.-2 Cor.12:10

Not until we discover that God has a plan for our life are we able to make sense of our trials. Perhaps the biggest problem is that we all tend to believe that we deserve better. Something tells us that life is unfair and that we should be exempt from hardships. That would be nice, but it isn’t true.

To get to the truth about ourselves we have to look to God’s Word. We can parade ourselves before the world and win the approval and applause of everyone, and still not measure up to the proper standard. Or we could use the power of reason, compare ourselves to others and conclude that we are more deserving, yet not qualify for an exemption status. The cold hard fact is that, based on God’s righteous standard, we all come up short—way short!

Our unworthiness is not only depicted by the manner in which God’s Word describes the sinner, but also by the declaration that salvation comes “by grace”, “not by works”. Were we worthy grace would have nothing to do with it.

Once we get it nailed down in our mind that we are sinful and unworthy we are able to see that we don’t deserve anything and should be thankful for everything. Regardless of what happens to us, regardless of how bad and painful it might be, it is always less that what we actually deserve. That’s why we should be thankful for every blessing and uncomplaining about every burden.

Not until we get to place that can we see ourselves as chief of sinners, the least of all saints and “take wrong” and allow ourselves “to be defrauded” ( 1 Cor. 6:7) can we endure hardships without complaining and enjoy ourselves without ceasing. And that is a major milestone in a person’s life.
Do yourself a favor— discover what God says about mankind and accept the truth about yourself. You will never be the same! God’s plan is to make you holy, rather than happy. and hardships are a part of that process. The person who comes to realize this will be able to “count it all joy” when they “fall into divers temptations”(James 1:2), endure any trial, and glorify God in any situation.—HDS, 5-28-14, revised

KNOW THE TRUTH
“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:32

Deception is dangerous, confusion is costly, and sin is serious. And these things characterize the world in which we live. That makes life difficult and dangerous. It’s been that way since the fall, but getting worse. The natural man is corrupt, confused and condemned. He can be delivered only by the truth, so until he conquers his confusion he has no hope.

Confusion is never a good thing. Thinking you know all the facts when you don’t causes you to make costly choices, even deadly decisions. And these days it seems that you can’t trust anyone. Politicians lie to us, businesses misrepresent their products, the media distorts the facts, preachers butcher the Bible, and even history books are being rewritten so as to hide the facts.

We watch the news and read the papers trying to stay informed. Then we draw conclusions and make choices based on what we’re told. But we don’t always know the truth. Nations go to war and both sides have their version of the truth, but in many cases both are wrong. In many instances we find out years later that we gave credence to the wrong side. Things are not always what they seem. For that reason we must be cautious about what and who we listen to.

The only sure standard and infallible guide is the Word of God. That’s why we should be students of the Bible. It’s not just about making heaven and missing hell. The Bible deals with all the issues of life and should govern all our affairs. That brings the church into the picture– as much as some resent it. 1 Tim.3:15 describes it as “The pillar and ground of the truth”. For that reason, every Christian should be a member of a good Bible believing church. We all need what it provides. It is the Christ appointed conservator of the truth, and truth is what we need —it will set you free!- HDS, 5-9-14

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

I’ve got an idea that one of the most unconfessed sin is worry. Few people have the audacity to say that they never worry. But, although we readily confess it, we seldom repent of it. Why ? Maybe it’s because we fail to realize what great harm it does. We seem to believe it is a harmless sin. Nothing could be farther from the truth.
 
Someone defined worry as “a small trickle of fear that meanders through the mind until it cuts a channel into which all other thoughts are drained.” James describes the danger like this–“A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.”(James 1:8). The worrier is like the mule that starved to death while standing between two stacks of hay, because he couldn’t make up his mind which one to eat out of.
 
The fact of the matter is that worry affects us in every way: emotionally, physically, socially, and spiritually. Worry can be deadly. When the Bible says,”Be careful for nothing” we ought to take it as a serious warning. God is looking out for our welfare! Heed His warnings, obey His commands,and claim His promises. A child of God in the will of God has nothing to worry about. When trouble comes, go to God in prayer. When your burden is heavy cast “all your care upon him” and leave it there.
 
Mike Singletary was one of the greatest football players ever. Mike grew up in the ghetto of Houston. He was one of ten children and times were tough, especially after his father abandoned the family. Six months later, the oldest child was hit and killed by a drunk driver. Everyone wondered how Mike’s mother could ever support such a large family by herself. How could a poor single mother possibly provide for so many children? Mike answered that question when he was inducted into the Football Hall of Fame”. He said,”She responded the only way true champions respond: on the knees”. Dear friend, that’s the only way any of us can make it!- HDS, 5-12-14

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

GETTING ALONG
“If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably  with all men.”–Romans 12:18

I recently read a message delivered in 1898 entitled “Getting Along With People”. Although the message was interesting, I was most impressed with the practicality of the Bible. The message didn’t say anything new, but it was a great reminder— something we all need. However, we would do well to remember that the Bible, more than anything else, gives us practical instructions on everyday issues.

Think about it. To this very day, after all these years, getting along with others is still one of our biggest challenges. As someone said, ” The world would be a pretty good place to live if wasn’t for people”. I’m sure you have felt that way sometimes. Regardless of where you go or what you do, you have to deal with people– all kinds of people. Sometimes we don’t do it very well. And that comes with a high price. Think of all the misery brought on by our inability to get along with others. It results in families being divided, relationships being ruined, churches being split, crimes being committed, and nations going to war. Yeah it’s that bad!

Strange, we can put a man on the moon and communicate with him, but haven’t learned how to get along with our next door neighbor. We need help. And that’s exactly what the Bible provides. It gives us precepts, principles, and promises to live by. We fail because we refuse to adhere to them. The bottom line is this– we will never truly be in touch with one another until we are in fellowship with Christ. Not until we love Him are we able to love one another.

There are many books and seminars, etc. on this subject, offering good advice, but in the heat of an argument, or in the face of an insult you can usually throw them out the window. When raw emotions take over we usually say and do dumb things. The only way we can respond to adversity properly and treat others respectfully is to be regulated by the Word of God and in fellowship with the Son of God. That’s the key to everything! Wanting a better relationship with others, without having a good relationship with God, is like hoping for water when there is no well. Christ is the source for everything we need. Neglect Him and everything unravels. Take time to read Eph. 4:29-32 and you will discover what it takes to get along with others. Please do it. HDS, 5-8-14

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