“-–the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel.” — Phil. 1:12

We live in a pressure cooker world and everyone feels the heat! Even believers are often burdened down to the point that they feel they will be crushed if relief isn’t found. No one is exempt from trials (Job 14:1). We all have our share of suffering and sorrow, but people view them and deal with them differently. Some poor souls throw their hands up in despair and quit. Others become bitter and resentful, often rebelling and resorting to destructive habits. A few, however, have learned to turn their burdens into bridges. Their burdens make them better rather than bitter.

The Apostle Paul gives us a good example as to what our attitude should be. Numerous passages tell how he benefited from his burdens. He knew God had a purpose in all that He allows to enter our life, a plan to use it for good, and the power to make it happen.

We too can benefit from our burdens. While burdens weigh heavily upon us, impeding our progress, bridges enable us to rise above difficulties and enable us to cross over into new territory. When your burden becomes a bridge it brings you to places you could have never reached by any other means. It can promote spiritual growth, protect you from danger, or put you in a place of ministry that you could never be in without it. Believe it or not you can advance through adversity, grow through grief, and benefit from your burdens.

Don’t allow your burden to become a barrier, shutting you off from the good things God planned for you. Make your burden a bridge whereby you can experience the blessings of God in your life. In other words, don’t waste your suffering. You cannot escape it, but you can embrace it and allow God to use it to make you the person He wants you to be. 

Having received the promise that God’s grace would be sufficient, Paul wrote, “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then am I strong.”–2 Cor. 12:9-10. No doubt about it–Paul turned his burdens into bridges, so can you! –HDS ( 1/23/12)

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

“Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.”– Ecc. 10:20
So you think no one knows. Really? Every evil deed starts as a thought of the heart – whether it originates in your mind or is planted there by another. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we recognized those dangerous ideas and repented – sparing ourselves the grief of such folly? Sadly most folks coddle the thoughts and allow then to become deeds for which they must pay dearly. To protect ourselves we must beware of our reasoning and our relationships – danger from within and without. Were we wise we would not allow ourselves, nor others, to corrupt our thoughts and harm our lives. And, the first step in protecting ourselves is to see the danger. We should do as Solomon said in Prov. 4:26 “Ponder the path of thy feet”.

To guard against distorted reasoning and dangerous relationships we must look to God’s Word for directions. We must also be observant. We can often see that danger lurks around the corner because of a person’s track record. If you want to know what a person is liable to do take note of what he has done. If that person is you, beg God for the help you need to avoid a repeat performance. If it is another, keep your distance. – “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.” ( 1 Cor. 15:33). Whatever you do, don’t be so foolish as to think that God or others don’t know what you are up to. There is indeed truth to the old saying ” A little bird told me”. Nobody sins secretly, nor successfully. “For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.”  (Ecc. 12:14) – HDS

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

“A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn.”- Prov. 12:2

It is certainly worth while to have the Lord’s favor. If we know that he is smiling upon us, we need not much mind what the  world thinks. Christ’s commendation sweetens even the bitterest of unjust blame. It was very comforting for Mary when the disciples were finding fault, to have Jesus say, “She has wrought a good work.” This approval healed the hurt the disciples’ unfit words had caused.

 A good man obtains God’s favor. A good man is one who loves God and does his will. The Scripture does not say a great man, a rich man, a strong man, a man of rank. If any of these were the qualification required, there would be very many people who never could obtain the divine favor; for not many of us are either great, rich, strong, or noble. The qualification is a “good” man. Goodness is within the reach of all of us. If only we are good, it matters little what our condition in other regards may be.

 The other side of this proverb is also instructive: “but the LORD condemns a crafty man.” Again, it is not poverty, nor ignorance, nor commonplace condition, which misses the Lord’s favor—but a bad heart, one full of deceit, scheming, and evil designs against others. If we would have God’s favor—we must keep a sincere and pure heart. ( J R Miller)

Could we comprehend the severity of God’s condemnation we would refuse to violate His commands. If we understood what a horrible curse we pull down upon our own heads we would never scheme to harm others — or even speak ill of them. Nor would we ignore God’s children as though we were better than them. It’s your choice – commendation or condemnation? – HDS

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

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:”- Eph. 2:8

Just about everyone in America is familiar with the grand old hymn “Amazing Grace”. You hear it almost everywhere – in churches and honkytonks, at weddings and funerals. The sad thing is that so few have understood and received God’s saving grace. What is it? Man has tried to define grace in many ways, such as – “God giving us what we need rather than what we deserve”, “The unmerited favor of God toward sinful man”, or “God’s love in action”. While all those are true they do not tell the whole story. Not being able to understand the depths of our sinfulness, nor the degree of God’s holiness, it is impossible for us to fully understand or define God’s saving grace.

But one thing is perfectly clear – “by grace are ye saved“. Salvation is “the gift of God”, not something we earn. Because of what Jesus did the vilest sinner can be saved “through faith” in the Lord Jesus Christ. Although by nature we are “dead in trespasses and sins” ( 2:1), walking “according to the course of this world” (2:2), and “the children of wrath” (2:3), “by grace ye are saved” ( 2:5). As Paul said in Rom. 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord”. Is that not amazing? That glorious gift is available to you right now, and to all who will receive God’s grace “through faith“. Have you? Will you? If you are a stranger to God’s saving grace you can find a Friend in Jesus by trusting in His shed blood as the atonement for your sin. Thank God for His amazing grace! –HDS
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346

“Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” – Philippians 1:6

With all our present problems we tend to forget that, for the Christian, the best is yet to come. Too often we think of Christ only in a historical sense– failing to realize that history is His-story and it is not yet complete. He who came is coming again, and what He started He will finish. All things are working together and toward His return. That dear friend is our blessed hope!

   Adrian Rogers wrote: “God has not promised you smooth sailing, but He has promised you a safe landing. He has a purpose in allowing every circumstance into your life. You can bank on this: He’ll see you to the shore in every storm of life.”

   Andrew Murray said, “God is willing to assume the full responsibility for the life totally yielded to Him. One of these days your destiny will be fulfilled. And soon and very soon, He is going to step down from the mountain of His glory, and the trumpet will sound. Our little ship will leave the sea of time, and immediately we’ll be on the shores of eternity. When He comes, He’s coming for you! He’s coming for me!”

   First Thessalonians 4:16-18 tells us to comfort one another with these words of Christ’s return: “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”

If you are disappointed with and troubled by what you see in the world today cheer up – Jesus is coming! In that sure promise we ought to find great comfort! – HDS

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