Archives for October 2017

Good morning,

Why does man sin? Who is the cause of it? When did it happened? What will happen to the perpetrator?

Today, we will discover how the perfect world God created in Genesis 1, became corrupted by Genesis 3. We will name names and show what has become of our world due to rebellion.

REBELLION

Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.¹⁷ Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken. (Jeremiah 6:16-17)

INTRODUCTION

God’s perfect creation Genesis 1/John 1

WHO IS SATAN? First rebellion

Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord God; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty.¹³ Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.¹⁴ Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.¹⁵ Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.¹⁶ By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.¹⁷ Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.¹⁸ Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffic; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee. (Ezekiel 28:12-18)

How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!¹³ For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:¹⁴ I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.⁵ Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.¹⁶ They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms;¹⁷ That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners? (Isaiah 14:12-17)

God’s command to Adam

And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:¹⁷ But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. (Genesis 2:16-17)

Man’s rebellion – First sin

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. (Genesis 3:6)

Cain’s rebellion – First murder

But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. (Genesis 4:5,8)

Israel’s rebellion

Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.¹⁷ Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken. (Jeremiah 6:16-17)

Now therefore go to, speak to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the Lord; Behold, I frame evil against you, and devise a device against you: return ye now every one from his evil way, and make your ways and your doings good.¹² And they said, There is no hope: but we will walk after our own devices, and we will every one do the imagination of his evil heart. (Jeremiah 18:11-12)

King Saul’s rebellion

For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king. (1 Samuel 15:23)

Nation’s rebellion

And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,⁸ And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog, and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.⁹ And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. (Revelation 20:7-9)

Satan’s destruction

And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. (Revelation 20:10)

CONCLUSION

God created everything

Satan is a created being

Satan’s rebellion was caused by envy and pride

Satan is the chief deceiver

Satan is defeated at the cross

Satan will finally be cast into the lake of fire

 

 

Good morning,

Today is Halloween. This article presents the Bible position on this event. The key question we must ask ourselves is, “Will we be glorifying God if we partake?”

I hope you find this useful and challenging.

What is Halloween and should Christians celebrate it?

What is Halloween?

The popularity of Halloween is growing exponentially. Americans spend over $5 billion dollars annually on Halloween, making it the country’s second largest commercial holiday. In addition, a quarter of all annual candy sales occur during the Halloween season in the United States. What is it about Halloween that makes October 31 so popular? Perhaps it’s the mystery–or just the candy? Perhaps the excitement of a new costume?

Whatever the draw, Halloween is here to stay. But what does the Bible say about it? Is Halloween wrong or evil? Are there any clues in the Bible as to whether a Christian should celebrate Halloween?

What Does the Bible Say About Halloween?

First of all, understand that Halloween is mostly a western custom and it has no direct reference in the Bible. However, there are Biblical principles that directly relate to the celebration of Halloween. Perhaps the best way to understand how Halloween relates to the Bible is to look at the meaning of Halloween and its history.

What Does Halloween Mean?

The word Halloween literally means the evening before All Hallows Day or All Saint’s Day, celebrated on November 1. Halloween is also the shortened name of Allhalloween, All Hallows’ Evening and All Saint’s Eve which is celebrated on October 31. The origin and meaning of Halloween is derived from ancient Celtic harvest festivals, but more recently we think of Halloween as a night filled with candy, trick-or-treating, pumpkins, ghosts and death.

The History of Halloween

The origin of Halloween as we know it, began over 1900 years ago in England, Ireland, and Northern France. It was a Celtic celebration of the new year, called Samhain which occurred on November 1. The Celtic druids revered it as the biggest holiday of the year and emphasized that day as the time when the souls of the dead supposedly could mingle with the living. Bonfires were a large aspect of this holiday as well.

Samhain remained popular until St. Patrick and other Christian missionaries arrived in the area. As the population began to convert to Christianity the holiday began to lose its popularity. However, instead of eradicating pagan practices such as “Halloween” or Samhain, the church instead used these holidays with a Christian twist to bring paganism and Christianity together, making it easier for local populations to convert to the state religion.

