Good morning,

“Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.¹² 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 6:11-12)

This week we will be looking at the topic of Spiritual Warfare.

The forces of good and the forces of evil are in a battle for the souls of men and women, of boys and girls. Satan and his demonic cohorts seek to make evil acceptable.

Have you ever wondered why there is so much evil in our world today? Where did it come from and why?

It goes back to Genesis 1-3. Genesis 2:16-17, God commanded Adam not to eat of the “…tree of the knowledge of good and evil…” Genesis 3:6 records Adam’s rebellion to God’s command. “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.”

It has been a downhill spiral from there.

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)

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!!!

If we as Christians believed this truth, we would not be so vulnerable to Satan’s enticements.

Trust what Christ has done for you.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

“Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.¹² 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 6:11-12)

This week we will be looking at the topic of Spiritual Warfare.

The forces of good and the forces of evil are in a battle for the souls of men and women, of boys and girls. Satan and his demonic cohorts seek to make evil acceptable.

Halloween is one of those activities.

Shofar Be Tzion Ministries wrote the following article on the real meaning of Halloween.

The Real Meaning of Halloween

It’s Not All About The Candy

We know as Christians that we should not celebrate Halloween, but do we know why? When I was a child, Halloween was one of my favorite times of the year. I loved dressing up, going out trick-or-treating, and enjoying the other festivities. Thank God for His Grace! I truly believe that once you come unto the knowledge or revelation of something, you are then responsible. I didn’t know then, what I know now. In doing research, getting information from people and gathering information from various sources, my mother and I came across some startling and very eye opening facts about the origins of activities, from what we use to consider a fun and harmless time of the year.

Did you know…………..

Trick or treating and wearing costumes were first done by the Druids to keep themselves safe from evil spirits?

Bobbing for Apples was done to obtain favor with the evil spirits. People would kneel around a tub of water filled with apples. The first person to get an apple without using their hands, would have good luck and favor from the spirits for the coming year.

Bonfires originally came from these nights of human and animal sacrifices where they would throw the remains of the bodies into the fire. The next morning all that was left were ashes and bones- thus the name bonefires- bonfires.

If this information is not enough, here are 10 more reasons that Kerby Anderson, an author, broadcaster and CEO of a Christian Think Tank Ministry, gives us.

 

10 Reasons Christians Should Not Celebrate Halloween.

1. October 31st. Has long been known as “The Festival of the Dead.” The Celtic tribes and their priests the Druids celebrated this day as a marker for the change from life to death.
2. Halloween today is performed usually by adherents of witchcraft who use the night for their rituals. Witches celebrate Halloween as the “Feast of Samhain” the first feast of the witchcraft year. Being a festival of the dead, Halloween is a time when witches attempt to communicate with the dead through various forms of divination.
3. Christians should not be involved with occultic practice or divination. Note God’s command against divination in Deuteronomy 18.
4. Occultist believe Halloween is a time of transition between life and death. Some occult practitioners…believe in lying on the grave and listening to the message from the long departed.
5. Occultist also taught that spirits and ghosts left the grave during this night and would seek out warmth in their previous homes. Villagers, fearful of the possibility of being visited by the ghosts, would dress up in costumes to scare the spirits on their way. They would also leave food and other “treats” at their door to appease the spirits.
6. Occultists also would try to scare away the spirits by carving a scary face into a pumpkin. Sometimes the villagers would light a candle and place it within the pumpkin and use it as a lantern.
7. In some witchcraft covens, the closing ritual includes eating an apple or engaging in fertility rites.
8. Schools are removing any religious significance from Christmas (Winter Break) and Easter (Spring Break). Isn’t it ironic that most public schools still celebrate Halloween even though it has occultic origins?
9. Participating in Halloween gives sanction to a holiday the promotes witches, divination, haunted houses and other occultic practices.
10. Christians should not endorse or promote Halloween in any way. “The night is nearly over; the day is almost near. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.” Romans 13:12.

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This should give us something to think about. Satan wants us to believe that Halloween is all about costumes and candy. As we have seen, it is not.

Tomorrow, we will begin to uncover the Scriptural basis for our victory over Satan.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

People are important. Nothing gets accomplished without them.

Titus 3 has shown us there are wicked people, seeking to damage the cause of Christ, and there are Godly people, ready to witness for the Lord, serve with joy, and be His ambassador.

Paul had need of people. Over his missionary journeys, he met faithful believers, who were faithful in the work of the Lord. He trained them for further usefulness.

Remember people (3:12-13)

¹² When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter.¹³ Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them.

Allow God to use you today. Mentor someone so they can also serve the Lord.

“And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” (2 Timothy 2:2)

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

In view of who we are in Christ, we should work for God. Not because it is required, but out of love for what Christ has done for us.

We must avoid all things and people that would hinder this work. Satan does not want us to succeed in serving Christ.

Remember to keep on course (3:8)

⁸ This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

Remember the things to avoid (3:9-11)

⁹ But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.¹⁰ A man that is an heretic after the first and second admonition reject;¹¹ Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.

Remember to do good deeds (3:14-15)

¹⁴ And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.¹⁵ All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.

Serving the Lord can be accomplished in many ways. Everything we do should honor and glorify God. We should never get weary in well doing.

Never let people hinder you from God’s work.

