GIVE THANKS

November 23, 2016 By Pastor David Stone

“In every thing give thanks….”. – 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Every thing we enjoy should be viewed as coming from the liberal hand of God : all was forfeited by sin; what we receive is of grace.

The providence that supplies us, is the wisdom, benevolence, and power of God in operation for us, as expressive of His infinite love and unmerited grace. Talents to provide supplies, opportunities to obtain, and ability to enjoy, are alike from the Lord. Every mercy increases our obligation and deepens our debt.

Thanksgiving is the ordinance that God hath appointed, that we may express our gratitude, and acknowledge our obligation; and our thanksgivings are acceptable and well-pleasing in His sight.
Thanksgiving is never out of season, for we have always much to be thankful for.

In everything we should give thanks, to that end view all things as arranged by His wisdom, pendant on His will, sanctified by His blessing, according with His promises, and flowing from His love.
All our blessings come through Jesus, and all our praises must ascend through Him; for our Father only accepts what is presented in the name of His beloved Son.–James Smith

Praise Him who by His word
Supplies our every need,
And gives us Christ the Lord,
Our hungry souls to feed :
Thanks be to God for every good,
Eternal thanks for Jesus’ blood.

WHO WILL GO

November 21, 2016 By Pastor David Stone

“Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.”–Isa. 6:8

Over 200 years ago, a humble shoe cobbler by the name of William Carey stood before an austere group of ministers at a Baptist association in London, England. And he said to those men, “God has put it on my heart to reach the masses with the Gospel message and to take seriously the command of Christ to take the Gospel to the world.”

Well, one rather pompous minister stood to his feet and said to Carey, “Young man, sit down. When God chooses to save the pagan, He’ll do it at His own time and in His own way.” But that would not suffice for William Carey. Bold in his faith, he went to India, led countless people to Jesus Christ, and sparked the modern missions movement!

All it took was one little shoe cobbler in England to change the world for Christ. And he did it despite the fact that many people, even Christians, were against Him going to India. What a bold testimony of faith!

What would your life look like if you served God with that kind of fervor? Where would you go? What would you do? Take a bold step of faith today and tell God, “Wherever… whatever… whenever… I’m yours!”

SURRENDER YOURSELF TO GOD TODAY BY FOLLOWING HIS CALLING ON YOUR LIFE… WHATEVER IT MAY BE!

TERROR OR PEACE

November 21, 2016 By Pastor David Stone

“And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.”–Luke 24:36–37

D. L. Moody said that just before He died, Christ made a will. To His disciples (and to us) Jesus left His peace. “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27). Then Moody said, “They say that a man cannot make a will now that lawyers cannot break. I will challenge them to break Christ’s will. Let them try it. No judge or jury can set that aside. Christ rose to execute His own will. He left His peace and His joy for every true believer, and no power on earth can take it from him who trusts.”

Though Jesus had promised lasting peace to His disciples four days earlier, when He appeared to them they were in terror. They did not believe that Jesus had risen from the dead as He had said would happen, as the angels had told the women at the tomb, and as the two disciples who had just returned from Emmaus had said. And here is the lesson: when we do not believe what God has said, we forfeit His peace.

It is only through faith that we can maintain the peace of God in the face of the storms and tests of life. It is not from the outside that peace is stolen, but from the inside that it is given away. The promises of God are backed by His faithfulness and complete power—they never fail. So when we are facing trials and burdens, we will have God’s peace instead of terror as long as we do not give it away in unbelief.

“Nothing in the world can take the peace of Jesus away from us unless we give it up ourselves.”– Dr. Paul Chappell

THE BEST YEARS

November 19, 2016 By Pastor David Stone

“But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.”–Philippians 3:7

Turning Point magazine says,”When Harold Russell’s hands were blown off in an accident, he sank into depression. One day Charley McGonegal, who had lost his own hands in war, told Russell, ‘For everything you have missed, you have gained something else.’

Russell rallied and went on to become an ambassador for the disabled. He won an Oscar for his role in the movie, The Best Years of Our Lives . He wrote, ‘My weakness… has turned out to be my greatest strength. I didn’t think so at the time it happened and I don’t think I’d ever willingly lose my hands, if I had it to do all over again. But having lost them I feel perhaps I have gained many fine things…. It is not what you have lost, but what you have left that counts.’

When we look at past losses, it provides an opportunity to recalibrate for future service. The Lord can leverage our losses for ministry. Don’t give up. Your best years are now, and your best days are ahead.”

Far too often we excuse our failures by blaming them on something or someone else other than ourselves. One of the most common ways is by thinking of our burdens as barriers rather than blessings in disguise. Sometimes not having a “handicap” is our greatest handicap. A child of God in the will of God has every reason to believe that when God takes something away from us it is so He can give us something better–although we might not see it until much later. Let us then remember those words to Harold Russell– “For everything you have missed, you have gained something else.” –HDS

TRUSTING GOD’S WORD

November 18, 2016 By Pastor David Stone

“…I trust in Thy word.” – Psalms 119:42

It is unsafe and improper to trust our feelings or fancies; to listen to suggestions, or judge by appearances; the Christian’s guide is God’s word, and this should be the object of his trust. If we cannot take God’s word and depend upon it, what can we trust?

It is true; on all necessary points plain; it has been tried and always found faithful. We should believe it, rely on it, plead it, expect its fulfilment, and comfort ourselves with it; especially when surrounded with difficulties, when in darkness or filled with forebodings, because God delays and our prayers are not answered.

Trusting in God’s faithful word will bring peace to the mind, experience to the soul, and deliverance in every time of trouble: if we trust God’s word we may be confident, for our supply is certain. Trusting a naked promise is difficult, but it is attainable, and truly desirable. The promise is God’s bond, and is intended to set our minds at rest; if we trust it calmly and implicitly, we shall enjoy peace, quietness, and confidence.

Trusting God’s word, we need fear no foe, or dread any trouble; all is safe, and safe for ever.–James Smith

In Thee, O Lord, I put my trust:
Mighty and merciful, and just,
Thy faithful word I prove;
Thou canst, Thou wilt my helper be:
My confidence is all in Thee,
The faithful God of love.

GIVE THANKS

WHO WILL GO

TERROR OR PEACE

THE BEST YEARS

TRUSTING GOD’S WORD

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