Archives for 2018

Good morning,

Christians should be Godly citizens. We should be willing to obey our civil authorities.

Titus 3:1-2, tells us what we are to do and how we are to act.

“Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,² To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.”

We are to be obedient to those in authority over us. Obedience is not our natural desire. Rebellion is. When we became believers in Christ, our lives and desires changed.

The characteristics of obedience would be to speak evil of no man, not a brawler, gentle, showing meekness to all men. Government would look quite different if we, as believers, would heed these words.

During this campaign season, we need to consider our responses to the issues, candidates, and involvement in our political system.

Godly citizens act Godly.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

Good morning,

The word “wait” is defined as, “stay where one is or delay action until a particular time or until something else happens, or used to indicate that one is eagerly impatient to do something or for something to happen.

We do not like to wait. We live in a world of fast food, immediate news, and everything at our fingertips. No waiting.

Then, “Waiting on the Lord” is counter intuitive to the way we live life. The problem for believers in Christ is that the Bible tells us to wait.

We are to wait for our salvation, strength, answered prayers, protection, and instruction.

INSTRUCTION

“I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.” (Psalm 130:5)

“Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths.⁵ Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.⁶ Remember, O Lord, thy tender mercies and thy loving kindnesses; for they have been ever of old.” (Psalm 25:4-6)

The word of God is our instruction manual on how to live life. God uses the Bible to speak to us, instruct us in how to live righteous lives, and how to resist the devil.

The Psalmist says he waited all day on the Lord. He had a desire for God to instruct him from the word of God.

Do we have that desire to spend time with God, in His word, and then willing to apply it to our lives? Application is crucial!

Wait on the Lord. He will instruct and change our lives.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

The word “wait” is defined as, “stay where one is or delay action until a particular time or until something else happens, or used to indicate that one is eagerly impatient to do something or for something to happen.

We do not like to wait. We live in a world of fast food, immediate news, and everything at our fingertips. No waiting.

Then, “Waiting on the Lord” is counter intuitive to the way we live life. The problem for believers in Christ is that the Bible tells us to wait.

We are to wait for our salvation, strength, answered prayers, protection, and instruction.

PROTECTION

“Our soul waiteth for the Lord: he is our help and our shield.” (Psalm 33:20)

“Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.⁸ Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.⁹ For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth.” (Psalm 37:7-9)

“Because of his strength will I wait upon thee: for God is my defense.” (Psalm 59:9)

“Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation.² He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved.” (Psalm 62:1-2)

It is God’s intent to protect His children. Do we as believers understand this? Waiting on the Lord allows us to think about all God does for us. Wickedness pervades our society and Satan’s goal is to get Believers so caught up in it we lose our effectiveness and testimony for Christ.

One way God protects us is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will try and direct us to righteousness as opposed to evil. God’s word, the Bible, gives us clear direction on what is right and what is wrong. However, we must read it and obey it, if we want God’s protection.

Wait on the Lord. He will protect you.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

 

 

Good morning,

The word “wait” is defined as, “stay where one is or delay action until a particular time or until something else happens, or used to indicate that one is eagerly impatient to do something or for something to happen.

We do not like to wait. We live in a world of fast food, immediate news, and everything at our fingertips. No waiting.

Then, “Waiting on the Lord” is counter intuitive to the way we live life. The problem for believers in Christ is that the Bible tells us to wait.

We are to wait for our salvation, strength, answered prayers, protection, and instruction.

ANSWERED PRAY

“I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.² He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.³ And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord.⁴ Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.⁵ Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.” (Psalm 40:1-5)

When we wait patiently on the Lord, He hears our prayers, and answers them in His great wisdom. Here we see the Psalmist cried to the Lord. The Lord heard and answered by removing him from the horrible pit, giving him a new song, and establishing his ways.

That is what we want God to do for us. However, we are not willing to wait patiently. We are accustomed to getting everything immediately and are not willing to wait. God does not work on our time schedule.

What God does do is hear our prayers, answer His way and in His timing, and has always given the correct answer.

Wait patiently on the Lord.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

Good morning,

The word “wait” is defined as, “stay where one is or delay action until a particular time or until something else happens, or used to indicate that one is eagerly impatient to do something or for something to happen.

We do not like to wait. We live in a world of fast food, immediate news, and everything at our fingertips. No waiting.

Then, “Waiting on the Lord” is counter intuitive to the way we live life. The problem for believers in Christ is that the Bible tells us to wait.

We are to wait for our salvation, strength, answered prayers, protection, and instruction.

STRENGTH

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)

“Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.” (Psalm 27:14)

As I grow older, I do not posses the physical strength that I had when I was younger. When I wait on the Lord, He strengthens and refreshes me. Waiting on the Lord also strengthens the heart. The stress we exert on our hearts from the fast-paced world we live in is destructive. Bad food, stress, lack of exercise, have caused our hearts to become diseased. We need God to strengthen our hearts.

