MORNING MANNA            10-31-23

KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE PRIZE

“—forgetting those things which are behind–I press toward the mark for the prize—“ Philippians 3:13-14 

In these wonderful verses we see Paul’s past, his proclamation, and his pursuit. Then in the next verses we see his plea–setting himself forth as an example.

That dear old apostle refused to allow anything in his past divert his attention and dim his vision of the prize before him. That is really rather amazing when you consider all of the things from his past that he could have been thinking about– his abilities, his accomplishments, his authority, his associates, his adversaries, his afflictions, etc. Yet he was looking ahead to “the prize of the high calling”. And he wasn’t just looking, he was reaching–straining with all his might to gain what God had for him. 

Paul was no quitter, nor loafer, nor coaster. He had a fixed purpose and a burning desire to fulfill it. He was willing to pay the price regardless of the circumstances, cost, conditions, or consequences. Although he had learned to be content in whatever state he was in (Phil.4:11) he was not content to remain as he was as a person.

 Some of us need to get past the past! Although we can learn from it we must never be controlled by it. We would do well to learn from the example of Paul. If you’re going to build momentum for a better future you’ve got to get rid of the ball and chain of your past. As Lehman Strauss wrote,” There is no bright future for the Christian who wastes time dwelling on the past.” 

Winston Churchill was right when he said,”We must learn to accept the past as unalterable and move on.” Good advice! And, Paul proved that it can be done. God records this information about Paul to inspire us, not so we can idolize him. He wants us to see what He can do in our life. Regardless of your past, God can give us a glorious future. That’s where our attention needs to be.- HDS, 8-22-10 

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

MORNING MANNA           10-30-23

LEAN HARD! 

“Cast your burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain you.” Psalm 55:22 

 It is by an act of simple, prayerful faith we transfer our cares and anxieties, our sorrows and needs, to the Lord. Jesus invites you come and lean upon Him, and to lean with all your might upon that arm that balances the universe, and upon that bosom that bled for you upon the soldier’s spear! But you doubtingly ask, “Is the Lord able to do this thing for me ?” And thus, while you are debating a matter about which there is not the shadow of a shade of doubt, the burden is crushing your gentle spirit to the dust. And all the while Jesus stands at your side and lovingly says, “Cast your burden upon Me and I will sustain you. I am God Almighty. I bore the load of your sin and condemnation up the steep of Calvary, and the same power of omnipotence, and the same strength of love that bore it all for you then, is prepared to bear your need and sorrow now. Roll it all upon Me! Child of My love! Lean hard! Let Me feel the pressure of your care. I know your burden, child! I shaped it-I poised it in My own hand and made no proportion of its weight to your unaided strength. For even as I laid it on, I said I shall be near, and while she leans on Me, this burden shall be Mine, not hers. So shall I keep My child within the encircling arms of My own love. Here lay it down! Do not fear to impose it on a shoulder which upholds the government of worlds! Yet closer come! You are not near enough! I would embrace your burden, so I might feel My child reposing on My breast. You love Me! I know it. Doubt not, then. But, loving me, lean hard!”—Octavius Winslow (1808-1878)

David Stone  

Lakeway Baptist Church   

Humble, Tx

The presence of a friend in trouble is cheering and consoling. But it is too often the case, that our friends, like the friends of Job, prove to be miserable comforters. They either do not enter into our troubles — or they cannot help us. The advice they give at times, only aggravates our woe, and adds to our distress.

But, believer, your God says, “I am with you!” What a thought is this! God, the great, the glorious, the omnipotent Jehovah — is with me! He is . . .
   with me to help me,
   with me to comfort me,
   with me to sanctify me,
   with me to save me,
   with me as a kind benignant Father,
   with me in every place, in every trouble, in every conflict,
   with me through all my journey and forevermore,
   with me on the bed of sickness,
   with me  to hold communion with me,
   with me to listen to my sighs,
   with me to number my tears, and
   with me to secure me from all injury!

Appearances may be very dark; the night may seem very long; and your pains, weakness, and fears may be many and great. Still, if the Lord is with you, you may sing, “Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation” Habakkuk 3:17-18  – James Smith, 1842

MORNING MANNA            10-28-23  

  THE TIME IS SHORT

“ But this I say, brethren, the time is short:…”- 1 Cor. 7:29

David Stone  

 Lakeway Baptist Church   

Humble, Tx 

MORNING MANNA             10-27-23

SINGING IN THE DARK 

“I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.” Psalm 40:1–3

Scrolling through my drafts I came to this post I had not yet sent. The noted blind hymn writer, Fanny Crosby was not born blind. When she was a baby, a doctor’s careless error in treating a minor eye infection left her completely unable to see. It is a tragedy to be blind or to suffer some other physical limitation or loss. Yet tragedies do not have to dictate our outlook. It is said that later in her life Fanny Crosby told a friend that if she met the doctor whose mistreatment led to her blindness she would thank him because being blind had meant that the first face she would see with recognition would be her Saviour’s face in Heaven. She had chosen to regard her blindness as a gift rather than allowing it to destroy her attitude toward God.

All of us have problems, difficulties, and challenges. Christians often allow these problems to control their attitudes, leaving them discouraged and bitter. Yet it does not have to be that way. When Paul and Silas were in Philippi, they were beaten severely and thrown into jail because they had cast a demon out of a young woman. They had done nothing wrong, and many would think they had grounds to complain, but their response was different. “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them” (Acts 16:25). When we understand that God is in control and that there are no accidents in the Christian life, we can maintain our joy no matter what comes. This allows us to continue to sing even during dark days. Since God is the source of our song, we can have joy regardless of our situation or suffering.

David Stone  

Lakeway Baptist Church    

Humble, Tx