Good morning,

Much of the service of some so-called Christians

(Charles Naylor, “Acceptable Service“)

“Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in Heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.” Matthew 6:1, 2

Our service to God must be an unostentatious. Service which springs from true love to God–never desires to display itself. Genuine service is not done for the eyes of men to behold; it is done as a loving tribute to God, the object of its love.

The principle here set forth is that what is done with the purpose of being seen by men, brings only the reward that men give; in other words, it is not accepted by the Lord as service to Him. Judged by this rule, much of the service of some so-called Christians is never, I fear, recognized in Heaven at all. Our good deeds are to be done–not that men may see them–but that God, who sees in secret, may see, and reward according to His own will, and that He may regard them as service done to Himself and not for the reward of men’s praise.

It is simple, single-hearted service which pleases the Lord.

The man who is truly godly, has no desire to put himself upon exhibition. He thinks, “Not I, but Christ!” and not only thinks it, but feels it in the depths of his heart.

“But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Matthew 6:3-4
~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

We are starting a new series on “Obedience”. It is four parts including being obedient to God’s word, commandments, examples of those who chose to obey or disobey, and concluding with the benefits of obedience.

Please join us in person on Wednesdays at 11 am in the WASI meeting room.

OBEDIENCE: GOD’S WORD

If ye love me, keep my commandments. (John 14:15)

INTRODUCTION:

TESTIMONY

MAN LIVES BY THE WORDS OF GOD

Deuteronomy 8:3-6

And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live. Thy raiment waxed not old upon thee, neither did thy foot swell, these forty years. Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so the LORD thy God chasteneth thee. Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him.

MAN MEDITATES ON THE WORDS OF GOD

Joshua 1:8 

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

MAN KEEPS THE WORDS OF GOD

Psalm 119:2, 8

Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.

MAN HIDES THE WORDS OF GOD IN HIS HEART

Psalm 119:9-16

Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.  Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes. With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.

MAN SHOULD NEVER FORGET THE WORDS OF GOD

Psalm 119:89-96

For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth. They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all are thy servants. Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction. I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me. I am thine, save me: for I have sought thy precepts. The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider thy testimonies. I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandment is exceeding broad.

MAN SHOULD ALWAYS BE READY TO PREACH THE WORDS OF GOD

2 Timothy 4:2

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.

MAN NEEDS TO STUDY SO HE CAN RIGHTLY DIVIDE THE WORDS OF GOD

2 Timothy 2:15

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

MAN HAS THE QUICK, POWERFUL WORDS OF GOD

Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

MAN HAS THE PROFITABLE WORD OF GOD

2 Timothy 3:16-17

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

CONCLUSION:

TO BE ODBEDIENT WE MUST READ GOD’S WORD

CHALLENGE TO READ FROM GENESIS TO REVELATION IN ONE YEAR

 

Good morning,

Psalm 32 speaks of sin, repentance, protection, and mercy.

We all sin. It is what we do with our sin that is important. Do we repent or continue to rebel? Depending on the answer to that question, God will either chastise or bless us. If we are willing to acknowledge our sin, confess it to God, and repent of it, God will forgive our sin.

David is a good example of what to do with sin.

The results of sin (1-4)

Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.2 Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.3 When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long.4 For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.

Acknowledgment (repentance) of sin (5-6)

5 I acknowledge my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.6 For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him.

The Lord is our hiding place, instructor, and guide (7-8)

7 Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.

Stubbornness results in sorrow (9-10)

9 Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.10 Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compass him about.

How should we react? (11)

11 Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.

David helps us to see how to deal with our sin.

It is God’s desire that we live Godly lives free from sin. Although we will not, if we deal with it appropriately, according to God’s word, He will forgive us. Then we will be in fellowship with God and available to serve in whatever capacity He chooses.

What a blessing!

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Psalm 19:7-11 is referring to the word of God. Law of the Lord, testimony of the Lord, statutes of the Lord, and commandments of the Lord, all refer to God’s word. Each description  of God’s word comes with a corresponding action.

Verse 10 tells us how we should regard God’s word. Verse 11 is a warning to obey God’s word.

The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.⁸ The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.⁹ The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.

¹⁰ More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

¹¹ Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

What does God’s word mean to you? Is it just another book? Irrelevant for today? Or is it your standard for living? Obeying it because you know that God’s wisdom is above all else.

Choose wisely.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

Proverbs 15:3 says, “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.”

God knows when we choose to obey and when we choose to rebel. It is God’s desire that we all obey. So, God has to chastise His children. He does this to bring them back to Him.

Because the Lord loves you

(Letters of John Newton)

“For the Lord disciplines the one He loves and chastises every son whom He receives.” Hebrews 12:6

“Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline.” Revelation 3:19

My Dear Friend,

Because the Lord loves you–He appoints trials for you. Like most effectual medicines, they are neither pleasant to the taste nor in their operation, when first taken–but afterwards they yield a harvest of righteousness and peace. He sends them not for His own pleasure, but for our profit. 

