Good morning,

How to thrive in ‘25 brings us to bearing one another’s burdens. We will look at four areas: Physical, relational financial, and spiritual. 

How to Thrive in ‘25

Bear  One Another’s Burdens

Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2)

INTRODUCTION: We live busy lives.  Work, school, church, gym etc.  Interruptions.   Do you see a need and meet them?  

PHYSICAL

Pharaoh’s daughter has compassion on Moses (Exodus 2:5-7 Key v6)

 “And the daughter of Pharaoh came down to wash herself at the river; and her maidens walked along by the river’s side; and when she saw the ark among the flags, she sent her maid to fetch it.6 And when she had opened it, she saw the child: and, behold, the babe wept. And she had compassion on him, and said, This is one of the Hebrews’ children.7 Then said his sister to Pharaoh’s daughter, Shall I go and call to thee a nurse of the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for thee?”

Shunammite woman’s care for Elisha (2 Kings 4:8-10)

“And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread.9 And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually.10 Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither.”

Elisha’s gift of opportunity to bear a child in old age (2 Kings 4: 14-17)

“And he said, What then is to be done for her? And Gehazi answered, Verily she hath no child, and her husband is old.15 And he said, Call her. And when he had called her, she stood in the door.16 And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid.17 And the woman conceived, and bare a son at that season that Elisha had said unto her, according to the time of life.”

Elisha heals dead son.  (2 Kings 4:20, 34-37)

“And when he had taken him, and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees till noon, and then died.”

“And he went up, and lay upon the child, and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands: and stretched himself upon the child; and the flesh of the child waxed warm.35 Then he returned, and walked in the house to and fro; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes.36 And he called Gehazi, and said, Call this Shunammite. So he called her. And when she was come in unto him, he said, Take up thy son.37 Then she went in, and fell at his feet, and bowed herself to the ground, and took up her son, and went out.”

Samaritan binds the wounds of the man left for dead. (Luke 10:33-35)

“But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.”

Today we looked at stories of men and women who saw a need and met it. When we see needs will we stop and help?

RELATIONAL

Ruth goes with Naomi  (Ruth 1:16-18)

“And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:17 Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.18 When she saw that she was steadfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her.”

Ruth provides for Naomi (Ruth 2:17-18)

“So she gleaned in the field until even, and beat out that she had gleaned: and it was about an ephah of barley.18 And she took it up, and went into the city: and her mother in law saw what she had gleaned: and she brought forth, and gave to her that she had reserved after she was sufficed.”

Result Naomi taken care of and Ruth is in the line of Christ. (Ruth 4:17)

“And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David.”

David and Jonathan (1 Samuel 18:1-4)

“And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.2 And Saul took him that day, and would let him go no more home to his father’s house.3 Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.4 And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle.”

 Financial

Women’s mite She gave of her want  (Mark 12:41-44)

“And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.

42 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.43 And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.”

Spiritual

Barnabas and Paul:  Barnabas brings Paul to the apostles (Acts 9:27, 13:1-3)

“But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.”

“Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.”

Jesus and the woman at the well (John 4:3-42)

Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.7 There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.8 (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.)9 Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.11 The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?12 Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?13 Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.15 The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.16 Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither.17 The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband:18 For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly.19 The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.20 Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.25 The woman saith unto him, I know that Messiah cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.26 Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.27 And upon this came his disciples, and marveled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why talkest thou with her?

Conclusion:

• Will you look for the needs that present themselves?
• Will you stop and help?
• Will you allow God to use you?

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

Good morning,

How to thrive in ‘25 brings us to bearing one another’s burdens. We will look at four areas: Physical, relational financial, and spiritual. 

How to Thrive in ‘25

Bear  One Another’s Burdens

Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2)

INTRODUCTION: We live busy lives.  Work, school, church, gym etc.  Interruptions.   Do you see a need and meet them?  

