Good morning,

When God blesses, what should our response be? We should immediately thank Him. This week we will look at 5 people in the Bible that did just that.

They exulted, praised, thanked, and honored God.

Le Ann Trees wrote this and I added the complete Bible passages and challenges.

If God has blessed you, thank Him.

8. JESUS

Jesus gave thanks to God before distributing the bread and fish to five thousand people who came to hear him teach (John 6:3-14).

“And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples. ⁴ And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh.⁵ When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?⁶ And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.⁷ Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little.⁸ One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, saith unto him,⁹ There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?¹⁰ And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.¹¹ And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.¹² When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.¹³ Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.¹⁴ Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.”

Jesus also gave thanks on the following occasions.

Before feeding the 4000 (Mt 15:36)(Mk 8:6).

Before raising Lazarus from the dead (Jn 11:41).

Before sharing wine at the Passover meal (Lk 22:17-18).

Before breaking bread (Lk 22:19), and sharing wine (Mt 26:27)(Mk 14:23) at The Last Supper.

So, if Jesus thanks God, who is our example, shouldn’t we?

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

Good morning,

When God blesses, what should our response be? We should immediately thank Him. This week we will look at 5 people in the Bible that did just that.

They exulted, praised, thanked, and honored God.

Le Ann Trees wrote this and I added the complete Bible passages and challenges.

If God has blessed you, thank Him.

6. ELIZABETH 

Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, was thankful that God took away her reproach among the people of Israel (Luke 1:5-25). Before becoming pregnant with John, Elizabeth was barren and long beyond child-bearing age.

“There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.⁶ And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.⁷ And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.⁸ And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his course, ⁹ According to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.¹⁰ And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.¹¹ And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.¹² And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.¹³ But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.¹⁴ And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.¹⁵ For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb.¹⁶ And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.¹⁷ And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.¹⁸ And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.¹⁹ And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.²⁰ And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.²¹ And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he tarried so long in the temple.²² And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.²³ And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house.²⁴ And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,²⁵ Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.”

7. MARY 

Mary, in a beautiful song of praise known as the Magnificat, gave thanks to the Lord for being chosen to bear the incarnate Son of God (Luke 1:46-55).

“And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,⁴⁷ And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.⁴⁸ For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.⁴⁹ For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.⁵⁰ And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.⁵¹ He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.⁵² He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.⁵³ He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.⁵⁴ He hath helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;⁵⁵ As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.”

God allowed Elisabeth and Mary to give birth.

Both were supernatural.

Elisabeth was old and not able to conceive. While Zacharias served in the Priest’s office, Gabriel, the angel of God, spoke to him. He told him that Elisabeth would conceive and bear them a son who they were to call John. When Zacharias questions Gabriel, he was unable to speak.

God allowed John to be born. Zacharias receives his ability to speak and John serves God.

Elisabeth being barren was a reproach to her family. In Israel, it was important to be able to bear children. Especially male children. When God provided her the opportunity to bear a child she thanked God for taking away her reproach.

Mary is a Jewish girl. God chose her to be the mother of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. She magnifies God through her song of praise. She uses terms as magnify, rejoice, might, holy, mercy, and exalted. She understands that this was done by God. She believed what the angel had proclaimed and praised God.

What do we learn from these two women?

First, God does the supernatural. Second, when God does the supernatural, we should thank Him through our songs of praise. Third, when God blesses us, we should recognize it and thank Him.

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

Good morning,

When God blesses, what should our response be? We should immediately thank Him. The next two weeks, we will look at 10 people in the Bible that did just that.

They exulted, praised, thanked, and honored God.

Le Ann Trees wrote this and I added the complete Bible passages and challenges.

If God has blessed you, thank Him.

10 People in the Bible Who Remembered to Thank God 6-10

6. ELIZABETH 

Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, was thankful that God took away her reproach among the people of Israel (Luke 1:5-25). Before becoming pregnant with John, Elizabeth was barren and long beyond child-bearing age.

“There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.⁶ And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.⁷ And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.⁸ And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his course, ⁹ According to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.¹⁰ And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.¹¹ And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.¹² And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.¹³ But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.¹⁴ And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.¹⁵ For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb.¹⁶ And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.¹⁷ And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.¹⁸ And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.¹⁹ And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.²⁰ And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.²¹ And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he tarried so long in the temple.²² And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.²³ And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house.²⁴ And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,²⁵ Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.”

7. MARY 

Mary, in a beautiful song of praise known as the Magnificat, gave thanks to the Lord for being chosen to bear the incarnate Son of God (Luke 1:46-55).

