MORNING MANNA           6-10-22

THE “WHYS” OF LIFE

“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”– Romans 8:18

Today’s Senior Living says,”The Boston Globe newspaper carries a daily column dedicated to answering questions from its readers. Some years ago, the paper listed the top ten unanswerable questions it had received. Among them was one from a 9-year-old boy, who wrote,

“I have a cat that eats regularly and needs to go on a diet. He also eats mice when he is out. How many calories are in a mouse?”

There are some questions to which we simply don’t know the answer. This is most definitely true when asking questions about God, who is so immense and powerful that man could never dream of fully understanding Him.

We see examples of this all around us today. When parents take a child to the doctor to be vaccinated, the child doesn’t understand what’s going on. All he understands is that he’s being stuck with a needle and it hurts. But the parents know more… and they let the child experience a bit of pain today because, in the grand scheme of things, it’s better for him!

There will come a day when we’ll be able to ask any question we want. But until that day, we may not get answers to the “whys” of the Christian life. So we wait… and we trust God to work everything out for our good!

Ask God to give you patience and trust in Him when it comes to waiting for His answers to your questions.”

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

OUR SUFFICIENT GOD

“Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.”  Habakkuk 3:17-19

These are some of my favorite verses and I have vivid memories of preaching from them, and the effect the message had on others. Below are some wise comments made by a preacher speaking from his personal experience. He found God able and willing to keep His promises. I’m certain He will do the same for all who trust Him – even you!

“Have you ever had the privilege of visiting with Christians in a third-world country?  I have had the opportunity to do so several times and I am always so blessed…and convicted.  What amazes me the most is their gratitude and joy.  I have met many families living in “houses” made from whatever trash could be gathered.  Sometimes seven or more people living in one room, sleeping on the floor and eating one meal a day.  Water is a luxury, and is fetched by walking to the nearest source.  No air conditioning, shoes, medical care or indoor plumbing…and yet there is an abundance of joy.

My first thought is, why?  From where does this gratitude come?  I sometimes have trouble being thankful with more than I need.  What is their secret?  The answer is almost always the same.  If you ask these brothers and sisters why they are so joyful they will smile and say, “God is good!  He is faithful!”

They have learned that joy has nothing to do with external circumstances.  Joy is the result of something much deeper…and lasting.  God has enabled countless Christians worldwide to “go on the heights” of poverty, persecution, and suffering.  They have learned that God is enough.  He is all they need.  He is more than they need.  With this elusive truth comes great strength and joy.

So why do so few of us ever find this type of joy?  I believe it could be that we do not really believe that God is enough.  We may say we believe that, but in reality we think we need God and the approval of others, or God and a great marriage, or God and financial security.  And the more independent we become, the less we feel the need to depend on God.  And if we stop relying on Him to meet our needs, how will we ever learn and believe that He is sufficient?

True joy is found only in God.  In plenty and in want, in sickness and in health, in the valleys and on the mountaintops, God is sufficient.  He is good; and His love endures forever.”

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

MORNING MANNA            6-8-22

Thank God for Guilt

“My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; for whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.” – (Hebrews 12:5–6)

Some people say that guilt is a horrible thing. In reality, guilt is a design God has put in our souls. It is similar to the pain we feel in our bodies when something is wrong. If I’m walking down the street barefoot and step on a piece of broken glass, a signal goes through my body, saying, “Red alert! Don’t step any further!” The pain effectively warns me that more pain is coming unless I stop.

In the same way, when we experience guilt, our conscience says, “Warning! Don’t do that.” That is the conviction of the Holy Spirit.

When someone who claims to be a Christian can live in sin without sensing it, then something is seriously wrong. I know we aren’t perfect. I know we all fall short of the glory of God. But there is a difference between stumbling unintentionally and being sorry for it and living in habitual, continual sin without any pangs of conscience, guilt, or  remorse.

If this is happening in your life, then it means your conscience is being “seared with a hot iron” (1 Timothy 4:2). As the Bible says in Hebrews 12, “If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?” (verse 7). In other words, if you are a child of God, when you begin to cross the line, the Holy Spirit will be there to say, “No, don’t do that.”

That very conviction is a reminder that you are a child of God. So rejoice when you feel guilt. Thank God for guilt.

If you can live in sin without any guilt or remorse, then one must question whether you are a child of God. Throw on the brakes if this is happening to you.(Greg Laurie)

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

MORNING MANNA           6-7-22

THE PERSPECTIVE THAT PRODUCES PEACE

“It shall be well.”  2 Kings 4:23

I’m not sure who wrote the following. I found it in my files and it was a blessing to me. Hopefully it will help you look at life from a different perspective and bring peace to your soul.

“This was the language of a believer in trouble; and it should be our language under similar circumstances. Our trials, troubles, and difficulties may be great; but it shall be well with them that fear God. Are you alarmed at the powerful working of corruption within you? It shall be well, for sin, shall not have dominion over you; for you are not under the law, but under grace. Are you distressed by the evil suggestions and powerful temptations of Satan? It shall be well, for the God of peace will bruise Satan under your feet shortly. Is your soul cast down by the vexations, difficulties, and trials of the way? It shall be well, for all things shall work together for good, to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose. Do you conclude your case is singular, and therefore fear? It shall be well, for no temptation hath taken you, but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will also with the temptation make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. Oh, precious promise of a gracious God! Lord, help me to believe, and rejoice. In life and death, It shall be well.”

What cheering words are these
 Their sweetness who can tell?
 In time, and to eternal days,
 ‘Tis with the righteous well.

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

MORNING MANNA            6-6-22

UNSHAKABLE HOPE

“Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.”– 2 Corinthians 5:6-9

One of the most precious things we have as believers is the confidence of our eternal destiny. All around us there are people who fear death because they do not know what comes next, but we do. When D. L. Moody wrote his autobiography, he began with these words: “Some day you will read in the papers that D. L. Moody, of East Northfield, is dead. Don’t you believe a word of it! At that moment I shall be more alive than I am now. I shall have gone up higher, that is all; out of this old clay tenement into a house that is immortal—a body that death cannot touch; that sin cannot taint; a body fashioned like unto His glorious body. I was born of the flesh in 1837. I was born of the Spirit in 1856. That which is born of the flesh may die. That which is born of the Spirit will live forever.”

Our future in Heaven is already secure. It is not something that will be weighed or judged at the end of our lives, for it is not something that depends on us. The moment we place our faith in Christ alone for salvation, the future is settled. Once we leave this life, no matter when that may be, we will be in the presence of God in Heaven. The proper Christian attitude toward the future is confidence, not fear. We did not save ourselves, and we do not keep ourselves saved. We work not to gain salvation and secure our place in Heaven, but to express our gratitude and gain God’s approval for our work. The Christian has no reason to fear the future, for we know God will keep His promises. (Daily in the Word)

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