Good morning,

We all have had fathers. Some were kind, loving, and always available while others were brutal, mean, and rarely around.

Our heavenly Father is the standard of what fatherhood should be. Although no earthly father can match God, we can certainly try.

Rest in the fact that if we are believer’s in Christ, God is our Father.

If God is our Father

(James Smith, “The Children’s Privileges!”)

“You are sons of the living God!” Hosea 1:10

To have God for our Father, is the greatest honor conceivable–and it is an infinite source of comfort and joy!

If God is our Father—He will love us with a strong and tender love! He may try us and hide His face from us, to correct us for our follies–but He will still love us. Nothing shall separate His child from His love, or sever the bond which unites us to Himself.

If God is our Father—He will bear with our numerous and painful infirmities. Because we are His children–He will put the best construction upon everything. For, “Like as a Father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who love Him. He knows our frame. He remembers that we are dust.” He will accept our imperfect services, because we are but children. He knows our weakness, ignorance, and failings; and He also knows our desire to please Him. And when we can only desire–He accepts the will for the deed.

If God is our Father—He will provide for and take care of us—making provision for us on earth, while He reserves our portion for Heaven. Will an earthly father leave his child to lack–while he has plenty, and can supply him with the greatest ease? He will not! Neither will our Heavenly Father; but He will supply all our needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus!

If God is our Father—He will also protect us from all evils—spiritual and temporal.
Sin shall not have dominion over us,
Satan shall not overcome us,
the world shall not destroy us
–for God will protect us!
He will keep us by His power, through faith unto salvation.

If God is our Father—He will reveal His mind and will to us for our comfort and salvation. He may hide the mysteries of the kingdom from the wise and prudent–but He will reveal them unto His babes. (Matthew 11:25) He will send the Comforter, even the Spirit of truth, who will guide us into all truth.

If God is our Father—He will give us freedom of access into His presence with confidence–so that we may carry all our sins, sorrows, troubles, and temptations to Him, and lay them at His feet; feeling that we have to do with a Father–one who loves us, pities us, and delights to bless us!

If God is our Father—He will make all things work together for our good.
Good things–such as mercies, blessings, and comforts.
Bad things–such as sickness, poverty, reproach, persecution, bereavements, death.
ALL shall work our good, and issue in our eternal welfare.

If we are children of God—we are heirs of every promise in His Book, and joint-heirs with Jesus Himself! He will give us a Father’s blessing–a blessing worthy of His greatness, majesty, and glory. And He will keep us safe in every danger, and from every foe; so that we shall never perish–but possess and enjoy eternal life.

“‘I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters,’ says the Lord Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:18

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We should spend time this week meditating on God our Father. What a blessing we have as a child of God.

Rejoice and be thankful for this.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

This is a two part devotional.

Patience, Faith, and Pressing toward the Mark

Last week we looked at the definition of patience. Patience is the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset: quiet, steady perseverance; even-tempered care; diligence:.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1) Chicago fans have been patient and hoping for the Cubs to win the World Series.

So Wednesday night history was made. The Chicago Cubs and their fans are celebrating their first World Series win in 108 years. They showed their “steady perseverance, even-tempered care and diligence” in the win.

We as believers in Christ must have the same mindset as the Cubs. “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, ¹⁴ I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

That is our goal.

Romans 9:19-33

Chapter 9 of Romans deals with three misunderstandings of the Romans. Paul corrects each of these misunderstandings. Paul is concerned that his people, Israel, who had the promises of God completely, missed the meaning. He did not want them to miss their Messiah.

Paul addresses the common, erroneous misunderstandings and objections for why God has not fulfilled His program and purpose with Israel (9:6-29)

3^rd Anticipated misunderstanding (9:19-29)

Paul now anticipates this objection: If this is all true, then why does

God still find fault and not go ahead and fulfill His program with Israel?

¹⁹ Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? ²⁰ Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?²¹ Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?²² What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:²³ And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,²⁴ Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?²⁵ As he saith also in Hosea, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.²⁶ And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.²⁷ Isaiah also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:²⁸ For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.²⁹ And as Isaiah said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodom, and been made like unto Gomorrha.

For who has resisted His will and prevented Him from showing His mercy and graciousness, etc.? No one has. But, as Paul declares, no one has the right to dispute with God about what He is doing, or how long it takes, etc.

Israel seems not to recognize that God is all knowing, powerful, and ever present. They also seem to have forgotten their rejection of God.

Conclusion (9:30-33)

What has happened then?

³⁰ What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.³¹ But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. ³² Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone;³³ As it is written, Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

God has turned to the Gentiles in mercy and grace in response to Israel’s stumbling over the Lord Jesus Christ.

 The rejection of their Messiah, Yeshua (Jesus), was why they are not saved today. Although the Scriptures clearly teach about the Messiah, Israel refuses to acknowledge or put their faith in Him.

The Gentiles are in the same position. Many refuse to acknowledge Jesus as Savior and Lord.

