Archives for 2017

Good morning,

God is in control. He knows each of us intimately. He has a plan for each of our lives. This devotional reminds us that God has done all things well. Rejoice in that knowledge.

With perfect wisdom, at the right time, in the right way!

(J.C. Ryle)

“He has done all things well!” Mark 7:37

The truth of these words is full of deep and unspeakable comfort, and ought to be daily remembered by all true Christians.

Let us remember it as we look back over the days past of our lives, from the hour of our conversion. In the first bringing us out of darkness into marvelous light–in humbling us and teaching us our weakness, guilt, and folly–in stripping us of our idols, and choosing all our portions–in placing us where we are, and giving us what we have–how well everything has been done! How great is the mercy that we have not had our own way! “He has done all things well!”

Let us remember it as we look forward to the days yet to come. We know not what they may be–bright or dark, many or few. But we know that we are in the hands of Him who does all things well. He will not err in any of His dealings with us. He will take away and give–He will afflict and bereave–He will move and He will settle–with perfect wisdom, at the right time, in the right way! The great Shepherd of the sheep makes no mistakes! He leads every lamb of His flock by the right way to the city of habitation. “He has done all things well!”

We shall never see the full beauty of these words until the resurrection morning. We shall then look back over our lives, and know the meaning of everything that happened from first to last. We shall remember all the way by which we were led, and confess that all was “well done.” The why and the wherefore, the causes and the reasons of everything which now perplexes us–will then be as clear and plain as the sun at noon-day. We shall wonder at our own past blindness, and marvel that we could ever have doubted our Lord’s love. Truly, “He has done all things well!”

“Now we see through a glass darkly, but then face to face. Now we know in part, but then shall we know even as we are known.” 1 Corinthians 13:12

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Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

The Book of Esther shows us how God keeps His promises, how God saves the Jews from annihilation, and the sovereignty of God. Did I mention the name of God is not mentioned in the whole book? God is in every circumstance that happens to save God’s people.

Things to remember as you read Esther. The Jews were captives and living in Babylon. The story takes place in Shushan. Woman, whether Jew or Gentile, did not have any rights. They were required to submit to men. The Babylonians did not worship Jehovah God.

Chapter 6 is a beautiful picture of how God takes care of His children. It also exhibits God’s sense of humor.

The King can’t sleep. He requests the book of records be read to him. The record stated that Mordecai saved the King’s life and no recognition had been given to Mordecai. The King wanted to honor Mordecai.

Haman was in the courtyard waiting to talk to the King in regards to hanging Mordecai. The King requests Haman’s presence and advice on how to honor the man the King chooses to honor. Haman’s pride kicks in. He thinks the King wants to honor him. So, he proceeds to tell the King what he should do. The King agrees.

The King then commands Haman to do all that he said to Mordecai.

The people of Shushan knew that Haman hated Mordecai. So, when Mordecai is exulted, riding on the Kings horse, wearing the King’s robe, and with the King’s crown on his head, lead around town by Haman, it was total humiliation for Haman.

Haman goes home and tells his family and friend about his day. His wife, the one who suggested building the gallows, prophetically tells Haman that he will fall before Mordecai.

God’s hand is all over this chapter.

God knows all things. He can exult whomever He pleases. Haman’s pride was crushed, while Mordecai, who was not looking for anything was exulted.

We must be careful not to harbor evil thoughts, deeds, or actions against anyone. Our evil may come on our own heads. We should to obey God in every aspect of our lives.

NEXT WEEK:

Esther’s second banquet

Revelation

A hanging

A letter

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

The Book of Esther shows us how God keeps His promises, how God saves the Jews from annihilation, and the sovereignty of God. Did I mention the name of God is not mentioned in the whole book? God is in every circumstance that happens to save God’s people.

Things to remember as you read Esther. The Jews were captives and living in Babylon. The story takes place in Shushan. Woman, whether Jew or Gentile, did not have any rights. They were required to submit to men. The Babylonians did not worship Jehovah God. To understand why Mordecai and Haman (Chapter 3) were at odds, read Exodus 17:8-16, Genesis 36:12, Deuteronomy 25:17-19, 1 Samuel 15:2,3,7-9,11,26,32-33 28:18.

Chapter 5 shows us Esther’s courage and the pride of Haman. Esther adorns herself in her royal apparel, goes into the inner court, and prays that the King will extend the golden scepter. He does. She invites the King and Haman to a banquet. When the King asked, what is her request, she requested to prepare another banquet for the King and Haman the next day.

