“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith…” ( Heb. 12:2)

Our future depends on our focus, and it is easy to see that most folks are focused on the wrong things. Rather than looking unto Jesus as we should ( Heb. 12:2), we tend to focus on the trials around us or inward to the things that trouble us. And since our future depends on our focus it is predictable that some are headed for a fall. We cannot safely traverse the road of life without keeping our eyes on Jesus anymore than we can drive safely with our eyes closed.

May God help us to look in the Word and focus on the wonders of the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. That will change us for the better. As Paul said in 2 Cor. 3:18 “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.” If we don’t we are lured away by our own lust, weakened in the face of temptation, and discouraged by our difficulties. It is only as we consider him ( Heb. 12:3) who never fails that we can avoid fainting and keep from falling.

So rather than give space for things that do not edify, let us open our hearts to that which does. May our thoughts ever be upon the One who is always thinking of us. Knowing He knows, cares, and is able gives us the confidence and courage we need to face whatever comes our way. Don’t be distracted by the delights, difficulties, or dangers of the world. Keep your eyes on Jesus. – HDS

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

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”– Rom. 8:28
I don’t know about you, but I get tired of hearing bad news—especially when it involves me and/or my loved ones. However, I have to remind myself–that’s the price of living, and death is the only other option. Since we live in a fallen world, no bad thing should surprise us and no good thing should go unappreciated. But just because we expect bad things that doesn’t always make it easier to accept. You might expect a root-canal, but that doesn’t mean you will enjoy it.. However if we see that in the end the pain proved to be profitable, in a strange way, you can say the pain was a privilege.

Let’s look at it another way. As a parent I consider it one of the greatest blessings in life to have children, yet it has been hard and painful at times. You can’t have one without the other. Children spell TROUBLE. They bring tremendous pleasure, but also plenty of pain. For me and most parents, the pleasure out weighs the pain. I’ll choose my children over a care-free life any day. They are worth whatever problems the cause.

I love life! I don’t enjoy everything in life, but the experience of living is worth whatever I have to endure to have the experience. When I say, “I love life” there are many things about it that I love. At the top of the list is the pleasure of life with my wife and family, and the privilege of serving the Lord. Although it is sometimes hard being a husband, a father, and a preacher, the happiness it brings far outweighs the hardness that goes along with it.

Maybe it doesn’t work for you, but it helps me greatly to think about these things. I have to focus on my privilege of living so as to not complain about the problems that accompany it. Whether I spend my life being content or complaining is determined by whether I view life as a privilege or a problem. How do you see life? The choice is yours–no one can make it for you. If you choose contentment no one can take it from you–you have to give it up. What will you choose?

I wish I could say that I always have the perfect attitude and serve as an ideal example, but I am miles from perfect. Please don’t let my failures dissuade you from doing the right thing. I know life is tough and some of you are going through deep waters and dark valleys, and you are weary and worried. I just want to remind you that the sunshine comes after the rain, the mountain top after the valley, and pleasure after pain. Like the song says, “It will be worth it all”. It really will–you have God’s word on it. Don’t ever give up! We find pleasure by seeing our problems as privileges because they are profitable! – HDS,  { Revised ,6/3/12}

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

“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” –John 13:34-35

Eph. 5:2 tells us to “walk in love” and explains what that means by setting forth Christ as our example. Searching the scriptures we find numerous examples of our Lord’s love, but none serve the purpose better than what we see in John 13. There we see that His love is —
I. SURE
He not only declared His love, He demonstrated it. No honest observer of his life and sacrifice can deny His love. “Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” ( Rom. 5:6-8).
II. SELFLESS
The picture of Him washing the disciples feet (13:6-15) speaks volumes. It begins with Him laying aside His garments (13:4). In that we see a picture of His condescension, where He laid aside heaven’s glory and came down to this sin cursed earth (Phil.2:5-10). Never has there ever been such a perfect picture of humility. Had that been all He ever did it would have been more than what anyone else has ever done. But there is more! His love is-
III. SERVING
To think of Jesus washing their feet, Judas included, boggles the mind. Think about it — the Lord of glory stooping down to wash the soiled stinking feet of those who were not thoughtful enough to wash His. That’s why we call grace “amazing”. God’s love is bestowed upon the undeserving. Had this been the only example of His selfless love it would be amazing, but there are many others. He went about doing good and meeting needs throughout His life.
IV. SANCTIFYING
The effect of the Lord’s love is seen in the fact that it changed His followers. Peter said, “I will lay down my life for thy sake” (13:37), and eventually He and others did just that. The change Jesus made in those men is astounding. Thankfully He still changes lives today. His work for us and in us results in His work through us ( 2 Cor. 5:14-18).
V. STEADFAST
At the very beginning of this chapter we are told this – “having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end”. Although they failed him repeatedly he never stopped loving them. There were times when they were out of His will, but they were never out of His love.
In this lesson on love from the life of the Lord we see what is expected from us. He says, “love one another; as I have loved you” ( 13:34). And looking at His life there is no room for doubt as to how we are to love others. May God help us to strip ourselves of sinful pride and take our place as lowly servants, lovingly ministering to them. That is the badge of discipleship. As Jesus said, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” ( 13:35). –HDS
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346

“Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.”– Eph. 5:1-2

In chapter four of Paul’s letter to the saints in Ephesus urges us to walk worthy. Now he tells us what that looks like -“walk in love“. That is a lifestyle that is sure to get attention. More than that it gains God’s approval. That should be every Christian’s goal. In these two verses we see three things that are of great importance.

I. A PATTERN TO IMITATE – “Be ye therefore followers of God”
It is a sad fact that most people admire and are influenced by the wrong people. But as Christians we are to imitate, follow, Christ. He is the standard, model, example we are to follow. It isn’t good enough to be as good, or better, than others. Our goal is likeness to Christ ( Rom. 8:29). The word “followers” means “imitate”. We are to do as He does. Just as a child naturally bears some resemblance to his parents others should see something of our Father in us.

II. A PRECEPT TO INITIATE – “And walk in love”
There is no better word than “love” to describe how we should live. That is the path God has set before us. It sums up all we are to do. Where love is lacking likeness to Christ is missing (Matt. 5:43-48). The word “walk” is a present imperative – a command regarding our daily conduct, not something we do occasionally. It speaks of our conduct, our manner of life. In this case, a life characterized by love.

III. A PICTURE TO ILLUSTRATE – “as Christ also hath loved us”
Having seen a command and a challenge, we now see a comparison. We are to live a life of love, and this is what it looks like – “as Christ also loved us“. That’s an illustration with inspiration! Nothing should excite us more than thinking about the greatness of His love for us. And nothing should encourage us more to love others. How can we fail to love those for whom Christ died? The Bible explains and Christ exemplifies what it means to live a life of love and we don’t have the right to redefine it. Simply put, it is to “walk in love as Christ also loved us, and hath given himself for us”. True love is the choice to give ourselves unto others to meet their needs, although they do not deserve it. – HDS

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