July 18, 2025

Thus heaven, I’ve forfeited – I know full well – my soul once true to God – is chosen for hell. “Pale Maiden”

 by Karl Marx 1837

According to “The Black Book of Communism” this ideology is responsible for the murder of more than 100,000,000 human beings under the regime of Marxism. The conclusion is self-evident: “revolutions never succeed, oppressions never end, and it’s promised future never arrives. Marxism is the deadliest and most destructive ideology in all human history.”


It doesn't take much to realize that there is demonic influence in this ideology, evidenced in Stalin, Mao, and Pol Pot. That is also true for the likes of Hitler and the revived antisemitism in America today. (Ephesians 6:12)


We tend to think of the barbarism of ancient Rome, especially against Christians. But the Caesars, including Nero and Diocletian, have not outdone the slaughter of the innocent seen through the power of a recent ideology that denies God His place and elevates man to His place. What could possibly go wrong? Everything!


When man seeks to be higher than he should, he often ends up lower than he could imagine.


It goes without saying that we are living in a world that is hostile to Christians. (Ephesians 6:12) It should come as no surprise since Jesus told His Church that this is to be expected. (John 15:18-20; 1 John 3:13.)


The natural response is fight or flight, to fear and faint. But we are supernatural beings regenerated by the Spirit (Titus 3:5), indwelt by the Spirit (Romans 8), and so we are to be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18), walk and live by the Spirit (Galatians 6:16,25), and be led by the Spirit (Galatians 5:18), as we live in the midst of this present world.


So then, as Paul exhorts us in Ephesians 5:15-17:


Be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”


The will of the Lord is that we love.


 “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you, and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.” Ephesians 5:1-2


Biblical Love, according to Pastor John Mitchell, is “sincerely wishing God’s very best for someone else and doing what you can to see it come about.” 


I certainly do not have to like my enemy, but I can love him. In fact, I am commanded to love. 


Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. Romans 13:8


Love does no wrong to a neighbor; love therefore is the fulfillment of the law. 

And this do, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed.

Romans 13:10-11


The hour of our final deliverance is closer than we think!

In preparing His church to fulfill the great commission, Jesus reminds us:


“In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33b)


 …greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. (I John 4:4)


These twin truths provide us with a correct understanding of ultimate reality. We would be foolish to disregard them.


And remember, they can only kill you once, and then you are with Jesus.


Game On!



Serving Him with you

Until He comes for us.

Fred

July 11, 2025

 I JUST DON’T UNDERSTAND… Why Lord?

Some questions are difficult to articulate and more difficult to answer.


The nation grieves with the parents of so many little girls and others who died in a flash flood at a Christian campground in Kerrville, Texas. Where was God in this? Why did this happen? These are both pastoral and philosophical questions that are based in real life.


I cannot provide an adequate pastoral or philosophical response to such issues in such a short venue as Friday with Fred. However, it is imperative that Christians be able to explain and believe in a Biblical Theodicy: The explanation for God and suffering - The answer to the question of 'Why evil?' that reaches both the heart and the head.


For millions of people, the reasoning goes like this:

·     An all-powerful God could eliminate evil

·     An all-loving God would desire to eliminate evil

·     But there is evil

·     So, there is no all-powerful and all-loving God


Put it another way:

·     An all-powerful God could eliminate suffering

·   An all-loving God would eliminate suffering

·     But there is suffering

·     God is not all-powerful

·     God is not all loving

·     God is Not


With this reasoning, millions of people have become or remain atheists.


Do you see the problem with this syllogism regarding God and evil? How would you respond to someone who believes this?


The fact is, as Flannery O’Connor reminds us.

“Evil is not only a problem to be solved, but a mystery to be endured”


Nevertheless, sacred scripture reminds us:


Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me. Psalm 23:4


Serving Him with you

Until He comes for us.

Fred

July 4, 2025

The World of Yesterday May Not Be in Our Future

The flags are up, and I am ready for my hot dogs and potato salad. The 4th of July should be remembered. I remember in 1976 going to the train station in California to see the American Bicentennial Freedom Train celebrating 1776. As to whether it was a war of independence or a rebellion against a sovereign nation, I will leave that for others. I am on holiday, and I am proud to be an American.

 

It is right to salute the progress, maturity, and development we have made as a nation. And many they are. However, as Bill Gates reminds us, “It's fine to celebrate success, but it is more important to heed the lessons of failure.”

 

The fundamental fact, the essential element, and the indispensable insight to the success of America was revealed by Alexis de Tocqueville in his book Democracy in America (1835-1840) when he observed, the greatness of America was to be found in its churches. If the church ceases to be great, so shall America cease to be great. A century later, G.K. Chesterton reiterated the idea: “America was a nation with the soul of the church.”

 

However, we recognize, ever so clearly, that we have fallen far from our spiritual heritage. Much of our virtue has been transformed into vice.

 

C.S. Lewis wrote, “You can't go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” How will you and your church change the ending?

 

Enjoy your hot dog.

 

Serving Him with you

Until He comes for us.

Fred