Archives for 2015

Good morning,

Three men from different backgrounds, cultures, and time had two things in common, they had faith in the God of the Bible and they sinned. They encompassed Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” and Romans 3:10, “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:” or Romans 3:23, “ For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Although God used these men mightily, they still rebelled against the authority of God.

Abraham, David, and Saul (Paul) were men we revere as leaders of the Bible. Yet each one failed to take the moral high ground during their lives.

God chose Abram to be His servant. He blessed him and gave him many precious promises. Abram, then Abraham, went back and forth in his obedience to God. He lied about his relationship to his wife and failed to trust God’s timing for their son Isaac. The results of those choices can be seen in the Middle East today.

God called a shepherd boy to be King of Israel. He stood up to the Philistine giant, Goliath, with faith in God and a sling shot with five smooth stones. He faithfully served God’s man, King Saul, even while Saul was trying to kill him. Then David becomes King and one moral lapse causes him to commit adultery, murder, and disgrace for the nation Israel. The consequences were death in his family and not being able to build the temple.

God chose Saul, a Pharisee and hater of Christians to write, teach, disciple, and help evangelize the world in which he lived. Yet in the beginning it was Saul who sought out believers to imprison, torture, and kill them.

So what is God’s final analysis of these men?

Abraham

“And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.  (James 2:23)

David

“And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave their testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfill all my will.” (Acts 13:22)

Paul

But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake. (Acts 9:15-16)

So what do we learn?

• God uses men and women yielded to Him
• Men and women will fail to obey God
• Men and women may repent and be used of God
• God NEVER gives up on us

Every one of us can be useful in ministry, if we want to be.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

This is a devotional we should all take to heart.

Worm-eaten by secret sin!

(Theodore Cuyler, “Beulah-Land” or, Words of Cheer for Christian Pilgrims)

“The righteous will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green.” Psalm 92:12-14

He alone is a cedar of Christ’s training and polishing–who is sound to the very core! For the cedar was famous for its solidity of wood. It knew no decay. It afforded no asylum to any stealthy insect–which turned its aromatic wood into dust and ashes. So stands every faithful, fearless, unflinching, incorruptible Christian! They bid defiance to the worm of sin while they live, and to the worm of calumny when they are dead.

But insidious worms gnaw out the very heart of the pretended piety of the false professor. When the community is shocked by the scandalous sin of some prominent man in the church–it is only the crack of a beam which was worm-eaten by secret sin long before!

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Last week I stated that mother’s were unique. God reminded me that when He created man and woman in the Garden of Eden, they were unique.

And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. (Genesis 2:7)

In Chapter 1 of Genesis, God spoke creation into being. He spoke and it was done. In the case of Adam and Eve, God formed man out of the dust of the ground. Then He breathed the breath of life into Adam’s nostrils. That action became a living soul. None of the other creative acts of God were formed from dust, had God breathe into them the breath of life, or had a soul. We were formed truly unique by God. He also made a female from the rib of Adam.

 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. (Genesis 1:27)

But just in case you missed it, David writes:

 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. (Psalm 139:13-16)

God formed Adam and made Eve from the rib of Adam.  Although the process is a little different, God is still making unique men and women. God does not use a cookie cutter to create His children. No two people are the same. Each has their own unique character qualities.

This should be a real encouragement to us. Our God cares enough about each of us to make us His unique creation.

Tom Stearns. WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

Sunday is Mother’s Day. Our mothers birthed, nurtured, cared for, loved, and wept with and for us over the years. Each one is unique. As we look at the “virtuous woman” of Proverb 31, she is also unique. She is:

TRUSTWORTHY

¹⁰ Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.¹¹ The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.¹² She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

PROVIDER

¹³ She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.¹⁴ She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.¹⁵ She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

INDUSTRIOUS

¹⁶ She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.¹⁷ She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.¹⁸ She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.¹⁹ She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

COMPASSIONATE

²⁰ She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

SEAMSTRESS

²¹ She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.²² She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.²³ Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.²⁴ She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

WISE

²⁵ Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.²⁶ She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

NOT IDLE

²⁷ She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

PRAISED BY HUSBAND, CHILDREN, THE LORD

²⁸ Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.²⁹ Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

FEARS THE LORD

³⁰ Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.³¹ Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

OUR MOTHERS

Today, make a list of the character qualities of your mother. Thank God every day that God gave you a mother uniquely suited to you.

