THINK ABOUT IT           4-13-24 

 HISTORY   

Since I hated history in school, until I was saved and discovered its importance, this article is very meaningful to me. This is not an endorsement of the author. I am simply saying he gives us something serious to think about. HDS

“Though it was written two hundred years ago, Jane Austen’s fiction is still popular since so much of it still rings true to human experience. In her novel Northanger Abbey (1817), for instance, the heroine Catherine Morland makes a statement that is amazingly prescient about the modern boredom with history. In Catherine’s words, history “tells me nothing that does not either vex or weary me. The quarrels of popes and kings, with wars or pestilences, in every page; the men all so good for nothing, and hardly any women at all—it is very tiresome.” Many in the modern world, sadly even Christians, see the past as little more than this: a tiresome account of a few big names with little wisdom to impart for life today. At best, it may offer a couple of hours of entertainment and diversion via a movie or a novel. 

History, important to God

How different is the Bible’s perspective on the past. Here, history is obviously important to God, since it is the realm where God ultimately brings about the salvation of his people by entering into the very fabric of time and taking on our humanity, sin excepted, in the person of Jesus Christ. This divine activity in the realm of history should not be restricted to the Bible. Though it is impossible to trace out his footsteps across the sands of time in detail, it is blasphemous to deny that God is at work. His work may often be hidden, but it is biblical to confess that he is providentially guiding history for the glory of his Name and the good of his people. As such, to quote the seventeenth-century Puritan Richard Baxter, “The writing of Church-history is the duty of all ages, because God’s works are to be known, as well as his Word.” Reading Church history should lead therefore to the praise of God and his adoration.

The individual and history

Men and women are historical beings, immersed in the flow of time.  Without the past our lives have little or no meaning. When a community forgets its past, it is like a person suffering from dementia: they really cannot function in the world. So we must study history, and as Christians, this means Church history. 

This reading of the history of God’s people can also provide us with models for imitation. For instance, in Hebrews 11–12:2, the writer uses the history of God’s faithful people in the old covenant to encourage his readers to run the “foot-race” of faith. He wants them to draw encouragement from the lives of past believers to press on in faith and obedience towards the final goal. 

And we soon discover that this story of the past is not simply that of an elite few, but encompasses every believer’s life and that we can learn as much from the so-called minor figures of Church History as from the “big names.” As the American apologist Francis Schaeffer reminds us: with God there are no little people!

History—a path to humility & freedom

Studying church history also builds a deep sense of indebtedness to others who have gone before us, and thus helps to cultivate the great virtue of humility. The study of our past informs us about our predecessors in the faith, those who have helped shape our Christian communities and thus make us what we are. Such study builds humility and modesty into our lives, and so can exercise a sanctifying influence upon us. As Jesus said in John 4: “Others have laboured, and you have entered into their labour” (ESV). 

The study of Church history also liberates us from the tyranny of present-day ideas, what C.S. Lewis calls “the idols of our marketplace.” Consider Francis of Assisi’s attitude towards poverty. For him the word “poverty” (paupertas) was a bride to be embraced since he believed that it gave him true freedom. For modern Westerners, Christian and pagan alike, poverty is generally viewed as an unmitigated economic disaster that places severe limitations on one’s freedom. This example reveals the way that Church History can call into question what we take for granted as an absolute and reveal it to be merely relative and culture-bound. 

Little wonder then that the eighteenth-century Evangelical Caleb Evans once said that “every Christian ought to be a good historian.” Michael A. G. Haykin

Michael A. G. Haykin FRHistS is the Professor of Church History and Biblical Spirituality and Director of The Andrew Fuller Center for Baptist Studies at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

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

THINK ABOUT IT             4-11-24  
NORMAL  

Throughout the COVID pandemic it was common to hear people express their desire for things to get back “ to normal “. But the cold hard fact is that we never will. Some things will never return to what they used to be. And no amount of complaining will change that.

