Good morning,

Welcome to 2016. We enter into a new year of unknowns. We will encounter new experiences, new people, and a new way we must travel. Today’s devotional will explain who can lead us on our way.

Lord, how can we know the way?

(J.R. Miller, “Evening Thoughts” 1907)

Thomas said to Him, “Lord, how can we know the way?”
Jesus said to him, “I am the way” John 14:5-6

This is the first day of a new year. We are setting out on a journey of which we can have no knowledge in advance. The road is one on which we never have gone hitherto. We know not what any day will have for us . . .
  what our duties will be,
what burdens shall be laid upon us,
what sorrows we shall have to endure,
what battles we shall have to fight.

“You have never traveled this way before.” Joshua 3:4. We cannot see one step before us! How can we know the way?

As we sit in the quiet, this first evening, and ask the question, we hear an answer which is full of comfort. Jesus says to us, “I am the way!”

All we shall have to do, therefore, will be to follow Jesus. He has made a way through this dark world for us. He has gone over all the journey and opened a road for us at great cost. He went over the way Himself–we shall find His shoe-prints at every step. 

He has a definite way for each one of us. Every mile of the journey He has chosen–and every place where I pitch my tent He has selected for me!

“Leaving you an example, so that you should follow in His steps!” 1 Peter 2:21

That is a good challenge for us in 2016.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

We have completed another year. For some it has been a wonderful prosperous year. For others it has been wrought with trials, tribulations, and heartache. Whichever circumstance we find ourselves in, this year is over. We cannot change the past, but must look forward to the future.

Paul was being harassed by the Judaizers and made this statement in Philippians 3:8-15, “⁸ Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, ⁹ And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: ¹⁰ That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; ¹¹ If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. ¹² Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. ¹³ 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. ¹⁵ Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.”

Paul was not going to live in the past, but was going to “…press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” That should be our goal in 2016.

We should determine to move forward for Jesus Christ. Bible reading and study is a good start. If you have never read the entire Bible, challenge yourself to read it this year. Prioritize church attendance.  Get involved in ministries in your church. Tell someone that you are a Christian and how that happened. If God is calling you to full time ministry, step out in faith.

Then watch God work in your life. It will be SO exciting!

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, ² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2)

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Last week I was asked to visit a man who dying in the hospital. He had no family in this area. His daughter came in from Colorado to be with him. I was unable to speak with the gentleman because he was asleep. The daughter was joyful. Why? She trusted Christ as her personal Lord and Savior at the age of 7. For the next 45 years she prayed for the salvation of her father. That prayer was answered the day before.

The Bible tells us to “Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) Paul admonishes us to “…Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;” (Ephesians 6:18)

This man will never be baptized, witness to others, enjoy the sweet fellowship with believers in Christ, read the Holy Scriptures, or view God’s creative works. This man, by trusting Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, will soon pass from this world of pain, sorrow, corruption, deceit, worldly sin and will enter heaven and be greeted by His Savior the Lord Jesus Christ. No more sin, pain, sorrow, temptations, but holiness, perfection, beauty, love, and being in the presence of God. All this happened in a moment.

There are 2 things we need to learn from this.

First, persevere in prayer. Never quit praying for the salvation of loved ones. God hears every prayer that a believer prays. He may grant our request, deny our request, or tell us to wait, but continue to pray. This daughter fervently prayed for 45 years. God answered her prayer.

Second, we need to understand salvation is immediate. When someone trusts Christ as their Lord and Savior, they are saved. Certainly, it is our desire for them to be baptized, read and learn the Bible, to obey it, and ultimately to tell others about the Good News of Jesus Christ. This gentleman is saved and will soon be with his Lord Jesus in heaven.

That is cause for great rejoicing. That is why the daughter could rejoice and find encouragement in this time of grief and sadness.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

The New Year will bring challenges, heartaches, encouragement, and blessings. God’s word, The Bible, is the source book for what will befall us in 2016. We need to read it, obey it, teach it, and proclaim it. Today’s devotional will encourage us to do that. The Bible states in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: ¹⁷ That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”

Search the Scriptures!

