“….do all to the glory of God”.- 1 Cor. 10:31

It is easy enough to state this as our purpose, which it is, but it is another thing to actually make this our pursuit. Are we actually doing what we are declaring to be our purpose, or are we living a lie? That’s the question. Life is complex and can be very confusing. We run into questions everywhere, leaving us wondering “What shall / should I do?” Unfortunately some say, “I will do as I please”. Others might say, “I’ll do what is popular, profitable, or pleasurable”. We ought to do what is proper – “to the glory of God”.
When faced with a question about an activity some say, ” I don’t see any harm in it”. But the absence of harm isn’t the only thing that should be considered. The real issue is this–” Is there any glory for God in it?” It is in the light of that question that we should make our decisions. If an activity is going to hinder us from glorifying God we should cease and desist. It isn’t worth it. It is God’s glory that gives value to our activities — whether we are preaching or taking a much needed nap, praying or playing catch with our kids.

Certain things might be harmless in and of themselves, but they become an hindrance when they keep us from that which glorifies God. In other words, sinless things can become sinful. It would be no violation of the law to run a race in winter clothing, or with a pack on your back and boots, but it would impede your progress and cause you to lose– making it unwise. The Bible is perfectly clear about the fact that our main purpose is to glorify God, so don’t allow anything to stop you from it.

In deciding about doubtful issues, John Wesley’s mother gave him this wise advice: “If you wish to determine the lawfulness of a pleasure, follow this rule: Whatever weakens your reason, impairs the tenderness of your conscience, obscures your sense of God, or takes away the relish of spiritual things; whatever increases the authority of your body over your mind, that thing is sin”. I doubt that any theologian ever said it better! – HDS

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

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.”- Psa. 37:23
One of my favorite poems and one of the most commonly used phases when trying to encourage others is “One day at a time”. There is even a song by that title. But it might be better if we said “One step at a time”. Studies show that the average American adult takes between 5,000 and 7,000 steps per day. So, you can get a long way off course during the course of a day. But if we watch our steps the days will take care of themselves. And since the Bible often uses the word “walk” in reference to the Christian life it is essential that we consider the subject of steps. And in our text we see God’s guide to the good life.

As you’ve no doubt heard, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”. And one wrong step can lead to disaster. So, “watch your step” is always good advice. Whatever progress we make in life is the result of the steps we take. Nobody gets to the goal in one giant leap, and we can’t fly. It is step by step that we move from where we are to where we are going. The key is to avoid going around in circles. To succeed at that our steps must be ordered by the LORD. Success is simply a matter of taking one right step after another.

The problem is that far too many people are content being where they are when it is not where God wants them to be. So, as Chauncey Depew said, ” The first step toward getting somewhere is to decide that you are not going to stay where you are”. It’s time to get out of the rut before it becomes a grave. It’s one thing to sit around talking about what you should or would do and another thing to do it. Having a vision is well and good, but not enough. As Vance Havner said, “The vision must be followed by the venture. It is not enough to stare up the steps– we must step up the stairs”. That means we must be willing to leave our comfort zone– a tough thing for selfish people.  But to reach our God-given goal we must deny ourselves, take the road less travelled, and walk by faith–which means we must be willing to step where we cannot see. Thankfully we can know that God never leads us astray! – HDS

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

“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:”- 1 Peter 4:12

Afflictions are a certainty in life, and they can lead to uncertainty. Afflictions can cause anxiety, apprehension, anger, and insecurity. I said “can”, not “will” or “must”. As Christians we aren’t promised exemption from afflictions, but we are assured that we can endure them ( 2 Thess. 1:4-5). As John Wesley said, ” One of the greatest evidences of God’s love to those that love Him is, to send them afflictions, with grace to bear them”. Amen! We would never know anything about God’s saving grace had we never sinned and we would know nothing of His sustaining grace had we never suffered.

Like it or not, it is our lot in life to suffer a lot in life (Job 14:1). We can’t avoid afflictions, but we can choose how we will respond to them. Sometimes we don’t respond well. And sometimes our attitude toward afflictions can be more harmful than the actual afflictions themselves. It is common for people to get into a really bad state of mind when going through hard times. That can cause them to make some awful decisions. We say and do things that are unacceptable when we refuse to be accepting of our afflictions. But how do we accept them?

