DOES YOUR TESTIMONY REALLY MATTER?
“Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him.”–Luke 8:39

It’s funny how people who’ve had life-changing experiences can talk about them as if they happened yesterday. Take a professional athlete, for example, who can describe the great championship game in detail. And old soldiers often get deeply emotional when remembering their comrade who was killed in battle 60 years ago.

When Christ comes into your life, it’s a life-changing experience. So if He really has come, then you’re going to want to tell others about it. I’m not saying you won’t ever struggle to articulate the Gospel. But the truth is that if you’re truly changed, your story of grace is going to be seared into your mind.

Now, there are some believers I know who don’t think their testimony is all that interesting. They say, “I’ve never done drugs or anything like that, so people aren’t really moved by my testimony.” Well, the same grace that saved you is the grace that saved the worst sinner. So your testimony matters!

Your testimony of the Gospel is important. That’s because it’s about God, not about you. Share it with others as evidence that your life is truly changed!(Jack Graham) 

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

A PLACE FOR YOU

“In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.”–John 14:2 

O that we could lift our eyes to those blest abodes, those mansions of heavenly bliss, where no sorrow intrudes, where sin is unknown, where tears are wiped from off all faces, where there is no languishing body, no wasting sickness, no pining soul, no doubt, fear, darkness or distress; but one unmingled scene of happiness and pleasure, and the whole soul and body are engaged in singing the praises of God and the Lamb! And what crowns the whole, there is the eternal enjoyment of those pleasures which are at the right hand of God for evermore. But how lost are we in the contemplation of these things; and though our imagination may seem to stretch itself beyond the utmost conception of the mind, into the countless ages of a never-ending eternity, yet are we baffled with the thought, though faith embraces the blessed truth. But in that happy land, the immortal soul and the immortal body will combine their powers and faculties to enjoy to the uttermost all that God has prepared for those that love him.–J. C. Philpot

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

A BURDEN FOR OTHERS

“For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.”–Acts 20:29-31

Anyone who is involved with ministering to, caring for, teaching, and reaching others has days when it feels like what we are doing simply isn’t making a difference. We try everything we know to help people, only to see them refuse to listen. We invest in someone’s life, only to see them stray from God looking for greener pastures. We do all we can for someone only to hear that they’ve told a friend no one helped them when they were hurting.

How do you respond when things don’t go right? How do you continue to minister, work, and pray in the face of what seems like failure? A great part of the answer to those questions is found in the motivation for our service. When we are driven by a burden for the needs and condition of others and motivated by God’s love, we will not be deterred by a lack of apparent success. We will care more about their needs than about ourselves.

One of the greatest needs of the church in our day is a generation of Christian workers and leaders alike who are gripped by a vision of the desperate spiritual condition of those around us. They may not realize their peril, but we should. We need to care more for their needs and join with the ancient prophet Jeremiah in saying, “Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people!” (Jeremiah 9:1). If you care about the spiritual needs of others as Jesus did, you will keep doing all you can to help them. (Daily in the Word)

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

CHASTISEMENT
 “My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:”–Prov. 3:11

It is not possible that we should really enjoy being chastened. Indeed the Bible says, “No chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous.” Not even the grace of God in our heart can take the sting out of chastening.

We are not expected, then, to like it. But we are told not to despise it. That is, we are to accept it without murmuring, without complaining, and reverently, as God’s messenger to us, bringing a blessing.

It should help us to accept chastening to remember that it is our Father’s chastening. He would not take pleasure in causing us pain, nor would He do it at all, were it not in some way for our good.

We should not despise any instruction our Father gives us, however costly and painful it may be. He lets us suffer because He loves us, and would make our lives beautiful and holy.

We should be willing to endure any pain or trial in order to have the likeness of Christ fashioned in our life. (Mornings with God)

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