Quote of the Week: Psalm 12

Psalms 12:8

The wicked freely strut about when what is vile is honored among men.

Jesus' Love Empowers Us to Be Generous

Proverbs 11:24

One man gives freely, yet gains even more;

another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.

What an appropriate message for Christmas...and Solomon never even got to celebrate Christmas!

Do you ever wonder why people become so generous at Christmas, but the rest of the year they won't even share the crust of a piece of bread?

Is it because they bury themselves in credit card debt at Christmas, and then they're miserable the rest of the year trying to pay it back?

My encouragement to you this year is this:  Pay attention to how it feels to give to others.  Pay attention to how it feels to do something amazing for someone else...something they never expected.

Then try relive that memory often, at least once-a-day.  This is how you create the habit and desire to "give freely".  This is how you fall in love with blessing others.  God wants us to be generous.  He wants us to help people out when they need it.  This is what Jesus meant by "storing up your treasures in heaven".  If you can break the emotional attachment to stuff, you will find true joy in giving.  You will actually start looking for new ways to give, and new people/organizations to give to.  

A spirit of giving is born out of trust for God.  Trust that He is faithful and will provide in the way that He has promised, and you will never hesitate to give when the opportunity presents itself.

Ultimately, our motivation for giving freely to others is the incredible gift that has been given to us:  Eternal life through faith in Jesus!

It is this gift from our Heavenly Father that fills our hearts and overwhelms us to the point of wanting to share all of our blessings with the world!  Everything that we have, including our faith and salvation, is a gift from God.  We have done nothing to earn or deserve any of it.  "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." (James 1:17)

If God has given us everything- everything that we have, and everything that He has- why wouldn't we want to share that with the world?  This Christmas, and every other day as well, let's show the world God's love and generosity through our love and generosity.  And let's share the most important  gift of all:  Jesus!

God bless!

Jason Fredrick

Quote of the Week- August Pieper

And now I tell the Synod in the name of God:  If we do not take an entirely new attitude toward our mission work, our work in the congregation, in the school, and in the home, as well as in the operation of the educational institutions for the training of pastors and teachers which God has placed into our hands, and apply ourselves to this task with greater zeal than heretofore, then our Church, and particularly our own Synod, is an unfaithful servant, who has failed to recognize the time of his visitation, and whose future lies not ahead but behind him.  My God!  Until now it was still true of us here in America what was said to the church at Philadelphia in Asia Minor, "Behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it." (Rev. 3:8)
(August Pieper, The True Reconstruction of the Church, p. 24)

Your Life is an Open Book to God

Proverbs 5:21-23

For your ways are in full view of the LORD, and He examines all your paths.

The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare them; the cords of their sins hold them fast.

For lack of discipline they will die, led astray by their own great folly.

This can be a little scary to think about.  Everything we do, everyday, is in full view of God.  Even the things we think we are doing in secret.  There are no secrets with God.  He knows it all.  He sees it all.  This even means our thoughts, what's going on in our heart and our head.  How does that make you feel when you take a moment to reflect on your day?  God saw all of those sins that know one is supposed to see or know about.  You may be able to hide those things from your spouse, your boss, your co-workers, and the rest of the world; but none of it has been hidden from God!

I don't even have to list out secret sins.  You are already thinking of yours.  

For most of us the majority of our secret sins occur in our thought life.  How would you feel about having all of your thoughts for a 24-hour period recorded and available on YouTube?  It would show words and video.  Would you have any friends left after that?  Would you still be married after your spouse saw it?

Many of these sinful thoughts we're not even aware of.  Judging others.  Looking at someone lustfully.  How about all of those thoughts you have while you are driving?

God sees, and hears them all.  Our lives, thoughts and actions, are like a never-ending YouTube video to Him.  He never turns it off, and we can never block Him from it.  Every aspect of our lives is lived out in full view of Him.

This is how the wicked are ensnared by their evil deeds.  They think that they are "getting away with it" so they arrogantly don't repent.  Their sins bind them tighter and tighter.  They think they are smarter than God- somehow they can trick Him and hide their wickedness from Him.  

The more they think they are getting away with their sins, the more they push the envelope.  They get bolder.  They get more wicked.  They get more extreme.  

This is the lack of discipline that will destroy them.  Their pride and arrogance is their great folly.  It will destroy them.  Unrepentance kills.  They continue to reject Jesus' free gift of salvation because they truly believe that they don't need it.  They believe that they are fooling God.  Even when they are confronted with their sins, they harden their hearts and dismiss the person who loves them enough to confront them. 

It is for this reason that they will die.  They reject eternal life and salvation, and instead fight for their sins.  Sadly, God will let them keep them.  It's too bad that their pride and selfishness has blinded them to the fact that Jesus has already freed them from those chains.  They are free to live a life of freedom and joy.  Instead they choose to remain shackled by the chains of sin.  They choose to remain a slave to Satan and their sinful flesh.

This is why John the Baptist came preaching his sweet message:  Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is near!

And then after we repent, we have the message of hope from Peter on Pentecost:

Repent and be baptized every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.  And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call.-Acts 2:38-39

God wants everyone to be saved.  That's why He sent Jesus to pay the price for ALL sin.

