Archives for 2020

Good morning,

God rules over His creation. Is that theology or practicality in our lives? Another election cycle will be over this week. The results will not be known for days, weeks, or months.

God is not a politician.

This week we see, from the Scriptures, that God reigns over His creation. It is His. He made it. Whether we agree with the outcome of the election, God is still in control. Never forget that.

GOD’S OMNISCIENCE is defined as “the state of having total knowledge, the quality of knowing everything.” For God to be sovereign over His creation of all things, whether visible or invisible, He has to be all-knowing. His omniscience is not restricted to any one person in the Godhead—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are all by nature omniscient.

         A.  GOD KNOWS EVERYTHING (1 JOHN 3:19-20) V20

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.

         B.  GOD IS PERFECT IN KNOWLEDGE (JOB 37:16)

Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him which is perfect in knowledge?

         C.  GOD’S UNDERSTANDING HAS NO LIMITS (PSM 147:5)

Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.

         D.  GOD’S EYES ARE EVRYWHERE (PROV 15:3)

The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

The fact that God is omniscient can be a double-edged sword for the believer in Christ. God knows all the good things we do. Our obedience to God’s word, our love, compassion, and mercy to others, and our work for Him. But He also knows the things no one else knows. He knows our hearts. He knows the wicked thoughts, actions, desires, which run counter to God’s word.

However, the believer in Christ, has the Holy Spirit residing within us, to convict us of our sin. We either choose to repent and continue to follow God or rebel and walk further away from God.

Whatever we do, God knows it. God’s desire is that we would always be in fellowship with Him. He also knows that will not happen. So, He creates circumstances to draw us back to Him.

God was not caught off guard by how this election came out. He knew all the players, all their back rounds, all their corruptions, and all the lies that were spoken. He could have destroyed the whole lot of them if He had chosen. But He did not.

God has a plan.  We are not privy to God’s plan. Our responsibility is to serve God according to the commands written in the Bible.

God’s omniscience is a wonderful thing.

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

Good morning,

God rules over His creation. Is that theology or practicality in our lives? Another election cycle will be over this week. The results will not be known for days, weeks, or months.

God is not a politician.

This week we see, from the Scriptures, that God reigns over His creation. It is His. He made it. Whether we agree with the outcome of the election, God is still in control. Never forget that.

GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY

GOD’ OMNISCIENCE

PSALM 103:19

INTRODUCTION:

1)  GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY means that He is the Supreme Ruler who immanently and personally rules over all the affairs of the universe—and this includes our personal lives both as individuals and as a local body of believers. God’s sovereignty is a place of rest for the child of God.

         A.  GOD REIGNEST OVERALL (1 CHRON 29:11-12) V12

         B.  THE WORLD IS GOD’S (PSM 50:10-12)

         C.  GOD CREATED (GEN 1:1) V1

         D.  GOD CHOOSES ISRAEL DOES WHAT HE PLEASES (PSM 135:4-6) V4,6

         E.  GOD IN CONTROL (1 SAM 2:6-9)

         F.  GOD CONTROLS RULERS (PSM 75:6-7) V7

         G.  GOD DOES HIS PLEASURE (IS 46:9-10)

         H.  CAN NOT FLEE FROM GOD (PSM 139:7-10) V10

         I.  GOD’S WORD WILL NOT RETURN VOID (IS 55:11)

         J.  GOD REIGNS OVER DEATH (JOHN 5:21)

         K.  GOD ‘S COUNSEL (EPH 1:11)

2) GOD’S OMNISCIENCE is defined as “the state of having total knowledge, the quality of knowing everything.” For God to be sovereign over His creation of all things, whether visible or invisible, He has to be all-knowing. His omniscience is not restricted to any one person in the Godhead—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are all by nature omniscient.

         A.  GOD KNOWS EVERTHING (1 JOHN 3:19-20) V20

         B.  GOD IS PERFECT IN KNOWLEDGE (JOB 37:16)

         C.  GOD’S UNDERSTANDING HAS NO LIMITS (PSM 147:5)

         D.  GOD’S EYES ARE EVRYWHERE (PROV 15:3)

         E.  GOD IS WATCHING US (PSM 33:13-15) V13

         F.  GOD CHOSE US BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD (EPH 1:3-4)

         G.  GOD KNOWS WHAT WE DO (PSM 139:1-4)

         H.  GOD MADE KNOWN TO US THE MYSTERY OF HIS WILL (EPH 1:9-10)

CONCLUSION:

1) GOD RULES IN THE LIVES OF MEN

2) GOD KNOWS ALL THINGS

3) TRUST GOD IN THE CRISIS

4) GOD WILL WORK OUT ALL THINGS FOR HIS HONOR AND GLORY

5) HE WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU

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

Good morning,

God rules over His creation. Is that theology or practicality in our lives? Another election cycle will be over this week. The results will not be known for days, weeks, or months.

