Stirring Up Division

Posted on August 22, 2025 by Pete

I have a friend who refers to it as “Chad.” As in, “Let me ask Chad about that.” And he asks Chad about a lot. All the time, it seems. Chad is ChatGPT.

I don’t have a ChatGPT account yet, but my friend — as well as some other friends who are also on a first name basis with Chad — has certainly opened me up to the possibilities Chad brings and I’ve been increasingly asking Chad questions and having Chad do a few things (mostly book summaries) over recent months. This morning marks the first time Chad has been consulted during my morning meal.

What did I want Chad’s “insight” on? The difference between division and polarization.

As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

(Titus 3:10-11 ESV)

A person who stirs up division . . . That’s what I’m chewing on this morning. Especially in light of a culture that is commonly referred to today as “polarizing.”

As I hover over this exhortation I think to myself, “Self, because we now use the language of polarization, have we failed to recognize the sin of division?” “Well,” I say back to myself, “we have if being polarizing is the same as being divisive.” At that point, I think to myself, “Let me ask Chad about that.”

Division? “A state of disagreement or separation between people or groups, which may or may not be extreme.” Polarization? “The process by which opinions or positions become more extreme and move toward opposite ends of a spectrum.” The analogy Chad offers is that if division is like a crack forming in a surface which pushes people apart, polarization is like a magnet pulling people to opposite poles. My takeaway? They are the same thing, differentiated only by a matter of degree and intensity.

So, would it be fair to replace “stirs up division” with “is polarizing” in Paul’s exhortation to Titus as an appropriate application? I’m thinkin’ . . .

Being polarizing is sin. Engaging in polarization is sin. It’s warped, twisted, subversive. As the people of God, we should have nothing to do with it.

While we may not be surprised that the world about us has embraced it, we should be alarmed if this more extreme and intense form of separation is finding its incorporation within the church.

Sure, the specific context for the plea to Titus is about avoiding “foolish discussions about spiritual pedigrees or in quarrels and fights about obedience to Jewish laws” (Titus 3:9 NLT), but is it any less foolish to get sucked into factious debates about worldly identities and ideology which so often serve only to dampen and even war against the eagerness we are to have “to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:3)? Thinkin’ it’s very much the same thing.

Stirring up division. We should have nothing to do with it.

Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing.

(2Corinthians 6:17 ESV)

Be separate from them . . .

If there’s ever an area where, though we are in the world, we are not to be of the world, stirring up division is it. And that just might be healthy polarization. Amen?

By His grace. For His glory.

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Show Perfect Courtesy

Posted on August 20, 2025 by Pete

Pause and chew on them a bit, and the first eight verses of Titus 3 are like drinking from a fire hose (I know, I’ve mixed my metaphors . . . maybe I should have said it’s like gorging yourself at a buffet).

There’s another one of those “but God” verses (v.4), having a similar ring to Ephesians 2:4, washing over me with similar waves of wonder, awe, and blessing. Despite who we once were, “foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy” (v.3), the “goodness” of God appeared to save us. Clearly not because of any “works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy” (v. 5a).

Then there’s the mechanics of salvation laid out (v. 5b-7). The negative operation of washing us of our filth through regeneration and the positive operation of renovating us by the Holy Spirit. The Triune dynamic of God the Father pouring out on us richly God the Spirit through God the Son (v.6). Talk about heaven meeting earth in a jaw-dropping manner and with a life-changing impact! And it happened to this guy in this chair!

But wait, there’s more. Having been “justified by grace”, I’ve also become an heir. Regeneration and renewal being the means of adoption, and adoption becoming the right to own as my mine “the hope of eternal life” (v.7).

But here’s the thing — actually the two things — that hit home this morning. First, Paul wants Titus to keep hooking up God’s people to this gospel fire hose — to keep sending them to the bounty of salvation’s buffet table — so that they would “be careful to devote themselves to good works” (3:8). That’s what Titus 2 and 3 have been all about, good works. About teaching “what accords with sound doctrine” (2:1). About how God’s people should live in light of the gospel “so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior” (3:10).

