Maintaining My Saltiness

Posted on July 30, 2026 by Pete

Jesus really wasn’t about “attractional ministry.” He didn’t seem overly concerned with “removing barriers” and making the curious comfortable. In fact, when the crowds “accompanied Him” (Lk. 14:25), Jesus talked about the cost of following Him.

Any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be My disciple.

(Luke 14:33 ESV)

Renounce all . . . That’s a crowd killer. A momentum masher. A revival repressor.

But when it comes to following Jesus, He must be all in all. Number 1. The center of our universe. The priority above all priorities. The love over every love. And how come? It seems to come down to our saltiness.

“Salt is good, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is of no use either for the soil or for the manure pile. It is thrown away. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

(Luke 14:34-35 ESV)

I don’t use the salt shaker a lot (’cause I tend to buy foods that are prepared with more sodium than I probably need). But when I do use it, it’s because it’s needed. It’s the final touch to perfect the flavor. It’s the add-on that makes my food right on. So, whaddya’ do when the salt has lost its saltiness? What are you going to salt salt with?

A question worth asking? Seems to be. Because, brother and sister, according to Jesus “You are the salt of the earth” (Matt. 5:13). And our saltiness seems integrally linked to our faithfulness — to following Jesus.

So, says Jesus, “Sit down and count the cost . . . sit down first and deliberate” (Lk. 14:28, 31). Be careful of starting what you’re not prepared to finish. Don’t leave behind the embarrassment of half-built towers (Lk. 14:28-30), or the defeat of half-fought wars (Lk. 14:31-32), or the uselessness of salt that’s no longer salty. Rather, count the cost. Run the race. Fight the fight. Renounce all. Be the salt of the earth. Don’t let your saltiness lose its taste.

Feel like a lot of pressure? I’m thinkin’ . . .

And it would be, if it were up to me alone. But . . .

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

(Galatians 2:20 ESV)

Because of my union with Christ my desire to renounce all is fully realized in Him who “though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself” (Php. 2:6-7a). Because of my union with Christ, I can count the cost because He has already finished paying the price (Jn. 19:30). Because of my union with Christ, I can be the salt of the earth, the light of the world (Mt. 5:14), for He is the light of the world (Jn. 8:12).

The pressure is lost in the promise — the promise that in Him I can do all things (Php. 4:13). Even the hard things like counting the cost, renouncing it all, and maintaining my saltiness.

All according to His limitless grace. All for His everlasting glory.

Jesus, all for Jesus
All I am and have and ever hope to be
Jesus, all for Jesus
All I am and have and ever hope to be

All of my ambitions, hopes and plans
I surrender these into Your hands
All of my ambitions, hopes and plans
I surrender these into Your hands

For it’s only in Your will that I am free
For it’s only in Your will that I am free
Jesus, all for Jesus
All I am and have and ever hope to be

~ Robin Mark ~

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The Good Hand of God

Posted on July 29, 2026 by Pete

Ezra had the right lineage — a descendent of “Aaron the chief priest” (7:1-5). He had the right learning — a scribe “skilled in the Law of Moses” (7:6a). And, he had the right leaning — to “study the Law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach it” (7:10). Surely, that’s why he was so successful. That’s why a pagan king “granted him all he asked” (7:6b). That’s why he was able to make the trek from Babylon to Jerusalem without incident in just 5 months (7:9). The right lineage, the right learning, the right leaning . . . that’s why. Right?

Uh, maybe not.

. . . and the king granted him all that he asked, for the hand of the LORD his God was on him.

. . . and on the first day of the fifth month he came to Jerusalem, for the good hand of his God was on him.

Blessed be the LORD, the God of our fathers, who put such a thing as this into the heart of the king, to beautify the house of the LORD that is in Jerusalem . . . for the hand of the LORD my God was on me.

(Ezra 7:6b, 9b, 27-28 ESV)

Wanna guess what I’m chewing on? Wanna take a stab at why?

For the hand of the LORD his God was on him . . . Thrice repeated. Duly noted.

