Good morning,

Today we look at the companion piece to yesterday’s devotion.  Although we walk through valleys, struggles, sorrow, and pain, God is there to comfort us along the way. Please allow God to comfort your heart today.

The Valley of Weeping

(Author unknown)

I have been through the valley of weeping,
The valley of sorrow and pain;
But the ‘God of all comfort’ was with me,
At hand to uphold and sustain.

As the earth needs the clouds and the sunshine,
Our souls need both sorrow and joy;
So He places us oft in the furnace,
The dross from the gold to destroy.

When He leads through some valley of trouble,
His omnipotent hand we trace;
For the trials and sorrows He sends us,
Are part of His lessons in grace.

Oft we shrink from the purging and pruning,
Forgetting the Husbandman knows
That the deeper the cutting and paring,
The richer the cluster that grows.

Well He knows that affliction is needed;
He has a wise gracious purpose in view,
And in the dark valley He whispers,
“Hereafter you will know what I do.”

As we travel through life’s shadowed valley,
Fresh springs of His love ever rise;
And we learn that our sorrows and losses,
Are blessings just sent in disguise.

So we’ll follow wherever He leadeth,
Let the path be dreary or bright;
For we’ve proved that our God can give comfort,
Our God can give songs in the night!
~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

A refuge is a place of protection. It is a place of safety. It is a place of encouragement in a time of need. Today we will read about the ultimate Refuge, the eternal God.

We shall only sink into the everlasting arms!

(Author unknown)

“The eternal God is your refuge–and underneath are the everlasting arms!” Deuteronomy 33:27

If we are held in the clasp of the everlasting arms–we need not fear that we shall ever be separated from the enfolding. “Underneath.” They are always underneath us. No matter how low we sink in weakness, in fainting, in pain, in sorrow–we never can sink below these everlasting arms. We can never drop out of their clasp!

God’s love is deeper than human sorrow. Sorrow is very deep, but still and forever, in the greatest grief–these arms of Divine love are underneath the believing sufferer.

God’s love is deeper than death. When every earthly support is gone from beneath us, when every human arm unclasps and every face fades from before our eyes, and we sink away into what seems darkness and the shadow of death–we shall only sink into the everlasting arms!

Drop your plummet into the deepest sea of sorrow, and at the end of your soundings:        “Underneath are the everlasting arms!”

What abiding consolation! What all-embracing, never-failing strength!

  ~  ~  ~  ~

Tomorrow, we will look at a companion devotion on “The Valley of Weeping.”

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

When we are dealing with adversity, it is nice to know that God cares and does not forget us. He comforts, loves, heals, and encourages us.

I trust this devotional will be a blessing to you.

He who counts the stars!

(Charles Spurgeon)

“He heals the brokenhearted, binding up their wounds. He counts the stars and calls them all by name. How great is our Lord! His power is absolute! His understanding is beyond comprehension!” Psalm 147:3-5

He who counts the stars and calls them by their names, is in no danger of forgetting His own children! He knows your case as thoroughly as if you were the only creature He ever made, or the only saint He ever loved!

It is most important for us to learn, that the smallest trifles are as much arranged by the God of Providence, as the most startling events. He who counts the stars–has also numbered the hairs of our heads. Our lives and deaths are predestined–but so, also, are our sitting down and our rising up!

“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered!” Matthew 10:29-30
~  ~  ~  ~

Consider the greatness of God. Consider who He is, what He has done, and how He has impacted your life.

Then thank Him.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Romans 13 was written while Rome ruled. Rome believed they were all powerful and invincible. Rebellion meant imprisonment and death. Jews and Christians were considered rebels and watched closely. So, when Paul begins to teach about civil authority, he had to be very careful what and how he said it.

God ordains civil government. Believers in Christ are subject to these governments. Resisting the government is resisting God. We are to render honor, tribute, fear, and custom to those in authority.

Then Paul tells the Roman’s they must love one another. That meant the hated Roman army. Rome had the ability to give and take life.

