Archives for 2023

Good morning,

The festival of Purim celebrates God’s deliverance from a plot to destroy all the Jews. This year the celebration begins on the evening of 6 March and ends on the evening of 7 March. Today we will look at chapter 2 of the Book of Esther.

CHAPTER 2

Search for Vashti’s Replacement (1-4)

After these things, when the wrath of king Ahasuerus was appeased, he remembered Vashti, and what she had done, and what was decreed against her.² Then said the king’s servants that ministered unto him, Let there be fair young virgins sought for the king:³ And let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather together all the fair young virgins unto Shushan the palace, to the house of the women, unto the custody of Hege the king’s chamberlain, keeper of the women; and let their things for purification be given them:⁴ And let the maiden which pleaseth the king be queen instead of Vashti. And the thing pleased the king; and he did so.

Mordecai and Esther Introduced (5-7)

 Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite; ⁶ Who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captivity which had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away.⁷ And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle’s daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter.

Selection Process (8-15)

 So it came to pass, when the king’s commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was brought also unto the king’s house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women.⁹ And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her things for purification, with such things as belonged to her, and seven maidens, which were meet to be given her, out of the king’s house: and he preferred her and her maids unto the best place of the house of the women.¹⁰ Esther had not shewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should not shew it.¹¹ And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women’s house, to know how Esther did, and what should become of her.¹² Now when every maid’s turn was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that she had been twelve months, according to the manner of the women, (for so were the days of their purifications accomplished, to wit, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odors, and with other things for the purifying of the women;)¹³ Then thus came every maiden unto the king; whatsoever she desired was given her to go with her out of the house of the women unto the king’s house.¹⁴ In the evening she went, and on the morrow she returned into the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king’s chamberlain, which kept the concubines: she came in unto the king no more, except the king delighted in her, and that she were called by name.¹⁵ Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king’s chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favor in the sight of all them that looked upon her.

Esther Selected (16-20)

So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.¹⁷ And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.¹⁸ Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes and his servants, even Esther’s feast; and he made a release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the state of the king.¹⁹ And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai sat in the king’s gate.²⁰ Esther had not yet shewed her kindred nor her people; as Mordecai had charged her: for Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, like as when she was brought up with him.

Mordecai Saves the King’s Life (21-23)

 In those days, while Mordecai sat in the king’s gate, two of the king’s chamberlains, Bigthan and Teresh, of those which kept the door, were wroth, and sought to lay hands on the king Ahasuerus.²² And the thing was known to Mordecai, who told it unto Esther the queen; and Esther certified the king thereof in Mordecai’s name.²³ And when inquisition was made of the matter, it was found out; therefore they were both hanged on a tree: and it was written in the book of the chronicles before the king.

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

Good morning,

The festival of Purim celebrates God’s deliverance from a plot to destroy all the Jews. This year the celebration begins on the evening of 6 March and ends on the evening of 7 March.

This week we will look at Chapters 1-3. The fall of Vashti, the rise of Esther, and the promotion and wicked plan of Haman. Please read these chapters for the full story.

Chapter Outline for Book of Esther

Chapter 1 The Fall of Queen Vashti

“But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s commandment by his chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him.” (1:12)

“If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she.²⁰ And when the king’s decree which he shall make shall be published throughout all his empire, (for it is great,) all the wives shall give to their husbands honor, both to great and small.²¹ And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan:” (1:19-21)

Chapter 2 The Rise of Esther

“Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king’s chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favor in the sight of all them that looked upon her.16 So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.17 And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti. (2:15-17)

Chapter 3 The rise of Haman and his wicked plot to destroy the Jews

“After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him.2 And all the king’s servants, that were in the king’s gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence.” (3:1-2)

“And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath.6 And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.” (3:5-6)

These three chapters give us the, who, what, when, where, and why for the Book of Esther.

So far we know that the king is easily swayed by his advisors, that his new queen is a Jew, that Mordecai will not bow down or worship anything but the one true God, and Haman hates Jews.

The rest of the book tells us what happens to the Jews, Haman, and Esther.

Come back next week to find out what happens next.

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

Good morning,

The festival of Purim celebrates God’s deliverance from a plot to destroy all the Jews. This year the celebration begins on the evening of 6 March and ends on the evening of 7 March.

