Good morning,

The Christian journey is one of faith. Faith that God knows what He is doing. God is in charge during the good and bad times. Sometimes we learn why and sometimes we do not. But God knows our hearts and will take care of us.

Please read with this in mind.

Later you will understand

(Charles Naylor, “When Adversity Comes” 1944)

“You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” John 13:7

A few years ago a young preacher came to me and told me his troubles. He was passing through a time of darkness that he could not understand. Several months ago he called upon me again, and in the course of our conversation he referred to the time of trouble through which he had passed. He said, “Those things that I could not understand at that time, have taught me lessons which have prepared me to help many souls as I never could have, had I not had those severe trials.” 

Yes, things look different now. He can now see God’s hand in it. He can see that those difficult things were a blessing to his own soul and to the souls of others. He can see that he had been in God’s school of adversity and knew it not. He thought these things were destructive to him, but when he looked back upon them with clear vision and a knowledge of God’s purpose–he saw real blessing in them. He saw them as manifestations of the wisdom and kindness of God, and he thanked God for those things which had been bitter and hard to bear.

Are you passing through difficult things which you cannot now understand?

Does it look as if these things are ruining you?

Just trust God and be patient. Out of your night of bitterness, out of your darkness and woe–will come strength of character, a blessed realization of God’s faithfulness, and a knowledge of Him and yourself which can come to you in no other way. You will look back in time to come, and thank God for His wise care and tender love for you which brought you to these things, and realize that it was His hand leading you to better and richer things beyond.
~  ~  ~  ~
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

We continue our study of the Book of Galatians.

Galatians 4:1-5:15

Redeemed from the Law

But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,⁵ To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. (4:4-5)

Introduction

Bondage under the elements of the world (4:1-3)

Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;² But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.³ Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:

Redeemed from the law, believers are Sons of God (4:4-7)

⁴ But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,⁵ To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.⁶ And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. ⁷ Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

The chains of the law and the freedom of faith (4:8-18)

⁸ Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.⁹ But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?¹⁰ Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.¹¹ I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labor in vain.¹² Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am; for I am as ye are: ye have not injured me at all.¹³ Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first.¹⁴ And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.¹⁵ Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.¹⁶ Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?¹⁷ They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them.¹⁸ But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you.

The Allegory: Hagar and Sarah (4:19-31)

¹⁹ My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,²⁰ I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you.²¹ Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?²² For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. ²³ But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.²⁴ Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Hagar.²⁵ For this Hagar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.²⁶ But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.²⁷ For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.²⁸ Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.²⁹ But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.³⁰ Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman. ³¹ So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.

Christ’s mission of no value if man justified by circumcision (5:1-15)

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.² Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. ³ For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.⁴ Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.⁵ For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.⁶ For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.⁷ Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?⁸ This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you.⁹ A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.¹⁰ I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.¹¹ And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.¹² I would they were even cut off which trouble you.¹³ For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.¹⁴ For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.¹⁵ But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.

CONCLUSION

We are redeemed from the law

 

Good morning,

God’s word, the Bible, is a sacred book. Written by God to help us know Him, His attributes, nature, works, and desire for His children.

Do we approach God’s word with reverence? Are we in awe when we read God’s lover letter to us? Do we believe what it says? Are we willing to stake our lives on it?

Today’s devotion will challenge our thinking about how we approach the Word of God.

Sacrilege! 

(Octavius Winslow)

Cultivate a profound reverence for God’s Word. Nothing is more grievous to the Holy Spirit than a trifling with Revelation. The words of Scripture are divinely inspired, “Holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”

Beware of referring to it with levity. To use the words of Scripture irreverently, or to employ its phraseology flippantly, is . . .
to cast discredit upon inspiration,
to press it into the service of the flesh, and
to make the Word of God the jest book of the profane.
This is awful trifling with the thoughts and words of the Holy Spirit!

Stand in awe of this Holy Book! 

God says, “I will bless those who have humble and contrite hearts, who tremble at My Word.” Isaiah 66:2

“Then all who trembled at the Words of the God of Israel…” Ezra 9:4

“My flesh trembles in fear of you; I stand in awe of Your laws.” Psalm 119:120

“My heart stands in awe of Your Word.” Psalm 119:161
“God’s name is taken more times in vain in churches than anywhere else.
The blasphemy in the sanctuary is worse than the blasphemy in the street!” MacArthur

(Editor’s note: How very sad is it that many professing Christians use the holy Word of God to amuse others with ‘bible jokes’ and in other trifling and irreverent ways. Much of today’s pseudo Christian music, movies and children’s literature use the Word of God in a flippant manner, if not in a downright profane and sacrilegious way.)
~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

Did you know our world is perishing? Ever since sin entered the world, it has been going downhill. What God created as “very good”, is now corrupt.

So why is it that we Christians cling so closely to the things of this world? Would we rather live here than in Heaven? Heaven is perfect. No sin, corruption, or decay. It will be perfect for all eternity.