“And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,⁴⁷ And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.⁴⁸ For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.⁴⁹ For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.⁵⁰ And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.⁵¹ He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.⁵² He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.⁵³ He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.⁵⁴ He hath helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;⁵⁵ As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.”

8. JESUS

Jesus gave thanks to God before distributing the bread and fish to five thousand people who came to hear him teach (John 6:3-14).

“And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples. ⁴ And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh.⁵ When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?⁶ And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.⁷ Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little.⁸ One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, saith unto him,⁹ There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?¹⁰ And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.¹¹ And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.¹² When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.¹³ Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.¹⁴ Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.”

9. THE LEPER WHOM JESUS HEALED

Ten lepers came to Jesus and asked him to heal them. Jesus sent them to the priests, and they were all healed along the way. Only one of the ten healed people returned to thank Jesus, and that person was not even a Jew. He was a Samaritan who was considered to be a foreigner in Israel’s sight (Luke 17:11-19).

“And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.¹² And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:¹³ And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.¹⁴ And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. ¹⁵ And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,¹⁶ And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.¹⁷ And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?¹⁸ There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.¹⁹ And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.”

10. PAUL

Paul gave thanks to God for the believers in Philippi because of their partnership with him in the gospel (Phil. 1:3-11).

“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,⁴ Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,⁵ For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;⁶ Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:⁷ Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.⁸ For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.⁹ And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;¹⁰ That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ.¹¹ Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.”

LE ANN TREES

Le Ann is a writer, editor, speaker, wife, and mom who enjoys the Southern California lifestyle, including flip-flops, the beach, riding electric bicycles along the 101, and an occasional salted caramel Americano from Lofty Coffee in Solana Beach. She is exceedingly grateful for both the loving kindness of many people and the sound Christian doctrine that helped her to keep on living after her son died in a skiing accident in 2006. She holds a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Westminster Seminary California. Le Ann is managing editor of Beautiful Christian Life.

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

Good morning,

This is my Friend!

(James Smith, “The Pastor’s Morning Visit”)  LISTEN to audio!  Download audio

“You are My friends!” John 15:14

What infinite condescension in Jesus, to call us sinful worms–His friends! But He not only calls us so, but treats us as such! And expects us as His friends, to do whatever He commands us.

Is Jesus your friend?
Then visit Him often; let Him hear your voice in prayer and praise.
Then trust Him confidently; let Him see evidence of your faith in your dependence.
Then walk with Him in love; let Him enjoy much of your company.
Then expect Him to be your Friend . . .
  in sickness and health,
  in poverty and plenty,
  in life and in death!

If Jesus is our Friend, we can never be destitute. If our father and mother forsake us, He will take us up and take us in.

We can never be miserable; He will receive us and be a wise and loving Father unto us.

We can never be neglected, for He will never fail us nor forsake us; but will do for us all that He has promised in His Word. He will . . .
  defend us from foes,
  visit us in sickness, and
  cheer and support us in death!

Precious Lord Jesus, You are my Friend . . .
  in life,
  in death,
  at the judgment, and
  before Your Father’s face forever!

“Yes, He is altogether lovely! This is my Beloved, and this is my Friend!” Song of Songs 5:16
   ~  ~  ~  ~

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

Good morning,

Her life-lesson was comprised in four words  LISTEN to audio!  Download audio

(James Smith, “Keep Close to Christ” 1857)

A Christian minister was dying. He had a young sister whom he tenderly loved, and in whose welfare he felt the deepest interest. She came to pay the last visit, and receive from his lips the last words of advice. The words of a dying minister, realizing the value of the soul, and the solemnity of eternity, are important words. Taking her by the hand, and fixing his eyes upon her with a loving look, he said: “Keep close to Christ!“

What could he say of more import? Her life-lesson was comprised in four words: “Keep close to Christ!“ She had come to Jesus, she  loved Jesus, she found happiness in Jesus; but the dying brother knew . . .
  the deceitfulness of the human heart;
  the power of the world’s fascinations,
  and the craft and subtlety of Satan,
therefore he exhorts: “Keep close to Christ!“

May the Lord give us grace to get near to Him; and then give us more grace, to keep near to Him; for alas! how many of us, like Peter, follow Him afar off!

What must we do, to keep close to Jesus?

We must keep close to His Word. Here He . . .
  reveals His mind,
  displays His love, and
  exhibits His beauty!

It is a revelation of His deepest, sweetest, kindest thoughts!

