Good morning,

The death of George Floyd has caused our nation to revisit the discussion on social injustice. Protests over police brutality have been marked by peaceful assemblies and those bent on destruction. The result of the destruction has been looting, crimes against police, and murder. Innocent people, who were just coming back from the COVID-19 pandemic, have been affected.

Why? The root cause of this violence is sin. It is rebellion against God, His purposes, and His love for mankind. Neither side in this conflict seems to recognize God’s control.

However, if you think this is a new phenomenon, you would be wrong. God through the apostle Peter gave us a graphic picture of this two thousand years ago.

This week we will look at 2 Peter 2. We will begin with the root of the problem found in Genesis 3. Then we will see how the false teachers of Peter’s day caused rebellion and destruction. They too were trying to destroy those who worshipped God.

The destructiveness of false teachers (2 Peter 2:1-3)

Their destructive heresies (2:1-2)

“But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.² And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.”

Their destructive methods (2:1,3)

“But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. ³ And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.”

Their destructive end (2:1,3)

“But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. ³ And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.”

Peaceable protest is a protected right in America. However, when the peaceful protests turn into riots, false teachers have changed the narrative for their own desires.

In this current instance, one man’s death has turned to riots all around the world. Millions of dollars in damage have occurred and lives lost or disrupted. The avenged are now the avengers.

Peter writes about the characteristics of the false teachers. They do not tell the truth, they deny the Lord Jesus Christ, and they have their own agenda. The consequences of their sin are swift destruction.

We live in a dark world. Jesus came to be the light of the world.

“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

Will the light of Jesus or the darkness of the false teachers bring reconciliation to the problems of men?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

The death of George Floyd has caused our nation to revisit the discussion on social injustice. Protests over police brutality have been marked by peaceful assemblies and those bent on destruction. The result of the destruction has been looting, crimes against police, and murder. Innocent people, who were just coming back from the COVID-19 pandemic, have been affected.

Why? The root cause of this violence is sin. It is rebellion against God, His purposes, and His love for mankind. Neither side in this conflict seems to recognize God’s control.

However, if you think this is a new phenomenon, you would be wrong. God through the apostle Peter gave us a graphic picture of this two thousand years ago.

This week we will look at 2 Peter 2. We will begin with the root of the problem found in Genesis 3. Then we will see how the false teachers of Peter’s day caused rebellion and destruction. They too were trying to destroy those who worshipped God.

Genesis 2:15-17

God’s first command

“And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.¹⁶ And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:¹⁷ But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.”

Genesis 3:1-15

First sin

“Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?² And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:³ But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.⁴ And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:⁵ For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.⁶ And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.⁷ And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.⁸ And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden.⁹ And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?¹⁰ And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.¹¹ And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?² And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.¹³ And the Lord God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.¹⁴ And the Lord God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:¹⁵ And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.”

Man rebelled against God. He ate from the tree God commanded him not to eat. From this simple act of rebellion, sin entered into the world. All that was perfect became tainted.

That first sin was passed down through the generations to us.

“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:” (Romans 5:12)

This is the root cause of all the rebellion we see today.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

In the Gospel of John, Jesus makes seven statements beginning with the words I am. Each of these “I am” proclamations furthers our understanding of Jesus’ ministry in the world. They also link Jesus to the Old Testament revelation of God.

In the Old Testament, God revealed His name to Moses: “I AM THAT I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me unto you’” (Exodus 3:14). Thus, in Judaism, “I AM” is unquestionably understood as a name for God. Whenever Jesus made an “I am” statement in which He claimed attributes of deity, He was identifying Himself as God.

Jesus states, I am the bread of life, light of the world, the door, the good shepherd, the resurrection and the life, the way, the truth, and the life, and the true vine.

This week we will at each of these I AM statements.

“I am the true vine.”

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.² Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.³ Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.⁴ Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.⁵ I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” (John 15:1-5)

The entire chapter of John 15 is about the true vine. In John 15:1 and John 15:5, Jesus says, “I am the true vine.”

There was no particular occasion for Jesus to say this like the other “I am statements.” He was emphasizing in general that He is the vine and we are the branches. He added that in order to bear fruit, we must remain in Him.

