MORNING MANNA            5-19-22

KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE PRIZE

….forgetting those things which are behind–I press toward the mark for the prize—Philippians 3:13-14 

In these wonderful verses we see Paul’s past, his proclamation, and his pursuit. Then in the next verses we see his plea–setting himself forth as an example. 

That dear old apostle refused to allow anything in his past divert his attention and dim his vision of the prize before him. That is really rather amazing when you consider all of the things from his past that he could have been thinking about– his abilities, his accomplishments, his authority, his associates, his adversaries, his afflictions, etc. Yet he was looking ahead to “the prize of the high calling”. And he wasn’t just looking, he was reaching–straining with all his might to gain what God had for him. Paul was no quitter, nor loafer, nor coaster. He had a fixed purpose and a burning desire to fulfill it. He was willing to pay the price regardless of the circumstances, cost, conditions, or consequences. Although he had learned to be content in whatever state he was in (Phil.4:11) he was not content to remain as he was as a person. Some of us need to get past the past! Although we can learn from it we must never be controlled by it. We would do well to learn from the example of Paul. If you’re going to build momentum for a better future you’ve got to get rid of the ball and chain of your past. As Lehman Strauss wrote,” There is no bright future for the Christian who wastes time dwelling on the past.” 

Winston Churchill was right when he said,”We must learn to accept the past as unalterable and move on.” Good advice! And, Paul proved that it can be done. God records this information about Paul to inspire us, not so we can idolize him. He wants us to see what He can do in our life. Regardless of your past, God can give us a glorious future. That’s where our attention needs to be. – HDS 

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

MORNING MANNA           5-18-22

TELL JESUS
“And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus“- Matt. 14:12

When Herod beheaded John, his disciples took up his body and buried it, and went and told Jesus. Let us imitate their example, and carry all to Jesus. He loves to listen to the tale of human woe. He can and will sympathise with us in all our trials and troubles. He is our Father, and to whom should the child tell his troubles, but to his kind and tender parent? He will direct our steps, avenge our wrongs, and turn all things to our advantage. Does business go wrong? Are enemies active? Is corruption strong? Does faith flag? Are you tried in your family? Go and tell Jesus. It will ease your mind; prevent sin; ensure supplies; manifest relation; and frustrate the designs of Satan. Do not sit poring over your miseries; go not to creatures; neither murmur, complain, nor fret; but go to Jesus; go with speed; go in hope; go and tell Him all, without reserve. Go this morning, with all thy complaints, desires, and fears; lay them all before Him, and beseech Him to undertake for you. He loves to hear you, has promised to help you, and will certainly bless you. It is your duty, and your privilege, to pour out your heart before Him, and find Him a refuge for you.- James Smith, 1840

Our sorrows and our tears we pour

Into the bosom of our God;

He hears us in the mournful hour,

And helps to bear the heavy load.

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

MORNING MANNA           5-17-22      

“Facing Temptation”

“Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve“– Matthew 4:10

It is striking that Jesus, who later asserts that He could call down twelve legions of angels to assist him at any time, chooses to face the temptations of the devil in the wilderness with nothing but the Word of God — which is the same, and only, weapon that we have against Satan’s temptations, as well.

It is as if Jesus is showing us just how powerful, just how effective, God’s Word is in the midst of spiritual battle, so that we will trust its strength for our own struggles. Jesus three times faces Satan’s three temptations by quoting the Bible. What other tool could we hope for than the very one Jesus himself wielded in times of personal temptation?

But these verses do not just magically appear to our minds in the moment that we need them. We must be reading, memorizing, listening to, absorbing God’s Word in every way we possibly can. We must be people of the Book, Bible-steeped soldiers in the kingdom of Christ.

Jesus knew the right answer, from God’s Word, at the right time for the right temptation; we must strive to know and do the same. It is only then that we will be able to, with authority and conviction, repel the approaches of Satan effectively. (Baptist Bible Hour)

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

MORNING MANNA            5-16-22

OTHERS

“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.  Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” Phil. 2:3-4

The key word is “others.” The Lord Jesus lived for others. Paul lived for others. Timothy lived for others. Epaphroditus lived for others. We too should live for others.

We are told to do this not only because it is right but also because it is for our own good. If it is sometimes costly to live for others, it is more costly not to do so.

Our society is filled with people who live only for their own personal interests. Rather than keeping busy in serving others, they sit at home brooding. They think about every minor ache and pain and soon become confirmed hypochondriacs. In their loneliness they complain that no one takes an interest in them and soon they wallow in self-pity. The more time they have to think about themselves, the more depressed they become. Life becomes one great introspective horror of darkness. Soon they go off to the doctor and gulp enormous quantities of pills—pills that can never cure self-centeredness. Then they frequent the psychiatrist’s couch to somehow find relief for their boredom and weariness with life.

The best therapy for people like that is a life of service for others. There are shut-ins to be visited. There are senior citizens who need a friend. There are hospitals that welcome volunteer help. There are people who could be cheered by a letter or a card. There are missionaries who welcome news from home (and perhaps they could use a little greenery to brighten up the scenery). There are souls to be saved and Christians to be taught. In short there is no excuse for anyone to be bored. There is enough to do to fill one’s life with productive activity. And in the very process of living for others, we widen our circle of friends, make our own lives more interesting, and find fulfilment and satisfaction. P.M. Derham said, “A heart that is full of compassion for others is less likely to be absorbed in its own sorrows and poisoned by its own self pity.”

Others, yes, Lord, others,

Let this my motto be.

Help me to live for others

That I may live like Thee.

Copyright 2007 © William MacDonal

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

MORNING MANNA          5-15-22

HELPED BY HARDNESS

Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.—-endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.–2 Timothy 2:1,3 

Growing up, as a boy I heard mom and dad say,”Hard work never killed anyone!” over and over again. They were right, but that was hard for me to see at the time. Laziness and the love of ease has killed more people than hard work ever did. The fact is, hardships can actually help make us stronger. This article in Senior Living makes my point: