Refocusing on What Matters Most

“There’s something that gnaws at me, quietly but persistently—like termites eating through the foundation of my soul. Years ago, I was certain nothing mattered more than knowing God. I still believe that in my head, but my life doesn’t always show it. Too often, I slip into spiritual apathy, living as if God is a faded memory rather than the heartbeat of my existence.”

—Bill Perkins, Six Battles Every Man Must Win

This thought from Bill Perkins deeply resonates with me. In my heart, I know my life flows from my relationship with God. I have had those moments when everything felt clear—when it seems like God and I are walking side by side. But I also have to admit that more often than not, I act like I’m the one in control, walking through life as if God’s voice has faded into the background.

It is easy to lose sight of the life God has for us. The reality of daily demands—work deadlines, endless notifications, family responsibilities, and the pressure to keep up—push us along. In this chaos of life, God becomes an afterthought, crowded out by what feels urgent and important. How do we break that cycle? How do we refocus our lives on God when the world screams for our attention? Here are three steps I’ve found that help me stay connected to God.

1. Remember What’s Temporary

The first step is a reality check: the life we know is slipping away. We pour energy into accumulating stuff—new gadgets, social media likes, career wins—only to watch them lose their value. Athletes retire, awards gather dust, tech gets outdated, and trends vanish. As the Apostle John put it, “This world is fading away, along with everything it craves” (1 John 2:17a, NLT). This is why it is important to recognize the fleeting nature of this life. It helps shift our perspective. It reminds us of what lasts: love, faith, and hope. When we fix our eyes on what endures then the reality of life is put into proper perspective.

2. Worship God

The second step is worship—not just singing on Sunday, but creating a posture of gratitude and love for God in our hearts. Worship can look like belting out a praise song in the car, journaling a prayer, listening to a podcast that stirs your faith, or walking through nature in awe of God’s creation. Psalm 150:1-2 (NLT) says, “Praise the LORD! Praise God in his heavenly dwelling; praise him in his mighty heaven! Praise him for his mighty works; praise his unequaled greatness!” When we stop to worship, we lift our gaze from the to-do list and focus on our Creator and Savior. This act is like hitting reset—suddenly, the noise of life fades, and God is returned to His rightful place in our lives.

3. Prioritize Relationships Over Things

Finally, we need value our relationships. People matter more than possessions or achievements. Unfortunately this truth is forgotten, and we put a premium on what we have and what we can do. Jesus said, “Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples” (John 13:34-35, NLT). Investing time in family, friends, coworkers, or even a stranger at the coffee shop isn’t just about being nice—it is loving what God loves: people created in His image. A kind word, a shared meal, a listening ear: these small acts ripple into influence. And influence, not power or status, is what changes lives of the people we know and love.

Choosing the Better Way

When life feels overwhelming and God feels far away, it is an indication that we need to hit pause. After all, we have a choice to make. We can let the current of demands carry us along the path of life, or we can choose to reorient our hearts with the heart of God. That choice is ours to make—and honestly, I can’t think of a better way to live than a life lived for God. It is crucial to remember that this is not about perfection; it’s about the direction of our lives. A life rooted in God doesn’t just wander aimlessly, following the directions of culture—it walks the narrow way following Jesus.

What about you? How do you refocus when the world pulls you off course?

Pledge Your Allegiance to King Jesus: A Conversation on the American Church, Patriotism, and Politics

The following is an experiment I ran with ChatGPT. I asked it: “Could you help me do an interview style blog post? You can ask me questions and I write my response. When it is all done you can put it into a single document. I would like to have a conversation about the American Church, patriotism, and politics.” 

This is the result.

Paul’s Ponderings Interview | July 2025

In this special edition of Paul’s Ponderings, we sat down with pastor and blogger Paul Steele to discuss a topic that’s as timely as it is complicated: how the American Church navigates patriotism, politics, and allegiance to Jesus. What follows is a candid and thoughtful conversation about discipleship, division, and what it really means to belong to God’s Kingdom.

Q: When you look at the American Church today, what gives you hope? And what concerns you the most?