Once we have trusted Christ as Savior and Lord, it is our desire to cling close to or abide in Christ. Jesus, the vine, has all the nutrients we as believers need. Jesus teaches us through His word and encourages and challenges us through the Holy Spirit. We are complete in Him as long as we abide in the vine.

Are we vine clingers today?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

In the Gospel of John, Jesus makes seven statements beginning with the words I am. Each of these “I am” proclamations furthers our understanding of Jesus’ ministry in the world. They also link Jesus to the Old Testament revelation of God.

In the Old Testament, God revealed His name to Moses: “I AM THAT I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me unto you’” (Exodus 3:14). Thus, in Judaism, “I AM” is unquestionably understood as a name for God. Whenever Jesus made an “I am” statement in which He claimed attributes of deity, He was identifying Himself as God.

Jesus states, I am the bread of life, light of the world, the door, the good shepherd, the resurrection and the life, the way, the truth, and the life, and the true vine.

This week we will at each of these I AM statements.

“I am the way, the truth, and the life.”

“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. ² 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.⁴ And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. ⁵ Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?⁶ Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:1-6)

The other sayings were limited to just one metaphor. Jesus was comforting His disciples about going away when the doubting disciple Thomas asked, “Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?” (John 14:5)

Jesus responded by saying, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Perhaps Jesus used three metaphors to convince doubting Thomas in the presence of the other disciples that He was all three: the way, the truth, and the life.

Jesus explains what He is about to do. He is going home to heaven to prepare a place for all those who believe in Jesus. Then, He tells them He is coming back to receive them. That where He is, they will also be there.

Thomas is confused. He asks the question no one else was willing to ask. Jesus had already answered his question. Jesus said He was coming back for them. They did not have to find their way.

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.

Jesus point is, there is only one way a can person to be saved, go to heaven, and be with Jesus forever. It is by trusting, by faith, in the finished work of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. No other way will suffice.

The stakes are high. Heaven with Jesus. Hell any other way.

Choose wisely!

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

In the Gospel of John, Jesus makes seven statements beginning with the words I am. Each of these “I am” proclamations furthers our understanding of Jesus’ ministry in the world. They also link Jesus to the Old Testament revelation of God.

In the Old Testament, God revealed His name to Moses: “I AM THAT I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me unto you’” (Exodus 3:14). Thus, in Judaism, “I AM” is unquestionably understood as a name for God. Whenever Jesus made an “I am” statement in which He claimed attributes of deity, He was identifying Himself as God.

Jesus states, I am the bread of life, light of the world, the door, the good shepherd, the resurrection and the life, the way, the truth, and the life, and the true vine.

This week we will at each of these I AM statements.

“I am the resurrection and the life.”

“Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.²⁴ Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.²⁵ Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:²⁶ And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?” (John 11:23-26)

When Martha told Jesus her brother would not have died if He had come to Lazarus sooner. Jesus told her something very deep that should bring us comfort when our loved ones die. In essence, Jesus was telling Martha that it didn’t matter that He wasn’t there when her brother was sick because standing before her at the very moment, He was the resurrection and the life.

We know the rest of the story surrounding this statement in John 11:25. Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead in the presence of those who doubted Him.

Some think Jesus wept (John 11:35) over Lazarus’ death, but He wept over Martha’s and the others’ unbelief. Jesus knew He was the resurrection and the life. His raising His friend from the dead proved it to those who didn’t believe.

Death is not the final word for those in Christ.

Do we believe that Jesus is the resurrection and the life?

Our future depends on it. Raising Lazarus from the dead was a notable miracle. However, Lazarus died again. Jesus died, but three days later resurrected, and is seated on His throne in heaven. Christ was resurrected and all the believers in Christ will also be resurrected at the rapture of the church. Then we will have everlasting life.

Jesus truly is the resurrection and the life!

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

In the Gospel of John, Jesus makes seven statements beginning with the words I am. Each of these “I am” proclamations furthers our understanding of Jesus’ ministry in the world. They also link Jesus to the Old Testament revelation of God.

In the Old Testament, God revealed His name to Moses: “I AM THAT I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me unto you’” (Exodus 3:14). Thus, in Judaism, “I AM” is unquestionably understood as a name for God. Whenever Jesus made an “I am” statement in which He claimed attributes of deity, He was identifying Himself as God.

