Good morning,

This Sunday we will celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. In preparation for this event, the next three devotionals will deal with Christ, the Cross, and the Resurrection. Today we will look at the Resurrection of Christ.

We have learned that Jesus is God and He shed His perfect blood to pay our sin debt. Is that it? No! The Resurrection changes everything. We serve a LIVING Savior. He arose from the grave.

He is Risen (Matthew 28:1-10)

In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulcher ² And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.³ His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:⁴ And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.⁵ And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.

⁶ He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.⁷ And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.⁸ And they departed quickly from the sepulcher with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.⁹ And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.¹⁰ Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.

The Resurrection Changes Everything (1 Corinthians 15:3-6, 13-18)

For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; ⁴ And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: ⁵ And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: ⁶ After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.

But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: ¹⁴ And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. ¹⁵ Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. ¹⁶ For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: ¹⁷ And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. ¹⁸ Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.

These three devotionals point us to the inevitable question, “What must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” (Acts 16:30-31)

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:13)

If you have never been saved, please do so today. I am available to meet with you and help you make this life or death decision.

Happy Resurrection Day! HE IS RISEN!

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

 

Good morning,

This Sunday we will celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. In preparation for this event, the next three devotionals will deal with Christ, the Cross, and the Resurrection. Today we will look at the Cross of Christ.

What is the relevance of the Cross of Jesus to a believer in Jesus Christ? Why did Jesus have to go to the Cross?

1) Sin debt

Genesis 3 tells us of the original sin committed by Adam. His sin has passed down to all men.

“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). “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” (Romans 3:23)

The penalty of sin is death. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

So how do we pay this sin debt?

2) The Cross

When Jesus went to the Cross, He shed His blood to bare, atone, redeem, and cleanse us from our sin debt.

“Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.” (1 Peter 2:24)

“For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.” (Leviticus 17:11) “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.” (Hebrews 9:22) This is what Jesus did for us on the cross.

“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;” (Ephesians 1:7)

“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7)

As we learned yesterday, Jesus is God. So when Jesus voluntarily comes to earth to dwell with men, be beaten and abused, and then die for their sins on His Cross, that is amazing.

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:  But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.  Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;  And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:5-11)

Tomorrow we look at the Resurrection.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

 

 

Good morning,

This Sunday we will celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. In preparation for this event, the next three devotionals will deal with Christ, the Cross, and the Resurrection. Today we will look at who Christ is.

Jesus Christ is the central figure of the Resurrection story. So who is Jesus Christ?

1) God

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1)

Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. (Matthew 1:23)

2) Maker of all things

All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. (John 1:3)

For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:  And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. (Colossians 1:16-17)

3) The Word

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1)

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)

4) Perfect Lamb of God

The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. (John 1:29)

Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, (1 Peter 1:18-20)

There are hundreds of other references to Jesus Christ. Meditate on why these are important to our Resurrection celebration.

Tomorrow we will look at the significance of the cross and why Jesus had to be crucified.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

Good morning,

Paul has now come full circle. He began the book of Colossians praying and encouraging the brethren and completes the book doing the same. Colossians 4, verses 1-6, Paul begins by telling the Colossians to continue in prayer.  Verses 7-14, deal with Paul’s fellow servants in Christ. Then, verses 15-18, Paul gives his closing salutation.

Prayer (1-6)

Paul encourages the Colossians to continue to pray and give thanks. He requests prayer specifically for himself and his fellow ministers of God’s word. He asks them to pray “…that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ…” He admonishes them to “Walk in wisdom…”, redeem the time, and that they speak with grace.

Fellow Servants (7-14)

Paul lists his fellow servants and highlights of their character.

