Archives for August 2016

Good morning,

This week we complete our study of the Church at Thessalonica. The believer’s challenge concerning patience until the coming of the Lord is this week’s theme. The Thessalonians are waiting for the Lord’s return. Paul addresses faithful, patient, separated, disciplined, working, and loving while they wait.

Stay separated while patiently working until the coming of Christ. (3:6-18)

   1. Paul’s correction of the Thessalonian Church. (3:6-15)

       a.Paul’s command – withdraw from the disorderly (3:6)

       b.Paul’s example. (3:7-10)

              1) He labored for his own food so as not to be a burden on other believers. (3:7-8)

              2) He did this even though he had the right to be provided for as the man of God – in order to provide an example for the Thessalonians. (3:9)

             3) He commanded “that if any would not work, neither should he eat.” (3:10)

      c.Paul’s rebuke. (3:11)

              1) Some of the Thessalonian believer’s were walking disorderly (unruly and undisciplined) (3:11a)

              2) Some of the Thessalonian believer’s were not working at all, but were sitting down and waiting for the Lord to return while other believers felt obligated to feed these lazy and misguided loafers. (3:11b)

              3) Some of the Thessalonian believer’s were busybodies. With all this free time on their hands, they were becoming gossips and meddlers in everyone else’s business. (3:11c)

   d. Paul’s exhortation. (3:12-15)

              1) These Thessalonian busybodies were to shut up, get a job, and eat their own bread. (3:12)

              2) The Thessalonian faithful were not to be weary in well doing. (3:13)

              3) The Thessalonian Church was to discipline those who remained disobedient. (3:14-15)

                  a) They were to note them, that others would be warned. (3:14a)

                 b) They were to have no company with them, that they may be ashamed. (3:14b)

                 c) They were to love and admonish them as brethren and not as enemies. (3:15)

Separation and admonition have a role with dealing with believers who are in error. Sometimes we prematurely separate from those with whom we have never shared correction, information, or admonition.

⁶ Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. ⁷ For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; ⁸ Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labor and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: ⁹ Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an example unto you to follow us. ¹⁰ For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. ¹¹ For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. ¹² Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. ¹³ But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. ¹⁴ And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. ¹⁵ Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

Paul admonishes the Thessalonians to work, discipline the disorderly, and be not weary in well doing.

We have a generation of people who see welfare as more profitable than getting a job and working. In Paul’s day they would not have eaten.

Our churches are filled with disorderly people but we do nothing to bring Biblical discipline. The principals in Matthew 18:15-18 are being ignored.

Many believers have become weary in well doing. Many of these saints have carried the burden, while others just watch. They are not concerned about souls, obedience, or discipleship.

So what is the answer? Abide in Christ, obey God’s word, and apply God’s word to your life and ministry.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

This week we complete our study of the Church at Thessalonica. The believer’s challenge concerning patience until the coming of the Lord is this week’s theme. The Thessalonians are waiting for the Lord’s return. Paul addresses faithful, patient, separated, disciplined, working, and loving while they wait.

2 THESSALONIANS 3

A. Stay faithful while patiently waiting for the coming of Christ (3:1-5)

     1.Paul’s prayer request from the Thessalonian Church (3:1-2)

        a. Paul asks for prayer that the Word may have free course. (3:1)

        b. Paul asks prayer for deliverance from wicked men. (3:2)

Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: ² And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.

     2.Paul’s confidence in the Thessalonian Church. (3:3-5)

        a.The Lord is faithful to establish and keep you from evil. (3:3)

        b.The Lord will direct your heart. (3:4-5)

               1) Into the love of God (3:4-5a)

               2) Into the patient (enduring faithfully) waiting for Christ. (3:5b)

³ But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil. ⁴ And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you. ⁵ And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.

Are we patiently waiting for the Lord Jesus? As we wait are we telling others of Christ, praying for the Word to be effective in people’s lives, and praying for the wicked? Is our concern this world or the world to come?