That sounds better than this present world. Come quickly Lord Jesus!

We find that they are empty bubbles!

(J.C. Ryle)

“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world–the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does–comes not from the Father but from the world!” 1 John 2:15-16

The possession of the whole world and all that it contains, will never make a person happy. Its pleasures are false and deceptive! Its riches, rank, and honors, have no power to satisfy the heart! So long as we have not got them–they glitter, sparkle, and seem desirable. The moment we have them–we find that they are empty bubbles, and cannot make us feel content!

And, worst of all, when we possess this world’s good things to the utmost bound of our desire–we cannot keep them! Death comes in and separates us from all our property forever! Naked we came upon earth, and naked we go forth–and of all our possessions, we can carry nothing with us.

Such is the world, which occupies the whole attention of thousands!

Such is the world, for the sake of which millions are every year destroying their souls!

“This world is fading away, along with everything that people crave!” 1 John 2:17
~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Today’s devotion was written in 1872. However, it is as relevant today as it was then.

Idol worship comes in many forms. If anything becomes more important to you than God, it is an idol. God abhors all forms of idol worship.

Little children, keep yourselves from idols!

(“Every Day!” Author unknown, 1872)

“You shall have no other gods before Me!“ Exodus 20:3

Though there is no danger of our bowing down to graven images–to gods that have eyes and see not, ears and hear not–none are exempt from the danger of being idolaters in spirit. There are gods many and lords many, in lands of Bibles and gospel privileges–as truly as in heathen countries!

Wealth, honor, sports and pleasure–are the idols of multitudes.
Gold is as truly worshiped–as Baal once was!
Self is as really the idol of many now–as Diana of the Ephesians was anciently.

Then, too, there are “household gods“–idols in family life. Affection in the various relationships we sustain, which is proper and lovely in a right degree–too often becomes idolatrous.

Christians have need to be warned against idolatry, as well as others. The exhortation, “Little children, keep yourselves from idols!” was addressed to believers.

Remember, my soul, that whatever may lead your highest affection and supreme devotion away from God your Savior–would be to you an idol!

Help me, O Lord, to watch and pray against the sin of idolatry in all its forms. Show me more of Your glory and Your grace–and ever hold the highest place in my heart!

“The dearest idol I have known,
Whatever that idol be,
Help me to tear it from Your throne,
And worship only Thee!”
~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Why do we love Jesus? This question will be answered in today’s devotion. As you read, think about all Christ has done for you. Then prayerfully think about the answer to the question, “Do you love me?”

All this I have done for you–do you love Me?

(“Every Day!” Author unknown, 1872)

“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:6-8

“Do you love Me?” John 21:17

Does not Jesus in thus appealing to me, in effect say: 

“For you, I left the realms of glory, and the adoration of ten thousand times ten thousand holy ones!

For you, I became incarnate, took on the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.

For you, I obeyed the law, and wrought a perfect righteousness for your justification.

For you, I endured the cross, and despised the shame.

For you, I gave My back to the smiters, and My cheeks to those who plucked off the hair.

For you, I endured the crown of thorns, and gave My hands and My feet to be nailed to the tree.

For you, I shed My blood, and laid down My life!

I loved you with a love of pity and compassion–when you were dead in trespasses and sins!

I opened your eyes, revealed to you your sinfulness and guilt, and awakened your cry for mercy.

I sought you in your wanderings–and found you!

I brought you up out of the horrible pit, and miry clay–and set your feet upon the rock.

I have loved you with an everlasting love–and therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn you!

All this I have done for you–do you love Me?”

“We love Him, because He first loved us!” 1 John 4:19

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Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Chapters 2 and 3 of Galatians, Paul teaches on justification by faith. He has made his case for his apostleship and now gets down to the reason for writing this letter.

Galatians 2:15-3:29

Justification by Faith

Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. (2:16)

Introduction

All people must be justified by faith in Christ (2:15-18)

Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.¹⁷ But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.¹⁸ For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.

Counted dead to the law (2:19—21)

For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.²⁰ I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.²¹ I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

The Holy Spirit comes by faith (3:1-5)

O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?² This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?³ Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?⁴ Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.⁵ He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

Abraham’s spiritual children (3:6-9)

 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.⁷ Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.⁸ And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.⁹ So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

One under the law is accursed (3:10-12)

For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.¹¹ But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.¹² And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.

Christ redeemed us from the law curse (3:13-18)

Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:¹⁴ That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.¹⁵ Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man’s covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto. ¹⁶ Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. ¹⁷ And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.¹⁸ For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.

The law a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ as condemned sinners (3:19-24)

Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.²⁰ Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.²¹ Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.²² But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.²³ But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. ²⁴ Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

All believers are children of God (3:25-29)

But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.²⁶ For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.²⁷ For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.²⁸ There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.²⁹ And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

We need internal illumination!