He wants us to turn from our folly and wickedness, and "Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is near!"

Happy Advent!

Jason Fredrick

Quote of the Week- August Pieper

A reconstruction that endeavors to make various external changes in the Church or to introduce various external innovations, without correcting the basic damage of the Church, the indifference in spirit, is worth nothing.  What we teachers and hearers need above all is a new and right spirit.  The zeal for our own soul's salvation and the zeal for the house of God must consume us, as it once did the Lord (John 2:17) and Paul (2 Corinthians 11:2), to the degree that we--to use only one example--do not rest until we have filled Saginaw, New Ulm, Watertown, and Wauwatosa with students who wish to become pastors and teachers, so that the walls burst.  If God gives the pastors and teachers of the Church above all a new and right spirit, a new burning and consuming zeal for their own soul's salvation and for the salvation of the Church, then all necessary and wholesome external arrangements become insignificant details.
(August Pieper, The True Reconstruction of the Church, p. 12)

Love Your Enemies Because Jesus Loves You

Proverbs 25:21-22

If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.


Let's face it, it's tough to love our enemies.  After somebody has just been a jerk to you, you don't really feel like helping them out.  How much do you want to serve someone who is always mean and disrespectful to you?

Notice that this Proverb isn't saying that we need to start hanging out with our enemies and spend hour-upon-hour socializing with them.  What it is saying is when you see your enemy in need, help him out.

If your enemy is a co-worker look for ways to serve her.  Grab her a cup of coffee when you go to grab one for yourself.  Share information with him if you know that he is struggling on a project.  Take her to lunch if she has just been kicked in the teeth by a client or a prospect.

If your enemy is at church take the time to get to know him.  Let him know that you have a problem with him, and be clear about why that is.  Then give him a chance to explain himself.  Sincerely try to understand him.  Try to see the world from his perspective.  What are some of his experiences that influence his attitude?  After this you may still not be friends, but you will gain more respect for each other.

When you make this effort to love your enemies you may only get more venom in return.  If you are truly one of God's children, then you need to do this no matter how the other person responds to your efforts.  Jesus didn't command us to win our enemies, He commanded us to love our enemies.  The reward for all of your love me only be "the heaping of burning coals on their head".  Meaning that your display of love will expose them to the world, and to themselves.  This doesn't mean that they will thank you for your love and kindness; they may grow to hate you even more, because your love has exposed their hateful heart to themself.

No matter what the response is, keep serving them...keep loving them.  They need it most of all.  Be thankful that Jesus kept loving you, even when you didn't appreciate everything He has done for you.  There was a day when you were Jesus' enemy.  He died for you even though you still have days when you treat Him with contempt and in-gratitude.

We can love our enemies, because while we were still sinners Jesus died for us.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Jason Fredrick

Quote of the Week- August Pieper

Woe to our Synod, if it says with the angel (bishop) of the church of Laodicea, Revelation 3:17,  "I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing!"  Woe to our people and to us "angels" of our people, that is, to us professors, pastors, and teachers, visitors, presidents, officials, and commissions, if we in the present circumstances of our spiritual life try to persuade ourselves that there is no need of a spiritual renewal, by saying, "Spiritual life is indeed not as fresh and vigorous in me as it one was and as it ought to be, but it is still there, and not much weaker than elsewhere.  It is the natural course of events; all life, spiritual life included, gradually diminishes, and there is nothing that can be done about it.  No one can instill new spiritual life into himself- only God can do that.  The matter must be committed to Him, who doubtless knows how to save His elect even in times such as these, and I hope, me too!"--Whoever thinks thus, reveals the spirit of the church of Laodicea.  This is that Laodicean laxity that a person is not truly aware of the danger in which he is, but is rather well satisfied with his own spiritual condition.  One's own spiritual deficiencies go unnoticed and life goes on in a carefree manner.  Oh, yes, the deficiencies of others are noticed indeed, are deplored and condemned, but of the beam in one's own eye no notice is taken.  How much of this complacency, that in comparison with others we are still rather pious, is not found among us!  This is little more than mere spiritual weakness.  It is hypocritical Pharisaism.

Only he who is convinced  that he himself is in need of spiritual renewal, first and foremost, has the right and the duty to pronounce the judgment that the Church of his time is in need of a spiritual renewal.  All reconstruction must begin at home.

(August Pieper, The True Reconstruction of the Church, p. 4)

Quote of the Week- August Pieper

When things have to a great extent gone so far, that the knowledge of God has become insignificant, faith has become a reed shaken in the wind, love has become cold, the whole life of faith has become weak and feeble, whereas satisfaction with the world and the cares for the things of this life have seized hold of the hearts of the Christians, particularly of the angels, i.e., the shepherds of the congregations, when the spiritual life, the spiritual character threatens to become extinct, then the disintegration of the Church has begun; then a reconstruction, that is, a regeneration, a renewal of spiritual life must set in, or it will perish in the abyss of spiritual death.
(August Pieper, The True Reconstruction of the Church, p.3)

"The Devil Made Me Do It"- But You're Still Left Holding the Bag

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Have you ever had someone give you the sage advice, "You should..."?  It seems like everyone knows exactly what you should do.  Who you should be.  If all of these geniuses are so wise, how come they don't take their own advice?  How come their life is such a mess?
The reality is that "You should..." is always unsolicited advice by people who don't have a clue.  Some of them may even be well-intentioned.  They might actually believe that they are trying to help you.  But the reality is that their advice is worth as much as Satan's advice to Eve in the Garden of Eden.

