Good morning,

On 24 December 2016, 25th of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar, was the first night of Hanukkah. John 10:22 states, “And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.” This “feast of the dedication” is a reference to dedication of the temple in 165 BCE.  To understand this verse, we need a history lesson.

Hanukkah is celebrated for eight days and nights, starting on the 25th of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar (which is November-December on the Gregorian calendar). In Hebrew, the word “Hanukkah” means “dedication.”

The holiday commemorates the rededication of the holy Temple in Jerusalem after the Jews’ 165 B.C.E. victory over the Hellenist Syrians. Antiochus, the Greek King of Syria, outlawed Jewish rituals and ordered the Jews to worship Greek gods. In 168 B.C.E. the Jews’ holy Temple was seized and dedicated to the worship of Zeus. Some Jews were afraid of the Greek soldiers and obeyed them, but most were angry and decided to fight back.

The fighting began in Modin, a village not far from Jerusalem. A Greek officer and soldiers assembled the villagers, asking them to bow to an idol and eat the flesh of a pig, activities forbidden to Jews. The officer asked Mattathias, a Jewish High Priest, to take part in the ceremony. He refused, and another villager stepped forward and offered to do it instead. Mattathias became outraged, took out his sword and killed the man, then killed the officer. His five sons and the other villagers then attacked and killed the soldiers. Mattathias’ family went into hiding in the nearby mountains, where many other Jews who wanted to fight the Greeks joined them. They attacked the Greek soldiers whenever possible.

About a year after the rebellion started, Mattathias died. Before his death, he put his brave son Judah Maccabee in charge of the growing army. After three years of fighting, the Jews defeated the Greek army, despite having fewer men and weapons.

Judah Maccabee and his soldiers went to the holy Temple, and were saddened that many things were missing or broken, including the golden menorah. They cleaned and repaired the Temple, and when they were finished, they decided to have a big dedication ceremony. For the celebration, the Maccabees wanted to light the menorah. They looked everywhere for oil, and found a small flask that contained only enough oil to light the menorah for one day. Miraculously, the oil lasted for eight days. This gave them enough time to obtain new oil to keep the menorah lit. Today Jews celebrate Hanukkah for eight days by lighting candles in a menorah every night, thus commemorating the eight-day miracle.

Why is this important to us? First Jesus and all the Apostles celebrated the “feast of the dedication.” Second, this points to Jesus as being the light of the world. (John 8:12)

Each night a candle is lit, prayers made, and Scripture shared as to why Jesus is the light.

Happy Hanukkah.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Christmas is Sunday. It is time to focus on why we celebrate this event. The announcements that were made to Isaiah, Micah, Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds. The story of Jesus birth. The praise of the angels, shepherds, Simeon, and Anna.

From the very beginning it is a supernatural story. Only God could have arranged all the details to make it happen. But happen it did.

Today we look at the praise of the angels, shepherds, Simeon, and Anna.

Luke 2:13-14 The Heavenly Host

 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, ¹⁴ Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Luke 2:15-20 The Shepherds

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.¹⁶ And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.¹⁷ And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.¹⁸ And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.¹⁹ But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.²⁰ And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Luke 2:25-32 Simeon’s Praise

And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.²⁶ And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.²⁷ And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,²⁸ Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,²⁹ Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:³⁰ For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,³¹ Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;³² A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

Luke 2:36-38 Anna’s Thanksgiving

And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;³⁷ And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.³⁸ And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

God made His first revelation of Jesus to the lowliest class of people, the shepherds. The message of salvation was for all people. They went and told others of what they had seen and heard.

Simeon waited patiently for the coming of the Lord. He was promised he would not see death till he saw Jesus.  The Holy Spirit reveals Jesus to him and he rejoices and praises God.

Anna, a widow for 84 years, who served God faithfully in the temple, sees Jesus and gives thanks.

What does the birth of Christ mean to you? Is a time of rejoicing, praise, and worship, or an excuse to party, buy gifts, and take a day off of work? It is an important question. If Jesus birth, life, death, and resurrection mean nothing or very little to you, you might want to consider your salvation.

Salvation is not just naming Christ, but living as He would have lived. His character, empathy, love, grace, should be qualities we should see in fellow believers. We should be students of the Bible for knowledge and for practical everyday living. The Bible is our guidebook on how to live life. The answers to all life’s questions are answered in God’s Holy Word.

May this Christmas be a time of reflection, renewal, encouragement, and understanding of the real meaning of Christmas. Your eternity is wrapped up in the babe in the manger.

Have a blessed Christmas.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

Good morning,

Christmas is Sunday. It is time to focus on why we celebrate this event. The announcements that were made to Isaiah, Micah, Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds. The story of Jesus birth. The praise of the angels, shepherds, Simeon, and Anna.

From the very beginning it is a supernatural story. Only God could have arranged all the details to make it happen. But happen it did.

Today the announcements come to fruition. The babe who was to be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace, Emmanuel, Jesus, would be born in a stable. Not quite what we would envision for the Messiah.