The second thing is the context of these fire hose verses that have been washing over me.

Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.

(Titus 3:1-2 ESV)

Show perfect courtesy toward all people . . . that’s the main course this morning. That’s a command to obey.

And the Spirit through Titus says we are to do what God has commanded because we ourselves were once foolish . . . BUT the goodness of God our Savior appeared . . . and we were saved, washed, and renewed . . . justified by grace . . . so that we might be heirs of eternal life . . . so that we would be careful to devote ourselves to good works. And in this particular case, I see those “good works” summed up in this command: Show perfect courtesy.

Not toward some people. But toward all people. Those in our tribe and those outside our tribe. Those aligned with our views, those not so aligned. Those who are sinners saved by grace, just like as, and those who may yet be sinners saved by grace, as we once were.

Show perfect courtesy toward all people. It’s not compromise, it’s commanded. It’s not weak, it’s meek. It’s not woke, it’s the Way.

And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth.

(2Timothy 2:24-25)

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. . . . But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.

(James 1:19-20, 3:17)

Like I said, a lot to chew on. Sort of like drinking from a fire hose.

Such is God’s grace — grace received, grace reciprocated.

All for God’s glory.

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Reproof

Posted on August 19, 2025 by Pete

As far as Old Testament words go, it’s not all that common. As far as wisdom goes, I’m thinking it’s kind of a big deal.

A fool despises his father’s instruction,
       but whoever heeds reproof is prudent.

There is severe discipline for him who forsakes the way;
       whoever hates reproof will die.

The ear that listens to life-giving reproof
       will dwell among the wise.

Whoever ignores instruction despises himself,
       but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence.

(Proverbs 15:5, 10, 31, 32 ESV)

Reproof . . . that’s the word served up this morning.

The Hebrew word translated “reproof” occurs 28 times in the Old Testament. Of those 28 occurrences, the ESV renders the word as “reproof” 15 times. The next most common rendering? Rebuke. Of the 15 “reproofs” in the ESV OT, 13 are found in Proverbs. Of those 13, 4 are found here in Proverbs 15.

Naturally speaking, reproof probably landed on my plate because of its repetition. Supernaturally speaking? I’ve got to believe it’s the Spirit. Repetition is the Spirit wanting to make a point. Picking up on that repetition is the Spirit wanting to make the point to me. Word of God speak, I’m all ears.

Also naturally speaking, you’re not going to find “reproof” on my list of favorite words — no matter how long that list is. You won’t find “rebuke” either. How come? Because I’m still fighting the flesh, because pride is something that is never far from rearing its head, receiving correction so often rubs like coarse sandpaper. And I’m not much of a fan of coarse sandpaper.

But if I have ears to hear what the Spirit has to say this morning, though it might not be a favorite word, it should be a valued dynamic in my life.

If I want to be characterized as prudent, marked by good sense — and I do; if I want to dwell among the wise, being at home with those who are skilled in navigating life — and I do; if I want to be marked as someone who gains intelligence, whose heart, soul, and mind are constantly being wired so that every inclination is a godly inclination — and I do; then having an ear ready to listen to reproof is not only the right thing to do, it’s a beneficial thing to do. It’s a life-giving thing to do. (Hating reproof? Well, the Teacher is clear that hating reproof just isn’t going to end well.)

As I chew on reproof this morning, I know I need to make preparation to listen to reproof. (Did I mention it doesn’t come naturally?) I also know I can’t do that prep work on my own. While I can purpose to put down pride and seek to humble myself, it is the Spirit’s work in me that will ultimately enable me to embrace reproof as, in fact, life-giving and to believe that reproof really is an integral means of growing in wisdom.

Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief.

By Your grace. For Your glory.

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Remember Me

Posted on August 18, 2025 by Pete

It’s the two-word prayer that hits me every time I wrap up reading Nehemiah. A two-word prayer that almost always leaves me a little uncomfortable. A two-word prayer that feels self-serving at first, but which, after considering the character of the one praying it, fleshes out as but the inevitable petition of someone who has worked so hard at leading and building for God’s glory. The prayer of someone who has successfully built a wall which stands fast but has come up short as part of a people which have proved so fickle.

Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and do not wipe out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God and for his service.

Remember this also in my favor, O my God, and spare me according to the greatness of your steadfast love.

Remember me, O my God, for good.

(Nehemiah 13:14, 22b, 31b ESV)

Remember me . . . Not the first time I’ve chewed on this two-word prayer.

But as I go back and read my Nehemiah 13 journal entries in 2011 and 2024, I remain convinced that these aren’t just the prayers of a flawed, self-centered, ego-driven leader. That’s not who Nehemiah was. Instead, they are the prayers of a faithful cupbearer who was called to a formidable task and was willing to try and lead a somewhat flakey people. Walls are easy to rebuild. People’s godliness? Not so much.

So, at the end of the day, when Nehemiah looks back and sees a measure of success evidenced by the rock wall surrounding the city and yet still sees the mess of a flesh-enslaved, heart-hardened people within the city, what’s left, in a sense, but to pray before the God who has called you to such a great work, “Remember me?” I can almost hear the words of Paul in this prayer: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2Tim. 4:7).

Under a covenant of works, the only basis for asking God to “Remember me” would be how hard you’ve fought, how fast you’ve run, how well you’ve kept on keeping on. God’s blessing tied to your labor. God’s favor found in your best efforts to reestablish God’s kingdom by rebuilding a wall and by reforming a people.

But Nehemiah could see that, despite all his efforts, a rebuilt wall wasn’t enough to reform a people. He could see that his attempts at mandating and enforcing obedience fell far short of achieving revival. And so, as God looks upon a people who still cozy up to the enemy (13:7); who are still neglecting the temple (13:10); who are still doing business on the Sabbath (13:15); and who are still binding themselves to the world (13:2); Nehemiah’s prayer really is a prayer for God’s grace.

So, is it a foreshadowing of another “remember me” prayer?

One of the criminals who were hanged railed at [Jesus], saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”

(Luke 23:39-42 ESV)

Remember me . . .

Not for what I’ve done, but in spite of what I’ve done. Not for my successes, but because of Your sacrifice. Not because I’ve been faithful, because You are faithful.

Nehemiah wasn’t vying for God’s favor because he thought he deserved it, he was praying for God’s favor because He could see he didn’t.

Casting himself upon God’s grace.

Doing all he did — even praying, “Remember me” — for God’s glory.

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Forgiven. Not Forgotten

Posted on August 14, 2025 by Pete

Okay, here’s one of those thoughts that I think is a valid thought but, to be honest, as I type this I’m kind of hearing it put this way for the first time myself. If not entirely correct, it’s at least something to chew on. The thought? God forgives but He doesn’t forget — and neither should we.

What’s prompting this thought this morning? Nehemiah 9.

Now on the twenty-fourth day of this month the people of Israel were assembled with fasting and in sackcloth, and with earth on their heads. And the Israelites separated themselves from all foreigners and stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers. And they stood up in their place and read from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God for a quarter of the day; for another quarter of it they made confession and worshiped the LORD their God.

(Nehemiah 9:1-3 ESV)

How’s that for a Sunday morning service that’s gone a bit over time? Six hours of bible, six hours of confession and worship? And the rest of Nehemiah 9 records some of that confession — and it is stuff that’s been confessed and repented of before. Nehemiah 9 has a familiar ring, reminding me of other OT passages that recount the deliverance of Israel and the iniquities of their fathers. One of those passages rehearsing again Israel’s history as marked by a repeated cycle of Israel’s rebellion, God’s just retribution, Israel’s repentance, and God’s gracious restoration.

“Nevertheless, they were disobedient and rebelled against You and cast Your law behind their back and killed Your prophets, who had warned them in order to turn them back to You, and they committed great blasphemies. Therefore You gave them into the hand of their enemies, who made them suffer. And in the time of their suffering they cried out to You and You heard them from heaven, and according to Your great mercies You gave them saviors who saved them from the hand of their enemies. But after they had rest they did evil again before You and You abandoned them to the hand of their enemies, so that they had dominion over them. Yet when they turned and cried to You, You heard from heaven, and many times You delivered them according to Your mercies . . . in Your great mercies You did not make an end of them or forsake them, for You are a gracious and merciful God.”