Does that sound harsh?
Think about it.  Satan deceived Eve (Gen. 3:1-6) and gave her advice for his own purpose.  Often times, free advice is for the same purpose:  The other person is trying to get you to do something for their gain. This isn't always sinful and evil like it was in the Garden of Eden, but bad choices from bad advice always have long-term consequences and always impact more people than just yourself. Do you ever wonder why Eve didn't ask the serpent any questions?  Do you ever fall into the same trap with people and just believe what they are telling you, never asking a single question to test the validity of the advice giver?

What if when Satan said, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the Garden'?"  Eve would have answered, "Why wouldn't He let us eat from any tree?  That doesn't make any sense."  And then quoted what God did say.
But instead, what did she do?  She started answering Satan's questions, being led down the path he wanted her to go never stopping to think about what he was doing, or where he was leading her.

After she sinned and was later confronted with her sin by God, what was her response?  The devil made me do it! (this isn't exactly what she said, but it is the essence of what she said)  In this instance the serpent was punished for his role in the fall, but Adam and Eve also felt the consequences.  One moment of selfishness tainted all of God's creation for the rest of time.  Every person who has ever lived, and who will ever live, get to feel the consequences of Eve's moment of self-indulgence.

Sadly, we see that same thing play out in our lives, and in our world, everyday.  People don't think!  They don't think about the immediate consequences of their actions.  They don't think about the long-term ramifications of the choices.  They certainly don't give any thought to who else is going to be effected by their choices and actions.  In our sinful, self-indulgent world people relive this incident from the Garden of Eden everyday in their own life:

Satan and his servants attack God's Word.

People step into his snare and, like Eve, begin to question God's Word.

Their own desire gets the best of them.

They indulge their sin for a moment of pleasure.

They abort (murder) their child.

They get fired from their job.

They end up in jail.

They end up dead and damned.

Satan laughs with evil glee the entire time.

The reality is- our choices have consequences.  The consequences aren't just for us, they are for the people in our sphere of influence.  They are for generations to come.  

None of us lives in a vacuum.  So none of our choices only affect us alone.

Sadly, sometimes we think that we can outsmart God and indulge our sinful nature and "get away with it".  There's only two problems with that:

1. God is all-knowing.
2. God is present everywhere, all of the time.

Nothing that happens in the world happens without God knowing about it.  In fact, He knew about it before you were even born, before He created the world.  You aren't getting away with anything.  Even if it were possible to "get away with it", God has put the Law of Cause and Effect in place in our world.  There would still be consequences for your sinful behavior.  It would still hurt you, and the people you claim to care about.

We need to give careful consideration to the choices we make in our life...to the choices we make every day.  Our choices don't have to have negative results.  Through faith in Jesus Christ we are empowered to make good choices.  We have been given the ability to live lives that please God and make decisions based on God's commands.  Through the Holy Spirit, we have been given the ability to positively affect our world.  We have been given the ability to leave a Godly legacy.

Thankfully, this is possible because Jesus fulfilled that promise that God made to Adam and Eve:

And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; He will crush your head, and you will strike His heel.

-Genesis 3:15

This promise was fulfilled when Jesus was crucified on Calvary, to pay the price for all of our sins, and then was raised to life again on Easter morning.  

Graciously, Jesus lived a perfect human life, died for our sins, and raised from the dead to redeem us from the power of sin, death, and hell.  

Thankfully, God has given us His Word to measure all of those You shoulds against.  He has given us His Word; it's our responsibility to read and study it every day.  Do you want to start making better choices in life?  Study God's Word and do what He says.

If you don't know why you believe what you believe, you will fall for Satan's lies every time.  The devil may make you do it, but you will still be held responsible; the consequences are still very real.

God bless.

Jason Fredrick

Quote of the Week: Speed of Trust

Trust is a function of both character and competence.
(Speed of Trust, p. 25, Covey)

Watch and Pray, Jesus Is Coming Back Soon!

Matthew 26:40-41

Then He returned to His disciples and found them sleeping.  "Couldn't you men keep watch with Me for one hour?"  He asked Peter.  "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.  The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."

As we observe the season of "End Times" on the church calendar, do you ever stop to think about what Jesus' response will be to you on the last day?  Will it be this same reaction that he had to Peter, James, and John on that night in Gethsemane?

Just as those men fell asleep waiting for Jesus to come back to them from praying, the temptation is great for us to fall asleep while waiting for Jesus to come back to us.  Jesus has promised that He is coming back.  In Scripture He gives all kinds of warnings about His return.  He wants us to stay alert and be ready for it.  He doesn't tell us when that will be, all that we know is that it will be soon.

But how soon  is soon?  As believers, we want soon to be today.  Or even better, now!  Since Jesus isn't coming back on our demand or timetable, we need to listen to His admonishment from the Garden of Gethsemane:  Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.

