Archives for 2025

Good morning,

God saves us, but does not leave us. Good encouragement in this devotion.

“Hold me up–and I will be safe!” Psalm 119:117

Various authors

(You will find it helpful to LISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.)

Every true believer knows the danger of . . .
  their own deceitful heart,
  their tendency to wander,
  the pull of the flesh,
  and the constant assaults of the world.

Were it not for God’s restraining grace, we would surely fall into flagrant sin. That is why the psalmist pleads, “Hold me up–and I will be safe!”

It is one thing to be saved by grace, but another to be kept by grace. Just as a child walking along a dangerous path needs the firm grip of his father’s hand, so too do we need the steadying grasp of God’s upholding grace to keep us from stumbling. We are prone to pride, self-reliance, and every other sin–but God, in His mercy, restrains us from going where our sinful nature would lead.

Consider Peter–how easily he fell when he boasted, “Even if everyone falls away, I will not!” (Mark 14:29). And left to himself, he denied his Savior three times. But when Jesus prayed for him (Luke 22:32), his faith did not ultimately fail. This is God’s gracious, omnipotent, upholding hand–preventing His redeemed people from utterly falling away.

How often have we been spared from sin, not because of our own wisdom and strength, but because the Lord upheld us? Perhaps we were tempted by a sin that would have ruined us, but were providentially hindered by God’s restraining grace.

Christian! We continually need God’s upholding grace, as we have a heart that is able to commit every sin that was ever committed in Heaven, Earth or Hell! (Jeremiah 17:9)
Paul reminds us, “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” (1 Corinthians 10:12). True safety lies not in our resolve, but in God’s upholding power. Like a sheep that would stray without the shepherd’s oversight, we constantly need the Lord’s guidance, and loving interventions, to keep us safe.

We must daily pray as the psalmist did: “Hold me up–and I will be safe!” This is a humble acknowledgment that we cannot persevere by our own strength and wisdom. It is a confession that, apart from God’s upholding hand, we would rush headlong into ruinous sin.

May we walk in daily dependence, not trusting in ourselves, but in the almighty hand of our sovereign God. His grace is not only sufficient to save us, but also to sustain us until we stand before Him in glory!

  “Father, I acknowledge my weakness and my need for Your restraining grace. Left to myself, I would stumble and fall. Hold me up, O Lord, and I will be safe. Keep me from sin, uphold me by Your mighty hand, and let my confidence rest in You alone. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

“Unto Him who is able to keep you from falling, and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy–to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now, and forevermore! Amen.” Jude 24-25

    ~   ~   ~   ~

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

Good morning,

Today we continue our series on the Passover and resurrection of Jesus. 

This week we will look at the resurrection.  

Next week we will look at what happens after the resurrection.

“I am the resurrection and the life.” John 11:23-26

“Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.²⁴ Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.²⁵ Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:²⁶ And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?” (John 11:23-26)

When Martha told Jesus her brother would not have died if He had come to Lazarus sooner. Jesus told her something very deep that should bring us comfort when our loved ones die. In essence, Jesus was telling Martha that it didn’t matter that He wasn’t there when her brother was sick because standing before her at the very moment, He was the resurrection and the life.

We know the rest of the story surrounding this statement in John 11:25. Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead in the presence of those who doubted Him.

Some think Jesus wept (John 11:35) over Lazarus’ death, but He wept over Martha’s and the others’ unbelief. Jesus knew He was the resurrection and the life. His raising His friend from the dead proved it to those who didn’t believe.

Death is not the final word for those in Christ.

Do we believe that Jesus is the resurrection and the life?

Our future depends on it. Raising Lazarus from the dead was a notable miracle. However, Lazarus died again. Jesus died, but three days later resurrected, and is seated on His throne in heaven. Christ was resurrected and all the believers in Christ will also be resurrected at the rapture of the church. Then we will have everlasting life.

Jesus truly is the resurrection and the life!

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

Good morning,

Today we continue our series on the Passover and resurrection of Jesus. 

This week we will look at the resurrection.  

Next week we will look at what happens after the resurrection.

He is Risen (Matthew 28:1-10, Mark 16:1-11)

“In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.² And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.³ His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:⁴ And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.⁵ And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.⁶ He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.⁷ And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.⁸ And they departed quickly from the sepulcher with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.⁹ And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshiped him.¹⁰ Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.”

