Good morning,

The fall of man in Genesis 3 caused a ripple effect. We battle wickedness, temptation, and evil daily. Psalm 143:3-4 frames the problem.

“For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath smitten my life down to the ground; he hath made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead.⁴ Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate.”

The Psalmist knows where to turn. He cries out to the Lord. Psalm 141:1-4 is the request for help.

“Lord, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee.² Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.³ Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.⁴ Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practice wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties.”

He continues in verses 8-10. He focuses on the one who can fix the problem. God can protect, guard, and keep us from giving in to temptations.

“But mine eyes are unto thee, O God the Lord: in thee is my trust; leave not my soul destitute.⁹ Keep me from the snares which they have laid for me, and the gins of the workers of iniquity.¹⁰ Let the wicked fall into their own nets, whilst that I withal escape.”

When we are tempted by the enemy, we have a choice to make. Do we give in to the temptation or cry out to the Lord for deliverance? God wants to hear from us.

James 4:7-8, gives us a simple solution.

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.⁸ Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.”

Did you know that Satan is a defeated foe? Colossians 2:6-15, explain how and why he has been defeated. This is why we can live the Christian life in victory.

“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:⁷ Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.⁸ Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.⁹ For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.¹⁰ And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:¹¹ 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:¹² Buried with him in baptism, herein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.¹³ And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; ¹⁴ 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; ¹⁵ And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.”

Christ was triumphant over sin. Satan is defeated. When we choose to walk according to His Word, we may live a victorious Christian life. Satan will continue to tempt us because he wants us to choose to do evil. It is our choice to do evil.

Rejoice in all that God has done for you. Do not live a defeated Christian life. Live triumphant in the knowledge that Christ has overcome the adversary, Satan.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Good morning,

When I was a child, I played a game called “Hide and Seek”. One person hid and the other or others tried to find them. Eventually, the person is found.

This is a great picture of individuals trying to hide from God. We do something we know is wrong and try to hide it from God. Fortunately, God already knew what happened. You cannot hide anything from God.

“Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?⁸ If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.⁹ If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;¹⁰ Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.¹¹ If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.¹² Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.¹³ For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.” (Psalm 139:7-13)

Believers should take comfort in the fact that God knows our every move, good and bad. Proverbs 15:3 states, “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” He cares about us and is concerned that we do right. The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin. We then choose to repent or to continue in sin.

The unbeliever should be concerned. Although sin is the natural state of the unbeliever, it is God’s desire that they repent and trust Christ as Savior and Lord. If they do not, their judgment is everlasting separation from God in the lake of fire (Hell). “And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.¹² And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.¹³ And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.¹⁴ And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.¹⁵ And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:11-15)

It is God’s desire that all mankind go to heaven. Jesus said, “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10) He sent His son Jesus to pay our sin debt. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

We have a choice to make. Believe in Christ and go to Heaven or fail to believe in Christ and go to the lake of fire.

CHOOSE JESUS

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

The object of God’s tender, perfect and ceaseless care!

(James Smith, “Divine Care!” 1865)

“Casting all your care upon Him–for He cares for you!” 1 Peter 5:7

Our cares must be cast upon our God, or they will prove a burden too heavy for us–they will depress, bewilder, and make us wretched!

WHO is it that cares for us?

It is the Lord Almighty–the high and lofty one who inhabits eternity, whose name is holy!
It is He whom the angels obey, the seraphim adore, and all creation glorifies!
It is the Lord–who is so great, that we have no adequate conception of His greatness!
It is He who is so good–that it is impossible fully to set forth His goodness!
It is He who is so glorious–that no sinner can see His face and live!
It is He who created all things with His Word!
It is He who governs all things by His wisdom!
It is He who upholds all things by His power!
It is He whose resources are infinite!
It is He whose compassion is exquisite!
It is He whose patience is without limit!

But though He is so exalted, so happy, and so unspeakably great—He cares for you!

He cares for you–as base as you are.
He cares for you–as sinful as you are.
He cares for you–as depressed and discouraged as you are.

HE cares for YOU!

May I pass through the present world under the impression, “I am the object of God’s tender, perfect and ceaseless care!”

“Cast your cares on the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall.” Psalm 55:22

~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

This week’s lesson is on 1 Timothy 5-6. Paul is giving Timothy instructions concerning different groups in the church.

