Good morning,

We will be doing a historical study of Psalms 105, 106, 107, and Acts 7. Our focus will be on Israel, the Church, and the United States. Today we will study Psalm 106:1-5 the introduction to Psalm 106. This Psalm shows us the goodness of God and the sinfulness of the people.

“We have sinned with our fathers, we have committed iniquity, we have done wickedly.” (Psalm 106:6)

However, as in Psalm 105 we start with giving of thanks, remembrance, and worship.

Praise the Lord Psalm 106 v1-5

1. a) Give thanks v 1-2
2. b) Keep His judgments and do right v 3
3. c) Remember me, O Lord v 4
4. d) See good, rejoice in gladness, glory with other believers v 5

“Praise ye the Lord. O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. ² Who can utter the mighty acts of the Lord? who can shew forth all his praise? ³ Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that doeth righteousness at all times. ⁴ Remember me, O Lord, with the favour that thou bearest unto thy people: O visit me with thy salvation; ⁵ That I may see the good of thy chosen, that I may rejoice in the gladness of thy nation, that I may glory with thine inheritance.” (Psalm 106:1-5)

If we fail to do the above we will fall into the sin of the people. They failed to praise, thank, obey, remember the Lord. As we will see this week, rejection, rebellion, and sin have consequences.

Today begin to practice Psalm 106:1-5.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

Good morning,

Come out from them and be separate!

(Arthur Pink)

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:2

Men of the world form their opinions of the gospel, from what they observe in its professors. There is nothing more dangerous and injurious, than when professors of religion conform to the world so far that no clear distinction can be observed between them and the worldling.

It is sometimes alleged by professors who thus accommodate themselves to the fashions and amusements of the world, that they hope by this means to render religion attractive. But this is a weak pretext, for such conformity always tends to confirm the ungodly in their carelessness. When they see professors at the theater, or in the ballroom, their conclusion is that there is no reality in Christianity.

“Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:17-18

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Remember his marvelous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth; (Psalms 105:5)

We will be doing a historical study of Psalms 105. Today’s focus will be on the United States. God has blessed the United States through protection, Scriptures, and provision.

God blesses the United States 

•  God allows Europeans to flee spiritual persecution
•  Original settlements were governed by Scriptural principals
• God protected the settlers
•  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

 Can you think of how God has blessed the United States? Commit those to prayer and thanksgiving.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Remember his marvelous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth; (Psalms 105:5)

We will be doing a historical study of Psalms 105. Today’s focus will be on the Church. God has blessed the Church through the birth of Jesus Christ.

God blesses Israel and the Church Luke 1:26-35, 2:1-7

Christ’s birth announced 1:26-35

Gabriel appears to Mary v 26-30 Key verse 30

Gabriel announces Jesus birth v 31-33 Key verse 31

Virgin birth foretold v 34-35 Key verse 35

Christ’s birth 2:1-7

1) Caesar Augustus decrees all the world to be taxed v 1-5

2) Jesus is born v 6-7 Key verse 7

The greatest blessing God ever gave to mankind was His only Son Jesus Christ. Jesus came to be the blood sacrifice for man’s sin. He was the perfect Lamb of God.

Man sins but Jesus saves!

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Remember his marvelous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth; (Psalms 105:5)

We will be doing a historical study of Psalms 105. Today’s focus will be on Israel, tomorrow the Church, and the next day the United States. Psalm 105 centers on the blessings of God.

God blesses Israel Psalm 105

1. a) Praise and remembrance

1) Praise v 1-4 Key verse 1

2) Remembrance v5-8 Key verse 5

b) God blesses Israel

1) Abrahamic Covenant v 9-11 Key verse 11

2) God’s protection v 12-15 Key verse 15

3) Famine and Joseph v16-22 Key verses 21-22

4) Israel enters Egypt and increased His people v23-24

5) God’s signs to Egypt through Moses v 25-38 Key verses 37-38

6) God leads His people v 39

7) God provides food and water v 40-41

8) God keeps His promise to Abraham v 42-45 Key verse 42

These Psalms always begin with praise to God. Then the Psalmist tells us to remember what God has done for Israel.

Lest you think God is done with Israel, please read God’s covenant promises to Abraham in Genesis 12, 15, and 17. God does not lie. When God makes a covenant, He keeps it.

Israel and those that stand with Israel are blessed!

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Salvation begins the great adventure of the Christian life. Octavius Winslow tells us about what Jesus is doing for us.

It is utterly impossible!

(Octavius Winslow, 1852)

It has been the distinctive aim, and the sincere desire of my ministry–to make known and to endear the Savior to your hearts.

Oh, how worthy is He . . .
of your most exalted conceptions,
of your most implicit confidence,
of your most self-denying service,
of your most fervent love!

When He could give you no more–and the fathomless depths of His love, and the boundless resources of His grace, would not be satisfied by giving you less–He gave you Himself!

Robed in your nature,
oppressed with your sorrows,
laden with your curse,
wounded for your transgressions,
and slain for your sins–
He gave His entire self for you!

His redeeming work now finished–He is perpetually engaged in meting out blessings to His people, from the exhaustless treasures of His love! He constantly woos your affection–invites your grief–and bids you to come with your daily trials to His sympathy, and with your hourly guilt to His blood. You cannot in your drafts upon Christ’s fullness, be too covetous; nor in your expectations of supply, be too extravagant! You may fail, as, alas! the most of us do, in making too little of Christ–but you cannot fail, in making too much of Him!

