DON’T BLAME THE BIBLE

“The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.”– Psa. 119:130
The Bible is the most loved and the most hated book in the world. But why would anyone hate the Bible? If the Bible isn’t the infallible word of God as critics claim, why are they so adamantly opposed to it? If the Bible is just a collection of ancient fairy tales and myths why are so many intent on destroying it – something generally consider harmless?
Pastor David Legge gave this good explanation: ” Years ago, and it was  years ago, a wealthy Chinese businessman on a visit to England was fascinated  by the powerful microscope. When he looked through it he could study crystals,  and petals of flowers, and he was amazed at the beauty and detail even of a snowflake.  So he decided he would bring it to China, and he enjoyed it until one day he  decided to look at a grain of rice. He was completely dismayed, for there were  thousands of little microscopic creatures crawling all over his rice that he  enjoyed as his staple diet! What did he do? Did he stop eating rice? No! He  smashed up the microscope! He wanted to be blind to the reality. He destroyed  the instrument that caused him to discover that awful fact. My friend, I plead  with you – don’t do that, don’t be willingly ignorant of this great  spiritual battle that is going on in our world today, for if you do it will be  fatal for your soul!”
The last thing sinful man wants and the first thing he needs is to see himself as he really is – a sinner, vile, filthy, depraved, morally bankrupt, and condemned. But he would much rather think of himself as basically good and deserving. He doesn’t want to be accountable to anyone, nor restrained in any way from his mad pursuit to please himself. That’s why he hates God’s word – it tells him the truth about himself. Thank God it does. Woe is unto the person who lives under the delusion that he doesn’t need Christ. That’s why we need to see ourselves as we really are – void of any righteousness and in need of what Christ alone can provide. – HDS
 
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346

“We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised.” – 1 Cor. 4:10

Christians are, in the eyes of the world, an odd bunch. They are devoted to a Lord they cannot see, trust a Savior who doesn’t spare them from suffering, follow Christ who warned them they would be hated and persecuted, and love a God who refuses to give an explanation. They are committed to Him although He has imposed strict demands upon them and required great sacrifices from them. They trust Him although they are subjected to suffering just like, or worse than, the rest of the world. One could understand them if they were promised a life of ease and exemption from trials, but such is not the case. Instead, the best people often suffer the worst problems. That’s why the “Why?” question is so popular.

And it’s not just the world that is confused. Let’s face it, sometimes even we Christians wonder “Why?”. Although we might not be so bold as to demand an explanation for our suffering, we often wonder, “Is this really necessary?”. O, we know what the answer should be, but some how we feel that there surely must be a better way, a less painful way, for God to accomplish His purpose in our lives. We read the quotes from those who try to explain God’s purpose for our pain, but when all is said and done we’re still left with that nagging question “Why?”. And we try to reason it out. We tell ourselves that since these explanations are true, should we not accept suffering, be pleased with pain, and even rejoice in it as Paul did. But we have a hard time saying “Yes indeed”.

There’s something in all of us that prefers pleasure over pain and desires to escape suffering. That’s why we wonder “Is this really necessary?”. Then about the time we are convinced that the answer is “Yes”, we look around and see someone who has escaped what we experienced and we wonder “Why?”. Our pride causes us to think it is unfair. We reason, if suffering is essential why is it not the same for all? The answer is –  because we are all different, and in different situations, but I doubt that will answer all your questions. The fact is, we cannot understand all the ways of God, so we must trust Him. If we truly needed an explanation God would have given it. – HDS

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

“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” – 1 Cor. 2:14
Have you ever thought about what the world thinks of you as a Christian? Have you ever considered how foolish we must seem to be in their sight? For example, when it comes to what we believe about problems, pain, and suffering, the natural mind just doesn’t get it. Christians say pain is profitable, loss is gain, less is more, etc. and it leaves unbelivers in a whirlwind of confusion. They don’t understand – but that’s understandable! How could they? The natural man, the unregenerate person, “receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” He might know about God, but he doesn’t know God and consequently he can’t understand the things of God. Trying to explain the ways of God to an unsaved person is like trying to describe a sunset to a blind man.

