Good morning,

This week we will be reflecting on the Scriptural basis for voting. We will look at a comparison of the platforms of the Republicans and Democrats and then look at what the Scriptures say. Then we can choose which platform aligns with the Bible.

This takes out the personalities running for office and puts it squarely on the platform. Then we can objectively choose to follow God’s word or not.

Philippians 4:4-8

Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Colossians 3:12-17

Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.16 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.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Ephesians 6:10-12

 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Platforms.pdf

Mentions of God

Genesis 1:1

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

Life

Deuteronomy 30:19-20

19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:

20 That thou mayest love the Lord thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.

Created Male and Female

Genesis 1:26-28

26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

Definition of Marriage and the Role of the Family

Matthew 19:4-6 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

Restoring Education

Psalm 27:11

Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.

Psalm 25:4 

Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths.

Psalm 86:11

Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.

Psalm 119:33

Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.

Parental Rights in Education

Proverbs 22:6

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

School choice and Homeschooling

Deuteronomy 6:6-9

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord:

5 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:

7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.9 And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.

Religious Freedom

Joshua 24:14-15

Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord.15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

Israel and Antisemitism

Deuteronomy 7:6-11

6 For thou art a holy people unto the Lord thy God: the Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.

7 The Lord did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people:

8 But because the Lord loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the Lord brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.

9 Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;

10 And repayeth them that hate him to their face, to destroy them: he will not be slack to him that hateth him, he will repay him to his face.

11 Thou shalt therefore keep the commandments, and the statutes, and the judgments, which I command thee this day, to do them.

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

Good morning,

This week we will be reflecting on the Scriptural basis for voting. We will look at a comparison of the platforms of the Republicans and Democrats and then look at what the Scriptures say. Then we can choose which platform aligns with the Bible.

This takes out the personalities running for office and puts it squarely on the platform. Then we can objectively choose to follow God’s word or not.

Today we will look at the party platforms. Then, Thursday and Friday, we will break down each issue Biblically.

Platforms.pdf

Please click on the link above.

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

Good morning,

This week we will be reflecting on the Scriptural basis for voting. We will look at a comparison of the platforms of the Republicans and Democrats and then look at what the Scriptures say. Then we can choose which platform aligns with the Bible.

This takes out the personalities running for office and puts it squarely on the platform. Then we can objectively choose to follow God’s word or not.

Today we will begin with some Scriptures that challenge us to rejoice, live out our life for Christ, trust in the Lord, and to stand against Satan.

Philippians 4:4-8

Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Colossians 3:12-17

Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

16 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.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Ephesians 6:10-12

 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

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

Good morning,

This week we will look at devotions by J.C. Ryle.

Pithy gems from J.C. Ryle #2

Pride is the oldest and most common of sins.

Humility is the rarest and most beautiful of graces.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Look to the cross, think of the cross, meditate on the cross–and then go and set your affections on the world if you can!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

A crucified Savior will never be content to have a self-pleasing, self-indulging, worldly-minded people!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

The Gospel was not meant merely to reside in our intellect, memories, and tongues–but to be seen in our lives.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Happiness and contentment do not depend on outward circumstances–but on the state of the heart.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Health is a good thing; but sickness is far better–if it leads us to God.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

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

Good morning,

This week we will look at devotions by J.C. Ryle.

Pithy gems from J.C. Ryle

LISTEN to Audio!  Download Audio
    ~  ~  ~  ~
It costs something to be a true Christian.
It will cost us . . .
  our sins,
  our self-righteousness,
  our ease and
  our worldliness!
  ~  ~  ~  ~
According to the men of the world, few are going to Hell.
According to the Bible, few are going to Heaven.
    ~  ~  ~  ~
By affliction, Christ . . .
  shows us our emptiness and weakness,
  draws us to the throne of grace,
  purifies our affections,
  weans us from the world,
  and makes us long for Heaven.
  ~  ~  ~  ~
Nothing is so offensive to Christ as lukewarmness in religion!
“So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold,
I am going to vomit you out of My mouth!” Revelation 3:16 

    ~  ~  ~  ~

Pride is the oldest and most common of sins.
Humility is the rarest and most beautiful of graces.
  ~  ~  ~  ~
Look to the cross,
  think of the cross,
    meditate on the cross,
and then go and set your affections on the world if you can!
  ~  ~  ~  ~
A crucified Savior will never be content to have a self-pleasing, self-indulging, worldly-minded people!
  ~  ~  ~  ~
The Gospel was not meant merely to reside in our intellect, memories, and tongues–but to be seen in our lives.
  ~  ~  ~  ~
Happiness and contentment do not depend on outward circumstances, but on the state of the heart.
  ~  ~  ~  ~
 