Luke 2:1-7

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.² (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)³ And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.⁴ And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)⁵ To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.⁶ And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.⁷ And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

Matthew 1:18-25, 2:1

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.¹⁹ Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.²⁰ But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.²¹ And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.²² Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,²³ Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.²⁴ Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:²⁵ And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus. Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea…

 

Jesus is born just as the announcements prophesied. Virgin born, born in Bethlehem, laid in a manger, alone. From the perspective of man, this was all logical. Mary and Joseph were poor, from a non-descript village, questionable parents, among thousands of other pilgrims coming in for the taxation. Why would anyone care about them? We will see tomorrow that many did care. They were not alone. And this baby was destined to change the world!

Jesus birth also pictured His life. The swaddling clothes picture His death. The manger pictures His ministry where He had no place to lay His head. The travel Jesus parents made was indicative of His ministry of preaching from city to city.

God had a plan. The babe in the manger is the Savior of the world and more importantly of you and I. Do you know Him? If not, today would be a perfect time to repent of your sins and by faith accept Jesus offer of salvation.

Tomorrow we will look at those who first saw Jesus and their reactions.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Christmas is Sunday. It is time to focus on why we celebrate this event. The announcements that were made to Isaiah, Micah, Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds. The story of Jesus birth. The praise of the angels, shepherds, Simeon, and Anna.

From the very beginning it is a supernatural story. Only God could have arranged all the details to make it happen. But happen it did.

Today let us look at the announcements the Lord made to Isaiah and Micah, the Angel to Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds.

Adam and Eve disobeyed God. That first sin is passed down to all men. Jesus Christ willingly gave up His heavenly home to come to earth to pay the debt for sin that mankind could not pay.

Isaiah 7:14

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Isaiah 9:6

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Micah 5:2

 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

Luke 1:26-35

And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,²⁷ To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.²⁸ And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.²⁹ And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.³⁰ And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God.³¹ And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.³² He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:³³ And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.³⁴ Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?³⁵ And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

Matthew 1:18-25

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.¹⁹ Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.²⁰ But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.²¹ And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.²² Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,²³ Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.²⁴ Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:²⁵ And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus.

Luke 2:8-12

 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.⁹ And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.¹⁰ And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.¹¹ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.¹² And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

These passages tell God’s plan. A virgin will conceive, bear a son, who will rule forever, named Jesus, to save the people from their sins. The first people God presented our Savior was to lowly shepherds.

Tomorrow, we will explore the birth of Jesus.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

 

Good morning,

Charles Hodge (December 27, 1797 – June 19, 1878) was a Presbyterian theologian and principal of Princeton Theological Seminary between 1851 and 1878.

He challenges us to think about our relationship to Christ. His statement on true religion is easily understood. We need to take his sayings and allow God to speak to us.

Short pithy gems from Charles Hodge

   ~  ~  ~  ~

To be in Christ–is the source of the Christian’s life.
To be like Christ–is the sum of the Christian’s excellence.
To be with Christ–is the fullness of the Christian’s joy.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

The grace of God exalts a man without inflating him–and humbles a man without debasing him.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

The gospel is so simple, that small children can understand it–and it is so profound, that studies by the wisest theologians will never exhaust its riches!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Christian humility does not consist in denying what there is of good in us–but in an abiding sense of ill-desert, and in the consciousness that what we have of good is due to the grace of God.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

This is true religion:
to approve what God approves,
to hate what God hates, and
to delight in what God delights.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Where do we place our trust? In our own hands or in the hands of God? Who is better suited to lead us through the ups and downs of life?

Today’s devotional will answer these questions.

My times are in Your hand!

(“Every Day!” Author unknown, 1872)

“My times are in Your hand!”  Psalm 31:15

Is not this truth a joy to you, my soul?

It would be a sorry thing for me if my times were in my own hands–and it would afford me little satisfaction if my times were in an angel’s hands. How restful should I be in knowing that they are in Savior’s nail-pierced hands!
He sees the end from the beginning.
He knows how to apportion my sorrows and my joys.
He knows what to give–and what to withhold.
He knows also when to give–and when to take away.

But, alas! how often is my heart mistrustful–how often have I murmured under the trying dispensations of His providence! O my soul, be ashamed and confounded--be humbled in the dust that you should ever call in question the wisdom or kindness of the dealings of Him who so loved you as to give His life for your redemption!

Help me, O God of my salvation, henceforth, with childlike confidence and peaceful trust–to yield all to You, and to rejoice in the assurance that “My times are in Your hand!“

“My times are in Your hand;
Why should I doubt or fear?
My Father’s hand will never cause
His child a needless tear!”

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Are we yielding to God? Do we come to Him in childlike faith, trusting Him completely?

We should.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

Good morning,

When I sin, who can forgive it? Jesus! When I have an overwhelming heartache, who can comfort, help, and heal? Jesus. When I am in the depth of despair with seemingly no way out, who do I turn to? Jesus. Who has the answers to all life’s questions? Jesus. Who has defeated Satan, death, and the grave? Jesus.

I take my concerns to the one who can minister to my concerns. Jesus. There is no reason to confess my sins to a man because men cannot fix the problem.

