Archives for August 2017

Good morning,

Christ knows His people by certain distinguishing marks

(J.R. Miller)

“I am the Good Shepherd. I know My own sheep–and they know Me!” John 10:14

The Jewish shepherds had certain marks by which they knew their own sheep. Even in this country, the farmers put “brands” on their sheep–their own initial, or an “ear-mark,” or some other particular sign by which they will know them anywhere. Christ knows His people by certain distinguishing marks.

He knows them by their faces. There is something in every true child of God, which shows to whom he belongs–some family likeness, some feature of the Divine image shining out. The prodigal’s father knew his son when he saw him a long way off. In his rags, in his beggary–the eye of love recognized the child. Just so, Christ knows His own people, however dim the likeness–by their faces. The crowds do not recognize heaven’s princes, in the humble Christians they meet; but Jesus does!

Not only does Christ know His own by their faces–but also by their voice. The mother knows her child’s voice anywhere, even in the darkness, and can distinguish it among a thousand voices. Christ knows the voices of His own people, wherever He hears them speak or cry.

He knows them also by their character. Even if the outside is rough and uncouth, it does not hide from His eye, the inner life–the spirit, the heart. He saw the future Peter with all his grandeur of character–in the crude Simon who was brought to Him.

He knows His friends by their obedience. He knows His disciples–by their following where He leads.

He also knows the white garments of righteousness which His redeemed one’s wear.

He knows the penitent heart–by the fragrance it puts forth. It is an altar of incense. It is a box of ointment broken open. Just as we find out the hiding-places of flowers by their fragrances–so God knows the home of the penitent heart by the sweetness that wafts up from it.

“I am the Good Shepherd. I know My own sheep–and they know Me!”

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Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Are you a citizen of Heaven?

Every true citizen of Heaven!

(Francis Bourdillon, 1864)

“They admitted that they were strangers and pilgrims on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country–a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them!” Hebrews 11:13-16

Every true citizen of Heaven not only has his home in Heaven, but his heart is there too. Not only does he look forward to dwelling there hereafter–but even now he seeks to be holy and heavenly in life and character. Thus he is known by all that he does and says–to be one who belongs to Heaven, and that more and more, as he gets nearer to his eternal home.

Those who live the life of faith, and love their Savior, and strive to serve God–are different in their whole conduct from men of the world. It is plain that they are not of this world. Their life shows it. Their citizenship is in Heaven.

There ought to be no mistaking a citizen of Heaven. But, alas! There is too much of worldliness and carelessness even in those who are in the narrow way. Too often it would be hard to know them as travelers towards Zion, seeking the heavenly country.

What! Shall those who are to live forever with God–have so little fellowship with Him now? Shall those whose treasure is in Heaven, where no rust nor moth can corrupt–care so much for the perishing things of this world? Shall those for whom Jesus has gone to prepare a place–fret against the little hardships and discomforts along the way? Thus the Christian should often remind himself of the heavenly home to which he belongs. It would help him to be heavenly in heart and life.

“Our citizenship is in Heaven–and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ!” Philippians 3:19-20

We look for Jesus–we expect Him–we are waiting for Him. He said that He would return, and told us to watch for His coming. He has told us to be ready, so that when He comes, we may receive Him with joy.

This is the position of the Christian on earth–waiting for his Lord and Savior!

We do not know when He will come, and we do not know how He will come. He may come while yet we are living–or we may die before His coming; no one knows.

To be thus looking for the coming of the Lord . . .
must have a great effect on a man’s character and life,
must keep him from living in sin or in carelessness,
must make him watchful, diligent, and in earnest,
must tend greatly to a spiritual mind,
must lead him to draw off his affections from the world–and to fix them upon eternal realities!

Thinking of Him,
looking for Him,
wishing for Him,
doing His will,
engaged in His work–
this is what Jesus would have us to do and be.
Lord, make us so more and more!

~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

“Don’t worry, be happy” is a song by Bobby McFerrin. It has nothing to do with God. The song tells of many problems with no solutions.

God tells us not to worry. He tells us to take our worries to Him. He then deals with them, not us.

We all need to learn this lesson.

It will be a great benefit to us in every way, to learn this lesson

(J.R. Miller, “Morning Thoughts” 1906)

“Do not worry about anything–but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

Learning not to worry, is one of the lessons that every Christian should master.

Worry is a terribly wasteful experience:
it uses up the strength we need for our duty,
it unfits us for doing our work well,
it is dishonoring to God, for He has promised to care for us, if only we do His will faithfully,
it is utterly fruitless, for it does not take away the things that it frets over.

The Bible gives many lessons on the subject–but none that makes plainer just how we are to eliminate worrying from our life, than what Paul here tells us to do.

First of all, we are simply not to worry: “Do not worry about anything.”
There is no room for exceptions, special circumstances, and all that.
We are not to worry about anything.

