Good morning,

More of J.C. Ryle’s gems.

J.C. Ryle Gems #5

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To be Christian, will cost a man his love of ease!

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The tree falls with a great crash, but the secret decay which accounts for it–is often not discovered until it is down on the ground. Just so, men fall in private–long before they fall in public!

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Growth in grace is one way to be happy in our religion.
God has wisely linked together our comfort–and our increase in holiness.

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The children of God all have a cross to bear.
A suffering Savior generally has suffering disciples.

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We know nothing of humility by nature–for we are all born proud!

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Naked we came upon earth–and naked we depart.
Of all our possessions–we can carry nothing with us.

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There is more to be learned at the foot of the Cross–than anywhere else in the world!

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People will never set their faces decidedly towards Heaven, and live like pilgrims–until they really feel that they are in danger of Hell.

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Let us be real, honest, and sincere in our Christianity.
We cannot deceive an all-seeing God!

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The best of men–are men at best!

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Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Sometimes we forget that God is in control. Our food, wealth, comfort, are all provided by Him. We are not self-made men and women. We owe everything we are to God.

This devotional helps us to focus in on this truth.

All that we need drops from His palm!

(James Smith, “The Evening Sacrifice; Or, A Help to Devotion” 1859)

“The eyes of all look to You–and You give them their food at the proper time. You open your hand, and satisfy the desires of every living thing.” Psalm 145:15-16

All our supplies come from God, therefore our dependence should be on Him, and our expectations from Him. Creatures act towards us in kindness and sympathy–according to His direction.

The eyes of all creation are upon the Lord, and all the tribes of His creatures are fed by His hand. How much more, then, should His children look to Him, seek from Him, and expect to be supplied by Him!

Whatever God does–He does wisely and seasonably; and whatever He gives–is in season. When our needs are felt, and our cry is heard–then our supply is certain. It is but for God to open His hand–and all that we need drops from His palm! When God’s hand opens–our desires will soon be satisfied. Every temporal mercy, every spiritual gift, and all the supplies needed by our souls–lie in the hand of God for us. He loves for us to fix our eyes on Him, to lift up our voice to Him, and seek every blessing from Him.

Merciful Lord, You have fed us this day. Your loving heart and open hand have supplied all our needs. We gratefully acknowledge Your wondrous goodness, and bless You for Your suitable supplies. And now, O Lord, close up the day with us in mercy–give us a sense of Your forgiving love, and faith in Your protecting care. Help us to cast every care on You, and to fall asleep tonight as on a parent’s bosom. Let Your peace pervade us, and inspire us with strong confidence in Your providential protection.

“Behold, as the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid look to the hand of her mistress–so our eyes look to the LORD our God, till He shows us His mercy.” Psalm 123:2

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Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

The Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur begins on Friday evening at sunset. The day of atonement (Leviticus 16) is the most holy day on the Jewish calendar. Today we will see why.

YOM KIPPUR

THE DAY OF ATONEMENT

29 And this shall be a statute for ever unto you: that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, ye shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger that sojourneth among you: 30 For on that day shall the priest make an atonement for you, to cleanse you, that ye may be clean from all your sins before the Lord. 31 It shall be a sabbath of rest unto you, and ye shall afflict your souls, by a statute for ever. 32 And the priest, whom he shall anoint, and whom he shall consecrate to minister in the priest’s office in his father’s stead, shall make the atonement, and shall put on the linen clothes, even the holy garments: 33 And he shall make an atonement for the holy sanctuary, and he shall make an atonement for the tabernacle of the congregation, and for the altar, and he shall make an atonement for the priests, and for all the people of the congregation. 34 And this shall be an everlasting statute unto you, to make an atonement for the children of Israel for all their sins once a year. And he did as the Lord commanded Moses. (Leviticus 16:29-34, also reference Leviticus 23:27-32 and Numbers 29:7-11)

INTRODUCTION

Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the most solemn day in the Jewish calendar. The Bible prescribes Yom Kippur as a day of affliction (Lev 16; 23:26-32). In the ancient world, the High Priest woke up early, donned his priestly garments, and sacrificed a bull for both himself and his family. He then cast lots over two goats, choosing one for the Lord and designating the other as the goat to remove sin. Only on this day did the High Priest enter into the Holy of Holies in the Temple to offer incense and sprinkle blood on the Ark of the Covenant. Before concluding the sacrifices by burning both the bull and the goat, the High Priest placed blood from the Lord’s goat onto the second goat. He then cast the second goat into the wilderness, thus symbolically removing Israel’s sin.

