The Storms of Life

 The lectionary readings for this week are:

Job 38:1-11
Acts 27:13-26
Mark 4:35-41

In all three of these readings there are some common threads: Storms and major life challenges will come.  Also, God is faithful, he honors his promise to protect and provide through those challenges.

Mark 4:35-41

That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, "Let us go over to the other side [of the Sea of Galilee]."  Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat.  There were also other boats with him.  A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped.  Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion.  The disciples woke and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?"

He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet!  Be still!"  Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid?  Do you still have no faith?"

They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this?  Even the wind and the waves obey him?"

Several of the disciples were professional fishermen.  They knew the Sea of Galilee well.  This most likely was not the first time they had been caught in the middle of the lake when a storm suddenly blew in.  There response was interesting, though.  We're not told how long they tried to fight the waves themselves, but it doesn't seem like they fought the storm for very long before waking up Jesus.

Reading through the text, it doesn't seem like Jesus was mad that they woke him up.  He rebukes them for their lack of faith.  That was displayed with their accusation toward him, "Don't you care if we drown?"  They accused Jesus of not caring about them.  It is a ridiculous accusation, but how often are we guilty of the same thing?  We get overwhelmed with the storms that hit us in our life, we panic, and turn to God, "Don't you care about me God?  How could you let this happen?"

This is obviously a ridiculous question.  God loves us.  He has demonstrated his love for us in so many ways, it is total arrogance to even ask such a question of God.  Here Jesus gave a short, but strong rebuke to his disciples.  In Job 38-39 God gives Job a lengthy and crushing rebuke.  Job quickly recognized that he had been a whiny baby about his challenges and God didn't owe him an explanation.

God doesn't owe us an explanation for the challenges we face in life.  In faith, we know that the storms of life are the result one thing- sin.  We live in a sinful world so sometimes bad stuff happens to everybody.  We also know that God uses those storms for our good (Romans 8:28).  

Sometimes the storms of life are of our own making.  They are the natural effect of sinful behavior or bad decisions.  Sometimes they are the natural side-effect of living in a sinful world.  Whatever the case, God always uses them as an opportunity to draw us closer to him.  In all three readings above Job, Paul, and the disciples turned to God to see them through the storm.  This is the same place that we must turn during the storms of life.  Only Jesus can carry us through.

You never need question Jesus' love for you like the disciples did.  Jesus cares about you.  Jesus loves you.  His greatest statement of just how much he loves you was made on Calvary.  He gave up his life that you may live.  Despite being totally innocent of any sin, he took all of yours on himself and paid the price for all of them on the cross.  No matter what happens in life, you can be confident of one thing: Because Jesus lives, you also will live.  God's got it all worked out all ready.  He is not suprised by the storms you face.

So do not worry, but seek first his kingdom and righteousness, and all good things will be added to you as well. (Matthew 6:33)  That is God's promise to his children.

God bless.

Jason Fredrick

Another Turn

 On Thursday September 9 my life took another turn (you may recall my article from last year, Turning Points: When Life Gets Real).  This is one I didn't quite see coming like I had with the Covid shutdowns back in January 2020.  This one caught me off guard a little, but I am not devastated by it.  

The "turn" that I have come to is my position at Chaplains in Schools was eliminated.  

Now I am faced with decisions, opportunities, and choices.  This is the challenge with some turns in life: I can't see what's around the corner.  This turn came up much quicker than I could have anticipated.  I look at potential options and try to navigate the next few weeks and months by asking myself some clarifying questions.  What do you do in times like this to figure out your next move?

Here's what I've been doing:

1. Praying.  I have been praying a lot asking God for guidance and patience.  
2. Routine.  I have taken this opportunity to rebuild my morning routine.  The foundation of this routine is daily Bible study and Catechism reading first thing in the morning.
3. Reading.  I have used my open days to read more than I have in quite some time.  I am rebuilding the habit of reading at least one hour every day.
4. Exercise.  Three days-a-week I work out first thing in the morning.  I am physically feeling better than I have in quite some time.  I am working to get my "Energy Pyramid" (p. 210, The Power of Full Engagement) back in order.

The great thing about Turning Points in life is that they don't have to be scary and stressful.  If you are learning and growing daily, turning points just open the door to the next chapter.  They help us to remember that, ultimately, we are in control of nothing in this life.  Turning points should remind you to turn back to the Lord and trust in him.  He is the One who's "Got this".

