Good morning,

These scars are the memorials of the fight!

(Charles Spurgeon)

“Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne!” Revelation 5:6

Why should our exalted Lord appear in His wounds, in glory?

The wounds of Jesus are His glories, His jewels, His sacred ornaments. To the eye of the believer, Jesus is lovely because He is “white and ruddy”–white with innocence, and ruddy with His own blood. We see Him as the Lily of matchless purity–and as the Rose crimsoned with His own gore. Christ is lovely in His life and His teaching–but oh! there never was such a matchless Christ as He who hung upon the cross! There we behold . . .
  all His beauties in perfections,
  all His attributes developed,
  all His love drawn out,
  all His character expressed!

Beloved, the wounds of Jesus are far more lovely in our eyes than all the splendor and pomp of kings! The thorny crown is more attractive than any imperial diadem. Jesus wears the appearance of a slain Lamb as His court dress in which He wooed our souls, and redeemed them by His complete atonement.

Nor are these only the ornaments of Christ–they are the trophies of His love and of His victory! He has redeemed for Himself a great multitude whom no man can number–and these scars are the memorials of the fight!

Ah! if Christ delights to retain the thought of His sufferings for His people–then how precious should His wounds be to us!

    “Behold how every wound of His,
     A precious balm distills,
     Which heals the scars that sin had made,
     And cures all mortal ills!

     Those wounds are mouths that preach His grace,
     The ensigns of His love;
     The seals of our expected bliss,
     In paradise above!”
    ~ ~ ~ ~

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

Good morning,

God’s omnipresence means that God is everywhere at all times.

A comfort to the believer, and a terror to the unbeliever!

(R.C. Sproul)

“His eyes are on the ways of men; He sees their every step!” Job 34:21

“The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.” Proverbs 15:3

“Can anyone hide in secret places so that I cannot see him?” declares the LORD. “Do not I fill heaven and earth?” Jeremiah 23:24

The doctrine of God’s omnipresence appropriately fills us with awe.

In addition, the doctrine also proves to be comforting. We can always be certain of God’s undivided attention. We don’t ever need to stand in line or make an appointment to be with God. When we are in God’s presence, He is not preoccupied with events on the other side of the world.

The doctrine is, of course, not at all comforting to the unbeliever. There is no place to hide from God! There is no corner of the universe where God is not. The wicked in Hell are not separated from God–only from His benevolence. His wrath is with them constantly.

For the unbeliever, the doctrine highlights the fact that people cannot hide from God. Their sins are done in God’s presence. Like Adam, they seek to hide. However, there is no corner of the universe that God’s gaze, either in love or wrath, fails to reach.

God’s omnipresence is a comfort to the believer, and a terror to the unbeliever!

“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” Hebrews 4:13
    ~ ~ ~ ~

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

Good morning,

All the ‘littles’ of our little world!

(Charles Spurgeon)

Divine omniscience affords no comfort to the ungodly mind, “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account!” Hebrews 4:13

But to the child of God it overflows with consolation, “How precious also are Your thoughts unto me, O God.” Psalm 139:17

God is always thinking upon us; He never turns aside His mind from us, and has us always before His eyes! This is precisely as we would have it–for it would be dreadful to exist for a moment, beyond the observation of our heavenly Father! His thoughts are always filial, tender, loving, wise–and they bring to us countless benefits. Hence it is a choice delight for us to remember them.

The Lord has always thought upon His people–hence their election and the covenant of grace by which their salvation is secured.

He always will think upon them–hence their continual preservation by which they shall be brought safely to their heavenly rest.

In all our wanderings, the watchful glance of the Eternal Watcher is evermore fixed upon us! We never roam beyond the Shepherd’s eye! In our sorrows He observes us incessantly, and not a pang escapes Him! In our toils He marks all our weariness, and writes in His book all the struggles of His faithful ones. These thoughts of the Lord encompass us in all our paths, and penetrate the innermost region of our being. Not a nerve or tissue, valve or vessel, of our bodily organization is uncared for. All the ‘littles’ of our little world, are thought upon by the great God!

