Archives for 2016

Good morning,

This is a great reminder of what our responsibility is as a believer in Christ. Do we live, work, and play in such a way God would be pleased? Do we honor God by our conduct? This devotional should be a challenge to all of us.

Christianity does not apply to the mundane duties of life

(J.R. Miller)

“Whatever your hand finds to do–do it with all your might!” Ecclesiastes 9:10

Christ never asks for anything which we are not able to do. But let us not forget, that He always expects and requires of each of us, the best that we can do. The faithfulness which Christ wants and approves, implies the doing of all our work, our business, our trade, our daily toil–as well as we can.

Let no one think that Christianity does not apply to the mundane duties of life. It applies to the way you do your most common work–just as really as to your praying and keeping of the commandments. Whatever your duty is, you cannot be altogether faithful to God, unless you do your best. To slur any task, is to do God’s work badly. To neglect it, is to rob God.

The faithfulness which Christ requires, must reach to everything we do. It impacts the way . . .
the child learns his lessons and recites them,
the dressmaker and the tailor sew their seams,
the blacksmith welds the iron, and shoes the horse,
the plumber puts in his pipes,
the carpenter builds the house,
the clerk represents the goods, and measures or weighs them.

How soon would genuine Christian living put a stop to all dishonesty, all fraud, all skimping, all false weights and measures, all shams, all neglects of duty–if this lesson were only learned and practiced everywhere!

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do–do it all for the glory of God!” 1 Corinthians 10:31

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Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

God never changes. Whether in good times or bad God is always the same. We are not. We sometimes choose to obey God and other times choose to rebel against God. This devotional will help us to see this principle.

All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth

(“Every Day!” Author unknown, 1872)

“All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth, unto those who keep His covenant and His testimonies.” Psalm 25:10

The Lord’s faithful ones keep His covenant–for He is their keeper. They keep His testimonies–for He puts His laws into their minds and writes them upon their hearts.

By “the paths of the Lord”–we may understand the different ways He takes in His dealings with His people. Observe that “all” of them are declared to be mercy and truth towards them.

While, commonly, the Lord comes to His people in the way of refreshment and comfort–He sometimes approaches them in clouds and darkness, and in storms of trial. By whatever way He comes–it is in faithfulness and love.

But His people do not always see this, and at times their faith may be sharply tried to believe it–but it is nevertheless true.

Though the Lord’s dispensations change–He does not change.

He is good when He gives–and He is equally good when He denies.

He is faithful when He comforts–and He is just as faithful when He corrects.

He is Love when He cheers–and He is Love when He chides.

Believer, seek grace to trust in the Lord at all times, and to bless Him for crosses as well as for comforts.

“When you can’t trace His hand–trust His heart!”

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Please remember that God is always with you, never changes, and is endeavoring to mature you as His child. We must allow Him to do His work in us.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

This devotional challenges us to consider the providence of God. What is our reaction when circumstances in our lives go well and then turn bad? Reflect on these Scripture verses and then allow the Holy Spirit to refine, correct, or redefine our thoughts about God’s providence.

The true recipe for miserable existence is this:

(James W. Alexander, “Consolation” 1852)

“Affliction does not come forth from the dust–neither does trouble spring out of the ground.” Job 5:6

“When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider: God has made the one as well as the other.” Ecclesiastes 7:14

The first law of true religion is submission to God’s will. Where it does not exist, there is no piety–and just as truly there is no tranquility of soul.

What a hideous sight to see a human creature in full rebellion against God’s providence . . .
  repining at His allotments;
fighting against His dispensations;
and cursing His judgments!

The true recipe for miserable existence is this: Quarrel with Providence!

When God means to make us happy, He teaches us submission--a resignation of everything into His hands, and an acknowledgment that whatever He does is wisest and best.

O how sweetly even afflictions fall, when there is such a temper to receive them! “Shall we accept good from God–and not trouble?” Job 2:10. Such a disposition tends to tranquility of soul; and even amidst chastisement, there is internal quiet.

“The Lord gave–and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.” Job 1:21

“He is the Lord–let Him do what is good in His eyes.” 1 Samuel 3:18

“In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18

“We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

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Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

I am up late tonight after watching a baseball game, and 2 football games concurrently. I need physical rest. This devotional talks about the perfect rest we have as believers in Jesus Christ. Rejoice in what God has done for us.

A perfect rest!