He could relieve you in a moment, but He does not. The plain inference is, that it is good, it is best for us to be afflicted!

I have had my trials, and I can from experience bear testimony to His all-sufficiency and faithfulness.

He does all things well. How can He who is infinitely wise and good, do otherwise?

“My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline and do not resent His rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those He loves, as a father the son he delights in.” Proverbs 3:11-12
~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

When our eyes are opened what do w see? Do we see the things of this world or Jesus? As we read today’s devotion, think about who Jesus is, why He came, and what He has done for us.

Wonderful are the effects when a crucified, glorious Savior is presented!

(Letters of John Newton)

“Whom have I in heaven but You? And earth has nothing I desire besides You!” Psalm 73:25-26

There is nothing that I desire more, than frequent, lively, and heart-affecting views of Jesus; who, like the brazen serpent of old, was lifted up on the cross–that we, beholding Him by faith, might live; even though the old serpent has so often stung us and filled us with the baneful, painful poison of sin!

Wonderful are the effects when a crucified, glorious Savior is presented . . .
by the power of the Spirit,
in the light of the Word,
to the eye of faith!

This sight of the crucified, glorious Savior . . .
destroys the love of sin,
heals the wounds of guilt,
softens the hard heart,
fills the soul with peace, love and joy,
and makes obedience practical, desirable and pleasant.

If we could see more of Him–we would look less at other things. But, alas! Unbelief places a veil before our sight, and worldly-mindedness draws our eyes another way. Some vain hope, or vain fear, or vain delight–comes in like a black cloud and hides our Beloved from our eyes.
~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

Today we complete our study of the Book of Galatians.

Galatians 5:16-6:18

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. (5:16)

Introduction

The flesh against the Spirit (5:16-26)

Walk in the Spirit (5:16)

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

Warfare between the flesh and the Spirit (5:17-26)

¹⁷ For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.¹⁸ But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.¹⁹ Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,²⁰ Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,²¹ Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,²³ Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.²⁴ And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.²⁵ If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.²⁶ Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

Christian fellowship and duties (6:1-18)

Bear each other’s burdens (6:1-5)

Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.² Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.³ For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.⁴ But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.⁵ For every man shall bear his own burden.

Those who teach to be supplied by those taught (6:6)

⁶ Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.

Reaping after patient watering (6:7-9)

⁷ Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.⁸ For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.⁹ And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Love and do good to Christians (6:10-15)

¹⁰ As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. ¹¹ Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand.¹² As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.¹³ For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.¹⁴ But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.¹⁵ For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.

Paul’s farewell (16-18)

¹⁶ And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.¹⁷ From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.¹⁸ Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

Conclusion

Walk in the Spirit

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Sunday I filled the pulpit for a local Pastor. I preached a message on obedience. Part of that message included being obedient to the Word of God. Today’s devotional deals with walking by the rule of the Word of God.

Enjoy and be challenged.

He who walks by Scripture rule

(Thomas Brooks)

“How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to Your Word.” Psalm 119:9

“I have hidden Your Word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119:11

If you would not be outwitted by any of Satan’s evil schemes, then walk by the rule of the Word of God.

He who walks by Scripture rule, walks most safely.
He who walks by Scripture rule, walks most honorably.
He who walks by Scripture rule, walks most sweetly.

When men throw off the Word, then God throws them off–and then Satan takes them by the hand, and leads them into snares at his pleasure.

He who thinks himself too good to be ruled by the Word, will be found too bad to be owned by God; and if God does not, or will not own him–then Satan will by his stratagems overthrow him. Those who walk by Scripture rule, shall be kept in the hour of temptation.

“Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night.” Psalm 1:1-2

“Sanctify them by the truth; Your Word is truth.” John 17:17
~  ~  ~  ~

It is expedient for us to obey God’s Word.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Last week we looked at Israel’s sad decision.

Today, we will look at Josiah’s wise decision.

Second Chronicles 34 and 35 tell of us about King Josiah. Manasseh, the wicked King of Judah, is dead. Amnon, his son, reigns two years and is killed by his servants. Eight year old Josiah takes the throne.

First, he sought the Lord. Then, he purged the high places, groves, carved images, and molten images.

“Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem one and thirty years.² And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the ways of David his father, and declined neither to the right hand, nor to the left.³ For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father: and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images.” (34:1-3)

Second, he repairs the Temple.

“Now in the eighteenth year of his reign, when he had purged the land, and the house, he sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, and Maaseiah the governor of the city, and Joah the son of Joahaz the recorder, to repair the house of the Lord his God.” (34:8)

Third, the Book of the Law is found and read.

