Good morning,

It is not easy for us to learn this lesson

(J.R. Miller, “Losing SELF in Christ” 1903) 

“If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.” Luke 9:23-24

Only as we learn to die to self–do we become like Christ.

Human nature seeks all for self–and none for Christ. Becoming a Christian is the taking of Christ into the life, in the place of self. Then all is changed. Life has a new center, a new aim. Christ comes first. His plan for our lives is accepted, instead of our own. It is no more what we would like to do, but “What does the Master want us to do?” It is no longer the pressing of our own will, but “May Your will, not mine, be done.”

This is the foundation of all Christian living–the dying of self, and the growing of Christ in the heart. So long as there remains any self-will, any unsubmission, any spirit of disobedience, any unconquered self, asserting its authority against the will of Christ–just so long, is our consecration incomplete.

This law of the dying of SELF, and the magnifying of Christ, is the only way to true usefulness. Not until self has been renounced, is anyone ready for true Christian service. While we are thinking how this or that will affect us, whether it will pay us to make this sacrifice or that self-denial; while we are consulting our own ease, our own comfort, our own interest or advantage in any form–we have not yet learned fully what the love of Christ means.

This law of the dying of SELF, and the magnifying of Christ–is the secret of Christian peace. When Christ is small, and SELF is large, life cannot be deeply restful. Everything annoys us. We grow impatient of whatever breaks our comfort. We grieve over little trials. We find causes for discontent in merest trifles. We resent whatever would hinder or oppose us. There is no blue sky in the ‘picture’ of which SELF is the center!

But when SELF decreases and Christ increases–then the life of friction and worry is changed into quietness and peace. When the glory of Christ streams over this little, cramped, fretted, broken life of ours–peace comes, and the love of Christ brightens every spot and sweetens all bitterness. Trials are easy to bear–when self is small, and Christ is large.

This lesson has its very practical bearing on all our common, every-day life. Naturally, we want to have our own way. We like to carry out our own plans and ambitions. We are apt to feel, too, that we have failed in life, when we cannot realize these hopes. But this is the world’s standard! The successful worldling is the one who is able to master all life’s circumstances, and make them serve him.

But the greatest thing possible in any life is to have the divine plan for it fulfilled–even though it thwarts every human hope and dashes away every earthly dream. It is not easy for us to learn this lesson–that God’s ways are always better for us than our own!

We make our little plans and begin to carry them out. We think we have all things arranged for our greatest happiness and our best good. Then God’s plan breaks in upon ours, and we look down through our tears upon the shattered fragments of our fine plans! All seems wreck, loss, and disaster! But no–it is only God’s larger, wiser, better plan–displacing our little, imperfect, short-sighted one!

It is true, that God really thinks about our lives–and has a purpose of His own for them, a place He would have us fill, a work He would have us do. It seems when we think of it, that this is scarcely possible–that each one of the lives of His countless children–should be personally and individually thought about by the Father. Yet we know that this is true of the least and lowliest of believers. Surely if God cares enough for us to make a plan for our life, a heavenly plan–it must be better than any plan of ours could be! It is a high honor, therefore–for His plan to take the place of ours, whatever the cost and the pain may be to us!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

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

Good morning,

How can we learn contentment?

(J.R. Miller, “The Hidden Life” 1895)  LISTEN to audio!  Download audio

“I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.” Philippians 4:11

How can we learn contentment?

One step toward contentment, is patient submission to unavoidable ills and hardships. No earthly lot is perfect. No mortal ever yet in this world, has found a set of circumstances without some drawback. There are . . .
  trials which we cannot change into blessings,
  burdens which we cannot lay down,
  crosses which we must continue to carry,
  thorns in the flesh which must remain with their rankling pain.
When we have such trials, why should we not sweetly accept them as part of God’s best way with us?

Discontent never made . . .
  a rough path smoother,
  a heavy burden lighter,
  a bitter cup less bitter,
  a dark way brighter,
  a sore sorrow less sore.
It only makes matters worse!

One who accepts with patience, that which he cannot change–has learned one secret of victorious living.