We don't know when Jesus is coming back.  We don't know the day or the hour.  We need to be constantly watching for Him.  One of the best ways to keep our eyes on the skies is by praying.  Praying is the best way to keep our focus on Jesus, and to avoid the temptations and distractions of this world.  It would benefit us all to keep praying for the strength and wisdom to overcome the weakness of our flesh, because no matter how much we try to honor God's commands in all that we do and say we constantly come up short.  We allow that spiritual sleepiness to overtake us.  That's why we can never hear this reminder from Jesus enough.  Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.

God bless

Jason Fredrick

Quote of the Week: Courage-The Backbone of Leadership

Courageous leading begins with honoring all persons, regardless of rank, status, education, or power.
(Courage, Gus Lee, p.141)

Samson: Waste of Blessings?

Listen to the Chapel Message of Samson's Life

Everyone knows Samson.  At least, everyone knows of Samson.  Even people who have never read the Bible or heard the account of Samson's life associate the name Samson with "strength and power".  There was more to the life of Samson than just his incredible strength and power.

Samson was a special child.  His mother was sterile and couldn't have children.  Then one day an angel of the LORD appeared to her.  He told her that she was going to have a baby.  After he had given her very specific directions and revealed the plan for her son, the angel left her.

She ran and told her husband, Manoah, all about the angel of the LORD.  Manoah, was a godly man.  His first inclination was to pray to God and ask for the angel to return to teach them how to raise the boy.  God heard this prayer and sent the angel of the LORD back to Manoah and his wife.

Samson was to be a Nazirite, which meant that he would be set apart to God from birth.  Samson was a special gift from God.  God had a plan for Samson and gave him many gifts and talents.  Unfortunately, Samson didn't appreciate his Nazirite vow or who was the source of all of his gifts and talents.  He was a guy who fell head-long into the trap of sinful pride and self-indulgence.

First, his vow:

• He wasn't to eat anything that comes from the grapevine.
• He was not to drink wine or any fermented drink, or eat anything unclean.
• He seems to be a guy that liked to party.
• He ate honey from the carcass of a lion.
• He frequented prostitutes.
• He married two Philistine women.  
• No razor was to be used on his head.

Samson's abundance of gifts included:  Being set apart for God from birth, super-human strength, athleticism, and a sharp wit.  All of these only seemed to have fueled his pride and ego.  Samson seems to have been spoiled as a child.  When he sees a beautiful Philistine woman, he tells his parents to get her for him as a wife.  They protest a bit, but they quickly give in and indulge his demand.  This lead to all sorts of problems for Samson, but it was all according to God's plan.

This marriage would lead to  a life-time of conflict and battle with the Philistines.  Every time the Philistines angered him or he felt disrespected by them, he would kill a lot of them.  Unfortunately, most of the war that Samson waged against the Philistines was a personal vendetta.  It was always about his glory, his respect, his reputation.  There was always a violent reaction to any slight against him.  Granted, the slights against him were significant, but Samson's reaction was to kill as many Philistines as he possibly could.  Of course, this was God using Samson to bring judgment on the Philistines.

Eventually, though, Samson's arrogance would get the best of him.  When he told Delilah that the source of his strength was his hair it was the beginning of the end for him.  I believe that he truly believed that his hair had nothing to do with it.  I believe that he truly thought all of his impressive abilities were from himself.  But as he quickly found out, all of his abilities were from God.  His hair was just a symbol of his commitment to his vow.  When he allowed his hair to be cut he cut the last strand that was holding him to his Nazirite vow.  It shows how he was totally trusting in himself and his abilities.  He foolishly turned to himself and away from God.

Do you ever wonder what kind of leader Samson would have been for Israel had he honored his vow and committed his life to serving the Lord?  With his strength, his abilities as a warrior, and his intelligence I can see him being the type of leader that could have led Israel to fulfilling God's command to drive out all of the people from Canaan, the Promised Land.  Had he been faithful, he could have completely changed the course of history for Israel, and for us.  Thankfully, God uses even our failures to His glory.  "We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."

In Judges 13-16 we see how Samson wasted his incredible gifts and abilities.  The question is, what gifts has God given you that you are wasting every day?  The quickest way to spot these are by looking at where you are being selfish and self-serving in your life.  Whether you have been given a lot or a little, everything that you have been given is for the glory of the Lord.  God hasn't given us our blessings to use to glorify ourselves.  They are all to be used for His glory.

Thankfully, God knows our shortcomings.  He knows that we can't do this perfectly.  That's why He sent Jesus.  Jesus did do this perfectly.  Everything He did was to glorify His Father in heaven.  As we strive to follow His example we will come up short every time.  That is why Jesus did it perfectly, and then He sacrificed Himself on the cross to pay the price for all of our shortcomings.  He paid the price for all of our sins.  His blood has washed us clean from all of our selfishness and foolishness.  We all have a perfect Savior in Jesus Christ.

God bless

Jason Fredrick

Quote of the Week: The Speed of Trust

How you go about achieving results is as important as the results themselves, because when you establish trust, you increase your ability to get results the next time.
(The Speed of Trust, p. 40, Covey)

Obedience Is A Sign of Love

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John 14:15

"If you love me, you will obey what I command."

