Rooted in Dignity. Serving with Respect.
Good morning,
God chose to reveal Himself to us through the Bible. My challenge to you for 2025 is to read through the whole Bible. Begin in Genesis and end at Revelation.
Rose_Bible_e-Charts_Free_1yr_Bible_Reading_Plan_2024.pdf
Attached is a day-by-day way to read through the Bible this year. Begin today.
Happy New Year.
Tom Stearns, Chaplain WASI, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com
Good morning,
God chose to reveal Himself to us through the Bible. My challenge to you for 2025 is to read through the whole Bible. Begin in Genesis and end at Revelation.
The unerring hand of infinite wisdom!
(Thomas Reade, “The Sovereignty of God”)
(You will find it helpful to LISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.
Or you may want to WATCH the Video on either SermonAudio or YouTube.)
“My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.” Isaiah 46:10
Nothing is so calming and comforting to the Christian pilgrim, as the assurance of Divine Guidance in every, even the most minute circumstances which befall him.
Without this perception of his heavenly Father’s care, a thousand intricacies must beset his path. He must be staggered at almost every step. But when he beholds, by faith, the unerring hand of infinite wisdom, wielding the stupendous machine of human events, causing everything to promote the spiritual good of His people–then he quiets himself as a little child, and can say with cheerful resignation, “Father, not my will, but Yours be done!”
In such a world of change and trial, how inestimable is a calm reliance on the wisdom, power, and love of God. It fully compensates for the lack of temporal ease and wealth. If, without our heavenly Father, not even a sparrow can fall to the ground; if the very hairs of our head are all numbered–how composed should we be.
The reins of universal nature are in the hands of Infinite Love! This vast complex machine is guided by Infinite Wisdom and Power! The Almighty Ruler of the sky cannot be taken by surprise. Nothing unforeseen can happen to cross His purposes or thwart His designs. All worlds are open to His view.
If this Great and Glorious Being is our Father and our Friend–then our privilege is to rejoice at all times, and in everything to give thanks. How consoling and encouraging is the assurance that the blessed Redeemer of my soul, is the Great Sovereign of the Universe! Without His permission, nothing can happen in the vast dominion over which He sways His scepter! To His will every creature must bow–either in willing obedience, or in just and endless punishment!
“Lord, be pleased to impart unto me, your unworthy servant, this spirit of confidence in You. May I see Your hand in all the events of life–ordering the the minor, as well as in the greater movements of Your Providence. This watching and waiting for the manifestations of Your guardian care–will fill me with thankfulness for all my mercies, and make me patient under all my trials.”
“My times are in Your hands!” Psalm 31:15
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com
Good morning,
God chose to reveal Himself to us through the Bible. My challenge to you for 2025 is to read through the whole Bible. Begin in Genesis and end at Revelation.
Good morning,
God chose to reveal Himself to us through the Bible. My challenge to you for 2025 is to read through the whole Bible. Begin in Genesis and end at Revelation.
Reading the Scriptures
(You will find it helpful to LISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.
Or you may want to WATCH the Video on either SermonAudio or YouTube.)
Psalm 1:2, “His delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night.“
You are retired for your private devotions; you have opened the Word of God, and you begin to read.
Now, do not be satisfied with merely reading through a chapter. Some people thoughtlessly read through two or three chapters every day–stupid people for doing such a thing!
It is always better to read a little and digest it, than it is to read much and then think you have done a good thing by merely reading the letter of the Word. Merely to read words is nothing–the letter kills!
You might as well read the alphabet backwards and forwards, as read a chapter of Scripture–unless you meditate upon it, and seek to comprehend its meaning.
The concern of the believer with his Bible open is to pray, “Lord, show me the experiential meaning of Your Word, while it lies open before me. Apply Your Word with power to my soul–threatening or promise, doctrine or precept, whatever it may be. Lead me into the soul and marrow of Your Word. Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Your Word!”
In your private devotions, strive after vital godliness, genuine soul-work, and the life-giving operation of the Spirit of God in your hearts.
“This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it.” Joshua 1:8
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com
Good morning,
God chose to reveal Himself to us through the Bible. My challenge to you for 2025 is to read through the whole Bible. Begin in Genesis and end at Revelation.
The Bible!
