MORNING MANNA           5-19-23

LOOKING UNTO JESUS
“ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 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. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.”– Heb.12:1-3

 O to be able to say as Paul did,” I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:” (2 Tim. 4:7). Regardless of what hardships we are forced to face, to hear our Master say “Well done!” will be worth it all. – HDS ( 2-27-21)

David Stone

Lakeway Baptist Church 

Humble, Tx.

MORNING MANNA                5-17-23

Groaning with Grief

”For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travileth in pain together until now.”-Romans 8:22 

We are constantly bombarded with bad news, from the media and contact with others. We live in perilous times. Some folks would have us to believe that the planet is on the verge of total destruction. That kind of talk gets depressing. So, what are the facts? 

The Bible tells us “the whole creation groaneth and travileth in pain”. This suffering includes all of creation. Even God’s children are not exempt. We all suffer. Life is tough for everyone. Right now some of you feel you are drowning in a sea of sorrow. You suffer to such an extent that you wonder if you can make it through another day. 

So, what is the cause of all this? In a word it is “sin”. We live in a fallen world that has been affected by sin, consquently all of creation suffers and we groan. Oh how we groan! 

MORNING MANNA                  5-15-23
SWEET THOUGHTS

“My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD”.–Psalm 104:34

Let’s face it, a great many people don’t think much or often of the Lord. They are so self-centered that they can think of nothing but themselves–whether their delights or their difficulties it all centers on them. Of course there are those who on occasion give thought to the Lord, even if but a moment, when a crisis comes. But, even among those who profess to know and love Him many give little thought to Him. The reasons for their failure are many– worldly care, fleshly desires, trials and tribulation, fear, bitterness, etc. Although they do not deny Him, He is crowed out of their mind.

The Psalmist had better things to do. He mediated on the Lord. Long before Paul said, “If ye be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God” (Col. 3:1) the Psalmist made it a practice to do so. He pitched his mental tent on holy ground and meditated on the Lord–and it made him “glad“. It would do the same for us!

Considering His greatness how can we not think of Him? Nothing more glorious can be found. As the very first verse says, “Bless the LORD, O my soul, O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty”. Although he goes on there is no need to say more than that. Read it if you will and behold His greatness, but we should need no more than the experience of our own conversion to say ” I think of my blessed Redeemer, I think of Him all the day long”. Indeed, and when we do that such gladness will flood our heart that we will go on to say, ” I sing, for I cannot be silent; His love is the theme of my song”. Isn’t that exactly what we see in this Psalm–“I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.” (vs. 33).

If you are having a miserable day, regardless of the cause, there is help to be found by shifting your focus away from the sordid things of this world to Christ who is seated at the Father’s right hand. Peter tell us He is precious to those who believe, so turn your eyes upon Him rather than your problems. “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Heb. 4:16). You can do what you will but I’m telling you to do what you must to have peace and joy–regardless of circumstances.–HDS (4-2-17)
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346

MORNING MANNA                5-16-23

SURRENDERING CONTROL

Sometimes the biggest struggles we face aren’t in understanding God but trusting Him.

Someone once penned the following words about trusting God’s timing: 

Until I learned to trust,
I never learned to pray,
and I did not learn to fully trust
till sorrows came my way. 

Until I felt my weakness,
His strength I never knew,
nor dreamed til I was stricken
that He could see me through. 

He who drinks deepest of sorrow
drinks deepest too of grace;
He sends the storm so He Himself
can be our hiding place. 

His heart that seeks our highest good,
knows well when things annoy;
We would not long for heaven
if earth held only joy.” 

Hannah( Read 1 Sam.1:1-7) knew well the need to trust God’s timing.—- Hannah had all she needed materially. But she didn’t have children of her own. As much as she wanted a child, God hadn’t blessed her with one. In fact, she was even taunted because of her bareness. 

Hannah held on to the dream of one day being a mother. But as one barren year passed after another, Hannah grieved deeply. Her sense of loss permeated every year of her life, and she shed countless bitter tears.

How often do we respond to suffering like Hannah? We dream, desire, and plan, yet when God providentially hinders our goals, we feel hurt and upset and question God’s love. We want things on our time, at our pace, in our way. And when they don’t come, we often give up hope.

God’s timing is always perfect whether it matches your own plans or not. When you realize that everything that happens to you is working toward your good, you’ll accept God’s answers to your requests, no matter what they are.

The reason so many Christians feel hurt when things don’t go their way is because they haven’t surrendered their will to God. Are you content with how God directs your life, even if you don’t necessarily like the path He has for you? Give Him full control and, like Hannah, lay your requests before Him, content with whatever He has for you. (Copied)

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

MORNING MANNA            5-14-23
MOTHERS
“…a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.”– Prov. 31:30