Good morning,

We do not like affliction. We desire our way to be smooth and uneventful. However, I think it would be safe to say that we learn most when afflicted. It is during those times we cling closer to the Lord and depend on His leadership. Today’s devotional is a life lesson.

 

Glorify God in the fire!

(George Whitefield, “Glorify God in the Fire!”)

“Every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit!” John 15:2

“I have refined you in the furnace of suffering!” Isaiah 48:10

Fire not only burns and purges, but it separates one thing from another.

God Almighty knows that we are often purged more in one hour by a good sound trial–than by a thousand manifestations of His love. It is a fine thing to come purified, to come pardoned out of the furnace of affliction. The furnace is intended to purge us to separate the precious from the vile, the chaff from the wheat. And God, in order to do this, is pleased to put us into one fire after another.

There are some roads which are finely paved and smooth–but the King’s road to Heaven is strewed with crosses and afflictions!

My brethren, we need to be purged! How apt are we to want to go to Heaven upon a featherbed. But many go lying upon beds of pain and languishing, which is the King’s highway there.

God will not put us into the fire–if there was not something to be purged away. The grand thing is to learn to glorify God in the fire.

We glorify God in the fire, when we quietly endure it as a chastisement, and when we bear it patiently. It is a dreadful thing when we are saying with Cain, “My punishment is greater than I can bear!” But the language of a soul that glorifies God in the fire is this, “Shall I, Lord, shall I a sinful man, complain for the punishment of my sins?”

We glorify God in the fire, when, though we feel pain and anguish, we at the same time say, “Lord, we deserve this and ten thousand times more!”

We glorify God in the fire also, when we are really and fully persuaded that God will put us in the furnace only for our good, and His own glory.

We glorify God in the fire when we say, “Lord don’t let the fire go out until it has purged away all my dross!”

We glorify God in the fire when the soul can say, “Here I am, my God, do with me as seems good in Your sight! I know that I shall not have one unnecessary stroke!”

We glorify God in the fire when we are not grumbling, but humbly submitting to His will. When that awful message was brought to Eli, what does he say? “It is the LORD; let Him do what seems good to Him.” Let my children be killed, whatever is done, it is the Lord’s doing!

We glorify God in the fire when we rejoice in Him–when we can thank God for striking us–when we can thank Him for whipping us!

Happy are you who have got into Christ’s fire!

 

What a challenge! When God takes us through the fire, the calamities of life, let it be said of us that, “We glorified God in the fire.”

Please keep for future reference.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

Don Fortner is pastor of Grace Baptist Church of Danville, KY.

The wise, unerring hand of His good providence!

(Don Fortner)

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

All that has been, is and shall hereafter be–is brought to pass by our God, for the everlasting good of His elect. Let us find in this blessed truth . . .
comfort for every sorrow,
strength to endure every trial,
courage to face every foe and
joy to lighten the load of our daily pilgrimage through this world.

Let us carry through the day, through the year and through all the days of our lives–the comfort of this blessed fact: “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” As all things have their beginning with the will, purpose, and decree of our heavenly Father–so all things are brought to pass by the wise, unerring hand of His good providence, and shall ultimately bring forth everlasting praise to Him.

Let these things inspire our hearts to heed the admonition of 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

Hope this was a blessing and encouragement to you.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

Psalm 33 begins by praising God. Then explains why we should praise Him. We should praise God for His creation, counsel, and salvation. Today we will look at praising God for His salvation.

GOD’S SALVATION (PSALM 33:16-22)

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. ²⁰ 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.

God’s salvation does not come through the strength of men, their numbers, or their weapons in battle.

God’s salvation comes from God Himself. Breaking down this passage we see:

1) God is looking for those who fear Him. This is the reverential fear for the God of creation, who is all knowing, ever present, and all powerful. These people are those who hope in His mercy. (v18)

2) God will deliver their souls from death. These are people who believe in God. They are trusting in Him by faith. The basis then of their salvation is trusting God through faith. (v 19)

3) They have a longing for the Lord. They know God and want their souls to be delivered. They realize that God is their help and shield. (v 20)

4) They trust in God and rejoice. They have made the decision to follow God by faith. (v 21)

5) They want God’s continued mercy to be upon them.  They are longing for a close relationship with their God. (v 22)

How did people get saved in the Old Testament; by trusting in God’s grace through faith. No different than today.

