Good morning,

The choices we make in life, determine where we will spend eternity when we die. Today, we are challenged to choose between hell and heaven. Do we crave the things of this world more than the things of God? Is God our number one thought, desire, and priority?

Lord, let me be a pure stream

(Thomas Sherman, “Divine Breathings; Or, a Pious Soul Thirsting after Christ”)

Jordan, that famous river, no doubt runs through many a pleasant meadow, by many a shady grove and flowery bank; and yet at last empties itself into the Dead Sea.

So it is with a wicked man! Here on earth he walks through meadows of worldly pleasures, and rests under the shades of earthly comforts, and sports and wallows among the flowers of worldly delights–but at last runs himself down into the Dead Sea of Hell. And not only so–but . . .
his earthly delights will fade,
his beauty shall be turned into horror,
his honor shall be turned into shame,
his lusts shall be turned into tormentors, and
his pleasures shall be turned into bitterness!

Lord, let me be a pure stream, that I may terminate in Heaven! I care not what difficult channels I pass through here on earth–if in Heaven I may exchange my weakness and corruption, for perfection and glory!

  ~  ~  ~  ~

This should make all of us think about our priorities in life. If the things of God are truly at the forefront, then we might want to share this devotional with lost friends or maybe a believer who is walking in the world.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

God cares for us. He knows that we are wicked, fallen, and unable to save ourselves, so He sends His only Son to pay the sin debt for us.

The most beautiful thing I ever heard of!

(Charles Spurgeon)

“God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us–so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God!” 2 Corinthians 5:21

What could be better than the divine plan of substitutionary atonement? God must punish sin–He could not be God unless He did. It is a necessity of His nature, that He should hate sin with an infinite hatred, and must punish it!

Yet, as He had loved His people with an everlasting love, how could He better show His love to them and His hatred of sin–than by giving up His well-beloved Son to die instead of them! This seems to me to be the most beautiful thing I ever heard of—and it delights my soul to preach it!

“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, by becoming a curse for us!” Galatians 3:13

~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

The journey of life consists of all the events from cradle to grave. God is with us every second of every day watching over us. He is interested about our successes, failures, sorrows, and tears. He guides us, comforts, strengthens, and encourages us.

Yield yourself to God today and allow Him to take care of your every need.

How cheerfully would they pass along the ‘journey of life’

(James Smith, “Fellowship with God” 1849)

“Cast all your care on Him–because He cares about you!” 1 Peter 5:7

“You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in Your bottle. You have recorded each one in Your book.” Psalm 56:8

Jehovah is deeply interested in the welfare of all His people! He has  . . .
formed them for Himself,
redeemed them by the blood of Immanuel, and
new created them by the energy of the Comforter!

He is interested . . .
in all their needs,
in all their troubles,
in all their trials,
in all their persecutions,
in all their temptations,
in all their afflictions
and in their death!

Yes, there is nothing belonging to a believer, but what Jehovah is concerned about:
from their tiny trifles of today–to their ponderous concerns of eternity;
from their feeble flutterings of anxiousness–to the redemption of their immortal soul!
All and everything that concerns them–their heavenly Father is interested in, and concerned about!

O if the Lord’s family did but believe this, that the minutest thing that belongs to them, the least circumstance of their lives, and everything connected with that circumstance, is a matter of concern to Jehovah–how happy would they live, how cheerfully would they pass along the ‘journey of life‘ and commit all to the keeping of their God!

The believer brings to the Lord his sins, trials, griefs, and woes–and the Lord bestows His pardon, riches, relief, and consolation!

Christian, what a thought is this!

“Cast your cares on the Lord–and He will sustain you!” Psalm 55:22

  ~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

The Book of Esther shows us how God keeps His promises, how God saves the Jews from annihilation, and the sovereignty of God. Did I mention the name of God is not mentioned in the whole book? God is in every circumstance that happens to save God’s people.