Will you take time out of your busy day and wait on God? It is medicinal.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

The word “wait” is defined as, “stay where one is or delay action until a particular time or until something else happens, or used to indicate that one is eagerly impatient to do something or for something to happen.

We do not like to wait. We live in a world of fast food, immediate news, and everything at our fingertips. No waiting.

Then, “Waiting on the Lord” is counter intuitive to the way we live life. The problem for believers in Christ is that the Bible tells us to wait.

We are to wait for our salvation, strength, answered prayers, protection, and instruction.

SALVATION

“Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation.” (Psalm 62:1)

“The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.²⁶ It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.” (Lamentations 3:25-26)

“Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the Lord, and he shall save thee.” (Proverbs 20:22)

Israel was looking to the Lord for their salvation. They waited on the Lord, looking forward to the coming of the Messiah, Yeshua, Jesus Christ.

Today, we are looking from the cross. Jesus has come and paid the sin debt we owe. John 3:15-17 tells us, “That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.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.¹⁷ For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”

If you have not believed on Jesus Christ for your salvation, please do so now! Call me if you have questions.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

Good morning,

“FEW portions of the New Testament excel this chapter. It may well form the creed, system of ethics, and text book of every Christian preacher. Does any man inquire what is the duty of a Gospel minister? Send him to the second chapter of the Epistle to Titus for a complete answer.” (Adam Clarke)

This week we will look at Titus’ command to teach sound doctrine, what to teach and to whom, and the place of grace in the Christian life.

The Place of Grace in the Christian Life

Saving Grace (2:11)

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,”

What Grace Teaches Us (2:12-13)

“Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;¹³ Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ;

The Heart of the God of Grace (2:14)

“Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”

The Messengers of Grace (2:15)

“These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.”

Salvation appeared to all men. Jesus Christ gave Himself to redeem mankind. Go tell others.

Go with the authority of God. Go boldly. Ours is a life changing message.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

“FEW portions of the New Testament excel this chapter. It may well form the creed, system of ethics, and text book of every Christian preacher. Does any man inquire what is the duty of a Gospel minister? Send him to the second chapter of the Epistle to Titus for a complete answer.” (Adam Clarke)

This week we will look at Titus’ command to teach sound doctrine, what to teach and to whom, and the place of grace in the Christian life.

Paul exhorted Titus to teach the word to several groups of people. Paul stressed that each group was to be taught differently.

Aged Men (2:2)

“That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.”

Aged Women (2:3-5)

“The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;⁴ That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,⁵ To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.”

Young Men (2:6)

“Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.”

Titus and his practical example to the young men (2:7-8)

“In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,⁸ Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.”

Servants (2:9-10)

“Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;¹⁰ Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.”

Titus needed to understand the needs of the people of Crete. Specifically, the believers. Each group needed different emphasis and encouragement.

The aged women seem to receive the most teaching and bear the greatest responsibility. These verses are similar to Proverbs 31.

Today our Pastors need to incorporate these principles in their teaching and preaching.

This leads to sound doctrine.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

“FEW portions of the New Testament excel this chapter. It may well form the creed, system of ethics, and text book of every Christian preacher. Does any man inquire what is the duty of a Gospel minister? Send him to the second chapter of the Epistle to Titus for a complete answer.” (Adam Clarke)

This week we will look at Titus’ command to teach sound doctrine, what to teach and to whom, and the place of grace in the Christian life.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Download (TITUS-2.docx, DOCX, 15KB)

Good morning,

“FEW portions of the New Testament excel this chapter. It may well form the creed, system of ethics, and text book of every Christian preacher. Does any man inquire what is the duty of a Gospel minister? Send him to the second chapter of the Epistle to Titus for a complete answer.” (Adam Clarke)

This week we will look at Titus’ command to teach sound doctrine, what to teach and to whom, and the place of grace in the Christian life.

Titus’ command to preach sound doctrine (2:1)

“But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:”

This sets Titus apart from the people described at the end of Titus 1. They may teach legalism and fables, but Titus was to teach the things which are proper for sound doctrine.

Sound doctrine produces right living. We can’t escape it. The Bible is a book that tells us how to live. It is the height of hypocrisy to say that we believe its truth if we ignore how it tells us to live our lives. We don’t always like it, but we always need to hear how God expects us to live.

Paul simply wants Titus to fulfill the command of Jesus in Matthew 28:19-20: “…Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you…”

It is the duty of Pastors to teach sound doctrine. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Church doctrine, prophets, wise men, have incorrectly interpreted God’s clear teaching. Thus, deceiving their people with heresy.

The only way that we as believers in Christ will know what correct doctrine is, is to know what the Bible says. To do that we must be willing to read it, study it, meditate on its precepts, and obey.

Thu we will look at what should be preached and to whom.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001