Let not your heart be troubled—Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you—John 14:1, 27

Sometimes we act as though we have no control over our lives–peace doesn’t seem possible, but the little word “Let” tells us otherwise. Jesus said, “Let not your heart be troubled”. So, if you are truly a child of God peace is possible. The choice is yours – choose wisely. 

 Jesus didn’t say, “Keep yourself from trouble”. That would be impossible (Job 14:1). However, although we will have trouble, we don’t have to be troubled by our troubles. Maybe you are thinking, “That doesn’t seem possible”. But, who are you going to believe–yourself or the Lord? Jesus promised that peace is possible and Paul proved it is possible (Phil. 4:11). If you will just admit that it’s possible you will have come a long, long way. Most of our fear and worry is caused by a feeling of hopelessness. If you can just see that peace really is possible you will be encouraged to pursue it.

Regardless of what you are going through, and contrary to the way you might feel, peace is possible. Christ always provides what He promises! Get into the Word and find out what He says and then trust Him to do as He promised. That’s the path to peace. I’m not asking you to believe me. I’m begging you to trust Him. When you do amazing things will happen, because God honors faith. “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee.” (Isaiah 26:3) – HDS ( 4/17/10, revised)

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

“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”– Heb. 10:25
I recently saw it again, and it broke my heart. I won’t give you the exact quote, but it was basically this- ” I’m done with the church”. I’ve been hearing that stated in different ways for over 50 years. They say, “I quit going to church because there are too many hypocrites”, or “I’m done with the church because there are so many problems”, or “I don’t need the church. I can worship God anywhere”, or “I worship by watching church services on TV”, or “I get my church by attending gospel music concerts”.

Let me first say, I completely understand how a person could get so disappointed or discouraged that they drop out of church. That doesn’t justify it, but it is something that could happen to anyone– even you or me! We are all weaker and closer to falling than we think we are. But regardless of the reason or excuse, disassociating yourself from the Lord’s church is a big mistake. The church is not a man made organization as some people claim. It was instituted by Christ for our good and God’s glory. After trusting Christ as your Lord and Savior you ought to be baptized and become a member of one of the Lord’s churches.

Disconnecting yourself from other Christians, depriving yourself of being taught the word of God, and deserting your Christian duties is not the solution to your problem. That creates a larger problem. You are now living in disobedience to the Lord– something He doesn’t take lightly ( Heb. 12:5-13). Saying “I can worship God at the lake just as good as church” might sound good to other disgruntled people, but it is nonsense. You might be just as pleased at the lake on the. Lord’s day, but God isn’t pleased. I can say that with confidence because of God’s message about the church, God’s mission for the church, God’s ministry in and through the church, the members need of the church, the marriage relationship Christ has with the church, the Master’s ownership of the church.

Your attitude toward the church tells a lot about your attitude toward Christ. When you drop out of church you disobey God, defile yourself, deprive yourself, destroy your testimony and damage others. Instead of running from your problem you need to work through it. If you leave with unfinished business chances are you will carry your problems with you wherever you go. Every church is imperfect and if we are to be faithful to God we have to learn how to live together in peace.– HDS

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

“Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.”– Jam. 4:14-15

It is frustrating not being able to do things we would like to do. I’m talking about things that are good and beneficial– things that would be a help to others. Everyday I think of things I would like to do, and the list gets longer as I grow older and weaker. Some of those things I’ve been wanting to do for years, but so far haven’t been able to do. While I still hold out hope for some, I’ve given up on others.

The things that hinder us can be many. It might be poor health, age, our emotional state, more pressing needs, and numerous other circumstances. How we deal with this disappointment is crucial. This desire can divert our attention away from things we could and should be doing. It is like day dreaming when we ought to be working. And it can be worse than that if it leads to depression or bitterness. Sometimes it results in anxiety, or the fear of what others will think – because we’re not living up to their expectations. Ultimately we can only do what we can do. And wishing it was more, better, or different doesn’t help. But sometimes we just can’t shake the feeling and it eats at us, robbing us of peace and joy.

