MORNING MANNA              12-20-22

IMMANUEL–GOD With Us

”Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”- Isa. 7:14

Many years ago two missionaries were captured and imprisoned. Although they shared the same cell they were forbidden to speak to one another, and they knew the punishment would be severe if they did so. 

When Christmas came the two lonely men sat, shivering and silent, on the cold floor covered with hay. While playing with the pieces of hay, one of the missionaries came up with an idea as to how they could communicate without speaking. Using the pieces of hay, he spelled out the word “IMMANUEL”. As soon as his friend saw it he was overcome with great joy. Although they were prisoners and alone they believed God was with them and that cheered their spirits. 

Dear friend, the same is true for you if you are a Christian! You could say this is Christmas in a word! Regardless of your sitution you are never without God’s presence. He is with you always and He can help. This Christmas use what you have and do what you can to show others that God is indeed with us!  —HDS 

MORNING MANNA               12-19-22

HEARING OUR FATHER SPEAK

The great Scottish preacher John McNeill told that during his childhood he had to walk a long distance home every evening, and his route led through a forest with a large ravine. Reports said that wild animals and gangs of robbers were often seen in that area. Great fear would seize his heart as he made his way past the spooky- looking trees. He recalled, “One night it was especially dark, but I was aware that something or someone was moving slowing and quietly toward me. I was sure it was a robber. When a voice called out, its eerie tone struck my heart with fear. I thought I was finished. Then came a second call. This time I could hear the voice saying, ‘John, is that you?’ It was my father. He had known of my fear and had come out to meet me.”)

It was a word from John Mcneill’s father that brought peace to his fearful heart that night. What we fearful humans need is a word from our Father. A word from Him who is able to expel our fears and eliminate our worries.

Dear friends we have that word when we open the Bible and read what our Father says. It is a word of assurance in an uncertain world. If you are fearful of foes, broken by burdens, depressed by difficulties, weary in the way, disoriented and needing direction, craving comfort, or anxious and needing assurance God’s Word has what you need. He has given us exceeding great and precious promises that produces peace that passeth all understanding.- HDS

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

MORNING MANNA              12-18-22

REJOICE

“ Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.”- Phil. 4:4

There’s a good reason why people say, “Practice what you preach!”. As everyone knows, we don’t always do it. We often fail to do what we know we should. That’s true of everyone.

I mention this because just yesterday I wrote about “Conquering circumstances “. But before the day was over I was making a failing grade. Rather than conquering my circumstances I was allowing them to control me. Naturally, like most people, I tried to hide it and pretend that all was well, but that didn’t rid me of my guilty conscience. Rather than being content I was craving change. My flesh wanted life to be comfortable, fun, and easy for my wife,myself, and all my loved ones. And the more I thought about it the more miserable I became.

Then I preached to myself what I had written earlier and preached so many times – “I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation “-Hab. 3:18. That reminded me of the power of God’s Word, which is able to lift us up out of the pit of depression and put our feet on shouting ground.When we find no other reason to rejoice we can always “in the Lord”. Counting your blessings helps you handle your burdens.

Thinking about what God has done, is doing, and will do puts our attention where it should be. By “Looking unto Jesus”(Heb. 12:2) we find cause for contentment,a reason to rejoice. You can count on that regardless of your circumstances. If we do what Paul says in Phil. 4:6-7 we will be at peace even though there be problems. – HDS

MORNING MANNA             12-17-22

CONQUERING CIRCUMSTANCES 
“ Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.“- Hab. 3:17-19

Those who know me know how special these verses are to me. For 57 years they have reminded me that we do not have to live under the circumstances. There are things we didn’t choose that we can’t control or change, but there is never a time when we have to cave in to our circumstances.

Habakkuk ministered to his people with a storm cloud hanging on the horizon. The Babylonians were about to descend upon them, defeat the people, demolish the city, and destroy the temple. Yet, all this did not cause Habakkuk to despair. He knew full-well that destruction was coming, yet he decided to “rejoice in the Lord”,to be “joyful in God”.

David Stone

Lakeway Baptist Church 

Humble, Tx.

THINK ABOUT IT               12-16-22

Pastor Tom Goodman made a good point when he wrote the following, which gives us a different perspective on those who only attend church on Christmas or Easter. He said.

 “I first ran across the term  “Chreasters” a few years ago. It was in reference to persons who only seem to show up for church services at the seasons of Christmas and Easter — thus “Chreasters.”
 
Here’s one pastor hoping to start a friendship with a few Chreasters this Advent season.

Now, is it sufficient to worship with God’s Family only once or twice a year? Of course not. Christ expects us to connect with a congregation and invest ourselves in the fellowship and ministry offered there. A local church isn’t like a restaurant that you occasionally patronize when you’re in the mood for its cuisine.
 
So, why do I have room in my heart for Chreasters — and why should you? In an article for World magazine, Tony Woodlief said:
 
Chreasters come though it doesn’t fit their routine. They come, in spite of the discomfort in not belonging. They come because something draws them — a faint sense of holiness evoked by the season, or because we are more inviting, or for the music, or maybe because the baby Christ [at Christmas] and the murdered Christ [at Easter] are images they can relate to best in their fear and need. They come, with their doubts and their poor attendance records, and somewhere, most importantly, the hope that it isn’t all just a myth, that the baby was and is Immanuel, God with us.
 
This holiday season I hope you’ll invite your Chreaster friends. Invite them to our worship service.
 
Just like the Wise Men of old, Chreasters seek him. We’re here to help.

David Stone

Lakeway Baptist Church

Humble, Tx.