And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.2 And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.3 And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?4 And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.5 And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.6 And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.7 But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.8 And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid.9 Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.10 And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept.11 And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not.

The Resurrection Changes Everything (1 Corinthians 15:3-6, 13-18)

For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; ⁴ And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: ⁵ And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: ⁶ 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.

But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: ¹⁴ And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. ¹⁵ Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. ¹⁶ For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: ¹⁷ And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. ¹⁸ Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.

Jesus said He would rise again after 3 days. He did. We must always believe the word of God.  It seems that the women were surprised. Then with fear and great joy they went to tell the other disciples. Then Jesus confirms to them He has risen. Furthermore, that they would see Him in Galilee.

Why do we doubt? We have the Bible with eyewitness accounts of all that happened to Jesus from His miraculous birth, His horrifying death, His resurrection, His visual resurrected appearance, and His ascension to heaven.

The disciples’ lives were completely changed after the resurrection. Timid and weak turned into bold and strong. They turned their world upside down for Jesus.

Are we impacted by the resurrection of Jesus? 

“I am the resurrection and the life.” John 11:23-26

“Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.²⁴ Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.²⁵ Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:²⁶ And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?” (John 11:23-26)

When Martha told Jesus her brother would not have died if He had come to Lazarus sooner. Jesus told her something very deep that should bring us comfort when our loved ones die. In essence, Jesus was telling Martha that it didn’t matter that He wasn’t there when her brother was sick because standing before her at the very moment, He was the resurrection and the life.

We know the rest of the story surrounding this statement in John 11:25. Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead in the presence of those who doubted Him.

Some think Jesus wept (John 11:35) over Lazarus’ death, but He wept over Martha’s and the others’ unbelief. Jesus knew He was the resurrection and the life. His raising His friend from the dead proved it to those who didn’t believe.

Death is not the final word for those in Christ.

Do we believe that Jesus is the resurrection and the life?

Our future depends on it. Raising Lazarus from the dead was a notable miracle. However, Lazarus died again. Jesus died, but three days later resurrected, and is seated on His throne in heaven. Christ was resurrected and all the believers in Christ will also be resurrected at the rapture of the church. Then we will have everlasting life.

Jesus truly is the resurrection and the life!

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

Good morning,

Today we continue our series on the Passover and resurrection of Jesus. 

This week we will look at the resurrection.  

Next week we will look at what happens after the resurrection.

The Resurrection Changes Everything (1 Corinthians 15:3-6, 13-18)

For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; ⁴ And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: ⁵ And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: ⁶ 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.

But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: ¹⁴ And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. ¹⁵ Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. ¹⁶ For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: ¹⁷ And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. ¹⁸ Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.

Jesus said He would rise again after 3 days. He did. We must always believe the word of God.  It seems that the women were surprised. Then with fear and great joy they went to tell the other disciples. Then Jesus confirms to them He has risen. Furthermore, that they would see Him in Galilee.

Why do we doubt? We have the Bible with eyewitness accounts of all that happened to Jesus from His miraculous birth, His horrifying death, His resurrection, His visual resurrected appearance, and His ascension to heaven.

The disciples’ lives were completely changed after the resurrection. Timid and weak turned into bold and strong. They turned their world upside down for Jesus.

Are we impacted by the resurrection of Jesus? 

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

Good morning,

Today we continue our series on the Passover and resurrection of Jesus. 

This week we will look at the resurrection.  

Next week we will look at what happens after the resurrection.

He is Risen (Matthew 28:1-10, Mark 16:1-11)

“In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.² And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.³ His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:⁴ And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.⁵ And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.⁶ He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.⁷ And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.⁸ And they departed quickly from the sepulcher with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.⁹ And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshiped him.¹⁰ Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.”

And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.2 And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.3 And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?4 And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.5 And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.6 And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.7 But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.8 And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid.9 Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.10 And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept.11 And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not.

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

Good morning,

Passover begins at sundown 12 April 2025. It is immediately followed by the Feast of Unleavened Bread, observed for seven days.

Today’s study requires us to open our Bibles and search the references about the Passover. It will open our eyes and help us connect to what Christ did on the cross for us.

Our devotionals will center Preparation for Passover, the fulfillment of Passover, and consequence of Passover.

