Archives for 2018

Good morning,

This week we will look at Psalm 116, Salvation (Monday), Psalm 115 Confidence in God (Tuesday), 1 Peter 4:12-5:14 (Wednesday), Psalm 113, Bless the Lord (Thursday), and Psalm 112, The blessings and responsibilities of a righteous life (Friday).

Psalm 115 contrasts the worship of idols against the worship of God. Israel trusts in the Most High God.

“Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth’s sake.² Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God?³ But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.⁴ Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands.⁵ They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not:⁶ They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not:⁷ They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat.⁸ They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them.⁹ O Israel, trust thou in the Lord: he is their help and their shield.¹⁰ O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord: he is their help and their shield.¹¹ Ye that fear the Lord, trust in the Lord: he is their help and their shield. ¹² The Lord hath been mindful of us: he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron.¹³ He will bless them that fear the Lord, both small and great.¹⁴ The Lord shall increase you more and more, you and your children.¹⁵ Ye are blessed of the Lord which made heaven and earth.¹⁶ The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.¹⁷ The dead praise not the Lord, neither any that go down into silence.¹⁸ But we will bless the Lord from this time forth and for evermore. Praise the Lord.”

Where does our confidence lie? In our job, wealth, possessions, or family? It should be in the Lord. Whether we realize or acknowledge it, everything we have is the Lord’s. He has chosen us to be His stewards. That should change the way we view life.

As we see in the book of Job, everything we have can be taken away in a moment in time. We need to be careful how closely we hold on to this world’s possessions.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

This week we will look at Psalm 116, Salvation (Monday), Psalm 115 Confidence in God (Tuesday), 1 Peter 4:12-5:14 (Wednesday), Psalm 113, Bless the Lord (Thursday), and Psalm 112, The blessings and responsibilities of a righteous life (Friday).

People in the Old Testament were saved. The standard was the same. They needed to repent of their sins and by faith call upon the name of the Lord. Psalm 116 shows us this. We will see the Psalmist desire a relationship with God. We see God’s mercy, graciousness, righteousness, deliverance, and love. The Psalmist calls upon the Lord, believes on the Lord, walked with the Lord, and is thankful.

“I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. ² Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.³ The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.⁴ Then called I upon the name of the Lord; O Lord, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.⁵ Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful.⁶ The Lord preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me.⁷ Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee.⁸ For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.⁹ I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living.¹⁰ I believed, therefore have I spoken: I was greatly afflicted:¹¹ I said in my haste, All men are liars.¹² What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me? ¹³ I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord. ¹⁴ I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all his people. ¹⁵ Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.¹⁶ O Lord, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds.¹⁷ I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the Lord.¹⁸ I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all his people.¹⁹ In the courts of the Lord’s house, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Praise ye the Lord.”

The Psalmist calls upon the Lord four times in this Psalm. His focus is on the Lord. He knows he is wicked and that God is righteous. He knows God is merciful. That is what he wants.

Then he believes on the Lord, begins walking with the Lord, and serves God with thanksgiving.

Is this a picture of our lives? Are we serving the Lord? Do we do it out of an attitude of thanksgiving? Is our relationship to God really precious to us?

It was to the Psalmist.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

The Psalms help us understand how to worship God. This week we will look at Psalms 101 (Preparation for worship), 100 (Worship through service), 99 (Worship through exaltation), and 98 (Worship through song).

Each of these Psalms build on each other.

Preparation, service, and exaltation, have been accomplished. Psalm 98 encourages us to worship the Lord in song.

Worship through song Psalm 98

“O sing unto the Lord a new song; for he hath done marvelous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.² The Lord hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen.³ He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.⁴ Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.⁵ Sing unto the Lord with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm.⁶ With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the Lord, the King.⁷ Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.⁸ Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together ⁹ Before the Lord; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.”

The culmination of our worship is to sing to the Lord. We are to sing, make a joyful noise, rejoice, and sing praise. We are to use the harp, trumpets, and cornets. We are to do it with exuberance.

When we worship God, it should be from our heartfelt appreciation for all God has done for us. We should be excited. Others should see that we are excited. There should be no doubt about what we are doing and why.

Is that how we worship God?

It is a fair question to ask. Many church’s and their members do not get very excited when they come to church. Quiet and reverent describes them.

However, when we read the Psalms, it seems that they were very upbeat and excited about their worship.

Something to think about.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

The Psalms help us understand how to worship God. This week we will look at Psalms 101 (Preparation for worship), 100 (Worship through service), 99 (Worship through exaltation), and 98 (Worship through song).

Each of these Psalms build on each other.

We have prepared ourselves for worship. We are serving the Lord gladly. Now we see God doing great and mighty things, so we desire to exalt His name.

