Archives for 2022

Good morning,

John Newton was a slave trader, then a slave, and then God change his life forever. The song “Amazing Grace” is Newton’s testimony. God called him to preach, and preach he did.

This week we will read devotionals from John Newton.

A plain book designed for plain people   

(Letters of John Newton)

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“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness–so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work!” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

“When the Spirit of truth comes–He will guide you into all the truth.” John 16:13

A few minutes of the Spirit’s teaching will furnish us with more real, useful and experimental knowledge–than toiling through whole folios of commentators and expositors! It will be our wisdom to deal less with the streams–and be more close in applying to the fountain-head. The Scripture itself, and the Spirit of God–are the best and the only sufficient expositors of Scripture. Whatever men have valuable in their writings–they got it from Scripture; and the Scripture is as open to us–as to any of them. There is nothing required but a teachable, humble spirit; and academic learning, as it is commonly called, is not necessary in order for this.

Psalm 25:14, “The secret counsel of the LORD is for those who fear Him, and He reveals His covenant to them”–not notionally, but experimentally. We learn more, and more effectually, by one minute’s communication with God through the medium of His written Word, than we could from an assembly of divines, or a library of books!

As a minister, I endeavor to avoid all panaceas, singularities, ‘hidden truths‘ and ‘new discoveries‘ in Scripture. I wish to advance nothing which I cannot maintain upon the authority of the Bible in our English language–which I deem sufficient to make us and our hearers wise unto salvation.

The New Testament is a plain book designed for plain people. The gospel is to be preached to the poor and simple, who are just as capable of receiving it as the educated–and in some sense more so. I therefore lay little stress upon any academic learning–which depends upon a knowledge of original Greek and Hebrew languages, or requires a larger degree of capacity and genius to be understood.

“From a child, you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus!” 2 Timothy 3:15″Unless our souls are living in communion with God, the Scriptures will not yield us their strength and nourishment!” (R.C. Chapman)

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

Good morning,

John Newton was a slave trader, then a slave, and then God change his life forever. The song “Amazing Grace” is Newton’s testimony. God called him to preach, and preach he did.

This week we will read devotionals from John Newton.

Is this all I get–after so much trouble?

(Letters of John Newton)

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“Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.
 But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Dear Brother,
Blessed be God for the news of a better world, where there will be no sin, trouble, nor defect forever!

What shall it be–when the Lord shall call us up to join with those who are now singing before the eternal throne!

What shall it be–when all the children of God, who in different ages and countries have been scattered abroad; shall be all gathered together, and enter into that glorious and eternal rest provided for them!

What shall it be–when there shall not be one trace of sin or sorrow remaining; not one discordant note to be heard, nothing to disturb or defile, or alleviate the never-ceasing joy!

Many a weary step we have taken, since the Lord first drew us to Himself; but we shall not have to tread the past way over again. Some difficulties may remain, but we know not how few. Perhaps before we are aware, the Lord may cut short our conflict and say, “Come up hither!” At the most, it cannot be very long! He who has been with us thus far, will be with us to the end. He knows how to cause our consolations to exceed our greatest afflictions!

And when we get safely Home, we shall not complain that we have suffered too much along the way. We shall not say, “Is this all I get–after so much trouble?” No! When we awake in that glorious world, we shall in an instant be satisfied with His likeness. One sight of Jesus as He is, will fill our hearts and dry up all our tears!

“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us!” Romans 8:18

“In Your presence is fullness of joy! In Your right hand there are pleasures forever!” Psalm 16:11

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

Good morning,

John Newton was a slave trader, then a slave, and then God change his life forever. The song “Amazing Grace” is Newton’s testimony. God called him to preach, and preach he did.

This week we will read devotionals from John Newton.

Like coins from the same mint!

(Letters of John Newton)

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My dear sir,
I could write a long note indeed, upon your very great mistake in considering me as a great man. If we could have a personal interview–I think you would be quickly undeceived! Ah! how different I am, from what perhaps I appear to be to others when in the pulpit.

Your mistake, however, has done me good. A whole quire of invective from an enemy could hardly have given me so keen a sense of shame. The Scriptures assure us that our hearts by nature, like coins from the same mint–are all alike. I hear my fellow-Christians complain of evils similar to what I feel. Otherwise I would have reason to conclude that there could not be one believer upon earth–so inconsistent, so evil, so vile beyond expression, as myself!
 
Ah, dear sir! what would you have thought of me, had you seen me when I lived among the slaves? The sight of me would have been offensive to your eyes, and my vile speech would have struck you with horror! I was miserable and despicable in every view–the common mark of scorn and insult! My whole wretched amusement and pleasure seemed to lie in blaspheming the name and person of Jesus, and in feeding my imagination with schemes of wickedness!