You may see movies or other depictions of these events, but please make sure they line up with the Bible.

PASSOVER

Exodus 12:1-36

Consequence of Passover: Pharaoh Lets Israel Go (12:31-36)

³¹ And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Rise up, and get you forth from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel; and go, serve the Lord, as ye have said.³² Also take your flocks and your herds, as ye have said, and be gone; and bless me also.³³ And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste; for they said, We be all dead men.³⁴ And the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneading troughs being bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders.³⁵ And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment:³⁶ And the Lord gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians.

The blood protected the children of Israel. Christ’s blood on the cross bought our salvation.  Each had to take a step of faith.  Israel had to obey God, sacrifice a perfect lamb, and put the blood on the lintel and doorpost. We must by faith, repenting of our sin, put our trust in God’s perfect Lamb, Jesus Christ. Israel lived and God freed them from their bondage in Egypt and eventually allowed them to enter into the Promised Land He promised Abraham. We live and will be eternally with the Lord here on earth and in heaven.

CONCLUSION:

And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!  (John 1:36)

Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: (1 Peter 1:18-19)

Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: (1 Corinthians 5:7)

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

Good morning,

Passover begins at sundown 12 April 2025. It is immediately followed by the Feast of Unleavened Bread, observed for seven days.

Today’s study requires us to open our Bibles and search the references about the Passover. It will open our eyes and help us connect to what Christ did on the cross for us.

Our devotionals will center Preparation for Passover, the fulfillment of Passover, and consequence of Passover.

You may see movies or other depictions of these events, but please make sure they line up with the Bible.

PASSOVER

Exodus 12:1-36

Fulfillment of Passover (12:21-30)

Kill the Passover (12:21)

²¹ Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the passover.

Strike the Lintel and Two Side Posts with Blood (12:22-23)

²² And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the bason; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning.²³ For the Lord will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the Lord will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you.

Passover to be on Observed Forever as Testimony to God’s Power and Provision (12:24-28)

²⁴ And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons for ever.²⁵ And it shall come to pass, when ye be come to the land which the Lord will give you, according as he hath promised, that ye shall keep this service.²⁶ And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service?²⁷ That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the Lord’s passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the head and worshipped.²⁸ And the children of Israel went away, and did as the Lord had commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they.

Death of the First born (12:29-30)

²⁹ And it came to pass, that at midnight the Lord smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle.³⁰ And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead.

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

Good morning,

Passover begins at sundown 12 April 2025. It is immediately followed by the Feast of Unleavened Bread, observed for seven days.

Today’s study requires us to open our Bibles and search the references about the Passover. It will open our eyes and help us connect to what Christ did on the cross for us.

Our devotionals will center Preparation for Passover, the fulfillment of Passover, and consequence of Passover.

You may see movies or other depictions of these events, but please make sure they line up with the Bible.

PASSOVER

Exodus 12:1-36

Preparation for Passover (12:1-20)

New Year (12:1-2)

And the Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt saying,² This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you.

Characteristics of the Lamb (12:3-5)

³ Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house:⁴ And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbor next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb.⁵ Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats:

Killing the Lamb (12:6)

⁶ And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.

Blood of the Lamb (12:7)

⁷ And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it.

Eating the Lamb (12:8-11)

⁸ And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it.⁹ Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire; his head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof.¹⁰ And ye shall let nothing of it remain until the morning; and that which remaineth of it until the morning ye shall burn with fire.¹¹ And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the Lord’s passover.

Passover by God (12:12-13)

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.

Feast of Unleavened Bread (12:14-20)

¹⁴ And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the Lord throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.¹⁵ Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread; even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses: for whosoever eateth leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel.¹⁶ And in the first day there shall be an holy convocation, and in the seventh day there shall be an holy convocation to you; no manner of work shall be done in them, save that which every man must eat, that only may be done of you.¹⁷ And ye shall observe the feast of unleavened bread; for in this selfsame day have I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt: therefore shall ye observe this day in your generations by an ordinance for ever.¹⁸ In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at even, ye shall eat unleavened bread, until the one and twentieth day of the month at even.¹⁹ Seven days shall there be no leaven found in your houses: for whosoever eateth that which is leavened, even that soul shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he be a stranger, or born in the land.²⁰ Ye shall eat nothing leavened; in all your habitations shall ye eat unleavened bread.