(George Everard, “A Talk about the Family Bible” 1878)

The word Bible signifies Book; and when we call it the Bible, we mean that it is the Book of books–the best Book, the wisest Book, the Book that will do us the most good of any in the world!

If all the other books in the world were destroyed, however great and irreparable the loss–if men still had the Bible, they would be far better off than if this were destroyed and all other books remained.

It is the Book that alone can tell . . .
how sin can be forgiven,
how temptation can be overcome,
how trouble and sorrow can be met,
how tears can be wiped away, and
how death can be the gate of everlasting life.

It is indeed the best companion . . .
for days of trial,
for the day of sickness, and
for the hour when we must part from all below!

Oh what a treasure is a well-read Bible! It is . . .
a mine of gold,
a hive full of honey,
a field covered with a rich harvest.
It is a tree of life, of which every twig bears precious fruit.
It is an ocean full of pearls.
It is a river full of the purest water of life.
It is a sun whose beams warm and cheer the heart.
It is a bright star that can guide the pilgrim through the darkest night.
It is a granary stored with the finest of the wheat.
It is a medicine-chest, from which we may find a remedy for every malady of the soul.
It is a Mount Pisgah, from which we can view the promised land of Canaan.
All this and much more, is the Bible to those who love to search it and explore the depths of heavenly wisdom which it contains.

Dear reader, whatever you forget, never, never forget to read something out of this precious Book day by day.

The Scriptures warn against . . .
  the fear of man,
the allurements of worldly pleasures,
the snare of pride, and
the temptation of doubt and unbelief.

Search the Scriptures! Whatever you have done hitherto, begin now to search them daily as for hidden treasures!
Go deep into this precious mine.
Ponder what you read.
Compare one part with another.
Compare the commands and precepts with your own daily life.
Bring its promises to bear on your heart and temptations.

When we read the Scriptures, we should pay good heed to it. There are depths and heights in many of the simplest verses that we can never reach. Therefore we ought to turn them over again and again in our minds. We must mark, learn, and inwardly digest them. A few verses or even a single verse well thought over, and still better, well prayed over–will bring more profit and help than many chapters listlessly or carelessly read!

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

Heading into the New Year, this devotion will be of help to you.

What is to be our resource in the hour of affliction and sorrow?

(George Everard, “Family Sorrows” 1882)

There is one passage of Scripture that has been to me an anchor of hope and strength in many a dark and sorrowful day, and I desire that it might be cherished in the memory of each reader, and its guidance followed when trouble comes: “Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.” 1 Peter 5:7 (Amplified version)

Go then to the mercy-seat in the Savior’s name, and bring your whole care and sorrow, and leave it at your Father’s footstool.

Consider His Fatherly HEART. “He cares for you.” As a father pities his children, yes “as one whom his mother comforts”–so tenderly does the Lord deal with those who fear Him and trust in Him.

Consider His Fatherly HAND. It is the hand of love that smites. It is the hand that has bestowed our every mercy–which holds the cup of sorrow. It is the same hand that in due season will remove our trials, and lift us up from our depths of distress, and set us again on the rock of safety and peace.

Consider His Fatherly EYE. It is ever upon us for good, and not for evil. He knows our sorrow, and beholds every affliction and calamity that befalls us. “Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon those who fear Him, upon those who hope in His mercy.”

Consider His Fatherly EAR. He hears every sigh, every moaning, every cry. He bows down and inclines His ear to every petition. “His ear is open to our prayer.”

Consider His Fatherly PURPOSE. Read the twelfth chapter of Hebrews, and see how He wills only our good. He would make us “partakers of His holiness.” He would purify us from the dross of our corruptions, and make us fit for His presence.

Consider His Fatherly PROMISE. He has promised that He will “never leave us nor forsake us.” He has promised that He will make “all things work together for good to those who love Him.” “He who spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?”

Ah, Christian, trust yourself wholly to your Father’s care, and He will not disappoint your confidence!

