Good morning,

The news today is depressing. It seems that there is nothing good or positive being accomplished in our world. Hopelessness would be the way to describe our world, our leaders, and even the church.

But God is still in control. Today’s devotion was written in 1943. To refresh your memories, World War 2 was being contested. The 2 major areas of operation were Europe and Japan. The forces of good were fighting against the forces of evil.

Where was God in all of that? Just where He has always been. Heaven, orchestrating the affairs of mankind.

Men and women were getting saved, serving God, and trusting Him for their futures.

Today is no different. Trust God and allow Him to take care of you!

As we launch out into another year

(Arthur Pink, “New Year’s Comfort” 1943)

“The LORD Himself goes before you and will be with you! He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid–do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8

As we launch out into another year, there is little visible prospect of a smooth and pleasant voyage. To the natural eye, the clouds are dark and fierce storms seem imminent. The very uncertainty of what the morrow may bring forth, fills many with uneasiness and trepidation.

But how different should be the state of God’s children! An all-sufficient Object is presented to the eyes of their faith, from which unbelief derives no comfort. The poor worldling is concerned with what lies before him–but it is the blessed privilege of the believer to be occupied with Who goes before him–the One who is his Captain, his Guide, his Forerunner. “The LORD Himself goes before you and will be with you!” What a difference that makes! O that writer and reader may be enabled to lay hold of this grand Truth as we enter another period of time, and keep it steadily in mind throughout the coming days!

“Do not be afraid–for I have ransomed you.

I have called you by name–you are Mine!

When you go through deep waters–I will be with you.

When you go through rivers of difficulty–you will not drown.

When you walk through the fire of oppression–you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.

For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior!” Isaiah 43:1-3

~  ~  ~  ~

This should be an encouragement to each of us. God has not quit on us. He loves us and is constantly taking care of us.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

The heart. If it is working well, we are living well. However, when the heart fails us, we are either sick or dead. So, each of us tries to take care of our heart.

What about in the spiritual realm? This devotion will help us focus in on why God tells us to “Guard our heart…”.

The great business of a Christian’s life!

(John Flavel)

“Guard your heart above all else–for it determines the course of your life!” Proverbs 4:23

The heart is the seat of principles–and the fountain of actions. The eye of God is, and the eye of the Christian ought to be–principally fixed upon it.

The greatest difficulty in conversion–is to win the heart to God.
The greatest difficulty after conversion–is to keep the heart with God.

Here lies the very pinch and stress of religion; here is that that makes the way to life a narrow way, and the gate of Heaven a straight gate.

The keeping and right managing of the heart in every condition–is the great business of a Christian’s life!

“Oh, for a holier heart!
Oh for a heart to hate sin more!
Oh for a heart to love God more–and to walk more closely with Him!
Lord, whatever you deny me–do not deny me such a heart!
Give me a heart to fear You, love You and delight in You!”
~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

What is a “Random Act of Kindness”? A “random act of kindness” is a selfless act performed by a person or a group wishing to either assist or to cheer up an individual.

My wife demonstrated this on Wednesday night. It had been snowing. I was planning on shoveling the snow Thursday morning. About 2 am I checked to see if there was any further accumulation. What I saw was a “random act of kindness.” My wife had shoveled more than half our driveway. This was not a light fluffy snow. It was a wet and heavy snow.

I got up and went out and finished shoveling the driveway. Then invited her to breakfast at her favorite restaurant.

The book of Ruth shows Ruth’s kindness to Naomi. When she could have left Naomi, Ruth chose to go with Naomi. She was a comfort and encouragement to her.

Rahab was a harlot. However, she demonstrated a “random act of kindness”, by protecting the Jewish spies sent by Joshua.

The Bible tells us, “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:” (Hebrews 10:24) and “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

This weekend, would you do a “random act of kindness” for someone. You will be blessed and so will the recipient.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

One of the greatest attributes of the Lord Jesus is His compassion. He sees a situation, which to us is hopeless, and comes along side and either remedies the problem or brings His comfort.