Dear reader, is not this precious to you? The Lord lives and thinks upon you!

If the Lord thinks upon you, then all is well, and you may rejoice evermore!
 ~ ~ ~ ~

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

Good morning,

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain!

(Alexander Smellie, “The Hour of Silence” 1899)  LISTEN to audio!  Download audio

“Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne!” Revelation 5:6

“Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they sang: Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” Revelation 5:11-12

The Lamb of God is the center of this mystic and glowing book of the Revelation.

There is the Lamb with His wounds–the Lamb that was slain. Even in Heaven He carries those scars of His passion and death. Even in Heaven I shall be perpetually reminded that I owe everything to Calvary, and to Him who was both Victor and Victim there!

There is the Lamb in His royalty–the Lamb in the center of the Throne. The Head that once was crowned with the sharp thorns, is crowned with regal glory now! I rejoice in it for Christ’s sake. I rejoice in it for my own sake, for what is there which He cannot do for me, His little one? Over the world of nature and men, over unseen principalities and powers–He rules that He may befriend my soul.

There is the Lamb shepherding His own people–the Lamb shall lead them. To all eternity He will shepherd me, feed me, protect me, uphold me! I shall never be able to dispense with Him. I shall never wish to stand alone, outside His keeping and His care. Through the everlasting years, I shall avow myself my dear Lord’s debtor.

There is the Lamb in His triumphs–the Lamb shall overcome them. So, one day, I shall see all my enemies routed and dead. One happy day, I shall be entirely freed from the antagonism and harassment of my sins! He who is for me, is mightier than the hosts arrayed against me!

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!”
   ~  ~  ~  ~

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

Good morning,

The believer’s best day!

Ecclesiastes 7:1 “The day of death is better than the day of birth!”

Philippians 1:21 “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain!”

Philippians 1:23 “I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far!”

Charles Spurgeon, “The best moment of a Christian’s life is his last one, because it is the one that is nearest Heaven.”

William Nicholson,
“Death ends all the conflicts and trials and sorrows of the righteous.
 Death is the commencement of all the woes of the wicked.”

Richard Sibbes,
“Death will be:
 the death of my misery,
 the death of my sins,
 the death of my corruptions.
But death will be my birthday in regard of happiness.”

Adoniram Judson, “When Christ calls me home, I shall go with the gladness of a boy bounding away from school!”

John Calvin, “We may positively state that nobody has made any progress in the school of Christ, unless he cheerfully looks forward towards the day of his death.”

Samuel Bolton, “It is the privilege of saints, that they shall not die until the best time; not until when, if they were but rightly informed, they would desire to die.”

Thomas Watson, “For the child of God, death is the funeral of all his sorrows!”

John Bunyan, “Death is but a passage out of a prison, into a palace!”

William Gurnall,
“Let your hope of Heaven master your fear of death.
 Why should you be afraid to die, who hope to live by dying?”

John Newton,
“I am packed, sealed, and waiting for the post!
 Who would desire to live always in this poor world?”

William Nicholson, “We are ever gliding down the stream of time into the ocean of eternity!“

Charles Spurgeon, “He who does not prepare for death is more than an ordinary fool. He is a madman!”

Job 16:22 “Only a few years will pass, before I go on the journey of no return!“

Psalm 90:12 “Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom!”

Colossians 3:1-4 “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory!”
   ~  ~  ~  ~

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

Good morning,

When I hide myself in the Rock of Ages cleft for me!

(Alexander Smellie, “The Hour of Silence” 1899)  LISTEN to audio!  Download audio

“As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people both now and forevermore!” Psalm 125:2

God, to the humble heart that leans on Him, is like the mountains which surround Jerusalem.

In the mountain, there is safety.
In this dangerous world, I am . . .
  pursued and hunted by principalities and powers,
  in peril of traps and snares and temptations,
  unable to secure my deliverance.

But God in Jesus Christ, becomes . . .
  my Refuge,
  my Rock,
  my Fortress,
  my Shield,
  my Deliverer,
  and my Strength!