PHYSICAL

Pharaoh’s daughter has compassion on Moses (Exodus 2:5-7 Key v6)

 “And the daughter of Pharaoh came down to wash herself at the river; and her maidens walked along by the river’s side; and when she saw the ark among the flags, she sent her maid to fetch it.6 And when she had opened it, she saw the child: and, behold, the babe wept. And she had compassion on him, and said, This is one of the Hebrews’ children.7 Then said his sister to Pharaoh’s daughter, Shall I go and call to thee a nurse of the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for thee?”

Shunammite woman’s care for Elisha (2 Kings 4:8-10)

“And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread.9 And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually.10 Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither.”

Elisha’s gift of opportunity to bear a child in old age (2 Kings 4: 14-17)

“And he said, What then is to be done for her? And Gehazi answered, Verily she hath no child, and her husband is old.15 And he said, Call her. And when he had called her, she stood in the door.16 And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid.17 And the woman conceived, and bare a son at that season that Elisha had said unto her, according to the time of life.”

Elisha heals dead son.  (2 Kings 4:20, 34-37)

“And when he had taken him, and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees till noon, and then died.”

“And he went up, and lay upon the child, and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands: and stretched himself upon the child; and the flesh of the child waxed warm.35 Then he returned, and walked in the house to and fro; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes.36 And he called Gehazi, and said, Call this Shunammite. So he called her. And when she was come in unto him, he said, Take up thy son.37 Then she went in, and fell at his feet, and bowed herself to the ground, and took up her son, and went out.”

Samaritan binds the wounds of the man left for dead. (Luke 10:33-35)

“But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.”

Today we looked at stories of men and women who saw a need and met it. When we see needs will we stop and help?

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

Good morning,

To thrive in ‘25 can’t be just theological, but must be practical. We must be able to practically apply Scripture to our lives. 

Colossians 3 is a very practical chapter. It tells us how to have a heavenly focus, live a holy life, and be in unity with other believers. 

How to Thrive in ‘25

COLOSSIANS 3

PRACTICAL LIVING FOR BELIEVERS IN JESUS CHRIST

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. (3:17)

Living the Christian life in all relationships (18-25)

¹⁸ Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. ¹⁹ Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. ²⁰ Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. ²¹ Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. ²² Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God; ²³ And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; ²⁴ Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. ²⁵ But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

Finally, we must learn to be in unity with other believers. We should treat others as we would treat Christ. All of these devotions tie together. 

The bottom line is: “ And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;” (3:23)

CONCLUSION

SEEK THOSE THINGS ABOVE

LIVE HOLY LIVES PLEASING TO GOD

DWELL IN UNITY WITH FELLOW BELIEVERS

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

Good morning,

To thrive in ‘25 can’t be just theological, but must be practical. We must be able to practically apply Scripture to our lives. 

Colossians 3 is a very practical chapter. It tells us how to have a heavenly focus, live a holy life, and be in unity with other believers. 

How to Thrive in ‘25

COLOSSIANS 3

PRACTICAL LIVING FOR BELIEVERS IN JESUS CHRIST

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. (3:17)

How to live a holy life (5-17)

Put on (10-15)

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.

The word of God (16)

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.

Do all in the name of the Lord Jesus (17)

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.

Now we “…put on the new man…renewed in knowledge…” Then apply the characteristics listed. In conjunction with these qualities we are immersing ourselves in the Word of God. 

Then out of the overflow of God’s goodness to us, we teach and admonish others to follow Jesus.

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

Good morning,

To thrive in ‘25 can’t be just theological, but must be practical. We must be able to practically apply Scripture to our lives. 

Colossians 3 is a very practical chapter. It tells us how to have a heavenly focus, live a holy life, and be in unity with other believers. 

How to Thrive in ‘25

COLOSSIANS 3

PRACTICAL LIVING FOR BELIEVERS IN JESUS CHRIST

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. (3:17)

INTRODUCTION

In Chapter 2 Paul exhorts the Colossians’ to walk in Christ. Today we will learn how.

Heavenly Focus (1-4)

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.