It is an exhibition of His infinite, eternal, deathless love!

It is a mirror in which we may see His unparalleled beauty and excellency!

No one can keep close to Jesus who does not daily, seriously, and prayerfully read His Word. That Word . . .
  received into the heart by faith,
  digested by meditation, and
  reduced to practice in the life,
will bring the soul and Christ together!

For the more we know of Christ, the more we shall love Him; the more we shall prize, pant for, and seek to enjoy His presence!

Blessed Spirit, help us so to read the Word, as always to find Christ in it; and by it endear Him more and more unto us, and bring us into closer fellowship with Him!
   ~  ~  ~  ~

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

Good morning,

Nothing feeds, nothing refreshes, nothing delights my soul!

(James Smith, “Precious Things from the Everlasting Hills”)  Play Audio!  Download Audio

“My meditation of Him shall be sweet!” Psalm 104:34

The Lord Jesus is the subject of my meditations. Not a day passes but my thoughts are occupied with Him. Forget whom I may, I never forget Him. Nothing feeds, nothing refreshes, nothing delights my soul, like vigorous meditations on Jesus. I dwell at times on . . .
  the glories of His person,
  the riches of His grace,
  the merit of His blood,
  the transcendent glory of His righteousness,
  the tenderness of His sympathy,
  the constancy of His love,
  the vastness of His resources,
  the greatness of His power,
  the glory of His offices,
  the prevalence of His intercession, and
  the grandeur of His second coming,until I am enamored with His beauty, and enraptured with His love!

My meditation of Jesus is sweet! I think of Him upon my bed, and meditate on Him through the watches of the night.

Jesus is the solace and joy of my soul.

When all is dark within me,
when all is dreary around me,
when all is discouraging before me–
He fills me full of joy with His countenance.
One look from His eye,
one word from His lips,
one breath breathed on my soul–
relieves, restores, and makes me happy.

He is the river of pleasure, in which I sometimes bathe!
He is the Eden of delights, in which I sometimes walk!

Take away Jesus, and my soul droops, desponds and dies!
Give me Jesus and the enjoyment of His presence, and I can do without any other Heaven!

He is the joy of my brightest days, and my solace in my dreariest nights!
    ~  ~  ~  ~

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

Good morning,

Coming daily and hourly to Jesus!

(James Smith, “Wealth for Souls” 1859)  Play Audio!  Download Audio

“I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things!” Philippians 3:8

All true Christians know Christ, not with a mere theoretical knowledge, which may be obtained from books; but with a knowledge which the Holy Spirit works in the heart. We know Christ . . .
  in the glory of His person,
  in the perfection of His work, and
  in the riches of His wondrous grace.
We so know Christ, that He stands out before us as the chief among ten thousand, and the altogether lovely One. And the more we know Him, the more intimate we wish to become with Him!

We not only know Christ, but we need Him. And the longer we live, the more we need Him. Nor do we merely need Christ, but we need everything in Christ, or that Christ has. We need . . .
  His blood to cleanse us,
  His righteousness to clothe us,
  and His Spirit to sanctify us.
We need Christ daily, hourly!

As we need Christ, so we come to Christ.
Not once for all, but we continue to come.
We must come to Him . . .
   in every trial,
   in every trouble, 
   in every conflict,
   to unburden our minds,
   to find rest for our souls.

We come to Him . . .
  for wisdom,
  for strength,
  for holiness.

Much of experimental religion consists in coming daily and hourly to Jesus.

“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest!” Matthew 11:28
   ~  ~  ~  ~

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

Good morning,

When God blesses, what should our response be? We should immediately thank Him. The next two weeks, we will look at 10 people in the Bible that did just that.

They exulted, praised, thanked, and honored God.

Le Ann Trees wrote this and I added the complete Bible passages.

If God has blessed you, thank Him.

10 People in the Bible Who Remembered to Thank God 1-5

1. MIRIAM

Miriam, the older sister of Moses and Aaron, gave thanks to God while playing her tambourine and dancing with joy with the other women whom God saved from the Egyptians after they crossed over the Red Sea

“And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.²¹ And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.”           (Exod. 15:20-21).

2. HANNAH

Hannah gave a long prayer of thanks to God in 1 Samuel 2 because God granted her petition for a son. Once Samuel was weaned, Hannah and her husband, Elkanah, brought him to Eli the priest to be dedicated to the Lord.