Another part of the lesson, is that we can learn to moderate our desires. “Having food and clothing,” says Paul again, “let us be content with these.” Very much of our discontent arises from envy of those who seem to be more favored than ourselves. Many people lose most of the comfort out of their own lot–in coveting the finer, more luxurious things which some neighbor has. Yet if they knew the whole story of the life they envy for its greater prosperity, they probably would not exchange for it their own lowlier life with its more humble circumstances. Or if they could make the exchange, it is not likely they would find half so much real happiness in the other position, as they would have enjoyed in their own.

Contentment does not dwell so often in palaces–as in the homes of the humble. The tall peaks rise higher and are more conspicuous–but the winds smite them more fiercely than they do the quiet valleys. And surely, the lot in life which God makes for us, is always the best which could be made for us for the time. He knows better than we do, what our true needs are.

The real cause of our discontent is not in our circumstances; if it were, a change of circumstances might cure it. It is in ourselves, and wherever we go–we shall carry our discontent heart with us. The only cure which will affect anything, must be the curing of the fever of discontent in us.

A fine secret of contentment, lies in finding and extracting all the pleasure we can get from the things we have–the common, everyday things; while we enter upon no mad, vain chase after impossible dreams. In whatever state we are in, we may find therein enough for our needs.

No earthly misfortune can touch the wealth which a Christian holds in the divine promises and hopes. Just in the measure, therefore, in which we learn to live for spiritual and unseen eternal realities–do we find contentment amid earth’s trials and losses. If we would live to please God, to build up Christlike character in ourselves, and to lay up treasure in Heaven–we shall not depend for happiness, on the way things go with us here on earth, nor on the measure of temporal goods we have. The earthly desires are crowded out by the higher and spiritual desires. We can do without childhood’s toys–when we have manhood’s better possessions. We desire the toys of this world less, as we get more of God and Heaven into our hearts.

Paul knew this secret. He cheerfully gave up all that this world had for him. Money had no power over him. He knew how to live in plenty; but he did not fret when poverty came instead. He was content in any trial, because earth meant so little–and Christ meant so much to him. He did not need the things he did not have. He was not made poor by the things he lost. He was not vexed by the sufferings he had to endure–because the sources of his life were in Heaven and could not be touched by earthly experiences of pain or loss.

These are hints of the way we may learn to be content in whatever circumstances. Surely the lesson is worth learning! One year of sweet contentment, amid earth’s troublous scenes–is better than a whole lifetime of vexed, restless discontent! The lesson can be learned, too, by anyone who is truly Christ’s disciple; for did not the Master say, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give unto you.”

The artist painted life as a dark, storm-swept sea, covered with wrecks. Then out of the midst of the wild waves, he made to rise a great rock, in a cleft of which, high up, amid herbage and flowers–he painted a dove sitting quietly on her nest. It is a picture of Christian peace in the midst of this world’s strifes and storms. In the cleft of the Rock, is the home of contentment.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

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

Good morning,

The Lord Himself watches over you!

God Himself is the refuge of His people.

“My help comes from the Lord who made the heavens and the earth! He will not let you stumble and fall; the One who watches over you will not sleep. Indeed, He who watches over Israel never tires and never sleeps. The Lord Himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade. The sun will not hurt you by day, nor the moon at night. The Lord keeps you from all evil and preserves your life. The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go–both now and forever.” Psalm 121:1-8

The promise of Heaven is very alluring to Christian hope–but how can we get there? Seen and unseen perils beset the way–and we have no strength to defend ourselves, or to keep our lives from hurt. To meet these dangers, however, we have the promise of a Guide who is able to guard us on from falling, even from stumbling–and to bring us at last unharmed, without blemish, to the door of our Father’s house. “For this God is our God for ever and ever; He will be our guide even unto death!” Psalm 48:14

The Bible gives many assurances of protection to the children of God, as they pass through this world. They dwell in the secret place of the Most High, and abide under the shadow of the Almighty. They take refuge under the wings of God. We never can get out from under the shadow of the Almighty. Wherever we may have to go–we shall always have the love of God over us.

There are also promises of protection. We have the assurance that God will not let you stumble and fall. So the divine thought extends even to our feet and to our steps, one by one. There is not an inch in all our pathway through this world, which is unwatched, on which the eye of God does not rest. The most watchful human love must sometimes close its eyes in sleep. The most loving mother must sometimes steal from the bedside of her little sick child, for a minute’s rest. But the divine care never slumbers nor fails, even for a moment! Indeed, “the One who watches over you will not sleep.”

