Far Too Easily Pleased

Uncover the life God dreams for you in Shattered Dreams: Far Too Easily Pleased, the powerful finale of our 4-part series. Explore five transformative traits from John 13–17—servanthood, love, abiding in Jesus, Spirit-led guidance, and unity—that reveal God’s vast vision beyond our fragile plans. Inspired by C.S. Lewis, this post challenges us to trade mud pies for infinite joy. Read now and awaken to the unshakable purpose waiting in your brokenness!

Shattered Dreams: Far Too Easily Pleased

Living as New Creation

“The message of the action of God in Christ is concerned with the creation of a new identity, namely, the redeemed person participating in the reconciled society, enjoying fellowship with all creation and with the Creator.”~ Stanley Grenz; Theology for the Community of God

 The mission of Jesus Christ was not just to save people from their sins, but also to create for God a holy people. People who lived the life of Jesus, who experienced true fellowship, and worshipped God in spirit and in truth.

 The reason for this is to participate with God in restoring creation. It is easy to recognize that things are not what they should be, and God desires all those who follow Jesus to participate in the restoration of creation.

 Through the resurrection of Jesus we have the hope of things being made new. That includes us! Remember what the apostle Paul wrote:

 What this means is that those who become Christians become new persons. They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone. A new life has begun! (2 Corinthians 5:17; NLT). 

Becoming new creations isn't something that is reserved for the distant future, but it is meant to be a present reality.

This reality begins the moment we choose to follow Jesus. The problem is, and the reason we don't feel new, is because we still live in a broken, fallen, and sinful world. Our flesh is still drawn to the things of this world, even as our hearts begin to desire the realities of heaven.

See more at Paul's Ponderings: Living as New Creations.

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Commentary: Jesus Holds It Together

Today's post at Paul's Ponderings:

{Colossians 1:17; ESV} 

And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 

One of the books I am reading is the anthology, Contending with Christianity’s Critics, edited by William Lane Craig and Paul Copan. I have read the book before, but this time I wanted to do it with highlighter in hand so I could better digest the book.

The second essay in the book is written by James D. Sinclair and is entitled At Home in the Multiverse? which is a response to the suggestion that the universe we live in is just one of many different universes. If that is the case we shouldn’t be surprised that our universe is fine-tuned for life, and therefore we do not need to postulate God as an explanation for life.

Part of the problem of reading books like this is that I don’t have the background to understand, let alone evaluate, the arguments. Much of the time I feel lost as I try to figure out what is being said. On the one hand this is good because it is a workout for my brain. On the other hand it is dangerous because I can misunderstand an argument and think it says something that it actually does not.

It is into this dangerous ground that I now tread. I fully realize that what follows might be a misrepresentation of what was written and that I may have missed the point, but this point struck me in such a way that I thought I needed to share it. If I understand it correctly then our universe is precisely the type of universe we should expect.

Finish reading He Holds it Together » Paul's Ponderings.

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Trust God With Your Life

Spiritual growth depends on our trust in God.

{James 1:1-4; ESV}

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings.

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

It is no secret that life is filled with heartbreak, disappointment, tragedy, and an assortment of other troubles. We understand that God has not promised us an easy life. We are also aware of His ability to use the junk of our lives to mature our faith and transform us into the people He created us to be. The reason we should find joy in our suffering, is because God redeems our pain to make us new creations.

Yet, we also know that this is easier said than done. When our lives are going smoothly, or at least manageable, we can say, “I trust God no matter what happens.” It is easy to trust to God when things seem to be easy.

When the clouds descend and the storm hits often our trust in God disappears. If we are not careful we may even begin to question God's heart. We may even begin to question His existence.

Read the rest at www.paulsponderings.com. Trust God With Your Life.

 

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Life is all about God

The new Paul's Ponderings has a post reminding us that It is all About God. Jump over there and let me know what you think.

