Archives for 2020

Good morning,

An all-sufficient Savior–and a needy sinner!

(Frank Hall)

“Cast your burden on the LORD, and He will sustain you; He will never permit the righteous to be moved!” Psalm 55:22

Why are we so determined to carry our own burdens, when we have proved countless times that we are utterly insufficient for the task? Is it not due to our sinful flesh, carnal pride, and foolish self-sufficiency? We often mope about in sadness and depression with heavy hearts–because we foolishly, ignorantly, and obstinately refuse to cast our burden on the LORD.

The Lord Jesus has proven Himself fully capable and willing to carry our heaviest burdens. The heaviest load that has ever been carried was carried by Him, for “the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all!” Isaiah 53:6. It was the tremendous weight of our sins made His–which laid Him low in the garden of Gethsemane, and pressed His blood through the pores of His skin. In infinite mercy and grace, He bore our sins, our guilt, and our shame in His own body on the cruel tree, and was made a curse for us–that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. He not only carried our sins to Calvary’s cross, He took them away forever by the sacrifice of Himself. “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us!” Psalm 103:12 

Children of God, let us forever cease from fleshly self-dependence–and cast every burden on our mighty Savior. It doesn’t matter what the burden is, or how heavy the load is–the Lord Jesus is ready, able, and willing to bear it for us. We need not bear it even for a moment. It is our glorious right and God-given privilege as the beloved children of God, to cast every care and every burden on our Savior.

Are your struggling to carry a burden of guilt and sin? Struggle no longer and stumble no more. Cast your sin and guilt on Him! He will . . .
  sustain you,
  forgive you,
  receive you,
  and embrace you!

Are your responsibilities stressful and overwhelming your soul? Do not neglect them, but do not presume that you are sufficient to do anything on your own.
Cast them on Him,
seek His grace,
depend on His mighty arm
–and He will sustain you!

Is your heart laid low with heavy cares and secret troubles? Cast them all on Christ!

In love, grace, and wisdom, your Savior gave you these cares and troubles–not to see how far you could carry them on your own–but to bring you to the end of yourself. He gave you these cares to show you your inability, your weakness, and your need of Him–that you would cease from your carnal self-confidence and find your all in Him:
  full salvation,
  infinite strength,
  unceasing aid,
  everlasting sufficiency,
  and perfect help. 

His power and grace are sufficient for us in all things . . .
  in every trial,
  in every circumstance,
  and in every temptation.
He will sustain us to the end. He will never allow His righteous ones to be moved. He loves them with an everlasting immutable love! They will never be utterly forsaken or cast down. He . . .
  keeps them,
  protects them,
  helps them,
  preserves them,
  provides for their souls, and
  sustains them freely forever by His almighty grace!

No two things fit more perfectly together, than an all-sufficient Savior–and a needy sinner!

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time; casting all your care on Him, because He cares about you!” 1 Peter 5:6-7

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Thanksgiving

Why are we thankful?

Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.⁴ Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.⁵ For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. (Psalm 100:3-5)

Introduction

Thanksgiving is the word that should characterize November. What makes us thankful?

Family, loved ones, jobs, recreational opportunities. We also should be thankful for the freedoms we have. We have the freedom to express ourselves, political freedom, ability to elect our representatives, and to attend and worship as we please.

Free Will

God gave us a free will to choose to follow Him or Satan.

“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15)

Bible

He laid out His standard in the Bible. He tells us how the world was created, why one man’s transgression has made us all sinners, the result of that sin, how the conflict in the Middle East started, the creation of the nation of Israel, the history of the nation of Israel, the need for a blood sacrifice, and the ultimate redeemer who came to die, being the one time blood sacrifice for all mankind, Jesus Christ. So, we should be thankful that God gave us the Bible.

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:¹⁷ That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

God made us

“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” (Genesis 1:27)

“I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.¹⁵ My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. ¹⁶ Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.” (Psalm 139:14-16)

Jesus, Savior, Redeemer

Jesus was the Holy Son of God. Never sinned, never did any wickedness, creator of all things. Then God did something special for each of us by sending Jesus to earth to pay our sin debt with His own blood.

“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.” (John 3:16-17) We should be thankful that God gave us His Son as Savior for all mankind.

