Archives for 2016

Good morning,

Grace, ’tis a charming sound–harmonious to the ear!

(“Every Day!” Author unknown, 1872)

“By grace are you saved through faith–and that not of yourselves. It is the gift of God–not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8, 9

“Grace, ’tis a charming sound–harmonious to the ear!“

Grace pitied us in our guilty, helpless condition–and provided a Savior for us.

Grace instituted the ministry of gospel reconciliation–and brought the tidings of divine mercy to our ears.

Grace opened our blind eyes–and led us to see and feel our need of the precious blood of Christ.

Grace led us to cast away the filthy rags of our own righteousness–and to receive with thankfulness and joy, the spotless robe that Jesus wrought for us.

Grace brought us to the footstool of mercy, with the cry of the publican, “God be merciful to me a sinner!”

Grace enables us to live a life of dependence on Jesus alone, for all spiritual supplies.

Grace has begun a good work within us–and grace will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.

By grace we are saved! “We are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus!” Romans 3:24

‘Tis not by works of righteousness
Which our own hands have done.
But we are saved by sovereign grace,
Abounding through His Son!

~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

I like to bring you devotionals that will encourage, challenge, and stretch your understanding of how God operates. Today is one of those devotionals.

The path by which He will conduct you will not always be smooth and pleasant

(“Every Day!” Author unknown, 1872)

“He led them forth by the right way–that they might go to a city of habitation.” Psalm 107:7

Just so will the Lord will lead you, beloved reader, by the “right way”–if you truly yield yourself to His guidance. The path by which He will conduct you will not always be smooth and pleasant. You will have some “Hill Difficulty” to climb, and some “Valley of Humiliation” to walk in. You will have some thorny steps to tread–and occasionally you may have to pitch your tent by Marah–the waters of bitterness.

As you are led by a mysterious and circuitous way amidst perplexity and conflict–you may be ready to think that you are traveling by a needlessly painful and trying path, and that you may safely walk by some smoother one to the home of eternal rest. Do not yield to the temptation of turning aside from the path which the Lord plainly marks for you in His Word, and by the footprints of Christ. Still follow as He leads. He designs to exercise your faith, and patience, and self-denial. The way to the crown–is by the cross!

Trust, then, your All-wise Leader–and depend on His faithfulness and grace. He will surely bring you by the right way . . .
to the city of habitation,
to the home of the redeemed,
to the abode of endless rest, and peace, and love!

“Jesus, on You our hope depends,
To lead us on to Your abode,
Assured our Home will make amends
For all our toil while on the road!”

~  ~  ~  ~

Today follow the path God has made uniquely for you. He is watching and guiding you on your way. Don’t take your eyes off Him.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

The weekend is upon us. This is a timely devotional that might help us to determine this weekend’s activities. Satan wants to draw us away from the things of God. He would love for us to compromise our Christian virtues. Don’t let him.

Everybody craves for it, like a babe for its rattle!

(Charles Spurgeon)

“Leaving you an example–that you should follow in His steps.” 1 Peter 2:21

“This is how we know we are in Him: Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did!” 1 John 2:5-6

“But,” says one, “are we not to have amusements?” Yes, such amusements as you can practice in the fear of God. You may do whatever Jesus would have done.

I have nothing to say against recreation in its proper place. Certain forms of recreation are needful and useful–but it is a wretched thing when amusement becomes a lifestyle! Amusement should be used to do us good like a medicine–it must never be used as the Christian’s food.

From early morning till late at night, some spend their time in a round of frivolities–or else their very work is simply carried on to furnish them funds for their pleasures. This is wicked. Many have had all holy thoughts and gracious resolutions stamped out by perpetual trifling. Pleasure, so called, is the murderer of thought!

This is the age of excessive amusement–everybody craves for it, like a babe for its rattle!

~  ~  ~  ~

Let us spend this weekend in wholesome, encouraging, God honoring entertainment. Remember God is watching.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

Romans 3 tells God’s plan for the salvation of mankind. The problem is that all have sinned and are in need of redemption. The solution is Jesus Christ’s blood sacrifice to pay man’s sin debt.

