Good morning,

This devotional is a good reminder who the Great Shepherd is and what He does for us.

It challenges us to love Him more. Trust Him completely. Allow Him to lead my life always.

The Lord is my Shepherd–I shall not want!

(“Every Day!” 1872)

“The Lord is my Shepherd–I shall not want!” Psalm 23:1

“I shall not want!” Surely not! He is the Good Shepherd who gave His life for His sheep; and if He has loved me, and given Himself for me–then what will He withhold?

Oh that I knew Him better, and trusted Him as He deserves! Then I would be kept quiet from fear of evil, and be ever assured that He will supply all my needs, according to His riches in glory.

Do I need guidance? The Good Shepherd goes before His sheep–He instructs and teaches us in the way we should go.

Do I wander–and need to be reclaimed? He seeks and finds His straying ones, “He restores my soul, and leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.”

Am I wounded? He binds up my wounds, and heals me.

Do I need rest and refreshment? “He makes me to lie down in green pastures, and leads me beside the still waters.”

Do I need encouragement? “His rod and His staff, they comfort me.”

Do I need provision? “He spreads a table before me in the presence of my enemies.”

My Shepherd is infinitely wise and kind and gracious. Surely then, “Goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever!”

“The Lord my Shepherd is,
I shall be well supplied;
Since He is mine, and I am His,
What can I want beside?”
~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

God does not condone the pride of men. Instead of looking to Him with exaltation and praise, we lift up our talents and good deeds and praise ourselves.

The word protean means “tending or able to change frequently or easily, able to do many different things; versatile.”

Behold my talents, my eloquence and my zeal!

(Octavius Winslow, “Eminent Holiness Essential to an Efficient Ministry“)

“I hate pride and arrogance!” Proverbs 8:13

Pride is a protean evil–assuming a thousand varied and opposite forms.

There is no soil so holy, in which the root of pride will not strike.
There is no employment so sacred, on which pride will not engraft itself.

Pride will even make the cross of Christ a pedestal on which to erect its deformed visage! Yes, while exalting Jesus–we may be found but exalting ourselves. And while exclaiming, “Behold the Lamb of God!”–we may be but veiling His true glory behind our insignificant persons; virtually exclaiming, “Behold my talents, my eloquence and my zeal!” Is there not in us, my brethren, a manifest deficiency of the lowly, self-annihilating humility of the Divine Master whom we serve, and whom it should be our aim and glory to resemble?

The glory of God! What a persuasive motive to ministerial holiness! Let it be ours, my brethren–our one, sole, undeviating aim. Let us sacrifice everything that would divert us from it–fame, applause, reputation, popularity, worldly comfort, the dearest interests of self. If any of these come in competition with the honor of divine truth and the glory of God–then let them go!

“The Lord detests all the proud of heart!” Proverbs 16:5

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Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

The Bible

“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness–that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

The Bible contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers.

Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its stories are true, and its decisions are immutable.

Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy.

It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you.

It is the traveler’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword, and the Christian’s charter.

Here Paradise is restored, Heaven opened, and the gates of Hell disclosed.

Christ is its grand subject, our good the design, and the glory of God its end.

It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet.

Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully.

It is a mine of wealth, health to the soul, and a river of pleasure.

It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the greatest labor, and will condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents.

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Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Today’s topic is salvation. Salvation to the Jew first and then the Gentiles. This was a new concept. Gentiles were excluded to salvation until Jesus came.

Ephesians 2 tells us how  the process of salvation takes place.

EPHESIANS 2

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. (2:8-9)

Introduction

Salvation by faith (2:1-10)

And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;² Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:³ Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.⁴ But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,⁵ Even in when we were dead sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)⁶ And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:⁷ That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.⁸ For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:⁹ Not of works, lest any man should boast.¹⁰ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Gentiles brought into fellowship by the blood of Christ (2:11-13)

 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;¹² That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:¹³ But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

“One new man” for God (2:14-22)

For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;¹⁵ Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;¹⁶ And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:¹⁷ And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.¹⁸ For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.¹⁹ Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;²⁰ And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;²¹ In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:²² In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

Conclusion

Saved by grace through faith

Gentiles may be saved

Access to the Father

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

Good morning,

We all struggle with giving up the things of this world. The Bible calls them idols, Tozer calls them toys.

Whatever we call them, it is hard to put them aside.

A.W. Tozer prays a very short prayer that will help us to deal with our idols.

My coward heart!

(A.W. Tozer)

Father, I want to know You–but my coward heart fears to give up its toys. I cannot part with them without inward bleeding, and I do not try to hide from You the terror of the parting. I come trembling, but I do come. Please root from my heart all those things which I have cherished so long and which have become a very part of my self–so that You may reign there without a rival. Deliver me from the tyranny of things–and from the idols of my heart. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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OBSERVATIONS

He wants to know the Father

He fears to give up his toys

He does not hide his fear from the Father

He comes trembling before the Father

He requests the Father to root out his idols from his life

He desires the Father to reign without rival

He wants to be delivered from the tyranny of things

Is this our heart’s desire when it comes to our idols? It should be.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

Each of us need to read and learn from this devotional on our thought life. This devotional will make us consider how we think and what we think about.

