Good morning,

The religious leaders of Israel want Jesus dead.

“Ye know that after two days is the feast of the Passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified.³ Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas,⁴ And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him.⁵ But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people.” (Matthew 26:2-5)

Judas betrays Jesus to the religious leaders.

“Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, ¹⁵ And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.¹⁶ And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.” (Matthew 26:14-16)

“And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.⁴⁸ Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.⁴⁹ And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.⁵⁰ And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus and took him.” (Matthew 26:47-50)

Trial of Jesus before the religious leaders.

“Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;⁶⁰ But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses,⁶¹ And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.⁶² And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?⁶³ But Jesus held his peace, And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.⁶⁴ Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.⁶⁵ Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy.⁶⁶ What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.” (Matthew 26:59-66)

Peter denies Jesus three times.

“Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.⁷⁰ But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. ⁷¹ And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth.⁷² And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.⁷³ And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech betrayeth thee.⁷⁴ Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.⁷⁵ And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly. (Matthew 26:69-75)

Religious leaders want Jesus crucified.

“But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.²¹ The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas.²² Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified. ²³ And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.” (Matthew 27:20-23)

Jesus crucified, dies, and buried.

“And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull,³⁴ They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.³⁵ And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.³⁶ And sitting down they watched him there; ³⁷ And set up over his head his accusation written, This Is Jesus The King Of The Jews. (Matthew 27:33-37)

“Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.” (Matthew 27:50)

“When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus’ disciple:⁵⁸ He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered.⁵⁹ And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,⁶⁰ And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulcher, and departed.” (Matthew 27:57-60)

If this were the end of the story, it would not be incomplete. Something happened three days later that changed everything.

I will tell you what happened tomorrow!

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

Good morning,

I will be preaching two messages today.

Passover explains the importance of the blood sacrifice.

Jesus became the sacrifice for us. The lamb needed to be perfect, without blemish. Jesus was all that and more.

The resurrection changed everything.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Download (PASSOVER-2018.docx, DOCX, 16KB)

Download (Resurrection.docx, DOCX, 17KB)

Good morning,

The triumphal entrance of Jesus to Jerusalem was a spectacular event. Multitudes lined the roadway. They spread their garments and cut down palm branches and threw them on the road. This procession was one fit for a King.

However, when they arrived in Jerusalem, the people inquired who this was. No welcoming committee. No dignitaries. When they arrived at the Temple, Jesus was greeted by money changers and those who were buying and selling.

Again, no one to welcome King Jesus, Messiah of Israel. In fact, the religious leaders were offended by Him.

Matthew 21:1-17 paints the picture of God’s Messiah Jesus entering into the Holy City, Jerusalem, to rebuke and ridicule.

Triumphal Entry (1-11)

And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples,² Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me.³ And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them.⁴ All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying,⁵ Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.⁶ And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them,⁷ And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon.⁸ And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strewed them in the way.⁹ And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. ¹⁰ And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this?¹¹ And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.

Jesus at the Temple (12-17)

¹² And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the money changers, and the seats of them that sold doves,¹³ And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.¹⁴ And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them.¹⁵ And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the son of David; they were sore displeased,¹⁶ And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?¹⁷ And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there.

Prophecy was being fulfilled. This put the religious leaders in an awkward position. They knew that Jesus was the Messiah. There acknowledgement of this fact would mean that they would lose their lofty positions of power, rank, and wealth. They refused. Their next step was how to silence Jesus. Eventually, it was decided death was the only option.

They unknowingly set in motion the fulfillment of more prophetical Scriptures.

God had this all planned before the beginning of time. He knew every event, each time line, and how it would all turn out.

NEVER EVER be tempted to believe God is not in control of every situation in your life. He is!

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

Christians look at life differently than those of the world. Our foundation is Jesus and the Bible. Everything God wants us to know about life is covered in the Bible. From the cradle to the grave and beyond.

Charles Spurgeon explains this.

