MORNING MANNA               12-10-25
HIP-HIP-HOORAY FOR HONESTY 
“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭3‬-‭4‬ ‭

Rather than letting the Christmas rush make you a grouch aspire to be a blessing. Here is a true story that might put you in the right frame of mind.

A few years ago I read about a man who found a bag of money containing $7,000 while cleaning the streets in Alvin, Texas, and returned it! The doughnut shop owner who lost it was delighted and “shocked that someone was still honest”. The man who found it said the money was not worth more than his honor. I say “Hip-Hip-Hooray!” to a man who is so honest.

That story reminded me of something personal. As Bev and I was leaving a store she spotted a purse someone had left in a shopping cart. She picked up the lost purse and turned it in immediately. You can bet that the owner of the purse was surprised and happy. Another woman standing nearby, watching the scene unfold, had a shocked look on her face and she expressed her amazement that someone actually would return the purse.

Here’s the point–not everyone is a thief! There are a few honest and caring people in the world. It’s the fallen stars that get the most attention. Think about it–with millions of stars over-head staying true to their orbit, it is the fallen star that distracts us from their beauty. Even so, in the news world today it is mainly the bad news that makes the headlines. Don’t let the bad behavior of a few sour your attitude toward everyone else.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said,” If the stars appeared only one night every thousand years how we would marvel and appreciate them”. How true. Even so, the rarity of honesty, and other virtues, should get our attention and gain our appreciation. Next time you see someone do a good deed don’t let it go unnoticed. Expressing your admiration and appreciation can encourage people to do more of the same. Think about it! – HDS

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

MORNING MANNA                12-9-25
MORE THAN CONQUERORS 

“Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭37‬ ‭

This is a very encouraging verse from a really uplifting chapter of the Bible. There’s something empowering about the phrase “more than conquerors”. It doesn’t say we’re untouchable through him who loved us, but more than conquerors. This speaks of victory and it also indicates opposition.

I haven’t watched many football games this year, but the few I have watched have presented great victories over the opposition. There’s nothing like a tie in the last couple of minutes of the game, battling down the field, and crossing the goal line for the win. There’s celebration and satisfaction in overpowering the opposition.

Now imagine that winning team hanging around until everyone leaves the stadium and running plays and going across the goal line over and over with no one opposing them. That’s not victory.

We haven’t been called to an untouchable life, but a life of victory over the opposition through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Whatever the opposition is for you today, please know there is ultimate victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!

Kenneth Preston
Lakeway Baptist Church 

Humble,Tx

Sent by David Stone on Monday, December 8 at 7:24AM

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”- Isa. 9:6

There are a lot of incredible things in the world and we often hear talk about the wonders of the world. But the most incredible thing of all is God’s gift of grace, the Lord Jesus Christ. Of all the wonders He is the most wonderful– even His name is “Wonderful”. Every Christmas we see many references to this verse, but sadly it is usually without any effort to really understand what it all means. To unpack and examine every word and phrase of this verse would take hours, but it would be time well spent. I challenge you to do it. Believe me, you will never look at it the same way again.

Here are some thoughts to get you started:
I. His Virgin Birth – “..a child is born..”
II. His Vicarious Death – “.. unto us a son is given..”
III. His Victorious Reign – “..the government shall be upon his shoulder..”
IV. His Various Names 
 1. “Wonderful”  2. “Counsellor”  3. “The mighty God”  4. “The Everlasting Father”  5. “The Prince of Peace”.

This Christmas I want you to think about who He is, what He has done, what He is doing, and what He shall do. Do that and He who is “Wonderful” will fill your hear with wonder. You will never look at Christmas the same way again. You will feel as Paul did when he said, ” Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift.” ( 2 Cor. 9:15). There are no words to describe God’s gift to sinful man. It is simply and seriously wonderful. — HDS

MORNING MANNA              12-6-25
Cause For Celebration
“The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear? “ Proverbs 18:14

Senior Living told the following true story that might be just what you need to change your attitude about Christmas. 

“During World War II, a woman took her two little children to visit her parents in Texas because her husband was stationed in Europe. As they got ready for Christmas—setting the tree up, putting the presents out, and preparing dinner—they were experiencing the joy of Christmas, almost forgetting the worry of war. But no sooner had the fun began, than the family heard a dreaded knock on the door and received a terrible telegram greeting.

The young mother had to tell her children that Daddy wouldn’t be coming home for Christmas…ever. And then she went up to her room to weep alone. Her parents debated and finally decided to take down the Christmas decorations and put the presents away. When the young lady came downstairs, she immediately saw the empty spot. She exclaimed, “Mother, what have you done?”

Her mother replied, “You’re so broken-hearted, so your father and I decided this is not the time for Christmas.”

The new widow said, “Oh no, mother, bring it all back. Christmas was made for times such as these.”

Many people have overwhelming problems which make it hard to get excited about the holidays whether they be financial difficulties, physical ailments, loneliness, or emotional pain from the loss of a loved one. Christmas is certainly not about the presents, lights, and decorations, but it is surely a time when we can lean on the goodness of God and rejoice in Christ’s birth.

Try serving someone else this season and God will bless you (see Acts 20:35). Jesus came to this earth to serve others and to give His life for you (see Mark 10:45). Among all of the other difficulties this time of year, that is reason to celebrate!”

David Stone

 Lakeway Baptist Church 

Humble, TX