Archives for 2018

Good morning,

The Bible is the greatest book ever written. It tells us how the world began, how it will end, and its complete history. It tells us about life and death. It tells us why there is so much wickedness in the world. It tells us of the love of God. It explains what sin is and why we need a Savior.

The greatest chapter of the Bible dealing with God’s word is Psalm 119. The 176 verses are divided into twenty-two groups of eight verses each. The first group of eight begin with the Hebrew letter aleph. The next eight verses begin with the Hebrew letter beth. This pattern continues throughout the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet.

Psalm 119:49-56 The Troubles of Life

“Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.

⁵⁰ This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.

⁵¹ The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law.

⁵² I remembered thy judgments of old, O Lord; and have comforted myself.

⁵³ Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.

⁵⁴ Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.

⁵⁵ I have remembered thy name, O Lord, in the night, and have kept thy law.

⁵⁶ This I had, because I kept thy precepts.”

When troubles come upon us, how do we react? The Psalmist was comforted by God’s word. He found hope, life, and comfort. He understood that God was with him during his affliction.

During his time of affliction, he did not forsake God or his word. He used God’s word to encourage himself. He used God’s word as his hymnal.

Many of the Bible’s verses have become Scripture songs. Learning these is a practical and fun way to memorize Scripture. Then when trouble, trials, and tribulations come, we will be able to draw upon them for comfort and encouragement.

We must remember that the Psalmist received the blessings of God’s word because he obeyed God’s word. If we fail to obey God’s word, we will fail to receive the blessings that God wants to shower upon us.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

The Bible is the greatest book ever written. It tells us how the world began, how it will end, and its complete history. It tells us about life and death. It tells us why there is so much wickedness in the world. It tells us of the love of God. It explains what sin is and why we need a Savior.

The greatest chapter of the Bible dealing with God’s word is Psalm 119. The 176 verses are divided into twenty-two groups of eight verses each. The first group of eight begin with the Hebrew letter aleph. The next eight verses begin with the Hebrew letter beth. This pattern continues throughout the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet.

Psalm 119:41-48

“Let thy mercies come also unto me, O Lord, even thy salvation, according to thy word.

⁴² So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word.

⁴³ And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments.

⁴⁴ So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever.

⁴⁵ And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.

⁴⁶ I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.

⁴⁷ And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.

⁴⁸ My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.”

The love of God’s word requires a response.

The Psalmist put “shoe leather” to his convictions about God’s word. Each verse tells what he is doing or what he will do.

The word of God equals ACTION!

All these actions have to do with how the Psalmist sees God’s word.

Merciful, trust, hope, keep, walk, seek, speak, delight, love, lift up, and meditate.

When we read the word of God, do we identify with the Psalmist, or is our rendering of God’s word less intense?

These verses give us a greater appreciation for God’s word.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

The Bible is the greatest book ever written. It tells us how the world began, how it will end, and its complete history. It tells us about life and death. It tells us why there is so much wickedness in the world. It tells us of the love of God. It explains what sin is and why we need a Savior.

The greatest chapter of the Bible dealing with God’s word is Psalm 119. The 176 verses are divided into twenty-two groups of eight verses each. The first group of eight begin with the Hebrew letter aleph. The next eight verses begin with the Hebrew letter beth. This pattern continues throughout the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet.

Psalm 119:33-40

“Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.³⁴ Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.³⁵ Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.³⁶ Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.³⁷ Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.³⁸ Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear.³⁹ Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are good.⁴⁰ Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.”

Notice the Psalmist’s request. He requested to be taught the statutes, given understanding, follow God’s commandments, turn him to the Scriptures, and away from wickedness, to establish the word of God, and for righteousness.

The Psalmist wants these so that he can use them. He will keep the God’s word with his whole heart. He delights in God’s word. He is devoted to God. He acknowledges that God’s judgments are good. He longs for God’s word.

