Good morning,

J.C. Ryle

1816-1900

“My chief desire in all my writings, is to exalt the Lord Jesus Christ and make Him beautiful and glorious in the eyes of men; and to promote the increase of repentance, faith, and holiness upon earth.”

J.C. Ryle Gems #2

Look to the cross, think of the cross, meditate on the cross–and then go and set your affections on the world if you can!

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A crucified Savior will never be content to have a self-pleasing, self-indulging, worldly-minded people!

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The Gospel was not meant merely to reside in our intellect, memories, and tongues–but to be seen in our lives.

~  ~  ~  ~

Happiness does not depend on outward circumstances–but on the state of the heart.

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Health is a good thing. But sickness is far better–if it leads us to God.

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The beginning of the way to Heaven–is to feel that we are on the way to Hell.

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There is a common, worldly kind of Christianity in this day, which many have, and think they have enough. It is a cheap Christianity which offends nobody, and requires no sacrifice–which costs nothing, and is worth nothing.

~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

Good morning,

Today we begin our study of 2 Timothy 1-2.

2 Timothy 1-2

And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. (2 Timothy 2:2)

Introduction (1:1-5)

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,² To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.³ I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;⁴ Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy; ⁵ When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.

Exhortations to steadfast service (1:6-2:26)

With zeal and courage (1:6-12)

⁶ Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.⁷ For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.⁸ Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;⁹ Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,¹⁰ But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:¹¹ Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.¹² For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

With steadfastness and loyalty (1:13-18)

¹³ Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.¹⁴ That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.¹⁵ This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.¹⁶ The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:¹⁷ But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me.¹⁸ The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.

Transmitting the truth to others (2:1-2)

Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.² And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

Enduring hardship (2:3-13)

Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.⁴ No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.⁵ And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.⁶ The husbandman that laboreth must be first partaker of the fruits.⁷ Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.⁸ Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:⁹ Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.¹⁰ Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.¹¹ It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:¹² If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:¹³ If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

Diligent as a servant of the Lord (2:14-26)

Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.¹⁵ Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. ¹⁶ But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.¹⁷ And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;¹⁸ Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. ¹⁹ Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.²⁰ But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor.²¹ If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.²² Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.²³ But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.

²⁴ And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,²⁵ In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;²⁶ And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

CONCLUSION

Paul exhorts Timothy to:

Be zealous and courageous

Be steadfast and loyal

Transmit the truth to others

Endure hardship

Be diligent

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

 

 

 

Good morning,

Today think on these thoughts from J.C. Ryle. As we meditate, allow God to speak, and then act on what He says. These statements are challenges to believers to walk closer to our Savior, Jesus Christ.

J.C. Ryle Gems #1
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It costs something to be a true Christian. It will cost us our sins, our self-righteousness, our ease and our worldliness!
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A Christian is a walking sermon. Christians preach far more than a minister does–for they preach all week long!
~  ~  ~  ~
According to the men of the world—few are going to Hell.
According to the Bible—few are going to Heaven.
~  ~  ~  ~
Nothing is so offensive to Christ, as lukewarmness in religion!
~  ~  ~  ~
Beware of manufacturing a God of your own . . .
a God who is all mercy–but not just;
a God who is all love–but not holy;
a God who has a Heaven for everybody–but a Hell for none;
a God who will make no distinction between godly and ungodly in eternity.
Such a God is an idol of your own–as truly an idol as any snake or crocodile in an Egyptian temple! The hands of your own imagination and sentimentality have made him. He is not the God of the Bible–and beside the God of the Bible, there is no God at all.
~  ~  ~  ~
Pride is the oldest and most common of sins.
Humility is the rarest and most beautiful of graces.

~  ~  ~  ~

Challenging statements. Commit them to prayer.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

The fall of man in Genesis 3 caused a ripple effect. We battle wickedness, temptation, and evil daily. Psalm 143:3-4 frames the problem.

“For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath smitten my life down to the ground; he hath made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead.⁴ Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate.”

The Psalmist knows where to turn. He cries out to the Lord. Psalm 141:1-4 is the request for help.

“Lord, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee.² Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.³ Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.⁴ Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practice wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties.”

He continues in verses 8-10. He focuses on the one who can fix the problem. God can protect, guard, and keep us from giving in to temptations.

“But mine eyes are unto thee, O God the Lord: in thee is my trust; leave not my soul destitute.⁹ Keep me from the snares which they have laid for me, and the gins of the workers of iniquity.¹⁰ Let the wicked fall into their own nets, whilst that I withal escape.”