This devotional should remind us to take our needs to Jesus!

I would not make my ear into a common sewer, for all the wealth in the world!

(Charles Spurgeon)

Do you ask, “To whom shall I confess my sins?” Do not come to me with your confession. Oh no, no, no! I could not stand that!

I can never understand how a “Catholic priest” can ask people to confess their sins to him. I would not make my ear into a common sewer, for all the wealth in the world! What foulness must there be on the soul of him who has heard the sins that others have committed, and who knows what sin he has himself committed!

Sin, when we see what it really is, whether in ourselves or in others, horrifies us!

There is an old proverb about a thing being “as filthy as a priest’s ear!” I cannot imagine anything dirtier than that, and I have no wish to be a partaker in the filthiness.

Go to God and confess your sin to Him–pour out your heart’s sad story in the ear of Him against whom you have offended! Say with David, “Against You, You only, have I sinned–and done this evil in Your sight!”

  ~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Our lives do not follow a straight path. There are many twists and turns along the way. It is good to know that Jesus is with us each step of the way.

No matter what corner I go around on the winding road of life

(W.B. Hinson)

“I will lead them in paths that they have not known” Isaiah 42:16

I do not know what is around that next turn in this winding trail of life. But I know this–whatever there is around that corner, I shall have my hand in Another’s hand when I go and face it. And if I feel a little bit disturbed, I shall move my finger around in the palm of that hand till I find the scar, and then I shall know that Jesus Christ, who on the cross was wounded for my sins–is not going to leave me no matter what corner I go around on the winding road of life.

“Uphold my steps in Your paths, that my footsteps may not slip!” Psalm 17:5

  ~  ~  ~  ~

When we stumble in our walk with the Lord, He is there to pick us up, dust us off, and nudge us back to serving Him.

 Sometimes, we refuse God’s help. We refuse to repent and ask for God to help us. However, Jesus never leaves us. He will chasten, convict, and compel us to come home.  

When we are ready to repent, Jesus welcomes us back with open arms. He then assigns us a task for us to accomplish. God never puts a truly repentant believer on the shelf.

Ask God to give you His next assignment. Then go out and do it. Obedience pleases God!

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

We are told to be soul winners for Christ. Many churches deem your worthiness in the number of souls you have won. We need to rethink soul winning in light of today’s devotional.

Mr. Hill, I am pleased to see you–I am one of your converts!

(Charles Spurgeon)

A man picked himself up from the gutter and brushed up against Rowland Hill one night as he went home, and he said, “Mr. Hill, I am pleased to see you–I am one of your converts!”

Rowland said, “I thought it was very likely that you were. You are certainly not one of God’s converts, or else you would not be drunk.”

There is a great lesson in that answer. Rowland Hill’s converts could get drunk, but not the converts of the Spirit of God–those are really renewed in the spirit of their mind, by a supernatural operation!

Our converts are no good.

If our preaching does not turn men . . .
from drunkenness–to sobriety,
from thieving–to honesty,
from unchastity–to purity,
then our Gospel is not worth a button!

But if it does all this, then this is the evidence that it comes from God–seeing that in the world so sorely diseased by sin, it works the wondrous miracle of curing men of these deadly evils!

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation! Old things have passed away–behold, all things have become new!” 2 Corinthians 5:17

  ~  ~  ~  ~

We do not win souls to Christ. It is God that woos the souls of men and women to Him and the Holy Spirit convicts’ men and women of their sin. Then men and women choose to repent, accept God’s invitation of new life in Christ, or to reject it.

It is crucial to understand who does the saving and who does the proclaiming. We share the gospel message, while God convicts of sin.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Today’s devotional gave me a new perspective about what Christ did for me. When I think about who Jesus is, what He did prior to coming to earth, and what He did for me while He was here, it deepened my respect for what Jesus did.

Gems from Octavius Winslow

   ~  ~  ~  ~

So completely was Jesus bent upon saving sinners by the sacrifice of Himself, that He created the tree upon which He was to die–and nurtured from infancy, the men who were to nail Him to the accursed wood!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Christ took your cup of grief, your cup of the curse, pressed it to his lips, drank it to its dregs–then filled it with His sweet, pardoning, sympathizing love, and gave it back for you to drink, and to drink forever!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

It is because we have such shallow views of God’s love––that we have such defective views of God’s dealings. We blindly interpret the symbols of His providence–because we so imperfectly read the engravings of His heart!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

When I read these statements, it put me in awe of what Jesus did for me. He orchestrated His birth and death down to the most minute detail. He created the tree that would crucify Him, the people who would condemn Him, and the soldiers that would carry out the sentence. He made the tomb that held Him three days.

He did this all for me and for you. He did it because He loved us. Unconditional, unmerited, love. His grace and mercy drove Him to the cross.

The greatest gift you could receive this Christmas is Christ’s gift of a new life in Him. The greatest gift you could give to someone else is Christ’s gift of salvation. Simply put, “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. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” (John 3:16-17)

Do you possess this everlasting life? Would you like to? Give me a call or email me. I would be happy to talk with you.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001