What a challenge for us! Do we pray like the Psalmist did? Do we want what the Psalmist wanted? Do we long to know, understand, and delight in God’s word?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

The Bible is the greatest book ever written. It tells us how the world began, how it will end, and its complete history. It tells us about life and death. It tells us why there is so much wickedness in the world. It tells us of the love of God. It explains what sin is and why we need a Savior.

The greatest chapter of the Bible dealing with God’s word is Psalm 119. The 176 verses are divided into twenty-two groups of eight verses each. The first group of eight begin with the Hebrew letter aleph. The next eight verses begin with the Hebrew letter beth. This pattern continues throughout the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet.

The focal point for the 176 verses is the Word of God. This Psalm includes seven names for the Word of God. These seven names are: “thy law,” ”thy testimonies,” “thy word,” “thy statutes,” “thy judgments,” “thy precepts,” and “thy commandments.”

Psalm 119:25-32

“My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.²⁶ I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes.²⁷ Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.²⁸ My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.²⁹ Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously.³⁰ I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me.³¹ I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O Lord, put me not to shame.³² I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.”

The Psalmist begs God to make him alive, strengthen him, according to the word of God. The word of God is powerful. It encourages us and makes us able to stand in this world of wickedness.

He asks God to teach him and allow him to understand.

He has chosen the path of righteousness and asks God to keep him from lying. He then uses two action verbs, stuck and run. He has stuck or kept the commandments of God and desires to run to them.

Is this our commitment to God’s word? Is it our desire to understand God’s word, to keep it, to run to it? Are we willing to allow God’s word to convict us of our sin? Do we want God to remove our sin from us?

These verses challenge us to ask God for understanding of His word. To run to the word of God and keep His commandments.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

The Bible is the greatest book ever written. It tells us how the world began, how it will end, and its complete history. It tells us about life and death. It tells us why there is so much wickedness in the world. It tells us of the love of God. It explains what sin is and why we need a Savior.

The greatest chapter of the Bible dealing with God’s word is Psalm 119. The 176 verses are divided into twenty-two groups of eight verses each. The first group of eight begin with the Hebrew letter aleph. The next eight verses begin with the Hebrew letter beth. This pattern continues throughout the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet.

The focal point for the 176 verses is the Word of God. This Psalm includes seven names for the Word of God. These seven names are: “thy law,” ”thy testimonies,” “thy word,” “thy statutes,” “thy judgments,” “thy precepts,” and “thy commandments.”

Psalm 119:17-24

“Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word. ¹⁸ Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.¹⁹ I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.²⁰ My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.²¹ Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments.²² Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.²³ Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.²⁴ Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counselors.”

The Psalmist is humble before God. He requests life and power to keep God’s word.

He asks God to open his eyes to the wonders of God’s word and not to hide God’s word from him. The Psalmist has a longing to be obedient to God’s commands at all times.

God’s word is his delight and counselor.

Are we humble to God and His word? Do we long to be obedient to the word of God? Do we delight in God’s word? Is God’s word our counselor?

These verses challenge us to humble ourselves before God, long to be obedient to His word, and to accept counsel from the word of God.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

The Bible is the greatest book ever written. It tells us how the world began, how it will end, and its complete history. It tells us about life and death. It tells us why there is so much wickedness in the world. It tells us of the love of God. It explains what sin is and why we need a Savior.

The greatest chapter of the Bible dealing with God’s word is Psalm 119. The 176 verses are divided into twenty-two groups of eight verses each. The first group of eight begin with the Hebrew letter aleph. The next eight verses begin with the Hebrew letter beth. This pattern continues throughout the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet.

The focal point for the 176 verses is the Word of God. This Psalm includes seven names for the Word of God. These seven names are: “thy law,” ”thy testimonies,” “thy word,” “thy statutes,” “thy judgments,” “thy precepts,” and “thy commandments.”

Psalm 119:9-16

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.¹⁰ With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.¹¹ Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.¹² Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy statutes.¹³ With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.¹⁴ I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.¹⁵ I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.¹⁶ I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.”

Although this written about a young man, this is applicable to all of us.

Cleansing comes from God’s word. When the Holy Spirit convicts us of sin, we are commanded to repent, and to continue to walk with God. We will not wander away from God if we are seeking God with our whole heart.