Stay faithful!

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

Every day we must determine whether we will follow the world’s system or the will of God. Today’s devotion contrasts worldliness against the will of God. We each must the decide who we will follow.

Worldliness!

(Frederick Marsh)

“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world–the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does–comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.” 1 John 2:15-17

1. Worldliness is evil in its nature. Galatians 1:4

2. Worldliness is downward in its tendency. Ephesians 2:1-4

3. Worldliness is contaminating in its influence. James 1:27

4. Worldliness is antagonistic to God. James 4:4

5. Worldliness is corrupting in its association. 2 Peter 4:1; 2 Peter 2:20

6. Worldliness is unsatisfying in its pleasures. 1 Corinthians 7:31; 1 John 2:17

7. Worldliness is hateful in its opposition. 1 John 3:13

Separation from the world is the Lord’s clear and definite direction. To be specific in our desires and efforts to be separate from the world–the following rules should be followed:

1.Go to no place where the Lord would not take you.

2. Be found in no company that is not helpful to your Christian life.

3. Be no party to any transaction upon which you cannot seek your Lord’s approval.

4. Listen to no voice which would lead you away from the truth of God’s Word.

5. Allow no pleasure to interfere with your attendance at the means of Grace.

6. Whatever you do–do all to the glory of God!  

Strive to do the will of God, as found in His Word–nothing less, nothing more, nothing else!

~  ~  ~  ~

Our choices are clear. We may choose to follow the world and be in opposition to the will of God or we may separate from the world and do the will of God.

Whatever you do–do all to the glory of God!  

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

This devotional makes us think about who Christ is, why we follow Him, and what it cost Him. Then we must determine whether we are willing to take up the cross of Christ and follow Him.

Christ calls men to carry a cross!

(A.W. Tozer)

“Then Jesus said to His disciples: If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.” Matthew 16:24

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. The world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever!” 1 John 2:15,17

Any appeal to the public in the name of Christ which rises no higher than an invitation to tranquility—must be recognized as mere humanism, with a few words of Jesus thrown in to make it appear Christian.

Christ calls men to carry a cross–but we call them to have fun in His name.

Christ calls them to forsake the world–but we assure them that if they but accept Jesus, the world is their playground.

Christ calls them to suffer–but we call them to enjoy all the bourgeois comforts modern civilization affords.

Christ calls them to holiness–but we call them to a cheap and tawdry happiness.

We can afford to suffer now–we will have a long eternity to enjoy ourselves. And our enjoyment will be valid and pure, for it will come in the right way and at the right time.

~  ~  ~  ~

We now have a choice to make. Follow Christ or follow the world.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

First Thessalonians dealt with the Rapture. Second Thessalonians deals with the Second Coming.  The Thessalonians received a letter, allegedly from Paul (it was not), claiming that the Day of Christ had begun. Paul writes 2 Thessalonians to correct this error. Chapter 2 deals with what happens before the Day of Christ, what will happen during the Day of Christ, and how we must stand till the Day of Christ.

Today we will look at what how we must stand till the Day of Christ.

How we must Stand till the Day of Christ. (2:13-17)

1. We must Stand for our Calling. (2:13-14)

¹³ But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: ¹⁴ Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2. We must Stand for the Truths of the Faith. We are to stand fast in faithfulness and hold to the truthfulness of the Word. (2:15)

¹⁵ Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

3.   We are to Stand in the Love, Hope, Grace and Comfort of the father and the Son. (2:16-17a)

¹⁶ Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, ¹⁷ Comfort your hearts,

4.    We must Stand in every good Work and Word. (2:17b)

and stablish you in every good word and work.

Paul concludes Chapter 2 by encouraging the Thessalonians to stand.  They were to stand for their calling, truths of their faith, love, hope, grace, comfort , the Word, and work. They were in the middle of hostile territory and needed to be grounded in God’s Word.

