Good morning,

Jonah 2 reveals Jonah’s fate in the belly of the “…great fish…”

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

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Good morning,

What a blessing it is when believers in Christ live in unity.

Psalm 133 speaks of this unity as a “…precious ointment…” and “… the dew of Hermon…”.

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

² It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;

³ As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.”

Unfortunately, unity is not always the case in our local churches. We see division and strife instead of love and peace. Ephesians 4 brings unity into perspective.

“Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

⁴ There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

⁵ One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

⁶ One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

⁷ But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. (Ephesians 4:3-7)

Understanding and believing these verses would bring unity among believers. Believers in Christ have a responsibility to know, understand, and practice the Bible’s clear teaching on the things mentioned in Ephesians 4.

Unity will only come when we are in agreement with what the word of God teaches.

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1)

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

Prayer is talking with God. When we pray, we are confiding our deepest need, hurts, and frustrations. Also, our adoration, praise, and thanksgiving to God.

Psalm 130 reveals the Psalmist’s tremendous confidence in God. He pours out his heart, knowing God hears and will answer his prayer.

“Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord.

² Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.

³ If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?

⁴ But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.

⁵ I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.

⁶ My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning.

⁷ Let Israel hope in the Lord: for with the Lord there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption.

⁸ And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.”

The Psalmist prays and asks God to hear his prayer. He acknowledges his iniquities (sins). He knows God forgives sin, is merciful, and will redeem Israel. He is willing to wait for the Lord and hope in His word. He believes God can do these things.

Do we believe God can do these things? Is the God we worship merciful, forgiving, and willing to redeem us? Are we waiting on the Lord and hoping in His word?

This Psalm is a challenge and encouragement to each of us. We then, should be sharing God’s mercy, forgiveness, and redemption with others. We should encourage others to read God’s word, study it, and apply it to their lives.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

Psalm 125 tells of the protection of God’s people.

“They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.

² As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about his people from henceforth even for ever.

³ For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity.

⁴ Do good, O Lord, unto those that be good, and to them that are upright in their hearts.

⁵ As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the Lord shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity: but peace shall be upon Israel.”

God’s protection for those who trust in the Lord and live righteously. He will never leave me. This is an everlasting promise.

“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.”

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

Psalm 122 tells us why David delighted in going to the “…house of the Lord.”

“I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.

² Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem.

³ Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together:

⁴ Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the Lord.

⁵ For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David.

⁶ Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.

⁷ Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.

⁸ For my brethren and companions’ sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee.

⁹ Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek thy good.”

The house of the Lord represented the place of worship. David was glad to worship God with others from Israel. Jerusalem was the center of this worship. People came from all over Israel to worship in Jerusalem. This would be the place to give thanksgiving and offerings to the Lord.

We should be praying for the peace of Jerusalem. Specifically, for peace and prosperity within its walls. Then to seek its good.

When Christ came, shed His blood on the cross for us, died, buried. and rose from the grave on the third day, we were offered salvation. If we have accepted Christ, we have a new place of worship, the local church. As David, we should be glad to be in church whenever the doors are opened.

We should bring our adoration, praise, and prayers to the Lord during this time of worship.

“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:25)

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Today we begin a study of the book of Jonah.

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Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

“My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:2)

It is a great comfort to me to know that the God of creation is the same God that helps me.

Psalm 121 is a Psalm of encouragement to Israel and to us. As we read the Psalm, make note of what the Lord will do for you.

“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.

² My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.

³ He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.

⁴ Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

⁵ The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.

⁶ The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.

⁷ The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.

⁸ The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.”

The Lord takes care of our every need. He never sleeps. The Lord is always ready to help when needed.

The Lord Jesus Christ can be counted upon in all situations. Trust Him today.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

Today, we conclude our devotions on Psalm 119. It has been my desire that you have seen the importance the Psalmist placed on God’s word. His life was centered around trust in God and obedience to the word of God.

The application for us is to do the same.

The Bible is the greatest book ever written. It tells us how the world began, how it will end, and its complete history. It tells us about life and death. It tells us why there is so much wickedness in the world. It tells us of the love of God. It explains what sin is and why we need a Savior.