It is pivotal to getting victory over Satan.

When the bird of thought was let go!

(A.W. Tozer)

Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling–fix your thoughts on Jesus!“ Hebrews 3:1

“Bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5

What we think about when we are free to think about what we will–that is what we are, or will soon become.

Anyone who wishes to check on his true spiritual condition may do so by noting what his voluntary thoughts have been over the last hours or days. What has he thought about, when free to think of what he pleased? Toward what has his inner heart turned, when it was free to turn where it would?

When the bird of thought was let go, did it fly out like the raven to settle upon floating carcasses–or did it like the dove circle and return again to the ark of God? Such a test is easy to run, and if we are honest with ourselves we can discover not only what we are–but what we are going to become. We will soon be the sum of our voluntary thoughts!

Long practice in the art of mental prayer (that is, talking to God inwardly as we work or travel) will help to form the habit of holy thoughts.

“For as he thinks within himself, so he is.” Proverbs 23:7

“Oh, Lord, You know the constant struggle which we have with our thought life. You know how often our thoughts settle on rotten carcasses. Take control of my thoughts today, and move me along in the development of the habit of holy thought. Amen.”
~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

Over the years, I have been counselled, God is in control. I have shared this same counsel with others. Sometimes though, when we are in the middle of a trial, it does not seem that God is in control. Our personal lives are spinning out of control and we just want it to stop.

God knows. He has a purpose for whatever we are going through. We will understand in God’s timing.

Trials are medicinal!

(John Newton)

Trials are medicinal. They are designed by God to correct or to restrain or to cure–the maladies of our souls.

Though He puts forth His hand, and seems to threaten our dearest comforts–yet when we remember that it is His hand, when we consider that it is His design, His love, His wisdom, and His power—we cannot refuse to trust Him!

Every affliction in the life of the believer–is designed by God and sovereignly implemented by Him.

“Before I was afflicted I went astray–but now I obey Your Word!” Psalm 119:67

“It was good for me to be afflicted–so that I might learn Your decrees.” Psalm 119:71

“I know, O LORD, that your laws are righteous, and in faithfulness You have afflicted me.” Psalm 119:75

Christ’s suffering was punitive–the Christian’s suffering is restorative.
The cup which Christ drank, was filled with Divine wrath–the cup of suffering which God calls His children to drink, is only medicinal to promote their chief good.

Like heavy weights on a grandfather clock–trials are necessary for the Christian life to operate properly. God will allow nothing to grieve us–but what He intends to employ as means for our greater advantage.
~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

This precept is very extensive and important

(John Newton)

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

This precept is very extensive and important. As believers, we are strangers and pilgrims upon earth. Heaven is our country–and the Lord is our King. We are to be known as His subjects–and therefore it is His pleasure that we do not speak the language or adopt the customs, of the land in which we sojourn.

We must not conform to the spirit of the world. As members of society, we have a part to act in it, in common with others. But though our business is the same—our principles and ends are to be entirely different!

We must not conform to the maxims of the world. The world in various instances calls evil, good–and good, evil. But we have recourse to the law and to the testimony, and are to judge of things by the unerring Word of God–uninfluenced by the determination of the great or the many.

We must not conform to the world in their amusements and diversions. We are to mix with the world, only so far as our necessary and providential connections engage us–so far as we have a reasonable expectation of doing or getting good, and no farther.

“What fellowship has light with darkness, or what concord has Christ with Belial?” What call can a believer have into those places and companies . . .
where everything tends to promote a spirit of dissipation;
where the fear of God has no place;
where things are purposely disposed to inflame or indulge corrupt and sinful appetites and passions, and to banish all serious thoughts of God and ourselves?

If it is our duty  . . .
to redeem time,
to walk with God,
to do all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
to follow the example which He set for us when He was upon the earth,
and to work out our salvation with fear and trembling
–then it must of course be our duty to avoid a conformity with the world in those vain and sensual diversions, which stand in as direct contradiction to a spiritual frame of mind, as darkness to light.
~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Today we begin a study on the book of Ephesians.

Summary of the Book of Ephesians

This summary of the book of Ephesians provides information about the title, author(s), date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the Book of Ephesians.

Author, Date and Place of Writing

The author identifies himself as Paul (1:1; 3:1; cf.3:7,13;4:1;6:19-20). Some have taken the absence of the usual personal greetings and the verbal similarity of many parts to Colossians, among other reasons, as grounds for doubting authorship by the apostle Paul. However, this was probably a circular letter, intended for other churches in addition to the one in Ephesus. Paul may have written it about the same time as Colossians, c. a.d. 60, while he was in prison at Rome (See 3:1;4:1;6:20).

The City of Ephesus

Ephesus was the most important city in western Asia Minor (now Turkey). It had a harbor that at that time opened into the Cayster River, which in turn emptied into the Aegean Sea. Because it was also at an intersection of major trade routes, Ephesus became a commercial center. It boasted a pagan temple dedicated to the Roman goddess Diana (Greek Artemis); cf. Acts 19:23-31. Paul made Ephesus a center for evangelism for about three years, and the church there apparently flourished for some time, but later needed the warning of Revelation 2:1-7.

