Good morning,

This devotional, by Charles Spurgeon, is a timely reminder that God upholds us. Without God’s help, we would fall.

Divine upholding!

(Charles Spurgeon, “Treasury of David“)

“You uphold me in my integrity.” Psalm 41:12

Our integrity and virtue are the result of the divine upholding. We would fall, and blunder and spoil all–if left to ourselves. The Lord should be praised every day, if we are preserved from gross sin. When others sin–they show us what we would do, but for preserving grace.

“He fell today–and I may fall tomorrow!” was the exclamation of a holy man, whenever he saw another falling into sin.

“When I said, ‘My foot is slipping!’ Your steadfast love, O LORD, held me up!” Psalm 94:18

“Hold me up, and I shall be safe!” Psalm 119:117

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am Your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
   ~  ~  ~  ~

Thank God for His willingness to hold us up. In these days of uncertainty and trials, our God is making sure His children do not stumble.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

The death of George Floyd has caused our nation to revisit the discussion on social injustice. Protests over police brutality have been marked by peaceful assemblies and those bent on destruction. The result of the destruction has been looting, crimes against police, and murder. Innocent people, who were just coming back from the COVID-19 pandemic, have been affected.

Why? The root cause of this violence is sin. It is rebellion against God, His purposes, and His love for mankind. Neither side in this conflict seems to recognize God’s control.

However, if you think this is a new phenomenon, you would be wrong. God through the apostle Peter gave us a graphic picture of this two thousand years ago.

This week we will look at 2 Peter 2. We will begin with the root of the problem found in Genesis 3. Then we will see how the false teachers of Peter’s day caused rebellion and destruction. They too were trying to destroy those who worshipped God.

Their deceptions (2:18-22)

Deceptive in their methods (2:18)

“For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.”

Deceptive in their promises (2:19)

“While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.”

Whose later end is worse than the beginning (2:20-22)

“For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.²¹ For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.²² But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.”

There are legitimate reasons for protest. When injustices happen, people should speak up and share their concerns.

When the protesters begin to deceive the people, promise them things they can not provide, then they cause damage to the original message.

In 2 Peter 2, the false teachers had been exposed to Jesus. They understood His teachings. However, they thought they had a better way. They began deceiving the people and pulling them away from Jesus. The people evidently were not grounded in God’s word and were easy prey.

That is why believers in Christ must be well trained students of God’s word.

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:¹⁷ That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Summing up our study of 2 Peter 2. The root cause of our problems is sin. The false teachers are the agent of disruption. Jesus Christ is the solution to the sin problem. God’s word gives us alternatives to how we live life. The Bible is God’s instruction manual on how to live life.

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.¹⁷ And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” (Colossians 3:16-17)

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 

Good morning,

The death of George Floyd has caused our nation to revisit the discussion on social injustice. Protests over police brutality have been marked by peaceful assemblies and those bent on destruction. The result of the destruction has been looting, crimes against police, and murder. Innocent people, who were just coming back from the COVID-19 pandemic, have been affected.

Why? The root cause of this violence is sin. It is rebellion against God, His purposes, and His love for mankind. Neither side in this conflict seems to recognize God’s control.

However, if you think this is a new phenomenon, you would be wrong. God through the apostle Peter gave us a graphic picture of this two thousand years ago.

This week we will look at 2 Peter 2. We will begin with the root of the problem found in Genesis 3. Then we will see how the false teachers of Peter’s day caused rebellion and destruction. They too were trying to destroy those who worshipped God.

Their depravity (2:10-17)

Reviling against authority (2:10-12)

“But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.¹¹ Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.¹² But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;”

Reveling with great pleasure (2:13-14)

“And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you;¹⁴ Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: a heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:”

Revolting against the right way (2:15-17)

“Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;¹⁶ But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad the madness of the prophet.¹⁷ These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.”

This is the description of what our newspapers are reporting. The characteristics of those who are instigating the riots, looting, violence, and murders, are listed.

