Good morning,

This week we will look at Grace Gem devotionals.

Tis but a taste!

(Charles Spurgeon)

“A pledge of our inheritance.” Ephesians 1:14

Oh! what enlightenment, what joys, what consolation, what delight of heart–is experienced by that man who has learned to feed on Jesus, and on Jesus alone. 

Yet the realization which we have of Christ’s preciousness is, in this life, imperfect at the best. As an old writer says, “Tis but a taste!” We have but tasted “that the Lord is gracious,” but we do not yet know how good and gracious He is. We know somewhat of His sweetness, and this makes us long for more. We have enjoyed the first fruits—and they have set us hungering and thirsting for the fullness of the heavenly vintage. Here on earth, we are like Israel in the wilderness, who had but one cluster from Eschol–there we shall be in the vineyard!

We are but beginners now in spiritual education; for although we have learned the first lettersof the alphabet, we cannot read wordsyet, much less can we put sentencestogether. As one says, “He who has been in heaven but five minutes–knows more than all the theologians on earth combined!”

We have many ungratified spiritual desires at present–but soon every wish shall be satisfied; and all our powers shall find the sweetest employment in that eternal world of joy.

O Christian, within a very little time you shall be rid of all your trials and your troubles. 
Your eyes which are now suffused with tears, shall weep no longer.
You shall gaze in ineffable rapture upon the splendor of Him who sits on His glorious throne. 
Nay, more–you shall sit with Him upon His throne! 

The triumph of His glory shall be shared by you! His crown, His joy, His paradise–these shall be yours! 
You shall be co-heir with Him who is the heir of all things! 

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade–reserved in Heaven for you!” 1 Peter 1:3-4 
    ~  ~  ~  ~
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

This week’s sermon is critical to how Christians live, work, and minister together. We will be challenged to determine whether we are walking in the flesh or the Spirit.

Flesh vs. the Spirit

Ephesians 4:13-5:21

And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;¹⁹ Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;²⁰ Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;²¹ Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. (Ephesians 5:18-21)

INTRODUCTION Living together as believers in Christ

1) Working together in unity (4:13-16)

“Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:¹⁴ That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;¹⁵ But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:¹⁶ From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.”

2) Put off/Put on (4:17-29)

“This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,¹⁸ Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: ¹⁹ Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.²⁰ But ye have not so learned Christ;²¹ If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:²² That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;²³ And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;²⁴ And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.²⁵ Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another.²⁶ Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:²⁷ Neither give place to the devil.²⁸ Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. ²⁹ Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”

3) Be kind one to another (4:30-32)

“And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.³¹ Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:³² And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”

4) Walk in love (5:1-17)

“Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;² And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savor.³ But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;⁴ Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.⁵ For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.⁶ Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.⁷ Be not ye therefore partakers with them.⁸ For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:⁹ (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth) ¹⁰ Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.¹¹ And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.¹² For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.¹³ But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.¹⁴ Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.¹⁵ See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,¹⁶ Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.¹⁷ Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.”

5) Be filled with the Spirit (5:18-21)

“And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; ¹⁹ Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;²⁰ Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; ²¹ Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.”

Conclusion

Unity, kindness, love, and being filled with the Spirit, gets things done

Good morning,

This week we will look at Grace Gem devotionals.

Short pithy gems from John Newton #2

The Lord Jesus, and the world that crucified Him–are competitors for our hearts.
   ~  ~  ~  ~ 
The storms of our life are guided by the hands which were nailed to the cross!
  ~  ~  ~  ~ 
We have work to do in the world, more to do in the Church and in our homes–but most of all, in our own hearts.
   ~  ~  ~  ~ 
Wonderful are the effects when a crucified, glorious Savior is presented to the eye of faith. 
This sight destroys the love of sin!
   ~  ~  ~  ~ 

Short pithy gems from John Newton #3

They are the happiest Christians, who have the lowest thoughts of themselves, and in whose eyes Jesus is most glorious and precious!
    ~  ~  ~  ~ 
My heart is vile, and even my prayers are sin. My soul is very sick—but my Physician is infallible!
    ~  ~  ~  ~ 
How unspeakably wonderful it is, to know that all our concerns are held in hands that bled for us! 
    ~  ~  ~  ~ 
Our sea may sometimes be stormy—but we have an infallible Pilot, and shall infallibly gain our port.
    ~  ~  ~  ~ 
Our work is great—our time is short—and the consequences of our labors are infinite!
    ~  ~  ~  ~ 
Lord, save us from our golden calves!
    ~  ~  ~  ~ 
Abominations, like nests of vipers, lie quietly in us—until the rod of afflictionarouses them. Then they hiss and show their venom!