My hope is to take full advantage of this turning point.  I will keep reading, keep working, keep learning, and keep trusting in God.  I don't know where this one is going to lead, but I want to be prepared for wherever it might be.

Jeremiah 29:11-12

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you."

God bless

Jason Fredrick

Who Do You Turn to in Tough Times?

 Matthew 8:23-27

Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him.  Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat.  But Jesus was sleeping.  The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Lord, save us!  We're going to drown!"

He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?"  Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

The men were amazed and asked, "What kind of man is this?  Even the winds and the waves obey him!"

When the winds and waves of life pound against your boat, and it looks as though you're going to sink, who do you turn to for help?  Do you work to make your way through the storm, or do you just give up and say, "Well, whatever happens, happens.  It's out of my control."?

There is one thing you can be sure of.  In life, you are going to have to deal with some storms.  Some are worse than others, but they always come.  That's the reality of living in a sinful world.  The only thing you have to decide is:  How are you going to handle them when they come?  

This is something you had better be clear on before they hit.  You need to decide today how you're going to handle life's storms.  Are you going to attack them head-on, and learn the lessons from each one; or are you going to quit when life gets tough?

There is one thing for sure: if you attack life's storms and learn the lessons, they get easier to deal with over time.  Not because the storms get weaker or easier, but because you become stronger and are more prepared to deal with them.  

Conversely, you only have to quit on yourself one time to make quitting a habit in your life.  Don't make quitting your default mode when life gets tough.

How do you thrive through life's storms?

Do what those disciples did- Turn to Jesus!  They knew they were overmatched by the winds and the waves.  We aren't told how long they battled the storm before waking up Jesus, but once they realized it was too much for them, they turned to the only one who could help them.  They woke up Jesus.

The good news for us is that Jesus has been exalted from his lowly human state so he never sleeps.  He is always watching; waiting and ready to help us as soon as we are willing to turn to him and ask.  In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus taught, "Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be open to you."  Jesus wants to help.  In fact, he is the only one who truly can.  Every storm in life is our opportunity to turn to Jesus and submit ourselves to his power and authority.

The great thing about Jesus is that he solves our problems in ways that are way better than we would even think of.  We have no way of knowing what the disciples expected Jesus to do when they woke him up.  They just knew that he was powerful and they were not.  They knew that Jesus was their best chance for survival.  We do know that they never in their wildest dreams imagined he would solve the problem by displaying his authority over nature.  He got up, rebuked the winds and waves, and "it became completely calm."  Jesus is the only one who can give us the peace we are looking for, even in the middle of life's most violent storms.

Jesus rebuked the disciples for their lack of faith.  Their lack of faith was displayed by their extreme fear- they were terrified.  Fear comes from a total lack of faith.  When we trust in Jesus we have nothing to fear.  We don't have to fear the storms of life because Jesus will help us through them.  We don't have to fear death, because Jesus has conquered it and reigns over it.  If we no longer have to fear death, why should we fear anything?  Where, O death is your victory?  Where, O death is your sting?  

Jesus has defeated Satan.  He has conquered death and hell.  He has redeemed us and forgiven us all of our sins.  What do we have to fear?  Nothing!

Take your eyes off yourself and your challenges, and look to Jesus.  With man everything is impossible, but with God nothing is impossible.  You can't do it alone.  If you do choose to go it alone in life and become a "self-made" man or woman, you will get to go it alone in eternity as well.  If you turn your back on Jesus in life, he will turn his back on you in eternity.  You will be cast into the darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.  You will spend eternity completely separated from Jesus, in hell.  

That's not what he wants.  He died for you.  He wants you to be saved.  He is holding out his hand to help you through this storm.  Take it!

"Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other." -Isaiah 45:22

God bless

Jason Fredrick

Psalm 46

God is our refuge and strength,

    an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
    and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
    and the mountains quake with their surging.[c]

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
    the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall;
    God will help her at break of day.
6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
    he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

7 The Lord Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.

8 Come and see what the Lord has done,
    the desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease
    to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
    he burns the shields[d] with fire.
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth.”