When we are tempted by the enemy, we have a choice to make. Do we give in to the temptation or cry out to the Lord for deliverance? God wants to hear from us.

James 4:7-8, gives us a simple solution.

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.⁸ Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.”

Did you know that Satan is a defeated foe? Colossians 2:6-15, explain how and why he has been defeated. This is why we can live the Christian life in victory.

“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:⁷ Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.⁸ Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.⁹ For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.¹⁰ And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:¹¹ In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:¹² Buried with him in baptism, herein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.¹³ And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; ¹⁴ Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; ¹⁵ And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.”

Christ was triumphant over sin. Satan is defeated. When we choose to walk according to His Word, we may live a victorious Christian life. Satan will continue to tempt us because he wants us to choose to do evil. It is our choice to do evil.

Rejoice in all that God has done for you. Do not live a defeated Christian life. Live triumphant in the knowledge that Christ has overcome the adversary, Satan.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Good morning,

When I was a child, I played a game called “Hide and Seek”. One person hid and the other or others tried to find them. Eventually, the person is found.

This is a great picture of individuals trying to hide from God. We do something we know is wrong and try to hide it from God. Fortunately, God already knew what happened. You cannot hide anything from God.

“Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?⁸ If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.⁹ If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;¹⁰ Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.¹¹ If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.¹² Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.¹³ For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.” (Psalm 139:7-13)

Believers should take comfort in the fact that God knows our every move, good and bad. Proverbs 15:3 states, “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” He cares about us and is concerned that we do right. The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin. We then choose to repent or to continue in sin.

The unbeliever should be concerned. Although sin is the natural state of the unbeliever, it is God’s desire that they repent and trust Christ as Savior and Lord. If they do not, their judgment is everlasting separation from God in the lake of fire (Hell). “And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.¹² And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.¹³ And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.¹⁴ And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.¹⁵ And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:11-15)

It is God’s desire that all mankind go to heaven. Jesus said, “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10) He sent His son Jesus to pay our sin debt. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

We have a choice to make. Believe in Christ and go to Heaven or fail to believe in Christ and go to the lake of fire.

CHOOSE JESUS

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

The object of God’s tender, perfect and ceaseless care!

(James Smith, “Divine Care!” 1865)

“Casting all your care upon Him–for He cares for you!” 1 Peter 5:7

Our cares must be cast upon our God, or they will prove a burden too heavy for us–they will depress, bewilder, and make us wretched!

WHO is it that cares for us?

It is the Lord Almighty–the high and lofty one who inhabits eternity, whose name is holy!
It is He whom the angels obey, the seraphim adore, and all creation glorifies!
It is the Lord–who is so great, that we have no adequate conception of His greatness!
It is He who is so good–that it is impossible fully to set forth His goodness!
It is He who is so glorious–that no sinner can see His face and live!
It is He who created all things with His Word!
It is He who governs all things by His wisdom!
It is He who upholds all things by His power!
It is He whose resources are infinite!
It is He whose compassion is exquisite!
It is He whose patience is without limit!

But though He is so exalted, so happy, and so unspeakably great—He cares for you!

He cares for you–as base as you are.
He cares for you–as sinful as you are.
He cares for you–as depressed and discouraged as you are.

HE cares for YOU!

May I pass through the present world under the impression, “I am the object of God’s tender, perfect and ceaseless care!”

“Cast your cares on the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall.” Psalm 55:22

~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

This week’s lesson is on 1 Timothy 5-6. Paul is giving Timothy instructions concerning different groups in the church.

The older and younger (5:1-2)

Widows (5:3-16)

Elders (Pastors) (5:17- 25)

Slaves (6:1-2)

False teachers (6:3-5)

Love of money (6:6-10)

Charge to Timothy (6:11-16)

The rich (6:17-19)

Concluding appeal and benediction (6:20-21)

Paul knew the problems that Timothy was and would face. His message was practical, filled with empathy, and concerned specific issues. He wrote from the heart of a Pastor or Elder.

Paul’s desire was to make Timothy successful. His teaching centered in on the things he had learned over his three missionary journeys. Since the ultimate goal is to see people trust in Jesus through faith, it is wise to be able to deal with people. So, a great portion of these two chapters deals with how to deal with certain groups of people.