This list includes walking after the flesh, in uncleanness, despising government, not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries, natural brute beasts, speaking evil of things they do not understand, pleasure in riot, eyes full of adultery, cannot cease from sin, beguiling unstable souls, covetous, cursed, forsaking the right way, and gone astray.

Not a pretty list. God gives us a list of character qualities that would heal our land. The fruit of the Spirit.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,²³ Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23)

Which list seems like it might be able to heal the brokenness in our land?

The two lists represent the unsaved and saved. Those who choose to reject Jesus and those who trust Jesus as Lord and Savior.

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:1-6)

Will you come to Jesus for your salvation? Jesus is the only one who can change our individual lives and then change our sin sick nation.

Please accept Him today.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

The death of George Floyd has caused our nation to revisit the discussion on social injustice. Protests over police brutality have been marked by peaceful assemblies and those bent on destruction. The result of the destruction has been looting, crimes against police, and murder. Innocent people, who were just coming back from the COVID-19 pandemic, have been affected.

Why? The root cause of this violence is sin. It is rebellion against God, His purposes, and His love for mankind. Neither side in this conflict seems to recognize God’s control.

However, if you think this is a new phenomenon, you would be wrong. God through the apostle Peter gave us a graphic picture of this two thousand years ago.

This week we will look at 2 Peter 2. We will begin with the root of the problem found in Genesis 3. Then we will see how the false teachers of Peter’s day caused rebellion and destruction. They too were trying to destroy those who worshipped God.

Their doom (2:4-9)

The example of the angels who sinned (2:4)

“For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;”

The example of the flood (2:5)

“And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;”

The example of Sodom and Gomorrah (2:6-8)

“And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an example unto those that after should live ungodly;⁷ And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:⁸ (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)”

God will deliver the godly, and punish the unjust (2:9)

“The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:”

God is no respecter of persons.

“Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:³⁵ But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.” (Acts 10:34-35)

Over the years different slogans have been used to single out a certain segment of society. They want people to know that their cause matters. That they as people are important.

God’s perspective is different. He made it clear from the very beginning that ALL lives matter. He went a step further. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the sin debt for all mankind.

“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. ¹⁷ For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.¹⁸ He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (John 3:16-18)

There would be no racism, police brutality, riots, looting, or murders, if we all bowed the knee to Jesus, received Him as personal Lord and Savior, and obeyed His teachings in the Bible. 

But our society wants to do it their own way.

How’s that working for you?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

The death of George Floyd has caused our nation to revisit the discussion on social injustice. Protests over police brutality have been marked by peaceful assemblies and those bent on destruction. The result of the destruction has been looting, crimes against police, and murder. Innocent people, who were just coming back from the COVID-19 pandemic, have been affected.

Why? The root cause of this violence is sin. It is rebellion against God, His purposes, and His love for mankind. Neither side in this conflict seems to recognize God’s control.

However, if you think this is a new phenomenon, you would be wrong. God through the apostle Peter gave us a graphic picture of this two thousand years ago.

This week we will look at 2 Peter 2. We will begin with the root of the problem found in Genesis 3. Then we will see how the false teachers of Peter’s day caused rebellion and destruction. They too were trying to destroy those who worshipped God.

The destructiveness of false teachers (2 Peter 2:1-3)

Their destructive heresies (2:1-2)

“But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.² And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.”

Their destructive methods (2:1,3)

“But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. ³ And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.”

Their destructive end (2:1,3)

“But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. ³ And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.”

Peaceable protest is a protected right in America. However, when the peaceful protests turn into riots, false teachers have changed the narrative for their own desires.

In this current instance, one man’s death has turned to riots all around the world. Millions of dollars in damage have occurred and lives lost or disrupted. The avenged are now the avengers.

Peter writes about the characteristics of the false teachers. They do not tell the truth, they deny the Lord Jesus Christ, and they have their own agenda. The consequences of their sin are swift destruction.

