MORNING MANNA          4-1-22

How Do We Understand Creation?

“By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.”– Heb. 11:3

The late Adrian Rogers said, 

Every three or four months there is some new article in the newspaper about the origin of the Universe. Every now and then a scientist will say some good words about God. That doesn’t give me any more faith in God. A little more faith in the scientist, maybe, but not in God. What is science? Science is the study of phenomena now existing. God asked Job this question in Job 38:4, “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?” How do we understand everything we see in creation? By faith.

You may say, “Well, that takes a lot of belief.” Well, it takes more to believe nothing times nobody equals everything. That’s what many believe. No wonder the Bible says, “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God’” (Psalm 14:1). God is the supreme fact and the man who denies it is the supreme fool. Faith is not contrary to reason, it’s simply beyond reason. To go in the laboratory to try to prove God would be like tearing a piano apart trying to find a tune.

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

MORNING MANNA          3-31-22

HELP IN HARD TIMES

“I will be with him in trouble.” Psalms 91:15

Sin is the parent of trouble; all sorrow originated in departing from God. It is generally occasioned by transgression, or sent as a preventive to a greater evil; it may be occasioned by good, for saints are sometimes persecuted for righteousness’ sake. It is intended to correct, improve, and to bring us near to God. Whatever may be our trouble, if we are the Lord’s, He is with us; and with us for the most gracious purposes. He fixes the period of our troubles, nor can they continue longer than He sees needful. He regulates the heat of the furnace nor will He suffer us to be tried more than we are able to bear. He sanctifies our troubles, and causes them to work our good. He delivers out of trouble, when the purposes of His love are accomplished. In every trouble remember God is now especially present. He is with you to hear your prayer, increase your strength, direct your way, and make you a conqueror. His grace is sufficient; His presence is sure; your deliverance, in His time and way, is certain. Therefore, “wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.”

“He that hath made his refuge God.

Shall find a most secure abode;

Shall walk all day beneath His shade,

And there at night shall rest his head.” –  By James Smith, 1840

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

MORNING MANNA           3-30-22

MAKING DISCIPLES

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” – Matt. 28:19-20

We’re all involved in the work of making disciples. The question is, whose disciples are we making? Every single day, through your words, actions, or even inaction, you draw someone near to Christ or push them away. As Paul Gilbert wrote…

“You are writing a Gospel, a chapter each day,
By deeds that you do, by words that you say.
Men read what you write, whether faithless or true.
Say, what is the Gospel according to you?”

It’s a heavy responsibility to know that you’re a disciple-maker. But the good news is that you’re not alone. Christ assures you in today’s passage, “I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”.

So who’s reading the Gospel you’re writing today? Is it a family member or maybe your neighbor? It could even be the young man who brings you your pizza or bags your groceries. The point is that the world is watching, and what they think of Jesus may come down to what they think of you.

Ask God to make you attentive to disciple-making opportunities. Pray for His grace, wisdom, and strength to show others the love of Christ.- Copied and Revised to KJV

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

MORNING MANNA          3-29-22

THE DUTY TO WITNESS

“The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.” – Acts 8:32-35

Social scientists tell us that the percentage of people in the United States who do not have any personal religious belief is at an all time high. In the not-very-distant past, a majority of Americans, even those who were not Christians, still had a sense of the importance of worship and religion and at least in some form observed the formality of going to church. That is not true today. More than ever before in our country, we are dealing with people who have little understanding of the absolute truths of God’s Word or of their need for a Savior.

But every person we speak to—whether or not they grew up in church or believe religion is important—has this in common: they need Jesus. Maybe they know Who He is and maybe they don’t. But regardless of their situation, we need to be like Philip and use the Word of God to show people that Jesus is the only hope of salvation. Every person we meet has a soul that will live forever either in Heaven or in Hell. We who have trusted Jesus for salvation must obey His command to tell others what we have learned. “Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee” (Mark 5:19). We must not shirk our responsibility to be faithful witnesses to tell others about the Savior. – Daily in the Word

David Stone

Lakeway Baptist Church

Humble, Tx. 

MORNING MANNA        3-28-22

THE COMFORTS  OF CHRIST

“For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” – 2 Corinthians 12:8-10

There are times when God does not work in our lives in the way we would prefer. Perhaps an illness does not respond to treatment. Sometimes an economic hardship is persistent. Paul prayed fervently and repeatedly for his “thorn in the flesh” to be removed, but God refused. There are times when God’s plan for us involves things that are painful or difficult for us to experience. Yet when that is the case, He never forsakes us, but instead gives us the grace we need to keep going.

The English pastor and hymn writer John Fawcett said, “How many, how suitable, how sovereign are the supports our heavenly Father affords to His afflicted children! They make the affliction, which in itself would seem heavy and tedious appear to be light, and but for a moment. It is happier to be in the furnace of affliction with these supports than to be in the highest prosperity without them! Blessed with the hopes and comforts of Christ!”

When we don’t get what we would prefer, we must be willing to accept God’s grace and trust Him to sustain us. Sometimes people become bitter against God for the very things He has brought into their lives to make them more like His Son. Though difficulty can be the result of sin in our lives, it can also be a pruning tool God is using so that we will be more fruitful in our lives for Him. Taking up the cross is never easy, but it is an essential requirement to following Jesus Christ. God never fails to provide comfort to those who seek His face in times of trouble.- (Daily in the Word)

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