Not to say that Ezra wasn’t capable. Not to say Ezra wasn’t courageous. Not to say Ezra wasn’t motivated. But at the end of the day, Ezra’s success was by the grace of God. For the good hand of his God was on him.

And when Ezra entered Jerusalem, when he had crossed the finish line, when he had delivered the goods (literally), what was his boast? Blessed be the LORD . . . for the hand of the LORD my God was on me.

“Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” (2Corinthians 10:17 ESV)

I’m far from being an Ezra, but I have known a win or two along this pilgrim journey. Only by the good hand of God upon me. By the Father’s purposes for me. By the Son who goes with me. By the Spirit who lives in me.

Only by His grace. Only for His glory.

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Have This Mind

Posted on July 28, 2026 by Pete

Got back this weekend from a week away with the whole family. What a blessing. But what a hit my morning routine takes. Good to be back at my desk . . .

Give me the choice, and I’ll take reserved seating over general admission any day of the week. I’ll pay the premium to pick my own seat. And, based on what I can afford, I’ll pick the best seat. But if I’m picking up on what Jesus’ is laying down this morning, when it comes to the kingdom of heaven, I may have to rethink that a bit.

Now [Jesus] told a parable to those who were invited [to dine at the house of a ruler of the Pharisees (v.1)], when He noticed how they chose the places of honor, saying to them, “When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor . . . But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, . . . For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

(Luke 14:7-11 ESV)

Invited to a feast. Every seat’s available when you arrive — from front row center, to back row behind the post. Your pick. Where ya’ gonna sit?

Kingdom thinking says, “Humble yourself. Take the worst seat in the house and leave the better seats for others.” Oh man, how much re-wiring I still need to default to kingdom thinking!

Abase yourself. Make yourself low. Reduce your stature. Embrace a lower rank. If I’m honest, not my natural inclination. But, praise God, it can be more of how I’m supernaturally inclined. Not through great determination and discipline, but through abiding (John 15:5). It can be my inclination because of the reality that “it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me” (Gal. 2:20). It is the fruit of my union with Christ – humbling myself because Jesus humbled Himself.

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

(Philippians 2:5-8 ESV)

Jesus emptied Himself. Taking the form of a servant. He humbled Himself. And this mind, is yours in Christ Jesus.

It’s the mind that, when it walks into the feast, is content to move to the back row. When it has the pick of the litter, chooses the least. When it’s drawn to the spotlight, defers to another. When it can afford reserved seating, is content for general admission. It’s the mind of the One who humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. And the humble mind can be mine mind – if I’ll have this mind – through my union with Christ.

Oh, to have this mind more and more.

“He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:30 ESV)

Only by His grace. Always for His glory.

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What’s He Thinking? (2012 Remix)

Posted on July 16, 2026 by Pete

“He made a marriage alliance with Ahab” (2Chronicles 18:1) . . . that’s what jumps off the page . . . cue the foreboding music . . .

As I reread these archived musings about what Jehoshaphat was thinking, I realize he was just being practical. He was prosperous, he was powerful, and it just made sense to align himself with others who could help provide protection — especially if they were family . . . kind of. After all, it’s not like he was condoning Ahab’s character, he was just partnering with Ahab’s power. He was being pragmatic. It’s not like he was entering into an unequal yoking (2Cor. 6:14). Or was he? Cue the foreboding music . . .

Here’s how out it played out in my mind back in 2012.

Ok . . . so I don’t think it’s intended to be funny . . . but I gotta say, that there’s some pretty crazy stuff going on when King Jehoshaphat of Judah teams up with King Ahab of Israel.

That’s Jehoshaphat , as in good king . . . as in the king whose “heart was courageous in the ways of the LORD” (2Chron. 17:6) . . . as in the king who prospered under God’s favor and built up a huge military force . . . as in the naïve king, and perhaps not so discerning king, as he enters into a “marriage alliance” with Ahab (18:1).

That’s Ahab, as in really, really bad king . . . as in “the son of Omri” who “did evil in the sight of the LORD, more than all who were before him” (1Kings 16:30) . . . as in the king bewitched by his wife and possessed by the forces of hell as he walks constantly in ways opposed to God.