God made sure that salvation was of faith not works.

“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them..” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

God made accepting Jesus easy.

“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:”

We should be thankful for salvation through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Sheep of Jesus pasture

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.” (John 10:27-29)

Nothing can separate us from God’s love

“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-9)

CONCLUSION

Be thankful

Why are you thankful today?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

My shepherd!

(Frank Hall)

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” Psalm 23:1

The Lord Jesus is everything to my needy soul!

He is my majestic King, the imperial one who graciously rules my heart and my life with His sovereign scepter of righteousness.

He is my Prophet, the one who effectually teaches God’s Word to my soul.

He is my great High Priest, my Mediator, the one who intercedes with God on my behalf.

And He is Jehovah-Rohi, the LORD my Shepherd! My glorious Shepherd is He who graciously forces my soul to lie down and rest in the green pastures of God’s goodness and love. He ever leads my soul beside the still waters of satisfaction, peace, and prosperity.

When, in selfishness, carnality and sin, my flesh is smitten with desire for the poisonous fodder of this decaying world, and I wander from Him–He does not cast me off. Rather, He faithfully corrects my sin and graciously restores my soul to Himself. He perpetually leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. All this and more, my merciful Shepherd does for me freely by His grace! My Shepherd surpasses, in every way and at all times, all the would-be shepherds of this world.

Never slumbering, He protects me perfectly from all harm with His omnipotent hand of sovereign power! He feeds, sustains, and fills my hungering soul out of the abundance of His infinite store! Though . . .
  the way is rough and long,
  the path winding and narrow,
  the days dark and dismal,
  the valleys bleak and dreary
–He gently leads me in infinite mercy and unfailing wisdom, ever guiding me to that land above that abounds with milk and honey! 

Brothers and sisters, our Shepherd will stop at nothing to bring every one of His beloved sheep home to Heaven. He says of Himself, “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” Oh precious revelation of grace!

Sheep of His fold, I urge you to pause and consider the death of the good Shepherd! Behold with wonder the sacrifice of your Shepherd! He died–that you might live forever! He esteems us more precious than His own life! Oh blessed Shepherd, thank You for taking our sins to Yourself and putting them away by Your own precious blood. Children of God, let us ever sing with brother David, “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want!“

Christ’s sheep lack nothing for time and eternity–because He is their all-sufficient Shepherd. “For from His fullness we have all received, grace upon grace!” The Lord our Shepherd will withhold no good thing from the sheep of His pasture. In Him we have all the fullness of God’s free salvation, which can never be lost.

“We shall not want!“ We receive the fullness of His grace in time, because we possessed that very same fullness in Him from the foundation of the world. We are the possessors of . . .
  everlasting life,
  perfect righteousness,
  eternal redemption,
  pardon from all our sin,
  impeccable holiness,
  unending peace, and
  unalterable acceptance with God our Father!

We lack nothing, because in Him we have all things. His boundless provision for our souls has no end. His provision is perfect, infinite, and everlasting. God help us to depend on Him . . .
  His fullness,
  His mercy,
  His grace,
  His power,
  His all-sufficiency as the Lord our Shepherd.

“My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Jesus Christ!”

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need!”

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Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

Why are we here? What is our purpose?

(Frank Hall)

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1

Before there was a Milky Way–there was God!
Before there were galaxies, solar systems, constellations, and nebulae–there was God!
Before Mercury, Venus, and Mars were plugged into their sockets–there was God!
Before Polaris was fastened above the North Pole–there was God!
Before Orion the hunter had a belt, and Saturn had its rings–there was God; all alone, perfect and content, glorious in His solitary existence as the eternal I AM!

Before there was a sun, a moon, or an earth;
before there was grass to clothe the field, and flowers to adorn it;
before the mountains were brought forth, and the sea filled the depths;
before the eagle soared through the sky, and the fish swam through the sea;
before angels, devils, and men had their being–there was God alone!

If we would understand things aright, we must not begin with man, but with God, for He is the beginning of all things. To begin with man is folly, for man is but a creature–a production of the Creator. We must back up and begin where the Bible begins, with God!