(Nehemiah 9:26-28, 31b ESV)

The purpose would seem clear, rehearsing the sins of the past has a way of keeping you humble in the present and of helping you achieve your desire to not repeat those sins in the future. To confess what’s already been confessed has a way of reminding us of our always present need for a forgiving God and has a way of refueling within us worship for a gracious and merciful God.

And yet, from my perspective, rarely is confession of past sins found in our corporate gatherings. Maybe because it’s not found as often as it should be in my personal times with the LORD. And that perhaps because we know that when we confess our sins He is just and faithful to forgive us our sins (1Jn. 1:9), but also think that when we confess our sins God forgets our sins and thus, so should we. But does He?

Maybe we get the idea that God forgets our sins from a verse like Psalm 103:12. But it doesn’t say that God forgets our sin. Instead it assures us of the distance God puts between us and our sin — putting off sin’s guilt and shame and eternal consequence “as far as the east is from the west.” Our sin forgiven, but not necessarily forgotten.

So, for me to again recall and remember my transgression is to again wonder and worship at just how far the east is from the west — what an infinite space it is — and to, in some measure, “have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is” (Eph. 3:18 NLT).

Is it okay to suggest that while our sins are forgiven, they should not be forgotten? Not that the sins of our past would be brought up repeatedly by our enemy, the Accuser, to harass us, but that they would be used instead by the Spirit to ever humble us. Not that we would live again in the shame, but that we would celebrate afresh the Savior.

Our sins — forgiven, not forgotten.

That we might always abide in His grace. That we might never cease to give Him the glory.

Make sense?

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A Tree of Life

Posted on August 12, 2025 by Pete

It’s a three-word phrase that’s caught my attention this morning. Not an obscure phrase, but one pretty well known. Doing a bit of e-concordance work and I find the phrase occurs only 11 times in my bible and pops up in just three areas of my bible — two of which I am pretty familiar with, the third a bit of a surprise.

The term? Tree of life.

You know, as in the tree of life found at the beginning of our bibles, the one located in the garden of Eden. The tree found alongside the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Gen. 2:9). The tree that to eat of it is to live forever (Gen. 3:22). The tree guarded by an angel with a flaming sword after the first tenants of the garden are evicted for rebellion (Gen. 3:24).

It’s the tree you then read of at the end of your bible, in Eden restored, the promised paradise of God (Rev. 2:7). The tree that bears fruit along the river which runs through the holy city come down from heaven (Rev. 22:2). The tree where again, men and women are freely given access (Rev. 22:14). The tree which, to share in, is to have eternal life in the presence of God (Rev. 22:19) — just as it was in the beginning.

And the third section of my bible where the tree of life is found? It’s where it caught my attention this morning.

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,
       and whoever captures souls is wise.

(Proverbs 11:30 ESV)

It’s kind of a “binary world” in Proverbs. It talks of either “the righteous” or “the wicked”. You’re one or you’re the other. I shade in red the truths about “the righteous” ’cause that’s who the people of God are, that’s who I am.

Not that I am righteous in my worth or works, but that through faith in Christ, I’m counted as righteous (Php. 3:9). Because Jesus who knew no sin became sin for us, we now bear the righteousness of God in Him (2Cor. 5:21). And so this morning, because I’m wearing, as it were, a robe of righteousness, the garments of salvation (Isa. 61:10), I take note of things about “the righteous.”

In this case it’s that the fruit of the righteous is a tree of life. I am not the tree of life, but I bear (or, at least should) its fruit. Okay, so who is that tree of life? Well that too is found in Proverbs.