“And Hilkiah answered and said to Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the Lord. And Hilkiah delivered the book to Shaphan.¹⁶ And Shaphan carried the book to the king, and brought the king word back again, saying, All that was committed to thy servants, they do it.¹⁷ And they have gathered together the money that was found in the house of the Lord, and have delivered it into the hand of the overseers, and to the hand of the workmen.¹⁸ Then Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath given me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king.¹⁹ And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the law, that he rent his clothes.²⁰ And the king commanded Hilkiah, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Abdon the son of Micah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah a servant of the king’s, saying,²¹ Go, enquire of the Lord for me, and for them that are left in Israel and in Judah, concerning the words of the book that is found: for great is the wrath of the Lord that is poured out upon us, because our fathers have not kept the word of the Lord, to do after all that is written in this book.” (34:15-21)

Fourth, King Josiah’s tender heart.

“And as for the king of Judah, who sent you to enquire of the Lord, so shall ye say unto him, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel concerning the words which thou hast heard;²⁷ Because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God, when thou heardest his words against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, and humbledst thyself before me, and didst rend thy clothes, and weep before me; I have even heard thee also, saith the Lord.” (34:26-27)

Fifth, The Word is read before the people and a covenant made.

“And the king went up into the house of the Lord, and all the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the priests, and the Levites, and all the people, great and small: and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant that was found in the house of the Lord. ³¹ And the king stood in his place, and made a covenant before the Lord, to walk after the Lord, and to keep his commandments, and his testimonies, and his statutes, with all his heart, and with all his soul, to perform the words of the covenant which are written in this book.³² And he caused all that were present in Jerusalem and Benjamin to stand to it. And the inhabitants of Jerusalem did according to the covenant of God, the God of their fathers.” (34:30-32)

Sixth, King Josiah kept the Passover.

“Moreover Josiah kept a passover unto the Lord in Jerusalem: and they killed the passover on the fourteenth day of the first month.” (35:1)

Josiah was the last Godly King of Judah.  The wickedness of Manasseh would not be overturned and Judah was destined to seventy years of captivity under the Babylonians.

Sin has its consequences. As believers, we should never feel we can rebel against God and get away with it. We can’t.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

 

Good morning,

How sad it is to reject God, His Word, and His messengers.

Second Kings 17 explains how the nation of Israel, the ten northern tribes, rebelled against God. It also tells the consequence of their rebellion.

ISRAEL’S REBELLION

For so it was, that the children of Israel had sinned against the Lord their God, which had brought them up out of the land of Egypt, from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and had feared other gods,⁸ And walked in the statutes of the heathen, whom the Lord cast out from before the children of Israel, and of the kings of Israel, which they had made.⁹ And the children of Israel did secretly those things that were not right against the Lord their God, and they built them high places in all their cities, from the tower of the watchmen to the fenced city. (17:7-9)

And they rejected his statutes, and his covenant that he made with their fathers, and his testimonies which he testified against them; and they followed vanity, and became vain, and went after the heathen that were round about them, concerning whom the Lord had charged them, that they should not do like them.¹⁶ And they left all the commandments of the Lord their God, and made them molten images, even two calves, and made a grove, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served Baal. ¹⁷ And they caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire, and used divination and enchantments, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger.¹⁸ Therefore the Lord was very angry with Israel, and removed them out of his sight: there was none left but the tribe of Judah only. (17:15-18)

GOD’S REQUIRES OBEDIENCE TO HIS COMMANDMENTS

Yet the Lord testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, and by all the seers, saying, Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments and my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets. (17:13)

ISRAEL’S FINAL ANSWER

Notwithstanding they would not hear, but hardened their necks, like to the neck of their fathers, that did not believe in the Lord their God. (17:14)

GOD’S JUDGMENT

And the Lord rejected all the seed of Israel, and afflicted them, and delivered them into the hand of spoilers, until he had cast them out of his sight.²¹ For he rent Israel from the house of David; and they made Jeroboam the son of Nebat king: and Jeroboam drave Israel from following the Lord, and made them sin a great sin.²² For the children of Israel walked in all the sins of Jeroboam which he did; they departed not from them;²³ Until the Lord removed Israel out of his sight, as he had said by all his servants the prophets. So was Israel carried away out of their own land to Assyria unto this day. (17:20-23)

We must each look into the mirror of Scripture and make sure we are obeying God’s commandments. Failure to follow God’s plan is a recipe for failure.

Judah, a few years later, is also rebellious and the Babylonians conquer them.

The question each one of us must answer is, “Are we willing to walk with God, keep ALL His commandments, or rebel against God and His Word?”

How we respond will determine our success or failure in this life and ultimately whether we end up in Heaven or hell.

Choose wisely.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001