Archives for 2016

Good morning,

This week our Scripture verse is Isaiah 40:31. “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40 transitions from judgment to the restoration and comfort for Israel.

However, to understand Isaiah 40, we must understand why Israel was being judged. Isaiah 1 clearly states why Israel lost favor with God.

God condemns Israel for their sin

“Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the Lord, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward. ⁵ Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. ⁶ From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment. ⁷ Your country is desolate, your cities are burned with fire: your land, strangers devour it in your presence, and it is desolate, as overthrown by strangers.” (Isaiah 1:4-7)

God calls Israel to repentance

“Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; ¹⁷ Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. ¹⁸ Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. ¹⁹ If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: ²⁰ But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.” (Isaiah 1:16-20)

Unfortunately, the Biblical account tells us that Israel continued to rebel, the nation of Israel destroyed, and the people taken captive to Babylon for 70 years.

God restores Israel

 Therefore saith the Lord, the Lord of hosts, the mighty One of Israel, Ah, I will ease me of mine adversaries, and avenge me of mine enemies: ²⁵ And I will turn my hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin: ²⁶ And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counselors as at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called, The city of righteousness, the faithful city. ²⁷ Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and her converts with righteousness. ²⁸ And the destruction of the transgressors and of the sinners shall be together, and they that forsake the Lord shall be consumed.” (Isaiah 1:25-28)

This happens when Christ is seated on His throne and rules.

 God comforts His people Israel

Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. ² Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. (Isaiah 40:1-2)

Tomorrow we will find out how God comforts His people.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

 

Good morning,

This short devotion will help us to prioritize what we do. Will we be like the bee?

So it died, buried in pleasure!

(Dr. Edmund)

“Lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God” 2 Timothy 3:4

Did you ever read of the bee in the fable, that found a pot of honey, and thought it would be fine to save all the trouble of flying about the meadows and gathering its sweet stores, little by little, out of the cups of flowers? Soon it went in the pot and reveled in the sweets; but when it began to get tired and cloyed, it found–poor bee!–that its wings were all clogged and would not open, nor could it drag its body out of the mass. So it died, buried in pleasure!

There are many people, like this bee, who find death in their pleasures!

“You have lived on earth in pleasure and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter!” James 5:5

Don’t be like the bee. Press on in your walk with the Lord.  Be lovers of Jesus, not the things of the world.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Life and death are important topics. Life apart from the soul cleansing blood of Jesus Christ is hell. Salvation in Jesus gives us the new life, salvation, and eternal life.

The Book of Life!

George Burder, “Death and Judgment!”

“If anyone’s name was not found written in the Book of Life–he was thrown into the Lake of Fire!” Revelation 20:15

The Book of Life contains a list of all the names of the people of God–those who were . . .
chosen by the Father to salvation;
redeemed by the blood of Christ; and
called, renewed, and sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

Here will be found the names of those people who were convinced of their sin and misery; humbled on account of their abominations; and who, being enlightened in the knowledge of Christ—came to Him by precious faith, for life and salvation; and who proved the truth of their faith, by the holiness of their lives and conduct.

What watchfulness, what seriousness, befits us! Let us be concerned to be always ready–daily walking humbly and closely with God–sitting loose to all created objects, from which death may so suddenly separate us–and having our affections set on heavenly things, to which death will so readily transmit us!

Look on death as a disarmed foe–a serpent which may hiss, but cannot sting!

Look on judgment as a most desirable event–when soul and body being united, and made perfect in holiness, shall be forever made happy in the full enjoyment of Christ to all eternity!

Is your name written in the Book of Life?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Isaiah the prophet had a unique ministry. He warned Israel that their idolatry, iniquity, and rebellion would cause them to be destroyed. Then he prophesied that Israel would be restored, returned to their land, and be comforted. Isaiah 61 tells how God plans to comfort Israel.

We will study what the Messiah will do, what God’s people will do, and the everlasting covenant.

Today we will study ‘The everlasting covenant” from verses 8-11.

The everlasting covenant (8-11)

a) The heart behind the covenant (8)

⁸ For I the Lord love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering; and I will direct their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.

b) The covenant brings prominent blessing (9)

⁹ And their seed shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people: all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which the Lord hath blessed.

c) The covenant brings salvation and righteousness (10-11)

¹⁰ I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. ¹¹ For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.

CONCLUSION

PROPHETIC

PARTIALLY FULFILLED IN LUKE

BLESSINGS FOR ISRAEL AND GENTILE BELIEVERS

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

         

 

 

Good morning,

Isaiah the prophet had a unique ministry. He warned Israel that their idolatry, iniquity, and rebellion would cause them to be destroyed. Then he prophesied that Israel would be restored, returned to their land, and be comforted. Isaiah 61 tells how God plans to comfort Israel.

We will study what the Messiah will do, what God’s people will do, and the everlasting covenant.

Today we will study ‘What God’s people will do” from verses 4-7.

