“Whatsoever the LORD  pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all  deep places. ” Psalm 135:6

Much of our misery comes from unrealistic expectations. We could spare ourselves a lot of pain and needless suffering if we learned to avoid that. Years ago I read a letter by John Newton that I keep in my files to this day as a reminder. He wrote it to his 13 year old adopted daughter who was attending school away from home. it is too long for this article but I’ll give you a brief account. I pray it will help someone deal with their disappointments in a better way. He wrote:

My dear Betsy,

  How vain are all things here below!—Indeed, it is not amiss that you should now and then meet with a hindrance—that you may learn—not to count too much on what tomorrow may do for you—and that you may begin to feel the impossibility of being happy—contrary to our wishes and expectations. When such disappointments happen—most people fret and fume! They are angry and impatient! But others, who are in the Lord’s school, and desirous of being taught by Him—get benefit by these things, and sometimes find more pleasure in yielding to His appointments, though contrary to their own wills—than they would have done, if all had happened just as they had desired!—

When you can’t change or control your circumstances, remember that God either appointed them or allowed them, and plans to use them for some good!–HDS

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

“Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” – 2 Cor. 1:3-4

And how does the Lord comfort us? He has a thousand different ways, and no one can ever tell by what way the comfort will come to his soul. Sometimes it comes by the door of memory, and sometimes by the door of hope. Sometimes it is borne to us through the ministry of nature, and at other times through the ministry of human speech and kindness. But always, I think, it brings us the sense of a Presence, as though we had a great Friend in the room, and the troubled heart gains quietness and peace. The mist clears a little, and we have a restful assurance of our God.

Now comforted souls are to be comforters. They who have received benefits of grace are to be benefactors. They who have heard the sweet music of God’s abiding love are to sing it again to others. They who have seen the glory are to become evangelists. We must not seek to hoard spiritual treasure. As soon as we lock it up we begin to lose it. A mysterious moth and rust take it away. If we do not comfort others, our own comfort will turn again to bitterness; the clouds will lower and we shall be imprisoned in the old woe. But the comfort which makes a comforter grows deeper and richer every day.- J.H.Jowett

We are blessed to bless. Those who have been comforted are to be comforters. Those who have run to the God of all comfort for relief should then rush to rescue others from their calamity. – HDS

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

“I will not leave you comfortless.” John 14:18

Believers when in darkness, often fear that Jesus has forsaken them; this is natural; but it is unscriptural; for He has said, “I will never leave thee, I will never forsake thee.” His offices require His presence with us, His love secures His presence to us. He will not leave us orphans. We are absolutely dependent upon Him; our comfort is His gift, and the countenance of comfort depends on His presence and grace. He is the great source of comfort to His people; His presence and His comforts are generally connected; He may withhold them for a time to reprove, instruct, or correct us; but we may calculate upon His comforts returning, for His promise is plain; it stands unrepealed in His word; and His nature and love are the same. His precious word of promise should be believed, pleaded and firmly trusted. We never shall be orphans, for our Father ever lives; our home waits to receive us, and our hope is imperishable. Oh, beloved, plead this precious word of Jesus: expect Him to make it good: aim at His glory, and your comforts are sure! He will not leave us comfortless. – James Smith, 1840

Most Holy Spirit, give me faith,
To rest on what my Saviour saith;
May I the sweetest comforts prove,
Of His divine eternal love:
And daily trust His faithfulness,
Who will not leave me comfortless

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

“Whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all” – Mark 10:44

Do you want to make a difference in the kingdom of God? Do you desire to be used in a mighty way to the glory of Jesus Christ? Do you have high ambitions for yourself in Christ’s body?

Then don’t settle for holding a significant position or for being especially prominent. Raise your sights even higher — make it your goal to be the chief person in the kingdom of God…and start serving everyone around you.

Jesus told his ambitious, contentious disciples on several occasions the only way to be great in His kingdom. The person that wishes to be great must take on the lowest, self-emptying, others-oriented, servant-spirited position in the church. He or she must become the servant of all.

Is there anyone in the church that you would disdain to serve? Do you still see yourself above certain individuals because of their background, or social status, or financial situation, or educational level, or personal hygiene? Then you are not yet chief in the kingdom of God. You have not yet risen high enough in the service of the Lord. Because you are not yet the servant of all.

Look today for opportunities for promotion in the church of Jesus Christ. Search out the lowliest and become lower still by serving them. There is no person too small, or smelly, or ugly, or sick, or handicapped for you to serve in Christ’s kingdom, if you are spiritually ambitious enough. (Baptist Bible Hour)

Everyone has faults, and the very things that offend you is evidence of their needs. If that isn’t enough to motivate you to minister to them stop and think about what Christ did for you. He who knew no sin became sin for sinners like you. He who was perfect in every way suffered, bled, and died for the vilest of sinners – you included. How then can we refuse to serve those who are offensive to us when we ourselves have offended God who is holy? Having received grace let us be gracious to all. – HDS

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

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.” – John 10:27-29

The famous preacher, H. A. Ironside once stated that salvation was like Noah inviting a pagan in his day to place his trust in God and come into the ark. Yet some mistakenly view salvation like Noah offering to put a peg on the outside of the ark saying, “If you just hang on through the storm, you’ll be saved.”

I heard someone say recently, “If you can lose your salvation, you already have.” They’re exactly right because the saving work of Christ simply cannot be dependent upon the work of man. If your efforts were enough to merit you good standing before a holy God, then Jesus’ death and resurrection would have been for nothing at all!

In Christ, your salvation is never dependent upon your holding on to God. Rather, it depends entirely on your being securely held by and in Christ. And just as Jesus promised in today’s passage, no one will ever snatch a believer out of His hand. It simply can’t be done!

So many Christians today worry about their security in Christ. But Scripture couldn’t be clearer: if you’re truly in Christ, there’s no way you can lose that. It’s given to you forever and is a guarantee of your salvation. So when you find yourself worrying about your eternal destiny, remember the truth of Philippians 1:6, that he who began the good work of salvation in you will always bring it to completion. – Senior Living

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