Pray for those who are lost. Tell them about Jesus!

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Chapter 9 of Romans deals with three misunderstandings of the Romans. Paul corrects each of these misunderstandings. Paul is concerned that his people, Israel, who had the promises of God completely, missed the meaning. He did not want them to miss their Messiah.

Paul addresses the common, erroneous misunderstandings and objections for why God has not fulfilled His program and purpose with Israel (9:6-29)

1^st Anticipated misunderstanding (9:6-13)

What has happened to Israel? Has the word of God taken none effect?

⁶ Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: ⁷ Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. ⁸ That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.⁹ For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sarah shall have a son. ¹⁰ And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; ¹¹ (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)¹² It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.¹³ As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.

Though that might seem so – Paul shows that this is NOT the case at all. In fact, God’s word all along has been calling out those in Israel who will fulfill His plan and purpose.

To enhance your study, please read Genesis 21:12, 18:10, 14, 25:23, and Malachi 1:1-3.

2^nd Anticipated misunderstanding (9:14-18)

Is God being unrighteous in what He has done with Israel?

¹⁴ What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.¹⁵ For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.¹⁶ So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.¹⁷ For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.¹⁸ Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.

No, not at all – as Paul shows. In spite of His program with Israel, God has the right to be merciful and gracious to whomsoever He will – including the Gentiles – and God even has the right to delay fulfilling His declared purpose with Israel in order to accomplish another purpose He has.

To enhance your study, please read Exodus 33:19 and 9:16.

Tomorrow we will look at the last of the misunderstandings.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

Good morning,

Chapter 9 of Romans deals with three misunderstandings of the Romans. Paul corrects each of these misunderstandings. Paul is concerned that his people, Israel, who had the promises of God completely missed the meaning. He did not want them to miss their Messiah.

We see his concern in the first five verses.

Paul’s concern for Israel (9:1-5)

I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,² That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.³ For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:⁴ Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;⁵ Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.

Declaration of the fact that God has not fulfilled His program and purpose with Israel.

God’s plan for Israel is that they get saved.

Tomorrow we will look at the first two misunderstandings and how Paul corrected their thinking.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

We live in a world of pleasures and amusements. Today’s devotional reminds us that pleasures and amusements keep us from fully serving God. The question for each of us is “When we determine what is causing us not to follow God fully, what will we do about it?” Will we continue to ignore God or repent and serve Him with our whole heart?

We must test all our pleasures and amusements by this rule:

(J.R. Miller)

“Lovers of pleasure–rather than lovers of God; having a form of godliness–but denying its power.” 2 Timothy 3:4-5

Is the love of pleasure and amusement growing on you–gaining the power and authority over you?

Is it dulling the keenness of your zest for spiritual pleasures?

Is it making Bible study, prayer, communion with Christ, and meditation upon holy themes–less sweet enjoyments than they once were?

Is it making your hunger and thirst for righteousness and for God–less intense?

Is it interfering with the comfort and blessing which you used to find in church services, or in Christ’s work?

If so, there is only one thing to do–hurry . . .
to return to God,
to abandon the pleasure or amusement which is imperiling your soul, and
to find in Christ, the joy which the world cannot give, and which never harms any aspect of life.

We must test all our pleasures and amusements by this rule: Are they helping us to grow into Christ-likeness and spiritual beauty?

“All things are lawful–but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful–but not all things edify.” 1 Corinthians 10:23

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Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

What is patience? The personification of patience is the Chicago Cubs and their fans. The last time the Chicago Cubs were in a World Series was 1945. The last time they won the World Series was 1908.

Patience is the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset: quiet, steady perseverance; even-tempered care; diligence:.

Through the good years and the lean Cub fans have never wavered. They always knew that someday they would again be competing for Baseballs ultimate prize.

So today history will be made. Wrigley Field, the Chicago Cubs, and their fans will host game 3 of the World Series. It was 71 years ago when the Cubs last hosted a World Series game. The series is tied one game apiece. The Cubs need 3 more wins to win the World Series. They have shown they have the “steady perseverance, even-tempered care and diligence” to compete at this level.

You are reading this and asking yourself, “Why is this important to me?” The answer is that each of us is patiently waiting for something. It may be a loved one to get saved, a trip you would like to take, a job you are longing for, a home, a meal, a friend. Ultimately we are waiting patiently for God to call us home, whether by the Rapture or death, to be with Him for ever and ever.

God admonishes us to read and obey His word while we patiently wait. If we do, we will be busy teaching others about the Lord, witnessing, telling those who are unsaved how they can get saved, praying, watching, hoping, and patiently awaiting the return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Come quickly Lord Jesus!!!!

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

Good morning,

God is holy. His name is holy. God’s word warns us not to take the Lord’s name in vain. Unfortunately, many men and women do just that. They swear using God’s name as a curse word. There are consequences for our actions.

Do not trifle with God!