Jesus states, I am the bread of life, light of the world, the door, the good shepherd, the resurrection and the life, the way, the truth, and the life, and the true vine.

This week we will at each of these I AM statements.

“I am the door of the sheep.”

“Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.⁸ All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.⁹ I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.¹⁰ The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” (John 10:7-10)

There is one thing that is common with all doors no matter how they are made. Doors provide an entrance in and doors provide an entrance out of something. In John 10:9, Jesus let people know that He was the entrance into their good things and exit out of their bad things.

Jesus was then, and He is today the passageway for us no matter what we encounter. Jesus is that door that nobody else or nothing can be. Jesus can take us to places that we couldn’t otherwise enter without Him.

Jesus made this declaration after He had previously talked about thieves and robbers. Jesus was teaching that He is the only way to salvation. Jesus is the only way to get to His Father for eternal life.

“I am the shepherd”

“I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.¹² But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. ¹³ The hireling fleeth, because he is a hireling, and careth not for the sheep. ¹⁴ I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.¹⁵ As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.¹⁶ And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.¹⁷ Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.¹⁸ No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.” (John 10:11-18)

In John 10:11 and 10:14, Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd.” Notice He did not call Himself a shepherd. He described Himself as the good shepherd.

A good shepherd cares for His sheep no matter what. In biblical times, shepherds slept outside with their sheep year round. They knew their sheep, and their sheep knew them.

According to Psalm 23, the shepherd provided for and protected the sheep. On occasions, the shepherd had to use his rod and staff to keep them in line and out of danger.

Today, we can say like the sheep, “The Lord is my Shepherd. I shall not want.” That’s because the shepherd provides for us by giving us everything we need and He protects us and keeps us out of harm’s way.

Jesus, our good shepherd, laid down His life for us, His sheep. He did it willingly because of His great love for us. Through His paying our sin debt, we now are able to trust Him by faith and walk through the door of His sheepfold.

Will we allow Jesus to be our “…good shepherd…”?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

In the Gospel of John, Jesus makes seven statements beginning with the words I am. Each of these “I am” proclamations furthers our understanding of Jesus’ ministry in the world. They also link Jesus to the Old Testament revelation of God.

In the Old Testament, God revealed His name to Moses: “I AM THAT I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me unto you’” (Exodus 3:14). Thus, in Judaism, “I AM” is unquestionably understood as a name for God. Whenever Jesus made an “I am” statement in which He claimed attributes of deity, He was identifying Himself as God.

Jesus states, I am the bread of life, light of the world, the door, the good shepherd, the resurrection and the life, the way, the truth, and the life, and the true vine.

This week we will at each of these I AM statements.

“I am the light of the world”

“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

“As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” (John 9:5)

That simply means that Jesus brings light into any dark place.

It is recorded in the book of Genesis that the first thing God called forth was light. He said, “Let there be light, and there was light.” Thousands of years later, God’s Son said He was light.

Notice Jesus didn’t just say He was light that would light up a room or even a street corner. He was inclusive by saying He was the light of the world. In other words, He was not just the light that would go bad as our light bulbs do sometimes. Jesus said He was the very embodiment of light. Wherever He is, nothing is dark because He is the light.

The occasion for this saying was that a woman had been caught in adultery and the religious leaders wanted to stone her to death. Jesus told them to cast the first stone if they were without sin. Nobody could do so. Then Jesus assured them that they didn’t have to live in darkness because He was the light of the world, and He was able to bring light into their lives if they would follow Him.

We need light to see. The world we live in is filled with darkness, sin, and negativity. When we allow the light of Jesus in, it brightens everything. Jesus changes us completely.

Are we living in Jesus light or the darkness of the world?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

In the Gospel of John, Jesus makes seven statements beginning with the words I am. Each of these “I am” proclamations furthers our understanding of Jesus’ ministry in the world. They also link Jesus to the Old Testament revelation of God.

In the Old Testament, God revealed His name to Moses: “I AM THAT I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me unto you’” (Exodus 3:14). Thus, in Judaism, “I AM” is unquestionably understood as a name for God. Whenever Jesus made an “I am” statement in which He claimed attributes of deity, He was identifying Himself as God.