We live in a dark world. Jesus came to be the light of the world.

“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

Will the light of Jesus or the darkness of the false teachers bring reconciliation to the problems of men?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

The death of George Floyd has caused our nation to revisit the discussion on social injustice. Protests over police brutality have been marked by peaceful assemblies and those bent on destruction. The result of the destruction has been looting, crimes against police, and murder. Innocent people, who were just coming back from the COVID-19 pandemic, have been affected.

Why? The root cause of this violence is sin. It is rebellion against God, His purposes, and His love for mankind. Neither side in this conflict seems to recognize God’s control.

However, if you think this is a new phenomenon, you would be wrong. God through the apostle Peter gave us a graphic picture of this two thousand years ago.

This week we will look at 2 Peter 2. We will begin with the root of the problem found in Genesis 3. Then we will see how the false teachers of Peter’s day caused rebellion and destruction. They too were trying to destroy those who worshipped God.

Genesis 2:15-17

God’s first command

“And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.¹⁶ And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:¹⁷ But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.”

Genesis 3:1-15

First sin

“Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?² And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:³ But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.⁴ And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:⁵ For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.⁶ And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.⁷ And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.⁸ And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden.⁹ And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?¹⁰ And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.¹¹ And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?² And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.¹³ And the Lord God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.¹⁴ And the Lord God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:¹⁵ And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.”

Man rebelled against God. He ate from the tree God commanded him not to eat. From this simple act of rebellion, sin entered into the world. All that was perfect became tainted.

That first sin was passed down through the generations to us.

“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:” (Romans 5:12)

This is the root cause of all the rebellion we see today.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

In the Gospel of John, Jesus makes seven statements beginning with the words I am. Each of these “I am” proclamations furthers our understanding of Jesus’ ministry in the world. They also link Jesus to the Old Testament revelation of God.

In the Old Testament, God revealed His name to Moses: “I AM THAT I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me unto you’” (Exodus 3:14). Thus, in Judaism, “I AM” is unquestionably understood as a name for God. Whenever Jesus made an “I am” statement in which He claimed attributes of deity, He was identifying Himself as God.

Jesus states, I am the bread of life, light of the world, the door, the good shepherd, the resurrection and the life, the way, the truth, and the life, and the true vine.

This week we will at each of these I AM statements.

“I am the true vine.”

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.² Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.³ Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.⁴ Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.⁵ I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” (John 15:1-5)

The entire chapter of John 15 is about the true vine. In John 15:1 and John 15:5, Jesus says, “I am the true vine.”

There was no particular occasion for Jesus to say this like the other “I am statements.” He was emphasizing in general that He is the vine and we are the branches. He added that in order to bear fruit, we must remain in Him.

Once we have trusted Christ as Savior and Lord, it is our desire to cling close to or abide in Christ. Jesus, the vine, has all the nutrients we as believers need. Jesus teaches us through His word and encourages and challenges us through the Holy Spirit. We are complete in Him as long as we abide in the vine.

Are we vine clingers today?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

In the Gospel of John, Jesus makes seven statements beginning with the words I am. Each of these “I am” proclamations furthers our understanding of Jesus’ ministry in the world. They also link Jesus to the Old Testament revelation of God.

In the Old Testament, God revealed His name to Moses: “I AM THAT I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me unto you’” (Exodus 3:14). Thus, in Judaism, “I AM” is unquestionably understood as a name for God. Whenever Jesus made an “I am” statement in which He claimed attributes of deity, He was identifying Himself as God.

Jesus states, I am the bread of life, light of the world, the door, the good shepherd, the resurrection and the life, the way, the truth, and the life, and the true vine.

This week we will at each of these I AM statements.

“I am the way, the truth, and the life.”

“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. ² In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.⁴ And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. ⁵ Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?⁶ Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:1-6)

The other sayings were limited to just one metaphor. Jesus was comforting His disciples about going away when the doubting disciple Thomas asked, “Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?” (John 14:5)

Jesus responded by saying, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Perhaps Jesus used three metaphors to convince doubting Thomas in the presence of the other disciples that He was all three: the way, the truth, and the life.

