YOUR REMAINS

“-—he being dead yet speaketh” – Heb.11:4

Have you ever thought about your remains? I’m not talking about your body, and whether you will be buried or burnt. The true value of your life isn’t found in what remains of your body. Nor am I talking about your bank account or material goods. Your possessions will probably end up in a garage sale or in a box, or in the trash.

But the fact remains, you will leave some remains. After they put your body in a box, in a hole in the ground, and throw six feet of dirt in your face, and everyone leaves the cemetery, your influence will remain. Like an invisible hand it will reach out and touch the lives of those you know. Your influence, for good or bad, will guide others long after you die. You will be gone but your memory and influence will remain. You will outlive your life.

Have you ever thought about what you’re going to leave when you leave? And rest assured, you are going to leave – “–-it is appointed unto men once to die-–” (Heb.9:27). Not only are you going to leave, you’re going to leave something. So instead of wasting your life on things of no value focus on what will remain after you’re gone.

Each of us make a deposit into the lives of others and sometimes what we leave is of greater value than what we did while living. Whether you realize it or not, others are depending on you. Their future will be greatly affected by your remains. They might not even realize to what great extent they are affected by you, but it is undeniable. Your attitude and actions influence them, just as the invisible wind moves the ship at sea. Your remains can become their riches. Like Abel you will speak from your grave — what will you say? – HDS

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

CALLING EVIL GOOD

“Like unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter?” – Isa.5:20.

This is not a new problem, but perhaps it is, more prevalent today than ever before. Not only have we changed the names of sins we have actually sought to change the very nature of sin – calling “evil good, and good evil.” And we haven’t merely blurred the lines of distinction between right and wrong, we have literally labelled what’s right “wrong.” And it’s not just the person in the pew who is guilty of this it is also preachers behind the pulpit who have promoted these views. Rather than tackle the tough issues, making themselves unpopular, they have caved in to the desires of the unbelievers.

Pastor Thomas Smith wrote “Immorality is glamorized, slothfulness is rewarded, and dishonesty is respected – what was and accepted as good is now considered evil. Purity is scoffed at, godliness is unpopular, and true Christianity is seen by many as a menace to society.”

So what are we to do? We find ourselves in a conflict with the world which is getting worse and worse, are told to be tolerant, and threatened if we don’t accept the perverted views of a sin sick society. So, what shall we do? The answer is simple. We must continue to stand for the truth. The truth is defined for us in the word of God, and without it we have no sure standard of right and wrong. God’s word also reveals our responsibility to God. It isn’t just a matter of knowing the truth we are also required to live according to it and to proclaim it to the world. I pray that God will give us the courage to stand for what’s right and against that which is wrong.That’s the only safe path. – HDS

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

GREAT GRACE
“And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.”- Acts 4:33

The Book of Acts describes the mighty power of the Holy Spirit working in, through, and for the saints, and it is amazing. Keep in mind that all this was done in the face of adversity. Yet, although severely persecuted, the church prospered.

It’s easy to look at this and heap praises upon those who were used so mightily, but the greater praise belongs to God. The key to everything good about that early church is found in the phrase “and great grace was upon them all.” They had been touched by the grace of God and testified of the grace of God. It was the motivation for their ministry and the means of their miracles. Grace was the power that made them productive. They were blessed and a blessing because of the grace of God.

Some take this phrase to mean that great grace was shown to them by those to whom they ministered, but that doesn’t rule out or lessen the fact that it was God’s grace that brought them such grace. He is the God of all grace. The grace of God preserved them in the persecution and prompted them to provide for others. So, however you look at this, it was God’s grace that brought them their blessings. It is the same with us. The recipients of grace should respond with grace, and they will receive grace.

Success in God’s work is never due to the brilliance of our mind, the amount of our ability, or the power of our persuasion. It is the greatness of God’s grace that enables us. And it is always greater than our need. Whatever great trial you are facing today you can rest assured that God’s grace is sufficient to sustain you (2 Cor. 12:9). – HDS

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

JESUS KNOWS ALL
“I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.”- Rev. 2:2-3
An old song says, “ Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen”. Well, if they don’t they soon will because most people can’t keep from talking about them. We love to talk about what we hate. Another, and better, song says’ “Jesus knows all about our troubles“. Indeed He does! That is a fact we should never forget.
It usually doesn’t do any good for others to know about our troubles. They either can’t or won’t help. The fact is, they usually have enough troubles of their own without us dumping our load on their door step. We don’t help them or ourselves when we murmur and complain. But when undergoing great trials we long for a sympathetic ear, for the attention of someone who cares. So where do we go?
Thankfully, Jesus knows, cares, and can help. He knows all about us– our troubles, toil, terror, and temptations. There is nothing about us that He doesn’t know, and in that fact we find great consolation. Although He is conscious of our faults and failures as well He never stops caring for His own. He not only sees your sin He sees your success. He knows that although you have “left” your “first love” (Rev. 2:4) you haven’t lost it. Like Peter, we may fail miserably, but we to can say, “Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee”(John 23:17). This is no minor matter. Knowing He knows, cares, can and will help provides peace that passeth all understanding! – HDS
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346

JUST THINKING ABOUT JESUS

It is an undeniable fact that what we focus on forms our future. And there can be no doubt about where our focus should be. As Christians we are to be forever “Looking unto Jesus” (Heb.12:2). Nothing else affords us so many benefits. Certainly we are to be aware of the times in which we live and denounce sin, but we must be careful lest we focus on sin more than the Savior. If we are to maintain any degree of delight in these difficult days we must “Consider Him” (Heb.12:3). Meditating on our Master causes us to get lost in wonder as we behold His majesty.

As we engage in this exercise we soon discover that His greatness is more than the mind can conceive or the tongue can tell. He is the Infinite One! The One of whom it is said, “The heaven of heavens cannot contain Thee” (I Kings 8:27).

The best way to banish boredom and defeat depression is to look upon Him who is “Altogether Lovely.” When our mind is occupied with the One described as “Alpha and Omega” (Rev.22:13) we will never lack for a reason to be encouraged – regardless of the circumstances. We can’t escape the toils, troubles, trials, and temptations in life– but we can triumph in Christ!

O that we would make it a habit to spend a portion of each day just thinking about Jesus. Giving attention to His attributes will accomplish what nothing else can do. Although He is incomprehensible He is not unknowable. Please take time to focus on Him who forever has His eyes upon us. It will illuminate your mind, impart humility, increase your faith, and inspire hope. Nothing so affects our attitude about life as does focusing our attention on the attributes of Christ. If you’ve lost your way in life it’s because you’ve lost your focus on Him. Look to Jesus! – HDS

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