Today we will look at Chapter 1. The fall of Vashti.

CHAPTER 1

Ahasuerus’ Banquet (1-8)

Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, (this is Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, over an hundred and seven and twenty provinces:)² That in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace,³ In the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him:⁴ When he shewed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honor of his excellent majesty many days, even an hundred and fourscore days.⁵ And when these days were expired, the king made a feast unto all the people that were present in Shushan the palace, both unto great and small, seven days, in the court of the garden of the king’s palace;⁶ Where were white, green, and blue, hangings, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble: the beds were of gold and silver, upon a pavement of red, and blue, and white, and black, marble.⁷ And they gave them drink in vessels of gold, (the vessels being diverse one from another,) and royal wine in abundance, according to the state of the king.⁸ And the drinking was according to the law; none did compel: for so the king had appointed to all the officers of his house, that they should do according to every man’s pleasure.

Vashti’s Banquet (9)

Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal house which belonged to king Ahasuerus.

Vashti’s Refusal to Come at the King’s Command and its Consequences (10-22)

 On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king,¹¹ To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look on. ¹² But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s commandment by his chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him.¹³ Then the king said to the wise men, which knew the times, (for so was the king’s manner toward all that knew law and judgment:¹⁴ And the next unto him was Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, which saw the king’s face, and which sat the first in the kingdom;)¹⁵ What shall we do unto the queen Vashti according to law, because she hath not performed the commandment of the king Ahasuerus by the chamberlains?¹⁶ And Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vashti the queen hath not done wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes, and to all the people that are in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus.¹⁷ For this deed of the queen shall come abroad unto all women, so that they shall despise their husbands in their eyes, when it shall be reported, The king Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in before him, but she came not.¹⁸ Likewise shall the ladies of Persia and Media say this day unto all the king’s princes, which have heard of the deed of the queen. Thus shall there arise too much contempt and wrath.¹⁹ If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she.²⁰ And when the king’s decree which he shall make shall be published throughout all his empire, (for it is great,) all the wives shall give to their husbands honor, both to great and small.²¹ And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan:²² For he sent letters into all the king’s provinces, into every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language, that every man should bear rule in his own house, and that it should be published according to the language of every people.

The lesson here is that Vashti disobeyed the King’s command. The result is that she would no longer be queen. To obey or disobey always have consequences.

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

Good morning,

The festival of Purim celebrates God’s deliverance from a plot to destroy all the Jews. This year the celebration begins on the evening of 6 March and ends on the evening of 7 March. Today we will look at the key players in the Book of Esther.

The Book of Esther

The Festival of Purim

Key players:

Ahasuerus: King of Persia. He reigned from 485-465 BC. The book of Esther portrays him as ruling a vast empire, being very wealthy, being sensual, continually giving feasts, and being cruel and acutely lacking in foresight (1:13-22). Ahasuerus banished his queen, Vashti, taking two years to find a replacement. (The Liberty Annotated Study Bible, 1988)

Vashti: Queen to King Ahasuerus. Refused the King’s command to appear before the King. She is removed as queen.

Mordecai: The hero of the Book of Esther. He was a resident of Susa (Shushan), the Persian capital during the reign of Ahasuerus, king of Persia. Mordecai took his orphaned cousin, Hadassah (Esther), into his home as her adoptive father (2:7). Later, Mordecai uncovered a plot to murder the king and saved his life (2:21-22). This good deed was recorded in the royal chronicles of Persia (2:23). Mordecai refused to bow to Haman, and as a result, Haman introduced a plan to kill all the Jews in the Persian Empire (3:6). Mordecai then exhorted Queen Esther to approach the king and save her people (3:1-4:17). Haman was hanged on the very gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai (7:10), and Mordecai became second in command, succeeding Haman. (The Liberty Annotated Study Bible, 1988)