If we’re wise we will make preparation for our problems. If we don’t we won’t fare well when they come. To have protection from our problems we must prepare. Too many people wait until a crisis comes before they seek a solution. Not expecting it they are overcome by it. And there is usually no quick fix. The Word of God is powerful, but it isn’t a magical potion you can read and automatically be immediately delivered from your dilemma. Maturity isn’t manufactured in a moment.

Believers, however, can be greatly helped by hiding the Word in their heart. Doing so can provide them comfort and courage when the crisis comes. But you can’t wait until it happens and then get through it on command. It doesn’t work that way. However, when we’ve built up our faith by meditating on the Word it is amazing what it can get us through. It will cause us, like Paul, to see a blessing in our burden. We can rejoice in our trials when we know our all-wise, ever loving Heavenly Father has a reason for them and will use them for our good and His glory!– HDS

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

“And Jacob their father said unto them, Me have ye bereaved of my children: Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin away: all these things are against me.”- Gen. 42:36

We’ve all heard it, said it, or felt it- “Things have gone from bad to worse.” Compounding the problem is the fact that we don’t understand why. We want an explanation and God isn’t talking. We just can’t get rid of the feeling that an explanation would be helpful, but God knows better. If it was needed He would give it. The truth is, in many cases the explanation has already been given in God’s Word –we just don’t know it or don’t want to accept it. It’s true that God doesn’t always give us the details, but He most assuredly lets us know that our trials can come for several different reasons. We don’t always need to know the reason. Just knowing there is a reason should be reason enough . Since we are to live by faith we shouldn’t expect an explanation for everything. If we could understand it there would be no need for faith.

The good news is that although God doesn’t exempt us from trials, nor explain them, He enables us to endure them if we trust Him. Sadly there are more than a few folks who have come to the conclusion that God’s Word and ways doesn’t work. They say they tried it and it failed. That’s a serious charge. And some who might not say it feel that way nonetheless. They will tell you they love God, obey God, serve God, and trust God, and there seems to be evidence that they do. But things keep going from bad to worse, and it appears that God has not carried through on His promise.

We seem to forget that although things in our life are the worst they’ve ever been they are not the worst they could be. That’s something we ought to think about and thank God for. It’s easy to say we all have it better than we deserve, it’s another thing to accept that without complaint. So, how are you doing with this matter? We would give less thought to the things that are against us if we gave more thought to the One who is for us!– HDS

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

By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.– Hebrews 11:8-10
Here we are on the first day of a new year, facing the future. What else can we do? Trying to forget the fact doesn’t work– life goes on regardless. Fearing it just makes matters worse. So we must face it, although we don’t know what it holds – and it’s better that we don’t. However, as Christians we ought to consider the facts God has given. We are aware of some things to come. We have read God’s promises which assure us that, regardless of what trials we must go through, the best is yet to come. That’s something we should never forget.

Paul Chappell recently wrote something about Charles Spurgeon that caught my attention. He said: “Spurgeon routinely spoke to crowds of 6,000 or more at the Metropolitan Tabernacle in London. On New Year’s Eve in 1891, he spoke to only a handful of friends who were with him in Mentone, France, where he had been seeking treatment for his painful illness. Spurgeon did not know when he spoke that night that in less than a month he would see the Lord, for whom he had faithfully preached, face to face. Although, Spurgeon did know that he trusted God.”

Spurgeon said, “Could we procure a telescope which would enable us to see to the end of the year, would we be wise to use it? I think not. Great mercy has hung up a veil between us and the future; and there let it hang.” The following morning he preached a brief New Year’s sermon at his hotel. “The vista of a praiseful life will never close, but continue throughout eternity. From psalm to psalm, from hallelujah to hallelujah, we will ascend the hill of the Lord where we will bow before the Divine Majesty in the bliss of endless adoration.”

How thankful we ought to be that we have divine assurance that all shall end well. To know that the best is yet to come gives us the courage to face the challenges of life. Although we don’t know what the future holds we know Who holds the future. That makes all the difference in the world. We can trust God to get us through whatever He brings us to. We are in good hands!– HDS

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