Things to remember as you read Esther. The Jews were captives and living in Babylon. The story takes place in Shushan. Woman, whether Jew or Gentile, did not have any rights. They were required to submit to men. The Babylonians did not worship Jehovah God. To understand why Mordecai and Haman (Chapter 3) were at odds, read Exodus 17:8-16, Genesis 36:12, Deuteronomy 25:17-19, 1 Samuel 15:2,3,7-9,11,26,32-33 28:18.

Chapter 3 introduces us to Haman. He is the sworn enemy of the Jews. (Reference passages above) The King promotes Haman above all the other princes. All the King’s servants bow in reverence to him. Mordecai, the Jew, refuses to bow down and reverence Haman. Haman then devises a plan to destroy all the Jews. He presents his plan to the King and he agrees. The destruction of the Jews is set.

Chapter 4 is Mordecai’s response. Mordecai and Queen Esther have a back and forth discussion about Haman’s decree. The chapter ends with Queen Esther agreeing to go before the King and make him aware of the what is happening.

Please read and discover how God orchestrated each event and why. Write down events where God kept a promise, the hand of God was at work, or how God, completely behind the scenes, orchestrated events to protect His Jewish people.

Like any good book, I must leave you hanging for next week’s installment. Next week we look forward to two banquets, a gallows, and a parade. Next week we will look at Chapter 5 and 6. Wednesdays I am preaching through the Book of Esther. Come and join us at WASI Meeting room at 10 am.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

The Book of Esther shows us how God keeps His promises, how God saves the Jews from annihilation, and the sovereignty of God. Did I mention the name of God is not mentioned in the whole book? God is in every circumstance that happens to save God’s people.

Chapter 1 tells us of an insubordinate Queen. Vashti refuses the King’s request to appear before him. Her refusal results in her removal as Queen and banishment.

Chapter 2 is the search of a new Queen. All the young virgins in Shushan were set before the King. He chose Esther, a Jew. Esther was an orphan, her parents being dead. Her guardian, Mordecai her uncle, saved the King’s life.

Things to remember as you read Esther. The Jews were captives and living  in Babylon. The story takes place in Shushan. Woman, whether Jew or Gentile, did not have any rights. They were required to submit to men. The Babylonians did not worship Jehovah God. To understand why Mordecai and Haman (Chapter 3) were at odds, read Exodus 17:8-16, Genesis 36:12, Deuteronomy 25:17-19, 1 Samuel 15:2,3,7-9,11,26,32-33 28:18.

Please read and discover how God orchestrated each event and why. Write down events where God kept  a promise, the hand of God was at work, or how God, completely behind the scenes, orchestrated events to protect His Jewish people.

Tomorrow we will look at Chapter 3 and 4.

Wednesdays I am preaching through the Book of Esther. Come and join us at WASI Meeting room at 10 am.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

Thanksgiving is a command of God. Dana Clark, Missionary to Bangladesh, wrote her Thanksgiving letter on this topic. There is quite a bit of wisdom in her post. (Bold highlights mine)

“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”  I Thess. 5:7

 Dear “Rope Holders,”

Many Americans attribute the idea of thanksgiving to the Pilgrims or Abraham Lincoln, but the Scriptures teach us that thanksgiving is God’s idea. In fact, it is God’s will for us to give thanks in everything.

So as I reflect on “everything” in my life right now, I am reminded that giving thanks is a choice that I make; it is a perspective, a thought pattern, that takes a conscious effort.  In many areas of my life this is easy:  I am thankful for my family, friends (both here and around the world) and supporters.  I am thankful for my church family, my Savior, and God’s Word.  I am thankful for God’s provisions and the fact that He is at work in my life.  In other areas of my life, it isn’t so easy:  I am thankful for the prayers that God hasn’t answered my way, because it has caused me to trust Him in new ways.  I am thankful for the things that God has taken away, because it helps me to realize that He is enough to meet my every need.  I am thankful for the trials of life, because in them I can experience His strength, peace and comfort.

I am reminded of a favorite hymn (and I can still hear my UBCS students singing) while writing this letter:

Thanks to God!