“And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the Lord, mine horn is exalted in the Lord: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation.² There is none holy as the Lord: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.³ Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.⁴ The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength.⁵ They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble.⁶ The Lord killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up.⁷ The Lord maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.⁸ He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s, and he hath set the world upon them.⁹ He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.¹⁰ The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the Lord shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed. (1 Sam. 2:1-10).

3. DAVID

David gave thanks to God after winning his battle against the Philistines.

“And David spake unto the Lord the words of this song in the day that the Lord had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul:² And he said, The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer;³ The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my savior; thou savest me from violence.⁴ I will call on the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.⁵ When the waves of death compassed me, the floods of ungodly men made me afraid;⁶ The sorrows of hell compassed me about; the snares of death prevented me;⁷ In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried to my God: and he did hear my voice out of his temple, and my cry did enter into his ears.⁸ Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations of heaven moved and shook, because he was wroth.⁹ There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.¹⁰ He bowed the heavens also, and came down; and darkness was under his feet.¹¹ And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: and he was seen upon the wings of the wind.¹² And he made darkness pavilions round about him, dark waters, and thick clouds of the skies.¹³ Through the brightness before him were coals of fire kindled.¹⁴ The Lord thundered from heaven, and the most High uttered his voice.¹⁵ And he sent out arrows, and scattered them; lightning, and discomfited them.¹⁶ And the channels of the sea appeared, the foundations of the world were discovered, at the rebuking of the Lord, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils.¹⁷ He sent from above, he took me; he drew me out of many waters;¹⁸ He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them that hated me: for they were too strong for me.¹⁹ They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the Lord was my stay.²⁰ He brought me forth also into a large place: he delivered me, because he delighted in me.²¹ The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness: according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.²² For I have kept the ways of the Lord, and have not wickedly departed from my God.²³ For all his judgments were before me: and as for his statutes, I did not depart from them.²⁴ I was also upright before him, and have kept myself from mine iniquity.²⁵ Therefore the Lord hath recompensed me according to my righteousness; according to my cleanness in his eye sight.²⁶ With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful, and with the upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright.²⁷ With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself unsavory.²⁸ And the afflicted people thou wilt save: but thine eyes are upon the haughty, that thou mayest bring them down.²⁹ For thou art my lamp, O Lord: and the Lord will lighten my darkness.³⁰ For by thee I have run through a troop: by my God have I leaped over a wall.³¹ As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.³² For who is God, save the Lord? and who is a rock, save our God? ³³ God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect.³⁴ He maketh my feet like hinds’ feet: and setteth me upon my high places.³⁵ He teacheth my hands to war; so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.³⁶ Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy gentleness hath made me great.³⁷ Thou hast enlarged my steps under me; so that my feet did not slip. ³⁸ I have pursued mine enemies, and destroyed them; and turned not again until I had consumed them.³⁹ And I have consumed them, and wounded them, that they could not arise: yea, they are fallen under my feet. ⁴⁰ For thou hast girded me with strength to battle: them that rose up against me hast thou subdued under me.⁴¹ Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies, that I might destroy them that hate me.⁴² They looked, but there was none to save; even unto the Lord, but he answered them not.⁴³ Then did I beat them as small as the dust of the earth, I did stamp them as the mire of the street, and did spread them abroad.⁴⁴ Thou also hast delivered me from the strivings of my people, thou hast kept me to be head of the heathen: a people which I knew not shall serve me. ⁴⁵ Strangers shall submit themselves unto me: as soon as they hear, they shall be obedient unto me.⁴⁶ Strangers shall fade away, and they shall be afraid out of their close places.⁴⁷ The Lord liveth; and blessed be my rock; and exalted be the God of the rock of my salvation.⁴⁸ It is God that avengeth me, and that bringeth down the people under me.⁴⁹ And that bringeth me forth from mine enemies: thou also hast lifted me up on high above them that rose up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man.⁵⁰ Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name.⁵¹ He is the tower of salvation for his king: and sheweth mercy to his anointed, unto David, and to his seed for evermore. (2 Sam. 22:1-51).

4. SOLOMON

King Solomon thanked God for all he had done to provide for Israel in his prayer of dedication for the temple.

