“…..pray one for another…“- James 5:16
I just spent a few minutes looking at prayer request and was overwhelmed by all the many needs. In addition to that there are numerous needs that I am aware of that aren’t on the list. That just adds to the burden. As I’ve often said, “I wish I had a magic wand to wave and make all the problems go away, but I don’t”. It’s a good thing because I don’t have the wisdom to know what is best.

I know pain can be profitable, that all things can work together for good, and that God’s grace is sufficient, but that doesn’t stop me from desiring things to be different– isn’t that why we pray?. I can’t help but hurt when people I love are suffering. In case you’re wondering– yes I do sometimes ask “Why?”. I really would like to know even though I know I can’t. And I see no evidence that it is wrong to wonder “Why?”. We can be concerned without complaining. We may mourn, but we must not murmur. We may sorrow, but not as those who have no hope. Satan, however, is always trying to push us over the edge. He likes nothing better than causing you to think that God is being unfair.

It might seem that God has turned His back on you and forgotten you, but nothing could be further from the truth. Jesus knows, cares, and can help. Some way, some day, some how he will deliver you. Until then the best you can do is to turn your eyes upon Jesus — as the old song says. Keep looking unto him. He can and will keep you going when every fiber of your being wants to quit (Heb. 12:2-3). Prayer keeps your focus where it needs to be. ” The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” ( Ja. 5:16) –-HDS

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

“For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”— Gal. 5:14
Know this– you never know what another has gone through or might be going through. Although some are quick to tell you of their troubles there are others who are going through great difficulties without so much as a whisper. It might appear that they don’t have a care in the world, but you would be shocked if you knew all about their situation. Even those who speak loudly and often of their trials do not always disclose all the details. So don’t suppose you have all the facts.

Being aware of this should cause us to be more patient and kind toward others. Knowing we don’t know should cause us to give them the benefit of the doubt and be more understanding. After all– isn’t that exactly what we want from others? Stop and think about the qualities you admire in others. What is it that endears them to you? I suspect just about everyone’s list would be basically the same. So why is it that you don’t try to be that to others? It seems only fair that we would expect from ourselves what we expect from others.

In many cases the very complaint we have against others could be made against us, We expect others to be thoughtful, considerate, and helpful toward us, but there is someone who could make a legitimate complaint against us for lacking in these very things. Of course, no doubt you have a ready reason (excuse) for behaving as you do– just as they do in their defense. We are all so imperfect that it takes a miracle for us to maintain any semblance of order. As someone said, “If we all live according to an eye for an eye, the whole world would be blind!” Indeed. Thank God for those who display unconditional love for the unlovely. There are some who suffer abuse, injustice, and cruelty yet maintain a sweet attitude and loving spirit. They are to be commended. Not only should they be admired, they should be emulated. Their example should inspire us to greater heights, which would give us more joy, greater peace, and better relationships. It’s not always the other person’s fault. So, before we go pointing fingers we need to examine ourselves. Every Christian ought to be filled with the Spirit and demonstrating the fruit of the Spirit. That’s the norm not the exception. — HDS

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

” Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.”– Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
   Harvard professor Robert Putnam wrote a book years ago called Bowling Alone, which documents the decline in community life in America since the 1960s. The title comes from a trivial but telling example: the percentage of adults who belong to a bowling league today is only about a quarter of what it was in the 1960s.
   Other examples he cites are…

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•        The percentage of people who volunteer in a political campaign – stuffing envelopes, making phone calls, going door to door – is today about half what it was in the late 1960s.
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•        Active membership in local clubs and organizations, like the PTA, has dropped by about half, percentage-wise, since the 1970s.
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•        People are visiting one another less frequently, having friends over for dinner less frequently, getting together to play cards less frequently.

