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

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 8:1-13 tell us about our new life in Christ.

1. No Condemnation to those in Christ Jesus (8:1-4)

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. ² For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.³ For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: ⁴ That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

2. Spirit-led or Carnally minded (8:5-13)

⁵ For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. ⁶ For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. ⁷ Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. ⁸ So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. ⁹ But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. ¹⁰ And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. ¹¹ But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. ¹² Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. ¹³ For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

Jesus’ payment for our sin debt “…hath made me free from the law of sin and death.”  Our salvation was purchased by Jesus blood on the cross and His resurrection from the grave.

However, we must then make a choice whom to follow, the flesh or the Spirit of God. The flesh does not please God and results in death. The Spirit filled life results in life and peace.

What should our choice be?

Tomorrow we will look at promises God declares to us.

Romans 8:14-27 tells us of the promises God has given us. He has allowed us to be adopted, joint heirs with Christ, receive redeemed bodies, and the intercession of the Holy Spirit on our behalf.

3. Believers are Joint Heirs with Christ (8:14-17)

¹⁴ For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. ¹⁵ For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. ¹⁶ The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: ¹⁷ And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

4. Mortal Bodies wait Resurrection Glory (8:18-25)

¹⁸ For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. ¹⁹ For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. ²⁰ For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, ²¹ Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. ²² For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. ²³ And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. ²⁴ For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? ²⁵ But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

5. Holy Spirit Prays with Us and For Us (8:26-27)

²⁶ Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. ²⁷ And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

One choice has literally changed our present and future destinies. No longer are we bound for a devil’s hell but our condemnation has been taken away, we become children of God, joint heirs with Christ, awaiting a redeemed body, Heaven, never to be separated from Jesus, the Holy Spirit helping us and praying for our needs. We are blessed individuals.

Meditate on all that God has done for us through His Son Jesus Christ. Thank Him for the opportunity to serve Him here on earth and then in Heaven. Share this life changing Good News with others.

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.

6. 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.

7. 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

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 8:14-27 tells us of the promises God has given us. He has allowed us to be adopted, joint heirs with Christ, receive redeemed bodies, and the intercession of the Holy Spirit on our behalf.

Believers are Joint Heirs with Christ (8:14-17)

¹⁴ For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. ¹⁵ For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. ¹⁶ The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: ¹⁷ And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Mortal Bodies wait Resurrection Glory (8:18-25)

¹⁸ For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. ¹⁹ For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. ²⁰ For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, ²¹ Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. ²² For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. ²³ And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. ²⁴ For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? ²⁵ But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

Holy Spirit Prays with Us and For Us (8:26-27)

²⁶ Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. ²⁷ And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

One choice has literally changed our present and future destinies. No longer are we bound for a devil’s hell but our condemnation has been taken away, we become children of God, joint heirs with Christ, awaiting a redeemed body, Heaven, never to be separated from Jesus, the Holy Spirit helping us and praying for our needs. We are blessed individuals.

Meditate on all that God has done for us through His Son Jesus Christ. Thank Him for the opportunity to serve Him here on earth and then in Heaven. Share this life changing Good News with others.

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 8:1-13 tell us about our new life in Christ.

1. No Condemnation to those in Christ Jesus (8:1-4)

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. ² For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.³ For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: ⁴ That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

2. Spirit-led or Carnally minded (8:5-13)

⁵ For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. ⁶ For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. ⁷ Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. ⁸ So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. ⁹ But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. ¹⁰ And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. ¹¹ But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. ¹² Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. ¹³ For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

Jesus’ payment for our sin debt “…hath made me free from the law of sin and death.”  Our salvation was purchased by Jesus blood on the cross and His resurrection from the grave.

However, we must then make a choice whom to follow, the flesh or the Spirit of God. The flesh does not please God and results in death. The Spirit filled life results in life and peace.

What should our choice be?

Tomorrow we will look at promises God declares to us.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

What a wonderful person!

