Good morning,

Passover is 15 April and Resurrection Sunday is 17 April, 2022.

This week we will look at the events that happened prior to the cross. The preparation for the Passover, preliminary meal before Passover, the institution of the Lord’s supper, the garden of Gethsemane, the betrayal and arrest of Jesus, and His trials before Annas, Caiaphas, the Sanhedrin, Pilate, Herod Antipas, concluding with Pilate.  

Next week we will look at the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.

The preparation for the Passover meal (Matthew 26:17-19)

“Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover?¹⁸ And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples.¹⁹ And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover.”

This was a preparation day. All leavened bread was to be removed. The lambs had not yet been slain. Jesus would be crucified at the precise time the Passover lambs were being slain.

The preliminary meal before Passover (Matthew 26:20-25)

“Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve.²¹ And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.²² And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?²³ And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.²⁴ The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.²⁵ Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.”

Jesus announcement that one of them would betray Him, caused grief to 11 of the 12. Judas knew he would betray Jesus.

The institution of the Lord’s supper (Matthew 26:26-29)

“And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. ²⁷ And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;²⁸ For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.²⁹ But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

Jesus gave us a picture to remember. The bread symbolizes the broken, beaten, body of Jesus. The cup symbolizes the blood shed by Jesus to take away man’s sin.

This week please reflect on what Jesus came to do and what that means to you.

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

Good morning,

This week we will be encouraged and challenged by five devotions from the Grace Gems website.

My grace is sufficient for you!

(J.C. Philpot, “Strength Made Perfect in Weakness”)

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

Not your strength,
not your wisdom,
not your prayers,
not your experience;
but “My grace“–My free, My matchless grace:
  independent of all works and efforts,
  independent of everything in the creature,
  flowing wholly and solely, fully and freely, out of the bosom of Jesus to . . .
    the needy,
    the guilty,
    the destitute,
    the undone.

You who are tried in worldly circumstances, who have to endure the hard lot of poverty–“My grace is sufficient for you.”

You who are tempted, day by day, to say or do that which conscience testifies against–“My grace is sufficient for you.”

You who are harassed with family troubles and afflictions, and are often drawn aside into peevishness and fretfulness–“My grace is sufficient for you.”

Our weakness, helplessness, and inability are the very things which draw forth the power, the strength, and the grace of Jesus!

Believer, your case is never beyond the reach of the words–“My grace is sufficient for you!”

The free, the matchless, sovereign grace of God, is sufficient for all His people–in whatever state, or stage, or trouble, or difficulty they may be in!

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

     ~ ~ ~ ~

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

Good morning,

This week we will be encouraged and challenged by five devotions from the Grace Gems website.

Seven principles of Christian discipleship

William MacDonald’s Seven Principles of Christian Discipleship:

1. A supreme love for Jesus Christ.

2. A denial of self.

3. A deliberate choosing of the cross.

4. A life spent in following Christ.

5. A fervent love for all who belong to Christ.

6. An unswerving commitment to His Word.

7. A forsaking of all to follow Him.

“In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has, cannot be My disciple.” Luke 14:33

    ~  ~  ~  ~

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

Good morning,

This week we will be encouraged and challenged by five devotions from the Grace Gems website.

Christian contentment

(Don Fortner)

“I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:11-13

Here are five things which, if God the Holy Spirit is pleased to establish them in our hearts, will surely give every believer contentment:

1. The purpose of God. All things that have ever come to pass in this world . . .
 both great and small,
 both prosperous and adverse,
 both pleasing and painful,
 both good and evil,
come to pass according to God’s eternal, immutable, unalterable purpose. Learn this in your heart, and you will learn to be content. “For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen.” Romans 11:36

2. The providence of God. Everything in Heaven, earth and Hell is sovereignly ruled, governed and manipulated by God in infinite wisdom, according to His own holy purpose for the eternal, spiritual good of His people. Nothing in this universe breathes or moves without God’s decree and God’s direction. “We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose!” Romans 8:28

3. The power of God. Our God is almighty. He has purposed to do us good, and He has the power to accomplish his purpose. He cannot be frustrated or defeated. “All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as He pleases with the powers of Heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back His hand or say to Him: What have you done?” Daniel 4:35. He is God almighty! You can safely trust Him.

4. The presence of God. “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said: I will never leave you! I will never forsake you!” Hebrews 13:5. Can you get a sense of this fact? If you are one of God’s believing children–then the omnipotent, eternal God is with you! Surely, the presence of God with you should give your heart contentment at all times.

