MORNING  MANNA           7-2-22
OUR FAITHFUL FATHER

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

MORNING MANNA              7-1-22

IF YOU BELIEVE THE BIBLE

“If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.”– John 15:19

If you believe the Bible—if you believe what God says in his Word—be prepared for society to come at you with a vengeance. Long gone are the days when the culture simply wanted equality; they are past equality and demand our approval. Don’t budge.

If you believe the Bible—if you believe Scripture is inspired by God—be ready to give a reason for the hope within you. We don’t get brownie points for being Christians anymore, no matter our demographic. It’s no longer enough to say you believe the Bible—you need to know it in order to give a reason for why you believe it.

If you believe the Bible—if you believe God is ultimately the author—then don’t be surprised if you’re labeled a bigot, a homophobe, transphobe, or any other “phobe.” The Bible is crystal clear regarding those issues. Don’t cower in fear, back away, or compromise. 

If you believe the Bible—if you believe the scriptures are inerrant—then many people will turn against you. If the world hated Jesus, they will hate you, too. Believing in the Bible will cost you—in more ways than one. Be prepared for the pushback, the vitriol, the marginalization (and even persecution). 

If you believe the Bible—if you believe the Word of God is the supreme authority—then prepare to be laughed at, scoffed at, and insulted. Ponder this word from George Whitefield: “If you are going to walk with Jesus Christ, you are going to be opposed … In our days, to be a true Christian is really to become a scandal.” Many will ridicule you for believing in the Bible because “it’s not relevant anymore.” However, as Steve Lawson says: “The Bible is more relevant than tomorrow’s newspaper.”

If you believe the Bible—if you don’t compromise your convictions on its truth claims—then you will be labeled an outcast, on the fringe of society. Most will proclaim you as a minority, as one who needs to get with the times. But they’re wrong. As John Knox once said: “A man with God is always in the majority.” If you’re in Christ, you’re on the right side of history. Don’t let anybody tell you otherwise.

You can stake your life on the Bible. Stand firm. – Blake Long

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

THINK ABOUT IT         6-30-22

It’s amazing how often we say something wise and then fail to practice it ourselves. For example, just about everyone has said, “Don’t worry”. But even as they are speaking they are worrying about something. Why? We read God’s promises and then treat them as though they aren’t true. Why?

As Christians, especially pastors, we want to be thought of as people of faith. Sometimes we even catch ourselves boasting about our faith even though deep within we know we’re not truly trusting God. Then we treat our doubt as though it isn’t dangerous. Rather than dealing with our doubt we try to cover it up, or we fall apart altogether, like we are in an impossible situation. Why?

We worry because we’re afraid that things won’t turn out the way we want them to. It’s as though we are saying, “I can’t be happy unless everything goes the way I want them to go. In other words – if I don’t get my way I’m going to worry, whine, and wilt. Why?

I believe we can get to the root of the problem when we read what is called “The Lord’s prayer” in Matt. 6:9-13. The first petition says, “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven“.( vs. 9). I’ve often said this is the most difficult prayer of all. Let’s face it, God’s will is often the opposite of what we desire.

After preaching about the danger of doubt Sunday morning, and giving you the advice “Don’t doubt” I found myself being put to the test and failing before the day was over. Then on Tuesday I failed even worse when I learned that Bro. Kenneth had COVID. Having been close to him on Sunday you can probably guess what happened next. Since Bev and I both had nearly died from it, I started worrying “What if I get it and transmit it to her?” I tried to put on a brave face, as though I wasn’t worried, and I said “I’m believing God will protect us”. At the same time, even as I prayed, I kept worrying about the matter.

Being your pastor I’ve always wanted to be seen as being faithful and a man of faith, but I was plagued with doubts. I kept thinking “What if?” But this morning everything changed.

When I got out of bed I started reading the Bible and all the while I was reading I kept thinking about those words ‘thy will be done“. There is no telling how many times I have prayed that prayer over the last 55 years. But never have I been so powerfully affected as I was this morning. I started writing exactly what you’re reading.

If I can’t trust God, who can I trust? Shall not the God of all the earth do right? Does He not love us? Has He not proven Himself Faithful and True? So, why worry? We can worry until we make ourselves miserable and sick, but we can’t change things. Like someone said, “Worry is like a rocking chair. It will give you something to do, but it won’t get you anywhere”.

Effective prayer requires faith in God, so the only sensible thing to do is to trust Him to do what He knows is best. The wisest thing we can do is to pray, “Thy will be done” And that’s exactly what I did. And the heavy weight was lifted from my shoulders.

I can’t see the future, but I am trusting that the best possible thing that could happen is for God’s will to be done. And since He has blessed me so much throughout my Christian life I have no reason to doubt Him now. By the grace of God I am willing to accept His will because I know it’s right, best, and safest. In this case I’m truly trusting Him to give me the desires of my heart. No amount of worry can change anything for the better. But faith in God can bring miracles. THINK ABOUT IT! – Bro. Stone

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

MORNING MANNA          6-30-22

REJOICING IN THE RESURRECTION

“And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”– Rev. 1:17-18

We now stand upon the threshold of a subject second to none, yet considered in the grandeur of its character, in the immensity of its results, and in the glory with which it encircles the person and the work of our adorable Redeemer. It is that single doctrine of the Bible, the existence of which authenticates the truth, and develops the beauty of all the others. Indeed, it is to Christianity what the soul is to the body, what the foundation is to the building, what the key-stone is to the arch- it would seem necessary to the very existence of revelation, imparting vitality, substance, and security to every doctrine of the inspired word. The life of Jesus is the life of the Bible- the life of the believer- the life of glory. The one fact- the resurrection of Christ- would appear to be the fountain of life to the Church of God in all ages of the world. It throws back a quickening influence, felt by prophets and by patriarchs; it is the life of the Church now, and it will, to the remotest period of time, transmit an influence which shall be felt by the last vessel of mercy. Impressed thus with its vast importance, its essential relation to the truth of the Bible, and to the existence of the Church of God, we humbly enter upon its discussion. And oh may the Eternal Spirit of truth so anoint both the writer and the reader, that this glorious and precious doctrine may come to our minds with all the power, freshness, and sweetness of a newly-discovered, heaven-descending doctrine!–Author Unknown

David Stone

Lakeway Baptist Church

Humble, TX.

MORNING MANNA         6-29-22

THE PROMISE OF GOD’S PRESENCE

“Certainly I will be with thee.” Exodus 3:12

It is a great honour to be favoured with the presence of Jehovah: but in every enterprise for His glory, in every duty required by His word, in every dangerous part of the pilgrim’s path, in every trouble in this land of strangers, He has promised to be with us. His presence is to encourage, strengthen, protect, and prosper us. This promise should arm us against fear, nerve the mind against opposition, and embolden us in a good cause. Beloved, has God promised to be with us? Let us then seek to realize His presence; never let us be satisfied with any religion without the Lord’s presence. If God be with us we shall be successful; all He requires He will provide; and display in our experience the exceeding riches of His grace. His presence is sure to His people; He is not always perceived by sense, but certainly He is present; for though heaven and earth may pass away, one jot or tittle of His word shall in no wise pass away; all must be fulfilled. Let us then seek and expect the presence of Jehovah this day; and rejoice that He has said, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake.” May we never forsake Him.

Then rest, my soul, upon the Lord,

Believe and plead His faithful word;

He will be with thee, He will guide,

And for thy every want provide;

O trust His faithful love and power;

In every gloomy trying hour. (James Smith)

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