Good morning,

Tonight is day 2 of Hanukkah. We will light 2 candles.

The Menorah

Eight lights are lit in the Menorah, one for each night of Hanukkah. Most Menorahs burn candles, but some have wicks to burn oil, as did the Temple Menorah long ago.

A special candle, the shammas, is used to light the menorah candles. New candles are lit each night. A new shammas is lit each night, too. The shammas is lit first, and the Hanukkah candles are lit from it.

On the first night of Hanukkah, put the first candle at the right end of the Menorah, as you face it.  On the second night two candles, three on the third night, and so on. Always light the newest candle first, then light the others, from left to right. Place the lighted Menorah in a window, so all may see and share the celebration.

Messianic Hanukkah Candle Lighting

Each night we recite three blessings, acknowledging God’s Lordship, power in working miracles, and sustaining us another year.

(Traditional)

Blessed are You O Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with Your commandments, and commanded us to light Hanukah lights.

Baruch Ata Adonai Elohaynu Melech ha-olam, ah-sher kid-shah-nu b’mitz-voh-tayv v’tzee-vah-nu l’had-leek ner shel Hanukah.

Blessed are You O Lord our God, King of the universe, who performed miracles for our fathers in those days at this season.
Baruch Ata Adonai Elohaynu Melech ha-olam, she-ah-sah ni-seem la-ah-vo-tay-nu ba-ya-meem ha-hem baz-man ha-zeh.

(Messianic version)

Blessed are You O Lord our God, King of the universe, who has given us holidays, customs, and times of happiness, to increase the knowledge of God and to build us up in our most holy faith.

Baruch Ata Adonai Elohaynu Melech ha-olam, ah-sher nah-tan lah-nu cha-gim, min-ha-gim, oo-mo-ah-dim l’sim-cha, l’hag-deel et da-at Adonai, v’liv-not oh-tah-nu b’emunah ki-do-shah v’na-ah-lah.

Blessed are You O Lord our God, King of the universe, who performed miracles for our fathers in those days at this season.

Baruch Ata Adonai Elohaynu Melech ha-olam, she-ah-sah ni-seem la-ah-vo-tay-nu ba-ya-meem ha-hem baz-man ha-zeh.

(On the first night you can add)

Blessed are You O Lord our God, King of the universe, who granted us life, sustained us and permitted us to reach this season.

Baruch Ata Adonai Elohaynu Melech ha-olam, she-he-che-yanu v’kee-ma-nu v’hi-gee-ah-nu laz-man ha-zeh.

Then we acknowledge the Scriptural significance of each candle lit.

Then we acknowledge the Scriptural significance of each candle lit.

Shammash (Servant) Candle

Messiah Yeshua stated in Mark 10:44-45:

Whoever wishes to be first among you shall be the servant of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.

First Candle

Genesis 1:3-4 describes the creation of the first light:

God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness.

Second Candle

Exodus 13:21-22 reveals that God is the source of Israel’s light:

And the Lord was going before them in a pillar of cloud by day to
lead them on the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them
light, that they might travel by day and by night. He did not take
away the pillar of cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.

What did we learn today?

First, God is Lord and in control of all things.

Second, we need to be servants, not demanding to be served. (Shammash candle)

Third, light was spoken into existence by God. Light is good. God separated the light from the darkness. (The first candle)

Fourth, God led the nation of Israel. He gave them literal light to lead them through the wilderness and spiritual light to lead them to Him. (The second candle)

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

Today we will look at the Hanukkah candle lighting ceremony and light the first candle.

The Menorah

Eight lights are lit in the Menorah, one for each night of Hanukkah. Most Menorahs burn candles, but some have wicks to burn oil, as did the Temple Menorah long ago.

A special candle, the shammas, is used to light the menorah candles. New candles are lit each night. A new shammas is lit each night, too. The shammas is lit first, and the Hanukkah candles are lit from it.

On the first night of Hanukkah, put the first candle at the right end of the Menorah, as you face it.  On the second night two candles, three on the third night, and so on. Always light the newest candle first, then light the others, from left to right. Place the lighted Menorah in a window, so all may see and share the celebration.

Messianic Hanukkah Candle Lighting

Each night we recite three blessings, acknowledging God’s Lordship, power in working miracles, and sustaining us another year.