“And the king turned his face about, and blessed all the congregation of Israel: (and all the congregation of Israel stood;)¹⁵ And he said, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, which spake with his mouth unto David my father, and hath with his hand fulfilled it, saying,¹⁶ Since the day that I brought forth my people Israel out of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel to build an house, that my name might be therein; but I chose David to be over my people Israel.¹⁷ And it was in the heart of David my father to build an house for the name of the Lord God of Israel.¹⁸ And the Lord said unto David my father, Whereas it was in thine heart to build an house unto my name, thou didst well that it was in thine heart.¹⁹ Nevertheless thou shalt not build the house; but thy son that shall come forth out of thy loins, he shall build the house unto my name.²⁰ And the Lord hath performed his word that he spake, and I am risen up in the room of David my father, and sit on the throne of Israel, as the Lord promised, and have built an house for the name of the Lord God of Israel.²¹ And I have set there a place for the ark, wherein is the covenant of the Lord, which he made with our fathers, when he brought them out of the land of Egypt. (1 Kings 8:14-21).

5. THE AUTHOR OF PSALM 111 

The author of this beloved psalm begins with the following words: Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart in the company of the upright, in the congregation. Psalm 111 is filled with praise for Gods wondrous works. The psalmist ends by reminding people that God’s praise endures forever.

“Praise ye the Lord. I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.² The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.³ His work is honorable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever.⁴ He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the Lord is gracious and full of compassion.⁵ He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant.⁶ He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen.⁷ The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure.⁸ They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.⁹ He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.¹⁰ The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.” (Psalm 111)

LE ANN TREES

Le Ann is a writer, editor, speaker, wife, and mom who enjoys the Southern California lifestyle, including flip-flops, the beach, riding electric bicycles along the 101, and an occasional salted caramel Americano from Lofty Coffee in Solana Beach. She is exceedingly grateful for both the loving kindness of many people and the sound Christian doctrine that helped her to keep on living after her son died in a skiing accident in 2006. She holds a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Westminster Seminary California. Le Ann is managing editor of Beautiful Christian Life.

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

Good morning,

Heaven’s great store-house!

(James Smith)  Play Audio!  Download Audio

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ!” Ephesians 1:3

“The unsearchable riches of Christ!” Ephesians 3:8

The Lord Jesus is Heaven’s great store-house, in whom is laid up all treasures, and from whom we are to receive all our supplies!

All that we can need,
all that we can enjoy, and
all that we can desire–is in Christ!

All the perfections and attributes of God, are in Him:
  justice and grace,
  mercy and holiness,
  love and power,
in all their fullness are in Him, and are displayed by Him.

All the promises of God are in Him, confirmed by His death–to be fulfilled by His hand.

All the blessings of grace, and all the riches of glory, are in Him! He possesses and He bestows them.

All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are in Him, and from Him we must receive them.

All saving offices are in Christ, for His people.
He is our Surety, to pay all our sin debts.
He is our Substitute, to impute His perfect righteousness to us.
He is our Redeemer, to ransom us.
He is our Mediator, to reconcile us to the Father.
He is our Physician, to cure all our soul-diseases. He heals the diseases . . .
  of the mind; as our Prophet, He imparts saving knowledge,
  of the conscience; as our Priest, He gives peace us with God,
  and of the will; as our King, He governs His people. 

All we need, therefore, is in Christ!

All God intends to bestow, is in Christ!

To Him therefore we should apply for all, and from Him we should expect to receive all.

Every need, should send us to Christ!
Every desire, should lead us to Christ!

In all things, we should have to do with Christ. Everywhere, we should realize the presence of Christ. In a word, we should daily make Christ in our experience, what God has made Him to us in His Word–-our Alpha and Omega, our first and last, our all in all. Everything should lead us to Him, and everything should serve to endear Him to us, who is at once our present fountain, and our everlasting portion!

“And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus!” Philippians 4:19
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Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

Afterwards you will understand!

(James Smith)  Play Audio!  Download Audio

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

We are to walk by faith, not by sight.
We are to trust His heart, when we cannot trace His hand!

We are to believe Him, when we cannot understand His mysterious workings!

The Lord is now working in nature, providence, and grace–and He does many things which we do not understand at present. But when His work is complete, and it lies stretched out before us in the light of eternity, we shall then. . .
  comprehend His design,
  admire His wisdom, and
  adore His divine workings!

Beloved, is God cleansing you by fiery trials, or causing you to pass through deep waters? Are you at a loss to know what His design is, or where the present affliction will end?

Be still. Wait His time.

There is a divine working time, which is the present;
and there is a divine revealing time, which is to come.

The wisest Christians are often in the dark now, but the simplest Christians will see all things clearly by and by.
A little more patience, a little more faith–and all will end well.

“We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God, and who are called according to His purpose!” Romans 8:2
   ~  ~  ~  ~

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