THE SOLUTION: Faith in Jesus Christ

Justification by faith (21)

²¹ But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;

The law is established by Christ’s righteousness (22-31)

²² Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: ²³ For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; ²⁴ Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: ²⁵ Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; ²⁶ To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. ²⁷ Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. ²⁸ Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. ²⁹ Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: ³⁰ Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. ³¹ Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

Those who place their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ will spend eternity with Jesus in Heaven.  “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.” (John 3:16)  ^“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” (John 5:24)

The abode of believers in Jesus is Heaven.  Revelation 21 describes it. Revelation 21:27 states that the names of these people are written in the Lamb’s book of life. “And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

We now have a clear choice, heaven or hell. Peace or torment. Cool refreshing water or fire.

CHOOSE LIFE!

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Romans 3 tells God’s plan for the salvation of mankind. The problem is that all have sinned and are in need of redemption. The solution is Jesus Christ’s blood sacrifice to pay man’s sin debt.

THE PROBLEM: All are sinners (9-20)

⁹ What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; ¹⁰ As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: ¹¹ There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. ¹² They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. ¹³ Their throat is an open sepulcher; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: ¹⁴ Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: ¹⁵ Their feet are swift to shed blood: ¹⁶ Destruction and misery are in their ways: ¹⁷ And the way of peace have they not known: ¹⁸ There is no fear of God before their eyes. ¹⁹ Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. ²⁰ Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

Remember earlier God said He was no respecter or persons. That point is made clear in relationship to sin. All are under sin, none are righteous, none that understands, none that seeks God, none that does good.

Sin separates us from God. If man’s sin is not dealt with, he will be eternally separated from God. Some may not see this as a problem until they understand what that entails.

Hell is the abode of those who will not deal with their sin and turn to God. Hell is described as “torments”, “tormented in this flame” (Luke 16:19-31), “lake of fire and brimstone”, “tormented day and night forever and ever” (Revelation 20:7-10).

Revelation 20:11-15 refers to these people as dead. Judgment day has come and those who chose not to repent of their sins stand before God. When the book of life was opened their names did not appear. The consequence is “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”

That is where those who choose not to deal with their sin go.

HOWEVER, there is a solution to the problem of sin.

Tomorrow God’s solution to the problem of sin is revealed.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Romans 3 tells God’s plan for the salvation of mankind. The problem is that all have sinned and are in need of redemption. The solution is Jesus Christ’s blood sacrifice to pay man’s sin debt.

First though, God speaks to the Jews through the Apostle Paul. The Jew had an advantage because they were given “…the oracles of God.” They had the opportunity to know God’s plan, promise, and covenants. They also were aware of the blessings and curses for obedience and disobedience. They really believed that because they were Jews they were above the judgment of God. They were wrong.

Romans 3:1-8

God’s special blessing to the Jews (1-8)

Three questions

What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? ² Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.

³ For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? ⁴ God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.

⁵ But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man) ⁶ God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world? ⁷ For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner? ⁸ And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.

It is one thing to know the Word of God and quite another to act upon what you know. As Israel failed to act on what God had revealed to them, Christians, in good Bible believing church’s, are ignoring the clear revealed will of God. Unbelievers see no difference in the believers lives than in their own. So they ask “Why do we need to become a Christians?”

Obeying God’s word is critical to the furtherance of the gospel outreach and salvation of lost souls.

OBEY and be part of God’s solution.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Never allow Satan to tell you, you are not able to serve God. This devotional reminds us that we are all servants of God.

The humblest laborers in His vineyard!

(“Every Day!” Author unknown, 1872)

“Whoever serves Me must follow Me; and where I am–My servant also will be.  My Father will honor the one who serves Me!” John 12:26

What an honor it is to be a servant of the Lord Jesus! It is an honor that is not confined to any particular condition in outward life. Not only are ministers and missionaries Christ’s servants–but also the humblest laborers in His vineyard! Nor is service to Christ confined to direct efforts in spiritual work:

the mother in the midst of her family, endeavoring by her spirit and example to train her children aright;

the servant in the kitchen, doing her work heartily as to the Lord;

the hard working laborer in the field;

the attentive mechanic in the shop;

the honest clerk in the office–not rendering eye-service as men-pleasers, but doing their work faithfully and well, as the Lord’s redeemed people.