(Traditional)

Blessed are You O Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with Your commandments, and commanded us to light Hanukah lights.
Baruch Ata Adonai Elohaynu Melech ha-olam, ah-sher kid-shah-nu b’mitz-voh-tayv v’tzee-vah-nu l’had-leek ner shel Hanukah.

Blessed are You O Lord our God, King of the universe, who performed miracles for our fathers in those days at this season.
Baruch Ata Adonai Elohaynu Melech ha-olam, she-ah-sah ni-seem la-ah-vo-tay-nu ba-ya-meem ha-hem baz-man ha-zeh.

(Messianic version)

Blessed are You O Lord our God, King of the universe, who has given us holidays, customs, and times of happiness, to increase the knowledge of God and to build us up in our most holy faith.

Baruch Ata Adonai Elohaynu Melech ha-olam, ah-sher nah-tan lah-nu cha-gim, min-ha-gim, oo-mo-ah-dim l’sim-cha, l’hag-deel et da-at Adonai, v’liv-not oh-tah-nu b’emunah ki-do-shah v’na-ah-lah.

Blessed are You O Lord our God, King of the universe, who performed miracles for our fathers in those days at this season.

Baruch Ata Adonai Elohaynu Melech ha-olam, she-ah-sah ni-seem la-ah-vo-tay-nu ba-ya-meem ha-hem baz-man ha-zeh.

(On the first night you can add)

Blessed are You O Lord our God, King of the universe, who granted us life, sustained us and permitted us to reach this season.

Baruch Ata Adonai Elohaynu Melech ha-olam, she-he-che-yanu v’kee-ma-nu v’hi-gee-ah-nu laz-man ha-zeh.

Then we acknowledge the Scriptural significance of each candle lit.

Shammash (Servant) Candle

Messiah Yeshua stated in Mark 10:44-45:

Whoever wishes to be first among you shall be the servant of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.

First Candle

Genesis 1:3-4 describes the creation of the first light:

God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness.

What did we learn today?

First, God is Lord and in control of all things.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

On the evening of 7 December 2023, 25th of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar, is the first night of Hanukkah. John 10:22 states, “And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.” This “feast of the dedication” is a reference to dedication of the temple in 165 BCE.  To understand this verse, we need a history lesson.

The Hanukkah Story

Hanukkah is celebrated for eight days and nights, starting on the 25th of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar (which is November-December on the Gregorian calendar). In Hebrew, the word “Hanukkah” means “dedication.”

The holiday commemorates the rededication of the holy Temple in Jerusalem after the Jews’ 165 B.C.E. victory over the Hellenist Syrians. Antiochus, the Greek King of Syria, outlawed Jewish rituals and ordered the Jews to worship Greek gods. In 168 B.C.E. the Jews’ holy Temple was seized and dedicated to the worship of Zeus. Some Jews were afraid of the Greek soldiers and obeyed them, but most were angry and decided to fight back.

The fighting began in Modin, a village not far from Jerusalem. A Greek officer and soldiers assembled the villagers, asking them to bow to an idol and eat the flesh of a pig, activities forbidden to Jews. The officer asked Mattathias, a Jewish High Priest, to take part in the ceremony. He refused, and another villager stepped forward and offered to do it instead. Mattathias became outraged, took out his sword and killed the man, then killed the officer. His five sons and the other villagers then attacked and killed the soldiers. Mattathias’ family went into hiding in the nearby mountains, where many other Jews who wanted to fight the Greeks joined them. They attacked the Greek soldiers whenever possible.

About a year after the rebellion started, Mattathias died. Before his death, he put his brave son Judah Maccabee in charge of the growing army. After three years of fighting, the Jews defeated the Greek army, despite having fewer men and weapons.

Judah Maccabee and his soldiers went to the holy Temple, and were saddened that many things were missing or broken, including the golden menorah. They cleaned and repaired the Temple, and when they were finished, they decided to have a big dedication ceremony. For the celebration, the Maccabees wanted to light the menorah. They looked everywhere for oil, and found a small flask that contained only enough oil to light the menorah for one day. Miraculously, the oil lasted for eight days. This gave them enough time to obtain new oil to keep the menorah lit. Today Jews celebrate Hanukkah for eight days by lighting candles in a menorah every night, thus commemorating the eight-day miracle.

Why is this important to us? First Jesus and all the Apostles celebrated the “feast of the dedication.” Second, this points to Jesus as being the light of the world. (John 8:12)

Each night a candle is lit, prayers made, and Scripture shared as to why Jesus is the light.

