THE PRINCE OF PEACE

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.”–Isaiah 9:6–7

According to the latest report I’ve seen, there are about sixty wars, armed conflicts, revolutions, and skirmishes taking place in our world right now. In Syria alone, the civil war that has raged for six years now has left almost half a million people dead and more than two million others have fled their homes to try to avoid the fighting. We live in a world filled with strife and conflict. But this is not new. Division has been a part of human life since sin entered into the world. 

The bottom line of human conflict is not resources, borders, tribes, languages, or glory, but sin. Indeed apart from God we have no expectation of anything but warfare and division. “There is no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked” (Isaiah 48:22). No matter how diligently we work or how devoutly we wish, the sinful nature lurking in the hearts of mankind constantly works against peace.

But in the person of Jesus, we are offered the solution to every conflict. He is the only ruler who offers hope for a lasting peace, and peace is His promise to those who are His children by virtue of receiving His salvation. “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27). Our only hope for peace with God, with ourselves, and with others is found in Jesus Christ. (Daily in the Word)

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

THE GREATNESS OF JESUS CHRIST

“And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.”–Luke 1:30–33

When Gabriel came to announce to Mary that she had been chosen by God to give birth to the Messiah, he was bringing news that would completely upend her life. This young woman, espoused to be married to Joseph, was going to have a baby even though she was a virgin. She certainly knew that few people, if any, would believe she had remained pure. Yet Mary accepted her place in God’s plan willingly, despite the upheaval it would bring to her life. Her focus was in the same place God’s focus was—on the Saviour who would be born through her.

There are a lot of things I love about the Christmas season and the way we celebrate. I’m sure that like our family, yours has traditions for shopping, giving gifts, singing carols, special church services, and more. These things are what we expect and enjoy during the holidays. But nothing should ever be allowed to take the primary focus of everything we do away from Jesus. Years ago a popular bumper sticker said, “Jesus is the reason for the season.” The focus of Gabriel’s message to Mary was not on what being the mother of Jesus would mean to her, but on who and what Jesus is. He is both the Saviour and the ruler of the world. And though He has not yet come to rule on Earth, that promise is just as sure as His first coming. Never let anything that comes along with Christmas obscure your focus on Jesus, the Saviour. (Daily in the Word)

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

TAKE THE LOWER ROOM

“But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee.  For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”
   Luke 14:10, 11

   When people were invited to a special occasion, it was customary for the more honorable guests to be seated in the higher rooms, and those with less honor to take the lower seats.  Jesus used this tradition as a backdrop to teach a lesson about humility.  He taught that it would be wise to take the lowest room.  Then when the person who invited you comes, he can direct you to the place of higher honor. 

We should never exalt ourselves, yet we know that it is a part of our fallen human nature to do that very thing.  Our natural tendency is to think that our opinions, our needs, and our feelings are more important than those of others.  This is why the Bible has so much to say about the danger of pride.  Pride tends to exalt self, to place self before others.  This was, of course, the thing that caused Lucifer to rebel against God.  Jesus tells us that if we exalt ourselves, we will be abased or humbled.  Proverbs 16:18 tells us that, “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.”  Several places in the Bible describe how God actually resisted the proud, but gave grace to the humble.  

   In our text, Jesus is teaching about the importance of humbling ourselves.  This is something we can do.  This is something we must do.  God can arrange for circumstances that will humble us, but we are to take the initiative against our pride and humble ourselves.  We can choose to humble ourselves.  This is an attitude adjustment that we can make.  Pride is not just something that is publicly seen in the way we look for recognition or the most prestigious seat of honor.  These things are only the external evidences or manifestations of pride.  Pride should be first identified or recognized when it is in our hearts.  When we see this tendency to exalt ourselves, we must be diligent to judge ourselves and deliberately humble ourselves. If we do not humble ourselves, then God will have to see to it that we are humbled.  If we intentionally take the lower room, God will ensure that we are honored. (Straight Paths)

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