“I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass; And forgettest the LORD thy maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and hast feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy? and where is the fury of the oppressor?” – Isaiah 51:12–13

When we allow ourselves to be filled with worry and fear, we are not living as the God who offers comfort and encouragement wants us to live. We are constantly under attack in this world, but we do not have to be defeated. After many years on a difficult mission field, Amy Carmichael wrote, “I have noticed that when God has purposes of blessing some person, the devil of Discouragement, who is one of Satan’s most useful servants, is sure to come and whisper all sorts of miserable, depressing thoughts. Do not forget that discouragement is always from beneath, while encouragement is always from above.”

Even in the worst moments of our lives, if those who are closest to us fail us or turn against us, God is there. David wrote, “When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up” (Psalm 27:10). We do not have to live without comfort, which God freely offers to us. When we go to Him, He does not have to be talked into comforting and encouraging us. He loves us beyond our ability to comprehend, and He is always ready to respond to those who cry out to Him. We can allow our circumstances or the actions of others to drive us down, or we can cling to God and not fear anyone else. That is an unfailing source of encouragement that is available to Christians. God offers deep and real comfort, even when—especially when—we struggle with fear and discouragement. (Daily in the Word)

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

“This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.”– John 11:4 (read vs 1-16)

I seldom connect these articles to current events, but in this case I could not help myself. In light of my wife’s illness I could not resist sharing these words from the pen of John Henry Jowett. He said:

And so sickness can enter the circle of the friends of the Lord. “He whom Thou lovest is sick.” My sicknesses do not mean that I have lost His favour. The shadow is His, as well as the sunshine. When He removes me from the glare of boisterous health it may be because of some spiritual fern which needs the ministry of the shade. “This sickness is … for the glory of God.” Something beautiful will spring out of the shadowed seclusion, something which shall spread abroad the name and fame of God. 

And, therefore, I do not wonder at the Lord’s delay. He did not hasten away to the sick friend: “He abode two days still in the same place where He was.” Shall I put it like this: the awaking bulbs were not yet ready for the brighter light—just a little more shade! We are impatient to get healthy; the Lord desires that we become holy. Our physical sickness is continued in order that we may put on spiritual strength. 

And there are others besides sick Lazarus concerned in the sickness: “I am glad for your sakes I was not there.” The disciples were included in the divine scheme. Their spiritual welfare was to be affected by it. Let me ever remember that the circle affected by sickness is always wider than the patient’s bed. And may God be glorified in all!

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

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits” – Psalm 103:2

Although we are consistently called to thanksgiving and worship by our faithful pastors, by the Word of God, and by godly friends there is another source from which we should expect this admonition—our own soul.

David writes, preaching to himself the gospel of grace, “Bless the Lord, O my soul.” We should constantly be preaching to ourselves, as David does in the Psalms. It need not be a complicated or particularly academic sermon. It can be as simple as these three words: “Bless the Lord!”

As the first point in his sermon to himself, David exhorts “forget not all his benefits.” The most powerful antidote to depression is a grateful heart. And the most effective way to develop a grateful heart is to consciously, specifically recount the Lord’s blessings and to thank Him for each one.

Are you spiritually cold or disheartened? Preach this sermon to yourself—bless the Lord, O my soul! Are you discouraged? Forget not all His benefits. (Baptist Bible Hour)

“Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help.” Psalms 22:11 

Trouble and the Christian are seldom far apart, or long apart; this may sound discouraging; but Jesus and the Christian are never apart. He will never leave us, and trouble is intended to prevent our leaving Him, or to bring us back if we have already wandered. His loving heart guides the hand which smites; and nothing is done by Him, or permitted, but that it may be over-ruled for our good. Trouble may be near, but the throne of grace also is near; His word of promise is near; and He is near who justifieth us. In trouble God can glorify His grace, deepen His work in your heart, brighten your evidences, and fill you with joy and peace in believing; plead with Him to do so, let not trouble fill you with confusion, weaken your faith, or drive you from Him; but listen to, and act upon His word. He says, “Call upon Me in the day of trouble, I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me.” “I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honour him.” “Hath He said, and shall He not do it? Hath He spoken, and shall He not make it good?” Every trouble is intended to endear Jesus to your heart.(James Smith, 1845)

This land, through which His pilgrims go
 Is desolate and dry;
 But streams of grace from Him o’erflow,
 Their thirst to satisfy:
 Jesus has all His saint can want,
 And, when they need, He’ll freely grant.

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

“But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.” – Matt. 6:6

What is the HELP that we are to receive from prayer?             

           

First of all, prayer holds us close to Christ. We breathe Heaven’s air when we commune with Christ. Life in this sinful world is not easy. It has its struggles, its duties, its difficulties, and its sorrows — which exhaust our strength. Hence we need continually to return to Christ to have our grace renewed. We cannot live today, on     yesterday’s food; every morning we must pray for our daily bread. Nor can we be faithful, strong, happy and helpful Christians today — on yesterday’s supply of grace. We need to pray daily. Thus our life is kept from running down, and we are held near our Master all the while.

           

The true Christian life also grows — and it can only do so by daily communing with God. Our life should never run two days on just the same level. The days should be ladder rungs lifting our heart ever a little higher, nearer to God, into purer air, into loftier experiences, into holier consecration. 

           

Prayer brings God down into our life. It was when Jesus was praying, that He was transfigured. True prayer always transfigures! One who lives habitually with Christ, becomes like Christ. Our earthly affairs become means of grace, if Christ is with us. Prayer lifts all the experiences of our life and lays them in the hand of Christ — who makes them all work together for our eternal good! (Copied) 

If I didn’t know this I would be forced to give up on life. Without God’s help the mountains are too high, the valleys are too deep, the enemies are too powerful, and the flesh is too weak. It is only by divine help that we are able to keep going. And to gain that help we must honor God by coming to Him in prayer. That is the key to all else. Pray as everything depends on it. It does! – HDS

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