MORNING MANNA           10-26-22

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE HAPPY?

“Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:”-1 Peter 1:8

Dennis Wholey, author of a book called Are You Happy?, reports that according to experts, only about 20% of Americans today are happy. One psychiatrist, Thomas Szasz, even went so far as to say, “Happiness is an imaginary condition, formerly attributed by the living to the dead, now usually attributed by adults to children and by children to adults.”

To really understand the key to finding happiness, it’s important to first understand what it is. Looking at the biblical use of the word, we find ‘happy’ is most often used to describe a state of being emotionally satisfied with one’s circumstances. The problem, however, comes when those circumstances change.

This is why lasting happiness eludes almost everyone…because it’s based upon our circumstances, which can change in a moment. But there is a biblical attitude that, when we have it, will keep us emotionally satisfied even when circumstances change – it’s called ‘joy’.

The key to lasting happiness is to let God’s Spirit express joy through you that’s not based on your current situation. Instead of looking for your circumstances to satisfy you, look to God to give you His inexpressible joy in all circumstances! Ask God to express His supernatural joy through you in all circumstances. (Senior Living)

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

MORNING MANNA            10-25-22

THE POWER OF PRAYER

“Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him” – Acts 12:5

A precious scene is placed before us, even in the midst of an otherwise tragic and painful time for the early church. James had just been martyred by Herod, and the apostle Peter is in prison. But neither the threat of persecution nor the darkness of discouragement separated the church from each other.

While Peter sits on a cold, hard floor, the saints of God kneel before God in unceasing intercession on his behalf. It seems the more suffering is inflicted on the church, the more pressure is exerted upon the church, the closer they grow to God and to each other.

It is sad and wrong that so often, in today’s prosperous and peaceful Western culture, Christians so easily stumble and divide over petty and unimportant issues. We are oversensitive to criticism or correction; we feel as though others should forebear us, but we are not willing to forebear others. Offenses or differences which would go unnoticed in a time of persecution are made insurmountable obstacles to fellowship in the time of prosperity.

Doubtless James (one of the “sons of thunder”) and Peter (who was always putting his foot in his mouth) had at times said and done some things that were disagreeable to others in the church. But those offenses are forgotten now, as the church hears of James’ death and Peter’s imprisonment.

Brothers and sisters, don’t wait until persecution, or loss, or pain comes in order to love each other fervently. Look over faults; forgive wrongs; let go of past grievances. Love, and pray for, each other now! ( The Baptist Hour)

David Stone

Lakeway Baptist Church

Humble, Tx.

MORNING MANNA            10-24-22

Peace in Believing

“Ye believe in God, believe also in me.” — John 14:1

We should all learn how to comfort others. No duty of Christian love requires more delicacy. We may study our Lord’s way of comforting to learn to give comfort ourselves to those who are in trouble. We see that he did not go over the cold platitudes we are so accustomed to use when we try to console our friends in their grief.

But not in this empty way does Christ comfort His people. Here He offered no explanations, answered no questions, gave no reasons; He told His disciples simply to believe. They could not understand this terrible grief. They could see no star in the sky. But they did not need to understand, did not need to see any light. They were to do nothing but believe — just cling to Christ in the darkness and believe. In all deep grief this is the truest way to find comfort. There is no use to ask questions, for no one can answer them. There is no use to strain our eyes trying to see the light, for as yet there is no light to see. All we can do is just to throw ourselves on our Saviour’s bosom and lie there till the light breaks. We may always be sure of the love and the faithfulness of Christ. We may nestle down, as John did that same night, upon the Saviour’s bosom, and be quiet and confident in the time of our sorest calamities. “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”- J R Miller

David Stone

Lakeway Baptist Church

Humble, Tx.

MORNING MANNA           10-23-22

THEM THAT LOVE HIS APPEARING

“Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”- 2 Tim. 4:8

Notice this phrase“…them also that love his appearing.” Of those words, William MacDonald wrote, “For many years I thought that this expression referred to those believers who had kindly, sentimental feelings about the coming of the Lord. They would be rewarded with a crown of righteousness because their hearts glowed warm when they thought about the Rapture.

But surely it means more than this. To love His appearance means to live in the light of His coming, to behave as if He were coming today.

Thus, to love His appearing means to live in moral purity. For, as John reminds us, “every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure”.

It means to stay disentangled from the things of this life. We should set our affections on things above, not on things on the earth.

It means to serve God’s people, giving them “meat in due season”. The Lord pronounces a special blessing on those who are doing that when He comes.

In short, it means that we won’t do anything that we would not want to be found doing when He appears. We would not go anywhere that would cause shame at His coming. We would not say anything that would be offensive in His presence.

If you knew Christ was coming in a week, how would you spend the intervening days? Does it mean you would give up your job, go to a mountaintop and spend all day reading the Bible and praying? Does it mean you would go into “full-time Christian work,” preaching and teaching day and night?

If we are really walking with the Lord today and living in the center of His will, it would mean carrying on as usual. If, however, we are living for self, then it would require some revolutionary changes.

It is not enough to have kind thoughts about the Savior’s return. The crown of righteousness is reserved for those who love it enough to let the truth mold their lives. It is not enough to hold the truth about His coming; the truth must hold us.”

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

MORNING MANNA            10-22-22

JUST WHEN YOU NEED HIM
Some people have nothing to do with God until they want something from Him. Their attitude reminds me of this story by James Moore, who said,”One of the greatest comedy acts in the history of show business was the beloved husband and wife team of George Burns and Gracie Allen. In real life, Gracie Allen was a bright, wise businesswoman, but she always played the part of a naive, off-the-wall personality, sweetly simple in her approach to life.”On one of their radio programs, Gracie became very upset because her new electric clock kept losing time. Each day it lost lots of time, so she finally called a repairman. He discovered the problem immediately. There was nothing wrong with the clock–it just wasn’t plugged in!”Gracie Allen said, ‘I know that! I didn’t want to waste electricity, so I only plug it in when I want to know what time it is!’
Some people treat God that way. They turn to Him only when they need Him. But, people who do that often find their “timing” is wrong. God is not a glorified Santa Claus or a heavenly Tooth Fairy. He is GOD – and those who serve Him should do so in Spirit and Truth!”

Some people never see their need of God until they see a need for something. Were they wise they would understand that we need God every moment of our life. – HDS

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