Our church recognizes believers birthday’s. After singing “Happy Birthday”, they asked if I had any words of wisdom. I said, “Look up.”

That is exactly what Paul is telling the church at Colossae. We are to seek and set our affections on things above. Why? That is “…where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.” If we want to know how to live, look up.  

How to live a holy life (5-17)

Mortify (5-6)

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:

Put off (7-9)

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;

To thrive in ‘25, we must deal first with sin. 

Mortify means kill or destroy. We must not allow sin to control our lives. We must put off the deeds of the flesh. Then we must repent of all unconfessed sin. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

Put on (10-15)

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.

The word of God (16)

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.

Do all in the name of the Lord Jesus (17)

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.

Now we “…put on the new man…renewed in knowledge…” Then apply the characteristics listed. In conjunction with these qualities we are immersing ourselves in the Word of God. 

Then out of the overflow of God’s goodness to us, we teach and admonish others to follow Jesus.

Living the Christian life in all relationships (18-25)

¹⁸ Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. ¹⁹ Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. ²⁰ Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. ²¹ Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. ²² Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God; ²³ And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; ²⁴ Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. ²⁵ But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

Finally, we must learn to be in unity with other believers. We should treat others as we would treat Christ. All of these devotions tie together. 

The bottom line is: “ And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;” (3:23)

CONCLUSION

SEEK THOSE THINGS ABOVE

LIVE HOLY LIVES PLEASING TO GOD

DWELL IN UNITY WITH FELLOW BELIEVERS

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

Good morning,

To thrive in ‘25 can’t be just theological, but must be practical. We must be able to practically apply Scripture to our lives. 

Colossians 3 is a very practical chapter. It tells us how to have a heavenly focus, live a holy life, and be in unity with other believers. 

How to Thrive in ‘25

COLOSSIANS 3

PRACTICAL LIVING FOR BELIEVERS IN JESUS CHRIST

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. (3:17)

How to live a holy life (5-17)

Mortify (5-6)

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:

Put off (7-9)

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;

To thrive in ‘25, we must deal first with sin. 

Mortify means kill or destroy. We must not allow sin to control our lives. We must put off the deeds of the flesh. Then we must repent of all unconfessed sin. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

Tomorrow, we will learn what to do next.

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

Good morning,

To thrive in ‘25 can’t be just theological, but must be practical. We must be able to practically apply Scripture to our lives. 

Colossians 3 is a very practical chapter. It tells us how to have a heavenly focus, live a holy life, and be in unity with other believers. 

How to Thrive in ‘25

COLOSSIANS 3

PRACTICAL LIVING FOR BELIEVERS IN JESUS CHRIST

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. (3:17)

INTRODUCTION

In Chapter 2 Paul exhorts the Colossians’ to walk in Christ. Today we will learn how.

Heavenly Focus (1-4)

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.

Our church recognizes believers birthday’s. After singing “Happy Birthday”, they asked if I had any words of wisdom. I said, “Look up.”

That is exactly what Paul is telling the church at Colossae. We are to seek and set our affections on things above. Why? That is “…where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.” If we want to know how to live, look up.  

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

Good morning, 

Welcome to the year 2025. What kind of year will it be? How can I thrive in 2025? All these questions will be answered in this week’s devotional.

How to Thrive in ‘25

Obedience: God’s Word

MAN NEEDS TO STUDY SO HE CAN RIGHTLY DIVIDE THE WORDS OF GOD 2 Timothy 2:15

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

MAN HAS THE QUICK, POWERFUL WORDS OF GOD Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

 MAN HAS THE INSPIRED WORD OF GOD 2 Timothy 3:16-17

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

Although reading God’s Word is essential, studying it is also vitally important. We must understand the historical, cultural, and people, in context. We must understand the message the writer was trying to convey. Today’s Scripture verses are powerful and tell us why we need God’s word and what it can do for us.

CONCLUSION:

To “Thrive in ‘25” we must read and obey God’s Word

CHALLENGE: TO READ FROM GENESIS TO REVELATION IN ONE YEAR

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

Good morning, 

Welcome to the year 2025. What kind of year will it be? How can I thrive in 2025? All these questions will be answered in this week’s devotional.