Another tradition is the druidic belief that during the night of November 1, demons, witches, and evil spirits freely roamed the earth with joy to greet the arrival of “their season” – the long nights and early dark of the winter months. The demons had their fun with poor mortals that night, frightening, harming, and even playing all kinds of mean tricks on them. The only way, it seemed, for scared humans to escape the persecution of the demons was to offer them things they liked, especially fancy foods and sweets. Or, in order to escape the fury of these horrible creatures, a human could disguise himself as one of them and join in their roaming. In this way they would recognize the human as a demon or witch and the human would not be bothered that night.

During the Roman empire there was the custom of eating or giving away fruit, especially apples, on Halloween. It spread to neighboring countries; to Ireland and Scotland from Britain, and to the Slavic countries from Austria. It is probably based upon a celebration of the Roman goddess Pomona, to whom gardens and orchards were dedicated. Since the annual Feast of Pomona was held on November 1, the relics of that observance became part of our Halloween celebration, for instance the familiar tradition of “dunking” for apples.

Today costumes take the place of disguises and candy has replaced fruits and other fancy foods as children go door-to-door trick-or-treating. Originally trick-or-treating began as “souling,” when children would go door-to-door on Halloween, with soul cakes, singing and saying prayers for the dead. Over the course of history Halloween’s visible practices have changed with the culture of the day, but the purpose of honoring the dead, veiled in fun and festivities, has remained the same. The question remains, is celebrating Halloween bad or unbiblical?

Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?

As a logical thinking person, consider for a moment what you are celebrating and what Halloween is all about. Is the holiday uplifting? Is Halloween pure? Is it lovely, praiseworthy, or of good report? Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Is Halloween based on godly themes such as the idea of peace, freedom and salvation or does the holiday bring to mind feelings of fear, obsession and bondage?

Additionally, does the Bible sanction witchcraft, witches, and sorcery? On the contrary, the Bible makes it clear that these practices are an abomination to the Lord. The Bible goes on to say in Leviticus 20:27 that anyone who practiced witchcraft, soothsaying, sorcery should be killed. Deuteronomy 18:9-13 adds, “When you come into the land which the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominations of those nations. There shall not be found among you … one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For all who do these things are an abomination to the Lord.”

Is it wrong to celebrate Halloween?

Let’s look at what the Bible adds to this topic in Ephesians 5:11, “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.” This text is calling us to not only have no association with any type of dark activity BUT ALSO to shed light upon this topic to those around us. As stated earlier in this article, Halloween was not exposed by the church for what it was, but rather was incorporated into church holy days. Are Christians responding in the same way today?

As you think about Halloween—its origins and what it stands for—would it be best to spend time dwelling upon its themes or to shed light upon what lies below the surface of this holiday’s celebration. God is calling humanity to follow Him and to “come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing” (2 Corinthians 6:17).

(From BibleInfo.com)

The preponderance of evidence shows that Halloween is opposed to Bible principles. Each of us needs to determine whether we will serve the Lord or Satan.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Prayer. Talking with God. God wants to hear from us. Today’s devotion will give you some reasons why.

O for a spirit of habitual prayer!

(James Smith, “The Evening Sacrifice; Or, A Help to Devotion” 1859)

“But I call to God, and the LORD saves me. Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress–and He hears my voice!” Psalm 55:16-17

The well taught Christian carries everything to God–and in so doing, obtains relief, enjoys peace, and grows in grace.
For all that we need–we should call upon God.
And from all that we fear–we should flee unto God.

At the close of every day, it is our mercy to call upon the Lord.
We must make confession of sin–and obtain pardon.
We must carry to Him our burdens–and obtain relief.
We must tell out before Him our needs–and obtain a supply.

Oh, how precious it is to go to the Lord at the close of each day, and tell Him all that has . . .
vexed us,
grieved us,
cast us down, or
disquieted our spirits!

And how blessed to go to him each morning, and seek grace to live holily and happily through the day!

Nor is it less blessed to have a few minutes with God at noon–breaking, as it were, the day in two, and keeping short accounts with God.

O for a spirit of habitual prayer, that at evening, and at morning, and at noon–we may pray, and cry aloud to God!

If we were more with the Lord in prayer, we would have . . .
more strength to carry our crosses,
more patience to bear our troubles,
and more comfort amidst life’s sorrows.