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A Slight Change

There will be a subtle change at Paul’s Ponderings. From now on the focus of Paul’s Ponderings will be short devotions. That means no more politics or other issues. As much as I enjoy discussing politics, it is a distraction for what I want this blog to be about. I started Paul’s Ponderings to provide devotions to the youth I ministered to when I was in youth ministry. Now that I am out of youth ministry I want to provide people with a resource which will provide them with a few thoughts about God’s Word. I hope that Paul’s Ponderings can encourage you as you strive to follow Jesus.

An Old Post

I don't have anything to write about today. I started a couple of ponderings today, but they ended up being deleted. So I thought I might point you to an old post:

When I don’t make God’s Word an important part of my day the struggles with temptation and sin seem to be greater and more out of control which, in turn, overshadows the Truth of God’s love.

You can read the rest of my thoughts at Wallowing in Mud.

I am at Church Camp

This week I am helping with Junior Camp (5th and 6th grade) at Camp Nebowa. I had hoped to find some time to blog, but so far this week I haven't. I taught yesterday and then preach tonight so hopefully I will find some time to post, but I am not going to make any promises. So if you stop by wondering where the posts are this is the reason. So now if I post you can be surprised.

I am on Vacation

...but there will be posts.

Today I am heading off on family vacation. My parents, brother, and I (along with my girlfriend, whom I haven't seen since April) are going to my sister's for the week. We should have lots of fun.

Even though I will be gone I will still post something everyday. I thought that was important since I am coming off a 3-week blog fast. I don't want to lose what few readers I have.

I won't be posting anything from Introduction to the Restoration Ideal this week, we will save that for when I get back. Mainly because I hope to generate some discussion with that and I would like to be around to comment.

Thanks for reading. Have a good week.

Taking A Break

To my few and loyal readers. I wanted to let you know that I am going to be taking a 3 week break from blogging. The main reason is because I have a lot of writing projects happening right now. On top of writing a sermon every week I have a three articles I am working on in and effort to get published plus I have daily morning devotions to write for two weeks of church camp, so I would like to focus on these things and not be distracted by Paul's Ponderings.

A secondary reason is that I would like focus some of my attention on this blog to the Restoration Movement. This has been on my mind for a while, but I couldn't figure out the best way to do it. What I have decided to do is to blog through the book Introduction to the Restoration Ideal by Marshall Leggett. I figure an introduction is a good place to start. During this time I will begin to familiarize with the book so I can blog about effectively.

Now you know why there won't be any up dates for a while. You can continue to visit and browse through the archives, maybe even leave a comment (I do like comments) telling me what you liked or didn't like. Even if you don't come to visit during my absence please come back and check out things when I return on Monday June 23.

God's Holy People: Part 2

In part 1 of this series I pointed out how the follower of Christ is expected to be counter cultural. A Christian has to live differently from the world. It was this stark contrast that set the early Christians apart from the rest of the Roman Empire. Because they lived differently they were beacons of light in a dark world. Remember Jesus wants us to be lights of the world (Matthew 5:14-16).

How we live is a reflection of what we believe. If we want to be lights in this world that shine with God’s love and truth then we have to live in a certain way. This is what the apostle Paul was getting at when he wrote: But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people (Ephesians 5:3; NIV). There is a proper and an improper way for Christ-Followers to live. The Apostle reminds the Ephesians, and us, that we are no longer sinners, no longer pagans, but we are God’s Holy People! We have been set apart and chosen as God’s special instrument to bring His love and grace to the world.

When we understand who we are it effects the way we live. I think one of the struggles we face as we follow Jesus is an uncertainty about our identity. We are keenly aware of the sins that have been in our lives and the struggles we still have with sin. The enemy tells us that we are sinners and that we don’t have what it takes to follow Jesus. What Jesus wants us to remember, and what Paul is reminding us of here in Ephesians, is that your sin is not who you are. You are more than your sin, Jesus died to free you from it, and if we move forward understanding that we are children of God, His Holy People, our sin becomes less and less a part of our identity.

Here is the truth I think the Apostle Paul wants us to get from chapter 5 of his letter to the Ephesians: God’s holy people live differently from the world!

How do we do that? How do we live a life that is so out of step with the world? I believe the Apostle Paul has given us the answers to these questions in this passage from Ephesians.

