Archives for March 2017

Good morning,

This devotional will give you hope. No matter what your situation in life is today, this teaching will encourage and challenge us. We must never forget who is in charge.

This unravels the mystery!

(Octavius Winslow, “Christ, the Counselor”)

The path of providence is often paved with difficulties and beset with perplexities with which we can hardly cope.

Our way to Heaven is through an intricate wilderness, and across a circuitous desert.

To many even of the Lord’s people, this is literally the case. Visit their abodes, and ponder the struggle passing within. All is . . .
poverty and discomfort,
penury of bread,
scantiness of clothing,
pining sickness,
loathsome disease,
excruciating suffering,
with no human friends, no soothing alleviation, no earthly comforts.

And yet this dark picture is not entirely unrelieved.

Christ dwells in that obscure abode! God’s eye is watching over it! There is . . .
gnawing poverty–and yet boundless wealth;
deep need–and yet a rich supply;
acute suffering–and yet exquisite pleasure;
keen sorrow–and yet unspeakable joy!

And why these paradoxes? How are we to understand these strange contradictions?

The apostle gives us a clue in a page of his own history.
“As unknown–and yet well known;
as dying–and behold, we live;
as chastened–and not killed;
as sorrowful–yet always rejoicing;
as poor–yet making many rich;
as having nothing–yet possessing all things!”

This unravels the mystery!

The possession of Christ explains it! He who has Christ in him, and Christ with him, and the hope of being forever with Christ in glory–is not a poor, nor a sorrowful, nor a suffering, nor a lonely man. He can say, “I am not alone, for my Father is with me! I am not poor, for all things are mine! My body is diseased–but my soul is in health! I have all and abound!”

Can we for a moment doubt His perfect power . . .
to undertake all the cares,
to cope with all the difficulties,
to solve all the doubts, and
to disentangle all the perplexities brought to Him by His saints in all places and at all times!

“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name–you are Mine! When you go through deep waters and great trouble–I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty–you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression–you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior!” Isaiah 43:1-3

~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

The Book of 1 John is a very practical book. This week we will learn to try the spirits and many aspects of love.

God is love. What should our response be? John explains in verses 16-21.

The Christian’s response to God and His love (4:16)

¹⁶ And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

The perfecting of love, both now and in eternity (4:17-18)

¹⁷ Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.¹⁸ There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

The reason for our love to Jesus (4:19)

¹⁹ We love him, because he first loved us.

The commandment to love (4:20-21)

²⁰ If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?²¹ And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT

How does God tell us to try the spirits?

Who is the source of love? Why?

How did God model His love for us?

What does He command us to do?

How does the unity of the Trinity work?

What should I response be to God’s love?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

 

Good morning,

The Book of 1 John is a very practical book. This week we will learn to try the spirits and many aspects of love.

God is love. What does that mean? John explains in verses 7-15.

God is the source of all love (4:7-8)

⁷ Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.⁸ He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

God models what genuine love is (4:9-10)

⁹ In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.  ¹⁰ Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

God commands us to love one another (4:11-12)

¹¹ Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.¹² No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

Assurance of the work of the Triune God in us (4:13-15)

¹³ Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. ¹⁴ And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.¹⁵ Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

John tells us who is love, gives us the true example of love, tells us God commands us to love, and then tells how we can be assured that we dwell in Him and He in us.

Listening to the news, reading your newspaper, or meeting people on the street, you quickly see that we lack love. People are angry, hateful, and mean to each other. The antidote to this is LOVE!

We must follow God’s command to love one another.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

The Book of 1 John is a very practical book. This week we will learn to try the spirits and many aspects of love.

God reveals the secret of being able to discern between the Spirit of God and the spirit of the antichrist. This will help us to separate truth from error. We are over-comers in Christ.

Try the spirits (4:1-6)

 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.² Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:³ And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. ⁴ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.⁵ They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.⁶ We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

The result of this passage is that we can boldly go and tell people about Jesus. Why? Jesus Christ lives in us. We know truth from evil and have overcome the wicked one. We have the message of salvation. What Jesus did for us He can do for others.

Go tell someone about Jesus.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

Good morning,

First John 3 explains the Father’s love for us, why we should abide in Christ, what it means to love our brother, and the heart.

We explore the areas of love, abiding, and obedience. It is God’s desire that His word be practical for our everyday living.

This completes our study of 1 John 3.

Today we will look at the heart.

The heart (3:19-24)

¹⁹ And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.²⁰ For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.²¹ Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.²² And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.²³ And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. ²⁴ And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

Are our hearts right with God? Do we keep His commandments? Our we obedient believers?

THINGS TO CONSIDER

Why are we called the Sons of God?

What does it mean to abide? What must we do to show we are abiding?

What are some manifestations of love?

Wat doe the heart do? What does God tell us to do?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

First John 3 explains the Father’s love for us, why we should abide in Christ, what it means to love our brother, and the heart.

We explore the areas of love, abiding, and obedience. It is God’s desire that His word be practical for our everyday living.

Today we will look at loving one another.

