Good morning,

This devotional is a good reminder that this world is NOT our home.  We must be careful not to be dragged into the pleasantries of this world. Heaven is so much better.

When we find the path thorny, and the journey toilsome!

(“Every Day!” Author unknown, 1872)

“They were longing for a better country–a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.” Hebrews 11:16

“Here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come!” Hebrews 13:14

“Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city!” Revelation 22:14

God has prepared a city for His redeemed people. Towards that city we are ever journeying. And as we are but sojourners, as our citizenship is in Heaven–let us manifest the pilgrim spirit. While we thankfully use and enjoy the accommodations along the way, let it plainly appear that we do not regard this transient world as our home–but that our affections are set supremely on things which are above. Let it be manifest that we act from higher principles than those which govern the men of this poor world. May our companions, our pleasures, and our spirit plainly show that we are not of the earth–but that we are citizens of the heavenly Jerusalem.

As sojourners, let us patiently endure the trials of the way. If we are faithful witnesses for the Lord–we must expect the world’s scorn. But like Moses, may we esteem reproach for Christ as greater riches than the treasures of Egypt. And when we find the path thorny, and the journey toilsome–let us remember that it is short, and that,

“Nightly we pitch our moving tent
A day’s march nearer home!”

“Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims–abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul!” 1 Peter 2:11

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

What is our expectation when God’s word is preached? Are we looking for “warm and fuzzy”, messages of encouragement, teaching, or are we expecting God to speak to us personally? This devotional may challenge our thinking about preaching.

Lord, smite this sin!

(Thomas Watson, “The Godly Man’s Picture Drawn with a Scripture Pencil)

“Your Word is completely pure, and your servant loves it.” Psalm 119:140

Do we love the holiness of the Word? The Word is preached–to beat down sin, and advance holiness. Do we love it for its spirituality and purity? Many love the Preached Word only for its eloquence and notion. They come to a sermon as to a performance (Ezekiel 33:31,32) or as to a garden to pick flowers–but not to have their lusts subdued or their hearts purified. These are like a foolish woman who paints her face–but neglects her health!

Do we love the convictions of the Word? Do we love the Word when it comes home to our conscience and shoots its arrows of reproof at our sins? It is the minister’s duty sometimes to reprove. He who can speak smooth words in the pulpit–but does not know how to reprove, is like a sword with a fine handle, but without an edge! “Rebuke them sharply!” (Titus 2:15). Dip the nail in oil—reprove in love–but strike the nail home!

Now Christian, when the Word touches on your sin and says, “You are the man!”—do you love the reproof? Can you bless God that “the sword of the Spirit” has divided between you and your lusts? This is indeed a sign of grace, and shows that you are a lover of the Word.

A corrupt heart loves the comforts of the Word–but not the reproofs: “You hate the one who reproves–and despise him who tells the truth!” (Amos 5:10). “Their eyes flash with fire!” Like venomous creatures that at the least touch, spit poison! “When they heard these things, they were enraged in their hearts and gnashed their teeth at him!” (Acts 7:54). When Stephen touched their sins–they were furious and could not endure it.

How shall we know that we love the reproofs of the Word?

When we desire to sit under a heart-searching ministry. Who cares for medicines that will not work? A godly man does not choose to sit under a ministry that will not work upon his conscience.

When we pray that the Word may meet with our sins. If there is any traitorous lust in our heart–we would have it found out, and executed! We do not want sin covered—but cured!

When we can open our heart to the sword of the Word and say, “Lord, smite this sin!”

When we are thankful for a reproof. “Let a righteous man strike me–it is a kindness; let him rebuke me–it is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it.” (Psalm 141:5). David was glad for a reproof.

Suppose a man were in the mouth of a lion, and another should shoot the lion and save the man–would he not be thankful? Just so, when we are in the mouth of sin, as of a lion, and the minister by a reproof shoots this sin to death–shall we not be thankful?

A gracious soul rejoices, when the sharp lance of the Word has pierced his abscess of sin! He wears a reproof like a jewel on his ear: “Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man’s rebuke to a listening ear.” (Proverbs 25:12).

