“– all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)” – Eph. 2:3-5

Big things really do come in small packages. This is so true when it comes to words. Some of the most important, powerful, life-changing words are some of the smallest words in the English language. One of those words is the tiny word, “but.” Think about how that one word can change an entire life and an entire perspective in a moment. “Yes, your daughter was in a terrible automobile accident, but she is all right.” Or, “Yes, there is a spot on your lung, but it is just scar tissue.”

That little phrase, “Yes, but…” is a classic way of agreeing, and yet not agreeing. That little word “but” effectively says that what has been said sounds true, but it is not completely true or at least finally true. Whatever falls on the backend reveals the real truth. Look at these examples: Life is not always fair, but…Right does not always prevail, but…Sometimes you get wronged for doing what is right, but…

Most of us can relate to at least one of these sentences. Because of God, however, the sentence is not finished until you read what comes behind the little word, “but.”

The Bible never teaches that all things are good. Kidnapping, racism, cheating, lying, divorce, and murder are all bad things. There are a lot of bad things that will go into the puzzle of our lives; but when the puzzle is completed it won’t spell “bad” – it will spell “good.”

If you have trouble believing this truth, look to the greatest example of all time – the cross of Jesus Christ. When the human race was doing its worst to the Son of God on the cross, God was doing His best for the human race. What we intended for evil God intended for good. Could anyone who stood there watching that horrific scene ever have imagined the purpose God was accomplishing through such evil and injustice? Could Mary have fathomed that the death of her son would give her eternal life? We won’t always understand in the moment all that God is doing, but that does not mean that we should not trust Him in all things.

A Jewish rabbi sent a telegram to Albert Einstein one time to ask him if he believed in God. This is how Einstein replied: “I believe in a God who reveals Himself in the orderly harmony of what exists, not in a God who concerns Himself with the fates and actions of human beings.” Well, Mr. Einstein, that is not the God of the Bible. The One True God is intimately involved and completely in control of the fates and actions of every human being.- James Merritt

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

“Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.” – James 4:4

“If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” – I John 2:15

How conclusive these statements! The friend of the world makes himself thereby the enemy of God. We would not use so strong a term as “enemy,” but God does. “The friendship of this world is enmity with God.” Not mild disagreement but utter hostility!

And John does not say that if any man love the world the love of the Father is weak in him – it is not in him at all. Why is it that we hear so little of this today? Because Christians and churches that have compromised with the world and gone into alliance with it are in no position to say “amen” to such an unequivocal pronouncement at this. We have become artists at soft-pedaling Bible verses that come too uncomfortably close to where we live, and these certainly are two that are played pianissimo while we pull out all the stops on others.

But no exegetical sleight of hand can tone down these texts. The friend of the world is God’s enemy. The lover of the world has no love of God in him. – Vance Havner

Those are the facts – the horrible facts about those who are unsaved. But there is another fact that can change this ugly picture – God “is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him” (Heb. 7:25). Through the Lord Jesus Christ you can be forgiven, reconciled to God, accepted by God, made a child of God, assured of heaven, and transformed. Then you can sing “What a Friend we have in Jesus”. Through simple childlike faith you can be saved and transformed. Those who experience His soul saving grace love God above all else and it’s all because “- God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom. 5:8). -HDS

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

“And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” – Matt. 4:19

Here’s a story, from an unknown source, that I heard many years ago and shared many times since. It needs to be heard today. It ought to serve as a warning to every Christian and church.

On a dangerous seacoast where shipwrecks were frequent, a group of concerned citizens decided to build a rescue station. The building was just a hut, and there was only one boat manned by the few devoted crewmen who kept constant watch over the sea. Day and night these courageous men faced the dangers of the sea, risking their lives to save the lives of many who were shipwrecked.

After a while, the station became famous. Some of those who were saved, as well as others in the community, wanted to become part of this mission. They gave their time and money to improve the quality of the station. They bought new boats. They replaced the shabby emergency cots with modern hospital beds. They even tore down the crude station hut and built a new “multi-purpose” facility.

