Archives for 2018

Good morning,

God is our defense and rock when the wicked one comes against us. When we are in need, God already knows and is ready to help.

Spoiler alert! The wicked DO NOT win! Psalm 94:12-23 tells us how God works on our behalf. Look specifically for actions God takes.

We are never alone. God is always with us, protecting us from the wickedness of this world.

However, we must want God’s protection. Unfortunately, many believers fail to obey God or ask for His protection. Then they open themselves up to the attacks of Satan and his demons.

“Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O Lord, and teachest him out of thy law;¹³ That thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit be digged for the wicked.¹⁴ For the Lord will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance.¹⁵ But judgment shall return unto righteousness: and all the upright in heart shall follow it.¹⁶ Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? or who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?¹⁷ Unless the Lord had been my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence.¹⁸ When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O Lord, held me up.¹⁹ In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.²⁰ Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frameth mischief by a law?²¹ They gather themselves together against the soul of the righteous, and condemn the innocent blood.²² But the Lord is my defense; and my God is the rock of my refuge.²³ And he shall bring upon them their own iniquity, and shall cut them off in their own wickedness; yea, the Lord our God shall cut them off.”

Rest in the Lord. Allow Him to guide and direct. Remember that God never leaves or abandons us. He has mercy, comfort, and love for each of His children.

Rejoice in the Lord.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

The Psalmist asks the question, “Lord, how long shall the wicked triumph?”

People today ask the very same question. Psalm 94:1-11 tells us about the works of the wicked. The wicked believe either that there is no God or that God does not see what they are doing. God does see and knows the hearts of wicked men.

“O Lord God, to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, shew thyself.² Lift up thyself, thou judge of the earth: render a reward to the proud.³ Lord, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph?⁴ How long shall they utter and speak hard things? and all the workers of iniquity boast themselves?⁵ They break in pieces thy people, O Lord, and afflict thine heritage.⁶ They slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the fatherless.⁷ Yet they say, The Lord shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it.⁸ Understand, ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise?⁹ He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see?¹⁰ He that chastiseth the heathen, shall not he correct? he that teacheth man knowledge, shall not he know? ¹¹ The Lord knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.”

God sees the wickedness in our world. He has a plan and is in the process of executing His plan. Sometimes we can not understand what God is doing. Rest assured that God is in control.

Tomorrow we will see God’s response to the Psalmist’s question.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

David gives us the correct response to dealing with our enemies.

We are to bring it to God in prayer. We are to pray continually. We must acknowledge that God is in control. We trust that God can and will take care of our enemies.

Psalm 55:16-23 concludes David’s prayer to God.

“As for me, I will call upon God; and the Lord shall save me.¹⁷ Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.¹⁸ He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.¹⁹ God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God.²⁰ He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant.²¹ The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.²² Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.²³ But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee.”

David’s focus is on God. He prays to Him, trusts in Him, and believes that He will take care of his enemies.

That is exactly what we are supposed to be doing. It is not our mission in life to get back at our enemies. We are not to settle the score. We are to pray and allow God to take care of the situation. He will!

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

David continues his prayer to God. He prays against his enemies. He requests God to destroy their tongues, death upon them, and for them to go to hell.

He explains that his enemies are wicked, deceitful, and hate. These enemies were not from without, but from within. His friends. That makes it even worse.

Psalm 55:8-15 states:

“I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest. ⁹ Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues: for I have seen violence and strife in the city.¹⁰ Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof: mischief also and sorrow are in the midst of it.¹¹ Wickedness is in the midst thereof: deceit and guile depart not from her streets.¹² For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him:¹³ But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance.¹⁴ We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company.¹⁵ Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.”

David was distraught because his friends turned their backs on him. Christians have had this happen to them. We may invest our lives in someone’s life, see them grow strong in the Lord, and they turn their backs on us. A brother or sister in Christ may say things that are not true about us.

It grieves us.

Tomorrow we will see how to deal with our enemies.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

Today we begin the study of 1 Peter.

The Introduction and notes for 1 Peter 1:1-2:10 are attached.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Download (1-Peter-1-2.10-DD.docx, DOCX, 16KB)

Download (Introduction-to-1-Peter.docx, DOCX, 16KB)

Good morning,

Fear can be debilitating. David was encompassed by his enemies and feared them. He wanted it to stop. If he could, he would have fled the situation. But he could not.

Psalm 55:1-7 explains David’s condition. David goes to God for relief.

“Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication. ² Attend unto me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise;³ Because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked: for they cast iniquity upon me, and in wrath they hate me. ⁴ My heart is sore pained within me: and the terrors of death are fallen upon me.⁵ Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me.⁶ And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest.⁷ Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. Selah.”

David’s condition is not so far removed from the plight of many Christians today. We are surrounded by wickedness, enemies, and evil doers. We pine away. We want our suffering to end.

Then we question God. Where are you in our time of need? Does God care?

Although David was in despair, he did not forsake God.

On Thursday we will find out more about David’s prayer to God and about his enemies.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

King David was a man of prayer. He was always seeking God for wisdom and protection.

Psalm 54, David prays for deliverance from King Saul.

David’s focus is not so much on the situation he is in, but to whom has the power to overcome the situation. He understood who God is.

Psalm 54:1-3 outlines the problem. David prays to God.

“Save me, O God, by thy name, and judge me by thy strength.² Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth.³ For strangers are risen up against me, and oppressors seek after my soul: they have not set God before them. Selah.”

Psalm 54:4-6 explains that David knew God to be his helper, protection, his Lord, and deliverer. He put his total confidence in God.

“Behold, God is mine helper: the Lord is with them that uphold my soul. ⁵ He shall reward evil unto mine enemies: cut them off in thy truth.     ⁶ I will freely sacrifice unto thee: I will praise thy name, O Lord; for it is good.⁷ For he hath delivered me out of all trouble: and mine eye hath seen his desire upon mine enemies.”

When our enemies come against us, do we go to God as David did? Do we have total confidence that God will take care of us?

God is bigger than our enemies. He wants us to rest in Him. Will we?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

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