(James Smith, “The Person and Work of Christ” 1849)  LISTEN to audio!  Download audio

What a wonderful person is my glorious Lord Jesus! All the divine attributes are found in Him. As there are no limits to His fullness, there can be no limit to my supplies, or the least prospect of need.

Jesus is my divine Savior!
His bounty will supply me,
His omnipotence will deliver me,
His omnipresence will protect me,
His omniscience will guard me,
His love will animate me,
His mercy will heal me,
His grace will support me,
His compassion will comfort me,
His pity will relieve me,
His goodness will provide for me,
His tenderness will soothe me,
His kindness will encourage me,
His patience will bear with me,
His justice will avenge me,
His faithfulness will embolden me,
His holiness will beautify me,
His anger will awe me,
His life will quicken me,
His light will illumine me,
His Word will regulate me,
His joy will delight me,
His blessedness will elevate me,
His long-suffering will lead me to repentance,
His immutability will secure the fulfillment of all the promises to me,
His truth will be my shield and buckler,
His sovereignty will raise my admiration,
His condescension will inspire me with gratitude and love,
and His all-sufficiency will satisfy me both in time and eternity!

In Jesus, God has reconciled me to Himself, imputing my trespasses to Him, and His obedience to me.

God by Jesus, takes away . . .
  all my sins,
  His own wrath, and
  my deserved condemnation!

All good things . . .
  are treasured up in Christ,
  were procured for me by Christ,
  flow to me through Christ, and
  are conferred on me for the sake of Christ!

How exactly suited is the Lord Jesus to my case! Inflexible justice demands my blood, but He becomes my substitute, and spills His own!

In Jesus, I see my sin, and God’s justice meet!
He removes the one, and satisfies the other!

What is Jesus called in God’s holy Word?
A Savior, in reference to my lost condition.
A Reconciler, in reference to the enmity that existed between myself and God.
A Redeemer, in reference to my slavery to sin.
A Mediator, in respect to the disagreement between myself and the Most High God.
A Refiner, with respect to my filthiness.
An Advocate, with regard to my perplexed cause.
A Prophet, in respect to my ignorance.
A Priest, with a view to my guiltiness.
A King, in regard to my weakness and foes.
A Bridegroom, regarding my lowly estate and relationship.
A Physician, with regard to my many soul maladies.
In a word, Jesus is “All In All.”

O to know more of Jesus, in . . .
  the glory of His person,
  the riches of His grace,
  the perfection of His work,
  the tenderness of His heart,
  the strength of His love and
  the effectual working of His power!   ~  ~  ~  ~

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

Good morning,

Romans 7 teaches about the law. Specifically, the law no longer has dominion over the believer in Christ; the law was instrumental in bringing us to Christ, and the current battle between the law and grace.

The spiritual conflicts between corruption and grace in a believer. (7:14-25)

THE PROBLEM (7:14-17)

¹⁴ For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. ¹⁵ For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. ¹⁶ If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. ¹⁷ Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

7:14 The conflict Paul felt is universal among Christians—the pull of the flesh against the Spirit, of the old man against the new.

The problem is sin dwelleth in us.

THE CONFLICT (7:18-22)

¹⁸ For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: or to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. ¹⁹ For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. ²⁰ Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.²¹ I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. ²² For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:

Each day we battle right versus wrong. It is our desire to do good, but sometimes we choose to do wrong. We know that we are saved individuals because we delight in the law of God. the unsaved do not care about God.

THE SOLUTION (7:23-25)

²³ But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. ²⁴ O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? ²⁵ I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

We must realize that this battle is real and waged by the forces of evil. Ephesians 6:10-12 states, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. ¹² For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

The solution is Jesus Christ who died for our sin, was buried, and rose from the dead. Jesus won the victory over sin and death. So have we. When we sin, and we will, we repent of our sin and move on.

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