Good morning,

Valentine’s day is this Friday. It is the day, each year, when we think about love for others. We buy heart shaped candies and flowers for our loved ones.

But what is love? Who is love? How should we express our love for others? 

Love should be an everyday event in our lives.

GOD IS LOVE

Examples of God’s love

Genesis 1:1   In the beginning God

Genesis 2:22 And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.

Genesis 3:21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.

Joseph In all Joseph’s adversity, God loved him and cared for him

Exodus God loved his children Israel and provided a way of escape from the Egyptians

Rahab was a harlot but God loved her and saved her and her family

Ruth was a Moabite

David had a man killed

Solomon disobeyed God

Saul, persecutor of the church on the road to Emmaus

How do we respond to God’s love?

John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

I John 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us.

I John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

God’s love is unconditional. He loves the worst of sinners. He draws the worst of sinners to Himself. He makes them into His instruments of righteousness. 

Reflect and meditate on the list of names. Then reflect on your own life. If God could use this list of vile, wicked, and immoral people, he can also use you!

The question is, will we let Him?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

Valentine’s day is this Friday. It is the day, each year, when we think about love for others. We buy heart shaped candies and flowers for our loved ones.

But what is love? Who is love? How should we express our love for others? 

Love should be an everyday event in our lives.

GOD IS LOVE

God is Love

 I John 4:8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

Romans 5:8 But God commendeth (demonstrated) his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

John 3:16 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.

This is our foundation. God is love. He demonstrated His love by sending His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross, to pay the sin debt that each man and woman owed. Then gave us eternal life.

Meditate on the fact that God is love!

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

This week we will begin a three week study on prayer. The topics include, prayer, how to pray, and subjects of prayer.  

Prayer is talking with God. God desires a personal relationship with His people. God wants us to come to Him with our praises, concerns, and requests. In response, God speaks to us through His word, other people, or even a still small voice. 

This week we will look at an overview of prayer.

PRAYER

Pray without ceasing. (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

To whom do we pray? (Acts 12:5, John 14:13, Ephesians 6:18)

Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. (Acts 12:5)

And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. (John 14:13)

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; (Ephesians 6:18)

We are to pray to God the Father, in Jesus name, in the Spirit of God.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

This week we will begin a three week study on prayer. The topics include, prayer, how to pray, and subjects of prayer.  

Prayer is talking with God. God desires a personal relationship with His people. God wants us to come to Him with our praises, concerns, and requests. In response, God speaks to us through His word, other people, or even a still small voice. 

This week we will look at an overview of prayer.

PRAYER

Pray without ceasing. (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

Introduction ACTS (adoration, confession, thanksgiving, supplication)

Adoration (Psalm 95:1-6)

O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.² Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.³ For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.⁴ In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also.⁵ The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land.⁶ O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker.

Confession (Psalm 32:1-5)

Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.² Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.³ When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long.⁴ For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.⁵ I acknowledge my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.

We need to prepare ourselves for prayer. 

When we come before God and acknowledge His greatness, attributes, and power, it becomes obvious that He is in control and powerful enough to answer any prayer of ours. He created all things. He sees all things. He is powerful enough to do whatever He pleases.

We must come to God with a clean heart. “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” (Psalm 66:18) So we repent of our sins and claim God’s cleansing power. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

Once preparation is made, then we thank Him for all He has done for us.

Thanksgiving (Philippians 4:1-7)

Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.² I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.³ And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellow laborers, whose names are in the book of life.⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. ⁵ Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.⁶ Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.⁷ And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Supplication (1 Timothy 2:1-3)

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;² For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.³ For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior;

After we have prepared ourselves, we then can thank God for all He has done for us. The greatest of these is our salvation. Remember that it was God that brought us to Himself. “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” (John 15:16) Christ went to the cross, shedding His precious, perfect blood, to take away the sin for all mankind.

Then we are able to ask God to intervene for ourselves and others. The caveat is that our prayers need to be within the will of God. So, if we are praying for something that is clearly in violation of Scripture, God will not answer that prayer. Conversely, if we pray within Scriptural principles, then God will determine how to answer that prayer. Our requests need to honor and glorify God.

To whom do we pray? (Acts 12:5, John 14:13, Ephesians 6:18)

Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. (Acts 12:5)

And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. (John 14:13)

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; (Ephesians 6:18)

We are to pray to God the Father, in Jesus name, in the Spirit of God.