I flee to Him, and I am in a secure dwelling. There is no evil which can befall me now. When I hide myself in the Rock of Ages cleft for me, then who can separate me from the love of Christ? That Rock Himself would have to crumble, before any harm could come to my soul! I am so weak in myself, yet so strong in my Savior!

In the mountain, there is assurance.
I feel that the ground is solid and stable underneath my feet.
My sorrow and sighing should flee away.
My fears should be scattered.
The Father and the Son and the Spirit are eternally mine!
From all forebodings and anxieties, my Lord means me to be set free.

In the mountain, there is everlastingness.
My soul is wise when it builds its life-house on the Rock of . . .
  God’s promises,
  God’s grace,
  God’s salvation!
The storm will never be able to blow it down.
The gates of Hell will never prevail against it.
Through the countless and varied changes of my lot, through death and through the long eternity that lies beyond–it will endure, incorruptible, immovable, abiding!

“I lift up my eyes to the mountains. Where does my help come from?
 My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and earth!
 He will not let your foot slip. He who watches over you will not slumber.
 The Lord watches over you. The Lord is your shade at your right hand;
 the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.
 The Lord will keep you from all harm–He will watch over your life.
 The Lord will watch over your coming and going, both now and forevermore!”
     Psalm 121
   ~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chapla1n@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

Fixing our eyes on Jesus!

(Alexander Smellie, “The Hour of Silence” 1899)  LISTEN to audio!  Download audio

“Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith!” Hebrews 12:2

This is how I am justified and forgiven. Not by the hopeless endeavor to win and fight my way to the favor of God and the Celestial City–but by looking to Jesus alone, and by leaning on Him absolutely.
“Nothing in my hands I bring,
 Simply to Your cross I cling!”

This is how I find assurance. I am tossed with tempest, overcast with doubt, haunted with fear–while I scrutinize my own frames and feelings. But when I fix my gaze steadfastly on Him, so all-sufficient, so perfect–the morning awakens and the shadows decay; behold, the winter is past, and the flowers appear! For my own comfort, I would see Him as a glorious Sun filling my sky.

This is how I grow holy. While indeed I am bidden to work out my own salvation with fear and trembling, it must not be as if everything depended on me. It must rather be by a perpetual faith in Him, and a perpetual prayer to Him, who works in me to will and to do according to His good purpose! The battle is not mine, but His. He sows the seed, and He ripens the harvest. He lays the foundation, and He puts the top-stone in its fitting place.

This is how I shall be glorified in the end. Self will have vanished in the better country, and Christ will be ALL! I shall follow the Lamb wherever He goes. I shall find my safety, my peace, my victory–in keeping very close to Him. He will be familiar, and yet He will be new every morning. And I shall discover in Him a subject of study, and wonder, and worship, and love–which is illimitable and unfathomable!

“Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith!” Hebrews 12:2
 Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Two gates, two ways, two ends!

(Alexander Smellie, “The Hour of Silence” 1899)  LISTEN to audio!  Download audio

“Enter by the narrow gate.
 For wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leads to destruction,
     and there are many who go in by it.
 Because narrow is the gate, and difficult is the way which leads to life,
     and there are few who find it!” Matthew 7:13-14

There are only two GATES:
One of them wide. Its name is Self . . .
  my own desires,
  my own proud thoughts,
  my own righteousness,
  my own beloved and darling sins,
  my own plans and pleasures.

The other gate is narrow. Its name is Christ: Christ sought with repentance and godly sorrow–Christ followed at any hazard. It is the gate of the crucifixion of Self!

There are only two WAYS:
One of them is broad, easy, pleasant, comfortable, pleasing to the flesh, thronged with multitudes–a primrose path, but always tending downward, and bringing disastrous consequences.

The other way is difficult and narrow, as it were through a gorge between craggy cliffs which nearly meet, haunted by dangers and enemies, chosen by comparatively few. The Christian’s toilsome pilgrimage and dangerous journey–ah, how the road climbs up and up!

There are only two ENDS:
One of them is destruction—
   dark, hopeless, irretrievable,
   the death of peace,
   the death of hope,
   the death of every good impulse,
   the death of the soul!