God is not a politician.

This week we see, from the Scriptures, that God reigns over His creation. It is His. He made it. Whether we agree with the outcome of the election, God is still in control. Never forget that.

1)  GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY means that He is the Supreme Ruler who immanently and personally rules over all the affairs of the universe—and this includes our personal lives both as individuals and as a local body of believers. God’s sovereignty is a place of rest for the child of God.

G.  GOD DOES HIS PLEASURE (IS 46:9-10)

Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,¹⁰ Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

H.  CAN NOT FLEE FROM GOD (PSM 139:7-10) V10

Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? ⁸ If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.⁹ If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; ¹⁰ Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.

I.   GOD’S WORD WILL NOT RETURN VOID (IS 55:11) 

So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

 J.  GOD REIGNS OVER DEATH (JOHN 5:21)

For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.

K.  GOD ‘S COUNSEL (EPH 1:11)

In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

Over the years I have heard stories of men and women who have tried to flee from the presence of God. Since God is everywhere, that is not possible. They might ignore Him or turn their back on Him, but they are never out of His presence.

God gave us His plan in the Bible.  One book that explains God’s complete plan from creation to our eternal home in heaven. In between, he fills in all the details. The Bible tells us why our world is so chaotic. It gives the back round of the Middle East conflict. The Bible is never wrong.

God has power over death. His will not be thwarted by men.

Do we allow God to be in control of our lives? Do we acknowledge God as our sovereign? Do we want Him to be?

Those are important questions. They will determine how we deal with events in our lives.

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

Good morning,

God rules over His creation. Is that theology or practicality in our lives? Another election cycle will be over this week. The results will not be known for days, weeks, or months.

God is not a politician.

This week we see, from the Scriptures, that God reigns over His creation. It is His. He made it. Whether we agree with the outcome of the election, God is still in control. Never forget that.

1)  GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY means that He is the Supreme Ruler who immanently and personally rules over all the affairs of the universe—and this includes our personal lives both as individuals and as a local body of believers. God’s sovereignty is a place of rest for the child of God.

A. GOD REIGNEST OVERALL (1 CHRON 29:11-12) V12

Thine, O Lord is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all.¹² Both riches and honor come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.

B. THE WORLD IS GOD’S (PSM 50:10-12)

For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.¹¹ I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine.¹² If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fullness thereof.

C. GOD CREATED (GEN 1:1)

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

D. GOD CHOOSES ISRAEL DOES WHAT HE PLEASES (PSM 135:4-6)

For the Lord hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure.⁵ For I know that the Lord is great, and that our Lord is above all gods.⁶ Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.

E. GOD IN CONTROL (1 SAM 2:6-9)

The Lord killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up.⁷ The Lord maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.⁸ He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s, and he hath set the world upon them.⁹ He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.

F. GOD CONTROLS RULERS (PSM 75:6-7) V7

For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.⁷ But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.

From the inception of sin into our world, man has been in rebellion with God. Man has always thought he was wiser, smarter, and had a superior plan to God’s.

Man has always been wrong!

This is God’s world. He will run it in accordance to His plan. He has given us a glimpse of His plan in the Bible, but there is so much more that we are not privy too.

When we look at the election results will we say, Thy will be done God or Your will is not my will, and reject God’s plan?

We have a choice, choose wisely!

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

Good morning,

This week we will conclude our Old Testament Foundation Stone series. We have looked at eight foundational truths that are essential to understanding the Bible and today’s current events.

Our devotions this week will revisit what we learned.