Happy Hanukkah.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning, 

This week we will begin with a Grace Gem on Monday and Tuesday, then Wednesday our series begins on Hannukah. We will begin with the history of Hannukah. Thursday, and each night following, I will give you detailed instructions on how to conduct the lighting ceremony. All you will need is a menorah and candles. 

Nothing but God’s infinite mercy has held us up! 

(Charles Simeon)  LISTEN to Audio!  Download Audio 
 
“You have delivered . . . 
  my soul from death, 
  my eyes from tears, 
  and my feet from falling! 
I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living!” 
Psalm 116:8-9 
 
What a miracle of mercy it is, if our feet are kept! 
 
Consider with what innumerable snares and temptations we are beset on every side! 
 
Consider what corruptions reign in our own hearts, ready to precipitate us into any evil! 
 
Consider the deceitfulness of sin also–what pleasing and even innocent forms it will assume! 
 
Consider also the malice and subtlety of our great adversary, who is going about continually as a roaring lion seeking to devour us! 
 
Consider more particularly, how many holy people in the past have fallen into sin–a David, a Solomon, a Peter! 
 
O have not we reason to adore our God, if our feet have been kept from falling. And more especially, when we reflect how near we have been to many grievous falls, when nothing but God’s infinite mercy has held us up! 
 
“This is the will of Him who sent Me, that I shall lose none of all whom He has given Me, but raise them up at the last day!” John 6:39 
 
“I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, ever! No one will snatch them out of My hand!” John 10:28-30 
 
“The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory for ever and ever! Amen.” 2 Timothy 4:18 
 
“To those who have been called, who are loved by God the Father and kept by Jesus Christ!” Jude 1 

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Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com 

Good morning, 

This week we will begin with a Grace Gem on Monday and Tuesday, then Wednesday our series begins on Hannukah. We will begin with the history of Hannukah. Thursday, and each night following, I will give you detailed instructions on how to conduct the lighting ceremony. All you will need is a menorah and candles. 

God’s love displayed in the salvation of His people! 

(Charles Simeon)  LISTEN to Audio!  Download Audio 
    
Who can comprehend the height, and the width, and depth–of God’s love displayed in the salvation of His people! That God should so pity us as to give His only-begotten Son to die for us! That He should lay our iniquities on Jesus, as our sin-bearer, and thus make a way for the display of all His glorious perfections in the salvation of ruined and rebellious man! What shall we say to this? Every part of salvation is inestimable and far exceeding all finite comprehension! 
 
The riches of grace contained in salvation, are “unsearchable!” 
The peace flowing from salvation, “surpasses understanding!” 
The joy imparted by salvation, is “unspeakable and full of glory!” 
 
The whole mystery of salvation . . . 
  as planned by the Father in election, 
  as accomplished by the Son in redemption, 
  as applied by the Spirit in regeneration, 
  as experienced in the souls of the elect, 
is so great, that we cannot contemplate it for a moment without exclaiming, “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!” Romans 11:33 
 
“May you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should–how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is! May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully!” Ephesians 3:18-19 

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Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com 

Good morning, 

Grace Gems is “A Treasury of Ageless, Sovereign Grace, Devotional Writings.” 
 
“Our Purpose is to humble the pride of man, to exalt the grace of God in salvation and to promote real holiness in heart and life.” (www.gracegems.org)  

Monday:  How may I attain great degrees of love to Christ? 

Tuesday: How do we deal with trouble? 

Wednesday: How do we avoid hell? 

Thursday: How cleansed is the believer in Christ? 

Friday: How sufficient is Christ? 

Jesus Christ is completely sufficient! 

(author unknown)  LISTEN to audio!  Download audio 

(You will find it most helpful to listen to the audio above, as you read the text below.) 
 
“For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power!” Colossians 2:9-10 
 
One of the great tenets of Scripture, is the claim that Jesus Christ is completely sufficient for all matters of life and godliness! 2 Peter 1:3-4 
 
He is sufficient for: 
  Creation (Colossians 1:16-17) 
  Salvation (Hebrews 10:10-12) 
  Sanctification (Ephesians 5:26-27) 
  and Glorification (Romans 8:30). 
 
