Archives for 2025

Good morning, 

Welcome to the year 2025. What kind of year will it be? How can I thrive in 2025? All these questions will be answered in this week’s devotional.

How to Thrive in ‘25

Obedience: God’s Word

WHAT WILL HAPPEN IN 2025?

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.9 What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?10 I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.11 He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.12 I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.13 And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labor, it is the gift of God.14 I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-14)

Solomon, the wisest man, gives us his wisdom. Basically, things will run on God’s schedule as they always have. It is not for us to know the times and seasons, but to trust God. Solomon summed up the Book of Ecclesiastes by saying in chapter 12:13, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: “Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”

Next, How to Thrive in ‘25, by obeying God’s word.

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.

Pithy Puritan gems on God’s providential care for His redeemed people

(You will find it helpful to Listen to the Audio above, as you Read the text below.)

Romans 8:28, “We know that God causes all things to work together for good–to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose!“

John Owen:
“In every trial and tribulation, let us find comfort in the knowledge that God, in His infinite wisdom, orchestrates all for the good of His chosen people. God’s hand is behind every event, crafting our lives for His glory.”

Thomas Watson:
“The providence of God is a tapestry of grace, where every thread, even the darkest, contributes to the glorious picture of our salvation. His providence is a rich treasure; He knows how to turn our trials into triumphs, our sorrows into songs.”

Richard Sibbes:
“The heart that loves God finds peace in knowing that even the most confusing paths are ordered by Him for our benefit.”

Jonathan Edwards:
“To love God is to rest in His sovereign will, trusting that even the most perplexing circumstances are shaped for our ultimate good. In every situation, whether in joy or sorrow, we are called to trust that God is orchestrating the events of our lives for His glory.”

Richard Baxter:
“Though the winds may howl and the storms rage, we are assured that God’s hand is upon us, guiding every event to our benefit and His glory.”

Matthew Henry:
“God’s providence is a divine compass, guiding our lives through every storm, always pointing us toward our true good and His eternal glory.”

“In the tapestry of life, every thread of sorrow is skillfully woven by God, contributing to the beauty of our salvation.”

John Bunyan:
“God’s providence is like a skilled artisan who, though unseen, is weaving our lives into a masterpiece, with every thread serving His holy purpose!”

William Perkins:
“All that befalls us, whether sweet or bitter, is ordained by God, who works all things in concert for the good of those who are called according to His purpose.”

Samuel Rutherford:
“Trust in the Lord, for He has a wise design in every affliction, transforming our pain into a pathway of grace. Trust the divine Designer; He weaves even our pain into His purpose.”

John Flavel:
“We may often walk through the valley of shadows, but remember, dear believer, that God is sovereignly guiding our steps toward a glorious end! We may rest assured that even the harshest providences are part of God’s plan, working towards a good that we may not yet see.”

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplin, 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.

How wide, how long, how high, and how deep!

(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.)

1 John 3:1, “How great is the love which the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!“

The love of Christ is best seen in His immeasurable sufferings for rebellious sinners.

The inexpressible wrath of God fell upon His son Jesus, as a tremendous thunder-bolt! The extremity of the punishment and Jesus’ anguish, dissolved the bond between His innocent soul and body. He was brought into the blackest regions of death and darkness–and His love for us brought Him there–that we, His chosen people, could enter eternal bliss!

His love and His sufferings were beyond all parallel. From His most intense sufferings, we may somewhat estimate the depth of His most intense love for us.

O my soul, picture your Savior weeping in the garden, and agonizing and bleeding on the cross–and then weep tears of gratitude and joy! On that cross, what inestimable love for us was displayed! His every thorn was a pencil, and His every groan was a trumpet–to publish abroad His love for us, His dearly-loved children!

“May you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should–how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully.” Ephesians 3:18-19

“Could we with ink the ocean fill,
Was the whole earth of parchment made,
Was every single stick a quill,
Was every man a scribe by trade.

“To write the love of God above,
Would drain the ocean dry!
Nor would the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky!”

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