Good morning,

Last week we looked at Who Does God Use? This week we will look at how God uses people. What characteristics does God develop in His servants? Our study will be in Hebrews 11.

Characteristics of Faith

Hebrews 11

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)

Definition of faith

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)

Source document for faith

WORD OF GOD v3

Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

Our salvation and growth in the Lord are contingent on two things. First the word of God, the Bible, and second, faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross at Calvary.

We only know of God, His Son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, through the reading or hearing of God’s word. Once we hear and the Spirit of God draws us to Jesus, then by faith we repent of our sins and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. Jesus took our sin debt upon Himself and we now walk in newness of life.

This week we will see how God used ordinary people to accomplish His plan.

PEOPLE WHO HAVE FAITH:

1) OFFERED TO GOD V4 Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice

By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

2) SEEK GOD V5-6 he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him

By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.⁶ But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Get to know God better.  What are some characteristics of God? 

3) FEAR GOD V7 moved with fear

By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

Noah’s fear moved him to prepare the ark. Eight saved/world repopulated

Note that these people were doing nothing extraordinary. They were just living their lives.

Abel was a shepherd. His father probably taught him about what God did for him in the Garden of Eden, after he and Eve sinned. God sacrificed an animal. The blood atoned for their sin. The skins were used as a covering for their bodies. Abel gave a blood sacrifice.

Enoch sought God. It does not tell us his occupation. God does tell us he had a testimony that he pleased God. That should be the testimony that every believer desires.

Noah lived in a wicked generation. So wicked, that God chose to destroy all living creatures. Then one day God told Noah to build an ark. He told Noah to build the ark before He told him why.  Noah obeyed without questioning God. Noah must have been really confused because there had never been any rain before. He must have been mocked, ridiculed, and scorned, as he was doing the building. During this time, he was preaching about God’s righteousness. No converts in one hundred years. “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.” (v8)

What has or could He do with us if we were available for His use?

4) OBEY GOD V8-11 obeyed

Abraham went, not knowing where he was going V8

By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

Sojourned in strange country V9

By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:

Looked for city V10

For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

Sarah judged God faithful to keep his promise V11

Through faith also Sarah herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.

5) DESIRED GOD’S COUNTRY V16 now they desire a better country

But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

Heavenly

God prepared for them a city

Pilgrim’s Progress

Abraham came from a pagan culture. He was a cattleman and was rich. He was just doing his daily tasks when God called. When God called, he followed God without question. God promised him a nation, a blessing, a land, and a people.

Sarah, who was barren, trusted God’s promise of a child.

They desired a heavenly country. God prepared them a city.

6) SUFFER FOR GOD V23-31, 32-38 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God

By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment.²⁴ By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter;²⁵ Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;²⁶ Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward.²⁷ By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.²⁸ Through faith he kept the Passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.²⁹ By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.

 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.

And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gideon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthah; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:³³ Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions.³⁴ Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.³⁵ Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:  ³⁶ And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:³⁷ They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;³⁸ (Of whom the world was not worthy) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:⁴⁰ God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

Of whom the world was not worthy V38

CONCLUSION:

BUT WITHOUT FAITH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE HIM: FOR HE THAT COMETH TO GOD MUST BELIEVE THAT HE IS, AND THAT HE IS A REWARDER OF THEM THAT DILIGENTLY SEEK HIM.  (HEB 11:6)

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

Last week we looked at Who Does God Use? This week we will look at how God uses people. What characteristics does God develop in His servants? Our study will be in Hebrews 11.

PEOPLE WHO HAVE FAITH:

1.OFFERED TO GOD V4 Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice

By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

2. SEEK GOD V5-6 he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him

By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.⁶ But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Get to know God better.  What are some characteristics of God? 

3. FEAR GOD V7 moved with fear

By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

Noah’s fear moved him to prepare the ark. Eight saved/world repopulated

Note that these people were doing nothing extraordinary. They were just living their lives.

Abel was a shepherd. His father probably taught him about what God did for him in the Garden of Eden, after he and Eve sinned. God sacrificed an animal. The blood atoned for their sin. The skins were used as a covering for their bodies. Abel gave a blood sacrifice.

