Good morning,

First John 3 explains the Father’s love for us, why we should abide in Christ, what it means to love our brother, and the heart.

We explore the areas of love, abiding, and obedience. It is God’s desire that His word be practical for our everyday living.

Today we will look at the Father’s love for us.

Father’s love for us (3:1-5)

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.² Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.³ And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.⁴ Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.⁵ And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.

Do we deserve to be called the sons of God? No! Yet God the Father, sent His son Jesus, to shed His blood to pay our sin debt. Further, in the future, we will be like Him and see Him as He is. Holy, spotless, unblemished, Savior of all mankind.

This should encourage us to stay pure. When we are tempted to sin, we should resist and run away from it.  When we do sin we should repent, thank God that He has forgiven us, and move on serving God.

Hold fast to the Father’s love.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Saturday we had a memorial service for Wanda Murphy.

Her last days were not days of fear, but anticipation. She understood that death meant she would go to heaven to be with Jesus. That is what excited her.

Today’s devotion helps us as believers understand why we should not fear death. If you have never contemplated death and what comes next, I believe this will be an encouragement to you.

The dirty lane!

(Thomas Brooks, “Words of Counsel to a Dear Dying Friend”)

“For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21

Look upon your dying day as a gainful day. There is no gain compared to that which comes in by death. A Christian gets more by death, than he does by life. To be in Christ is very good–but to be with Christ is best of all, “I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far!” Philippians 1:23. It was a mighty blessing for Christ to be with Paul on earth–but it was the top of blessings for Paul to be with Christ in Heaven! Seriously consider these things:

By death you shall gain incomparable crowns!
A crown of life, Revelation 2:10, James 1:12.
A crown of righteousness, 2 Timothy 4:8.
An incorruptible crown, 1 Corinthians 9:24-25.
A crown of glory, 1 Peter 5:4.
There are no crowns compared to these crowns!

By death you shall gain a glorious kingdom! “It is your Father’s pleasure to give you a kingdom!” We must put off their rags of mortality–that we may put on our robes of glory! There is no entering into paradise–but under the flaming sword of this angel, death–who stands at the gate.

Death is the dirty lane through which the saint passes . . .
to a kingdom,
to a great kingdom,
to a glorious kingdom,
to a peaceful kingdom,
to an unshaken kingdom,
to a durable kingdom,
to a lasting kingdom, yes,
to an everlasting kingdom!

Death is the dark, short way, through which the saints pass to the marriage-supper of the Lamb!

~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

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Good morning,

Practical application is important if we are going to live successfully in today’s world.  First John 2 tells us who Jesus is, why He came, what He expects, our relationship to the lost, our relationship to our family members, and what we should know about the end times. It touches on obedience, love, hate, light, darkness, relationships, and the antichrist.

Today we will look at verses 18-29.

Last times (2:18-29)

¹⁸ Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.¹⁹ They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.²⁰ But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. ²¹ I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.²² Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.²³ Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.²⁴ Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.²⁵ And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life. ²⁶ These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.²⁷ But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.²⁸ And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.²⁹ If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.

It is important to remember that this was written about 1900 years ago. Meaning that they believed they were already in the end times. The influence of the antichrists was prevalent then and continues to this very day. Any person who denies the Father and His Son Jesus, or teaches things that do not agree with God’s word are antichrists and should be avoided at all costs.

Jesus promised eternal life for all who believed and followed Him. Our part is to abide in Him. Our strength, power, and ability to overcome evil comes from abiding in Jesus.

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT FROM 1 JOHN 2

Why can’t we lose our salvation when we sin?

Why is it so important to study and obey the commandments of God?

Why do light and darkness and love and hate go together?

Why shouldn’t we love the world?

Why are we deceived in these last times?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

Good morning,

Practical application is important if we are going to live successfully in today’s world.  First John 2 tells us who Jesus is, why He came, what He expects, our relationship to the lost, our relationship to our family members, and what we should know about the end times. It touches on obedience, love, hate, light, darkness, relationships, and the antichrist.

Today we will look at verses 8-17.

Light and darkness (2:8-11)

⁸ Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.⁹ He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.¹⁰ He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.¹¹ But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.

Children, fathers, young men, love not this world (2:12-17)

¹² I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake.¹³ I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.¹⁴ I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. ¹⁵ Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.¹⁶ For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.¹⁷ And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

Yesterday we read that to know God we must keep His commandments. We are to love our brothers and sisters in Christ. God commands us to love one another. Those who walk in love are in the light.

God commands us to “Love not the world…” The world is wicked. It is counter to the commandments of God and to be avoided. Verse 16 was first penned in Genesis 3.

Tomorrow we will look at verses 18-29,

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

Practical application is important if we are going to live successfully in today’s world.  First John 2 tells us who Jesus is, why He came, what He expects, our relationship to the lost, our relationship to our family members, and what we should know about the end times. It touches on obedience, love, hate, light, darkness, relationships, and the antichrist.

Today we will look at verses 1-7.

Christ our advocate and propitiation (2:1-2)

My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:² And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

Keep His commandments (2:3-7)

³ And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.⁴ He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.⁵ But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.⁶ He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.⁷ Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.

When we sin, our advocate, Jesus Christ, goes before the Father, and pleads the blood. Reading, understanding, and obeying the Bible is evidence that we know Him.

