THINK ABOUT IT             8-30-23

THINK ABOUT IT

A federal court in Montgomery County, Maryland, has ruled that parents do not have the right to be notified when their children will be taught from books that address gender and sexuality. A group of parents, along with Becket Law, which advocates for religious liberty, plans to appeal the decision.

Becket Law will represent a diverse group of parents, including Christians, Jews and Muslims, in the appeal. The case will now be fast-tracked to the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

“Parents know and love their children best; that’s why all kids deserve to have their parents help them understand issues like gender identity and sexuality,” said Eric Baxter, vice president and senior counsel at Becket. “The school board’s decision to cut parents out of these discussions flies in the face of parental freedom, childhood innocence and basic human decency.”

David Stone        

Lakeway Baptist Church 

Humble, Tx 

THINK ABOUT IT             8-25-23
GOD’S SEMINARY

Looking through some of my old notes, I came across the following article. I would like to say I wrote it, but the truth is that I’m not sure it was me or someone else. What I do know that this is something we need to think about long and hard. This could change your entire outlook on life.

 “God is preparing you for the ministry that He is preparing for you. He’s working at both ends of the process—in your life to prepare you for a unique role of service, and He’s preparing beforehand the work He’ll give you in His timing. So wherever you are right now is God’s classroom for future service. 

Joseph’s prison term prepared him to be God’s man on Egypt’s throne. Moses’ years in Pharaoh’s court equipped him for his tasks as leader of Israel. For years Joshua served as Moses’ aide, and Elisha did the same for Elijah; God was preparing them both as successors. Paul’s years in Arabia were readying him for years of missionary service. Even Jesus experienced an extended period of preparation in the carpenter’s shop of Nazareth.

Whatever you are right now, God is giving you experiences that are training you for future service. It may be over a long period of time or only a few minutes, but He equips us with what we need to serve Him.”

Think of your circumstances today as God’s Seminary.

Major Ian Thomas, whom I had the pleasure of meeting, said: “All there is of God is available to the man who is available to all there is of God !” Are you? – HDS

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

THINK ABOUT IT            8-24-23
GOD’S GOT THIS
I’m not sure when it started with our family, but it really hit home in my heart when I woke up September 3, 2021 and saw a note from our daughters that said, “God’s Got This!  Now during difficult or stressful times it’s common for Bev and I to say to each other, “God’s got this!”

Naturally there are other ways to say it, but that sums it up for us. It reminds us that whatever “This” is God is in control. I’ll admit that, from the human point of view, it doesn’t always seem true, but I know that can lead to serious problems – sometimes worse than that which troubles us. That’s always the case when we fail to give God the credit He is due.

God has proven Himself trustworthy over and over again throughout history. And He has given us exceeding great and precious promises that inspires hope. Although our circumstances are complex, confusing, and painful God’s Word assures us that He either appoints them or allows them and uses them for good. That doesn’t mean that we’ll be free from pain, but it does assure us that they are not without purpose and that His grace is sufficient to sustain us.

But all that is meaningless unless we trust God and prefer His will more than our own. The old saying,”You don’t know what’s good for you” is true of most people. We aren’t smart enough to understand all the ways of God. But, thankfully our comfort and courage isn’t dependent on our ability to comprehend God’s ways. It’s through faith in God that we are enabled to deal with our difficulties. You can depend on God’s many promises, mighty power, miraculous plans, and merciful pardon.

Regardless of the “This” in your life today, –
– physical suffering 
– domestic strife
– emotional stress
– financial shortage
– vocational struggles
– spiritual stumbling 
God’s got this!
– HDS

David Stone     
Lakeway Baptist Church       
Humble, Tx.

THINK ABOUT IT            8-25-23

Having seen such a glorious sight of 28 saved and 20 baptized in less than two weeks, and with eight more baptisms scheduled for Sunday, that should not only make us happy and thankful, it should make us holy. This display of God’s grace should get our attention. It should inspire us to hope for. revival- a spiritual awaking of God’s people.

If we ever needed revival it is today. Considering the corruption of our country, crime in our communities, collapse of Christian character, and coldness of churches, it’s easy to see the need for change- the kind of change that only a heaven sent revival can provide.

But for that to occur it must happen one person at a time. The question is “How?”. 2 Chron 7:24 gives us the answer. Nobel Peace Price laureate, John Moss said, “A necessary precursor of any great spiritual awakening is a spirit of deep humiliation growing out of a consciousness of sin, and fresh revelation of the holiness and power and glory of God”.

We talk about wanting our nation to be better, but there doesn’t seem to be much interest in a personal revival. People complain about the condition of the church, but they fail to see the changes that need to be made in their own lives. We seldom hear any prayers or see any tears from people pouring out their hearts for a revival. When it comes to their personal relationship with God they act as though everything is fine, when it isn’t.

I pray that this great display of God’s power will convince us that a revival is possible. If God can save a lost sinner He can certainly revive those who are redeemed. I look forward to where all this will lead. Join with me in prayer that nothing will hinder what God is doing. Think about it!

David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
Humble, Tx