When do we pray? (Luke 18:1, Psalm 5:3, 55:17, 86:3, 88:1) 

And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; (Luke 18:1)

My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up. (Psalm 5:3)

Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice. (Psalm 55:17)

Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily. (Psalm 86:3)

O lord God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before thee: (Psalm 88:1)

Where do we pray? (Matthew 6:6, Psalm 26:12)

ANYWHERE, EVERYWHERE

But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. (Matthew 6:6)

My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the Lord. (Psalm 26:12)

CONCLUSION

Pray with:

Adoration Confession Thanksgiving Supplication (ACTS)

To God, through Jesus

Praying always

Praying everywhere    

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

This week we will begin a three week study on prayer. The topics include, prayer, how to pray, and subjects of prayer.  

Prayer is talking with God. God desires a personal relationship with His people. God wants us to come to Him with our praises, concerns, and requests. In response, God speaks to us through His word, other people, or even a still small voice. 

This week we will look at an overview of prayer.

ACTS (adoration, confession, thanksgiving, supplication)

Thanksgiving (Philippians 4:1-7)

Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.² I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.³ And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellow laborers, whose names are in the book of life.⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. ⁵ Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.⁶ Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.⁷ And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Supplication (1 Timothy 2:1-3)

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;² For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.³ For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior;

After we have prepared ourselves, we then can thank God for all He has done for us. The greatest of these is our salvation. Remember that it was God that brought us to Himself. “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” (John 15:16) Christ went to the cross, shedding His precious, perfect blood, to take away the sin for all mankind.

Then we are able to ask God to intervene for ourselves and others. The caveat is that our prayers need to be within the will of God. So, if we are praying for something that is clearly in violation of Scripture, God will not answer that prayer. Conversely, if we pray within Scriptural principles, then God will determine how to answer that prayer. Our requests need to honor and glorify God.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

This week we will begin a three week study on prayer. The topics include, prayer, how to pray, and subjects of prayer.  

Prayer is talking with God. God desires a personal relationship with His people. God wants us to come to Him with our praises, concerns, and requests. In response, God speaks to us through His word, other people, or even a still small voice. 

This week we will look at an overview of prayer.

PRAYER

Pray without ceasing. (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

Introduction ACTS (adoration, confession, thanksgiving, supplication)

Adoration (Psalm 95:1-6)

O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.² Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.³ For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.⁴ In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also.⁵ The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land.⁶ O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker.

Confession (Psalm 32:1-5)

Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.² Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.³ When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long.⁴ For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.⁵ I acknowledge my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.

We need to prepare ourselves for prayer. 

When we come before God and acknowledge His greatness, attributes, and power, it becomes obvious that He is in control and powerful enough to answer any prayer of ours. He created all things. He sees all things. He is powerful enough to do whatever He pleases.

We must come to God with a clean heart. “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” (Psalm 66:18) So we repent of our sins and claim God’s cleansing power. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

Once preparation is made, then we thank Him for all He has done for us.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

How to thrive in ‘25 series turns to the third chapter of the book of Proverbs. We will learn how to live successfully, see the benefits of wisdom, the results of wisdom is safety, and how to deal with others.

How to Thrive in ‘25

Trust in the Lord

PROVERBS 3

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (5-6)

This week we will be studying Proverbs 3. The book of Proverbs is a teaching on wisdom.

Proverbs 3:27-35 deals with interpersonal relationships. The believer in Jesus Christ has the Bible to lead them when dealing with other people. 

It deals with how believers should treat others. 

4) How to deal with others (27-35)

²⁷ Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.²⁸ Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and tomorrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.²⁹ Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.³⁰ Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.³¹ Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.³² For the froward is abomination to the Lord: but his secret is with the righteous.³³ The curse of the Lord is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.³⁴ Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.³⁵ The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.

CONCLUSION

• Trust in the Lord
• Be wise
• Rest in the Lord
• Treat others with wisdom

Proverbs 3 has given us tools to be successful in our Christian life. How well are we doing?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

How to thrive in ‘25 series turns to the third chapter of the book of Proverbs. We will learn how to live successfully, see the benefits of wisdom, the results of wisdom is safety, and how to deal with others.

How to Thrive in ‘25

Trust in the Lord

PROVERBS 3

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (5-6)

This week we will be studying Proverbs 3. The book of Proverbs is a teaching on wisdom.