In this world of danger, we need never vex ourselves with fear or anxiety–for God is watching, and He never sleeps! There is not a moment by day or by night when we are unguarded. There can be no sudden surprise or danger, by which God can be taken unaware.

Christ surrounds His people with an invisible protection, which nothing can tear away. In all our perils, struggles, and sorrows–He has us in His heart! “Be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20

A Christian woman walking alone at night, was approached by a stranger.
He said, “I see you are alone.”
“No, sir, I am not alone; I have a friend with me.”
“I do not see anyone,” he said, looking round.
The woman quietly answered, “Jesus Christ is with me,” and the man turned and fled into the darkness.

So while Heaven seems far off, and while the way is full of enemies and dangers–yet no believer, not even the weakest, need perish on the way, nor fail to get home. Christ the mighty One, has build a road through the world–a safe and secure road, on which all His friends may journey under His guidance and guardianship, without hurt until they enter the Father’s house. “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish–ever! No one can snatch them out of My hand!” John 10:28

   ~  ~  ~  ~

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

Good morning,

I have chosen you!

(George Mylne, “Fear Not!” 1854)  

“Fear not, I have chosen you!” Isaiah 41:9, 10

Christian reader, God says to you, “I have chosen you!” This is a great mystery–but it is a comforting truth. God does not tell you WHY He chose you. He only tells you the simple fact. It is not for you to question it, or to shrink from it–but to receive it, and be thankful.

God was free to love you–or free to loathe you.
He was free to choose you–or free to reject you.
He says, “I have chosen you!” Believe what God says, and rejoice. “Before the mountains were brought forth, before He had formed the earth and the world,” God had chosen you! “From everlasting to everlasting, He is God.” From everlasting to everlasting He loved–-He chose–He delighted in His people.

Fellow-sinner, if God says, “I have chosen you,” He says it . . .
  to encourage you;
  to strengthen you;
  to sanctify you;
  that you may rest upon the everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and sure,
  that you may look away from self, and see that salvation is altogether of the Lord.

God chose you, “not according to your works; but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given you in Christ Jesus before the world began.” 2 Timothy 1:9

Fellow-sinner, you are . . .
  loved in Christ;
  chosen in Christ;
  called in Christ;
  saved in Christ!
Here is your foundation; here your hope; here your safety–you were “chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world!”

This is to humble you–as well as to exalt you.

This is to make you weep–as well as cause you to rejoice.

You are vile in yourself–but chosen to indescribable honor!

You are poor in yourself–but chosen to unspeakable riches!

You are naked in yourself–but chosen to eternal glory!

Child of God, never lose your hold of this precious truth. God has revealed it, that you might delight in it. Let this be the brightest jewel in your crown. This the sweetest cordial to your heart–that God says to you, “Fear not, I have chosen you!“

As you sit at the feet of Jesus;
as you lay your mouth in the dust, and cry, “Unclean, unclean!“
as you take all the shame to yourself, and give all the glory to God,
let this comfort delight your soul–
God has said, “Fear not, I have chosen you!“

“God chose us [actually picked us out for Himself as His own] in Christ before the foundation of the world!” Ephesians 1:4 (amplified bible)

   ~  ~  ~  ~

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

Good morning,

Our Pilot! 

(Charles Spurgeon, “Multitudinous Thoughts and Sacred Comforts”)

Remember that your way is ordered by a higher power than your will and choice.

The eternal destiny of God has fixed your every footstep. Believe that wisdom, not blind fate, but God’s wisdom, has ordained the bounds of your life, and fixed your position and your condition so definitely that no fretfulness of yours can change it for the better.

In the decree of God, all your history is fixed–so as to secure His glory and your soul’s profit.

Your present sorrow, is the bitter bud of greater joy.
Your transient loss, secures your ultimate and never ceasing gain.

How I rejoice to believe that the Lord shall choose my inheritance for me!

All things are fixed by my Father’s hand–by no arbitrary and stern decree, but by His wise counsel and tender wisdom. He who loved us from before the foundations of the world, has immutably determined all the steps of our pilgrimage!

Why then, should you worry yourself?