1 Therefore, be imitators of God as dearly loved children 2 and live in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God. 3 But among you there must not be either sexual immorality, impurity of any kind, or greed, as these are not fitting for the saints. 4 Neither should there be vulgar speech, foolish talk, or coarse jesting - all of which are out of character - but rather thanksgiving. 5 For you can be confident of this one thing: that no person who is immoral, impure, or greedy (such a person is an idolater) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let nobody deceive you with empty words, for because of these things God's wrath comes on the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them, 8 for you were at one time darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of the light - 9 for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth - 10 trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For the things they do in secret are shameful even to mention. 13 But all things being exposed by the light are made evident. 14 For everything made evident is light, and for this reason it says: "Awake, O sleeper! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you!" 15 Therefore be very careful how you live - not as unwise but as wise, 16 taking advantage of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 For this reason do not be foolish, but be wise by understanding what the Lord's will is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, which is debauchery, but be filled by the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music in your hearts to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for each other in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 and submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. (Ephesians 5:1-21; NET)

In part 3 I will look at the first of three ways we are to walk in order to live differently from the world.

• Point to Ponder: God’s holy people are to live differently from the world.
• Passage to Remember: Ephesians 5:3
• Question to Consider: How are you living differently from the world?

God's Holy People: Part 1
God's Holy People: Part 3
God's Holy People: Part 4
God's Holy People: Part 5
God's Holy People: Part 6

Testable Prayers

When we choose not to believe we can throw out any number of “experiments” to prove our position. After all we want to make our position look rational, reasonable, and scientific. When I read this about praying prayers that are testable at Debunking Christianity I just had to laugh. It seems Mr. Loftus has fallen into a similar trap that the religious leaders of Jesus’ day fell into: asking for a sign.

11 The Pharisees arrived and began arguing with Jesus. They tested him by demanding from him a sign from heaven. 12 He sighed deeply in his spirit and said, “Why does this generation demand a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to this generation.” 13 Leaving them, he got into a boat again and crossed to the other side. (Mark 8:11-13; ISV)

The Pharisees demand a sign and Jesus says no. Why? Doesn’t Jesus want them to believe? Believing isn’t the point, faith is the point. While faith begins with belief it is so much more. Faith also requires action, commitment, and trust. Besides the Pharisees weren’t interested in Jesus, they were looking for reasons to discredit Him. Instead of giving them a sign Jesus actually gives them what they are looking for: another reason to “prove” He wasn’t the Messiah. If Jesus couldn’t provide a sign then obviously He isn’t who He says He is.

Why should we expect God to answer our prayers when we make our prayers the equivalent of demanding signs? Remember prayer is not about getting God to do what we want done, prayer is about aligning our wills with God’s will. When we make prayer about anything else we miss the point of prayer. Sure we can take a few verses and use them to prove that prayer is how we manipulate God to do our bidding, but this can only be done if we ignore the rest of what Jesus taught about prayer.

Take Mark 11:24 for example:

24 That is why I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it and it will be yours. (ISV)

Wow! What a promise! The problem is that all I have to do is look at my own life and realize that it isn’t true. I have prayed my share of prayers that weren’t answered, and let’s put away this notion that they were answered but the answer was no. They weren’t answered because I was trying to manipulate God, to show me a sign, or to “bless” me with my hearts desire.

Read what Mark Moore, professor of New Testament at Ozark Christian College, wrote about this passage:

“If we take this passage alone, we could potentially pray for some extravagant and frivolous things (cf. Mk 10:35). A number of other parallel passages place some parameters around our prayers. For example, we should ask:

1. In faith (Mt 21:22), and obedience (1 John 3:22).
2. With persistence (Lk 11:9; 18:1-6).
3. According to the will of Jesus (i.e., “In my name”), (Jn 14:13-16; 15:16; 16:23-26; 1 Jn 5:14-15), remaining in him (Jn 15:7)
4. In cooperation/conjunction with other believers (Mt. 18:19)
5. With unselfish motives (Jas 4:2-3)

And we are to pray for:

1. God to send workers into the harvest (Mt. 9:38).
2. The Holy Spirit (Lk 11:13).
3. That which is necessary in order to bear fruit (Jn. 15:16).
4. Wisdom (Jas 1:5)