Proverbs 3:13-26 tells us the benefits of wisdom, the Lord by wisdom…, to keep wisdom and discretion, and the result of wisdom is God’s safety.

Please meditate on the benefits, work of God, keeping sound wisdom, and the fact that we are safe when we have God’s wisdom.

3) Wisdom results in God’s Safety (23-26)

²³ Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.²⁴ When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.²⁵ Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.²⁶ For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.

Thank God today that He gave us the Bible that has all the wisdom that we need to live successfully in this world.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

How to thrive in ‘25 series turns to the third chapter of the book of Proverbs. We will learn how to live successfully, see the benefits of wisdom, the results of wisdom is safety, and how to deal with others.

Today we will look at successful living.

How to Thrive in ‘25

Trust in the Lord

PROVERBS 3

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (5-6)

This week we will be studying Proverbs 3. The book of Proverbs is a teaching on wisdom.

Proverbs 3:1-12 describe how to live the Christian life. God lists seven things that will make us successful in our walk with the Lord. 

As God speaks to us may we be sensitive to the moving of God’s Spirit. 

1) SUCCESSFUL LIVING (1-12)

The Law (1-2)                                                                                       

My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: 2 For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.

Mercy and Truth (3-4)

3 Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:4 So shalt thou find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

Trust in the Lord (5-6)

5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Fear the Lord (7-8)

7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.

Honor the Lord with your Substance (9-10)

9 Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.

Chastening of the Lord (11-12)

11 My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction:12 For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

Did you notice that the odd numbered verses were God’s commands, while the even number verses were the promises that will result if we obey the command. All God is looking for is obedience in His children. When we do He pours out His blessings!

Proverbs 3:13-26 tells us the benefits of wisdom, the Lord by wisdom…, to keep wisdom and discretion, and the result of wisdom is God’s safety.

Please meditate on the benefits, work of God, keeping sound wisdom, and the fact that we are safe when we have God’s wisdom.

2) WISDOM (13-22)

Benefits of Wisdom (13-18)

¹³ Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.¹⁴ For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.¹⁵ She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.¹⁶ Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.¹⁷ Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.¹⁸ She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.

The Lord by Wisdom… (19-20)

¹⁹ The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.²⁰ By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.

Keep sound Wisdom and Discretion (21-22)

²¹ My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:²² So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.

Proverbs 3:13-26 tells us the benefits of wisdom, the Lord by wisdom…, to keep wisdom and discretion, and the result of wisdom is God’s safety.

Please meditate on the benefits, work of God, keeping sound wisdom, and the fact that we are safe when we have God’s wisdom.

3) Wisdom results in God’s Safety (23-26)

²³ Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.²⁴ When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.²⁵ Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.²⁶ For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.

Thank God today that He gave us the Bible that has all the wisdom that we need to live successfully in this world.

Proverbs 3:27-35 deals with interpersonal relationships. The believer in Jesus Christ has the Bible to lead them when dealing with other people. 

It deals with how believers should treat others. 

4) How to deal with others (27-35)

²⁷ Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.²⁸ Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and tomorrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.²⁹ Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.³⁰ Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.³¹ Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.³² For the froward is abomination to the Lord: but his secret is with the righteous.³³ The curse of the Lord is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.³⁴ Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.³⁵ The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.

CONCLUSION

• Trust in the Lord
• Be wise
• Rest in the Lord
• Treat others with wisdom

Proverbs 3 has given us tools to be successful in our Christian life. How well are we doing?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

How to thrive in ‘25 series turns to the third chapter of the book of Proverbs. We will learn how to live successfully, see the benefits of wisdom, the results of wisdom is safety, and how to deal with others.

How to Thrive in ‘25

Trust in the Lord

PROVERBS 3

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (5-6)

This week we will be studying Proverbs 3. The book of Proverbs is a teaching on wisdom.

Proverbs 3:13-26 tells us the benefits of wisdom, the Lord by wisdom…, to keep wisdom and discretion, and the result of wisdom is God’s safety.

Please meditate on the benefits, work of God, keeping sound wisdom, and the fact that we are safe when we have God’s wisdom.

2) WISDOM (13-22)

Benefits of Wisdom (13-18)

¹³ Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.¹⁴ For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.¹⁵ She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.¹⁶ Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.¹⁷ Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.¹⁸ She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.

The Lord by Wisdom… (19-20)

¹⁹ The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.²⁰ By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.

Keep sound Wisdom and Discretion (21-22)

²¹ My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:²² So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com