Good morning, 

Spiritual Preparedness 2023 will be our theme for the next several weeks. The challenge will be to commit to reading the Bible in one year, praying daily, and walking with God through the power of His Spirit. 

This week and next we will look at prayer.  

PRAYER 

Pray without ceasing. (1 Thessalonians 5:17) 

Introduction ACTS (adoration, confession, thanksgiving, supplication) 

To whom do we pray? (Acts 12:5, John 14:13, Ephesians 6:18) 

Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. (Acts 12:5) 

And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. (John 14:13) 

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; (Ephesians 6:18) 

When do we pray? (Luke 18:1, Psalm 5:3, 55:17, 86:3, 88:1)  

And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; (Luke 18:1) 

My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up. (Psalm 5:3) 

Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice. (Psalm 55:17) 

Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily. (Psalm 86:3) 

O lord God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before thee: (Psalm 88:1) 

Where do we pray? (Matthew 6:6, Psalm 26:12) 

ANYWHERE, EVERYWHERE 

But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. 

My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the Lord. (Psalm 26:12) 

CONCLUSION 

Pray with: 

Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication 

To God, through Jesus 

Praying always 

Praying everywhere 

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

Good morning, 

Spiritual Preparedness 2023 will be our theme for the next several weeks. The challenge will be to commit to reading the Bible in one year, praying daily, and walking with God through the power of His Spirit. 

This week and next we will look at prayer.  

PRAYER 

Pray without ceasing. (1 Thessalonians 5:17) 

Introduction ACTS (adoration, confession, thanksgiving, supplication) 

Thanksgiving (Philippians 4:1-7) 

Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.²I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.³And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellow laborers, whose names are in the book of life.⁴Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. ⁵Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.⁶Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.⁷And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 

Supplication (1 Timothy 2:1-3) 

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;²For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.³For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; 

We have spent time in adoration and confession. That leads us to be thankful for all God has done for us and others. This could take a while.

Then after we have thanked God, we may then come into God’s throne room with our requests. Our prayers will be more in line with God’s will because we have spent time with God in adoration, confession, and thanksgiving.

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

Good morning, 

Spiritual Preparedness 2023 will be our theme for the next several weeks. The challenge will be to commit to reading the Bible in one year, praying daily, and walking with God through the power of His Spirit. 

This week and next we will look at prayer.  

PRAYER 

Pray without ceasing. (1 Thessalonians 5:17) 

Introduction ACTS (adoration, confession, thanksgiving, supplication) 

Adoration (Psalm 95:1-6) 

O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.²Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.³For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.⁴In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also.⁵The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land.⁶O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker. 

Confession (Psalm 32:1-5) 

Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.²Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.³When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long.⁴For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.⁵I acknowledge my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah. 

Thanksgiving (Philippians 4:1-7) 

Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.²I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.³And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellow laborers, whose names are in the book of life.⁴Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. ⁵Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.⁶Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.⁷And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 

Supplication (1 Timothy 2:1-3) 

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;²For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.³For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; 

To whom do we pray? (Acts 12:5, John 14:13, Ephesians 6:18) 

Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. (Acts 12:5) 

And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. (John 14:13) 

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; (Ephesians 6:18) 

When do we pray? (Luke 18:1, Psalm 5:3, 55:17, 86:3, 88:1)  

And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; (Luke 18:1) 

My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up. (Psalm 5:3) 

Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice. (Psalm 55:17) 

Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily. (Psalm 86:3) 

O lord God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before thee: (Psalm 88:1) 

Where do we pray? (Matthew 6:6, Psalm 26:12) 

ANYWHERE, EVERYWHERE 

But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. 

My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the Lord. (Psalm 26:12) 

CONCLUSION 

Pray with: 

Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication 

To God, through Jesus 

Praying always 

Praying everywhere 

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

Good morning, 

Spiritual Preparedness 2023 will be our theme for the next several weeks. The challenge will be to commit to reading the Bible in one year, praying daily, and walking with God through the power of His Spirit. 

This week and next we will look at prayer.  

PRAYER 

Pray without ceasing. (1 Thessalonians 5:17) 

Introduction ACTS (adoration, confession, thanksgiving, supplication) 

Adoration (Psalm 95:1-6) 

O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.²Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.³For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.⁴In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also.⁵The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land.⁶O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker. 

Confession (Psalm 32:1-5) 

Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.²Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.³When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long.⁴For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.⁵I acknowledge my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah. 

Prayer is more than asking.

Before we ask, we need to acknowledge whom we are praying. It is the God of creation, love, mercy, and forgiveness. It is the one who sent His Son to die on the cross for our sin. It is the one who provided salvation for us.

Then we need to confess any known sin to God. Repent of it and move on.

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

The Christian’s hope!

(James Smith, “Christ Exalted, Saints Comforted, and Sinners Directed” 1855)

Play Audio!  Download Audio

“The hope which is laid up for you in Heaven” Colossians 1:5

Many Christians have but little in hand, but they have much in hope.
They have little on earth, but they have unsearchable wealth in Heaven!
The present is the worst state they will ever be in. All beyond death is bright, blissful and glorious!