Haman goes from the banquet joyful and with a glad heart. He sees Mordecai and is mad because he will not bow down to him. When he gets home, he assemblies his wife and friends and tells them how great he is. The one thing he does not have is Mordecai’s reverence. His wife suggests building a gallows to hang Mordecai. They all agree and the gallows is built.

Esther’s heart was tender towards the Lord. She trusted that God would protect her. She was willing to provide for the King and Haman.

Haman on the other hand was all about self. It is all about me. No one else mattered. Since Haman loathed Mordecai, he chose to murder him.

Two lifestyles, with two perspectives on life. The question then becomes which one do we follow. It may seem obvious, but there are times even Christians, or those who claim to be Christians, do what Haman did. They scheme on how to get rid of someone they do not like or agree with. Maybe not death, but intimidation, false accusations, or character assassination.

Courage in the face of wickedness is God’s course of action. Believer’s in Christ need to be obedient to the Biblical commands in all circumstances.

This chapter sets the stage for the events of Chapter six. Proverbs 16:18 says, “Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” Tomorrow we will witness one of the greatest stories of God’s taking vengeance on an individual.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

Sometimes the Christian life can seem like a drag. People not respecting who Jesus is, what He has done, or the purpose of His coming. We become discouraged.

Today’s devotional will be an encouragement to you. Meditate on the things that God has done for you.

God-pardoned, God-reconciled, Sin-delivered, God-arrayed, Heaven-entitled souls!

(Archibald Brown, “What Christ Has Done for Me!” 1872)

“Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will declare what He has done for my soul!” Psalm 66:16

No one word can fully express all that God has done for my soul, though in general it may be described as saved. Saved! Ah, that is a grand word worthy of being written in letters of gold! A saved soul includes many things–I can only mention them:

1. A saved soul is a God-pardoned soul. All its sins are forgiven, and its iniquities are drowned in that deluge of pardoning love that rises high above the topmost peaks of all its mountain sins!

2. A saved soul is a God-reconciled soul. Once at enmity–God and the sinner are now at peace. All differences are at an end. The prodigal sinner has been embraced and kissed by the father. The rebel has thrown down his weapons, and bent his knee to the Monarch–and the Monarch has raised him up, and with a smile of love, has put him among His children. If I may so express it, God and the sinner have met and shaken hands beneath the shadow of the cross. They are at at-one-ment there.

3. A saved soul is also a sin-delivered soul. This is something more than pardon, or reconciliation. It is a higher blessing. Pardon remits the punishment of sin–but leaves the guilt of sin. But justification acquits the person of every charge. Believer, your sins are not merely forgiven–but they are done away with, put out of sight, removed from you as far as the remotest east is from the extreme west! In the eye of God, you are as guiltless as His spotless Son! “You are altogether beautiful, My love; there is no flaw in you!” Song of Songs 4:7

4. A saved soul is also a God-arrayed soul. This is higher still. The former blessing was a negation of guilt–this is a possession of righteousness. A righteousness, mark you, that is not capable of improvement–but a righteousness that is superlative in its quality–it is the righteousness of God Himself! A saved soul, even to the omniscient eye of Deity, is not only without spot or wrinkle or any such thing–but it is altogether lovely and glorious, robed in the splendor of “Jehovah Tsidkenu“–“The Lord our Righteousness!”

5. A saved soul is a Heaven-entitled soul. This crowns all. Not merely am I delivered from Hell–but in my hand is placed a title-deed to eternal glory! This is no fiction or flight of imagination–but a blessed fact. Possessed by every saint, is a title to Heaven that God Himself will declare to be valid to all eternity.

Now believer, if all these things are included in what God has done for our souls, then did I not say rightly that many words were necessary to describe the work? Let us then, as God-pardoned, God-reconciled, Sin-delivered, God-arrayed, Heaven-entitled souls–call on all, far and near, to come and listen to our joyous tale.

God looks upon His redeemed people as the masterpieces of His love and power, and He will before assembled worlds exhibit us as the grandest trophies Heaven contains!
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When someone challenges your belief in Christ, share this devotional. Then ask them what their god has given them. This is truly Good News!

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

The choices we make in life, determine where we will spend eternity when we die. Today, we are challenged to choose between hell and heaven. Do we crave the things of this world more than the things of God? Is God our number one thought, desire, and priority?

