Archives for 2015

Good morning,

This week we will look at Israel’s Return to the Land. I will be quoting from a book called Target Israel, written by Tim LaHaye and Ed Hindson. This would be a good book to read to understand how Israel fits into the whole dynamic of the Middle East and end time prophecy.

Return to the Land

 And the Lord said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever. (Genesis 13:14-15) This was God’s original promise of the land to Abraham and his descendants.

Introduction

“The prediction of Israel’s return to the land is one of the great prophecies of the Old Testament. Yet for centuries, some people said, “Oh, they’ll never go back. They’re scattered all over the world.”

The Branch

However, the Jewish people themselves understood God’s promise, which is clearly stated in Isaiah 11. There, the prophet looked down through the corridors of history, into the distant future, and spoke of the millennial kingdom. He prophesied of the coming Messiah as a descendant of Jesse, David’s father. The prophet also described the sevenfold Spirit of the Lord resting on the Messiah: “There shall come forth a rod from the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots. The spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. (Isaiah 11:1-2)”

“The “Branch” that comes “from the stem of Jesse” is a reference to the Messiah. He will come forth, in the future, out of the root of Jesse and David. The promised Savior, Jesus the Messiah, would be a descendant of King David.

Isaiah 11:4 then says this about the Messiah: “With righteousness He shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked.” This is the very same picture we have of Jesus Christ in the book of Revelation: There is coming a day when He will physically return to the earth, and He will reign with fairness and justice.

During Messiah’s reign, the wolf, the lamb, the lion, and the calf will all lie down with one another-the millennial kingdom will be a time of peace and prosperity. (Isaiah 11:6-8) Isaiah then says, “And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse, who will stand as a banner to the people; for the Gentiles shall seek Him, and his resting place shall be glorious.” (Isaiah 11:10) “The people” is a reference to the Jews, and “the nations” refer to the Gentiles. In other words, the Savior is coming for both the Jews and Gentiles. He is the banner of God’s love over both of them. He is the One who calls both of them to faith in the Lord God Himself.” (Target Israel, pages 49-50)

This prophecy is being fulfilled before our eyes. The Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ, came once as the suffering servant to pay our sin debt by His perfect shed blood on the cross. He is coming in the near future to rule and reign. Also, today both Jew and Gentile have the opportunity to repent of their sins and believe on Jesus as Savior and Lord.

What a wonderful God we serve!

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

What a blessed thought for each of us seniors.

Now am I one day nearer Heaven than I ever was!

(Richard Steele, “A Discourse Concerning Old-age, Tending to the Instruction, Caution and Comfort of Aged People” 1688)

Though it is possible for the young to die soon–yet it is impossible for the aged to live long. Their manifest decays are a certain forecast of their approaching dissolution. No medicine has yet been found to cure old-age. The graves are ready for them, and the worms wait for their meal upon them! The moth of mortality, which is bred in our nature, will still be fretting the garment of our bodies, until they are consumed. Death is already got into the aged person’s eye and ear–and in a short time will bring him unto the dust.

Now though death is an unwelcome messenger to those who live for this poor world–yet to a holy old man and woman, it is a blessed privilege. For as looking backward they see a tempting troublesome world–so looking forward they see a state of perfect holiness and happiness prepared for them. The end of their fight–is the beginning of their victory. As they part from their earthly labors–they take possession of their heavenly honors.

The aged Christian sees a woeful wilderness behind him–and the blessed land of promise before him. It is therefore no wonder that, with Moses, he longs to be in it! For where should the spouse desire to be, but with her husband? And upon this account, that holy Lady Falkland would usually say when she was going to bed, “Now am I one day nearer Heaven than I ever was!”

“I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far!” Philippians 1:23

That is my desire. I hope that is your desire and that you have made your plans to go. If not, please contact me so I can talk to you about it.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

The questions asked below will give you a good indication whether you love Jesus or not.