So while we don’t believe that we can just ask for any old thing, we mustn’t deny the power of prayer. Ephesians 3:20 says, 'Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us...' The very real danger to most Christians is not asking extravagantly, but not asking at all." (The Chronological Life of Christ: From Galilee to Glory; p. 155)

The problem that comes when we think that prayer is about getting God to do our bidding is that we don’t know what is best. One of Jesus’ teachings on prayer dealt with this very point:

9 “There isn't a person among you who would give his son a stone if he asked for bread, is there? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, he wouldn't give him a snake, would he? 11 So if you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who keep on asking him!” (Matthew 7:9-11; ISV)

According to Jesus, just as most human parents do their best to give the good things needed for life to their children, God gives His children good things. Parents, because of the knowledge they have from education and experience, know what is best for their children. They will give them the things they need and with hold the things that might cause them harm.

God, because of His position as Creator, Savior, and Sustainer, knows what is best for us and what will harm us. He will give us those things that will help us become more like His Son Jesus and He will not grant those requests for things that will make us spoiled brats. When we realize that God’s interest isn’t about making us happy right now but rather about making us holy ( for the purpose of enjoying heaven) the focus of our prayers will change. God isn’t in the business of indulging our fantasies, but He is in the business of making us people fit for heaven.

When we demand that God performs a sign for us or fulfills our desires we are not living by faith. Instead we are saying: God, I will believe in You if... Instead of God dictating to us what will happen we are dictating to God and if God allowed Himself to be controlled in this manner He would cease to be God. Prayers aren’t testable, because it is ultimately God’s will and not our will that matters. When the purpose of our prayers is to see what happens or to force God to do something then we cease to pray.

Remember what C. S. Lewis wrote about praying for experimental purposes:

“For prayer is request. The essence of request, as distinct from compulsion, is that it may or may not be granted. And if an infinitely wise Being listens to the requests of finite and foolish creatures, of course He will sometimes grant and sometimes refuse them. Invariable ‘success’ in prayer would not prove the Christian doctrine at all. It would prove something much more like magic--a power in certain human beings to control, or compel, the course of nature...

“I have seen it suggested that a team of people—the more the better—should agree to pray as hard as they knew how, over a period of six weeks, for all the patients in Hospital A and none of those in Hospital B. Then you would tot up the results and see if A had more cures and fewer deaths. And I suppose you would repeat the experiment at various times and places so as to eliminate the influence of irrelevant factors.

“The trouble is that I do not see how any real prayer could go on under such conditions. ‘Words without thoughts never to heaven go,’ says the King in Hamlet. Simply to say prayers is not to pray; otherwise a team of properly trained parrots would serve as well as men for our experiment. You cannot pray for the recovery of the sick unless the end you have in view is their recovery. But you can have no motive for desiring the recovery of all the patients in one hospital and none of those in another. You are not doing it in order that suffering should be relieved; you are doing it to find out what happens. The real purpose and the nominal purpose of your prayers are at variance. In other words, whatever your tongue and teeth and knees may do, you are not praying. The experiment demands an impossibility.” (The Joyful Christian; pp. 97-99)

Is it an obstacle for people to believe in Him when God doesn’t provide a sign? It sure is, but God has no need to make people believe in Him. According to the Bible one day everybody is going to believe in Him, so this isn’t about belief. This is about God molding and making people who are fit for heaven.

Read this carefully: if you want to remain dead because you refuse to believe the signs God has already revealed that is your choice not God’s problem. You are already lost. Your refusal to believe doesn’t doesn’t move you from saved to unsaved, you simply remain unsaved. So if you demand that God perform a sign before you will believe in Him don’t be surprised if He moves on and allows you to be on the outside looking in.

Let's Talk About Sex

“Sex is sacred, but not essential, and our lives say the opposite.” ~ Mark Moore

One of my heroes is Mark Moore. I have never met him and I have only heard him in person a handful of times, but he has made an impact on my life none the less. When I heard him say the above quote I was amazed at the genius of it. In a simple sentence he managed to state the reason why we struggle with sex.