Some of my unhappy companions have perished in their sins, who have just cause to charge the ruin of their souls to my account! For Satan himself, had he been upon earth in a bodily shape–could hardly have been more industrious in tempting to infidelity and profligacy than I was!

There is seldom a day of my life, in which my thoughts are not led back to my former state of estrangement from Him, and that pre-eminence of wretchedness into which my sins plunged me!

Yet, it is of grace that my poor story is not much worse. The Lord is my keeper–therefore I am still preserved.

“By the grace of God–I am what I am!” 1 Corinthians 15:10

I am, dear sir, your affectionate friend and servant,
John Newton, 1778

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me;
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see!

Through many dangers, toils, and snares,
I have already come;
Tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home!

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, who called me here below,
Will be forever mine!

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

Good morning,

John Newton was a slave trader, then a slave, and then God change his life forever. The song “Amazing Grace” is Newton’s testimony. God called him to preach, and preach he did.

This week we will read devotionals from John Newton.

Pains, infirmities, loss of sleep, the failure of sight and hearing!

(Letters of John Newton)

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“Do not cast me away when I am old;
 do not forsake me when my strength is gone.”
    Psalm 71:9

I am drawing nearer and nearer to the season which the Psalmist either expected or felt. Many reasons teach the aged believer the need of this prayer. As his graces are still imperfect–so his powers are feelingly upon the decline. It was but little he could do at his best–and now less and less!
 
 He feels other props and comforts dropping off apace. When he was young, he had warm spirits and pleasing prospects; but now, what a change of the friends in which he once delighted! In some he has found inconstancy–they have forsaken and forgotten him; and others have been successively taken away by death. They have fallen like the leaves in autumn–and now he stands almost a naked trunk. If any yet remain, he is expecting to lose them likewise–unless he is first taken from them.
 
 Old age abates, and gradually destroys the relish of such earthly comforts as might be otherwise enjoyed. Pains, infirmities, loss of sleep, the failure of sight and hearing, and all the senses–are harbingers, like Job’s messengers arriving in close succession, to tell him that death is upon his progress, and is not far away!
 
 If youth has no security against death–then old age has no possibility of escaping the grim monster. But though . . .
   friends fail,
   cisterns burst,
   gourds wither, strength declines,
   and death advances
 ––if God does not forsake me, then all is well.
 
 “Even to your old age and gray hairs–I am He who will sustain you.
  I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you!”
     Isaiah 46:4

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

Good morning,

John Newton was a slave trader, then a slave, and then God change his life forever. The song “Amazing Grace” is Newton’s testimony. God called him to preach, and preach he did.

This week we will read devotionals from John Newton.

The Lord reigns!

(Letters of John Newton)

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“The Lord reigns! He is robed in majesty! The Lord is robed in majesty and is armed with strength!” Psalm 93:1

“The Lord reigns! Let the nations tremble!” Psalm 99:1

The Lord reigns! He who once bore our sins and carried our sorrows–is seated upon a throne of glory and exercises all power in heaven and on earth! Thrones, principalities and powers bow before Him. Every being and event are under His rule. His providence pervades and manages the whole, and is as minutely attentive to every part–as if there were only that single object in His view.

From the tallest archangel, to the meanest ant or fly–all depend on Him for their being, their preservation and their powers! He directs the sparrows where to build their nests, and to find their food. He overrules the rise and fall of nations; and bends, with an invincible energy and unerring wisdom–all events! So that, while many intend otherwise–in the outcome their designs all concur and coincide in the accomplishment of His holy will. He restrains with a mighty hand the still more formidable efforts of the powers of darkness; and Satan with all his hosts cannot exert their malice a hair’s breadth beyond the limits of His permission. Satan may rage–but he is a chained enemy!

This is He, who is the Redeemer and Husband of His believing people.
How happy are those whom it is His good pleasure to bless!
How safe are those whom He has engaged to protect!
How honored and privileged are those whom He enables and warrants to claim Him as their friend and their portion!
Having redeemed them by His own blood, He sets a high value upon them! He esteems them His treasure, His jewels! He guards them as the pupil of His eye. They shall not lack, and they need not fear!
His eye is upon them in every situation,
His ear is open to their prayers, and
His everlasting arms are under them for their sure support.

On earth, He guides their steps, controls their enemies, and directs all His dispensations for their good! While, in Heaven, He is pleading their cause, preparing a place for them, and communicating down to them reviving foretastes of the glory that shall shortly be theirs!

“The Lord reigns forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations. Praise the Lord!” Psalm 146:10
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Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com