MORNING MANNA           4-5-24    
GUIDE FOR GODLY LIVING   

“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” Colossians 3:15-17

I am grateful for every good Christian book I have read. Each commentary, devotional, instructional book that has taught me valuable lessons has been a help to my life and service for the Lord.But all human books pale in comparison to the unending riches of the Word of God. It is the true and unfailing guide for us—the place where God has given us the resources and wisdom to shape our lives to His purposes and glory. Peter stated it plainly: “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue” (2 Peter 1:3).

God’s people need a renewed commitment to God’s Word in our day. We need to read it more. We need to memorize it more. We need to meditate on it more. We need to read what God says and then put it into action. We need to do the things the Bible says to do and avoid the things it says to avoid. We need to be people who live out the Word in our daily lives. Christian living is not a matter of our strength of will to overcome the world. It is a matter of letting the Bible continually guide our living day by day.

If the Bible fills your heart and mind, your attitudes and actions will bring glory to God.  (Daily in the Word)   

David Stone   

Lakeway Baptist Church   

Humble,Tx

MORNING MANNA           4-4-24  

GRACE

In a Word, grace is divine favor, which . . .
arises in God as its fountain;
centers in Christ as its depository;
appears in the doctrines of the gospel as in a mirror;
flows to sinners as its objects; and
peoples Heaven with sanctified believers as its design. 

Grace is . . .
the glory of Jehovah;
the charm of the gospel;
the delight of Jesus; and
the fountain of consolation to the church. 

Grace is . . .
eternal in its existence;
holy in its nature;
free in its acts;
sanctifying in its tendency;
and glorious in its design!

But if we attend to what the Bible says of grace, we shall discover that the True Grace of God is different from what man conceives. Instead of its being an enemy to holiness — grace is . . .
the root on which holiness grows,
the fountain from which holiness springs, and
the principle that produces holiness in the heart. 

True grace brings home the Word with power, conviction, and demonstration to the soul! Acts 14:3 

True grace works faith in the hearts of poor sinners, who are said “to believe through grace!” Acts 18:27

True grace calls its objects out of a state of nature, sin, and rebellion against God — and teaches them to pray, and mourn before the Lord! Galatians 1:15; Zechariah 12:10 

True grace makes obedient to the faith, and leads the soul to receive “grace upon grace” out of the fullness of Jesus! Romans 1:5; John 1:16

True grace destroys the love and dominion of sin, and leads us from the law to the gospel! Romans 6:14 

True grace brings home a sense of pardon to the soul, and imparts everlasting consolation! Ephesians 1:7; 2 Thessalonians 2:16

True grace removes condemnation, and justifies us freely, fully, and eternally! Romans 3:24; Titus 3:7

True grace strengthens, supports, and carries the Christian through all his conflicts, tribulations, and trials! 2 Corinthians 12:9

True grace builds up and establishes its possessor in truth, in faith, and in love! Acts 20:32; Hebrews 13:9 

True grace leads to holy, scriptural, and consistent practice! Titus 2:11-15

True grace will make a man labor for God and the good of immortal souls! 1 Corinthians 15:10 

True grace will regulate his lifestyle according to gospel precepts! 2 Corinthians 1:12

True grace will make him generous and liberal in the Lord’s cause, and to the poor! 2 Corinthians 8:1-7; 9:6-14

True grace flows in abundance, saves all its objects, and raises them to reign in life! Romans 5:17; Ephesians 2:6-8

True grace is always a gift, and is invariably free! Romans 11:6; Ephesians 4:7

True grace communicates more and more to its possessor, until the victory and conquest is complete! James 4:6

The man that possesses the True Grace of God, and is living under its sacred influence . . .
mourns over his state as a sinner,
longs for perfection as a believer, and
cannot be perfectly happy until purged from all pollution. 

He . . .
loves God as His Father,
cleaves to Jesus as His Friend,
views himself as a temple of the Holy Spirit,
hates, fears, flies from sin,
loves, pants for, and follows after holiness,
worships a sovereign Jehovah,
obeys a reigning Redeemer, and
ascribes all His salvation to free grace!

He . . .
depends on the Lord in his troubles,
flies to Jesus from his foes, and
pleads the free promises of his God. 

Christ is his object,
salvation his subject, and
to glorify God is his aim! 

He realizes union to Christ, proves His relationship to Christ, and offers up His body and soul as a living sacrifice to God; Romans 12:1

He feels, mourns over, and prays for grace to keep down his corruptions. He rests on the oath of Jehovah, accepts the invitations of Heaven, and washes in atoning blood. He renounces self, abhors His own righteousness, and glories in the cross of Christ. He comes out of the world, is transformed in his mind, and finds suitable associates in sanctified believers. He lives in communion with his God, feeds on the bread of life, and dies daily; 1 Corinthians 15:31. He lives believing, dies rejoicing, and will return and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon His head; he shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away; Isaiah 35:10.- James Smith, 1842

David Stone   

Lakeway Baptist Church  

Humble, Tx

MORNING MANNA            4-3-24

A Fabulous Future 

We live in a day when we are constantly bombarded with bad news and negative issues. It wears on you! Many are so fearful and discouraged that although they live in the lap of luxury they don’t enjoy it.

If that describes your disposition you need to do as Paul commands in 1 Thessalonians 4:18,”Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” To do that you must consider what he said in the previous verses regarding the return of the Lord, the resurrection of the dead in Christ, and the rapture of the saints. That describes the belivers “blessed hope”(Titus 2:13) and it gives us reason to rejoice! But, notice that we are not to just seek comfort for ourselves, we are to “comfort one another”. It is through comforting others with these glorious truths that we find the most comfort for ourselves. The person who seeks to be a blessing is always blessed himself.

 We need the attitude of D.L. Moody. A little girl had heard someone talking about the end of the world and she was greatly troubled. Seeing tears in her eyes, Mr. Moody asked what was wrong. When the little girl said, “The world is coming to an end”. The wise old preacher said,”Don’t worry honey, we can get along just fine without it”. Indeed we can ,if we know Christ as our Savior. Regardless of the wretched conditions on earth we have a fabulous future. One glorious day Christ will return and we shall be “caught up” to meet the Lord in the air! We will be reunited with the saints that have gone before, relieved of our heavey burdens, and rewarded for the deeds we’ve done. It doesn’t get any better than that! As the old song says,”What a day that will be”.

Cheer up weary pilgrim you’re not home yet. And, until we finally reach our homeland, we have the aid of the Holy Spirit to sustain us.Remember, “–weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”(Psalms 30:5).–HDS 2/12/11 

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

MORNING MANNA           4-2-24

Jesus is the resurrection! 

He quickens the dead in sin, and raises them to a life of righteousness. He calls us out of the grave of nature, and raises us up to live in his sight. He will also quicken the dead bodies of his saints, which sleep in him, and will raise them up to inhabit the new heavens and the new earth, wherein dwells righteousness. He will change our vile bodies, and make them like his glorious body. He will conform us to himself, and we shall be exactly like him.