MORNING MANNA            7-3-24

THE CHALLENGE OF CHANGE

“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”_- Heb. 13:5

There’s one thing that never changes. Wanted or not here they come – that’s the way it is. Change is constantly taking place around us, within us, or with us. It might be so slow that it isn’t perceived or it might be so sudden that it’s shocking, but it happens. And coping with the challenge of change is crucial. When things happen that we can’t change or control we have to learn to live with what we’ve got. The challenge is found in the fact that we are commanded to “be content with such things as ye have” (Heb.13:5).

If you are wondering how that is possible read the rest of that verse “for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” And the next verse takes it a step further – “So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper –“ (Heb.13:6). He is the One constant we can rely upon regardless of the circumstances. He never changes. He is “the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”– Heb. 13:8

MORNING MANNA               7-2-24

MORNING MANNA            7-1-24  
BETTER NOT BITTER   

“And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of the Lord, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat. Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? am not I better to thee than ten sons? So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the Lord. And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the Lord, and wept sore”. 1 Samuel 1:7-10  

One of the first missionary books I read was the story of David Brainerd. It is a story that has challenged and inspired millions down through the years. Paul Chappell wrote the following:

Missionary David Brainerd had struggled with illness throughout his pioneering work among the American Indians. In 1746, at just twenty-eight years of age, he contracted tuberculosis and could no longer travel and preach. Jonathan Edwards took him into his home where Edwards’ seventeen-year-old daughter, Jerusha, served as his nurse through the last days of his life. Just four months after Brainerd’s death, Jerusha also died, have been infected with the same disease. Later Jonathan Edwards wrote, “All gracious affections that are a sweet odor to Christ, and that fill the soul of a Christian with a heavenly sweetness and fragrancy, are broken-hearted affections.”

The burdens that we carry in our hearts can be great, yet if we respond to them as we should, trusting in God to work, we often find those to be the source of some of our most meaningful spiritual experiences. The heart that becomes bitter will grow cold and turn away from God. But the heart that flees to faith will find that God is a source of help and hope. “Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah” (Psalm 62:8). God does not always work in the way we would prefer, but He always does what is right and what is best. Our burdens should drive us toward Him rather than away from Him. Deep burdens can be the source of our greatest spiritual growth and victories.  

Thought: God uses our misery to mature us and as a means of ministry to others. HDS

David Stone  

Lakeway Baptist Church   

Humble, TX

MORNING MANNA            6-30-24

WORK WHILE IT IS DAY

“I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.”- John 9:4

As it was with our Lord there is a limit to the time we have to work and fulfill God’s plan for our life. We (I) need to keep that in mind when we get discouraged or distracted.

The following story makes the point well. Many years ago during the period of rainy weather, a London city missionary became discouraged through inclemency of the weather and the hard-heartedness of the people. One evening he wandered through his district in a very despondent mood, and stepped into a hallway to rest and gain shelter from the rain. Through an open doorway he saw a seamstress at her work by candlelight. So busily was she working that he had trouble to follow the fast flying needle with his eye. She stopped a moment to rest, but then, casting a look at her candle, she murmured, “I must hasten, for my candle is burning low, and I have no other,” and busily applied herself to her work. The missionary says: “These words entered my heart as a warning from above. In a moment my despondence was gone, and I said, ‘I too, must hasten and work while it is day; the night comes apace when no man can work.’”

Someone said,”Do YOU feel discouraged, brother or sister? Work on, your labor is not in vain in the Lord! You cannot know how long your light will shine, so do not hide it even for a moment, but let every ray count in an effort to dispel the darkness of sin! God will take notice and bless you for it.” – HDS

David Stone  

Lakeway Baptist Church   

Humble, Tx.

MORNING MANNA            6-29-24

SIN- EXPELLING POWER

“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.”- 2 Pet.3:18

Considering the fact that Christ is our example and none of have arrived at his full likeness, there is always room for growth. We should be growing until the day we die and awake in his likeness. HDS

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