MOTIVE MATTERS
“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;”-– Col. 3:23

If confession is good for the soul, I’m about to do myself a world of good. During the course of my ministry there have been times when I did things only because I was the pastor. It was expected of me and the right thing to do. I did it although I didn’t really want to, and had I not been the pastor I probably wouldn’t have done it. Others couldn’t tell, but God and I knew the truth. Yes, I’m ashamed of myself, but I would be more ashamed if I pretended it never happened.

There have been times when I’ve dealt with unpleasant people, refrained from saying something, done a good deed, and resisted resigning just because I was the pastor– not because I wanted to. I did the right thing, but I had the wrong motive. I’m glad I did what was right, but I wish I had done so for the right reason. Don’t misunderstand, doing something because you are the pastor is a good motive — there are certain expectations associated with the office, but there is a higher motive. I should have been compelled by love rather than a job description, or the opinion of others. I’ve tried to learn from my failures and improve my attitude, but I would be lying if I said I’ve totally mastered my motives. I’m still working on me and it’s a lifetime project.

I can’t change the past, but I hope my failure in this area will help me succeed in another.  Hopefully my failure will help me to be more patient and understanding with folks who fail to do what they should. Sometimes what they do is no worse than what I would have done had I not been the pastor. This also makes me more thankful for those who do what they should even though they are not a pastor. They simply do it out of love for the Lord, which is what we all should do. The fact that we are Christians should motive us to do the right thing, the right way, for the right reason. We ought to do what we do out of love, for God’s glory, and with joy. God help us– it ain’t always easy! – HDS
 
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346

WHY LIVE?
“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”– Phil. 1:21

Life is a precious gift from God. Given the option to live or die just about everyone would choose life. Why? Why do you want to live? Answer these questions–

What do you want to do with your life?
What should you do with your life?
What will you do with you life”
Those are interesting and important questions. When the first and third are answered correctly with the correct answer to the second question we can expect great things. By the way, how did you answer the second question? Do you know what you should do with your life?  We seem to be good at telling others what they should do, but not so good when it comes to self. Do you know how you should spend your life?

So how do we determine what we should do? What is the high and lofty goal that we strive for? And what standard do we use to measure our choice? If we are wrong we will end up spending our life on that which is worthless. The answer cannot come merely from within, nor even from those around us. We must go to the highest authority, the wisest source, safest place. There is one thing that meets all those requirements, and that’s the Bible. Only the Word of God can reveal the will of God. God isn’t trying to confuse you. His desire is to instruct you in the way you should go. The key to you understanding His word is found in John 7:17 “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.” Read the Bible with a readiness to do the will of God and you will know what you ought to do.

Once you discover the main thing make all your other decisions in the light of that and in most cases you won’t be confused about the other things. The main thing for every Christian is to glorify God through Christ-like living. Anything that interferes with that is off limits.- HDS

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

WHO CARES?
“Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.”- Rom. 10:1

I’ve heard people say “I don’t care what anyone else thinks”, and there are times when that might be appropriate. However, in most instances it should matter very much what others think about us. Well over 100 years ago James Smith wrote about “An unsaved person’s perspective of Christians”. Here’s the letter:

“I do not believe that you Christians believe your own creed — for if you     were persuaded that things really are as your Bibles teach, and that we poor     lost people were really going to such a dreadful place as you say     Hell is — then you would act more humanely toward us.
   
    If you saw our houses on fire — you would run and help us to put the     fire out; or if you saw us in danger of death — you would try to do     something to save us. But you pretend to believe that we are going to     Hell, and that Hell burns with fire and brimstone forever, and that once     there we can never get out — and yet you talk to us about all sorts of     things — but never say one word to us about saving our souls from this     terrible doom!
   
    So I have reasoned thus: either you Christians don’t believe what you say —    or else you must be the most hardened and unfeeling wretches in the     universe! Now, as I don’t believe that you are such cruel, hardened, and     unfeeling people as this supposes — then I must conclude that, with all your    talk — you Christians don’t really believe what your Bibles teach!    
   
    For if you really believe what you say about sin, and Hell, and our danger —     then you would act differently; and if you have a spark of kindness in your     hearts — you would try to save us from such a dreadful doom. And, on the     other hand, if you do not believe what you profess — then you     Christians cannot be honest; and to say the least, there must be a great     deal of hypocrisy among you.
   
    Now, I honestly tell you that these are the things which have stumbled me     more than anything, and until I can see you Christians act differently — I     will not be persuaded to believe what your sort of folks say.”

Think about it! Are others convinced that you are truly concerned about their spiritual welfare? If not, it’s time to remove all doubt–go tell them! – HDS
 
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346