I remember, as a boy, listening to the old folks reminisce about the past- “how it used to be” or “the good old days”. The more I heard the more determined I became to never do that. Guess what? Now I do the same thing, and someday you will do the same.

We all tend to look back at our experiences- good or bad. And in regards to some things we wish we could go back.We long for those carefree days we once enjoyed. We want things to go back to “normal”, but they won’t. We wish we could go back to the time when we were young, healthy, strong, and life was fun, but we can’t.

So here we are- where ever that might be for you. For good or bad, this is the new normal and it is what it is – like it or not. Day after day we find ourselves stuck in circumstances we can’t control or change. The only question is, “What will you do?”.

Life is a painful struggle. You might feel trapped in a prison of despair. Your prospect of escape is nonexistent. Life seems unfair and you wonder “Why?”, “Why me ?”, Why this?”, Why now?”. But you can’t find any answers and that frustrates you all the more. You don’t have the.answer and neither does anyone else. So what now?

The only hope for any of us is God. The sad thing is that most folks shut Him out. They disobey His commands and doubt His promises. They get bitter rather than better. And they feel justified in feeling the way they do. I wish there wasn’t any such thing as cancer, heart disease, etc. It would be wonderful if sin and suffering didn’t exist. It would bel nice if we never had to deal with wicked people, crime, and nature disasters, but we do. It’s obvious that we don’t live in a perfect world, but that’s the way it is.

However, that doesn’t mean that we can’t get help. God has helped others and He can help you. I’m not telling you that if you attend church, read your Bible everyday, and do your best to obey God that your problems will disappear. However, I am telling you that even if your situation doesn’t change you can change. As impossible as it might seem God can enable you to endure and even profit in some way from your troubles and trials.

You can do as you please, but I pray that you don’t rob yourself of any chance for happiness by grieving over days gone by and complaining about your current circumstances. As Christians we aren’t home yet and we have the assurance that the best is yet to come. There is coming a glorious day when “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.(Rev.21:4). That will be the new normal. Until then let us cling to God’s promises and sing His praise. Think about it – HDS 

After not being able to preach last Sunday(3-17-24) I was frustrated and Satan did everything he could to discourage me.So I had to do what the Psalmist did. I had a talk with myself. I had to remind myself of something we should never forget. As a result of my conversation with myself I wrote the following that afternoon. I hope you will carefully consider what I say and pray that I will practice what I preach.

Just as God denied David’s desire to build the temple, we aren’t always able or allowed to do what we want to do. We’re not as smart as we think we are. I say that because although the providence of God is perfect it isn’t always what we prefer. Sometimes our desire is different than God’s decree. We think because we want to do something that’s good we ought to be able to do it. It’s as though we think we have a better idea than God’s plan. We don’t say that because it would sound terrible, but we feel it. So instead of saying it, we generally sell ourselves on it by thinking we are justified in feeling as we do. That’s why God often gets blamed for things when the real problem is that we don’t understand.

The truth is, although we can’t always understand the providence of God, we ought to trust Him and accept what He allows or appoints. Nothing happens by chance. All is under the control of the Creator. It is true of things large and small, or  major and minor. He who counts the stars in heaven also counts the hairs on our head. Whether it be a birth or death God is in control – even when He puts the brakes on the good things we want to do.

We get confused because we see only in part whereas God sees the whole. We focus on time, but God has eternity in view. And for the child of God in the will of God, that which brings great hurt now will eventually bring glorious happiness. God is not going to give me the same healthy body I had when I started preaching nearly 58 years ago, but I can rejoice in knowing He will reward me for being willing to do what I did then. When I forget that I tend to get frustrated. I love to preach because that’s what called me to do, but I’m still trying to learn that sometimes I must sit on the sidelines for a while and that eventually my ministry will come to an end.

So regardless of your circumstances, remember that they are all controlled by divine providence. Out of the depths of His infinite wisdom, impartial goodness, and incredible love God decrees this or that for the best. Nations rise and fall, people come and go, we experience both pleasure and pain, and all are the products of providence. God sees the end from the beginning and acts in accordance to the perfection of His good pleasure. That means that sometimes our plans are changed and our desires are denied. I plan to preach this coming Sunday, but if I can’t it will be because God changed my plans and I need to accept it without complaint. I pray that you will learn from my failure.