Today’s devotion deals with Jesus compassion.

Are we willing to allow Jesus to use us to be compassionate to others? Do we care about others problems? Are we willing to help?

Let us bear this in mind, and take comfort in it!

(J.C. Ryle, “The Gospel of Luke” 1858)

“When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, ‘Do not weep!’ Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, ‘Young man, I say to you, arise!'” Luke 7:13-14

We learn from these verses–how deep is the compassion of our Lord’s heart. We see this beautifully brought out in His behavior at this funeral in Nain. He meets the mournful procession accompanying the young man to his grave, and is moved with compassion at the sight. He does not wait to be requested to help. His help appears to have been neither asked for, nor expected. He saw the weeping mother, and knew well what her feelings must have been, for He had been born of a woman Himself.

At once He addressed her with words alike startling and touching. He said unto her, “Do not weep!” A few more seconds–and the meaning of His words became plain. The widow’s son was restored to her alive. Her darkness was turned into light–and her sorrow into joy.

Our Lord Jesus Christ never changes! He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. His heart is still as compassionate as when He was upon earth. His sympathy with sufferers is still as strong. Let us bear this in mind, and take comfort in it. 

There is no friend or comforter who can be compared to Christ. In all our days of darkness, which must needs be many–let us first turn for consolation to Jesus, the Son of God. He will never fail us, never disappoint us, and never refuse to take interest in our sorrows. 

He still lives–who made the widow’s heart sing for joy in the gate of Nain.
He still lives–to receive all laboring and heavy-laden ones, if they will only come to Him by faith.
He still lives–to heal the broken-hearted, and be a Friend who sticks closer than a brother.

And He lives to do greater things than these one day. He soon will come again for His people–that they may never weep again, and that all tears may be wiped forever from their eyes!
~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Today’s sermon is on “prayer”.  It is our greatest weapon in spiritual warfare. It brings us closer to God.  It is available to us 24/7.  It is commanded of us.

PRAYER

Pray without ceasing. (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

Introduction ACTS (adoration, confession, thanksgiving, supplication)

Adoration (Psalm 95:1-6)

O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.² Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.³ For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.⁴ In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also.⁵ The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land.⁶ O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker.

Confession (Psalm 32:1-5)

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.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.

Thanksgiving (Philippians 4:1-7)

Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.² I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.³ And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellow laborers, whose names are in the book of life.⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. ⁵ Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.⁶ Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.⁷ And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Supplication (1 Timothy 2:1-3)

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;² For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.³ For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior;

To whom do we pray? (Acts 12:5, John 14:13, Ephesians 6:18))

Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. (Acts 12

And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. (John 14:13)

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; (Ephesians 6:18)

When do we pray? (Luke 18:1, Psalm 5:3, 55:17, 86:3, 88:1)

And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; (Luke 18:1)

My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up. (Psalm 5:3)

Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice. (Psalm 55:17)

Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily. (Psalm 86:3)

O lord God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before thee: (Psalm 88:1)

Where do we pray? (Matthew 6:6, Psalm 26:12)

ANYWHERE, EVERYWHERE

But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the Lord. (Psalm 26:12)

CONCLUSION

Pray with:

Adoration

Confession

Thanksgiving

Supplication

To God, through Jesus

Praying always

Praying everywhere

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

We have just entered a new year. Where is our focus? Is it on the things of this world or on Jesus and what He did for us at the cross?

It is my desire that each of us will set aside a portion of each day to spend with Jesus. Read His word. Pray. Meditate on who Jesus is, what He has done, how He has changed our lives, and then how we can communicate that to others.

Behold Him!

(John Newton)

“God made Him who had no sin–to be sin for us.” 2 Corinthians 5:21

Behold the beloved Jesus, perfectly spotless and holy–yet made an example of the severest justice.