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Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

This week we will look at Grace Gem devotionals.

Short pithy gems from John Newton #1
  ~  ~  ~  ~
(John Newton)

The more vile we are in our own eyes — the more precious Christ will be to us!
  ~  ~  ~  ~
How unspeakably wonderful it is — to know that all our concerns are held in those hands which bled for us! 
  ~  ~  ~  ~
Our sea may sometimes be stormy — but we have an infallible Pilot, and shall infallibly gain our port.
  ~  ~  ~  ~
Our work is great — our time is short — and the consequences of our labors are infinite.
“Hold me up — and I will be safe!” Psalm 119:117
  ~  ~  ~  ~
My grand point in preaching — is to break the hard heart, and to heal the broken heart.
  ~  ~  ~  ~
I am persuaded that love and humility are the highest attainments in the school of Christ — and the brightest evidences that He is indeed our Master.
  ~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Psalm 33 gives us several descriptions of God. He is good, creative, counselor, deliverer, and our hope. We will explore these attributes of God and see how they apply to believer’s in Christ.

God is our help, shield, trust, mercy, and hope (V 20-22)

“Our soul waiteth for the Lord: he is our help and our shield. ²¹ For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name. ²² Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.”

Our lives are busy and moves very fast. We make decisions on a daily basis without consulting the Lord or Scripture. Sometimes those decisions are faulty.

God has a better plan. “Our soul waiteth for the Lord…” Rest in Him. He will provide your needs.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

Allow God to lead you, provide for you, and protect you.

CONCLUSION:

1) God created all things

2) God’s mercy gives us hope today and in the future

3) God is always watching over us

4) God is our counselor

5) God is our deliverer

6) THEREFORE, we should rejoice, sing, and praise the God of our salvation

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Psalm 33 gives us several descriptions of God. He is good, creative, counselor, deliverer, and our hope. We will explore these attributes of God and see how they apply to believer’s in Christ.

God is looking at the inhabitants of earth (V 13-15, Proverbs 15:3)

“The Lord looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men. ¹⁴ From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth. ¹⁵ He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works.”

“The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.”

These verses are a blessing and a curse. A blessing because God sees everything we do. He knows when we are in trouble and He is there to help. A curse because God sees when we are walking away from Him. He sees our sin. The good news is since He sees our sin, He also makes a way to escape it. He gives opportunity to repent.

“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

Beware the seeing eye of God!

God delivers our souls from death (V 16-19)

 “There is no king saved by the multitude of a host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength. ¹⁷ A horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength. ¹⁸ Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; ¹⁹ To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.”

There are many examples of God delivering His people. God delivered Noah and his family from the flood. God delivered Moses from death at his birth. God delivered the children of Israel from the Egyptian bondage. God delivered David as he fought the giant Goliath.

God delivered us from death by sending Jesus Christ to pay the penalty for our sin debt. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

We have this “Good News”. Do we share it with those who do not?

“How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?¹⁵ And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! (Romans 10:14-15)

Go tell someone about how God delivered you from death.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Psalm 33 gives us several descriptions of God. He is good, creative, counselor, deliverer, and our hope. We will explore these attributes of God and see how they apply to believer’s in Christ.

God is…

Psalm 33:1-22

The Lord looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men. (33:13)

Introduction:

God is good, creative, counselor, watchful, deliverer, and our hope.