The station soon became a popular gathering place for its members. It wasn’t noticeable at first, but over time, it looked less and less like a rescue station, and more like a social club. Few members were interested anymore in actually facing the dangers at sea, so they hired life-saving professionals to do it for them.

One day a large ship wrecked off the coast, and the hired crew rescued boatloads of cold, wet, frightened people. Some of them were sick. Some lost everything they owned. Some were uneducated. And all were indigent.

The influx of shipwreck victims upset many members of the club; so the issue was addressed at the next business meeting.

One leader said, “If we allow our facility to be overrun this way, it will become run-down. And we all know how expensive repairs can be.”

Others nodded in agreement. But there were a handful of people who said, “Wait a minute. We are first and foremost a life-saving station. We can’t close our doors to those who need us most.”

The leadership said to them, “If you’re not happy with the way we do things here, go start your own station down the coast.”

And they did: With a small, crude hut and a single boat and a few committed workers. Then this group of dedicated workers risked their lives to save those who were wrecked at sea. They saved many lives, and soon, this second life-saving station became popular, too. They bought new equipment and built a new facility. The members lost interest in facing the perils of rescue, but they loved to gather and talk about their sea adventures of days gone by. Soon, like the previous station, they stopped sending boats into the water.

This scenario was repeated again and again throughout the years. Today you’ll find a number of exclusive clubs along the shore. Shipwrecks are still frequent in those waters, but most of the people drown.

It is said of Peter and Andrew, “And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.” ( Matt. 4:20). What about you?

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

“ Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Heb. 12:2

This should be easy to do, but it isn’t. There are so many duties, difficulties, dangers, and distractions in the world that we often find ourselves focused on something other than Jesus – the one who is “altogether lovely” ( S.S 5:16). It even happens in Bible study and preaching. We get so caught up considering other things that we fail to focus on the main thing, which is to “consider him” ( Heb. 12:3).

Were we wise we would never take our eyes off Jesus. Why would we? There is nothing that compares to Him and He is the very theme of the Bible. Look at His –

– amazing attributes

– lasting love

– great grace

– marvelous mercy

– personal purity

– beautiful behavior

– wise ways

– wondrous works

– mighty miracles

– tremendous teachings

Exhaust every thought in regards to each of those and the half has not yet been told – you have but touched the hem of the garment. Man’s mortal mind cannot fathom the greatness of the One who is the Alpha and Omega, the First and Last, etc. His greatness is far above our ability to comprehend. But, although He is unknowable completely , He is not completely unknowable. We have the blessed record of God’s Word focused on Him from beginning to end. 

Consider who He is, what He did, what He is doing, and what He has promised. Consider His creations, condescension, character, crucifixion, conquest over death, and coming again. Think of His person – “the author and finisher of our faith“, His passion – “who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross”, His patience – “despising the shame“, His position – “is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Look unto Him, think of Him, learn of Him, speak of Him, sing unto Him, and preach Him.

That’s the what, now here’s the why – so we can “run with patience the race that is set before us” (Heb. 12:1), “not be wearied and faint”, strive against sin, and avoid chastisement. But the reasons go on and on. We should look unto Jesus as our example, for enlightenment, encouragement, empowerment, enthusiasm, enablement, endurance, enrichment, and edification.

“Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;”- Phil.2 :14-15

Having spent many nights on rivers and lakes I can tell you that seeing stars on the water is an impressive sight. I’m not the only one who feels that way. People have written songs about it and painted pictures of it. There is even a band by that name. However, no song or painting can compare to the real thing. But there is something even more beautiful.

Paul speaks of it in our text where he reminds us that we are to “shine as lights in the world;”. To do that we must “Do all things without murmurings and disputings“. That’s our responsibility. Then he gives us the reason – “That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation“.

Considering the wickedness of this wayward world that kind of life is sure to get attention. Notice that this lifestyle is to exist in “all things” – the good, bad, and ugly. Sometimes we think the severity of our situation justifies bad behavior, but such is not the case. Circumstances should never change our conduct for the worse. We are to be “blameless and harmless” regardless of the conditions.