There is a very interesting relationship between obeying earthly authorities and obeying God's authority.  If you stop and think about it, they are actually the same thing.  No one on earth has any authority that hasn't been given to them by God.  Even Jesus said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me."  God, who is the ultimate authority, gives people their authority.  

Sadly, some choose to abuse the power and authority that they have been given.  Even when this is the case, we are still commanded to obey and submit to their authority.  The best example of this is Jesus before Pilate:

The Jews insisted, "We have a law, and according to that law he must die, because he claimed to be the Son of God."

When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid, and he went back inside the palace.  "Where do you come from?" he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer.  "Do you refuse to speak to me?  Don't you realize I have the power to either free you or to crucify you?"

Jesus answered, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above.  Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin." -John 19:7-11

Pilate knew Jesus was innocent of any crime.  Pilate didn't want to have anything to do with his death.  Yet he still gave the order for Jesus to be crucified.  In this interaction you need to picture the scene:

Jesus has been flogged, almost to death.  He has been beaten and pulverized constantly for the last eight hours.  He is bloody.  His back has been torn to ribbons.  His face is swollen, bloody, and discolored.  His eyes are practically swollen shut.  He looks totally pathetic and defeated.

When Pilate asks this question I picture Jesus just rolling his head toward Pilate and giving this response.

This is the ultimate picture of perfect obedience.  This is a beautiful picture of submission and love.  Jesus submitted Himself to the Father's plan of salvation.  He submitted to the authority that had been given to Pilate.  He loved us enough to do it.  He loved Pilate enough to give him this one last shot at repentance.

Imagine how your life would change if you honored the authorities in your life the way that God commands.  Wives, what if you truly submitted to your husband as to the Lord?  Employees, what if you submitted to your boss's authority the way that Scripture commands?  Citizens, what if you actually submitted to the governing authorities instead of slandering them?

God gives a promise about what our lives would look like:  Honor your father and mother that it may go well with you, and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.  God wants to bless us.  That's one of the reasons He gave us the Ten Commandments.  He wants us to know His expectations so we can strive to live according to His will.  This is how we show our love to God.  

Obedience ultimately come down to this:  Rebellion against any earthly authority is rebellion against God.  The only time it is okay for us to disobey earthly authorities is when they make rules/laws that would make us sin against God.

Here are some sections of Scripture that will help you understand what God's Word has to say on this subject:

• Romans 13
• Ephesians 5:22-33
• Ephesians 6:1-9
• 1 Peter 3
• John 14:23-24

1 Peter 2:13-25

Submit to Every Authority

13 Submit to every human authority because of the Lord, whether to the king as the supreme authority 14 or to governors as those who have been sent by him to punish those who do what is wrong and to praise those who do what is right. 15 For this is God’s will: that you silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing good. 16 Do this as free people, and do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but use it as servants of God. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood.[a] Fear God. Honor the king.

Slaves and Masters

18 Slaves, submit to your masters with total respect, not only to those who are good and kind but also to those who are harsh. 19 For this is favorable:[b] if a person endures sorrows while suffering unjustly because he is conscious of God. 20 For what credit is it to you if you receive a beating for sinning and patiently endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and endure it, this is favorable with God.

21 Indeed, you were called to do this, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you[c] an example so that you would follow in his steps. 22 He did not commit a sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth. 23 When he was insulted, he did not insult in return. When he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself carried our sins in his body on the tree so that we would be dead to sins and alive to righteousness. By his wounds you were healed. 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but you are now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

God bless 

Jason Fredrick

Quote of the Week: The Innovator

Pretty much all great achievers since...ever...have a story of facing major challenges and rising above difficulties.  They literally turned those circumstances into lessons, motivations, and even opportunities.  Leaders aren't leaders because they never had serious disadvantages or setback.  In fact, the opposite is true.

(The Innovator, p. 79, Leadership Essential Series)

Watch Your Mouth

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Proverbs 15:4

The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.

What does it mean to have a perversion in our tongues?  The dictionary defines perversion this way:  The alteration of something from its original course, meaning, or state to a distortion or corruption of what was first intended.  The original perversion took place in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve's sin perverted their relationship with God.  In regards to speech, God lays out His definition of undistorted speech in Philippians 4:8.  Does your speech match God's definition, or does it pervert and distort what God calls good? (Character Matters, p. 10, Dr. Steve and Megan Scheibner)

There a a number of ways that a "soothing tongue" can be a tree of life.  There is encouragement, compliments, edification, words of comfort, words of love, a soft and loving tone, forgiveness, understanding, etc.  

There are just as many ways that a "perverse tongue can crush the spirit":  Lying, cursing, vulgarity, course joking, gossip/slander, verbal abuse, yelling, belittling, betraying a confidence, etc.

I like how the Scheibner's go all the way back to the Garden of Eden to begin the conversation of perverse speech.  Think about it.  Satan's first attack was a verbal assault on God's Word, "Did God really say?"

Then Eve indulged him by exaggerating what God had actually said.  The conversation spiraled downward from there.

The same is true for us.  You probably have people in your life whom you are more prone to perverse speech when you are around.  This is one of the reasons why we have to watch our associations closely.  It is an easy trap to fall into.  We automatically talk like the people we are around.

