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.

The focal point for the 176 verses is the Word of God. This Psalm includes seven names for the Word of God. These seven names are: “thy law,” ”thy testimonies,” “thy word,” “thy statutes,” “thy judgments,” “thy precepts,” and “thy commandments.”

Psalm 119:17-24

“Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word. ¹⁸ Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.¹⁹ I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.²⁰ My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.²¹ Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments.²² Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.²³ Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.²⁴ Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counselors.”

The Psalmist is humble before God. He requests life and power to keep God’s word.

He asks God to open his eyes to the wonders of God’s word and not to hide God’s word from him. The Psalmist has a longing to be obedient to God’s commands at all times.

God’s word is his delight and counselor.

Are we humble to God and His word? Do we long to be obedient to the word of God? Do we delight in God’s word? Is God’s word our counselor?

These verses challenge us to humble ourselves before God, long to be obedient to His word, and to accept counsel from the word 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.

The focal point for the 176 verses is the Word of God. This Psalm includes seven names for the Word of God. These seven names are: “thy law,” ”thy testimonies,” “thy word,” “thy statutes,” “thy judgments,” “thy precepts,” and “thy commandments.”

Psalm 119:9-16

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.¹⁰ With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.¹¹ Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.¹² Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy statutes.¹³ With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.¹⁴ I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.¹⁵ I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.¹⁶ I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.”

Although this written about a young man, this is applicable to all of us.

Cleansing comes from God’s word. When the Holy Spirit convicts us of sin, we are commanded to repent, and to continue to walk with God. We will not wander away from God if we are seeking God with our whole heart.

Next we need to memorize God’s word. If we hide God’s word in our hearts, we will be much less prone to commit sin. When we do, we will be immediately convicted of our transgressions.

Study God’s word. We need to ask God to teach us. God will illumine us when we are willing to learn.

Then observe what the Psalmist does. He declares, rejoices, meditates, and delights in God’s word.

These verses challenge us to study, memorize, and meditate on God’s word.

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.

The focal point for the 176 verses is the Word of God. This Psalm includes seven names for the Word of God. These seven names are: “thy law,” ”thy testimonies,” “thy word,” “thy statutes,” “thy judgments,” “thy precepts,” and “thy commandments.”

As we study this chapter, look for the names of the Word of God, and the application to our lives.

Psalm 119:1-8

“Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord. ² Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.³ They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.⁴ Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.⁵ O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!⁶ Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.⁷ I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.⁸ I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.”

If we want to be blessed in this life, we must live “undefiled” and “keep his testimonies”. Knowing the Word of God is the foundation for knowing God and His will for our lives.

Living undefiled, keeping his testimonies, seeking Him with our whole hearts, results in not being ashamed of God, praise, and a continued desire to follow God and His word.

Is this our desire? Is this our practice?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

Good morning,

This week we will look at Psalm 116, Salvation (Monday), Psalm 115 Confidence in God (Tuesday), 1 Peter 4:12-5:14 (Wednesday), Psalm 113, Bless the Lord (Thursday), and Psalm 112, The blessings and responsibilities of a righteous life (Friday).

Psalm 112 is broken into two sections.

First, the blessings of the righteous. (112:1-4)

“Praise ye the Lord. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.² His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed.³ Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever.⁴ Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.”

Second, the responsibilities of the righteous. (112:5-10)

“A good man sheweth favor, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.⁶ Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.⁷ He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord.⁸ His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies.⁹ He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honor.¹⁰ The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.”

We enjoy the list of the blessings, but are we willing to be obedient to the responsibilities? Are we willing to give of our wealth? To those who are poor? Are we obedient to God’s word?

God has tremendous blessings for each of us. But we will not receive them unless we are trusting and obeying.

“Trust and obey. For there is no other way. To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey”

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

Good morning,

This week we will look at Psalm 116, Salvation (Monday), Psalm 115 Confidence in God (Tuesday), 1 Peter 4:12-5:14 (Wednesday), Psalm 113, Bless the Lord (Thursday), and Psalm 112, The blessings and responsibilities of a righteous life (Friday).

After we have been saved, have built up our confidence in God, then we can bless the Lord.

Psalm 113 speaks of blessing the Lord. The Psalmist tells us to praise the Lord, how long to do it, when to do it, and why to do it.

“Praise ye the Lord. Praise, O ye servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord.² Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and for evermore.³ From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the Lord’s name is to be praised.⁴ The Lord is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens.⁵ Who is like unto the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high,⁶ Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!⁷ He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill;⁸ That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people.⁹ He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the Lord.”

Are our lives characterized by an attitude of continual praise to the Lord? Because of who God is and what He has done for us, we should be praising Him all the time.

Let’s try that and see what happens.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

Today we complete our study of 1 Peter.

Our topic today is “Our duties in Christ in view of our persecution”.

Persecution is inevitable for Christians who are outspoken for Christ. The question is how will we deal with it. We will learn how in today’s lesson.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Download (1-Peter-4.12-5-14.docx, DOCX, 16KB)

Good morning,

This week we will look at Psalm 116, Salvation (Monday), Psalm 115 Confidence in God (Tuesday), 1 Peter 4:12-5:14 (Wednesday), Psalm 113, Bless the Lord (Thursday), and Psalm 112, The blessings and responsibilities of a righteous life (Friday).

