Archives for July 2016

Good morning,

The answer to the question below, “Which would you really choose?” seems to have an obvious answer. Initially, all would say Christ over the world. Does the way we live our lives support that answer? Do we live in light of eternity or immediacy? Read and ponder.

Which would you really choose?

(Thomas Doolittle, “Love to Christ Necessary to Escape the Curse at His Coming!” 1693)

What the object of the love of the heart is–is object of the choice of the will. And such as is the choice of your wills–such are you.

If you choose the world before Christ–I dare boldly to call you a worldly man!
If you choose pleasures before Christ–I dare confidently to declare you a voluptuous man!
But if Christ is chosen before all other things–I may term you to be a truly holy man.

Suppose then the world, and all the riches thereof, and all the honors and the pleasures of it, were set on the one hand–and Christ on the other hand. Which would you really choose?

It is an easy thing to say that you would choose Christ, and not the world. But my question is: Which you would really choose?

Can you say, and appeal to God who knows your heart: “Lord, You who know all things–You know that I choose Christ before riches, Christ before pleasures, liberty, life, or anything that is dear unto me in this world. You know that I would rather have Christ without the world–than the world without Christ. You know that I would rather have the Lord Jesus with disgrace, with poverty, and with the cross–than all the treasures of the world!”

This must be a man’s choice–or he cannot be said to have sincere love to Jesus Christ.

If Jesus is not loved above all–He is not sincerely loved at all!

“No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other–or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.” Matthew 6:24

~  ~  ~  ~

So which do you choose?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

What do we treasure, clothes, jewelry, wealth, or good health? Today’s devotion may help us reconsider our priorities.

You are only fattening it for worms!

(Thomas Guthrie, 1803-1873)

“For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs!” 1 Timothy 6:7-10

If you are wealthy, you may reside in a splendid mansion–but it is only to leave it one day for a dark and narrow house! You may pamper the body with the costliest luxuries–but you are only fattening it for worms! Nor can the flashing blaze of a thousand diamonds blind our eyes to the melancholy fact that this mirthful, beautiful, charming body shall, stripped of all its luxury, be wrapped in a shroud, nailed up in a coffin–and thrust down into a black hole to rot!

But give me the treasures of redemption . . .
my food is heavenly manna,
my wine is divine love,
my sweet pillow is the bosom of the Son,
my strong defense is the arm of Almighty God,
my home is that palace, eternal in the heavens!

~  ~  ~  ~

These are  important because they are eternal. Riches and luxury only last for a moment, redemption is forever.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

We complete our study of 1 Thessalonians this week. Chapter 5 helps us understand how we are to live in light of the Day of the Lord. The Day of the Lord refers to the Judgments of the Seven Year Tribulation which will follow the Rapture.

God has given us His word, the Bible, to guide and direct our lives. Verses 12-28 gives us practical principles on how we should conduct our lives.

We are to be living in light of His return. (12-28)

 We are to honor our Pastors (12-13a,b,c)

¹² And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; ¹³ And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake.

a. We are to seek unity with our brethren (13d)

And be at peace among yourselves.

b. We are to minister according to individual needs. (14)

¹⁴ Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

c. We are to forgive rather than retaliate. (15)

¹⁵ See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

d. We are to “Rejoice evermore.” (16)

¹⁶ Rejoice evermore.

e. We are to “Pray without ceasing.” (17)

¹⁷ Pray without ceasing.

f. We are to give thanks, “In every thing…for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (18)

¹⁸ In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

g. We are to respond to the Holy Spirit – “Quench not the Spirit.” (19)

¹⁹ Quench not the Spirit.

h. We are to be receptive to preaching (20)

²⁰ Despise not prophesyings.

i. We are to examine and test all teachers and teachings (21a)

²¹ Prove all things;

j. We are to “Hold fast that which is good.” (21b)

hold fast that which is good.

k. We are to “Abstain from all appearance of evil.” (22)

²² Abstain from all appearance of evil.

l. We are to allow God to work in us. (23-24)

²³ And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.²⁴ Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

m. We are to pray for spiritual leaders. (25)

²⁵ Brethren, pray for us.

n. We are to show our love to Christian brothers. (26)

²⁶ Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.

o. We are to read and share the word of God. (27)

²⁷ I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.

p. We are to embrace the grace of God. (28)

²⁸ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

CONCLUSION

Be ready for the Lord’s return

Be living in light of the Lord’s return

If we are willing to apply these principles to our daily lives, we will be a blessing to others, deal with conflict successfully, and our conduct will be above reproach.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

We complete our study of 1 Thessalonians this week. Chapter 5 helps us understand how we are to live in light of the Day of the Lord. The Day of the Lord refers to the Judgments of the Seven Year Tribulation which will follow the Rapture.

