Archives for 2019

Good morning,

This week we will look at Grace Gem devotionals.

Short pithy gems from John Newton #2

The Lord Jesus, and the world that crucified Him–are competitors for our hearts.
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The storms of our life are guided by the hands which were nailed to the cross!
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We have work to do in the world, more to do in the Church and in our homes–but most of all, in our own hearts.
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Wonderful are the effects when a crucified, glorious Savior is presented to the eye of faith. 
This sight destroys the love of sin!
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Short pithy gems from John Newton #3

They are the happiest Christians, who have the lowest thoughts of themselves, and in whose eyes Jesus is most glorious and precious!
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My heart is vile, and even my prayers are sin. My soul is very sick—but my Physician is infallible!
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How unspeakably wonderful it is, to know that all our concerns are held in hands that bled for us! 
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Our sea may sometimes be stormy—but we have an infallible Pilot, and shall infallibly gain our port.
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Our work is great—our time is short—and the consequences of our labors are infinite!
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Lord, save us from our golden calves!
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Abominations, like nests of vipers, lie quietly in us—until the rod of afflictionarouses them. Then they hiss and show their venom!

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Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

This week we will look at Grace Gem devotionals.

Short pithy gems from John Newton #1
  ~  ~  ~  ~
(John Newton)

The more vile we are in our own eyes — the more precious Christ will be to us!
  ~  ~  ~  ~
How unspeakably wonderful it is — to know that all our concerns are held in those hands which bled for us! 
  ~  ~  ~  ~
Our sea may sometimes be stormy — but we have an infallible Pilot, and shall infallibly gain our port.
  ~  ~  ~  ~
Our work is great — our time is short — and the consequences of our labors are infinite.
“Hold me up — and I will be safe!” Psalm 119:117
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My grand point in preaching — is to break the hard heart, and to heal the broken heart.
  ~  ~  ~  ~
I am persuaded that love and humility are the highest attainments in the school of Christ — and the brightest evidences that He is indeed our Master.
  ~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Psalm 33 gives us several descriptions of God. He is good, creative, counselor, deliverer, and our hope. We will explore these attributes of God and see how they apply to believer’s in Christ.

God is our help, shield, trust, mercy, and hope (V 20-22)

“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 lives are busy and moves very fast. We make decisions on a daily basis without consulting the Lord or Scripture. Sometimes those decisions are faulty.

God has a better plan. “Our soul waiteth for the Lord…” Rest in Him. He will provide your needs.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

Allow God to lead you, provide for you, and protect you.

CONCLUSION:

1) God created all things

2) God’s mercy gives us hope today and in the future

3) God is always watching over us

4) God is our counselor

5) God is our deliverer

6) THEREFORE, we should rejoice, sing, and praise the God of our salvation

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Psalm 33 gives us several descriptions of God. He is good, creative, counselor, deliverer, and our hope. We will explore these attributes of God and see how they apply to believer’s in Christ.

God is looking at the inhabitants of earth (V 13-15, Proverbs 15:3)

“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.”

“The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.”

These verses are a blessing and a curse. A blessing because God sees everything we do. He knows when we are in trouble and He is there to help. A curse because God sees when we are walking away from Him. He sees our sin. The good news is since He sees our sin, He also makes a way to escape it. He gives opportunity to repent.

“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

Beware the seeing eye of God!

God delivers our souls from death (V 16-19)

 “There is no king saved by the multitude of a host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength. ¹⁷ A 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.”

There are many examples of God delivering His people. God delivered Noah and his family from the flood. God delivered Moses from death at his birth. God delivered the children of Israel from the Egyptian bondage. God delivered David as he fought the giant Goliath.

God delivered us from death by sending Jesus Christ to pay the penalty for our sin debt. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

We have this “Good News”. Do we share it with those who do not?

“How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?¹⁵ And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! (Romans 10:14-15)

Go tell someone about how God delivered you from death.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Psalm 33 gives us several descriptions of God. He is good, creative, counselor, deliverer, and our hope. We will explore these attributes of God and see how they apply to believer’s in Christ.

God is…

Psalm 33:1-22

The Lord looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men. (33:13)

Introduction:

God is good, creative, counselor, watchful, deliverer, and our hope.

1) Praise God for His goodness (V 1-5)

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.

2) God speaks the world into existence (V 6-9 Genesis 1)

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.

3) God’s counsel stands forever (V 10-12)

 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.

4) God is looking at the inhabitants of earth (V 13-15, Proverbs 15:3)

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.

The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

5) God delivers our souls from death (V 16-19)

 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.

6) God is our help, shield, trust, mercy, and hope (V 20-22)

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.

CONCLUSION:

1) God created all things

2) God’s mercy gives us hope today and in the future

3) God is always watching over us

4) God is our counselor

5) God is our deliverer

6) THEREFORE, we should rejoice, sing, and praise the od of our salvation

Good morning,

Psalm 33 gives us several descriptions of God. He is good, creative, counselor, deliverer, and our hope. We will explore these attributes of God and see how they apply to believer’s in Christ.

God speaks the world into existence (V 6-9 Genesis 1)

“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 a 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.”

Genesis, chapter 1, uses the phrase “…God said…” nine times during the process of speaking the world into existence. If God created the world by speaking, is there anything to hard for God to do?

We as believers need to trust God completely.

God’s counsel stands forever (V 10-12)

 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.

“There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless, the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand.” (Proverbs 19:21)

Where is the first place we should go when we have a problem? To the Lord. Why? “The Counsel of the Lord standeth forever,…” In time of need I want God’s counsel because He knows everything. He is also aware of my problem and knows the perfect solution.