Esther: The Jewish queen of the Persian king, Ahasuerus. She saved her people, the Jews, from a plot to annihilate them. Esther was a daughter of Abihail (2:15, 9:29) and cousin of Mordecai (2:7-15). After her father and mother died, Mordecai raised her as his own daughter. Her Jewish name was Hadassah, which means “Myrtle” (2:7). The story of Esther’s rise from an unknown Jewish girl to queen of a mighty empire illustrates how God uses events and people to fulfill His promise to His chosen people. Ahasuerus appointed Esther to replace Queen Vashti (2:17) Esther exposed Haman’s sinister plot to slay all the Jews. As a result, Ahasuerus granted the Jews the right to defend themselves and destroy their enemies. (The Liberty Annotated Study Bible, 1988)

Haman: The king’s vizier (chief adviser). Haman wants everyone in the kingdom to bow down to him, but Mordechai refuses. This leads Haman to decide to kill all the Jews, and he convinces the king to allow the plan. Only the intervention of Esther prevents Haman from carrying out his plan, and Haman is instead hung on the gallows he had erected for Mordechai.

Haman is one of the most villainous characters in Jewish history. A greedy, vengeful, and vicious advisor to King Ahasuerus, he only seeks to increase his own wealth, power and influence (generally at the expense of everyone else around him). Haman is also said to be a direct descendant of Agag, king of the Amalekites. The Amalekites attacked the Israelites as they were leaving Egypt and have become symbolic of all the enemies of the Jewish people, so for Haman to be related to Agag connects him directly to centuries of violence and persecution of the Jews. (ReformJudaism.org)

The Book of Esther tells the tale of the rich and powerful, the weak and powerless, and the sovereignty of God. It gives us a clear picture of an anti-Semite, Haman, bent on destroying the Jews. It shows the courage of a young Jewish girl, Esther, who gave up everything to save her people the Jews. It shines a light on the wise Counsel of Mordecai.

What a great story. Although God is not named in the text, God is in every event. God allows all the plot lines to fit His will and purposes. We serve a great God!

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

Good morning, 

This week we will look at love from God’s perspective. 

Valentine’s day promotes love between couples. It is relational and centered on the world’s system of love. Sometimes physical, sexual, and immoral. Gifts, flowers, candy, are all given to the one we love. 

God’s love is different. 

God is love. He demonstrates His love. He gives His love. He shows us examples of love. He explains that His love is opened to all. He defines love. 

Join us this week as we explore the God of love. 

GOD IS LOVE 

3) Definition of God’s Love 

Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth: (1Corinthians 13:4-8a) 

The following is a description of agape love, also called “charity” in the New Testament (1 Cor. 13). This paraphrase is based upon research of the Greek and English words and their meanings in 1 Cor. 13:4-8. 

LOVE BEARETH ALL THINGS. God’s love makes it possible to withstand all stress and difficulty. Because God is love, He supports and carries on His own Person whatever is placed upon Him. God’s love protects, covers, and keeps off anything which threatens the benefit and welfare of another. God’s love holds back, refrains, and is tolerant and patient in all circumstances. 

LOVE BELIEVETH ALL THINGS. God’s love puts faith in others, believing the best of everyone (without criticizing or looking for fault). 

LOVE HOPETH ALL THINGS. God’s love persists in hoping, against all odds, in confidence and expectation of fulfillment of that which is promised. 

LOVE ENDURETH ALL THINGS. God’s love causes one to carry on through, despite hardships. 

LOVE NEVER FAILETH. God’s love never proves insufficient in duration or is unsuccessful in effectiveness. Love will never disappoint or prove undependable. God’s love goes on forever and will never come to an end. 

These five descriptions of love set the bar really high.  

We can bear all things through God’s love. Why? When we are in a situation of great distress, God is their also. When we cannot go on, God picks us up, encourages, and helps us.  

Although we are not God, we are capable of helping others in their time of need.  

God’s love sees the best in everyone. That should be our aim. Everyone has something positive. Why do we assume the negative? Look for best in each individual. 

God’s love hopes and endures. We can do that because we know our God and His promises. We are expectantly awaiting the fulfillment of God’s promises. He has always been faithful and always will be. Have we told others about our hope? Do people know we are saved? Will we take our hope in Christ to others? That is the greatest gift of love anyone could receive. 

God’s love never fails.  

Credit due to: http://www.krowtracts.com/agape.html 

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

Good morning, 

This week we will look at love from God’s perspective.  

Valentine’s day promotes the love between couples. It is relational and centered on the world’s system of love. Sometimes physical, sexual, and immoral. Gifts, flowers, candy, are all given to the one we love.  