Christian Living in Light of the Day of the Lord

1. We are to be ready for His return (1-3)

But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.² For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.³ For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

         a.The suddenness of His return.

1) The uncertainty of the time of His return. (1)

2) The imminency of His return – “As a thief in the night” (2)

3) The signs of His return – Cries of peace (3)

        b.The call to be ready for His return (4-11)

But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.⁵ Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.⁶ Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.⁷ For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.⁸ But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.⁹ For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,¹⁰ Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.¹¹ Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

1) Because of who we are (4-8)

2) Because of what we will escape – wrath (9-11)

Tomorrow we will discover specific things we are to do in light of the imminent Day of the Lord.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

Meditate on what Jesus has done for us.

Behold the Emperor of Woe!

(Charles Spurgeon)

“Behold the Man!” John 19:5

If there is one place where our Lord Jesus most fully becomes the joy and comfort of His people–it is where He plunged deepest into the depths of woe!

Come hither, gracious souls, and behold the Man in the garden of Gethsemane! Behold His heart so brimming with love–that He cannot hold it in; so full of sorrow–that it must find a vent. Behold the bloody sweat as it distills from every pore of His body, and falls upon the ground!

Behold the Man as they drive the nails into His hands and feet! Look up, repenting sinners, and see the sorrowful image of your suffering Lord! Mark Him, as the ruby drops stand on the thorn-crown, and adorn the diadem of the King of Misery with priceless gems!

Behold the Man when all His bones are out of joint, and He is poured out like water and brought into the dust of death! God has forsaken Him–and Hell compasses Him about. Behold and see–was there ever sorrow like unto His sorrow? All you who pass by–draw near and look upon this spectacle of grief! Unique, unparalleled, a wonder to men and angels–an unmatched marvel!

Behold the Emperor of Woe–who had no equal or rival in His agonies! Gaze upon Him, you mourners, for if there is not consolation in a crucified Christ–there is no joy in earth or Heaven. If in the ransom price of His blood, there is not hope–you harps of heaven, there is no joy in you; and the right hand of God shall know no pleasures for evermore!

We have only to sit more continually at the cross foot–to be less troubled with our afflictions and woes.

We have but to see His sorrows–and we shall be ashamed to mention our sorrows.

We have but to gaze into His wounds–and heal our own.

If we would live aright–it must be by the contemplation of His death.

If we would rise to dignity–it must be by considering His humiliation and His sorrow!   ~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Believers in Christ sometimes want to dance with the world. They want to see how close they can get to the world without tarnishing their reputation before their Christian friends. The devil is quite willing to encourage this kind of activity.

Today’s devotional challenges us to think about how we live our lives.

Dance and dine with the devil!

(Thomas Brooks, “Precious Remedies Against Satan’s Devices”)

“Lest Satan should get an advantage of us–for we are not ignorant of his evil schemes.” 2 Corinthians 2:11

Sin is but a bitter sweet. That seeming sweet which is in sin will quickly vanish–and lasting shame, sorrow, horror, and terror will soon come.

Forbidden profits and pleasures are most pleasing to vain men, who count madness to be mirth. Many long to be meddling with the murdering morsels of sin, which do not nourish–but rend and consume the soul which receives them. Many eat that on earth, which they digest in Hell.

Sin’s murdering morsels will deceive those who devour them!
Adam’s apple was a bitter sweet;
Esau’s bowl of stew was a bitter sweet;
the Israelites’ quails were a bitter sweet;
Jonathan’s honey was a bitter sweet;
Adonijah’s dainties were a bitter sweet.
After the meal is ended–then comes the reckoning!

Men must not think to dance and dine with the devil–and then to sup with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of Heaven!

Men must not think to feed upon the poison of asps–and yet that the viper’s tongue should not slay them!

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So when Satan dangles a particular sin before us, we must be careful. James 4:7 tells us, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” Good advice.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Prayer is one our most powerful opportunities as a Christian. Allow God to encourage you as you read.  Then pray.

Prayer

(Hannah More, “Prayer”)

Prayer is . . .
the application of need, to Him who alone can relieve it,
the confession of sin, to Him who alone can pardon it,
the urgency of poverty,
the prostration of humility,
the fervency of penitence,
the confidence of trust.

Prayer is . . .
not eloquence, but earnestness,
not the definition of helplessness, but the feeling of it,
the “Lord, save us–or we perish!” of drowning Peter,
the cry of faith, to the ear of mercy.

Adoration is the noblest employment of created beings.

Confession is the natural language of guilty creatures.

Gratitude is the spontaneous expression of pardoned sinners.