Enoch sought God. It does not tell us his occupation. God does tell us he had a testimony that he pleased God. That should be the testimony that every believer desires.

Noah lived in a wicked generation. So wicked, that God chose to destroy all living creatures. Then one day God told Noah to build an ark. He told Noah to build the ark before He told him why.  Noah obeyed without questioning God. Noah must have been really confused because there had never been any rain before. He must have been mocked, ridiculed, and scorned, as he was doing the building. During this time, he was preaching about God’s righteousness. No converts in one hundred years. “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.” (v8)

What has or could God do with us if we were available for His use?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

Last week we looked at Who Does God Use? This week we will look at how God uses people. What characteristics does God develop in His servants? Our study will be in Hebrews 11.

Definition of FAITH

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Heb 11:1)

Source document for faith

WORD OF GOD v3

Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

Our salvation and growth in the Lord are contingent on two things. First the word of God, the Bible, and second, faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross at Calvary.

We only know of God, His Son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, through the reading or hearing of God’s word. Once we hear and the Spirit of God draws us to Jesus, then by faith we repent of our sins and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. Jesus took our sin debt upon Himself and we now walk in newness of life.

This week we will see how God used ordinary people to accomplish His plan.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

Who does God use? The answer may surprise us.

This week we will look at a number of people and their status in life.

God speaks to this issue in 1 Corinthians 1.

“For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:²⁷ But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;²⁸ And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:” (1 Corinthians 1:26-28)

God chose the “…the foolish things of the world…”, “…the weak things of the world…”, and “…base things of the world…”. Not exactly who we would choose to develop a ministry to reach the world for Christ. From the outset God was looking for individuals who were teachable. Some were more teachable than others, but all were willing to be taught and used by God to do His will.

Characteristics of people who God uses

Knew God

Faith in God

Righteous

Walked with God

Out of their weakness, God made them strong

Good testimony

Persevered

Did not quit

These people were common folk, who did uncommon tasks for God.

CHALLENGE TO SERVE

God does not want your ability, He wants your availability.

Who can God use?

YOU!

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

Who does God use? The answer may surprise us.

This week we will look at a number of people and their status in life.

God speaks to this issue in 1 Corinthians 1.

“For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:²⁷ But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;²⁸ And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:” (1 Corinthians 1:26-28)

God chose the “…the foolish things of the world…”, “…the weak things of the world…”, and “…base things of the world…”. Not exactly who we would choose to develop a ministry to reach the world for Christ. From the outset God was looking for individuals who were teachable. Some were more teachable than others, but all were willing to be taught and used by God to do His will.

Who were these people?

Paul: persecuted the believers in Christ (Acts 8:3)

“As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.”

Peter: fisherman (Matthew 4:18)

“And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.”

Matthew: tax collector (Mathew 9:9)

“And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.”

Little children: kingdom of God (Luke 18:15-17)

“And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them.¹⁶ But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.¹⁷ Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.”

God chose to use a man who tried to destroy God’s people, an ignorant fisherman, a hated tax collector, and children to display His transforming power. The change was so complete they turned their world upside down for Christ. Thousands were saved because these men allowed Christ to teach them, encourage them, and ultimately indwell them with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit moved mightily in these men to change individuals, communities, and countries, and bring them to a saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Will we allow God to do that in us and through us?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

Who does God use? The answer may surprise us.

This week we will look at a number of people and their status in life.

God chose the “…the foolish things of the world…”, “…the weak things of the world…”, and “…base things of the world…”. Not exactly who we would choose to develop a ministry to reach the world for Christ. From the outset God was looking for individuals who were teachable. Some were more teachable than others, but all were willing to be taught and used by God to do His will.

WHO DOES GOD USE?

“For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:²⁷ But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;²⁸ And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:” (1 Corinthians 1:26-28)

INTRODUCTION

OLD TESTAMENT

Abel: keeper of the sheep (Genesis 4:2)

“And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.”

Enoch: walked with God (Genesis 5:24)

“And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.”

Noah: found grace in the eyes of the Lord/just and perfect man (Genesis 6:8-9)

“But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.⁹ These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.”

Abram: cattleman (Genesis 13:2)

“And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.”