What then shall we do with the matters that we are disposed to worry over? Put them into the hands of God in prayer–and leave them there! If we do this–then the peace of God will guard our hearts and thoughts from all anxiety. 

It will be a great benefit to us in every way, to learn this lesson.

~  ~  ~  ~

Our lives would be much calmer if we master this principle.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Jesus was not a preacher in the conventional sense. He did not stand behind a pulpit and preach. He ministered as he lived life. He allowed everyday events to be his sermon material. People followed, watched, and ultimately trusted Jesus as Savior and Lord.

That is what today’s devotional challenges us to do.

We need more sermons in shoes!

(Theodore Cuyler)

“Live such good lives among the pagans, that . . . they may see your good deeds and glorify God!” 1 Peter 2:12

“Whoever says he abides in Him–ought to walk and conduct himself in the same way in which He walked and conducted Himself.” 1 John 2:6 (Amplified version)

We need more sermons in shoes–men and women going up and down the roads of life preaching Christianity by their imitation of Christ!

The demand of the day is for a higher standard and style of Christian life. Every follower of Christ must represent His religion purely, loftily, impressively–before that multitude of “Bible-readers” whose only Bible is the Christian!
“The true test of religion, is in the street. It lies in the common walks of life–even more than in the worship of the sanctuary. The test of our religion is not the regular manner in which we go to church, or the way in which we read our Bibles, or any elaborate religious ritual we perform. Its test is the kind of people it makes us–the kind of life it produces in us.”
“A fine illustration of the worth of Christian character was seen in a teacher of one of the government schools of Japan. His contract was that he was not to teach Christianity–and, so far as words were concerned, he kept it faithfully. But all the while his life was so blameless and beautiful–that it did the work without words. As evidence of this, forty of the students, without his knowledge, met in a grove secretly, and signed a covenant to forsake idolatry–for the religion of their teacher. Some of them are now preaching the gospel in their native land.”

“Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven!” Matthew 5:16

“That you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe!” Philippians 2:14-15

“So that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.” Titus 2:10

“Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love–just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us” Ephesians 5:1-2

~  ~  ~  ~

That is a tremendous challenge for each of us. Do our lives so radiate Jesus that people’s lives are changed? That should be our goal.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

Our country is in need of wise counsel. The wisdom of the world seems insufficient for today’s complex problems. Who has the wisdom to lead us?

God does!

“The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.¹² Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.¹³ The Lord looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men.¹⁴ From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth.¹⁵ He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works.¹⁶ There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.” (Psalm 33:11-16)

King David knew where to put his trust. He relied on God’s counsel and humbled himself before the mighty throne of God.

“Our soul waiteth for the Lord: he is our help and our shield.²¹ For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name. ²² Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.” (Psalm 33:20-22)

Maybe our country should humble ourselves before the God of heaven, repent of our sins, and allow God to lead us. We need to pray for revival in America and the world. We need to pray for the leadership, including our President.

“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;² For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.³ For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior;⁴ Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.⁵ For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;⁶ Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” (1 Timothy 2:1-6)

Pray for the salvation of leaders all over our world. Pray that God would bring a worldwide revival.  Pray for the lost.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

 

 

Good morning,

I am looking forward to my heavenly home. The thought of heaven and being in the eternal presence of my Savior Jesus Christ is amazing.

Then why am I so locked into this world. A place of sin, filth, and wickedness. My desire on things above where Christ is at.

Read today’s devotional in light of this.

How is it that we strive so hard to build our nest here?

(Mary Winslow)

“Those who use the things of the world–as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away!” 1 Corinthians 7:31

“The world and its desires pass away–but the man who does the will of God lives forever!” 1 John 2:17

Oh, how uncertain are all events in this changing world! We are here for a little while, and then pass away–the believer to his happy, happy home in Heaven, prepared for him by infinite and eternal love!

How is it that we strive so hard to build our nest here–and cling so fondly and with such tenacity to the creature?

Did we fully believe all that Christ says to us–then how more willing would we be to depart and be with Him!

O eternity! With all your solemn realities–how is it that we frail creatures of a clay think so little of you! A few more struggles and you and I, dear friend, will be there!

How soon, how very soon, we shall be fitted for the companionship of Jesus Himself, and shall be with Him, beholding Him in all His unveiled loveliness, and bathing in the ocean of His love!

Does not the thought often gladden your heart, while it dissolves in sweet contrition, that ever it should have sinned against One who so loved us as to lay down His precious life for us?

~  ~  ~  ~

Soon and very soon, we will be home with Jesus!

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

Today I would like to tell you about the tale of the lawn mower, two men, a spark plug, and an awesome God.

Our story begins with our main character, the lawn mower. It was at death’s door. It would not start and had leaked out all the fuel in the gas tank. I needed it repaired or replaced quickly because the mowing season was not yet over. I called friend one and asked if he would take my wounded friend to the repair shop. He said he would.

