Archives for 2018

Good morning,

Over the years, I have been counselled, God is in control. I have shared this same counsel with others. Sometimes though, when we are in the middle of a trial, it does not seem that God is in control. Our personal lives are spinning out of control and we just want it to stop.

God knows. He has a purpose for whatever we are going through. We will understand in God’s timing.

Trials are medicinal!

(John Newton)

Trials are medicinal. They are designed by God to correct or to restrain or to cure–the maladies of our souls.

Though He puts forth His hand, and seems to threaten our dearest comforts–yet when we remember that it is His hand, when we consider that it is His design, His love, His wisdom, and His power—we cannot refuse to trust Him!

Every affliction in the life of the believer–is designed by God and sovereignly implemented by Him.

“Before I was afflicted I went astray–but now I obey Your Word!” Psalm 119:67

“It was good for me to be afflicted–so that I might learn Your decrees.” Psalm 119:71

“I know, O LORD, that your laws are righteous, and in faithfulness You have afflicted me.” Psalm 119:75

Christ’s suffering was punitive–the Christian’s suffering is restorative.
The cup which Christ drank, was filled with Divine wrath–the cup of suffering which God calls His children to drink, is only medicinal to promote their chief good.

Like heavy weights on a grandfather clock–trials are necessary for the Christian life to operate properly. God will allow nothing to grieve us–but what He intends to employ as means for our greater advantage.
~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

This precept is very extensive and important

(John Newton)

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind . . .” Romans 12:2

This precept is very extensive and important. As believers, we are strangers and pilgrims upon earth. Heaven is our country–and the Lord is our King. We are to be known as His subjects–and therefore it is His pleasure that we do not speak the language or adopt the customs, of the land in which we sojourn.

We must not conform to the spirit of the world. As members of society, we have a part to act in it, in common with others. But though our business is the same—our principles and ends are to be entirely different!

We must not conform to the maxims of the world. The world in various instances calls evil, good–and good, evil. But we have recourse to the law and to the testimony, and are to judge of things by the unerring Word of God–uninfluenced by the determination of the great or the many.

We must not conform to the world in their amusements and diversions. We are to mix with the world, only so far as our necessary and providential connections engage us–so far as we have a reasonable expectation of doing or getting good, and no farther.

“What fellowship has light with darkness, or what concord has Christ with Belial?” What call can a believer have into those places and companies . . .
where everything tends to promote a spirit of dissipation;
where the fear of God has no place;
where things are purposely disposed to inflame or indulge corrupt and sinful appetites and passions, and to banish all serious thoughts of God and ourselves?

If it is our duty  . . .
to redeem time,
to walk with God,
to do all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
to follow the example which He set for us when He was upon the earth,
and to work out our salvation with fear and trembling
–then it must of course be our duty to avoid a conformity with the world in those vain and sensual diversions, which stand in as direct contradiction to a spiritual frame of mind, as darkness to light.
~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Today we begin a study on the book of Ephesians.

Summary of the Book of Ephesians

This summary of the book of Ephesians provides information about the title, author(s), date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the Book of Ephesians.

Author, Date and Place of Writing

The author identifies himself as Paul (1:1; 3:1; cf.3:7,13;4:1;6:19-20). Some have taken the absence of the usual personal greetings and the verbal similarity of many parts to Colossians, among other reasons, as grounds for doubting authorship by the apostle Paul. However, this was probably a circular letter, intended for other churches in addition to the one in Ephesus. Paul may have written it about the same time as Colossians, c. a.d. 60, while he was in prison at Rome (See 3:1;4:1;6:20).

The City of Ephesus

Ephesus was the most important city in western Asia Minor (now Turkey). It had a harbor that at that time opened into the Cayster River, which in turn emptied into the Aegean Sea. Because it was also at an intersection of major trade routes, Ephesus became a commercial center. It boasted a pagan temple dedicated to the Roman goddess Diana (Greek Artemis); cf. Acts 19:23-31. Paul made Ephesus a center for evangelism for about three years, and the church there apparently flourished for some time, but later needed the warning of Revelation 2:1-7.

Theological Message

Unlike several of the other letters Paul wrote, Ephesians does not address any particular error or heresy. Paul wrote to expand the horizons of his readers, so that they might understand better the dimensions of God’s eternal purpose and grace and come to appreciate the high goals God has for the church. The letter opens with a sequence of statements about God’s blessings, which are interspersed with a remarkable variety of expressions drawing attention to God’s wisdom, forethought and purpose. Paul emphasizes that we have been saved, not only for our personal benefit, but also to bring praise and glory to God. The climax of God’s purpose, “when the times will have reached their fulfillment,” is to bring all things in the universe together under Christ (1:10). It is crucially important that Christians realize this, so in 1:15-23 Paul prays for their understanding (a second prayer occurs in 3:14-21).