Lord, let me be a pure stream

(Thomas Sherman, “Divine Breathings; Or, a Pious Soul Thirsting after Christ”)

Jordan, that famous river, no doubt runs through many a pleasant meadow, by many a shady grove and flowery bank; and yet at last empties itself into the Dead Sea.

So it is with a wicked man! Here on earth he walks through meadows of worldly pleasures, and rests under the shades of earthly comforts, and sports and wallows among the flowers of worldly delights–but at last runs himself down into the Dead Sea of Hell. And not only so–but . . .
his earthly delights will fade,
his beauty shall be turned into horror,
his honor shall be turned into shame,
his lusts shall be turned into tormentors, and
his pleasures shall be turned into bitterness!

Lord, let me be a pure stream, that I may terminate in Heaven! I care not what difficult channels I pass through here on earth–if in Heaven I may exchange my weakness and corruption, for perfection and glory!

  ~  ~  ~  ~

This should make all of us think about our priorities in life. If the things of God are truly at the forefront, then we might want to share this devotional with lost friends or maybe a believer who is walking in the world.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

God cares for us. He knows that we are wicked, fallen, and unable to save ourselves, so He sends His only Son to pay the sin debt for us.

The most beautiful thing I ever heard of!

(Charles Spurgeon)

“God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us–so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God!” 2 Corinthians 5:21

What could be better than the divine plan of substitutionary atonement? God must punish sin–He could not be God unless He did. It is a necessity of His nature, that He should hate sin with an infinite hatred, and must punish it!

Yet, as He had loved His people with an everlasting love, how could He better show His love to them and His hatred of sin–than by giving up His well-beloved Son to die instead of them! This seems to me to be the most beautiful thing I ever heard of—and it delights my soul to preach it!

“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, by becoming a curse for us!” Galatians 3:13

~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

The journey of life consists of all the events from cradle to grave. God is with us every second of every day watching over us. He is interested about our successes, failures, sorrows, and tears. He guides us, comforts, strengthens, and encourages us.

Yield yourself to God today and allow Him to take care of your every need.

How cheerfully would they pass along the ‘journey of life’

(James Smith, “Fellowship with God” 1849)

“Cast all your care on Him–because He cares about you!” 1 Peter 5:7

“You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in Your bottle. You have recorded each one in Your book.” Psalm 56:8

Jehovah is deeply interested in the welfare of all His people! He has  . . .
formed them for Himself,
redeemed them by the blood of Immanuel, and
new created them by the energy of the Comforter!

He is interested . . .
in all their needs,
in all their troubles,
in all their trials,
in all their persecutions,
in all their temptations,
in all their afflictions
and in their death!

Yes, there is nothing belonging to a believer, but what Jehovah is concerned about:
from their tiny trifles of today–to their ponderous concerns of eternity;
from their feeble flutterings of anxiousness–to the redemption of their immortal soul!
All and everything that concerns them–their heavenly Father is interested in, and concerned about!

O if the Lord’s family did but believe this, that the minutest thing that belongs to them, the least circumstance of their lives, and everything connected with that circumstance, is a matter of concern to Jehovah–how happy would they live, how cheerfully would they pass along the ‘journey of life‘ and commit all to the keeping of their God!

The believer brings to the Lord his sins, trials, griefs, and woes–and the Lord bestows His pardon, riches, relief, and consolation!

Christian, what a thought is this!

“Cast your cares on the Lord–and He will sustain you!” Psalm 55:22

  ~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

The Book of Esther shows us how God keeps His promises, how God saves the Jews from annihilation, and the sovereignty of God. Did I mention the name of God is not mentioned in the whole book? God is in every circumstance that happens to save God’s people.

Things to remember as you read Esther. The Jews were captives and living in Babylon. The story takes place in Shushan. Woman, whether Jew or Gentile, did not have any rights. They were required to submit to men. The Babylonians did not worship Jehovah God. To understand why Mordecai and Haman (Chapter 3) were at odds, read Exodus 17:8-16, Genesis 36:12, Deuteronomy 25:17-19, 1 Samuel 15:2,3,7-9,11,26,32-33 28:18.

Chapter 3 introduces us to Haman. He is the sworn enemy of the Jews. (Reference passages above) The King promotes Haman above all the other princes. All the King’s servants bow in reverence to him. Mordecai, the Jew, refuses to bow down and reverence Haman. Haman then devises a plan to destroy all the Jews. He presents his plan to the King and he agrees. The destruction of the Jews is set.

