Archives for May 2017

Good morning,

Did you know that history repeats itself?

The Church today is split in different camps. Some follow this teacher as opposed to another teacher. Some Church’s believe that the Bible is God’s Holy word while others do not. Some believe it is inerrant, to be taken literally, and that it is life changing, while others see it as symbolic. Some believe that God is through with the nation of Israel, while others who read the Bible literally, know that is not the case. Divisions and strife. That is why Paul wrote to the Corinthian believers.

The Corinthian Church was involved in divisions and strife. “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” (1 Corinthians 1:10) That was Paul’s desire. Then Paul tells them how.

Preach the gospel

“For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.” (1 Corinthians 1:17) Why? Salvation “Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?²¹ For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.” (1 Corinthians 1:20-21)

Spirit of God

“Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. ¹³ Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.” (1 Corinthians 2:12-13)

Let no man glory in men

“Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.¹⁹ For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.²⁰ And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.²¹ Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are your’s;²² Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are your’s;²³ And ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.” (1 Corinthians 3:18-23)

Strife and divisions are overcome by God. Salvation, allowing the Holy Spirit to teach,  and focusing on God rather than men will fix the problem of strife and division in the Church.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Dictionary.com defines a Friend as:

1.a person attached to another by feelings of affection or personal regard.

2.a person who gives assistance; patron; supporter:

3.a person who is on good terms with another; a person who is not hostile:

The Book of Ruth gives us a beautiful picture of a friend. Naomi, a Jew from Bethlehem, was in Moab because there was a famine in Bethlehem. Her husband and two sons died. She was left with the wives of her two sons, Orpah and Ruth. Naomi instructed the girls to return to their families in Moab. Orpah returned. Ruth refused to leave Naomi. She clung to Naomi.

Ruth 1:16-17 says, “And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:¹⁷ Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.” That is a true friend.

It cost Ruth to make this declaration. It cost her, her home, her family, her friends, her religion, her country, and anything else she held dear. Over ten years she had watched Naomi, her husband, her sons, and what it meant to be a Jew. It made sense to her and she embraced it. She gave up everything to be friend to Naomi.

They returned together to Bethlehem. Then Ruth began to demonstrate her love and concern for Naomi.

Ruth 2:2-3 says, “And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace. And she said unto her, Go, my daughter.³ And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the kindred of Elimelech.” (Elimelech was Naomi’s husband)

Do we possess this kind of friendship with anyone? Ruth made a powerful statement when she was willing to give up everything for Naomi.

This should be the relationship we have with Jesus. We owe Him everything. Had He not died on the cross for us, shed His blood for our sin, was buried, and the third day rose again, we would be lost and headed for hell.

We should be clinging to Jesus and serving Him with all that we have.

Is Jesus really our best friend? Are we willing to live for Him daily, humbly, prayerfully, with adoration and praise? We should be.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001