Archives for 2018

Good morning,

Jonah obeys God’s call to preach to Nineveh. Nineveh, a pagan, wicked, idolatrous nation, repents. God gave Jonah and Nineveh a second chance. They accepted.

Contrast that to the book of Jeremiah and Judah and Benjamin. Jeremiah preached repentance to Judah and Benjamin, but they steadfastly refused to accept God’s warning of destruction. They refused to change their wicked ways and were taken into captivity by Babylon.

How sad. Which camp are we in today? Are we doing wickedness under the guise of being a Christian, as Judah or Benjamin, or are we truly walking with the Lord?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Download (JONAH-3.docx, DOCX, 14KB)

Good morning,

Jeremiah was a prophet of God. Israel, the ten northern tribes, were conquered by Assyria. Jeremiah was sent to Judah and Benjamin to warn them. Judah and Benjamin were in rebellion to God’s plan. They worshipped idols and committed all sorts of wickedness.

Jeremiah continues to warn and Judah and Benjamin continue to reject God.

This week we will look at Jeremiah’s call, Judah and Benjamin’s sin, God’s mercy, and God’s judgement.

Judah and Benjamin’s Sin

“How shall I pardon thee for this? thy children have forsaken me, and sworn by them that are no gods: when I had fed them to the full, they then committed adultery, and assembled themselves by troops in the harlots’ houses.⁸ They were as fed horses in the morning: every one neighed after his neighbor’s wife.⁹ Shall I not visit for these things? saith the Lord: and shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this? (Jeremiah 5:7-9)

“But this people hath a revolting and a rebellious heart; they are revolted and gone.²⁴ Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the Lord our God, that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in his season: he reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest.²⁵ Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you.” (Jeremiah 5:23-25)

“Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall: at the time that I visit them they shall be cast down, saith the Lord.” (Jeremiah 6:15)

“But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.²⁴ But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward.” (Jeremiah 7:23-24)

Judah and Benjamin committed idolatry, adultery, rebellion, and were not ashamed of what they were doing. They failed to obey God and walked in the counsel and imaginations of their own evil hearts.

Who do we follow today? The God of the Bible or our own evil hearts?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

 

Good morning,

Jeremiah was a prophet of God. Israel, the ten northern tribes, were conquered by Assyria. Jeremiah was sent to Judah and Benjamin to warn them. Judah and Benjamin were in rebellion to God’s plan. They worshipped idols and committed all sorts of wickedness.

Jeremiah continues to warn and Judah and Benjamin continue to reject God.

This week we will look at Jeremiah’s call, Judah and Benjamin’s sin, God’s mercy, and God’s judgement.

Jeremiah’s call

“Then the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,⁵ Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. ⁶ Then said I, Ah, Lord God! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child. ⁷ But the Lord said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. ⁸ Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord.⁹ Then the Lord put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the Lord said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth. ¹⁰ See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.” (Jeremiah 1:4-10)

Jeremiah was called to be a prophet before he was conceived. God knew him, sanctified, and ordained him. God gave him a mission and equipped him to fulfill the mission.

There is no indication that anyone who heard God’s warning repented, but Jeremiah fulfilled God’s calling faithfully.

The church, believers in Christ, are those who God has called to warn individuals of the upcoming judgment. We are equipped with God’s word, God’s message of salvation, and the Holy Spirit to guide us. Jesus Christ, God’s son, shed His perfect, sinless blood, to redeem all mankind.  However, we have a choice to accept or reject God’s redemption. Just like Judah and Benjamin.

Who will we warn today?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

Good morning,

God is trying to get Israel’s attention. Isaiah 55 exhorts them to do several things. He wants Israel to listen. The ultimate result is joy and peace.

Isaiah 55

Hearken diligently unto God (1-2)

“Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.² Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labor for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.

Incline your ear and hear what God has to say (3-5)

³ Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.⁴ Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people.⁵ Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the Lord thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee.

Seek the Lord, call upon Him (6-7)

⁶ Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: ⁷ Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

God’s thoughts and ways (8-9)

⁸ For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.⁹ For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

The Word of God (10-11)

¹⁰ For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:¹¹ So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

Result: Joy and Peace (12-13)

¹² For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.¹³ Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the Lord for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.” (Isaiah 55:1-13)

We live busy lives. Slowing down and spending time listening to God is far down our TO DO list.