The older and younger (5:1-2)

Widows (5:3-16)

Elders (Pastors) (5:17- 25)

Slaves (6:1-2)

False teachers (6:3-5)

Love of money (6:6-10)

Charge to Timothy (6:11-16)

The rich (6:17-19)

Concluding appeal and benediction (6:20-21)

Paul knew the problems that Timothy was and would face. His message was practical, filled with empathy, and concerned specific issues. He wrote from the heart of a Pastor or Elder.

Paul’s desire was to make Timothy successful. His teaching centered in on the things he had learned over his three missionary journeys. Since the ultimate goal is to see people trust in Jesus through faith, it is wise to be able to deal with people. So, a great portion of these two chapters deals with how to deal with certain groups of people.

How do we deal with people? Do we see them as a soul that Christ died for or a nuisance for not understanding the clear teaching of the Bible? Do we pray for them to get saved or just ignore them? Do we care about the downtrodden, less fortunate, or poor, or do we live in our abundance, oblivious to all that is going on around us?

Paul wanted Timothy to be people oriented. He wanted him to care about others.

Do we?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

The last two weeks I have gone to the fair several times. I sampled the fair food, viewed the many exhibits, and bought products being sold by the vendors.

Although some things have changed, one has remained the same. The proclamation of the gospel of Christ. These folks are here every year. It is their desire to see men and women get saved.

This is a big-time commitment for these ministries. They commit ten to twelve hours a day telling others about Christ.

The Great Commission instructs us to, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:²⁰ Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28:19-20)

Paul was mentoring Timothy and gave him some advice.  “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.” (2 Timothy 4:2)

The message being preached is the gospel of Christ. “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;⁴ And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:⁵ And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:⁶ After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.⁷ After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. ⁸ And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.” (1 Corinthians 15:3-8)

So, who did God give the responsibility to proclaim the Gospel? It was to all of us! Each of us has the wonderful privilege to tell others about Jesus Christ?

You may say, “I don’t know how.” Tell them how you received Christ. Or try John 3:16-17. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.¹⁷ For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”

The folks at the fair are committed to proclaiming Christ to others. The question is, ARE WE?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

 

Good morning,

Life and death are an inevitable part of the life cycle.

Two men, Enoch and Elisha, never died, but went directly to heaven.

“By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.” (Hebrews 11:5)

“And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.” (2 Kings 2:11)

These men were born naturally. Walked the earth physically. Supernaturally taken by God to heaven. They never returned to earth.

Jesus had a supernatural birth, spiritual walk on earth, and an unremarkable death. Many men died in those days by crucifixion.  What set Jesus apart was who He was, why He came, what His death stood for, and the fact that He was dead, buried, in the grave, and God resurrected Him. Then God allowed Jesus to be seen by over five hundred people over a period of forty days.

The resurrection changed everything. God sent His sinless Son, the perfect flawless Lamb, to pay the sin debt of sinful, wicked, vile, men. The blood of the perfect Lamb, Jesus, was shed at Christ’s crucifixion, as the onetime payment for the sins of all mankind.  He then died and was buried and placed in a borrowed tomb. But the grave could not hold Him!

The resurrection brings life. Just as Jesus rose on the third day, we who trust in Jesus, also have a new life. He reconciled us to Himself. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.¹⁸ And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;¹⁹ To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.” (2 Corinthians 5:17-19)

Man is a sinner in need of a Savior. Only those who call upon Jesus, the perfect Lamb of God, can be saved. “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13)

There is only one way to Jesus. “Jesus saith unto to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)

Have you been reconciled to Jesus? Are your sins forgiven through His blood? Have you ever trusted Him to be your personal Lord and Savior? He is calling you today.

If you have questions, would like to talk, or need to know how to trust Jesus as your Lord and Savior, call me.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

 

Good morning,

Consider the plight of man today. Man, wants a religion that puffs them up, feels good, and promises worldly prosperity.

Today’s devotional will challenge us to think about what is most needed. Most people in today’s churches won’t like it.

If revival begins in the house of God, then the following must be preached, understood, and obeyed. The lost must see something different in those who name the name of Christ.

What is most needed today!

(Arthur Pink)

It is my deepening conviction that what is most needed today is a wide proclamation of those Scripture truths which are the least acceptable to the flesh.

What is needed today, is a scriptural setting forth of the character of God:
His absolute sovereignty,
His ineffable holiness,
His inflexible justice,
His unchanging veracity.

