Good morning,

What do we do in the face of a crisis? We should pray and seek God.

Scripture reveals that God provides people to comfort those in crisis.

This week we will look at some of them.

Naomi and Ruth

CRISIS: Naomi has lost her husband and her two sons and is living in a foreign land.

“Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.² And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehem Judah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there. ³ And Elimelech Naomi’s husband died; and she was left, and her two sons.⁴ And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years.⁵ And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.” (Ruth 1:1-5)

Naomi determines to go back to Bethlehem Judah. She wants her daughters in law to go back to their families. Orpah does but Ruth will not.

COMFORTER: Ruth stays with Naomi. She comforts and encourages her. She commits her life to Naomi.

“And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law. ¹⁶ And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:¹⁷ Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.¹⁸ When she saw that she was steadfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her.” (Ruth 1:15-18)

This is the highest form of comfort a person can give. Ruth gave up all to comfort Naomi.

So how can we be a Ruth to someone going through a crisis?

First, we must have a desire to be a comforter.

Second, we must remember that we belong to God. He is control of our lives. He will direct us.

Third, we must yield our lives to God. Allow God to use us in any way He sees fit.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

We must remember what God has done for us. His faithfulness, His mercy, His grace, and His love. His willingness to forgive, when we deserved His wrath. His taking our impossible and making it possible.

Today’s devotion challenges us to remember.

Hitherto!

(Charles Spurgeon)

“Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen, and called its name Ebenezer, saying: “Hitherto has the Lord helped us.” 1 Samuel 7:12

The word “hitherto” seems like a hand pointing in the direction of the past.
Twenty years or seventy, and yet, “hitherto the Lord has helped us!”
  Through poverty and through wealth,
  through sickness and through health,
  at home and abroad,
  on the land and on the sea,
  in honor and in dishonor,
  in perplexity and in joy,
  in trial and in triumph,
  in prayer and in temptation,
“Hitherto has the Lord helped us!“

We delight to look down a long avenue of trees. It is delightful to gaze from end to end of the long vista, a sort of verdant temple, with its branching pillars and its arches of leaves.

In the same way, look down the long aisles of your years, at the green boughs of mercy overhead, and the strong pillars of loving-kindness and faithfulness which bear up your joys. Are there no birds in yonder branches singing? Surely there must be many, and they all sing of mercy received “hitherto.”

But the word hitherto also points forward. For when a man gets up to a certain mark and writes “hitherto,” he is not yet at the end, there is still a distance to be traversed.
  More trials and more joys;
  more temptations and more triumphs;
  more prayers and more answers;
  more toils and more strength;
  more fights and more victories;
and then come sickness, old age, disease and death!

Is it over now?

No! there is more yet:
  awakening in Jesus’ likeness,
  glorious thrones,
  heavenly harps and songs,
  white clothing,
  the face of Jesus,
  the society of saints,
  the glory of God,
  the fullness of eternity,
  the infinity of bliss!

O be of good courage, believer, and with grateful confidence raise your “Ebenezer,” for He who has helped you hitherto–will help you all your journey through! When read in Heaven’s light, how glorious and marvelous a prospect will your “hitherto” unfold to your grateful eye!
~  ~  ~  ~

God is faithful. He never leaves or forsakes us. Cradle to grave, God is there to help and guide us along our journey.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Some of us had a parent, teacher, sports hero, celebrity, or professional we looked up to and wanted to be like them. We wanted to be conformed to their image.

Christians are to be conformed to the image of Christ. We are to have the mind of Christ. We are to do things the way Jesus instructed us from the Bible.

This devotional is a warning to seek things above. Not the things of this earth.

A canker into the very core of your spirituality!

(Octavius Winslow)

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:2

Heavenly-mindedness can only be maintained by the strictest vigilance. It is a delicate and fragile flower, susceptible to every variation of the spiritual atmosphere. Guard against that which checks its growth.

Many are not aware how much . . . 
  worldly amusements,
  light conversation,
  foolish jesting,
  novel reading,
  carnal music,
unfit the heart for communion with God, and lessen the tone of its spirituality.

Close communion with mere nominal religious professors is particularly to be avoided. Much more injury to spiritual-mindedness accrues from intimate friendship with such, than from those who assert no pretensions to a religious character; as with the one we are apt to be less on our guard than the other.

Avoid the world’s amusements–they will eat as a canker into the very core of your spirituality!

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world” is a prohibition which should never be absent from the eye of a traveler to the heavenly city.

Are not heaven’s attractions many and powerful?