Therefore let us remember or realize that God’s will is always right, best, and safest. His ways, although sometimes confusing to us, are the only means to a good and glorious end. What looks like a detour or a dead end to us is actually a door through which we, sooner or later, discover great delight. We might not live to see the end result of our troubles and trials, but in eternity we shall see that they were for man’s good and God’s glory.

We don’t always need to know the reason for what happens. Just knowing there is a reason, a good reason, should be reason enough to calm our troubled hearts. God knows it is best that we don’t know, and if we are wise we will trust Him. Seeing providence as preferable is profitable because it produces peace! Whether or not I am able to preach Sunday is up to God. Either way, God’s got this and I am determined to accept it without getting discouraged. By His grace I plan to preach as well as I can, as often as I can, as long as I can. But God alone knows what tomorrow holds. THINK ABOUT IT,- HDS

David Stone  
Lakeway Baptist Church  
Humble, Tx

THINK ABOUT IT          2-16-24 

THE OBVIOUS

 I have written and preached about people who are oblivious to the obvious. They refuse to face the facts about themselves although they are clearly seen by others. This is never more true than when it comes things related to their personal life. But they are just fooling themselves. Fact is, actions speak louder than words.

Someone said, “ The obvious never has to be claimed. If you go to a football game and shout and scream your head off during the game after it’s over you don’t have to tell the person sitting next to you that you’re a football fan. He will already know it!

If you spend your vacation fishing and plugging away at bass minute after minute, day after day, you don’t have to tell the other men at the fishing camp that you like to fish. They already know you like to fish because it’s obvious.

Likewise, if you live your life for Jesus and serve him seven days a week, witness for him before your friends, and give your tithe to God, you don’t have to tell them that your are a Christian. They already know it. I do, however, sometimes wonder about the person who has to tell everyone they meet that he/she is a Christian in order for people to know it.”

Point is, unless we practice what we preach others will refuse what we proclaim. Even when we speak the truth. Think about it! – HDS  

David Stone   

Lakeway Baptist Church  

Humble,Tx

THINK ABOUT IT            2-15-24   
As I think about the troubles and trials some of our dear loved ones are going through I’m reminded of the following heart touching story I read. Hopefully it will inspire us to encourage someone today.- HDS

The Chicago Tribune published a story once about 15-year-old Douglas Maurer. He had suffered from a high fever and flu-like symptoms for several days, so finally his mother took him to the hospital. It was there that Douglas was diagnosed with leukemia.

The doctors explained the disease to Douglas and said he would have to undergo intense chemotherapy for the next three years. They told him about the side effects that would follow…baldness and a bloated body…and Douglasbecame very depressed.

To lift his spirits, Douglas’ aunt called a local floral shop to send him a flower arrangement. She told the clerk it was for her teenage nephew who had leukemia.

When the beautiful flowers arrived at the hospital, Douglas read the card from his aunt. Then he saw a second card attached that said: “Douglas—I took your order. I work at Brix florist. I had leukemia when I was 7 years old. I’m 22 years old now. Good luck. My heart goes out to you. Sincerely, Laura Bradley.” For the first time since his diagnosis, Douglas’ face lit up.

Douglas Maurer was in a hospital filled with sophisticated medical equipment and technology. He was being treated by some of the best doctors and nurses around. But it was a simple sales clerk in a flower shop that took the time to care. She was the one person who gave Douglas hope to carry on.

Is there someone in your life suffering from some sort of affliction who needs comfort? If so, seek to show them love, compassion, and encouragement. You could be the one person who can make a difference in the life of another who is suffering without hope.

Pray that the Lord would help you to bring comfort and encouragement to someone who needs it more than ever today.( Senior Living)

THINK ABOUT IT!

David Stone  

Lakeway Baptist Church  

Humble,Tx