Archives for 2015

Good morning,

Yesterday we defined longsuffering as patience, endurance, constancy, steadfastness, perseverance, forbearance, slowness in avenging wrongs. Today we want to look at God’s longsuffering toward us, His children.

When you think about it, God’s longsuffering for us is truly extraordinary. It began in the garden and has just kept on forever. Our sin condemns us every day. God, being longsuffering, gives us opportunities to confess our sin and reestablish our right standing with Him. Amazing.

God’s longsuffering to His children

• Romans 2:3-4 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? ⁴ Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
• Romans 9:21-23 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor? ²² What if God, willing to show his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: ²³ And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,
• 1 Timothy 1:16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
• 1 Peter 3:18-20 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: ¹⁹ By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; ²⁰ Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.
• 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
• 2 Peter 3:15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;

Think about what God does for you.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

The next three days we will do a study on longsuffering. Longsuffering is defined as patience, endurance, constancy, steadfastness, perseverance, forbearance, slowness in avenging wrongs.

Today, let’s look at God’s longsuffering.

• Exodus 34:6 And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,
• Numbers 14:18 The Lord is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation.
• Jeremiah 15:15 O Lord, thou knowest: remember me, and visit me, and revenge me of my persecutors; take me not away in thy longsuffering: know that for thy sake I have suffered rebuke.
• Psalm 86:15 But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.

A characteristic of God is that He is longsuffering. Remember last week we looked at the names of God? Now I want you to meditate on God’s longsuffering.

The word longsuffering is only used 17 times in the Bible, however, the concept is alive in every chapter.

Tomorrow, we will look at God’s longsuffering to His children, us.

Have a great day.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

 

 

Good morning,

God has given us eyes to see. Unfortunately, from the very beginning, our eyes betrayed us. God also gave us eyes to see His beauty, to be enlightened, and as a light. Consider your eyes.

1) Temptation of the eyes

Genesis 3:5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.

Genesis 3:7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.

Genesis 13:10-11 And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere, before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar. ¹¹ Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other.

Matthew 5:28  But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

Matthew 6:23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!

2) Keeping your eyes from evil

Psalm 101:3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.

Job 31:1 I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?

Psalm 17:8 Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,

Psalm 19:8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.

Luke 11:34 The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness.

3) Conquering our eye problem

Ephesians 1:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

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

Colossians 3:23-24 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; ²⁴ Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

The children’s song, “Oh, be careful little eyes, what you see, Oh, be careful little eyes, what you see,
For the Father up above, is looking down in love, Oh be careful little eyes what you see.”, is great advice for us as adults. Our world is filled with filth, wickedness, and depravity, which we should not be watching.

I believe Hebrews 12:2 sums this up nicely.  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

 

Good morning,

The seven years of tribulation are about over.  Several things are still awaiting completion.

1) The marriage supper of the Lamb

• Revelation 19:7-9 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. ⁸ And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. ⁹ And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

2) Return of Jesus Christ as Ruler

• Revelation 19:11-16 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. ¹² His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. ¹³ And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. ¹⁴ And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. ¹⁵ And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. ¹⁶ And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written,King Of Kings, And Lord Of Lords.

3) Judgment of Satan Pre-Post Millennium

• Revelation 20:1-3 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. ² And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, ³ And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.
• Revelation 20:7-10 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. ¹⁰ 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.

4) Judgment of the unsaved dead

• Revelation 20:11-15 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. ¹² And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. ¹³ And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. ¹⁴ And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. ¹⁵ And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Depending on your spiritual condition this may paint an exciting future or a very scary one. We choose, by an act our own will, to go to heaven or hell. It would seem prudent to make that decision now instead of later. Choosing to do nothing is choosing Satan and hell. Choosing Jesus means life in heaven with King Jesus forever.

If you are interested in talking about your spiritual condition, please call, write, or meet me at the Wasilla Senior Center.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Yesterday I wrote that God was not done with Israel. I mentioned that there would be a 144,000 Jewish evangelists sent to witness to Israel and the world. Today we will look at who they are.

1) The number and lineage

• Revelation 7:3-4 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.

2) Who they are

• Revelation 14:4-5 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the first fruits unto God and to the Lamb.⁵ And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.

3) Their accomplishments

• Revelation 7:9, 10, 13, 14 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; ¹⁰ And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. ¹³ And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? ¹⁴ And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

4) Their worship

• Revelation 7:11-12 And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshiped God, ¹² Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.
• Revelation 14:3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.

The 144,000 were Jews from the 12 tribes of Israel. They were undefiled and sealed by God. They saw a great multitude saved. They worshiped God when the campaign was completed.

There are 2 important take aways from this. First, there are lost people who need Jesus. Second, you need to witness to them.

Go share Jesus with someone today.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Many people today believe that God is done with the nation of Israel. That the church has supplanted God’s promises to Israel. Unfortunately, they fail to read the book of Revelation where God sends out 144,000 Jewish evangelists as witnesses for Him. Israel finally accepts their Messiah, Yeshua, Jesus.

Isaiah 43 proclaims God’s intentions towards the children of Israel.