How rich is heaven! Why, then, should not our thoughts be there? Oh! shall not our hearts be more where our most precious treasure is, where our holiest and dearest hopes center, and where we ourselves shall shortly be?
“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.” Colossians 3:1-2

XXXXXXXX

Where do our minds dwell? Earth or heaven? Are we conformed to this world or the heavenly one?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Jesus is all I need! In every circumstance, all we need to do is draw close to the one who died on the cross for us. Shed His perfect blood to take away the sin debt we owed. Who died, was buried, and rose again the third day.

In our life today, we often loose perspective. We forget what Jesus did for us. We forget that the victory was won when Jesus paid our sin debt. We forget that Satan no longer has dominion over our lives. Jesus owns us. Jesus bought us with His blood.

So this devotional is a reminder.

The life-buoy!

(Charles Spurgeon, “Christ Is All”)

Whatever trials you have, my dear brother, Christ is all in all to meet them.

Are you poor?He will make you rich in your poverty by His consoling presence.

Are you sick?He will make your bed in your sickness, and so will make your sick-bed better than the walks of health.

Are you persecuted?If it is for His sake, you may even leap for joy.

Are you oppressed? Remember how He also was oppressed and afflicted; and you will have fellowship with Him in his sufferings.

Amidst all the vicissitudes of this present life, Christ is all that the believer needs to bear him up, and bear him through.No wave can sink the man who clings to this life-buoy; he shall swim to glory on it!
Jesus is all I need!  Jesus is . . .
  the living water to quench my thirst,
  the heavenly bread to satisfy my hunger,
  the snow-white robe to cover me,
  the sure refuge in times of trouble,
  the happy home of my soul,
  my food and my medicine,
  my solace and my song,
  my light and my delight.

The believer can say, “Christ is mine!” No emperor is half as rich as the beggar that has Christ! He who has Christ, being a pauper, has all things. And he who has not Christ, possessing a thousand worlds, possesses nothing for real happiness and joy!

Oh, the blessedness of the man who can say, “Christ is mine!“
~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

COVID-19 is a great time to determine where we will put our trust. Today’s devotion challenges us to think about the “bitter cups” we drink. Does it cause to draw closer to Christ or the world?

Drinking bitter cups!

(Octavius Winslow)

“We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

Oh truth most divine!

Oh words most consolatory!

All things under the government of an infinitely great, all wise, righteous, and beneficent God, work together for good.

What that good may be, the shape it may assume, the complexion it may wear, the end to which it may be subservient–we cannot tell.

To our dim view it may appear an evil, but to God’s far seeing eye it is a positive good.

His glory secured by it, and His end accomplished–we are sure it must be good.

How many whose eye traces this page, it may be whose tears bedew it, whose sighs breathe over it, whose prayers hallow it, may be wading in deep waters, may be drinking bitter cups, and are ready to exclaim, “All these things are against me!”

Oh no, beloved of God, all these things are for you!

“The Lord sits upon the flood.”
“The voice of the Lord is upon the waters.”
“He makes the clouds His chariot.”

Be not then afraid.

Calmly stay your faith on this divinely assured truth, that “all things work together for good to those who love God.”

Will it not be a good, if your present adversity results . . . 
  in the dethronement of some worshiped idol;
  in the endearing of Christ to your soul;
  in the closer conformity of your mind to God’s image;
  in the purification of your heart;
  in your more thorough fitness for Heaven;
  in a revival of God’s work within you;
  in stirring you up to more prayer?

Oh yes! good, real good, permanent good must result from all the Divine dispensations in your history. Bitter repentance shall end in the experienced sweetness of Christ’s love.

The festering wound shall but elicit the healing balm.

The overpowering burden shall but bring you to the tranquil rest.

The storm shall but quicken your footsteps to the ‘hiding place’.

In a little while, oh, how soon! you shall pass away from earth to heaven, and in its clearer, serener light shall read the truth, often read with tears before, “All things work together for good to those who love God.”
~  ~  ~  ~

So how do we look at our trials in life? Temporal or eternal. God is working in each of our lives. He is preparing us for heaven.

Will we let Him?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Heaven is a wonderful place. We do not commonly refer to it as Immanuel’s land, but it is. Immanuel is the Lord Jesus Christ. We are going to be with Him when we die. It is Immanuel’s land.

This devotion challenges us to think about Immanuel’s land.

Immanuel’s Land!