(J.H. Thornwell)

“You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.” Exodus 20:7

It is enough to make one’s blood curdle, to think of the name of God bandied about as a bauble and plaything of fools. It is the very spirit and essence of all evil–the very core of iniquity. This offence cannot go unpunished. If there is a God, He must vindicate His own majesty and glory. If you could see it as it is, in the naked enormity of its guilt–you would flee from it as from the very pestilence of death!

You may sport with the whirlwind and trifle with the hurricane,
you may lay your hand upon the lion’s mane and play with the leopard’s spots, you may go to the very crater of a burning volcano, and laugh at the lava which it thunderously belches out, you may trifle with any and everything–but do not trifle with God!

Let there be one holy thing upon which you dare not lay a profane hand–and let that be the name of God.

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Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

This is a great reminder of what our responsibility is as a believer in Christ. Do we live, work, and play in such a way God would be pleased? Do we honor God by our conduct? This devotional should be a challenge to all of us.

Christianity does not apply to the mundane duties of life

(J.R. Miller)

“Whatever your hand finds to do–do it with all your might!” Ecclesiastes 9:10

Christ never asks for anything which we are not able to do. But let us not forget, that He always expects and requires of each of us, the best that we can do. The faithfulness which Christ wants and approves, implies the doing of all our work, our business, our trade, our daily toil–as well as we can.

Let no one think that Christianity does not apply to the mundane duties of life. It applies to the way you do your most common work–just as really as to your praying and keeping of the commandments. Whatever your duty is, you cannot be altogether faithful to God, unless you do your best. To slur any task, is to do God’s work badly. To neglect it, is to rob God.

The faithfulness which Christ requires, must reach to everything we do. It impacts the way . . .
the child learns his lessons and recites them,
the dressmaker and the tailor sew their seams,
the blacksmith welds the iron, and shoes the horse,
the plumber puts in his pipes,
the carpenter builds the house,
the clerk represents the goods, and measures or weighs them.

How soon would genuine Christian living put a stop to all dishonesty, all fraud, all skimping, all false weights and measures, all shams, all neglects of duty–if this lesson were only learned and practiced everywhere!

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do–do it all for the glory of God!” 1 Corinthians 10:31

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Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

God never changes. Whether in good times or bad God is always the same. We are not. We sometimes choose to obey God and other times choose to rebel against God. This devotional will help us to see this principle.

All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth

(“Every Day!” Author unknown, 1872)

“All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth, unto those who keep His covenant and His testimonies.” Psalm 25:10

The Lord’s faithful ones keep His covenant–for He is their keeper. They keep His testimonies–for He puts His laws into their minds and writes them upon their hearts.

By “the paths of the Lord”–we may understand the different ways He takes in His dealings with His people. Observe that “all” of them are declared to be mercy and truth towards them.

While, commonly, the Lord comes to His people in the way of refreshment and comfort–He sometimes approaches them in clouds and darkness, and in storms of trial. By whatever way He comes–it is in faithfulness and love.

But His people do not always see this, and at times their faith may be sharply tried to believe it–but it is nevertheless true.

Though the Lord’s dispensations change–He does not change.

He is good when He gives–and He is equally good when He denies.

He is faithful when He comforts–and He is just as faithful when He corrects.

He is Love when He cheers–and He is Love when He chides.

Believer, seek grace to trust in the Lord at all times, and to bless Him for crosses as well as for comforts.

“When you can’t trace His hand–trust His heart!”

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Please remember that God is always with you, never changes, and is endeavoring to mature you as His child. We must allow Him to do His work in us.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

This devotional challenges us to consider the providence of God. What is our reaction when circumstances in our lives go well and then turn bad? Reflect on these Scripture verses and then allow the Holy Spirit to refine, correct, or redefine our thoughts about God’s providence.

The true recipe for miserable existence is this:

(James W. Alexander, “Consolation” 1852)

“Affliction does not come forth from the dust–neither does trouble spring out of the ground.” Job 5:6

“When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider: God has made the one as well as the other.” Ecclesiastes 7:14

The first law of true religion is submission to God’s will. Where it does not exist, there is no piety–and just as truly there is no tranquility of soul.

What a hideous sight to see a human creature in full rebellion against God’s providence . . .
  repining at His allotments;
fighting against His dispensations;
and cursing His judgments!

The true recipe for miserable existence is this: Quarrel with Providence!

When God means to make us happy, He teaches us submission--a resignation of everything into His hands, and an acknowledgment that whatever He does is wisest and best.

O how sweetly even afflictions fall, when there is such a temper to receive them! “Shall we accept good from God–and not trouble?” Job 2:10. Such a disposition tends to tranquility of soul; and even amidst chastisement, there is internal quiet.

“The Lord gave–and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.” Job 1:21

“He is the Lord–let Him do what is good in His eyes.” 1 Samuel 3:18

“In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18

“We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

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Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001