“…….I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.” – 1 Cor. 14:15

Singing plays an important part in our worship of God. The problem is that we sometimes sing without really thinking about the words and we miss the message. I’m often blessed by just taking the hymnal and simply reading the songs. Here’s an example of one I’ve been thinking about recently. In 1950 Ira Stanphill wrote “I Don’t Know About Tomorrow”. He wrote that song after his wife divorced him and he was in deep depression. It is a great reminder that if we are to deal with the unknown we must focus on what we do know. Notice what the song says that we know. “I know”—— “what Jesus said”

— “who holds tomorrow”

— “who holds my hand”

— “the one who stands by me”

— “his presence goes before me”

— “I’m covered with the blood“

WOW! Armed with these facts we are indeed ready to face the unknown. These truths assure us that come what may it will be alright, and that’s comforting. It’s no small matter that Jesus commands us to “take therefore no thought for the morrow” ( Matt. 6:34). Instead we are to “seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Matt. 6:33). The result of that is the fulfillment of His promise to provide our needs (Matt. 6:25-33).

“Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our LORD: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” – Neh. 8:10

God loves to have us enjoy ourselves. He does not want us to be long-faced!

Joy is the ideal Christian life!

Of course we are to be sorry when we sin; but when we have confessed the sin, truly repented of it, and found mercy–we are to dry our tears–and rejoice! Why should we not be happy when God has forgiven us, made us His children, and assured us of everlasting glory?

But our joy must not be selfish. When we are prosperous–we should not forget those who are poor. When we are happy in our homes of love, with unbroken circles–we should not forget the families that are in sorrow. The good things God gives us–are not meant for ourselves alone. They are given us to be passed on. “It is more blessed to give–than to receive.”

People who keep all to themselves, and consume the choice foods and sweet drinks in their own houses, at their own well-covered tables, never thinking of the hungry ones outside–are not the kind of children God wants them to be.

The very essence of Christian life–is unselfishness! – J. R. Miller

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

“And the three mighty men brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: nevertheless he would not drink thereof, but poured it out unto the LORD. And he said, Be it far from me, O LORD, that I should do this: is not this the blood of the men that went in jeopardy of their lives? therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three mighty men.” – 2 Sam. 23:16-17

In her book The Gospel in Leviticus, Eleanor Herr Boyd tells of a missionary in India who saw a woman standing at the water of the Ganges River. In her arms was a sickly, whining infant, while at her side stood a beautiful, strong, healthy child. When the missionary returned, he saw her with the sickly child in her arms, but the beautiful boy was gone. He knew she had thrown her child to the crocodiles in the turbid river to appease her god. He asked her, “If you felt you had to do it, why didn’t you throw in the sickly little one?” The woman drew herself erect and proudly replied, “We give our gods the best.”

David was committed to this same belief. On one occasion he had expressed a desire to taste the water from the well in Bethlehem. Since Bethlehem was occupied by Philistine soldiers at the time, this was no small challenge. Three of David’s mighty men, however, broke through the enemy lines and retrieved the requested water. Yet it was so precious, bought at the risk of his men’s own lives, that David couldn’t use it for himself. It was the most valuable possession he had, so he gave it to the Lord.

God deserves our finest. When it was His turn to give, God gave the most precious gift He had, His only begotten Son. With such an example, how could a Christian do anything less?

Give your best to the Lord. Whether it’s treasures, time or talents, God deserves more than your leftovers.

The God who gave us His best will not accept less from us. – Woodrow Kroll

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

“Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.” – Psa. 62:8

Faith is as much the rule of temporal life—as of spiritual life; we ought to have faith in God for our earthly affairs—as well as for our heavenly business. It is only as we learn to trust in God for the supply of all our daily needs—that we shall live above the world. We are not to be idle—that would show we did not trust in God—who continues to work but in the devil—who is the father of idleness. We are not to be imprudent or rash; that would be to trust chance, and not the living God, who is a God of economy and order. Acting in all prudence and uprightness, we are to rely simply and entirely upon the Lord at all times.

Let me commend to you a life of trust in God in temporal things. Trusting in God, you will not be compelled to mourn because you have used sinful means to grow rich. Serve God with integrity, and if you achieve no success—at least no sin will lie upon your conscience.

Trusting God, you will not be guilty of using deceptive means. He who trusts in deceit—sails this way today, and that way the next, like a vessel tossed about by the fickle wind. But he who trusts in the Lord is like a vessel propelled by steam, she cuts through the waves, defies the wind, and makes one bright silvery straightforward track to her destined haven. Be a man with living principles within; never bow to the varying customs of worldly wisdom. Walk in your path of integrity with steadfast steps, and show that you are invincibly strong in the strength which confidence in God alone can confer. Thus you will be delivered from carking care, you will not be troubled with evil tidings—your heart will be fixed, trusting in the Lord. How pleasant to float along the stream of providence! There is no more blessed way of living—than a life of dependence upon a covenant-keeping God. We have no care—for He cares for us. We have no troubles, because we cast our burdens upon the Lord. – Charles Spurgeon

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