1. Thanks to God for my Redeemer,
   Thanks for all Thou dost provide!
   Thanks for times now but a mem’ry,
   Thanks for Jesus by my side!
   Thanks for pleasant, balmy springtime,
   Thanks for dark and stormy fall!
   Thanks for tears by now forgotten,
   Thanks for peace within my soul!
2. Thanks for prayers that Thou hast answered,
   Thanks for what Thou dost deny!
   Thanks for storms that I have weathered,
   Thanks for all Thou dost supply!
   Thanks for pain, and thanks for pleasure,
   Thanks for comfort in despair!
   Thanks for grace that none can measure,
   Thanks for love beyond compare!
3. Thanks for roses by the wayside,
   Thanks for thorns their stems contain!
   Thanks for home and thanks for fireside,
   Thanks for hope, that sweet refrain!
   Thanks for joy and thanks for sorrow,
   Thanks for heav’nly peace with Thee!
   Thanks for hope in the tomorrow,
   Thanks through all eternity!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!  

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Remember to always be thankful.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Is the Church supposed to be conformed to this world or to God? It seems like an easy answer, but observation reveals something else. Unfortunately, the Church is being conformed to this world. Many Churches have chosen to bring the things of the world into the Church, thinking they will win to Christ those who are unsaved. However, the opposite happens. Church members are influenced by the world, lose their testimonies, and occasionally drop out of Church.

The Church is to SEPARATE themselves from the world.

Spurgeon challenges us to think about the role of the Church.  Spurgeon lived from 1834-1892. The problems have not changed. Sin still reigns.

Nothing worse can happen to a Church!

(Charles Spurgeon)

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world–but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:2

Someone was asking, the other day, how it was that the church, nowadays, was not so separate from the world as it used to be. One who heard the question suggested that, possibly, the world had grown better; but another more truly said that, probably, the church had grown worse.

There are some, in these apostate days, who think that the church cannot do better than to come down to the world to learn her ways, follow her maxims, and acquire her “culture.” In fact, the notion is that the world is to be conquered by our conformity to it. This is as contrary to Scripture as the light is to the darkness!

Brethren, beloved in the Lord, you may depend upon it that nothing worse can happen to a Church, than to be conformed unto this world! Write “Ichabod!” upon her walls, then–for the sentence of destruction has gone out against her.

It will be an ill day for the church and the world when the proposed amalgamation shall be complete, and the sons of God and the daughters of men shall be as one–then shall another deluge of wrath be ushered in!

“Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:17-18
~  ~  ~  ~

We must encourage our Churches to separate themselves from the things of this world.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Last September we had a guest speaker, Dana Clark, a missionary to Bangladesh. She has the opportunity to teach at the William Carey Academy. This unique school is made up of 95% Muslim students. The curriculum is Christian based in English. The parents and the government are aware of what is being taught and encourage it.

Two things have impressed we with Dana’s ministry. First, her love for the Lord. Second, she sends out a WEEKLY newsletter. Each one has a mini devotional. Today I would like to share one of hers on TIME. (Highlights mine)

“Have you chosen your word for 2017?” is a common Facebook question these days. I am not a yearly word chooser, although I can see benefits of focusing on a single theme for a year.  If I were choosing, I might choose the word “eternal.”  This week I have spent some time thinking about the word time.  I never seem to have enough of it to do everything I want or need to do.  Do you?  There are days I lay my head on the pillow and wonder where the time has gone and where I can get more. Matthew and Luke both ask the rhetorical question, “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” Solomon wisely tells us that there is a time for everything.  Paul reminds us to “redeem the time, because the days are evil.”  Esther was called to serve in the palace “for such a time as this.” At this time of year, I am reminded that Jesus was born in the “fullness of time.”  Time is an interesting concept, but eternity is mind blowing . . .  Have you thought about the magnitude of the word ETERNAL? . . . forever; time without end . . .

