Good morning,

The Bible is the greatest book ever written. It tells us how the world began, how it will end, and its complete history. It tells us about life and death. It tells us why there is so much wickedness in the world. It tells us of the love of God. It explains what sin is and why we need a Savior.

The greatest chapter of the Bible dealing with God’s word is Psalm 119. The 176 verses are divided into twenty-two groups of eight verses each. The first group of eight begin with the Hebrew letter aleph. The next eight verses begin with the Hebrew letter beth. This pattern continues throughout the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet.

Psalm 119:153-160 Deliver me

“Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law.

¹⁵⁴ Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word.

¹⁵⁵ Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes.

¹⁵⁶ Great are thy tender mercies, O Lord: quicken me according to thy judgments.

¹⁵⁷ Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies.

¹⁵⁸ I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word.

¹⁵⁹ Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O Lord, according to thy lovingkindness.

¹⁶⁰ Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.”

Two words are key to today’s devotion. Deliver and quicken.

He pleads with God to deliver him from his enemies. This is a recurring theme. His confidence is in the Lord.

Quicken means make alive. Three times, the Psalmist, requests the Lord to quicken him. According to thy word, judgements, and lovingkindness.

He is grieved that his enemies do not keep the word. He knows that if they kept the word, statutes, and testimonies of God, they would not be his enemy.

We live in a world of wickedness. Believers in Christ have enemies all about us. Satan is the greatest enemy we have. We need deliverance daily from his influence in our lives.

The Psalmist stayed in God’s word for encouragement and wisdom. We should too.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Today we complete our study of 2 Peter. Chapter 3 tells us to LOOK FOR THE LORD’S RETURN.

2 Peter 3:1-18

LOOK FOR THE LORD’S RETURN

“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” (2 Peter 3:10)

Look for the Lord’s return (2 Peter 3:1-18)

Though scoffers will come (3:1-9)

Who forget that the world was destroyed by water (3:1-7)

This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:² That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Savior: ³ Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,⁴ And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.⁵ For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:⁶ Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:⁷ But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

Do not forget that the Lord is not bound by time, and is longsuffering (3:8-9)

⁸ But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.⁹ The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

For the day of the Lord will come (3:10-18)

As a thief in the night with cataclysmic destruction (3:10,12)

¹⁰ But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.¹² Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

For which we should be ready, with holy conduct, looking for the promise of new heavens and a new earth in which righteous dwells (3:11, 13-14)

¹¹ Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,¹³ Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.¹⁴ Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

Remembering the Lord’s longsuffering is salvation, as Paul wrote (3:15-16)

¹⁵ And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;¹⁶ As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

So beware lest you fall, growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ (3:17-18)

¹⁷ Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness.¹⁸ But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

Conclusion

Look for the coming of the Lord

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

The Bible is the greatest book ever written. It tells us how the world began, how it will end, and its complete history. It tells us about life and death. It tells us why there is so much wickedness in the world. It tells us of the love of God. It explains what sin is and why we need a Savior.

The greatest chapter of the Bible dealing with God’s word is Psalm 119. The 176 verses are divided into twenty-two groups of eight verses each. The first group of eight begin with the Hebrew letter aleph. The next eight verses begin with the Hebrew letter beth. This pattern continues throughout the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet.

Psalm 119:145-152 Save me

“I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O Lord: I will keep thy statutes.

¹⁴⁶ I cried unto thee; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies.

¹⁴⁷ I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word.

¹⁴⁸ Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word.

¹⁴⁹ Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness: O Lord, quicken me according to thy judgment.

¹⁵⁰ They draw nigh that follow after mischief: they are far from thy law.

¹⁵¹ Thou art near, O Lord; and all thy commandments are truth.

¹⁵² Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever.”

The Psalmist could not sleep. His enemies are near him. He cries out to God to save him from his enemies. Even in the midst of his troubles, he keeps thy statutes, testimonies, hoped, and meditated in the word of God. He was grounded in God’s word because he knew it was the truth and was founded by God.

This is a great example for us.

When we are in the midst of a trial, do we seek God first or as a last resort? Is God’s word a useful tool in determining the best course of action to take to resolve the issue?

The Psalmist knew where to go. Do we?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

The Bible is the greatest book ever written. It tells us how the world began, how it will end, and its complete history. It tells us about life and death. It tells us why there is so much wickedness in the world. It tells us of the love of God. It explains what sin is and why we need a Savior.

The greatest chapter of the Bible dealing with God’s word is Psalm 119. The 176 verses are divided into twenty-two groups of eight verses each. The first group of eight begin with the Hebrew letter aleph. The next eight verses begin with the Hebrew letter beth. This pattern continues throughout the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet.

Psalm 119:137-144 Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness

“Righteous art thou, O Lord, and upright are thy judgments.

¹³⁸ Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful.

¹³⁹ My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words.

¹⁴⁰ Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.