Worship through exaltation Psalm 99

“The Lord reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved.² The Lord is great in Zion; and he is high above all the people.³ Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy.⁴ The king’s strength also loveth judgment; thou dost establish equity, thou executest judgment and righteousness in Jacob.⁵ Exalt ye the Lord our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy.⁶ Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the Lord, and he answered them.⁷ He spake unto them in the cloudy pillar: they kept his testimonies, and the ordinance that he gave them.⁸ Thou answeredst them, O Lord our God: thou wast a God that forgavest them, though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions.⁹ Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the Lord our God is holy.”

We should desire to exalt the Lord because of His great works, His holiness, and that He reigns. We are following the examples of Moses, Aaron, and Samuel.

Preparation, service, and exaltation, have been accomplished. Psalm 98 encourages us to worship the Lord in song.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

Today we will continue with our series on 1 Peter.

Download (1-Peter-2.11-4.11.docx, DOCX, 17KB)

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

The Psalms help us understand how to worship God. This week we will look at Psalms 101 (Preparation for worship), 100 (Worship through service), 99 (Worship through exaltation), and 98 (Worship through song).

Each of these Psalms build on each other.

Worship through service Psalm 100

“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.² Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.³ Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.⁴ Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.⁵ For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.”

Once our hearts are cleansed from sin, we are now ready to serve the Lord. It is God’s desire that we serve Him with gladness. Not out of compulsion, but love.

Our service should be motivated by the fact that He created us, we are His people, the sheep of His pasture, and that He sent His Son Jesus to pay the sin debt we could not pay with His precious, perfect blood.

Now that we are cleansed from sin, serving the Lord, then we will be able to “…exalt…” Him. Psalm 99 will explain how.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

The Psalms help us understand how to worship God. This week we will look at Psalms 101 (Preparation for worship), 100 (Worship through service), 99 (Worship through exaltation), and 98 (Worship through song).

Each of these Psalms build on each other.

Preparation for worship Psalm 101

“I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O Lord, will I sing.² I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.³ I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.⁴ A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person.⁵ Whoso privily slandereth his neighbor, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.⁶ Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.⁷ He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.⁸ I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the Lord.”

Worshiping the Lord requires a pure heart. A lifestyle of following after God. Obeying His word. When we sin, and we will, we repent of our sin, thank God that He has forgiven us, and move on.

God knows our hearts. He knows when our worship is sincere and when it’s not. So we need to keep short accounts with God. No unconfessed sin. No wickedness.

When our hearts are prepared, then we can serve the Lord. Psalm 100 will explain how.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

Sin is dealt with, thanks has been given, now what’s next?

Psalm 91 tells us that we should dwell “…in the secret place of the Most High…”

This is a place of refuge, deliverance, and protection. God is protecting us from enemies, pestilence, plague, and wild beasts.

Watch what God does for those who will trust completely in Him. This should be a comfort for every believer.

“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.² I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.³ Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. ⁴ He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.⁵ Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;⁶ Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.⁷ A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.⁸ Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.⁹ Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;¹⁰ There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.¹¹ For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.¹² They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.¹³ Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.¹⁴ Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.¹⁵ He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him.¹⁶ With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.”

God has our best interests at heart. All He requires of us is to dwell in the secret place of the Most High. Stay close to God through prayer, obedience to His word, praise, and thanksgiving.

“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.¹⁶ 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.¹⁷ And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” (Colossians 3:15-17)

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Psalm 94 spoke about wickedness and how God deals with it.

After God has dealt with the wicked, we should “…give thanks unto the Lord,…”

Psalm 92 tells us of God’s goodness. This should cause us to rejoice and be thankful.

Does it? Do we really comprehend all that God has done for us? We are absolutely nothing without God’s intervention on our behalf. Had God not sent Jesus to pay our sin debt, we would be lost and headed for eternity in hell. Step back for a moment and think of all the ways God has impacted your life. Then thank God and rejoice.

“It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O Most High:² To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night,³ Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltery; upon the harp with a solemn sound.⁴ For thou, Lord, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands.⁵ O Lord, how great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep.⁶ A brutish man knoweth not; neither doth a fool understand this. ⁷ When the wicked spring as the grass, and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish; it is that they shall be destroyed for ever:⁸ But thou, Lord, art most high for evermore.⁹ For, lo, thine enemies, O Lord, for, lo, thine enemies shall perish; all the workers of iniquity shall be scattered.¹⁰ But my horn shalt thou exalt like the horn of an unicorn: I shall be anointed with fresh oil.¹¹ Mine eye also shall see my desire on mine enemies, and mine ears shall hear my desire of the wicked that rise up against me.¹² The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.¹³ Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God.¹⁴ They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing;¹⁵ To shew that the Lord is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.”

There is nothing better in this world or the world to come than God. This should cause us to worship and praise the Lord.

“Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.” (Philippians 4:4)

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

Today we have special speaker.

Don Lang is the western region representative for Audio Scripture Ministries. He will be sharing his testimony, telling us about Audio Scripture Ministries, and challenging us to serve.

The website for Audio Scripture Ministries is:

www.asmtoday.org

We are never too old to serve the Lord. Look at is Moses. He was 80 years old when he led the Israelites out of Egypt. He was the leader for another 40 years.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001