The greatest chapter of the Bible dealing with God’s word is Psalm 119. The 176 verses are divided into twenty-two groups of eight verses each. The first group of eight begin with the Hebrew letter aleph. The next eight verses begin with the Hebrew letter beth. This pattern continues throughout the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet.

Psalm 119:169-176 The lost sheep

Let my cry come near before thee, O Lord: give me understanding according to thy word.

¹⁷⁰ Let my supplication come before thee: deliver me according to thy word.

¹⁷¹ My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes.

¹⁷² My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.

¹⁷³ Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts.

¹⁷⁴ I have longed for thy salvation, O Lord; and thy law is my delight.

¹⁷⁵ Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help me.

¹⁷⁶ I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.

The Psalmist trusts God for understanding, deliverance, teaching, help, life, and being found. He expresses praise, witness, supplication, longing for salvation, and a sincere commitment to God’s word.

The Psalmist sees himself as a lost sheep. God is his shepherd. He desires to be in the comfort of his Shepherd.

This is a good picture of us. Many times, we, as God’s children, stray from our Shepherd, Jesus Christ. We cry to Him, to find us and bring us back into the fold. Jesus does because He cares for His sheep. He comforts us, heals our wounds, and encourages us.

This study in Psalm 119 has been about the importance of God’s word in our lives. Please consider spending more time reading, studying, and applying God’s word to your life.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

The Bible is the greatest book ever written. It tells us how the world began, how it will end, and its complete history. It tells us about life and death. It tells us why there is so much wickedness in the world. It tells us of the love of God. It explains what sin is and why we need a Savior.

The greatest chapter of the Bible dealing with God’s word is Psalm 119. The 176 verses are divided into twenty-two groups of eight verses each. The first group of eight begin with the Hebrew letter aleph. The next eight verses begin with the Hebrew letter beth. This pattern continues throughout the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet.

Psalm 119:161-168 Rejoice in the word

“Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.

¹⁶² I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.

¹⁶³ I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love.

¹⁶⁴ Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments.

¹⁶⁵ Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.

¹⁶⁶ Lord, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments.

¹⁶⁷ My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.

¹⁶⁸ I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways are before thee.”

The culmination for the Psalmist is rejoicing because of the word of God. He says his heart is in awe of the word. He rejoices, loves, praise, and kept the word. He uses love three times to describe his relationship to the word.

How often do we react that way about God’s word? Is it that precious to us? Or is it just another book on our bookshelf that we dust off each Sunday for church.

Yet our Bibles have everything we need to know about where we came from, why we are here, where we are going, and how we are going to get there. Cradle to grave. Sinner to saint. Death to life. Hell or heaven.

Why would we not rejoice over God’s precious word?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

Good morning,

The Bible is the greatest book ever written. It tells us how the world began, how it will end, and its complete history. It tells us about life and death. It tells us why there is so much wickedness in the world. It tells us of the love of God. It explains what sin is and why we need a Savior.

The greatest chapter of the Bible dealing with God’s word is Psalm 119. The 176 verses are divided into twenty-two groups of eight verses each. The first group of eight begin with the Hebrew letter aleph. The next eight verses begin with the Hebrew letter beth. This pattern continues throughout the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet.

Psalm 119:153-160 Deliver me

“Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law.

¹⁵⁴ Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word.

¹⁵⁵ Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes.

¹⁵⁶ Great are thy tender mercies, O Lord: quicken me according to thy judgments.

¹⁵⁷ Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies.

¹⁵⁸ I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word.

¹⁵⁹ Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O Lord, according to thy lovingkindness.

¹⁶⁰ Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.”

Two words are key to today’s devotion. Deliver and quicken.

He pleads with God to deliver him from his enemies. This is a recurring theme. His confidence is in the Lord.

Quicken means make alive. Three times, the Psalmist, requests the Lord to quicken him. According to thy word, judgements, and lovingkindness.

He is grieved that his enemies do not keep the word. He knows that if they kept the word, statutes, and testimonies of God, they would not be his enemy.

We live in a world of wickedness. Believers in Christ have enemies all about us. Satan is the greatest enemy we have. We need deliverance daily from his influence in our lives.

The Psalmist stayed in God’s word for encouragement and wisdom. We should too.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001