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

This week we celebrate Christmas. This is the most important and unique birth of all time. The story of Christmas begins at creation. Genesis 1:1 states, “In the beginning God created the heaven and earth.” John 1:1-3, helps us to understand who was doing the creating. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² The same was in the beginning with God. ³ All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.” John 1:14 tells us the Word is a person. “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” The Word is the second person of the trinity, God’s only Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

So when God the Father sent His only Son to come to a wicked sinful earth, to dwell among wicked and sinful people, and ultimately shed His Divine blood for man’s sins, it was a tremendous act of love.

Jesus birth represents God’s love for His creation. This birth could have been with great fanfare and rejoicing. God chose a quiet, lonely, humble birth. He did not reveal this birth to the nation’s principal leaders, but to lowly shepherds. Yet the birth of Jesus would change the world forever.

As we read the Christmas story from Luke 2:1-20, meditate on the wonder of Jesus birth. Remember the prophetic Scriptures telling the exact details of His birth. Then thank God for His concern and love for fallen sinners and their souls.

WHY JESUS WAS BORN IN BETHLEHEM (Luke 2:1-5)

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.

JESUS BIRTH (Luke 2:6-7)

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.

ANGEL’S ANNOUNCEMENT (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.

PRAISE FROM THE HEAVENLY HOST (Luke 2:13-14)

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.

SHEPHERDS GO TO SEE JESUS (Luke 2:15-16)

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.

SHEPHERDS TESTIFY OF WHAT THEY HAVE SEEN (Luke 2:17-19)

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.

SHEPHERDS GLORIFY AND PRAISE GOD (Luke 2:20)

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

APPLICATION

• Before the beginning of time, God the Father knew that one day God the Son would be born on earth
• The birth of Jesus was prophesized long before the event happened
• The announcement was made to lowly shepherds, not the rich and famous
• The shepherds went to see Jesus, testified to what they had seen, and glorified and praised God

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

 

Good morning,

This week we celebrate Christmas. This is the most important and unique birth of all time. The Old Testament makes several prophecies about the birth of Jesus. This is what I would like to look at today. Tomorrow, we will look at the story of Jesus birth.

Prophecies

 1) Virgin birth and name

 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.

 Matthew 1:21-23

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.

2) Place of birth

Micah 5:2

But you, Bethlehem Ephratah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.

Matthew 2:6

And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, art not the least among the princes of Judah: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

John 7:42

Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?

3) Birth and reign

Isaiah 9:6

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Luke 2:7, 11

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. ¹¹ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.

1 Corinthians 15:25

For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.

4) Worshipped and Presented gifts by Kings

 Psalm 72:10

The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.

Matthew 2:11

And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.

5) Worshipped by Shepherds

Psalm 72:9

They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust.

Luke 2:8, 9, 20

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  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.  And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Application

The birth of Jesus Christ was not a random event. God knew this from before the creation. Prophecies were written so all would know that God was sending a Savior, King, Redeemer, for fallen man.

Each of us should be eternally grateful to God for His provision for us. Wicked, vile, and lost, God sent Jesus to redeem our wicked souls. Praise the Lord.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

This week we celebrate Christmas. This is the most important and unique birth of all time. However, prior to coming down to earth in human form, the Son of God, Jesus, was busy. He made many appearances call Theophanies. It was Jesus who created all we have today.

This is what I would like to look at today. Tomorrow, we will look at a few of the Old Testament predictions of the birth of Christ. The Wednesday, our last day this week, we will look at the story of Jesus birth.

Theophanies

“What is a theophany?

Answer: A theophany is a manifestation of God in the Bible that is tangible to the human senses. In its most restrictive sense, it is a visible appearance of God in the Old Testament period, often, but not always, in human form. Some of the theophanies are found in these passages:

1. Genesis 18:1-33 – One day, Abraham had some visitors: two angels and God Himself. He invited them to come to his home, and he and Sarah entertained them. Many commentators believe this could also be a Christophany, a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ.

2. Genesis 32:22-30 – Jacob wrestled with what appeared to be a man, but was actually God (vv. 28-30). This may also have been a Christophany.