Holy Spirit, take up your residence in my heart as a Spirit of prayer, and lead me daily, hourly, yes, very often–to the mercy-seat. Let me find the hours of prayer to be precious seasons. And especially at eventide, when worn and exhausted with the toils and troubles of the day–let me find sweet solace and refreshment in pouring out my soul unto God.

Precious Lord Jesus, draw our souls to You evening by evening, and lead us into the presence of Your Father, that we may have sweet and hallowed fellowship with God! Let our devotions ascend as sweet incense to God.

~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Relationships matter. If we have trusted Christ to be our Lord and Savior, then God is our Father. He treats us as sons. When we do wrong, we are chastised, in love. Unbelievers are judged in God’s anger.

As you read today’s devotion, thank God you are His son.

Divine punishment–or divine chastisement?

(Arthur Pink)

There is a threefold distinction between divine punishment–and divine chastisement.

The first lies in the character in which God acts.
In the former, God acts as Judge.
In the latter, God acts as Father.

The second distinction lies in the recipients of each.
The objects of the former, are His enemies.
The objects of the latter, are His children.

A third distinction is seen in the design of each.
The one is retributive–the other remedial.
The one flows from His anger–the other flows from His love.

~  ~  ~  ~

“If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?⁸ But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.⁹ Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?” (Hebrews 12:7-9)

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

God loves and cares for us. I hope you will encouragement from this devotion.

Our merciful, compassionate Christ!

(J.C. Ryle)

“Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus!” Philippians 1:6

Let us take comfort in the thought that the Lord Jesus does not cast off His believing people because of failures and imperfections. He knows what they are.

He takes them, as the husband takes the wife–with all their blemishes and defects; and once joined to Him by faith, He will never leave them. He is a merciful and compassionate High-priest. It is His glory to pass over the transgressions of His people, and to cover their many sins.

He knew what they were before conversion–wicked, guilty, and defiled; yet He loved them. He knows what they will be after conversion–weak, erring, and frail; yet He loves them. He has undertaken to save them, notwithstanding all their shortcomings–and what He has undertaken, He will perform.

“My sheep hear My voice, I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish–ever! No one can snatch them out of My hand.” John 10:27-28

~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

This week’s lesson is on The Everlasting Presence of God. Psalm 139:1-24 tells us that God knows us, is with us, made us, His thoughts are precious to us, He slays the wicked, and searches and knows our hearts. If we understand this, then it should cause to act in a certain way toward others. Hebrews 13:1-8 tells us how. When we understand our relationship with God, other believers, then it will cause us to serve. Galatians 6:1-10 gives us some suggestions on how to do that. Finally, Colossians 3:23 sums up the lesson.

THE EVERLASTING PRESENCE OF GOD

PSALM 139:1-24

INTRODUCTION:

GOD DWELLS WITH US CONTINUALLY

 PSALM 139

 GOD CARES FOR US

 1) GOD KNOWS US (1-6)

 O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.² Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.³ Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.⁴ For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.⁵ Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.⁶ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.

 2) GOD IS WITH US   (7-12)

 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?⁸ If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.⁹ If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;¹⁰ Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.¹¹ If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.¹² Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.

3) GOD MADE US (13-16)

 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.¹⁴ I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. ¹⁵ My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.¹⁶ Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.

4) GOD’S THOUGHTS ARE PRECIOUS TO US (17-18)

 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!¹⁸ If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.

  5) GOD SLAYS THE WICKED (19-21)

Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men.²⁰ For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain.²¹ Do not I hate them, O Lord, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?

6) GOD SEARCHES US AND KNOWS OUR HEARTS (22-24)

 I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.²³ Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:²⁴ And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

HEBREWS 13:1-8

CONDUCT TOWARD OTHERS

1) BROTHERLY LOVE (1)

Let brotherly love continue.                                                    

2) ENTERTAIN STRANGERS (2)                                           

 ² Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

 3) REMEMBER THEM WHICH ARE IN BONDS (3)

 ³ Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.

 4) PURITY IN MARRIAGE   (4)                                       

 ⁴ Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

 5) BE NOT COVETOUSNESS, I WILL NEVER LEAVE THEE, NOR FORSAKE THEE (5-6)                                  

 ⁵ Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.⁶ So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

 6) REMEMBER THEM THAT HAVE THE RULE OVER YOU  V.7

 ⁷ Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.

