Good morning,

This baffles all comprehension!

(John MacDuff, 1874)  LISTEN to audio!  Download Audio

John 1:14, “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us!” 

Philippians 2:7-8, “He emptied Himself, by taking the form of a slave, by being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross!”

What a stoop for that Infinite Being who proclaimed Himself as the Alpha and the Omega! What a transition for “the Ancient of days” to assume the nature and take the form of a helpless infant, sleeping on a virgin mother’s bosom!

We have no plumb line to sound the depths of His humiliation.
We have no arithmetic with which it can be calculated.

If we can entertain for a moment the shocking supposition of the loftiest angel in Heaven laying aside his angel nature, and becoming an insect or a worm–we can, in some feeble degree, estimate the humiliation involved in that angel’s abasement.

But, for the Infinite and eternal God Himself, to become incarnate;
  for the Creator, to take the nature of a creature;
  for Deity, to be linked with dust–
this baffles all comprehension!  

We can only fall down in adoring reverence, and exclaim with the apostle, “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!” Romans 11:33
“Wonder, O heavens, and be astonished, O earth!”

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Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

The days of your mourning shall be ended!

(John MacDuff)  LISTEN to Audio!  Download Audio

(You will find it helpful to listen to the audio above, as you read the text below.) 

“The days of your mourning shall be ended!” Isaiah 60:20

Christ’s people are a weeping band, though there is much in this lovely world to make them happy. Yet when they think of their sin, need we wonder at their tears in their pilgrimage in this “valley of tears?”  

Bereavement, sickness, poverty, and death follow the track of sin, adding to their mourning experience; and with many of God’s best beloved, one tear is scarcely dried when another is ready to flow!

Mourners rejoice! When the reaping time comes–the weeping time ends! When the white robe and the golden harp are bestowed, every remnant of the sackcloth attire is removed.

The moment the pilgrim, whose forehead is here furrowed with woe, bathes it in the crystal River of Life–that moment the pangs of a lifetime of sorrow are eternally forgotten!

Reader! If you are one of these careworn ones, the days of your mourning are numbered! A few more throbbings of this aching heart–and then shall sorrow, and sighing, and mourning, be gone forever!

“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

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes! There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain–for the old order of things has passed away!” Revelation 21:4 

“The days of your mourning shall be ended!” Isaiah 60:20

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Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

The true spiritual Atlas!

(John MacDuff)  LISTEN to audio!  Download Audio

“You shall make His soul an offering for sin.” Isaiah 53:10

Mark, it is soul-suffering that is the essence of Jesus’ anguish. “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even unto death.”

That ‘cup’ was filled to the brim with curses! His holy soul was like a vast reservoir, into which the transgressions of every elect child of Adam rushed from every age, demanding payment for sin.

He was filled with horror and deep distress at the fearful havoc which sin had wrought, and at its dreadful penalty, which He was now bearing.

The wrath of God, the horrendous manifestation of His displeasure at iniquity, was upon Jesus!

He was the true spiritual Atlas, bearing on His shoulders, the sins of a guilty world.

Jesus’ sufferings were not calamities. They were a judicial punishment inflicted on Him by His Father for the sins of His people. There was an eternity of woe, condensed into His sufferings and sin-atoning death. Christ was the Sin-Bearer, bearing not merely the guilt and punishment of sin, but sin itself.

As we see drop by drop crimsoning the sods of Gethsemane, we may well exclaim:
“He was pierced for our transgressions,
He was crushed for our iniquities,
the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him,
and by His wounds we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5

“The Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

Christ loved us, and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:2

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Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

The ways, and fashions, and amusements, and recreations of the world

(J.C. Ryle)  LISTEN to audio!  Download Audio

“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” 1 John 2:15

There is a common, worldly kind of Christianity in this day; which many have, and think they have enough. This cheap Christianity offends nobody, and requires no sacrifice. It costs nothing, and is worth nothing.

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

A crucified Savior will never be content to have a . . .
  self-pleasing,
  self-indulging,
  worldly-minded people!

It costs something to be a true Christian! It will cost us . . .
  our sins,
  our self-righteousness,
  our ease, and
  our worldliness!

The ways, and fashions, and amusements, and recreations of the world–have a continually decreasing place in the heart of a growing Christian. He does not condemn them as downright sinful, nor say that those who have anything to do with them are going to Hell.

