Author Archives: Pete

What He Has Purposed

Honestly, I can’t imagine what Jerusalem looked like after the Babylonians had ransacked her. After they had entered her and burned down “every great house,” including “the house of the LORD” (Jer. 52:13). After they broke in pieces the massive … Continue reading

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Armed with Smart Thinking

Back in the day, I’d always laugh when a co-worker would remind me that “paranoia is just smart thinking when everybody’s against you.” This morning, I’m reminded of another kind of smart thinking as I read in 1Peter. Since therefore … Continue reading

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A Rebuke and An Encouragement

Truth be known, when the going get’s tough, I tend to get tough, too. When the heat is on, I have a propensity to harden. When I’m being tested, often I get testy. When I feel the seemingly relentless pressure … Continue reading

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A Lion

Again, it’s repetition in Jeremiah that’s caused me to pause and reflect this morning. Something said of God’s judgment of Babylon in this morning’s reading that was also declared concerning His judgment of Edom in yesterday’s reading. And it’s got … Continue reading

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For God So Loves the World

I am far from an expert or scholar when it comes to the Old Testament prophets. However, having read through them at least once a year for the past several years, I do feel like I’ve become more familiar with … Continue reading

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Freed for Slavery

When you know who you are, it goes a long way to being who you should be. What identifies you will drive you. If you view yourself as impoverished, you’ll live like a poor person–either languishing because of a perceived … Continue reading

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Be Careful What You Pray For

The Babylonians had come and gone. Though Jerusalem lay in ruins, those who were left in the land, and those who returned to the land from surrounding regions, sensed somewhat of a return to normality. A governor, Gedaliah, had been … Continue reading

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Faith Begets Faith

It was a faith journey. To go to Jesus, in the first place, required faith. Sure, he was desperate–his son was ill and at the point of death. But he was also a man of some standing–an official in Herod’s … Continue reading

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Tested, Genuine Faith

Honestly, it takes faith to buy what Peter’s selling about faith, this morning. I have to believe what Peter says about belief. I have to trust that what he says about trust is true. That it’s more precious than gold. … Continue reading

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The Great Reveal

We read the account (John 4:1-26), and we know that it was an encounter of the divine kind. But you gotta think that, as she experienced it, the conversation seemed a little strange. That there was even a conversation happening … Continue reading

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