MORNING MANNA             10-21-23

SIN AIN’T FUNNY

“Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.”-Proverbs 14:9 

To the fool sin is a mere joke. In his mind it isn’t all that serious. He laughs at the very things that offend and grieve the heart of God. Fools joke about the very things that bring judgment from God. And we see this light-hearted attitude all around us today. That is a sad indictment against a nation that prints “In God We Trust” on its currency, while promoting the very thing that caused Christ to suffer and die on the cross. To put it in language everyone will understand—Sin ain’t funny! 

The second half of this verse teaches us what our sinful society has forgotten–the highest honor of life, pleasing God, is attained through righteousness. If we want God’s blessings we must respect His laws. Gaining His favor is the key to our security. We are never safe if we are sinful (Proverbs 14:34). You and I cannot change the world, but we can have an impact in our family, work place, and community. We become a positive influence when we make it clear to others that sin is serious. By refusing to laugh at their filthy jokes and participate in their sinful activities we send a message—sin ain’t funny! 

I can’t help but wonder how many people will take note that I used the word “ain’t”, maybe even get offended that I didn’t use proper English. Isn’t it strange that some folks will pay more attention to that than they do to the sin that is in their life? Sin, of any sort, is serious. It is the very thing that made it necessary for Christ to suffer and die on the cross, to shed His blood to redeem us from our horrible condition. To make light of sin is to dishonor the sacrifice He made on our behalf.  HDS

David Stone

Lakeway Baptist Church  

 Humble, Tx

MORNING MANNA            10-20-23  

THE LORD WILL PROVIDE   

Though troubles assail, and dangers affright, Though friends should all fail, and foes all unite, Yet one thing secures us, whatever betide,
The promise assures us, “The Lord will provide.”
The birds, without barn or storehouse, are fed; From them let us learn to trust for our bread: His saints what is fitting shall ne’er be denied, So long as ‘tis written, “The Lord will provide.”
No strength of our own, nor goodness we claim; Our trust is all thrown on Jesus’ name:
In this our strong tower for safety we hide;
The Lord is our power, “The Lord will provide.”
When life sinks apace, and death is in view,
The word of His grace shall comfort us through: Not fearing or doubting, with Christ on our side, We hope to die shouting, “The Lord will provide.”
-John Newton

MORNING MANNA              10-19-23

JUST AS I AM

”....him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.–John 6:37 

Physical ailments can really get us down. Sometimes the nicest people in the world can get as cranky as a she bear protecting her cubs–nobody wants to get anywhere near them. Such was the case with Charlotte Elliott. At the age of thirty her health began to fail and she was soon an invalid. It wasn’t long before her sweet disposition turned sour. With her body racked with pain living became a constant burden.

“ “What do you mean?” she asked.

. “You are holding to your hate and anger because you have nothing else in the world to cling to”, he said. Then he proceeded to explain God’s grace through Jesus Christ, and told her she could come to Christ just as she was and be saved. That struck a note. Charlotte was deeply impressed at the thought of coming to Christ just as she was, and she trusted Christ as her Savior later that evening.

 Fourteen years later, on the anniversary of her new birth, she penned the words to the famous hymn,”Just As I Am”. She couldn’t forget  the wonderful privilege of being able to come to Christ just as she was. So can you! That was true then and it’s true now. It was true of Charlotte and it’s true for you. 

We need not, in fact we cannot make any changes that would make us acceptable to God. We come to Him as we are or not at all. Our only plea and our only hope is the shed blood of Christ, the Lamb of God. Will you come to Him right now–remember, you can come just as you are! – HDS 

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

MORNING MANNA             10-18-23

GOD’S WAY IS ALWAYS RIGHT AND BEST

“What man is he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.” — Ps 25:12 

In all the multiplicity and variety of circumstances that have distressed the children of God, has the Lord ever taken a wrong step? Though he has baffled nature, though he has disconcerted reason, though he has turned our plans upside down, though perhaps he has done the thing that we most feared, and thwarted every natural purpose and inclination of our heart—can we say that he has erred? that he has made a mistake? that he has acted unwisely? that he has not done that which is for our spiritual good?

Murmuring, rebellious, unbelieving heart, hold your peace! Shall man, foolish man, a worm of the earth, a creature of a day, lift up his puny voice and say that God can mistake? Your path is very dark, very intricate, very perplexed; you cannot see the hand of God in the trial that is now resting upon you; you cannot believe that it will work together for your good. I admit it. I have felt it. I have known it. But the time will come, when this dark path in which you are now walking, shall be seen full of radiancy and light, when you will prove the truth of these words, “He brought the blind by a way that they knew not.”

When we know God to be infinitely wise, that he cannot err, that all his dealings must be stamped with his own eternal wisdom, we are silenced, we hold our peace, we have nothing to say, we are where Aaron was. When Nadab and Abihu were smitten by the Lord, Aaron knew that God could not err; he held his peace (Lev. 10:3). This is our right spot. If we know anything of the folly of the creature—if we know anything of the wisdom of God—this is our spot. When our dear Nadabs and Abihus are smitten before our face, our spot is to hold our peace, to put our mouth in the dust; for God is still accomplishing his object, in the face, and in spite of nature, sense, and reason. – J C Philpot

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

MORNING MANNA            10-17-23

WORSHIP ?

“So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you….”– Romans 1:15

Millions gather in churches every week all across America. While all would say they meet to worship, I can’t help but wonder how many actually do. And all would say that they expect to hear God’s Word, but I wonder how many will. And when all is said and done, when everyone has vacated the buildings, I wonder what was accomplished. I wonder how many unsaved people will depart without ever having heard the gospel (1 Cor. 15:1-4).

Of all the subjects needing to be studied the gospel is the most important. Of all the messages that need to be delivered it is the most urgent. It doesn’t make any difference what you hear unless what you hear can make a difference, and nothing can make more of a difference than the gospel. As Paul said, “it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth”( Rom. 1:16). It alone has the power to save poor lost sinners. Without it man has no hope. While there are other messages that need to be delivered, no amount of preaching is sufficient if the gospel is missing.

We need the gospel because we all have sinned and stand justly condemned in the sight of God. Thankfully God had a plan before the world began that would provide salvation for sinful man. That plan can be summed up in a man, the man Christ Jesus. Through His sacrifice we can be saved. By His death we can be delivered. “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” ( 2 Cor. 5:21). Due to that, “God….reconciled us to himself by Christ Jesus” ( 2 Cor. 5:18). All you need by way of salvation is provided for you as a gift the moment you place your faith in Christ. It all boils down to this– “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” (John 3:16).- HDS

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