Having explained God’s great goals for the church, Paul proceeds to show the steps toward their fulfillment. First, God has reconciled individuals to himself as an act of grace (2:1-10). Second, God has reconciled these saved individuals to each other, Christ having broken down the barriers through his own death (2:11-22). But God has done something even beyond this: He has united these reconciled individuals in one body, the church. This is a “mystery” not fully known until it was revealed to Paul (3:1-6). Now Paul is able to state even more clearly what God has intended for the church, namely, that it be the means by which he displays his “manifold wisdom” to the “rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms” (3:7-13). It is clear through the repetition of “heavenly realms” (1:3,20;2:6;3:10;6:12) that Christian existence is not merely on an earthly plane. It receives its meaning and significance from heaven, where Christ is exalted at the right hand of God (1:20).

Nevertheless, that life is lived out on earth, where the practical daily life of the believer continues to work out the purposes of God. The ascended Lord gave “gifts” to the members of his church to enable them to minister to one another and so promote unity and maturity (4:1-16). The unity of the church under the headship of Christ foreshadows the uniting of “all things in heaven and on earth” under Christ (1:10). The new life of purity and mutual deference stands in contrast to the old way of life without Christ (4:17-6:9). Those who are “strong in the Lord” have victory over the evil one in the great spiritual conflict, especially through the power of prayer (6:10-20).

EPHESIANS 1

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: (Ephesians 1:3)

Introduction Author, date, message (SEE ABOVE)

Greetings (1-2)

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:² Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

God’s eternal purpose for Christians (3-14)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:⁴ According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:⁵ Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,⁶ To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.⁷ In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;⁸ Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;⁹ Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:¹⁰ That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:¹¹ In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:¹² That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.¹³ In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,¹⁴ Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

Paul’s prayer for the Ephesian Christians (15-23)

Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,¹⁶ Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;¹⁷ That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:¹⁸ The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,¹⁹ And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,²⁰ Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, ²¹ Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:²² And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, ²³ Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

CONCLUSION

Our purpose is that we should be holy and without blame before him in love

God blessed us with all spiritual blessings

God revealed the “mystery of his will” to us

God redeemed us

Paul prayed for spiritual wisdom for the Ephesians

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

 

Good morning,

Rebellion against God has its consequences.

God promised Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Israel) a land flowing with milk and honey. He said He would drive out the inhabitants of the land.

God’s people were in bondage in Egypt. God brought them out. Then the people murmured, complained, and rebelled against God.

Then God spoke to Moses in Exodus 33:1-4. He explained that the consequence of their rebellion was that He, God, would not go up with them. He would send an angel.

“And the Lord said unto Moses, Depart, and go up hence, thou and the people which thou hast brought up out of the land of Egypt, unto the land which I sware unto Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, saying, Unto thy seed will I give it:² And I will send an angel before thee; and I will drive out the Canaanite, the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite:³ Unto a land flowing with milk and honey: for I will not go up in the midst of thee; for thou art a stiffnecked people: lest I consume thee in the way.⁴ And when the people heard these evil tidings, they mourned: and no man did put on him his ornaments.”

Moses knew that this was unacceptable. He moved the tabernacle outside the camp, went to God, requested God to guide him, reminded God that these were His people, and asked for the presence of God to lead them.

“And Moses said unto the Lord, See, thou sayest unto me, Bring up this people: and thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with me. Yet thou hast said, I know thee by name, and thou hast also found grace in my sight.¹³ Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people.¹⁴ And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.¹⁵ And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.¹⁶ For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth.¹⁷ And the Lord said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name.” (Exodus 33:12-17)

Even though the people were rebellious, Moses requested God’s wisdom, grace, and presence. God heard Moses request and granted it.

God does lead the people. The children of Israel continue to rebel. God gives them the Promised Land.

Many lives are lost because of the rebellious nature of Israel.

Rebellion against God has consequences.

Believers also rebel against God. We have the Bible to give us God’s direction. When Jesus ascended to Heaven, He left believers the Holy Spirit of God to comfort and direct us.

What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?²⁰ For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

God’s presence lives within us. Are we in agreement with or in rebellion to God?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

Past, present, or future. Where do you spend your time? You might say, “The present.” However, the present becomes the past very quickly. It is fleeting.

Today’s devotion challenges us to look to the future.

She has listened to the blandishments of those who would woo her away!

(A.W. Tozer)

“They admitted that they were strangers and pilgrims on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them!” Hebrews 11:14-16

Let no one apologize for the powerful emphasis which Christianity lays upon the doctrine of the world to come.

