NOTHING IS TOO HARD FOR GOD

December 1, 2008 By Pastor David Stone

“Is there anything too hard for Jehovah?” (Gen. 18:14).

Here is God’s loving challenge to you and to me today. He wants us to think of the deepest, highest, worthiest desire and longing of our hearts, something which perhaps was our desire for ourselves or for someone dear to us, yet which has been so long unfulfilled that we have looked upon it as only a lost desire, that which might have been but now cannot be, and so have given up hope of seeing it fulfilled in this life.

That thing, if it is in line with what we know to be His expressed will (as a son to Abraham and Sarah was), God intends to do for us, even if we know that it is of such utter impossibility that we only laugh at the absurdity of anyone’s supposing it could ever now come to pass. That thing God intends to do for us, if we will let Him.

“Is anything too hard for the Lord?” Not when we believe in Him enough to go forward and do His will, and let Him do the impossible for us. Even Abraham and Sarah could have blocked God’s plan if they had continued to disbelieve.

The only thing too hard for Jehovah is deliberate, continued disbelief in His love and power, and our final rejection of His plans for us. Nothing is too hard for Jehovah to do for them that trust Him –Messages for the Morning Watch

I WILL SING

November 30, 2008 By Pastor David Stone

“I will sing of mercy and judgment:unto thee, O Lord will I sing.”–Psalm 101:1

Psalm 101 is a song wherein David vows to live righteously. In just eight verses the word “will” is used nine times and the word “shall” is used five times. This is a record of David’s resolves–we see his promises and plans. Notice the strong emphasis he places on singing.

“I will sing.” It would be good if we all determined to do so. Christians have something to sing about. Reflecting on our Redeemer how can we remain silent? Some people sit through a worship service watching the song-leader like a calf looking at a new gate. They refuse to open their mouth or even give any expression of joy. What a sad sight! They wouldn’t be comfortable sitting next to David.

“I will sing of mercy and judgment.” That is wise.Romans 11:22 tells us that we are to behold both “goodness and severity of God”. David felt that both of these are fit subjects for song. Spurgeon was right when he said,”We ought as much to bless the Lord for the judgment with He chastens our sins, as for the mercy with which He forgives it; there is as much love in the blows of His hand as in the kisses of His mouth.”

“unto thee, O Lord will I sing.” This tells us to Whom his song is directed. He not only sang about the Lord, he sang “unto” the Lord. He had no desire to impress or entertain others. His only concern was to please the Lord. That should be our desire also.

How is it with you? We live in a sin saddened society and, as believers, we need to maintain our song. Regardless of how dark the night or how bleak the day, we always have something to sing about. That “something” is Someone–Christ the Lord. Let us then sing about Him and to Him, leaving no doubt to those around us as to where our focus is. Will you, this day, resolve to follow David’s example? God is waiting to hear from you.

DON’T LEAVE THE SAME WAY

November 29, 2008 By Pastor David Stone

There is a very strange command found in Ezekiel 46:9. God forbid the people to leave the temple the same way they they came in. Those who entered through the north gate were to exit through the south gate and those who entered through the south gate were to exit through the north gate. Why? No explanation is given. Maybe it was to prevent confusion and congestion. Or, as Matthew Henry wrote, “We may suppose that they came in at the gate that was next their own houses, but, when they went away, God would have them to go out at the gate which would lead them the furthest way about, that they might have time for meditation; being thereby obliged to go a great way round the sanctuary, they might have an opportunity to consider the palaces of it.”

Whatever the reasons might be, they were not to leave the same way as they came in. I believe that can serve as a lesson for us.The church has replaced the temple as God’s house of witness and we Christians are warned about “Forsaking the assembling of ourselves together”(Heb. 10:25). We should be faithful in church attendance. We should attend for the purpose of worshipping God and to “provoke” one another “unto love and good works”(Heb. 10:24). And, since none of us are perfect, we should leave God’s house different than when we came. Attendance there should change us for the better.

I’ve often said, when you leave church you always leave in a better or worse condition than when you came. If you hear the Word of God and refuse to obey it you will leave worse than you came. But, if you submit to God’s Word you will be the better for it. Worship should be a transforming experience. So, when you attend church next Sunday, ask God to change your life. Don’t leave the same way you came!

GIVE THANKS

November 27, 2008 By Pastor David Stone

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”–1 Thess.5:18

Someone said,” The foundation of gratitude is the expectation of nothing.” I believe there is a better way to look at it. As a child of God I do expect some things–the Bible teaches us to do so.As we yield ourselves to God’s will we can expect that He will supply all our needs (Matt.6:33).We should expect that and we should be thankful for it. There’s nothing wrong with expecting God to keep His promise—there is something wrong if we don’t. God is honored when we trust Him.

The best way to develop a grateful heart is to realize that we don’t deserve anything–we really don’t! Think about it this way—Those who don’t deserve anything should be thankful for everything. That way our gratitude is rooted and grounded in grace. How can we not be grateful when we realize that everything we have is the result of God’s grace? No one is earning their way with God–nobody! “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father–“(James 1:17).

As long as we think we deserve more, bigger, and better we will fail to be grateful. When we understand that we are just sinners saved by grace, deserving of hell, it is much easier to accept what God allows and to appreciate what God provides. Although we are totally undeserving, we are joint-heirs with Christ.Be thankful!

If God never did anything but save us from hell we would have no reason to complain.

BE CONTENT

November 26, 2008 By Pastor David Stone

” Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have–” (Hebrews 13:5)

Jealousy and envy are big trouble- makers, but there is a cure. Someone said, “The best way to cure envy is by practicing thankfulness.” Pastor Paul Chappell said,” Comparison is probably the number one cause for ingratitude.” He might be right. Although the Bible tells us it isn’t wise to compare ourselves with others (2 Cor. 10:12) we often do it anyway. As you know, we sometimes make fools out of ourselves by coveting the things that other people have. Were we truly thankful that wouldn’t happen–we would be content.

God always does what he does for a reason. He blesses some with an abundance of material possessions and He blesses some by withholding them from others. In His infinite wisdom He knows what is best for each particular person. He has a different plan for each of us and He designs things accordingly.

Don’t make the mistake of getting disgruntled because others have more than you. We all have more than we deserve. We have what we have because of grace, not goodness; mercy, not merit. Whether we are abased or abounding we should be content. Count your blessings and be thankful that God gives you what you need, rather than what you deserve. Think about it and you will thank God for it.

NOTHING IS TOO HARD FOR GOD

I WILL SING

DON’T LEAVE THE SAME WAY

GIVE THANKS

BE CONTENT

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