The other end is life—
   life at its fullest, sublimest, sweetest,
   life without sin and without sorrow,
   life in the land of life and glory,
   life in the presence of Christ to all eternity!

Consciously, deliberately, unequivocally, may I seek . . .
  the narrow gate,
  the difficult way,
  the end which is everlasting life!

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

INDEPENDENCE THROUGH CONFLICT

July 4 is Independence Day. On this date in 1776, the United States declared their independence from British rule. This caused a conflict. Britain refused to allow the American colonist’s freedom from oppressive taxes, freedom of the press, and freedom to govern themselves. The American colonist’s wanted to be free. A conflict ensued which the American colonist’s won. Independence through conflict.

Since the beginning of time there has been another conflict brewing, the conflict between God and Satan. Genesis 1 tells how God created heaven, earth, vegetation, animals, and man and woman. He also created the angels. Ezekiel 28:13-16 tells us of Lucifer (Satan), his creation as a perfect angel, his beauty, his residence in Eden. Isaiah 14:12-15 tells of Satan’s rebellion against God. Revelation 12:4 tells of one third of the angels who followed Satan’s rebellion. Satan has been in conflict with God from the beginning.

Genesis 3 brings us the first confrontation. God told Adam not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Satan comes to Eve and tempts her with the lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh, pride of life. She takes the fruit, eats it, and gives it to her husband Adam. Adam knew what God had commanded and chose to ignore God. The first sin. An animal is sacrificed and blood atonement is made for Adam and Eve. God has given men and women a free will to choose to follow or reject Him.

Genesis 3:15 tells us of the coming Redeemer Jesus Christ who died on the cross to be the once for all sacrifice for man’s sin.

This conflict is playing out for the souls of men and women. The Bible says in Ephesians 6:12 states, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” This is Satan and his fallen angels (demons) in conflict with men and women.

Who wins? God does at the cross of Calvary. “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. (Revelation 20:10)

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

Whose side of the conflict are you on? Whose would you like to be on?

Contact me:

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

Independence Day: True liberty and freedom

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Galatians 5:1

Our founding fathers knew the price of liberty. They were under the yoke of bondage of the British. When they came together to ratify and sign the Declaration of Independence, they knew that they would be committing treason and would be hunted men. Who were these men?

“All of the colonies were represented in Philadelphia to consider the delicate case for independence. In all, there were fifty-six representatives from the thirteen colonies. The ages of the signers ranged from 26 (Edward Rutledge) to 70 (Benjamin Franklin), but the majority of the signers were in their thirties or forties. More than half of the signers were lawyers and the others were planters, merchants and shippers. Together they mutually pledged “to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.” They were mostly men of means who had much to lose if the war was lost. None of the signers died at the hands of the British, and one third served as militia officers during the war. Four of the signers were taken captive during the war and nearly all of them were poorer at the end of the war than at the beginning.” (ConsitutionFacts.com)

They were willing to die for the cause of freedom.

As we enjoy our country’s Independence Day, let us consider that there is a battle for the souls of men that continues to rage.

^“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” Ephesians 6:10-13

Our country is free.  Will we be free from our battle with sin?

FREEDOM FROM TYRANNY

DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

“Taxation without representation!” was the battle cry in America’s 13 Colonies, which were forced to pay taxes to England’s King George III despite having no representation in the British Parliament. As dissatisfaction grew, British troops were sent in to quell the early movement toward rebellion. Repeated attempts by the Colonists to resolve the crisis without military conflict proved fruitless.

On June 11, 1776, the Colonies’ Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia and formed a committee whose express purpose was drafting a document that would formally sever their ties with Great Britain. The committee included Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman and Robert R. Livingston. Jefferson, who was considered the strongest and most eloquent writer, crafted the original draft document. A total of 86 changes were made to his draft and the Continental Congress officially adopted the final version on July 4, 1776.