God’s people know, and have always known what continues to baffle the minds of the scholars and scientists of our day, that “in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Through faith, God’s people understand the mystery of creation.

I ask you, “Why are we here? What is our purpose? What is God’s purpose?” Can we even know the answer to these questions? Indeed we can. 

The twenty four elders seated around God’s throne in Heaven give us the answer in Revelation 4:10-11, “The twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and for Your pleasure they exist and were created!“

You, me, angels, animals, plants, rocks, and all other things, exist and were created for one reason–the pleasure of the Creator. We were created according to His will and purpose, for His pleasure and glory. 

God did not create the Heaven and the earth arbitrarily. He created them to be the stage upon which He would perform His eternal purpose of grace, and reveal all the wonders of His goodness and mercy toward His elect. It is upon the stage of time, that God displays His eternal purpose and shows forth His glory in the salvation of chosen sinners. He created this world for the salvation of His people, that they would be recovered from their sin by His almighty grace.

“I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me. Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying: My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure!“ Isaiah 46:9-10

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

God’s word challenges our thinking.

When the Bible says God rules over everything, that we should “fear not”, the blessings God shows to Israel, the church, and to the United States, then we must ask ourselves, how does this impact me? What should be my response to God’s goodness?

This week we look at what our spiritual attitude should be. We have responsibilities to act in accordance with Scriptural principles. What are they?

6) SPIRITUAL TRUST (PROVERBS 3:5-6)

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

7) SPIRITUAL CLEANSING (1 JOHN 1:9)

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

We now come full circle to where we began. God rules. God knows everything. He sees all.

The question is, will we trust Him with our whole heart?

Proverbs 3:5-6 challenges us to trust God with all thine heart, then to lean not unto thine own understanding, then to acknowledge Him in all thy ways, and allow Him to direct our paths.

We will only be able to do this if we believe God rules, knows, and sees all. Then we place our faith and trust in Jesus Christ for our salvation. Then we will be able claim the promise of Proverbs 3:5-6.

Another promise that God gives to us is His forgiveness. If we are willing to confess, repent, turn the opposite direction from our sin, He will forgive us, and will continue to give us opportunity to serve Him.

We are His children and He loves us. He wants to bless us. He wants us to forsake our sin and trust Him without reservations.

Will we?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

God’s word challenges our thinking.

When the Bible says God rules over everything, that we should “fear not”, the blessings God shows to Israel, the church, and to the United States, then we must ask ourselves, how does this impact me? What should be my response to God’s goodness?

This week we look at what our spiritual attitude should be. We have responsibilities to act in accordance with Scriptural principles. What are they?

5) SPIRITUAL CONDUCT (COLOSSIANS 3:1-3, 5, 8-11, 9-14, 17)

Seek those things above V1

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

Set your affections on things above V2

Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

Mortify your members which are upon this earth V5

Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

Put off:                                                                                  

Anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication lie not one with another V8-9

But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.⁹ Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

Put on: 

The new man, which is renewed in knowledge, bowels of mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering, forbearing one another, forgiving one another, charity V 10-14

And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:¹¹ Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.¹² Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;¹³ Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.¹⁴ And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

Peace of God V15

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

How do we conduct ourselves as believers in Christ?

Colossians 3 gives us three things to do. Seek those things which are above, set your affections on things above, and mortify (kill) your members which are on the earth.

Then we are instructed to put off a list of wicked, sinful, character qualities, and put on a list of Godly, spiritual, Biblical, character qualities.

Our testimony for Christ is directly related to the character qualities we present to others. If we fail to exhibit characteristics of love, patience, mercy, humbleness, meekness, forgiveness, we will not be a good witness for Jesus Christ.

God desires us to walk close to Him, proclaim the good news of the gospel message, and pray for the lost to come to Christ.

Each of us has a part to play. Will we be obedient to God’s call?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

God’s word challenges our thinking.

When the Bible says God rules over everything, that we should “fear not”, the blessings God shows to Israel, the church, and to the United States, then we must ask ourselves, how does this impact me? What should be my response to God’s goodness?

This week we look at what our spiritual attitude should be. We have responsibilities to act in accordance with Scriptural principles. What are they?