Behold Him . . .
prostrate and agonizing in the garden;
enduring the vilest insults from wicked men;
torn with whips, and nails, and thorns;
suspended, naked, wounded, and bleeding upon the cross–forsaken by God!

Sin was the cause of all His anguish. He stood in the place of sinners, and therefore was not spared.

Not any, or all, the evils which the world has known–afford such proof of the dreadful effects and detestable nature of sin, as the knowledge of Christ crucified!

~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

What does it take to be a humble Christian?

John Newton, our writer, was well acquainted with pride, arrogance, and wickedness. He was a slave owner, ship’s captain, and very mean man. Then the tables turned and he became the slave.

Then Newton humbled himself before Jesus and his life was totally changed. He became a preacher of righteousness, who understood what it meant to be humble.

The humble Christian 

(John Newton)

“By the grace of God, I am what I am!” 1 Corinthians 15:10

The humble Christian will not be easily angered–nor will he be dogmatic and judgmental.

He will be compassionate and tender towards the infirmities of his fellow-sinners; knowing, that, if there is any difference between himself and others–it is grace of God that has made it. He knows that he has the seeds of every evil in his own heart!

Also, under all trials and afflictions, the humble Christian will look to the hand of the Lord, and lay his mouth in the dust–acknowledging that he suffers much less than his iniquities have deserved.

These are some of the advantages and good fruits which the Lord enables us to obtain from that bitter root, indwelling sin.

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Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

He answers these many fears with a single golden sentence!

(J.C. Ryle, “The Gospel of Luke” 1858)

“Fear not, little flock–it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom!” Luke 12:32

Let us mark what a gracious word of consolation this passage contains for all true believers. The Lord Jesus well knew the hearts of His disciples. He knew how ready they were to be filled with fears of every description:
fears because of the fewness of their number,
fears because of the multitude of their enemies,
fears because of the many difficulties in their way,
fears because of their sense of weakness and unworthiness.
He answers these many fears with a single golden sentence, “Fear not, little flock–it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom!”

Believers are a “little flock.” They always have been, ever since the world began.
Professing Christians, have sometimes been very many.
Baptized people at the present day, are a great company.
But true Christians, have always been very few.

It is foolish to be surprised at this. It is vain to expect that it will be otherwise. Our Lord has plainly told us, “But small is the gate and narrow is the road that leads to life–and only a few find it.” Matthew 7:14

All true believers have a glorious “kingdom” awaiting them! Here upon earth–they are often mocked, and ridiculed, and persecuted–and, like their Master, despised and rejected by men. But “the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed to us!” “When Christ, who is our life, shall appear–then shall you also appear with Him in glory!”

Believers are tenderly loved by God the Father. It is His good pleasure to give them the kingdom. He does not receive them grudgingly, unwillingly or coldly. He rejoices over them, as members of His beloved Son in whom He is well pleased. He regards them as His dear children in Christ. He sees no spot in them. Even now, when He looks down on them from Heaven, in the midst of their infirmities–He is well pleased. And hereafter, when presented before His glory–He will welcome them with exceeding joy! Jude 24
~  ~  ~  ~
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Today’s lesson is on being strong in 2018.

BE STRONG IN 2018

Joshua

Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. (Joshua 1:6)

INTRODUCTION Overview of the book of Joshua

1) BE STRONG

Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. (Joshua 1:6)

OBEY THE LAW

Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper withersoever thou goest.⁸ This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. (Joshua 1:7-8)

2) GO

And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into a harlot’s house, named Rahab, and lodged there. (Joshua 2:1)

SPYS REPORT TO JOSHUA

So the two men returned, and descended from the mountain, and passed over, and came to Joshua the son of Nun, and told him all things that befell them:²⁴ And they said unto Joshua, Truly the Lord hath delivered into our hands all the land; for even all the inhabitants of the country do faint because of us. (Joshua 2:23-24)

3) SANCTIFY, OBEY, PARTING OF THE JORDAN

And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you. (Joshua 3:5)