There is a hand upon the helm which shall steer your vessel safely enough between the rocks, and by the quicksands, and away from the shoals and the headlands, through the mist, and through the darkness–safely to the desired haven!

Our Pilot never sleeps, and His hand never relaxes its grasp.

It is a blessed thing, after you have been muddling and meddling as you ought not to do with the affairs of providence, to leave them alone and cast your burden upon the Lord.

I charge you, therefore, children of God–in times of dilemma, toroll your burdens upon God, and He will sustain you, and make you to rejoice in beholding His wisdom and His love.

“My times are in Your hands!” Psalm 31:15
  ~ ~ ~ ~

Something to ponder:
Charles Spurgeon: “It is most important for us to learn that the smallest trifles are as much arranged by the God of Providence, as the most momentous events! He who counts the stars, has also numbered the hairs of our heads. Our lives and deaths are predestined–but so, also, are our sitting down and our rising up.”

  ~ ~ ~ ~

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

Good morning,

Israel is preparing to go into the promised land. Moses will not be leading them. God has chosen a new leader, Joshua. This week we will look at the transition of leadership. Please read Deuteronomy 31:1-23, 34:1-12 for the historical background. Joshua 1 will be our text.

“And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the Lord commanded Moses.” (Deuteronomy 34:9)

Response of the People (V16-18)

“And they answered Joshua, saying, All that thou commandest us we will do, and whithersoever thou sendest us, we will go. ¹⁷ According as we hearkened unto Moses in all things, so will we hearken unto thee: only the Lord thy God be with thee, as he was with Moses. ¹⁸ Whosoever he be that doth rebel against thy commandment, and will not hearken unto thy words in all that thou commandest him, he shall be put to death: only be strong and of a good courage.”

The people obey!

Believers in Christ should obey God’s word. When we do, we are blessed, and when we do not, we are in line for God’s chastisement.

CONCLUSION:

Leaders must:

1) Be full of the spirit of wisdom

2) Follow God’s leading

3) Go

4) Be strong and courageous

5) Obey the word of God

6) Meditate on the word of God

7) Prepare

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

Good morning,

Israel is preparing to go into the promised land. Moses will not be leading them. God has chosen a new leader, Joshua. This week we will look at the transition of leadership. Please read Deuteronomy 31:1-23, 34:1-12 for the historical background. Joshua 1 will be our text.

“And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the Lord commanded Moses.” (Deuteronomy 34:9)

Joshua Prepares to Cross Jordan (V10-15)

“Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying, ¹¹ Pass through the host, and command the people, saying, Prepare you victuals; for within three days ye shall pass over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land, which the Lord your God giveth you to possess it. ¹² And to the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to half the tribe of Manasseh, spake Joshua, saying, ¹³ Remember the word which Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, saying, The Lord your God hath given you rest, and hath given you this land. ¹⁴ Your wives, your little ones, and your cattle, shall remain in the land which Moses gave you on this side Jordan; but ye shall pass before your brethren armed, all the mighty men of valor, and help them; ¹⁵ Until the Lord have given your brethren rest, as he hath given you, and they also have possessed the land which the Lord your God giveth them: then ye shall return unto the land of your possession, and enjoy it, which Moses the Lord’s servant gave you on this side Jordan toward the sunrising.”

Joshua commanded his officers to prepare the people to go in to possess the land. Then he reminds the Reubenites, Gadites, and half tribe of Manasseh, who received their possession already, how they promised to help the other tribes fight for their land.

The Bible gives many examples about being prepared.

“The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer;” (Proverbs 30:25)

“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.³ 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.” (John 14:2-3)

“By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.” (Hebrews 11:7)

“And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” (Revelation 21:2)

Are we prepared to serve God? Do we know what God’s word says? Are we prepared to tells about faith in Jesus Christ?

Lt’s get prepared for the spiritual battle ahead!

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

Good morning,

Israel is preparing to go into the promised land. Moses will not be leading them. God has chosen a new leader, Joshua. This week we will look at the transition of leadership. Please read Deuteronomy 31:1-23, 34:1-12 for the historical background. Joshua 1 will be our text.