Joseph: shepherd/dreamer (Genesis 37:2, 5)

“These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report.”

“And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more.”

Moses: son of Pharaoh’s daughter (Exodus 2:10)

“And the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. And she called his name Moses: and she said, Because I drew him out of the water.”

Rahab: harlot (Joshua 2:1)

“And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot’s house, named Rahab, and lodged there.”

Deborah: prophetess/judge of Israel (Judges 4:2)

“And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.”

Barak: military leader (Judges 4:6)

“And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedeshnaphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the Lord God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun?

Gideon: threshed wheat by the winepress (Judges 6:11)

“And there came an angel of the Lord, and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abiezrite: and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites.”

Jephthah: mighty man of valor, son of a harlot, deliverer of Israel (Judges 11:1)

“Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty man of valor, and he was the son of a harlot: and Gilead begat Jephthah.”

Samson: Nazarite, deliverer of Israel (Judges 13:5)

“For, lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come on his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb: and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.”

David: shepherd, harp player, king (1 Samuel 16:11, 16-18, 2 Samuel 2:4)

“And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither.”

“Let our lord now command thy servants, which are before thee, to seek out a man, who is a cunning player on an harp: and it shall come to pass, when the evil spirit from God is upon thee, that he shall play with his hand, and thou shalt be well.¹⁷ And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me.¹⁸ Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the Lord is with him.”

“And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, That the men of Jabeshgilead were they that buried Saul.”

Esther: orphan Jewish girl (Esther 2:7)

“And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle’s daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter.”

These Old Testament individuals came from humble back rounds, wicked lifestyles, or circumstances that limited what it seemed possible for them to. Then God got a hold of their lives and transformed them into individuals worthy to proclaim God, His word, do His work, and ultimately to honor and glorify God.

NEW TESTAMENT

Paul: persecuted the believers in Christ (Acts 8:3)

“As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.”

Peter: fisherman (Matthew 4:18)

“And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.”

Matthew: tax collector (Mathew 9:9)

“And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.”

Little children: kingdom of God (Luke 18:15-17)

“And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them.¹⁶ But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.¹⁷ Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.”

God chose to use a man who tried to destroy God’s people, an ignorant fisherman, a hated tax collector, and children to display His transforming power. The change was so complete they turned their world upside down for Christ. Thousands were saved because these men allowed Christ to teach them, encourage them, and ultimately indwell them with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit moved mightily in these men to change individuals, communities, and countries, and bring them to a saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Will we allow God to do that in us and through us?

Characteristics of people who God uses

Knew God

Faith in God

Righteous

Walked with God

Out of their weakness, God made them strong

Good testimony

Persevered

Did not quit

These people were common folk, who did uncommon tasks for God.

CHALLENGE TO SERVE

God does not want your ability, He wants your availability.

Who can God use?

YOU!

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

Who does God use? The answer may surprise us.

This week we will look at a number of people and their status in life.

God speaks to this issue in 1 Corinthians 1.

“For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:²⁷ But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;²⁸ And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:” (1 Corinthians 1:26-28)

God chose the “…the foolish things of the world…”, “…the weak things of the world…”, and “…base things of the world…”. Not exactly who we would choose to develop a ministry to reach the world for Christ. From the outset God was looking for individuals who were teachable. Some were more teachable than others, but all were willing to be taught and used by God to do His will.

OLD TESTAMENT

Who were these people?

Abel: keeper of the sheep (Genesis 4:2)

“And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.”

Enoch: walked with God (Genesis 5:24)

“And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.”

Noah: found grace in the eyes of the Lord/just and perfect man (Genesis 6:8-9)

“But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.⁹ These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.”

Abram: cattleman (Genesis 13:2)

“And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.”

Joseph: shepherd/dreamer (Genesis 37:2, 5)

“These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report.”

“And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more.”

Moses: son of Pharaoh’s daughter (Exodus 2:10)

“And the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. And she called his name Moses: and she said, Because I drew him out of the water.”

Rahab: harlot (Joshua 2:1)

“And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot’s house, named Rahab, and lodged there.”

Deborah: prophetess/judge of Israel (Judges 4:2)

“And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.”