God’s love is different.  

God is love. He demonstrates His love. He gives His love. He shows us examples of love. He explains that His love is opened to all. He defines love. 

Join us this week as we explore the God of love. 

GOD IS LOVE 

3) Definition of God’s Love 

Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth: (1Corinthians 13:4-8a) 

The following is a description of agape love, also called “charity” in the New Testament (1 Cor. 13). This paraphrase is based upon research of the Greek and English words and their meanings in 1 Cor. 13:4-8. 

LOVE DOTH NOT BEHAVE ITSELF UNSEEMLY. God’s love does not act, react, function, or perform in a manner which is in bad taste, improper, or in violation of what is right. 

LOVE SEEKETH NOT HER OWN. God’s love does not demand its own way. 

LOVE IS NOT EASILY PROVOKED. God’s love is not easily annoyed or incited to anger or resentment. 

LOVE THINKETH NO EVIL. God’s love does not reason about or reflect upon that which causes or constitutes misfortune, suffering, difficulty, or the like. God’s love does not ponder upon wickedness. 

LOVE REJOICETH NOT IN INIQUITY. God’s love feels joyful when right, sincerity, integrity, honesty, and truth prevail. 

Today’s culture has twisted the word “love” and made it mean the opposite of God’s meaning. Their meaning is negative, while God’s is positive. 

Our papers are full of people who behave wickedly in the name of love. In many marriages, one of the spouses demands their own way. Many times this results in some kind of evil.  

In contrast, God’s love always act uprightly. It never demands. Is not annoyed or provoked. Is always thinking the best of an individual. Always lives righteously. 

Is this the lifestyle we strive to obtain? We will never be as loving as these definitions, but it should be our desire to try and fulfill them. 

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

Good morning, 

This week we will look at love from God’s perspective.  

Valentine’s day promotes the love between couples. It is relational and centered on the world’s system of love. Sometimes physical, sexual, and immoral. Gifts, flowers, candy, are all given to the one we love.  

God’s love is different.  

God is love. He demonstrates His love. He gives His love. He shows us examples of love. He explains that His love is opened to all. He defines love. 

Join us this week as we explore the God of love. 

GOD IS LOVE 

1) God is Love 

I John 4:8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. 

Romans 5:8 But God commendeth (demonstrated) his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 

John 3:16 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. 

Gen 1 In the beginning God 

Gen 2 Made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. 

Gen 3 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them. 

Gen 37-50 Joseph In all Joseph’s adversity, God loved him and cared for him 

Exodus God loved his children Israel and provided a way of escape from the Egyptians 

Judges 2,6 Rahab was a harlot but God loved her and saved her and her family 

Ruth Ruth was a Moabite 

2 Sam 11 David had a man killed 

1 Kings 11 Solomon disobeyed God 

Acts 9 Saul, persecutor of the church on the road to Emmaus 

2) How do we respond to God’s love? 

John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. 

I John 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us. 

I John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. 

3) Definition of God’s Love 

Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth: (1Corinthians 13:4-8a) 

The following is a description of agape love, also called “charity” in the New Testament (1 Cor. 13). This paraphrase is based upon research of the Greek and English words and their meanings in 1 Cor. 13:4-8. 

LOVE SUFFERETH LONG. God’s love has a tolerance for and endures trying situations and persons beyond an average standard. God’s love is patient. 

LOVE IS KIND. God’s love is of a friendly nature, generous, hospitable, warm-hearted, and good. God’s love is charitable and helpful, showing sympathy and understanding for others. It is considerate, forbearing, tolerant, courteous, and thoughtful, desiring only to promote another’s welfare. It is generous, liberal, and beneficial, demonstrating itself in kindly acts. 

LOVE ENVIETH NOT. God’s love does not resent another’s good fortune or desire to have what is his. God’s love is not jealous and does not deprive another of what he has. 

LOVE VAUNTETH NOT ITSELF. God’s love does not boast and brag or abound with self-praise. It is not vain nor proud. 

LOVE IS NOT PUFFED UP. God’s love is not high-minded or puffed up with pride. 

LOVE DOTH NOT BEHAVE ITSELF UNSEEMLY. God’s love does not act, react, function, or perform in a manner which is in bad taste, improper, or in violation of what is right. 

