Good morning,

Tonight, we light our second Hanukkah candle.

First Candle

Genesis 1:3-4 describes the creation of the first light:

God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. And God saw that
the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness.

Second Candle

Exodus 13:21-22 reveals that God is the source of Israel’s light:

And the Lord was going before them in a pillar of cloud by day to
lead them on the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them
light, that they might travel by day and by night. He did not take
away the pillar of cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from
before the people.

What did we learn today?

First, light was spoken into existence by God. Light is good. God separated the light from the darkness. (The first candle)

Second, God led the nation of Israel. He gave them literal light to lead them through the wilderness and spiritual light to lead them to Him. (The second candle)

Tomorrow, we will look at the Dreidle and the Third candle.

Happy Hanukkah.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

Tonight, we light our first Hanukkah candle. How we do it is described below.

The Menorah

Eight lights are lit in the Menorah, one for each night of Hanukkah. Most Menorahs burn candles, but some have wicks to burn oil, as did the Temple Menorah long ago.

A special candle, the shammas, is used to light the menorah candles. New candles are lit each night. A new shammas is lit each night, too. The shammas is lit first, and the Hanukkah candles are lit from it.

On the first night of Hanukkah, put the first candle at the right end of the Menorah, as you face it.  On the second night two candles, three on the third night, and so on. Always light the newest candle first, then light the others, from left to right. Place the lighted Menorah in a window, so all may see and share the celebration.

Messianic Hanukkah Candle Lighting

Each night we recite three blessings, acknowledging God’s Lordship, power in working miracles, and sustaining us another year.

Then we acknowledge the Scriptural significance of each candle lit.

Shammash (Servant) Candle

Messiah Yeshua stated in Mark 10:44-45:

Whoever wishes to be first among you shall be the servant of all. For
even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to
give His life a ransom for many.

First Candle

Genesis 1:3-4 describes the creation of the first light:

God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. And God saw that
the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness.

What did we learn today?

First, God is Lord and in control of all things.

Second, we need to be servants, not demanding to be served. (Shammash candle)

Third, light was spoken into existence by God. Light is good. God separated the light from the darkness. (The first candle)

Tomorrow, we will look at the Second candle.

Happy Hanukkah.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

Tomorrow night, 12 December 2017, 25th of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar, is the first night of Hanukkah. John 10:22 states, “And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.” This “feast of the dedication” is a reference to dedication of the temple in 165 BCE.  To understand this verse, we need a history lesson.

Hanukkah is celebrated for eight days and nights, starting on the 25th of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar (which is November-December on the Gregorian calendar). In Hebrew, the word “Hanukkah” means “dedication.”

The holiday commemorates the rededication of the holy Temple in Jerusalem after the Jews’ 165 B.C.E. victory over the Hellenist Syrians. Antiochus, the Greek King of Syria, outlawed Jewish rituals and ordered the Jews to worship Greek gods. In 168 B.C.E. the Jews’ holy Temple was seized and dedicated to the worship of Zeus. Some Jews were afraid of the Greek soldiers and obeyed them, but most were angry and decided to fight back.

The fighting began in Modin, a village not far from Jerusalem. A Greek officer and soldiers assembled the villagers, asking them to bow to an idol and eat the flesh of a pig, activities forbidden to Jews. The officer asked Mattathias, a Jewish High Priest, to take part in the ceremony. He refused, and another villager stepped forward and offered to do it instead. Mattathias became outraged, took out his sword and killed the man, then killed the officer. His five sons and the other villagers then attacked and killed the soldiers. Mattathias’ family went into hiding in the nearby mountains, where many other Jews who wanted to fight the Greeks joined them. They attacked the Greek soldiers whenever possible.

About a year after the rebellion started, Mattathias died. Before his death, he put his brave son Judah Maccabee in charge of the growing army. After three years of fighting, the Jews defeated the Greek army, despite having fewer men and weapons.

Judah Maccabee and his soldiers went to the holy Temple, and were saddened that many things were missing or broken, including the golden menorah. They cleaned and repaired the Temple, and when they were finished, they decided to have a big dedication ceremony. For the celebration, the Maccabees wanted to light the menorah. They looked everywhere for oil, and found a small flask that contained only enough oil to light the menorah for one day. Miraculously, the oil lasted for eight days. This gave them enough time to obtain new oil to keep the menorah lit. Today Jews celebrate Hanukkah for eight days by lighting candles in a menorah every night, thus commemorating the eight-day miracle.

Why is this important to us? First Jesus and all the Apostles celebrated the “feast of the dedication.” Second, this points to Jesus as being the light of the world. (John 8:12)

Each night a candle is lit, prayers made, and Scripture shared as to why Jesus is the light.

These will be our devotionals for Hanukkah.

Happy Hanukkah.

