MORNING MANNA          12-3-21

PRAISE THE LORD

“O that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men.”- Psalm 107:8

If we complained less, and praised more, we should be happier, and God would be more glorified. Let us daily praise God for common mercies—common as we frequently call them, and yet so priceless, that when deprived of them we are ready to perish. Let us bless God for the eyes with which we behold the sun, for the health and strength to walk abroad, for the bread we eat, for the raiment we wear. Let us praise him that we are not cast out among the hopeless, or confined amongst the guilty; let us thank him for liberty, for friends, for family associations and comforts; let us praise him, in fact, for everything which we receive from his bounteous hand, for we deserve little, and yet are most plenteously endowed. But, beloved, the sweetest and the loudest note in our songs of praise should be of redeeming love. God’s redeeming acts towards his chosen are for ever the favourite themes of their praise. If we know what redemption means, let us not withhold our sonnets of thanksgiving. We have been redeemed from the power of our corruptions, uplifted from the depth of sin in which we were naturally plunged. We have been led to the cross of Christ—our shackles of guilt have been broken off; we are no longer slaves, but children of the living God, and can antedate the period when we shall be presented before the throne without spot or wrinkle or any such thing. Even now by faith we wave the palm-branch and wrap ourselves about with the fair linen which is to be our everlasting array, and shall we not unceasingly give thanks to the Lord our Redeemer? Child of God, canst thou be silent? Awake, awake, ye inheritors of glory, and lead your captivity captive, as ye cry with David, “Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.” Let the new month begin with new songs.- C. H. Spurgeon

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

MORNING MANNA            12-2-21

BE A HERO

“This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”- John 15:12-13 

Senior Living tells this interesting story about some unusual people who epitomize what a hero is. Here’s the story: “Something was different about the little village of Le Chambon-sur-Lignon in France. Unlike most communities across the country, this town hid their Jews from the Nazis during World War II. A journalist one day wanted to see what kind of heroes would risk everything for the lives of others, so he took a trip to Le Chambon-sur-Lignon.

The journalist was floored when he arrived to find these people weren’t particularly smart or brave. But they were faithful believers in Christ who had learned from their local pastor what it meant to love others. And over time, doing what’s right just became a habit for them. So they did.

When we think about the word “hero” today, images come to mind of people who are exceptional to everyone else. But the truth is that most heroes today are astonishingly ordinary. They’re simply people who see a need and do what God would have them do to respond.

If you’ll allow God to take control in your life, determining who to help and how, He can use you just like He used the people of that humble French village. Make yourself available to Him. Love others as Jesus loves you. When you simply respond according to the Spirit of God, there’s no limit to what God can do for others through you! Pray and surrender yourself to God as a vehicle of His radical, heroic love for others.”

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

THINK ABOUT IT         12-1-21

GOOD – BETTER – BEST

Since I heard these words over and over from my mother, I couldn’t help but notice the following article. Since it makes a good point I thought I would share it with you as something to think about:

GOOD – BETTER – BEST

The Longhorns win over USC in early 2006 remains the highest-rated college national football championship game of all time, viewed by twenty-two percent of the television audience. The only two unbeaten teams of the season faced off in a back-and-forth contest. In fact, the Longhorns victory was not secured until the game’s final nineteen seconds. On a fourth-down play, Vince Young ran for a nine-yard touchdown, ending the game with a 41-38 win. 

Now, there are three ways you can say you experienced that game. Let’s label them the Good, the Better, and the Best.

The Good: You can tell people you didn’t see it live but you watched a video archive of the game later.

The Better: You can tell people that you watched it live on TV along with millions of others. 

The Best: Anybody who was in the Rose Bowl that evening would certainly say that there was simply no replacement for actually being in the stands when Vince Young crossed that goal line in the last seconds of the game. 

When it comes to worshipping with your church family, there’s the Good, the Better, and the Best. 

The Good: You can watch the archive of our service at any time. 

The Better: You can watch the livestream with several hundred of your church family as it happens.  

The Best: You can be in the building as worship takes place. 

So, if your work schedule keeps you from coming, watch our service later in the archive. If your health keeps you from coming, watch the livestream as it happens. But the best choice is to gather with the Lord’s people on the Lord’s Day. The online option is for those who need to stay healthy, not for those who just want to stay home. 

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

MORNING MANNA                12-1-21

OPENING  GATES

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”– Heb. 11:6

Songwriter Oscar Eliason wrote,

“Got any rivers you think are uncrossable? Got any mountains you can’t tunnel through?”

“God specializes in things thought impossible.“

Commenting on this in the light of Hebrews 11, P.R.Van Gorder wrote: “Every Christian faces obstacles along life’s pathway, and walking in God’s will doesn’t guarantee that our way will be easy. But no matter how difficult, we can trust God and go forward in faith.

At the entrance to a local hospital is an automatic gate designed to rise when a car activates a hidden sensor near the entrance. When I drive up the ramp toward the gate, it remains down, blocking the entrance. But as I get closer, the arm swings up, allowing me to proceed. If I were to park my car a few yards from the entrance, the gate would stay closed. Only when I move forward does it open.

Someone said, ‘If God built a bridge a yard ahead, it could not be a bridge of faith.’ It’s the first step into the unseen that proves we have faith. Abraham, for example, ‘went out, not knowing whither he went.’ (Heb. 11:8). He obeyed God and relied on Him to clear the path.

When we walk in obedience to the Lord and come upon a closed gate, we can confidently take the next step of faith. As we move forward we will see God open the way. Faith is the gate between our peril and God’s power.”

Some say they can’t believe, but that is a lie. They could if they would. The only ones who don’t are those who won’t.- HDS

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

MORNING MANNA            11-30-21

TRUSTING GOD’S WORD

“I trust in Thy word.” – Psalms 119:42

It is unsafe and improper to trust our feelings or fancies; to listen to suggestions, or judge by appearances; the Christian’s guide is God’s word, and this should be the object of his trust. If we cannot take God’s word and depend upon it, what can we trust?

It is true; on all necessary points plain; it has been tried and always found faithful. We should believe it, rely on it, plead it, expect its fulfilment, and comfort ourselves with it; especially when surrounded with difficulties, when in darkness or filled with forebodings, because God delays and our prayers are not answered.

Trusting in God’s faithful word will bring peace to the mind, experience to the soul, and deliverance in every time of trouble: if we trust God’s word we may be confident, for our supply is certain. Trusting a naked promise is difficult, but it is attainable, and truly desirable. The promise is God’s bond, and is intended to set our minds at rest; if we trust it calmly and implicitly, we shall enjoy peace, quietness, and confidence.

Trusting God’s word, we need fear no foe, or dread any trouble; all is safe, and safe for ever.

In Thee, O Lord, I put my trust:

Mighty and merciful, and just,

Thy faithful word I prove;

Thou canst, Thou wilt my helper be:

My confidence is all in Thee,

The faithful God of love. — James Smith

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