Good morning,

“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.” (James 3:17)

The Christmas season is upon us. Opportunities will abound for us to tell others about WHO Christmas is about. The question is, will we be ready?

Before we can tell others about Jesus our minds and hearts must be in sync with the Bible. To live above the lights and glitter of the season, we must remember that we are in a spiritual battle. Then we must remember who we are in Christ. Followed by our responsibilities as followers of Christ.

Then, we will be ready to take advantage of our opportunities to share about who Jesus is, why He came, and how those we witness to can accept Jesus as Savior and Lord.

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 Jesus

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.² Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.³ For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.⁴ When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.⁵ Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:⁶ For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:⁷ In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.

⁸ 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;¹⁰ 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.¹⁵ And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.¹⁷ And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”

These verses are key for any season, but crucial during this season of stress if we want people to hear our testimony for Christ.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.” (James 3:17)

The Christmas season is upon us. Opportunities will abound for us to tell others about WHO Christmas is about. The question is, will we be ready?

Before we can tell others about Jesus our minds and hearts must be in sync with the Bible. To live above the lights and glitter of the season, we must remember that we are in a spiritual battle. Then we must remember who we are in Christ. Followed by our responsibilities as followers of Christ.

Then, we will be ready to take advantage of our opportunities to share about who Jesus is, why He came, and how those we witness to can accept Jesus as Savior and Lord.

Download (Spiritual-Attitude1.doc, DOC, 40KB)

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.” (James 3:17)

The Christmas season is upon us. Opportunities will abound for us to tell others about WHO Christmas is about. The question is, will we be ready?

Before we can tell others about Jesus our minds and hearts must be in sync with the Bible. To live above the lights and glitter of the season, we must remember that we are in a spiritual battle. Then we must remember who we are in Christ. Followed by our responsibilities as followers of Christ.

Then, we will be ready to take advantage of our opportunities to share about who Jesus is, why He came, and how those we witness to can accept Jesus as Savior and Lord.

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

“Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.² I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.³ And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellow laborer’s, whose names are in the book of life.⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.⁵ Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.⁶ Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.⁷ And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.⁸ 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.⁹ Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.”

We must act in accordance with the Scriptures.

SPIRITUAL FRUIT (GALATIANS 5:22-23)

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

The Spirit filled life produces spiritual fruit.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.” (James 3:17)

The Christmas season is upon us. Opportunities will abound for us to tell others about WHO Christmas is about. The question is, will we be ready?

Before we can tell others about Jesus our minds and hearts must be in sync with the Bible. To live above the lights and glitter of the season, we must remember that we are in a spiritual battle. Then we must remember who we are in Christ. Followed by our responsibilities as followers of Christ.

Then, we will be ready to take advantage of our opportunities to share about who Jesus is, why He came, and how those we witness to can accept Jesus as Savior and Lord.

SPIRITUAL BATTLE (EPHESIANS 6:10-12)

“ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.¹² 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 not against man, but against Satan and his demons.

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

“If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,² Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.³ 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.⁵ 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:⁷ 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.⁹ Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:¹⁰ 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.¹² 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.¹³ For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.¹⁴ Do all things without murmurings and disputings:¹⁵ 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;¹⁶ 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.¹⁷ Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.¹⁸ For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.”

We must have the right mindset to traverse the Christmas season with success.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Why are we thankful?

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.

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

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. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: ⁹ Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (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.

If you are interested in knowing more about the Bible, Jesus’ death, burial, resurrection on your behalf, or how to make this happen in your life, call or email me.

What are you thankful for?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

 

Good morning,

Thanksgiving. What should we be thankful for?

The Bible gives us examples of people who thanked God.

This week we will look at several of them.

Mary, Mother of Jesus

(Brittany Rust)

Finding out she was pregnant with the Savior of the world wasn’t the easiest news to swallow and the aftermath took some faith. But Mary, the young girl chosen to carry the baby Jesus, would exemplify great praise.

While visiting with Elizabeth, who was carrying John the Baptist at the same time Mary was pregnant with Jesus, the young girl had a moment of exclamation. It’s called the Magnificent and it’s found in Luke 1.

Mary’s heart was full of praise and it out poured into the world. A young girl filled with immense thanks knew exactly where her praise was to be directed.

Do you know where to direct your praise today? What are you carrying that at first might have seemed a bit fearful but you can now be thankful for?

“And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,⁴⁷ And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.⁴⁸ For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.⁴⁹ For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.⁵⁰ And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.⁵¹ He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.⁵² He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.⁵³ He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.⁵⁴ He hath helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;⁵⁵ As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed forever.” (Luke 1:26-55)

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Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

 

Good morning,

Thanksgiving. What should we be thankful for?

The Bible gives us examples of people who thanked God.

This week we will look at several of them.

Hannah

(Brittany Rust)

Hannah is one of my favorite people in the Bible and someone I’ve learned a lot from. There honestly isn’t a lot of information about her but her mark in the Bible is significant.

