Obligation

Posted on August 12, 2026 by Pete

Maybe it’s because I know how short-lived it’s going to be. Maybe it’s because I’ve read these chapters before and I know that eventually Nehemiah is going to resort to literally trying to beat people into obedience (Neh. 13:25). Maybe it’s because, as I read the people’s promises, the old adage seems to ring true that the road to H-E-Double-Hockey-Sticks is paved with good intentions. Whatever the reason, I find myself cringing a bit as I read Nehemiah 10 this morning. And the word that particularly sounds like fingernails on a chalkboard? Obligation.

The walls of Jerusalem have been rebuilt (Neh. 1-7). The word of God has been rediscovered (Neh. 8). And among the people there seems to be a great revival as evidenced by a time of great confession (Neh. 9). And so Nehemiah leads the people into formalizing a great response by signing “a firm covenant in writing” (Neh. 9:38-10-27).

And then, it’s the people’s turn. And with “knowledge and understanding”, they “enter into a curse and an oath to walk in God’s law” (Neh. 10:28-29). They vow not to intermarry with “the peoples of the land” (Neh. 10:30). They promise not to do business on the Sabbath and to leave the land fallow and forgive all debts every seven years (Neh. 10:31). And then – like the screech of a record player needle being dragged across the vinyl – they speak the “o”-word. Twice!

“We also take on ourselves the obligation to give yearly a third part of a shekel for the service of the house of our God . . . We obligate ourselves to bring the firstfruits of our ground and the firstfruits of all fruit of every tree, year by year, to the house of the LORD . . .

(Nehemiah 10:32, 35 ESV)

We take on ourselves this obligation . . .

As I chew on these words that put such a sour taste in my mouth, I can’t help but ask myself, “Self, why such a reaction?”

After all, they are promising to do what they should do. They are covenanting to obey what they should obey. They are taking an oath to observe what they should observe. Even in our current “age of grace” the people of God are to be an obedient people.

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.

(1John 5:3 ESV)

A saved people should be a sanctified people. A redeemed people should be a responsive people. A graced people should be a people holy determined for good works. So, shouldn’t I be cheering on these returned, revived, and responsive saints of old as they determine with holy determination to be a holy people? Yeah, I should.

So, maybe it really isn’t the “o”-word that’s getting stuck in my throat. Maybe it’s the “we take on ourselves” part that causes me to cringe. While their desire to get their act together and walk in the way they should walk is the right desire, to rely on themselves is a recipe for failure. Or as Jesus put it, even where the spirit is willing, “the flesh is weak” (Mt. 26:41). So, we can’t take obedience on ourselves.

Or can we?

The grace of the gospel is not just that our sins are forgiven through the finished work of the cross of Christ, but that obedience is also possible through our union with Christ as “in Him” His perfect obedience becomes the source and the power for our obedience. That it’s not “me” who guts it out to do what I should, but that it’s “we” – for “I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me” (Gal. 2:20).

In that sense, then, these words can be our words. We — me and Jesus — take on ourselves the obligation.

By His grace. For His glory.

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The Joy of the Lord is Your Strength

Posted on August 10, 2026 by Pete

The book of Ecclesiastes says there’s a time for everything, including “a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance” (Eccl. 3:4). For ancient Israel, the first day of the seventh month was a time for dancing. A day not for grief but for joy, not for mourning, but a day for great rejoicing. And so, the people are told, “Go . . . eat . . . drink . . . and share with others. For the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the LORD your God; do not mourn or weep.” For all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law. Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” So the Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be quiet, for this day is holy; do not be grieved.” And all the people went their way to eat and drink and to send portions and to make great rejoicing, because they had understood the words that were declared to them.

(Nehemiah 8:9-12 ESV)

The joy of the LORD is your strength . . . That’s what I’m chewing on this morning.

The people had heard and understood the word of God like they had never heard or understood it before (Neh. 8:1-8). And God’s “living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword” had pierced deeply “to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Heb. 4:12). They had been splayed, their hearts spread wide open, and what they saw wasn’t a pretty sight. Thus, to mourn, to weep, to grieve, were the appropriate responses to such an awareness of unfaithfulness. But not this day. Not on the first day of the seventh month. This day was to be a day of great rejoicing. Because the day was a holy day.

According to the Law of Moses, the first day of the seventh month was to be “a holy convocation” (Num. 29:1), a sacred assembly, a gathering set apart to the LORD. It was to be a day when trumpets were blown. A day when the goodness of God was remembered. A day when the soon-coming celebration of atonement was anticipated. A day to feast and share with others. A day to rejoice. For the joy of the LORD is your strength.

