“But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” – Matt. 4:4

When you neglect God’s word you deprive yourself of what you need and the result isn’t good. The question is “Why would you do that?” Do you have any idea what you are depriving yourself of? Do you understand the effect that has on your life? If you don’t know it’s because of your neglect. And if you claim to know, I’ll ask again, “Why would you do that to yourself?” Maybe you don’t understand as much as you think you do. Or it might be that you are not a Bible believer at all.  Knowing what the Bible says is not the same as believing the Bible. Do you really expect anyone to believe that you believe the Bible when you don’t have a desire to study it? If you refuse to read, study, and obey God’s word there is no evidence that you’ve been born again. How can you actually believe all the wonderful things the Bible says about its benefits and then have no desire for it? I’m convinced that there are not nearly as many Bible believers in your church as you think there are.

I just read a report from “The American Bible Society” on the “State of the Bible”. The report, from two separate surveys, revealed that only 9% of Americans read the Bible daily. It is no wonder that our nation is in such a mess. The sad fact of the matter is that most professing Christians don’t do any better. Another study a few years ago said only 19% of churchgoers read the Bible every day. Imagine that! There is no doubt about it – the average church member refuses to read the Bible daily and far fewer actually study God’s Word every day! Whether they realize it or not they are paying  a high price for their neglect.-HDS

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

“Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” – Mat. 6:34

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

“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” – Philippians 1:21

Over the last 54 years I have profited greatly from reading about the lives of preachers. Hearing their experiences can often help us deal with our own. Such is the case in this story from Senior Living that I’m sharing with you today.

One day the famous evangelist George Whitfield was relating the difficulties of ministry to some friends. He said he was tired of the burdens and was glad his work would soon be over as he was getting close to going home to be with the Lord.

His other friends admitted having the same feelings – all except one, a Mr. Tennant. Whitfield asked, “Brother Tennant, you are the oldest among us. Do you not rejoice to think that the time is near when you’ll be called home with the Lord?”

The old man said bluntly, “I have nothing to do with my death. My business is to live as long as I can and serve my Savior as faithfully as I can until He thinks it’s time to call me home.” Whitfield accepted the word as a gentle rebuke from the Lord, and it encouraged him to continue going about his ministry.

As we reach the autumn years of our lives, it can be tempting to think our best years are behind us. This can cause us to become discouraged. But the truth is that our usefulness for the Lord never expires until the very moment He calls us home. So stay focused on the task at hand, encouraged that your best days are ahead when the Lord will use you in a powerful way!

Ask God to give you the strength and encouragement you need to continue serving Him faithfully all the days of your life.

“Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.” – Prov. 27:1

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

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” – 2 Cor. 5:17

So where are you? Are you in Christ or yet in your sins? If you’ve never received Christ as your Lord and Savior please consider what Paul said, “…we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” – 2 Cor. 5:20-21.  – HDS

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

“He will yet deliver us.” 2 Corinthians 1:10

How many times has our God delivered us, from how many dangers, in how many ways; and He who hath delivered, doth deliver, and in Him we trust that He will yet deliver us. He delivered us from spiritual death, by the operations of His Holy Spirit, and from eternal death, by the sacrifice of His Son. We were dead, but we are now alive unto God, through Jesus Christ our Lord; and He who delivered from the greatest evil, spiritual death, will not refuse to deliver us from any lesser danger. Let us trust in Him, rely upon Him, and expect Him to deliver. It is written, ” Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.” He knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation. Let us triumph with Paul, “The Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion; and the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto His heavenly kingdom; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” If He had not intended to carry on the work, He would not have begun it, for He well knew what opposition it would meet with: but He that began will perfect it in the day of Jesus Christ. – James Smith, 1840

Yet I must fight, if I would reign:
Increase my courage, Lord!
I’II bear the toil, endure the pain,
Supported by Thy word.

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