Archives for January 2017

Good morning,

The Holy Spirit lives within us. Today’s devotional reminds us what the Holy Spirit does.

It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. (John 6:33)

But the Comforter, [which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (John 14:26)

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, [that] shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. (John 16:13)

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. ¹⁸ But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. (Galatians 5:16-18)

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;¹⁷ Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.¹⁸ I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. (John 14:16-18)

Let us always think of the Holy Spirit with holy awe and reverence!

(Charles Spurgeon)

Let us always think of the Holy Spirit with holy awe and reverence, remembering that . . .
it is the Spirit who quickens us,
it is the Spirit who instructs us,
it is the Spirit who sanctifies us,
it is the Spirit who preserves us,
it is the Spirit who makes us fit to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light!
So unto the ever-blessed Spirit be glory and honor and praise, forever and ever!
~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Consider the greatness of God. God is in control of all things. Small things, large things, or things that have no significance to us, God controls and cares about.

He also knows and cares about us as individuals. Our struggles, joys, adversities, accomplishments, God knows them all.  It is comforting to know the God who created us, also cares about us and our wellbeing.

The smallest trifles are as much arranged by the God of Providence!

(Charles Spurgeon)

“In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will.” Ephesians 1:11

It is most important for us to learn that the smallest trifles are as much arranged by the God of Providence–as the most momentous events!

He who counts the stars–has also numbered the hairs of our heads!

Our lives and deaths are predestined–but so, also, are our sitting down and our rising up.

I believe that every particle of dust that dances in the sunbeam, does not move an atom more or less than God wishes.

I believe that every particle of spray that dashes against the steamboat has its ordained orbit, as well as the sun in the heavens.

I believe that the chaff from the hand of the winnower–is as much steered by God, as the stars in their course.

The creeping of an aphid over the rosebush–is as much fixed as the march of the devastating pestilence.

The fall of a leaf from a poplar tree–is as fully ordained as the tumbling of an avalanche!

~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

This week we conclude our study of the book of Romans. Chapter 16 lists the names of many Christians from Rome who have ministered with or influenced Paul’s life. Paul warns his readers of the people who try to cause divisions in the Church. He ends by praising God.

Paul concludes his letter to the Romans with greetings from those in Corinth and praise to God.

Greetings from those in Corinth (16:21-24)

²¹ Timotheus my workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you.²² I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord.²³ Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother.²⁴ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Conclusion to the letter: praise to God (16:25-27)

²⁵ Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,²⁶ But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:²⁷ To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.

The Epistle to the Romans began by defining and describing sin. Sin’s consequence was judgement. The result of which was death. Our sin debt could only be paid for by the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He shed His perfect blood on our behalf as payment for our sin debt. Then we are told how to live as a Christian. Satan no more has dominion over us. We belong to Jesus who bought us with His own blood. Next, we learn how to relate to our brothers and sisters in Christ. Finally, we see the men and women who influenced Paul’s life in Rome. It reminds us that ministry takes a team of committed believers, each doing their part, to see men and women come to know Christ as Lord and Savior.

If you are reading this and have never trusted Christ to save you from your sin, please read Romans 3-5. If you have questions, please call me.

If you are reading this and you are trusting Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, please tell someone else how they might get saved. Time is running out. The Rapture could come at any time.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

This week we conclude our study of the book of Romans. Chapter 16 lists the names of many Christians from Rome who have ministered with or influenced Paul’s life. Paul warns his readers of the people who try to cause divisions in the Church. He ends by praising God.

It is sad that we must continue to deal with this issue 2000 years after Paul admonished the Church in Rome. We must be vigilant. Deceivers, those who cause division, and those who pervert the Word of God lurk unawares in our churches. They challenge the leadership, God’s word, and the character of other believers. As Paul states, “Mark them…” Then apply the principles of Matthew 18:15-17. Church discipline is the only way to remove them from corrupting God’s people.

Warnings about those who cause divisions (16:17-20)

¹⁷ Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.¹⁸ For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.¹⁹ For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.²⁰ And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Paul makes it clear that the Roman Christians obedience to God’s word was “…come abroad unto all men.”