A day set aside so that power would be refueled through praise. Weakness dispelled through worship. Renewal restored through remembrance. A day to be jacked up by joy. (Okay, maybe that’s taking it too far).

Thinking about it, yesterday was kind of that day too. A day when I was invited, as I am every week, to eat and drink and to do so in remembrance of Him. A day when I was called to come and feast by faith, though the table was set with but a small cup of the vine and small portion of bread. A day when, even though the word preached may have pierced my heart and the kindness of God led me to sorrowful repentance, I was called to the table, partook of the elements, remembered the price paid for my salvation, and wondered afresh at the goodness and grace and love of God. And . . . I rejoiced! And in that moment, I knew again what it means that the joy of the LORD is your strength.

Oh, how sweet the sacred assembly. How uplifting the gathering of the saints around the word and around the table. Because it is “a day holy to the LORD your God.” And when we observe what is holy to Him, we leave a little more whole inside. Renewed. Revived. Recalibrated. Ready for another week.

Oh, the joy of the Lord found afresh in remembrance. Oh, the strength that comes from celebrating with the saints His goodness and faithfulness.

Thank God for the church! Thank God for Sunday mornings! Thank God that the joy of the LORD is your strength.

Joy by His grace. Strength for His glory.

Amen?

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A Prudent Son

Posted on August 5, 2026 by Pete

Started in on the proverbs of Proverbs, this morning — those snappy sayings that start up in chapter 10. And for me, these one-liners have sometimes been difficult to digest. And that, I think, for a couple of reasons.

First, often these seemingly black-and-white dynamics describing the way things should work (and will work in the kingdom of God) just don’t play out in this fallen world and its many shades of grey. Sometimes, the disconnect between the described “should be” and what “actually is” gets in the way.

The other thing that can sometimes mute the impact of the proverbs for me is their “to do” nature in the context of my “It is finished” faith. The temptation to take Solomon’s asserted acts of righteousness and think that as I long as I do them then I will be righteous. Yet, my righteousness is found in Christ alone. Get what I’m saying?

But as I chew on the opening verses of Proverbs 10, there may be something here that resolves some of the tension I often feel with the proverbs, a key that unlocks a door. It’s thinking about the difference between being wise and being prudent.

The proverbs of Solomon.

A wise son makes a glad father,
       but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother.
Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit,
       but righteousness delivers from death.
The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry,
       but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.
A slack hand causes poverty,
       but the hand of the diligent makes rich.
He who gathers in summer is a prudent son,
       but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who brings shame.

(Proverbs 10:1-5 ESV)

These one-liners seem to be a section talking about two types of sons. A wise son and a foolish son – aka a prudent son and a son who brings shame. And within the bookends of verses 1 and 5, there are some kingdom principles. Principles as to the impact of the two sons on their parents; the impact on their approach to making a living; the impact of how the LORD looks upon how they make a living; and the different kingdom outcomes one should expect from the hand of the diligent vs. a slack hand.

And verse 5 gives a specific example of what Solomon is generally describing. And it comes down to what the sons do in summer, the way they behave in harvest. It’s whether they gather or sleep which defines whether they are a prudent son or a son who brings shame.

So, am I stretching things too far to say that prudence is the application of wisdom? That if wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord and is the knowledge of the ways and means and dynamics of the kingdom to come, then prudence is the application of those principles. That it’s one thing to know that it’s important to gain treasures in the right way so that one does not go hungry, to be diligent in work in order to know gain, but it’s another thing to actually decide to go be someone who gathers in summer rather than sleeps in harvest. Still making sense?

So, if in Christ — by grace alone through faith alone — I am declared righteous, and, if because of my union with Christ, I have access to the mind of Christ (1Cor. 2:16), the mind of the One who is wisdom in and of Himself, then, in Him, I am a wise son who makes my Father glad. But when, because of who I am — beloved of God — I have a holy desire to wholly live as a wise son, I actually purpose to gather in summer, then I am a prudent son as well. I’m living out who I really am.

So, as I weigh my way through these proverbs, rather than get tripped up by a “works” mindset, I’m to embrace the desire to be a prudent son, putting the way of wisdom, the way of following Jesus, into practice. Not to earn His favor, but because of already having known His favor. I’m to live out these kingdom principles, because I have already been “transferred” (Col. 1:13) into these kingdom realities.

A prudent son. A prudent daughter.

By His grace. For His glory.

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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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