“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.“– 1 John 4:7-8
We live at a time when we hear a lot of news and boasting about things we’ve learned. The sad thing is that most people are majoring on minors. They learn this and that, but never learn to love. The fact is, most folks don’t even know what love is. Much of what is called love is not love at all. J. R. Miller said, “The test of love is service. The love which does not give and do the utmost, is not love”. While much more could be said in that regards, Miller made a crucial point. Love has to do with giving rather than getting. It is the pouring out of our life for the filling of another persons needs.

The problem, our chief cause of failure, is self-interest. We allow others to do without because we are unwilling to do without– or even be deprived of our desires, which usually far exceeds our needs. Being “lovers of their own selves” (2 Tim. 3:2) “more than lovers of God” ( 2 Tim. 3:4) they have no genuine concern for others. On the other hand, as Paul said, “love “seeketh not her own” ( 1 Cor. 13:5). True love is dead set on doing good unto others, rather than gratifying self.

While many complain about not being loved, few are critical of themselves for not loving others. They expect from others what they excuse from themselves. I’m guessing that we are all more guilty of this than we would like to admit. It’s time we got brutally honest and asked ourselves this question- “Do I truly love other people?”. I didn’t say “someone”. We can all think of someone we claim to love. I said “other people”. If our heart is right no one will be left off the list. John 3:16 says, “God so loved the world“, and we as we are loved so should we love. Learning to love begins with loving God because He first loved us ( 1 John 4:19) for “he who loveth God” will “love his brother also” ( 1 John 4:21). – HDS
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346

“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”- John 13;34-35

It’s easy to talk about learning to love, but quite another thing to do it. That’s especially true when you think about loving others “as” Christ loved you. Yet, not only are we commanded to do so, we must do so if we are to live in peace, and if we are to convince others that we are indeed Christians.

To succeed at this we must ask, “How did Jesus love His disciples?”.  While there are things about his love beyond our comprehension some things are obvious. John 13:1 tells us that “he loved them unto the end”. That proves that His love was unconditional. To love them “unto the end” means that he was patient with their faults and forgiving of their failures. His love was not based upon their conduct, but upon His character.

When the Bible tells of the disciples it paints their pictures “warts and all”. Their folly, faults, and failures are put on display for our consideration – not to berate them, but to beautify the Lord’s love for them. We cannot read of His interactions with them without being impressed with His patience, mercy, and gentleness. A lesser than he would have scolded them, shamed them, and separated from them. But he loved them unto the end. Their faults were many but His love was even greater.

We need to have to have these words “as I have loved you” written indelibly on the door of our hearts, reminding us that this is the pattern by which we are to love others. Even when the failure of others is undeniable and disappointing love should compel us to “restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness” ( Gal. 6:1). How can we deny love to anyone to whom Christ demonstrated love?- HDS
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346

“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”- Heb. 13:5-6

Here we see a powerful proclamation- “I will not fear what man shall do unto me”. Make no mistake about it, people do awful things to one another. We hear about it on the news everyday and sometimes we are the victims. There seems to be no limit as to the things sinful man will do. No one would blame us for being fearful–but God does. Over and over He commands us to “fear not“. And here we find a man doing as God tells him to do. He says, “I will not fear”. We all should have such a testimony!

Fear does terrible things. In a nutshell, it enlarges what we fear, shrinks our view of God, and puts us in peril. It is in fact an insult to God. As Christians we ought to know better and do better. We have good reason to overcome fear. Looking unto Jesus ( Heb. 12:2) we should be able to look at our circumstances with courage. We are empowered by His–

— Presence. God is ever present everywhere ( Psa. 139:7-8). There is never a moment when He is absent and there are barriers that can shut Him out. Whatever your problem is God is present.
— Power. God is all- powerful. He is not only available, He is able. He has the power to protect and provide, to guard and to guide. And He expects us to live in the light of that fact (2 Tim. 1:7). We are never exempt from God’s expectations. With God within there is no power without that can harm you. Regardless of your circumstances you can find in Him the courage to say “The Lord is my helper”.
— Promises. Notice the words, “he hath said” ( vs. 5). This speaks of God who “cannot lie” ( Titus 1:2). It is no wonder that we sing “Blessed Assurance” with such gusto. It is a delightful thought that we can depend upon the One who is ever-present, all-powerful, and totally reliable. He doesn’t lie to us, nor leave us, nor let us down. Because “he hath said”, “we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me”. – HDS

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

“….. Thy God reigneth !”– Isa. 52:7

There is no doubt about it, we live in a fallen world filled with corruption, conflict, and confusion – not an easy place to live. Not being able to control or change things can be terribly frustrating. That’s why it is so crucial, and comforting, to remember these words, “Thy God reigneth“. Knowing He is in control gives us peace that passeth all understanding. Rather than concern ourselves with things beyond our control we can commit our cares unto the hands of the One who governs all, the One with all power in heaven and earth, the One who is always calm and composed. Knowing God reigns we can rest in peace, which is exactly what we should do (Phil. 4:6-7).

Although God appoints and allows things that we can’t understand we can live with the assurance that He never makes a mistake. We can know, based on His promises, that in time we will realize the wisdom of His ways, rejoice in the reasons He reveals, and reap the benefits of trusting Him. Until then we walk by faith in the One who cannot lie and never fails.

When you are troubled by temptation, perplexed about your pain, weakened by weariness, discouraged by difficulties, and fearful of the future, remember – “Thy God reigneth!”. Awareness of that glorious truth will calm your troubled heart and give you the strength to go on, even when it seems that everything is against you. Knowing God is working out His eternal purpose, even when evil seems to be winning, is cause for courage and a reason for rejoicing.– HDS
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346

“For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;”- Col. 1:9-11

Paul begins this letter by commending them ( vs. 1- 8). Then he comforts them by assuring them of his prayers ( vs. 9-11). There is a great lesson in this for us. Most of our praying is for the unsaved, sick, suffering, and needy. That is well and good, but there is another group that we need to consider. We also need to pray for those who are saved, faithfully serving the Lord, and succeeding in spiritual matters — those such as Paul addresses in this letter. Far too often they are off the prayer list because it is assumed they doing so well. Paul didn’t make that mistake. He was so encouraged by what he heard about them that he praised them–but he also prayed for them.

We seem to forget that such people don’t get where they are by accident. They progress while under attack by Satan and they struggle with temptation just like everyone else. While they are faithful servants and a blessing to others, they are in great need of prayer lest they stumble and fall or cease to grow. Don’t assume that because they are doing so well that they don’t need your prayers. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Although they are much like Jesus they are still far from Him. They could be, should be, and desire to be more like Christ.

However, because they are the most dedicated members in the church their needs are often overlooked. Some suppose they don’t need our prayers when in reality they might need our prayers the most. Notice the needs that Paul mentioned in vs. 9-11, ” that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;”.

Try this– make a list of all the most faithful, spiritual minded, Christ-like people you know. Have you been praying for them? Do you not see a need to pray for them? Will you start praying for them?– HDS
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346