GOD’S LOVE VS. YOURS

If God loved you only as much as you love Him where would you be? Let that sink in and be honest when you answer. It’s easy to sing,”O How I Love Jesus”, or to testify, “I just love the Lord so much”, but it’s another thing to prove it. And if there’s no proof there’s no love. God proved His love by giving His own dear Son, heaven’s best, for sinful man. But where is the evidence that you love Him?

Have you ever considered what the Bible says about the evidence of love? If nothing is more important than loving Christ we dare not refuse to examine ourselves. Love for God will show itself in our worship, our work, our words, and our walk. A person’s lifestyle reflects what they think about God. Sadly, from all appearance, some don’t think much of Him.

Now, back to our question–” If God loved you as much as you love Him where would you be?”. Naturally we could never love Him as much as He loves us, but we could sure love Him more than we do. We ought to love Him as much as possible. Do we? Do you? Be honest!

God demands our love–it is the first and great commandment,and God deserves our love as well. To love Him less than we could or should is a sinful insult to God–a crime of the highest order. Yet, amazingly, He loves us still. His love is unconditional, undeserved and unending. Is that not all the more reason why we should love Him? No one ever has a reason to not love God. No one could ever do anything greater than to love God. This is the one thing that affects everything. If we fail here we have failed altogether. Think about.it. HDS

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

Note: This is the latest post on the Pastor’s blog. For others go to our website.
WORTHLESS WORSHIP WARS
Want to start a heated debate? Just start a conversation about worship. “Worship wars” have been raging for several years, and everyone thinks they’re right. Sadly most of the arguments are based on personal preference rather than scriptural admonitions. Some like a certain style of preaching or music, etc. and they think everyone else ought to feel the same way. And some folks change their minds so often that you never know where they stand.

For some it’s traditional hymns only. Others prefer Southern Gospel. With many it is nothing but contemporary music. But it’s not just about music. Even when it comes to preaching people have their preferences. Some want one kind, others want another. Sadly most people don’t have a clue as to what constitutes “good preaching”. They are stuck on a certain style and anything different doesn’t suit their taste. A lot of folks in the south think if you’re not screaming at the top of your lungs,  panting like a dog chasing a deer, foaming at the mouth, and walking on six inches of your pant legs you aren’t really preaching. Others can’t stand that much emotion. They insist that the delivery be dignified and every word pronounced properly, etc.The truth is that good preaching can come in many forms– as long as it is done in love, with humility, in sincerity, and according to the truth. I’ve heard great sermons delivered without the preacher ever raising his voice and great sermons delivered in the style of the deep south. But, regardless of how it was delivered, it was “in love, with humility, in sincerity, and according to the truth”, and I was blessed by it. Preachers should be themselves, rather than trying to copy someone else.

Too many people have lost sight of what worship is all about. It’s about glorifying God, not gratifying the flesh. Whether sermon or song, it should be about pleasing God rather than pleasing yourself. And if you can’t prove that the Lord is displeased with a certain style you have no justification for criticizing those who differ. There are plenty of things for which we ought to contend, but this isn’t one of them. No one has a right to insist that all the music be of their favorite style.

It’s time that we get personal preference off the table. If we aren’t guided by the Word of God we are sure to error and go astray. The craziness needs to stop. We ought to stand firm regarding scriptural doctrines, but when it comes to debating about our desires that’s another matter. Having a preference for one thing over another is fine, condemning those who differ isn’t. Think about it!- HDS, 2-26-14

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

THINK ABOUT IT                8-17-24
Note: This is the latest post on the Pastor’s Blog. For others go to our website.
IT’S THE TRUTH
Just like people, every church is different, and in some regards that is just fine. However, there are certain things that should characterize every church. There are certain doctrines that must be believed. These truths are set forth in what is commonly called the “Articles of Faith”– a description of things believed regarding major doctrines.

