Archives for 2017

Good morning,

I like being in control. It is hard to depend on others. Sometimes it is hard for me to yield control even to God. Simple things, I’ve got this. Harder things, I use learned wisdom from the world and God. But finally God brings me to my knees and reminds me that He is completely in control.

Today’s devotional will challenge us to think about who is control, why, and our need to submit.

My times are in Your hand!

(“Every Day!” Author unknown, 1872)

“My times are in Your hand!”  Psalm 31:15

Is not this truth a joy to you, my soul?

It would be a sorry thing for me, if my times were in my own hands–and it would afford me little satisfaction, if my times were in an angel’s hands. How restful should I be in knowing that my times are in my precious Savior’s hands!
He sees the end from the beginning.
He knows how to apportion my sorrows and my joys.
He knows what to give–and what to withhold.
He knows also when to give–and when to take away.

But, alas! how often is my heart mistrustful–how often have I murmured under the trying dispensations of His providence! O my soul, be ashamed and confounded—be humbled in the dust that you should ever call in question the wisdom or kindness of the dealings of Him who so loved you as to give His only Son for your redemption!

Help me, O God of my salvation, henceforth, with childlike confidence and peaceful trust–to yield all to You, and to rejoice in the assurance that “My times are in Your hand!”

“My times are in Your hand;
Why should I doubt or fear?
My Father’s hand will never cause
His child a needless tear!”

~  ~  ~  ~

Pray through this devotion and ask God what He wants you to do.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

I like the apostle Paul. He was a great man of faith and yet practical, who saw the simplicity of life. Philippians 2:1-4, he challenges the Philippians on how to conduct themselves.

“If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,² Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.³ Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.⁴ Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.”

He wanted them to be humble. It was his goal that the Philippians lived in unity. Unified around the Lord Jesus Christ and His teachings. He wanted them to follow the example of Jesus found in Philippians 2:5-8.

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:⁶ Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:⁷ But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:⁸ And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”

Paul explains how Jesus, the Son of God, chose to come to earth, become man, serve others, and humbled Himself, dying for the sins of all mankind. He was God. He knew no sin. He willingly came to pay my sin debt. That is humility.

Does this passage challenge us to be more unified around the things of Christ? To be humbler? To seek to serve as opposed to being served? To be obedient to the word of God?

It should be our goal to incorporate these principles into our own lives. Let’s try.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

 

Good morning,

I am the Chaplain for the Wasilla Senior Center. I work with seniors on a daily basis. I observe seniors in very good health and others with various maladies. Some are scared about death, others are not. Why is that? Some have settled the issue of what comes next and others have not.

Paul, the apostle, was not afraid of death. In fact, he was looking forward to it. He had accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior and was actively serving Him. “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.²² But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labor: yet what I shall choose I wot not.²³ For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:²⁴ Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.” (Philippians 1:21-24)

Paul knew that when he died he would be immediately with the Lord.

“Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:⁷ (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)⁸ We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.⁹ Wherefore we labor, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.” (2 Corinthians 5:6-9)

That is why our seniors who have repented of their sins, accepted Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord of their lives, have the assurance that they will go to be with Jesus when they die. The Bible tells us there will be no sin, disease, or tears where Jesus is. No worries.

Those who have chosen to reject Jesus or make no profession either way, have inadvertently followed their father the devil. He is a deceiver, angel of light, and a liar. The consequence of this decision is separation from God for all eternity (forever). The Bible is clear that there will be a day of reckoning.

“So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” (Romans 14:12)

“And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.¹² And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.¹³ And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.¹⁴ And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.¹⁵ And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:11-15) The lake of fire is a place of torment day and night forever.

Please choose to follow God. He wants you. He sent Jesus to die on the cross for your sins.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

Choose Jesus.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Good morning,

“And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19)

I am not a fisherman. Fishing at a river, creek, or lake, the fish see me and flee! This was made quite apparent to me when I went dip net fishing. Everyone was catching their limit and I caught nothing. Was I patient? Oh yes. Staying in the water for hours. Nothing.

Fishing for fish and fishing for men have three things in common. We must prepare, go, and reap.

PREPARE

Fishermen must prepare their flies, lures, and bait.

Fishers of men must prepare their message, know the Scriptures, and anticipate questions unbelievers might ask.

