Archives for March 2017

Good morning,

Practical application is important if we are going to live successfully in today’s world.  First John 2 tells us who Jesus is, why He came, what He expects, our relationship to the lost, our relationship to our family members, and what we should know about the end times. It touches on obedience, love, hate, light, darkness, relationships, and the antichrist.

Today we will look at verses 8-17.

Light and darkness (2:8-11)

⁸ Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.⁹ He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.¹⁰ He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.¹¹ But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.

Children, fathers, young men, love not this world (2:12-17)

¹² I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake.¹³ I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.¹⁴ I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. ¹⁵ Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.¹⁶ For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.¹⁷ And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

Yesterday we read that to know God we must keep His commandments. We are to love our brothers and sisters in Christ. God commands us to love one another. Those who walk in love are in the light.

God commands us to “Love not the world…” The world is wicked. It is counter to the commandments of God and to be avoided. Verse 16 was first penned in Genesis 3.

Tomorrow we will look at verses 18-29,

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

Practical application is important if we are going to live successfully in today’s world.  First John 2 tells us who Jesus is, why He came, what He expects, our relationship to the lost, our relationship to our family members, and what we should know about the end times. It touches on obedience, love, hate, light, darkness, relationships, and the antichrist.

Today we will look at verses 1-7.

Christ our advocate and propitiation (2:1-2)

My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:² And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

Keep His commandments (2:3-7)

³ And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.⁴ He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.⁵ But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.⁶ He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.⁷ Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.

When we sin, our advocate, Jesus Christ, goes before the Father, and pleads the blood. Reading, understanding, and obeying the Bible is evidence that we know Him.

Do you have a plan to read God’s word? You should. When we know what the Bible says, then we can obey it. If we fail to keep God’s commandments, then we do not know God.

Tomorrow, verses 8-17.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Wanda Murphy has shed her robe of flesh and is basking in the Sonlight of her Savior Jesus Christ. The final days were a mixture of pain and joy. Pain in the flesh and joy that soon she would be with Jesus. Psalm 23:4 states, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” Jesus comforted her and gave her peace. She knew that “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 5:8)

She knew she had the hope of an inheritance waiting for her. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” (1 Peter 1:3-5)

She rejoiced that she would soon see the fulfillment of Ephesians 2:4-10.

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Wanda now sits in the presence of her Lord Jesus Christ. The verses above are no longer promises but realities. She is now experiencing Jesus perfect love, mercy, and grace. The hope is now a realization. Heaven is now her home.

Do you know Jesus that intimately? Is He what you live for each day? If not, why not? God’s precious promises are still available to all who will receive them.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

The Holy Spirit deals with the lost to bring them to Christ. The Holy Spirit deals with the believer to keep us on the straight and narrow. The Holy Spirit manifest Himself within the believer through the fruit of the Spirit.

The fruits and effects He produces

(J.C. Ryle, “The Holy Spirit“)

“When He comes, He will convict the world about sin, righteousness, and judgment.” (John 16:8)

Where the Holy Spirit is, there will always be deep conviction of sin–and true repentance for it. It is His special office to convict of sin.

He shows the exceeding holiness of God.

He teaches the exceeding corruption and infirmity of our nature.

He strips us of our blind self-righteousness.

He opens our eyes to our awful guilt, folly and danger.

He fills the heart with sorrow, contrition, and abhorrence for sin–as the abominable thing which God hates.

He who knows nothing of all this, and saunters carelessly through life, thoughtless about sin, and indifferent and unconcerned about his soul–is a dead man before God! He has not the Holy Spirit.

The presence of the Holy Spirit in a man’s heart can only be known by the fruits and effects He produces. Mysterious and invisible to mortal eye as His operations are–they always lead to certain visible and tangible results.

Just as you know there is life in a tree by its sap, buds, leaves and fruits–just so you may know the Spirit to be in a man’s heart by the influence He exercises over his thoughts, affections, opinions, habits, and life. I lay this down broadly and unhesitatingly. I see it clearly marked out in our Lord Jesus Christ’s words, “Every tree is known by his own fruit.” Luke 6:44

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Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

How do we grow in our walk with the Lord? Through trials and tribulations. Most of us would be just fine without these. God knows what we need and how He is going to produce those qualities in our lives.

There are times when it seems all is lost. Where is God? He gives us what we need to sustain the trial.

He will sustain you!

(J.R. Miller)

“Cast your burden upon the Lord–and He will sustain you.” Psalm 55:22

The promise is not that the Lord will remove the load we cast upon Him, nor that He will carry it for us–but that He will sustain us so that we may carry it.
He does not free us from the duty–but He strengthens us for it.
He does not deliver us from the conflict–but He enables us to overcome.
He does not withhold or withdraw the trial from us–but He helps us in trial to be submissive and victorious, and makes it a blessing to us.
He does not mitigate the hardness or severity of our circumstances, taking away the difficult elements, removing the thorns, making life easy for us–but He puts Divine grace into our hearts, so that we can live sweetly in all the hard, adverse circumstances.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!” Philippians 4:13

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Allow God to complete His work in you. In the midst of struggle remember that God is there.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

The Good Shepherd, Jesus, knows every sheep in His flock. None will be missing. What a glorious day that will be.

Is Miss Much-Afraid here?

(Charles Spurgeon)

“I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of My hand!” John 10:11, 27-28

There is a day coming when all Christ’s sheep shall pass again under the hand of Him that counts them–and in that day, not one of the whole redeemed flock shall be missing!

As the long roll of God’s ransomed family is called, it shall be asked, “Is Little-Faith here?” And he will answer to his name not at all in the trembling way in which he used to speak when he was upon earth.

When it is asked, “Is Miss Much-Afraid here?” she will reply, in jubilant tones, “Glory be to God, I am here!”

