MORNING MANNA              12-24-22

CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION 

While Christmas is a time for celebration, sometimes it is difficult for some people who are going through some great difficulty. They love the Lord and rejoice in what He has done, but they are hurting, fearful, confused, and worried. The Bible even gives us examples of great men who felt that no one cared. If that’s the case with you, please read the lyrics to the song below. They say it better than I can—

1. Does Jesus care when my heart is pained
   Too deeply for mirth or song,
   As the burdens press, and the cares distress,
   And the way grows weary and long?
   • Refrain:
     Oh, yes, He cares, I know He cares,
     His heart is touched with my grief;
     When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
     I know my Savior cares.
2. Does Jesus care when my way is dark
   With a nameless dread and fear?
   As the daylight fades into deep night shades,
   Does He care enough to be near?
3. Does Jesus care when I’ve tried and failed
   To resist some temptation strong;
   When for my deep grief there is no relief,
   Though my tears flow all the night long?
4. Does Jesus care when I’ve said “goodbye”
   To the dearest on earth to me,
   And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks—
   Is it aught to Him? Does He see?

Hopefully this will remind all of us that Jesus knows, cares, and can help! Whatever is against you, God is for you, Christ is with you and able to meet every need. That is cause for celebration! Merry Christmas. – HDS

David Stone

Lakeway Baptist Church

Humble, Tx.

MERRY CHRISTMAS 

Bev and I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas! We pray that the God of all grace will supply your every need through our Lord Jesus Christ. In these troublesome times, we pray that the Holy Spirit will give you peace that passeth all understanding!

With love,Yours in Christ,
Bro.& Mrs. Stone

MORNING MANNA             12-22-22

COMPLETE CHRISTMAS

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God”. – John 3:16-18

Jesus did not just randomly appear in Bethlehem at a generic moment in time. His arrival was the culmination of a plan that dated back to before the creation of the world. The exact time and place of His birth, along with a number of other details of what He would do during His life were written down and recorded hundreds or even thousands of years earlier. The plan was already in place, and it was perfect. Corrie ten Boom said, “Who can add to Christmas? The perfect motive is that God so loved the world. The perfect gift is that He gave His only Son. The only requirement is to believe in Him. The reward of faith is that you shall have everlasting life.”

We celebrate love when we celebrate Christmas. We exchange gifts with those who are special to us as an expression of how we feel about them. God gave His Son because of how He felt about the world. It’s important for us to understand that love is not just something God does; it is a vital and integral part of His nature and character—it is who He truly is. John wrote, “And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him” (1 John 4:16). The birth of Jesus was the expression of God’s love in a powerful and tangible way and the value of the gift communicates the great scope of God’s love for us. God’s love should be active and present in our lives and the way we treat others, just as His love is in His treatment of us.( Daily in the Word)

David Stone

Lakeway Baptist Church

Humble, Tx.

MORNING MANNA               12-21-22

Cause For Celebration
 “The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear? “–Proverbs 18:14

Senior Living published this true story: During World War II, a woman took her two little children to visit her parents in Texas because her husband was stationed in Europe. As they got ready for Christmas—setting the tree up, putting the presents out, and preparing dinner—they were experiencing the joy of Christmas, almost forgetting the worry of war. But no sooner had the fun began, than the family heard a dreaded knock on the door and received a terrible telegram greeting.

The young mother had to tell her children that Daddy wouldn’t be coming home for Christmas…ever. And then she went up to her room to weep alone. Her parents debated and finally decided to take down the Christmas decorations and put the presents away. When the young lady came downstairs, she immediately saw the empty spot. She exclaimed, “Mother, what have you done?”

Her mother replied, “You’re so broken-hearted, so your father and I decided this is not the time for Christmas.”

The new widow said, “Oh no, mother, bring it all back. Christmas was made for times such as these.”

Many people have overwhelming problems which make it hard to get excited about the holidays whether they be financial difficulties, physical ailments, loneliness, or emotional pain from the loss of a loved one. Christmas is certainly not about the presents, lights, and decorations, but it is surely a time when we can lean on the goodness of God and rejoice in Christ’s birth.

Try serving someone else this season and God will bless you (see Acts 20:35). Jesus came to this earth to serve others and to give His life for you (see Mark 10:45). Among all of the other difficulties this time of year, that is reason to celebrate! 

DAVID STONE

LAKEWAY BAPTIST CHURCH

5801 FM 1960 E.

HUMBLE, TX. 77346

Sent from my iPad