 7) JESUS CHRIST THE SAME YESTERDAY, AND TODAY, AND FOREVER V.8

 ⁸ Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever.

GALATIANS 6:1-10

 OPPORTUNITIES FOR SERVICE

1) BEAR ONE ANOTHERS BURDENS (1-6)                             

Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.² Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.³ For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.⁴ But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.⁵ For every man shall bear his own burden.⁶ Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.

2) SOW RIGHTEOUSNESS  (7-8)                          

⁷ Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.⁸ For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

3) DO GOOD TO ALL MEN   (9-10)                                 

⁹ And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.¹⁰ As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

CONCLUSION:

 COLOSSIANS 3: 23

 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

 

 

Good morning,

Listening. We think we know how to do it, but do we? Today’s devotion will explain how we can be better listeners to the things of God.

Consider carefully how you listen!

(J.C. Ryle)

“Consider carefully how you listen!” Luke 8:18

We learn from this verse, the great importance of right hearing. The words of our Lord Jesus Christ ought to impress that lesson deeply on our hearts. He says, “Consider carefully how you listen!”

The degree of benefit which men receive from all the means of grace–depends entirely on the way in which they use them.

Private PRAYER lies at the very foundation of religion–yet the mere formal repetition of a set of words, when “the heart is far away“–does good to no man’s soul.

Reading the BIBLE is essential to the attainment of sound Christian knowledge–yet the mere formal reading of so many chapters as a task and duty, without a humble desire to be taught of God, is little better than a waste of time.

Just as it is with praying and Bible reading–so it is with LISTENING. It is not enough that we go to Church and hear sermons. We may do so for fifty years, and be nothing bettered, but rather worse! “Consider carefully,” says our Lord, “how you listen!”

Would anyone know how to listen aright? Then let him lay to heart three simple rules: 

For one thing, we must listen with FAITH, believing implicitly that every Word of God is true, and shall stand. The Word in old time did not profit the Jews, “not being mixed with faith in those who heard it.” Hebrews 4:2

For another thing, we must listen with REVERENCE–remembering constantly that the Bible is the book of God. This was the habit of the Thessalonians. They received Paul’s message, “not as the word of men–but the Word of God.” 1 Thessalonians 2:13

Above all, we must listen with PRAYER—praying for God’s blessing before the sermon is preached, and praying for God’s blessing again when the sermon is over. Here lies the grand defect of the hearing of many. They ask no blessing–and so they receive none. The sermon passes through their minds like water through a leaky vessel, and leaves nothing behind.

Let us bear these rules in mind every Sunday morning, before we go to hear the Word of God preached. Let as not rush into God’s presence careless, reckless, and unprepared–as if it did not matter how we listened. Let us carry with us faith, reverence, and prayer. If these three are our companions–then we shall listen with profit, and return with praise!

~  ~  ~  ~

Three things to make us better listeners. Let’s try them and see how much more we get out of each message.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

Christ’s death, sacrifice on the cross, redemption by His blood, and resurrection, are abhorrent to many church goers.

This devotional was written in 1884. It is as timely today as it was then.

Old fossils unsuited to the present times!

(J.C. Ryle, 1884)

“For if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare himself for battle?” 1 Corinthians 14:8

We need a more certain sound about the work and offices of our Lord Jesus Christ. Men nowadays will dwell exclusively on His prophetic office, the beauty of His personal character, the splendid example of His kindness, patience, condescension, purity, and self-denial. All this, however true, is only half the truth–and by far the least important half too.

The main thing about Christ, of which this age never hears enough, is . . .
the atonement He made by His death,
His vicarious sacrifice on the Cross,
the redemption He obtained for man by His blood,
His victory over the grave by His resurrection,
His active life of intercession at God’s right hand,
and the absolute necessity of simple faith in Him.

These blessed truths are seldom made enough of in this day. They are either judiciously dropped as offensive–or coolly left in the background as old fossils unsuited to the present times! If there is not a vast amount of veiled heresy around us, I am greatly mistaken.

“Ask for the old paths, where the good way is–and walk in it. Then you will find rest for your souls.” Jeremiah 6:16

~  ~  ~  ~

Meditate on this and then share it with someone else.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

The Bible is an exciting book. It tells us how we began, where we are going, and how we will finish. Cradle to grave. It gives us the answer of why people rebel.

