Archives for 2020

Good morning,

“In the beginning God…” (Genesis 1:1) The fourth word in the Bible must be understood or the rest of the Bible will make no sense.

Last week we looked at the foundational truths of God. He is omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent, and sovereign.

This week we will look at God’s attributes. Holy, love, mercy, grace, peace, and longsuffering.

Next week, knowing these truths, we will be challenged to take God’s word to our friends, neighbors, and enemies. We will learn what it means to fulfill the Great Commission of Matthew 28.

The Attributes of God

Holy

“There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.” (1 Samuel 2:2)

“Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy.” (Leviticus 19:2)

“And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.” (Isaiah 6:3)

“And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.” (Revelation 4:8)

Love

“He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.” (1 John 4:8)

“And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.” (1 John 4:16)

“But God commendeth (demonstrated) his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

“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.” (John 3:16)

Our God is holy. He sits on His throne in heaven and is worshipped by the heavenly host.

Our God is love. Not the kind of love we have for each other. This is God’s love. He loved His creation so much He sent His Son to die for the sin of all mankind.

Unfortunately, all mankind did not accept God’s gift of redemption.  They chose to go their own way. They chose to follow Satan instead of Jesus Christ.

They chose hell over heaven.

What choice have you made?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

“In the beginning God…” (Genesis 1:1) The fourth word in the Bible must be understood or the rest of the Bible will make no sense.

This week we will look at the foundational truths of God. He is omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent, and sovereign.

Next week we will look at God’s character.

Finally, knowing these truths, we will be challenged to take God’s word to our friends, neighbors, and enemies. We will learn what it means to fulfill the Great Commission of Matthew 28.

GOD IS:

Sovereign

God is sovereign, He is the supreme ruler

“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.¹² Both riches and honor come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.” (1 Chronicles 29:11-12)

“The Lord killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up. ⁷ The Lord maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.⁸ He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the Lord‘s, and he hath set the world upon them.⁹ He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.¹⁰ The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the Lord shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed.” (1 Samuel 2:6-10)

“Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,¹⁰ Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:¹¹ Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.” (Isaiah 46:9-11)

Many of us want to be in control. However, we are never completely in control. God may give us opportunities to be in control, but ultimately it is God who is really in control.

When we read what Scripture says about God’s sovereignty, it makes it very clear we are not in control.

Next week we will look at character qualities that God possess.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

“In the beginning God…” (Genesis 1:1) The fourth word in the Bible must be understood or the rest of the Bible will make no sense.

This week we will look at the foundational truths of God. He is omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent, and sovereign.

Next week we will look at God’s character.

Finally, knowing these truths, we will be challenged to take God’s word to our friends, neighbors, and enemies. We will learn what it means to fulfill the Great Commission of Matthew 28.

GOD IS:

Omnipotent

God is omnipotent, He is all powerful

“Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?” (Jeremiah 32:27)

“And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew19:24-26)

“And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.” (Revelation 19:6)

“For with God nothing shall be impossible.” (Luke:1-37)

God can do anything He chooses. He is able to heal the sick, bring the dead back to life, take the wicked and turn them into saints, and comfort.

Having said that, He does not do that in every circumstance.

Why? This side of heaven we may not know. We must trust that God, who has full knowledge, knows what is best. That is sometimes hard to do. That is why we must remember these fundamental truths about God.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

“In the beginning God…”

Genesis 1:1

Introduction: Who is God?

GOD IS:

Omniscient

God is omniscient, He knows everything

“O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.² Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.³ Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.⁴ For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.” (Psalm 139:1-4)

“O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?35 Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?36 For of him, and through him, and to him, [are] all things: to whom [be] glory for ever. Amen.” (Romans 11:33-36)

“And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,” (Acts 1:24)

Omnipresent

God is omnipresent, He is everywhere

“Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?⁸ If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.⁹ If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;¹⁰ Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.” (Psalm 139:7-10)

“The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” (Proverbs 15:3)

“When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.” (Isaiah 43:1)

“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:20)

Omnipotent

God is omnipotent, He is all powerful

“Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?” (Jeremiah 32:27)

“And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew19:24-26)

“And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.” (Revelation 19:6)

“For with God nothing shall be impossible.” (Luke:1-37)

Sovereign

God is sovereign, He is the supreme ruler

“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.¹² Both riches and honor come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.” (1 Chronicles 29:11-12)

“The Lord killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up. ⁷ The Lord maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.⁸ He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the Lord‘s, and he hath set the world upon them.⁹ He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.¹⁰ The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the Lord shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed.” (1 Samuel 2:6-10)

“Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,¹⁰ Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:¹¹ Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.” (Isaiah 46:9-11)

CONCLUSION

God is:

All knowing

Always present

All powerful

Ruler over all

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

“In the beginning God…” (Genesis 1:1) The fourth word in the Bible must be understood or the rest of the Bible will make no sense.

