Good morning,

This week we will looking at Psalm 33.

Psalm 33 tells us to rejoice in the Lord, about God’s creation, God’s rule, and what we should do.

Psalm 33:1 says, “Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous: …”

Verses 1-5 tell us how we are to do this.

“Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.² Praise the Lord with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings.³ Sing unto him a new song; play skillfully with a loud noise.⁴ For the word of the Lord is right; and all his works are done in truth.⁵ He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.”

We are told to rejoice, praise the Lord in song, and to love God and His word.

The challenge for believers in Christ is this what we believe? Do we believe Jesus is worthy of our praise? Is Jesus the central figure in our lives? Are we praising the things of this world above the person and work of Jesus? When we sing, is it the songs of Scripture, hymns, or spiritual songs, or are they the songs of this world?

It is certainly worth praying about this and determining God’s counsel.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

The tongue can be used to bless God or curse men. Today we will look at Proverbs 15:1-7 and James 3:5-10 and see what the Bible says about the tongue.

Proverbs 15:1-7

“A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. 2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit. 5 A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.”

James 3:5-10

“Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.      9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.”

CONCLUSION

We need to think before we speak. Proverbs 15:1 is the practical answer on how to deal with the tongue.

A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

True beauty is not of the face–but of the soul!

(Mabel Hale, “Beautiful Girlhood” 1922)

“Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears the LORD shall be praised!” Proverbs 31:30

Every girl is a lover of beauty. Beautiful homes, beautiful furnishings, beautiful flowers, beautiful clothes, beautiful faces–anything wherein beauty is found, there will be found girls to admire it. From the time her little hands can reach up, and her baby lips can lisp the words, she is admiring “pretty things.” And when a little of that beauty is her own–her pleasure is unbounded.

Every girl longs to be beautiful. There is in woman a nature, as deep as humanity, which compels her to strive for good looks. There is no more forlorn sorrow for a young girl, than for her to be convinced that she is hopelessly ugly and undesirable. Oh, the bitter tears that have been shed over freckles, or blemished skin–and the energy that has been expended in painting and powdering and waving and curling herself into beauty!

A desire to be beautiful is not unwomanly. But, mark it: true beauty is not of the face–but of the soul! There is a beauty so deep and lasting, that it will shine out of the homeliest face and make it lovely! This is the beauty to be first sought and admired. It is a quality of the mind and heart–and is manifested in word and deed.

A happy heart,
a smiling face,
loving words and deeds, and
a desire to be of service–
will make any girl beautiful!

A beautiful soul shining out of a homely face–is far more attractive than a beautiful face out of which looks a soul full of selfishness and pride!

Let your chief charm be of heart and mind–not of face and form.
Seek the true beauty which lasts even into old age!

Solomon, in one of his wise sayings, plainly expressed the evil that comes to a woman who is beautiful of face, but lacks the true beauty of soul: “Like a gold ring in a swine’s snout--is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion!” Proverbs 11:22. As the swine would plunge the golden jewel into the filth and the mire as he dug in the dirt–so will a pretty woman who is not godly, drag her beauty down to the very lowest.

There are many peculiar temptations to those who are only lovely of face. Without true beauty of soul–a pretty face is a dangerous gift!

“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight!” 1 Peter 3:3-4
  ~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Obedience to God’s Commands is today’s lesson. Last week we discovered that God’s commandments are found in God’s word, the Bible.

Today we will see God’s first command, man’s failure to keep that command, and the consequences of that failure.

OBEDIENCE: GOD’S COMMAND

If ye love me, keep my commandments. (John 14:15)

INTRODUCTION:  GENESIS 3 MEN AND WOMAN

TO UNDERSTAND OBEDIENCE, WE MUST UNDERSTAND WHAT GOD COMMANDED

GOD’S COMMAND

GENESIS 2:8-9, 15-17

And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed.  And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.  And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 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.

MAN’S REJECTION OF GOD’S COMMAND

GENESIS 3:1-24

Satan’s temptation                      v1-5

Adam’s decision to disobey God v6

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.

Result of Adam’s decision           v7-10

Realized he was naked and afraid of God

God’s response to Adam’s decision     v11-24

Recognizes Adam’s disobedience              v11-12

God’s response to the serpent (Satan)     v13-15

God’s response to the woman (Eve)         v16

God’s response to the man (Adam)          v17-19

Consequence of Adam’s sin (v22-24)

And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever: Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

CONSEQUENCES FOR DISOBEDIENCE IS SEPARATION FROM GOD

DEALING WITH TEMPTATION AND SATAN

1 CORINTHIANS 10:13

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

JAMES 4:7

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

SATAN ONLY HAS THE POWER YOU GIVE HIM

CHRIST TRIUMPHS OVER SATAN

COLOSSIANS 2:10-15

And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

I AM MY OWN WORST ENEMY

GOD SAID IT – THAT SETTLES IT.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

Wisdom. What are the benefits of wisdom? Proverbs 3:13-18 tell us.

