MORNING MANNA                  11-30-22

CHIMPANZEE CHURCHES

“Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.”- Zechariah. 4:6

I don’t know who wrote the following but it sure hits the nail on the head when it comes to the condition of churches today. He said,”blessing cannot be worked up, it must be sent down. Lewis Hastings was a British explorer in the late 19th century. He noted in his explorations of Africa that his guide shared unusual insights into the behaviour of chimpanzees. I don’t know whether anybody is an expert in chimpanzees here or not, but in the jungles of Angola there were often clearings where sticks had been carefully piled up as if to make a good fire. When Hastings asked his guide how these things came to be there, and why the sticks were so neatly arranged, he was astounded by the answer. The guide said: ‘Chimpanzees have gathered them’. In Angolan the word ‘chimpanzee’ actually means ‘mock man’. Hasting’s guide continued to tell him that even though the chimps had piled the sticks and done it well, that was all they could do because they were missing the fire. So the chimps had seen men build a fire for cooking or for protection from wild animals, and they were able to copy man’s actions in the building of a fire – how he put up the fuel. They would even gather around the sticks waiting for something to happen, but they would wait in vain because they didn’t have the fire. They would sit for hours, but couldn’t start a real fire because the spark was absent.

I don’t know if any of you go to Chimpanzee Memorial Church, but there’s a lot of them about! There’s a lot of us aping around, ‘doing everything right’, but the fire is not there. Paul the apostle said in 1 Corinthians 2:4-5: ‘My speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom’,( and boy could he have used persuasive words of human wisdom,)’but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God’. You see, people need more than arguments, they need more than intellect, they need more than persuasion. I’m not rubbishing the ability to reason, but that is not enough! There needs to be more! There needs to be that spiritual dimension, the power of God that only can be supplied by the Holy Spirit – and it’s missing, even among those who claim to have it!”

Leonard Ravenhill made this sad confession: “If God withdrew the Holy Spirit tomorrow, my church would function just the same; we wouldn’t even know He was gone!” Sadly the same is true of a lot of churches. That’s quiet a difference from the early church when every member was “filled with the Holy Ghost”(Acts 2:4). HDS

David Stone

Lakeway Baptist Church

Humble, Tx.

 MORNING MANNA             11-29-22

MORNING MANNA              11-28-22

A MERCIFUL GOD

“The Lord thy God is a merciful God.” Deut. 4:31

It is no uncommon thing to mistake the true character of our God, and conceive of Him so as to dishonour His name, and distress our own soul. It is plainly and plentifully asserted in the divine word, that our God is merciful, and the same is satisfactorily proved in nature, providence, and redemption. It is to be firmly believed and constantly remembered, especially when burdened with guilt, or at the throne confessing sin; when enduring trials, or pleading with God for blessings; when performing duties, or suffering privations; when witnessing misery, or comforting mourners. “Our God is a merciful God.” But mercy and holiness are united in His nature, word, and ways. He is not implacable or difficult to please, but He should be daily loved and constantly trusted. His mercy is the sun that enlightens, the ocean that supplies, and the army that guards us. But for His mercy we should soon sink into despair, or run into desperation; but now we may trust and not be afraid, walk with Him in peace, and rejoice in Him day by day. ( James Smith, 1840)

“Merciful God, Thyself proclaim,

In my polluted breast;

Mercy is Thy distinguished name,

Which suits a sinner best.

Thy mighty mercy now make known

In me, and claim me for Thy son.”

David Stone

Lakeway Baptist Church

Humble, Tx.

MORNING MANNA             11-27-22

A LESSON ON WORSHIP

“While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.” – Matt. 17:5 ( read 18:1-8)

The transfiguration teaches us a great lesson about worship. Worship is not a place; it is a person. You don’t need a building and you don’t even need a mountaintop. It’s not about a place; it’s focusing on the glory of Jesus. It’s meeting Jesus and listening to Him. Did you notice the Father didn’t say, “This is my Son, talk to Him?” Sometimes worship is just being still and quiet and listening for that still small voice. Remember when God called little Samuel’s name? Samuel said, “Speak Lord for your servant is listening.” Most of us rush into the presence of the Lord with a shopping list of needs and say, “Listen, Lord, your servant is speaking.” Jesus is speaking—are you really listening? (copied)
 
His players held legendary Green Bay Packers coach, Vince Lombardi, in such high regard that whenever he spoke, nobody else would talk. Quarterback Bart Starr once said, “Coach Lombardi spoke with such authority that when he said ‘sit down’ you didn’t even bother to look and see if there was a chair, you just sat down where ever you were.” 

O, that we all would listen to God and obey like that! May God help us to live a lifestyle of worship by “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;” all day everyday. – HDS

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

MORNING MANNA            11-26-22

THE PRODIGAL SON

John Newton (1725-1807) the author of much-beloved “Amazing Grace”, shared how the afflictions in his life at sea as a slave-trading captain were God’s way of calling His prodigal home.

 

“Afflictions, though they seem severe,
In mercy oft are sent.
They stopped the prodigal’s career,
And forced him to repent.

Although he no relenting felt

Till he had spent his store,
His stubborn heart began to melt
When famine pinched him sore.

What have I gained by sin, he said,
But hunger, shame, and fear;
My father’s house abounds with bread,
While I am starving here.

I’ll go, and tell him all I’ve done,
And fall before his face
Unworthy to be called his son,
I’ll seek a servant’s place.

His father saw him coming back,
He saw, and ran, and smiled,
And threw his arms around the neck
Of his rebellious child.

Father, I’ve sinned – but O forgive!
I’ve heard enough, he said,
Rejoice my house, my son’s alive,
For whom I mourned as dead.

Now let the fatted calf be slain,
And spread the news around.
My son was dead, but lives again,
Was lost, but now is found.

‘Tis thus the Lord His love reveals,
To call poor sinners home.
More than a father’s love He
feels,
And welcomes all that come.”

**********************

David Stone

Lakeway Baptist Church

Humble, Tx.