THE RACE
“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,”–Heb. 12:1

Here the Christian life is here likened unto a race and we need to make a personal application. Each of us have a “race that is set before us“. We are not at liberty to just run as we please. While some things are the same for all God has a specific plan for each of us. We see that best in 1 Cor. 12 where the church is likened to a body with each member a part. God doesn’t use us all the same way, but He has a plan for each of us.

Using the figure of a race we each have a certain lane or course assigned to us. It’s not enough to just run, we must run where God assigns us–otherwise it isn’t lawful. For example, God has called many to preach, but He hasn’t called all preachers to be pastors. Not only that, not all pastors are called to the same place. I could preach anywhere, but I would not be discharging my duty unless I pastor in the place God “set before” me. In my case that is Lakeway Baptist Church in Humble, TX. For me that is the most important position on earth. That is my “holy ground”!

Even so each of us should run the race “set before us“. We have no right to do otherwise. Just joining a church isn’t enough. We must be in the church God has appointed for us and doing the work He has assigned for us. He has given “to every man his work” (Mark 13:34) and we are neither successful, satisfied, nor safe unless we do it. Many spend their life involved in religious activities, but they are off track. All their effort is in vain because it is not according to God’s plan. They are running toward the wrong goal.

Notice that there is no mention of winning in our text. Whether we win or not doesn’t depend on what anybody else does–we’re not in competition with others. Success is determined by how well we run the “race that is set before us“. To win we must run fervently and faithfully to the finish. We should not stop or get stopped, until that great day when the Master says,”Well done thou good and faithful servant “.- HDS, 6-19-18

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

“A GREAT WAY OFF”
“—But when he was yet a great way off--“-Luke 15;20

All of us can think of someone in need of being reconciled to God–someone who, like the Prodigal son, is yet a great way off. It might be that they have realized their need and resolved to come to God, but are “yet a great way off”. And, although closer than they were they are no better off. All is not well until reconciliation has been secured. Whether on the road to the “far country”, in the pig pen, or on the way home there is no embrace by the father, no robe for his back, no ring on his finger, no shoes on his feet, and no banquet celebrating his return.

Of his own volition he broke fellowship with his father and left. He could have stayed of returned at any moment. Now he is headed in the right direction, but “a great way off” and could turn on his heels at anytime. It was not until he and the father were reconciled that you could say all was well. Until then anything could happen.

Even so, it might be that some of you have given up hope of your loved one ever coming to God — after all, they seem such “a great way off”. Their situation doesn’t appear possible–it is against all odds. In your mind all hope is gone. You’ve written them off as a “hopeless case”. But why? The story of the prodigal should give you a window of hope. Do not despair! God is at work. He is actively involved in each life and willing to accept all who receive Him.

We too often focus on what the person is or isn’t doing, rather than reminding ourselves that God is doing something. That’s why we get discouraged so easily. As long as your loved one is alive the last chapter of their life hasn’t been written. Why should you believe the worst will happen? Is it not much better to trust God to intervene, bless your efforts, and answer your prayers? Although they are blinded to the truth He can open the eyes of their understanding (Ephesians 1:18) and bring them to repentance. Your loved one might yet be a “great way off”, but they might be much closer than you think to that glorious encounter with God that will change their life forever –maybe just a step away! Don’t give up!- HDS, 3-25-12 ,revised.

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

THE FIRST STEP TO YOUR BEST STEP
“for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”‭‭Romans‬ ‭3‬:‭23‬ ‭

Ask any Christian,”What’s the best thing that has ever happened to you?” and they will quickly reply “Salvation”. Man’s greatest need is to receive Christ as Lord and Savior. Man’s greatest blessing is to do so. But this never happens until he first sees himself as a sinner. That is the first step to his best step. Until a person sees himself as a poor, wicked, wretched, vile, miserable, helpless sinner he will not turn to Christ. He must see the mess he is in before he will see his need for God’s mercy. Salvation comes only after we see ourselves as a sinner.

However, even after we are saved we are still troubled by sin–and we still struggle in admitting it. You can attribute that to pride. I know of no other explanation. We think too highly of ourselves and we want others to have exalted views of us also. So, wanting to put ourselves in the best possible light we refuse to be honest about our condition. That, of course, hinders us in numerous ways.

Seeing yourself as you really are, as God sees you, is crucial to becoming the person God wants you to be. In other words, you will never be as good as you could be until you realize that you’re not as good as you should be. To become the person we ought to be we must become dissatisfied with what we are. Don’t let pride hold you back. Why would you want to be anything less than your best?

Those on the road to ruin need to realize where they’re at so they can see the need to turn around–to repent. The only thing holding some people back from becoming the person they want to be is their refusal to admit what kind of person they are. When we see ourselves as guilty sinners in need of forgiveness we then see our need of God. When we come to Him for the forgiveness of sins, trusting Christ as our Savior, we have taken the best step of our lives!

It is a step that leads to forgiveness, eternal life, peace, joy and a transformation of character. We become “a new creature” (2 Cor. 5:17), and we start a new journey that provides the satisfaction that nothing else can bring. And it all started because you took the first step to your best step! What are you waiting for?- HDS, 3-3-12

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