Chapter 4 is Mordecai’s response. Mordecai and Queen Esther have a back and forth discussion about Haman’s decree. The chapter ends with Queen Esther agreeing to go before the King and make him aware of the what is happening.

Please read and discover how God orchestrated each event and why. Write down events where God kept a promise, the hand of God was at work, or how God, completely behind the scenes, orchestrated events to protect His Jewish people.

Like any good book, I must leave you hanging for next week’s installment. Next week we look forward to two banquets, a gallows, and a parade. Next week we will look at Chapter 5 and 6. Wednesdays I am preaching through the Book of Esther. Come and join us at WASI Meeting room at 10 am.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

The Book of Esther shows us how God keeps His promises, how God saves the Jews from annihilation, and the sovereignty of God. Did I mention the name of God is not mentioned in the whole book? God is in every circumstance that happens to save God’s people.

Chapter 1 tells us of an insubordinate Queen. Vashti refuses the King’s request to appear before him. Her refusal results in her removal as Queen and banishment.

Chapter 2 is the search of a new Queen. All the young virgins in Shushan were set before the King. He chose Esther, a Jew. Esther was an orphan, her parents being dead. Her guardian, Mordecai her uncle, saved the King’s life.

Things to remember as you read Esther. The Jews were captives and living  in Babylon. The story takes place in Shushan. Woman, whether Jew or Gentile, did not have any rights. They were required to submit to men. The Babylonians did not worship Jehovah God. To understand why Mordecai and Haman (Chapter 3) were at odds, read Exodus 17:8-16, Genesis 36:12, Deuteronomy 25:17-19, 1 Samuel 15:2,3,7-9,11,26,32-33 28:18.

Please read and discover how God orchestrated each event and why. Write down events where God kept  a promise, the hand of God was at work, or how God, completely behind the scenes, orchestrated events to protect His Jewish people.

Tomorrow we will look at Chapter 3 and 4.

Wednesdays I am preaching through the Book of Esther. Come and join us at WASI Meeting room at 10 am.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

Thanksgiving is a command of God. Dana Clark, Missionary to Bangladesh, wrote her Thanksgiving letter on this topic. There is quite a bit of wisdom in her post. (Bold highlights mine)

“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”  I Thess. 5:7

 Dear “Rope Holders,”

Many Americans attribute the idea of thanksgiving to the Pilgrims or Abraham Lincoln, but the Scriptures teach us that thanksgiving is God’s idea. In fact, it is God’s will for us to give thanks in everything.

So as I reflect on “everything” in my life right now, I am reminded that giving thanks is a choice that I make; it is a perspective, a thought pattern, that takes a conscious effort.  In many areas of my life this is easy:  I am thankful for my family, friends (both here and around the world) and supporters.  I am thankful for my church family, my Savior, and God’s Word.  I am thankful for God’s provisions and the fact that He is at work in my life.  In other areas of my life, it isn’t so easy:  I am thankful for the prayers that God hasn’t answered my way, because it has caused me to trust Him in new ways.  I am thankful for the things that God has taken away, because it helps me to realize that He is enough to meet my every need.  I am thankful for the trials of life, because in them I can experience His strength, peace and comfort.

I am reminded of a favorite hymn (and I can still hear my UBCS students singing) while writing this letter:

Thanks to God!

1. Thanks to God for my Redeemer,
   Thanks for all Thou dost provide!
   Thanks for times now but a mem’ry,
   Thanks for Jesus by my side!
   Thanks for pleasant, balmy springtime,
   Thanks for dark and stormy fall!
   Thanks for tears by now forgotten,
   Thanks for peace within my soul!
2. Thanks for prayers that Thou hast answered,
   Thanks for what Thou dost deny!
   Thanks for storms that I have weathered,
   Thanks for all Thou dost supply!
   Thanks for pain, and thanks for pleasure,
   Thanks for comfort in despair!
   Thanks for grace that none can measure,
   Thanks for love beyond compare!
3. Thanks for roses by the wayside,
   Thanks for thorns their stems contain!
   Thanks for home and thanks for fireside,
   Thanks for hope, that sweet refrain!
   Thanks for joy and thanks for sorrow,
   Thanks for heav’nly peace with Thee!
   Thanks for hope in the tomorrow,
   Thanks through all eternity!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!  

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Remember to always be thankful.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001