MORNING MANNA            7-12-24

We will never win the world by being like the world. We can only make a difference by being different. And when I say “different “ I mean living by scriptural standards rather than sin. There must be a balance between our beliefs and behavior or else we make the glorious gospel repulsive to those who are lost. We must practice what we proclaim or be used as an excuse by those who are unsaved. As someone said long ago, “We are the only Bible some people will ever read. God forbid that we leave the wrong impression “- HDS

GODLY CONTENTMENT

 The following is taken from an old article in the popular daily devotional book “Our Daily Bread”.

Contentment is never the result of multiplying riches, increas­ing pleasures, or gaining fame. All these only incite discontent, for when one obtains them, he finds he still is not satisfied. Con­tentment does not depend upon things on the outside, but results from conditions on the inside! Paul had suffered more for the sake of Christ than probably anyone else ( 2 Cor. 11:23-28); yet this is the man who says, “I am content.” The apostle was able to interpret all the experiences of life in terms of God’s will for his eternal good ( Rom. 8:28). Paul did not come to this happy philosophy of life in a moment. He says, “I have learned … to be content.” Aspiring to be what we are not, or grasping after riches which elude us, is not the way to happiness. We must rather do our very best with God’s help to accomplish our life’s task with the talents and opportunities He presents.

In his famous lecture on “Clocks and Watches,” Dr. Joseph Parker related the following story: A little watch, delicately strung, was dissatisfied with its restricted sphere of influence in a lady’s pocket. It envied the position of Big Ben, the great tower clock. One day as it passed with her ladyship over London’s Westminster Bridge, the tiny watch exclaimed, “I wish I could go up there! I could then serve multitudes, instead of just one individual.” “You shall have your opportunity, small watch,” she said. The lecturer then dramatically described how the pocket timepiece was drawn up the side of the mammoth tower by a slender thread. When it reached the top, it was completely lost to view. In his dramatic way, Dr. Parker concluded his lecture by exclaiming, “Its elevation had become its annihilation!”

Pray that you too may not lose the small influence you now have for Christ by coveting something larger for which you are not equipped, and which God constantly refuses you in His love.

O for the peace of perfect trust
My loving God in Thee;
Unwavering faith that never doubts
Thou choosest best for me. —Anon.

Discontent makes rich men poor,
While contentment makes poor men rich

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

MORNING MANNA             7-10-24
TRUSTING GOD

MORNING MANNA                7-9-24
THE SAD AND GLAD NEWS

We often hear people say, “No two people are alike”, and in a sense that is true. But, it also can be said that, by nature all people are alike. We all descended from Adam and have the same sinful nature. Of all men, “there is no difference”(Rom. 3:22), “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). Whether you trace  your ancestry back to faithful Abraham or Nimrod the rebel, there is no difference. We are all sinful and unfit for the kingdom of God. Your family tree might be that of royalty or rogues, either way you are a rebel against the King of kings until you claim Christ as your Lord and Savior. Whether you are a bum or a banker, without Christ you are spiritually bankrupt. Black or white, bond or free, rich or poor, learned or illiterate we’re all in the same boat by nature, and it’s sinking. That’s the bad news!

The good news is that, “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life”(John 3:16). It is good news that, “Jesus. . . by the grace of God should taste death for every man”(Heb. 2:9); “. . .”he died for all”. . (2 Cor. 5:15), that we who are unrighteous “might be made the righteousness of God in him.”(2 Cor. 5:21), That is good news indeed— it is glorious! We have hope — but only in Him!

Jesus made salvation available for everyone, so anyone could be saved. Now “. . whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”(Rom. 10:13). God has provided everything everyone needs for anyone to be saved. All we have to do is “believe” to receive. It is easy for us because it was hard for Him. We can be saved because He was sacrificed. He died that we might live.

The sad news is there is none righteous, no not one. The glad news is, there is One righteous, yes just one. He who is righteous died for the unrighteous. “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him”(2 Cor. 5:21). “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved. . . (Acts17:31). The question is, will you receive Him or reject Him? – HDS

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