Blessed is the one who finds wisdom,
       and the one who gets understanding,
for the gain from her is better than gain from silver
       and her profit better than gold.
She is more precious than jewels,
       and nothing you desire can compare with her.
Long life is in her right hand;
       in her left hand are riches and honor.
Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
       and all her paths are peace.
She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her;
       those who hold her fast are called blessed.

(Proverbs 3:13-18 ESV)

Wisdom . . . is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her. And I’ve come to believe that “wisdom” is code for Jesus in the book of Proverbs. So those who lay hold of wisdom, aka Jesus, bear fruit in kind. We are purveyors of eternal life. Messengers of paradise lost being restored. Ambassadors of an Eden to come where God again walks with His people in the cool of the day (Gen. 3:8). Abiding in Jesus, we bear the fruit of Jesus (Jn. 15:4-5).

Hmm . . . The tree of life, found only in three areas of the Bible, one of those Proverbs. Who knew?

Hmm, again . . . A tree of life, the fruit of the righteous . . . my fruit. Who knew, again?

By His grace. For His glory.

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With the Help of God

Posted on August 11, 2025 by Pete

I was at a retreat last week connecting with some missionary-pastors and their wives. I’m on the board of a ministry which sends these faithful saints to lesser-known (some of them WAY lesser-known) rural places in America. Many of these places are smaller than small towns — in a bygone era they were referred to frequently as “villages.” And for over 75 years, Village Missions has been sending these called shepherds to small, country churches. The Mission pays the salary where the church can’t afford a salary. It cares for these missionary-pastors and their families in these more remote places so they know they aren’t alone. All in all, it was a great week to hear their stories as they took a week to rest, renew, and re-energize. Know of someone who is being called into pastoral ministry and has a missionary bent? Point them in the direction of VM.

And as I hung with these fellow laborers and got to hear them share about their work, I was also reading in Nehemiah and was reminded of something concerning his work.

Opposition. The enemies of God. They have a way of showing up when God’s people, called to God’s work, start laying it down. Nehemiah’s case in point? A restoration project back in “the province Beyond the River” (Neh. 2:7).

Stirred by God, confirmed through prayer, Nehemiah, a Jewish cupbearer to the Persian King, asks his boss for a leave to return to his homeland, Israel, to attend to rebuilding the walls of its capital, Jerusalem. And because “the good hand of my God was upon me”, says Nehemiah, the king grants his request (Neh. 2:5-8).

But the favor of the king, and the good hand of his God, were not to be confused with no opposition to the undertaking. From the get-go, there were those in power who were “displeased” at Nehemiah’s return and intent (Neh. 2:9). The enemies of God’s people “jeered” at Nehemiah & Co., and “despised” them as they made preparation to rebuild the wall. As the work got underway, and as progress was being made, “they were angry and greatly enraged” and continued to taunt the workers (Neh. 4:1). But the people had a mind to work, and the wall was being “joined to together” (Neh. 4:6).

And, as the height of the wall increased, so did the counteraction. The enemies of God “plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause confusion in it” (Neh. 4:7). But when the walls-builders added swords and spears to their toolkits, when they by faith looked to the Lord, “who is great and awesome” and believed that “our God will fight for us”, their enemies backed down and the walls continued to raise up (Neh. 4:14-23).

But then, a change in tactic. Rather than brute force leveled at all God’s people, the enemy targets Nehemiah specifically. They wanted to “meet together” to talk things through. “But,” says Nehemiah, “they intended to me harm” (Neh. 6:2). They then start a smear campaign. They write letters to the king making false accusations that Nehemiah’s real intention in wanting to the rebuild Jerusalem was to rebel against the king. But Nehemiah stood fast amidst the dirty politics and fake news knowing that what they really wanted was to “frighten us, thinking, ‘Their hands will drop from the work, and it will not be done'” (Neh. 6:8-9). As a last resort, they then go after Nehemiah’s character, trying to trip him up in sin, “so they could give me a bad name in order to taunt me” (Neh. 6:13).

The opposition was relentless.

Yet the work was accomplished.

So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty-two days. And when all our enemies heard of it, all the nations around us were afraid and fell greatly in their own esteem, for they perceived that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God.