GO

Fishermen need to determine where the fish are biting. Go to that spot. You cannot catch fish sitting at home.

Fishers of men must determine where the unbelievers are. God’s word commands us to “Go…”. (Matthew 28:19) We trust that God will lead us to those who need Christ.

REAP

Fishermen catch fish through patience and technique. You can have the greatest tools, but you must know how to use them. If so, you catch fish. If not, me, you do not catch fish.

Fishers of men present God’s word to unbelievers. Then the Holy Spirit goes to work convicting men of their sin. “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.⁸ And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:⁹ Of sin, because they believe not on me;¹⁰ Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;¹¹ Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.” (John 16:7-11) Through the ministry of the Holy Spirit unbelievers are saved.

Fishermen catch fish,  eat them, and they are gone. Fishers of men reap the unbelieving for eternity.

Fishers of men are God’s tool to present Jesus to the lost.

Go do some fishing for the Savior.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

Good morning,

Dana Clark is a missionary to Bangladesh. She teaches at the Willian Carey Academy. Over the last school year, she has sent out a prayer letter every week. She never fails.

She writes about what God is teaching her. Her devotions are challenges to her readers.

I am enclosing her last devotion of the school year.

The Rope Holder Report

June 9, 2017

“My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.” Psalm 119:28

Dear Rope Holders,

What a picturesque prayer from Psalm 119!  I can certainly relate with the feeling of a heavy melting soul; however, I am grateful that God does not require us to live in that state continuously.  The psalmist requests strength that comes from God’s Word.

While reading verses on God’s Word this week, I was encouraged by its power:  It is the first step in producing faith. (Romans 10:17) It holds creative power and the power to affirm what is good.  (Genesis 1; Hebrews 11:3) It can be the joy of my heart if I let it. (Jeremiah 15:16) It is necessary for me to live a godly life. (II Timothy 2:16-17) It brings success if I meditate on it. (Joshua 1:8) It can lead me on the right path. (Psalm 119:105) It brings healing and deliverance. (Psalm 107:20) It is Truth. (John 17:17) It keeps me from sin. (Psalm 119:11) It sustains me. (Matthew 4:4) . . . This list could keep going and going . . . So why is it so hard to be consistent in Bible study when it is exactly what I need?  Thankful for His Word to guide, strengthen, and sustain.

     Praises:  The students have finished, papers are graded, awards have been given, report cards are almost done, the classes are filling up for next year, graduation has been celebrated, and I plan to board the plane on Tuesday evening to head home for the summer.

Prayer:  There are many details to finish up in the next 3 days, and there are still many loose ends for next year.

Thank you for your prayers – God’s grace is Sufficient!

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Dana and her weekly letters have challenged many to walk closer to God. She will return sometime in August for the next school year. Please pray for her and her ministry. William Carey Academy is made up of primarily Muslim children. They are taught American curriculum.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

John Newton reduced the sinful man and the gracious Savior down to two statements.

I may express all my complaints in one short sentence

(John Newton’s Letters)

My recent journey was very pleasant–but I ought to wish that it was profitable. I have had long experience how little I am able to improve by the most desirable advantages–and how little I am affected by a combination of the greatest mercies.

I may express all my complaints in one short sentence: “I am a poor creature!“
And all my hopes and comforts may be summed up as briefly, by saying: “I have a rich and gracious Savior!”

Full as I am in myself of inconsistencies and conflicts–I have in Him, a measure of peace. He found me in a waste howling wilderness–and He redeemed me from the house of misery and bondage. And though I have been ungrateful and perverse—He has not yet forsaken me–and never will. He is able to hold even me up–to pity, support and supply me to the end of life.

How suitable a Savior! He is made all things to those who have nothing–and is engaged to help those who can do nothing.

“Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost, those who come to God through Him–since He always lives to make intercession for them!” Hebrews 7:25

~  ~  ~  ~

As we read this devotional, thank God for His provision for us.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

The writer of Psalm 95 exhorts us to make a joyful noise to the Lord. When we see how great God is, it should be our natural reaction to praise Him. That is what Psalm 95 suggests we do.

Today we look at why we should praise the Lord.