I want to take a few moments and just look at the three sections which make up this sentence; because I think when we begin to grasp the meaning of it the place of sex in our lives will become much clearer.

“Sex is sacred…” Sex is to have a place of honor in our lives. The author of Hebrews wrote; Give honor to marriage and remain faithful to one another in marriage. God will surely judge people who are immoral and those who commit adultery (Hebrews 13:4; NLT). God designed sex to bring a man and a woman into an intimate communion that cannot be expressed in any other way. It is not dirty or shameful nor is it common and ordinary. It has a very special place in binding a husband and wife together, and when we are unwilling to hold sex as something that is sacred then it loses all of its significance. It will become a “fun” activity for consenting adults to participate in, but its ultimate purpose will be lost. The way people get the most out of their sexual lives is to hold sex as sacred and leave it where it belongs.

We talk too much about sex. C. S. Lewis wrote;

“The reason why I must is that you and I…have been fed all day long on solid lies about sex. We have been told, till one is sick of hearing it, that sexual desire is in the same state as any of our other natural desires and that if only we abandon the silly old Victorian idea of hushing it up, everything in the garden will be lovely. It is not true. The moment you look at the facts, and away from the propaganda, you see that it is not” (Mere Christianity; pg. 91-92).

Our focus on sex, both in the world and in the church, has led us to make sex common, and thus not sacred. I am not advocating ignoring sex, as if it doesn’t exist, but rather keep holding sex in high regard so it is not the foundation of our stories, jokes, and our lives.

That brings us to the second part: “but not essential…” Here comes a shocking statement: Sex is not necessary for a good life! That is so contrary to what we have been told and to what we believe. Sex is not essential to our happiness! You can have a joyful life, a fulfilled life, and still be a virgin. Jesus was at least 33 years old when He was crucified and He never had sex. For Jesus to command you to keep sex within the bounds of marriage means that He is not asking you to do anything that He has not already done. The Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 7:1 writes; Now about the questions you asked in your letter. Yes, it is good to live a celibate life (NLT). Sex is not essential in our quest to live the Christian life, which in the end is the type of life which brings the most fulfillment.

There is no sexual act that will give us the type of life that we long to have. The joyful life is not having a life of sexual freedom, but living a life that finds pleasure in the little things: the love of a child, the knowledge of a job well done, time with friends and family, and worship to the Creator. Sex is a life-enhancer, making the good life just a little bit better.

The final part: “and our lives say the opposite…” I don’t need to remind us how sex has gone wrong in the world. It is all around us, and we are faced with it each and everyday. Is it a surprise that we find the world living contrary to God’s standard when it comes to sex? No, because the world has twisted everything God has given to fit its plan. When Mark Moore says “our lives,” he is not making a judgment on people already living contrary to God’s will, but he is pointing out how Christians are not much different. Sexual purity just isn't very fashionable. I am continually amazed by the number of "Christian" people I know who are living with someone or just have "weekend" flings.

The movies and television shows so many "Christians" watch carry a message contrary to God's message on sex, and yet we don't give them a second thought. Treating sex as sacred is more than just keeping sex between married people. Sex will not remain sacred if it is a common element in our entertainment.

This also includes jokes. Most of the “dirty” jokes I have heard in the last few years, have not come from people of the world, but from ministers and elders. There are jokes preachers tell to each other that they would never tell to people in their congregation. Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God (Ephesians 5:3-4; NLT). Whether or not we hold sex to be sacred is not only seen in our actions, but also in our speech. Too often we are trying to tell the world to honor sex while we are treating it with disrespect with our jokes.

As I wrap this up let me leave you with another C. S. Lewis quote:

“Chastity is the most unpopular of the Christian virtues. There is no getting away from it: the old Christian rule is, ‘Either marriage, with complete faithfulness to your partner, or else total abstinence.’ Now this is so difficult and so contrary to our instincts, that obviously either Christianity is wrong or our sexual instinct, as it now is, has gone wrong. One or the other. Of course, being a Christian, I think it is the instinct which has gone wrong” (Mere Christianity; pg. 90).