After not being able to preach last Sunday(3-17-24) I was frustrated and Satan did everything he could to discourage me.So I had to do what the Psalmist did. I had a talk with myself. I had to remind myself of something we should never forget. As a result of my conversation with myself I wrote the following that afternoon. I hope you will carefully consider what I say and pray that I will practice what I preach.

Just as God denied David’s desire to build the temple, we aren’t always able or allowed to do what we want to do. We’re not as smart as we think we are. I say that because although the providence of God is perfect it isn’t always what we prefer. Sometimes our desire is different than God’s decree. We think because we want to do something that’s good we ought to be able to do it. It’s as though we think we have a better idea than God’s plan. We don’t say that because it would sound terrible, but we feel it. So instead of saying it, we generally sell ourselves on it by thinking we are justified in feeling as we do. That’s why God often gets blamed for things when the real problem is that we don’t understand.

The truth is, although we can’t always understand the providence of God, we ought to trust Him and accept what He allows or appoints. Nothing happens by chance. All is under the control of the Creator. It is true of things large and small, or  major and minor. He who counts the stars in heaven also counts the hairs on our head. Whether it be a birth or death God is in control – even when He puts the brakes on the good things we want to do.

We get confused because we see only in part whereas God sees the whole. We focus on time, but God has eternity in view. And for the child of God in the will of God, that which brings great hurt now will eventually bring glorious happiness. God is not going to give me the same healthy body I had when I started preaching nearly 58 years ago, but I can rejoice in knowing He will reward me for being willing to do what I did then. When I forget that I tend to get frustrated. I love to preach because that’s what called me to do, but I’m still trying to learn that sometimes I must sit on the sidelines for a while and that eventually my ministry will come to an end.

So regardless of your circumstances, remember that they are all controlled by divine providence. Out of the depths of His infinite wisdom, impartial goodness, and incredible love God decrees this or that for the best. Nations rise and fall, people come and go, we experience both pleasure and pain, and all are the products of providence. God sees the end from the beginning and acts in accordance to the perfection of His good pleasure. That means that sometimes our plans are changed and our desires are denied. I plan to preach this coming Sunday, but if I can’t it will be because God changed my plans and I need to accept it without complaint. I pray that you will learn from my failure.

Therefore let us remember or realize that God’s will is always right, best, and safest. His ways, although sometimes confusing to us, are the only means to a good and glorious end. What looks like a detour or a dead end to us is actually a door through which we, sooner or later, discover great delight. We might not live to see the end result of our troubles and trials, but in eternity we shall see that they were for man’s good and God’s glory.

We don’t always need to know the reason for what happens. Just knowing there is a reason, a good reason, should be reason enough to calm our troubled hearts. God knows it is best that we don’t know, and if we are wise we will trust Him. Seeing providence as preferable is profitable because it produces peace! Whether or not I am able to preach Sunday is up to God. Either way, God’s got this and I am determined to accept it without getting discouraged. By His grace I plan to preach as well as I can, as often as I can, as long as I can. But God alone knows what tomorrow holds. THINK ABOUT IT,- HDS

David Stone  
Lakeway Baptist Church  
Humble, Tx

THINK ABOUT IT          2-16-24 

THE OBVIOUS

 I have written and preached about people who are oblivious to the obvious. They refuse to face the facts about themselves although they are clearly seen by others. This is never more true than when it comes things related to their personal life. But they are just fooling themselves. Fact is, actions speak louder than words.

Someone said, “ The obvious never has to be claimed. If you go to a football game and shout and scream your head off during the game after it’s over you don’t have to tell the person sitting next to you that you’re a football fan. He will already know it!

If you spend your vacation fishing and plugging away at bass minute after minute, day after day, you don’t have to tell the other men at the fishing camp that you like to fish. They already know you like to fish because it’s obvious.

Likewise, if you live your life for Jesus and serve him seven days a week, witness for him before your friends, and give your tithe to God, you don’t have to tell them that your are a Christian. They already know it. I do, however, sometimes wonder about the person who has to tell everyone they meet that he/she is a Christian in order for people to know it.”