11 The Lord Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Sibling Rivalry

Genesis 4:2b-5

Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil.  In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the LORD.  But Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock.  The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering He did not look with favor.  So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.

We all know how this story ends:  Cain kills his brother out of jealousy and envy.  Sadly, this attitude is not foreign to us today.  Whether it's in our actual family or in our church family, sibling rivalries are real.  In the family, siblings are constantly competing for mom and dad's attention and favor.  In the church, brothers and sisters compete for honor and recognition.  

In the family, mom and dad need to recognize when this is going on and address it so that it doesn't get out of control.  Unfortunately, in some families, parents actually feed this destructive attitude, playing siblings against each other.  Sometimes, even playing their children against their spouse.

The same is true in the church.  The pastor and elders need to recognize when this is happening and address it.  Unfortunately, sometimes in the church the one jealously competing for recognition is the pastor.  This is just as destructive in the church as it is in the family.

The reason Cain's offering was not acceptable to God had nothing to do with his brother.  It had everything to do with his own heart.  Instead of hearing God's rebuke and repenting, Cain decided it would be easier to get rid of his brother who was making him look bad.  Cain's bad response only made things worse.  Cain's bad response seems to have established his family's legacy:

Lamech [Cain's great-great-great grandson] said to his wives,

"Adah and Zillah, listen to me; 

wives of Lamech, hear my words.

I have killed a man for wounding me,

a young man for injuring me.

If Cain is avenged seven times, 

then Lamech seventy-seven times."

-Genesis 4:23

It is amazing how sins of fathers get passed along from generation to generation.  We aren't told much about Cain's family history, but it seems like his rejecting God was a curse on his family for generations...possibly forever.  Certainly we see that Cain's grandchildren had their selfish attitudes reinforced.  They were willing to resort to violence and murder when their own egos were bruised.  Much like Cain, Lamech does not repent for committing murder, but instead he tries to justify himself.  This is the generational legacy that rebellion against God establishes.  This is why God later says to Moses that He will punish the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Him.  

If you are caught in a sibling rivalry anywhere in your life, today is the day to humble yourself and start working to resolve it.  Turn to the Lord.  Repent for your selfish contributions.  Apologize to all you have hurt.  Ask God to give you a humble and loving heart.  He loves you.  He sent His Son to die for you!  You don't have to compete with anyone for His attention.  He is able to pay attention to each and every one of us.  After all, His attention and approval is the only one that matters.

God bless

Jason Fredrick

Quote of the Week: Letters to the Church

Leaders, I want to challenge you to examine your lives and see whether you can truly tell people in good conscience to follow you as you follow Christ.
Just because we claim to believe in Him or went to school to study for ministry, it doesn't ensure that our hearts are His.
Remember that in Jesus' day, some of the religious leaders were the most evil.
(Letters to the Church, Francis Chan, p. 111)

Quote of the Week: Letters to the Church

Our Father thinks all His children are extremely gifted.  God is convinced He did an amazing job in creating each of them and supernaturally empowering them.  His desire is to see all His kids serve to their full potential.  He placed church leaders on the earth to ensure this would happen.  Few people understand this to be the role of their church leaders, and the leaders themselves often don't understand their role.  Leaders have become like personal trainers who lift the weights for their clients.  They run on the treadmill while their trainees sit and marvel.  Then we wonder why we the people aren't developing.
(Letters to the Church, Francis Chan, p. 91)

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

Learn to Love Discipline

Proverb s 12:1

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.

Do you love discipline?  Do you even like discipline?

Most people do not.  

I love the results of discipline, but I cannot honestly say that I love discipline.

One thing that I have learned is that self-discipline is preferable to external discipline.  The reality is that you will be disciplined; it will come from three different sources: Yourself, God, and the world (God's natural laws, i.e. The Law of Cause and Effect).  So, if you are going to be disciplined anyways, doesn't it make sense that you would discipline yourself as much as possible?

Let's look at what Solomon said above:  Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge...
Wisdom and real, beneficial, knowledge is tough to acquire.  It takes discipline.  There are so many distractions in our life that we have to be intentional about learning and self-improvement.  The reality is that discipline can be painful or uncomfortable sometimes.  It can seem like we have to give up something that we really love, and maybe you will.  The reality and purpose of discipline is that there is something better available for us, something that we want most, something that is perfectly aligned with God's plan for our lives, and ultimately there is a right and wrong way to live our lives.   It takes discipline to walk the narrow road, and it is the narrow road that leads to life- eternal life in heaven.

