THINK ABOUT IT              1-25-25

EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED 
Whew! Glad that’s over! Snow in Texas? That can’t be good-or can it? If we took a vote, I suspect there would be some on both sides. Yes, some would vote “yes”!So rather than start a debate let me say emphatically that there is at least one good thing about it. The lesson we learn is this – ” Expect the unexpected”. As we make our journey through life, we often come face to face with things we didn’t expect – good & bad. 

While we are thankful for the good, we don’t always fare so well when it’s bad news. I don’t mean something petty like a little snowstorm. I’m talking about something earth-shattering to you, something that is more than you can handle. What then?
Mark it down eventually something like that is going to happen and we need to be prepared. You need what God alone can provide. We can only be prepared for such unexpected events if our relationship with God is such as it should be. 

Don’t wait until that unexpected something rocks your world. Take God as your Father by receiving Jesus, His Son, as your Savior. Then you will have the Spirit of God as your helper regardless of what may come your way. 

Some might be thinking, “If that time comes, I’ll remember that.” No, you need Him now. If you wait it just might be too late. -H.D.S.

David Stone

Lakeway Baptist Church 

Humble, TX

THINK ABOUT IT                  1-24-25      
WEAK AND WEARY AND WORRIED

The old song says,”I’m tired and so weary”. That describes a lot of folks. And since we can’t escape trials we must endure them or be endangered by them. However, doing so successfully is a serious struggle. It, in fact, sometimes seems impossible. I’ll admit that this often troubles me because I can think of numerous people I would like to help and people I would love to spend more time with. However, by the time I do what I can I can’t do what I would were it not for physical ailments. And that often leaves me with a feeling of guilt- because there is so much to do.

Even when I convince myself that if God expected me to do it He would give me the strength to do it, sometimes I worry about what others might think – worried that they might think that I don’t care. There I said it – I said “worry” – the very thing I keep telling other people not to do. Now I’m confessing that I’m sometimes guilty of it. I’m not proud of it or justifying it. To the contrary, I’m confessing it. I have faults just like everyone else and right now this is one of them. Perhaps it is pride, or it might be an overreaction to the way I was as a young preacher when I didn’t care what others thought. Whatever the cause it’s something I struggle with.

I don’t mention this to get your pity. Believe it or not, this is something I would rather not talk about. I would rather have people believe that I’m always strong and content. After all, I’m a pastor and in the mind of many we’re not supposed to fail. I am mentioning this because I need your prayers! I also mention it because I’m convinced that there are others who are plagued by the same problem. It might be you! 

You would like to be there for others in their time of need, it would delight you to help them, but you are barely keeping your head above water. You can hardly keep yourself going. In your heart you know God doesn’t expect you to do what you can’t, but you worry about what others think. You know there will be some who mis-judge you and that bothers you. You want to live up to their expectations and please them, but you can’t. The question is, How can we escape the expectations of others? How can we conquer the problem of trying to please people?

Here’s some thoughts that have helped me. Hopefully they will help you. First of all you need to consider the cost of trying to please people. Here’s why:

 (1) It can cause you to displease the Lord by missing His plan for you. Paul showed that he understood that when he said, “— we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.” ( 1 Thess. 2:4).

David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346

THINK ABOUT IT1-6-25

I am sharing the following because of the great importance of the subject. God forbid that we ignore the Word of God.

As we step into a new year, many of us are thinking about ways to grow spiritually, strengthen our walk with Christ, and live with greater purpose. One of the most powerful habits you can cultivate is daily Bible reading. This simple discipline can transform your life. Most of us who are Christians have been encouraged to read our Bibles, maybe if you grew up in church your entire life; however, it is so easy to neglect – especially when we do not see the benefits of it. Here are 10 benefits of reading your Bible every day in the new year.

1. DEEPENS YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

2. PROVIDES GUIDANCE AND WISDOM

3. STRENGTHENS YOUR FAITH

4. EQUIPS YOU FOR SPIRITUAL BATTLES

5. RENEWS YOUR MIND

6. ENCOURAGES OBEDIENCE AND GROWTH

7. FOSTERS A HABIT OF CONSISTENCY

8. NOURISHES YOUR SOUL

9. PREPARES YOU TO ENCOURAGE OTHERS

10. REMINDS YOU OF GOD’S FAITHFULNESS AND PRESENCE

START TODAY

If you’ve never read the Bible daily or have struggled to maintain the habit, this new year is the perfect time to begin. Start small—perhaps with a chapter a day or at least a paragraph—and allow God’s Word to shape your heart and mind. Consider using a reading plan to help you in your structure or journaling to reflect on what you are learning from God’s Word. As you commit to this discipline, you’ll find that daily Bible reading isn’t just a task; it’s a lifeline. It’s an opportunity to draw near to God, be transformed by His truth, and live each day with purpose and hope.

As you begin to read daily, may God grant you a year of growing in Christ and experiencing the abundant life He offers through His Word. Please join with me and so many other brothers and sisters as we make this year one where we treasure the Bible daily and allow it to guide us into all God has for us.

David Stone

Lakeway Baptist Church 

Humble, TX

THINK ABOUT IT              1-3-25