MORNING MANNA                   11-24-25

THANKFUL FOR ANOTHER DAY
“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” –1 Thessalonians 5:18 

I read about a woman named Verna Chambers, of Willcox, AZ., who got out of bed one morning and put on a t-shirt with these words on it, “Be nice to me. I had a hard day”. Shortly afterward little Eric looked at her and said, “How can you tell this early in the morning?.

That ought to get our attention. Sometimes we start the day expecting the worst. Before our feet ever hit the floor we have convinced ourselves that this is going to be “a hard day”. We rise with no cheerful expectation of what the day might hold. We just assume the worse. In other words, we make ourselves miserable before God has had a chance to bless us with some good thing.

The sad thing is that our attitude usually shows in our face and affects those we come in contact with. So, how are you doing so far this morning? Have you already decided that this is going to be a bad day? Is there really nothing to smile about? Is it not possible that some delightful blessing is just a few hours, or maybe only minutes, away?

I know, some of you would like to punch me in the nose about now. And you are right, I don’t know how hard life has been for you. And I don’t know what the day will bring. But I do know this. As a child of God I have a loving Father in heaven who is anxious to bless me–and you. Why then should we not expect Him to do so?

By the way–blessings come in many forms. Just being able to get out of bed and dress yourself is a great blessing. Many can’t do that. Having a roof over your head, shoes on your feet, and something to eat should be a reason to rejoice. Things could be a lot worse than they are! I’ll admit, I don’t know what your day will hold. It might indeed be “a hard day”, but why should we expect it to happen when we have no evidence that it will? Even if it does can God not use it for some good? The best way to start the day is to be thankful for the gift of life, the gifts in life, and the gift of eternal life. Now, you have a good day! – HDS ( 7/30/10)

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

MORNING MANNA             11-21-25
WHY ART THOU CAST DOWN?

“Why art thou cast down, O my soul” Psalm 43:5

 George Mueller wrote, “Is there ever any ground to be cast down? There are two reasons, but only two. If we are as yet unconverted, we have ground to be cast down; or if we have been converted and live in sin, then we are rightly cast down.” But except for these two things there is no ground to be cast down, for all else may be brought before God in prayer with supplication and thanksgiving. And regarding all our necessities, all our difficulties, all our trials, we may exercise faith in the power of God, and in the love of God.” 

We might quibble about the conditions for which we have cause to be cast down, but there can be no argument about about the cure for it. The cure is Jesus! Whether it is a sinner coming to God with a repentant heart or a saint confessing his sin, Jesus is the only means by which we can be lifted up from our pit of depression and given “joy unspeakable and full of glory”(1 Pet. 1:8). His Word gives us promises that are “exceeding great and precious”(2 Pet.1:4). His love “passeth knowledge” (Eph. 3:19). And His power “is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think”(Eph.3:20). 

Indeed,”Why art thou cast down, O my soul”? Flee to Jesus and find satisfaction that cannot be found anywhere else. He is the Bread that feeds our soul and the Living Water that quenches our thirst. He can lift you up above the depressing things of this world and give you peace “which passeth all understanding”(Phil. 4:7). Why would you refuse Him?- HDS, 12-7-12

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

GIVING THANKS
“Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5:20

 

Senior Living told this story of a little girl who had yet to learn what it meant to be thankful. I suspect there are many adults who have yet to learn the lesson also.

Walking through an open market one day, a mother and her five-year-old daughter browsed through the items available on each table. As the little girl stopped to stare at a large pile of oranges on one table, the generous vendor selling the oranges took one from the stack and gave it to her.

The mother asked her daughter, “What do you say to the nice man for giving you a gift?”

The little girl stared at the orange again, then tossed it toward the vendor and said, “Peel it!”

Thankfulness is something we learn over time and grow into regardless our age. What might be considered innocent and harmless coming from a five-year-old child would certainly be considered rude and ungrateful coming from an older child or adult. However, it’s easy to fall into the trap of responding as that little girl did to God’s blessings by thinking, “This is nice and all, but I’d like a little more.”

An attitude of gratitude toward God’s gifts is a mark of spiritual maturity in a believer’s life. In Paul’s letter to the Christians in Ephesus, he challenged them to follow Christ, which included “giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

This holiday season practice thankfulness to God, instead of complaining about what you don’t have, instead of bemoaning the unfairness of life, or instead of expecting and desiring more than what you already have. God has provided all your needs and as His child, it’s His desire to bless you with enough to sustain you. Be thankful for what you have!

 Ask God to give you a thankful heart no matter the circumstances. Pray that He would help you see the blessings in all the gifts you receive—both big and small.

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