Paul:

What gives me hope is a renewed emphasis on discipleship and a clearer call to allegiance to King Jesus. After decades of “church growth” focused primarily on Sunday morning worship services, more and more people are talking about the importance of actual disciples as the true metric of church health.

Along with that shift are scholars like N.T. Wright, Scot McKnight, and Matthew Bates, who help reframe the Gospel as the story of Jesus and how He became King. Therefore, the only appropriate response to that reality is allegiance to the King.

My concern, when it comes to the American Church, is politics—and this is both a right and a left issue. Conservative Christians and Progressive Christians alike want to use politics and the U.S. government to do the work of the Kingdom. This has caused deep divisions. Especially on the conservative side, there’s been an unhealthy merging of Republican politics with the Church itself.

Q: You mentioned allegiance to King Jesus. How does that allegiance shape the way Christians should relate to their nation—especially when patriotic values seem to conflict with Kingdom values?

Paul:

This has been something I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about. In the United States, it’s been possible for a long time to hold dual allegiance—to the country and to Jesus. This is rooted in the belief that the U.S. is a Christian nation. While there’s no doubt that Christian values influenced the founders, that influence is often overstated.

Because of that, patriotism can feel like an extension of our faith. That’s why it’s so important to emphasize that our first allegiance is to King Jesus and His Kingdom. With that as our foundation, we can live out Jeremiah’s call to the exiles—to seek the good of the community. As citizens of Heaven, we work for the good of our communities, and since we have a voice through voting and activism, we should use it.

But we also need to remain humble. We might have strong preferences for how government should work, but we don’t always know the unintended consequences of policies. So we should be grateful for the freedoms we enjoy and seek to influence society—remembering that God’s Kingdom is ultimately about His people demonstrating His character, not about enforcing human laws.

Q: In your experience as a pastor, how have you seen politics impact the life and unity of the church—both positively and negatively?

Paul:

To be honest, I don’t have a lot to say about politics having a positive impact on church unity. From my experience, it’s mostly been negative. And I have to admit—I’ve contributed to that. Between 2014 and 2017, I went through what I call my “obnoxious libertarian” phase. I used Facebook (and even the pulpit) to challenge conservative political assumptions. In 2017, a church member called me out on it, and that really made me reflect on how my own political ideology was shaping how I interpreted the Bible—just like I had criticized others for doing.

We’ve had people leave the church from both sides—left-leaning folks who felt out of place among outspoken conservatives, and others who left during COVID because they felt we didn’t open fast enough. Politics can unify, but only temporarily—and usually only if everyone thinks the same way. The downside is that it creates an environment where anyone who doesn’t share those values doesn’t feel like they belong.

It’s also become harder to preach on biblical themes like justice, the role of women, or loving enemies without being accused of “going woke.” Too many Christians let politics shape how they read the Bible, instead of letting the Bible shape their politics.

Q: How do you personally navigate the tension between being politically aware and engaged, while resisting the pull to place your hope in politics?

Paul:

It starts by remembering that I’m first and foremost a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven. One of the disciplines that helps me is to daily pledge my allegiance to King Jesus and declare that I am a loyal citizen of His Kingdom. Without that intentional reminder, it’s easy to get pulled into the political drama of the day.

Once I’ve grounded myself in that identity, I can think about my responsibility as a Kingdom representative. That includes prayer—1 Timothy 2:1–4 teaches us to pray for leaders so we can live peaceful, quiet lives. It also includes being a good steward of our freedom through voting and activism.

But I always try to hold my preferences with humility. I’m not wise enough to see all the consequences of the policies I support. And above all, I want to love my neighbor well. The Kingdom isn’t going to come through elections and laws—it’s going to come through love and living out God’s character in the world.

Q: What does it look like for you, as a pastor, to disciple people who are deeply shaped by political ideologies? How do you lead them toward deeper allegiance to Jesus without alienating them?

Paul:

That’s the million-dollar question. A lot of pastors are trying to navigate these dangerous waters of politics and faith. And as I’ve said, this is not something I’ve always handled well.

More than anything, I think we need to create an atmosphere where we let the Bible speak. I often remind people: “The Bible is written for us, but not to us.” We need to read Scripture through the lens of the original audience, not through modern political categories. Once we understand the original message, we can apply it to our context today.