Psalm 115 contrasts the worship of idols against the worship of God. Israel trusts in the Most High God.

“Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth’s sake.² Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God?³ But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.⁴ Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands.⁵ They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not:⁶ They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not:⁷ They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat.⁸ They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them.⁹ O Israel, trust thou in the Lord: he is their help and their shield.¹⁰ O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord: he is their help and their shield.¹¹ Ye that fear the Lord, trust in the Lord: he is their help and their shield. ¹² The Lord hath been mindful of us: he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron.¹³ He will bless them that fear the Lord, both small and great.¹⁴ The Lord shall increase you more and more, you and your children.¹⁵ Ye are blessed of the Lord which made heaven and earth.¹⁶ The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.¹⁷ The dead praise not the Lord, neither any that go down into silence.¹⁸ But we will bless the Lord from this time forth and for evermore. Praise the Lord.”

Where does our confidence lie? In our job, wealth, possessions, or family? It should be in the Lord. Whether we realize or acknowledge it, everything we have is the Lord’s. He has chosen us to be His stewards. That should change the way we view life.

As we see in the book of Job, everything we have can be taken away in a moment in time. We need to be careful how closely we hold on to this world’s possessions.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

This week we will look at Psalm 116, Salvation (Monday), Psalm 115 Confidence in God (Tuesday), 1 Peter 4:12-5:14 (Wednesday), Psalm 113, Bless the Lord (Thursday), and Psalm 112, The blessings and responsibilities of a righteous life (Friday).

People in the Old Testament were saved. The standard was the same. They needed to repent of their sins and by faith call upon the name of the Lord. Psalm 116 shows us this. We will see the Psalmist desire a relationship with God. We see God’s mercy, graciousness, righteousness, deliverance, and love. The Psalmist calls upon the Lord, believes on the Lord, walked with the Lord, and is thankful.

“I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. ² Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.³ The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.⁴ Then called I upon the name of the Lord; O Lord, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.⁵ Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful.⁶ The Lord preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me.⁷ Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee.⁸ For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.⁹ I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living.¹⁰ I believed, therefore have I spoken: I was greatly afflicted:¹¹ I said in my haste, All men are liars.¹² What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me? ¹³ I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord. ¹⁴ I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all his people. ¹⁵ Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.¹⁶ O Lord, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds.¹⁷ I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the Lord.¹⁸ I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all his people.¹⁹ In the courts of the Lord’s house, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Praise ye the Lord.”

The Psalmist calls upon the Lord four times in this Psalm. His focus is on the Lord. He knows he is wicked and that God is righteous. He knows God is merciful. That is what he wants.

Then he believes on the Lord, begins walking with the Lord, and serves God with thanksgiving.

Is this a picture of our lives? Are we serving the Lord? Do we do it out of an attitude of thanksgiving? Is our relationship to God really precious to us?

It was to the Psalmist.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

The Psalms help us understand how to worship God. This week we will look at Psalms 101 (Preparation for worship), 100 (Worship through service), 99 (Worship through exaltation), and 98 (Worship through song).

Each of these Psalms build on each other.

Preparation, service, and exaltation, have been accomplished. Psalm 98 encourages us to worship the Lord in song.

Worship through song Psalm 98

“O sing unto the Lord a new song; for he hath done marvelous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.² The Lord hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen.³ He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.⁴ Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.⁵ Sing unto the Lord with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm.⁶ With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the Lord, the King.⁷ Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.⁸ Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together ⁹ Before the Lord; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.”

The culmination of our worship is to sing to the Lord. We are to sing, make a joyful noise, rejoice, and sing praise. We are to use the harp, trumpets, and cornets. We are to do it with exuberance.

When we worship God, it should be from our heartfelt appreciation for all God has done for us. We should be excited. Others should see that we are excited. There should be no doubt about what we are doing and why.

Is that how we worship God?

It is a fair question to ask. Many church’s and their members do not get very excited when they come to church. Quiet and reverent describes them.

However, when we read the Psalms, it seems that they were very upbeat and excited about their worship.

Something to think about.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

The Psalms help us understand how to worship God. This week we will look at Psalms 101 (Preparation for worship), 100 (Worship through service), 99 (Worship through exaltation), and 98 (Worship through song).

Each of these Psalms build on each other.

We have prepared ourselves for worship. We are serving the Lord gladly. Now we see God doing great and mighty things, so we desire to exalt His name.

Worship through exaltation Psalm 99

“The Lord reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved.² The Lord is great in Zion; and he is high above all the people.³ Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy.⁴ The king’s strength also loveth judgment; thou dost establish equity, thou executest judgment and righteousness in Jacob.⁵ Exalt ye the Lord our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy.⁶ Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the Lord, and he answered them.⁷ He spake unto them in the cloudy pillar: they kept his testimonies, and the ordinance that he gave them.⁸ Thou answeredst them, O Lord our God: thou wast a God that forgavest them, though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions.⁹ Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the Lord our God is holy.”

We should desire to exalt the Lord because of His great works, His holiness, and that He reigns. We are following the examples of Moses, Aaron, and Samuel.

Preparation, service, and exaltation, have been accomplished. Psalm 98 encourages us to worship the Lord in song.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001