How to Thrive in ‘25

Obedience: God’s Word

GOD’S WORD

MAN HIDES THE WORDS OF GOD IN HIS HEART Psalm 119:9-16 

Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.  Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes. With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.

MAN SHOULD NEVER FORGET THE WORDS OF GOD Psalm 119:89-96

For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth. They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all are thy servants. Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction. I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me. I am thine, save me: for I have sought thy precepts. The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider thy testimonies. I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandment is exceeding broad.

MAN SHOULD ALWAYS BE READY TO PREACH THE WORDS OF GOD    2 Timothy 4:2

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.

Obeying God’s Word takes action. Psalm 119:9-16 use action words to describe how the Psalmist interacted with God’s Word. Sought, hid, declared, rejoiced, meditated, respect and delight. After he had done all that, he was able to say, “I will not forget thy word.”

When we have understood the wonder of God’s Word, it should be our desire to share what we have learned with others. 

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

Good morning, 

Welcome to the year 2025. What kind of year will it be? How can I thrive in 2025? All these questions will be answered in this week’s devotional.

How to Thrive in ‘25

Obedience: God’s Word

WHAT WILL HAPPEN IN 2025?

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.9 What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?10 I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.11 He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.12 I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.13 And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labor, it is the gift of God.14 I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-14)

Solomon, the wisest man, gives us his wisdom. Basically, things will run on God’s schedule as they always have. It is not for us to know the times and seasons, but to trust God. Solomon summed up the Book of Ecclesiastes by saying in chapter 12:13, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: “Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”

Next, How to Thrive in ‘25, by obeying God’s word.

GOD’S WORD

MAN LIVES BY THE WORDS OF GOD Deuteronomy 8:3-6

And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live. Thy raiment waxed not old upon thee, neither did thy foot swell, these forty years. Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so the LORD thy God chasteneth thee. Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him. 

MAN MEDITATES ON THE WORDS OF GOD Joshua 1:8 

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.

MAN KEEPS THE WORDS OF GOD Psalm 119:2, 8

Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.

God gave us His Word, the Bible, as our instruction manual for life. It will only be useful if we open it, read it, study it, meditate on it, and obey what we read. 

My challenge to you is to read through the whole Bible in 2025. Genesis to Revelation in one year. 

MAN HIDES THE WORDS OF GOD IN HIS HEART Psalm 119:9-16 

Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.  Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes. With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.

MAN SHOULD NEVER FORGET THE WORDS OF GOD Psalm 119:89-96

For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth. They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all are thy servants. Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction. I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me. I am thine, save me: for I have sought thy precepts. The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider thy testimonies. I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandment is exceeding broad.

MAN SHOULD ALWAYS BE READY TO PREACH THE WORDS OF GOD    2 Timothy 4:2

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.

Obeying God’s Word takes action. Psalm 119:9-16 use action words to describe how the Psalmist interacted with God’s Word. Sought, hid, declared, rejoiced, meditated, respect and delight. After he had done all that, he was able to say, “I will not forget thy word.”

When we have understood the wonder of God’s Word, it should be our desire to share what we have learned with others. 

MAN NEEDS TO STUDY SO HE CAN RIGHTLY DIVIDE THE WORDS OF GOD 2 Timothy 2:15

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

MAN HAS THE QUICK, POWERFUL WORDS OF GOD Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

 MAN HAS THE INSPIRED WORD OF GOD 2 Timothy 3:16-17

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

Although reading God’s Word is essential, studying it is also vitally important. We must understand the historical, cultural, and people, in context. We must understand the message the writer was trying to convey. Today’s Scripture verses are powerful and tell us why we need God’s word and what it can do for us.

CONCLUSION:

To “Thrive in ‘25” we must read and obey God’s Word

CHALLENGE: TO READ FROM GENESIS TO REVELATION IN ONE YEAR

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