5. The promises of God. Open the book of God’s promises, and find a rich source of contentment for your soul. To all who are in Christ Jesus, “He has given us His very great and precious promises!” 2 Peter 1:4

“Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.” 1 Timothy 6:6-8

 ~ ~ ~ ~

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

Good morning,

This week we will be encouraged and challenged by five devotions from the Grace Gems website.

These eternal fountains!

(William Nicholson, 1862)

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“For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their Shepherd.
 He will lead them to springs of living water.
 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes!” Revelation 7:17

“God will wipe away every tear from their eyes!” Numerous are the sources of sorrow here on earth–but God will dry them all up in Heaven. There will be no mourning Christian to drop tears there, “for all sorrow and sighing shall flee away!” There is nothing in that happy residence to distress or annoy.

Jeremiah will utter no plaintive language there.
Transgressors will grieve the holy no more.
Bartimaeus is the poor blind beggar no more.
Lazarus’s sores have been replaced by immortal beauty.
The weeping widow is no longer crushed to the dust by the heavy hand of poverty.
The orphan child is no longer forsaken and homeless.
Pinching poverty and wasting disease are unknown.
The distressing complaint will never accost the ear, “I am sick!”
The sting of death and the terrors of the grave will never present themselves there.
There are no graves in the land of eternal life.
There is no death of friends there.
Martha and Mary go to no beloved brother’s grave to weep.

Yonder, there is . . .
   no deceitful heart,
   no secret foe,
   no fascinating world,
   no artful Satan!
 
The former things have passed away, and the era of immortality has arrived.

God shall give them everything calculated to secure, continue, and increase their happiness. “He will lead them to springs of living water,” which shall never be exhausted. A spring is termed living water, because constantly bubbling up, and running on. These “springs of living water” indicate endless sources of happiness, which Christ will supply to His redeemed people from His own infinite plenitude.

These eternal fountains will make an infinite variety for the enjoyments of the blessed. There will be no sameness, and therefore no weariness to the spirit. Every moment will open a new source of pleasure. And as God is infinite, so His attributes are infinite, and throughout infinity more and more of those attributes will be unveiled–and the discovery of each will be a new fountain of enjoyment. These sources will be ever-opening through all eternity–and yet, through all eternity, there will still remain in the absolute perfections of the Godhead, an infinity of them still to be opened!

Such bliss is enough to make the Christian say, “I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far!” Philippians 1:23

   ~  ~  ~  ~

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

Good morning,

This week we will be encouraged and challenged by five devotions from the Grace Gems website.

Nothing escapes His notice!

(Arthur Pink, “The Attributes of God”)

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What a wondrous Being is the God of Scripture!

“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” Hebrews 4:13

God is omniscient. He knows everything:
  everything possible,
  everything actual,
  all events,
  all creatures,
of the past, the present, and the future.

He is perfectly acquainted with every detail in the life of every being in Heaven, in earth, and in Hell. Nothing escapes His notice, nothing can be hidden from Him, nothing is forgotten by Him.

His knowledge is perfect.
He never errs.
He never changes.
He never overlooks anything.

God not only knows whatever has happened in the past in every part of His vast domains; and He is not only thoroughly acquainted with everything that is now transpiring throughout the entire universe–but He is also perfectly cognizant of every event, from the least to the greatest, that will ever happen in the ages to come! God’s knowledge of the future is as complete as is His knowledge of the past and the present; and that, because the future depends entirely upon Himself. God has Himself designed whatever shall yet be–and what He has designed, must be effectuated. God’s knowledge does not arise from things because they are or will be–but because He has ordained them to be! Yes, such is the God with whom we have to do!

“You know when I sit and when I rise;
 You perceive my thoughts from afar.
 You discern my going out and my lying down;
 You are familiar with all my ways.
 Before a word is on my tongue–You know it completely, O Lord!” Psalm 139:2-4

How solemn is this fact: Nothing can be concealed from God!

“For I know the things that come into your mind, every one of them” (Ezekiel 11:5). Though He is invisible to us–we are not so to Him. Neither the darkness of night, the closest curtains, nor the deepest dungeon–can hide any sinner from the eyes of Omniscience! Men would strip Deity of His omniscience if they could. They wish there might be . . .
  no Witness of their sins,
  no Searcher of their hearts,
  no Judge of their deeds!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

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

Good morning,

We have come to the conclusion of our study of the Book of Esther.