No matter how weak and feeble you may be, if you are a child of God–you shall certainly be there and the inheritance shall assuredly be yours!

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,  neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation–will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!” Romans 8:38-39

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Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

This week we begin a study of 1 John. John wrote to counter the false teaching of his day. He used word pictures to contrast light/darkness and good/evil.

He explains that we need to be in fellowship with God through Jesus Christ. He explains that we all sin and if we say we do not, we are liars. Then he explains how we can get right with God.

1 John 1

The purpose of the letter: to bring you into a relationship with God (1:1-4)

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;² (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)³ That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.⁴ And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

John’s message from God: dealing with sin and maintaining relationship (1:5-10)

⁵ This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.⁶ If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:⁷ But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.⁸ If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.¹⁰ If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT

John was an eyewitness to the ministry of Jesus

John bears witness to what he has seen and heard

John challenges others to have fellowship with Jesus

John states that we all sin

John tells us how to restore our relationship with God

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

Although we sometimes forget, God is still in control of all things. Today’s devotional is a reminder. The Scripture references should challenge our thinking. God created us, nurtures us, sustains us, is patient with us, and ultimately brought us to the Savior for salvation. We are His children and He loves us. Consider these things as you read this devotion.

Father knows best!

(Charles Spurgeon)

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away–may the name of the LORD be praised!” Job 1:21

“Shall we accept good from God–and not trouble?” Job 2:10

Let the Lord do as He wills to us! He will never be unkind to us! He has always been our friend–He will never be our foe!

He will never put us into the furnace–unless He means to purge the dross out of us. Nor will there be one degree more heat in that furnace than is absolutely necessary–there will always be mercy to balance the misery–and strength supplied to support the burden to be borne.

Oh, children of God, your Father knows best! Leave everything in His hands and be at peace–for all is well.

“I was silent; I would not open my mouth–for You are the one who has done this!” Psalm 39:9

“He is the LORD; let him do what is good in His eyes!” 1 Samuel 3:18

“Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty–yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!” Habakkuk 3:17-18

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Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Wickedness thrives in every city. However, once Christianity is introduced to the city, it changes for the better. The moral landscape changes. Through the power of God, Christians tell their city about God’s love. Once the non-believers begin to experience for themselves the love of Christ, there is no turning back.

This is what began to happen in Ephesus. It can also happen where you live. Will you be the “…faithful in Christ…”?

This city was a moral cesspool, a sink of pollution, filled with all corruption, and reeking with vileness!

(Charles Naylor, “In Christ, and in Ephesus” 1920)

“To the saints in Ephesus–the faithful in Christ Jesus” Ephesians 1:1

Ephesus was one of the great centers of paganism. It was adorned with costly and magnificent heathen temples. It was rich and voluptuous. Both private and public life were utterly corrupt. Even the religious practices of the Ephesians were unspeakably vile. This city was a moral cesspool, a sink of pollution, filled with all corruption, and reeking with vileness! It was a second Sodom. Vice stalked abroad everywhere–and was honored and worshiped.

We might therefore well say, “Can any good thing come out of Ephesus? Can Christianity flourish in such surroundings?”

Yes! There were saints in Ephesus–and faithful ones, too. They were such in their lives and characters as to win the commendation of that great apostle to the Gentiles. Out of that obnoxious cesspool of iniquity, were growing the pure white lilies of Christian character! That is the glory of Christianity and of Christ. Those who were now Christians were not superior to the other Ephesians–they were not by nature different. In fact, Paul tells them that they had been the children of wrath, even as the others–and that they had been such by nature. What a triumph of divine grace, which raised these people up out of such unspeakable filth–and made them faithful saints! And yet that is the power of our great Christ!

“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.” Ephesians 5:8

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Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Sin is not our friend. It causes us to break our fellowship with God, our friends, and to do things we know are wrong. What is really strange is that we choose to sin. Satan tempts but we choose to sin.

The antidote to sin is repentance. This is also a choice. God has given us a precious promise if we do repent. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

No matter how badly we sin, if we choose to repent, God is still willing and able to use us in His service.

Read today’s devotional with this in mind.

The general cause of all suffering!

(James Buchanan, “Improvement of Affliction” 1840)

“In the day of prosperity be happy–but in the day of adversity CONSIDER: God has made the one as well as the other.” Ecclesiastes 7:14

In the day of adversity, you should consider the causes and occasions of suffering in general–and especially, inquire into the causes and occasions of your own affliction at the present time.

As to the general cause of all suffering—it is sin, and nothing else than sin. But for this accursed thing, there would be . . .
no affliction in the world,
no painful disease,
no abject poverty,
no hostile violence,
no death, and
no damnation.
All suffering proceeds from one general cause–namely, our inherent and actual sinfulness in the sight of God!

Sin is the root of all bitterness–and it is no wonder that its fruits are bitter. Rest assured, that God has not allowed so much suffering to prevail in the world from mere indifference to its welfare, or from any disposition to cruelty. No! “God is love”–and your happiness is dearer to Him than any other object–His own glory excepted.

All suffering is designed to mark His holy displeasure against sin, and to vindicate the honor of that Law which God, as the righteous moral Governor of the world, has prescribed for the regulation of our hearts and lives.

When viewed in this light, the sufferings which prevail to such a melancholy extent in the world–are fitted to deepen our conviction of the odious nature of sin. For when we reflect, on the one hand, on the infinite love of God, and His delight in the happiness of His creatures; and consider, on the other hand, how that, notwithstanding this love–God has permitted, nay, appointed so many evils to befall us–Oh! are we not sensible that sin, which is the cause of all suffering, must be, in His estimation, a most offensive and loathsome thing!

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Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001