Kind of a goofy partnering. And some goofy stuff happens. I don’t quite know what Jehoshaphat’s thinking.

First, Jehoshaphat heads down to Samaria to visit with Ahab. There Ahab “induces” or “persuades” Jehoshaphat to join him in picking a fight against Ramoth-gilead. Jehoshaphat’s gut reaction? Sure — “I am as you are, my people as your people.” Really? Ahab & Co. are unabashed idol worshipers . . . open pagan god followers . . . and Jehoshaphat has been taking down the high places established for idol worship and sending out his officers and officials to conduct Bible studies throughout Judah (17:6-9). Ahab gets up every morning and puts on his “Wail for Baal” t-shirt . . . Jehoshaphat starts the day by putting on prayer as he “sought the God of his father and walked in his commandments, and not according to the practices of Israel” (17:4). What’s Jehoshaphat thinking?

Then, Jehoshaphat says to Ahab, “Before going into battle, shouldn’t we first inquire of the LORD.” Ahab’s response? Gathers 400 pagan prophets set on tickling the king’s itching ears . . . “Yeah . . . go for it, king! . . . you got this one in the bag . . . no sweat . . . God’s going to do for it you.” Jehoshaphat isn’t convinced and asks if there isn’t a prophet who follows God who might weigh in on this. Ahab says there is one, but that “he never prophesies good concerning me, but always evil” (18:7) . . . ya’ think!!! Anyway, God’s prophet says that they’ll go into battle and get their keesters kicked because Ahab’s listening to a lying spirit in the mouths of his prophets. And Jehoshaphat’s listening to Ahab. What’s he thinking?

And then it really gets crazy! Before going into battle “the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, ‘I will disguise myself and go into battle, but you wear your robes.’ And the king of Israel disguised himself, and they went into battle” (18:29). Here, says Ahab, let me put this bullseye on your chest — and we’ll put one on your back too — and I’ll put on this camo. Makes me chuckle. How nuts is that!?! What is Jehoshaphat thinking?

Now I don’t want to be too hard on ol’ Jehoshaphat . . . ’cause I’m suspecting this has been God-breathed for me . . . that “these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come” (1Cor. 10:11).

What crazy alliances can we children of light enter into with the dominion of darkness? What unholy partnerships can we naively enter into with those who hate our God and pursue other gods which are no gods at all? What unequal yoking might we take upon ourselves . . . because it just makes sense . . . because it’s the practical thing to do?

Oh, to be discerning. To walk in this world but not be taken in by it. To have a Spirit activated, biblical mindset through which we filter the world’s messages . . . and its invitations . . . and its suggestions about who to go into battle with.

Again, not trashing poor Jehoshaphat . . . hopefully, by God’s grace, learning from some of the “funny” stuff in his life . . .

Only by His grace. Always God’s glory.

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Working on My Knee Bends

Posted on July 14, 2026 by Pete

Solomon pled it. The LORD established it. Rehoboam tested it. I’m chewing on it.

Repetition. It again rules the day (or at least it’s what catches my eye). If you want someone to get something, then tell ’em what you’re gonna tell ’em, then tell ’em, then tell ’em again what you just told ’em. That’s how repetition works.

So, what’s the echo reverberating throughout 2 Chronicles 12? They humbled themselves.

Back in 2 Chronicles 6, at the dedication of the temple, King Solomon repeatedly asked the Lord to “hear from heaven” the prayers of His people when, after sinning, they acknowledged their sin and turned again to God. And the LORD, in 2 Chronicles 7, says, in effect, “Okay.”

“If My people who are called by My name humble themselves, and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

(2Chronicles 7:14 ESV)

Solomon’s successor, his son Rehoboam, is then the first recorded test case for Solomon’s plea and the LORD’s promise.