SPIRITUAL ATTITUDE

JAMES 3:17

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

1) SPIRITUAL BATTLE (EPHESIANS 6:10-12)

 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

2) SPIRITUAL MIND (PHILIPPIANS 2:1-18) KEY VERSES 2, 3-16

• Like minded, same love, being of one accord, one mind V2
• Put others first V3-4
• Let the mind of Christ be in us V5-6
• Humble ourselves as Jesus did V7-8
• Bow to Jesus and confess that Jesus is Lord V 10-11
• Work out your salvation with fear and trembling V12
• God works in us both to will and to do of his good pleasure V13
• Do all things without murmurings and disputing v14
• Result that we might be blameless V15
• Holding forth the word of life, that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain V16

3) SPIRITUAL ACTIONS (PHILIPPIANS 4:1-9) KEY VERSES 4, 6, 7, 8

• Rejoice V4 
• Pray and ask V6
• Peace of God V7
• Think on these things: whatsoever is:  True, honest, just, pure, lovely, good report, virtue, praise V8

4) SPIRITUAL FRUIT (GALATIANS 5:22-3)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

5) SPIRITUAL CONDUCT (COLOSSIANS 3:1-3, 5, 8-11, 9-14, 17)

• Seek those things above V1
• Set your affections on things above V2
• Mortify your members which are upon this earth V5
• Put off:                                                                                  
• Anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication lie not one with another V8-9
• Put on: 
• The new man, which is renewed in knowledge, bowels of mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering, forbearing one another, forgiving one another, charity V 10-14
• Peace of God V15
• Let the word of God dwell in you richly/teach and admonish one another
• Do all in the name of the Lord  
• 6) SPIRITUAL TRUST (PROVERBS 3:5-6)

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

7) SPIRITUAL CLEANSING (1 JOHN 1:9)

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

God’s word challenges our thinking.

When the Bible says God rules over everything, that we should “fear not”, the blessings God shows to Israel, the church, and to the United States, then we must ask ourselves, how does this impact me? What should be my response to God’s goodness?

This week we look at what our spiritual attitude should be. We have responsibilities to act in accordance with Scriptural principles. What are they?

3) SPIRITUAL ACTIONS (PHILIPPIANS 4:1-9) KEY VERSES 4, 6, 7, 8

Rejoice V4

Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice

Pray and ask V6

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Peace of God V7

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Think on these things: whatsoever is:   True, honest, just, pure, lovely, good report, virtue, praise V8

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

4) SPIRITUAL FRUIT (GALATIANS 5:22-3)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Philippians 4:1-9 gives practical things to do to enhance our spiritual attitude. Rejoice in the Lord. Why? Because of all the great things He has done for us.

Pray and ask. We have the privilege to go directly to God with our praise, prayers, and concerns.

When we do this we will enjoy the peace of God. It would be hard not to, when we are communing with God.

Philippians 4:8 gives us a way to defeat Satan, grow closer to God, and enhance our spiritual attitude. Eight items are mentioned. We are to think on these things. What things? “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

As we draw closer to God through prayer, the reading, studying, and obedience to the Bible, characteristics about us should change.

The changes should be in line with Galatians 5:22-23, the fruit of the Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit should be more evident the longer we have been saved. Are they?

Spiritual attitude is made up of a combination of different principles which mature us in Christ. A mature believer brings much happiness to God, believers and unbelievers, and the church family.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

God’s word challenges our thinking.

When the Bible says God rules over everything, that we should “fear not”, the blessings God shows to Israel, the church, and to the United States, then we must ask ourselves, how does this impact me? What should be my response to God’s goodness?

This week we look at what our spiritual attitude should be. We have responsibilities to act in accordance with Scriptural principles. What are they?

SPIRITUAL ATTITUDE

JAMES 3:17

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

1) SPIRITUAL BATTLE (EPHESIANS 6:10-12)

 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

2) SPIRITUAL MIND (PHILIPPIANS 2:1-18) KEY VERSES 2, 3-16

Like minded, same love, being of one accord, one mind V2

Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

Put others first V3-4

Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

Let the mind of Christ be in us V5-6

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:                 

Humble ourselves as Jesus did V7-8

But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:⁸ And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Bow to Jesus and confess that Jesus is Lord V 10-11

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Work out your salvation with fear and trembling V12

Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

God works in us both to will and to do of his good pleasure V13

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Do all things without murmurings and disputing V14

Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

Result that we might be blameless V15

That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

Holding forth the word of life, that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain V16

Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

Spiritual attitude begins with the wisdom of God. James 3:17 tells us about God’s wisdom. It is pure, peaceable, gentle, easy to be done, merciful, with good fruits, without partiality and hypocrisy. Do those terms define how we live our lives?