Jesus explains what He is about to do. He is going home to heaven to prepare a place for all those who believe in Jesus. Then, He tells them He is coming back to receive them. That where He is, they will also be there.

Thomas is confused. He asks the question no one else was willing to ask. Jesus had already answered his question. Jesus said He was coming back for them. They did not have to find their way.

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.

Jesus point is, there is only one way a can person to be saved, go to heaven, and be with Jesus forever. It is by trusting, by faith, in the finished work of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. No other way will suffice.

The stakes are high. Heaven with Jesus. Hell any other way.

Choose wisely!

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

In the Gospel of John, Jesus makes seven statements beginning with the words I am. Each of these “I am” proclamations furthers our understanding of Jesus’ ministry in the world. They also link Jesus to the Old Testament revelation of God.

In the Old Testament, God revealed His name to Moses: “I AM THAT I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me unto you’” (Exodus 3:14). Thus, in Judaism, “I AM” is unquestionably understood as a name for God. Whenever Jesus made an “I am” statement in which He claimed attributes of deity, He was identifying Himself as God.

Jesus states, I am the bread of life, light of the world, the door, the good shepherd, the resurrection and the life, the way, the truth, and the life, and the true vine.

This week we will at each of these I AM statements.

“I am the resurrection and the life.”

“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

Good morning,

In the Gospel of John, Jesus makes seven statements beginning with the words I am. Each of these “I am” proclamations furthers our understanding of Jesus’ ministry in the world. They also link Jesus to the Old Testament revelation of God.

In the Old Testament, God revealed His name to Moses: “I AM THAT I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me unto you’” (Exodus 3:14). Thus, in Judaism, “I AM” is unquestionably understood as a name for God. Whenever Jesus made an “I am” statement in which He claimed attributes of deity, He was identifying Himself as God.

Jesus states, I am the bread of life, light of the world, the door, the good shepherd, the resurrection and the life, the way, the truth, and the life, and the true vine.

This week we will at each of these I AM statements.

“I am the door of the sheep.”

“Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.⁸ All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.⁹ I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.¹⁰ The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” (John 10:7-10)

There is one thing that is common with all doors no matter how they are made. Doors provide an entrance in and doors provide an entrance out of something. In John 10:9, Jesus let people know that He was the entrance into their good things and exit out of their bad things.

Jesus was then, and He is today the passageway for us no matter what we encounter. Jesus is that door that nobody else or nothing can be. Jesus can take us to places that we couldn’t otherwise enter without Him.

Jesus made this declaration after He had previously talked about thieves and robbers. Jesus was teaching that He is the only way to salvation. Jesus is the only way to get to His Father for eternal life.

“I am the shepherd”

“I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.¹² But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. ¹³ The hireling fleeth, because he is a hireling, and careth not for the sheep. ¹⁴ I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.¹⁵ As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.¹⁶ And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.¹⁷ Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.¹⁸ No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.” (John 10:11-18)

In John 10:11 and 10:14, Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd.” Notice He did not call Himself a shepherd. He described Himself as the good shepherd.

A good shepherd cares for His sheep no matter what. In biblical times, shepherds slept outside with their sheep year round. They knew their sheep, and their sheep knew them.

According to Psalm 23, the shepherd provided for and protected the sheep. On occasions, the shepherd had to use his rod and staff to keep them in line and out of danger.

Today, we can say like the sheep, “The Lord is my Shepherd. I shall not want.” That’s because the shepherd provides for us by giving us everything we need and He protects us and keeps us out of harm’s way.

Jesus, our good shepherd, laid down His life for us, His sheep. He did it willingly because of His great love for us. Through His paying our sin debt, we now are able to trust Him by faith and walk through the door of His sheepfold.

Will we allow Jesus to be our “…good shepherd…”?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001