This week we will look at the foundational truths of God. He is omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent, and sovereign.

Next week we will look at God’s character.

Finally, knowing these truths, we will be challenged to take God’s word to our friends, neighbors, and enemies. We will learn what it means to fulfill the Great Commission of Matthew 28.

GOD IS:

Omnipresent

God is omnipresent, He is everywhere

“Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?⁸ If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.⁹ If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;¹⁰ Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.” (Psalm 139:7-10)

“The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” (Proverbs 15:3)

“When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.” (Isaiah 43:1)

“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:20)

We can not hide from God? Everywhere we are, God is also there. We should cringe when we think of some of the places we have taken God. We should rejoice that He brought us back to fellowship with Him.

When we sin, and we will, we should confess, repent, and ask God to forgive us. 1 John 1:9 states, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Fellowship restored; we then continue to serve God.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

“In the beginning God…” (Genesis 1:1) The fourth word in the Bible must be understood or the rest of the Bible will make no sense.

This week we will look at the foundational truths of God. He is omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent, and sovereign.

Next week we will look at God’s character.

Finally, knowing these truths, we will be challenged to take God’s word to our friends, neighbors, and enemies. We will learn what it means to fulfill the Great Commission of Matthew 28.

GOD IS:

Omniscient

God is omniscient, He knows everything

“O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.² Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.³ Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.⁴ For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.” (Psalm 139:1-4)

“O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?35 Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?36 For of him, and through him, and to him, [are] all things: to whom [be] glory for ever. Amen.” (Romans 11:33-36)

“And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,” (Acts 1:24)

God knows everything. There is nothing He does not know. What we think, how we will act, and what we will say, He knows.

That should get our attention. Does it?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

The diamonds of Heaven!

(Charles Spurgeon)

“You keep track of all my sorrows.
 You have collected all my tearsin Your bottle.
 You have recorded each one in Your book.” Psalm 56:8

“Behold, he is praying!” Acts 9:11

Prayers are instantly noticed in heaven. The moment Saul began to pray, the Lord heard him. Here is comfort for the distressed but praying soul. Oftentimes a poor broken-hearted one bends his knee, but can only utter his wailing in the language of sighs and tears; yet that groan has made all the harps of heaven thrill with music; that tear has been caught by God and treasured in the lachrymatory of Heaven. “You have collected all my tears in Your bottle.” This implies that they are caught as they flow!

The suppliant, who groans out his words, will be well understood by the Most High God. He may only look up with misty eye; but prayer is the falling of a tear!Tears are the diamonds of Heaven! Sighsare a part of the music of Jehovah’s court, and are numbered with the most sublime strains which reach the majesty on high!

Do not think that your prayers, however weak or trembling, will be unreguarded. Our God not only hearsprayers, but also lovesto hear them. “He does not forget the cry of the humble.”

True, He does not regard proud looks and lofty words.
He no concern for the pomp and pageantry of kings.
He does not listen not to the swell of martial music.
He does not regard the triumph and pride of man.

But wherever there is a contrite heart full with sorrow, or a lip quivering with agony, or a deep groan, or a penitential sigh from the heart of Jehovah is open! He marks that prayer down in the registry of His memory! He puts our prayers, like rose leaves between the pages of His book of remembrance, and when the volume is opened at last there shall be a precious fragrance springing up therefrom!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

The Bible instructs me on how to live my life. It has the answers to all the questions of life.

Dr. Spurgeon challenges us to allow the Bible to shape the way we think and act in this world.

I would rather have a crooked creed and a straight Bible

(Charles Spurgeon)

My love of consistency with my own doctrinal views, is not great enough to allow me to knowingly alter a single text of Scripture. I have great respect for orthodoxy, but my reverence for inspiration is far greater. I would sooner a hundred times over, appear to be inconsistent with myself, than be inconsistent with the Word of God.

If your creed and Scripture do not agree, then cut your creed to pieces and make it agree with this Book. The Word of God is the infallible chart of faith. Follow it closely, for this Book cannot lead you astray.

Some want to shape the Scriptures to fit their creed, and they get a very nice square creed too, and trim the Bible most dexterously. It is astonishing how they do it, but I would rather have a crooked creed and a straight Bible, than I would try to twist the Bible to suit what I believe.

Those who will only believe what they can reconcile in their own minds, will necessarily disbelieve much of divine revelation.

Those who receive by faith everything which they find in Scripture, will receive many things which they can never harmonize into a definitive creed.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001