The Christian’s hope consists in both freedom and possession.

The Christian’s hope consists in freedom from . . .
  all the pains which we now experience, both in mind and body;
  all the hindrances which are so thickly strewed in our way in this evil world;
  all the fears which now beset, agitate, and harass us day by day;
  all the forebodings which often make our lives bitter and gloomy;
  all the sins which are now our plague, disease, and torment;
  all our needs, and all possibility of needing–for God will fully supply all our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Oh, what a mercy it will be to enjoy such freedom, and to possess the inward consciousness that it will be enjoyed forever!

The Christian will not only be free from all that is painful and distressing, but he will also possess . . .
  perfect, settled, and everlasting peace;
  sinless faculties and immortal powers with which to serve and enjoy God forever;
  permanent, perpetual, and uninterrupted joy;
  the presence and enjoyment of Jesus, we shall see Him, be with Him, and be like Him;
  ALL that we can consistently wish or desire!

Our hope is laid up for us in Heaven. This betokens . . .
  its excellency–being kept in so excellent a place;
  its certainty and security–no thieves can break through to steal;
  its nature–it is spiritual, holy, Heavenly.

O glorious hope! O blessed prospect! It leaves us nothing to long for, nothing to desire!

What a mercy it is . . .
  when comforts run short,
  when trials press sorely,
  when a dreary winter of affliction sets in,
to remember that we have a priceless inheritance–an inheritance that is kept in heaven for us, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay!

How this blessed hope should . . .
  quicken our zeal,
  animate our spirits, and
  raise us above fear and despondency.

It is not what we have now–but what we shall have in Heaven which should affect us.

Our glorious inheritance is vast beyond calculation, it is safe beyond the possibility of failure!

The wilderness will soon be passed, the storms of life will soon subside–and eternal calm and unclouded sunshine, will soon be our happy, endless portion!

All glory to free grace!
~  ~  ~  ~
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

Spiritual Preparedness 2023 will be our theme for the next three weeks. The challenge will be to commit to reading the Bible in one year, praying daily, and walking with God through the power of His Spirit.

This week we will look at why we should read and obey God’s word.

The Bible is to be obeyed 

 O B E D I E N C E, obedience is the very best way to show that you believe. 

Obedience=Love for God 

If ye love me, keep my commandments. (John 14:15) 

“But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.” (1 John 2:5) 

If ye love me, keep my commandments. (John 14:15) 

He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. (John 14:21) 

Obedience=Knowing the truth  

Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:31-32) 

Obedience=Blessings 

A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you this day:28 And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the Lord your God but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known. (Deuteronomy 11:27-28) 

Obedience=Do and keep 

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. (James 1:22) 

I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments. (Psalm 119:60) 

Therefore shall ye keep my commandments, and do them: I am the Lord. 

(Leviticus 22:31) 

Ye shall diligently keep the commandments of the Lord your God, and his testimonies, and his statutes, which he hath commanded thee. (Deuteronomy 6:17) 

Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him. (Deuteronomy 8:6) 

Obedience=Meditating 

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. (Joshua 1:8) 

Obedience=Kept charge, commandments, statues, and laws 

And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws. (Genesis 26:4-5) 

Obedience=Fellowship 

And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. (Acts 2:42) 

Conclusion 

The Bible was with God from the beginning 

The Bible is God’s authority on what His people are to do 

The Bible was given to everyone by God 

The Bible is powerful 

The Bible demands a response 

The Bible is to be obeyed 

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

Good morning,

Spiritual Preparedness 2023 will be our theme for the next three weeks. The challenge will be to commit to reading the Bible in one year, praying daily, and walking with God through the power of His Spirit.

This week we will look at why we should read and obey God’s word.

Spiritual Preparedness 2023 

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15) 

CHALLENGE: To read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation in one year 

WHY: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17) 

The Bible is the Word of God 

The origin of the Bible 

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. (John 1:1-2) 

The giving of the Bible 

And he was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water. And he wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the ten commandments. (Exodus 34:28) 

The longevity of the Bible 

Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. (Matthew 24:35) 

The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever. (Isaiah 40:8) 

But the word of the Lord endureth forever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you. (1 Peter 1:25) 

For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. (Matthew 5:18) 

The authority of the Bible 

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:16-17) 

The power of the Bible 

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12) 

Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces? (Jeremiah 23:29) 

Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. (Proverbs 30:5) 

The response to the Bible 

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. (Colossians 3:16)  

Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. (John 6:68) 

The Bible is to be obeyed 

 O B E D I E N C E, obedience is the very best way to show that you believe. 

Obedience=Love for God 

If ye love me, keep my commandments. (John 14:15) 

“But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.” (1 John 2:5) 

If ye love me, keep my commandments. (John 14:15) 

He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. (John 14:21) 

Obedience=Knowing the truth  

Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:31-32) 

Obedience=Blessings 

A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you this day:28 And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the Lord your God but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known. (Deuteronomy 11:27-28) 

Obedience=Do and keep 

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. (James 1:22) 

I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments. (Psalm 119:60) 

Therefore shall ye keep my commandments, and do them: I am the Lord. 