How do we deal with people? Do we see them as a soul that Christ died for or a nuisance for not understanding the clear teaching of the Bible? Do we pray for them to get saved or just ignore them? Do we care about the downtrodden, less fortunate, or poor, or do we live in our abundance, oblivious to all that is going on around us?

Paul wanted Timothy to be people oriented. He wanted him to care about others.

Do we?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

The last two weeks I have gone to the fair several times. I sampled the fair food, viewed the many exhibits, and bought products being sold by the vendors.

Although some things have changed, one has remained the same. The proclamation of the gospel of Christ. These folks are here every year. It is their desire to see men and women get saved.

This is a big-time commitment for these ministries. They commit ten to twelve hours a day telling others about Christ.

The Great Commission instructs us to, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:²⁰ Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28:19-20)

Paul was mentoring Timothy and gave him some advice.  “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.” (2 Timothy 4:2)

The message being preached is the gospel of Christ. “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;⁴ And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:⁵ And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:⁶ After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.⁷ After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. ⁸ And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.” (1 Corinthians 15:3-8)

So, who did God give the responsibility to proclaim the Gospel? It was to all of us! Each of us has the wonderful privilege to tell others about Jesus Christ?

You may say, “I don’t know how.” Tell them how you received Christ. Or try John 3:16-17. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.¹⁷ For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”

The folks at the fair are committed to proclaiming Christ to others. The question is, ARE WE?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

 

Good morning,

Life and death are an inevitable part of the life cycle.

Two men, Enoch and Elisha, never died, but went directly to heaven.

“By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.” (Hebrews 11:5)

“And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.” (2 Kings 2:11)

These men were born naturally. Walked the earth physically. Supernaturally taken by God to heaven. They never returned to earth.

Jesus had a supernatural birth, spiritual walk on earth, and an unremarkable death. Many men died in those days by crucifixion.  What set Jesus apart was who He was, why He came, what His death stood for, and the fact that He was dead, buried, in the grave, and God resurrected Him. Then God allowed Jesus to be seen by over five hundred people over a period of forty days.

The resurrection changed everything. God sent His sinless Son, the perfect flawless Lamb, to pay the sin debt of sinful, wicked, vile, men. The blood of the perfect Lamb, Jesus, was shed at Christ’s crucifixion, as the onetime payment for the sins of all mankind.  He then died and was buried and placed in a borrowed tomb. But the grave could not hold Him!

The resurrection brings life. Just as Jesus rose on the third day, we who trust in Jesus, also have a new life. He reconciled us to Himself. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.¹⁸ And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;¹⁹ To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.” (2 Corinthians 5:17-19)

Man is a sinner in need of a Savior. Only those who call upon Jesus, the perfect Lamb of God, can be saved. “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13)

There is only one way to Jesus. “Jesus saith unto to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)

Have you been reconciled to Jesus? Are your sins forgiven through His blood? Have you ever trusted Him to be your personal Lord and Savior? He is calling you today.

If you have questions, would like to talk, or need to know how to trust Jesus as your Lord and Savior, call me.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

 

Good morning,

Consider the plight of man today. Man, wants a religion that puffs them up, feels good, and promises worldly prosperity.

Today’s devotional will challenge us to think about what is most needed. Most people in today’s churches won’t like it.

If revival begins in the house of God, then the following must be preached, understood, and obeyed. The lost must see something different in those who name the name of Christ.

What is most needed today!

(Arthur Pink)

It is my deepening conviction that what is most needed today is a wide proclamation of those Scripture truths which are the least acceptable to the flesh.

What is needed today, is a scriptural setting forth of the character of God:
His absolute sovereignty,
His ineffable holiness,
His inflexible justice,
His unchanging veracity.

What is needed today, is a scriptural setting forth of the condition of the natural man:
his total depravity,
his spiritual insensibility,
his inveterate hostility to God,
the fact that he is “condemned already,” and
that the wrath of a sin-hating God is even now abiding upon him!

What is needed today, is a scriptural setting forth of the alarming danger which sinners are in–the indescribably awful doom which awaits them; and the fact that if they follow their present course only a little further, they shall most certainly suffer the due penalty of their iniquities!

What is needed today, is a scriptural setting forth of the nature of that dreadful punishment which awaits the lost:
the dreadfulness of it,
the hopelessness of it,
the unendurableness of it,
and the endlessness of it!

~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001