(Henry Law, “Beacons of the Bible” 1869)
(You will find it helpful to LISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.
Or you may want to WATCH the Video on either SermonAudio or YouTube.)
The Bible is the richest treasure of the world!
Without it, the palace is a dark blank.
With it, the poor cottage sparkles with celestial light.
It is the transcript of God’s heart.
It tells what human reason is too weak to find.
It is pure truth without one shadow of error.
It gives knowledge on all things needful for time and for eternity.
It is a safe guide through life’s entangled path.
It is a compass . . .
through shoals and rocks;
amid winds and waves;
to Heaven’s eternal rest!
The wise man is ignorant without it.
The peasant learns from it, salvation’s road.
It is a solace for every hour.
It is a companion always ready to converse.
It cheers when other comforts fail.
It is arrayed in every charm for the intellect.
It never wearies.
It is always fresh.
Its oldest truths cannot grow old.
Its readers become more wise–and more holy.
Other books may puzzle and corrupt.
The Bible is from Heaven, and leads to Heaven.
It enters the heart with purifying grace.
The more you search the Bible–the more your minds will wonder, and your hearts will love.
Read it as literally true. Then no human philosophy will beguile you.
Ponder its characters. You will find on them the intrinsic stamp of truth.
“The Bible is . . .
an armory of heavenly weapons,
a pharmacy of infallible medicines,
a mine of exhaustless wealth,
a guidebook for every road,
a chart for every sea,
a medicine for every malady,
and a balm for every wound!
Rob us of our Bible, and our sky has lost its sun!” (Thomas Guthrie)
“Oh, how I love Your Law! I meditate on it all day long!” Psalm 119:97
“Your Words were found, and I ate them–and Your Word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart!” Jeremiah 15:16
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com
Good morning,
God chose to reveal Himself to us through the Bible. My challenge to you for 2025 is to read through the whole Bible. Begin i Genesis and end at Revelation.
God’s love-letter!
(You will find it helpful to LISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.
Or you may want to WATCH the Video.)
The Scripture is God’s love-letter to men.
Here the lamb may wade, and here the elephant may swim.
The blessed Scriptures are of infinite worth and value!
Here you may find . . .
a remedy for every disease,
a balm for every wound,
a plaster for every sore,
milk for babes,
meat for strong men,
comfort for the afflicted,
support for the tempted,
solace for the distressed,
ease for the wearied,
a staff to support the feeble,
a sword to defend the weak.
The holy Scriptures are . . .
the map of God’s mercy–and man’s misery,
the touchstone of truth,
the shop of remedies against all maladies,
the hammer of vices,
the treasury of virtues,
the exposer of all sensual and worldly vanities,
the balance of equity,
the most perfect rule of all justice and morality.
Ah friends, no book befits your hands like the Bible!
The Bible is the best preacher.
This book, this preacher will preach to you . . .
in your shops,
in your chambers,
in your prayer-closets,
yes, in your own bosoms!
This book will preach to you both at home and abroad.
It will preach to you in all companies.
It will preach to you in all conditions.
By this book you must live.
By this book you must die.
By this book you shall be judged in the great day!
By this book you shall be saved–or by this book you shall be damned!
Oh, therefore . . .
love this book above all other books,
prize this book above all other books,
read this book before all other books,
study this book more than all other books!
For he who reads much, and understands nothing–is like him who hunts much, and catches nothing!
Speaking of the blessed man, David says, “His delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night!” Psalm 1:2
“How I love Your law! I meditate on it all day long!” Psalm 119:97
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain,907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com
Good morning,
Tonight,1 January 2025, is the last evening of Hanukkah. I hope you have enjoyed the devotions on Hanukkah.
Messianic Hanukkah Candle Lighting
Each night we recite three blessings, acknowledging God’s Lordship, power in working miracles, and sustaining us another year.
(Traditional)
Blessed are You O Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with Your commandments, and commanded us to light Hanukah lights.
Baruch Ata Adonai Elohaynu Melech ha-olam, ah-sher kid-shah-nu b’mitz-voh-tayv v’tzee-vah-nu l’had-leek ner shel Hanukah.
Blessed are You O Lord our God, King of the universe, who performed miracles for our fathers in those days at this season.
Baruch Ata Adonai Elohaynu Melech ha-olam, she-ah-sah ni-seem la-ah-vo-tay-nu ba-ya-meem ha-hem baz-man ha-zeh.
(Messianic version)
Blessed are You O Lord our God, King of the universe, who has given us holidays, customs, and times of happiness, to increase the knowledge of God and to build us up in our most holy faith.
Baruch Ata Adonai Elohaynu Melech ha-olam, ah-sher nah-tan lah-nu cha-gim, min-ha-gim, oo-mo-ah-dim l’sim-cha, l’hag-deel et da-at Adonai, v’liv-not oh-tah-nu b’emunah ki-do-shah v’na-ah-lah.
Blessed are You O Lord our God, King of the universe, who performed miracles for our fathers in those days at this season.
Baruch Ata Adonai Elohaynu Melech ha-olam, she-ah-sah ni-seem la-ah-vo-tay-nu ba-ya-meem ha-hem baz-man ha-zeh.
Eighth Candle
Revelation 21:22-27 gives us a description of our glorious eternal dwelling place in the New Jerusalem:
And I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God, the Almighty, and the Lamb, are its temple. And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine upon it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb. And the nations shall walk by its light, and the kings of the earth shall bring their glory into it. And in the daytime (for there shall be no night there) its gates shall never be closed; and they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it; and nothing unclean and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into it, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
So, the question begs itself, are our names written in the Lamb’s book of life? If you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, see yesterday’s devotion, your name is written in the Lamb’s book of life. If not, you will be separated from God for all eternity. You choose.
I hope all of you will be able to spend your Christmas with family, friends, and loved ones. Please remember to spend a portion of the next few days reading the story of Jesus birth from Matthew 1 and 2, and Luke 2. Jesus is the reason for the season. If you have forgotten some of these principles, please read, again, this week’s devotionals.
Have a very Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah.
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com
Good morning,
Today, 31 December 2024, is day 7 of Hanukkah. We will light 7 candles.
Messianic Hanukkah Candle Lighting
Each night we recite three blessings, acknowledging God’s Lordship, power in working miracles, and sustaining us another year.
(Traditional)
Blessed are You O Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with Your commandments, and commanded us to light Hanukah lights.
Baruch Ata Adonai Elohaynu Melech ha-olam, ah-sher kid-shah-nu b’mitz-voh-tayv v’tzee-vah-nu l’had-leek ner shel Hanukah.
Blessed are You O Lord our God, King of the universe, who performed miracles for our fathers in those days at this season.
Baruch Ata Adonai Elohaynu Melech ha-olam, she-ah-sah ni-seem la-ah-vo-tay-nu ba-ya-meem ha-hem baz-man ha-zeh.
(Messianic version)
Blessed are You O Lord our God, King of the universe, who has given us holidays, customs, and times of happiness, to increase the knowledge of God and to build us up in our most holy faith.
Baruch Ata Adonai Elohaynu Melech ha-olam, ah-sher nah-tan lah-nu cha-gim, min-ha-gim, oo-mo-ah-dim l’sim-cha, l’hag-deel et da-at Adonai, v’liv-not oh-tah-nu b’emunah ki-do-shah v’na-ah-lah.
Blessed are You O Lord our God, King of the universe, who performed miracles for our fathers in those days at this season.
Baruch Ata Adonai Elohaynu Melech ha-olam, she-ah-sah ni-seem la-ah-vo-tay-nu ba-ya-meem ha-hem baz-man ha-zeh.
Tonight, we light the seventh Hanukkah candle. With each night, the light grows brighter. It reminds us that light dispels darkness. We live in a dark world. Open a newspaper, a news feed on the computer, or the evening news, and you will notice that the lead story is usually about death, wickedness, or some kind of sin. The light that Jesus gives allows men and women, boys and girls to live above what the world has to offer.
Seventh Candle
The prophet Isaiah speaks of the future glory of a restored Israel in Isaiah 60:1-3:
Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord
has risen upon you… And nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.
God is not done with Israel. If you have any doubt, please read the books of Ezekiel, Isaiah, and Revelation. Israel will be restored to Her rightful place as God’s chosen nation and people. Today’s Scripture states that nations and kings will come to the light of Israel and ultimately to the Messiah, Yeshua, the Lord Jesus Christ. What a glorious day that will be.
