MORNING MANNA                7-23-24

PREPARED HERE FOR SERVICE THERE

“But now, O Lord, thou art our Father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.” –Isaiah 64:8

During the Great Depression, a good man lost his job, used up all his savings, and forfeited his home. His grief was multiplied by the sudden death of his wife just weeks later. The only thing he had left was his faith, and it had been weakened.

One day, the man walked about looking for work when he stopped to watch some men doing stonework on a church building. One of the men skillfully chiseled a triangular piece of rock that didn’t seem to fit in the formation they were creating. So the man shouted to the artist, “Where are you going to put that?”

The man pointed toward the top of the building and said, “See that opening up there near the spire? That’s where it goes. I’m shaping it down here so it will fit up there.”

Tears filled the poor man’s eyes as he walked away. The worker’s words rang clear and spoke deeply to his heart giving new meaning to his difficult situation.

You may be reading this and going through a difficult time yourself right now. It may be something even too troubling to talk to anyone about. But you can know for certain “that all things work together for  good to them that love God, who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).

Each blow of the hammer and chisel in your life may hurt.

But have faith. These difficulties are only temporary! Sometimes the most painful blows bring about the greatest inner strength. Keep praying and believing that the Master is shaping you down here so you will be fit up there.

 Ask the Lord to turn your tragedy into triumph, and strengthen your spirit when life painfully hammers you from all sides.(Senior Living)

Just as suffering prepared Jesus for His ministry as our High Priest (Heb.4:14-15) the believer’s trials help prepare him for some future service. God knows exactly what is needed and He never puts more on us than what we can bear, if we but trust Him.-HDS, 6-5-10

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

MORNING MANNA            7-21-24

THE PERPLEXED SKEPTIC

“The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: There is none that doeth good.” Psalm‬ ‭53‬:‭1‬ ‭

The following is an old story I heard many years ago, but it’s truth is needed today more than ever.

A young skeptic said to an elderly lady, “I once believed there was a God, but now, since studying philosophy and mathematics, I am convinced that God is but an empty word.” “Well,” said the lady, “I have not studied such things, but since you have, can you tell me where this egg comes from?” “Why, of course, from a hen,” was the reply. “And where does the hen come from?” “Why, from an egg.” Then the lady inquired, “Which existed first, the hen or the egg?” “The hen, of course,” rejoined the young man. “Oh, then a hen must have existed without having come from an egg?” “Oh, no, I mean that one egg existed without having come from a hen.” The young man hesitated: “Well, you see—that is—of course, well, the hen was first!” “Very well,” said she, “who made that first hen from which all succeeding eggs and hens have come?” “What do you mean by all this?” he asked. “Simply this: I say that He who created the first hen or egg is He who created the world. You can’t explain the existence even of a hen or an egg without God, and yet you wish me to believe that you can explain the existence of the whole world without Him!” Thus the old lady’s common sense sent the young man’s philosophy packing. 

Everything finite must have had a beginning. But the important issue is, what is behind every finite beginning? Is it self-begun, or is there an infinite and eternal mind, a personality, behind it, the same personality which is behind every finite beginning? This personality John chooses to call ho Logos, “the Word.” 

David Stone  

Lakeway Baptist Church  

Humble, TX

MORNING MANNA              7-20-24
The Strength of our Source
“My help cometh from the LORD which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved.” Psalm 121:2-3 

While we need to think about the source of our strength, we also need to think about the strength of our source. God has the power to create and control all of creation! Wow! Who can comprehend that. Being able to do that, your problem is no problem to God. 

The phrase,”He will not suffer thy foot to be moved” isn’t as meaningful to us as it was to folks in those days. We don’t travel much by foot and when we do it is usually on smooth surfaces rather than rugged terrain. In those days and in those places travelers faced many difficult and dangerous situations where one slip could result in death. But, although our circumstances are different, we need the same help they needed. As we walk the pathway of life we are in constant danger and continual need of help. We are always liable to fall at any moment– unless the Lord helps us. It is only through His power that we can stand fast. 

Dear friend, be encouraged today. Walk with the Lord and He will sustain you in every possible situation. He never slumbers or sleeps. He is always alert, aware of your need, and able to help. If He can create and control the sun. moon, and stars He can take care of you. If He cares for the sparrow that falls, He cares much more for His children. The strength of our source assures us that no problem is too big for God. Focus more on the mighty power of God and you will fret less about the magnitude of your problem! – HDS, 7-27-09

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

Sent by David Stone on Saturday, July 20 at 4:40AM

MORNING MANNA             7-19-24
A LIFE WELL LIVED
“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭12‬:‭13

Much has been said about “A life well lived”, but how would you define such a life? What does it take to make us successful? Many would answer, “good health”, “great wealth”, “fame”, etc. But what do you say? More importantly, What’s the right answer? Just guessing isn’t good enough. Nor is feeling good about your assumption sufficient. Feeling good about your life doesn’t make your life good.