Theological Message

Unlike several of the other letters Paul wrote, Ephesians does not address any particular error or heresy. Paul wrote to expand the horizons of his readers, so that they might understand better the dimensions of God’s eternal purpose and grace and come to appreciate the high goals God has for the church. The letter opens with a sequence of statements about God’s blessings, which are interspersed with a remarkable variety of expressions drawing attention to God’s wisdom, forethought and purpose. Paul emphasizes that we have been saved, not only for our personal benefit, but also to bring praise and glory to God. The climax of God’s purpose, “when the times will have reached their fulfillment,” is to bring all things in the universe together under Christ (1:10). It is crucially important that Christians realize this, so in 1:15-23 Paul prays for their understanding (a second prayer occurs in 3:14-21).

Having explained God’s great goals for the church, Paul proceeds to show the steps toward their fulfillment. First, God has reconciled individuals to himself as an act of grace (2:1-10). Second, God has reconciled these saved individuals to each other, Christ having broken down the barriers through his own death (2:11-22). But God has done something even beyond this: He has united these reconciled individuals in one body, the church. This is a “mystery” not fully known until it was revealed to Paul (3:1-6). Now Paul is able to state even more clearly what God has intended for the church, namely, that it be the means by which he displays his “manifold wisdom” to the “rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms” (3:7-13). It is clear through the repetition of “heavenly realms” (1:3,20;2:6;3:10;6:12) that Christian existence is not merely on an earthly plane. It receives its meaning and significance from heaven, where Christ is exalted at the right hand of God (1:20).

Nevertheless, that life is lived out on earth, where the practical daily life of the believer continues to work out the purposes of God. The ascended Lord gave “gifts” to the members of his church to enable them to minister to one another and so promote unity and maturity (4:1-16). The unity of the church under the headship of Christ foreshadows the uniting of “all things in heaven and on earth” under Christ (1:10). The new life of purity and mutual deference stands in contrast to the old way of life without Christ (4:17-6:9). Those who are “strong in the Lord” have victory over the evil one in the great spiritual conflict, especially through the power of prayer (6:10-20).

EPHESIANS 1

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: (Ephesians 1:3)

Introduction Author, date, message (SEE ABOVE)

Greetings (1-2)

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:² Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

God’s eternal purpose for Christians (3-14)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:⁴ According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:⁵ Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,⁶ To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.⁷ In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;⁸ Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;⁹ Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:¹⁰ That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:¹¹ In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:¹² That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.¹³ In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,¹⁴ Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

Paul’s prayer for the Ephesian Christians (15-23)

Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,¹⁶ Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;¹⁷ That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:¹⁸ The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,¹⁹ And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,²⁰ Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, ²¹ Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:²² And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, ²³ Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

CONCLUSION

Our purpose is that we should be holy and without blame before him in love

God blessed us with all spiritual blessings

God revealed the “mystery of his will” to us

God redeemed us

Paul prayed for spiritual wisdom for the Ephesians

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

 

Good morning,

Rebellion against God has its consequences.

God promised Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Israel) a land flowing with milk and honey. He said He would drive out the inhabitants of the land.

God’s people were in bondage in Egypt. God brought them out. Then the people murmured, complained, and rebelled against God.

Then God spoke to Moses in Exodus 33:1-4. He explained that the consequence of their rebellion was that He, God, would not go up with them. He would send an angel.

“And the Lord said unto Moses, Depart, and go up hence, thou and the people which thou hast brought up out of the land of Egypt, unto the land which I sware unto Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, saying, Unto thy seed will I give it:² And I will send an angel before thee; and I will drive out the Canaanite, the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite:³ Unto a land flowing with milk and honey: for I will not go up in the midst of thee; for thou art a stiffnecked people: lest I consume thee in the way.⁴ And when the people heard these evil tidings, they mourned: and no man did put on him his ornaments.”

Moses knew that this was unacceptable. He moved the tabernacle outside the camp, went to God, requested God to guide him, reminded God that these were His people, and asked for the presence of God to lead them.

“And Moses said unto the Lord, See, thou sayest unto me, Bring up this people: and thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with me. Yet thou hast said, I know thee by name, and thou hast also found grace in my sight.¹³ Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people.¹⁴ And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.¹⁵ And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.¹⁶ For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth.¹⁷ And the Lord said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name.” (Exodus 33:12-17)

Even though the people were rebellious, Moses requested God’s wisdom, grace, and presence. God heard Moses request and granted it.

God does lead the people. The children of Israel continue to rebel. God gives them the Promised Land.

Many lives are lost because of the rebellious nature of Israel.

Rebellion against God has consequences.

Believers also rebel against God. We have the Bible to give us God’s direction. When Jesus ascended to Heaven, He left believers the Holy Spirit of God to comfort and direct us.

What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?²⁰ For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

God’s presence lives within us. Are we in agreement with or in rebellion to God?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001