January 31, 2025

Access Denied!

The recent election and my exposure to the political system have reminded me that I do not really have much access to the porticos of political power. Maybe that is a good thing! I do not have access to the Texas State House, Governor Abbott, Congress, the Senate, any court, let alone the Supreme Court or the West Wing. The porticos of power are all denied to me. But I do have access to the throne of God. The Apostle Paul reminds us that we actually have access to the Ruler, Emperor, King and Creator of the universe. Ephesians 2:17-18; And He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near; for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. Ephesians 3:11-12; This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him. Romans 5:1-2; Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our access by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. Access is the ability to enter, approach, or pass to and from a place or to approach or communicate with a person. We may not have access to the president or the Supreme Court, but we do have access to Jesus and the Throne of Grace where we can find mercy and grace at any time. Hebrews 4:14-16; Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Le us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need. If you need mercy or grace it is there for you and most importantly, it is there in “the nick of time.”                                                                       Serving Him with you Until He comes for us. Fred

January 24, 2025

Happy Days Are Here Again?

I do not mean to make an indictment or a confession. But the fact is that half of the country is happier and more optimistic with the inauguration of a Republican President and more importantly, a Republican Platform of Government. I imagine Christians would welcome the morality of the Republican platform and the worldview that is its foundation. However, we must not allow our optimism and exuberance to obscure our vision and cloud our thinking.  As you may recall, we have been down this road before. Governments are never perfect, and neither are the people who run them. We must be sure to “see the whole board.”     We must remember that the tinseled sham of a temporal world can blind the eyes and beguile the heart. We must retain our spiritual discipline as we grow in godliness. We must realize that a change of government does not change the great commission.   Good government is good for you, but never forget to let God be God to you.                                                                      Serving Him with you Until He comes for us. Fred

January 17, 2025

"Everyone needs three homes: a family home, a church home, and an eternal home." -Adrian Rogers-

I would like to add a fourth home - a home country.  With the presidential inauguration next week, we are about to embark upon unmapped territory and uncharted waters with a new president. “New” is not quite correct in terms of the person of Donald Trump, but it is a new term for him, and it is a new time for our country. We all have felt the tumultuous animosity and civic dysfunction over the past 4 years if not the last 8 or 12 years, in our government parties. The lies, deception, monetary waste, and putting of our country in jeopardy from the invasion of foreign operatives and agents have been astounding. That being said, the Bible says we are obligated to pray for our governmental leaders. (1 Timothy 2:1-4, Romans 13:1.) The Lord raises up and takes down world leaders as He wishes. (Proverbs  21:1) But He also instructs us that we are to pray for our leaders and be involved as citizens in the leading of our country and communities. Prayer is not the only thing we can do, but it is the first thing we must do if anything else we do is going to be meaningfully effective. Might I challenge you to make it a priority to pray once a week for our country - The President and Vice President, the Supreme Court, and the full Congress. You may not have voted for them. You may not like them. But we are to pray for them. "If you do not take an interest in the affairs of your government, then you are doomed to live under the rule of fools." -Plato- Serving Him with you Until He comes for us. Fred

January 10, 2025

A New Day, a New Chance to Excel

How do I excel, and why should I excel in 2025? As always, the Bible provides inspired truth on the subject and can provide momentous insight for living. Hear the words of God. ·      I Corinthians 10:31-Whether then you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. ·      Colossians 3:17-And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. · Colossians 3:23-24-Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men; knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. ·      Matthew 5;16-Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. ·      1 Corinthians 6:20-For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body. ·      I Peter 4:11-Whoever speaks, let him speak, as it were, the utterances of God; whoever serves, let him do so as by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. As coach Lou Holtz reminds us: Ability is what you can do. Motivation determines what you will do. Attitude determines how well you will do. What will you determine to do in 2025? Remember, "Things that matter least must never come about at the expense of things that matter most." Goethe Serving Him with you Until He comes for us. Fred

January 3, 2025

“If you aim at nothing you will hit it every time.”

I have had a number of people poke playful fun at me recently, expecting me to have my new goals for the new year already completed. I must say, I take that as a compliment because it shows that my intentions and my way of life have been manifested enough to people who know me. And yes indeed, I have my goals, objectives, and standards (GOS) in semi-finished form for 2025. Something that helps me navigate my life is focusing on a Compass, a Calendar, a Clock, and a Calculator. These tools help direct me in the direction I want to go in 2025. We live in a fast-paced, complicated world that can cause a person to become disoriented, misdirected, confounded, or confused. It is imperative that we understand our mission and have a clear vision for our lives, for one day we will give an account to the Lord Jesus.  Therefore, also we have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.  2 Corinthians 5:9-10 Since this is true, I want to make sure I count the days and make the days count. As Moses stated in Psalm 90,“Teach us to number our days that we might present to you a heart of wisdom.”  Speaking to us today, Stephen Covey reminds us: Anything less than a conscious commitment to the important is an unconscious commitment to the unimportant. What will be and who will be important to you in 2025? Serving Him with you Until He comes for us. Fred