(Leviticus 22:31) 

Ye shall diligently keep the commandments of the Lord your God, and his testimonies, and his statutes, which he hath commanded thee. (Deuteronomy 6:17) 

Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him. (Deuteronomy 8:6) 

Obedience=Meditating 

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. (Joshua 1:8) 

Obedience=Kept charge, commandments, statues, and laws 

And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws. (Genesis 26:4-5) 

Obedience=Fellowship 

And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. (Acts 2:42) 

Conclusion 

The Bible was with God from the beginning 

The Bible is God’s authority on what His people are to do 

The Bible was given to everyone by God 

The Bible is powerful 

The Bible demands a response 

The Bible is to be obeyed 

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

Good morning,

Spiritual Preparedness 2023 will be our theme for the next three weeks. The challenge will be to commit to reading the Bible in one year, praying daily, and walking with God through the power of His Spirit.

This week we will look at why we should read and obey God’s word.

Spiritual Preparedness 2023 

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15) 

CHALLENGE: To read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation in one year 

WHY: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17) 

The Bible is the Word of God 

The origin of the Bible 

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. (John 1:1-2) 

The giving of the Bible 

And he was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water. And he wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the ten commandments. (Exodus 34:28) 

The longevity of the Bible 

Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. (Matthew 24:35) 

The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever. (Isaiah 40:8) 

But the word of the Lord endureth forever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you. (1 Peter 1:25) 

For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. (Matthew 5:18) 

The authority of the Bible 

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:16-17) 

The power of the Bible 

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12) 

Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces? (Jeremiah 23:29) 

Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. (Proverbs 30:5) 

The response to the Bible 

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. (Colossians 3:16)  

Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. (John 6:68) 

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

Good morning,

Tonight is the last evening of Hanukkah. I hope you have enjoyed the devotions on Hanukkah.

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.

Eighth Candle

Revelation 21:22-27 gives us a description of our glorious eternal dwelling place in the New Jerusalem:

And I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God, the Almighty, and the Lamb, are its temple. And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine upon it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb. And the nations shall walk by its light, and the kings of the earth shall bring their glory into it. And in the daytime (for there shall be no night there) its gates shall never be closed; and they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it; and nothing unclean and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into it, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

So, the question begs itself, are our names written in the Lamb’s book of life? If you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, see yesterday’s devotion, your name is written in the Lamb’s book of life. If not, you will be separated from God for all eternity. You choose.

I hope all of you will be able to spend your Christmas with family, friends, and loved ones. Please remember to spend a portion of the next few days reading the story of Jesus birth from Matthew 1 and 2, and Luke 2. Jesus is the reason for the season. If you have forgotten some of these principles, please read, again, this week’s devotionals.

Have a very Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah.

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

Good morning,

Today is day 7 of Hanukkah. We will light 7 candles.

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.

Tonight, we light the seventh Hanukkah candle. With each night, the light grows brighter. It reminds us that light dispels darkness. We live in a dark world. Open a newspaper, a news feed on the computer, or the evening news, and you will notice that the lead story is usually about death, wickedness, or some kind of sin. The light that Jesus gives allows men and women, boys and girls to live above what the world has to offer.

Seventh Candle

The prophet Isaiah speaks of the future glory of a restored Israel in Isaiah 60:1-3:

Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord
has risen upon you… And nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.

God is not done with Israel. If you have any doubt, please read the books of Ezekiel, Isaiah, and Revelation. Israel will be restored to Her rightful place as God’s chosen nation and people. Today’s Scripture states that nations and kings will come to the light of Israel and ultimately to the Messiah, Yeshua, the Lord Jesus Christ. What a glorious day that will be.

The message of salvation is woven through the whole Hanukkah celebration. I would be remiss in not sharing that message with you.

God created a perfect world, no sin. In Genesis 3, man chose to disobey God’s clear command not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.  The first sin. From that time to this God sees us as sinners. In the Old Testament, God directed a blood sacrifice for the covering of sin. We see this demonstrated in Egypt, just before the Exodus and the Priests sacrificing animals daily for the sins of the people.

God had a better plan.  “But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.” (Galatians 4:4-5) How was this to be done? Jesus tells us in Mark 1:14-15, “Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.” What is the gospel? “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 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.” (1 Corinthians 15:1-6)

So to summarize.

1) We are lost and need a Savior. “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:” (Romans 3:10) “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23)

2) God sent Jesus to redeem us. (See Galatians 4:4-5 above)

3) We must repent of our sins. Repent means turning in the opposite direction. Renounce all your wickedness before Jesus. (See Mark 1:14-15)

4) We must believe the gospel. That Christ died for our sins, that he was buried, and that he rose again on the third day. (See 1 Corinthians 15:1-6)

5) Last we must a make a decision to accept or reject God’s free gift of salvation. Romans 10:8-11, makes this very clear. “But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.”

Jesus came to earth as a baby, grew to manhood, preach God’s message of salvation, and then went to the cross for US! Jesus would love for you to trust Him as Lord and Savior this Christmas. If you know Jesus as Lord and Savior, tell someone about this good news.

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