Tychicus (7-8)          Beloved brother, faithful minister, fellow servant,  sent to comfort the hearts of the Colossians

Onesimus (9)             Faithful and beloved brother, who will make known all that is done in Rome

Aristarchus (10)       Fellow prisoner

Marcus (10)                Receive him

Justus (11)                  Fellow worker, comfort unto Paul

Epaphras (12-13)      Servant of Christ, laboring fervently for you in  prayers, great zeal for the Colossians, Laodiceans,  and those in Hierapolis

Luke (14)                     The beloved physician

Closing Salutation (15-18)

Paul closes by telling the Colossians to “Salute the brethren…”, read this letter to the Laodiceans, and gives a warning to Archippus. Paul reminds them he wrote this letter and to remember his bonds.

What should challenge us from this chapter?

Pray for pastors, missionaries, and fellow believers

Pray that God would open a door of utterance to allow us to witness and teach others

Remember those who are faithfully proclaiming God’s word

This concludes our study of Colossians. The rest of this week we will look at devotionals on Christ, the Cross, and the Resurrection.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

Our conduct tells us a lot about who we are. If we live for the pleasure of the day, wickedly, the Bible calls us ‘fools’. If we delight in God, His Word, His people, His church, the Bible calls us men of understanding and wisdom.

Which are you?

A fool finds pleasure in evil conduct!

(George Lawson, “A Practical Exposition of the Book of Proverbs” 1821)

“A fool finds pleasure in evil conduct–but a man of understanding delights in wisdom.” Proverbs 10:23

“A fool finds pleasure in evil conduct!” That man has arrived at an advanced stage of folly, who takes as much pleasure in evil conduct, as if it were an agreeable amusement. But it would be far safer to sport with fire, than with sin–which kindles a fire that will burn to the lowest Hell! It may now be a sport to do evil–but in the lake of fire and brimstone, it will be no sport to have done it!

“But a man of understanding delights in wisdom.” And therefore it is impossible that he should be so infatuated with sin. He is deeply sensible of the misery and ruin that is in sin. His delight is in holiness–and in the exercises of holiness, he experiences that heartfelt pleasure, which the sweetest sins could never afford!

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Please read this devotion prayerfully. Hopefully, this challenges us to walk closer to our Savior, Jesus Christ.

The pattern which we daily strive to copy!

(George Everard, “Before His Footstool” 1874)

O merciful God, our Creator and our Benefactor, our Father in Christ Jesus–we come to You today to thank and praise You for all Your manifold mercies. We thank You for the proofs of Your goodness which day by day we receive at Your kind hands. You have given us all things richly to enjoy. You have given to us home and friends, food and clothing–and You have preserved us in life and health. For all this bounty we adore and praise Your holy name.

But we would bless You most of all, for Your inestimable love in our redemption. You have given Your Son Jesus Christ to be a sacrifice for our sins. Fill us with sincere gratitude, and teach us to praise You both with our lips and in our lives.

O God of love, purify our hearts that we may love You as we ought. You are worthy that we should love You far above all else. But we are carnal, and our affections cling too much to the things of the world. May Your Holy Spirit break the chains which bind us so closely to earth, and draw us nearer to Yourself. Shed abroad Your love in our hearts, that we may desire Your presence above all things. Kindle within each of us the heavenly flame, and may it burn ever more and more brightly.

O blessed Savior, the Good Shepherd of Your flock–may Your holy life be the pattern which we daily strive to copy. Teach us so to walk as You walked when sojourning here below. May our constant aim be to do the will of our Father in Heaven. May we be gentle and meek and forbearing towards all men. May we never willfully yield to the very least sin. May we give ourselves unto prayer, and make Your Word the rule of our life. May we go about doing good, and watch for occasions of comforting those in distress. Fill our hearts with zeal and love, with patience and kindness, with humility, and hatred of all evil. May we daily fix our eye on You as revealed in Your Word, and may we be changed into Your holy image from glory to glory, as by the Spirit of our God.

May Your Word ever be the light to guide and direct us, and may Christ alone be the resting-place of our heart.

