THINK ABOUT IT            9-17-23

Note: This is the latest post on the Pastor’s Blog. For others go to our website.

THE IMPRESSION YOU MAKE
We all have trials and we are all at different stages of spiritual development, consequently we all deal with difficulties in different ways. Fortunately we see signs of growth in some folks, and they become effective witnesses for Christ. Others, however, go on year after year giving no evidence that they have matured. That should be a matter of great concern–for a number of reason. One reason why we should be troubled by this has to do with the impression we make on others. D. L. Moody said,”Out of one hundred men, one will read the Bible, the other ninety-nine will read the Christian”. He was right. People are watching us–all the time. We do well to remember that we are the only Bible some people will ever read. Let’s make sure the message is clear! A godly life preaches a silent but powerful sermon!

As much as it pains me to say this–I understand why some folks have no interest in becoming a Christian. They watch professing Christians behave as though God is dead, or mighty sick, or terribly unconcerned. Instead of displaying joyful obedience, devotion to their duty, compassion for others, and a cheerful spirit, they drag around with a frown on their face, shun their duties, and show no concern for anyone else. Unbelievers watch them and come to the conclusion that if that’s what becoming a Christian does to a person they want no part of it. Can you blame them? We ought to do better than that!

Old Sam Jones used to say,”I don’t care what a man says he believes with his lips; I want to know with a vengeance what he says with his life and actions”. He’s not the only one to feel that way.Moody said,”A holy life will make the deepest impression. Lighthouses blow no horns, they just shine.” Our problem today is that a lot of “Christians” aren’t shining. They are leaving the wrong impressions on people who are in desperate need of Christ. That’s why Ghandi said,”I would have become a Christian had it not been for Christians”. O how sad! To think that the very people who should be the sinners greatest help becomes his worst enemy. Yet it just keeps happening!

Let us this very day get right with God and get rid of all those things that darken our testimony, deceive others and displeases God. Let us yield ourselves to the Lord and display the fruit of the Spirit so that others will see Christ in us. Until they see the difference Christ makes it is very unlikely that they will have any interest in fine preaching, gospel tracts, and invitations to church. If you are going to be an hindrance rather than a help it would be better if you didn’t even claim to be a Christian. As harsh as that might sound it is not nearly as bad as what the Lord thinks about the harm you are doing. It is a terrible sin to be a stumbling-block to others. Our manner of life should draw others to Christ, not drive them away. Think about it!

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

LISTEN TO LEARN
“And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”–2 Tim. 4:4

As important as the truth is many never become acquainted with it because they refuse to listen. By “listen” I mean hear or read–seek the truth. The attention span of some is so short that they can’t / won’t sit still long enough to get the facts. They “don’t get it” because they don’t want it. And they don’t want it because they don’t see the need or advantage of it. To their way of thinking, it is not on their list of things they think will make them happy.

Children today are raised in front of a TV or computer. Nearly everyone goes through life with a cell phone in their hand and their head in the clouds. You might as well expect a hare to chase a hound as to expect them to pursue the truth. And if adults  “listen” at all, they just want “sound-bites”, reviews, and sermonetts, etc. They are not going to dig deep and stay down long in pursuit of spiritual knowledge. They might sing “Take Time to be Holy”, but they don’t do it.

This isn’t a new problem. Getting people interested in acquiring knowledge has always been a problem. In fact, it was for “lack of knowledge” that Israel was destroyed (Hos.4:6). And people are doing the same today. The average church member doesn’t know beans about the Bible, church history, the development of the Bible, or the stories of great Christians. They have no idea why Baptist are not Protestants, as many claim, and they are mystified as to why we use only the K.J.V. of the Bible and refuse to use “mission boards”, and still sing hymns, etc. They are willingly and woefully ignorant of these important issues, and more.

But there’s more. In addition to their ignorance of this important information they never experience the inspiration that comes from studying these things. They’ve never read about the great men and women whom God used mightily —amazing stories that should be read, remembered, and repeated. Stories that challenge, comfort, and create confidence in Christ—so this is no minor matter. For some people, at certain times, inspiration can be more important than information. But some of the best inspiration you will ever receive comes through information– information that comes from instruction. So, to learn you must learn to listen.- HDS

David StoneLakeway

THINK ABOUT IT            9-14-23
How Big Is Your God?
What would have happened had Moses tried to figure out what was needed to accomplish God’s command? One of the biggest arithmetical miracles in the world was required in the desert.

Moses led the people of Israel into the desert….Now what was he going to do with them? They had to be fed, and feeding 3-1/2 million people required a lot of food. According to the U. S. Army’s Quartermaster General, Moses needed 1500 tons of food a day, filling two freight trains, each a mile long. Besides, you must remember, they were cooking the food. Just for cooking this took 4000 tons of firewood and a few more freight trains, each a mile long and this is only for one day (not to mention for keeping warm, and if anyone tells you it doesn’t get cold in the desert don’t believe them!). They were for forty YEARS in transit!!!

Let’s not forget about water, shall we? If they only had enough to drink and wash a few dishes (no bathing?!), it took 11,000,000 gallons EACH DAY–enough to fill a train of tanker cars 1800 miles long.

And another thing! They had to get across the red sea in one night. Now if they went on a narrow path, double file, the line would be 800 miles long and require 35 days and nights to complete the crossing. So to get it over in one night there had to be a space in the Red Sea 3 miles wide so that they could walk 5,000 abreast. Think about this; every time they camped at the end of the day, a camp ground the size of Rhode Island was required, or 750 square miles.

Do you think that Moses sat down and figured out the logistics of what God told him to do before he set out from Egypt? I doubt it. He had faith that God would take care of everything. Let us have courage, we share the very same God!  – Source unknown

David Stone      
Lakeway Baptist Church.    
Humble, Tx.