King Rehoboam — the doofus king. Ignored sound advice, embraced foolish bravado, and lost most of his kingdom (2Chron. 10). But while it was of his own making, the dividing of the kingdom was also “a turn of affairs brought about by God that the LORD might fulfill His word” (2Chron. 10:15). So, Rehoboam works with what he has left, and with “those who had set their hearts to seek the LORD God of Israel” (2Chron. 11:16), and things come together pretty well (2Chron. 11:13-17).

But — and here’s the real doofus part — “when the rule of Rehoboam was established and he was strong, he abandoned the law of the LORD” (2Chron. 12:1). And thus, the LORD abandons Rehoboam to a guy named Shishak and his band of marauding, oppressive Egyptians (2Chron. 12:2-5). Heavy sigh!

Now, cue the echo . . .

Then the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves and said, “The LORD is righteous.” When the LORD saw that they humbled themselves, the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah: “They have humbled themselves. I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some deliverance, and my wrath shall not be poured out on Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak.”

And when he humbled himself the wrath of the LORD turned from him, so as not to make a complete destruction. Moreover, conditions were good in Judah. So King Rehoboam grew strong in Jerusalem and reigned.

(2Chronicles 12:6-7, 12-13a ESV)

So, I pick up what the Spirit keeps laying down . . . they humbled themselves. They brought themselves low. They put themselves into subjection. They bowed the knee.

Bending the knee. Not the most natural, reflexive action for many of us . . . at least not for me. And not just because I have aging knees. But because I too still have a powerful propensity towards a doofus heart (aka the old man . . . aka the flesh). A heart, like Rehoboam’s, which finds itself wandering — especially when enjoying relative ease brought about by the LORD’s blessing.

So, I’d do well to work on my knee bends. Ready to humble myself when (not if) my haughtiness impacts my holiness. In lowliness drawing near to God (James 4:8a). With contrition cleansing my hands at the foot of the cross (James 4:8b). Quick to get down on my knees as the only way of getting back on my feet again (James 4:10 MSG). Knowing that “if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1John 1:9 ESV).

Knee bends. Something I need to keep working on.

Only by His grace. Only for His glory.

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More and More

Posted on July 13, 2026 by Pete

It’s repetition that catches my eye and captivates my thoughts this morning.

Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more.

Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more.

(1Thessalonians 4:1, 9-10 ESV)

As you are doing . . . do so more and more. What you are doing . . . do this more and more.

More and more . . . that’s what I’m chewing on this morning.

In some ways, I fear that the “doing so” which the church is to be doing, is, in fact, being done less and less rather than more and more. That how we ought to walk is being shaped too much by cultural norms and polarizing ideologies and not enough by what were once considered as Christ-like norms received through Paul’s inspired writings. That being taught by God to love one another is subtlety being filtered through lenses other than the gospel and our common salvation. So that, in our zeal to contend for the faith, we’ve perhaps lost some focus on loving the faithful (not the perfect . . . not just those aligned on all matters of opinion . . . but those who are born again and faithful).

And so, Paul’s words land forcefully this morning . . . Live to please God. Love one another. Do so more and more.

But if I’m honest with myself, I’m also battling, to some degree, the effects of “senior-itis” — that, as I get older, there’s the reality of waning energy. And, if I keep being honest with myself, it can spawn a temptation to settle for less and less. A temptation to think that having “put in my time”, I should be okay to now “put up my feet.” But if I have ears to hear, the Spirit wants to prompt my spirit by whispering afresh, “Do so more and more.”

And so I desire to keep running the race. To keep pressing towards the prize. To keep on keepin’ on. More and more . . .

How?

Only through His power made manifest in my weakness. More and more.

Only by the Christ who lives in me. More and more.

Only as I abide in Him. More and more.

Only by His grace. More and more.

Only for His glory. More and more.

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Paul’s Win (2016 Rerun)

Posted on July 10, 2026 by Pete

He couldn’t take it anymore! Twice Paul says that he “could bear it no longer.” What was it that caused such anxiety for the beloved apostle? What was so taxing that this man who had been beaten with rods, stoned at the hands of his enemies, and had suffered shipwreck multiple times, was almost at a breaking point.? What was it that was beyond enduring for this one who lived in constant danger on multiple fronts and was accustomed to sleepless nights, hunger and thirst, and cold and exposure? It was not knowing how his children in the faith were fairing.