I. Passover (Exodus 1-12) Key Verse: Exodus 12:12-13 Key Phrase: Let my people go

1. The blood was a visible sign of obedience (Exodus 12:13)

2. The blood covered Israel’s sin but did not take them away

3. We are justified through Jesus blood (Romans 5:9) Through Jesus blood our sins are removed as far as the east is from the west. (PSM 103:12)

“For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the Lord.¹³ And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.” (Exodus 12:12-13)

The blood permeates this whole Foundation Stone series. Genesis 3, an animal was sacrificed so that Adam and Eve could be clothed. Genesis 4, Cain failed to bring a blood sacrifice to God and then killed Abel. The ark carried animals in by twos, male and female, for reproduction, but of the clean animals seven, to sacrifice to the Lord.

Pharaoh failed to realize that the God of Israel was the true God. He took that belief with him to his dying day.

We cannot rebel against God and expect to prosper. Rebellion is sin and God is opposed to sin. It breaks a believer’s fellowship with God.

“If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:” (Psalm 66:18)

We need to repent and then obey God’s word.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

Jesus blood paid the sin debt that we owed, but could not pay. He was the spotless lamb of God, sacrificed for my sin.

No blood, no salvation.

Have you trusted Christ for the payment of your sin debt?

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

Good morning,

This week we will conclude our Old Testament Foundation Stone series. We have looked at eight foundational truths that are essential to understanding the Bible and today’s current events.

Our devotions this week will revisit what we learned.

H. Joseph (Genesis 37-50) Key verse: Gen 50:20 Key phrase: And the Lord was with Joseph

1. God allowed Joseph to dream and interpret dreams (Gen 37:5-11, 40:2-22, 41:1-40)

2. Joseph had impeccable character (Genesis 39:7-9, 12, 45:1-8, 50:19-20)

3. Obedience saved 2 nations

“But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.” (Genesis 50:20)

Character matters in all that we do.

Joseph’s life exemplified character. In every situation he experienced, he followed God and did righteously. Never wavered from doing right.  

He was obedient to his father. When confronted by Potiphar’s wife, he ran, in prison he was patient, and when he sat in Pharaoh’s court, he was humble. He waited on God and God protected Joseph.

Now at the end of Jacob’s life, his brothers are concerned that Joseph would take his revenge. Not only does he not take revenge, he blesses them and tells them he would make sure they were fed and he would take care of them.

God used him to save two nations from ruin. God allowed him to prosper for eighty years.

When we are wronged, how do we react? Do we practice Bible principles such as love, patience, long suffering, turning the other cheek? Or are we prone to lash out, seek vengeance, pray for there hurt?

Joseph is a good example of what to do. Jesus is even a better example. After being beaten, humiliated, and scorned, he went willingly to the cross to shed his precious, holy, sinless, blood to pay the sin debt for all mankind. That is true love.

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)

Choose to follow the examples of Joseph and Jesus when we are wronged.

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

Good morning,

This week we will conclude our Old Testament Foundation Stone series. We have looked at eight foundational truths that are essential to understanding the Bible and today’s current events.

Our devotions this week will revisit what we learned.

CONCLUSION

GENESIS 1:1

INTRO: What we learned. Take aways from the OT Foundation Stone Series

A. Introduction  

1. God’s word is inspired by God (2 Timothy 3:16)

2. 39 books:  17 historical, 5 poetry and 17 prophetical

B. Creation (Genesis 1:1-31) Key verse Gen 1:1

1. In the beginning God…  (Genesis 1:1)
2. God is omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscience
3. Jesus made all things (John 1:1-3 and 14)
4. God created, said, saw, called, made, set, divided, and blessed

C. Sin (Genesis 2:8-9, 15-17, 3:1-24) Key verse: Gen 3:6

1. Satan is a fallen angel who chose to challenge God’s authority (IS 14:12-15, EZEK 28:12-19)

2. God’s command (Genesis 2:8-9, 15-17)

3. Man’s response (Genesis 3:6)
4. God’s response to man’s sin (Genesis 3:23-24a) 

D. Flood (Genesis 6-9) Key verse: Gen 6:8, 9, 22

1. Man’s sin-God’s judgment (Genesis 6:5-7, 6:17)
2. God’s provision for Noah (Genesis 7:1)
3. God’s preservation of Noah (Genesis 8:15-19)

4. God’s promise to Noah (Genesis 9:9-16)

E. Abraham (Genesis 12-22) Key Verse: Gen 12:1-4

 1. God covenants with Abraham established that God’s people would be Abraham’s descendants (Genesis 17:1-8)

2. Abraham’s lack of faith instituted the strife between Arabs and God’s people Israel (Genesis 16:1-5, 7-12, 17:20-21, 21:9-12)