Hear us, O God, and preserve us evermore by Your help and goodness, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

This week we will learn how to walk in Christ. We will at the heavenly focus (1-4), how to live a holy life (5-17), and living the Christian life in all relationships (18-4:1). We will be encouraged and challenged as we study Colossians 3.

COLOSSIANS 3

PRACTICAL LIVING FOR BELIEVERS IN JESUS CHRIST

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. (3:17)

Paul taught the Colossians about Jesus, then about the believers being complete in Jesus and why, now he has explained how to live holy lives. So his next logical step is to teach about relationships concerning wives, husbands, children, fathers, servants, and masters. He makes the point that each of these relationships is contingent on their relationship to God. Chapter 3, verses 18 through Chapter4, verse 1, explains.

3. Living the Christian life in all relationships (18-25, 4:1)

 ¹⁸ Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.  ¹⁹ Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.  ²⁰ Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.  ²¹ Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.  ²² Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eye service, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God; ²³ And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; ²⁴ Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.  ²⁵ But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons. Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.

Verse 18: Wifely submission cannot be forced; it must come from her own free will. As it is fit in the Lord means the wife’s submission to her husband is proper in her relationship with Christ; submission rendered to her husband is submission rendered to Christ.

Verse 19: Ephesians 5:25 explains the duty of the husband is to love his wife. The Greek word for love is agapao, the same affection with which “God so loved the world” (John 3:16). This type of love is a willing and sacrificial giving of oneself for the benefit of another, without thought of return. Be not bitter against them might be translated, “Do not be harsh toward them.”  The husband who loves his wife will not be rude, unkind, or cruel toward her. This implies that wifely submission is gained in part by the husband’s love.

 Verse 20: Obedience to parental authority is pleasing to the Lord in the child’s relationship to Him. The obedience given to parents is obedience given to Christ.

Verse 21: Fathers can provoke their children to anger by injustice, loss of temper, undo severity, cruelty, favoritism, suppression, sarcasm, ridicule, and misuse and abuse of authority.

Verse 22-25: Eyeservice is work done only when the master is watching. Christian slaves were to work hard even when the owners were absent. Singleness of heart means a sincere disposition. Do it heartily means the slave is to perform his slave duties wholeheartedly, doing the best job he can with all his strength. A slave could be enthusiastic in carrying out his menial tasks because they were done, not so much for his earthly master (unto men), but for his heavenly Master (to the Lord).

Verse 1, Chapter 4: The reason earthly masters should give their servants that which is just and equal is that the masters themselves also have a Master in heaven. As they want Him to be just and fair with them, so they must be towards their servants.

CONCLUSION

• SEEK THOSE THINGS ABOVE
• LIVE HOLY LIVES PLEASING TO GOD
• DWELL IN UNITY WITH FELLOW BELIEVERS

 Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

This week we will learn how to walk in Christ. We will at the heavenly focus (1-4), how to live a holy life (5-17), and living the Christian life in all relationships. We will be encouraged and challenged as we study Colossians 3.

COLOSSIANS 3

PRACTICAL LIVING FOR BELIEVERS IN JESUS CHRIST

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. (3:17)

The Bible tells us to live holy lives. Paul gives us principles, teaching us what holiness looks like. Holiness is not passive. We will see action words. Things we must do to bring us closer to the example Jesus Christ set for us. Chapter 3, verses 5-17, challenges us to live as Christ lives.

2. How to live a holy life (5-17)

 ⁵ Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:  ⁶ For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:  ⁷ In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.  ⁸ But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.  ⁹ Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; ¹⁰ And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him:  ¹¹ Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.  ¹² Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; ¹³ Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.  ¹⁴ And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.  ¹⁵ And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.  ¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. ¹⁷ 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.

Paul starts by telling the Colossians to mortify, kill, members, energies and activities of the old man. He continues by telling them to “put off” the activities of the “old man”.  Then to counteract the activities of the “old man”, they are to “put on” the activities of the “new man”. These activities are to be bound by charity, love. Having “put on” the activities of the new man, Paul encourages the Colossians to be thankful, allowing the word of Christ to dwell within them, to teach the fellow believers in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, and to all in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Although there is no magic formula to holiness, these verses give us some steps to get there.

