ONE THING

April 3, 2011 By Pastor David Stone

One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple. – Psalm 27:4

As a boy we used wooden pencils. I never saw a ball-point pen until I was in Jr. High School. And I’ve had a fascination with pens ever since. I thought it was great that you never had to sharpen your writing instrument. Back then all the boys carried pocket knives, and I can remember many times whittling my pencil down to a fine point. Although crude, this serves to illustrate what David did with his life–“One thing have I desired” he said. In other words, he is telling us what is at the top of his list.

That reminds me of what Paul said in Phil. 3:13, “–this one thing I do–“. It also reminds me of what I should do, what all Christians should do. We need to cut away everything that doesn’t contribute to our main purpose in life, whittle away all the excess until our focus is on the main thing. That doesn’t mean that we never reserve any time for R&R, after all that can contribute to us being at our best. But it means that we never allow other things to crowd out the most important thing–the “one thing” that is of first importance. That’s a big problem for most people.

Most of us have too many irons in the fire. Remember the old saying,”Jack of all trades and a master of none”? That describes a lot of folks. Many are like Martha in the kitchen–busy, busy, busy! They are so busy doing things, even good things, that they neglect the most important thing –the “one thing” that they should be focused on. Those people are usually frustrated and miserable, and they tend to make others feel the same way. This would be a good time for us to pause and think about our priorities. What is the “one thing” for which you live?

CONFESSING OUR SINS

April 2, 2011 By Pastor David Stone

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. —1 John 1:9

Confession of sin can be very very difficult–especially when you have a reputation to uphold, or an office to maintain, or a marriage to save, or a job to keep, or money to lose, etc. It is usually the last thing we want to do.

People are eaten up with envy, jaded with jealousy, blighted with bitterness, consumed with covetousness, frozen by fear, polluted by pride, afflicted by appetite, etc., yet they would never admit it. Although it’s obvious to others, ruining relationships, corrupting their character, hurting their happiness, and souring their spirit, they refuse to to repent.

It would be so simple and it is so serious and there is so much at stake that you would think everyone would do it, but few do. Instead, they use every excuse imaginable to keep from dealing with it and blame everyone possible for it. They imagine that it wouldn’t make anything better, or that people won’t forgive, or that they won’t be able to stop, or that they have plenty of time, or that someone else should take the first step. It’s a fool’s game, but they play it without fear.

There is so much at stake that we ought to confess our sins as quickly as possible, as sincerely as we can, and as completely as is necessary. We ought to do it without hesitation, reservation, argument, or question. Why would you wait? How long will you wait? What might you lose while you wait? All the while, as you entertain sin in your life you deprive yourself of blessings. Whatever the price you must pay by confessing your sins it is not as much as the cost of not doing so. No one sins successfully.

We ought to be forever thankful that forgiveness is possible. We don’t deserve the least of God’s favor, yet he forgives and restores. He does so only because of the sacrifice of Christ, His own dear Son. Once we have established a relationship with God by trusting Christ as our Savior, we ought to maintain our fellowship with God by confessing our sins–all of them, right now! Doing so will bring peace into your heart and blessing into your life. Make this day a turning point in your life by confessing every known sin.

THE SAINT’S SECRET TO SUCCESS

April 1, 2011 By Pastor David Stone

“—the LORD was my stay (support)”–Psalm 18:18

As I look back over the many years and consider my journey, I often think about where I’ve been, what I’ve done, and how I’ve failed, then I think about where I am today. How can it be? Why didn’t God kill me? Why has God blessed me? How have I survived? What is the secret?

I could not answer that question any better than did James Smith in 1859. Listen carefully, for this is the saint’s secret to success:

Here is the whole secret of the case—”But the Lord was my support!”

In the seasons of my greatest difficulty,
in all my times of sorrow and danger,
when I was filled with fears and doubts,
when in deep trouble and afflictions,
when all creature help failed me,
when my heart worried and vexed me,
when my enemies were just ready to overwhelm me,
when my feet were almost gone,
when my steps had well near slipped,
in my darkest nights,
in my dreariest days,
—then the Lord was my support!