Jesus states, I am the bread of life, light of the world, the door, the good shepherd, the resurrection and the life, the way, the truth, and the life, and the true vine.

This week we will at each of these I AM statements.

“I am the bread of life.”

“Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.³² Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.³³ For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.³⁴ Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.³⁵ And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.” (John 6:31-35)

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. ⁴⁸ I am that bread of life.⁴⁹ Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead.⁵⁰ This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.⁵¹ I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” (John 6:47-51)

Jesus had just fed the five thousand men besides women and children with just two barley loaves and five small fish, yet the people were asking for another miracle for Jesus to prove who He said He was.

Jesus did not say he was like the bread they had just eaten. That would have been a simile whereas He compared Himself to bread. Instead, He said He was bread which is a metaphor. By saying that, He was emphasizing that He wasn’t just bread to fill someone’s hungry belly, but He was the bread that sustains. He said He was the bread of life, the living bread and the bread that was offered then and today as Jesus’ flesh.

As bread sustains physical life, so Christ offers and sustains spiritual life.

He also said He is the “…living bread…” He came in the flesh, to die for our sins, that we might have eternal life.

The “…living bread…” gives eternal life!

Partake in the “…bread of life.”

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

When Saul, the hater of believers in Christ, received Christ, his life was completely changed, including his name to Paul. Everywhere he went he was telling them about Jesus Christ.

Paul encourages the Colossians’ to follow Christ. Paul tells them to allow the word of God to dwell in them, whatever they do, do it heartily to the Lord, pray, and allow their speech be seasoned with salt.

We will look at each of these areas during this week’s devotions. 

Speech seasoned with salt (Colossians 4:6)

“Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”

In Paul’s time, salt served primarily as a preservative, keeping meat from spoiling. It was valuable enough to be used as a form of currency. And, of course, it changes the flavor of whatever it is added to. In that regard, Paul’s use of this metaphor has more than one meaning. The believer’s words are to preserve the message of Christ, helping it effectively reach as many people as possible. What a Christian says ought to add value to the conversation; our words should be uplifting or helpful. Finally, the truth of our renewed Christian lives ought to be clear in the different “flavor” of how we speak and act.

Another aspect of gracious speech is the ability to answer the questions of unbelievers. Peter also noted the importance of this area of ministry, saying, “but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15). Communicating Christ includes both a positive presentation of the gospel and the ability to defend it (Titus 1:9). Mere knowledge is not all that is required. In order to give an answer in a truly “Christian” way, a person must present truth using proper words and a proper attitude.

When we present the gospel message is it “…seasoned with salt…”?

When we are finished, have we left the door open for another opportunity to share Christ? Do we come across as a Know it all or I am better than you attitude?

Our presentation should be out of love. We should be concerned for this soul who Christ died. Remembering that we do not win souls. The Holy Spirit convicts men and women of their sin. We just present the message.

Will we go with a message “…seasoned with salt…”?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

When Saul, the hater of believers in Christ, received Christ, his life was completely changed, including his name to Paul. Everywhere he went he was telling them about Jesus Christ.

Paul encourages the Colossians’ to follow Christ. Paul tells them to allow the word of God to dwell in them, whatever they do, do it heartily to the Lord, pray, and allow their speech be seasoned with salt.

We will look at each of these areas during this week’s devotions. 

Pray (Colossians 4:2-4)

“Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;³ Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:⁴ That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.”

Paul began the letter to the Colossians by praying for them. Now, he requests that they continue in prayer for him. He wants them to pray for opportunities to share Christ with others. He also requests that he would have the right words to say.

What a great prayer.

We should be praying that for our Pastors, missionaries, and each other. The Great Commission was not only given to the apostles, but to every one of us. The only way we will be successful in this endeavor is by prayer. When we pray, the Holy Spirit will lead us to people who need to hear about Jesus and how they can become believers in Christ.

Ephesians 6:18-20 explains in detail Colossians 4:2-4.

“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; ¹⁹ And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,²⁰ For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”

Paul says, “Continue in prayer…” Never stop. We should be in a continual state of prayer. Remember, prayer is talking with God. We should be having a continual conversation with God. No item is too trivial to God.

“Pray without ceasing.¹⁸ In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18)

The challenge then is continual prayer and going to the lost and tell them about Jesus.

Will we pray and go?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001