Good morning,

Today we begin the study of 1 Peter.

The Introduction and notes for 1 Peter 1:1-2:10 are attached.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Download (1-Peter-1-2.10-DD.docx, DOCX, 16KB)

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Good morning,

Fear can be debilitating. David was encompassed by his enemies and feared them. He wanted it to stop. If he could, he would have fled the situation. But he could not.

Psalm 55:1-7 explains David’s condition. David goes to God for relief.

“Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication. ² Attend unto me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise;³ Because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked: for they cast iniquity upon me, and in wrath they hate me. ⁴ My heart is sore pained within me: and the terrors of death are fallen upon me.⁵ Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me.⁶ And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest.⁷ Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. Selah.”

David’s condition is not so far removed from the plight of many Christians today. We are surrounded by wickedness, enemies, and evil doers. We pine away. We want our suffering to end.

Then we question God. Where are you in our time of need? Does God care?

Although David was in despair, he did not forsake God.

On Thursday we will find out more about David’s prayer to God and about his enemies.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

King David was a man of prayer. He was always seeking God for wisdom and protection.

Psalm 54, David prays for deliverance from King Saul.

David’s focus is not so much on the situation he is in, but to whom has the power to overcome the situation. He understood who God is.

Psalm 54:1-3 outlines the problem. David prays to God.

“Save me, O God, by thy name, and judge me by thy strength.² Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth.³ For strangers are risen up against me, and oppressors seek after my soul: they have not set God before them. Selah.”

Psalm 54:4-6 explains that David knew God to be his helper, protection, his Lord, and deliverer. He put his total confidence in God.

“Behold, God is mine helper: the Lord is with them that uphold my soul. ⁵ He shall reward evil unto mine enemies: cut them off in thy truth.     ⁶ I will freely sacrifice unto thee: I will praise thy name, O Lord; for it is good.⁷ For he hath delivered me out of all trouble: and mine eye hath seen his desire upon mine enemies.”

When our enemies come against us, do we go to God as David did? Do we have total confidence that God will take care of us?

God is bigger than our enemies. He wants us to rest in Him. Will we?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

“The Lord of hosts is with us;…” (Psalm 46:7) That is exactly what we want in our times of trouble. He is also our refuge. Our place of safety.

Psalm 46:7-11 states:

“The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. ⁸ Come, behold the works of the Lord, what desolations he hath made in the earth.⁹ He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire. ¹⁰ Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. ¹¹ The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.”

When we are in times of trouble or discouragement, what does God want us to do? “…behold the works of the Lord,…” and “Be still, and know that I am God:…”

When we look at the works of the Lord, it will give us encouragement and hope. When we are still before God, we are more likely to hear Him speak to us. Then we will be able to exalt him and rejoice in His goodness.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

A refuge is a place of safety. Psalm 46 tells us that God is our refuge. We are told not to fear. God is in charge and takes care of His people and Holy City.

Psalm 46:1-6 states:

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. ² Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;³ Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.⁴ There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.⁵ God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.⁶ The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.”

Is God our refuge? Do we go to Him in time of trouble? Do we believe He can protect us? Do we cast our fears upon the Lord?

If not, why not? God is in charge. He has the best interest of His children in mind.

Allow Him to be our refuge.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

This week we conclude our study on Obedience. We look at the benefits of obeying God.

OBEDIENCE: BENEFITS

“If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15)

INTRODUCTION:

Full circle/Review

Obedience to God’s word

Obedience to God’s commands

Obedience moral decisions

SALVATION

John 1:12 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:

Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

ETERNAL LIFE

1 John 5:11-13 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

1 John 2:25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.

John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

FORGIVENESS

Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Colossians 2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

LOVE

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

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

WISDOM

 Ephesians 1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

 VICTORIOUS LIFE

1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Chronicles 29:11 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.

WALK WITH THE LORD

Colossians 1:10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

Colossians 2:6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:

 HEAVEN

John 14:2-3 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. 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.

Revelation 21:1-4, 6, 8 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

CONCLUSION:

I HAVE LEARNED:

• God is never wrong
• His timing is perfect
• He sees the big picture
• The BIBLE is my basis for my life

ENDSTATE BE OBEDIENT TO GOD

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

Children of God can become discouraged. We forget the promises God has made to us. We get overwhelmed by circumstances in our lives. We resist the encouragement of loved ones, other believers, and our Pastors.

Yet there is hope in God. “…He never leaves us or forsakes us.” (Hebrews 13:5) In the midst of our discouragement, God is there.

Psalm 42:5-11 makes this point.

“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.⁶ O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.⁷ Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.⁸ Yet the Lord will command his lovingkindness in the day time, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.⁹ I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?¹⁰ As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God? ¹¹ Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.”

This should be a tremendous encouragement to each of us. God NEVER abandons us in our times of discouragement. He is close by.

Hope in God!

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

God calls David “…a man after mine own heart…”. (Acts 13:22) He was human but loved God and continually tried to serve Him. He had a zeal for God. He desired to be close to God.

Psalm 42:1-4 shows us David’s heart.

“As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.² My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?³ My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?⁴ When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.” (Psalm 42:1-4)

Do we thirst for God? Can we survive without daily nourishment from God? Do we cry out day and night, “Where is my God?” Does our remembrance of Him make us joyful and full of praise?

If not, maybe God is challenging us to get closer to Him.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

Psalm 33 has taught us about rejoicing, God’s creation, and God’s watch care over us.

Psalm 33:20-22 tells us what our response should be. Wait, rejoice, and hope. It is never a good thing to try and run ahead of God. Since God is in control, we should wait on Him, and allow Him to lead us. We should always rejoice in the Lord. Beside the fact that God tells us to do it, this should the desire of every true believer’s heart. Hope in the Lord. I am hoping for that day when I will see Jesus face to face in Heaven.  Every believer should also have that hope and full assurance that it will happen soon.

“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 hope is in the Lord. Each of us must repent of our sins and ask Christ to be Savior and Lord to be able to partake in the promises of God’s word. No salvation, no Heaven, no fellowship with Jesus for all eternity, no strength to deal with the problems of today.

We have hope because of what Jesus did on the cross for us!

Psalm 33 causes us to rejoice because of God’s goodness to us.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

Psalm 33:13-19 tells about God’s watch care over His creation. After God created everything, He did not just leave us to fin for ourselves.

This may be considered a blessing or a curse. Knowing that God is watching every move we make should encourage us to do right. When we do right we can expect God’s blessing. However, sometimes we choose to rebel against God. Then we can expect chastisement. Actually, chastisement is for our good, if it brings us back to God. It is God’s desire to always have fellowship with His children.

“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.¹⁶ 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.”

God knows every move that we make. Are those moves Godly or ungodly? Jesus said in John 14:15, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” Where do we find the commandments of God? The Bible. The commandments are found in all the books of the Bible. Which means we need to read the Bible from cover to cover and begin to determine what God’s commandments are and then do them.

The knowledge that God sees and knows everything should cause believer’s in Christ to rejoice. Our God cares so much about us that He wants to protect us from the wickedness of this world. When we fail, He retrieves us (after we repent), and tells us to get back to work for the cause of Christ. What a loving and merciful God!

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001