(Gene Fedele, edited)
What can be more delightful for the weary pilgrim who is hastening to his heavenly mansion, than to meditate on the unspeakable wonders of his future home beyond the skies? There is much of Immanuel’s Land to engage our hearts in sacred contemplation, even while we sojourn and toil in this world as strangers and pilgrims.

Heaven is the most cheering and attractive occupation to which we may set our hearts. Yet I wonder why many of us fail to avail ourselves of the enjoyment and spiritual strength afforded in such a holy pursuit.

Could it be that the allurements of this world keep us from recognizing how near we are to the unseen, supernatural, and eternal state? Instead of dwelling on the glorious world to come–do we focus on the mere momentary pleasures of time? We do well to examine ourselves with judgment day honesty, that we may check the affections of our heart.

It is the influence of the future heavenly realities exercised in our hearts and lives, which gives vitality and beauty to our religion. It reveals genuine piety, as our aim is in contrast to the passing pleasures of this fleeting earth. It affords light along the path of life’s dark trials, and points to the realms of bliss, where there shall be no more tears, and sorrow is banished forevermore!

The glorious rest that remains for our earth wearied souls;
the sweet consolation of the redeemed in glory;
the unending fellowship of that precious society of saints;
the incalculable riches laid up in store for us to receive on that glorious day
–are all facets of Immanuel’s Land, that we might set an adoring eye towards the one object of our affections, Christ Jesus our Lord!

Let us, therefore, ‘set our affections on things above’ and fix our hearts steadfastly upon the heavenly joys and glory of Immanuel’s Land!

“But our citizenship is in Heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables Him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body!” Philippians 3:20-21
~  ~  ~  ~

The COVID-19 pandemic has turned our world upside down. Right now our thoughts are how are we going to pay our bills, feed our families, keep sane, in the wake of staying home.

Unfortunately, Immanuel’s land may not be top priority. However, it should be. When we focus on Immanuel, Jesus Christ, we know that He knows what is going on, and has a purpose for it.

His will, will be done.

Focus on Immanuel!

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning.,

The wedding feast of the Lamb is soon approaching. What is it and why do I care?

Read on and find out.

The wedding feast!

(Octavius Winslow)

“Let us be glad and rejoice and honor Him. For the time has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb, and His bride has prepared herself.” Revelation 19:7

Jesus sustains no relation to His Church more expressive than this. From all eternity He betrothed her to Himself. He asked her at the hands of her Father, and the Father gave her to Him. He entered into a covenant that she should be His. The conditions of that covenant were great, but not too great for His love to undertake. They were that He should . . .
  assume her nature,
  discharge her legal obligations,
  endure her punishment,
  repair her ruin, and
  bring her to glory!

He undertook all, and He accomplished all–because He loved her!

The love of Jesus to His Church, is the love of the most tender husband. It is . . .
  exclusive,
  constant,
  affectionate,
  matchless,
  wonderful.

Jesus . . .
  sympathizes with her,
  nourishes her,
  provides for her,
  clothes her,
  watches over her, and
  indulges her with the most intimate and endearing communion.

The Lord Jesus will come in the clouds of Heaven, and this will be the occasion of His public wedding of His Church. Her present union to Him is secret and unknown–invisible to the world. But He will appear, openly and visibly to take her to Himself; and before His Father and the holy angels He will solemnize her eternal union.

Oh what a time of splendor and of rejoicing will that be! Arrayed in His nuptial robes, Jesus will descend to make her His own; and she, “prepared as a bride adorned for her husband,” will go forth to meet Him. Then will be heard the song of angels, “Let us be glad and rejoice and honor Him. For the time has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb, and His bride has prepared herself.”

Yes! “Blessed are they who are called unto the wedding feast of the Lamb.”
~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Did it occur to you that God disciplines His children? Who are His children? All those who have trusted Christ to be their Lord and Savior.

Today, we will see the benefits of God’s discipline in our lives.

Perhaps He will smite you!

(Charles Spurgeon)

“Just as a parent disciplines a child, the LORD your God disciplines you for your own good.” Deuteronomy 8:5 

“I have refined you in the furnace of suffering.” Isaiah 48:10  

I can truly say of everything I have ever tasted in this world of God’s mercy, (and my path has been remarkably strewn with divine lovingkindness), I feel more grateful to God for the bodily pain I have suffered, and for all the trials of diverse sorts I have endured, than I do for anything else.

I am sure I have derived more real benefit, and permanent strength, and growth in grace, and every precious thing–from the furnace of suffering, than I have ever derived from prosperity.

