Tag Archives: in this world not of this world

One of the Exiles

Posted on November 17, 2025 by Pete

You’d think that after 65+ years in the land, he’d be recognized as one of them. That after being trained among the king’s elite; after having risen meteorically within the king’s courts; after being retained as a top official by … Continue reading →

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Whose Rules Are We Playing By?

Posted on October 30, 2024 by Pete

Read Ezekiel and you realize how creative God is in describing the sin of His people. Actually, maybe it’s not so much God’s creativity as it is sin’s multiplicity — the root of sin manifesting itself in many and various … Continue reading →

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I Might Have to Vote for It, But . . .

Posted on October 15, 2024 by Pete

They were “elect exiles” (1Pet. 1:1). They were dealing with the circumstances of their here and now even as they “set their hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1:13). … Continue reading →

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Love For This Present World

Posted on August 16, 2024 by Pete

If it meant he loved money more than he loved Jesus, I think I can distance myself from the guy. If it meant that he loved “the pleasure of sin for a season” (Heb. 11:25 KJV), more than he loved … Continue reading →

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Do Not Love the World

Posted on November 6, 2023 by Pete

As far as “commands to obey” go, I’m guessing it’s pretty well known among believers. Probably among the first we learned when first we were coached on what it means to die to self, take up the cross, and follow … Continue reading →

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Greatest Passion, Greatest Pleasure

Posted on October 6, 2022 by Pete

There’s no way you read this and it shouldn’t give pause. No way you encounter James’ emphatic statement and subsequent warning and, for a moment at least, do a quick heart check. Better yet, when it comes to discerning friendship … Continue reading →

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Doing What’s Right

Posted on October 19, 2021 by Pete

Would it be accurate to say that our natural tendency when doing what’s right is that we want what we’re doing to be deemed as right? That it’s hard to stand for what is true when the world around you … Continue reading →

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A Caution About Imitating the Wrong Stuff

Posted on June 17, 2021 by Pete

It seems he was an innovator. A collaborator. An imitator. Ahaz, king of Judah, took the things of God and thought he could improve on them. He visited other nations and partnered with them to bring the best of their … Continue reading →

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Entering the Kingdom

Posted on April 22, 2021 by Pete

Hovering over the story of the rich young guy who came to Jesus in order to complete his portfolio. He already had “great possessions” (Mk. 10:22b), but wanted to know how to invest wisely so as to “inherit eternal life” … Continue reading →

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When There’s No King . . .

Posted on April 13, 2021 by Pete

Continuing to read in Judges this morning. And encountered the first of four repeated strikings of an ominous gong. In those days there was no king in Israel. That gong sounds in Judges 17:6, 18:1, 19:1, and 21:25. Implication? It … Continue reading →

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