THE BLESSED LIFE

January 17, 2009 By Pastor David Stone

“Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that doeth righteousness at all times.” Psalm 106:3

F. W. Robertson wrote the following words of wisdom:

In the darkest hour through which a human soul can pass, whatever else is
doubtful, this at least is certain. If there be no God and no future state,
yet even then, it is better to be generous than selfish, better to be
chaste than licentious, better to be true than false, better to be brave
than to be a coward. Blessed beyond all earthly blessedness is the man who,
in the tempestuous darkness of the soul, has dared to hold fast to these
venerable landmarks. Thrice blessed is he, who, when all is drear and
cheerless within and without, when his teachers terrify him, and his
friends shrink from him, has obstinately clung to moral good. Thrice
blessed, because his night shall pass into clear, bright day.

Now, while all that is true it is not the whole truth. The truth is that you cannot regularly live such a life until you have been born again. Only by trusting Christ can we live up to such lofty ideals. It is the Spirit within that produces such virtues. Without Him we can do nothing.

To live the blessed life you must trust the Blessed Redeemer!

YES YOU CAN!

January 16, 2009 By Pastor David Stone

Life is tough, but nothing is intolerable if it is truly necessary. In other words, if it is our God given duty, with His help, we can do it. We need to remember that. All of us can envision certain situations that, if they materialize, seem impossible. How often have you thought–“I just couldn’t do that!” or “I just couldn’t stand that!” That’s the way you feel, but here’s the facts—Yes you can! Get that into your head and never forget it.

With God all things are possible. When God said to Paul,”My grace is sufficent for thee”(2 Corinthians 12:9) He wasn’t lying. Neither did Paul lie when he wrote,” There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”(1 Corinthians 10:13).

Isn’t God wonderful? We face difficult duties and tough tribulations, but He is able to deliver us out of them all. Dear friend, we never know what severe situation we might face before this day is over. But we do know that nothing is intolerable if God deems it necessary. Through Christ, you can be victorious regardless of what happens. As Paul said,” I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”( Philippians 4:13).

OUR HOPE FOR YEARS TO COME

January 12, 2009 By Pastor David Stone

Our Hope for Years to Come

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth, and with my song will I praise Him.
Psalm 28:7 (also read Psalm 28:6-9)

This verse provides a happy formula for the New Year. Notice the progression.

First, we realize that the Lord is our strength and shield. No matter what unfolds from day to day or from month to month, He’ll give us sufficient strength, and His presence will surround us as a shield.

Second, our hearts can fully trust Him. We can relax, rest, and lean on Him, knowing He is fully able to do all He has promised.

Third, as we recognize who He is and trust Him, we are helped. There’s no sense of panic as it relates to the uncertain future. He helps us in everything at every time. The past, the present, and the future are His.

Fourth, our heart can therefore rejoice. Today is a day for a joyful and glad attitude. And that leads to a song of praise. We can have a hymn in our hearts today–like this one: “O God our Help in ages past, our hope for years to come; be Thou our Guide while life shall last, and our eternal home.” (Turning Point)

Under the shadow of Thy throne Thy saints have dwelt secure; sufficient is Thine arm alone, and our defense is sure.
Isaac Watts

IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL

January 11, 2009 By Pastor David Stone

IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. –Psalm 46:1

In 1873, Horatio G. Spafford, a Christian lawyer from Chicago, sent his wife and four daughters on an ocean liner bound for Le Havre, France. But in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, the steamship collided with another sea vessel and sank within twelve minutes.

Miraculously, Spafford’s wife was rescued and taken to Le Havre with the other handful of survivors. When she arrived, she sent a message to her husband in Chicago: “Saved—alone.”

Immediately, Stafford sailed for Europe to be with his grief-stricken wife. As his ship passed the approximate location where his daughters drowned, he penned these words in the midst of his sorrow: “When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea-billows roll, whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, ‘It is well, it is well with my soul.’”

Scripture says our Lord is “the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). If you are struggling through a difficult time in life, you can find comfort in the arms of God. Or, if there is a person in your life who is going through a tough time, seek to encourage them as the Lord has encouraged you.

Pray that the Lord would use the difficulties in your life to help you encourage others who may be going through hard times.(copied). Remember–What He has done for others He can do for you!

FEARING A THREE FOOT FALL

January 10, 2009 By Pastor David Stone

Trust in Him at all times, ye people.
Psalm 62:8 (also read 2 Corinthians 1:8-10)

A construction worker was welding on top of a water tower outside Chicago when he unhooked his safety gear to reach for some pipes. At the same time, a metal cage slipped and bumped the scaffolding he was on, sending him to the ground in a 110-foot fall where he landed on a pile of dirt. When the paramedics arrived and carried him off on a stretcher, he had one humorous request; “Don’t drop me.” *

Sometimes we are like that construction worker in our faith; trusting God to save us from the long fall of our sins, yet fretting over the three-foot falls of every-day details. It is easy to trust God with the big things we don’t fully understand, but a lot of us have a difficult time putting our trust in Almighty God for the small and personal issues we deal with on a daily basis. The Bible tells us to trust God for everything because He knows our needs even before we ask Him (Matthew 6:8).

If you haven’t fully put your trust in the Lord, spend some time casting ALL your cares upon Him, for He knows you intimately, loves you perfectly, and is worthy of your trust in every situation. –(Turning Point)

It is a glorious thing to know that your Father God makes no mistakes in directing or permitting that which crosses the path of your life. It is our glory to trust Him, no matter what.
Joni Erickson Tada

THE BLESSED LIFE

YES YOU CAN!

OUR HOPE FOR YEARS TO COME

IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL

FEARING A THREE FOOT FALL

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