What is needed today, is a scriptural setting forth of the condition of the natural man:
his total depravity,
his spiritual insensibility,
his inveterate hostility to God,
the fact that he is “condemned already,” and
that the wrath of a sin-hating God is even now abiding upon him!

What is needed today, is a scriptural setting forth of the alarming danger which sinners are in–the indescribably awful doom which awaits them; and the fact that if they follow their present course only a little further, they shall most certainly suffer the due penalty of their iniquities!

What is needed today, is a scriptural setting forth of the nature of that dreadful punishment which awaits the lost:
the dreadfulness of it,
the hopelessness of it,
the unendurableness of it,
and the endlessness of it!

~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Today’s lesson is part of our series on 1 Timothy. Paul is instructing Timothy on false doctrines and how to be a good minister for Jesus.

1 TIMOTHY 4

Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. (12)

INTRODUCTION False doctrine and instruction for Timothy

FALSE DOCTRINE IN THE END TIMES (1-5)

A warning from the Holy Spirit. (1)

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

The nature of their departure from the faith and embrace of the doctrines of devils. (2-3)

² Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; ³ Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.

A refutation of the legalism that marks those who have departed from the faith. (4-5)

⁴ For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:⁵ For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

INSTRUCTION IN MINISTRY FOR TIMOTHY. (6-16)

How to tell you are fulfilling your call. (6)

⁶ If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.

Keeping your priorities straight. (7-10)

⁷ But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.⁸ For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.⁹ This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation. ¹⁰ For therefore we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, specially of those that believe.

Personal instructions. (11-16)

¹¹ These things command and teach.¹² Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.¹³ Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.¹⁴ Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. ¹⁵ Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.¹⁶ Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

CONCLUSION

Beware of false doctrines

Keep your priorities straight

Teach God’s word

Be a good example of a believer in Christ

Read and study God’s word

Meditate on these things

 

Good morning,

Why are those blessed, who hear and obey the Word of God?

(Francis Bourdillon, “Short Sermons for Family Reading” 1881)

“Blessed rather are those who hear the Word of God and obey it.” Luke 11:28

The Word must be obeyed–as well as heard. We must not hear it carelessly. Nor must we be hearers only, forgetting it as soon as heard. We are to guard it and keep it–to treasure it in our hearts as a precious possession. We are to believe it and to follow it–then the full blessing will be ours.

Why are those blessed, who hear and obey the Word of God?

1. Because the Word of God tells us of the Savior, speaks pardon and peace, and opens to us God’s wondrous way of saving sinners. This can be said of no other book, and no other thing. The works of God in nature tell us much–but they do not tell us this. Many books of man are written on these subjects–but they are but man’s books after all.

2. They are blessed also, because the Word of God is a sure guide. It is a difficult path through the wilderness of this world. Many hindrances and perplexities meet us–and many different rules are offered for our guidance: fashion, custom, prudence, man’s opinion, etc. But the Word of God is the only sure guide. A simple, humble, earnest following of this guide–is the wisest, happiest, safest course! The poorest and most unlearned who through grace take this course–have more security for going right than the greatest and wisest who follow any other path. Therefore they are blessed who hear and keep the word of God–because they have a sure guide through life.

3. The word of God also comforts in trouble, and therefore they are blessed who hear it and keep it. This world has its sorrows as well as its difficulties–sorrows many and great; but the word of God has comfort for all of life’s sorrows. It is full of comfort. It has promises and declarations of God’s love. It contains examples of mourners whom He has comforted–and these in great number and variety. There is no kind of trouble for which some suitable comfort may not be found in the Bible. In time of deep sorrow–a comfort and consolation are found in the Word of God which are sought in vain in other books. It is the best of all books for those in trouble.

~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Did it ever occur to you that you may be the only Bible the lost see? Do our lives identify us as believers in Christ or imposters? Do we have something the lost world wants? Do they see it in us?

The worldling’s Bible!

(Charles Spurgeon)

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in Heaven.” Matthew 5:16

The worldling’s Bible is the Christian. He never reads the Book–but he reads the disciple of Christ, and he judges the Christian religion by the lives of its professors!

The world does not read the Bible–the world reads Christians!

“For it is God’s will that by doing good, you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men!” 1 Peter 2:15

“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:1-2

~  ~  ~  ~

How are we doing?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain. 907 715-4001