Joshua

And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the Lord commanded Moses. (Deuteronomy 34:9)

Introduction: God chooses Joshua to be the next leader of Israel. “And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the Lord hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it. ⁸ And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.” (Deuteronomy 31:7-8)

Joshua 1

God’s Commission (V1-4)

Now after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord it came to pass, that the Lord spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ minister, saying, ² Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel. ³ Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses. ⁴ From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast.

God’s Command (V5-9)

⁵ There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. ⁶ Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. ⁷ Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper withersoever thou goest. ⁸ This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. ⁹ Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

Joshua Prepares to Cross Jordan (V10-15)

¹⁰ Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying, ¹¹ Pass through the host, and command the people, saying, Prepare you victuals; for within three days ye shall pass over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land, which the Lord your God giveth you to possess it. ¹² And to the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to half the tribe of Manasseh, spake Joshua, saying, ¹³ Remember the word which Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, saying, The Lord your God hath given you rest, and hath given you this land. ¹⁴ Your wives, your little ones, and your cattle, shall remain in the land which Moses gave you on this side Jordan; but ye shall pass before your brethren armed, all the mighty men of valor, and help them; ¹⁵ Until the Lord have given your brethren rest, as he hath given you, and they also have possessed the land which the Lord your God giveth them: then ye shall return unto the land of your possession, and enjoy it, which Moses the Lord’s servant gave you on this side Jordan toward the sunrising.

Response of the People (V16-18)

¹⁶ And they answered Joshua, saying, All that thou commandest us we will do, and whithersoever thou sendest us, we will go. ¹⁷ According as we hearkened unto Moses in all things, so will we hearken unto thee: only the Lord thy God be with thee, as he was with Moses. ¹⁸ Whosoever he be that doth rebel against thy commandment, and will not hearken unto thy words in all that thou commandest him, he shall be put to death: only be strong and of a good courage.

CONCLUSION:

Leaders must:

1) Be full of the spirit of wisdom

2) Follow God’s leading

3) Go

4) Be strong and courageous

5) Obey the word of God

6) Meditate on the word of God

7) Prepare

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

Good morning,

Israel is preparing to go into the promised land. Moses will not be leading them. God has chosen a new leader, Joshua. This week we will look at the transition of leadership. Please read Deuteronomy 31:1-23, 34:1-12 for the historical background. Joshua 1 will be our text.

“And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the Lord commanded Moses.” (Deuteronomy 34:9)

God’s Command (V5-9)

“There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. ⁶ Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. ⁷ Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper withersoever thou goest. ⁸ This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. ⁹ Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”

God tells Joshua to be strong and courageous. He uses this term three times. He encourages Joshua by telling him that no man shall stand in his way and that He would be with him. God admonishes Joshua to observe all the law, not to turn from it, and meditate on it daily.  God will make his way prosperous and successful.

This is an excellent example for believers as we tackle the tribulations of our lives. Be strong and of a good courage, read and meditate on God’s word, and trust God in every area of our lives.

“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.⁶ So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” (Hebrews 13:5-6)

Is that what we believe? If so, are we boldly proclaiming Christ to others by our attitudes and actions?

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

Good morning,

Israel is preparing to go into the promised land. Moses will not be leading them. God has chosen a new leader, Joshua. This week we will look at the transition of leadership. Please read Deuteronomy 31:1-23, 34:1-12 for the historical background. Joshua 1 will be our text.

“And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the Lord commanded Moses.” (Deuteronomy 34:9)

Introduction: God chooses Joshua to be the next leader of Israel. “And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the Lord hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it. ⁸ And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.” (Deuteronomy 31:7-8)

Joshua 1

God’s Commission (V1-4)

“Now after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord it came to pass, that the Lord spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ minister, saying, ² Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel. ³ Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses. ⁴ From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast.”

There was no fight for the leadership when Moses died. God had preselected Joshua to be the next leader. There was no opposition. God tells Joshua that He would go before them, with them, and would not forsake them. He would give them every place they stepped on. He even specified the boundaries.

God has also given us a mission to proclaim the good news of Jesus death, burial, and resurrection.

“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;² By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.³ For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;⁴ And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:⁵ And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:⁶ After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.” (1 Corinthians 15:1-6)

“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.¹⁹ Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:²⁰ Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” (Matthew 28:18-20)

Will we be obedient to God and share the good news with others who have never heard? Will we impart the knowledge that God has given us to young believers? It is our responsibility and duty.

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