Prayer is desire–it is . . .
not a mere conception of the mind,
not an effort of the intellect,
not an act of the memory.

Prayer is . . .
an elevation of the soul towards its Maker,
a pressing sense of our own ignorance and infirmity,
a consciousness . . .
of the perfections of God,
of His readiness to hear,
of His power to help,
of His willingness to save.

Prayer is not an emotion produced in the senses, nor an effect wrought by
the imagination–but a determination of the will, an effusion of the heart.

Sincere prayer gives . . .
a tone to our conduct,
a law to our actions,
a rule to our thoughts,
a bridle to our speech,
a restraint to wrong passions,
a check to ill tempers.

~  ~  ~  ~

Now pray.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

This devotion will be a comfort and encouragement.

Every groan of your wounded heart; your every sigh, and cry, and prayer!

(Thomas Guthrie, 1803-1873)

Were Jesus Christ a mere man–how could He guard the interests, and manage the affairs of His innumerable people, scattered far and wide over the face of the habitable globe?
What heart would be large enough to embrace them all?
What eyes could see them all?
What ears could hear them all?

Think of the ten thousand prayers pronounced in a hundred different languages that go up at once, and altogether, to His ear! Yet there is no confusion; none are lost; none are missed in the crowd.

Nor are they heard by Him as, standing on yonder lofty crag, we hear the din of the city that lies stretched out far beneath us, with all its sounds of cries, and rumbling wheels, and human voices–mixed up into one deep, confused, hollow roar–like the boom of the sea’s distant breakers.

No! Every believer may feel as if he were alone with God–enjoying a private audience with the King in His presence-chamber! Be of good cheer. Every groan of your wounded heart; your every sigh, and cry, and prayer–falls as distinctly on Jesus’ ear as if you stood beside His throne, or, nearer still, lay with John on His bosom, and felt the beating of His heart against your own!

“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16

~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

This week we will be studying 1 Thessalonians 4. The first thing that pops into everyone’s mind is the Rapture. However, the answer to the age old question, “What is God’s will for my life?” is answered prior to Paul expounding on the Rapture.

Now Paul explains the Rapture to the Church at Thessalonica.

Comfort in light of the Rapture (13-18) This is the most extended and most important description of the Rapture in all of Scripture.

      a. The Hope of the Rapture (13)

¹³ But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

      b. The Confidence of the Rapture (14)

¹⁴ For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

     c.  The Order of the Rapture (15)

¹⁵ For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 

     d. The Person of the Rapture (16a)

¹⁶ For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout,

     e. The Resurrection of the Rapture (16b)

with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

     f. The Catching up of the Rapture (17a)

¹⁷ Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up

     g. The Intimacy of the Rapture (17b)

together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

     h. The Encouragement of the Rapture (18)

¹⁸ Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Ultimately the Rapture is a comfort to a needy people. We are to serve God till He returns. We are to watch expectantly and persistently.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

This week we will be studying 1 Thessalonians 4. The first thing that pops into everyone’s mind is the Rapture. However, the answer to the age old question, “What is God’s will for my life?” is answered prior to Paul expounding on the Rapture.

Paul challenges the Thessalonians to live holy lives for God. He reminds them of the things he had previously taught them.

“Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. ² For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.”  (1-2)

Many are concerned with knowing God’s specific will for their lives for the purpose of guiding their life decisions. The first step to knowing God’s unrevealed will is always to be sanctified (set apart) to God’s revealed will.

Here is Paul’s list for knowing God’s revealed will.

1) It is God’s will that we live in sexual purity (3-5)

³ For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:⁴ That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;⁵ Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:

2) It is God’s will that we do not defraud others. (6-7)

⁶ That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. ⁷ For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.

1. Defraud means to cheat or take advantage of another. (6a)
2. The warning: “Lord is the avenger of all such” (6b)
3. The calling: “Unto holiness” (7)

3) It is God’s will we do not despise others. (8)

⁸ He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his Holy Spirit.

4) It is God’s will we love the brethren. (9-10)

⁹ But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. ¹⁰ And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more;

5) It is God’s will we do not talk too much and stay out of other people’s business (11)

¹¹ And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;

6) It is God’s will we supply our own needs by honest work. We are not to sit on a hill awaiting Christ’s return. We are to be busy serving the Master and providing for our families and the Lord’s work. (11c-12)

¹² That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.

These are God’s revealed will. If we are doing these things, we will be concentrating more on the things of God rather than the things of the world. Thus we will be more sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Think about these areas and why God included them in this list. Then try and place other Scripture passages to each area. Then we will begin to see how God thinks and how we need to think if we desire to know God’s specific will for our lives.

God’s specific will for our life is a life time endeavor.

Happy hunting!

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001