The problem is that many people have never studied these doctrines. Even worse is that some preachers have never taught them. And they see no need in doing so. That leads to serious problems –problems that are very obvious to the close observer. For example, they sing “It’s all about you Jesus”, when in reality it’s all about them. They are more interested in their feelings than they are in the fundamentals of the faith. The songs they sing are selected on the basis of how it excites them emotionally, rather than what they say about the person and work of Christ. Some are admittedly bored with the grand old hymns of yesteryear. The “preaching” they enjoy is not that where the Word of God is faithfully expounded. They want to be entertained, not enlightened. Even when the Bible is mentioned they pay no mind as to what version is used. They have no idea why one version is better than another– and they don’t care. Their concern is not for what is right or best, but for what is most pleasing to them. While they won’t admit it, everything else is secondary to that.

Even those who are involved in “Christian service” or church related activities are not exempt. They will do a lot of good things if it gains them pleasure or popularity. They love the limelight and will do almost anything to get attention. They give no consideration to why they do what they do other than that. But, motives matter to God. Some people will travel around the world and even subject themselves to hardships to get what they crave, yet they never lift a finger to help a neighbor in need. Some teach Sunday School because they love to teach, not because they love those they teach. Motive matters. If your motive is wrong all you do is wrong. If it’s not for the glory of God and the good of others you’re doing it for the wrong reason.

Most of all, truth matters! Having a good motive and being sincere is not enough. We need to know the truth, love the truth, and obey the truth. It is the truth of God’s Word by which we all shall be judged. I realize that this brief message is not going to change everyone who reads it, nor wake up every liberal preacher, nor shut down every cult that is called a church. I simply pray that that it will provide some food for thought and encourage someone, anyone, to set out in pursuit of the truth. The Bible is the only sure guide and only true churches can be said to be “the pillar and ground of the truth”(1 Tim. 3:15). Only true churches are endowed with authority and endued with the power of God’s Spirit to carry out God’s plan. Don’t be deceived by imitations. Counterfeits might look good, but they will get you in trouble. It’s the truth. Think about it!- HDS (11-20-13)
David Stone  
Lakeway Baptist Church  
Humble,TX

ESCAPE FROM EMPTINESS
Man, apart from God, is a miserable creature. Search as he may, and he does, he cannot find the fulfillment he longs for. Like the troubled sea, he cannot rest. I know–it seems that some have found the pot of gold at rainbow’s end, but things are not what they seem to be. Don’t be fooled by all the glitz and glamor of those who live the life style of the rich and famous. They are no closer to finding peace and contentment than the bum on the street. Regardless of their outward appearance there is something missing and, whether they admit it or not, they know it. They are always discontent. The more they get the more they want, and the more apparent it becomes that “all is vanity”. They know that something, something more important than anything else, is missing.

Christians know that that “something” is actually “Someone”–Christ! They have drank from the Fountain of Living Water and they thirst no more. They have eaten the Bread of Life and they hunger no more. They have discovered that contentment is found only in Christ. Their Savior satisfies! Although they have their “ups and downs” like everyone else, they know their Foundation is sure and they are at peace–even when the storms are raging.

What about you? When you’ve run your mad race throughout the day, searching for satisfaction, and finally put your head on the pillow at night, just how satisfied are you? How do you feel? Do you have a calm sense of peace that makes life an enjoyable experience? Or do you feel restless, as though there is no rhyme or reason in life? Are you sick and tired of not having a sense of purpose? Are you bored with going through the same old same old everyday, as though there is nothing better?

Well there is good news. When life is not as it should be, the first step toward a better life is getting dissatisfied with life as it is. Until we acknowledge the problem we can’t solve the problem. If you are fed up with your life as it is, run to Him who is seeking you. Open the door of your heart and give Him entrance while He is knocking. Receive Him and you will be received into God’s family as a joint-heir of Christ! Live for Him who died for you, lest you waste your opportunity. Give your life away and you will find it. Instead of feeling empty you will have life more abundant, full and free. Think about it!- HDS (2-1-12)

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