In modern observance, Yom Kippur involves a fast from both food and drink. Many spend the entire day praying in the synagogue. During the Ten Days of Awe preceding Yom Kippur, many Jewish people give tzedakah (charity) which some consider a replacement for the animal sacrifice. A small segment of the Orthodox Jewish community practices kapparot, a ceremony in which a person waves a chicken over his head, before killing the chicken as a symbolic transfer of sin. According to tradition, the Book of Life and the Book of the Dead are closed on Yom Kippur, and the fates of those within the books are sealed for the coming year.

Followers of Jesus the Messiah confidently look forward to eternal life, because our names are written in the Book of Life. When Jesus died, the veil of the Holy of Holies ripped in two, symbolically breaking a barrier between humans and the presence of God. Previously, only the High Priest had access to this room, and he only entered it once a year on Yom Kippur (Matt. 27:51). However, Jesus’ death gives believers access to God, because He entered into the Heavenly Holy of Holies to offer His blood for our redemption (Heb 9:11-12). Unlike the Israelites’ annual sacrifices on Yom Kippur, Jesus’ one sacrifice continues to provide atonement to this day. Yom Kippur, for followers of Jesus, reminds us of the certainty of our redemption through the blood of our Messiah and High Priest, Jesus.

Yom Kippur also reminds us of the ultimate salvation of the Jewish people. The prophet Zechariah speaks of a day when the nation of Israel will recognize her Messiah and “they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son” (Zech. 12:10). When the Jewish people recognize Messiah, as Paul writes, “All Israel will be saved” (Rom. 11:26). The Day of Atonement thus reminds us of our own salvation and also looks forward to the salvation of Israel.

ELEMENTS OF YOM KIPPUR

1) Afflicting your soul

The word in Hebrew is “anah” () and means “to afflict, oppress, humble, be afflicted, be bowed down”.  This occurs through fasting.  God requires a fast to be humbled and afflicted on the Day of Atonement.

1. a) Prayer
2. b) Confession
3. c) Repentance
4. d) Renewal

The picture is of a lost sinner, searching for the Messiah, Jesus, finding Him, confessing and repenting their sin before Him.

2) Sabbath

 No work is to be done on this day. There was a penalty for working on this day. “And whatsoever soul it be that doeth any work in that same day, the same soul will I destroy from among his people.” (Leviticus 23:30) The day was to be completely dedicated to God.

This is a picture of the rest we have in the Messiah.

3) Atonement

“To cover, purge, make reconciliation”.  The atonement was a reconciliation of the children of Israel to their God. This happened through the blood sacrifice of the bullock and goat. The scapegoat was a picture of the sins of Israel being taken by the scapegoat.

This pictures what Jesus did on the cross. He paid the sin debt for all mankind through his blood sacrifice on the cross at Calvary. No more need for animal sacrifices.

CONCLUSION

 Yom Kippur is:

• A day of reflection
• A day of rest
• A day of fasting
• A day of renewal
• A day of confession of sin
• A day of repentance of sin
• A day of reconciliation between man and God
• A day of atonement
• A day of salvation

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

This devotional will be helpful, but challenging. All are relatively easy to perform, but easy to forget or choose not to do. There are rich rewards for accomplishing these tasks and grave consequences for forsaking them.

So, the challenge is for us to make these five rules an integral part of our lives.

Five Short Rules for Christians

(Brownlow North, 1810-1875)

1. Never neglect daily private prayer; and when you pray, remember that God is present, and that He hears your prayers.

2. Never neglect daily private Bible reading; and when you read, remember that God is speaking to you, and that you are to believe and act upon all that He says.

3. Never let a day pass without trying to do something for Jesus. Every day reflect on what Jesus has done for you–and then ask yourself, “What am I doing for Him?”

4. If you are in doubt as to a thing being right or wrong–then go to your room and kneel down and ask God’s blessing on it. If you cannot do this, then it is wrong.

5. Never take your standard of Christianity from other Christians–or argue that because such and such people do so and so–therefore, you may. You are to ask yourself, “How would Jesus act in my place?”–and strive to follow Him alone.

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We need to step up our spiritual lives by implementing these five rules. Then list how God has changed our lives.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

We often lament that we do not have enough time. Prioritizing our time, according to what God wants done, may help. This devotion shows us God’s design for time. It is God who created time in small chunks.