While I’ve been looking at this from my perspective, I realize that the same could be said of people in entirely different situations. For example. Some want to complete their education, but are too busy taking care of their family. Some want to go on the honeymoon they never had, but money is too tight. Some want to see a friend or relative in another state, but it is out of the question. Some would like to help their neighbor, but are in need of help themselves. Some would just like to just get out for the day, but they are house bound taking care of someone who is sick or disable. Some would like to leave the nursing home, even for a day, but they can’t and never will. Others would like to ___, but can’t because ___. You fill in the blank.

So what now? Sometimes we just have to realize that it is what it is, and all the wishing in the world won’t change it. We have to live with things as they are, even when they aren’t as we wish. We must not allow our desires to push us over the edge into a pit of despondency. If we are wise ( sometimes I’m not) we will do the best we can, with what we’ve got, while we can, as long as we can, and leave the rest with God. I will never be able to do some of the things I used to do or things I’ve wanted to do. The desire is still there and if God gives me the time and strength I will do it, but if He doesn’t that will be okay. His will is more important than my wants. Even if I never get to do those things it won’t mean that I left something undone. It simply means that God had something better in mind. And His will is really all I’ve ever wanted to do. I’m trying and trusting! – HDS

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

“Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words….”– John 14:23
Do you love God? Wait a minute–not so fast! I mean do you really love God? I don’t mean do you talk about it, or sing about it, or brag about it–do you do it? Next question–How do you know you love God? Because you say so? Because you “feel” it? Because you attend church, etc.? How do you know you love God? Maybe another question will help.
 
How important is this question? Jesus gave us the answer–“This is the first and great commandment.” (Matthew 22:38). So, if we fail here we have failed altogether. This is the most basic fundamental duty of man. It doesn’t get anymore important than this. This is the cure for the ills of society. When a person truly loves God it changes him and it shows. It impacts all of our relationships. Nothing else compares to the importance of loving God and nothing can compensate for a lack of it. You can be the most religious person on earth but it’s all in vain if you don’t love God.  
You can heap up treasures until you have no more room to store your possessions, be listed in “Who’s Who?”, travel around the world seeing all the wonders, have your name up in lights, and be admired by millions, and still not be a success. If you don’t love God your life can be described in one word chiseled on your tombstone -“FAILURE”. That tells it all. If you fail to love God you are a failure.
 
It might be that none of this matters to you, you don’t feel the least bit interested in loving God and you aren’t concerned about what He thinks, but all that will change someday. Each of us are accountable to God. None of us can escape our responsibility to love Him. What you do is your choice, but when you refuse to obey the first and great commandment you are making the worst decision of your life. You need to think about that. Had you been in Peter’s shoes when Jesus said, “lovest thou me?” how would you answer?-  HDS

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

“Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.”- James 4:11

How is it that we so glibly ignore this command? Why do we treat it as nothing more than a suggestion or an antiquated law? It’s obvious that God is very concerned about the way we treat others, especially by way of the words we speak. Why aren’t we concerned about it? We expect to be despised, neglected, and criticized by the world, but we should find a refuge from that in the church family. The saints are to support, not slander one another. Instead of using words like weapons to hurt others we should use the tongue as a tool to help others.

God warns us repeatedly to not judge presumptuously, gossip, slander, or criticize others. Yet some seem to take delight in ignoring Him. Those who ignore His commands and warnings are speaking evil and judging the law. Imagine that! And you have the audacity to criticize others? Who are we to judge and criticize God’s law that says, “ Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself” ( Lev. 19:18) ? And that is exactly what we do when we mistreat others. We thumb our nose at the just laws of God who is holy.

Others may have indeed sinned against us or failed miserably in some way, but the Bible is very clear about how we are to handle those situations. We are to seek reconciliation and restore the weak, not resort to slander and criticism. The other person’s wrong doesn’t give us a license to sin. Regardless of the other person’s attitude or actions we are to exhort, encourage, and edify one another. May God help us to be a doer of the law by showing love one to another. Remember, “… to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” ( Jam. 4:17).– HDS

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