Fulfillment of Passover (12:21-30)

Kill the Passover (12:21)

²¹ Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the passover.

Strike the Lintel and Two Side Posts with Blood (12:22-23)

²² And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the bason; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning.²³ For the Lord will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the Lord will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you.

Passover to be on Observed Forever as Testimony to God’s Power and Provision (12:24-28)

²⁴ And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons for ever.²⁵ And it shall come to pass, when ye be come to the land which the Lord will give you, according as he hath promised, that ye shall keep this service.²⁶ And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service?²⁷ That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the Lord’s passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the head and worshipped.²⁸ And the children of Israel went away, and did as the Lord had commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they.

Death of the First born (12:29-30)

²⁹ And it came to pass, that at midnight the Lord smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle.³⁰ And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead.

Consequence of Passover: Pharaoh Lets Israel Go (12:31-36)

³¹ And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Rise up, and get you forth from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel; and go, serve the Lord, as ye have said.³² Also take your flocks and your herds, as ye have said, and be gone; and bless me also.³³ And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste; for they said, We be all dead men.³⁴ And the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneading troughs being bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders.³⁵ And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment:³⁶ And the Lord gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians.

The blood protected the children of Israel. Christ’s blood on the cross bought our salvation.  Each had to take a step of faith.  Israel had to obey God, sacrifice a perfect lamb, and put the blood on the lintel and doorpost. We must by faith, repenting of our sin, put our trust in God’s perfect Lamb, Jesus Christ. Israel lived and God freed them from their bondage in Egypt and eventually allowed them to enter into the Promised Land He promised Abraham. We live and will be eternally with the Lord here on earth and in heaven.

CONCLUSION:

And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!  (John 1:36)

Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: (1 Peter 1:18-19)

Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: (1 Corinthians 5:7)

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

Good morning,

Passover begins at sundown 12 April 2025. It is immediately followed by the Feast of Unleavened Bread, observed for seven days.

Today’s study requires us to open our Bibles and search the references about the Passover. It will open our eyes and help us connect to what Christ did on the cross for us.

Our devotionals will center Preparation for Passover, the fulfillment of Passover, and consequence of Passover.

You may see movies or other depictions of these events, but please make sure they line up with the Bible.

PASSOVER

Exodus 12:1-36

Preparation for Passover (12:1-20)

Passover by God (12:12-13)

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.

Feast of Unleavened Bread (12:14-20)

¹⁴ And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the Lord throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.¹⁵ Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread; even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses: for whosoever eateth leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel.¹⁶ And in the first day there shall be an holy convocation, and in the seventh day there shall be an holy convocation to you; no manner of work shall be done in them, save that which every man must eat, that only may be done of you.¹⁷ And ye shall observe the feast of unleavened bread; for in this selfsame day have I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt: therefore shall ye observe this day in your generations by an ordinance for ever.¹⁸ In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at even, ye shall eat unleavened bread, until the one and twentieth day of the month at even.¹⁹ Seven days shall there be no leaven found in your houses: for whosoever eateth that which is leavened, even that soul shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he be a stranger, or born in the land.²⁰ Ye shall eat nothing leavened; in all your habitations shall ye eat unleavened bread.

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

Good morning,

Passover begins at sundown 12 April 2025. It is immediately followed by the Feast of Unleavened Bread, observed for seven days.

Today’s study requires us to open our Bibles and search the references about the Passover. It will open our eyes and help us connect to what Christ did on the cross for us.

Our devotionals will center Preparation for Passover, the fulfillment of Passover, and consequence of Passover.

You may see movies or other depictions of these events, but please make sure they line up with the Bible.

PASSOVER

Exodus 12:1-36

Preparation for Passover (12:1-20)

New Year (12:1-2)

And the Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt saying,² This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you.

Characteristics of the Lamb (12:3-5)

³ Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house:⁴ And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbor next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb.⁵ Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats:

Killing the Lamb (12:6)

⁶ And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.

Blood of the Lamb (12:7)

⁷ And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it.

Eating the Lamb (12:8-11)

⁸ And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it.⁹ Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire; his head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof.¹⁰ And ye shall let nothing of it remain until the morning; and that which remaineth of it until the morning ye shall burn with fire.¹¹ And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the Lord’s passover.

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