Love one another (3:11-18)

¹¹ For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.¹² Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.¹³ Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.¹⁴ We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.¹⁵ Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.¹⁶ Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.¹⁷ But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? ¹⁸ My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

It is God’s command for us to love one another. It proves that we love God, keep His commandments, and have compassion for others. We are to share with others. Share our worldly goods, money, talents, time, and friendship. Verse 18 makes it plain that love needs to be in deed and in truth.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

First John 3 explains the Father’s love for us, why we should abide in Christ, what it means to love our brother, and the heart.

We explore the areas of love, abiding, and obedience. It is God’s desire that His word be practical for our everyday living.

Today we will look at abiding in Christ.

Abide in Christ (3:6-10)

⁶ Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.⁷ Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.⁸ He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.⁹ Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.¹⁰ In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

Why is it so important that we abide in Christ? The answer is found in John 15:3-5. “Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.⁴ Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.⁵ I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”

Our total being is wrapped up in what Jesus did at Calvary. He paid our sin debt with His blood, He was buried, and 3 days later He rose from the dead.

That means that the power to live the Christian life is totally in Him. When we abide in Christ, read His word, and study the Bible we will know how to live life successfully. Will we sin? YES! But we choose to do it. We know what is right and we know what is wrong. The closer we stay to Jesus, the less we will sin.

Choose to abide in Christ!

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

 

Good morning,

First John 3 explains the Father’s love for us, why we should abide in Christ, what it means to love our brother, and the heart.

We explore the areas of love, abiding, and obedience. It is God’s desire that His word be practical for our everyday living.

Today we will look at the Father’s love for us.

Father’s love for us (3:1-5)

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.² Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.³ And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.⁴ Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.⁵ And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.

Do we deserve to be called the sons of God? No! Yet God the Father, sent His son Jesus, to shed His blood to pay our sin debt. Further, in the future, we will be like Him and see Him as He is. Holy, spotless, unblemished, Savior of all mankind.

This should encourage us to stay pure. When we are tempted to sin, we should resist and run away from it.  When we do sin we should repent, thank God that He has forgiven us, and move on serving God.

Hold fast to the Father’s love.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Saturday we had a memorial service for Wanda Murphy.

Her last days were not days of fear, but anticipation. She understood that death meant she would go to heaven to be with Jesus. That is what excited her.

Today’s devotion helps us as believers understand why we should not fear death. If you have never contemplated death and what comes next, I believe this will be an encouragement to you.

The dirty lane!

(Thomas Brooks, “Words of Counsel to a Dear Dying Friend”)

“For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21

Look upon your dying day as a gainful day. There is no gain compared to that which comes in by death. A Christian gets more by death, than he does by life. To be in Christ is very good–but to be with Christ is best of all, “I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far!” Philippians 1:23. It was a mighty blessing for Christ to be with Paul on earth–but it was the top of blessings for Paul to be with Christ in Heaven! Seriously consider these things:

By death you shall gain incomparable crowns!
A crown of life, Revelation 2:10, James 1:12.
A crown of righteousness, 2 Timothy 4:8.
An incorruptible crown, 1 Corinthians 9:24-25.
A crown of glory, 1 Peter 5:4.
There are no crowns compared to these crowns!

By death you shall gain a glorious kingdom! “It is your Father’s pleasure to give you a kingdom!” We must put off their rags of mortality–that we may put on our robes of glory! There is no entering into paradise–but under the flaming sword of this angel, death–who stands at the gate.

Death is the dirty lane through which the saint passes . . .
to a kingdom,
to a great kingdom,
to a glorious kingdom,
to a peaceful kingdom,
to an unshaken kingdom,
to a durable kingdom,
to a lasting kingdom, yes,
to an everlasting kingdom!

Death is the dark, short way, through which the saints pass to the marriage-supper of the Lamb!

~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

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Good morning,

Practical application is important if we are going to live successfully in today’s world.  First John 2 tells us who Jesus is, why He came, what He expects, our relationship to the lost, our relationship to our family members, and what we should know about the end times. It touches on obedience, love, hate, light, darkness, relationships, and the antichrist.

Today we will look at verses 18-29.

Last times (2:18-29)

¹⁸ Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.¹⁹ They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.²⁰ But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. ²¹ I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.²² Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.²³ Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.²⁴ Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.²⁵ And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life. ²⁶ These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.²⁷ But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.²⁸ And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.²⁹ If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.

It is important to remember that this was written about 1900 years ago. Meaning that they believed they were already in the end times. The influence of the antichrists was prevalent then and continues to this very day. Any person who denies the Father and His Son Jesus, or teaches things that do not agree with God’s word are antichrists and should be avoided at all costs.

Jesus promised eternal life for all who believed and followed Him. Our part is to abide in Him. Our strength, power, and ability to overcome evil comes from abiding in Jesus.

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT FROM 1 JOHN 2

Why can’t we lose our salvation when we sin?

Why is it so important to study and obey the commandments of God?

Why do light and darkness and love and hate go together?

Why shouldn’t we love the world?

Why are we deceived in these last times?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001