MORNING MANNA         8-8-22

THE SACRIFICE OF PRAISE

“For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.”- Heb. 13:14-16

What could you give to God that would express your gratitude and convey honor to Him? Hebrews 13 suggests the “sacrifice of praise.” All throughout Scripture we see people offer this sacrifice to God. Job worshipped God when he had nothing (Job 1:20–21). The book of Psalms chronicles David’s praise in both the good times and the bad. Mary expressed praise when she learned she was to be the mother of Christ (Luke 1:46–55). And one man from the group of ten lepers Jesus healed offered thanks and praise (Luke 17:15–16). From these testimonies, we see that our sacrifice of praise should be continual—not contingent on our mood or current circumstances.

A. W. Tozer said, “Gratitude is an offering precious in the sight of God, and it is one that the poorest of us can make and be not poorer but richer for having made it.” Even in times when we do not have as much as others in the way of material blessings, we still have so much for which to be thankful. And when we purposefully give thanks to God, that sacrifice of our heart is pleasing to Him.

The giving of thanks is a habit which we can develop and cultivate. By focusing on the good things we have and realizing that every one of them came from God, we find that even in times of lack we can be thankful. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights” (James 1:17). Thanksgiving requires that we set aside our pride and our desire to take credit for what we have and that we acknowledge the goodness of God in providing for us. Your praise and thanksgiving for the blessings you have received is pleasing to God.- Daily in the Word

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

MORNING MANNA          8-7-22

FAITH IS THE VICTORY

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

MORNING MANNA              8-6-22

A GREAT OPPORTUNITY

 “I’m thinking it. I might as well say it!” I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard that statement. Next time you are tempted to speak your mind, you need to remember Proverbs 29:11 “A fool uttereth all his mind–“. I must confess, I’ve sometimes played the part of a fool and spoken when I should have remained silent. How about you? 

David Stone

Lakeway Baptist Church

MORNING MANNA           8-5-22

FINISHING WITH JOY

“But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.”- Acts 20:24

Dr. M. J. Seymour wrote: “The Apostle Paul was determined to walk worthy of the calling of God.  With this singleness of mind he zealously testified to all of “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.”  He refused to be detoured from his holy work by the evil activities of men.  Even when the Holy Spirit witnessed that bonds and afflictions awaited him, he never wavered on his journey.  Many of his brethren could not understand why he was so persistent, and many encouraged him to change his course to avoid the hardships.  Paul, however, said, “…none of things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself.”  If his holy ministry was worth anything at all, it was sure worth everything even if it cost him his life.  Paul understood the gravity of his high calling; come what may, he could not but serve his received ministry to the completion of its course. 

Paul knew if he had allowed others to sway him away from the ministry he had received of the Lord Jesus, that the blessed joy of obedience would be lost in the guilt of failure.  He lived in the joy of salvation, the joy of his calling, the joy of faithfulness, and he was determined to finish his course with joy.  The ministry to which he was called was “to testify the gospel of the grace of God.”  He was not hired for a “job”; he received a “ministry” from Jesus Christ to give testimony of the grace of God.  This is not like anything else upon the face of the earth.  That is why the Scriptures do not speak of churches hiring a pastor; rather they reveal that a pastor is a gift to the church.  Come what may, the pastor does not count his life as anything so that he might finish his course with joy and the ministry that he received from the Lord Jesus Christ.

It is also written:“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Heb. 12:2)   There is a greater joy far beyond common comprehension.  Let the gates of hell rattle; it will only make for sweeter joy!”

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

MORNING MANNA                  8-4-22

FACING THE FUTURE WITH FAITH

“By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.”– Hebrews 11:8-10

As we awake to a new day we must face it, although we don’t know what it holds – and it’s better that we don’t. However, as Christians we ought to consider the facts God has given. We have read God’s promises which assure us that, regardless of what trials we must go through, the best is yet to come. That’s something we should never forget.

It is said: “Spurgeon routinely spoke to crowds of 6,000 or more at the Metropolitan Tabernacle in London. On New Year’s Eve in 1891, he spoke to only a handful of friends who were with him in Mentone, France, where he had been seeking treatment for his painful illness. Spurgeon did not know when he spoke that night that in less than a month he would see the Lord, for whom he had faithfully preached, face to face. Although, Spurgeon did know that he trusted God.”

Spurgeon himself said, “Could we procure a telescope which would enable us to see to the end of the year, would we be wise to use it? I think not. Great mercy has hung up a veil between us and the future; and there let it hang.” The following morning he preached a brief New Year’s sermon at his hotel. “The vista of a praiseful life will never close, but continue throughout eternity. From psalm to psalm, from hallelujah to hallelujah, we will ascend the hill of the Lord where we will bow before the Divine Majesty in the bliss of endless adoration.”

How thankful we ought to be that we have divine assurance that all shall end well. To know that the best is yet to come gives us the courage to face the challenges of life. Although we don’t know what the future holds we know Who holds the future. That makes all the difference in the world. We can trust God to get us through whatever He brings us to. We are in good hands!– HDS

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