Hannah was one of two wives to a man named Elkanah; Hannah was barren but the other wife had many children. The other wife, Peninnah, would taunt her regularly and Hannah’s misery was indeed immense. One night, while in the temple, Hannah prayed fervently for a child, so much so that the priest Eli thought she was drunk.

Hannah prayed that if God would give her a child, she would give that child back to Him. Eli blessed her request and soon after she conceived a boy named Samuel, who would become the great prophet of Israel (and my favorite person in the Bible!).

What’s beautiful about this story is that she did indeed give her son back to the Lord–she gave Samuel to Eli. Hannah’s praise wasn’t just the reflection of an answer to prayer, but it proceeded giving up her son. With all her heart she praised God in the aftermath of turning over her biggest prayer request.

Does your praise and thanksgiving overflow from the good you’ve had to let go? When perhaps your sacrifice was difficult.

“And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the Lord, mine horn is exalted in the Lord: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation.² There is none holy as the Lord: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.³ Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.⁴ The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength.⁵ They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble.⁶ 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 2:1-10)

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Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

He is too wise to err–and too good to be unkind!

(James Smith, “The Love of Christ! The Fullness, Freeness, and Immutability of the Savior’s Grace Displayed!”)

Jesus is both our Advocate and Counselor.

Every believer has a powerful, crafty, and malignant foe who tempts him to sin–and then turns to be his accuser before God! “But if any man sins–we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous!” 1 John 2:1.

All the glory of His person and the perfection of His work–is thrown into His plea. He pleads . . .
the Father’s love,
His own blood,
the promises of grace, and
the weakness of His people;
and so pleading–He must prevail.

His people have fled to Him under the greatest difficulties, and have received counsel which has delivered them from the greatest perplexities. He is always in office for us–and always at liberty to listen to us.

What ails you, poor tried believer? Flee to your Advocate and Counselor!

He is a wonderful Counselor! He never . . .
mistakes a case,
despises a poor client,
or charges a fee!

He possesses . . .
all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge;
all the kindness of sinless humanity,
and all the love of Deity!

What a wonderful lover is Jesus! He . . .
assumes any office,
stoops to any service,
and fills any relation–
so that He may but do His people good, and manifest His love unto them.

My soul, employ this Advocate, repair to this Counselor in every season of difficulty, and follow His advice in every circumstance and situation! He is too wise to err–and too good to be unkind!

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Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Omnipotence means that God is all powerful.

Caleb Colley, Ph.D. writes.

God is the only being Who possesses omnipotence. In the Oxford English Dictionary, “omnipotence” is defined as “all-powerfulness,” or “almightiness.” In other words, when God wants something to be done, it is done. God has all power in heaven and on Earth (Matthew 28:18), so unlike the limited power of humans, which is constrained by time, space, and force, God’s capabilities are limited only by His own character. Paul wrote of God’s omnipotence in the sense that He is “above all, and through all, and in you all,” (Ephesians 4:6). God is preeminent for many reasons, not the least of which is His great power.

God has complete power over the Earth. The very first chapter of the Bible (Genesis 1) is full of references to God’s power. The words of His mouth brought the Universe into existence; He spoke the Cosmos into existence with only a word (Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 11:3). In order to create the Universe, God needed no pre-existing matter with which to work; rather, He Himself spoke the very first matter into existence. After He created “the heavens and the Earth,” He spoke “light” into existence on Earth (Genesis 1:3). After creating light, He created the firmament, and much more, all by the power of His word.

God has complete power over the spiritual realm. Just as the first chapter in the Bible reveals that God created light on Earth, the last chapter in the Bible reminds us that God’s power will be responsible for the eternal light in heaven (Revelation 22:5). Christ repeatedly cast out devils during His earthly ministry (Matthew 8:16; 9:32-33; 12:22), and James revealed that the demons believe in the one God of the Bible, and that because they are aware of God’s omnipotence, they tremble (Luke 8:31; James 2:19). God now limits Satan himself, keeping him from directly inhabiting people or causing people physical pain (Zechariah 13:1-2).

Only God can perform “wonders,” and only God can furnish that capability to others (Job 5:9; Psalm 72:18; John 3:2). Christ again revealed His power over the spiritual realm when He brought Lazarus’ soul back from the realm of departed spirits, and returned it to Lazarus’ body (John 11:43). Similarly, God will resurrect all the dead one day, having already determined the fate of their souls (Mark 12:26-27; Romans 6:4; 1 Corinthians 15:15,32; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17; 1 Peter 1:3-5).

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God can do anything He pleases, at any time He pleases.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

God’s omnipresence is defined is God being everywhere at the same time. We cannot escape the presence of God.

Psalm 139:7-12 explains this.

“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.¹¹ If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.¹² Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.”

Psalm 23 encourages us that God is always with us.

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.² He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.³ He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. ⁴ Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. ⁵ Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.⁶ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

It should encourage us to know that God is always present. He is keenly aware of our circumstances and our needs.

Trust in Him.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001