Hellish sin! Stupendous wickedness! Monstrous impiety!

(Thomas Doolittle, “Motives to Love Jesus!“)

What! Not love the Lord? Hellish sin!
What! Not love Jesus? Stupendous wickedness!
What! Not love Christ? Monstrous impiety!
What name shall we call such a person by–a man or beast?
One that does not love the Lord Jesus Christ–is he a man or a devil?

Can you love sin–and not Jesus?
Can you love the world–and not Jesus?
What cursed wickedness!
This is . . .
the amazement of the earth,
the astonishment of angels,
and the joy of devils!

The earth groans to bear such as do not love Jesus.
The sun is grieved to give them light.
The air laments its vapors to be sucked into such filthy bodies, wherein are more filthy souls!

“If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed!” 1 Corinthians 16:22

How did you answer the questions? Who do you love most, Jesus or the world?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

This is a very important devotion. Do not allow Satan to deceive you.

The master deception of Satan! 

(Arthur Pink, “The Doctrine of Sanctification” 1937)

“For I am the Lord your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.” Leviticus 11:44

We do greatly deceive ourselves, if we imagine that we are drawing nearer to Heaven–while only following those courses which lead to Hell.

We are woefully deluded, if we suppose that we are journeying towards glory–and yet are living in sin.

Christ died to procure holiness–not to secure an indulgence for sin.

To live in known and allowed sin, and yet expect to be saved by Christ–is the master deception of Satan! 

My reader, a faith which does not transform character and reform conduct, is worthless.

Saving faith is only proved to be genuine by bearing the blossoms of experimental godliness and the fruits of personal piety.

Great multitudes of ignorant people who live under the Gospel, harden their hearts in sin and ruin their souls forever, by trusting on Christ for such an ‘imaginary salvation’ as consists not at all in holiness–but only in forgiveness of sin and deliverance from everlasting torments. They would be free from the punishments due to sin–but they love their lusts so well that they hate holiness and do not desire to be saved from the service of sin. If they do not desire to be made holy and righteous in their hearts and lives–then they do not heartily desire true salvation.

To sum up this devotion please consider Galatians 6:7, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

Do not be deceived!

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Today we complete our series on Israel’s Return to Life.

“Then in Ezekiel chapter 37 we come to the famous prediction regarding the valley of dry bones: “The hand of the Lord came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones.” (Ezekiel 37:1) The bones symbolize the nation and people of Israel, which appear to be dead and are scattered throughout the world.  “Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry.” (Ezekiel 37:2) In other words, they had been there for a long time. “And He said to me, Son of man, can these bones live? So I answered, O Lord You know.” (Ezekiel 37:3) What is the answer? “Again He said to me, Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, “O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord!” (Ezekiel 37:4)” (Target Israel, pages 47-48)

“Then Ezekiel went on to say that as he preached to the bones, there was a rattling sound, and the bones began to come together. The old spiritual, “Dry Bones,” which speaks of bones being joined together, comes from this very passage of Scripture, in which the bones of the skeletons suddenly begin to assemble right in front of the eyes of the prophet. Ezekiel noted that when the bones came together, flesh and sinews formed on them, but there was no breath in them-no spiritual life. (Ezekiel 37:7-8) Then we read this:

Also He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.”  So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army. (Ezekiel 37:9-10)

While Ezekiel was preaching to dry bones in a desert valley, they came together an stood up. But there was no life in them-not until the breath of God entered them. At that point they suddenly became alive not only physically, but also spiritually. Then God explained the meaning of the vision, saying to Ezekiel, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel.”

Ezekiel chapter 37, then, is clearly a prophecy about Israel’s future destiny. This is not a prophecy about the church. And we are seeing this prophecy come to fruition as the people of Israel return to their land and the “bones” are being reassembled. This nation has returned to life physically, and there is coming a day when it will return to life spiritually. ’” (Target Israel, pages 48-49)

Conclusion

• God has restored Israel to life
• God has breathed into the dry bones

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

Return to Life

“In the book of Ezekiel we read of a time when the nation of Israel would one day return to life. Note what God said:

For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God (Ezekiel 36:24-28).

