“…Let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus…”– Hebrews 12:1-2
   Where do we find the strength for this grueling, often disheartening, many-obstacled race that is the Christian life? It is only found in fixing our gaze upon the God-man. Only as we look to Jesus do we find the persevering grace to run and not be weary, to walk and not faint.
   Duty, without the beatific sight of Christ firmly focused before our eyes, will be nothing more than drudgery. On the other hand, to truly see Christ is to be transformed by the sight. There is no such thing as looking at Jesus and not being changed.
   Do you struggle with personal purity? Look to Jesus, and be reminded of the superior pleasure of your perfect Savior. Are you wrestling with grief? Look to Jesus, and be comforted by the sovereign goodness of your God. Have you given into temptation? Look to Jesus, and see the forgiveness that pours from those cross wounds.
   Only an unclouded, Bible-grounded view of Jesus can inspire us to faith, and give us the strength that we will need for faithful living. Fear of hell, fondness for family, love of fellowship, or hope of heaven—none of these are strong enough to build a joyful, persevering, self-sacrificing, Christ-exalting life upon.
Conversely, if we see our determination lagging or our strength diminishing, this is a certain indicator that our gaze has dropped, that our eyes are not fixed upon Jesus as they ought to be. As hymnwriter Helen Lemmel exhorts:
    Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
    Look full in His wonderful face,
    And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
    In the light of His glory and grace.    – Baptist Bible Hour

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

“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” – Rom. 8:26

We are compassed with infirmities; we know but little of ourselves; we know not what would be best for us; we know not what is coming upon us; we know not Satan’s position or design; we know but little of God’s provision or intention, we are as weak as we are ignorant, weak to withstand evil, weak to perform good, weak to obtain benefits; our infirmities, many of them are constitutional, arising from our tempers and dispositions, from bodily ailments, and from the smallness of our capacities. But though thus infirm, Jesus is touched with a sympathetic feeling for us, and the Holy Spirit is given to assist us. He teaches us what we want, leads us to the precious promises, furnishes us with the prevailing plea, excites us to pray, and assists us in prayer. He produces the ardent desire, bestows the wrestling power, and warms the affections while pleading; gives us such a keen sense of what we need, and such an ardent desire after it, that unutterable groans are begotten, to which God attends. Let us daily seek the Spirit’s power to help. – James Smith, 1840

 Spirit of interceding grace,
 I know not how or what to pray;
 Relieve my utter helplessness,
 Thy power into my heart convey;
 That God, acknowledging my groan,
 May answer, in my prayers, His own.

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

“And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;” – Rom. 5:3

Patience is a great lesson to learn. Any school in which we can learn it, is a good school, and the lesson can scarcely be too costly. Few things mean more in life, than patience. Many people wreck the best hopes of their life, for lack of patience. To be impatient in certain conditions, is to lose all; and to be patient, to be able to keep quiet and still in the presence of things that try us, is to gain all. Thus patience becomes the very key to success in living. It is surely worth while to learn the lesson!

 Patience is ofttimes learned in the school of suffering. We are there trained to endure; not to cry out in the hour of anguish—but to sing instead. Richter tells of the little bird that is shut away in the darkness, to learn new strains, which afterward it sings in the light. Many Christians are taken into the darkness, and kept there for a time, while they are taught the songs of patience. We look at patient people with admiration, not knowing what it has cost them to get this pearl of the graces.- J. R. Miller

“Patience is not the ability to wait, but the ability to keep a good attitude while waiting.” – Unknown

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

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