The church is constantly being tempted to accept this present world as her home, and sometimes she has listened to the blandishments of those who would woo her away and use her for their own ends. But if she is wise, she will consider that she stands in the valley between the mountain peaks of eternity past and eternity to come. The past is gone forever–and the present is passing as swift as the shadow on the sundial of Ahaz. Even if the earth should continue a million years, not one of us could stay to enjoy it.

We would do well, to think of the long tomorrow!

“They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever!” Revelation 20:10

“And they will reign for ever and ever!” Revelation 22:5

“To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb–be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” Revelation 5:13
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Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Sometimes our lives seem out of control. However, they are never out of God’s control.

This devotional will help put our trials in perspective. God’s perspective!

Everything is necessary–Nothing is necessary 

(John Newton)

Everything is necessary, which God sends.

Nothing is necessary, which God withholds.

How happy are those . . .
who can resign all to Him,
who see His hand in every trying dispensation, and
who believe that He chooses better for them–than they could possibly choose for themselves!

Faithful are the wounds of that Friend who was Himself wounded and slain for us, and who now reigns over all!

Christ is sovereign over all of our trials.

He is the Supreme Disposer of all that concerns us, that He . . .
numbers the very hairs of our heads,
appoints every trial we meet with–in number, weight, and measure,
and will allow nothing to befall us, but what shall contribute to our good.

The view of trials as a necessary medicine suited to our disease–powerfully reconciles us unto every cross.

What a comfort to be assured that our afflictions do not happen to us at random–but are all under the direction of infinite wisdom and love, and all engaged to work together for good to those who love the Lord!

“We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28
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Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Affliction brings us closer to God. When we are afflicted, we need help, comfort, and answers. God provides all three through His word.

This devotional will either be a comfort to you today or will be at some point down the road.

The book for the afflicted

(Octavius Winslow)

“Before I was afflicted I went astray–but now I obey Your Word.” Psalm 119:67

The Bible is the book for the afflicted. We fly to it in times of adversity. It is then that we . . .
read it more attentively,
counsel with it more closely,
understand it more clearly,
relish it more sweetly, and
receive it into the heart more experimentally, as the engrafted Word.

Affliction illuminates the Bible–as though a new book had been composed–or another constellation in the spiritual hemisphere had burst upon the telescope of faith!

We know more of the Lord Jesus through one sanctified affliction–than by all the treatises the human pen ever wrote!

Welcome whatever makes you more acquainted with God!

Despise nothing that will deepen your intimacy with Jesus.

Welcome the cross–though it may be heavy!

Welcome the cup–though it may be bitter. Receive it as an blessing sent to you from your Father–receive it as a heavenly message to your soul.

~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Spiritual warfare is little discussed, but effects every believer’s life.

Satan does not want believer’s reading their Bibles, attending church, fellow-shipping with other believers who are want to grow in their relationship to God. He encourages believers to compromise their testimonies.  He makes it easy for believers to sin.

God on the other hand has given us victory over Satan, sin, and death.

This is the topic of today’s message.

SPIRITUAL WARFARE

Luke 10:17-19, Colossians 2:13-15, Revelation 12:11

And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. 18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. 19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. (Luke 10:17-19)

Introduction:

First Adam had dominion over the Garden of Eden. Gen 1-2 (Read 1:26, 28)

First Adam gave up dominion when he sinned. Gen 3

Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (Romans 5:12)

Second Adam (Jesus Christ) bought back sinful man through His blood. (Read John 3:16)

1. HOW KINGDOM AUTHORITY SOVEREIGNLY ESTABLISHED

And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15 [And] having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. (Colossians 2:13-15)

V13 Jesus set us free from spiritual death.

Situation dire: DEATH We deserve DEATH. Quickened=made alive Forgiving ALL our trespasses

V14 Jesus set us free from our staggering debt for our sin.

Heaven has sued us for damages. We are GUILTY before God.

In olden times criminals accused of a crime were given a handwriting of ordinances which stated the charges against him. This was taken to the judge, a trial held and if the person was found guilty, the crime and sentence would be written on the handwriting of ordinances. This would be then posted to the door of his jail cell for all to see. When the sentence was completed and all time served and all debt paid, the handwriting of ordinances would be taken back to the judge. The judge would ask, Has all the sentence been carried out? The jailer would say YES. The judge then writes one word on the handwriting of ordinances:

TETILESTI=It is paid or paid in full. This was same word Jesus used on the cross.

Imagine God writing out handwriting of ordinances on each of us detailing all our sins. The trial is held and the verdict is read GUILTY. Then HE nailed each handwriting of ordinances to the cross. Jesus paid the debt for our sin on the cross. When Satan comes to God to accuse the believer, our attorney the Lord Jesus Christ will show the judge, God, the handwriting of ordinances which has written upon it PAID IN FULL!