Elections pit people of opposing views vying for a specific political position. We see the battle as between individuals or political parties. Ephesians 6:11-12 tells us, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Our battle is against Satan and his forces of evil. Satan will do all he can to distract us from following God and obeying His word.

Then God gives us the example of Jesus Christ. What He did. How He acted. That is the template for us.

Read each of the attributes and ask yourself, “How can I apply this to my life?” These character qualities will help shape our spiritual attitude. It will make us more like Christ.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

Two weeks ago, we learned that God rules over everything, is all knowing, and sees everything. He cares about His creation and His people. Knowing this, we should not be fearful. Last week we studied why God tells us to “fear not”.

Knowing that God is in control and that we need not be fearful, we can begin to enjoy the blessings of God.

We will see how God blessed Israel, the church through the birth of Jesus, and the United States.

God blesses the United States

a) God allows Europeans to flee spiritual persecution

Many of the British North American colonies that eventually formed the United States of America were settled in the seventeenth century by men and women, who, in the face of European persecution, refused to compromise passionately held religious convictions and fled Europe.

b) Original settlements were governed by Scriptural principals

The New England colonies have often been called “Bible Commonwealths” because they sought the guidance of the scriptures in regulating all aspects of the lives of their citizens. Scripture was cited as authority for many criminal statutes.

The New England colonies, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland were conceived and established “as plantations of religion.” Some settlers who arrived in these areas came for secular motives–“to catch fish” as one New Englander put it–but the great majority left Europe to worship God in the way they believed to be correct. They enthusiastically supported the efforts of their leaders to create “a city on a hill” or a “holy experiment,” whose success would prove that God’s plan for his churches could be successfully realized in the American wilderness. Even colonies like Virginia, which were planned as commercial ventures, were led by entrepreneurs who considered themselves “militant Protestants” and who worked diligently to promote the prosperity of the church.

c) God protected the settlers

The Mayflower landed in New England in November, far too late for them to plant or harvest any crops. As a result their first winter was very difficult and over half of them had perished by springtime. Members of the Wampanoag tribe, with Tisquantum serving as translator, began assisting the Pilgrims in the spring of 1621 and introduced them to native crops like corn, beans, and squash as well as showing them the best places to hunt and fish. They also taught the pilgrims different methods and techniques to help crops grow better in the New England soil. In the summer the leader of the Wampanoag, Massasoit, signed a treaty with the Pilgrims offering them food in exchange for assistance in protecting themselves from other, hostile tribes. The Pilgrims experienced a bountiful harvest in the fall and celebrated with a multi-day harvest festival. Harvest Festivals were common around the world and would have been celebrated in North America long before the Pilgrims arrived.

d) God provided for the settlers

Conclusion

• God blesses Israel
• God blessed the Israel and the Church by allowing Jesus to be born and fulfill many Old Testament prophecies
• God blessed the original settlers to our land with spiritual freedom, protection, and food

God blessed the European Christians seeking religious freedom. He gave their descendants freedom from the tyranny of Britain. He allowed a new country to be born, called the United States of America.  

This new country had our foundational truths rooted in Scripture. While we followed God, we flourished. However, over time, God was put on the back burner, and the new country fell into sin. God has intervened with revival over the years. Today, we need revival again.

Revival must start in the hearts of believers. When the church gets right with God, God will be able to use us to win others to Christ. Unfortunately, many church’s see their responsibility end when someone gets saved. Actually, it is only beginning.

We need to disciple young believers. They need to be taught the Bible. They need to see why obedience to God’s word is crucial. They need to learn how to lead others to Christ. They need to know how to minister the word of God to others.

Our country can be great again. Adherence to God and His word are the only way it will be done.

Join the revival!

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com