This needs to be our motivation for self-discipline.  We want to discipline ourselves to walk that narrow road as a way to say, "Thank you" to Jesus for everything that He has done for us.  This doesn't just mean curbing our sinful actions and desires; it also means disciplining ourselves to develop and use all of the gifts He has given us.

This is why Solomon said, "...but he who hates correction is stupid."  When we look at discipline in this light, won't we love it?  Won't we want more of it?  Anyone who doesn't is stupid.  Anyone who hates discipline hates being led back to Jesus, and His plan for us.  Sadly, because of our sinful nature we are all guilty of being stupid at times.  Fortunately, Jesus loves us enough to be patient with our stupidity and to continually discipline us.

What's the best way to learn to love discipline?  Results.  The results of discipline help us to learn to love it.  When we see how Jesus pulls us closer to Him through discipline, we love it and want more of it because we want to be closer to Him.  When we see our health and fitness improve because we discipline ourselves with regular exercise and a healthy diet, it motivates us to love that discipline.  When we have better ideas and greater understanding from the discipline to read an hour every day, we learn to love that discipline.  When we see the positive impact our lives and our efforts have on the people God has placed in our lives, we love how Jesus has disciplined us over the years.  Eventually, we even become thankful for all the discipline we have received over our lifetime.

It's interesting that Solomon is saying here that knowledge comes from discipline and correction.
Anyone who loves discipline and correction ultimately loves knowledge.
Anyone who hates discipline and correction hates knowledge, and is therefore stupid.

Proverbs 15:10  Stern discipline awaits him who leaves the path; he who hates correction will die.

Matthew 6:13-14  "Enter through the narrow gate.  For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."

My prayer for you is that Jesus will continue to love you with His discipline.

God bless
Jason Fredrick

The Stupidity of Sinful Habits

Proverbs 26:11

As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.

This bit of wisdom really paints a picture, doesn't it?

Every time you return to your addictive, sinful habit, you are the dog.

Have you ever seen a dog puke a pile, and then come back a few minutes later and lick it up?  This is what you and I look like to God every time we return to pornography, or cigarettes, or cocaine, or gambling, or shopping, or junk food, or...you name it.  You know what yours is.  

I will share one of mine with you.  Pornography.  Pornography is a temptation I have to battle almost every day.  The challenges with pornography are that it's so easy to access in our internet age and also that it is so prevalent in our culture today.  "Sex sells".  Maybe it is so prevalent because it is so easy to get.

For me, the challenge is very difficult because of how young I was when I was first exposed to pornography.  I was somewhere between 10 and 12 years old.  There is never a good time for someone to be exposed to the depravity of pornography, but 12 years old is way too young.  I was way too immature, spiritually and emotionally.  One exposure was all it took for me.  It grabbed ahold of me and dominated my life for the next 20 years!  Being so immature, I didn't even begin to battle it until I was introduced to Leadership Development at age 32.  Before then I lived my life entirely for myself.  The entire decade of my twenties was marred by sex addiction.  It was the primary motivator for most of my daily choices.  I would go almost anywhere, anytime to indulge.    

The problem with any addiction or compulsive behavior is the damage it leaves in its wake.  I hurt a lot of people in those 20 years, caring about nobody but myself.  The number of damaged and destroyed relationships from that time is almost uncountable; none of us can ever really know the exponential damage of the ripple effect.  I do know that I hurt my family daily in those years.  The shame and guilt of my "secret sin" robbed me of my self-confidence and self-esteem.  I hated myself, and everybody around me paid the price.  I was argumentative.  I swore constantly.  I would say mean and hurtful words to anybody at anytime.  

Like I said before, at age 32 God threw me a lifeline.  He brought Leadership Development into my life.  That turned out to be the tool He used to bring me out of all of that.  Today, 10 years after starting my Leadership journey, I am married; I have an incredible son; and all of my relationships are better and stronger than at any time in my life.

In my teens and twenties God let me go my own way- daily returning to my folly.

In my thirties and forties He has brought me back to the path that I was supposed to be the whole time.  My life has literally been that of "The Lost Son" (Luke 15:11-31).  