3. Abraham’s faith in sacrificing Isaac and how God provided a substitute is a picture of Christ’s substitutionary death for us.  (Genesis 22:1-12)

F. Jacob’s dysfunctional family (Genesis 12-31) Key verse: Gen 28:20-21

1. Jacobs grandparents and parents dysfunction passed to him (Genesis 20:1-8 Read v2, 26:6-11 read v7, 27:1-46 read v24 )

2. Jacob’s dysfunctional life (Genesis 25:28, 25:29-34 read v31, 27:18-29 read v24)

3. Jacob reaps what he sowed (Genesis 29:15-27 read v25)

G. Jacob/Israel honors God (Genesis 32-35) Key verse: Gen 32:10

1. Obedience results in blessing (Genesis 31:11-13, 31:17-18, 32:10, 32:27-30, 35:9-15)

H. Joseph (Genesis 37-50) Key verse: Gen 50:20 Key phrase: And the Lord was with Joseph

1. God allowed Joseph to dream and interpret dreams (Gen 37:5-11, 40:2-22, 41:1-40)

2. Joseph had impeccable character (Genesis 39:7-9, 12, 45:1-8, 50:19-20)

3. Obedience saved 2 nations

I. Passover (Exodus 1-12) Key Verse: Exodus 12:12-13 Key Phrase: Let my people go

1. The blood was a visible sign of obedience (Exodus 12:13)

2. The blood covered Israel’s sin but did not take them away

3. We are justified through Jesus blood (Romans 5:9) Through Jesus blood our sins are removed as far as the east is from the west. (PSM 103:12)

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

Good morning,

This week we will conclude our Old Testament Foundation Stone series. We have looked at eight foundational truths that are essential to understanding the Bible and today’s current events.

Our devotions this week will revisit what we learned.

E. Abraham (Genesis 12-22) Key Verse: Gen 12:1-4

 1. God covenants with Abraham established that God’s people would be Abraham’s descendants (Genesis 17:1-8)

2. Abraham’s lack of faith instituted the strife between Arabs and God’s people Israel (Genesis 16:1-5, 7-12, 17:20-21, 21:9-12)

3. Abraham’s faith in sacrificing Isaac and how God provided a substitute is a picture of Christ’s substitutionary death for us.  (Genesis 22:1-12)

F. Jacob’s dysfunctional family (Genesis 12-31) Key verse: Gen 28:20-21

1. Jacobs grandparents and parents dysfunction passed to him (Genesis 20:1-8 Read v2, 26:6-11 read v7, 27:1-46 read v24)

2. Jacob’s dysfunctional life (Genesis 25:28, 25:29-34 read v31, 27:18-29 read v24)

3. Jacob reaps what he sowed (Genesis 29:15-27 read v25)

G. Jacob/Israel honors God (Genesis 32-35) Key verse: Gen 32:10

1. Obedience results in blessing (Genesis 31:11-13, 31:17-18, 32:10, 32:27-30, 35:9-15)

Did it ever occur to you that the conflict we see in Israel today began with Abraham’s lack of faith? Read Genesis 16. God promised that Abram and Sarai would have a natural born child from their own bodies.

When God gives a promise, He always fulfills His promise. When we try to help God, we fail to trust God. Rest in Him. Isaac, not Ishmael, was the promised child.

Jacob goes from deceiver, to being deceived, to a lover of God. He deceived his brother Esau twice. He tries to bargain with God. Then he is deceived by Laban. When Jacob returns home, He meets with God, and submits to Him.

Where are we? Do we trust God and allow Him to lead our lives or do we deceive God and others?

Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob teach us that we must trust the Lord totally, without any reservations. When we do, God will reveal His plan for our lives to us.

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

Good morning,

This week we will conclude our Old Testament Foundation Stone series. We have looked at eight foundational truths that are essential to understanding the Bible and today’s current events.

Our devotions this week will revisit what we learned.