It has stories about love, war, rebellion, courage, and faith. It tells of individuals who followed God and those who opposed Him.

It tells of a loving God, who sent His Son to pay the sin debt for sinful man, that they might be redeemed.

This devotion tells us even more.

Never let us read any portion of God’s Word without looking up for divine teaching!

(James Smith, “The Evening Sacrifice; Or, A Help to Devotion” 1859)

“Open my eyes–that I may behold wondrous things out of Your law.” Psalm 119:18

God’s Book is a book of wonders! It is a wonderful record . . .
of God’s power in creation,
of His wisdom in providence,
and of His grace in redemption.

It has the stamp of infinity upon it. We cannot penetrate its heights, fathom its depths, or traverse its lengths and breadths–but as we are taught of God. The Holy Spirit, who composed it and inspired holy men to write it, must unfold and reveal it to our minds–or we shall never . . .
see its glory,
be impressed with its majesty,
or rejoice in its divine truths.

Never let us read any portion of God’s Word without looking up for divine teaching. Never let us imagine that we know all that is contained in any one verse of God’s blessed Book–for there is a fullness in the holy Scriptures not to be found anywhere else.

Oh, ever blessed Spirit of God, who has given us Your holy Word to . . .
instruct our intellects,
sanctify our hearts, and
regulate our lives–we beseech You to . . .
enlighten our minds to understand it,
open our hearts to receive it,
give us faith to believe it, and
enable us to reduce it to practice in our every-day life!

O may we be given grace . . .
  understand the sublime doctrines,
believe the precious promises, and 
  practice the holy precepts of Your blessed Word!
Lord, unveil to us the types, unfold to us the prophecies–and apply to our hearts, the consolatory portions of the sacred Scriptures. May we hide the Word in our hearts, that we may not sin against You. O to catch the meaning, taste the sweetness, and feel the power–of Your holy truth! O Lord, open our eyes, and unfold the truth to us this night! O Lord, soften our hearts, and bring home Your Word with power!

“Then He opened their understanding–that they might understand the Scriptures.” Luke 24:45

“Behold, God is exalted in His power! Who is a teacher like Him?“ Job 36:22

~  ~  ~  ~

Today read God’s word, the Bible, with these things in mind. Allow God to speak and then follow His leading.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

What do jewels and God’s people have in common? Read on and find out.

God’s jewels!

(Thomas Watson, “Religion Our True Interest“)

“They will be Mine!” says the Lord Almighty, “in the day when I make up My jewels!” Malachi 3:17

God’s people are His jewels–His own special treasure!

In what sense are the saints, God’s jewels?

Jewels are precious things; the Hebrew word for jewels signifies a treasure. A treasure is made up of costly things–gold, and diamonds and rubies. Such a precious treasure, are the saints to God.

They are jewels for their sparkling quality. Their holiness shines and sparkles in God’s eyes! (Song of Solomon 4:9), “You have ravished My heart, with one glance of your eyes!” That is, with one of your graces.

The godly are jewels for their scarcity. Diamonds are not common. Just so, the godly are scarce and rare. There are but few of these to be found. There are many false professors (as there are many plastic diamonds)–but few true Christians. Among the millions in Rome, there were but few senators. Just so, among the swarms of people in the world–there are but few true believers.

The godly are jewels for their price. Queen Cleopatra had two jewels which were worth half the price of a kingdom. Thus the saints are jewels, for their value. God esteems them at a high rate; He parted with His best jewel for them–Christ’s precious blood was shed to ransom these jewels!

The saints are jewels for their adorning quality. Jewels adorn those who wear them. The saints are jewels which adorn the world. Their piety mixed with prudence honors the gospel. Hypocrites eclipse true religion and make it badly spoken of. The saints as jewels, render it illustrious by their sanctity.

God the Father has chosen these jewels, and set them apart for Himself!

Christ has bought these jewels with His blood!

The Holy Spirit has sanctified them. When they were a lump of sin–He made them into His jewels! He will string these pearls together–and put them into His celestial cabinet!

Bless God who has wrought such a change in you! From lumps of dirt and sin–He has made you into His jewels!

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Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001