PATIENCE PAYS
“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”-James 1:12

A story is told of a young boy in China who wanted to learn about precious stones. So he went to study with an old teacher. The teacher put a piece of jade into the youth’s hand and told him to hold it tightly. He then went on to lecture the boy about philosophy, history, and a vast array of other subjects.

This procedure was repeated for weeks until the boy became frustrated. When would he be taught about precious stones? But he was too polite to interrupt his elder.

One day, the boy came to class as usual. When the old man put a stone in his hand, the boy, without looking, cried out, “That’s not jade!”

When it comes to the difficult circumstances and situations we face in life, it can be hard to determine what God is doing. Our first inclination is to get out of our situation as quickly as we can. But the truth is that in those storms, He’s up to something. Every storm has a purpose.

Perhaps today you’re coming out of a storm and you’re starting to realize why God took you through it. Or, maybe you’re in the middle of a storm and are clueless as to what God is doing. Stay faithful and hold onto the hope that in every situation, God is working for your good.

Pray and ask God to give you the patience and trust to believe He’s doing something great in the midst of life’s storms.- Senior Living

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

FINDING FAULT WITH OTHERS

“And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?”- Matt 7:3 

    

It is strange how oblivious we can be of our own faults and blemishes, and how clearly we can see those of other people. One old writer says: “Men are more apt to use spectacles than looking-glasses — spectacles to behold other men’s faults than looking-glasses to behold their own.” A man can see a little speck of dust in his neighbour’s eye while utterly unaware of the great beam in his own eye. He observes the most minute fault in his brother while unconscious of his own far greater fault.

We would say that a beam in a man’s eye would so blind him that he could not see the mote in another’s eye. As our Lord represents it, however, the man with the beam is the very one who sees the mote and thinks himself competent to pull it out. So it is in morals. No man is so sharp at seeing a fault in another as he who has the same or a similar fault of his own. A vain man is the first to detect the indications of vanity in another. A bad-tempered person is most apt to be censorious toward a neighbour who displays bad temper. One with a sharp uncontrolled tongue has the least patience with another whose speech is full of poisoned arrows. A selfish man discovers even motes of selfishness in others. Rude people are the very first to be hurt and offended by rudeness in a neighbour.

So it is always. If we are quick to perceive blemishes and faults in others, the probability is that we have far greater blemishes and faults in ourselves. This truth ought to make us exceedingly careful in our judgments and exceedingly modest in our expressions of censure, for we really are telling the world our own faults. It is wiser, as well as more in accordance with the spirit of Christ, for us to find lovely things in others, and to be silent regarding their faults.- J. R. Miller

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

SHOWING & SHARING JOY
” But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness,temperance: against such there is no law.”– Gal.5:22-23

Several years ago, an outdoor conference was held for a particular Christian denomination that discouraged expressions of joy in worship, like saying “Amen” or “Hallelujah.” So instead, attendees were given helium-filled balloons and told to release them when they felt like expressing joy.

Throughout the first day, balloons were released one by one as people wanted to express their joy. Yet, by the end of the day when the conference was over, more than a third of the balloons were unreleased.

It’s interesting how when expressing our joy is suppressed, we’re automatically less joyful. Imagine you’re having a great day when suddenly, you walk into a room full of people with somber faces. In that moment, your mood is very quickly going to change.

God gave us the ability to express joy not just for ourselves, but to show outwardly so we can spread that joy to others. So let the joy that’s inside of you be seen on the outside. Don’t be afraid to share a smile and a “hello” with someone today who needs it. Share joy with your expressions and acts– to others!

Pray and ask God to help you express joy as a fruit of His Spirit inside of you.– Senior Living

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