V15 Jesus set us free from Satanic dominion.

Principalities and powers are Satan’s dark kingdom.

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Ephesians 6:12)

Spoiled=stripped When Jesus Christ died on the cross, shedding His blood for our sins, He stripped Satan of his dominion of this world and shamed Satan openly and made Satan a laughing stock. A king with no clothes, no kingdom.

Triumphing=subdued Satan was subdued by mighty Calvary. The blood of the Lamb Jesus Christ.

SATAN IS A DEFEATED FOE!!!! He does not want you to know this!!!

2. THIS KINGDOM AUTHORITY THAT HAS BEEN SOVEREIGNLY ESTABLISHED MUST BE STRONGLY ENFORCED

Satan does not give up without a fight. He uses deception to win.

SATAN ONLY HAS POWER ON THOSE WHO ALLOW HIM TO HAVE THAT POWER.

HE DOES NOT WANT YOU TO KNOW WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO HIM.

We must appropriate what God has given us. Claim His promises.

OUR DOMINION OVER SATAN

Has Satan’s back been broken? YES

Has his kingdom been ruined? YES

Do you have authority? YES

You must appropriate and enforce your authority.

Satan is holding people captive.

17 And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, 18 The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, (Luke 4:17-18)

Jesus said: As my Father has sent me, so send I you. We are being sent to the rescue/ to set the captives free.

We have the authority to tell Satan to be gone. Our debt of sin has been forgiven, Jesus defeated Satan at Calvary and stripped him of all power he has over man.

BUT WE MUST EXERCISE THAT AUTHORITY!! WE HAVE AUTHORITY OVER SATAN!!!

3. AUTHORITY MUST BE STRATEGICALLY EXERCISED

a. Person must be right with the Lord. No unconfessed sin. You can not fight spiritual battles if you are not under God’s authority.

b. Right position. We are praying from earth to heaven instead of Heaven to earth.

And hath raised [us] up together, and made [us] sit together in heavenly [places] in Christ Jesus: (Ephesians 2:6) Our position is seated with God.

c. Right power is in Calvary.

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Use your testimony against Satan. Be willing to serve Jesus even unto death.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

John Newton was a wicked man. Then he trusted Christ as Savior and Lord and became a Godly man. He became a Pastor and preached about Jesus death, burial, and resurrection to whoever would listen.

Today he shares about a group of people he was very familiar with.

The bulk of my congregation were burglars, highway robbers, and poor unhappy prostitutes!

(John Newton)

“But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on Him and receive eternal life!” 1 Timothy 1:16

You would have liked to have been with me last Wednesday, when I preached at the prison. The bulk of my congregation were burglars, highway robbers, and poor unhappy prostitutes–such as infest the streets of this city, sunk in sin, and lost to shame. I had a hundred or more of these criminals before me.

I preached from 1 Timothy 1:15, “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners–of whom I am the worst!” and began with telling them my own story. This gained their attention more than I expected. I spoke to them nearly an hour and a half. I shed many tears myself, and saw some of them shed tears likewise.

Ah! Had you seen their present condition, and could you hear the history of some of them, it would make you sing, “O to grace, how great a debtor, daily I’m constrained to be!“

By nature, they were no worse than the most upright and moral people; and there was doubtless a time when many of them little thought what they would live to do and suffer.

I might have been, like them, in chains–and one of them have come to preach to me, had the Lord so pleased!

In my days of folly and vanity, I was a chief sinner indeed—a vile blasphemer, and profligate to an extreme! But it has pleased Him to set me forth as a pattern of His mercy to other chief sinners—that none may despair when they see me!

“By the grace of God I am what I am!” 1 Corinthians 15:10 
~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

Good morning,

The topic of God is unfathomable. No one is greater than God. There is no entity that compares with God. The reason why is God created everything and controls all aspects of His creation.

We will see in today’s devotional that Scripture backs this up.

If we could but grasp this in the depth of our being!

(John Newton)

“The LORD does whatever pleases Him–in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and all their depths. He makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth; He sends lightning with the rain and brings out the wind from His storehouses.” Psalm 135:6-7

God’s sovereignty is but another name for the unlimited exercise of wisdom and goodness and power. Nothing can hinder Him.

Every drop of rain hits its appointed target–and every particle of dust is carried by the wind to its appointed resting place.

If we could but grasp this in the depth of our being, our souls would be liberated to depend fully on God’s governance over our lives, and to learn to count trials, all joy!

“Our God is in heaven–He does whatever pleases Him.” Psalm 115:3

“All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as He pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back His hand or say to Him: What have you done?” Daniel 4:35

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Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001