A. Introduction  

1. God’s word is inspired by God

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: ¹⁷ That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:16)

2. 39 books:  17 historical, 5 poetry and 17 prophetical

B. Creation (Genesis 1:1-31) Key verse Gen 1:1

1. In the beginning God…  (Genesis 1:1)
2. God is omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscience
3. Jesus made all things (John 1:1-3 and 14)

All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. (John 1:3)

4. God created, said, saw, called, made, set, divided, and blessed

C. Sin (Genesis 2:8-9, 15-17, 3:1-24) Key verse: Gen 3:6

1. Satan is a fallen angel who chose to challenge God’s authority (IS 14:12-15, EZEK 28:12-19) 2. God’s command (Genesis 2:8-9, 15-17) 3. Man’s response (Genesis 3:6)

And when the woman saw 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 took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

4. God’s response to man’s sin (Genesis 3:23-24a) 

D. Flood (Genesis 6-9) Key verse: Gen 6:8, 9, 22

1. Man’s sin-God’s judgment (Genesis 6:5-7, 6:17)

And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.⁶ And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.⁷ And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. (Genesis 6:5-7)

But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.⁹ These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God. (Genesis 6:8-9)

2. God’s provision for Noah (Genesis 7:1)
3. God’s preservation of Noah (Genesis 8:15-19) 4. God’s promise to Noah (Genesis 9:9-16)

God wanted us to know about His plan for the world. He gave us the inspired word of God, the Bible, to teach us.

God’s creation is given to us in detail. He tells us how everything came into being. God is supreme. He is all knowing, ever present, and all powerful. Knowing this, we can trust Him in time of need.

God’s creation was perfect. No flaws. No sin.

He placed his two created beings, Adam and Eve in a perfect garden. The ground would always produce food. They would always be nourished and be taken care of by God.

God also created the angels. Lucifer being one of them. Lucifer desires to sit on the throne of God. He rebels against God and takes one third of the angel with him.

God gave men and women a free will to obey or disobey God. Adam and Eve choose to follow Lucifer (Satan) and rebel against God. The first sin.

That sin lead to Cain murdering Abel. Then the wickedness on the earth became so great, God destroyed all the inhabitants, except for eight, with a flood.

God created, man destroyed, God provides His mercy, grace, and salvation, to eight souls. We are the product of those eight souls.

God is still providing His mercy, grace, and love to all who will come to Him by faith.

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:⁹ Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

“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.¹⁷ For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” (John 3:16-17)

If you would like to know more about salvation in Jesus Christ get in contact with me.

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

Good morning,

Meditate on HEAVEN

Play Audio  Download Audio

(William Dyer, “Christ’s Famous Titles”)

Meditate often on these four last things:
   Death, which is most certain.
   Judgment, which is most strict.
Hell, which is most doleful.
   Heaven, which is most delightful.

Meditate on HEAVEN, which is most joyful.

“Then the King will say to those on His right: Come, you who are blessed by My Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.” Matthew 25:34

“Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Lord.” Matthew 25:21

Heaven is a place where all joy is enjoyed.
In Heaven, there will be:
  mirth without sadness,
  light without darkness,
  sweetness without bitterness,
  life without death,
  rest without labor,
  plenty without poverty.
Oh, what joy enters into the believer–when the believer enters into the joy of his Lord.

Who would not . . .
work for glory with the greatest diligence, and
wait for glory with the greatest patience?

Oh, what glories are there in glory!
   Thrones of glory,
   crowns of glory,
   vessels of glory,
   a weight of glory,
   a kingdom of glory.

Here on earth–Christ puts His grace upon His spouse.
There in Heaven–He puts His glory upon His spouse.

In Heaven the crown is made for them, and
in Heaven the crown shall be worn by them.

In this life believers have some good things–but the rest and best are reserved for the life to come.

Oh sirs, meditate upon Heaven, for meditation on Heaven will make us heavenly.

Heaven is not only a possession promised by Christ
–but a possession purchased by Christ.

When our contemplations and minds are in Heaven–then we enjoy Heaven upon earth.
  To be IN Christ is Heaven below;
  to be WITH Him is Heaven above.

There cannot be a better thing for us, than for us to be with the best of beings.
“To me to live is Christ–and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21

Let our condition now be ever so great–it is Hell without Christ.
let our condition now be ever so bad–it is Heaven with Christ.

“I had rather be in Hell with Christ–than in Heaven without Him.” said Luther
Hell itself would be Heaven–if Christ was in it.
Heaven would be Hell–if Christ was out of it.

That which makes Heaven so full of joy, is that it is above all fear.
That which makes Hell so full of horror, is that it is beyond all hope.

The vessels of grace–shall swim in the ocean of glory.

We may talk of the greatness of our crowns–but we shall never know the weight of our crowns until they are set on our heads.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

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