All of these are as truly Christ’s servants–as those who are occupied more exclusively in spiritual work!

All who serve Jesus faithfully here–will dwell with Him hereafter. All who follow Him on earth in the path of self-denying love and obedience–will share His glory in Heaven.

Servant of Christ, called now to suffer reproach and shame–let the assurance of your Savior cheer you: “Whoever serves Me must follow Me; and where I am–My servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves Me!”

~  ~  ~  ~

Every day we have the opportunity to be servants for Jesus Christ. Our homes, work areas, schools, and places of leisure allow us to minster for our Savior.

When others look at our lives do they see the reflection of Jesus?  Do they see something different in us as opposed to those who do not name the name of Christ?

We must be obedient followers of Jesus and His word to serve Him well.

Will we be those servants today?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)

This summer we had a number of trees on our property cut down. The contractors cut the wood and stacked it at various places on the property. We needed to move the wood to the exterior of our property. However, my wife and I are not as young as we used to be and the task seemed overwhelming. We asked for some help, but no help seemed to be forthcoming.

Then God, in His timing, and in His way provided the help. A gentleman from my mid-week Bible study volunteered to help. He evaluated the project and determined the way I was doing it was not efficient. He brought a wheel barrow and began moving wood. I had been doing the wood prior to his arrival and was worn out. So I did the lawn. After completing the lawn I went inside for a few minutes to rest. When I looked outside there were three young people helping my friend. I went back out and the wood was moved within the hour.

The young people saw the need and came over to help. Then I asked their names. They were all Bible names. So I asked if they were Christians and they said “yes”. What a blessing.

God does supply all our needs in the most unusual ways.

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6) He certainly did for me.

So when things seem to overwhelm you, take it to the Lord and allow him to totally amaze you!

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

 

Good morning,

Romans 2, continues to challenge us as to whether we will follow or oppose God’s plan. The themes covered are judging others, choosing to obey or disobey God’s word, the law, and circumcision.

Today we will look at the law.

The law points to Jesus (2:12-16) (Exodus 20:1-17)

¹² For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; ¹³ (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.¹⁴ For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:¹⁵ Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)¹⁶ In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

Circumcision (2:17-29) (Genesis 17:9-14)

¹⁷ Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God,¹⁸ And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law;¹⁹ And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness,²⁰ An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law.²¹ Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? Thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? ²² Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? Thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? ²³ Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God? ²⁴ For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written. ²⁵ For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision. ²⁶ Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision? ²⁷ And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law? ²⁸ For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: ²⁹ But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

CONCLUSION

• God will judge everyone
• There is no respecter of persons with God
• The law could not save
• The law pointed to Jesus
• The heart needs to be circumcised

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Romans 2, continues to challenge us as to whether we will follow or oppose God’s plan. The themes covered are judging others, choosing to obey or disobey God’s word, the law, and circumcision.

Today we will look at judging others and whether to obey or disobey God’s word.

God will judge all of us (2:1-5) (Matthew 7:1-5)

Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.² But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.³ And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?⁴ Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?⁵ But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;

The parallel passage, Matthew 7:1-5, tells us that Jesus did not approve of judging others. He tells us to look at our own lives and get right with God before we judge others.

Lovers of righteousness (2:6-11) (Deuteronomy 6:1-19)

⁶ Who will render to every man according to his deeds:⁷ To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:⁸ But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,⁹ Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;¹⁰ But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:¹¹ For there is no respect of persons with God.

We are to obey God and love righteousness. God told the nation of Israel in Deuteronomy 6:1-19, that they were to love God and obey Him.

Obedience is the outward expression of our love for God and His Son Jesus Christ. When we obey, we tell God I believe, trust, and rest, in you. Do we want to show our love for Jesus today? Obey His Word!

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001