Words are amazingly powerful.  Unfortunately, most people don't wield that power with much responsibility.  That's why we need to.  Shower words on people with your soothing tongue.  Be intentional about your words being a "tree of life".  You have to do this in conjunction with eliminating the habit of using your words to crush spirits.  This isn't either/or.  It takes both.  Increase your soothing words with everyone, while also eliminating the perverse words that crush the spirit.

Let's finish with two passages of Scripture.  One tells us how God wants us to speak.  The other is a warning against what perverse speech looks (sounds) like.

Ephesians 5:4-5

Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or course joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.  For of this you can be sure:  No immoral, impure or greedy person--such a person is an idolater--has any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and of God.

Philippians 4:8

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.

God bless

Jason Fredrick

Quote of the Week: John 15:18-19

If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me[Jesus] first.  If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own.  As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world.  That is why the world hates you.- John 15:18-19

Paybacks Are A ...

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Have you ever had a friend that was known for having a spirit of retaliation?  It is easy to want to "get back" at someone when we have been wounded or wronged, but God's Word instructs us to behave differently.  Choosing the road of retaliation builds a harsh and unapproachable emotional wall.  God wants his children to bring forgiveness and healing to hurting situations, not a tit-for-tat attitude.  Entrust your grievances to God; he will take care of you! (Character Matters, Dr. Steve and Megan Scheibner)

Do not say, "I'll do to him as he has done to me; I'll pay that man back for what he did."-Proverbs 24:29

What is the result of retaliation?  Does it resolve anything, really?  Where does it end?
The reality is that retaliation and vendettas don't solve anything.  They only work to escalate the problem.  This happens because each time someone decides to "get back" at someone else, the other person then feels justified to strike back.  Only this time the response has to be more severe- a  pathetic attempt to try to intimidate the other person into submission.  You see this most tragically with street gangs.  The stupidity builds upon itself until people end up dead and low self-esteem thugs end up in prison.

Retaliation is birthed out of low self-esteem and selfishness.  Sadly, these people who are trying to demonstrate strength and courage are revealing the exact opposite.  They are showing their fear to the world.  They are broadcasting that they are afraid that they're not good enough; that they're not strong enough, not smart enough, that they just don't have what it takes to cut it in the world.  They are still scared little kids hiding under the bed, and they don't want you to know it.

The sad thing is that people who foster the attitude of revenge and bitterness are only destroying themselves.  The more they feed their fear and hostility the worse it gets.  The stronger the hold it gets over them.  The stronger the hold that Satan has on their heart.  Hanging on to slights and hurts kills people.  It makes them angry and bitter.  It allows Satan to keep their focus on themselves and off the cross of Christ.

Forgiveness is the solution, but why should we forgive?
The better question is:  Where would we be if Jesus had had an attitude of retaliation instead of forgiveness?
The answer is simple:  We would be doomed.  There would be no salvation had Jesus selfishly sinned like that.  If getting even was more important to Jesus than God's plan of salvation, he would have never come into the world.  He would have let us get what we deserve, but thankfully Jesus loves us, and didn't suffer from the selfish attitude of retaliation and revenge.  He lived a perfect life and showed us exactly how to handle personal attacks and injustice.

To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

"He committed no sin,

And no deceit was found in his mouth."

When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats.  Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.- 1 Peter 2:21-23

God bless

Jason Fredrick

Quote of the Week- Isaiah 8:19

When someone tells you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?- Isaiah 8:19

Family Traditions

What are some of your family traditions?
What do they commemorate?
Who started them?  Why?

Most family traditions we take for granted.  We don't stop and think about those questions very often, but the reality is that someone started them for a reason.  Family traditions are a great way to keep family history alive, if we talk about where the tradition came from, who started it, and why they started it.

I have to confess that I have never given any thought to my family's traditions.  Most of out traditions were centered around celebrating holidays, but I just always figured, "That's how you celebrate Christmas.  That's how you celebrate Thanksgiving."
Even when I got older and began to realize that my friends didn't celebrate holidays the same way as my family, I never really stopped to consider why that was.  It never dawned on me that someone started our traditions, and for a reason.

God is the One who started traditions and ceremonies.  He wanted His people to remember the promises He had made them, and also how He fulfilled many of them.  He also wanted His people to talk about them and pass them on from generation to generation.  This is where I have dropped the ball with family traditions.  We just don't talk about where they came from as a family.

19 On the tenth day of the first month the people went up from the Jordan and camped at Gilgal on the eastern border of Jericho. 20 And Joshua set up at Gilgal the twelve stones they had taken out of the Jordan. 21 He said to the Israelites, “In the future when your descendants ask their parents, ‘What do these stones mean?’ 22 tell them, ‘Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’ 23 For the Lord your God dried up the Jordan before you until you had crossed over. The Lord your God did to the Jordan what he had done to the Red Sea[a] when he dried it up before us until we had crossed over. 24 He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God.”- Joshua 4:19-24

After the Israelites crossed the Jordan River to enter Canaan, God commanded Joshua to set up a monument to this event.  This monument wouldn't just give the people an opportunity to tell future generations about what happened here, at the Jordan.  This would also be their opportunity to tell their children about how God delivered their ancestors from slavery in Egypt.