Do you have a plan to read God’s word? You should. When we know what the Bible says, then we can obey it. If we fail to keep God’s commandments, then we do not know God.

Tomorrow, verses 8-17.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Wanda Murphy has shed her robe of flesh and is basking in the Sonlight of her Savior Jesus Christ. The final days were a mixture of pain and joy. Pain in the flesh and joy that soon she would be with Jesus. Psalm 23:4 states, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” Jesus comforted her and gave her peace. She knew that “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 5:8)

She knew she had the hope of an inheritance waiting for her. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” (1 Peter 1:3-5)

She rejoiced that she would soon see the fulfillment of Ephesians 2:4-10.

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Wanda now sits in the presence of her Lord Jesus Christ. The verses above are no longer promises but realities. She is now experiencing Jesus perfect love, mercy, and grace. The hope is now a realization. Heaven is now her home.

Do you know Jesus that intimately? Is He what you live for each day? If not, why not? God’s precious promises are still available to all who will receive them.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

The Holy Spirit deals with the lost to bring them to Christ. The Holy Spirit deals with the believer to keep us on the straight and narrow. The Holy Spirit manifest Himself within the believer through the fruit of the Spirit.

The fruits and effects He produces

(J.C. Ryle, “The Holy Spirit“)

“When He comes, He will convict the world about sin, righteousness, and judgment.” (John 16:8)

Where the Holy Spirit is, there will always be deep conviction of sin–and true repentance for it. It is His special office to convict of sin.

He shows the exceeding holiness of God.

He teaches the exceeding corruption and infirmity of our nature.

He strips us of our blind self-righteousness.

He opens our eyes to our awful guilt, folly and danger.

He fills the heart with sorrow, contrition, and abhorrence for sin–as the abominable thing which God hates.

He who knows nothing of all this, and saunters carelessly through life, thoughtless about sin, and indifferent and unconcerned about his soul–is a dead man before God! He has not the Holy Spirit.

The presence of the Holy Spirit in a man’s heart can only be known by the fruits and effects He produces. Mysterious and invisible to mortal eye as His operations are–they always lead to certain visible and tangible results.

Just as you know there is life in a tree by its sap, buds, leaves and fruits–just so you may know the Spirit to be in a man’s heart by the influence He exercises over his thoughts, affections, opinions, habits, and life. I lay this down broadly and unhesitatingly. I see it clearly marked out in our Lord Jesus Christ’s words, “Every tree is known by his own fruit.” Luke 6:44

~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

How do we grow in our walk with the Lord? Through trials and tribulations. Most of us would be just fine without these. God knows what we need and how He is going to produce those qualities in our lives.

There are times when it seems all is lost. Where is God? He gives us what we need to sustain the trial.

He will sustain you!

(J.R. Miller)

“Cast your burden upon the Lord–and He will sustain you.” Psalm 55:22

The promise is not that the Lord will remove the load we cast upon Him, nor that He will carry it for us–but that He will sustain us so that we may carry it.
He does not free us from the duty–but He strengthens us for it.
He does not deliver us from the conflict–but He enables us to overcome.
He does not withhold or withdraw the trial from us–but He helps us in trial to be submissive and victorious, and makes it a blessing to us.
He does not mitigate the hardness or severity of our circumstances, taking away the difficult elements, removing the thorns, making life easy for us–but He puts Divine grace into our hearts, so that we can live sweetly in all the hard, adverse circumstances.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!” Philippians 4:13

~  ~  ~  ~

Allow God to complete His work in you. In the midst of struggle remember that God is there.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

The Good Shepherd, Jesus, knows every sheep in His flock. None will be missing. What a glorious day that will be.

Is Miss Much-Afraid here?

(Charles Spurgeon)

“I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of My hand!” John 10:11, 27-28

There is a day coming when all Christ’s sheep shall pass again under the hand of Him that counts them–and in that day, not one of the whole redeemed flock shall be missing!

As the long roll of God’s ransomed family is called, it shall be asked, “Is Little-Faith here?” And he will answer to his name not at all in the trembling way in which he used to speak when he was upon earth.

When it is asked, “Is Miss Much-Afraid here?” she will reply, in jubilant tones, “Glory be to God, I am here!”

No matter how weak and feeble you may be, if you are a child of God–you shall certainly be there and the inheritance shall assuredly be yours!

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,  neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation–will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!” Romans 8:38-39

~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

This week we begin a study of 1 John. John wrote to counter the false teaching of his day. He used word pictures to contrast light/darkness and good/evil.

He explains that we need to be in fellowship with God through Jesus Christ. He explains that we all sin and if we say we do not, we are liars. Then he explains how we can get right with God.

1 John 1

The purpose of the letter: to bring you into a relationship with God (1:1-4)

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;² (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)³ That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.⁴ And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

John’s message from God: dealing with sin and maintaining relationship (1:5-10)

⁵ This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.⁶ If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:⁷ But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.⁸ If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.¹⁰ If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT

John was an eyewitness to the ministry of Jesus

John bears witness to what he has seen and heard

John challenges others to have fellowship with Jesus

John states that we all sin

John tells us how to restore our relationship with God

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001