Make this a very special Mother’s Day. Share your list with your mother.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

Third John is a short letter that encourages, condemns, and praises.

ENCOURAGEMENT

¹ The elder unto the well beloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth. ² Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. ³ For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. ⁴ I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. ⁵ Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers; ⁶ Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well: ⁷ Because that for his name’s sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles. ⁸ We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellow helpers to the truth. (3 John 1-8)

CONDEMNATION

⁹ I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. ¹⁰ Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church. ¹¹ Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God. (3 John 9-11)

PRAISE

¹² Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true.¹³ I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee:¹⁴ But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name. (3 John 12-14)

Consider John’s letter.

• He rejoiced greatly
• He had no greater joy than to hear his children walk in truth
• Gaius is known for doing good deeds
• Diotrephes is condemned for not receiving the brethren and wickedness
• Demetrius is praised for having a good report

It should be our desire to have the testimony of Gaius and Demetrius. Let us do all things to please and honor God and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Our mid-week service has just completed a study on the fruit of the Spirit. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23)Nine character qualities that each believer possesses. When we have an understanding of each characteristic and allow the Holy Spirit to use them in our lives, we have the potential to help many people.

Having said that, each day we miss opportunities God gives us. When God met people He had compassion on them. He healed the sick, raised the dead, and fed thousands. As we walk through life are we oblivious to the needs of the hungry, lonely, in need of someone to talk to? Do we ignore their needs as the Priest and Levite did in the parable of the Good Samaritan, Luke 10:30-37? Or do we have the compassion Jesus exhibited when He met people in need?

Consider the following verses.

1 PETER 3:8-9

⁸ Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: ⁹ Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

1 JOHN 3:16-18

¹⁶ Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.¹⁷ But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? ¹⁸ My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

JUDE 21-23

²¹ Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.²² And of some have compassion, making a difference:²³ And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

Today, we need to consider how we might be more compassionate toward others. After we have considered it, then we need to take steps to implement our plans.

Others are counting on us. Will we be God’s conduit for compassion to others?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

We do not like affliction. We desire our way to be smooth and uneventful. However, I think it would be safe to say that we learn most when afflicted. It is during those times we cling closer to the Lord and depend on His leadership. Today’s devotional is a life lesson.

 

Glorify God in the fire!

(George Whitefield, “Glorify God in the Fire!”)

“Every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit!” John 15:2

“I have refined you in the furnace of suffering!” Isaiah 48:10

Fire not only burns and purges, but it separates one thing from another.

God Almighty knows that we are often purged more in one hour by a good sound trial–than by a thousand manifestations of His love. It is a fine thing to come purified, to come pardoned out of the furnace of affliction. The furnace is intended to purge us to separate the precious from the vile, the chaff from the wheat. And God, in order to do this, is pleased to put us into one fire after another.

There are some roads which are finely paved and smooth–but the King’s road to Heaven is strewed with crosses and afflictions!

My brethren, we need to be purged! How apt are we to want to go to Heaven upon a featherbed. But many go lying upon beds of pain and languishing, which is the King’s highway there.

God will not put us into the fire–if there was not something to be purged away. The grand thing is to learn to glorify God in the fire.

We glorify God in the fire, when we quietly endure it as a chastisement, and when we bear it patiently. It is a dreadful thing when we are saying with Cain, “My punishment is greater than I can bear!” But the language of a soul that glorifies God in the fire is this, “Shall I, Lord, shall I a sinful man, complain for the punishment of my sins?”

We glorify God in the fire, when, though we feel pain and anguish, we at the same time say, “Lord, we deserve this and ten thousand times more!”