Psalm 95:7-11

For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice,⁸ Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness:⁹ When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my work.¹⁰ Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways:¹¹ Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest.

We praise the Lord because He is our God. He is our shepherd and we are His sheep. Yesterday we saw that God was great, powerful, and maker of all things.

The challenge then, as today, are we willing to acknowledge that God is God? We learn that Israel rejected the Lord for forty years. Those people were not allowed to go into the promised land. UNBELIEF! The curse of many.

We choose whether to believe God or not to believe God. We have been given God’s word, the Bible, to answer all our questions about who God is, what He has done, what sin is, how it affects us, the solution to sin, who is Israel, and the future.

Salvation is having our sin debt paid by the blood of the perfect sacrifice, Jesus Christ.

According to verse eleven, their unbelief kept them from God’s rest.

Please consider whether you are a believer or unbeliever. Then weigh the consequences.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

 

Good morning,

The writer of Psalm 95 exhorts us to make a joyful noise to the Lord. When we see how great God is, it should be our natural reaction to praise Him. That is what Psalm 95 suggests we do.

Today we look at what God has done. Tomorrow we will look at why we should praise Him.

Psalm 95:1-6

O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.² Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.³ For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.⁴ In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also.⁵ The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land.⁶ O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker.

The first two verses tell us  to sing, make a joyful noise, and be thankful. Verses three through six tell us of God’s wonderful works.

As believers in Christ, we should be executing this verse every day. These verses remind us how good God has been to us. We should acknowledge that by our praise and worship.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

Good morning,

When I was younger, the public discourse was kinder. Today people in all walks of life choose hate over love, pride over humility, impatience over patience, and disunity over unity. It is very discouraging to listen to a daily newscast. The lead story usually has to do with death, political disagreement, or hate speech.

The apostle Paul wrote a letter to the Ephesians addressing these matters. He suggested a series of solutions. Ephesians 4 outlines these solutions.

Walk worthy of your vocation (1-3)

“I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,² With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;³ Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (1-3)

If that were all he wrote, that would move us to a much better place. Paul gave even more specific advice.

What does Jesus teach us? (20-24)

“But ye have not so learned Christ;²¹ If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:²² That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;²³ And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;²⁴ And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” (20-24)

What should be the result when Jesus leads our life? (25-31)

“Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another.²⁶ Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:²⁷ Neither give place to the devil.²⁸ Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.²⁹ Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.³⁰ And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.³¹ Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:” (25-31)

What is the proper way to relate to others? (32)

“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” (32)

Paul gave good counsel 2000 years ago. His counsel is applicable today. First, salvation, Second, read, be taught, and obey God’s word, the Bible. Third, share what you have learned with others.

This will change the way we speak, act, and relate to others.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

Elijah was a prophet of God. Ahab was king of Israel. Elijah challenged Ahab to a contest. It would determine whose God was the true God, the Lord God or Baalim. This story is found in 1 Kings 18:17-40.

THE CHALLENGE (21-24)

 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.²² Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the Lord; but Baal’s prophets are four hundred and fifty men.²³ Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under:²⁴ And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the Lord: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken.

THE CONTEST (25-29, 30-35)

Prophets of Baal (25-29)

And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress it first; for ye are many; and call on the name of your gods, but put no fire under.²⁶ And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made. ²⁷ And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked.²⁸ And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them.²⁹ And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded.

Elijah the Prophet (30-35)

And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the Lord that was broken down.³¹ And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the Lord came, saying, Israel shall be thy name:³² And with the stones he built an altar in the name of the Lord: and he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed.³³ And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood, and said, Fill four barrels with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood.³⁴ And he said, Do it the second time. And they did it the second time. And he said, Do it the third time. And they did it the third time.³⁵ And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water.

RESULTS OF THE CONTEST (36-40)

And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word.³⁷ Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the Lord God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again.³⁸ Then the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.³⁹ And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The Lord, he is the God; the Lord, he is the God.⁴⁰ And Elijah said unto them, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. And they took them: and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there.

OUR CHALLENGE

Worship God with all our heart. When we challenge the Lord God, we will always lose. The Baal worshippers served a god who could not hear, react, or care. The Lord God heard and reacted immediately to Elijah’s prayer.

Who do we serve? The one true God or an idol? Choose the one true God!

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001