(Archibald Alexander, 1772-1851)

“When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth.” (John 16:13)

A genuine Christian is not only taught out of the Word, but by the Holy Spirit. External teaching, however correct, is not sufficient. We need internal illumination by the Spirit. Not that this divine Instructor teaches anything different from the Word. No! He takes of the things of Christ and shows them unto us. He is the Spirit of truth and will guide the disciples into all truth.

What are some of the lessons which the Spirit teaches? 

1. The Spirit teaches us the worth of the soul.

2. The Spirit teaches us the value of time.

3. The Spirit teaches us to venerate the holy Scriptures as the infallible rule to guide our faith and practice.

4. The Spirit teaches us of our ruined and condemned state. He gives the soul a glimpse of indwelling sin–by which it is convinced of its total depravity. Oh, what a multitude of evils! What a fountain of impurity! What a mass of corruption! The heart is found to be deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. There is found nothing in it truly good.

5. The Spirit teaches us to prize Christ above all. “To you who believe–He is precious.” The disciple treasures Jesus as . . .
his infallible Prophet,
his sovereign King,
his sin-atoning Priest.

6. The Spirit teaches us to roll all our burdens on the Lord, and to live outside of ourselves–by daily desiring vital supplies from Christ.

7. The Spirit teaches us the beauty of holiness.

8. The Spirit teaches us the reality and sweetness of communion with God. While many are contented to worship in the outward court–the Christian desires to penetrate into the holy of holies, where he can hear the words, and see the resplendent face of Immanuel.
~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Israel are God’s chosen people. They were blessed by God, given His promises, covenants, and leadership. This was a picture for what was to come.

The fulfillment came in the person of Jesus Christ. God’s perfect lamb, who paid the penalty for man’s sin, once for all.

Read today’s devotion with this in mind.

Surely God is good to Israel–to those who are pure in heart!

(“Every Day!” Author unknown, 1872)

“Blessed are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD!” Deuteronomy 33:29

Were God’s ancient people distinguished among all nations for their privileges and blessings? Then much more happy are God’s spiritual Israel. They are redeemed from a viler slavery than that of Egypt, and with a more glorious manifestation of power and grace.

Believers now have not the tabernacle in the wilderness, nor the temple at Jerusalem–but they have all the precious realities typified by them. They are not mere outer-court worshipers, but have access to the Holy of holies through the blood of the Lamb.

They are not fed with the manna of the desert, but with “the True Bread of Heaven.”

They do not drink of the waters of the rock of Horeb, but of the river of life flowing from the Rock, Christ Jesus.

They do not have in prospect an earthly Canaan, but a heavenly city, whose builder and Maker is God.

They do not have a temporal inheritance–but an incorruptible, undefiled and unfading inheritance!

Israel of old had the shadows, Christians now have the substance.

“Surely God is good to Israel–to those who are pure in heart!” Psalm 73:1
~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

A universal truth is that all have sinned.

What does sin mean to us?

Today’s devotional will help define sin for us.

A cheat, a deceiver, and a destroyer!

(C.D. Cole)

Sin is an obvious fact of experience, of observation, and of Scripture revelation.

I feel it in my own heart–and I see in others, even in my best friends and loved ones.

The policeman pursues it,
the physician prescribes for it,
the law reveals it,
conscience condemns it,
God surely punishes it,
and yet nobody likes to own it!

As a matter of fact–sin is all that anyone really owns; he is merely a steward of everything else he may possess. As obvious as sin is, there is a proneness to treat it like some folks treat their trashy relatives–it is ignored and even denied.

Sin may be defined–but it cannot be fully explained. How sin got started in the universe, is a profound mystery. It had no place in the original creation, which God pronounced good. Sin is a parasite, an interloper in the moral system, and a terrible monstrosity. Sin made its appearance on earth in a garden of delights–and then it turned this fair earth into a wilderness of woe! In the original creation we read only of Heaven and earth–but after sin entered, we are told of everlasting fire prepared for the Devil, his demons, and all the unrepentant.

Sin is a cheat, a deceiver, and a destroyer!

It promises pleasure–and pays off in pain!

It promises life–and pays off in death and damnation!

It promises profit–and pays off in poverty, and the loss of all good!

Every sin is committed for profit or pleasure. Nobody would sin if he did not think that it would profit in some form or other. There is some profit in sin–but it is short-lived.

Moses took a long look and made the wise choice. He chose to suffer affliction with the people of God–rather than enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. He esteemed the reproach of Christ to be greater riches than the treasures of Egypt. He chose in view of the day of judgment.

Sin is dangerous beyond expression and description. Sin is violation of the moral law of God–and violated divine law cries out for just retribution. Sin is against God, the Judge of all the earth–and must be accounted for before God.

Human society may and often does punish crime–but only God can punish sin. At times, human society may fail to punish the criminal–but God will not fail to punish the sinner who is without a Savior.

All crime against men–is also sin against God.
But not all sin against God–is a crime against men.

Human society punishes men for what they do–but God also punishes men for what they are.

~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001