For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain.

(1Thessalonians 3:5 ESV)

Paul had only been permitted three Sabbaths to proclaim the gospel in Thessalonica before he was run out of town (Acts. 17:1-10). While he had spent months, even years, in other places, in this place he was able to only to plant the seed, and to see only the early evidence of life before he was forced to leave the tending of this fertile ground to others and to the Spirit of God.

What I find so interesting is that Paul’s view of what it meant to win appears to have nothing to do with numbers or markers. There was obviously something beyond “professions made” or “souls saved” that drove Paul’s view of “winning.” Setting a record for the church most quickly established in the shortest amount of time amidst the most hostile of climates wasn’t the sort of statistic that Paul used to measure “success.”

Instead, what Paul needed to know–what he could not bear not knowing–was whether or not their confession of Christ bore the fruit of consecration to Christ. Having received Jesus as Savior seemed to mean little to the apostle if it were not also evident that they had given themselves to Jesus as Lord. He knew, given the hostility toward the gospel in Thessalonica, that if the believers there were not feeling the heat of opposition they probably were not living out the light of the kingdom.

He feared that the tempter would get the best of them, convince them that the cost they would need to pay was not worth the prize promised them. And so, unable to deal with not knowing any longer, he sent Timothy to learn about their faith and to “establish and exhort” them in their faith (3:2).

What grabs me this morning is that Paul seems to view a salvation which does not bear the fruit of salvation as no salvation at all. Had he not heard that their faith had resulted in them turning “to God from idols to serve the living and true God” (1:9), he would have considered his time there in vain. Had the report not come back indicating that now these brothers and sisters directed their lives in anticipation of the Son’s imminent return (1:10), Paul would have considered his work there useless. Given the hatred and opposition toward the gospel in that place, if Paul had heard that his children in Christ were not feeling the heat of opposition and suffering for the sake of the kingdom (3:3-4), he would wonder if they had, in fact, really entered God’s kingdom.

Paul’s end game was not about the number who came forward for the altar call. The win wasn’t in simply planting a church. Rather, it was about disciples who lived out the faith. Followers who followed. New creations in Christ who lived as if Christ lived in them.

For we know, brothers loved by God, that He has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. . . . And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.

(1Thessalonians 1:4-7 ESV)

Imitators of Christ. Examples to other believers. That was Paul’s hope and joy. That was Paul’s “crown of boasting” (2:19). That was Paul’s win.

The fruit of grace. For the glory of God

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They Became What They Worshiped (2021 Remix)

Posted on July 7, 2026 by Pete

According to the inspired songwriter this morning, you become what you worship.

The idols of the nations are silver and gold,
       the work of human hands.
They have mouths, but do not speak;
       they have eyes, but do not see;
they have ears, but do not hear,
       nor is there any breath in their mouths.
Those who make them become like them,
       so do all who trust in them.

(Psalm 135:15-18 ESV)

Precious metals fashioned by human hands. They are attractive. They do nothing. They gleam in the light. But they are lifeless. They have mouths, eyes, and ears. But they are without senses. They look fine. But they have no hope of flourishing. Build them, invest in them, pursue them, trust in them — become like them.

You become what you worship.

Bad news for those who worship idols and inanimate objects. Bad news for those who worship any created thing. But really, really good news for those who worship the Creator.

I’m reminded of that as I also started into Thessalonians this morning.

For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

(1Thessalonians 1:9-10 ESV)

They turned from idols to serve the living and true God. They cashed in the gold and silver of earth for an inheritance in heaven. Rather than servicing things created by their own hands, they waited on the One who created all things and promised to return one day. They believed the promise. They trusted in the Promiser. And they become what they worshiped.

They became imitators of the Lord (1:6). Examples for other believers (1:7) in faith, love, and hope (1:3). To see them in action was to see Jesus in action. To hear their heart, understand their ambitions, and comprehend what compelled them was to know something of the heart, ambitions, and purposes of the One they worshiped. They became what they worshiped.