• V1 But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.
• V3 For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.
• V4 Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.
• V10-12 Ye are my witnesses, saith theLord, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. ¹¹ I, even I, am the Lord; and beside me there is no saviour. ¹² I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, that I am God.
• V21 This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise.
• V25-26 I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.  Put me in remembrance: let us plead together: declare thou, that thou mayest be justified.

It seems God continues to have a plan for the nation of Israel. This is only one of many Old Testament chapters that speak of God’s intentions towards Israel.  When Paul wrote to the church in Rome, he stated, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16) God wants all men and women to be saved. He is an equal opportunity Savior.

Shalom.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Today’s devotion comes from the Grace Gems website. I thought this might encourage you.

The name of the LORD is a strong tower!

(Ralph Erskine, 1685-1752)

“The name of the LORD is a strong tower!

A righteous person runs to it and is safe!” Proverbs 18:10

Jesus has a name suiting every want, every need.

Do you need wonders to be wrought for you? His name is Wonderful; look to Him so to do, for His name’s sake.

Do you need counsel and direction? His name is the Counselor; cast yourself on Him and His mighty name for this.

Have you mighty enemies to engage? His name is the Mighty God; seek that He may exert His power for His name’s sake.

Do you need His fatherly pity? His name is the everlasting Father; as a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear him. Plead His pity, for His name’s sake.

Do you need peace–external, internal, or eternal? His name is the Prince of Peace; seek for His name’s sake, that He may create peace.

O sirs, His name is Jehovah-Rophi, the Lord, the healer and physician; seek, for His name’s sake, that He may heal all your soul diseases.

Do you need pardon? His name is Jehovah-Tsidkenu, the Lord our righteousness; seek for His name’s sake, that He may be merciful to your unrighteousness.

Do you need defense and protection? His name is Jehovah-Nissi, the Lord your banner; seek, for His name’s sake, that His banner of love and grace may be spread over you.

Do you need provision in extreme want? His name is Jehovah-Jireh, in the mount to the Lord it shall be seen, the Lord will provide.

Do you need His presence? His name is Jehovah-Shammah, the Lord is there; Immanuel, God with us; look to Him to be with you, for His name’s sake.

Do you need an audience of prayer? His name is the Hearer of Prayer.

Do you need strength? His name is the Strength of Israel.

Do you need comfort? His name is the Consolation of Israel.

Sit down and ponder your wants and needs–and you will find He has a name suitable for your supply; He has . . .

all wisdom to guide you,

all power to keep you,

all mercy to pity you,

all holiness to sanctify you,

all righteousness to justify you,

all grace to adorn you,

and all glory to crown you!

Please meditate on these names of God and take comfort in the Lord Jesus Christ to meet all your needs.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

 

Good morning,

When we think about soul winning, the Roman’s road, John 3:16, or 1 John 5:11-13 usually come to mind. Has Isaiah 55 ever crossed your path?

Verses 1-3, speak about salvation. It is for everyone. It is free. In this case, water illustrates salvation.

Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. ² Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. ³ Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.

Verses 6-9, speak of seeking the Lord, forsaking wickedness, and the thoughts of God.

Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: ⁷ Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. ⁸ For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. ⁹ For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Verse 11, speaks of God’s word. It shall not return void (without fruit). It will prosper.

So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

We are challenged to:

• Get saved
• Seek the Lord
• Call upon the Lord
• Forsake wickedness
• Understand that God’s thoughts are higher than my thoughts
• God’s word will not return void (without fruit)
• It will prosper

Have a wonderful day.

Tom Stearns

WASI Chaplain

907 715-4001

Good morning,

Last week we looked at the fruit of the Spirit. In the past we have looked at love. Now I would like to tackle joy. Joy is used 59 times in the New Testament. It is defined as gladness. Since joy is a characteristic, it should show action. Today we will look at Affliction/Tribulation Joy.

Affliction/Tribulation Joy

2 Corinthians 7:4 Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.

2 Corinthians 8:2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.

1 Thessalonians 1:6 And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost.

Hebrews 12:11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

So what did we see? There is a correlation between affliction, tribulations, and joy.

• Exceeding joy/tribulation
• Great trial of affliction/abundance of their joy
• Much affliction/joy
• Chastening/fruit of righteousness

So the conclusion of the matter is summed up in 1 Peter 1:3-9:

³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴ To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, ⁵ Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. ⁶ Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: ⁷ That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: ⁸ Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: ⁹ Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

This is what our joy should be.

NOTE: We are working on getting the Daily Devotionals sent to your email addresses. In the meantime, each Daily Devotion is at the WASI website under Chaplain’s Services. You may even leave comments.

Tom Stearns

WASI Chaplain

907 715-4001

Good morning,

Last week we looked at the fruit of the Spirit. In the past we have looked at love. Now I would like to tackle joy. Joy is used 59 times in the New Testament. It is defined as gladness. Since joy is a characteristic, it should show action. Today we will look at With Joy, tomorrow, Affliction/Tribulation Joy.

2) With Joy

Luke 8:13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.

Luke 10:17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.

Acts 13:52 And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.

Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

Romans 15:32 That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.

2 Timothy 1:4 Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy;

We see that “joy” is connected to some action.

• Received the word
• Returned again
• Disciples were filled
• I might finish my course
• Come unto you
• Filled

We are filled with joy when…….. (Fill in the blank)

Have a day filled with joy.

Tom Stearns

WASI Chaplain

907 715-4001