¹⁴¹ I am small and despised: yet do not I forget thy precepts.

¹⁴² Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth.

¹⁴³ Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights.

¹⁴⁴ The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.

The Psalmist states that the Lord is righteous and His righteousness is everlasting. Then he states that the Lord’s testimonies are righteous, faithful, pure, truth, and everlasting. The commandments of the Lord are his delight and he will never forget thy precepts.

What does it mean to be righteous? Simply put, it means to do right. The standards for doing right are found in God’s word. Jesus Himself sets the example of what righteousness looks like. Love, empathy, mercy, and graciousness are good qualities.

We also see the examples of mortal men. Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Joseph, David, Peter, Paul, and John, all lived righteous lives. Were they perfect, without sin in their lives? NO! However, the totality of their lives was lived in obedience to God and His word. When they failed, they repented of their sin, and resumed their work for God.

Do our lives exhibit righteousness? Are we living to glorify the Lord Jesus or ourselves? Does it matter?

It did to the Psalmist and should for each of us.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

The Bible is the greatest book ever written. It tells us how the world began, how it will end, and its complete history. It tells us about life and death. It tells us why there is so much wickedness in the world. It tells us of the love of God. It explains what sin is and why we need a Savior.

The greatest chapter of the Bible dealing with God’s word is Psalm 119. The 176 verses are divided into twenty-two groups of eight verses each. The first group of eight begin with the Hebrew letter aleph. The next eight verses begin with the Hebrew letter beth. This pattern continues throughout the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet.

Psalm 119:129-136 Love the Word, Pray, Weep

¹²⁹ Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.

¹³⁰ The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.

¹³¹ I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments.

¹³² Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.

¹³³ Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.

¹³⁴ Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts.

¹³⁵ Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes.

¹³⁶ Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.

We will break down today’s lesson into three parts.

Verses 129-131 the Psalmist tells us how he views the word of God. It is wonderful, gives light and understanding, and he longs for God’s word.

Verses 132-135 the Psalmist requests that God would look upon him, be merciful, order his steps, deliver him from the oppression of men, and make God’s face to shine upon him.

Verse 136 gives us a picture of the Psalmist’s heart. He weeps over the lost who do not keep the word of God.

Here is a practical lesson on how to stay close to God. Love His word, pray for God to look upon you, and weep for the lost.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

The Bible is the greatest book ever written. It tells us how the world began, how it will end, and its complete history. It tells us about life and death. It tells us why there is so much wickedness in the world. It tells us of the love of God. It explains what sin is and why we need a Savior.

The greatest chapter of the Bible dealing with God’s word is Psalm 119. The 176 verses are divided into twenty-two groups of eight verses each. The first group of eight begin with the Hebrew letter aleph. The next eight verses begin with the Hebrew letter beth. This pattern continues throughout the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet.

Psalm 119:121-128 Psalmist requests to God

¹²¹ I have done judgment and justice: leave me not to mine oppressors.

¹²² Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me.

¹²³ Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness.

¹²⁴ Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes.

¹²⁵ I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.

¹²⁶ It is time for thee, Lord, to work: for they have made void thy law.

¹²⁷ Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.

¹²⁸ Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.

The Psalmist requests God to protect him from his enemies, be surety for thy servant for good, deal with him according to His mercy, to teach him God’s statutes, and understanding of God’s word.

He is already doing judgement, justice, serves God, loves God’s word, and states that God’s word is right.

The Psalmist desires to grow closer to God. He wants more understanding of God and His ways.

Prayer is our vehicle into the throne room of God. God is desirous of hearing from his children. He wants to teach and bless us.

BUT we must come and ask. He expects us to come to Him with humble hearts, seeking a relationship with the God who sent His Son for our salvation. He hears our prayers. He always answers our prayers. Sometimes not the way we want. Remember He knows everything and knows that HIS decision is the best.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Today we continue our study of 2 Peter. Chapter 2 is about false teachers.

2 Peter 2:1-22

Beware of False Teachers

“But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.” (2 Peter 2:1)

Their destructiveness (2 Peter 2:1-3)

Their destructive heresies (2:1-2)

“But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.² And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

Their destructive methods (2:1,3)

“But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. ³ And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.”

Their destructive end (2:1,3)

“But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. ³ And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.”

Their doom (2:4-9)

The example of the angels who sinned (2:4)

“For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;”

The example of the flood (2:5)

“And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;”

 The example of Sodom and Gomorrah (2:6-8)

“And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an example unto those that after should live ungodly;⁷ And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:⁸ (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)”

God will deliver the godly, and punish the unjust (2:9)

“The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:”

Their depravity (2:10-17)

Reviling against authority (2:10-12)

“But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.¹¹ Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.¹² But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;”

Reveling with great pleasure (2:13-14)

“And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you;¹⁴ Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: a heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:”

Revolting against the right way (2:15-17)

“Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;¹⁶ But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad the madness of the prophet.¹⁷ These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.”