(Nehemiah 6:15-16 ESV)

This work had been accomplished with the help of our God . . . That’s what I’m chewing on this morning.

Fifty-two days. Two months. Doesn’t seem like a lot of time to rebuild the walls around a great city. But it wasn’t just two months of focused, hard labor, it was two months of persistent physical and mental assault by God’s enemies. While the people had a mind to work, their enemies had a mind to demoralize and derail. And yet, the work was accomplished.

How? With the help of our God.

Whether it’s rebuilding the wall of an ancient city or building the kingdom of heaven in small, rural communities, the work of God will certainly encounter opposition. But God’s work will prevail!

With the help of our God.

“I will build My church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” ~ Jesus

(Matthew 16:18 ESV)

By His grace. For His glory.

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The Way of Life

Posted on August 1, 2025 by Pete

“The way of life” — that’s the phrase that caught my attention this morning. Sounds kind of important. Sounds like something, though perhaps not the only thing, that’s foundational to thriving. While it may not be a heart or a brain, it sounds like, at the very least, it’s gonna be a major artery or a vital organ. That if having a full life is my goal, then being aware of this “way” is going to be pretty important.

For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light,
       and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life.

(Proverbs 6:23 ESV)

First thing that hits me about this verse is its similarity to a song of David, a song by Amy, a song I’ve often sung.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet,
       and a light unto my path.

(Psalm 119:105 KJV)

So, while Solomon may be specifically exhorting his son to to keep his “father’s commandment” and to not forsake his “mother’s teaching” (Prov. 6:20), I’m feeling comfortable extending the application to my Father’s word. It too I’d do well to bind on my heart and tie around my neck, confident that it also will lead me as I walk, guard me while I sleep, and talk with with me when I awake (Prov. 6:21-23). Because His word truly is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

But what about its reproofs of discipline? Do I really think they are the way of life?

Do I value rebuke as I would a major artery? Do I long for the kindness of God calling out my sin (Rom. 2:4b) — whether by His voice directly through His word or indirectly through the “wounds” of a brother or a sister (Prov. 27:6a) — so that I’m lead to repent of my sin and confess my sin and receive the free flow of the blood of Jesus to wash away my sin (1Jn. 1:9)? I know I’m not perfect, but when’s the last time the reproofs of discipline actually specifically called out some imperfection?

If I’m honest, I don’t much like reproof. Don’t much care for rebuke. Just as soon avoid correction. Happy to keep relationships — whether with my God or with my brothers and sisters in Christ — at an arms length and at a surface level so that I don’t have to receive “the gift” of honest input.

But what if the reproofs of discipline really are the way of life? Then wouldn’t I want to be firing on all cylinders? Wouldn’t I embrace a lamp that actually shines a light which exposes the darkness? Wouldn’t I want this vital organ for Christian living welcomely and gratefully and fully functioning? I’m thinkin’ . . .

So, why would I bristle at reproof? Or, when I do accept reproof and concede to rebuke, I often do so begrudgingly? I’m thinking, at the least, it’s a combo of too much pride and too little gospel. Of thinking too much of self, and of not depending enough on the Savior. Of putting my confidence in my grit and not casting myself on His grace. So that, when I do get caught up in sin, my “go to” is to try and cover up my sin.

But if I’m picking up what the Spirit, through Solomon, is laying down, I need to believe the reproofs of discipline really are the way of life and embrace them as the goodness of God. The goodness of the One who has given me life and wants me to have it abundantly (Jn. 10:10).

Reproof. The way of life. Sounds kind of important.

Only by His grace. Welcomed for His glory.

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The Wisdom of God in Our Hand

Posted on July 31, 2025 by Pete

It’s a favorite line from Aladdin. It’s also a phrase that comes to mind, from time to time, as I read Scripture. And it comes to mind again this morning as I read in Ezra 7. Like the “genie gig”, the word of God, in a sense, is “phenomenal cosmic powers, itty-bitty living space.”