Ezekiel wrote this at a time when the Babylonians had devastated the southern kingdom, and when the prophet himself had been taken into captivity. Yet he said there would come a time when a nation that appeared to be dead would come back to life under the providence and care of God. God has not abandoned His people. He still has a plan and purpose for them and for their future.” (Target Israel, page 46-47)

We are beginning to see this now. Many are returning to the land of Israel. Some have trusted Yeshua (Jesus) to be their personal Lord and Savior. However, this prophecy will have its fulfillment during the millennial age. This will be the time when Israel will be cleaned, given a new heart, be obedient to God, and will allow God to be their God.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

Israelites until 1948 were a people devoid of identity. They were scattered throughout the world without a place to call home. The prophet Isaiah knew that the children of Israel would be regathered to their God given land. It happened in one day just like Isaiah prophesied.

“Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children. (Isaiah 66:8)

“Both Christian and Jewish scholars acknowledge this passage as a prediction of Israel’s rebirth in the land instantaneously, a nation born in a day. This has never happened before in all of history. Never has a nation or a group of people who were expelled from their land returned after 2,000 years with their language, their heritage, and their commitments largely intact.” (Target Israel, page 46)

This week we will look at Israel’s Return to Life. I will be quoting from a book called Target Israel, written by Tim LaHaye and Ed Hindson. This would be a good book to read to understand how Israel fits into the whole dynamic of the Middle East.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

If My people

(Daniel Webster, 1872-1852)

If we and our posterity reject religious instruction and authority, violate the rules of eternal justice, trifle with the injunctions of morality, and recklessly destroy the political constitution which holds us together–no man can tell how sudden a catastrophe may overwhelm us, that shall bury all our glory in profound obscurity!

“If My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways–then I will hear from Heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14

Please consider seeking God today.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

Every-day mercies!

(Archibald Brown)

“Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!”Lamentations 3:22-23

Let us seek, dear friends, to have quick eyes in discerning the Lord’s hand in our so-called every-day mercies. The smallest comfort grows great in value, when viewed a gift from our heavenly Father!

The next string I will touch has sweet music of its own, and it should call forth the deepest “Thank God!” from every bosom. It is home mercy. Home! Home!! Surely, among all the gifts of Heaven, there is none more beautiful, or more worthy of our grateful praise–than a home where kindness, love, and cheerfulness abide. It has been well said that to Adam, Paradise was home–and to the holy among his descendants, home is Paradise. He who has a happy home can never be poor, or lack a theme for grateful song.

If we have been kept from falling into scandalous sin, then with grateful love we exclaim, “Having obtained help from God, I continue to this day.” We have been like men carrying gunpowder, and working in a forge where sparks are flying on every hand. With a nature like ours, so dangerously quick to sin, and living amid a very shower of fiery temptations–how great the grace that has preserved us thus far!

“Great are Your tender mercies, O LORD!” Psalm 119:156

Reflect on this.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

This week we will study the book of Amos. Today we will conclude our study with Chapter 9.

Chapter 9 Amos tells of the destruction, restoration and hope of Israel.

• Destruction of Israel (Amos 9:9-10) For, lo, I will command, and I will sift the house of Israel among all nations, like as corn is sifted in a sieve, yet shall not the least grain fall upon the earth. ¹⁰ All the sinners of my people shall die by the sword, which say, The evil shall not overtake nor prevent us.
• Restoration of Israel (Amos 9:13-15) Behold, the days come, saith theLord, that the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him that soweth seed; and the mountains shall drop sweet wine, and all the hills shall melt.¹⁴ And I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them.¹⁵ And I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, saith the Lord thy God.

Conclusion:

• Israel transgresses God’s laws
• Israel judged
• Israel will be restored

Have a great weekend.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001