“—no man cared for my soul.” (Psalm 142:4) 

If you feel that no one cares, you just might be pretty close to being right! I know that in most instances saying, “Nobody cares” is an exaggeration, but in some cases it is mighty close to the truth. Many claim or pretend to care, but few really do. Let’s not kid ourselves, if you think the world is going to stop and mourn your passing when you die, you’re wrong. Life goes on. Even some who attend your funeral won’t be grieving an hour after you are buried. They will be stuffing themselves with chicken and talking about the ball game shortly after they put you in the grave.
 
We might as well face the facts–most people don’t give a hoot about people, at least when it comes to caring on a deep level. They go through life using people, rather than caring for people. The moment you cease to contribute to their welfare you’re off their list of things to “care” about. O they still might talk about “caring”, but they don’t–or it would show. Those who care do! Caring is more than talk. Caring is concern about others.
 
Now let’s get practical. Like it or not, we live in an uncaring world. Except for a precious few, people aren’t really concerned about you or me. So what? Does it hurt? Sure it hurts. It hurts us just like it hurts others who are hurt by uncaring people. We’re all hurt ,and hurt people hurt people. We’re all in this together, we just deal with it differently. So how should we respond to an uncaring world?
 
To put it simply, we should do as God commands – regardless of how unpleasant the situation is. We should do our duty and we should do so with a good disposition. We should love people unconditionally, even when they are unloving. Jesus put it this way, “ Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them—“( Matt. 7:12). Listen folks, this isn’t hard to understand—do for others what you want them to do for you. Do you want others to care for you? Then you ought to care for them–even if it is obvious that they don’t care anything about you. Our motive is to please Christ, not to gain the favor of others, manipulating them to please us. We all can make a big difference in our little part of the world if we stop feeling sorry for ourselves and start caring for others.
 
Lastly I want to remind you that, regardless of who you are or what you’ve done, there is someone who cares–His name is Jesus! He cares so much that He suffered and died on the cross that He could meet your deepest need! He loved you before you ever loved Him, and He is our example. We are to love others even if they never love us.- HDS
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346

“And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.”–Acts 5:42  
I read about a man who arrived late at church and the people were already leaving. He asked an usher, “Is the service over?” The wise usher replied, “The worship is over, but the service is just beginning.” That’s a good answer!
 
Several years ago I placed a sign on the inside of the church door, to be seen by those leaving the building. It said—“YOU ARE NOW ENTERING THE MISSION FIELD”. Sometimes we forget that. Some folks think they have discharged all their duties to God by simply attending the church service. They could not be more wrong.
 
Our responsibility goes far beyond the walls of the church building. It involves every area of our life. As disciples we are never off duty. We are to be salt and light wherever we go. We are to bear witness to God’s saving grace throughout the whole earth. In the gospel, we have the message that the world needs most and God expects us to deliver it.
 
The worship service is of great importance. It should instruct, inspire, and motivate us, but we also need to get to work! We need to take the gospel to the streets. Singing “Amazing Grace” with the saints is an awesome experience, but we need to get the message of grace to the sinners. It is not their duty to come and get it. It is our job to take it to them. It should also be our joy. What could be more thrilling than to tell others of the greatness of God’s grace? – HDS ( 5/31/09)

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

“Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”– Gal. 2:16

During the war a certain sailor grew tired of wearing his life preserver but because his ship was constantly in an area of danger he was compelled to wear it continually. Many times he felt like throwing it overboard, but the thought of being torpedoed forced him to keep it on.         
       
Then one day the wonderful news came; the war was over. The first thing he did was to tear off the life jacket, and running to the side of the ship he flung it over-board. As the life jacket hit the water, his face turned a sickly pale. He couldn’t believe his eyes for the thing which he had put his hopes in during the many months of danger, sank to the bottom like a rock. It was a defective piece of equipment and had he jumped overboard he would have drowned.

Even so, most people are depending on things as useless as that life preserver– things such as good works, religion, or tradition. They feel safe because, as they would say, they are sincere. But sincerity cannot save you. It only gives you a false hope which puts you in greater danger. It is better to have no hope than a false hope. A man without hope might seek help. A man with a false hope is doomed, because he sees no need of help.
        
       
There is only one sure source of salvation. Acts 4:12 says, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”  So how is it with you? What are you depending on? What is your spiritual life belt? What if you died today? Are you sure of salvation? You can’t depend on your feelings. Blessed assurance is found only in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He will never fail you! You can trust Him. Will you?– HDS
        
        
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346

“A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly….”– Prov. 18:24

Churches, like families, are always under threat. There is always something trying to divide the members and distract from the ministry. It can be anything from personality differences to major offenses. What starts out as a minor matter can mushroom into a major mess. Not only does it disrupt lives, it can spread like a deadly cancer affecting everyone it touches. So, we must be vigilant at all times.

Sometimes the worst problems develop from what starts out as a little thing. Sometimes just ignoring people, holding them at arms length, can hurt them worse than a slap in the face or a verbal insult. What you think goes unnoticed doesn’t. It might surprise you if you knew how much some people watch you and long for your attention. Just a few kind words from your lips would make their day, and yet you walk by them with your nose in the air, or sit in stoney silence rather than greeting them. And then you wonder why they never return.

Sadly, some people don’t matter to some people. All they care about are those in their little clique. They don’t reach out to others and others aren’t welcome in their group unless they contribute to their happiness in some way. As Christians we ought to care about people more than that. I’m not saying everybody should be your best friend, but you ought to do your best to be friendly to everyone. What if God treated you like you treat others? We should be thankful that He is no respecter of persons and that He loves us unconditionally.

It is amazing how some members of the church treat others. It is no wonder that churches are troubled and hindered. It is amazing to think that God would add anyone to a church like that! We all should, at all times, consider our attitude and actions, considering how we make others feel. Remember, without love we are nothing ( 1 Cor. 13:2), and we profit nothing (1 Cor. 13:3). People aren’t looking for a friendly church, they are looking for friends. Show yourself friendly—make the connection! — HDS

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

“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD which made heaven and earth.” –Psalm 121:1-2  

I have read these words numerous times while standing at the grave side trying to comfort troubled families. The truth here is appropriate at the grave side or any place else, or in any situation. We are never without need of help. And help is always available if we know where to look.
 
Jerusalem was unlike the other national capitals in that day. It was not located on a large river like Babylon. It didn’t have a harbor like Tyre and Sidon. It wasn’t even on the main highway. What Jerusalem had was hills. It stood on a rocky plateau 2,550 feet above the Mediterranean Sea and 3,800 feet above the Dead Sea. To the Jews the elevation of Jerusalem was a picture of safety, not only because of it’s height, but also because of it’s relation to Jehovah. Weary pilgrims traveling there to worship were greatly encouraged when the hills of their homeland came into view.
 
Although we don’t put our trust in a city or a nation, we too need to lift up our eyes. Satan would have us to look back at our failures and be discouraged, or look around and be distracted, or to look down in despair because of our difficulties, but we need to look up. Our help “cometh from the LORD”. Our Helper is the One who made the hills. His power is unequaled and unlimited. He who has the power to create and control everything is our Helper, the source of our strength. Whatever situation you are forced to face today God is sufficent to able to give you the victory. He “made heaven and earth” so He can make something good out of the worst thing in your life. – HDS ( revised from 7/26/09)
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346