Love Ezra. One my heroes of faith. Inspiring because he was a man of the word. “A scribe skilled in the Law of Moses” (Ezra 7:6). A guy who had “set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach His statutes and rules in Israel” (Ezra 7:10). Though not a temple builder, per se, integral to revitalizing temple worship in Jerusalem as he “opened the book” for God’s people (Neh. 8).

But here’s my observation this morning, not about Ezra but about the book. The Spirit identifies it in a number of ways. It is the “the Law of Moses” which God had given (Ez. 7:6). It is the “the Law of the LORD” which Ezra purposed to study (Ez. 7:10). And the Spirit moves a pagan king to recognize something transcendent about the book, as well, referring to it as “the Law of the God of heaven” (Ez. 7:12), that which is “decreed by the God of heaven” (Ez. 7:23). But here’s the identifier for God’s revelation that’s pushed the button on the old awe-o-meter this morning . . .

“And you, Ezra, according to the wisdom of your God that is in your hand, appoint magistrates and judges who may judge all the people in the province Beyond the River, all such as know the laws of your God. And those who do not know them, you shall teach.”

(Ezra 7:27 ESV)

The wisdom of your God that is in your hand . . .

A couple of days ago I read that by wisdom the LORD founded the earth (Prov. 3:19) — sounds like phenomenal cosmic power to me. And today I read that Ezra had the same wisdom in his hand — talk about your itty-bitty living space. Kind of jaw-dropping, huh?

And that wisdom is open in front me this morning on my desk, a pretty small book on a not much bigger desktop. It’s the living and active word of God, “sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Heb. 4:12). Communicating thoughts not my thoughts and ways not my ways, thoughts and ways that, like the heavens, “are higher than the earth” (Isa. 55:8-9). God-breathed (2Tim. 3:16). Able to transform lives through the renewing of the mind, making known “what is the will of God” (Rom. 12:2). If that isn’t phenomenal cosmic power, I’m not sure what is.

The wisdom of God in your hand. Talk about an “at will” encounter of the divine kind!

Oh, that all God’s people would be like Ezra. That the wisdom of God in our hand would be sought, studied, obeyed, and taught.

By His grace. For His glory.

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Take a Seat . . . Down There

Posted on July 30, 2025 by Pete

Not the first time I’ve read this parable. Not the first I’ve paused to noodle on it. Not the first time I’ve been challenged to apply it. But I do think it’s the first time I’ve noticed that Jesus noticed.

Context: Jesus is dining at the “the house of a ruler of the Pharisees” and those Pharisees have their eyes on Jesus, “they were watching Him carefully” (Luke 14:1). Literally, they kept a “close eye” on Him. As Peterson puts it, they were “watching His every move” (MSG). But they weren’t the only ones in observation mode.

Now He told a parable to those who were invited, when He noticed how they chose the places of honor.

(Luke 14:7a ESV)

He noticed . . . those two words are giving me something to chew on this morning.

Jesus “held upon.” He paid attention to. He took note of. He saw, He marked, He retained.

And, while we know that the One who created all things knows all things, the Spirit focuses on this particular thing that Jesus notices. He catches sight of those making a beeline for the best seats. He does a double-take toward those who are elbowing their way to front-row, center. He spots those who are set on being as close as they can to the spotlight. Seems like kind of an insignificant thing for the One who sustains all things to be bothered with. Evidently not.

For not only does Jesus notice, Jesus thinks it important enough to comment.

“When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him, and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this person,’ and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” ~ Jesus

(Luke 14:8-11 ESV)

“Be seated with Me in the heavenlies (Eph. 2:6)”, says Jesus, “but find a seat down there” — go and sit in the lowest place.

Literally, “take the last place.” Humble yourself, make yourself low, and go sit where no one really wants to sit. If anyone wants to be first, let him be last (Mk. 9:35). If anyone wants to be great, let her be the servant of all (Mk. 10:43-44). For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. That’s the way of the kingdom.

Worth noticing? I’m thinkin’ . . . Jesus does.

Oh, to be willing to go and sit in the lowest place. To take a seat . . . down there.

By His grace. For His glory.

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.

(Mark 10:45 ESV)

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