“Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” Rom. 12:20-21

Sometimes those who stand adamantly against evil and valiantly for the truth fall into error by mistreating those whom God seeks to save. They seem to forget that it was the goodness of God that led them to repentance (Rom. 2:4). Think about that as you read the following from an article in Senior Living.

There’s a traditional Hebrew story about Abraham that tells of a time when he was sitting outside his tent one evening when an old man, weary from age, came toward him. Abraham ran out to greet the man and invited him in. He gave the old man food and drink and began talking to him. “Do you worship God?” Abraham asked.

“No, I don’t,” the man replied. “I worship fire and have no reverence for any other god.”

Abraham was furious. So he grabbed the old man by the shoulders and threw him out into the cold night. After he had gone, God asked Abraham why he forced him out. “Because he didn’t worship you,” Abraham answered.

“Abraham,” God responded, “I have tolerated his ignorance for 80 years. Could you not endure him one night?”

When it comes to people who don’t revere God, it can be easy to want to have the same attitude as Abraham in the story. Yet, the Father desires for us, as His children, to welcome them and love those who are far from the grace of God in Jesus Christ.

Don’t let indignation toward God’s enemies keep you from loving them. Welcome unbelievers into your life and point them to the God who loves them and wants to see them turn back to Him!

Pray and ask God to help you reach out to those around you who don’t know Him, invite them into your life, and point them to Jesus.

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

“The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen.” – Col. 4:18

Getting older and less able to do the things I once did, I found great encouragement in this message from the famous English preacher F B Meyer. I pray you will also.-HDS

At the close of his dictation, St. Paul took the stylus from the hand of his amanuensis ( recording secretary), and appended his signature to the letter, which was awaiting that necessary endorsement. As he did so, he contrasted his irregular and clumsy writing with the flowing current-hand of his scribe, and in excuse, said pathetically, “Remember my bonds!” It was as though he said, “You cannot expect a man who for thrice years has had his wrist fettered by an iron chain to write as well as when he was a student at Gamaliel’s feet!” He makes reference to the same subject in Gal 6:11, where he speaks of the “large letters” which he had written with his own hand; but in this case it was caused by his failing eyesight rather than the iron fetter.

There are other bonds than iron chains which impose on us their straints and limitations. Many of us, as we review our work at the close of the day, are overwhelmed with the sense of failure. As we kneel before our Lord, we are constrained to say, “Alas, we have inscribed Thy Name on the hearts which lay open to us, as paper the hand, in very clumsy and unworthy style. Forgive us, and remember our bonds.”

Let us accept our limitations as from the Will of God. There is no way to peace or power, save in accepting the Will of God, making no distinction between what He appoints or permits, but believing that in either we are in contact with the Eternal purpose for us. Paul never forgot that he was the prisoner of Jesus Christ. He believed that for every limitation on the earthward side there would be enlargement on the other and spiritual side. Weakness here, added strength there; the being hourly delivered unto the cross, and from the ground the blossoming of endless life.

Let us do all the good we can in spite of fetters. St. Paul could not continue his travels over the world, but there were many avenues of service open to him. He could pray, and he did (Col 1:3; Col 2:1; Col 4:12). He could influence others (Phi 1:11-14). He employed his leisure in writing the epistles that have been the perennial solace of sorrowful hearts. There is a door, nearer to you than you think, opening out of your prison, through which God will enable you to render helpful service for Him.

Our Father, we thank Thee Thou canst make no mistakes. We believe that all things are working together for our good, and we trust Thy guiding hand. Amen. 

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

“Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” – II Corinthians 12:10

To progress in our Christian life we must examine ourselves. And, the only way to do that is to look at the Word of God. Sometimes we think we’re doing quite well when we’re not. If we would simply look at our life in the light of what the Bible describes as a well lived life we would see that we are missing the mark. I hope you will do that as you contrast your life to that of Paul as described in our text. 

Vance Havner wrote, “Paul turned his stumbling-blocks into stepping-stones. John Bunyan in Bedford jail, Fanny Crosby in a prison of blindness “out of weakness were made strong.” Long is the list of saints through the ages who have turned minus to plus by the grace of God.

Paul gloried in infirmities. We glory in strength. Paul gloried in tribulation. Most of us grumble. The Christian does not resent his affliction. He does not merely resign himself to it. He rises above it and transmutes it into a blessing. He is “more than conqueror.”

This kind of book-keeping turns liabilities into assets. This world cannot understand it. What things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ,” says Paul. And then what seems loss he turns to gain.

We hear of people who “lose the savings of a lifetime.” But what you really save in a lifetime is what you lay up in heaven, and you cannot lose that. And out of earth’s darkest day you can coin heavenly wealth. Turn your minus to plus!” 

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

“….a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:” – Matt. 7:24

We often sing without giving serious consideration to the words of the song. Do yourself a favor. Please take time to read every word of this grand old hymn and meditate on every phrase. It will bless your heart. In these troublesome times we need to be mindful of these tremendous truths.

 “And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?” – Gen. 16:13

We all stand in the presence of God. His eye is ever upon us. His face ever beams its light upon us. We all believe this, and say it often with our lips; yet many of us do not really get the truth into our heart! If we did–it would make holier people of us. We would not slight our work as now we do so often, if we were truly conscious that God is looking on us as we work!

This consciousness of the presence of God, would also give us hope and courage in darkness or danger; like Hagar, who said, “You are the God who sees me!” Some people think of the omniscience of God–as a reason for fear and terror. But to Hagar, it meant divine love and care. God had not forgotten her, nor forsaken her. She was cast out of her earthly home–but the Lord saw her and took her up.

If we are God’s children, the thought of our Father’s presence should always bring us comfort, assurance, and a wonderful sense of security. It is a great thing to stand before God, to be conscious of His eye upon us, and to know Him so well as not to be afraid of Him. – J. R. Miller

Remember dear friend, He whose “Eye is on the sparrow” ( Matt.10:29-31) has set His sights upon you. He watches over you day and night, always ready to calm your fears and meet your needs. He has promised “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” ( Heb. 13:5). -HDS

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