” And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:” – Gen. 12:2

This God’s offer and message to all of us. He wants to bless us, and then he wants us in turn to be a blessing to others. God’s way is to send very many of his good things, through human mediators. When he would bless a little child, he puts a gift of wondrous love into a mother’s heart. When he would bless a class of young people or children, he sends a teacher with a heart full of warm sympathy and earnest interest in life. When he would bless a community, he raises up a good man, and touches his heart, that he may scatter benefits among the people.

When God enriches us with gifts of whatever kind, he wants them to be blessings to others. Nothing that we have, is ours for ourselves alone; we receive—that we may dispense. When God gives a man money—he intends him to use it so as to make it a blessing to the world. When God bestows upon anyone the gift of song, of eloquence, of the artist’s power—he desires these gifts to be used to make men better and happier. We should never live for ourselves. We should seek always to live—so as to make the world purer, truer, holier, sweeter. – J. R. Miller

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

Far too often we conclude that if we are sick, weak, suffering, poor, etc. that we must be unhappy and unproductive in life. We use our difficulties to dismiss us from our duty. The fact is we don’t have to be unhappy and useless. Some of God’s greatest servants have had such problems, but instead of using them as an excuse they did the best they could with what they had and God used them. I love what Dr. M. R. DeHaan said many years ago. He wrote:

“The greatest sermons I have ever heard were not preached from pulpits but from sickbeds. The deepest truths of God’s Word have often been taught by those humble souls who have gone through the seminary of affliction.

It will be worth it all when we see Jesus,
 Life’s trials will seem so small when we see Christ;
 One glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase,
 So bravely run the race till we see Christ. — Esther Kerr Rusthoi

Some of life’s greatest lessons are learned in the school of affliction.

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

“Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” – John 3:7

“I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.” Revelation 2:2-3 

For, although he is conscious of much imperfection and sin — he is conscious also of the sincerity of his desire after holiness and for the glory of God. And his Savior knows this too. He can appeal to that Omniscient One, whose eyes are as a flame of fire, and can say, “Lord, You know all things! You know that I love You!” And he hears the sweet response, “I know your works, your labor, your patient endurance. You have persevered and have endured hardships, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary!”

Jesus knows what others do not. He knows the difficulties you have to encounter, both from within and from without. He knows all the temptations you have to suffer. He knows the amount of labor and patient endurance those things cost. Oh! let this encourage you on your way to the kingdom of glory — Jesus knows all your trials along the way!

Great stress is here laid upon the patient endurance of the saints. Christ especially notices their patient labor, their continuance in well-doing, their going on from year to year in their labor of love, for His name’s sake. He knows, too, that it is not their own glory which they are seeking, but His. He says, “I know that you have labored for My name’s sake!” 

Jesus knows that you have not become weary, that you have persevered, that you are persevering, and that you will persevere unto the end. From His throne in glory, where He has provided a place for you to sit with Him, He says, “I know your works, your labor, your patient endurance. You have persevered and have endured hardships, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary!”

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

“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Cor. 12:9 

Make no mistake about it–this will be a difficult day for some folks! Different people will face different difficulties — poor health, loss of goods, domestic difficulties, separation from a loved one, the loss of a loved one, temptation, failure, sin, difficult duties, etc. Numerous things bring us pain. And that threatens our peace and joy. These painful experiences cause us to cry out to God for help and that’s when we find sustaining grace! 

It is at this point that we discover the treasure of our trials. Although the pain remains, we find grace for our grief. We discover the presence of God in our problem, and out of our weakness we receive strength for the struggle. 
That’s what happened with the apostle Paul and his God is your God–and He has not changed! Mark it down–He will be there in your hour of need just as He was with the aged apostle in his affliction. 

God’s promise to the prophet Isaiah may be claimed by all of God’s obedient children–“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” Isaiah 41:10 Rest assured that God’s grace will be sufficient for whatever you face. He will not fail you! – HDS, 11/24/12

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