MORNING MANNA            7-31-23

ETERNITY

“And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.”– Matt.25:46

The following comments by James Smith (1840) are as simple and serious as it gets:

So, where are you headed? Where will you spend eternity? HDS

David Stone

Lakeway Baptist Church

Humble, Tx.

MORNING MANNA            7-30-23

FAR BETTER  

According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.- Philippians 1:20-24 

It is easy for us to get caught up in the things of this world and forget that we are not meant for here but for eternity. While it’s not uncommon for people to take a pillow on an airplane with them if they hope to sleep, we would certainly think it was strange if they brought sheets and blankets and pictures and lamps and set up house. The plane is just taking them from one place to another, and is never meant to be their home.

John Rice wrote, “This world is only an anteroom of the next. This short life is incidental compared with eternity. This world is not home to the Christian. Here we are only sojourners, temporary dwellers in a foreign land. Our citizenship is in Heaven. Our treasure should be in Heaven. Our thoughts should dwell lovingly and longingly on that sweet home of the departed saints, of our Savior and of our Heavenly Father.”

Jesus described those whose lives are never productive because their focus is on the things around them rather than the things of God. “And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful” (Mark 4:19). If we want our lives to count for God, we must keep our focus on the eternal and remember this world is not our home.We must keep our affections fixed on eternal things so that temporal things do not render us ineffective in service to God.(Daily in the Word)

David Stone       

Lakeway Baptist Church   

Humble, Tx 

MORNING MANNA            7-28-23
OVERCOMING
“ Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. ”Hebrews 12:2

MORNING MANNA            7-27-23

GREAT PREACHERS

“Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.”- James 1:3

Read 1Peter 1:1-9

The greatest sermons I have ever heard were not preached from pulpits but from sickbeds. The deepest truths of God’s Word have often been taught by those humble souls who have gone through the seminary of affliction.

The most cheerful people I have met, with few exceptions, have been those who’ve had the least sunshine and the most pain and suffering in their lives. The most grateful people I have ever known were not those who had traveled a pathway of roses all their lives, but those who were confined to their homes, some to their beds, and had learned to depend on God.

The gripers, on the other hand, are usually those who have the least to complain about. The men and women who are the most cheerful and the most grateful for the blessings of Almighty God are often those who have gone through the greatest trials.

The Bible tells us that if we respond properly to the trials of life, we will develop patience and godly maturity (Rom.5:3-5; Ja.1:3-4).We must keep in mind that our present sufferings are “but for a moment” and that they are being used by God for our eternal good (2 Cor.4:17-18).

So take heart, suffering one. Someday you too will realize that it was worth it all (1 Pet.1:7).By M.R. DeHaan

David Stone

Lakeway Baptist Church 

Humble, Tx 

MORNING MANNA             7-26-23
THE SCHOOL OF CHRIST

“I will instruct thee and teach thee—.” Psalm 32:8 

Here is a precious promise! The all-knowing God will teach us–and we are in desperate need of the lessons. As James Smith said (in 1840),”At best we know but little–and we are slow to learn. But the Lord has promised to instruct us. The Lord’s teaching always produces humility, self-loathing, confidence in God, zeal for His glory, and heart devotion to Christ! The Lord’s teaching always brings us to the feet of Jesus, and delivers us from this present evil world. Under Divine instruction we learn the true nature of sin, the vanity of the world, the emptiness of creatures, and the fullness and preciousness of Christ!“. 

Seeing that God is willing to instruct us, should we not be eager to learn? Considering that our problems are so large and our abilities are so small, should we not be found early and often sitting at the feet of Jesus, with our Bible open, our body rested, and our mind clear, soaking up the rich treasures of His Word? Since the great God who designed, created, and controls this vast universe bids us to come, should we not be found continually at the throne of grace praying, as the Psalmist, “Shew me thy ways, O LORD teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.”(Psalm 25:4-5). In the school of Christ, Jesus is both the teacher and the theme. It is for that reason He said,”Come unto me–and learn of me-“(Matthew 11:28-29). Have you? Is He your teacher? Have you enrolled in the class of Christ, by trusting Him as Lord and Savior? If so, sit at His feet, soak up His words, surrender to His demands, show forth His praise. If you know Him–love Him, learn of Him from Him, leave all to follow Him, live for Him, lean on Him for support, and look to Him always. Make this your daily prayer–“Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path--“(Psalm 27:11).- HDS 

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