MORNING MANNA          11-25-21

THANKSGIVING
“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”- 1 Thess 5:18

Someone said, “In all circumstances! This comes as a surprise when one considers the vicissitudes of human life. Sickness and health, poverty and wealth, joy and sorrow–are all ingredients of the cup placed to human lips–so all must come within the scope of thanksgiving. Why be thankful for everything? Because God causes everything to work together for good to those who love Him.”
Charles Dickens said that we are somewhat mixed up here in America. He told an audience that instead of having one Thanksgiving Day each year, we should have 364. “Use that one day just for complaining and griping,” he said. “Use the other 364 days to thank God each day for the many blessings He has showered upon you!”

Dickens was wrong. There should be no days of complaining. We ought to Give thanks not just on Thanksgiving Day, but every day of your life. Appreciate and never take for granted, all that God has given us.

“Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.”– 2 Cor. 9:15

For Christ who came from Heaven above,
For the cross and His redeeming love,
For His mighty power to seek and save,
For His glorious triumph o’er the grave.
For the lovely mansions in the sky,
For His blessed coming bye and bye–
I give Thee humble thanks.
 
I pray you and yours will have a blessed thanksgiving!  – Bro. Stone

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

PASTOR’S PAGE          11-24-21

These trying times in which we live troubles just about everyone. We are especially reminded of this during this time of the year. Even holidays aren’t like they used to be. Instead of making them happy, it makes it harder for some folks.

That’s all the more reason for us to think about the things for which we ought to be thankful. Considering the circumstances it is more important than ever that we count our blessings. The change of focus from burdens to blessings can do wonders. So everytime you start to worry, let that be a signal to remind you to express your gratitude to God for His amazing grace. Gratitude doesn’t cancel out the grief, but it does help balance our outlook on life. But for the grace of God it would be all grief. However, due to His goodness we can be grateful and glad.

As Christians we always have reason to rejoice. Not only has God saved us, He has blessed us in numerous other ways. So let’s think about what we have rather than what we don’t. Although you have suffered loss, you haven’t lost everything. Although your body is racked with pain, you are still here and able in some way to contribute to the kingdom of God – it’s true even if you feel it isn’t.

As you celebrate Thanksgiving, think about those precious memories that bring a smile to your face. Also, as you think ahead, consider God’s precious promises rather than your painful problems. Remember, for the Christian the future always looks bright if you look far enough ahead.

Bev and I love you. We count it a great privilege to be part of the Lakeway family. We pray you will have a blessed Thanksgiving. Your in Christ, Bro. Stone

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MORNING MANNA            11-24-21

GOOD FOR EVIL

“Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”- Rom.12:21

Pastor Lowell Johnson told this true story: It occurred in the Great Depression in America. There was a certain man by the name of Judd Brewster who was a mean, hateful man. Nobody like him. There was a family named Jansen who lost their farm and all their possessions during the Depression. They heard of a sharecropping farm they could work. The only problem was, the property adjoined the property of Judd Brewster, this mean man. Everybody in the area said, “Oh no, you don’t want that farm, because you would have to live next to Judd Brewster, one of the meanest men on the planet earth.” Mr. Jansen said, “I tell you what, if this Judd Brewster gives me any trouble, I’ll just kill him.” That is what he said.

So they moved in and started working this sharecropping farm. One day, their chickens got loose and got over in Judd Brewster’s yard, and Brewster came stomping over to the Jansen’s house, pounding on the door, “Get those chickens out of my yard! If you don’t, you won’t see them again!” So they ran over there, and got the chickens and put them in a hen-house and locked the hen-house.

A couple of weeks later, Jansen’s pigs got loose and got into Judd Brewster’s garden. Once again Judd Brewster came storming up to the front door, pounding on the front door. He said, “Jansen, your pigs got in my garden. But they’ll never get in my garden again. Here they are.” He jerked his thumb over his shoulder, and there in the wagon that he had ridden up in was a pile of dead pigs. He had shot every one of the Jansen’s pigs. Jansen didn’t do anything except bury his pigs. 

One day several months after that, one of Jansen’s sons came running in saying, “Dad! Dad! Get your gun, get your gun quick, because Brewster’s pigs are in our garden!” Already he could taste the sweet flavor of revenge. Jansen said, “No, we’re not going to kill them. Boys, round them up. Load those pigs in the wagon.”

You know, it’s a whole lot easier to load dead pigs in a wagon than it is living pigs. But after a lot of work, that’s what they did. They rounded them up and put them in the wagon. He pulled the wagon over to Brewster’s property. He walked up to the front door , knocked on the door and Brewster came to the door. “What do you want?!”

He said, “Brewster, your pigs got in my garden today.” And all the color just drained out of Brewster’s face, because times were hard and nobody could afford to lose their livestock. Jansen said, “What do you want me to do with them? I brought them back.” Brewster, knowing he killed them, said, “Pile them behind the barn. I’ll take care of it later.” Jansen said, “Well, I can’t do that. If I put them behind the barn they’ll just get loose again.” And Brewster realized this man was showing kindness toward him.

That very afternoon, they had a long conversation. When Jansen left, Brewster had given him half of his pigs. And the next Sunday, for the first time in as long as anybody could ever remember in those parts, Judd Brewster was in church. And he became a Christian. Someone asked Jansen, “What did you mean when you said you were going to kill him if he gave you any trouble?” He said, “That’s what I did. I killed him. I killed him with kindness, because that old mean neighbor we used to have is no more.”

You say, “That’s a pretty good little story, where did you hear it?” To me, this is the best part. It was told by Judd Brewster’s grandson, who is now a preacher of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I think mainly because somebody was willing to obey this passage of Scripture and show kindness when they had been insulted.

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

MORNING MANNA            11-23-21

CHARACTER COMES FIRST

“According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:”Ephesians 1:4 ( see 1 Peter 1: 13-21)

Having said much about this subject lately, I love what the late Theodore Epp said about it. He wrote: “There is much talk today about “working for Christ” but little about “being like Christ.”

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

MORNING MANNA          11-22-21

CONFLICTS

From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?– James 4:1

Have grudges, or petty differences, or personality clashes been tearing at your church lately? Has your own love for the Lord, and his people, been diminished by some strife in the church in which you have taken sides?

Where do such body-breaking, unity-shredding difficulties come from? James answers rhetorically: the problems among you come from problems within you. Wars in the church result from unsuccessful wars inside your soul, James says. The strife and tension comes because of your unchecked desire for personal gain and pleasure.

Check yourself by James’ answer sheet. Does the bitterness in your heart come from pure motives and a selfless spirit, or does it come from wanting to get your own way? Have your words sought to edify and build up others, or have they been tools to tweak your own agenda?

The writer of Proverbs observes: “Only by pride cometh contention” (13:10), and James echoes that assessment. When we seek our own happiness and put ourselves first, the inevitable result is a clash with anyone who gets in our way.

Regardless of what genuine offenses or real grievances you may have suffered, surrender your case to Christ, pray for those who have opposed or injured you, and refuse to be drawn into a war with others in the church.- Baptist Bible Hour

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