This is just the difference between the Christian and the worldling

(Charles Spurgeon)

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.” Job 1:21

“It was good for me to be afflicted–so that I might learn Your decrees.” Psalm 119:71

This is just the difference between the Christian and the worldling:
The worldling blesses God while He gives him plenty,
but the Christian blesses Him when He smites him!

He believes God to be too wise to err–and too good to be unkind.

He trusts God’s heart–where he cannot trace God’s hand.

He looks up to Him in the darkest hour–and believes that all is well.

“We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who
love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28
~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Sin is our enemy. Sin produces nothing good in the believer’s life. It is prudent for us put away sin.

Henry Law explains why.

It is the vile monster!

(Henry Law, “Family Prayers”)

God Almighty, holy Father,
We beseech You to deepen in our hearts–the abhorrence of all evil.

May we hate sin with perfect hatred. It is the vile monster which . . .
defies Your power,
casts off Your yoke,
treads down Your lovely law,
defiles our nature,
spreads misery throughout this earth,
brought death into the world, and
nailed the spotless Lamb of God to the accursed tree!

Teach us to look to Jesus on the cross–and so to estimate our sin’s loathsome guilt in Your sight.

There could be no pardon of our sin–but through Your dear Son’s death!

No cleansing could wash out our sin’s filth–but Jesus’ precious blood!

No atonement could expiate the evil of our sin–but the shame, the agony, the bruises of the incarnate God!

We see the boundless price–may we read therein our boundless guilt!

In the infinite payment–show us our infinite debt!

Thus may we . . .
discern the deadly viper in its real malignity,
and tear it with holy indignation from our hearts,
and resolutely turn from its every snare,
and refuse to hold polluting dalliance with it!

“Oh! What a wretched man I am!” Romans 7:24
~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

John 14 speaks of mansions, the way to heaven, love, God’s commandments, the Comforter, and peace.

Meditate on these precious promises.

John 14

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

Introduction

Christ tells of His return (14:1-6)

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.

To know Jesus is to know the Father (14:7-11)

If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.⁸ Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us.⁹ Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?¹⁰ Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.¹¹ Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake.

Believers can do the works Christ did (14:12-15)

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.¹³ And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.¹⁴ If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.¹⁵ If ye love me, keep my commandments.

Promise of the Comforter (14:16-26)

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;¹⁷ Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.¹⁸ I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.¹⁹ Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.²⁰ At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.²¹ He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.²² Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?²³ Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.²⁴ He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.²⁵ These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.²⁶ But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Sweet peace for believers (14:27-31)

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.²⁸ Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.²⁹ And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe. ³⁰ Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.³¹ But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.

Conclusion

Christ will return for His saints

Christ has prepared a dwelling place for us

Christ and the Father are one

Christ will empower believers to do greater works then He did

Christ gives us the Comforter, the Holy Spirit

Christ gives us peace

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Good morning,

Many teach and preach that when we become believers in Christ there are no problems, we are prosperous, and have no pain and suffering.

However, that was not the life Christ led. He preached the word of God. The religious leaders wanted Him stopped. Others believed.

Jesus was hounded by the religious leaders and finally beaten and crucified. Jesus suffered. So will we in this life.

John Newton explains why in today’s devotional.

We must trace His bloody footsteps!

(Letters of John Newton)

“Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.” John 16:33

“To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you–leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps.” 1 Peter 2:21

The Christian life is a warfare–and you must not expect an exemption from the battle.

The Captain of our salvation trod a thorny path Himself–and we must trace His bloody footsteps, and not think to walk to Heaven upon a soft carpet. If we could–then what need would we have of shoes of iron and brass?

Those who are now reaping in joy–sowed in tears when they were here. And why should not we? The way to Heaven is through many trials and sorrows. If we did not meet with such things–we might justly suspect that we had mistaken the road!