The goal is to avoid unnecessary labels like “woke” or “bigot” and instead ask: “What would the original hearers have understood this to mean?”

I also want people to see that from a Kingdom perspective, our greatest tools for political impact are prayer and disciple-making. Changing hearts will change communities. So my job is to teach the Bible clearly and trust the Holy Spirit to convict people where needed. Whenever we challenge someone’s political views, we risk defensiveness. So we lead with Scripture, with love, and with trust in God’s timing.

Q: If you could offer one message to the American Church in this cultural and political moment, what would it be?

Paul:

It would simply be: “Pledge your allegiance to King Jesus.”

In Matthew 6:24, Jesus teaches that we cannot serve two masters. It’s hard to help people see that politics and patriotism can compete with allegiance to Jesus—but that’s often what’s happening. So I want to encourage the Church to obey the truth of Scripture and place our faith, trust, and loyalty in Jesus above all else.

Final Thoughts:

This conversation reminds us that while politics has a place, it should never take the throne. True transformation doesn’t come through elections or policies—it comes through prayer, discipleship, humility, and radical allegiance to King Jesus.

Clarity: How Should We Think about Gender?

Part of the Clarity Series: Building a Christian Worldview

In this Clarity series, we’re building a Christian worldview to help us navigate life’s toughest topics. So far, we’ve explored spiritual warfare, the Bible’s trustworthiness, the relationship between science and faith, political identity, the End Times, and biblical morality.

Today, we turn to a topic that shapes relationships, culture, and the church: How should we think about gender?

The Big Idea:

God’s desire is for men and women to work together in unity for His Kingdom, reflecting His image in partnership.

The Lens of Our Worldview

Imagine a builder tasked with constructing a magnificent house. He’s given blueprints and tools but decides to ignore the plans and follow his own instincts. The result? A structure far from the original vision—distorted and incomplete.

That’s what happens when we ignore God’s Word, the blueprint for life. The Bible is a gift from God to help us know Him, understand His will, and build a worldview that reflects His character. Even when we disagree, a shared biblical foundation unifies us and anchors us in truth.

Gender might not seem like a “difficult” topic at first glance, but it deeply affects how we approach marriage, leadership, relationships, identity, and church life. If we want clarity, we must understand:

• God’s design for men and women,
• how sin distorted that design, and
• how the Gospel restores it.

God’s Design for Gender

To think clearly about gender, we begin in Genesis—with creation.

1. Created in God’s Image (Genesis 1:26–28)

Both men and women are made in the image of God, called to reflect His character and co-rule over creation. Masculinity and femininity are not opposites—they are complementary expressions of God’s nature. Together, they reveal God more fully than either could alone.

2. A Helper and a Partner (Genesis 2:18–25)

When God created Eve, He called her a “helper” fit for Adam. The Hebrew word for “helper” (ezer) is also used of God aiding His people—far from a lesser role, it signifies strength and necessity. The word translated “rib” can also mean “side,” suggesting a unity of two halves. Marriage, in this context, becomes a reunion—man and woman joined together for a common purpose.

3. The Fracture of Sin (Genesis 3:16)

Sin distorted God’s good design. Instead of partnership, domination entered the picture—men ruling over women, and women longing for the unity that was lost. Throughout Scripture, we see the effects of this distortion in stories like Hagar’s, Tamar’s, and countless others. Women are often portrayed not as rebellious, but as victims of broken systems.

Restoration Through the Gospel

The good news of the Gospel doesn’t just reconcile us to God—it begins restoring what sin shattered, including relationships between men and women.

1. Invitation to Discipleship (Luke 10:38–42)

Jesus welcomed women like Mary of Bethany as disciples—something radical in His cultural context. He didn’t relegate women to support roles. He invited them to learn, lead, and participate fully in the Kingdom mission (Luke 8:1–3).

2. Partners in the Mission (Romans 16)

Paul’s ministry depended on both men and women. Of the 28 people mentioned in Romans 16, 10 are women—including Phoebe, a deacon; Priscilla, a teacher; and Junia, possibly an apostle. These women weren’t footnotes—they were central to the Gospel’s expansion.

