Archives for May 2018

Good morning,

Proverbs 15:3 says, “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.”

God knows when we choose to obey and when we choose to rebel. It is God’s desire that we all obey. So, God has to chastise His children. He does this to bring them back to Him.

Because the Lord loves you

(Letters of John Newton)

“For the Lord disciplines the one He loves and chastises every son whom He receives.” Hebrews 12:6

“Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline.” Revelation 3:19

My Dear Friend,

Because the Lord loves you–He appoints trials for you. Like most effectual medicines, they are neither pleasant to the taste nor in their operation, when first taken–but afterwards they yield a harvest of righteousness and peace. He sends them not for His own pleasure, but for our profit. 

He could relieve you in a moment, but He does not. The plain inference is, that it is good, it is best for us to be afflicted!

I have had my trials, and I can from experience bear testimony to His all-sufficiency and faithfulness.

He does all things well. How can He who is infinitely wise and good, do otherwise?

“My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline and do not resent His rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those He loves, as a father the son he delights in.” Proverbs 3:11-12
~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

When our eyes are opened what do w see? Do we see the things of this world or Jesus? As we read today’s devotion, think about who Jesus is, why He came, and what He has done for us.

Wonderful are the effects when a crucified, glorious Savior is presented!

(Letters of John Newton)

“Whom have I in heaven but You? And earth has nothing I desire besides You!” Psalm 73:25-26

There is nothing that I desire more, than frequent, lively, and heart-affecting views of Jesus; who, like the brazen serpent of old, was lifted up on the cross–that we, beholding Him by faith, might live; even though the old serpent has so often stung us and filled us with the baneful, painful poison of sin!

Wonderful are the effects when a crucified, glorious Savior is presented . . .
by the power of the Spirit,
in the light of the Word,
to the eye of faith!

This sight of the crucified, glorious Savior . . .
destroys the love of sin,
heals the wounds of guilt,
softens the hard heart,
fills the soul with peace, love and joy,
and makes obedience practical, desirable and pleasant.

If we could see more of Him–we would look less at other things. But, alas! Unbelief places a veil before our sight, and worldly-mindedness draws our eyes another way. Some vain hope, or vain fear, or vain delight–comes in like a black cloud and hides our Beloved from our eyes.
~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

Today we complete our study of the Book of Galatians.

Galatians 5:16-6:18

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. (5:16)

Introduction

The flesh against the Spirit (5:16-26)

Walk in the Spirit (5:16)

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

Warfare between the flesh and the Spirit (5:17-26)

¹⁷ For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.¹⁸ But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.¹⁹ Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,²⁰ Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,²¹ Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,²³ Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.²⁴ And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.²⁵ If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.²⁶ Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

Christian fellowship and duties (6:1-18)

Bear each other’s burdens (6:1-5)

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.

Those who teach to be supplied by those taught (6:6)

⁶ Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.

Reaping after patient watering (6:7-9)

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.⁹ And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Love and do good to Christians (6:10-15)

¹⁰ As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. ¹¹ Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand.¹² As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.¹³ For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.¹⁴ But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.¹⁵ For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.

Paul’s farewell (16-18)

¹⁶ And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.¹⁷ From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.¹⁸ Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

Conclusion

Walk in the Spirit

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001