I know not how to quite express my meaning, but even depression of spirit and deep sadness have a particular charm within them, which laughter in vain may emulate.

“It is good for me that I have been afflicted!” Psalm 119:71

Ponder and consider the much gratitude you owe to God for His chastening rod. Dwell much in your heart upon what God evidently regards as one of His distinguishing blessings. Do not lightly pass over, what God would have you consider. Count the cross and the rod to be doubly worthy of your deepest thought.

“Heed the rod and Him who has appointed it.” Micah 6:9

Remember that whenever you are chastened, you are not chastened as a slave master smites his victim, nor as a judge orders the criminal to be lashed; but as a tender father chastens his son.

Your chastisement is a sign of sonship, it is a token of love! It is intended for your good.

Accept it, therefore, in the spirit of sonship, and “Do not despise the chastening of the Lord, neither faint when you are corrected by Him.”

It is the Lord your God who chastens you!

If He were not your God, He might let you alone!

If He had not chosen you to be His own, He would not take such care of you!

If He had not given Himself to be your treasure, He might not be so diligent in weaning you from all other treasures!

But because you are His, He will withdraw your love away from this poor world.

Perhaps He will take one child after another from you, that all the love that was lavished on the children might flow towards Himself.

Perhaps He will leave you a widow, that the love that ran in the channel of a husband may run altogether to Himself.

Perhaps he will take away your riches, that the consolation you derived from them may be all derived from Him.

Perhaps He will smite you, and then lay you on His own bosom, faint and helpless, that you may derive a strength and a joy from close and near fellowship with Himself, which you would never have had if it had not been that these other joys were removed.

Bless God for your chastenings!

Let the sweetest note of your music be to Him who, as a loving father, chastens His children for their good.

“For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and chastises every son He receives.” Hebrews 12:6
 ~  ~  ~  ~

I am glad God cares enough about me to discipline me. Although I do not like it or understand it, God already knows how it will help me to draw closer to Him.

Do you desire a closer walk to the Lord? Allow Him to discipline you and mold you into the man or woman He wants you to be.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

When we think about the state of our world, the wickedness and corruption and want to blame someone else, look in the mirror. We are our own worst enemies.

Read today’s devotion with that in mind.

The worst enemy I have!

(Thomas Reade, “Christian Meditations”)

“What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?” Romans 7:24

Strange to tell, yet, no less strange than true, the worst enemy I have is MYSELF!

I may flee from other enemies, but from this I cannot escape.

Wherever I go, SELF still is there.

The inbred evil travels with me.

I may cross mighty oceans, traverse extensive deserts, plunge into the deepest recesses of the tangled forest or the caverned earth, yet, in the profoundest solitude, SELF is there!

None but the true believer knows the dreadful conflicts between the flesh and the Spirit. His cry is; “Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I flee away and be at rest!”

But soon he feels the vanity of this wish; for even if he could fly on eagle’s wings to the earth’s remotest bounds, he would carry with him all the evil he deplores.

He therefore prays for present grace and strength, for present power to conquer sin, and to glorify his Savior in the place divine wisdom has appointed for him.

Lord Jesus, you alone can enable me . . .
  to vanquish the powers of darkness,
  to overcome the corruptions of my heart,
  to crucify the lustings of the flesh.

“Lord, save me from that evil man, myself!” Augustine

   ~  ~  ~  ~

The answer to the question is Jesus Christ.

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.² For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:1-2)

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

A deadly enemy!

(William Sprague, “Lectures on Revivals of Religion”)

“You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.” James 4:4

Beware of the world!

Everyone who has made much progress in the Christian life, has been taught by his own experience that the world is a deadly enemy to the believer’s growth in grace.

The cares of the world are exceedingly apt to mar the Christian character.

But there are, in addition . . .
   the pleasures of the world,
   the honors of the world,
   the riches of the world,
all of which in turn seize hold of the heart with a mighty grasp.

Sometimes the world laughs and scoffs at the Christian, and tries to persuade him that he is giving himself to fanaticism and folly.

Sometimes it flatters and caresses him, and by its artful blandishments, seeks to draw him aside from the plain path of duty.

Indeed the world will assume any form, or morph into anything, to draw the Christian away from God and from duty.

How important then that you be on guard against this dangerous enemy! Beware especially against the levities and amusements of the world; for this is the point at which you are most in danger.

“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world–the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does–comes not from the Father but from the world.” 1 John 2:15-16
~  ~  ~  ~

Good advice.

Tomorrow, “The worst enemy I have.”

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001