Health is a good thing, but sickness is far better–if it leads us to God.
  ~  ~  ~  ~
The beginning of the way to Heaven, is to feel that we are on the way to Hell.
  ~  ~  ~  ~
There is a common, worldly kind of Christianity in this day, which many have, and think they have enough. But a cheap Christianity which offends nobody, and requires no sacrifice, which costs nothing–is worth nothing!
  ~  ~  ~  ~
Christian! Your trials, crosses and conflicts are all temporary.
    ~  ~  ~  ~
I am one of those old-fashioned ministers who believe the whole Bible, and everything that it contains.
  ~  ~  ~  ~
There are no lessons so useful, as those learned in the school of affliction.
  ~  ~  ~  ~
Christ is never fully valued, until sin is clearly seen. We must know the depth and malignity of our disease, in order to appreciate the Great Physician.
  ~  ~  ~  ~
Our Lord has . . .
  many weak children in His family,
  many dull pupils in His school,
  many raw soldiers in His army,
  many lame sheep in His flock.
Yet He bears with them all, and casts none away.
Blessed is that Christian who has learned to do likewise with his brethren.
  ~  ~  ~  ~
That preaching is sadly defective, which dwells exclusively on the mercies of God and the joys of Heaven–yet never sets forth the terrors of the Lord and the miseries of Hell.
  ~  ~  ~  ~
Sin forsaken, is one of the best evidences of sin forgiven.
    ~  ~  ~  ~
There is no such thing as ‘chance’, ‘luck’, or ‘accident’ in the Christian journey through this world. All is arranged and appointed by God, who works all things together for the believer’s eternal good.
    ~  ~  ~  ~
The standard of the world, and the standard of the Lord Jesus–are indeed widely different. They are more than different, they are flatly contradictory one to the other. Never be satisfied with the world’s standard of Christianity!
  ~  ~  ~  ~
Hell is truth known too late!
  ~  ~  ~  ~
That Bible is read best, which is practiced most!
  ~  ~  ~  ~
God’s eternal election is the first link in that chain of a sinner’s salvation, of which heavenly glory is the end!
    ~  ~  ~  ~
A tree may always be known by its fruit. Just so, a true Christian may always be discovered by their habits, tastes, and affections.

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

Good morning,

This week we will look at devotions by J.C. Ryle.

Choked by life’s  worries, riches and pleasures!

(J.C. Ryle, “The Gospel of Luke” 1858)  LISTEN to audio! Download Audio

(You will find it helpful to listen to the audio above, as you read the text below.)

“The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.” Luke 8:14

The things of this life form one of the greatest dangers which beset a Christian’s path. The money, the pleasures, the daily business of the world–these are so many traps to catch souls.

Scandalous and loathsome sins are not the only thing that damn souls! Thousands of things, which in themselves are innocent–when followed to excess, become idols, and are little better than soul-poisons and helps to Hell!

In the midst of our families, and in the pursuit of our lawful callings–we have need to be on our guard. Unless we watch and pray, these temporal things may rob us of Heaven, and choke out every sermon we hear.

We may live and die, as thorny ground hearers.

“The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.” Luke 8:14

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

Good morning,

This week we will look at devotions by J.C. Ryle.

Reading the Bible

by J.C. Ryle

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

2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

1. Read the Bible with an earnest desire to understand it.
Do not be content to just read the words of Scripture.
Seek to grasp the message they contain.

2. Read the Scriptures with a simple, childlike faith and humility.
Believe what God reveals.
Our reason must bow to God’s revelation.

3. Read the Word with a spirit of obedience and self-application.
Apply what God says to yourself, and obey His will in all things.

4. Read the Holy Scriptures every day.
We quickly lose the nourishment and strength of yesterday’s food.
We must feed our souls daily upon the manna God has given to us.

5. Read the whole Bible and read it in an orderly way.
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable.”
I know of no better way to read the Bible than to start at the beginning and read straight through to the end, a portion every day, comparing Scripture with Scripture.

6. Read the Word of God fairly and honestly.
As a general rule, any passage of Scripture means what it appears to mean.
Interpret every passage in this simple manner, in its context.

7. Read the Scriptures prayerfully, ever asking the Holy Spirit to illumine the Word.

“Then He opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.” Luke 24:45

“Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.” Psalm 119:18

8. Read the Bible with Christ constantly in view.
The whole Book is about Him. Look for Him on every page.
He is there. If you fail to see Him there, you need to read that page again.

“And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself.” Luke 24:27

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

Good morning,

This week we will look at devotions by J.C. Ryle.