Tom Stearns
WASI Chaplain
907 715-4001

 

 

Good morning,

Trials and tribulations are a part of life. No one enjoys going through them, but they can be a time of blessing or cursing. We choose.

Today’s devotion deals with this area. Hopefully, it will be encouragement and blessing.

Think of all the hard things there are in your life

(Susannah Spurgeon, “Words of Cheer and Comfort for Sick and Sorrowful Souls!” 1898)

“Ah, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You!“ Jeremiah 32:17

“Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah: I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for Me?” Jeremiah 32:26-27

Dear reader, your difficulties and trials may not be similar to those of “the weeping prophet”–but they are very real, and seemingly insurmountable to you. It is a fact that, of yourself, you can neither overcome nor endure them. So I want to remind you that the Lord’s hand is not shortened–that what was true of His power in Jeremiah’s time, is as certainly true today. Whatever present hardship may press upon you, or whatever burden may be weighing you down–you, yes, you may look up to Him with confident faith, and say, “There is nothing too hard for You!”

Oh, the blessed peace which such an assurance brings! I do not know what your particular sorrow or hardship may be–but I do know that, whatever its nature–cruel, or bitter, or hopeless–it is as “nothing” to Him! He is able to deliver you–as easily as you can call upon Him for support and help.

Now, dear friend, think of all the hard things there are in your life:
poor circumstances,
difficult duties,
grievous pains,
sore struggles,
bitter disappointments,
harsh words,
sinful thoughts,
a hard heart of your own,
a hard heart in others.
Gather all these, and many more together, and pile them one on another until you have one great mountain of afflictions–and your God still calmly asks the question: “Is there anything too hard for Me?”

When our hearts are weary of life’s cares and crosses, when our courage flags because of our helplessness, and we cry out with the patriarch, “All these things are against me!”–then what a support and stronghold is the fact that our God has all power in heaven and on earth! There is nothing too mighty for Him to manage–there is nothing too insignificant to escape His notice! Jeremiah’s faith . . .
sees no obstacles,
  stumbles at no hindrances,
faints under no burden,
shrinks from no responsibilities
–because he realizes the sublime Omnipotence of God, and fortifies himself by calling to remembrance His “outstretched arm” in the creation of the heavens and the earth. Cannot we do likewise?

I took up a book in a leisure moment the other day, opened it carelessly, and this is what I read: “It is a scientifically proved fact, that this great globe on which we live, spins around on its axis at the rate of a thousand miles an hour, and propels through space in its orbit at a speed immensely greater!”

The thought of this, seemed almost to take away my breath! Was I calmly and constantly living in the swirl of such a stupendous miracle as this? Then surely I could say, “Ah, Lord God! there is nothing too hard for You! My little troubles and afflictions—how small they must be to You! Yet with what tender compassion, do You stoop from guiding the worlds in their courses–to support and comfort the hearts of those who fear You!”

Never let us give up in despair, while we have such a God to trust in. If there is a great mountain of sorrow or difficulty in your way, dear friend–do not be cast down by the darkness of its shadow. Your God can either make a way for you through it–or He can guide you around it–or, just as easily, He can carry you right over it! There is nothing too hard for Him! Expect Him to make the crooked things straight, and to bring the high things low. And while you keep humbly at His feet, He will work wondrously, and you shall see His salvation!

~  ~  ~  ~

Meditate on these words. Allow God to speak. Listen to His words of comfort. He cares for each one of us.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Seventy-six years ago today, the United States declared war on Japan, for their attack on Pearl Harbor.

Arrogance can be deadly as we will see in today’s devotion. Challenging God is unwise.

The Almighty paid no attention to him, of course

(A.T. Pierson)

Some time ago, an infidel got up in the presence of some atheistic companions, and defied the God of heaven to show Himself in battle. He swung his sword to and fro, and challenged the Almighty to meet him in single combat.

The Almighty paid no attention to him, of course–but He just commissioned a little gnat, so small that it could scarcely be seen, to lodge in his windpipe and choke him to death!

“The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, their deeds are vile.” Psalm 14:1

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Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Today is the completion of our study on Haggai.

Haggai 2

The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the Lord of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the Lord of hosts. (2:9)

INTRODUCTION Ezra 3:8-13, 4:1-24, 5:1-17, 6:1-22

CONSIDER THE FUTURE GLORY OF MY TEMPLE (2:1-9)

God told the people not to be discouraged (2:1-5)

In the seventh month, in the one and twentieth day of the month, came the word of the Lord by the prophet Haggai, saying,² Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and to the residue of the people, saying,³ Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory? and how do ye see it now? is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing?⁴ Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the Lord; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the Lord, and work: for I am with you, saith the Lord of hosts:⁵ According to the word that I covenanted with you when ye came out of Egypt, so my spirit remaineth among you: fear ye not.