3. Unity in Christ (Galatians 3:28)

In Christ, “there is no male and female.” This doesn’t erase differences—it removes hierarchy and exclusion. The early church welcomed women into leadership, learning, and even martyrdom. As Rodney Stark points out in The Rise of Christianity, women often outnumbered men in the early church, holding influence in both public witness and house churches.

The Big Idea: Unity in God’s Kingdom

God created men and women to reflect His image together. Sin fractured this partnership, introducing dominance and marginalization. But through Jesus, God restores His design—inviting men and women to serve as equal partners in Kingdom work.

We must not overlook anyone’s contributions based on gender, race, or social status. In God’s Kingdom, every gift matters. Unity is not uniformity, but a Spirit-empowered harmony of purpose, dignity, and mutual service.

Your Challenge

Take time this week to examine your heart:

• Am I living as if men and women are equal partners in God’s Kingdom?
• Have I undervalued someone’s voice or gifts based on gender?
• Am I encouraging others to serve, lead, and reflect God’s image—regardless of role or background?

Let’s model God’s design by affirming one another, walking in unity, and using our gifts to reflect His character in the world.

Tying It to Our Worldview

The Clarity series helps us build a biblical lens for life:

• Spiritual warfare teaches us to stand firm in Christ.
• The Bible grounds us in truth.
• Science and faith are complementary tools for understanding God’s world.
• Politics remind us of our allegiance to King Jesus.
• The End Times call us to live faithfully.
• Morality shapes our witness.

Now, gender calls us to reflect God’s design through Spirit-empowered partnership.

Closing Prayer

• Thank You, God, for creating both men and women in Your image.
• Give us wisdom to honor Your design and partner in Your mission.
• Shape us, Holy Spirit, to reflect Your love and unity in the church and the world.

If you have questions or feel God calling you to take a step of faith, please reach out. I want to encourage you to create places where men and women walk side by side—reflecting the glory of our King.

Kept for Christ: The Danger Within

 

Have you ever followed someone you trusted—only to realize too late they led you in the wrong direction?

Imagine you’re on a hike in a dense forest. The path is narrow, and you’re following a trusted guide who knows the way to safety. But then someone else steps in, speaking confidently, using familiar trail markers, and promising an easier path. You follow—only to end up stuck in a swamp, disoriented and in danger.

This is the danger Jude warns us about: false teachers who sound convincing but lead people away from the truth of Jesus.

Last week, we began our series in the book of Jude, exploring how we are called, loved, and kept by God—and how we’re charged with defending the faith against those who distort it (Jude 1:1–4). This week, we dig deeper into who those false teachers are, what they look like, and how we can guard against them. Jude 1:5–16 is a sobering reminder: the greatest threat to the Gospel often comes from within the church, not from outside it.


Jude’s Urgent Warning

Jude, the servant of King Jesus and brother of James, writes with urgency. False teachers have slipped into the church—quietly, dangerously—and their influence is spreading. In these verses, Jude uses vivid illustrations from Israel’s history, angelic rebellion, and even natural imagery to expose their character and highlight the judgment they face.

Let’s walk through the text in three movements: Pattern of Judgment, Character Exposed, and Hidden Dangers.

1. A Pattern of Judgment (Jude 1:5–7)

Jude begins by reminding readers of stories they already know:

• Israel—freed from Egypt, yet judged for unbelief and rebellion.
• Angels—who abandoned their roles and were cast into darkness.
• Sodom and Gomorrah—destroyed for their immorality and rejection of God’s order.

Each example serves as a warning: God takes rebellion seriously. And just like in these historical events, the false teachers in the church are inviting the same fate—for themselves and for those who follow them.

These aren’t harmless misunderstandings. Jude is clear: false teaching leads to destruction.

2. Character Exposed (Jude 1:8–11)

Next, Jude unmasks the character of these deceptive leaders. They:

• Rely on dreams and visions rather than God’s Word.
• Reject spiritual authority—even the angels who delivered God’s law.
• Defile the body—pursuing desires over holiness.