Praise God for His great salvation!

Have a great weekend.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Psalm 33 begins by praising God. Then explains why we should praise Him. We should praise God for His creation, counsel, and salvation. Today we will look at praising God for His counsel.

GOD’S COUNSEL (PSALM 33:10-15)

¹⁰ The Lord bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect. ¹¹ The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations. ¹² Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance. ¹³ 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.

Men take counsel among themselves and the results are chaos, wars, wicked behaviors, and hatred toward the things of God. God’s counsel is based on God Himself, His character, His acts, His mercy, love, and concern for His creation.  He is all knowing, ever present, and all powerful. His counsel is found in the book He has given us called the Bible. Everything we need to know about navigating through this life is found in those sixty-six books. God’s counsel will stand forever.

This is the why we can praise God for His counsel.

Tomorrow we will look at God’s salvation.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

Good morning,

Psalm 33 begins by praising God. Then explains why we should praise Him. We should praise God for His creation, counsel, and salvation. Today we will look at praising God for His creation.

PRAISING GOD (PSALM 33:1-4)

Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright. ² Praise the Lord with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings. ³ Sing unto him a new song; play skillfully with a loud noise. ⁴ For the word of the Lord is right; and all his works are done in truth.

We are to praise God. It can be through words, musical instruments, singing songs of worship and praise.

GOD’S CREATIVE ACTS (PSALM 33:6-9)

⁶ By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. ⁷ He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses. ⁸ Let all the earth fear the Lord: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. ⁹ For he spake and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.

Genesis 1 goes into great detail on how and when God created the heavens, earth, ocean, lakes, streams, animals, men and women. It is no wonder the Psalmist tells us to rejoice and praise the Lord. He is worthy to be praised.

Meditate on the fact that all that we have, see, enjoy was created by God. Then praise Him for His goodness to us.

Tomorrow we will at God’s counsel.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

Good morning,

Moses was summoned by God. Moses goes and spends forty days and nights with God.  God gives him two tablets with the Ten Commandments on them. When Moses returns there is a wild party taking place. The people were worshipping a golden calf. Moses throws down the tablets and rebukes Aaron and the people.

Moses is summoned by God a second time. God gives him two tablets with the Ten Commandments on them. This time the people are ready to worship God. The following is what Moses said to the people.

¹² And now, Israel, what doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but to fear the Lord thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, ¹³ To keep the commandments of the Lord, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good? ¹⁴ Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the Lord’s thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is. ¹⁵ Only the Lord had a delight in thy fathers to love them, and he chose their seed after them, even you above all people, as it is this day.

Moses says God required five things of them.

1) Fear the Lord thy God. A reverent fear. A holy fear. A fear rooted in the knowledge that this was the God of all creation. He was also the God of judgment.  The God of mercy and love.

2) Walk in all His ways. God had given them leadership through Moses and now through the very written word of God.

3) Love Him. They saw God’s deliverance for them from Egypt. They were free only because God allowed it. That should cause them to love their God.

4) Serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart and soul. The goodness of God toward the Israelites should cause them to have a deep desire to serve Him completely, without reservations.

5) Keep the commandments of the Lord, and His statues. God gave them rules to obey. The rules were for their welfare. God gave them all they needed to be successful. All they had to do was keep the commandments.

We know that in the short term the nation of Israel followed the Lord. But then they compromised and felt that their God was unable to give them what they wanted.

Although we are technically not Israelites (although gentiles have been grafted in), God requires these five things of us. So it is important to ask ourselves “How are we doing?”

We have the completed commandments of God. He has given us His complete guidance on how to live life successfully.

Are you reading God’s instruction book, the Bible? If so, are we applying the commands, precepts, and principles? Do we fear the God who created us? Who knows all things, sees all things, and has the power to do anything He pleases.

It begs an answer.

FOLLOW GOD TODAY!

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

Paul is explaining to the Ephesians’ that he was made a minister of the gospel to the Gentiles.  Then he states that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs in Christ.

⁶ That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: ⁷ Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.

Then Paul prays for the Ephesians’. He prays specifically for six areas that will help them to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ.

