“With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;” – Ephesians 4:2

“So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:33

“Underneath are the everlasting arms.”- Deuteronomy 33:27

God—the eternal God—is himself our support at all times, and especially when we are sinking in deep trouble. There are seasons when the Christian sinks very low in humiliation. Under a deep sense of his great sinfulness, he is humbled before God till he scarcely knows how to pray, because he appears, in his own sight, so worthless. Well, child of God, remember that when thou art at thy worst and lowest, yet “underneath” thee “are everlasting arms.” Sin may drag thee ever so low, but Christ’s great atonement is still under all. You may have descended into the deeps, but you cannot have fallen so low as “the uttermost”; and to the uttermost he saves. Again, the Christian sometimes sinks very deeply in sore trial from without. Every earthly prop is cut away. What then? Still underneath him are “the everlasting arms.” He cannot fall so deep in distress and affliction but what the covenant grace of an ever-faithful God will still encircle him. The Christian may be sinking under trouble from within through fierce conflict, but even then he cannot be brought so low as to be beyond the reach of the “everlasting arms”—they are underneath him; and, while thus sustained, all Satan’s efforts to harm him avail nothing.

This assurance of support is a comfort to any weary but earnest worker in the service of God. It implies a promise of strength for each day, grace for each need, and power for each duty. And, further, when death comes, the promise shall still hold good. When we stand in the midst of Jordan, we shall be able to say with David, “I will fear no evil, for thou art with me.” We shall descend into the grave, but we shall go no lower, for the eternal arms prevent our further fall. All through life, and at its close, we shall be upheld by the “everlasting arms”—arms that neither flag nor lose their strength, for “the everlasting God fainteth not, neither is weary.” – Charles Spurgeon

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

“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” – Luke 9:23

I just read this story of an author who was being treated to a tour of a recently built church building. “With pride, the pastor pointed out the beautiful pews, the luxurious decorations, and the beautiful, handcrafted pulpit in the front.

The two walked outside as darkness was falling, and the pastor pointed up at a huge cross atop the structure, illuminated by several bright spotlights. “That cross alone cost us ten thousand dollars,” the pastor boasted proudly.

“It looks like you got cheated,” said Jordan. “Times were when Christians could get those for free.”

When we look at the cross, it’s crucial we remember what that symbol is really all about. During the time of Jesus, the cross was the ultimate sign of shame – a torture and execution device for the lowliest of criminals.

When Jesus said that a follower of His should “take up their cross daily and follow me,” He wasn’t talking about a glorious life. He meant that a disciple would encounter hardship, persecution, and even death for His sake. He did promise, however, that it would all be worth it.

Don’t let the spiritual freedoms you enjoy today cause you to forget the price of following Christ. Be willing to do whatever it takes to stay faithful. And even if the Lord allows you to suffer for the sake of Christ, remember it will all be worth it!”

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

“They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;”– Hebrews 11:37

That is, they were tried; and the design of their enemies by these trials was, to draw or drive them from the Lord. Their trials were of the most cruel kind, but they found that as their day, so was their strength.

Brethren, we shall be tempted; Satan is not dead, no, nor yet asleep; the world is not reconciled to godliness; nor are we free from indwelling sin. It is not our sin to be tempted – this is our trial; but it is our sin if we yield. God has promised strength, wisdom and grace; and we should seek these, that we may be able to withstand, and so overcome every trial. We may expect to be tempted daily, for Satan goeth about; and if at any moment that we are off our guard, that is the time he is most likely to beset us.

Let us keep close to Jesus who is the great Shepherd of the sheep; let us keep our eye on our Father’s house; and let us aim in all things at God’s glory, and temptation shall not harm us. Blessed be the man that endureth temptation; for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him. If the enemy come in like a flood, we may still sing–

His oath, His covenant and blood
Support me in the sinking flood;
When all around my soul gives way
Jesus is all my hope and stay:
On Christ the solid rock I stand;–
All other ground is sinking sand.

– By James Smith, 1840, a predecessor of Charles Spurgeon.

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