God is intentional about His monuments and traditions.  From this monument at the Jordan to the Passover to the wearing of clothes.  All of these things show how God has loved His people in the past, but they also ensure us that He will fulfill all of His promises that have not yet been fulfilled.  And God wants us to tell the next generations.  We need to pass it on.  Not just the traditions, but more importantly, what they mean.  We need to talk about their significance.

As we begin to approach the holiday season, I encourage you to start thinking through your family traditions.  Talk about them.  Start some new ones.  Thank God for all of the blessings He has given you, and your ancestors before you.

God bless
Jason Fredrick

Quote of the Week- Courage: The Backbone of Leadership

When we swallow reality and fake being nice, we don't make things better.  We make people sick, starting with ourselves.
(Courage: The Backbone of Leadership- Lee, p. 91)

God Calls Joshua to Lead Israel

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"Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them"- Joshua 1:6

This wasn't the first time that Joshua had heard these words.  These are the same words that Moses spoke to Joshua in Deuteronomy 31:7-8.  These are the words that Moses spoke to pass his leadership of Israel over to Joshua.  Clearly God wants to make sure Joshua understands just how big and important his new job is.  He makes sure that Joshua understands that his is the call to fulfill one of the big promises God had made to His people.  A promise that had been made about 500 years before Joshua's lifetime:  The covenant that God had made with Abraham.  Joshua was the man chosen to make that promise a reality, and it wasn't going to be easy.

Thankfully, God speaks these same words to us.  He knows that He needs to constantly reassure us of this because He has given each of us a big job to do:  "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."  This isn't some little assignment.  It isn't an easy assignment.  WE need to be strong and courageous.  He has called each of us to lead His people to the land He has promised they will inherit- Heaven.  "All nations" is a lot of people and not all of them will joyfully receive God's message of salvation, so be Strong and Courageous!


Be strong and very courageous.  Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.  Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to obey everything in it.  Then you will be prosperous and successful.- Joshua 1:7-8

Why did Joshua need to be strong and courageous to obey God's law and meditate on it day and night?  Wouldn't it make sense that as the leader of God's chosen people he would just do this as a matter of course?  The answer is "Yes", but there were also going to be a lot of temptations and distractions for Joshua and the people once they entered Canaan.  It would seem like it wouldn't take a lot of courage for Joshua and the Israelites to stay faithful to God, but as history would prove once again, God knew exactly what He was doing and talking about.  The Israelites would continue to struggle with faithfully honoring God their entire existence, just as they had while wandering in the wilderness.  Sadly, Abraham's descendants still struggle with this command.  They don't believe the Scriptures so they continue to reject the Messiah- Jesus.

What about you?  How well do you honor these commands that God gave to Joshua?  They're pretty simple commands really:  Study God's Word everyday, talk about it, and obey everything that is says.  This is God's success formula that He has graciously shared with us.  He promises that when we do these three things we will be "prosperous and successful".  This isn't a commercial exchange between God and us.  He isn't saying, "If you do what I say, I will give you everything you want."
God is revealing one of the "natural laws" that He has put in place to govern our world.  When we study His Word daily and obey what it says, we will be blessed as a result.  This doesn't mean we will be given material success and prosperity, although He may choose to bless you that way.  It does mean that we will be blessed spiritually.  By honoring this command, our faith will grow stronger every day and we will have the assurance of the greatest blessing He has ever given- Eternal Life in heaven through Jesus!


Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."- Joshua 1:9

God says it one more time; assuring Joshua that the One true God, the triune God, will be with him.  He doesn't have to be terrified of the giants that live in the land.  He doesn't have to be terrified of the cities with high walls and strong defenses.  He doesn't have to be afraid of anything that scared the 10 unfaithful spies 40 years earlier.  God is with him.  Joshua is up to this call because God will be with him wherever he goes.  What a promise!  What encouragement!  What wondrous love!

What an awesome God we have!  This promise didn't die with Joshua.  Everyone of us has this same promise.  The Lord God will be with you wherever you go!  You don't have to be terrified of anything.  You don't have to be defeated by discouragement.  God is with you.  He will defeat all of your enemies for you.  This is the promise that lead Paul to write, "I can do anything through Him who gives me strength."  Praise the Lord!

And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Amen.

Quote of the Week- The Theology of the Cross

What a horrible burden the soul carries around, whether recognized or not, when it refuses to repent.  That pain, however, is not the cross of God's sending, but the self-inflicted wound of the sinner who still holds fast to his sin.

(The Theology of the Cross- Deutschlander, pp.27-28)

Hold On to Your Faith

1 Timothy 1:18-19

I am entrusting this instruction to you, Timothy, my child, according to the prophecies about you, which were made earlier, so that by them you may fight the good fight, 19 with faith and a good conscience. By rejecting these, some people have suffered shipwreck with regard to their faith...

There is a false Bible teaching that goes something like this: "Once saved, Always saved."  If that little saying were true, then why would Paul encourage Timothy to continue to "fight the good fight"?  If that saying were true, then once Timothy was baptized he should be good for the rest of his life.  He would be free to live however he wanted, and do whatever he wanted.  It wouldn't matter because "once he was saved, he would always be saved", no matter what.