Enjoy and be thankful for God’s concern for HIS time!

One of the secrets of happy and beautiful life!

(J.R. Miller)

“As your days–so shall your strength be!” Deuteronomy 33:25

One of the secrets of happy and beautiful life, is to live one day at a time. Really, we never have anything to do any day–but the bit of God’s will for that day. If we do that well–we have absolutely nothing else to do.

Time is given to us in days. It was so from the beginning. This breaking up of time into little daily portions means a great deal more than we are accustomed to think. For one thing, it illustrates the gentleness and goodness of God. It would have made life intolerably burdensome if a year, instead of a day–had been the unit of division. It would have been hard to carry a heavy load, to endure a great sorrow, or to keep on at a hard duty–for such a long stretch of time. How dreary our common task-work would be–if there were no breaks in it, if we had to keep our hand to the plough for a whole year! We never could go on with our struggles, our battles, our suffering–if night did not mercifully settle down with its darkness, and bid us rest and renew our strength.

We do not understand how great a mercy there is for us in the briefness of our short days. If they were even twice as long as they are–life would be intolerable! Many a time when the sun goes down–we feel that we could scarcely have gone another step. We would have fainted in defeat–if the summons to rest had not come just when it did.

We see the graciousness of the divine thoughtfulness in giving us time in periods of little days, which we can easily get through with–and not in great years, in which we would faint and fall by the way. It makes it possible for us to go on through all the long years and not to be overwrought, for we never have given to us at any one time–more than we can do between the morning and the evening.

If we learn well the lesson of living just one day at a time, without anxiety for either yesterday or tomorrow, we shall have found one of the great secrets of Christian peace. That is the way God teaches us to live. That is the lesson both of the Bible and of nature. If we learn it, it will cure us of all anxiety; it will save us from all feverish haste; it will enable us to live sweetly in any experience.

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34

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Did you see time in a new way? We all have the same 24 hours. It is how we use them that counts.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

The J.C. Ryle Gems are included to challenge our thinking. We think we know the Bible, but sometimes we need a jolt to make it practical. Think, pray, ponder, and allow God to encourage you.

J.C. Ryle Gems #4

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To be a Christian–it will cost a man his sins!

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There is no such thing as ‘chance’, ‘luck’, or ‘accident’ in the Christian journey through this world.
Everything is arranged and appointed by God. All things are working together for the believer’s good.

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The standard of the world, and the standard of the Lord Jesus–are widely different.
They are more than different–they are flatly contradictory one to the other.
Never be satisfied with the world’s standard of Christianity!

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Hell is truth known too late!

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A tree may always be known by its fruit.
Just so, a true Christian may always be discovered by their habits, tastes and affections.

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Christ is never fully valued–until sin is clearly seen. We must know the depth and malignity of our disease–in order to appreciate the great Physician!

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That Bible is read best–which is practiced most!

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These “gems” should help us internalize what Christ means to us.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chapla1n, 907 715-4001
 

Good morning,

Rosh Hashanah is today.

What is Rosh Hashanah?

It’s the Jewish New Year. Literally meaning “the head of the year” in Hebrew – is the first of the Jewish High Holy Days and is usually celebrated in September. Due to the Jewish calendar being based on the lunar cycle – like Easter is for Christians – it moves every year. In 2017, it begins on the night of 20 September 2017.

What happens during Rosh Hashanah?

Though it depends on which Jewish tradition is being followed, much time is spent at a synagogue. During services, a hollowed-out ram’s horn, known as a shofar, is blown, symbolizing a call to repentance. Many Jews also observe a tradition called tashlich, meaning “casting off” in Hebrew, in which they go to a nearby river or lake and throw pieces of bread, which signifies the washing away of sin.

It’s a holiday; isn’t there some eating involved?

Indeed. According to Chabad, an Orthodox organization, Rosh Hashanah meals usually include apples dipped in honey to symbolize a sweet new year. Other foods with a symbolic meaning may be served, depending on local custom, such as the head of a fish, to symbolize the “head” of the year and reflect the prayer “let us be the head and not the tail.” Pomegranates are used in many traditions, to symbolize being fruitful like the pomegranate with its many seeds. In addition, according to the Reform tradition, a round challah – a sweet bread – is eaten, symbolizing the circle of life.

What’s up next?