The festival of Purim celebrates God’s deliverance from a plot to destroy all the Jews. This year the celebration begins on the evening of 16 March and ends on the evening of 17 March.

This week we will look at chapters 7-10. The plot of Haman is revealed to the King. Haman is judged. Mordecai is promoted. A new letter is sent. The feast of Purim is inaugurated.

Today we look at chapter 9-10, Jews prevail and Purim initiated.

Chapter 9 Jews destroy their enemies and Purim instituted

“Thus the Jews smote all their enemies with the stroke of the sword, and slaughter, and destruction, and did what they would unto those that hated them.” (9:5)

“And Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters unto all the Jews that were in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, both nigh and far,21 To stablish this among them, that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly,22 As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor.” (9:20-22)

“Wherefore they called these days Purim after the name of Pur. Therefore for all the words of this letter, and of that which they had seen concerning this matter, and which had come unto them,” (9:26)

The Jews defeated their enemies. To commemorate this event the festival of Purim was initiated.  It has been celebrated from that time till today.

“O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.² Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger. ³ When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; ⁴ What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?” (Psalm 8:1-4)

God avenges the enemies of the Jews.

Chapter 10 Mordecai’s greatness

“For Mordecai the Jew was next unto king Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and accepted of the multitude of his brethren, seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed.” (10:3)

Mordecai is second to the king. More importantly, he is accepted by the Jews as a great benevolent leader.

So the story has a happy ending.

God orchestrated each event. He was in every circumstance that Mordecai, Esther, and Haman encountered.

“The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” (Proverbs 15:3)

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

Good morning,

We have come to the conclusion of our study of the Book of Esther.

The festival of Purim celebrates God’s deliverance from a plot to destroy all the Jews. This year the celebration begins on the evening of 16 March and ends on the evening of 17 March.

This week we will look at chapters 7-10. The plot of Haman is revealed to the King. Haman is judged. Mordecai is promoted. A new letter is sent. The feast of Purim is inaugurated.

Today we look at chapter 8, Mordecai is promoted and writes a new letter.

Chapter 8 Promotion of Mordecai and new decree to allow the Jews to defend themselves

“On that day did the king Ahasuerus give the house of Haman the Jews’ enemy unto Esther the queen. And Mordecai came before the king; for Esther had told what he was unto her.2 And the king took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it unto Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman.” (8:1-2)

“Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king’s name, and seal it with the king’s ring: for the writing which is written in the king’s name, and sealed with the king’s ring, may no man reverse.” (8:8)

“And he wrote in the king Ahasuerus’ name, and sealed it with the king’s ring, and sent letters by posts on horseback, and riders on mules, camels, and young dromedaries:11 Wherein the king granted the Jews which were in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them, both little ones and women, and to take the spoil of them for a prey,” (8:10-11)

The problem still exists, what will become of the Jews? The king’s decree could not be revoked.

The king promotes Mordecai to Haman’s position. He suggests that Haman write a new decree. He does. Verses 10-11 above tell us what Mordecai wrote. Basically, he gave the Jews the ability to defend themselves, to destroy, to slay and cause to perish, all those that would try to destroy them.

The anti-Semites of that day were about to understand the power of God.

“Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations; ¹⁰ And repayeth them that hate him to their face, to destroy them: he will not be slack to him that hateth him, he will repay him to his face. (Deuteronomy 7:9-10)

He did!

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

Good morning,

We have come to the conclusion of our study of the Book of Esther.

The festival of Purim celebrates God’s deliverance from a plot to destroy all the Jews. This year the celebration begins on the evening of 16 March and ends on the evening of 17 March.

This week we will look at chapters 7-10. The plot of Haman is revealed to the King. Haman is judged. Mordecai is promoted. A new letter is sent. The feast of Purim is inaugurated.

Today is provided the highlights of chapters 7-10, with a challenge for each chapter.

Chapter 7 Esther’s banquet request and the death of Haman

“Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favor in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request:4 For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my tongue, although the enemy could not countervail the king’s damage.5 Then the king Ahasuerus answered and said unto Esther the queen, Who is he, and where is he, that durst presume in his heart to do so?6 And Esther said, The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman. Then Haman was afraid before the king and the queen.” (7:3-6)

“So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king’s wrath pacified.” (7:10)

Esther tells the king that Haman has plotted to kill her people the Jews. As the king contemplates what to do, Haman throws himself on Queen Esther for mercy. The king, however, thought that Haman was assaulting the queen. Haman is sentenced to be hanged on the gallows he had made for Mordecai.

Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. (Proverbs 16:18) Everyone in Shushan knew the wickedness and pride of Haman. So, when his plot is revealed, the king’s advisors were able to tell the king about the gallows made for Mordecai.  Haman’s pride truly did destroy him. Proverbs 16:19 states, Better it is to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.

Chapter 8 Promotion of Mordecai and new decree to allow the Jews to defend themselves

“On that day did the king Ahasuerus give the house of Haman the Jews’ enemy unto Esther the queen. And Mordecai came before the king; for Esther had told what he was unto her.2 And the king took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it unto Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman.” (8:1-2)

“Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king’s name, and seal it with the king’s ring: for the writing which is written in the king’s name, and sealed with the king’s ring, may no man reverse.” (8:8)

“And he wrote in the king Ahasuerus’ name, and sealed it with the king’s ring, and sent letters by posts on horseback, and riders on mules, camels, and young dromedaries:11 Wherein the king granted the Jews which were in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them, both little ones and women, and to take the spoil of them for a prey,” (8:10-11)

The problem still exists, what will become of the Jews? The king’s decree could not be revoked.

The king promotes Mordecai to Haman’s position. He suggests that Haman write a new decree. He does. Verses 10-11 above tell us what Mordecai wrote. Basically, he gave the Jews the ability to defend themselves, to destroy, to slay and cause to perish, all those that would try to destroy them.

The anti-Semites of that day were about to understand the power of God.

“Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations; ¹⁰ And repayeth them that hate him to their face, to destroy them: he will not be slack to him that hateth him, he will repay him to his face. (Deuteronomy 7:9-10)

He did!

Chapter 9 Jews destroy their enemies and Purim instituted

“Thus the Jews smote all their enemies with the stroke of the sword, and slaughter, and destruction, and did what they would unto those that hated them.” (9:5)

“And Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters unto all the Jews that were in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, both nigh and far,21 To stablish this among them, that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly,22 As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor.” (9:20-22)

“Wherefore they called these days Purim after the name of Pur. Therefore for all the words of this letter, and of that which they had seen concerning this matter, and which had come unto them,” (9:26)

The Jews defeated their enemies. To commemorate this event the festival of Purim was initiated.  It has been celebrated from that time till today.

“O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.² Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger. ³ When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; ⁴ What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?” (Psalm 8:1-4)

God avenges the enemies of the Jews.

Chapter 10 Mordecai’s greatness

“For Mordecai the Jew was next unto king Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and accepted of the multitude of his brethren, seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed.” (10:3)

Mordecai is second to the king. More importantly, he is accepted by the Jews as a great benevolent leader.

So the story has a happy ending.

God orchestrated each event. He was in every circumstance that Mordecai, Esther, and Haman encountered.

“The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” (Proverbs 15:3)

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

Good morning,

We have come to the conclusion of our study of the Book of Esther.

The festival of Purim celebrates God’s deliverance from a plot to destroy all the Jews. This year the celebration begins on the evening of 16 March and ends on the evening of 17 March.

This week we will look at chapters 7-10. The plot of Haman is revealed to the King. Haman is judged. Mordecai is promoted. A new letter is sent. The feast of Purim is inaugurated.

Today we look at chapter 7, Haman’s plot revealed.

Chapter 7 Esther’s banquet request and the death of Haman

“Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favor in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request:4 For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my tongue, although the enemy could not countervail the king’s damage.5 Then the king Ahasuerus answered and said unto Esther the queen, Who is he, and where is he, that durst presume in his heart to do so?6 And Esther said, The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman. Then Haman was afraid before the king and the queen.” (7:3-6)

“So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king’s wrath pacified.” (7:10)

Esther tells the king that Haman has plotted to kill her people the Jews. As the king contemplates what to do, Haman throws himself on Queen Esther for mercy. The king, however, thought that Haman was assaulting the queen. Haman is sentenced to be hanged on the gallows he had made for Mordecai.

Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. (Proverbs 16:18)

 Everyone in Shushan knew the wickedness and pride of Haman. So, when his plot is revealed, the king’s advisors were able to tell the king about the gallows made for Mordecai.  Haman’s pride truly did destroy him. Proverbs 16:19 states, Better it is to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.

Are we proud or humble? Scripture states that this is a life or death issue.

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