He only feels that these things have a constantly diminishing hold on his own affections, and they gradually seem smaller and more trifling in his eyes.
“For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world.” 1 John 5:4

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

Drinking deeply from the well of God’s holy Word

(Anonymous)  LISTEN to audio!  Download Audio
(You will find it helpful to listen to the audio above, as you read the text below.)                                                                                                                                                                       
Psalm 1:1-2
“Blessed is the man who does not:
walk in the counsel of the wicked,
or stand in the way of sinners,
or sit in the seat of mockers.
But his delight is in the Word of the LORD,
and on His Word he meditates day and night.”

Blessed indeed, is the man who chooses to distance himself from the corrupting influences of this sin-cursed world. He does not heed the sinful advice and philosophies of those who reject God. Nor does he associate with, or emulate the lifestyles, of those who wallow in their wicked desires. He refuses to align himself with those who mock and scorn the holy ways of God, as found in His Word.

He finds his greatest joy and satisfaction in meditating upon the sacred Scriptures, drinking deeply from the well of God’s holy Word day and night. He does not treat the divine teachings as a mere intellectual exercise, but allows the truths of Scripture:
  to guide his thinking,
  to penetrate his heart,
  and transform his life.
He understands that true blessedness is not found in the fleeting pleasures of this vain world–but in a vibrant, intimate relationship with Almighty God! By immersing himself in God’s Word and striving to guide his steps by Scripture, he experiences the profound blessing of walking in the light of the Lord’s presence, shielded from the darkness that ensnares those who reject Him.

He alone is truly wise and truly blessed, for he has chosen the narrow path that leads to eternal life!

“You have made known to me the path of life,
You will fill me with joy in Your presence,
with eternal pleasures at Your right hand!” Psalm 16:11

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Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

The real reason why unbelievers hate God’s Word!

(Charles Simeon)  LISTEN to audio!  Download Audio

John 3:19-20, “This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light, because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed!”

The real reason why unbelievers hate God’s Word, is because they will not part with those sins which His Word condemns! Nor will they practice those holy duties which the Word commands!

If they were willing to renounce their sins, they would find the Word of God to be precious and delightful to them, as an inexhaustible ocean of encouragement!

But unbelievers hate to hear of:
  the wickedness of their hearts,
  the insufficiency of their best works to bring them to God,
  the impossibility of being saved without an entire dependence on the sin-atoning merits of Christ,
  the necessity an unreserved surrender to His will as seen in Scripture.

Their pride and self-sufficiency are insurmountable obstacles to the proper reception of Scriptural instruction. They hate to be told that they are spiritually wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked before a holy God!

They abhor to walk in the path of the righteous. They simply will not forsake the path of sin, which infallibly leads to destruction!

It is in vain that the Scripture shows them the only genuine way to Heaven.  They will never forsake that broad road of sin which inevitably leads to damnation!

Between God and the unbeliever who perishes in his sins, there is a great gulf fixed–a gulf that never can be passed. Once entered into the eternal world, the unbeliever has his state fixed forever! The man who dies unbelieving and impenitent, will bewail his folly in irremediable and everlasting misery!

“For they are a rebellious people, unwilling to hear the instruction of the Lord. They say to the seers, “Do not see!” And to the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us what is right. Speak to us smooth things. Prophesy illusions.  Let us hear no more about the Holy One of Israel!” Isaiah 30:9-11 (condensed)

“They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie, and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness!” 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 

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Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

This week we will be challenged and encouraged by Grace Gems.

This would greatly calm our minds, and take the sting out of ten thousand little irritations!

(Charles Simeon)  LISTEN to audio!  Download Audio

If we learn to see the hand of God in everything it will bring peace into the Christian’s soul, even in the midst of the heaviest trials!

You will not find a greater sufferer than Job anywhere. He lost all of his children, his possessions and his health. Men, demons, elements–all conspired against him. But in all his trials, he saw the hand of his gracious God, and that composed his mind.

“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

“Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” Job 2:10

In the same way, Joseph saw God’s hand in all the afflictions that befell him:
“It was not you who sent me here, but God!” Genesis 45:8

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good!” Genesis 50:20

Let us reply to the revilings of our malignant enemy, “The Lord has bidden him to curse me!” (2 Samuel 16:10-11) and that will be an end of all the anguish that his hostility has for a moment occasioned us.