   These are just a few examples showing that just about every objective measure of participation in community and civic life is declining. People are disconnected more than ever. So it’s no wonder we’re more isolated and more depressed than we’ve ever been.
God never created us to live life alone. So even if you struggle to make friends, do it anyway. Stay involved in social gatherings and clubs. Not only will you be encouraged yourself, you’ll have a platform to build meaningful relationships and share the Gospel with others. Pray that God would help you continue to build meaningful relationships with others.– Senior Living

One of the things that helped me most as a young Christian was being connected with others in the church. After nearly every service we either went to someone’s house or had someone over to ours. And throughout the week we maintained connection with one another. I have often said, “we had such a strong bond that others wouldn’t let you backslide even if you wanted to”. If someone was sick and missed church they knew people would be calling to check on them. I don’t have the words to describe how this connection helped me grow as a young Christian. I believe we are in desperate need of that today, but most people fail to see its importance. Please get connected– others need you and you need others! – HDS
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346

“Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire.“Heb. 12:28-29

Here is a section of scripture that should get our attention. It should stop us in our tracks and make us all ears. Here we see both “the goodness and severity of God” and we are to “Behold” both as commanded in Rom. 11:22. Doing so should lead to both rejoicing and repentance. Here we see something we have received and something for which we are responsible.

We have received “a kingdom”– the kingdom of God, a kingdom “which cannot be moved“, a kingdom that is a gift, a kingdom that provides “grace”, a kingdom wherein “we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and godly fear“. Having such a kingdom we are reminded of the King– “our God“, who is described as “a consuming fire”. That should motivate us to obey Him. As comforting as it is to think of Him as our Father, our King, our Shepherd, etc., it should concern us that He is also “a consuming fire“. Those who come to Him in faith should live for Him in fear. Although we have been accepted by Him and the object of His love we have reason and a responsibility to fear Him.

This is what’s needed in this day when so many have such a light-hearted view of God, causing them to refer to Him as “the man upstairs”. If we truly feared Him we would not think of Him as such, nor feel that we are deserving of His blessings, nor be so unashamed of our failures. We would blush at our sinfulness and take serious our responsibility to serve Him. We would see all ground as holy ground and all duty as a delight rather than drudgery.

He who has the power to establish “a kingdom which cannot be moved” has the power to consume all that is in opposition to it. Loving us as He does He will not allow our sins to go unchecked. His compassion toward us compels Him to correct us– even to the point of consuming that which we unlawfully delight in. Knowing what we need He sometimes must destroy what we desire because it would be destructive to us. And He always maintains the perfect balance between His goodness and severity. He is “our God“, but “a consuming fire” nevertheless. Although He has entered into an everlasting covenant with us He will consume that which is contrary to His eternal purpose for us. Knowing this, let us “serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:”.– HDS 
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346

A TIME TO WEEP

“Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.”-– Psalms 119:136
We are often told that what others do is their business and that we should not let it bother us. “To each their own” they say. And sadly we have compromised to the point that we not only tolerate sin we leave the impression that it is no big deal– just an alternate lifestyle. So “Don’t worry. be happy”. We don’t understand how horrible sin is. We ought to be troubled that we aren’t troubled over the sinful society in which we live.
The Psalmist was moved to tears– uncontrollable weeping due to the wickedness of the people. It should be that way with us. Jesus wept over Jerusalem ( Matt. 23:37). Lot was vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked (2 Pet. 2:7-8). Moses was burdened over the sight of sin (Deut. 9:18-19). Paul was broken-hearted over the dreadful judgment awaiting his people (Rom. 9:1-3; 10:1). How is it that we are not so sensitive toward sin? Why are we not in agony over the abominations around us? How can we bear to see God’s holy laws violated with such ease and not weep? 
Verse 120 explains why the Psalmist was troubled- “My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.”. Should we not weep because sin dishonors God, defiles our loved ones, destroys lives, divides families, and disrupts society? We weep over things that are worthless, but shed no tears over the plight of lost sinners. Why? We fail due to a lack of love. That should cause us to weep for ourselves because we are “nothing” without it (1 Cor. 13:2). It is the nature of love to want what is best for its object, to desire their happiness and well-being, and to grieve over their misery and loss. The fact that the world does not even blush over its sin should break our hearts and move us to weep over it. Indeed there is “A time to weep” ( Ecc. 3:4).
If we aren’t weeping over lost souls am I to believe that we are praying for them? And if we aren’t praying for them am I suppose to believe that we are witnessing to them? And if we don’t witness to them how can we have any hope that they will be saved? We need to stop and ask ourselves “Do I truly care whether or not people are saved?” While everyone would say, “Yes”, the truth is revealed by how we answer those questions. How did you answer?– HDS
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346