December 25, 2020

The Way Forward Requires Going Back

Christmas reminds us to look back at the grace of God. It reminds us of what we need and where we will find it. Christmas reminds us of God's gift of forgiveness.  C.S. Lewis said, "Everyone says forgiveness is a lovely idea until they have someone to forgive." Forgiveness is a lovely idea and God had someone to forgive. He forgave me. You too if you know Jesus. Merry Christmas! Serving Him with you, until He comes for us; Fred Chay PS - If you would like to follow my current Sunday morning teaching on the Gospel of John, here are links to John 1:9-18, and John 1:19-34.

 December 11, 2020

A Goal Without a Plan is Just a Wish. God has a plan!

I enjoy the Christmas season. We had all of our decorations up by November 2nd! Why not enjoy what you enjoy. I enjoy the lights and the ornaments because they spark memories. I enjoy the music, and of course, I enjoy the special food. Eggnog for everyone! Christmas is a season. We call it Advent Season where we look back to the “coming of our Lord Jesus.” It included a miraculous conception, angelic manifestation, visitation by wise men, and an ignoble place of birth - a stable. And yet, in that place where you expect to find nothing of value you find all you need. God with us – Immanuel - the coming of the one who will save His people, Jesus. But we must not forget or lose our focus on the fact that there is a “second coming” coming. The Blessed Hope (Titus 2:13), which causes us to cry out, “Come Lord Jesus quickly.” (1 Cor. 16:22) What are you looking for? Who are you looking for? I hope you are living with wonderful Christmas memories of the past and a magnificent hope for the future. Both are based on His coming. It is all part of God’s plan. Serving Him with you Until He comes for us, Fred Chay

 December 4, 2020

We can endure neither our vices nor the remedies needed to cure them. Livy, Roman Historian

Life is a balancing act and so is living the Christian life. It is a balance between my dependence on God and the discipline of myself. When our focus is directed more on our self than the savior we are headed for trouble. Pride is disastrous in the Christian life! The church at Laodicea (modern day Turkey) in the first century, unfortunately focused on their own accomplishments, their strengths & abilities, and their wealth & power. They did this to such a degree that Jesus himself rebuked them and invited them to repent. In fact, He invited them to invite Him inside their church (it is actually His church) to repair a fractured fellowship with their Lord. (See Rev. 3:14-22) The church had engaged in such a high degree of self-sufficiency that it excluded Jesus from their fellowship. Talk about irony and idiocy! I fear that sometimes we can get so caught up in our own abilities and focus on our own capabilities that we neglect to realize that in our own hubris we have closed the door on the Lord’s leading in our lives. The Lord was knocking on the door of the church at Laodicea, asking to come in that He might fellowship with His people. Is someone at your door? Serving Him with you Until He comes for us, Fred Chay