Let us then, in all our trials, the smaller which occur in social or domestic life, as well as in those of a more overwhelming  nature–habituate ourselves to see the Lord’s hand; and to say, “He is the Lord; let Him do what is good in His eyes!” 1 Samuel 3:18.

This would greatly calm our minds, and take the sting out of ten thousand little irritations which often trouble us far more than heavier afflictions.

If we may but be purged from our sinful dross, and come out of the ‘furnace’ as purified gold–it should be deemed an ample compensation for all our troubles. It should make us thankfully to acknowledge, that God in love and  faithfulness has afflicted us! Psalm 119:75

“When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, CONSIDER: God has made the one as well as the other.” Ecclesiastes 7:14

“My times are in Your hand!” Psalm 31:15

“Be still, and know that I am God!” Psalm 46:10

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Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

This week we will be challenged and encouraged by Grace Gems.

No reverence is due to me! 

(Charles Spurgeon)  LISTEN to audio!  Download Audio

I very much denounce the designation, “To the Reverend C.H. Spurgeon,” for no reverence is due to me!

Assuredly, ‘Reverend’ and ‘sinner’ make a curious combination!
And as I know I am the second, I repudiate the first.

To me, it is surprising that such a flattering title should have been invented–and more amazing still, that good men should be found who are angry if this title is not duly given to them.

“It is the Lord your God you must follow, and Him you must revere.” Deuteronomy 13:4

“. . . so that you may learn to revere the Lord your God always.” Deuteronomy 14:23

“. . . revere this glorious and awesome name: the Lord your God.” Deuteronomy 28:58

“. . . revere Him, all you descendants  of Israel!” Psalm 22:23

“Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the  people of the world revere Him.” Psalm 33:8
 

“. . . holy and reverend is His name.” Psalm 111:9
 

“I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere Him.” Ecclesiastes 3:14
“Who should not revere You, O King of the nations? This is Your due.” Jeremiah 10:7
      ~  ~  ~  ~
  You may also want to read John Newton’s one page article, “Reverend Doctor!“

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Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

This week we will be challenged and encouraged by Grace Gems.

Oh! Who can grasp the thought!

(Thomas Reade, “Christian Experience”)  LISTEN to audio!  Download Audio

Matthew 25:46, “Then they will go away to eternal punishment–but the righteous to eternal life!”

One moment in Heaven will convince the believer that his afflictions upon earth were light. When earth with all its glories shall have passed away–the lowly followers of Jesus will abide forever, and shine as the sun in the kingdom of their Father!
“You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.” Psalm 16:11

One moment in Hell will convince the pleasure-loving sinner that it would have been good for him had he never been born!
“He, too, will drink of the wine of God’s fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of His wrath. He will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb.” Revelation 14:10

Oh! Who can grasp the thought of never-ending joy–or everlasting woe!

The mind labors to conceive, and yet can never reach beyond the first impression of eternity.

Numbers, years, ages–all, all are lost in the immeasurable, unfathomable abyss!

“Then they will go away to eternal punishment–but the righteous to eternal life!”

Charles Spurgeon: “Time is short. Eternity is long. It is only reasonable that this short life should be lived in the light of eternity!”

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Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

This week we will be challenged and encouraged by Grace Gems.

All short of this is mercy!

(Thomas Reade, “Christian Meditations”)  LISTEN to audio!  Download Audio

In order to awaken self-abasement and gratitude–I should consider both what I deserve, and what blessings I have in Christ.

If the righteous Lord were to deal with me according to my deservings, I would at this moment be under the rack of excruciating pain; or under the pressure of most abject poverty–thus experiencing the foretaste of eternal woe.

If thus dealt with in strictest justice, Death would receive his commission to hurl my affrighted soul into the gulf of endless misery, there to remain an everlasting monument of the vengeance of a holy God!
All short of this is mercy!
Do I enjoy a portion of health?

It is all mercy!

Am I undergoing a sanctified affliction?

It is all mercy!

Do I partake of the bounties of Providence?

It is all mercy!

Do I possess affectionate friends?

It is all mercy!

Do I experience the love of God in Christ, pardoning my sins, and purifying my heart?

Oh! this is mercy beyond the power of language to praise or to express!

Rejoice in such a Savior, who mercifully snatched you as a brand out of the burning!

“Because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions.” Ephesians 2:4-5

“He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but  because of His mercy.” Titus 3:5

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope!” 1 Peter 1:3

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Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com