Tomorrow, we will see how these principles play out in our individual personal relationships with others?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

Good morning,

This week we will learn how to walk in Christ. We will at the heavenly focus (1-4), how to live a holy life (5-17), and living the Christian life in all relationships. We will be encouraged and challenged as we study Colossians 3.

COLOSSIANS 3-STANDARDS OF CHRIST

PRACTICAL LIVING FOR BELIEVERS IN JESUS CHRIST

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. (3:17)

INTRODUCTION

In Chapter 2 Paul exhorts the Colossians’ to walk in Christ. Today we will learn how.

1. Heavenly Focus (1-4)

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. ² Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. ³ For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

Chapter 2 taught us that we are complete in Christ. Christ shed His precious holy blood for our sins. He forgave all our sin and nailed it to His cross. With those things in mind, He wants us to “…seek those things which are above…” and “…Set your affection on things above…”.  Is that we strive to do or is affections still on earth.

Unfortunately, we forget that our home is NOT on earth, but is heaven. The way we live our lives should demonstrate to whom we belong.

Tomorrow we will learn how to live a holy life.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

This week we will study Colossians 2. There are five errors that endanger the Colossian church. The five errors are enticing words (4-7), philosophy (8-13), legality (14-17), mysticism (18-19), and asceticism (20-23). Today we will look at mysticism and asceticism. This concludes our study of Colossians 2.

5. Mysticism (18-19)

¹⁸ Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshiping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,  ¹⁹ And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.

Verse 18: Beguile means to rob you of your prize. The heretics, if their doctrine were accepted, would rob the Colossians of their spiritual blessings. These false teachers displayed false humility and advocated a gospel of worshiping angels that is paying homage to angelic beings. They also claimed to have witnessed numerous revelations and visions.

Verse 19: “Not holding the head” reveals that the local heretics possessed no relationship with Christ: they were therefore not Christians. From Christ (the Head), then, the church (body) derives spiritual growth as it is supported and united by the various ministering believers (joints, bands) in the assembly.

6. Asceticism (20-23)

²⁰ Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,  ²¹ (Touch not; taste not; handle not;  ²² Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?  ²³ Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body: not in any honor to the satisfying of the flesh.

Verse 20: Asceticism is the religious doctrine that one can reach a higher spiritual state by rigorous self-discipline and self denial. Paul’s expression “to die” figuratively means to be free from something. That from which the Colossians had been freed is the rudiments of the world, that is, from the elementary religious teachings espousing salvation by merit and good works. Since the gospel has freed the believer from attempting to gain heaven by self-effort, he should never subject himself to such legalistic ordinances.

Verse 21: These three prohibitions are examples of the heretical teachings to which the Colossians were about to submit. They were to abstain from certain food and drinks.

Verse 22: Inasmuch as all these foods are to perish with the using, it is foolish to base one’s eternal salvation on abstinence from temporary things like food.

Verse 23: Will-worship means self imposed religion. The apostle concedes that legalism is outwardly impressive, but he denies asceticism’s ability to harness the sensual appetite of man’s sinful nature (flesh).

CONCLUSION

• IN CHRIST IS ALL WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE
• BELIEVERS WALK IN CHRIST
• BELIEVERS ARE COMPLETE IN CHRIST
• BELIEVERS SINS ARE ALL FORGIVEN
• BELIEVERS SINS WERE NAILED TO HIS CROSS
• BELIEVERS WORSHIP JESUS AND ONLY JESUS
• BELIEVERS ARE NOT SUBJECT TO MAN-MADE ORDINANCES

Paul’s message to the Colossians must be seen in today’s present context. Each of these five errors are playing out in churches all across the United States. We must confront these errors, as Paul did, through a thorough knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, what He did for us, and his triumph over Satan.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001