Barak: military leader (Judges 4:6)

“And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedeshnaphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the Lord God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun?

Gideon: threshed wheat by the winepress (Judges 6:11)

“And there came an angel of the Lord, and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abiezrite: and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites.”

Jephthah: mighty man of valor, son of a harlot, deliverer of Israel (Judges 11:1)

“Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty man of valor, and he was the son of a harlot: and Gilead begat Jephthah.”

Samson: Nazarite, deliverer of Israel (Judges 13:5)

“For, lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come on his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb: and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.”

David: shepherd, harp player, king (1 Samuel 16:11, 16-18, 2 Samuel 2:4)

“And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither.”

“Let our lord now command thy servants, which are before thee, to seek out a man, who is a cunning player on an harp: and it shall come to pass, when the evil spirit from God is upon thee, that he shall play with his hand, and thou shalt be well.¹⁷ And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me.¹⁸ Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the Lord is with him.”

“And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, That the men of Jabeshgilead were they that buried Saul.”

Esther: orphan Jewish girl (Esther 2:7)

“And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle’s daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter.”

These Old Testament individuals came from humble back rounds, wicked lifestyles, or circumstances that limited what it seemed possible for them to. Then God got a hold of their lives and transformed them into individuals worthy to proclaim God, His word, do His work, and ultimately to honor and glorify God.

Next, we will look at some New Testament individuals.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

Who does God use? The answer may surprise us.

This week we will look at a number of people and their status in life.

God speaks to this issue in 1 Corinthians 1.

“For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:²⁷ But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;²⁸ And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:” (1 Corinthians 1:26-28)

God chose the “…the foolish things of the world…”, “…the weak things of the world…”, and “…base things of the world…”. Not exactly who we would choose to develop a ministry to reach the world for Christ. From the outset God was looking for individuals who were teachable. Some were more teachable than others, but all were willing to be taught and used by God to do His will.

Tomorrow, the men and women God has used to bring us the story of Salvation.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

Meditate on these “Pithy gems.” Then reflect what blessings we have as believers in Christ.

Pithy gems from Thomas Brooks #2
    ~  ~  ~  ~
 Christian! Consider that the trials and troubles, the calamities and miseries, the crosses and losses that you meet with in this world–are all the Hell that you shall ever have!
     ~  ~  ~  ~
 The seed of all sins, the vilest and worst of sins–is in the best of men!
     ~  ~  ~  ~
 He who will play with Satan’s bait, will quickly be taken with Satan’s hook!
     ~  ~  ~  ~
A preacher’s life should be a commentary upon his doctrine.
Heavenly doctrines should always be adorned with a heavenly life.
     ~  ~  ~  ~
 The greatest and the hottest fires that ever were on earth are but ice–in comparison to the fire of Hell!
   ~  ~  ~  ~
 The two poles could sooner meet–than the love of Christ and the love of the world.
   ~  ~  ~  ~
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com 

Good morning,

Romans 8 takes us from the cradle to the grave. It begins declaring “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus,”, salvation and ends declaring “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, ³⁹ Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”, everlasting life. In-between Paul addresses the battle between the Spirit and the flesh, promises to the believer, the Holy Spirit’s ministry, and the four things God has done for us.

Romans 8:28—39 tells us what God did to bring us to Christ. He called, saved, justified, and glorified us. Then He makes it clear that we are eternally safe as a believer in Christ. There is nothing that can separate us from the love of Christ.

Called, Saved, Justified, Glorified (8:28-34)

²⁸ And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. ²⁹ For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. ³⁰ Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. ³¹ What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? ³² He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? ³³ Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. ³⁴ Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

The Believer is Eternally Safe (8:35-39)

³⁵ Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? ³⁶ As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. ³⁷ Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. ³⁸ For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, ³⁹ Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

In conclusion we see that God has given every person the opportunity to believe. Those who have chosen to trust in Christ by faith are totally equipped to live the Christian life. We have the Holy Spirit’s protection, guidance, prayers, and the promise of being joint heirs with Christ. We await our call home, Heaven, and are encouraged by the fact that we will never be separated from the love of Christ.

GOD HAS BLESSED US. PASS THE BLESSING TO OTHERS.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com