Rosh Hashanah marks the first day of the “10 Days of Repentance,” where Jewish people acknowledge their sins of the previous year and are judged for their sins by God. The 10 days end with Yom Kippur, which is the “Day of Repentance” and constitutes the holiest Jewish holiday.

Leviticus 23:23-25 states, “And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,²⁴ Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation.²⁵ Ye shall do no servile work therein: but ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord.”

Believers in Yeshua (Jesus) should be continually asking God to show us our sin. Then we should immediately confess our sins. We should always keep short accounts with God.

Today, pray for a Jewish friend, wish them a “Happy New Year”, and if opportunity presents itself, tell them about their Messiah.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

Sound doctrine, the word of God, and Paul’s immediate needs, complete the book of 2 Timothy. Watch for the emphasis on knowing and understanding God’s word.

2 Timothy 3-4

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: ¹⁷ That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Introduction

EXHORTATION TO SOUND DOCTRINE (3:-4:5)

In view of perilous times (3:1-9)

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.² For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,³ Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,⁴ Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;⁵ Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.⁶ For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,⁷ Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.⁸ Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.⁹ But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.”

Remembering Paul’s own example (3:10-13)

“But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,¹¹ Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.¹² Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.¹³ But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.”

By abiding in the Scriptures (3:14-17)

“But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;¹⁵ And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.¹⁶ All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:¹⁷ That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”

 By preaching the Word (4:1-5)

“I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;² Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.³ For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;⁴ And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.⁵ But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.”

EXHORTATION TO COME QUICKLY (4:6-18)

Paul’s end is near (4:6-8)

“For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.⁷ I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:⁸ Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”

Paul’s circumstances and requests (4:9-18)

“Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me:¹⁰ For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.¹¹ Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.¹² And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus.¹³ The cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.¹⁴ Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:¹⁵ Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.¹⁶ At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.¹⁷ Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.¹⁸ And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

Conclusion (4:19-22)

“Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.²⁰ Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.²¹ Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.²² The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.”

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

“Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) God admonishes us to always be in an attitude of prayer. We should pray for things that might seem trivial and those of enormous magnitude.

Dana Clark is a missionary teacher in Bangladesh. She works at the William Carey Academy. Ninety percent of the students are Muslim. They have the opportunity to tell their students of the life changing power of Jesus Christ. However, the school is in need of administrative staff and more teachers. Those presently on the ground, must complete all the tasks. Pray for the William Carey Academy, its teachers, and their immediate needs of administrative staff and more teachers.

Bangladesh is bordered by Myanmar (Burma). The Rohingya people are a Muslim ethnic minority group in Burma. They face extraordinary persecution and violence from the Burmese military; military personnel torch villages, murder refugees, and force hundreds of thousands of people to flee their homes.

Human rights watchdogs say the persecution has intensified in recent months, and a top UN official described a renewed offensive by the Burmese military as “a textbook example of ethnic cleansing.” Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees have fled to Bangladesh.

Over 400,000 have fled. Some have been seriously injured during their exodus. One of the hospitals they have been taken to is manned by Christian missionaries. Dana asked us to pray that these refugees might hear and experience the love of Christ, and might get saved.

Please pray for these requests. Watch your newspapers, on line news, and video broadcasts. You will be hearing more about this as the days go by.

Thank you.

PRAY!

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

There is an observation and a warning given to us by Arthur Pink. Idols are anything that takes us away from serving God completely. He observes Christians fleeing from Godliness to serving self.

He then warns us of preachers who fail to warn their flocks of turning from serving God to serving self.

We have seen such a tragic repetition of it in our own days

(Arthur Pink)

“With their silver and gold they make idols for themselves to their own destruction!” Hosea 8:4

Sad indeed is the above passage–and the more so, because we have seen such a tragic repetition of it in our own days. 

Oh what earthly-mindedness, what indulging of the flesh, what sinful extravagance–are now seen among professing Christians today!

How practical godliness has waned;
how the denying of self has disappeared;
how covetousness, pleasure and worldliness now possess the great majority of those calling themselves the people of God.

Yet as great as the sin of the people is–far greater is that of most of the preachers, who, instead of warning, admonishing, rebuking, and setting before their people an example of sobriety and contentment–criminally remain silent upon the crying sins of their hearers, while they themselves encourage the reckless indulgence of worldly lusts.

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What will we do? Will we serve God with our whole heart or the things of the flesh? We often forget that there is a day of reckoning.

“Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.¹⁴ If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.¹⁵ If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.” (1 Corinthians 3:13-15)

Choose to serve God!

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001