He also makes it clear that as believers in Christ we have a responsibility to let the world see Jesus in us. We are to put off wickedness and put on Jesus Christ. Allowing the love Christ to shine through and open opportunities to witness for our Savior.

LOVE FULFILLS THE LAW (13:8-14)

“⁸ Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.⁹ For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.¹⁰ Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.¹¹ And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.¹² The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.¹³ Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.¹⁴ But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.”

Does our light shine so brightly that people want to know what makes us different? Do we love our brothers in Christ? Do we love the lost? Do we walk in the light or in darkness?

Chapter 13 contrasts our relationship to our civil authority and to each other. Love never fails.

Go tell someone about Jesus.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Romans 13 was written while Rome ruled. Rome believed they were all powerful and invincible. Rebellion meant imprisonment and death. Jews and Christians were considered rebels and watched closely. So when Paul begins to teach about civil authority, he had to be very careful what and how he said it.

God ordains civil government. Believers in Christ are subject to these governments. Resisting the government is resisting God. We are to render honor, tribute, fear, and custom to those in authority.

CHRISTIANS SUBJECT TO CIVIL AUTHORITY (13:1-7)

“Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.² Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.³ For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:⁴ For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.⁵ Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.⁶ For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.⁷ Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.”

We have a choice to make. Our election has just concluded. Are we willing to be subject to our civil authorities whether we agree or not? If not, do we believe God will damn us? Are we willing to pay our taxes and obey the laws of our land? Remember that there are consequences for our failure to follow our government leaders.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

The life that we live today is temporary. Believers in Christ know that soon we will either exit by death or the rapture and end up in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ for all eternity. Today’s devotional contrasts the present and the future.

Three inscriptions!

(J.C. Pittman, “Bible Truths Illustrated” 1917)

Over the triple doorways of a European Cathedral, there are three inscriptions spanning the splendid arches.

Over one is carved a beautiful wreath of roses, and underneath is the lettering:
“All which pleases us–is but for a moment.”

Over the other arch is sculptured a cross, and there are the words:
“All which troubles us–is but for a moment.”

But on the great central entrance to the main aisle, is the inscription:
“That alone is important, which is eternal.”

If we always realize these three truths, we would not let trifles trouble us;
nor would we be so much interested in the passing pageants of the hour.
We would live, as we do not now–for the permanent and the eternal.

“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.
For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal!” 2 Corinthians 4:18

~  ~  ~  ~

Where are our eyes fixed? On the seen or unseen? On the present or on the eternal. This world is not our home. We should be looking forward to our heavenly home and our Savior Jesus Christ.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

This is a wonderful devotional on “thanksgiving”. Remember we should be giving thanks to God on a continual basis.

“Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ!” Ephesians 5:20
~  ~  ~  ~

One day, Johann Tauler of Strosbourg met a peasant and greeted him, “God give you a good day, my friend!”

The peasant answered briskly, “I thank God that I never have a bad day!”

Tauler, astonished, kept silent for a moment. Tauler then added, “God give you a happy life, my friend.”

The peasant replied composedly, “I thank God that I am never unhappy!”

“Never unhappy!” cried Tauler bewildered, “What do you mean?”

“Well,” came the reply, “When it is sunshine—I thank God; and when it rains-–I thank God. When I have plenty—I thank God; and when I am hungry—I thank God. Since God’s will is my will, and whatever pleases God pleases me—I am never unhappy.”

Tauler looked upon him with awe. “Who are you?” he asked.

“I am a king!” said the peasant.

“A king?” Tauler asked, “Where is your kingdom?”

The peasant smiled and whispered softly, “In my heart!”