And thou shalt command the priests that bear the ark of the covenant, saying, When ye are come to the brink of the water of Jordan, ye shall stand still in Jordan.⁹ And Joshua said unto the children of Israel, Come hither, and hear the words of the Lord your God.¹⁰ And Joshua said, Hereby ye shall know that the living God is among you, and that he will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Hivites, and the Perizzites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Jebusites.¹¹ Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth passeth over before you into Jordan.¹² Now therefore take you twelve men out of the tribes of Israel, out of every tribe a man.¹³ And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests that bear the ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of Jordan, that the waters of Jordan shall be cut off from the waters that come down from above; and they shall stand upon an heap. (Joshua 3:8-13)

That the waters which came down from above stood and rose up upon an heap very far from the city Adam, that is beside Zaretan: and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, failed, and were cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho.¹⁷ And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan. (Joshua 3:16-17)

4) MEMORIAL

That this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean ye by these stones?⁷ Then ye shall answer them, That the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord; when it passed over Jordan, the waters of Jordan were cut off: and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever. (Joshua 4:6-7)

And it came to pass, when all the kings of the Amorites, which were on the side of Jordan westward, and all the kings of the Canaanites, which were by the sea, heard that the Lord had dried up the waters of Jordan from before the children of Israel, until we were passed over, that their heart melted, neither was there spirit in them any more, because of the children of Israel. (Joshua 5:1)

5) CIRCUMCISM AND PASSOVER

At that time the Lord said unto Joshua, Make thee sharp knives, and circumcise again the children of Israel the second time. ³ And Joshua made him sharp knives, and circumcised the children of Israel at the hill of the foreskins. (Joshua 5:2-3)

And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, and kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the month at even in the plains of Jericho. (Joshua 5:10)

6) LAND CONQUERED

So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the Lord said unto Moses; and Joshua gave it for an inheritance unto Israel according to their divisions by their tribes. And the land rested from war. (Joshua 11:23)

7) JOSHUA’S COMMAND TO THE PEOPLE

Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left;⁷ That ye come not among these nations, these that remain among you; neither make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause to swear by them, neither serve them, nor bow yourselves unto them:⁸ But cleave unto the Lord your God, as ye have done unto this day. (Joshua 23:6-8)

8) JOSHUA’S STATEMENT OF FAITH

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

CHALLENGE FOR 2018

Be strong

Read God’s word

Obey God’s word

Go, when God directs

Sanctify yourself for the work of God

Watch God’s miracles

Set up a memorial for those miracles

Record God’s victories for 2018

 

Good morning,

The queen of the Christian graces!

(J.C. Ryle, “The Gospel of Luke” 1858)

“Everyone who exalts himself–will be humbled; and he who humbles himself–will be exalted.” Luke 14:11

Humility may well be called the queen of the Christian graces. To know our own sinfulness and weakness, and to feel our need of Christ–is the start of saving religion.

Humility is a grace which has always been a distinguishing feature in the character of the holiest saints in every age. Abraham and Moses and Job and David and Daniel and Paul–were all eminently humble men.

Above all, humility is a grace within the reach of every true Christian. All converted people should work to adorn the doctrine they profess, with humility. If they can do nothing else–they can strive to be humble.

Do you want to know the root and spring of humility?
One word describes it. The root of humility is right knowledge.

The person . . .
who really knows himself, and his own heart,
who knows God, and His infinite majesty and holiness,
who knows Christ, and the price at which he was redeemed
–that person will never be a proud person.

He will count himself, like Jacob, unworthy of the least of all God’s mercies. He will say of himself, like Job, “I am vile!” He will cry, like Paul, “I am the chief of sinners.” He will consider others better than himself. Philippians 2:3

Ignorance, nothing but sheer ignorance–ignorance of self, of God, and of Christ–is the real secret of pride.

From that miserable self-ignorance, may we daily pray to be delivered.
The wise person knows himself–and will find nothing within to make him proud.
~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001