But, let’s be honest – even we Christians don’t always understand all the ways of God. However, we don’t need to. It’s not a matter of understanding. It is a matter of believing what God says and trusting what He does. Were we able to understand it all there would be no such thing as faith – we would be as God, and it’s obvious we aren’t. The truth is, God doesn’t expect us to understand all He does, but He does command us to trust Him. And without such faith we cannot please him ( Heb. 11:6).

As much as I want to help those going through troubles and trials, it’s not my responsibility, nor within my ability, to explain everything so they can understand. I’m just a messenger, not a miracle worker. It’s my duty, and delight, to expound the truth about God. It is their responsibility to “repent” and “believe” ( Mk.1:15; Acts 20:21). So when find yourself facing some great difficulty, stop asking “When will I get out of this?” and start asking “What will I get out of this?”. Rather than getting bitter, believe that your troubles will make things better, because God promised that, “…. all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”. – HDS

More on this tomorrow. Lord willing!
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346

John 6: 16-21
What a sight! – “they see Jesus walking on the sea” ( John 6:19). That was something unexpected, and never seen before. Of course at that moment they had no idea who it was “and they were afraid”. They last saw Him when “he departed again into a mountain” ( vs. 15). After that they set sail for Capernaum (vs. 17). What happened next struck terror in their hearts – “the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew” (vs. 18). Then, when they were three miles off shore they suddenly “saw Jesus walking on the sea” (vs. 19). Not recognizing him “they were afraid” (vs. 19). It’s no wonder! You just don’t expect to see something like that.

It wasn’t until He spoke and said, “It is I; be not afraid” (vs. 20) that “they willingly received him into the ship” (vs. 21). Recognizing his voice and hearing his words gave them assurance and they welcomed him into the ship. That was an expression of their faith, evidence of their trust in Him. Now notice what happened next – “and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went” (vs. 21). Not only did they reach land, they arrived exactly at the desired location. They had not been blown off-course.

I don’t know what fearful situation you are in today, but I do know that trusting the word of the Lord can bring peace into your heart. That’s the purpose for which John wrote (John 20:31). However, you need to remember that Christ didn’t force himself on the boat. And He won’t force Himself into your life. When He speaks you must willingly receive Him ( Rev. 3:20). That will afford you the pleasure of His power, protection, and provisions. I realize that there is no reason for you to think you will see his face or hear his voice, but He still speaks today. He does so through His word. Receive Him and be at peace. – HDS

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

“Lord, all my desire is before thee; and my groaning is not hid from thee.” – Psa. 38:9

We talk a lot about a lack of ability, lack of opportunities, and unfavorable circumstances, but we need to think more about the importance of desire. A strong desire can make up for the lack of a lot of things. There is some truth to the old saying, “Where there is a will there is a way”. Have you ever been desperate? I’m talking about a longing, strong desire, overwhelming hunger, etc. What was it – an illness, domestic problem, financial crisis, or something else? Do you ever feel that way in regards to spiritual things? Are you desperate for God and what He can do? Do you have a desperate desire to know Him better, love Him more, serve Him greater, or receive more from Him? Do you sense the need and have a hunger for God to do something impossible, supernatural, extraordinary, unimaginable? Or are you stuck in a rut and content being there?

The Bible gives us several examples of people who had such great desire — Rachel said, “ Give me children or else I die” ( Gen.30:1); Jacob said, “I will not let thee go, except thou bless me” ( Ge. 32:26); Caleb said, “ give me this mountain” (Josh. 14:12) ); the widow  of which Jesus spoke in Luke 18 would not cease asking until her need was met. The question is, “How desperate are you?” Is there a genuine need, a noble cause, or a serious situation that concerns you? Can you, as the song says, honestly say, “Whatever it takes”? Are you desperate enough to do whatever God requires? Are you truly willing for God’s will to be done even if it causes you discomfort, pain and loss?

Sadly most people are cursed with complacency, afflicted with apathy, and plagued by passivity. They not only deprive themselves, they deceive others. They leave the impression that God is dead, sick, unconcerned, or unavailable. Most of all, they disappoint God. He wants far more for us than what we settle for. Let’s not limit the “Holy One of Israel” ( Psa. 78:41). God help us to have a “Whatever it takes” attitude! That’s what it takes to meet the demands of discipleship. – HDS

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