~  ~ ~ ~
“Thank you consists of just eight letters that form two of the most meaningful words in the English vocabulary.”
~  ~  ~  ~
“Counting up our mercies and our every-day reasons for gratitude, looking at the hundred little things and large things–we do not know where to end the list. The only thing to do, is to live always in an atmosphere sweet and vital with thanksgiving!”
~  ~  ~  ~
“Be thankful for the small things–the trivial things and the mundane things!”
~  ~  ~  ~
“If anyone would tell you the shortest, surest way to happiness–he must tell you to make it a rule to yourself to thank and praise God for everything that happens to you.”
~  ~  ~  ~
“Have an attitude of gratitude. Don’t wait till Thanksgiving.”
~  ~  ~  ~
“Everything short of Hell is mercy!”
~  ~  ~  ~
“God is glorified, not by our complaining’s, but by our thanksgivings.”
~  ~  ~  ~
“We can always find something to be thankful for. There are reasons why we ought to be thankful for even those dispensations which appear dark and frowning.”
~  ~  ~  ~
“A cheerful heart has a continual feast!” Proverbs 15:15

“Be thankful to Him, and bless His name!” Psalm 100:4
~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving day. It is a day that is set aside for our nation to give thanks for all God has given us. Most will be focused on football, turkey, and naps. As believers in Christ, God has blessed us abundantly. Maybe we should thank Him.

Why are we thankful? 

Thanksgiving is the word that should characterize our lives. What makes us thankful?

Family, loved ones, jobs, recreational opportunities. We also should be thankful for the freedoms we have. We have the freedom to express ourselves, political freedom, ability to elect our representatives, and to attend and worship as we please.

God gave us a free will to choose to follow Him or Satan. He laid out His standard in the Bible. He tells us how the world was created, why one man’s transgression has made us all sinners, the result of that sin, how the conflict in the Middle East started, the creation of the nation of Israel, the history of the nation of Israel, the need for a blood sacrifice, and the ultimate redeemer who came to die, being the one time blood sacrifice for all mankind, Jesus Christ. So we should be thankful that God gave us the Bible.

Jesus is the Holy Son of God. Never sinned, never did any wickedness, creator of all things. Then God did something special for each of us by sending Jesus to earth to pay our sin debt with His own blood. “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.” (John 3:16-17) We should be thankful that God gave us His Son as Savior for all mankind.

God made sure that salvation was of faith not works. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9) God made accepting Jesus easy. “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” We should be thankful for salvation through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

If you are interested in knowing more about the Bible, Jesus’ death, burial, resurrection on your behalf, or how to make this happen in your life, call or email me.

What are you thankful for?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

Romans 12 challenges us to live for Christ. We must present our bodies as living sacrifices, no longer live for the world, remember that we are part of the body of believers, we have specific responsibilities as a believer, and ultimately how we treat unbelievers.

Christians Love and Fellowship with Other Christians (12:9-16)

“9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. 10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another; 11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; 12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; 13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. 14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. 15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. 16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.”

Christian love requires action. It is God’s desire that believers in Christ demonstrate their Christianity. Does the list above characterize our walk with Christ? If not, we might need to ask God if we are missing something.

How to Treat Outsiders (12:17-21)

“17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. ”

CONCLUSION

* Present your body a living sacrifice

* Be not conformed to this world

* Renewed mind

* One body, many functions

* Christian responsibilities

* Treat others well

We need to allow God to work in us and then allow Him to work through us to minister to the lives of others. During the upcoming weeks, we have an opportunity to tell our friends, neighbors, acquaintances, and strangers about the birth and life of Jesus Christ. It is our responsibility to clearly convey why Jesus birth was so special, unique, and life changing.

May God give us fruit for our labors.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

Romans 12 challenges us to live for Christ. We must present our bodies as living sacrifices, no longer live for the world, remember that we are part of the body of believers, we have specific responsibilities as a believer, and ultimately how we treat unbelievers.

The Christian’s Body a Living Sacrifice (12:1-2)

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Christians are Members of the Same Body (12:3-8) Read 1 Corinthians 12:12-31

3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness.

This challenges to think about our lives. Are we living as “living sacrifices”? The Old Testament sacrifices were dead before they were offered. The blood was sprinkled on the altar and once a year in the Holy of Holies.

We have the opportunity to make a positive difference for God. As living sacrifices we have the ability to invoke life into others. Through a gospel witness, encouragement, exhortation, or just a positive attitude. The unsaved world and the church are watching what kind of sacrifice we are.

What kind will we be?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001