^“ Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.¹⁴ For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.¹⁵ She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.¹⁶ Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honor.¹⁷ Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.¹⁸ She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.”

People today are seeking happiness, understanding, wealth, longevity, and peace. Unfortunately, most people are not seeking God’s wisdom. They seek the wisdom of the world.

The world’s wisdom causes wars, strife, death, and alienation from God. It is useless and a bad choice.

Contrast that with the results of God’s wisdom and God’s wisdom wins every time.

Choose God’s wisdom!

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

Wisdom. How does God define it? What are the results of wisdom? Proverbs 2:1-6 gives us the answer.

Definition

“My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;² So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;³ Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;⁴ If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;”

Result

⁵ Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.⁶ For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

Wisdom is found by those who seek for it. Verses 1-4 give us eight actions we must take if we want wisdom from God.

Do we as believers in Christ really want God’s wisdom? It takes work, study, obedience, and time. Is God central enough in our lives, that we want to know His wisdom?

If we do, the results are great. We shall “…understand the fear of the Lord…”, “…find the knowledge of God…”, receive God’s wisdom, knowledge, and understanding.

Each of us must choose to seek wisdom. Will we?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

Good morning,

Who is God? Psalm 62 gives us several descriptions.

He is my rock in verses 2 and 6. My salvation in verses 2, 6, 7. My defense in verses 2 and 6. My glory in verse 7. My strength in verse 7. My refuge in verses .

These attributes  cause King David to”…wait upon God…”, verse 1, and to “Trust in him at all times…”, verse 8.

This is the challenge for all believers in Christ. We must trust the Lord Jesus at all times.

Tom Stearns,  WASI  Chaplain,  907 715-4001

Good morning,

Much of the service of some so-called Christians

(Charles Naylor, “Acceptable Service“)

“Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in Heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.” Matthew 6:1, 2

Our service to God must be an unostentatious. Service which springs from true love to God–never desires to display itself. Genuine service is not done for the eyes of men to behold; it is done as a loving tribute to God, the object of its love.

The principle here set forth is that what is done with the purpose of being seen by men, brings only the reward that men give; in other words, it is not accepted by the Lord as service to Him. Judged by this rule, much of the service of some so-called Christians is never, I fear, recognized in Heaven at all. Our good deeds are to be done–not that men may see them–but that God, who sees in secret, may see, and reward according to His own will, and that He may regard them as service done to Himself and not for the reward of men’s praise.

It is simple, single-hearted service which pleases the Lord.

The man who is truly godly, has no desire to put himself upon exhibition. He thinks, “Not I, but Christ!” and not only thinks it, but feels it in the depths of his heart.

“But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Matthew 6:3-4
~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

We are starting a new series on “Obedience”. It is four parts including being obedient to God’s word, commandments, examples of those who chose to obey or disobey, and concluding with the benefits of obedience.

Please join us in person on Wednesdays at 11 am in the WASI meeting room.

OBEDIENCE: GOD’S WORD

If ye love me, keep my commandments. (John 14:15)

INTRODUCTION:

TESTIMONY

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.

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.

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 PROFITABLE 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.

CONCLUSION:

TO BE ODBEDIENT WE MUST READ GOD’S WORD

CHALLENGE TO READ FROM GENESIS TO REVELATION IN ONE YEAR

 

Good morning,

Psalm 32 speaks of sin, repentance, protection, and mercy.

We all sin. It is what we do with our sin that is important. Do we repent or continue to rebel? Depending on the answer to that question, God will either chastise or bless us. If we are willing to acknowledge our sin, confess it to God, and repent of it, God will forgive our sin.

David is a good example of what to do with sin.

The results of sin (1-4)

Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.2 Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.3 When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long.4 For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.

Acknowledgment (repentance) of sin (5-6)

5 I acknowledge my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.6 For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him.

The Lord is our hiding place, instructor, and guide (7-8)

7 Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.

Stubbornness results in sorrow (9-10)

9 Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.10 Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compass him about.

How should we react? (11)

11 Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.

David helps us to see how to deal with our sin.

It is God’s desire that we live Godly lives free from sin. Although we will not, if we deal with it appropriately, according to God’s word, He will forgive us. Then we will be in fellowship with God and available to serve in whatever capacity He chooses.

What a blessing!

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001