MORNING MANNA            11-1-22

THE LAKE OF FIRE

“And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”– Rev. 20:15

The subject of hell generates enormous resistance in the human heart. This resistance is most often expressed in the question, “How could a God of love sustain an everlasting hell?”

If Paul were answering the question he would probably say at the outset, “Who art thou that repliest against God?” or “Let God be true and every man a liar.” Translation: the creature really has no right to question the Creator. If God sustains an everlasting hell, He has valid reasons for doing so. We have no right to question His love or His justice. Yet we are given sufficient information in the Bible to vindicate God in this matter.

First of all, we know that God did not make hell for man, but for the devil and his angels.

We also know that it is not God’s desire that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. If any man goes to hell, it is a great sorrow to the heart of the Lord.

It is man’s sin that causes the problem. The holiness, righteousness and justice of God demand that sin be punished. The divine decree is, “The soul that sinneth, it shall die”. This is not arbitrary on God’s part. It is the only attitude that a Holy Being can take toward sin.

God could have let the matter rest there. Man sinned, therefore he must die.

But God’s love intervened. In order that man might not perish eternally, He went to the ultimate extreme to provide a way of salvation. He sent His unique Son to die as a Substitute for sinful men, paying the penalty for them. It was wonderful grace on the Savior’s part to bear man’s sins in His body on the cross.

Now God offers eternal life as a free gift to all who repent of their sins and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. He will not save men against their will. They must choose the way of life.

Frankly there is nothing else that God could have done. He has already done more than could be expected. If men refuse His free offer of mercy, there is no alternative. Hell is the deliberate choice of those who refuse heaven.

To charge God with blame for sustaining an everlasting hell is completely unjust. It overlooks the fact that He emptied heaven of its Best so that earth’s worst might never know the agonies of the lake of fire.- William MacDonald

David Stone

Lakeway Baptist Church

Humble, Tx.

MORNING MANNA        10-31- 22

ROBBING YOURSELF

 “Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child. But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.”- Jer. 1: 6-8

How would you feel if someone violated your trust and stole something of great value from you? It certainly wouldn’t make you happy. But what if you are the culprit? Yes, that can actually happen. It happens when you use excuses to not do God’s will. We can all find some reason to not do something if we look hard enough, but when you do that you rob yourself of opportunities.

Even Jeremiah tried to excuse himself from duty when God called him. When God announced His purpose to him Jeremiah responded by appealing to his lack of ability, age, and fear. But God wasn’t having any of it. The Lord responded by reminding him of what He had done, was doing, and would do. Having swept away all his excuses the Lord then gave him further instruction, and the rest of the story is written down. The excuse maker listened to God and became a great prophet whose ministry is still talked about today.

Don’t rob yourself of the opportunity to accomplish God’s will for your life by making excuses. The same God who was with Jeremiah will be with you, deliver you, and enable you to succeed. His precious promises should encourage you. Regardless of the odds against you, with God on your side you can win. Whatever the challenge is, remember “He is able”! Trust Him. – HDS

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

MORNING MANNA           10-29-22

WISDOM WINS

“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.“- Prov. 4:7

Automaker Henry Ford asked electrical genius Charlie Steinmetz to build the generators for his factory. One day the generator’s ground came to a halt, and the repairmen couldn’t find the problem. So Ford called Steinmetz, who tinkered with the machines for a few hours and then threw the switch. The generators started back up and quickly Ford got a bill for $10,000 from Steinmetz. Flabbergasted, the rather tightfisted car maker inquired why the bill was so high. Steinmetz’s reply: For tinkering with the generators, $10; for knowing where to tinker, $9,990. Ford paid the bill.

Wisdom is a wonderful thing. King Solomon said it was the “principal” thing, and instructed us to get understanding above everything else. Every day we are faced with decisions that need to be made, and if we make those decisions consistently, without the right counsel and insight, we will ultimately fail in life.

Wisdom is better than rubies and gold, and the person who finds wisdom will find true happiness. Knowledge may give you a living, but wisdom will give you a life. Knowledge may build you a house, but wisdom will build you a home. Knowledge may give you a career, but wisdom will give you contentment. Pursue wisdom; ask Charlie Steinmetz – it pays! (Copied)

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

MORNING MANNA           1-28-22

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

MORNING MANNA            10-27-22

THE PROMISE OF VICTORY

“And the LORD gave unto Israel all the land which he sware to give unto their fathers; and they possessed it, and dwelt therein. And the LORD gave them rest round about, according to all that he sware unto their fathers: and there stood not a man of all their enemies before them; the LORD delivered all their enemies into their hand. There failed not ought of any good thing which the LORD had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass.”- Joshua 21:43-45

The world we live in is filled with battles and conflicts. The devil is actively involved in opposing those who are committed to following God. As long as we live, we will fight the sinful nature with which we were born, which is constantly in conflict with our new nature in Christ. We should not think that these struggles are an indication of spiritual failure. Rather, they are an indication that we are engaged in spiritual battle. We also should not think that we cannot win these battles. The power and promises of God provide everything we need for total victory. Paul wrote, “Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place” (2 Corinthians 2:14).

The path that we are on not only leads to victory in this life, but it leads us to a place of eternal rest. There will come a day when we set aside our armor and lay down our weapons and enjoy the presence of God. There will come a day when every enemy has been defeated and every battle has ceased forever. The ancient Irish hymn “Be Thou My Vision” says:

“Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise;
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always.
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heav’n’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whate’er befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.” 

No matter how severe the battles of life may be, we can have complete confidence in the victory God has promised.(Copied)

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