¹⁴ For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁵ Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, ¹⁶ That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; ¹⁷ That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, ¹⁸ May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; ¹⁹ And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:14-19)

Although this prayer was for the Ephesians, we should pray this prayer for ourselves. These are qualities that we need. The culmination of our prayer should be, “…that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.”

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

The transcendent excellency divine wisdom

(James Smith, “Food for Hungry Souls”)

“For wisdom is more profitable than silver, and her wages are better than gold.  Wisdom is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.  She offers you long life in her right hand, and riches and honor in her left.  She will guide you down delightful paths; all her ways are satisfying.  Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her; happy are those who hold her tightly!” Proverbs 3:14-18

See the transcendent excellency divine wisdom.

Men desire health–but bodily health is only for a time.
Divine wisdom gives perpetual health, both of body and soul.

Men desire wealth–but riches are not forever.
Divine wisdom gives unsearchable riches–enduring riches!

Men desire life–but human life is brief.
Divine wisdom gives everlasting life, and life in perfection and interminable blessedness.

Men desire honor–but earthly honor is fading.
Divine wisdom confers the highest honors, associating us in the nearest relation with God, who is the source of all real honor.

Men desire pleasure–but what does earthly pleasure amount to?
Divine wisdom leads . . .
to rivers of pleasure,
to oceans of joy,
to fountains of purest delight!

Men desire fame–but fame among sinners, is but a puff of noisy breath.
Divine wisdom makes us famous, if not on earth–in Heaven; if not in time–in eternity!

If therefore we would possess health and wealth;
if we would live forever, and live forever in honor;
if we would enjoy endless pleasure, and shine among God’s worthies
–then we must get wisdom! It is transcendently excellent, for all the world would not purchase it–though God freely gives it! Nor would the possession of the whole world make up for the loss of it–if we neglect and despise it. Nor would a world, or ten thousand worlds, make a man half so happy!

“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom!” Proverbs 4:7

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Here is another devotional from the past. This comes from the Grace Gems website.

The Bible is no lazy man’s book!

“If you seek it like silver and search for it like hidden treasure–then you will understand the fear of the LORD and discover the knowledge of God!” Proverbs 2:4-5

“The Bible is no lazy man’s book! Much of its treasure, like the valuable minerals stored in the bowels of the earth, only yield up themselves to the diligent seeker.” (Arthur Pink)

“Do not be satisfied with a superficial survey of Scripture, as many Christians are. These are not the days of contemplation as the old Puritan times were, we are too apt to be superficial; but do remember that while there are nuggets of gold upon the very surface of Scripture, yet the most valuable mines of gold are far down!”(Charles Spurgeon)

“Truth lies deep, and must be dug for.” (William Gurnall)

“Strive to penetrate to the bottom of Divine truths, and never be content with a superficial knowledge.” (David Brainerd)

“Dig for the truth like a man digging for Australian gold!” (J.C. Ryle)

“Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding!” Proverbs 4:7

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

This was an encouragement to me. I hope it will be an encouragement to you.

Look forward to your sinless and perfect home!

(William Nicholson, “Death, the Believer’s Gain!” 1862)

“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain!” Philippians 1:21

At death, the Christian gains holiness without sin. In Heaven, the very existence of sin will be destroyed, “Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life!” Revelation 21:27

Here on earth, sin is the ruin of man–the ruin of his immortal soul. It has blighted and blasted the world, and filled it with impurity, misery, and death!

The Christian has here to struggle and wrestle . . .

with sin in his members,

with his depraved heart,

with sin in his family,

with sin in his neighbors,

with sin in his business transactions,

with sin in society at large.

He feels its evil operations, and laments its corrupting effects.

But in Heaven the Christian shall gain purity without sin! All the remains of sin and the dregs of corruption are left forever behind!

No condemning conscience is found there.

No unhallowed appetites are found there.

No disordered affections exist there.

No appearance or vestige of evil is found there.

Every child of God is as pure as Christ is pure–as perfect as his Father in Heaven is perfect.

Child of mortality, heir of corruption! Look forward to your sinless and perfect home, and learn that to die will be gain indeed!

“Now the dwelling of God is with men, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away!” Revelation 21:3-4

Soon, and very soon, this will be our reality. I am looking forward to this.

Have a blessed day.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001