Do we want God’s solution or our own?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Psalm 33 gives us several descriptions of God. He is good, creative, counselor, deliverer, and our hope. We will explore these attributes of God and see how they apply to believer’s in Christ.

Praise God for His goodness (V 1-5)

“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.”

God is good and cares for His children.

“O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.” (Psalm 107:1)

“The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.” (Psalm 145:9)

“And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.” (Mark 10:18)

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” (James 1:17)

God is good, so we should praise Him through song. Our hymnals are excellent places to find songs that praise God. The Bible is also a great place to find reasons to praise God for His goodness.

Try it and it might change the way you worship God.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Israel is preparing to go into the promised land. Moses will not be leading them. God has chosen a new leader, Joshua. This week we will look at the transition of leadership. Please read Deuteronomy 31:1-23, 34:1-12 for the historical background. Joshua 1 will be our text.

“And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the Lord commanded Moses.” (Deuteronomy 34:9)

Response of the People (V16-18)

“And they answered Joshua, saying, All that thou commandest us we will do, and whithersoever thou sendest us, we will go. ¹⁷ According as we hearkened unto Moses in all things, so will we hearken unto thee: only the Lord thy God be with thee, as he was with Moses. ¹⁸ Whosoever he be that doth rebel against thy commandment, and will not hearken unto thy words in all that thou commandest him, he shall be put to death: only be strong and of a good courage.”

The people obey!

Believers in Christ should obey God’s word. When we do, we are blessed, and when we do not, we are in line for God’s chastisement.

CONCLUSION:

Leaders must:

1) Be full of the spirit of wisdom

2) Follow God’s leading

3) Go

4) Be strong and courageous

5) Obey the word of God

6) Meditate on the word of God

7) Prepare

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Israel is preparing to go into the promised land. Moses will not be leading them. God has chosen a new leader, Joshua. This week we will look at the transition of leadership. Please read Deuteronomy 31:1-23, 34:1-12 for the historical background. Joshua 1 will be our text.

“And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the Lord commanded Moses.” (Deuteronomy 34:9)

Joshua Prepares to Cross Jordan (V10-15)

“Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying, ¹¹ Pass through the host, and command the people, saying, Prepare you victuals; for within three days ye shall pass over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land, which the Lord your God giveth you to possess it. ¹² And to the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to half the tribe of Manasseh, spake Joshua, saying, ¹³ Remember the word which Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, saying, The Lord your God hath given you rest, and hath given you this land. ¹⁴ Your wives, your little ones, and your cattle, shall remain in the land which Moses gave you on this side Jordan; but ye shall pass before your brethren armed, all the mighty men of valor, and help them; ¹⁵ Until the Lord have given your brethren rest, as he hath given you, and they also have possessed the land which the Lord your God giveth them: then ye shall return unto the land of your possession, and enjoy it, which Moses the Lord’s servant gave you on this side Jordan toward the sunrising.”

Joshua commanded his officers to prepare the people to go in to possess the land. Then he reminds the Reubenites, Gadites, and half tribe of Manasseh, who received their possession already, how they promised to help the other tribes fight for their land.

The Bible gives many examples about being prepared.

“The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer;” (Proverbs 30:25)

“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.³ 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.” (John 14:2-3)

“By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.” (Hebrews 11:7)

“And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” (Revelation 21:2)

Are we prepared to serve God? Do we know what God’s word says? Are we prepared to tell others about faith in Jesus Christ?

Let’s get prepared for the spiritual battle ahead!

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Israel is preparing to go into the promised land. Moses will not be leading them. God has chosen a new leader, Joshua. This week we will look at the transition of leadership. Please read Deuteronomy 31:1-23, 34:1-12 for the historical background. Joshua 1 will be our text.

Joshua

And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the Lord commanded Moses. (Deuteronomy 34:9)

Introduction: God chooses Joshua to be the next leader of Israel. “And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the Lord hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it. ⁸ And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.” (Deuteronomy 31:7-8)

Joshua 1

God’s Commission (V1-4)

Now after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord it came to pass, that the Lord spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ minister, saying, ² Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel. ³ Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses. ⁴ From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast.

God’s Command (V5-9)

⁵ There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. ⁶ Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. ⁷ Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper withersoever thou goest. ⁸ This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. ⁹ Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

Joshua Prepares to Cross Jordan (V10-15)

¹⁰ Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying, ¹¹ Pass through the host, and command the people, saying, Prepare you victuals; for within three days ye shall pass over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land, which the Lord your God giveth you to possess it. ¹² And to the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to half the tribe of Manasseh, spake Joshua, saying, ¹³ Remember the word which Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, saying, The Lord your God hath given you rest, and hath given you this land. ¹⁴ Your wives, your little ones, and your cattle, shall remain in the land which Moses gave you on this side Jordan; but ye shall pass before your brethren armed, all the mighty men of valor, and help them; ¹⁵ Until the Lord have given your brethren rest, as he hath given you, and they also have possessed the land which the Lord your God giveth them: then ye shall return unto the land of your possession, and enjoy it, which Moses the Lord’s servant gave you on this side Jordan toward the sunrising.

Response of the People (V16-18)

¹⁶ And they answered Joshua, saying, All that thou commandest us we will do, and whithersoever thou sendest us, we will go. ¹⁷ According as we hearkened unto Moses in all things, so will we hearken unto thee: only the Lord thy God be with thee, as he was with Moses. ¹⁸ Whosoever he be that doth rebel against thy commandment, and will not hearken unto thy words in all that thou commandest him, he shall be put to death: only be strong and of a good courage.

CONCLUSION:

Leaders must:

1) Be full of the spirit of wisdom

2) Follow God’s leading

3) Go

4) Be strong and courageous

5) Obey the word of God

6) Meditate on the word of God

7) Prepare

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001