What God’s people will do (4-7)

a) God’s people will rebuild what is ruined (4)

⁴ And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations.

b) God’s people will be set apart to serve the Lord (5-6)

⁵ And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the alien shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers. ⁶ But ye shall be named the Priests of the Lord: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.

c) God’s people will rejoice at God’s great blessings (7)

⁷ For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them.

God has not abandoned His chosen people, Israel. Jerusalem will be restored to all her greatness, strangers will serve God’s people, and God’s chosen people shall be set apart to serve and worship God.

Believers in Christ should be busy about the business of praying for, witnessing to, and uplifting the nation of Israel. They need to know their Messiah to enter into the blessings of Isaiah 61.

Will you stand tall and help?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

Good morning,

Isaiah the prophet had a unique ministry.  He warned Israel that their idolatry, iniquity, and rebellion would cause them to be destroyed. Then he prophesied that Israel would be restored, returned to their land, and be comforted. Isaiah 61 tells how God plans to comfort Israel.

We will study what the Messiah will do, what the people will do, and the everlasting covenant.

Today we will study ‘What the Messiah will do” from verses 1-3. Luke 4:16-22 needs to be read first to understand who the “me” in verse one is. The “me” is referring to Jesus Christ, the Messiah of Israel.

What Messiah will do (1-3)

a) The empowerment of the Messiahs ministry (1a)

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me;

Because the Lord hath anointed me

b) The ministry of the Messiah (1b-3)

to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; ² To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; ³ To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.

Verse one makes clear that the Spirit of God was on the Messiah and that God the Father anointed Him. This gave Him the authority to minister for God.

What was the Messiah’s ministry?  A list is given of what the Messiah will do. It is a list of action words that provide comfort and encouragement to a nation who had turned their backs on God.

Verse 3 is our Scripture song verse of the week. God contrasts their current situation and their future status. When Israel repents and turns back to God, God will make all things right.

Believers in Jesus Christ are not exempt from falling away from God. They may choose to willfully sin, follow the world, and trample on God’s promises for them.

What should they do? Repent and be reconciled to God. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Then they will be walking in obedience to Jesus and His word.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

This devotional will annoy some, convict others, and hopefully challenge us to assess whether we are content.

A remedy against all our troubles!

(Thomas Watson, “The Art of Divine Contentment”)

“I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content–whether well-fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need.” Philippians 4:11-12

Contentment sweetens every condition.

Christ turned the water into wine. Just so, contentment turns the bitter waters of Marah, into spiritual wine.

Contentment is a flower which does not grow in every garden.

You would think it were excellent, if I could prescribe a remedy or antidote against poverty. Behold, here is that which is more excellent–for a man to be poor, and yet have enough! Contentment teaches a man how to abound–in the midst of poverty!

Have I but little? Yet it is more than I deserve.

Do I meet with some crosses? My comfort is, if they are heavy–I have not far to go!

My cross is light–in comparison with the weight of glory.

Has God taken away my comforts from me? It is well–the Comforter still abides with me.

Thus contentment, as a honeycomb, drops sweetness into every condition.

Discontent is a leaven which sours every comfort; it puts vinegar into every mercy; it doubles every cross. But the contented spirit sucks sweetness from every flower of providence. Contentment is full of consolation.

Contentment is . . .
a remedy against all our troubles,
an alleviation to all our burdens,
the cure of to every worry.

As medicine works disease out of the body–so contentment works trouble out of the heart. Holy contentment keeps the heart from fainting. Contentment is the golden shield, which beats back all discouragements.

Contentment, though it is not properly a grace (it is rather, a disposition of mind,) yet in it there is a happy mixture of all the graces. Contentment is a most precious compound! The ingredients put into it are faith, patience, meekness, humility, etc.

Wicked men are often disquieted in the enjoyment of all things.
But the contented Christian is joyful in the lack of all things! He may have little in the world–yet be perfectly content.

O the rare art or rather–miracle of contentment!

A Christian finds contentment distilled out of the breasts of the promises. He is poor in purse–but rich in promise. There is one promise which brings much sweet contentment into the soul: “Those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.” (Psalm 34:10) If the thing we desire is good for us–we shall have it. If it is not good–then the not having is good for us. The resting satisfied with the promise, gives contentment.

We all need to go to God and seek Him on this issue. Are we content in our lives? What is God trying to teach us in our current circumstances? Can we totally trust Him going forward?

Questions only you and God can answer.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

Good morning,

Change is a common theme in the lives of believers. World events, politics, people, friends, family, are in a constant state of flux. There is only one constant in life and that is the person of the Lord Jesus Christ.

You will make no advance in the divine life!

(Octavius Winslow, “Glimpses of truth as it is in Jesus”)

“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever!” Hebrews 13:8

You will make no advance in the divine life–if your eye is ever upon yourself instead of Christ.