The God of glory will be with you in the future – In the Temple of glory in the Millennium (2:6-9)

⁶ For thus saith the Lord of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land;⁷ And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the Lord of hosts.⁸ The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the Lord of hosts.⁹ The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the Lord of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the Lord of hosts.

CONSIDER YOUR BLESSINGS FROM THE COMPLETION OF MY TEMPLE (2:10-23)

The guilt of the people (2:10-14)

¹⁰ In the four and twentieth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the Lord by Haggai the prophet, saying,¹¹ Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Ask now the priests concerning the law, saying,¹² If one bear holy flesh in the skirt of his garment, and with his skirt do touch bread, or pottage, or wine, or oil, or any meat, shall it be holy? And the priests answered and said, No.¹³ Then said Haggai, If one that is unclean by a dead body touch any of these, shall it be unclean? And the priests answered and said, It shall be unclean.¹⁴ Then answered Haggai, and said, So is this people, and so is this nation before me, saith the Lord; and so is every work of their hands; and that which they offer there is unclean.

The cursing of the blessing of God (2:15-19)

¹⁵ And now, I pray you, consider from this day and upward, from before a stone was laid upon a stone in the temple of the Lord:¹⁶ Since those days were, when one came to an heap of twenty measures, there were but ten: when one came to the pressfat for to draw out fifty vessels out of the press, there were but twenty.¹⁷ I smote you with blasting and with mildew and with hail in all the labors of your hands; yet ye turned not to me, saith the Lord. ¹⁸ Consider now from this day and upward, from the four and twentieth day of the ninth month, even from the day that the foundation of the Lord’s temple was laid, consider it.¹⁹ Is the seed yet in the barn? yea, as yet the vine, and the fig tree, and the pomegranate, and the olive tree, hath not brought forth: from this day will I bless you.

Battle of Armageddon (2:20-22)

²⁰ And again the word of the Lord came unto Haggai in the four and twentieth day of the month, saying,²¹ Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I will shake the heavens and the earth;²² And I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms, and I will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the heathen; and I will overthrow the chariots, and those that ride in them; and the horses and their riders shall come down, every one by the sword of his brother.

The glory of Zerubbabel (2:23)

²³ In that day, saith the Lord of hosts, will I take thee, O Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel, saith the Lord, and will make thee as a signet: for I have chosen thee, saith the Lord of hosts.

CONCLUSION

• Finish what you start (Whole book)
• Until God is 1st, your personal life will be fruitless (1:6)
• When you don’t give to God, God will take from you (1:9-11)
• Obey God first, before you feel His presence, then His stirrings will come (1:12-14)
• When you have constant problems, consider your ways (1:5-7)
• Even though things may be bad now, God always has future blessings for His people (2:3-9)
• Good things in a sinful life do not cleanse it, but sinful things in a good life defile it (2:11-14)

 

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

The only true reformer of mankind!

(J.C. Ryle)

Political and social reforms labor in vain–because they ignore the fall of Adam and original sin. These are great stubborn facts, which ruin all their calculations. Without acknowledging the reality and consequences of sin–the great problems of human nature can never be solved.

How much we ought to hate sin, and to make the checking of sin the first object in our efforts to do good! How much we ought to long and strive to promote the progress of the Gospel of Christ! This, after all, is the only true reformer of mankind. Just in proportion as men are brought under the influence of the despised old Gospel–will be the increase of peace on earth and goodwill among men.

The more Christ is known and loved, and the more the Bible is read–the more will the inhabitants of the earth love one another. The more grace reigns over hearts and lives–the less hatred and violence will there be in the world. If pure and undefiled religion prevailed everywhere–then such plagues and pests and nuisances as quarreling, robbing, murder, drunkenness, immorality, swindling, gambling, idleness, lying, and cheating would be comparatively unknown. Most of the prisons and workhouses would soon be shut. Lawyers and policemen would have little to do. Taxes would be cut in half.

He is the truest friend to human happiness–who does the most to spread the knowledge of Christ and evangelize the world!

~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

John Newton was a wicked man. A slave trader and slave. When he became a Christian, God miraculously changed him.

This devotion is a testament to his changed life.

This should challenge and encourage each of us.

In this precious Book!

(John Newton)

“From childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 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 complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work!” 2 Timothy 3:15-17

Set a high value upon the Word of God. All that is necessary to make you wise to salvation is there–and there alone.

In this precious Book, you may find . . .
a direction for every doubt,
a solution of every difficulty, and
a promise suited to every circumstance you can be in.

There you may be informed of your disease caused by sin–and the remedy provided by grace.

In the Scriptures, you may be instructed to know . . .
yourselves,
Jesus Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge,
the wonders of redeeming love,
the glories of the Redeemer’s person,
the happiness of the redeemed people,
the power of faith, and
the beauty of holiness.
All are here fully and clearly represented.