So pure is He, that there is no blemish, stain, spot of sin, defilement, deception, corruption, error, or imperfection in Him! (1 Peter 1:18-20) 
 
So complete is He, that . . . 
  there is no other God besides Him (Isaiah 45:5) 
  He is the only begotten Son (John 1:14, John 1:18) 
  all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are in Him (Colossians 2:3) 
  the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily in Him (Colossians 2:9) 
  He is heir of all things (Hebrews 1:2) 
  He created all things–and all things were made by Him, 
      through Him, and for Him (Colossians 1:16) 
  He upholds all things by the word of His power (Colossians 1:17, Hebrews 1:3) 
  He is the firstborn of all creation (Colossians 1:15) 
  He is the exact representation of God (Hebrews 1:3). 
 
He has no beginning and no end (Revelation 1:17-18) 
He is the spotless Lamb of God (John 1:29) 
He is our peace (Ephesians 2:14) 
He is our hope (1 Timothy 1:1) 
He is our life (Colossians 3:4) 
He is the living and true Way (John 14:6) 
He is the Root and Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star (Revelation 22:16) 
He is Faithful and True (Revelation 19:11) 
He is the Author and Finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:1-2) 
He is Captain of our Salvation (Hebrews 2:10)  
He is the Elect One (Isaiah 42:1) 
He is the Apostle and High-Priest of our confession (Hebrews 3:1) 
He is the Righteous Servant (Isaiah 53:11) 
He is the Lord Almighty (Malachi 3:17) 
He is the Redeemer (Isaiah 41:14) 
He is the Holy One of Israel (Isaiah 54:5) 
He is the God of the whole earth (Isaiah 54:5) 
He is the Man of Sorrows (Isaiah 53:3) 
He is the Light of the world (John 9:5) 
He is the Son of Man (Matthew 20:28) 
He is the true Vine (John 15:5) 
He is the Bread of Life (John 6:48) 
He is the Door to Heaven (John 10:7) 
He is the Sovereign Lord (Philippians 2:10-13) 
He is Prophet, Priest and King (Hebrews 1:1-3) 
He is our Sabbath rest (Hebrews 4:9) 
He is our Righteousness (Jeremiah 23:6) 
He is the Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, 
    the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6) 
He is the Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4) 
He is the Lion of Judah (Revelation 5:5) 
He is the Rock of Salvation (Psalm 62:2) 
He is the Ancient of Days (Daniel 7:13) 
He is the Counselor and Comforter (John 14:26) 
He is the Messiah (John 4:25-26) and 
He is the great I AM! (John 8:58) 
    ~  ~  ~  ~ 
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com 

Good morning, 

Grace Gems is “A Treasury of Ageless, Sovereign Grace, Devotional Writings.” 
 
“Our Purpose is to humble the pride of man, to exalt the grace of God in salvation and to promote real holiness in heart and life.” (www.gracegems.org)  

Monday:  How may I attain great degrees of love to Christ? 

Tuesday: How do we deal with trouble? 

Wednesday: How do we avoid hell? 

Thursday: How cleansed is the believer in Christ? 

Friday: How sufficient is Christ? 

Milk-white! 

(Thomas Watson, “The Lord’s Supper“) 

LISTEN to Audio!  Download Audio 
 
“The blood of Jesus cleanses us from all our sin!” 1 John 1:7 
 
Christ’s blood is a CLEANSING blood. 
 
As the merit of Christ’s blood pacifies God, so the virtue of it purifies us. Christ’s blood is heaven’s bath. It is a laver to wash in. It washes a crimson sinner, milk-white! 
 
The Word of God is a looking-glass to show us our spots, 
and the blood of Christ is a fountain to wash them away! 
 
“On that day a fountain will be opened, to cleanse them from all their sins and defilement!”  Zechariah 13:1 
 
But this blood will not wash, if it is mingled with anything. If we mingle our good works with Christ’s blood, it will not wash. Let Christ’s blood be pure and unmixed, and there is no spot which it cannot wash away! It purged out Noah’s drunkenness, and Lot’s incest! 
 
“Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow! 
Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool! 
    Isaiah 1:18 
 
“They are without fault before the throne of God!” Revelation 14:5 
 
   ~  ~  ~  ~ 
 

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com 

Good morning, 

Grace Gems is “A Treasury of Ageless, Sovereign Grace, Devotional Writings.” 
 
“Our Purpose is to humble the pride of man, to exalt the grace of God in salvation and to promote real holiness in heart and life.” (www.gracegems.org)  

Monday:  How may I attain great degrees of love to Christ? 