LOVE SEEKETH NOT HER OWN. God’s love does not demand its own way. 

LOVE IS NOT EASILY PROVOKED. God’s love is not easily annoyed or incited to anger or resentment. 

LOVE THINKETH NO EVIL. God’s love does not reason about or reflect upon that which causes or constitutes misfortune, suffering, difficulty, or the like. God’s love does not ponder upon wickedness. 

LOVE REJOICETH NOT IN INIQUITY. God’s love feels joyful when right, sincerity, integrity, honesty, and truth prevail. 

LOVE BEARETH ALL THINGS. God’s love makes it possible to withstand all stress and difficulty. Because God is love, He supports and carries on His own Person whatever is placed upon Him. God’s love protects, covers, and keeps off anything which threatens the benefit and welfare of another. God’s love holds back, refrains, and is tolerant and patient in all circumstances. 

LOVE BELIEVETH ALL THINGS. God’s love puts faith in others, believing the best of everyone (without criticizing or looking for fault). 

LOVE HOPETH ALL THINGS. God’s love persists in hoping, against all odds, in confidence and expectation of fulfillment of that which is promised. 

LOVE ENDURETH ALL THINGS. God’s love causes one to carry on through, despite hardships. 

LOVE NEVER FAILETH. God’s love never proves insufficient in duration or is unsuccessful in effectiveness. Love will never disappoint or prove undependable. God’s love goes on forever and will never come to an end. 

Credit due to: http://www.krowtracts.com/agape.html 

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

Good morning, 

This week we will look at love from God’s perspective.  

Valentine’s day promotes the love between couples. It is relational and centered on the world’s system of love. Sometimes physical, sexual, and immoral. Gifts, flowers, candy, are all given to the one we love.  

God’s love is different.  

God is love. He demonstrates His love. He gives His love. He shows us examples of love. He explains that His love is opened to all. He defines love. 

Join us this week as we explore the God of love. 

Definition of God’s Love 

Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth: (1Corinthians 13:4-8a) 

The following is a description of agape love, also called “charity” in the New Testament (1 Cor. 13). This paraphrase is based upon research of the Greek and English words and their meanings in 1 Cor. 13:4-8. 

LOVE SUFFERETH LONG. God’s love has a tolerance for and endures trying situations and persons beyond an average standard. God’s love is patient. 

LOVE IS KIND. God’s love is of a friendly nature, generous, hospitable, warm-hearted, and good. God’s love is charitable and helpful, showing sympathy and understanding for others. It is considerate, forbearing, tolerant, courteous, and thoughtful, desiring only to promote another’s welfare. It is generous, liberal, and beneficial, demonstrating itself in kindly acts. 

LOVE ENVIETH NOT. God’s love does not resent another’s good fortune or desire to have what is his. God’s love is not jealous and does not deprive another of what he has. 

LOVE VAUNTETH NOT ITSELF. God’s love does not boast and brag or abound with self-praise. It is not vain nor proud. 

LOVE IS NOT PUFFED UP. God’s love is not high-minded or puffed up with pride. 

Now the challenge comes. There are 15 terms God uses to define love. How many of these are active in our lives? Do people see us as patient, kind, not being jealous, not being prideful, or high minded?  

We should strive to love as Jesus does. 

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

Good morning, 

This week we will look at love from God’s perspective. 

Valentine’s day promotes love between couples. It is relational and centered on the world’s system of love. Sometimes physical, sexual, and immoral. Gifts, flowers, candy, are all given to the one we love. 

God’s love is different. 

God is love. He demonstrates His love. He gives His love. He shows us examples of love. He explains that His love is opened to all. He defines love. 

Join us this week as we explore the God of love. 

GOD IS LOVE 

1) God is Love 

I John 4:8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. 

Romans 5:8 But God commendeth (demonstrated) his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 

John 3:16 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. 

Gen 1 In the beginning God 

Gen 2 Made he a woman and brought her unto the man. 

Gen 3 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins and clothed them. 