This is where we find ourselves today. We are warned in 1 Peter 5:8, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”   Ephesians 6:11-13, admonishes us to “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.¹³ Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”

Let us take Paul’s teaching to the Thessalonians seriously. We are in a battle that we cannot win apart from Jesus Christ fighting the battle.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

Good morning,

First Thessalonians dealt with the Rapture. Second Thessalonians deals with the Second Coming.  The Thessalonians received a letter, allegedly from Paul (it was not), claiming that the Day of Christ had begun. Paul writes 2 Thessalonians to correct this error. Chapter 2 deals with what happens before the Day of Christ, what will happen during the Day of Christ, and how we must stand till the Day of Christ.

Today we will look at what will happen during the Day of Christ.

What will happen during the Day of Christ? (2:8-12)

1. The Antichrist will be Revealed and Destroyed. (2:8-9)

⁸ And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: ⁹ Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

2. Christ Rejectors will be Deceived and Damned. (10-12)

¹⁰ And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. ¹¹ And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: ¹² That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Paul now tells the Thessalonians that Antichrist will be revealed and destroyed and Christ rejectors will be deceived and damned.  This is during the Tribulation period. The Thessalonian believers are gone in the Rapture. However, I am sure it caused them to think about those unbelievers in their midst. Were they willing to let unbelievers go to a Christless eternity without being given the Gospel?

It is the same question we should be asking. What should our answer be?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

 

Good morning,

First Thessalonians dealt with the Rapture. Second Thessalonians deals with the Second Coming.  The Thessalonians received a letter, allegedly from Paul (it was not), claiming that the Day of Christ had begun. Paul writes 2 Thessalonians to correct this error. Chapter 2 deals with what happens before the Day of Christ, what will happen during the Day of Christ, and how we must stand till the Day of Christ.

Today we will look at what must happen before the Day of Christ.

The Believer’s Comfort concerning the Prophetic Day of Christ

A. What must happen before the Day of Christ? (2:1-7)

1. Paul admonishes the Church not to fear that they are in the Day of Christ, based upon the fact of the Rapture. (2:1-2)

Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,² That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

2. Paul admonishes the Church not to be deceived into believing that they have entered the Tribulation because of three events which must occur before the Tribulation can begin. (2:3)

               a. The first event that must occur first is a “falling away” or literally, a “Departure”. This has been interpreted in two ways:

1) The “Departure from the faith – A wholesale and total apostasy.        (1Timothy 4:1)

2) The “Departure” of the Saints at the Rapture.

             b.The second event which must occur first is the Revelation of the Antichrist – “…and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition.”

1) Until the Antichrist is Revealed, the Tribulation cannot begin. (2:3)

³ Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

2) When the Antichrist is revealed, he will blaspheme God. (2:4-5)

⁴ Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.⁵ Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?

          c.The third event which must occur first is the Removal of the restrainer. (2:6-7)

1) He who “withholdeth” and “letteth” and will “let” must be removed before the Antichrist can be revealed. These terms mean to restrain or to hinder. (2:6-7)

2) The Holy Spirit is the Restrainer of the evil in the world today.

3) The Spirit of God cannot be removed until believers are taken out at the Rapture because He is joined to them eternally.

⁶ And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. ⁷ For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.

The Tribulation period would be a terrible time to be alive.

Paul comforts the Thessalonians that they will not have to endure this period of time. He explains that they had not missed the Rapture. Then he teaches them what must happen prior, during, and after the Tribulation.

When we talk of the Rapture, Tribulation, and the Second Coming of Christ, how do you respond? Is it with joy that we will soon be with Jesus or is it with fear because of the judgment of God?

The answer to these questions tells a lot about your spiritual condition. If you fear the Lord’s return you need to repent of your sin, believe and receive Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior. Then you will not go through the Tribulation.

Questions? Contact me.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Believers in Jesus Christ should not get too comfortable in this world. This is only temporary. It is a place for us to receive Christ as Savior and Lord, grow in that new relationship, and explain to others about Jesus birth, teachings, death, burial, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Then when our work on earth is completed, God calls us to our permanent home in Heaven.