Tuesday: How do we deal with trouble? 

Wednesday: How do we avoid hell? 

Thursday: How cleansed is the believer in Christ? 

Friday: How sufficient is Christ? 

By the fire which burnt down our city! 

LISTEN to audio!  Download audio 

(Thomas Vincent, “God’s Terrible Voice in the City!” Written shortly after the “Great Plague of London” and the “Great Fire of London”) 
 
By the fire which burnt down our city, God calls upon London to secure themselves against the fire of Hell! 
 
London’s fire was dreadful, but the fire of Hell will be a thousand-fold more dreadful! 
 
The fire of London was kindled by man; but the fire of Hell will be kindled by God Himself! “The breath of the Lord, like a stream of burning sulfur, sets it ablaze!” Isaiah 30:33 
 
The fire of London burnt the houses of the city, and consumed much of the goods; but the fire of Hell will burn the wicked themselves, “Depart, you cursed ones, into everlasting fire!” Matthew 25:41 
 
The fire of London burned most, but not all of the houses in the city–some are yet remaining; but the fire of Hell will burn all of the wicked, not one of them shall escape and remain! 
 
The fire of London was extinguished and lasted but four days; but the fire of Hell will be inextinguishable, it will burn forever! It is called everlasting fire, in which the damned must lie and burn eternally, without any possibility of ever leaving. 
 
If you had known before of London’s fire–where it would begin, and how it would spread and seize upon your houses; surely you would have taken some course for the prevention of it. You surely know now of the fire of Hell–the Word of God has revealed it. O take some course for preventing of it, at least for securing of yourselves against it. 
 
When the fire was burning in London you fled from it, lest it should have consumed your body as well as houses. O fly from the fire of Hell, into which you will be thrown–if you go on in sin! Flee from the wrath which is to come! Flee unto Jesus Christ, who alone can deliver you! 
 
   ~  ~  ~  ~ 

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com 

Good morning, 

Grace Gems is “A Treasury of Ageless, Sovereign Grace, Devotional Writings.” 
 
“Our Purpose is to humble the pride of man, to exalt the grace of God in salvation and to promote real holiness in heart and life.” (www.gracegems.org)  

Monday:  How may I attain great degrees of love to Christ? 

Tuesday: How do we deal with trouble? 

Wednesday: How do we avoid hell? 

Thursday: How cleansed is the believer in Christ? 

Friday: How sufficient is Christ? 

In short, all must drink of the bitter cup! 

(Jared Waterbury, “Meditations and Prayers” 1840)  LISTEN to Audio!  Download Audio 
 
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble!” Psalm 46:1 
 
“Man is born to trouble, as the sparks fly upwards!” The world in which we dwell is but “a valley of tears.” Sin has caused these tears to flow; and every sinner must, sooner or later–pour in his contribution of personal grief, to swell the general tide of sorrows. The domestic circle must be invaded by the ruthless hand of death! Wealth may abound one day, to be followed by poverty the next; or even if retained, riches may prove a source of anxiety and temptation to its possessor. In short, all must drink of the bitter cup! 
 
Alas, the poor lost sinner, who finds all his happiness in the things of earth–when these are gone, has nothing left. He has no shelter from the storm. It must beat upon his naked head. But not so the Christian. He can say, under the severest afflictions, “God is my refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble!” 
 
O what an unspeakable blessing to have an almighty support! How calming to the soul in the dark hour of adversity, to be able to pour all its sorrows into the bosom of God! When death has seemed to hover over us, to aim his shafts at us or ours–what sweet consolation have we found in God! In “the secret place of the Most High,” we have been able to dwell safely. When the world without has been covered with gloom, all has been sunshine within. When the power of the tempter has overwhelmed us, the arm of Jesus has lifted us up and pointed out a way of escape. Whatever then are our trials, let us still trust in God, our “ever-present help in times of trouble.” His promise, whatever is our situation, is “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness. So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me!” 2 Corinthians 12:9 
 