Gen 37-50 Joseph In all Joseph’s adversity, God loved him and cared for him 

Exodus God loved his children Israel and provided a way of escape from the Egyptians 

Judges 2,6 Rahab was a harlot, but God loved her and saved her and her family 

Ruth Ruth was a Moabite 

2 Sam 11 David had a man killed 

1 Kings 11 Solomon disobeyed God 

Acts 9 Saul, persecutor of the church on the road to Emmaus 

2) How do we respond to God’s love? 

John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. 

I John 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us. 

I John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. 

Genesis 3 is the darkest chapter in God’s word. Adam and Eve, created by, and in the image of, God, chose to rebel against God. They disobeyed God’s one and only command. They were deceived by the devil. Sin enters into the world. All future wickedness comes from that one act of disobedience. 

God could have destroyed them. He did not. A blood sacrifice was made for the young couple. Naked, God gave them clothes to wear, then cast them out of the Garden of Eden. All mankind are their descendants.  

God’s love extends to all people willing to come to God with a broken and contrite heart. Understanding that God sent Jesus to pay the sin debt we owed, that we could not pay. Jesus went to the cross, was crucified, died, was buried, and on the third day was resurrected from the dead.  

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

That is God’s love for His creation. Trust Christ today and begin to experience God’s love. 

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

Good morning, 

God’s names reveal his character. They tell us who He is and what He does. As we study these names, we will have a better understanding of whom we pray to and to whom we serve. 

10 Names of God And How To Pray Them 

7. Yahweh Tsidknenu – yah-way-tzid-kay-noo 

It means “The LORD Our Righteousness.” It appears in Jeremiah 23:6 and Jeremiah 33:16.  

“In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.” (Jeremiah 23:6)  

“In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely: and this is the name wherewith she shall be called, The Lord our righteousness.” (Jeremiah 33:16) 

This name shows that only God can save us from our sins and make us right. He made us right by sending Jesus to bear our sins and cloaked us in His righteousness instead (2 Corinthians 5:2). 

Call upon this name of God to be saved. Repent from your sins and ask God to forgive you, and give you a new life. Praise God for His grace and faithfulness to cleanse you from all unrighteousness. 

8. Yahweh M’Kaddesh – yah-way-meh-kad-esh 

It means the “Lord Who Sanctifies You” or “The Lord Who Makes Holy.” It occurs in Exodus 31:13 and Ezekiel 37:28. 

“Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you.” (Exodus 31:13) 

“And the heathen shall know that I the Lord do sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for evermore.” (Ezekiel 37:28) 

This name indicates that God is the only one that can make us holy. To be holy means to be set apart from the world. It means to live by following God’s principles, not the world’s. 

Pray this name by asking God to transform you from the inside out. Praise Him for giving you the power to overcome sin, and to live a righteous life. Ask Him to purify you and make you holy and sin no more. 

9. Yahweh Sabaoth – yah-way-sah-bah-ohth 

This name means the “LORD of Hosts” or “The LORD of Armies.” It first occurs in 1 Samuel 1:3 and appears over 285 times in the OT in verses such as Isaiah 1:24, Psalm 46:7. 

“Therefore saith the Lord, the Lord of hosts, the mighty One of Israel, Ah, I will ease me of mine adversaries, and avenge me of mine enemies:” (Isaiah 1:24) 

“The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.” (Psalm 46:7) 

Hosts or armies refer to both angels and men; God is Lord over all creations in heaven and on earth. This name indicates God’s sovereignty, power, and authority over the world. 

Pray this name to engage in spiritual warfare. Praise God for giving you the authority over all the power of the enemy. Call upon the name of the Lord of the armies of heaven to deliver you from the evil one and give you victory. 

10. Yahweh Shammah – yah-way-sham-mahw 

It means “The Lord Is There” and occurs only in Ezekiel 48:35. 

“It was round about eighteen thousand measures: and the name of the city from that day shall be, The Lord is there.” (Ezekiel 48:35) 

Jerusalem was given this name as an indication that God had not abandoned Jerusalem. This name shows God’s omnipresent attribute; He is always present and accessible for His children. 

Pray this name to enter God’s presence. Thank God for always being there with you, on the hills and valleys alike. Ask Him to manifest Himself to you, and to experience Him like never before. 

O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens. (Psalm 8:1) 

Excerpts from Audrey’s blog https://www.wordsoffaithhopelove.com/ 

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