Sent by David Stone on Thursday, April 24 at 6:30AM

THINK ABOUT IT               4-22-25

I suspect that many of you have heard or read it, but in case some haven’t I’m sending it today.- Bro. Stone

IF I WERE THE DEVIL

If I were the devil … If I were the Prince of Darkness, I’d want to engulf the whole world in darkness. And I’d have a third of it’s real estate, and four-fifths of its population, but I wouldn’t be happy until I had seized the ripest apple on the tree — Thee. So I’d set about however necessary to take over the United States. I’d subvert the churches first — I’d begin with a campaign of whispers. With the wisdom of a serpent, I would whisper to you as I whispered to Eve: ‘Do as you please.’

“To the young, I would whisper that ‘The Bible is a myth.’ I would convince them that man created God instead of the other way around. I would confide that what’s bad is good, and what’s good is ‘square.’ And the old, I would teach to pray, after me, ‘Our Father, which art in Washington…’

“And then I’d get organized. I’d educate authors in how to make lurid literature exciting, so that anything else would appear dull and uninteresting. I’d threaten TV with dirtier movies and vice versa. I’d pedal narcotics to whom I could. I’d sell alcohol to ladies and gentlemen of distinction. I’d tranquilize the rest with pills.

“If I were the devil I’d soon have families that war with themselves, churches at war with themselves, and nations at war with themselves; until each in its turn was consumed. And with promises of higher ratings I’d have mesmerizing media fanning the flames. If I were the devil I would encourage schools to refine young intellects, but neglect to discipline emotions — just let those run wild, until before you knew it, you’d have to have drug sniffing dogs and metal detectors at every schoolhouse door.

“Within a decade I’d have prisons overflowing, I’d have judges promoting pornography — soon I could evict God from the courthouse, then from the schoolhouse, and then from the houses of Congress. And in His own churches I would substitute psychology for religion, and deify science. I would lure priests and pastors into misusing boys and girls, and church money. If I were the devil I’d make the symbols of Easter an egg and the symbol of Christmas a bottle.

“If I were the devil I’d take from those, and who have, and give to those wanted until I had killed the incentive of the ambitious. And what do you bet? I could get whole states to promote gambling as the way to get rich? I would caution against extremes and hard work, in Patriotism, in moral conduct. I would convince the young that marriage is old-fashioned, that swinging is more fun, that what you see on the TV is the way to be. And thus I could undress you in public, and I could lure you into bed with diseases for which there is no cure. In other words, if I were the devil I’d just keep right on doing on what he’s doing. Paul Harvey, good day.”

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

THINK ABOUT IT             4-16-25

If I said, “Sometimes a smack upside the head is better than a pat on the back.”, you might disagree. But it’s true! Sometimes people have to get hurt before they get help. Here’s an example—
When I was a kid I was fishing with my dad, his best friend (my baseball coach), and his son. We were fishing at a place called,”the pot hole”. It was below the Powersite dam, near Forsyth, Mo. We were anchored near the swift tailrace of the water rapids below the dam.

All of a sudden a man in a nearby boat fell out and was struggling for his life. Fortunately, as he was being carried down river my coach was able to grab his arm. It would have been a simple rescue except for the fact that the man had been drinking and would not stop trying to climb aboard. But as he struggled he put us all in danger by tipping the boat and letting water in. To stop him from capsizing our boat, Bill hit him in the face, like a knock out punch, to get his attention. Afterword it was easy to get him in our boat- saving his life.

So I’ll say it again, “Sometimes a smack up-side the head is better than a pat on the back”. We could have commended him for his great effort, or been like a cheerleader urging him to try harder, but it wouldn’t have made things better. We needed his attention and he couldn’t get help until he got hurt.

The Bible gives us many examples of how God used heavy burdens to bring heavenly blessings. Their trials led them to triumph. In some instances people found themselves in difficult, dangerous, and deadly situations. But in their desperation they surrendered to God who delivered them from what otherwise would have destroyed them. Think about it!
– HDS

David Stone  
Lakeway Baptist Church  
Humble, TX

The furrowed brow, the frown, the fretting over petty things, the fussing about our trials, and the feuding among ourselves make a terrible impression on others. Sometimes we act as though God is dead or mighty sick, and unable or unwilling to help us. Unbelievers conclude that if this is Christianity they want no part of it. Can you blame them? Christians need to realize that sometimes a smile is better than a sermon,that our life is more important than a lecture, that our attitude can be of greater value than our actions. What we are speaks louder than what we say. The most powerful message of your life might be your life. Think about it! – HDS

THINK ABOUT IT             4-10-25

At noon last Saturday I was sitting on a swing in the backyard. Charlie, my dog, was laying between my feet. It was a gloomy day with an occasional sprinkle, but no rain or storms. It was an ideal day to relax, think, and exercise my legs.

All of a sudden the loudest and brightest lightening bolt I ever heard seemed to hit right where I was sitting! The sight and sound of it took my breath away. Charlie jumped up, spun around and headed for the house. I was in a state of shock ( no pun intended).

The swing is mounted on a metal frame and I could hear cracking and feel the static electricity in my body. I never felt so close to dying in my life. As I jumped up I was right behind Charlie headed for the door I had to hold back tears. As Elvis used to sing, I was “All shook up”!

In that split second I was reminded how quickly life can end. I mention this to remind you that the same is true of all of us. It might not have anything to do with lightening- it could be a car wreck, a heart attack, a bullet, or an unknown cause. That should cause all of us to be thankful for the gift of life and the gifts of life. Think about it! – HDS

“So teach us to number our days, That we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.”‭‭Psalm‬ ‭90‬:‭12‬ ‭

David Stone  
Lakeway Baptist Church  
Humble, TX