(“Every Day!” Author unknown, 1872)

“There remains, therefore, a rest for the people of God!” Hebrews 4:9

There is present rest in Christ for the weary and heavy laden, who truly come to Him–for He is faithful who has promised, and He has said to such, “I will give you rest! Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart–and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:29-30

There is present rest for the tried believer in the bosom of his heavenly Father. Amidst the anxieties and turmoils of life–how good it is, my soul, to return unto your rest in Him who has dealt so bountifully with you!

But yet there remains a rest to the people of God–a perfect rest . . .
from the burden of guilt,
from spiritual conflict,
from the temptations of the evil one, and
from all the sorrowing and sighing of this valley of tears!

There is in the future a perfect repose of soul, abiding tranquility–and unbroken, eternal rest. Not a rest of inaction, but a rest in happy, unwearied service–and in the enjoyment of the perfect love of God.

My soul, trustfully anticipate the rest that awaits you in the home of the redeemed, in the place that Jesus is preparing for His redeemed people!

“Return to your rest, O my soul–for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you!” Psalm 116:7

“There shall I bathe my weary soul
In seas of heavenly rest;
And not a wave of trouble roll
Across my peaceful breast!”

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This is the rest I anxiously await. Hopefully it is yours also. Let us meditate on these great promises of God.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Romans 7 teaches about the law. Specifically, the law no longer has dominion over the believer in Christ; the law was instrumental in bringing us to Christ, and the current battle between the law and grace.

Today we will look at the constant struggle to walk with the Lord. The forces of evil are pitted against the forces of righteousness in this epic battle.      

The spiritual conflicts between corruption and grace in a believer. (7:14-25)

THE PROBLEM (7:14-17)

¹⁴ For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. ¹⁵ For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. ¹⁶ If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. ¹⁷ Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

The problem is sin dwelleth in us.

THE CONFLICT (7:18-22)

¹⁸ For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: or to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. ¹⁹ For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. ²⁰ Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.²¹ I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. ²² For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:

Each day we battle right versus wrong. It is our desire to do good, but sometimes we choose to do wrong. We know that we are saved individuals because we delight in the law of God. The unsaved do not care about God.

THE SOLUTION (7:23-25)

²³ But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. ²⁴ O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? ²⁵ I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

We must realize that this battle is real and waged by the forces of evil. Ephesians 6:10-12 states, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. ¹¹ 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.“

The solution is Jesus Christ who died for our sin, was buried, and rose from the dead. Jesus won the victory over sin and death. So have we. When we sin, and we will, we repent of our sin and move on with God.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Romans 7 teaches about the law. Specifically, the law no longer has dominion over the believer in Christ; the law was instrumental in bringing us to Christ, and the current battle between the law and grace.

Why was the Law important in bringing Paul to salvation? Does God denounce the Law? What was the purpose of the Law?

The use and excellence of the law (7:7-13)

⁷ What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. ⁸ But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead. ⁹ For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. ¹⁰ And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death. ¹¹ For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me. ¹² Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. ¹³ Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.

Paul would not have known what sin is without the Law. So the Law pointed out Paul’s sin. It is the same today. No one can keep the Law. Only Jesus was able to do that. When we see our sin and the Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin, then we must decide whether to forsake our sin or continue to disobey God.

As we have stated before, the consequences are life or death.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Romans 7 teaches about the law. Specifically, the law no longer has dominion over the believer in Christ; the law was instrumental in bringing us to Christ, and the current battle between the law and grace.

Verses 1-6 explains that the law no longer has dominion over the life of a believer in Christ.

Believers are united to Christ, that they may bring forth fruit unto God. (7:1-6)

Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? ² For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. ³ So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man. ⁴ Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. ⁵ For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. ⁶ But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.

What fruit are we bringing forth? Does our daily conduct and manner of living exemplify that we are believers in Christ? Are we continually maturing in our walk with the Lord? As we minister to others, are people coming to know Christ, coming to church, and growing in their relationship with God?

Is our service out of love for our Savior or a requirement we must fulfill? Is going to church an opportunity to worship, pray, serve, and be challenged by the Holy Spirit of God to grow spiritually?

Meditate on these questions. Allow God to speak to you. Follow His lead and move forward!

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

The Bible states that we are all sinners. Romans 3:23 states, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Romans 3:10 tells us “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:” So then the question begs itself, what is our favorite sin? What constitutes our favorite sin?

Men and women both have favorites. This devotional seems slanted to the men, but ladies have their favorites too.

Today’s devotional will help determine what the favorite is. Then we must deal with it by repentance and move forward with the Lord.

The harlot in your bosom! 

