MORNING MANNA           6-16-22

A COMMAND FROM CHRIST

“Let not your heart be troubled.” John 14:1

Jesus does not approve of your being in an agitated, perplexed, uncomfortable state. He wishes to see you steady, holy, and happy. He forbids your fear; He commands your faith. As He is with you, as He is engaged for you, you should leave your concerns very much with Him. But how can we attend to this exhortation? Get the mind assured of a covenant interest in God, as your God. Live under the impression, God is with me; He minutely observes every thing that takes place within and around me; He is watching for an opportunity to do me good; He will not allow any thing to hurt me; He will glorify Himself in me, and me in Himself; He bids me trust Him; I will trust and not be afraid. What will follow? He will keep them in perfect peace, whose minds are stayed on Him; because they trust in Him. Trust then in the Lord for ever; for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength. Let nothing trouble you, for your souls are in the hands of Jesus; your life is hid with Christ in God; your times are at God’s disposal; and all things are working together for your good. (William McDonald)

Calmer of my troubled heart,

Bid my unbelief depart;

Speak, and all my sorrows cease;

Speak, and all my soul is peace;

And till I Thy glory see,

Help me to believe in Thee.

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

MORNING MANNA          6-15-22

Decision Making

“David enquired of the Lord yet again”– 1 Samuel 23:4

Nine times in the Scripture we find this statement — “David enquired” of the Lord, or of God. Every one of these instances was after David had become a great leader. And yet David shows us that great leadership results from being a great follower of God. Even in the most practical or mundane of matters.

Many times, when we are faced with challenging situations, our first inclination, especially if there are others waiting upon or relying on our answer, is to make a hasty decision based on the best understanding we have at the moment. But we should develop the habit, like David, of asking the Lord for direction first.

Perhaps you have already sought the Lord’s guidance, though, in a particular situation — a relationship, or a promotion, or a relocation, or another life-changing decision. Or maybe you received clear direction for your last decision, but a fresh challenge has presented itself.

Then inquire of the Lord yet again. There is no such thing as being too dependent upon God. He never wearies of our questions, and we never out-grow our inadequacy without Him.

The great encouragement is that when David went to the Lord yet again, then “the Lord answered him” (23:4b). He always answers those who inquire of Him, and so He will answer you when you call upon Him and inquire of Him, dear believer.(Baptist Bible Hour)

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

MORNING MANNA           6-14-22

HOW WE VIEW THE BIBLE

“As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory. For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.”- 1 Thessalonians 2:11–13

When Sir Walter Scott was dying, a friend came to visit and asked if he could do anything for the great author. Scott asked him to read a little. The friend, looking at the vast library filled with histories and novels, including many Scott had written, asked which book he should read. Scott replied, “Why do you ask that question? There is but one book—bring the Bible.”

The most precious resource we have is the Word of God. We take our ready access to the Scriptures for granted, but for most of history, only a few people had copies of the Bible that they could actually read. And even today there are many people that do not have even one verse of Scripture translated into their language. In fact, it is estimated that over a billion people do not have the Word of God available in their native tongue.

Yet with our multiple copies of the Bible, do we fail to read and treasure what God has spoken to us? How many Christians take the time to give thanks to God for the gift of the Bible? How many hold it in high regard, refusing to put their own opinions or the opinions of others over what God has declared? The Bible is perfect, the revelation of the purpose and plan of God for our lives. We should read it and heed it and treasure it as long as we live.

Treasure the Bible—read it, memorize it, meditate on it, and live by it every day.(Daily in the Word)

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

MORNING MANNA              6-13-22

TRUST PRODUCES JOY

“For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.” (Psalm 33:21) 

After preaching yesterday about how faith enabled Job to accept what God allowed and to triumph over his terrible trials, I thought this verse might confirm that fact for you. Charles Spurgeon said —

“The root of faith produces the flower of heart-joy. We may not at the first rejoice, but it comes in due time. We trust the Lord when we are sad, and in due season He so answers our confidence that our faith turns to fruition, and we rejoice in the Lord. Doubt breeds distress, but trust means joy in the long run.

The assurance expressed by the psalmist in this verse is really a promise held out in the hands of holy confidence. Oh, for grace to appropriate it. If we do not rejoice at this moment, yet we shall do so, as surely as David’s God is our God.

Let us meditate upon the Lord’s holy name that we may trust Him the better and rejoice the more readily. He is in character holy, just, true, gracious, faithful, and unchanging. Is not such a God to be trusted? He is all wise, almighty, and everywhere present; can we not cheerfully rely upon Him? Yes, we will do so at once and do so without reserve. Jehovah-Jireh will provide; Jehovah-Shalom will send peace; Jehovah-Tsidkenu will justify; Jehovah-Shammah will be forever near; and in Jehovah-Nissi we will conquer every foe. They that know Thy name will trust Thee; and they that trust Thee will rejoice in Thee, O Lord.”

If your faith is lacking many other things will be lacking. The good news is that you can do something about it — “faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God.”(Rom. 10:17) – HDS

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

MORNING MANNA               6-11-22

THANK GOD FOR UNANSWERED PRAYER

“ But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.” — 1 Kgs 19:4

Elijah was in a state of despondency when he uttered this unworthy prayer. It was not fright that produced this condition of mind – it was discouragement. It seemed to him that all the struggle on Carmel had amounted to nothing.

It is a sad picture – this great prophet lying there under a little bush in the wilderness, begging that he might die. This is one of the unanswered prayers of the Bible, and it is well for Elijah it was not answered. If he had died then, what an inglorious ending would it have been to his life! As it was, however, he lived to do further glorious work, and instead of dying in the wilderness, he missed death altogether.

It is never right to wish ourselves dead. Life is God’s gift to us, a sacred trust for which we shall have to give account. As long as God keeps us living He has something for us to do. Our prayers should be for grace to bear our burden and do our duty bravely unto the end. – J R Miller

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