“After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithyma: but the Spirit suffered them not” (Acts 16:7).

George Matheson (1842-1906), the blind Scottish preacher/poet, is one of my favorite writers. I probably have more quotes from him in the fly-leafs of my old Bibles than anyone else. God used his great hardships and suffering to give him great insights and to prepare him to minister to those in need. Here is another quote that that blessed my heart. I send it to you with the hopes that it will be a blessing to you as well:

“What a strange prohibition! These men were going into Bithynia just to do Christ’s work, and the door is shut against them by Christ’s own Spirit. I, too, have experienced this in certain moments. I have sometimes found myself interrupted in what seemed to me a career of usefulness. Opposition came and forced me to go back, or sickness came and compelled me to retire into a desert apart.

It was hard at such times to leave my work undone when I believed that work to be the service of the Spirit. But I came to remember that the Spirit has not only a service of work, but a service of waiting. I came to see that in the Kingdom of Christ there are not only times for action, but times in which to forbear acting. I came to learn that the desert place apart is often the most useful spot in the varied life of man–more rich in harvest than the seasons in which the corn and wine abounded. I have been taught to thank the blessed Spirit that many a darling Bithynia had to be left unvisited by me.

And so, Thou Divine Spirit, would I still be led by Thee. Still there come to me disappointed prospects of usefulness. Today the door seems to open into life and work for Thee; tomorrow it closes before me just as I am about to enter.

Teach me to see another door in the very inaction of the hour. Help me to find in the very prohibition thus to serve Thee, a new opening into Thy service. Inspire me with the knowledge that a man may at times be called to do his duty by doing nothing, to work by keeping still, to serve by waiting. When I remember the power of the “still small voice,” I shall not murmur that sometimes the Spirit suffers me not to go.”

“When I cannot understand my Father’s leading,
And it seems to be but hard and cruel fate,
I Still I hear that gentle whisper ever
pleading,God is working, God is faithful, ONLY WAIT.”

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

RUNNING ON EMPTY

“But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭3‬:‭18‬ ‭

Here’s a story I find amusing and amazing. It is tradition that on New Year’s Day each year a parade is held in honor of the beginning of another year. The parade is named the Tournament of Roses Parade (in honor of the hundreds of different flowers on display each year) and is held in beautiful Pasadena, California. The parade is a festival of flowers, floats, marching bands, and the football teams competing in the Rose Bowl game later that day. Different companies or organizations usually sponsor the floats. One New Year’s Day during the Tournament of Roses, a beautiful float suddenly sputtered and quit. After several minutes, it was discovered that the float was out of gas. The entire parade was held up until someone could get a can of gas to refill the float. The ironic thing was that this float represented the Standard Oil Company, a large producer of gasoline. 

The Standard Oil Company’s float didn’t have the power it needed to continue along the parade route. Can you imagine how embarrassing that must have been? Here is an oil company that spent millions advertising their product and who had vast supplies of gas at their disposal, yet they suffered a public failure.

However, before we get too cocky, maybe we ought to take a good look at ourseves. Of all the institutions on earth that people look to for hope and help, I would guess, the church is at the top of the list. The sad fact is that we don’t always live up to all the hype. Listen to the songs we sing that exalt the greatness of our God, and for good reason, yet when push comes to shove we often fail. The fault isn’t with God, nor what we say about Him, but with us. We fail to appropriate what He makes available to us and we fail, leaving us in an embarrassing situation. Success doesn’t depend on what we try to do, but what God does through us. It not our job to succeed, but to surrender. In doing so the Holy Spirit enables us to do what we could never do on our own. Without His empowerment we are running on empty, and you can’t get anywhere like that. Being filled with the Spirit is the fuel needed by every Christian to complete the course set before him. Without His aid success is impossible. With His help all things are possible.- HDS

David Stone

Lakeway Baptist Church

5801 FM 1960 E

Humble, TX. 77346

Indeed, I believe that the most lively graces, and the most solid comfort–are known among the Lord’s poor and unlearned people. Every outward advantage has a tendency to nourish the pride of the human heart–and requires a proportionate knowledge of the deceitful self and the evil of sin to counter-balance them.

It is no less difficult to have great abilities, than great riches–without trusting in them. 1 Timothy 6:17

If I was qualified to search out the best Christian in the kingdom–I would not expect to find him either in a seminary or in a pulpit. I would give the palm to that person who had the lowest thoughts of himself, and the most admiring and loving thoughts of the Savior. And perhaps this person would be some bed-ridden old man or woman–or a pauper in a parish workhouse.

The Lord’s regard to us, is not to be measured by our theological knowledge–but rather by the simplicity of our dependence, and the uniform tenor of our obedience to His will.

Sent by David Stone on Saturday, July 19 at 4:48AM