We glorify God in the fire also, when we are really and fully persuaded that God will put us in the furnace only for our good, and His own glory.

We glorify God in the fire when we say, “Lord don’t let the fire go out until it has purged away all my dross!”

We glorify God in the fire when the soul can say, “Here I am, my God, do with me as seems good in Your sight! I know that I shall not have one unnecessary stroke!”

We glorify God in the fire when we are not grumbling, but humbly submitting to His will. When that awful message was brought to Eli, what does he say? “It is the LORD; let Him do what seems good to Him.” Let my children be killed, whatever is done, it is the Lord’s doing!

We glorify God in the fire when we rejoice in Him–when we can thank God for striking us–when we can thank Him for whipping us!

Happy are you who have got into Christ’s fire!

 

What a challenge! When God takes us through the fire, the calamities of life, let it be said of us that, “We glorified God in the fire.”

Please keep for future reference.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

Don Fortner is pastor of Grace Baptist Church of Danville, KY.

The wise, unerring hand of His good providence!

(Don Fortner)

“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.” Romans 8:28

All that has been, is and shall hereafter be–is brought to pass by our God, for the everlasting good of His elect. Let us find in this blessed truth . . .
comfort for every sorrow,
strength to endure every trial,
courage to face every foe and
joy to lighten the load of our daily pilgrimage through this world.

Let us carry through the day, through the year and through all the days of our lives–the comfort of this blessed fact: “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” As all things have their beginning with the will, purpose, and decree of our heavenly Father–so all things are brought to pass by the wise, unerring hand of His good providence, and shall ultimately bring forth everlasting praise to Him.

Let these things inspire our hearts to heed the admonition of 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

Hope this was a blessing and encouragement to you.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

Psalm 33 begins by praising God. Then explains why we should praise Him. We should praise God for His creation, counsel, and salvation. Today we will look at praising God for His salvation.

GOD’S SALVATION (PSALM 33:16-22)

¹⁶ There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength. ¹⁷ An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength. ¹⁸ Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; ¹⁹ To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. ²⁰ Our soul waiteth for the Lord: he is our help and our shield. ²¹ For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name. ²² Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.

God’s salvation does not come through the strength of men, their numbers, or their weapons in battle.

God’s salvation comes from God Himself. Breaking down this passage we see:

1) God is looking for those who fear Him. This is the reverential fear for the God of creation, who is all knowing, ever present, and all powerful. These people are those who hope in His mercy. (v18)

2) God will deliver their souls from death. These are people who believe in God. They are trusting in Him by faith. The basis then of their salvation is trusting God through faith. (v 19)

3) They have a longing for the Lord. They know God and want their souls to be delivered. They realize that God is their help and shield. (v 20)

4) They trust in God and rejoice. They have made the decision to follow God by faith. (v 21)

5) They want God’s continued mercy to be upon them.  They are longing for a close relationship with their God. (v 22)

How did people get saved in the Old Testament; by trusting in God’s grace through faith. No different than today.

Praise God for His great salvation!

Have a great weekend.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Psalm 33 begins by praising God. Then explains why we should praise Him. We should praise God for His creation, counsel, and salvation. Today we will look at praising God for His counsel.

GOD’S COUNSEL (PSALM 33:10-15)

¹⁰ The Lord bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect. ¹¹ The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations. ¹² Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance. ¹³ The Lord looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men. ¹⁴ From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth. ¹⁵ He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works.

Men take counsel among themselves and the results are chaos, wars, wicked behaviors, and hatred toward the things of God. God’s counsel is based on God Himself, His character, His acts, His mercy, love, and concern for His creation.  He is all knowing, ever present, and all powerful. His counsel is found in the book He has given us called the Bible. Everything we need to know about navigating through this life is found in those sixty-six books. God’s counsel will stand forever.

This is the why we can praise God for His counsel.

Tomorrow we will look at God’s salvation.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001