BURDENS INTO BRIDGES
“-–the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel.”- Phil. 1:12

We live in a pressure cooker world and everyone feels the heat! Even believers are often burdened down to the point that they feel they will be crushed if relief isn’t found. No one is exempt from trials (Job 14:1). We all have our share of suffering and sorrow, but people view them and deal with them differently. Some poor souls throw their hands up in despair and quit. Others become bitter and resentful, often rebelling and resorting to destructive habits. A few, however, have learned to turn their burdens into bridges. Their burdens make them better rather than bitter.

The Apostle Paul gives us a good example as to what our attitude should be. Numerous passages tell how he benefited from his burdens. He knew God had a purpose in every problem that He allowed to enter into his life, a plan to use it for good, and the power to make it happen.

We too can benefit from our burdens. While burdens weigh heavily upon us, impeding our progress, bridges enable us to rise above difficulties and enable us to cross over into new territory. When your burden becomes a bridge it brings you to places you could have never reached by any other means. It can promote spiritual growth, protect you from danger, or put you in a place of ministry that you could never be in without it. Believe it or not you can advance through adversity, grow through grief, and benefit from your burdens.

Don’t allow your burden to become a barrier, shutting you off from the good things God planned for you. Make your burden a bridge whereby you can experience the blessings of God in your life. In other words, don’t waste your suffering. You cannot escape it, but you can embrace it, endure it, and enable God to use it to make you the person He wants you to be.

Having received the promise that God’s grace would be sufficient, Paul wrote, “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then am I strong.”–2 Cor. 12:9-10. No doubt about it–Paul turned his burdens into bridges, so can you! –HDS

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

MORNING MANNA            6-2-24  
HIS HANDS

It’s strange how the words of a song can stick in your mind–even for many long years. As I was thinking about the terrible times in which we live, I was reminded of that old song that says,”He’s got the whole world in His hands”. We need to think about that! 

The fact of the matter is that sometimes it seems that everything is whirling madly out of control. Admit it–sometimes you feel that God has forgotten all about you. It seems that He either doesn’t know, doesn’t care, or can’t help. We know we shouldn’t feel that way, but we do. Right? That’s when we need to get back to the facts, rather than following our feelings. To do that we must get into the Word and get the Word in us. Here’s a fact that ought to help you–“Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.”(Isa. 49:16). Isn’t that great! 

God not only has the “wind and the rain” and “the little bitty baby” in His powerful hands, He is constantly mindful of us. Think about it dear friend–we are on His mind and in His hands! The failures of the past, the frustrations of the present, and the fearful prospects of tomorrow are all in His hands. By the way–things are never out of control when they are in His hands! 

If you still feel a bit apprehensive go get your Bible and read Psalms 139:1-10. It ends with these words–“Even there (wherever that might be) shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.” No wonder we sing “Safe am I”. God knows–He cares and He can help. —  HDS

David Stone  

Lakeway Baptist Church   

Humble,Tx

MORNING MANNA           6-1-24

MEDITATING ON HEAVEN

“For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” Heb.11.10

Those who meditate much on heaven and all it holds are the happiest people on earth. With their focus on God their heart is filled with wonder and excitement. 

James Meikle (1730-1799) wrote: “Meditation, like the spies sent from Israel in the wilderness, returns with a good account of the good land, presents some of the fruits of paradise, and produces refreshing grapes pulled from the true VINE. Here the weary soul retires to rest in the bosom of the promise, in the love of God, in spite of all surrounding troubles; and drinks at the river before the throne, which makes her forget her miseries, as waters that flow away. O the high estate of the sons of God in meditation! They walk in the fields of glory, associate with the angels of light, and hold communion with God Himself! Thus, their face shines, and their mind seems as if in heaven, nobly opposing the base practices of the men of the world.”

The Psalmist said, “My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD.”(Psalms 104:34). So shall it be with all who follow his example. You can’t stand in the sun for a long period of time without being affected by it and you can’t bask in the splendor of heaven without being changed as a result. Let us then resist the temptation to rush through the day, never taking the time to reflect upon the glories of our heavenly home. Get alone with God, open His Word, read His promises, and meditate deeply upon them. You will be glad you did!- HDS

David Stone  

Lakeway Baptist Church   

Humble, Tx.

MORNING MANNA           5-31-24

THE UNIVERSAL PRINCIPLE
“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31 

Sadly, I don’t know any Christian who would disagree with this, but I know very few who actually do it.” Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” James 4:17 – HDS

David Stone

Lakeway Baptist Church  

Humble, Tx

MORNING MANNA            5-30-24

PLAY ACTING AND MASK WEARING

Let us abhor the very idea of play-acting and mask-wearing in our Christianity!

Let us observe how abominable hypocrisy is in the eyes of Christ.
 
We are told that in the presence of all the people, Jesus said unto His disciples: .” Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts; Which devour widows’ houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.”Luke 20:46-47

  

David Stone   

Lakeway Baptist Church  

Humble, Tx.