So do we.

Yeah, I know it often seems like two steps forward one step back. But, having entered the dynamic of transformation through worship, we can rest in the promise that He who has turned us to Himself, who has begun a good work in us, will make us like unto Himself and complete the work (Php. 1:6).

By His grace. For His glory.

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More In Tune

Posted on July 6, 2026 by Pete

I’ve mentioned before that this year I’ve added a “bonus reading” to my morning plan, Dane Ortlund’s devotional on the Psalms, In the Lord I Take Refuge. This morning, his thoughts on Psalm 133 have given me something to chew on.

Behold, how good and pleasant it is
       when brothers dwell in unity!     (Psalm 133:1 ESV)

Pretty well-known verse. Pretty amazing assertion of what is good and pleasant in the eyes of God, “for there the LORD has commanded the blessing” (v.3b).

But, pretty elusive, if we’re honest with ourselves. For, according to Ortlund, the joy of “real unity” is “to know and to be known by others, to enjoy a shared heart in some endeavor, to sense the deep resonance of oneness that comes from loving and being loved . . . when all divisiveness, strife, and harsh agreement” melt away.

Not unity because there is unanimity — complete agreement on everything. Nor unity as a facade for surface level uniformity — where our oneness is a “mile wide” only because we refuse to go beyond “an inch deep” with others. But unity which is founded upon our union with Christ, so that just as we abide in Him in oneness, we too abide with our brothers and sisters in oneness. As Ortlund puts it, a “unity that comes from the Lord — that is, not from pursuing unity itself but from pursuing God.”

Ortlund then quotes Tozer:

Has it ever occurred to you that one hundred pianos all tuned to the same fork are automatically tuned to each other? They are of one accord by being tuned, not to each other, but to another standard to which each one must individually bow. So, one hundred worshipers met together, each one looking to Christ, are in heart nearer to each other than they could possibly be were they to become “unity” conscious and turn their eyes away from God to strive for closer fellowship. (The Pursuit of God, A.W. Tozer)

As we grow in maturity, being conformed to the likeness of Christ — becoming more like Jesus — shouldn’t we also be growing in the freedom of openly and transparently and safely being comfortable with the uniqueness of one another?

More authentic? More gracious? More in tune?

I’m thinkin’ . . .

Only by His grace. Always for His glory.

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A Whole Heart, A Single Mind

Posted on July 1, 2026 by Pete

I’m no soldier.

I never marched in an infantry or rode in a cavalry. I’ve never shot any artillery nor flown over the enemy. But . . .

Can you finish it?

I’m in the Lord’s army . . . Yes sir! (click here and check this out if you have no idea what I’m talking about)

So, what’s with the Sunday School flashback this morning? 1 Chronicles 12 of course!

I’m reading this morning about “the men who came to David” (12:1). Mighty men. Fighting men. Soldiers’ soldiers.

They were men of valor from every tribe, pledging their allegiance to David the king.

For from day to day men came to David to help him, until there was a great army, like an army of God.

All these, men of war, arrayed in battle order, came to Hebron with a whole heart to make David king over all Israel. Likewise, all the rest of Israel were of a single mind to make David king.

(1Chronicles 12:22, 38 ESV)

With a whole heart . . . of a single mind . . . That’s what I’m chewing on this morning.

Like I said, I’m no soldier. Your not gonna find me wearing a “Mighty Man of Valor” t-shirt. But I’m in the Lord’s army. Yes sir!

By God’s grace and through the Spirit’s awakening I’ve come to the greater David, Jesus, the King of kings. Thus, I too am part of a great army, like an army of God.

And while I may not be much of a soldier (no marching, riding, shooting, or flying), how I desire to come each day with a whole heart and be of a single mind to own afresh this greater David as king.

To have a holy determination to wholly be His. To be focused this day on being faithful for another day.

Not for my own purposes, but for His. Not wanting to build my own kingdom, but wanting to be part of building His.

Not by my own power, but only through His.

Only by His grace.

Only for His glory.

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