The message of salvation is woven through the whole Hanukkah celebration. I would be remiss in not sharing that message with you.
God created a perfect world, no sin. In Genesis 3, man chose to disobey God’s clear command not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The first sin. From that time to this God sees us as sinners. In the Old Testament, God directed a blood sacrifice for the covering of sin. We see this demonstrated in Egypt, just before the Exodus and the Priests sacrificing animals daily for the sins of the people.
God had a better plan. “But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.” (Galatians 4:4-5) How was this to be done? Jesus tells us in Mark 1:14-15, “Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.” What is the gospel? “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.” (1 Corinthians 15:1-6)
So to summarize.
1) We are lost and need a Savior. “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:” (Romans 3:10) “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23)
2) God sent Jesus to redeem us. (See Galatians 4:4-5 above)
3) We must repent of our sins. Repent means turning in the opposite direction. Renounce all your wickedness before Jesus. (See Mark 1:14-15)
4) We must believe the gospel. That Christ died for our sins, that he was buried, and that he rose again on the third day. (See 1 Corinthians 15:1-6)
5) Last we must a make a decision to accept or reject God’s free gift of salvation. Romans 10:8-11, makes this very clear. “But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.”
Jesus came to earth as a baby, grew to manhood, preach God’s message of salvation, and then went to the cross for US! Jesus would love for you to trust Him as Lord and Savior this Christmas. If you know Jesus as Lord and Savior, tell someone about this good news.
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com
Good morning,
Today, 30 December 2024, is day 6 of Hanukkah. We will light 6 candles.
Messianic Hanukkah Candle Lighting
Each night we recite three blessings, acknowledging God’s Lordship, power in working miracles, and sustaining us another year.
(Traditional)
Blessed are You O Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with Your commandments, and commanded us to light Hanukah lights.
Baruch Ata Adonai Elohaynu Melech ha-olam, ah-sher kid-shah-nu b’mitz-voh-tayv v’tzee-vah-nu l’had-leek ner shel Hanukah.
Blessed are You O Lord our God, King of the universe, who performed miracles for our fathers in those days at this season.
Baruch Ata Adonai Elohaynu Melech ha-olam, she-ah-sah ni-seem la-ah-vo-tay-nu ba-ya-meem ha-hem baz-man ha-zeh.
(Messianic version)
Blessed are You O Lord our God, King of the universe, who has given us holidays, customs, and times of happiness, to increase the knowledge of God and to build us up in our most holy faith.
Baruch Ata Adonai Elohaynu Melech ha-olam, ah-sher nah-tan lah-nu cha-gim, min-ha-gim, oo-mo-ah-dim l’sim-cha, l’hag-deel et da-at Adonai, v’liv-not oh-tah-nu b’emunah ki-do-shah v’na-ah-lah.
Blessed are You O Lord our God, King of the universe, who performed miracles for our fathers in those days at this season.
Baruch Ata Adonai Elohaynu Melech ha-olam, she-ah-sah ni-seem la-ah-vo-tay-nu ba-ya-meem ha-hem baz-man ha-zeh.
Sixth Candle
After we come to know Messiah, we are to be a source of light for the world. King Messiah tells us in Matthew 5:14-16:
You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do men light a lamp, and put it under the peck-measure, but on the lampstand; and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
What we learned:
Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus. Candle Five pictures the baby Jesus as the greatest light of all. Simeon testified to it. John, the apostle, writes about it. Then Candle Six makes the application to believers to be lights to the whole world. Live it, teach it, proclaim it, to all who will listen.
Our world is BLINDED by the wrong kind of lights. The holiday displays, commercial and residential, fails to portray the God of all creation, who was virgin born, sent to provide salvation to all, and who would eventually die on a cross for the sins of all mankind. They fail to pay reverence to God’s Son, second person of the trinity, and soon coming Judge.
So, we have a choice to make. How will we celebrate Christmas this year? Will we follow the true light or a fake? Is Christmas, for us, still about Jesus and his birth or is it about the bells and baubles of commercialism? Each of us must decide and then act decisively.
The lights of the Hanukkah lamp can teach us a lot.
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com
Good morning,
Today, 29 December 2024, is day 5 of Hanukkah. We will be lighting 5 candles.