J.C. Ryle’s conversion

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

Writing of his conversion, J.C. Ryle states:

Nothing I can remember to this day, appeared to me so clear and distinct as . . .
  my own sinfulness,
  Christ’s preciousness,
  the value of Scripture,
  the need of being born again, and
  the absolute necessity of coming out of the world!

All these things seemed to flash upon me like a sunbeam in the winter of 1837, and have stuck in my mind from that time to the present moment. Others may account for such a change as they like. My own belief, is that it was what the Bible calls “Regeneration” or the “New Birth”.

Before that time, I was dead in sins and on the high road to Hell!

From that time, I am spiritually alive, converted from a slave of sin and Satan–to a willing slave of the adorable Savior, with an assured hope of Heaven! Nothing to my mind can account for this, but the free and sovereign grace of God, to a Hell-deserving sinner!

“By the grace of God, I am what I am!” 1 Corinthians 15:9-10

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

Good morning, 

The Feast of Tabernacles/Sukkot/Feast of Booths/Feast of Ingathering begins on the evening of 29 September 2023 and runs through the evening of 6 October 2023. This is one holiday with four different names and meanings. This week we will explore these events. 

What will the Messiah Yeshua be doing during the Millennial reign over the Earth? 

Micah 4:2 “And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and HE (the Mashiach) will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law (Torah) shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.” 

Isaiah 2:3 says the exact same thing. HE, the Messiah, will teach us His ways. I doubt Yeshua will be teaching replacement theology or modern church doctrine that speaks against the Torah and the feasts of the LORD. There will still be Gentiles or nations outside of the New Jerusalem that will be required to go up and keep the feast of Tabernacles or Sukkot or they will face famines and plagues as punishment. Does this sound like modern Christian doctrine? This is not a matter of liberty or grace but a righteous requirement. This isn’t the “well I don’t fully understand this feast stuff so God understands my heart and will be ok with it.” Read for yourself! The scriptures speak it clearly and overwhelmingly, leaving no shadow of doubt or question. 

Zechariah 14:11,16-18 “And men shall dwell in it, and there shall be no more utter destruction; but Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited… And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles… And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain… the LORD will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles… and the punishment of all nations that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.”  

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

Good morning, 

The Feast of Tabernacles/Sukkot/Feast of Booths/Feast of Ingathering begins on the evening of Wednesday 16 October 2024 and runs through the evening of Wednesday 23 October 2024. This is one holiday with four different names and meanings. This week we will explore these events. 

The Feast of Ingathering 

Another name given in scripture for the feast of Sukkot is the feast of Ingathering and also the feast of harvest. This is the end of the year in the fall when the fruit harvest was being collected. Three times a year males are to go up and pilgrimage to Jerusalem to keep the three “harvest feasts.” They are not to be empty handed because they are to produce the first fruits of their harvest as tithes to the LORD. The first harvest feast is Passover which is the barley harvest. The second harvest feast is Shavuot (Pentecost) which is the wheat harvest, and the third harvest feast is Sukkot for the fruit harvest. Notice that there are three harvest feasts to report to Jerusalem and there are three resurrections recorded in scripture. 

1. When Yeshua raised from the dead and those that raised with him called the first fruits of the resurrection (Matt. 27:53, 1 Cor. 15:20,23). 
2. The “first resurrection” or the resurrection of the just (Luke 14:14) before the millennial reign of the Messiah (Rev. 20:4-6). 
3. The “second resurrection” after the millennial reign of the Messiah (Rev. 20:12) which has been titled the Great White Throne Judgment by many teachers. 

It is interesting to note that these were pilgrimage feasts symbolizing the resurrections into the Kingdom of Heaven or the New Jerusalem. It is also symbolized in scripture in various places as being the reaping of the harvest. 

Exodus 23:16 “And the feast of harvest, the first fruits of thy labors, which thou hast sown in the field: and the feast of ingathering, which is in the end of the year, when thou hast gathered in thy labors out of the field.” 

Mark 4:29 “But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.” 

Revelation 14:15 “And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.” 
Remember that the “first resurrection” is called up at the feast of Trumpets (Yom Teruah) and those that are Atoned for under the blood of Yeshua (Yom Kippur) will be gathered together and made priests and judges in the Millennial kingdom, while tabernacling with the Messiah for 1,000 years. 

Isaiah 27:12-13 “And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall beat off from the channel of the river unto the stream of Egypt, and ye shall be gathered one by one, O ye children of Israel. And it shall come to pass in that day, that the great trumpet shall be blown, and they shall come which were ready to perish in the land of Assyria, and the outcasts in the land of Egypt, and shall worship the LORD in the holy mount at Jerusalem.” 

Zechariah 14:9 “And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day (the millennium of the Lord) shall there be one LORD, and his name one.” 

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