My journey has been long,
my road has been peculiarly difficult,
my heart has been weak,
my enemies have been strong,
and long ago I must have perished in my afflictions—or been a prey to my foes—but the Lord was my support!

I would have fainted under my heavy burdens,
I would have yielded to my enchanting temptations,
I would have fled before my powerful foes
—but the Lord was my support!

Yes, the Lord has upheld, supported, and supplied me along the treacherous way. To His free grace, to His inviolable faithfulness, and to His unchangeable love—I must ascribe that “But by the grace of God I am what I am!” 1 Corinthians 15:10

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER

March 31, 2011 By Pastor David Stone

Thomas Jefferson said it first, although legendary film producer Samuel Goldwyn is attributed with making the line more slick and famous: “The harder I work, the luckier I get.”

We’ve all seen guys who overachieve—in sports, in business, in all kinds of professions. We’ve seen young football players from Division II directional schools who get signed as undrafted free agents , make the final cut, fill in for an injured starter, then turn low expectations into a Pro Bowl season. Hard work? Luck? You decide.

The person who wrote Psalm 1 in the Bible talked about the man who doesn’t kid around when it comes to keeping his nose in the Scriptures. “Day and night” he makes learning God’s Word a passionate pursuit. As a result, “he is like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper” (Psalm 1:3). Good genes? Lucky breaks?

There’s something about a man who reads and studies his Bible, not to win theological arguments, but just because he wants his life to be shaped, governed, and directed by God’s ultimate truth. Psalm 119:98 says it makes him smarter than his enemies. Proverbs 1:4 says it transforms a young, inexperienced man into someone who’s shrewd and clever, who knows the ropes.

Aren’t you “lucky” to have that kind of resource sitting around? You are if you’re ready to work at it.

Pray this prayer: Lord, I don’t always know the best way to get much out of reading the Bible. But I ask you, by your Holy Spirit, to begin letting it speak clearly to me. I do want to learn. I do want to grow. By Football Coach Joe Gibbs; Scripture references changed to KJV.

CHOOSING CONTENTMENT

March 30, 2011 By Pastor David Stone

—for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.–Philippians4:11

This statement from the pen of Paul never ceases to amaze me. I would like to be able to be say the same thing, but I sometimes fail. About the time I think I’ve learned this lesson something happens to show me that I haven’t –I’m still learning!

It thrills and challenges me when I see others who, like Paul, have learned to be content, regardless of the circumstances. Here’s one of my favorite stories:

A 92-year-old petite, well-poised and proud man, who is fully dressed each morning by eight o’clock, with his hair fashionably coifed and shaved perfectly, even though he is legally blind, moved to a nursing home today. His wife of 70 years recently passed away, making the move necessary. After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, he smiled sweetly when told his room was ready. As he maneuvered his walker to the elevator, I(the author) provided a visual description of his tiny room, including the eyelet sheets that had been hung on his window. “I love it,” he stated with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old having just been presented with a new puppy. “Mr. Jones, you haven’t seen the room; just wait.”

“That doesn’t have anything to do with it,” he replied. “Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time. Whether I like my room or not doesn’t depend on how the furniture is arranged . . . it’s how I arrange my mind. I already decided to love it.” It’s a decision I make every morning when I wake up. I have a choice; I can spend the day in bed recounting the difficulty I have with the parts of my body that no longer work, or get out of bed and be thankful for the ones that do. Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open, I’ll focus on the new day and all the happy memories I’ve stored away. Just for this time in my life.

So, dear friend, how is it with you? Have you made that choice? Have you learned to be content? Are you in the process of learning this lesson? Or, have you just resigned yourself to failure –discontent, disgruntled, depressed, and disappointed? It’s your choice!

ONE THING

CONFESSING OUR SINS

THE SAINT’S SECRET TO SUCCESS

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER

CHOOSING CONTENTMENT

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