MORNING MANNA           7-7-23

A PRAYER REQUEST FROM JESUS
How would you feel if Jesus Himself walked into the room and said, “I have a prayer request”? If He asked you to ask for something would you ask? Well, the fact of the matter is that He has made such a request. It’s recorded in Matt. 9:38– “Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” And I might add–He is in the room with you, whether you sense His presence or not.

Notice, Who made this request. It is a prayer request from Jesus– the One whose judgements are always correct, motives are always pure, words are always true, demands are always righteous, will is always right, ways are always best. How can you deny Him?

Notice, What the request is for — “pray”. He didn’t ask for any personal comforts or luxuries. He didn’t ask them to marshal an army to overthrow the heathen government, or to protest the injustices of the day, nor to seek the advice of the “experts” to solve their problems, nor to construct a beautiful cathedral with stained- glass windows, or to grow the biggest church in town. He simply asked them to “pray”.

Notice, Why the request was made–“therefore”— “The harvest truly is plenteous”. Indeed it was, and it is even more so today. There are over 7 billion people in the world today and only a handful are saved. There are about 24,000 people groups in the world, each with their own language, culture, and customs. Many of these do not have the entire Bible in their own language. Should that not concern us?

— “but the labourers are few”. This is true for several reasons— we are in the minority, we are sometimes lazy, we often have the wrong priorities, conflicts within our ranks, pluralism (the belief that one religion is as good as another). But, whatever the cause, we ought to pray. We should consider the Lord’s request as a command, and obey Him. Will you grant His request? Will you obey His command? Will you do as He directs? Will you “pray”? Will you pray faithfully, frequently, and fervently? Those who ignore His request might be ignored when they make their request. Sin hinders prayer. If you’re not willing to pray as He directs you cannot expect Him to hear you when you pray for what you desire. If this doesn’t move you to pray what would? When is the last time you asked God to call men from your congregation to preach? Never? Really? Why? Those who refuse to pray are admitting that they are unconcerned about the deepest needs of others and the desire of the Lord they profess to follow. That should drive us to our knees in prayer. – HDS

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

MORNING MANNA               7-6-23

GOD’S SUPPLY FOR YOUR NEED

“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficent for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 

Make no mistake about it–this will be a difficult day for some folks! Different people will face different difficulties – poor health, loss of goods, domestic difficulties, separation from a loved one, the loss of a loved one, temptation, failure, sin, difficult duties, and a host of other things. Numerous things can bring us pain. And that can threaten our peace and joy. It can also prompt us to make foolish choices.But these painful experiences can be profitable in that they cause us to cry out to God for help where we find sustaining grace! 

It is at this point that we discover the treasure of our trials. Although the pain remains, we find grace for our grief and strength for our struggles. We discover the presence of God in our problem, and out of our weakness we receive strength for the struggle which provides us a peace that passeth all understanding. 

That’s what happened with the apostle Paul, and his God is your God–and He has not changed! Mark it down–He will be there in your hour of need just as He was with the aged apostle in his affliction. But we must be willing for His will to be done. 

God’s promise to the prophet Isaiah may be claimed by all of God’s obedient children–“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” Isaiah 41:10 . Rest assured that God’s grace will be sufficient for whatever you face. He will not fail you! Knowing that enables us to glory in our grief. – HDS, 

9-18-10 

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

MORNING MANNA            7-3-23

PERPLEXITY
 
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts; neither are your ways, My ways saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth–so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts!”- Isaiah 55:8-9

God’s dealings are very mysterious. His way is in the sea, and His path in the mighty waters, and His footsteps are not known.
We looked for light–but behold darkness.
We expected success–but we meet with failure.
We anticipated prosperity–but we are plunged in adversity.
Our purposes are broken off.
Our plans are frustrated.
Our skies are clothed with clouds.
Beloved, such is the case with us sometimes! Our circumstances are so painful, so different from what we anticipated, that in bewilderment we exclaim, “Truly, You are a God who hides Yourself!”

God will do just as He pleases with His own children. He has the right–and He will exercise it. He will often . . .
  cross our wills,
  hedge up our paths,
  cut off our expectations, and
  give us wormwood and gall to drink!

And why? Because He loves to cause us pain–or takes pleasure in our sighs and sorrows? No! Oh, no! But because He consults our welfare. Because He is wiser than we are!

Why am I poor–and my brother rich?
Why am I sick–and my sister healthy?
Why are my efforts crossed–and my neighbor’s crowned with success?
This is often deeply trying. But our Father refuses to answer such questions! He asks, “May I not do as I will–with My own?” He kindly quiets us by the assurance, “You don’t understand now what I am doing–but someday you will.” Well did the patriarch exclaim, “He gives no account of any of His matters.”

How difficult to say sometimes, “Though He slays me–yet will I trust in Him!” How difficult to believe that this rough road is the right road—-

Our Father wisely appoints the circumstances and lot of every one of His children. He has mapped out the path in which they are to travel. He has appointed their bounds, which they cannot pass. Then with Job we say, “He is in one mind–and who can oppose him? He does whatever He pleases. He will certainly accomplish what He has decreed for me.”

We must not murmur, we must not complain–but patiently follow wherever the Lord leads, and quietly bear whatever He lays on us. Patience must calm the spirit, quiet the heart, and close the mouth. Then shall we say with the Psalmist, “I was silent, I opened not my mouth, because You are the One who has done this!”
Had it been man–it might have been wrong.
Had it been chance–it might have been injurious.
But it was You–and, therefore, it must be wise, holy, and kind.

We are required quietly to persevere–though the way is rugged, though the thorns pierce our feet, though we cannot see one step before us! We must walk by faith, not by sight, believing . . .
  that we are safe–in the midst of danger;
  that we are right–though everything is perplexing;
  and that all will end well–for “–we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose!” Romans 8:28  (By James Smith, 1865)
 
David Stone  
Lakeway Baptist Church  
5801 FM 1960 E.
Humble, TX. 77346