To conclude, it is convicting preaching which must do the soul good. As a nipping frost prepares for the sweet flowers of spring–so a nipping reproof prepares the soul for comfort!

~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

The book of Romans teaches us about the doctrines of salvation, justification, and sanctification. Chapter one reveals Paul’s passion for what he does. He shares with us ten attitudes or marks of true spiritual service. Then he explains about God’s wrath concerning sin.

The sins referred to in verses 18-32 were all committed in the Book of Genesis and caused a worldwide flood and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. They exist today. Since God has not changed, He still condemns these sins and will bring judgment to those that do them.

Be warned.

Today we will look at verses 18-32.

How the enlightened race turned to heathendom (1:18)

¹⁸ For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

The created universe proves a living God (1:19-21)

¹⁹ Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. ²⁰ For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: ²¹ Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Intelligence became darkened, religion perverted (1:22-23)

²² Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, ²³ And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

God gave them up to uncleanness (1:24-32)

²⁴ Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: ²⁵ Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. ²⁶ For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: ²⁷ And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. ²⁸ And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; ²⁹ Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, ³⁰ Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, ³¹ Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: ³² Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

Our God is a longsuffering God. He has allowed these sins to go on for a long time. It is the plan of God that all should be saved. However, some choose to thwart the plan of God and openly rebel against God.

Soon judgment for the saved and unsaved will come. Are you ready? Please repent of your sin and ask Jesus Christ to be your personal Lord and Savior. Relinquish control of your life to Christ.

Questions to ask ourselves.

How many of the 10 attitudes/marks of true spiritual service are you performing? What does this chapter say to me? Do I need to confess/repent of some sin in my life? If so do it NOW!

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

The book of Romans teaches us about the doctrines of salvation, justification, and sanctification. Chapter one reveals Paul’s passion for what he does. He shares with us ten attitudes or marks of true spiritual service. Then he explains about God’s wrath concerning sin.

The sins referred to in verses 18-32 were all committed in the Book of Genesis and caused a worldwide flood and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. They exist today. Since God has not changed, He still condemns these sins and will bring judgment to those that do them.

Be warned.

Today we will look at verses 1-17.

Paul’s greeting (1:1-7)

Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, ² (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) ³ Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; ⁴ And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: ⁵ By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: ⁶ Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: ⁷ To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Ten attitudes/marks of true spiritual service (1:8-17)

1. A thankful spirit (1:8)
2. Concerned about others (1:9)
3. Willing spirit to pray (1:9)
4. Submissive spirit (1:10)
5. Loving spirit (1:11)
6. Humble spirit (1:12)
7. Fruitful spirit (1:13)
8. Responsibility (1:14)
9. Ready to preach (1:15)
10. Not ashamed of the gospel of Christ (1:16)

⁸ First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. ⁹ For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers; ¹⁰ Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.¹¹ For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; ¹² That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. ¹³ Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles. ¹⁴ I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. ¹⁵ So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. ¹⁶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.  ¹⁷ For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

As we read these verses, how many of these attitudes and marks of true spiritual service are we performing? A good starting point would be to ask if we are a servant of Jesus Christ and separated unto the gospel?

God did not write the Bible as a book for reading, but as a book for doing. Its principles are helping us know what to do in the service of our Lord Jesus.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

How much of the world do we tolerate? Do we try to get as much out of the world, without stepping over the line? This devotional will challenge your thinking and may convict some.

The Minimum Christian!

(C.H. Spurgeon, “Sword and the Trowel” 1876)

The minimum Christian! And who is he? The Christian who is going to heaven at the cheapest rate possible. The Christian who intends to get all of the world he can–and not meet the worldling’s doom. The Christian who aims to have as little religion as he may–without lacking it altogether.

The minimum Christian goes to worship in the morning; and in the evening also–unless it rains, or is too warm, or too cold, or he is sleepy, or has the headache from eating too much at dinner. He listens most respectfully to the preacher, and joins in prayer and praise. He applies the truth very judiciously–sometimes to himself, oftener to his neighbors.