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

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Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

John Newton pithy gems

(John Newton)

The more vile we are in our own eyes–the more precious Christ will be to us!
~  ~  ~  ~
How unspeakably wonderful it is–to know that all our concerns are held in those hands which bled for us!
~  ~  ~  ~
Our sea may sometimes be stormy–but we have an infallible Pilot, and shall infallibly gain our port.
~  ~  ~  ~
Our work is great–our time is short–and the consequences of our labors are infinite.
“Hold me up–and I will be safe!” Psalm 119:117
~  ~  ~  ~
My grand point in preaching–is to break the hard heart, and to heal the broken heart.
~  ~  ~  ~
I am persuaded that love and humility are the highest attainments in the school of Christ–and the brightest evidences that He is indeed our Master.
~  ~  ~  ~
We serve a gracious Master–who will overrule even our mistakes to His glory and our own advantage.
~  ~  ~  ~
Can we wish, if it were possible, to walk in a path strewed with flowers—when His path was strewed with thorns?
~  ~  ~  ~
May we sit at the foot of the cross–and there learn . . .
what sin has done,
what justice has done,
what love has done.
~  ~  ~  ~
Healing and wounding are equally from His hand–and equally tokens of His love and care over us.
~  ~  ~  ~
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

If it were up to me, I would want everything to go smoothly, no problems, no pain or sorrow. However, as this devotional shows, it takes the good and bad to grow and mature us. God knows all the things going on in our lives. He is looking out for our best interests.

A chequered life

(Letters of John Newton)

This life that we live in the flesh, is a chequered life.

The grain requires both rain and sunshine to bring it to maturity; but either of them without the other, would destroy the crop.

Thus, if we had only the sun of prosperity–the plant of grace would be burnt up.

If we only had the rain of affliction–the plant of grace would be overwhelmed and drowned.

The Lord, who knows exactly what we are, and where we are–adjusts these different means, in season and measure, as He, in His wisdom, sees most for our advantage.

Were health at all times and in all respects best for those who fear Him–then they would not feel a moment’s illness!

We pass through so many changes, that when it rains–we may always hope for fair weather. And when the sky is bright and serene–we may expect rain before long.

He prescribes all our afflictions–in number, weight, and measure, and season, exactly according to what our case requires!

What a mercy to know that all our concerns are in the hands of Him who so loved us, as to wash us from our sins in His own blood.
~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

---

 

 

Good morning,

Today’s devotion centers in on what is important in life. We are busy doing things. Some good, some not, and many just wasting time.

Martha was consumed by “many things”. She was not focused on the most important thing, Jesus Christ.

That is our challenge today. The things of this world or Jesus.

Read and reflect.

Let this little sentence be continually before the eyes of our minds! 

(J.C. Ryle)

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things–but only one thing is needed!” Luke 10:41-42

Let us observe what a solemn rebuke our Lord Jesus Christ gave to His servant Martha. Like a wise physician—He saw the disease which was preying upon her, and at once applied the remedy. Like a tender parent–He exposed the fault into which His erring child had fallen and did not spare the chastening which was required.

“Martha, Martha,” He said, “you are worried and upset about many things–but only one thing is needed!” Faithful are the wounds of a friend! That little sentence was a precious balm indeed! It contained a volume of practical divinity in a few words!

“Only one thing is needed!” How true that saying! The longer we live in the world, the more true it will appear. The nearer we come to the grave, the more thoroughly we shall assent to it. Health, and money, and lands, and rank, and honors, and prosperity, are all well in their way. But they cannot be called needful. Without them thousands are happy in this world and reach glory in the world to come. The “many things” which men and women are continually struggling for, are not really necessities. The grace of God which brings salvation, is the one thing needful.

Let this little sentence be continually before the eyes of our minds! 
Let it check us when we are ready to murmur at earthly trials.
Let it strengthen us when we are tempted to deny our Master on account of persecution.
Let it caution us when we begin to think too much of the things of this world.
Let it quicken us when we are disposed to look back, like Lot’s wife.
In all such seasons, let the words of our Lord ring in our ears like a trumpet, and bring us to a right mind! “Only one thing is needed!” 

If Christ is ours–then we have all and abound!
~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001