Next we need to memorize God’s word. If we hide God’s word in our hearts, we will be much less prone to commit sin. When we do, we will be immediately convicted of our transgressions.

Study God’s word. We need to ask God to teach us. God will illumine us when we are willing to learn.

Then observe what the Psalmist does. He declares, rejoices, meditates, and delights in God’s word.

These verses challenge us to study, memorize, and meditate on God’s word.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

The Bible is the greatest book ever written. It tells us how the world began, how it will end, and its complete history. It tells us about life and death. It tells us why there is so much wickedness in the world. It tells us of the love of God. It explains what sin is and why we need a Savior.

The greatest chapter of the Bible dealing with God’s word is Psalm 119. The 176 verses are divided into twenty-two groups of eight verses each. The first group of eight begin with the Hebrew letter aleph. The next eight verses begin with the Hebrew letter beth. This pattern continues throughout the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet.

The focal point for the 176 verses is the Word of God. This Psalm includes seven names for the Word of God. These seven names are: “thy law,” ”thy testimonies,” “thy word,” “thy statutes,” “thy judgments,” “thy precepts,” and “thy commandments.”

As we study this chapter, look for the names of the Word of God, and the application to our lives.

Psalm 119:1-8

“Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord. ² Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.³ They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.⁴ Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.⁵ O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!⁶ Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.⁷ I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.⁸ I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.”

If we want to be blessed in this life, we must live “undefiled” and “keep his testimonies”. Knowing the Word of God is the foundation for knowing God and His will for our lives.

Living undefiled, keeping his testimonies, seeking Him with our whole hearts, results in not being ashamed of God, praise, and a continued desire to follow God and His word.

Is this our desire? Is this our practice?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

Good morning,

This week we will look at Psalm 116, Salvation (Monday), Psalm 115 Confidence in God (Tuesday), 1 Peter 4:12-5:14 (Wednesday), Psalm 113, Bless the Lord (Thursday), and Psalm 112, The blessings and responsibilities of a righteous life (Friday).

Psalm 112 is broken into two sections.

First, the blessings of the righteous. (112:1-4)

“Praise ye the Lord. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.² His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed.³ Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever.⁴ Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.”

Second, the responsibilities of the righteous. (112:5-10)

“A good man sheweth favor, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.⁶ Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.⁷ He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord.⁸ His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies.⁹ He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honor.¹⁰ The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.”

We enjoy the list of the blessings, but are we willing to be obedient to the responsibilities? Are we willing to give of our wealth? To those who are poor? Are we obedient to God’s word?

God has tremendous blessings for each of us. But we will not receive them unless we are trusting and obeying.

“Trust and obey. For there is no other way. To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey”

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

Good morning,

This week we will look at Psalm 116, Salvation (Monday), Psalm 115 Confidence in God (Tuesday), 1 Peter 4:12-5:14 (Wednesday), Psalm 113, Bless the Lord (Thursday), and Psalm 112, The blessings and responsibilities of a righteous life (Friday).

After we have been saved, have built up our confidence in God, then we can bless the Lord.

Psalm 113 speaks of blessing the Lord. The Psalmist tells us to praise the Lord, how long to do it, when to do it, and why to do it.

“Praise ye the Lord. Praise, O ye servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord.² Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and for evermore.³ From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the Lord’s name is to be praised.⁴ The Lord is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens.⁵ Who is like unto the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high,⁶ Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!⁷ He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill;⁸ That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people.⁹ He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the Lord.”

Are our lives characterized by an attitude of continual praise to the Lord? Because of who God is and what He has done for us, we should be praising Him all the time.

Let’s try that and see what happens.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

Today we complete our study of 1 Peter.

Our topic today is “Our duties in Christ in view of our persecution”.

Persecution is inevitable for Christians who are outspoken for Christ. The question is how will we deal with it. We will learn how in today’s lesson.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Download (1-Peter-4.12-5-14.docx, DOCX, 16KB)