Nothing is lacking in the Scriptures to make . . .
life useful and comfortable,
death safe and desirable, and
to bring down something of Heaven upon earth.

But this true wisdom can be found nowhere else. If you wander from the Scriptures, in pursuit either of present peace, or future hope–then your search will surely end in disappointment.

This is the fountain of living waters! If you forsake it, and give the preference to broken cisterns of your own devising–then they will fail you when you most need them.

Rejoice, therefore, that such a treasure is put into your hand–but rejoice with trembling. Remember this is not all you need–unless God likewise gives you a heart to use the Scriptures aright–then your privilege will only aggravate your guilt and misery.

~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

What will Heaven be like? Today’s devotion will explore what will be in Heaven and what won’t be.

All these things shall have no place in Heaven!

(J.C. Ryle, “Shall We Know One Another in Heaven?” 1870)

I pity that man who never thinks about Heaven. I mean by “Heaven” the future dwelling-place of all true Christians, when the dead are raised, and the world has passed away. Cold and unfeeling must that heart be, which never gives a thought to that dwelling-place! Dull and earthly must that mind be, which never considers Heaven.

We may die any day. “In the midst of life, we are in death.” We must all die sooner or later. The youngest, the fairest, the strongest, the cleverest–all must go down one day before the scythe of the King of Terrors. This world shall not go on for ever as it does now. Its affairs shall at last be wound up.

Now, what will Heaven be like? The question, no doubt, is a deep one, but there is nothing presumptuous in looking at it. The man who is about to sail for Australia or New Zealand as a settler, is naturally anxious to know something about his future home, its climate, its employments, its inhabitants, its ways, and its customs. All of these are subjects of deep interest to him.

In the same way, you are leaving the land of your nativity–and you are going to spend the rest of your life in a new world. It would be strange indeed if you did not desire information about your new abode.

Now surely, if we hope to dwell for ever in that “better country, even a heavenly one”–then we ought to seek all the knowledge we can get about it. Before we go to our eternal home–we should try to become acquainted with it.

Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people.

All who are found there, will be of one mind and of one experience:

chosen by the same Father,

washed in the same blood of atonement,

and renewed by the same Spirit.

Universal and perfect holiness, love, and knowledge–will be the eternal law of the kingdom.

Heaven is the eternal presence of everything that can make a saint happy–and the eternal absence of everything that can cause sorrow. Sickness, and pain, and disease, and death, and wickedness, and poverty, and labor, and money, and care, and ignorance, and misunderstanding, and slander, and lying, and quarrels, and envies, and bad tempers, and infidelity, and superstition, and heresy, and schism, and wars, and fightings, and bloodshed, and murders, and law-suits–all, all these things shall have no place in Heaven! On earth, in this present time, they may live and flourish. In Heaven even their footprints shall not be known.

“Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; He will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes!” Revelation 7:16-17

~  ~  ~  ~

I am looking forward to going to Heaven. I will not miss the things of this world.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

God cares for us. In the good times and bad, God is in control.

There is no such thing as “chance,” “luck,” or “accident” in the Christian’s journey through this world!

(J.C. Ryle, “The Gospel of Luke” 1858)

“I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that can do no more.  . . . Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not be afraid–you are worth more than many sparrows!” Luke 12:4-7

The last thing that demands our attention in these verses, is Christ’s encouragement to persecuted believers. He reminds them of God’s providential care over the least of His creatures: “Not one sparrow is forgotten by God!” He goes on to assure them that the same Fatherly care is engaged on behalf of each one of themselves: “The very hairs of your head are all numbered!” 

The providential government of God over everything in this world is a truth of which the Greek and Roman philosophers had no conception. It is a truth which is especially revealed to us in the Word of God. Just as the telescope and microscope show us that there is order and design in all the works of God’s hand, from the greatest planet down to the least insect–so does the Bible teach us that there is wisdom, order, and design in all the events of our daily life. There is no such thing as “chance,” “luck,” or “accident” in the Christian’s journey through this world! If we profess to be believers in Jesus Christ–then all is arranged and appointed by God. “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

Let us seek to have an abiding sense of God’s hand in all that befalls us. Let us strive to realize that our Father’s hand is measuring out our daily portion–and that our every step is ordered by Him.

A daily practical faith of this kind, is one grand secret of happiness—and a mighty antidote against murmuring and discontent!

We should try to feel in the day of trial and disappointment–that all is right, and that all is well done. We should try to feel on the bed of sickness–that there must be a “needs be” for it. We should say to ourselves, “God could keep these afflictions away from me–if He thought fit. But He does not do so, and therefore they must be for my advantage. I will lie still, and bear them patiently. Whatever pleases God–shall please me!”

Nothing whatever, whether great or small, can happen to a believer–without God’s ordering and permission.

~  ~  ~  ~

That should be an encouragement to all of us. Our God is intimately involved in every aspect of our lives. HE CARES.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001