The minimum Christian is very friendly to all good works. He wishes them well, but it is not in his power to do much for them. The Sunday-school he looks upon as an admirable institution–especially for the neglected and ignorant. It is not convenient, however, for him to take a class–his business engagements are so pressing during the week that he needs the Sabbath as a day of rest; nor does he think himself qualified to act as a teacher. There are so many persons better prepared for this important duty–that he must beg to be excused. He is very friendly to home and foreign missions, and colportage, and gives his mite–but he is quite unable to aid in the management, for his own concerns are so excessively important. He thinks there are “too many appeals;” but he gives, if not enough to save his reputation, pretty near it–at all events he aims at it, and never overshoots the mark.

The minimum Christian is not clear on a number of points. The opera and dancing, the theater and card-playing, and large fashionable parties give him much trouble. He cannot see the harm in this, or that, or the other popular amusement. There is nothing in the Bible against it. He does not see why a Christian may not dance or go to the opera. He knows several excellent persons who do so–at least, so he says. Why should not he? He stands so close to the dividing-line between the people of God and the people of the world–that it is hard to say on which side of it he is actually to be found.

Ah, my brother, are you making this attempt? Beware, lest you find at last that in trying to get to Heaven with a little religion–you miss it altogether; lest without gaining the whole world–you lose your own soul. True godliness demands self-denial and cross-bearing–and if you have none of these, you are making a false profession!

So are you a Minimum Christian? If so, WHY? Repent and allow God to change your  life.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

This devotional will challenge us to think about our relationship with God. It was written 325 years ago and is just as applicable today as it was then.

Desires after Christ!

(John Flavel, “The Fountain of Life” 1691)

“Yes, He is altogether lovely! This is my Beloved, and this is my Friend!” Song of Songs 5:16

“Whom have I in Heaven but you? Earth has nothing I desire besides You!” Psalm 73:25

Christ is the very essence of all delights and pleasures--the very soul and substance of them! As all the rivers are gathered into the ocean, which is the meeting-place of all the waters in the world–so Christ is that ocean in which all true delights and pleasures meet!

Are our desires for Christ ARDENT? Has Christ the supreme place in our hearts? Do we esteem all things but dung that we may win Christ and be found in Him?

Are our desires for Christ UNIVERSAL? Is everything about Christ desirable in our eyes? The hypocrite is for a divided Christ. The true believer loves . .
both His government and His grace,
both His sovereignty and His mercy,
both His Lordship and His priesthood.

Do our desires after Christ lead us to EFFORT–to use all the means of grace to accomplish His will?
He is revealed in His Word–do we read it?
He is preached in the gospel–do we hear it?
He will be found by those who seek Him–do we earnestly seek Him?

Are our desires after Christ PERMANENT–or only a sudden fit of emotion, fear or impulse? If our hearts and our longing for communion with Him–we will only be satisfied when we awake with His likeness. Nothing that this world affords can possibly take us from this goal!

Do our desires after Christ spring from a DEEP SENSE OF OUR NEED of Christ? Has conviction of sin opened our eyes . . .
  to see our misery,
to feel our burden of sin,
to understand our inability, and
to make us sensible that the only remedy lies in the Lord Jesus Christ?
Bread and wine are made necessary by hunger and thirst. Christ is only precious to those who need Him!

“My soul yearns for You in the night; in the morning my spirit longs for You!” Isaiah 26:9

~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Today’s devotional shows us how God uses afflictions and testings in our lives. It is helpful to understand that God knows everything. His work of affliction and testing are to help us to grow closer to Him.

His testing room of suffering!

(John MacDuff)

“I have tested you in the furnace of affliction!” Isaiah 48:10

I stood once in the test room of a great steel mill. All around me were little partitions and compartments. Steel had been tested to the limit, and marked with figures that showed its breaking point. Some pieces had been twisted until they broke, and the strength of torsion was marked on them. Some had been stretched to the breaking point, and their tensile strength indicated. Some had been compressed to the crushing point, and also marked. The master of the steel mill knew just what these pieces of steel would stand under strain. He knew just what they would bear if placed in a great ship, or building, or bridge. He knew this, because his testing room revealed it.

It is often so with God’s children. God does not want us to be like fragile vases of glass or porcelain. He would have us like these toughened pieces of steel–able to bear twisting and stretching and crushing to the uttermost, without collapse.

