction for us to practice the joy of the Lord.

It is possible to arrive at an accurate understanding of this instruction from a simple reading of the English translation. However, it can be easy to miss a few nuggets of gold, from the treasury of God's wisdom, if we miss a few items.

Firstly, everything we need to know about this command is packed into the inflected Greek word. 1) The verb is written in the imperative mood, which means this is a directive - something commanded to be performed. 2) It includes the active voice; this simply means the subject is the one performing the action. In this case, the subject is the believer. And 3) it is written in the present tense. This denotes the sense of ongoing, continual, habitual, or regular performance of the action - to rejoice.

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Ultimately, everything we need to know about this instruction is packed into the verb. With just this verb, we are told that "the believer is commanded to perform the action of rejoicing continuously - as a lifestyle." To strengthen the intended emphasis, the adverb for "always" is added.

But to extract every last drop of goodness from this instruction, I want to highlight a few additional items that may be helpful for our understanding and practice.

One of the items that truly captures my fascination is the fact that this is the verb form for joy. In other words, this is the action of joy or the practice of joy. This is not a new concept to our Scripture (cf. Gal. 5:22-23), although it feels a bit foreign to us because we have a much more passive understanding of joy. What does this mean? This means God has gifted us this instruction that we may move away from being passive spectators to being active practitioners of joy.

"This means God has gifted us this instruction that we may move away from being passive spectators to being active practitioners of joy!"

The final consideration is this: the Greek word for rejoice was a common word used to describe the social etiquette of that day - Χαίρω (chairō). This was a common word used in formal greetings (both written and vocal). This can be understood as a relational expression of goodwill and good tidings. In this sense, it is possible, dependent upon the context, that this may be applied to this text in the sense of a formal relational greeting.

Ultimately, once we place these considerations together, we can understand this text to mean “you are commanded to abide, and continue abiding, in a joy-filled relationship with God.” Joyfully greet the Lord in relationship regularly. 

This is further supported by how Jesus describes God's giving, and the believer's receiving, of the Joy of the Lord. In John 15:1-11, Jesus describes himself as the vine in which we - the branches - abide and bear fruit. Jesus then punctuates this wonderful teaching with a surprising promise of Joy. He states, "Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full" (vs. 10-11).

{Dusty's Book}

The Greek of this passage reveals a conditional promise. This is written in the subjunctive mood, which simply means that it is possible to receive and have joy based on the instructions previously spoken. In this case, abide and bear fruit. In so far as we continuously abide in relationship with the Lord, we practice posturing ourselves to receive joy from the Lord. We practice joy. (To learn more about this concept, Click Here to read the article.)

In other words, rejoice always! And remember that we are commanded to continuously abide in a joy-filled relationship with the Lord. God wants to have an ongoing relationship with us. Seek him in Scripture. Seek him in prayer. Seek him through fasting and meditation.

Let us seek the Lord and practice receiving his joy today.