That is why this, and all, false teaching is so dangerous.  False teachings destroy faith, and our reliance on Jesus.  Paul warns that to refuse to fight the good fight is to "shipwreck our faith".  I don't know about you, but that doesn't sound like a reassurance that "Once saved, Always saved".  It sounds like a warning to be diligent, because we can lose our faith.  Satan is constantly trying to lead us astray and kill our faith.

I encourage you to be like the Bereans (Acts 17:10-15) and search Scripture every day.  When you hear these quaint little catch-phrases, check them against what Scripture says.  Fight the good fight, be diligent about studying and knowing God's Word so that you can protect your faith and not allow it to be shipwrecked.

God bless
Jason Fredrick

Quote of the Week: Mike Maloney

Gold is the money of kings.
Silver is the money of the common man.
Debt is the money of slaves.

(Mike Maloney, Hidden Secrets of Money and GoldSilver.com)

Korah's Rebellion

Numbers 16:1-11

Korah son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and certain Reubenites—Dathan and Abiram, sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth—became insolent and rose up against Moses. With them were 250 Israelite men, well-known community leaders who had been appointed members of the council.  They came as a group to oppose Moses and Aaron and said to them, “You have gone too far! The whole community is holy, every one of them, and the Lord is with them. Why then do you set yourselves above the Lord’s assembly?”

When Moses heard this, he fell face down. Then he said to Korah and all his followers: “In the morning the Lord will show who belongs to him and who is holy, and he will have that person come near him. The man he chooses he will cause to come near him. You, Korah, and all your followers are to do this: Take censers and tomorrow put burning coals and incense in them before the Lord. The man the Lord chooses will be the one who is holy. You Levites have gone too far!”

Moses also said to Korah, “Now listen, you Levites! Isn’t it enough for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the rest of the Israelite community and brought you near himself to do the work at the Lord’s tabernacle and to stand before the community and minister to them? He has brought you and all your fellow Levites near himself, but now you are trying to get the priesthood too. It is against the Lord that you and all your followers have banded together. Who is Aaron that you should grumble against him?”

Rebellion.  It's nothing new.  God has been dealing with man's rebellion since just after the creation of the world (Genesis 3).  This rebellion shouldn't surprise us all that much.  It comes shortly after Moses sent the 12 spies into Canaan.  It seems that Moses's whole reign as the leader of Israel is the story of putting down one rebellion after another.  If you are familiar with Israel's history, starting with Adam and Eve; this is the theme of the nation of Israel.  If you disagree with that just read Genesis through 2 Chronicles.  Read the prophets.  Read the gospels and pay attention to how the leaders of Israel respond and interact with Jesus, the Apostles, and John the Baptist.  Look at the Israelites today and see how they are still rebelling against God.  They still reject Jesus as the promised Messiah!

But, back on point...Korah.  Korah and his band of Levites had enough of Moses being God's chosen leader.  They decided that they wanted some of his authority.  They wanted to be the ones ruling over God's people.  There was only one problem- God had chosen Moses, not Korah and his band of usurpers.

I love how Moses points out that all rebellion is rebellion against God.  Moses makes the point in verse 11, "who is Aaron that you should grumble against him?"  Moses and Aaron were just men.  They were just obeying God's commands and call.  Moses didn't even want this responsibility (see Exodus 3).  Everybody wants to be the leader until it comes time to be held accountable before the Lord.  Just like Eve, no one wants to be the leader then.

God calls and appoints men to positions of leadership and authority in our world.  Any rebellion against that authority is first, and foremost, a rebellion against God (I will include some verses at the end to drive home this point).  Like Moses, not all leaders are in their position because they sought it or the power that comes with it.  Some have been pulled into leadership reluctantly.  They would be just fine following and letting someone else lead, if only God had called someone else.  Christian leaders faithfully answer that call to leadership despite their personal preferences, the obstacles they face, or the flaming arrows that are constantly shot at them by the cowardly critics.

The reality is that God has called ALL of us to follower-ship, and only a select few to high-profile leadership.  The best leaders in every field start out by following good leaders.  If you're not in the position of leadership that you want, then it's time to become a better follower.  You clearly still have some things to learn.  Submit to the authorities that God has place in your life and learn all you can from them.  The biggest lesson you will learn is humility, because Godly submission cannot be achieved without it.
Finally, don't worry about your own aspirations.  Instead look for the doors that the Holy Spirit has opened to you; and serve Christ's Church with everything you've got, right where you're at!

The Fourth Commandment

Honor your father and mother, that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.

What does this mean?

We should fear and love God that we do not dishonor or anger our parents and others in authority, but honor, serve, and obey them, and give them love and respect. ( Martin Luther, Small Catechism)

Hebrews 13:17

Obey your leaders and submit to their authority.  They keep watch over you as men who must give account.  Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.

Romans 13:1-2

Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.  The authorities that exist have been established by God.  Consequently, he who rebels against he authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.

1 Peter 2:13-17

 Submit to every human authority because of the Lord, whether to the king as the supreme authority 14 or to governors as those who have been sent by him to punish those who do what is wrong and to praise those who do what is right. 15 For this is God’s will: that you silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing good. 16 Do this as free people, and do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but use it as servants of God. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood.[a] Fear God. Honor the king.

God bless

Jason Fredrick