The Takeaways

The first takeaway from my story is: God is Faithful.  He was always with me, always watching over me.  It is only by His grace that I am not demon-possessed or suffering eternal judgment in hell.  It is only by His grace that I was able to leave behind that life of selfishness and depravity.

Secondly, persistent sin destroys.  Because of my willful, sinful, selfish lifestyle I faced several years of demonic attack.  Also, I think I have made it clear that I hurt countless people and destroyed relationships.  The same is true for you.  Your "secret sin" that you think that no one knows about is ravaging the people who love you most.  Whether either of you realizes it or not, it is.  By you daily returning to your folly you are playing with fire.  The people who will be burned the worst are the people you claim to love the most.

Finally, you can put your folly behind you.  God loves all of His children, including you.  In fact, He loves you so much that He sent His son, Jesus, to pay the price for ALL of your sins.  He is powerful enough to pull you out of the pit you have fallen into.  He wants to help you, stop resisting Him!  You will never be totally free of the temptations, Satan knows our weaknesses; but God is powerful enough to help us resist Satan's  lies and temptations.

I still battle temptations to look at pornography, almost everyday, but now, I battle them instead of indulging in them.  God is powerful and God is love and can help you leave your folly behind.  Through the power of the Holy Spirit you can finally stop being the dog.

God bless

Jason Fredrick

Living With Integrity Every Day

Proverbs 11:3

The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.

What is integrity?  What are some of the characteristics of a person of integrity?  Let's start there.  They are:

• Honest/ Trustworthy
• They do what they say.
• They don't partake in gossip and slander.
• Honorable
• Patient
• Understanding

That's a good place to get started, but let's look at how Solomon defines integrity in the verse above:

Integrity means to keep and honor God's commands.

If we look at any list like the one above to describe someone with integrity I think this definition would sum up every one of them.  Have you ever known an atheist or a humanist that you would describe as having integrity?  Or would you generally say that they most often display duplicity- meaning that they are inconsistent in what they say, and how they apply what they say to themselves and others?

Using Solomon's definition of integrity explains why so many Christians struggle with living their faith; and also understanding their purpose/calling/mission in life.  Solomon is saying that the upright person is guided by God's Word.  How often do we let God's Word and the Ten Commandments guide us?  We run into problems when we are unfaithful, trying to guide ourselves.  

Psalm 119:105-112

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.  

I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws.  

I have suffered much; preserve my life, O LORD, according to your word.  

Accept, O LORD, the willing praise of my mouth, and teach me your laws.  

Though I constantly take my life in my hands, I will not forget your law.  

The wicked set a snare for me, but I have not strayed from your precepts.

Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart.

My heart is set on keeping your decrees to the very end.

This Psalmist clearly understood what Solomon was saying above.  Clearly he was an upright man.  How many times in the eight verses here does he reference God's Word or God's laws.  This is what it means to be upright and guided by integrity.  Every time we have a question for God we need to search the Scriptures for God's answer to that question.  This is why prayer needs to be accompanied by studying God's Word daily.  Why would you talk to God and then not let Him speak back?  The Bible is how He speaks to us today.  He doesn't talk to us like He did with the apostles and the prophets of the Old Testament.  His response to our prayers is in His Word, the Bible.

One of the biggest problems people face is wanting God's will to line up with their desires.  They want what they want; so instead of letting God's Word be "a lamp to their feet and a light for their path" they try to make God's Word say what they want it to say.  They take verses out of context, they change the wording of verses, they liberally interpret Scripture to mean whatever they need it to mean.  These are dangerous practices.  These people are the unfaithful who are destroyed by their duplicity.  God warns:

Revelation 22:18-19

I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book:  

If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book.

And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.

God takes His word seriously and so should we.  We have a loving God who speaks to us daily.  He wants to have conversations with us.  That's why He has given us His Word.  You won't get this from any man-made and false god:  allah, Buddha, Brahma, self, nature, etc.  No false god loves.  Only the true God, God almighty creator of heaven and earth, God of the Bible loves.  It is only the true God who sent His Son to earth to pay the price for the sins of all people, of all time.  

1 John 4:9-10

This is how God showed His love among us:  He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him.

This is love:  not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

God bless

Jason Fredrick