It is utterly impossible to know Christ, and not become inspired with a desire . . .
to love Him supremely,
to serve Him devotedly,
to resemble Him closely,
to glorify Him faithfully here,
and to enjoy Him fully hereafter!

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

The great mistake made by most of the Lord’s people!

(Arthur Pink, “The Doctrine of Sanctification” 1937)

“You are complete in Him!” Colossians 2:10

The poor Christian, conscious of his weakness, his ignorance, his poverty, his vileness–is sorely tempted to be envious of others, for they seem to have “more than heart could wish”–while the longings of his heart are denied him, and that which he pursues so eagerly continues to elude his grasp.

God’s children are oppressed, sorely oppressed . . .
by their indwelling corruptions,
by their innumerable failures,
by the hidings of the Lord’s face,
by the accusations of Satan,
over the workings of unbelief,
over the coldness of their hearts,
over the insincerity of their prayers,
over their vain imaginations.

The great mistake made by most of the Lord’s people is in hoping to discover in themselves, that which is to be found in Christ alone.

“By His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption.” 1 Corinthians 1:30

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

It is so important that we continually reflect on our relationship with the Lord. As you read today, allow the Holy Spirit to convict you of any known sin and deal with it.

I have this against you!

(Jared Waterbury, “Meditations and Prayers” 1840)

“Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.” Revelation 2:4

Have we lost or left our first love? If so, then has God something against us.

O, has not some secret evil been in operation to cool our love–to abate our zeal–to separate us from our heavenly Father’s smile?

Is it the love of the world?

Is it the love of the creature?

Is it ambitious designs, or sensual indulgence?

Search us, O God–and enable us to search ourselves.

PRAYER
O we have to mourn over the sad decay in our spiritual affections. A thousand temptations have pressed in upon us; and by yielding we have driven ourselves from You and become cold in Your service. Well might You cast us off for our almost perpetual backslidings. But You, O God, are unchangeable. “Those whom You love–You love to the very end!” This is our hope.

We come to You, immutable Jehovah, and beg You to receive Your guilty but returning children. Embrace us once more in the arms of Your eternal love. O, let us once more rejoice in Your Fatherly smiles. We have been wretched in our wanderings–our souls can find happiness in nothing but Yourself. We do therefore renew our vows to be Yours–yes, Yours forever. Bind us to You “by the cords of love.” Fasten our affections to the cross of Jesus! Never, O never more let us wander. Amen.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

I try to get to the gym five times a week. My body is getting older and needs to be exercised to stay healthy. It is important to be active so that I can continue to write, teach God’s word, and preach. The goal is to be able to minister for Christ till the Rapture or death.

Paul had the same perspective.  First Corinthians 9:24-27 states, “²⁴ Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. ²⁵ And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. ²⁶ I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: ²⁷ But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”

Paul wanted to finish strong. He desired to always be fit to preach the gospel. He never wanted to lose the right to preach God’s word.

Each one of us has a unique ministry that God has given us. We need to make ourselves ready for the opportunities to share God’s word with others. Spiritually does that mean more time in prayer, Bible study, stepping out and sharing Christ with others? Whatever it is, GET BUSY!

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

Please read and reflect on this devotional. It will be an encouragement to all.

A special privilege and comfort of old-age

(Richard Steele, “A Discourse Concerning Old-age, Tending to the Instruction, Caution and Comfort of Aged People” 1688)

“The silver-haired head is a crown of glory–IF it is found in the way of righteousness.” Proverbs 16:31

Now the older a man grows–the wiser should he grow. And the wiser he grows–the less likely he is to chose evil. The more divine strokes and judgments he has seen upon evil-doers–the more he should be afraid of tampering with it.

A special privilege and comfort of old-age is that it is richer in experience than any other age. The aged believer can tell experimentally . . .
of the wisdom and justice of God’s providence,
of the truth of His promises and threatenings,
of the devices of Satan,
of the deceitfulness of riches,
of the wisdom of integrity,
of the vanity of all carnal delights,
of the wickedness of his own heart.
Old-age is rich in the experience of these things, whereby they are able to govern themselves, and to advise others. Their . . .
judgments are more refined,
passions are more sedate,
graces are more strong,
actions are more consistent,
and their spiritual stature is taller.

Trace some godly aged men from morning to night, you shall still find them . . .
so discreet in their charity,
so grave in their counsels,
so savory in their discourse,
so constant in their piety,
so considerate in their resolutions,
so faithful in their reproofs,
so poised in their temper,
so charitable in their censures, and
so uniform and useful in their lives–
that their practice may be a perpetual sermon–and an example to teach others their duty to God and man.

By long experience, aged believers are taught to avoid many dangers, which others fall into. Their manifold experience of the deceitfulness of the flesh, of the world, and of the devil–has enabled them to counter and somewhat conquer them. And their experience renders them able to give the most prudent counsels, and to forewarn others of those consequences which they easily foresee–IF they have treasured up wisdom according to their years.

“The silver-haired head is a crown of glory–IF it is found in the way of righteousness.” Proverbs 16:31

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001