Jude contrasts their arrogance with the humility of Michael the Archangel. Even when disputing with Satan, Michael doesn’t take matters into his own hands—he appeals to God’s authority. False teachers, by contrast, act on impulse, rejecting all accountability.

Jude groups these deceivers with three infamous figures from Scripture:

• Cain—who allowed jealousy and anger to consume him.
• Balaam—who used spiritual influence for personal gain.
• Korah—who rejected God’s appointed leaders and led others into rebellion.

Each of these men caused division and destruction. Jude says: the false teachers are just like them.

3. Hidden Dangers (Jude 1:12–13)

Here Jude shifts to powerful metaphors to show just how dangerous these people are:

• Hidden reefs—they look safe but can destroy the ship.
• Waterless clouds—they promise nourishment but deliver nothing.
• Fruitless trees—they may look alive but are twice dead.
• Wild waves—chaotic, destructive, full of shame.
• Wandering stars—guideless and doomed.

These individuals were even present at the early church’s love feasts—fellowship meals tied to communion. They blended in. That’s the danger. They’re not outside critics—they’re insiders. And their selfishness, false promises, and spiritual manipulation wreak havoc on the faith of others.

4. Their Judgment is Certain (Jude 1:14–16)

Jude closes this section by quoting Enoch, who prophesied judgment against the ungodly. These people don’t just err—they actively oppose God. They:

• Stir discontent.
• Chase their own desires.
• Use flattery to manipulate and control.

Their words may sound spiritual, but their lives reveal the truth. They are not pointing to Jesus—they are using Jesus’ name for their own gain.


How Do We Guard Against False Teaching?

This is a heavy passage, but it’s meant to wake us up—not frighten us. Jude gives us clear ways to stay vigilant:

1. Be Grounded in Scripture

Jude says, “I want to remind you…” This assumes they’ve been taught the truth before. But reminders only help if we’re familiar with the original.

Don’t just read the Bible—study it.

Equip yourself with a good study Bible and a trustworthy one-volume commentary. These tools help you interpret Scripture and discern truth from error.


2. Be Wary of Teachers Who Rely on Private Revelation

When someone constantly says, “God told me…” or bases teaching on dreams and visions, be cautious.

Scripture tells us that prophets should be evaluated (1 Corinthians 14:29) and to rightly divide the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15).

Often, these claims can lead to spiritual manipulation or emotional abuse, especially when paired with authoritative language that bypasses accountability.

3. Watch How They Treat People

Jesus said, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35).

False teachers may talk about love, but their lives tell another story.

Watch for patterns of pride, control, abuse, or manipulation. If their ministry leaves people shipwrecked, wounded, or confused—don’t ignore that. Truth and love always go together.

Final Thoughts: Be Alert. Be Rooted. Be Ready.

The most dangerous teaching isn’t the loudest or most outrageous—it’s the one that quietly replaces Christ with something else, all while quoting Scripture and sounding spiritual. That’s the danger within.

Jude reminds us: God will judge those who distort His truth. But we are not left defenseless.

We have the Holy Spirit, the Scriptures, and one another.

So ask yourself:

• Am I grounded enough in God’s Word to recognize error?
• Am I choosing teachers who faithfully handle Scripture?
• Do I see the Gospel shaping their lives—not just their words?

Big Idea: We must take seriously the danger false teachers pose to our faith.

Not all teaching is good teaching. And if we’re not careful, we can be led away from Jesus—even by those who speak in His name.

A Challenge for the Week: Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you into truth.

This task is too big for us to handle on our own. False teachers don’t wear name tags—and their teachings can be hard to detect. But Jesus promised the Holy Spirit would help us remember His words and discern what is true (John 14:26).

So this week, as you read and reflect on Scripture, invite the Holy Spirit to guide you.Ask for wisdom. Ask for discernment. Ask to be shaped by the truth.

Closing Thought:

The greatest threat to the Gospel isn’t out there in the world—it’s when the truth is twisted within the Church.

Let’s be a people who contend for the faith—with grace-filled hearts, eyes fixed on Jesus, and lives that reflect the truth we proclaim.

Stay rooted. Stay alert. Stay faithful.

And above all, stay close to King Jesus.