PRAYER 
O God, it is the hour of darkness for me. “Fearfulness and trembling have come upon us, and horror has overwhelmed us.” Where can we look, but unto You? What now can be our support, but Your precious promises? You have declared Yourself to be “a refuge” to Your people, “their ever-present help in times of trouble.” Often have Your redeemed people experienced the truth of this comforting declaration. When trouble and sorrow, fear and anxiety, have taken hold upon them–they have fled to this sweet refuge. They have poured out their souls unto You, and You have helped them in the time of their distress. You have calmed their rising fears, and enabled them to resign every event into Your nail-scarred hands. What peace has then pervaded their souls! Let Your merciful loving-kindness then visit us in this hour of our tribulation. Hide not Your face from us. O speak peace to our troubled spirits. Hide us under the shadow of Your wings “until these calamities are over and past.” Strengthen our faith to take a firm hold of Your promises, and let no vicissitudes of this life, no threatening dangers–shake our confidence in You or in Your declarations. For the sake of Jesus Christ, our hope and our Redeemer. Amen. 
 
   ~  ~  ~  ~ 

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com 

Good morning, 

Grace Gems is “A Treasury of Ageless, Sovereign Grace, Devotional Writings.” 
 
“Our Purpose is to humble the pride of man, to exalt the grace of God in salvation and to promote real holiness in heart and life.” (www.gracegems.org)  

Monday:  How may I attain great degrees of love to Christ? 

Tuesday: How do we deal with trouble? 

Wednesday: How do we avoid hell? 

Thursday: How cleansed is the believer in Christ? 

Friday: How sufficient is Christ? 

Undeserving, ill-deserving, Hell-deserving! 

(Thomas Vincent, “The True Christian’s Love to the Unseen Christ!“) 

LISTEN to Audio!  Download Audio 

How may I attain great degrees of love to Christ? 

Be much in holy contemplation of Christ. Spend time in secret retirement, and there think and think again–of the superlative excellencies and perfections which are in Christ. Think how wonderful and matchless His love is: 
  what heights of His love, which cannot be reached; 
  what depths of His love, which cannot be fathomed; 
  what dimensions of His love, which cannot be comprehended! 
O the ravishments of love, O the transports of soul–which some believers have found in their retired thoughts and views of Christ! 

“O dear Jesus, how lovely You are in Yourself . . . 
  the darling of Heaven, 
  the delight of the Father, 
  the admiration of angels! 
O what brightness of glory–what shining luster are You arrayed with! 
You are clothed with most excellent majesty and honor! 
You are girded with infinite might and power! 
The beauty of Your face is most wonderful! 
The smiles of Your countenance are most sweet and delightful!” 

“And does this beauteous One, this fairest of ten thousand, this most excellent and altogether lovely One–bear a special love to me? 
  To such a vile worm as me! 
  To such a dead dog as me! 
  To such an undeserving, ill-deserving, Hell-deserving sinner as me! 
O what marvelous kindness is this! What infinite riches of free grace! 

Has He given Himself for me, and given Himself to me–and shall not I give Him my heart! I am . . . 
  written in His book, 
  redeemed with His blood, 
  clothed with His righteousness, 
  beautified with His image! 
Has He made me His child, and prepared a place in the Father’s house for me! 
O how wonderful! O how astonishing!” 

“What shall I render unto Him? What returns shall I make? Had I a thousand tongues, should I not employ them all in speaking His praise? Had I a thousand hearts, should I not present them all, as too poor for a thank-offering unto Him? And yet am I slow–slow of heart, to love this dear and sweet Jesus! Awake, O my soul! Awake from your dullness and stupidity! Shake out the dust of the earth which has gotten into your eyes, and keeps you from the view of your matchless Beloved! Arise, O my soul, unfetter yourself; take the wing, and mount up above the sky and visible heavens, to the place where my lovely and dear Jesus is! Bid farewell to . . . 
  the flattering honors, 
  the deceitful riches, 
  the glancing pleasures, 
which are here below! Bid adieu to them, and leave them to those who place their chief happiness in them!” 

“Why do you hang downwards, O my soul? Why do you bend so much to the earth and earthly things? Everything here below, is altogether unworthy of your love. How empty and vain and thorny–are these worldly things! Do not waste your time and weary yourself for every vanity! Do not sting and wound yourself with these things anymore!” 

“Come, O my soul! Ascend, and soar aloft–with your thoughts, and desires, and loves, and hopes, and joys, unto the Heavens! There you may see, and view, and admire, and embrace your dearest Lord Jesus!” 

Such retired contemplations of Christ, and soliloquies, and pleadings with your own souls, when alone by yourselves–will tend exceedingly to the promotion of your love unto Christ. 
 
   ~  ~  ~  ~ 

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com