Is the obedience of you individually, your church, and your church leaders, known among this community?

It should be!

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

This week we conclude our study of the book of Romans. Chapter 16 lists the names of many Christians from Rome who have ministered with or influenced Paul’s life. Paul warns his readers of the people who try to cause divisions in the Church. He ends by praising God.

Ministry for Jesus Christ takes a team. The people Paul mentions, played a part in helping Paul be successful. Transportation, lodging, logistics, monetary gifts, and prayer are all part of ministry. Many times we see the Preacher or the Evangelist and are blessed by what they say. However, without the support team, there might not be a message.

Whatever you do in your local church is important to the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. People get saved because of what appears to be insignificant ministries. No one may ever know what you do, but God does. He is pleased that you serve.

This is what Paul is communicating to the Christians at Rome.

Greetings to fellow laborers in the Lord (16:1-16)

I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:² That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.³ Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:⁴ Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.⁵ Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my well-beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.⁶ Greet Mary, who bestowed much labor on us.⁷ Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellow-prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. ⁸ Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord.⁹ Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved.¹⁰ Salute Apelles approved in Christ. Salute them which are of Aristobulus’ household.¹¹ Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord.¹² Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labor in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which labored much in the Lord.¹³ Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.¹⁴ Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren which are with them.¹⁵ Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are with them. ¹⁶ Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.

Please ask God to show you how you might minister for Him. Then whatever He asks you to do, whether great or small, do it.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Idols come in many forms. Anything that we hold higher than God is our idol. As we will learn today, it may be things, thoughts, or our heart attitude. We need to get rid of the idols in our lives.

Some thoughts on idolatry!

“These men have set up their idols in their hearts!” Ezekiel 14:3

“Their heart went after their idols!” Ezekiel 20:16

“We are all born idolaters!” Thomas Watson

“An idol is an idol–whether worshiped inwardly in heart, or adorned outwardly by the knee.” J.C. Philpot

“Every one of us is, from his mother’s womb, expert in inventing idols. Man’s nature, so to speak, is a perpetual idol factory!” John Calvin

“An idol of the mind is as offensive to God as an idol of the hand.” A.W. Tozer

“O wretched idol, MYSELF!” Samuel Rutherford

“If we are indeed Christians–we have broken a great many idols. We have still some more to break–and we must keep the hammer going until they are all broken!” Charles Spurgeon

“This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Repent! Turn from your idols and renounce all your detestable practices!” Ezekiel 14:6

“Dear children, keep yourselves from idols!” 1 John 5:21
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Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

God wants us to pray. Prayer acknowledges our dependence on God. Today’s devotional tells us a real need of today’s local churches.

What the Church needs today!

(E.M. Bounds)

“They all joined together constantly in prayer” Acts 1:14

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Acts 2:42

The church is looking for better methods—God is looking for holier men.

What the Church needs today is not more or better machinery, not new organizations or more and novel methods–but men mighty in prayer.

The Holy Spirit does not flow through methods–but through men.
He does not come on machinery–but on men.
He does not anoint plans–but men, men of prayer.

Prayer is our most formidable weapon, the thing which makes all else we do efficient.

“The prayer meeting is the gauge of the Church’s spiritual condition. You may always test your church’s prosperity–by the number who assemble to pray!” Charles Spurgeon

~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Sin is bad. We need to avoid it at all costs. This devotion is a reminder why.

We are as moths near a burning candle!

(Charles Spurgeon)

“Turn away my eyes from looking at vanity!” Psalm 119:37

Dear friends, do not gaze upon any sin . . .
for looking breeds longing,
and longing begets lusting,
and lusting brings sinning!

Keep your eyes right–and you may keep your heart right.

If that first woman had not looked upon the forbidden tree and seen “that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise,” she would not have plucked and eaten the forbidden fruit–and we would not have been the children of sin and sorrow!

O friends, if we begin to look upon iniquity, we shall almost certainly fall! There are some sins that we poor, frail creatures cannot endure to look at. We are as moths near a burning candle–the only safety for us is to get out of the room and fly into the open air. But if we go near the candle–we shall certainly burn our wings and, perhaps, even destroy ourselves!

