August 28, 2020

Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.  -James Baldwin-

Sociologically, we must face the fact that Racism is masquerading as Anti-Racism. Politically, we must face the fact that both sides of the political aisle seek power, position, prestige and privilege. They rarely know how to use it. Morally, we must face the fact that man is a glorious ruin made in the image of God. Therefore, he has immense value, but is corrupt and able to act terribly wicked. Spiritually, we must face the fact that the power of the church is in the Lord Jesus, not social justice programs. Perhaps this is why Paul taught the church to pay attention to its spiritual life and conforming to Christ, and did not instruct the church to rebel against the Roman government’s position on slavery, abortion or homosexuality. Theologically, we must face the fact that this is not the kingdom of God nor are we likely to bring it in. We await the King to come to rule and to reign. Personally, we must face the fact that we need to do as Jesus instructed: Live in this world and be wise as serpents and gentle as doves. Serving Him with you Until He comes for us, Fred Chay

 August 21, 2020

We will advance the cause of Christian civilization or revert to the horrors of brutal paganism. The choice between the two is upon us. ~ Theodore Roosevelt ~

This may sound extremist, but perhaps not when you consider the thought that ideas have consequences. The choices these days in the political world are inevitably connected to the theological world. Together they will result in a sociological transformation of our country. Consider if you will, the consequences of the idea of removing all limitations for abortion on demand. Consider the consequences of the idea that it is OK to kill babies after they have been born if they fail to pass certain genetic testing markers. (This is not a new idea, for it was articulated by Francis Crick, co- founder of the DNA double helix many years ago.) Consider the consequences of the idea of unrestricted immigration, and governmental provision of health care, education, and all social services provided at no cost to the recipient. Consider the consequences of the idea of releasing from prison tens of thousands of criminals who were legally adjudicated and found guilty of both felony and misdemeanor crimes, often involving physical harm or death to citizens. Consider the consequences of the idea of defunding police and replacing them with “community policing."  Consider the consequences of the idea that men and women were not created, let alone have they evolved as men and women. They are but physical material – DNA, which can be either male, female, or a third other, depending on whatever they desire to be at the moment. All of these ideas have devastating consequences to a society. This type of society is based on brutal paganism that demands the very idea of God be absent in any formal or functional manner. Destroying statues of the past that are offensive to a certain group of people is only the beginning, which will end in the destruction of all statues, paintings, and sculpture, as well as literature that articulates any governmental or religious authority deemed unacceptable to the mob. Robert E. Lee and Christopher Columbus now, but Jesus' turn is coming soon. The Prophet Jeremiah reminds us that the heart is deceitful and desperately wicked. The Apostle Paul in Romans 1 described what happens to the human heart when the hand of God is removed. It is currently the political season where we will view politicians from both parties using virtual platforms for a different style of convention format due to COVID. But the actual political platforms of the politicians could not be farther apart concerning their sociological and political impact. "The choice between the two is upon us." Choose well…Choose wisely. Serving Him with you Until He comes for us, Fred Chay

 August 14, 2020

Election Results?

The race for the White House and the presidency of the United States is now officially underway. Both parties have selected their dynamic duo that they hope will be inaugurated in the new year. Of course, we will do it all again in four more years, but that is how our republican form of governance works. There is another government that is in the process of coming into rulership. It is not a democracy nor a republic. It has to do with a king, a monarch unlike any in all of history. God often wraps truth around a person in order for us to see it. Especially when He desires us to understand some deep theological truth. Observe what you see in Philippians 2:6-11:                        …who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant and being made in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those who are in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. The Ordination of Jesus from all eternity for all eternity is to be the eternal Son of God. The Incarnation of the Son is what we call Christmas and we see God with us Immanuel. The Propitiation of Christ on the cross allows us to be made righteous in the sight of God. The Installation and Inauguration of Jesus as king through the ascension resulted in His Coronation and Exaltation which are now complete in heaven, and we await the final Consummation of His rulership over all of creation, whether it is the angelic host, all human beings, or any other created being, no matter if they be in heaven, or on earth, or beneath the earth. All will bow and all will confess the Name above all Names - the Name, Lord Jesus Christ. The American election will be in doubt until the last vote is counted. But the vote in heaven is already in. There is no doubt who is King. Serving Him with you Until He comes for us, Fred Chay

 August 7, 2020

The Cry for Relevancy

If you want to be relevant, then speak about things that are eternal, and you will be eternally relevant: In the midst of the sexual revolution called LGBTQ… that is a direct rebellion against God’s creation order…. In the midst of the moral revolution that seeks to champion all forms of pornographic literature, polygamous relationships, and pedophilia perversion as real options to be protected by law…. In the midst of the institutionalized murdering machine for babies called Planned Parenthood, also known as a mother’s murderous right of free choice…. In the midst of many governing officials legislating such moral practices into law, when their very behavior makes it hard to believe, although it is true, that they themselves are actually made in the image of God…. As a result, we come to understand what Frederic Nietzsche presciently prophesied; “When the world discovers that God is dead, there will be universal madness.” Might I lift our view and expand our vision. Might I speak not as a social scientist, or social critic, nor a political pundit, or even as a philosopher, but as a theologian and pastor. Jesus said, “I will build my church and the gates of Hell shall not prevail.” But that does not mean the devil will be idle. That does not mean we will Christianize America or will win the culture war. And it certainly does not mean we will live happily ever after on earth. It does mean the Lord is providentially protecting His church. It does mean He has called us to walk worthy of the calling with which we have been called, to live holy in an unholy culture, to be moral in an immoral society, to be salt and light. It means the church today, as in every day, is to run the race that is set before us looking unto Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross despising the shame. (Hebrews 12) “Make American Great Again” is a very good political / social agenda. It is a vision and a good mission. But for we who name the name of Christ, who are His church, we have The Vision & The Mission not from a politician or president, but from the true and only potentate, the King whose Kingdom is everlasting and whose dominion is eternal. He is the emperor of the universe and the Only Wise God! Hear the words of sacred scripture; Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.” (2 Peter 3:18) And that means we are to look up with a heavenly outlook and live with holy conduct. The moral corruption of our culture and the physical consequences of COVID are real, but only temporal and will soon be gone. But the coming kingdom of Christ is eternal. Serving Him with you Until He comes for us, Fred Chay