STAR SPANGLED BANNER

On a rainy September 13, 1814, British warships sent a downpour of shells and rockets onto Fort McHenry in Baltimore Harbor, relentlessly pounding the American fort for 25 hours. The bombardment, known as the Battle of Baltimore, came only weeks after the British had attacked Washington, D.C., burning the Capitol, the Treasury and the President’s house. It was another chapter in the ongoing War of 1812.

A week earlier, Francis Scott Key, a 35-year-old American lawyer, had boarded the flagship of the British fleet on the Chesapeake Bay in hopes of persuading the British to release a friend who had recently been arrested. Key’s tactics were successful, but because he and his companions had gained knowledge of the impending attack on Baltimore, the British did not let them go. They allowed the Americans to return to their own vessel but continued guarding them. Under their scrutiny, Key watched on September 13 as the barrage of Fort McHenry began eight miles away.

“It seemed as though mother earth had opened and was vomiting shot and shell in a sheet of fire and brimstone,” Key wrote later. But when darkness arrived, Key saw only red erupting in the night sky. Given the scale of the attack, he was certain the British would win. The hours passed slowly, but in the clearing smoke of “the dawn’s early light” on September 14, he saw the American flag—not the British Union Jack—flying over the fort, announcing an American victory.

Key put his thoughts on paper while still on board the ship, setting his words to the tune of a popular English song. His brother-in-law, commander of a militia at Fort McHenry, read Key’s work and had it distributed under the name “Defence of Fort M’Henry.” The Baltimore Patriot newspaper soon printed it, and within weeks, Key’s poem, now called “The Star-Spangled Banner,” appeared in print across the country, immortalizing his words—and forever naming the flag it celebrated.

FREEDOM IS NOT FREE

God has blessed this nation. Our forefathers came to this country to obtain religious liberty. They fought for independence from the economic tyranny of Britain. Many died, but God allowed us to prevail. Freedom was bought through the blood and women who believed in freedom.

JESUS FREED US

The Bible tells us, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”. (Romans 3:23) We have a sin debt that we cannot pay. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23) It was Jesus’ blood, shed on the cross for us, that paid our sin debt. “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;” (Ephesians 1:7)

Christ made us free from our debt of sin. “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:2) So we must, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” (Galatians 5:1)

Who is Jesus? Jesus answered that question in John 14:6. “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” (John 8:36)

Jesus gave us freedom, but we must be willing to take it.

INDEPENDENCE THROUGH CONFLICT

July 4 is Independence Day. On this date in 1776, the United States declared their independence from British rule. This caused a conflict. Britain refused to allow the American colonist’s freedom from oppressive taxes, freedom of the press, and freedom to govern themselves. The American colonists wanted to be free. A conflict ensued which the American colonist’s won. Independence through conflict.

Since the beginning of time there has been another conflict brewing, the conflict between God and Satan. Genesis 1 tells how God created heaven, earth, vegetation, animals, and man and woman. He also created the angels. Ezekiel 28:13-16 tells us of Lucifer (Satan), his creation as a perfect angel, his beauty, his residence in Eden. Isaiah 14:12-15 tells of Satan’s rebellion against God. Revelation 12:4 tells of one third of the angels who followed Satan’s rebellion. Satan has been in conflict with God from the beginning.

Genesis 3 brings us the first confrontation. God told Adam not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Satan comes to Eve and tempts her with the lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh, pride of life. She takes the fruit, eats it, and gives it to her husband Adam. Adam knew what God had commanded and chose to ignore God. The first sin. An animal is sacrificed and blood atonement is made for Adam and Eve. God has given men and women a free will to choose to follow or reject Him.

Genesis 3:15 tells us of the coming Redeemer Jesus Christ who died on the cross to be the once for all sacrifice for man’s sin.

This conflict is playing out for the souls of men and women. The Bible says in Ephesians 6:12 states, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” This is Satan and his fallen angels (demons) in conflict with men and women.

Who wins? God does at the cross of Calvary. “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. (Revelation 20:10)

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

Whose side of the conflict are you on? Whose would you like to be on?

CONCLUSION

True freedom comes from Jesus Christ

Jesus has made us free from the law of sin and death

Jesus has overcome Satan

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