The next day at lunch, I was lamenting, to friend two, about my wounded friend. As I recounted the symptoms, he was thinking about the solutions. My second friend was a mechanical physician. His skilled and precise diagnosis led me to believe he might be able to repair my friend. I asked him if he would come over and evaluate the patient. He came. He did a thorough physical. The diagnosis, surgery. The patient was laid bare. Fully opened up, the doctor checked all the parts, cleaned the mess, and then put it all back together. No leaks. When he pulled the cord, it failed to turn over.

The doctor continued to work and came down to the spark plug. He had examined it before and it seemed ok. This time he cleaned it with a wire brush, replaced it, and voila the engine turned over and is working.

The awesome God of all creation came down and provided friend two with the ability, knowledge, wisdom, and the spark to repair my wounded mower.

The mower needed a spark. We believers need the spark provided by God for salvation, growth, and service.

My second friend did not realize that what he did was an act of spiritual service. It was a gift God had given him to repair engines. He was willing to come and repair my lawn mower.

God gives each of us gifts and talents and expects us to use them for his glory. Whatever talent God has given you, use it to bless someone else. It does not matter how big or small it seems to you, done in the power of God’s Spirit, it will be of great consequence.

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.⁸ For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.⁹ And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.¹⁰ As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” (Galatians 6:7-10)

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

Asahel Nettleton quotes (1783-1844)

Only Christ could build a bridge to God, with only two pieces of wood!
~  ~  ~  ~
The conversion and salvation of sinners is owing entirely to the sovereign mercy of God!
It is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs–because sinners always will wrong, and always run wrong.
~  ~  ~  ~
Every sinner is now on trial–he is now invited to the bleeding Savior.
He is urged by all the horrors of Hell, to enter Heaven.
But death closes the possibility for ever!
~  ~  ~  ~
The Christian life is a life of paradoxes:
We must realize we are blind–to see.
We must become fools–to be wise.
We must suffer–to reign.
We must die–to live.

~  ~  ~  ~
If I might be the means of saving one soul–I would prefer it to all the riches and honor in the world.

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Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Each of us is enamored by this world. We love the conveniences, the technology, the beauty, or maybe the vices. However, as a believer in Christ, we must avoid the lure of this world. It sucks us in and corrupts us. Our involvement in worldly activities pulls us away from our service to God.

As we read this devotion, we need to think about how the love of this world is drawing us away from serving God.

For a rational man to be so attached to a bubble, is a most irrational thing!

(Don Fortner)

“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” 1 John 2:15

Worldliness is an undue attachment to this world. It is living for this world–its riches, its honor, its joys and its cares. It is living by the principles of this world: greed, covetousness, deceit and lust.

Nothing is more dangerous to the souls of men–than the love of the world. Nothing more effectually chokes out the influence of the gospel in a man’s heart–than the cares of this world. Nothing is more difficult to avoid–than an undue attachment to this world.

Therefore, John sets these four words up as a beacon. They stand in blazing letters to warn us of great danger: “LOVE NOT THE WORLD!”

Beloved, this world and all that it offers, is no more than a bubble that soon must burst! Your money, your farms, your houses, your influence, your families–everything here is temporary. It will all vanish away!

We laugh at the small child who cries when the bubbles he is playing with burst. But, for a rational man to be so attached to a bubble, is a most irrational thing!

What fools they are who love and seek this world! I cannot warn you enough of the danger of worldliness–of loving, seeking, and living for this world!

Are you God’s child? Are you risen with Christ? Do you live in the hope of eternal glory?

Then count this world to be a dead thing.
Live no longer for this world.
Set your heart on things above.
Live above this pile of rubbish that must soon burn.
Live to do the will of God, seek the glory of Christ, further the gospel of the grace of God, and serve the people of God. Quit seeking those things for which unbelieving men live, and seek those things which are above–life, immortality, and glory.

~  ~  ~  ~

This is a serious matter. We must pray and ask God what He would have us to do. Satan loves it when Christians love the world.  They are drawn away and not serving God effectively.

Serve God with your whole heart.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

David wrote the Psalms. Some Psalms are requests for help or protection or forgiveness. All his writings acknowledge and praise God.

Psalm 8 deals with the heavens, God’s creation, and man. He sees God’s magnificent creation and asks why God is mindful of man.

David spent much of his early life under the stars. He had time to contemplate the greatness of God.

David’s praise (1-2)

O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.² Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.

David considers the heavens (3)

³ When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;

David considers man and God’s purpose for them on earth (4-8)

⁴ What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?⁵ For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honor.⁶ Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:⁷ All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field;⁸ The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.

David’s conclusion (9)

⁹ O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!

David had a very high regard for God. Do you see God in the same light? Is God the most important part of your life? In view of all He has done for us, He should.

Meditate on this Psalm. Allow God to speak to you.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001