Their deceptions (2:18-22)

Deceptive in their methods (2:18)

“For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.”

Deceptive in their promises (2:19)

“While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.”

Whose later end is worse than the beginning (2:20-22)

“For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.²¹ For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.²² But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.”

CONCLUSION

Beware of false teachers

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Good morning,

The Bible is the greatest book ever written. It tells us how the world began, how it will end, and its complete history. It tells us about life and death. It tells us why there is so much wickedness in the world. It tells us of the love of God. It explains what sin is and why we need a Savior.

The greatest chapter of the Bible dealing with God’s word is Psalm 119. The 176 verses are divided into twenty-two groups of eight verses each. The first group of eight begin with the Hebrew letter aleph. The next eight verses begin with the Hebrew letter beth. This pattern continues throughout the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet.

Psalm 119:113-120 God is our hiding place

^“113 I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love.

¹¹⁴ Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.

¹¹⁵ Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.

¹¹⁶ Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.

¹¹⁷ Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually.

¹¹⁸ Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit is falsehood.

¹¹⁹ Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love thy testimonies.

¹²⁰ My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.”

The Psalmist acknowledges his dependence on God. God is his hiding place and God’s word is his hope, love, respect, and fear. His desire is to obey God’s word and he asks God to help him do it. He also realizes that it is God who is and will continue to judge the wicked.

There is a song in our hymnal called “Near to the heart of God”. This song helps us to understand this passage.

1 There is a place of quiet rest,
near to the heart of God,
a place where sin cannot molest,
near to the heart of God.

2 There is a place of comfort sweet,
near to the heart of God,
a place where we our Savior meet,
near to the heart of God.

3 There is a place of full release,
near to the heart of God,
a place where all is joy and peace,
near to the heart of God.

Quiet rest, comfort, joy, peace, is found near to the heart of God. The “hiding place” of today’s passage.

Have you gone to God’s hiding place lately? Are you seeking something from God, needing encouragement, protection, or comfort?

Come to God’s hiding place, near to the heart of God.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

The Bible is the greatest book ever written. It tells us how the world began, how it will end, and its complete history. It tells us about life and death. It tells us why there is so much wickedness in the world. It tells us of the love of God. It explains what sin is and why we need a Savior.

The greatest chapter of the Bible dealing with God’s word is Psalm 119. The 176 verses are divided into twenty-two groups of eight verses each. The first group of eight begin with the Hebrew letter aleph. The next eight verses begin with the Hebrew letter beth. This pattern continues throughout the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet.

Psalm 119:105-112 The illumination of God’s word

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

¹⁰⁶ I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments.

¹⁰⁷ I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O Lord, according unto thy word.

¹⁰⁸ Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord, and teach me thy judgments.

¹⁰⁹ My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law.

¹¹⁰ The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts.

¹¹¹ Thy testimonies have I taken as a heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.

¹¹² I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes always, even unto the end.”

The word of God illuminates our way. If we read it and obey it, God’s word provides a clear path. It gives us direction and purpose. The Psalmist testifies to this point.

He says he will obey, give, not forget, and perform the words of God always. He states that the word of God is the rejoicing of his heart. He asks God to teach him and quicken (make alive) in his time of affliction.

We all like coming into a well-lit room. However, when a bulb goes out, the light dims. Then we cannot see as well. That is what happens when we neglect to read and obey the word of God.

God desires to illuminate our way. Are our eyes opened and hearts prepared to receive God’s blessings?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

The Bible is the greatest book ever written. It tells us how the world began, how it will end, and its complete history. It tells us about life and death. It tells us why there is so much wickedness in the world. It tells us of the love of God. It explains what sin is and why we need a Savior.

The greatest chapter of the Bible dealing with God’s word is Psalm 119. The 176 verses are divided into twenty-two groups of eight verses each. The first group of eight begin with the Hebrew letter aleph. The next eight verses begin with the Hebrew letter beth. This pattern continues throughout the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet.

Psalm 119:97-104 Benefits of loving God’s word

^“97 O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.

⁹⁸ Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.

⁹⁹ I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.

¹⁰⁰ I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.

¹⁰¹ I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.

¹⁰² I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me.

¹⁰³ How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

¹⁰⁴ Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.”

The Psalmist loves God’s word. He sees benefits to obeying the word of God. God’s word makes him wiser than his enemies, have more understanding than his teachers and the ancients, it keeps him from evil, it is sweeter than honey, and it gives him understanding.

The Psalmist meditates on God’s word. He obeys and applies God’s word to his life.

Is God’s word practical? I would say that it is. The benefit of obeying God’s word ultimately is life eternal. But the real fun is reading and finding those benefits. God has little gems scattered all through the Scriptures. Some are obvious and others take a bit more searching. What an adventure!

The end result is growing closer to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Go explore and see what you can find.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001