“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” (Colossians 3:17)

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Paul encourages Titus to explain to the Cretians how they are to act toward government and leaders. Then he reminds them of who they were prior to salvation and about who they are now. With this in view Titus challenges the Cretians to maintain their good works.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Download (TITUS-3.docx, DOCX, 14KB)

Good morning,

Christians who desire to be good citizens must remember their life before Christ and how Christ has radically changed them.

Paul encourages Titus to explain this to the Christians at Crete.

Remember what you used to be (3:3)

³ For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

Remember the great salvation of God (3:4-7)

⁴ But after that the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared,⁵ Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;⁶ Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;⁷ That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

We went from being bad citizens in the flesh to good citizens through the renewing of the Holy Ghost.

Paul wrote this out of his own experience. He was everything verse 3 describes. He was the enemy of Christ and His church.

But then Paul received God’s mercy and was justified by his grace. His life was transformed and God used him to tell others about Jesus.

This redemption by our Savior Jesus Christ makes us good citizens here on earth. We are ambassadors for Christ and have opportunity to tell others of our heavenly home. (2 Corinthians 5:20)

We have been changed. Does it show? Are we being good ambassadors for the Lord Jesus?

“Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.” (2 Corinthians 5:20)

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

Good morning,

Christians should be Godly citizens. We should be willing to obey our civil authorities.

Titus 3:1-2, tells us what we are to do and how we are to act.

“Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,² To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.”

We are to be obedient to those in authority over us. Obedience is not our natural desire. Rebellion is. When we became believers in Christ, our lives and desires changed.

The characteristics of obedience would be to speak evil of no man, not a brawler, gentle, showing meekness to all men. Government would look quite different if we, as believers, would heed these words.

During this campaign season, we need to consider our responses to the issues, candidates, and involvement in our political system.

Godly citizens act Godly.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

Good morning,

The word “wait” is defined as, “stay where one is or delay action until a particular time or until something else happens, or used to indicate that one is eagerly impatient to do something or for something to happen.

We do not like to wait. We live in a world of fast food, immediate news, and everything at our fingertips. No waiting.

Then, “Waiting on the Lord” is counter intuitive to the way we live life. The problem for believers in Christ is that the Bible tells us to wait.

We are to wait for our salvation, strength, answered prayers, protection, and instruction.

INSTRUCTION

“I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.” (Psalm 130:5)

“Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths.⁵ Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.⁶ Remember, O Lord, thy tender mercies and thy loving kindnesses; for they have been ever of old.” (Psalm 25:4-6)

The word of God is our instruction manual on how to live life. God uses the Bible to speak to us, instruct us in how to live righteous lives, and how to resist the devil.

The Psalmist says he waited all day on the Lord. He had a desire for God to instruct him from the word of God.

Do we have that desire to spend time with God, in His word, and then willing to apply it to our lives? Application is crucial!

Wait on the Lord. He will instruct and change our lives.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

The word “wait” is defined as, “stay where one is or delay action until a particular time or until something else happens, or used to indicate that one is eagerly impatient to do something or for something to happen.

We do not like to wait. We live in a world of fast food, immediate news, and everything at our fingertips. No waiting.

Then, “Waiting on the Lord” is counter intuitive to the way we live life. The problem for believers in Christ is that the Bible tells us to wait.

We are to wait for our salvation, strength, answered prayers, protection, and instruction.

PROTECTION

“Our soul waiteth for the Lord: he is our help and our shield.” (Psalm 33:20)

“Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.⁸ Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.⁹ For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth.” (Psalm 37:7-9)

“Because of his strength will I wait upon thee: for God is my defense.” (Psalm 59:9)

“Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation.² He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved.” (Psalm 62:1-2)

It is God’s intent to protect His children. Do we as believers understand this? Waiting on the Lord allows us to think about all God does for us. Wickedness pervades our society and Satan’s goal is to get Believers so caught up in it we lose our effectiveness and testimony for Christ.

One way God protects us is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will try and direct us to righteousness as opposed to evil. God’s word, the Bible, gives us clear direction on what is right and what is wrong. However, we must read it and obey it, if we want God’s protection.

Wait on the Lord. He will protect you.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

 

 

Good morning,

The word “wait” is defined as, “stay where one is or delay action until a particular time or until something else happens, or used to indicate that one is eagerly impatient to do something or for something to happen.

We do not like to wait. We live in a world of fast food, immediate news, and everything at our fingertips. No waiting.

Then, “Waiting on the Lord” is counter intuitive to the way we live life. The problem for believers in Christ is that the Bible tells us to wait.

We are to wait for our salvation, strength, answered prayers, protection, and instruction.

ANSWERED PRAY

“I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.² He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.³ And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord.⁴ Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.⁵ Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.” (Psalm 40:1-5)

When we wait patiently on the Lord, He hears our prayers, and answers them in His great wisdom. Here we see the Psalmist cried to the Lord. The Lord heard and answered by removing him from the horrible pit, giving him a new song, and establishing his ways.

That is what we want God to do for us. However, we are not willing to wait patiently. We are accustomed to getting everything immediately and are not willing to wait. God does not work on our time schedule.

What God does do is hear our prayers, answer His way and in His timing, and has always given the correct answer.

Wait patiently on the Lord.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001