Archives for May 2018

Good morning,

“The Lord of hosts is with us;…” (Psalm 46:7) That is exactly what we want in our times of trouble. He is also our refuge. Our place of safety.

Psalm 46:7-11 states:

“The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. ⁸ Come, behold the works of the Lord, what desolations he hath made in the earth.⁹ He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire. ¹⁰ Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. ¹¹ The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.”

When we are in times of trouble or discouragement, what does God want us to do? “…behold the works of the Lord,…” and “Be still, and know that I am God:…”

When we look at the works of the Lord, it will give us encouragement and hope. When we are still before God, we are more likely to hear Him speak to us. Then we will be able to exalt him and rejoice in His goodness.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

A refuge is a place of safety. Psalm 46 tells us that God is our refuge. We are told not to fear. God is in charge and takes care of His people and Holy City.

Psalm 46:1-6 states:

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. ² Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;³ Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.⁴ There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.⁵ God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.⁶ The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.”

Is God our refuge? Do we go to Him in time of trouble? Do we believe He can protect us? Do we cast our fears upon the Lord?

If not, why not? God is in charge. He has the best interest of His children in mind.

Allow Him to be our refuge.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

This week we conclude our study on Obedience. We look at the benefits of obeying God.

OBEDIENCE: BENEFITS

“If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15)

INTRODUCTION:

Full circle/Review

Obedience to God’s word

Obedience to God’s commands

Obedience moral decisions

SALVATION

John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

ETERNAL LIFE

1 John 5:11-13 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

1 John 2:25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.

John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

FORGIVENESS

Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Colossians 2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

LOVE

John 3:16 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.

Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

WISDOM

 Ephesians 1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

 VICTORIOUS LIFE

1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Chronicles 29:11 Thine, O LORD is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.

WALK WITH THE LORD

Colossians 1:10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

Colossians 2:6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:

 HEAVEN

John 14:2-3 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

Revelation 21:1-4, 6, 8 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

CONCLUSION:

I HAVE LEARNED:

• God is never wrong
• His timing is perfect
• He sees the big picture
• The BIBLE is my basis for my life

ENDSTATE BE OBEDIENT TO GOD

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

Children of God can become discouraged. We forget the promises God has made to us. We get overwhelmed by circumstances in our lives. We resist the encouragement of loved ones, other believers, and our Pastors.

Yet there is hope in God. “…He never leaves us or forsakes us.” (Hebrews 13:5) In the midst of our discouragement, God is there.

Psalm 42:5-11 makes this point.

“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.⁶ O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.⁷ Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.⁸ Yet the Lord will command his lovingkindness in the day time, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.⁹ I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?¹⁰ As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God? ¹¹ Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.”

This should be a tremendous encouragement to each of us. God NEVER abandons us in our times of discouragement. He is close by.

Hope in God!

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

God calls David “…a man after mine own heart…”. (Acts 13:22) He was human but loved God and continually tried to serve Him. He had a zeal for God. He desired to be close to God.

Psalm 42:1-4 shows us David’s heart.

“As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.² My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?³ My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?⁴ When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.” (Psalm 42:1-4)

Do we thirst for God? Can we survive without daily nourishment from God? Do we cry out day and night, “Where is my God?” Does our remembrance of Him make us joyful and full of praise?

If not, maybe God is challenging us to get closer to Him.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

Psalm 33 has taught us about rejoicing, God’s creation, and God’s watch care over us.

Psalm 33:20-22 tells us what our response should be. Wait, rejoice, and hope. It is never a good thing to try and run ahead of God. Since God is in control, we should wait on Him, and allow Him to lead us. We should always rejoice in the Lord. Beside the fact that God tells us to do it, this should the desire of every true believer’s heart. Hope in the Lord. I am hoping for that day when I will see Jesus face to face in Heaven.  Every believer should also have that hope and full assurance that it will happen soon.

“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.”

Our hope is in the Lord. Each of us must repent of our sins and ask Christ to be Savior and Lord to be able to partake in the promises of God’s word. No salvation, no Heaven, no fellowship with Jesus for all eternity, no strength to deal with the problems of today.

We have hope because of what Jesus did on the cross for us!

Psalm 33 causes us to rejoice because of God’s goodness to us.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

Psalm 33:13-19 tells about God’s watch care over His creation. After God created everything, He did not just leave us to fin for ourselves.

This may be considered a blessing or a curse. Knowing that God is watching every move we make should encourage us to do right. When we do right we can expect God’s blessing. However, sometimes we choose to rebel against God. Then we can expect chastisement. Actually, chastisement is for our good, if it brings us back to God. It is God’s desire to always have fellowship with His children.

“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.¹⁷ An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength.¹⁸ Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;¹⁹ To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.”

God knows every move that we make. Are those moves Godly or ungodly? Jesus said in John 14:15, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” Where do we find the commandments of God? The Bible. The commandments are found in all the books of the Bible. Which means we need to read the Bible from cover to cover and begin to determine what God’s commandments are and then do them.

The knowledge that God sees and knows everything should cause believer’s in Christ to rejoice. Our God cares so much about us that He wants to protect us from the wickedness of this world. When we fail, He retrieves us (after we repent), and tells us to get back to work for the cause of Christ. What a loving and merciful God!

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

Today we will look at Obedience to Moral Decisions.

Each of us deal daily with making choices. Every choice should be made in light of Scripture.

God gives us examples of good decision making and bad decision making.

OBEDIENCE MORAL DECISIONS

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.¹⁷ And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. (Colossians 3:16-17)

INTRODUCTION:  MORAL DECISION: CAMPUS CRUSADE FOR CHRIST

OBEDIENCE REQUIRES MAKING MORAL DECISIONS BASED ON GOD’S WORD

MOSES

EXODUS 2:11, ACTS 7:23-25, HEBREWS 11:24-27

And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens: and he spied an Egyptian smiting an Hebrew, one of his brethren. And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds. / And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel. And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, and smote the Egyptian: For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them: but they understood not. / By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense (PROMISE) of the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.

WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT MOSES? WHAT DECISIONS DID MOSES HAVE TO MAKE?  WHAT WERE THE RESULTS OF HIS DECISION?

JOSEPH

GENESIS 39:1-6, 7-12

And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmaelite’s, which had brought him down thither. And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand. And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand. And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the LORD was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field. And he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured. And it came to pass after these things, that his master’s wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me.

But he refused, and said unto his master’s wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand; There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her. And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within. And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.

WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT JOSEPH? WHAT DID HE DO? WHAT DECISIONS DID JOSEPH HAVE TO MAKE?  WHAT WERE THE RESULTS OF HIS DECISION?

DAVID

2 SAMUEL 11:1-27

And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem. And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king’s house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon. And David sent and enquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite? And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house. And the woman conceived, and sent and told David, and said, I am with child. And David sent to Joab, saying, Send me Uriah the Hittite. And Joab sent Uriah to David. And when Uriah was come unto him, David demanded of him how Joab did, and how the people did, and how the war prospered. And David said to Uriah, Go down to thy house, and wash thy feet. And Uriah departed out of the king’s house, and there followed him a mess of meat from the king. But Uriah slept at the door of the king’s house with all the servants of his lord, and went not down to his house. And when they had told David, saying, Uriah went not down unto his house, David said unto Uriah, Camest thou not from thy journey? why then didst thou not go down unto thine house? And Uriah said unto David, The ark, and Israel, and Judah, abide in tents; and my lord Joab, and the servants of my lord, are encamped in the open fields; shall I then go into mine house, to eat and to drink, and to lie with my wife? as thou livest, and as thy soul liveth, I will not do this thing. And David said to Uriah, Tarry here to day also, and to morrow I will let thee depart. So Uriah abode in Jerusalem that day, and the morrow. And when David had called him, he did eat and drink before him; and he made him drunk: and at even he went out to lie on his bed with the servants of his lord, but went not down to his house. And it came to pass in the morning, that David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent it by the hand of Uriah. And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and die. And it came to pass, when Joab observed the city, that he assigned Uriah unto a place where he knew that valiant men were. And the men of the city went out, and fought with Joab: and there fell some of the people of the servants of David; and Uriah the Hittite died also. Then Joab sent and told David all the things concerning the war; And charged the messenger, saying, When thou hast made an end of telling the matters of the war unto the king, And if so be that the king’s wrath arise, and he say unto thee, Wherefore approached ye so nigh unto the city when ye did fight? knew ye not that they would shoot from the wall? Who smote Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? did not a woman cast a piece of a millstone upon him from the wall, that he died in Thebez? why went ye nigh the wall? then say thou, Thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also. So the messenger went, and came and shewed David all that Joab had sent him for. And the messenger said unto David, Surely the men prevailed against us, and came out unto us into the field, and we were upon them even unto the entering of the gate. And the shooters shot from off the wall upon thy servants; and some of the king’s servants be dead, and thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also. Then David said unto the messenger, Thus shalt thou say unto Joab, Let not this thing displease thee, for the sword devoureth one as well as another: make thy battle more strong against the city, and overthrow it: and encourage thou him. And when the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she mourned for her husband. And when the mourning was past, David sent and fetched her to his house, and she became his wife, and bare him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD.

WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT DAVID? WHAT DID HE DO? WHAT DECISIONS DID DAVID HAVE TO MAKE?  WHAT WERE THE RESULTS OF HIS DECISION?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

Psalm 33:6-12 reminds us that God made the heavens, earth, and all things that are on the earth.

This is a great reason to rejoice. Remember that part of that creative process was mankind, you and me. But there is so much more. Look up and see God’s handiwork in the skies. The sun, moon, and stars. Take a moment to look at your surroundings. Trees, mountains, plants, rivers, and lakes. Wildlife, moose, fish, cats, dogs, and bears.

This did not come to us by accident or evolution. God created it in six days, by His spoken Word. This should cause us to fear the Lord, stand in awe of Him, and rejoice!

^“By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.⁷ He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses.⁸ Let all the earth fear the Lord: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. ⁹ For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.¹⁰ The Lord bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect.¹¹ 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.”

Did God really create all that we see today? The answer to that question determines whether you are a believer or not. The fourth word in the Bible is God. “In the beginning God…” If a person does not believe in the God of the Bible, the God who created all things, who is all knowing, ever present, and all powerful, then they can not know the God who redeemed them through His Son’s perfect blood to pay their sin debt on the cross at Calvary.

Do you believe the God of the Bible or the god of this world? Your eternal destiny rests on the answer to that question.

Need to talk? Call me.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

This week we will looking at Psalm 33.

Psalm 33 tells us to rejoice in the Lord, about God’s creation, God’s rule, and what we should do.

Psalm 33:1 says, “Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous: …”

Verses 1-5 tell us how we are to do this.

“Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.² Praise the Lord with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings.³ Sing unto him a new song; play skillfully with a loud noise.⁴ For the word of the Lord is right; and all his works are done in truth.⁵ He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.”

We are told to rejoice, praise the Lord in song, and to love God and His word.

The challenge for believers in Christ is this what we believe? Do we believe Jesus is worthy of our praise? Is Jesus the central figure in our lives? Are we praising the things of this world above the person and work of Jesus? When we sing, is it the songs of Scripture, hymns, or spiritual songs, or are they the songs of this world?

It is certainly worth praying about this and determining God’s counsel.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001