(Thomas Watson, “The Godly Man’s Picture Drawn with a Scripture Pencil”)

“Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Hebrews 12:1

There is usually one sin that is the favorite–the sin which the heart is most fond of. A godly man will not indulge his darling sin: “I kept myself from my iniquity.” (Psalm 18:23). “I will not indulge the sin to which the bias of my heart more naturally inclines.”

“Fight neither with small nor great–but only with the king.” (1 Kings 22:31). A godly man fights this king sin. If we would have peace in our souls, we must maintain a war against our favorite sin, and never leave off until it is subdued.

Question: How shall we know what our beloved sin is?

Answer 1. The sin which a man does not love to have reproved–is the darling sin. Herod could not endure having his incest spoken against. If the prophet meddles with that sin–it shall cost him his head! “Do not touch my Herodias!” Men can be content to have other sins reproved–but if the minister puts his finger on the sore, and touches this sin–their hearts begin to burn in malice against him!

Answer 2. The sin on which the thoughts run most–is the darling sin. Whichever way the thoughts go, the heart goes. He who is in love with a person cannot keep his thoughts off that person. Examine what sin runs most in your mind, what sin is first in your thoughts and greets you in the morning–that is your predominant sin.

Answer 3. The sin which has most power over us, and most easily leads us captive–is the one beloved by the soul. There are some sins which a man can better resist. If they come for entertainment, he can more easily put them off. But the bosom sin comes as a suitor, and he cannot deny it–but is overcome by it. The young man in the Gospel had repulsed many sins–but there was one sin which soiled him, and that was covetousness.

Mark what sin you are most readily led captive by–that is the harlot in your bosom! It is a sad thing that a man should be so bewitched by lust, that if it asks him to part with the Kingdom of Heaven–he must part with it, to gratify that lust!

Answer 4. The sin which men most defend–is the beloved sin. He who has a jewel in his bosom, will defend it to his death. The sin we advocate and dispute for, is the besetting sin. The sin which we plead for, and perhaps wrest Scripture to justify it–that is the sin which lies nearest the heart.

Answer 5. The sin which a man finds most difficulty in giving up–is the endeared sin. Of all his sons, Jacob found most difficulty in parting with Benjamin. So the sinner says, “This and that sin I have parted with–but must Benjamin go! Must I part with this delightful sin? That pierces my heart!” A man may allow some of his sins to be demolished–but when it comes to one sin–that is the taking of the castle; he will never agree to part with that! That is the master sin for sure.

The besetting sin is, of all others, most dangerous. As Samson’s strength lay in his hair–so the strength of sin lies in this beloved sin. This is like a poison striking the heart, which brings death.

A godly man will lay the axe of repentance to this sin and hew it down! He will sacrifice this Isaac; he will pluck out this right eye–so that he may see better to go to Heaven.

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This should give us a cause to consider, seek God, dwell in His word, pray for wisdom, repent, and then go forth and do great things for God. That is a slap in the face of Satan!

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

God made us with a “free will”. That means we are able to choose to do right or wrong. We may yield ourselves to righteousness or wickedness. We will be servants to whomever we choose. Each choice has a consequence. The two choices are righteousness, resulting in eternal life with Christ in Heaven or wickedness, resulting in death and separation from God for all eternity in Hell.

Romans 6:16-23 deal with yielding and its results.

4) Believers are freed from dominion of sin (6:16-20)

¹⁶ Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? ¹⁷ But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. ¹⁸ Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. ¹⁹ I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. ²⁰ For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.

5) The end of sin is death and of holiness everlasting life (6:21-23)

²¹ What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. ²² But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. ²³ For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The choice is ours. Life or death.

CHOOSE LIFE

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Salvation is the first act of obedience for all individuals. Second is baptism. Scriptural baptism is by immersion and pictures the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. But what does that mean in the life of a believer?

Romans 6 answers that question. Verses 1-15 teach us about what baptism means to us. When we received Christ as Savior and were baptized, we identified ourselves with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. That means we are dead to sin, we walk in newness of life, and are freed from the dominion of sin. Do we still sin? Yes, but that is not our lifestyle. We repent and move on.

Read and reflect on what Jesus has done for us.

1) Believers must die to sin and live to Christ (6:1-2)

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? ² God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

2) Believers identify with Christ in baptism (6:3-10)

³ Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? ⁴ Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. ⁵ For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: ⁶ Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. ⁷ For he that is dead is freed from sin. ⁸ Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: ⁹ Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. ¹⁰ For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.

3) Believers are made alive unto God through Christ Jesus (6:11-15)

¹¹ Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. ¹² Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. ¹³ Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. ¹⁴ For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. ¹⁵ What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

Tomorrow we will look at verses 16-23.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001