Messianic Hanukkah Candle Lighting
Each night we recite three blessings, acknowledging God’s Lordship, power in working miracles, and sustaining us another year.
(Traditional)
Blessed are You O Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with Your commandments, and commanded us to light Hanukah lights.
Baruch Ata Adonai Elohaynu Melech ha-olam, ah-sher kid-shah-nu b’mitz-voh-tayv v’tzee-vah-nu l’had-leek ner shel Hanukah.
Blessed are You O Lord our God, King of the universe, who performed miracles for our fathers in those days at this season.
Baruch Ata Adonai Elohaynu Melech ha-olam, she-ah-sah ni-seem la-ah-vo-tay-nu ba-ya-meem ha-hem baz-man ha-zeh.
(Messianic version)
Blessed are You O Lord our God, King of the universe, who has given us holidays, customs, and times of happiness, to increase the knowledge of God and to build us up in our most holy faith.
Baruch Ata Adonai Elohaynu Melech ha-olam, ah-sher nah-tan lah-nu cha-gim, min-ha-gim, oo-mo-ah-dim l’sim-cha, l’hag-deel et da-at Adonai, v’liv-not oh-tah-nu b’emunah ki-do-shah v’na-ah-lah.
Blessed are You O Lord our God, King of the universe, who performed miracles for our fathers in those days at this season.
Baruch Ata Adonai Elohaynu Melech ha-olam, she-ah-sah ni-seem la-ah-vo-tay-nu ba-ya-meem ha-hem baz-man ha-zeh.
Fifth Candle
Messiah Yeshua is the greatest light of all: In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light
shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it (John 1:4-5).
As Messiah Yeshua was in the Temple in Jerusalem watching the illuminating lights, He declared: “I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12).
Aged Simeon was promised by the Lord that he would not die until he saw Israel’s Messiah. When he saw Yeshua as an infant in the Temple, he knew that this One was the light of Israel and the Nations. Simeon declared: “My eye have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light of revelation to the gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel” (Luke 2:30-32).
For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One
who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Messiah (2 Corinthians 4:6).
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com
Today, 28 December 2024, is day 4 of Hanukkah. We will light 4 candles and eat Latkes and jelly doughnuts.
Latkes and jelly doughnuts
On Hanukkah, it is customary to eat potato latkes and jelly doughnuts. These treats, which are fried in oil, remind us of the miracle of the jug of oil that burned for eight days.
Messianic Hanukkah Candle Lighting
Each night we recite three blessings, acknowledging God’s Lordship, power in working miracles, and sustaining us another year.
(Traditional)
Blessed are You O Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with Your commandments, and commanded us to light Hanukah lights.
Baruch Ata Adonai Elohaynu Melech ha-olam, ah-sher kid-shah-nu b’mitz-voh-tayv v’tzee-vah-nu l’had-leek ner shel Hanukah.
Blessed are You O Lord our God, King of the universe, who performed miracles for our fathers in those days at this season.
Baruch Ata Adonai Elohaynu Melech ha-olam, she-ah-sah ni-seem la-ah-vo-tay-nu ba-ya-meem ha-hem baz-man ha-zeh.
(Messianic version)
Blessed are You O Lord our God, King of the universe, who has given us holidays, customs, and times of happiness, to increase the knowledge of God and to build us up in our most holy faith.
Baruch Ata Adonai Elohaynu Melech ha-olam, ah-sher nah-tan lah-nu cha-gim, min-ha-gim, oo-mo-ah-dim l’sim-cha, l’hag-deel et da-at Adonai, v’liv-not oh-tah-nu b’emunah ki-do-shah v’na-ah-lah.
Blessed are You O Lord our God, King of the universe, who performed miracles for our fathers in those days at this season.
Baruch Ata Adonai Elohaynu Melech ha-olam, she-ah-sah ni-seem la-ah-vo-tay-nu ba-ya-meem ha-hem baz-man ha-zeh.
Fourth Candle
Psalm 119:105 and Psalm 119:130 describe the light that comes from God’s Word:
Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path. The
unfolding of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the
simple.
When we read God’s word, the Bible, God gives us His light. He allows us to see things that will encourage us, convict us, and motivate us to follow Him more closely. He allows us to see things that we should be doing and things that we should not. Wisdom and understanding are found in the pages of the Bible.
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com