What though the experience of today is the opposite of the experience of yesterday:
yesterday all brightness–today all cloudiness;
yesterday your soul like a well-tuned Psalm–today every string loosed and breathing no melody;
yesterday, Jesus felt to be so near and precious–today not a loving emotion in your heart;
yesterday, communion with God so sweet–today, none whatever;
yesterday, desiring to walk uprightly, holily, and humbly–today detecting so much that is vacillating, weak, and vile.

Nevertheless, Jesus is not changed!
The work of Christ is the same.
Your acceptance in Him is the same.
His intercession in Heaven for you is the same.

So why are you so eager to fly to spiritual experiences for support, strength, and consolation–rising when they rise, falling when they fall–when all your standing, joy, peace, and hope are entirely outside of yourself, and are solely in Christ?

What though you change a thousand times in one day? He never changes!

God may vary His dispensations.
He may alter His mode of dealing.
He may change the nature of His discipline.
He may vary the lesson–but His loving-kindness and His truth are as unchangeable as His very being. He may dry up the earthly cistern–but He will never seal up the heavenly fountain! That will flow on in grace through all time, and in glory through all eternity!

Remember this when Satan tempts you, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever!”

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

David was a man of prayer. Many of the Psalms are David’s prayer for aid during times of distress. Psalm 55 is one of those Psalms. David is praying for deliverance from his enemies, the destruction of his enemies, and in confidence that God would protect him.

The context of Psalm 55 is rooted in 2 Samuel 13-15. Please read these chapters to see why David was praying.

2 Samuel 13:1-22        Amnon rapes Tamar, Absalom’s sister

2 Samuel 13:23-39      Absalom’s Revenge (He has Amnon killed)

2 Samuel 14:1-33        Absalom forgiven and restoration

2 Samuel 15:1-12        Absalom’s rebellion

2 Samuel 15:13-37      David flees Jerusalem Verse 31 tells us the answer to the “who” in Psalm 55:12-14

Today we will look at David’s confidence in God.

David’s confidence that God would save him and destroy his enemies (16-23)

¹⁶ As for me, I will call upon God; and the Lord shall save me. ¹⁷ Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice. ¹⁸ He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me. ¹⁹ God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God. ²⁰ He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant. ²¹ The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords. ²² Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. ²³ But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee.

Prayer was not a new aspect of David’s life. The Bible records story after story in which David seeks God through prayer. David learned some lessons about God through his prayer time.

First, he learned that God hears and answers prayer. Verse 16 David is confident that the Lord will save him. Why? Because he had witness God save him in the past.

Second, he learned that prayer must be continual. Verse 17 alludes to the fact that we must be in a continual state of prayer.  When we pray, God hears our prayers. He then answers our prayers with a yes, no, or wait.

Third, he learned God acts on the prayers of His saints. Verse 18-20 shows David’s confidence that God will act on his behalf.

Fourth, he learned to trust the Lord. When David was in peril, he gave the burden to the Lord, and each time God sustained him.

These are principles that we need to embrace. Do we know God well enough to trust Him with our burdens, problems, and needs? Do we believe God hears and answers our prayers?

Remember that God is ever present, all knowing, and all powerful. There is nothing that He cannot do.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

David was a man of prayer. Many of the Psalms are David’s prayer for aid during times of distress. Psalm 55 is one of those Psalms. David is praying for deliverance from his enemies, the destruction of his enemies, and in confidence that God would protect him.

The context of Psalm 55 is rooted in 2 Samuel 13-15. Please read these chapters to see why David was praying.

2 Samuel 13:1-22        Amnon rapes Tamar, Absalom’s sister

2 Samuel 13:23-39      Absalom’s Revenge (He has Amnon killed)

2 Samuel 14:1-33        Absalom forgiven and restoration

2 Samuel 15:1-12        Absalom’s rebellion

2 Samuel 15:13-37     David flees Jerusalem Verse 31 tells us the  answer to the “who” in   Psalm 55:12-14

Today we will look at David’s prayer for the destruction of his enemies.

David prays for the destruction of his enemies (9-15)

⁹ Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues: for I have seen violence and strife in the city. ¹⁰ Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof: mischief also and sorrow are in the midst of it. ¹¹ Wickedness is in the midst thereof: deceit and guile depart not from her streets. ¹² For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him: ¹³ But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance. ¹⁴ We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company. ¹⁵ Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.

The enemies that David speaks about were at one time his friends and confidants. Absalom, David’s son, rises up and creates an atmosphere of rebellion among the people. Absalom wanted to be King. He spirited away David’s top advisors and drove David out of the city of Jerusalem.

Psalm 55:13-15 speaks of someone close to David. The person is identified in 2 Samuel 15:2, 31 to be Ahithophel. He and David had counseled together over many years.

Even the best of friends can be won over by Satan. The reality here is that Satan, who rebelled against God, was defeated and so were Absalom and his cohorts.

Believers in Jesus Christ should align with His teachings, ministry, and character. When rebels come along we should reject them.  Our standard is Jesus and the Bible is the truth that directs our path.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001