1) Praise God for His goodness (V 1-5)

Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright. ² Praise the Lord with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings. ³ Sing unto him a new song; play skillfully with a loud noise. ⁴ For the word of the Lord is right; and all his works are done in truth. ⁵ He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

2) God speaks the world into existence (V 6-9 Genesis 1)

By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. ⁷ He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses. ⁸ Let all the earth fear the Lord: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. ⁹ For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.

3) God’s counsel stands forever (V 10-12)

 The Lord bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect. ¹¹ The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations. ¹² Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.

4) God is looking at the inhabitants of earth (V 13-15, Proverbs 15:3)

The Lord looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men. ¹⁴ From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth. ¹⁵ He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works.

The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

5) God delivers our souls from death (V 16-19)

 There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength. ¹⁷ An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength. ¹⁸ Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; ¹⁹ To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.

6) God is our help, shield, trust, mercy, and hope (V 20-22)

Our soul waiteth for the Lord: he is our help and our shield. ²¹ For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name. ²² Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.

CONCLUSION:

1) God created all things

2) God’s mercy gives us hope today and in the future

3) God is always watching over us

4) God is our counselor

5) God is our deliverer

6) THEREFORE, we should rejoice, sing, and praise the od of our salvation

Good morning,

Psalm 33 gives us several descriptions of God. He is good, creative, counselor, deliverer, and our hope. We will explore these attributes of God and see how they apply to believer’s in Christ.

God speaks the world into existence (V 6-9 Genesis 1)

“By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. ⁷ He gathereth the waters of the sea together as a heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses. ⁸ Let all the earth fear the Lord: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. ⁹ For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.”

Genesis, chapter 1, uses the phrase “…God said…” nine times during the process of speaking the world into existence. If God created the world by speaking, is there anything to hard for God to do?

We as believers need to trust God completely.

God’s counsel stands forever (V 10-12)

 The Lord bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect. ¹¹ The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations. ¹² Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.

“There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless, the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand.” (Proverbs 19:21)

Where is the first place we should go when we have a problem? To the Lord. Why? “The Counsel of the Lord standeth forever,…” In time of need I want God’s counsel because He knows everything. He is also aware of my problem and knows the perfect solution.

Do we want God’s solution or our own?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Psalm 33 gives us several descriptions of God. He is good, creative, counselor, deliverer, and our hope. We will explore these attributes of God and see how they apply to believer’s in Christ.

Praise God for His goodness (V 1-5)

“Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright. ² Praise the Lord with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings. ³ Sing unto him a new song; play skillfully with a loud noise. ⁴ For the word of the Lord is right; and all his works are done in truth. ⁵ He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.”

God is good and cares for His children.

“O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.” (Psalm 107:1)

“The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.” (Psalm 145:9)

“And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.” (Mark 10:18)

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” (James 1:17)

God is good, so we should praise Him through song. Our hymnals are excellent places to find songs that praise God. The Bible is also a great place to find reasons to praise God for His goodness.

Try it and it might change the way you worship God.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Israel is preparing to go into the promised land. Moses will not be leading them. God has chosen a new leader, Joshua. This week we will look at the transition of leadership. Please read Deuteronomy 31:1-23, 34:1-12 for the historical background. Joshua 1 will be our text.

“And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the Lord commanded Moses.” (Deuteronomy 34:9)

Response of the People (V16-18)

“And they answered Joshua, saying, All that thou commandest us we will do, and whithersoever thou sendest us, we will go. ¹⁷ According as we hearkened unto Moses in all things, so will we hearken unto thee: only the Lord thy God be with thee, as he was with Moses. ¹⁸ Whosoever he be that doth rebel against thy commandment, and will not hearken unto thy words in all that thou commandest him, he shall be put to death: only be strong and of a good courage.”

The people obey!

Believers in Christ should obey God’s word. When we do, we are blessed, and when we do not, we are in line for God’s chastisement.

CONCLUSION:

Leaders must:

1) Be full of the spirit of wisdom

2) Follow God’s leading

3) Go

4) Be strong and courageous

5) Obey the word of God

6) Meditate on the word of God

7) Prepare

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001