Yet as Israel found out, they needed to listen to God.

We do too!

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

Psalm 149 exhorts Israel to praise, rejoice, be joyful, dance, and sing to the Lord. Then they are told “To execute vengeance upon the heathen…”

“Praise ye the Lord. Sing unto the Lord a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints.

² Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.

³ Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.

⁴ For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.

⁵ Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.

⁶ Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand;

⁷ To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people;

⁸ To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron;

⁹ To execute upon them the judgment written: this honor have all his saints. Praise ye the Lord.”

God is clearly telling His people to praise Him. He wants them to acknowledge who He is, what He has done, and how they have benefitted by His intervention in their lives.

“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” (Romans 12:19)

So, then God gives Israel the authority to execute vengeance on the heathen.  To bind kings with chains and their nobles with fetters. We see this played out during the reigns of David and Solomon.

Today, we are still exhorted to praise God, but pray that God would take His vengeance, His way, on His enemies.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

Jonah 2 reveals Jonah’s fate in the belly of the “…great fish…”

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Download (JONAH-2.docx, DOCX, 14KB)

Good morning,

What a blessing it is when believers in Christ live in unity.

Psalm 133 speaks of this unity as a “…precious ointment…” and “… the dew of Hermon…”.

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

² It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;

³ As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.”

Unfortunately, unity is not always the case in our local churches. We see division and strife instead of love and peace. Ephesians 4 brings unity into perspective.

“Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

⁴ There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

⁵ One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

⁶ One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

⁷ But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. (Ephesians 4:3-7)

Understanding and believing these verses would bring unity among believers. Believers in Christ have a responsibility to know, understand, and practice the Bible’s clear teaching on the things mentioned in Ephesians 4.

Unity will only come when we are in agreement with what the word of God teaches.

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1)

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

Prayer is talking with God. When we pray, we are confiding our deepest need, hurts, and frustrations. Also, our adoration, praise, and thanksgiving to God.

Psalm 130 reveals the Psalmist’s tremendous confidence in God. He pours out his heart, knowing God hears and will answer his prayer.

“Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord.

² Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.

³ If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?

⁴ But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.

⁵ I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.

⁶ My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning.

⁷ Let Israel hope in the Lord: for with the Lord there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption.

⁸ And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.”

The Psalmist prays and asks God to hear his prayer. He acknowledges his iniquities (sins). He knows God forgives sin, is merciful, and will redeem Israel. He is willing to wait for the Lord and hope in His word. He believes God can do these things.

Do we believe God can do these things? Is the God we worship merciful, forgiving, and willing to redeem us? Are we waiting on the Lord and hoping in His word?

This Psalm is a challenge and encouragement to each of us. We then, should be sharing God’s mercy, forgiveness, and redemption with others. We should encourage others to read God’s word, study it, and apply it to their lives.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

Psalm 125 tells of the protection of God’s people.

“They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.

² As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about his people from henceforth even for ever.

³ For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity.

⁴ Do good, O Lord, unto those that be good, and to them that are upright in their hearts.

⁵ As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the Lord shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity: but peace shall be upon Israel.”

God’s protection for those who trust in the Lord and live righteously. He will never leave me. This is an everlasting promise.

“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

Psalm 122 tells us why David delighted in going to the “…house of the Lord.”

“I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.

² Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem.

³ Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together:

⁴ Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the Lord.

⁵ For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David.

⁶ Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.

⁷ Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.

⁸ For my brethren and companions’ sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee.

⁹ Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek thy good.”

The house of the Lord represented the place of worship. David was glad to worship God with others from Israel. Jerusalem was the center of this worship. People came from all over Israel to worship in Jerusalem. This would be the place to give thanksgiving and offerings to the Lord.

We should be praying for the peace of Jerusalem. Specifically, for peace and prosperity within its walls. Then to seek its good.

When Christ came, shed His blood on the cross for us, died, buried. and rose from the grave on the third day, we were offered salvation. If we have accepted Christ, we have a new place of worship, the local church. As David, we should be glad to be in church whenever the doors are opened.

We should bring our adoration, praise, and prayers to the Lord during this time of worship.

“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:25)

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001