MORNING MANNA            4-6-22

THE CHURCH

Every Christian should be a member of a scripturally sound church and support it with their time, talent, and tithe. It is impossible to become all God wants you to be and do all He commands you to do without being part of a church body. Ask God to direct you to the church where He wants you to be. -HDS

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

MORNING MANNA          4-5-22

WITH HIM

“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”– John 15:5

Never forget that in the Lord is our righteousness and strength. We are not sufficient to think rightly of ourselves, but through Him we can do all things. Never attempt anything without looking to Jesus for power. Let a knowledge and constant sense of weakness keep you near to Him; sensibly depending on Him; and ascribing all good unto Him. You cannot, He can. You have destroyed yourself, in Him is your help found. It is only by union to Him, and receiving from Him, that you can glorify God, adorn your profession, enjoy your privileges, and obey the holy precepts of the gospel. Never presume, but come up out of the wilderness leaning on Him, your beloved. Live as one deeply sensible of your dependence upon, and obligation to, the Lord Jesus. He is the strength of the poor, the strength of the needy in his distress, and your strength too. Beloved, Jesus is your life-giving Head, the Fountain from which you are to draw all your supplies, and the Friend to whom you are to carry all your cares. He will work in you to will and to do of His own good pleasure.- James Smith, 1840

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

MORNING MANNA        4-4-22

THE STUDY OF GOD

“Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?” (v. 34) Rom. 11:25-36

A subject which is of great interest to many today is anthropology – the study of man. Although this subject is of great importance, for a Christian there is something far more important – the study of God. The great preacher C. H. Spurgeon said: “The highest science, the loftiest speculation, the mightiest philosophy that can ever engage the attention of a child of God, is the name, the nature, the person, the work, the doings, and the existence of the great God whom he calls his Father.” The contemplation of God seems to be a lost art today. We appear to be more concerned about subjects such as Church growth, the end times, signs, wonders and miracles. I am not suggesting these issues are unimportant, but they must not be allowed to replace the supremely important matter of the constant, earnest and continued investigation of the great subject of the Deity. The more we know of God the more effective will be our lives here on earth. Those who have given themselves to the study of God tell us that it humbles the mind, expands the soul, and consoles the heart. It humbles the mind. When our minds grapple with other subjects we feel a degree of self-content and come away thinking: “Behold, I am wise.” But when our minds engage with thoughts of God we discover that there is no plumb-line that can sound His depth, and we come away thinking: “Behold, I know nothing.” In an age which stresses the supremacy of the human ego it is no bad thing to learn that there is something far greater. Indeed someone far greater – the infinite and eternal God.

Gracious and loving heavenly Father, teach me how to focus on You and contemplate You so that all vanity and pride dies within me, and I go on my way no longer caught up with how wise I am but how wonderful You are. In Jesus’ Name. Amen. – Selwyn Hughes

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

MORNING MANNA            4-3-22

RELIEF FOR GRIEF

“ And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”– Rom. 8:28

In these troublesome times in which we live we need to think of this verse often. J C Ryle ( 1816-1900) enlarged on the thought well. Consider his words of wisdom:
“Reader, if God has given you His only begotten Son, beware of doubting His kindness and love in any painful providence of your daily life! Never allow yourself to think hard thoughts of God. Never suppose that He can give you anything which is not really for your good. Remember the words of Paul: “He who spared not His own Son—but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things” (Romans 8:32.) See in every sorrow and trouble of your earthly pilgrimage—the hand of Him who gave Christ to die for your sins. That hand can never smite you—except in love. He who gave you His only begotten Son, will never withhold anything from you that is really for your good. Lean back on this thought and be content. Say to yourself in the darkest hour of trial, “This also is ordered by Him who gave Christ to die for my sins. It cannot be wrong. It is done in love. It must be well.”

 The gift of God’s grace gives us what we need in our time of grief. Let us embrace it with open arms and a song of praise on our lips! – HDS

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

MORNING MANNA           4-2-22

CHRISTIANS ARE CHANGED

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” – 2 Cor. 5:17

Thirty years ago, a notorious gangster named Mickey Cohen attended a Christian meeting in Beverly Hills.The meeting was being led by a young evangelist named Billy Graham. Graham was just starting out in evangelism and no one had really heard of him.

Everyone knew about Mickey Cohen. Mickey was attracted to what he heard at the meeting. Afterwards, Billy and some of the others talked to him about salvation, but he made no commitment at that time. A while later a Christian friend read Revelation 3:20 to him – “Behold, I stand at the door….”. The friend then asked Mickey if he wanted this salvation. He said, “Yes, I do.”

The news of his conversion made quite a sensation, and the ministry of Billy Graham became known across the nation. There was only one small problem – nothing in Mickey Cohen’s life changed. When his friend confronted him about it, Mickey complained: “You didn’t tell me I would have to give up my work!”. [Mafia]. “You didn’t tell me I would have to give up my friends!” [gangsters]. Mickey had heard that so-and-so was a Christian athlete, and so-and-so was a Christian actress, so he thought he could be a Christian gangster.

As I read this story I was reminded that sadly, there are many like Cohen. They want to be identified as a Christian, and might even do some things associated with Christianity, but there is no real change in their life. They have no new nature, nor characteristics of a true Christian. What about you? Do you understand that those who trust Christ become “a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new’. ( 2 Cor.5:17)? Christ changes all those who receive Him. Is there any evidence that you have been born again? – Bro. Stone

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