MORNING MANNA            1-26-24

THE PROFIT OF PRAYER

“Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.”- Colossians 4:2–5

As I was considering all our present needs for prayer I found the following in my drafts.HDS

From his prison cell in Rome, Paul was inspired by the Holy Spirit to write a letter to the church in the Greek city of Colosse. Unlike his other epistles, this one was written to people he had never met. The church there had been established by others, but Paul was concerned for their spiritual growth and development. Over and over this brief letter talks about the importance of prayer. When we think of Paul’s condition at the time, there were many things for which he could have asked. Yet his greatest concern was that this church would pray for him. It is impossible to overstate the importance of prayer to the Christian life and ministry.

It is said that the great Scottish preacher Andrew Bonar had this reminder visible in his study: “He who has truly prayed has completed half of his study.” The tragedy of prayer is that while it is so important, it is easily overlooked. We find our schedules filled and our days packed with events and programs—many of them good and important—and prayer gets pushed aside. 

Yet without prayer we lack the strength and resources needed to do God’s work and live the Christian life. Prayer is not a few rote words mumbled over meals or before bed. Prayer is a conversation with God that takes place throughout the day and throughout our lives. It is not an occasional thing but a continual and repeated process through which we pour out our hearts to our loving Father in Heaven. Regular, fervent, meaningful prayer is the foundation of our work and ministry for Jesus Christ. (Copied)

David Stone    

Lakeway Baptist Church   

Humble,Tx

MORNING MANNA              1-25-24

BOUND & BLESSED

“––my bonds in Christ-–“Philippians 1:13 

It seems strange that some of the best people have the worst problems and some of the sweetest songs come from prisons, rather than a palace. As Paul wrote this marvellous letter he was wearing chains for Christ, yet he did so with great rejoicing.

 It’s unlikely that you and I will ever be forced to wear chains for Christ’s sake, but if we do our duty we will, without a doubt, experience suffering of some sort. Whether we speak of it as chains we wear, or a cross we bear, the point is the same. Both represent the suffering we experience as a result of doing God’s will. When Jesus spoke about the difficulties of discipleship He didn’t lie! 

For some it is household cares that make up the links of the chain that binds them. Don’t kid yourself–being a faithful housewife isn’t a walk in the park. For others the chain that holds them is a low-paying, dead-end job that they must work to support their family. Could you rejoice in a situation like that? The list could go on, but you get the point. Doing what God expects can be very uncomfortable–down right painful. How do you handle it? Or, does it handle you? 

Let me make a suggestion–let Paul serve as an example( Phil.3:15-17). Instead of thinking of yourself as being deprived in bondage and complaining because you can’t escape, think of your situation as an opportunity to do what you otherwise wouldn’t do–given a choice. Consider your circumstances as a chance to serve Christ. That’s exactly what Paul did. He didn’t sit idly by. He attributed his presence in prison to an act of God, although wicked men put him there, and he used the occasion to preach the gospel (Phil. 1:12-13). Your circumstances and your mission, to an extent, are different, but your attitude should be the same. “Do all things without murmurings and disputings—joy, and rejoice with me.”Paul said(Phil. 2:14,18). Do that and you will be blessed by whatever binds you! –HDS (10-20-10) 

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

MORNING MANNA             1-24-24

THE TRYING OF FAITH

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” James 1:2-4

Those who know me know that I’ve made a habit of saying, “For the Christian, the future always looks bright if you look far enough ahead. The best is yet to come”. I don’t keep repeating that because it is just a cute little saying, but because it is essential to view life from that perspective if we are to triumph over the trials and temptations of life. To live victoriously we must keep “Looking unto Jesus” and “consider Him…lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds”(Hebrews 12:2-3). We must view every experience in the light of God’s “exceeding great and precious promises..”(2 Peter 1:4). For the believer, everything has a purpose and will “work together for good”(Romans 8:28). We just have to wait.

Speaking in this regards, Adrian Rogers wrote:

What does God want out of you? He wants you to experience the fullness of Christ. And the way to this is through trials and tribulations. Can you be patient during this process? If you’re like most people, probably not. We become like children who don’t know the difference between “No” and “Not yet.” If you say, “Wait a while,” to them that is, “No.” They want it now. But God is interested in maturing you. A Danish proverb says, “Give to a pig when it grunts and give to a child when it cries, and you will have a fine pig and a bad child.” Tribulation brings patience, and patience makes us mature.

What are you waiting for? What are you struggling with? Give it to Jesus. Trust in His timing and His provision.

David Stone   

Lakeway Baptist Church   

Humble,Tx

I am posting this on the Morning Manna page so as to reach more people than our prayer page.

Pease pray for our dear friends Troy and Yvonne Stuckey. They had to move from their home to an assisted living facility in Arkansas. And I just received word from Troy that he is getting worse everyday and that they are putting him in hospice. We met this couple through the Drewett’s and they have been a help and blessing to our church. Your prayers are deeply appreciated.- Bro. Stone

MORNING MANNA             1-23-24

I read about a fellow who was driving up the steep, narrow, winding road in the Cave of the Winds near Colorado Springs. Coming to a very narrow passageway, with high rock walls on both sides, it seemed impossible for the car to get through. Just then he noticed a sign that said, “Yes, you can! Millions of others have.” So, proceeding very carefully he drove through the narrow passage and soon came to a wider roadway. Someone else had faced the same fears and out of concern for others erected the sign to encourage them to keep going. 

We need more people like that. There are folks all around us who are facing what seems to be impossible situations, and they are afraid. They need someone to encourage them. Those of you who have faced difficulties and discovered God’s grace to be sufficent need to share the news with others. Do you remember how you felt in the midst of your worst trial? Somebody else is in a similiar situation. They are confronted by the same fears that haunted you. Let God use you as an instrument of His peace.

 I’m not talking about a pep talk or the power of positive thinking—that’s not enough. People need what God alone can provide, and they can make that discovery through your word and example.What that sign was to the frightened traveller, you can be to some fellow traveller on the road of life. Your testimony can help them see that there is a way when there seems to be no way. Tell somebody, anybody, what “great things the Lord hath done” in your life. A few words can make a big difference in another person’s life.- HDS

David Stone    

Lakeway Baptist Church  

 Humble, Tx