Just so, we must take care that we do not get used to sin. I believe that even the common reading in the newspapers of accounts of evil things is defiling to us. If we habitually read such things, we shall come, at last, to think less and less of the coarser forms of vice than we ought to do.

Nothing can keep us away from the fangs of sin, like falling into the embraces of Christ. Looking unto Jesus, is the great remedy against looking unto sin!

Turn away my eyes from vanity, my Lord, by filling them full with a vision of Yourself and holding me spellbound with that grandest spectacle that eyes of men, or angels, or even of God, Himself ever saw–the spectacle of God Incarnate bearing our sin in His own body on the Cross!

Keep your eyes fixed there–and all will be well.

~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

Each new year brings a fresh batch of challenges, growth, and spiritual renewal. May our focus be on Jesus, the cross, and our heavenly home. This could be the year He takes us home.

Are we ready?

This year I may be in Heaven!

(Octavius Winslow, “Morning Thoughts”)

“You have not traveled this way before!” Joshua 3:4

How solemn is the reflection that each traveler to Zion is commencing a new and untrodden path!
New events in his history will transpire;
new scenes in the panorama of life will unfold;
new phases of character will develop;
new temptations will assail;
new duties will devolve;
new trials will be experienced;
new sorrows will be felt;
new friendships will be formed
new mercies will be bestowed.

How truly may it be said of the pilgrim journeying through the wilderness to his eternal home, as he stands upon the threshold of this untried period of his existence, pondering the unknown and uncertain future: “You have not traveled this way before!”

Reader! if you are a believer in the Lord Jesus, you will enter upon a new stage of your journey by a renewed surrender of yourself to the Lord. You will make the cross the starting-point of a fresh setting out in the Heavenly race.

Oh, to begin the year with a broken heart for sin, beneath the cross of Immanuel–looking through that cross to the heart of a loving, forgiving Father!

Do not be anxious about the future–all that future God has provided for:
“All my times are in Your hands.”
“Casting all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you.”
“Cast your burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain you.”

Let it be a year of more spiritual advance: “Speak to the children of Israel that they go forward.”
Forward in the path of duty;
forward in the path of suffering;
forward in the path of conflict;
forward in the path of labor; and
forward in the path to eternal rest and glory!

Soon will that rest be reached, and that glory appear! This new year may be the jubilee year of your soul–the year of your release. Oh spirit-stirring, ecstatic thought–this year I may be in Heaven!

~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Read and be encouraged.

Holy ground!

(Alexander Smellie, “The Secret Place” 1907)

“Do not come any closer! Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground!” Exodus 3:5

I have no need to go to the loneliness of Sinai to meet with God. I find holy ground much nearer home. But I wonder whether I take my sandals off of my feet.

God reveals Himself to me in His written Word. It is His sanctuary. By its agency, my deepest life is created, quickened, sustained. Listening to it, the saints have heard the very voice of their Lord. But do I reverence God by my frivolous use of the words of Scripture? And, whenever I open the Book, do I remember that God has breathed the Spirit of Life into its chapters and verses? Mine is culpable levity.

He reveals Himself in my history, as truly as ever He did in the history of Israel. In it, the devout heart will trace . . .
His perfect providence,
His power,
His wisdom,
His stern hatred of sin,
His overflowing goodness.

Best of all, He reveals Himself in Christ. But if Christ brings Him close to me, He teaches me fresh reasons for standing in awe of Him.

His life shows me what God is–spotless, righteous, faithful, unflinchingly holy.

And His Cross has a more impressive message still. Here are God’s infinite gentleness and shoreless mercy. Side by side with these are God’s abhorrence of my iniquity, and His unconquerable justice. He is holy, holy, holy–even in the brightest and sweetest manifestation of His grace. Yet I do not always worship Him “with trembling hope and penitential tears.”

Not a day passes, that I am not standing in the courts of His house. Not a place can I visit, where the Spirit of glory and of God may not overshadow me. I pray for tenfold more thoughtfulness and adoration and humility.

~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001