John 14:1-3 states, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. ² In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”

Please read today’s devotional with this in mind.

Therefore it is that He withers our gourds and breaks our cisterns!

(Mary Winslow)

How poor and unsatisfying are all things here below–even the best and the loveliest! Oh, to walk more intimately with Him, to live above the world, and hold the creature with a looser hand–taking God’s Word as our guiding light and our unfailing spring of comfort!

God has eternally provided such a magnificent and holy Heaven for us above, that He is jealous lest we should set our hearts too fondly and closely upon the attractions of earth. Therefore it is that He withers our gourds and breaks our cisterns–only to dislodge us here, and lead us to seek those things which are above, where Christ our treasure is.

Let us keep our eye and our hearts upon our blessed eternal home. Earth is but a stage erected as our passage to the glorious place which Jesus has gone to prepare for us. What a place must that be, which infinite power and love has engaged to provide! Oh, let us not lose sight of Heaven for a moment.

How prone are we to allow our minds and hearts (treacherous hearts!) to become entangled with the baubles of this dying world. No wonder Christ exhorted us to watch and pray. Heaven is our home–our happy home. We are but strangers and pilgrims here on earth. Try and realize it. Let us keep ourselves ready to enter with Him to the marriage supper of the Lamb. In a little while we shall see Him–not as the “Man of sorrows”–but the “King in His beauty!” Then let us fight against this poor world and all its false attractions, for it is passing away.

Dearest Jesus! help Your pilgrims to live more like pilgrims, above a poor dying world, and more in full view of the glory that awaits them when they shall see You face to face!

~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

**********If you are missing any of the Daily Devotions for this week, please go to www.wasillaseniors.com. Press the Program tab and then the Chaplain Services.***********

Good morning,

The Book of 2 Thessalonians addresses the Persecution, The Day of the Lord, and idleness in view of the Second Coming. Today we will look at Chapter 1, verses 11-12, God’s calling for the persecuted – Work in faith.

God’s calling for the persecuted – Work in faith (11-12)

Paul’s prayer is that the future glory which the Thessalonians will experience at Christ’s coming will be manifested in their lives in the present.

1. Paul prays that the Thessalonians would walk worthy of the calling which they have received. (11a)

¹¹ Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling,

2. Paul prays that the Thessalonians would “fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness”. (11b)

and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness,

3. Paul prays that the Thessalonians would work in faith – “and the work of faith”. (11c)
4. Paul prays that the Thessalonians would receive spiritual power – “with power:” (11d)
5. Paul prays that the Thessalonians would bring glory to Christ through all of this (12)

¹² That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

CONCLUSION

Faith and Patience

Persecutors will be judged

Walk worthy of God’s calling

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

Good morning,

The Book of 2 Thessalonians addresses the Persecution, The Day of the Lord, and idleness in view of the Second Coming. Today we will look at verses 1-5 in which Paul commends the Thessalonians for their faith, charity (love), patience in light of the persecution they were enduring.

The believer’s calling concerning persecution for the cause of Christ

1. God’s blessing on the persecuted (1-5)

Paul writes this chapter to encourage the Thessalonians during a time of persecution and suffering.

1. Paul’s greeting to the Thessalonian Church (1-2)

Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: ² Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2. Paul’s thanksgiving for the Thessalonian Church (3)

³ We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;

3. Paul’s glory in the Thessalonian Church (4)

⁴ So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:

4. Paul’s confidence in the Thessalonian Church (5)

⁵ Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:

Can God say about us that our faith is growing, that we are loving people, that we have patience?  We are without serious persecution in our lives. So the question is “Do we need extreme persecution to walk closer to God?” It seems that we as blessed of the Lord without persecution should be doing the most to present the gospel to others, train them to do the same, and teach the Word of God to whoever will listen.

That is what Paul is commending the Thessalonians of doing. How about us?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001