He wants us to be, not hot-house plants–but storm-beaten oaks. He wants us to be, not sand dunes driven with every gust of wind–but granite rocks withstanding the fiercest storms! To make us such, He needs to bring us into His testing room of suffering.

Many of us need no other argument than our own experiences to prove that suffering is indeed God’s testing room of faith. “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds–because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.” James 1:2-3

“When He has tested me–I will come forth as gold!” Job 23:10

~  ~  ~  ~

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

Romans 8 takes us from the cradle to the grave. It begins declaring “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus,”, salvation and ends declaring “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, ³⁹ Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”, everlasting life. In-between Paul addresses the battle between the Spirit and the flesh, promises to the believer, the Holy Spirit’s ministry, and the four things God has done for us.

Romans 8:28—39 tells us what God did to bring us to Christ. He called, saved, justified, and glorified us. Then He makes it clear that we are eternally safe as a believer in Christ. There is nothing that can separate us from the love of Christ.

Called, Saved, Justified, Glorified (8:28-34)

²⁸ And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. ²⁹ For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. ³⁰ Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. ³¹ What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? ³² He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? ³³ Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. ³⁴ Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

The Believer is Eternally Safe (8:35-39)

³⁵ Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? ³⁶ As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. ³⁷ Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. ³⁸ For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, ³⁹ Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

In conclusion we see that God has given every person the opportunity to believe. Those who have chosen to trust in Christ by faith are totally equipped to live the Christian life. We have the Holy Spirit’s protection, guidance, prayers, and the promise of being joint heirs with Christ. We await our call home, Heaven, and are encouraged by the fact that we will never be separated from the love of Christ.

GOD HAS BLESSED US. PASS THE BLESSING TO OTHERS.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Romans 8 takes us from the cradle to the grave. It begins declaring “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus,”, salvation and ends declaring “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, ³⁹ Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”, everlasting life. In-between Paul addresses the battle between the Spirit and the flesh, promises to the believer, the Holy Spirit’s ministry, and the four things God has done for us.

Romans 8:14-27 tells us of the promises God has given us. He has allowed us to be adopted, joint heirs with Christ, receive redeemed bodies, and the intercession of the Holy Spirit on our behalf.

Believers are Joint Heirs with Christ (8:14-17)

¹⁴ For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. ¹⁵ For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. ¹⁶ The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: ¹⁷ And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Mortal Bodies wait Resurrection Glory (8:18-25)

¹⁸ For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. ¹⁹ For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. ²⁰ For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, ²¹ Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. ²² For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. ²³ And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. ²⁴ For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? ²⁵ But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

Holy Spirit Prays with Us and For Us (8:26-27)

²⁶ Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. ²⁷ And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

One choice has literally changed our present and future destinies. No longer are we bound for a devil’s hell but our condemnation has been taken away, we become children of God, joint heirs with Christ, awaiting a redeemed body, Heaven, never to be separated from Jesus, the Holy Spirit helping us and praying for our needs. I believe we are blessed individuals.

Meditate on all that God has done for us through His Son Jesus Christ. Thank Him for the opportunity to serve Him here on earth and then in Heaven. Share this life changing Good News with others.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

Romans 8 takes us from the cradle to the grave. It begins declaring “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus,”, salvation and ends declaring “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, ³⁹ Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”, everlasting life. In-between Paul addresses the battle between the Spirit and the flesh, promises to the believer, the Holy Spirit’s ministry, and the four things God has done for us.

Romans 8:1-13 tell us about our new life in Christ.

No Condemnation to those in Christ Jesus (8:1-4)

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. ² For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.³ For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: ⁴ That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Spirit-led or Carnally minded (8:5-13)

⁵ For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. ⁶ For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. ⁷ Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. ⁸ So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. ⁹ But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. ¹⁰ And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. ¹¹ But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. ¹² Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. ¹³ For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

Jesus payment for our sin debt “…hath made me free from the law of sin and death.”  Our salvation was purchased by Jesus blood on the cross and His resurrection from the grave.

However, we must then make a choice whom to follow, the flesh or the Spirit of God. The flesh does not please God and results in death. The Spirit filled life results in life and peace.

What should our choice be?

Tomorrow we will look at promises God declares to us.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001