And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.  And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him.  And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.  And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob.  And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed

3. Exodus 3:2 – 4:17– God appeared to Moses in the form of a burning bush, telling him exactly what He wanted him to do.
4. Daniel 3:24-28 – The Fiery Furnace

Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonished, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counselors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king. He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire. And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king’s counselors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was a hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them. Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.

Frequently, the term “glory of the Lord” reflects a theophany, as in Exodus 24:16-18; the “pillar of cloud” has a similar function in Exodus 33:9. A frequent introduction for theophanies may be seen in the words “the Lord came down,” as in Genesis 11:5; Exodus 34:5; Numbers 11:25; and 12:5.

Some Bible commentators believe that whenever someone received a visit from “the angel of the Lord,” this was in fact the pre-incarnate Christ. These appearances can be seen in Genesis 16:7-14; Genesis 22:11-18; Judges 5:23 2 Kings 19:35; and other passages. While there are no indisputable Christophanies in the Old Testament, every theophany wherein God takes on human form foreshadows the incarnation, where God took the form of a man to live among us as Emmanuel, “God with us” (Matthew 1:23).

APPLICATION

The Son of God has been making appearances all through the Old Testament. He was busy doing the business God the Father gave Him to do.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

Good morning,

James 5 has five themes, riches, patience, prayer, faith, and restoration. This week we will explore each of these and make pertinent application.

Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. (James 5:8)

INTRODUCTION:

 When we are patient, we are persevering. We will have confidence and hope in life whatever we face because who we are in Christ.

Today we will look at prayer for the backslidden.

Prayer for the Backslidden (5:19-20) (Restoration)

5:19-21 Our call to help restore the stray sheep (Matt. 18:15)

¹⁹ Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;²⁰ let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

It is the responsibility of every believer, church member, and local church Pastor, to help restore the backslidden.  Galatians 6:1-2 states, “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. ² Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Matthew 18:15-17 gives us the process we are to follow.

Unfortunately, believers are prone to ostracize the backslider. We distance ourselves and show no willingness to help. This is where believers need show the love of Christ. We need to live what we say we believe. We need to come along side and encourage them in God’s word, show them why they need to repent, and explain God’s mercy, love, and forgiveness. Remember, that could be you.

This concludes our study of James 5.

CONCLUSION:

 Beware how you deal with money

Be patient; the Lord is coming soon

Do not swear an oath

Pray for the afflicted, the sick, the nation, and the backslidden

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001

 

Good morning,

James 5 has five themes, riches, patience, prayer, faith, and restoration. This week we will explore each of these and make pertinent application.

Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. (James 5:8)

 INTRODUCTION:

 When we are patient, we are persevering. We will have confidence and hope in life whatever we face because who we are in Christ.

Today we will look at prayer.

Prayer for the Sick (5:14-16)

 ^“14 Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: ¹⁵ And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.¹⁶ Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

It is the privilege and responsibility for every Believer to pray for the sick. We should have the faith to believe that God can heal anyone, of any sickness or disease, at anytime. BUT, we must also understand that God is not bound to bend to our desires. There are reasons unbeknownst to us, God may choose to allow a person to suffer or die. Our part is to pray and accept God’s perfect will in each situation.

 Prayer for the Nation (5:17-18) (Israel)

 ^“17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. ¹⁸ And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.”

James takes us back to 1 Kings 17 and 18. King Ahab was a wicked Baal worshipper. He set up pagan shrines called groves to his god. God was not pleased. He sent Elijah to proclaim that no rain would fall for a period of time. (1 Kings 17:1) Then 3 ½ years later the word of the Lord came to Elijah and God caused it to rain. (1 Kings 18:1) The nation of Israel was being punished for failure to follow God. Their wicked leaders drew the nation to idol worship. God sent Elijah with judgment. Only God could withhold rain and then produce it. It was a sign to Israel that the God of creation, the Almighty God, was more powerful than Baal and the other false gods. Prayer changes things.

Effective prayer comes from knowing God. So we must be Believers in God. We must be saved. Then we must understand the way God thinks. To understand how God thinks we must understand His word. We must be willing to read it, study it, and apply God’s word to our lives.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001