“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”– Phil. 4:13
We read a lot of things from people who don’t know what they’re talking about, but that’s not the case here. Paul knew from experience what it takes to serve God and what Christ was able to do. He understood the demands of discipleship. He was subjected to suffering unknown to most Christians today. And he was fully aware of the source of his strength, which was Christ.
The self- confident positive thinker of our day might say “I can do all things”, but he can’t. It is only “through Christ” that anyone can be enabled to do anything. Having a “can do” attitude isn’t enough. We need Christ! Without Him we can do nothing (John 15:5). With Him we “can do all things“. Christ enables us to do whatever He expects us to do. The context gives us a great example. We are commanded to be content and Paul said he had learned to be content (Phil. 4:11). Most of us feel if we could do that we could do anything.
The great thing about this verse is that what was true of Paul is true of all Christians. A child of God in the will of God can do whatever the will of God requires. At this very moment some of you might be facing what seems to be an impossible situation. You are overwhelmed with the feeling that “I can’t do this”. The truth is you can’t, but Christ can! He can enable you to do the impossible. This tremendous truth should give you great comfort, confidence, and courage. Regardless of our circumstances Christ is able to provide what is needed. In light of this it is no wonder Paul could be content. Embrace this truth and so can you.–HDS
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346
YOUR VIEW OF GOD
“ Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,”—Eph. 3:20
As a new Christian, eager to learn, I loved to read books about and by famous preachers in the past. It thrilled my heart to read about the adventures of missionaries and the great things God had done in their lives. Over and over I read about how God answered prayer, met needs, changed lives, and brought victory. Knowing what He had done gave me great expectations regarding my relationship with God. Thinking of God who supernaturally met needs inspired me. Considering how God used others gave me hope that He could use me also.
It seems today that very few people expect God to do something miraculous. When we do hear a testimony regarding a supernatural act of God we explain it away by labeling it made up story by some over zealous Charismatic. Why are we so doubtful of such things? It’s as though we have down-sized God to level of man. We, although we probably wouldn’t say it, think of God as too small or weak to do some things. Our confidence in God has waned to the point that having Him as our helper means almost nothing–like having a handyman around the house to assist with repairs. Maybe that’s why we don’t pray as we ought. If that indeed describes God it is a waste of time.
We are in desperate need of rediscovering the greatness of God. We need to concentrate on His attributes, consider His works, and claim His promises. We need to see our need of being filled with and empowered by the Holy Spirit. As William Carey said, we need to “Expect great things from God. Attempt great things for God”. When we pray it ought to be in the Spirit and with faith. God hasn’t changed! He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He still has the power to do all things and has never given us a reason to doubt it. Regardless of how impossible your situation seems it is not too hard for God. With Him all things are possible. “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Heb. 4:16). –HDS
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346
DON’T WORRY ABOUT TOMORROW
“Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”–Matthew 6:31–34
In one of the early Peanuts cartoons, a little girl named Marcie says, “Don’t worry about the world ending tomorrow. It’s already tomorrow in Australia!” The truth is that many people are worried about the future. And certainly there is much uncertainty and danger in our world. There are plenty of things that could go wrong. Yet Jesus tells His followers not to worry. The future will have troubles, but God will still be there.
Too many times we act as though God is taken by surprise by the things that befall us. While the events of life may catch us off guard, nothing ever causes God to revise His plans. He already knows not only what will happen, but also how we will respond. The world may worry about the future, but God’s children should not. Instead, we should trust that as we seek His Kingdom as our priority in life, He will provide for our needs and guide our path.
The command against worry is not a promise that nothing will ever go wrong. In fact, Jesus tells us that the coming day will have “sufficient” trouble—a word that indicates a full supply. The cure for worry is not that everything will go the way we would prefer, but that we remember God will be in control. Corrie ten Boom said, “Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow. It empties today of its strength.” (Daily in the Word)
MOUNTAIN MEN
“Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spake in that day….”–Josh. 14:12
I enjoy watching the TV show “Mountain Men”. It reminds me of my childhood dreams, Much older now, I no longer have that desire. My old body couldn’t take it. However, I do have an interest in mountain men of a different kind. You probably already guessed that I’m talking about Caleb. He is the character I want you to consider and hopefully you will be inspired by his example. His story is amazing. Caleb had a lowly beginning as his name indicates. It means “dog”, and not the kind we think of as pets. But even worse is the fact that he wasn’t a Jew by birth. Yet somehow, as a Gentile he was adopted into the tribe of Judah, became a faithful servant, then a great leader, and ascended to great heights. Caleb had a heart for God. He was faithful and fearless as he determined to fulfill God’s will for his life. That should be true of all of us.
From men like this we can learn important lessons and find inspiration that causes us to aspire to greater heights spiritually. Caleb reminds us that a bad start doesn’t have to have a bad ending, to press on when others oppose us, and not to give up when we’re old. He gives us hope that we can still be useful when it appears everything is against us. And remember– this isn’t about us doing things we enjoy, making a name for ourselves, or fulfilling our dreams. This has to do with claiming God’s promises and reaching our God- given goals. In this day when mediocrity is the norm, God give us “mountain men”– folks with a burning desire to be all they can for Christ!— HDS
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346
PAUL’S PURPOSE
“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” ( Phil. 1:21). What striking words! The Muslim would not say, “to me to live is Mohammed”, and the Buddhist would not say, “To me to live is Buddha,” nor would the Hindu say, “To me to live is Krishna.” They would look to their rules of conduct, and manuals of meditation, and visits to their temples and mosques where they go through prescribed rites”: “I do such and such,” they would say. But the Christian looks away from himself and his attainments, and away from any ceremonies that he has experienced – baptism, confirmation, communion. He looks away from his feelings, and also from the group he belongs to. He refuses to affirm that living means feeding the hungry and helping the homeless. No matter how noble the cause might be the ministry of mercy is not ‘life’ for the Christian. “For to me to live is Christ.”….
And what is death – that awesome and yet certain event that lies before every Christian? Death must also mean Christ to us. Christ once for all and finally possessed and eternally enjoyed. To everyone whose life is Christ, death is gain! You lose death and gain eternal life. You lose this fallen world, but you gain the glories of heaven. You lose a prison and you gain a palace. You lose the life of never beholding Christ and you gain a permanent sight of him. You temporarily lose the companionship of some friends in Christ to regain the companionship of those who have died in Christ. You lose your sin to gain sinlessness. You lose your doubts to gain infallible assurance. You lose pain to gain total bliss. You lose sickness to gain eternal health. You lose every personal animosity to gain everlasting brotherhood….. You lose weariness, heartache and disappointment to gain the fulfillment of the love of all the saints and angels and Jesus himself. You lose your warped imaginations for eternal purity. You lose the flickering candle and walk into the dawn of an endless day.–Geoff Thomas
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346
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