Paul’s encouragement to the Corinthians was a much-needed reminder for me this week, These truths are what keep me going when the going “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment (short time), worketh for us a far more exceeding and ETERNAL (time without end) weight of glory; . . .  for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are ETERNAL.” (II Cor. 4:17,18) gets tough:  1.  The trials of life are light and temporary, but God is working them together for His and my eternal glory.  2. There is much more going on than what I can see, and I must take God at His word and trust Him for the big picture that I cannot yet see.

My dad and I loved to discuss what we were learning in life. One day we had a discussion that started with “Dana, name 3 things that will last forever?”  We talked about God’s eternality, God’s Word which would never pass away, and the souls of men that would live forever in either heaven or hell.  Our conclusion was that these three things should be the focus of our lives. My dad has now heard, “Well done, my good and faithful servant . . . enter into the joy of thy Lord,” but I still have time.”                                                                     xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

So, in light of eternity, how do we spend our time? Dana challenges us to think about what we do in light of eternity. As we read God’s word this week, we need to allow God to speak to us about how we use our time.

Please pray for Dana. She and the other teachers have had many opportunities to discuss what the Bible says about many topics including Jesus.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

Each morning I try to bring you devotionals that will make you think. Think about God, our relationship with Jesus, our service, our actions, our obedience.

Today we are challenged to look at how we pray. Ultimately, prayer is talking with God. Today we are challenged how we speak to God. Is it from the depths of our heart or flippant, meaningless prayers? Are we praying from a heart of conviction or rote memorized prayers?

As we will see, it does matter.

Eloquent prayers

(Charles Spurgeon)

If the eloquence of our prayers mattered to God, then eloquence would be more valuable than grace–but it is not so.

Some of us may be able to express ourselves very fluently from the force of natural abilities–but it should always be an anxious question to us, whether our prayer is a prayer which God will receive.

We often pray best when we stammer and stutter–and we often pray worst when words flow articulately one after another! God is not moved by eloquent prayers–they are but empty noise to Him. He is only moved by sincere emotions which dwell in the innermost heart.

For a man to bend his knees and utter the hypocritical language of affection to God which he never feels in his heart–is little short of blaspheming God! We must have very light thoughts of God, when we try to deceive Him with such prayers as these!

I often say my prayers
But do I ever pray?
And do the wishes of my heart
Go with the words I say?

I may as well kneel down
And worship gods of stone,
As offer to the living God
A prayer of words alone.

For words without the heart
The Lord will never hear;
Nor will He to those lips attend
Whose prayers are not sincere.
John Burton, 1803-1877

~  ~  ~  ~

Meditate on this devotional. Focus in on who God is, who we are, and what right do we have to come before the throne of Grace. Then thank God for the blood Jesus shed on the cross for man’s sin. His death, burial, and resurrection allow us to come before His throne. Jesus paid our sin debt.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Susanna Wesley was a Godly mother. She taught her family the Bible and lived it in their midst. We know her as the mother of John and Charles, the founders of the Methodists.

It is what you do not know that might surprise you. She had nineteen children, of which half died in childbirth. Her husband Samuel, was a minister. He was not good with money and the family was very poor. Samuel spent time in debtors prison.

The raising of the children fell to Susanna. Through it all her children grew to love the Lord. So this devotional is quite inciteful.

How would you judge the lawfulness or unlawfulness of any pleasure?

(Susanna Wesley)

“All things are lawful for me–but not all things are profitable.
All things are lawful for me–but I will not be mastered by anything.” 1 Corinthians 6:12

How would you judge the lawfulness or unlawfulness of any pleasure?

Use this rule: Whatever . . .
weakens your reason,
impairs the tenderness of your conscience,
obscures your sense of God,
takes off your relish for spiritual things–
that thing is sin to you, however innocent it may seem in itself.

By this test you may detect evil, no matter how subtly or how plausibly temptation may be presented to you.

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do–do it all for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31

Please take a moment to Google, Susanna Wesley, to read more about her. Through God’s help, she was able to accomplish a tremendous amount. This should encourage each of us.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001