Point is, unless we practice what we preach others will refuse what we proclaim. Even when we speak the truth. Think about it! – HDS  

David Stone   

Lakeway Baptist Church  

Humble,Tx

THINK ABOUT IT            2-15-24   
As I think about the troubles and trials some of our dear loved ones are going through I’m reminded of the following heart touching story I read. Hopefully it will inspire us to encourage someone today.- HDS

The Chicago Tribune published a story once about 15-year-old Douglas Maurer. He had suffered from a high fever and flu-like symptoms for several days, so finally his mother took him to the hospital. It was there that Douglas was diagnosed with leukemia.

The doctors explained the disease to Douglas and said he would have to undergo intense chemotherapy for the next three years. They told him about the side effects that would follow…baldness and a bloated body…and Douglasbecame very depressed.

To lift his spirits, Douglas’ aunt called a local floral shop to send him a flower arrangement. She told the clerk it was for her teenage nephew who had leukemia.

When the beautiful flowers arrived at the hospital, Douglas read the card from his aunt. Then he saw a second card attached that said: “Douglas—I took your order. I work at Brix florist. I had leukemia when I was 7 years old. I’m 22 years old now. Good luck. My heart goes out to you. Sincerely, Laura Bradley.” For the first time since his diagnosis, Douglas’ face lit up.

Douglas Maurer was in a hospital filled with sophisticated medical equipment and technology. He was being treated by some of the best doctors and nurses around. But it was a simple sales clerk in a flower shop that took the time to care. She was the one person who gave Douglas hope to carry on.

Is there someone in your life suffering from some sort of affliction who needs comfort? If so, seek to show them love, compassion, and encouragement. You could be the one person who can make a difference in the life of another who is suffering without hope.

Pray that the Lord would help you to bring comfort and encouragement to someone who needs it more than ever today.( Senior Living)

THINK ABOUT IT!

David Stone  

Lakeway Baptist Church  

Humble,Tx

THINK ABOUT IT             2-13-24
A Church Cemented in the Routine
Just about every pastor has read the following article by A.W.Tozer, and perhaps read it to their congregation. The problem is that the problem of which he speaks continues to exist. Think about that as you read.

      What is the worst enemy the church faces today? This is where a lot of unreality and unconscious hyprocrisy enters. Many are ready to say, “The liberals are our worst enemy.” But the simple fact is that the average evangelical church does not have too much trouble with liberalism. Nobody gets up in our churches and claims that the first five books of Moses are just myths. Nobody says that the story of creation is simply religious mythology. Nobody denies that Christ walked on the water or that He rose from the grave. Nobody gets up in our churches and claims that Jesus Christ is not the Son of God or that He isn’t coming back again. Nobody denies the validity of the Scriptures. We just cannot hide behind liberalism and say that it is our worst enemy. We believe that evangelical Christians are trying to hold on to the truth given to us, the faith of our fathers, so the liberals are not our worst enemy. Neither do we have a problem with the government. People in our country can do just about whatever they please and the government pays no attention. We can hold prayer meetings all night if we want, and the government would never bother us or question us. There is no secret police breathing down our backs watching our every move. We live in a free land, and we ought to thank God every day for that privilege. The treacherous enemy facing the church of Jesus Christ today is the dictatorship of the routine, when the routine becomes “lord” in the life of the church. Programs are organized and the prevailing conditions are accepted as normal. Anyone can predict next Sunday’s service and what will happen. This seems to be the most deadly threat in the church today. When we come to the place where everything can be predicted and nobody expects anything unusual from God, we are in a rut. The routine dictates, and we can tell not only what will happen next Sunday, but what will occur next month and, if things do not improve, what will take place next year. Then we have reached the place where what has been determines what is, and what is determines what will be.

The remedy for the rut is revival! – HDS

David Stone  

Lakeway Baptist Church  

Humble,Tx

THINK ABOUT IT               2-8-24