MORNING MANNA 11-21-21

November 21, 2021 By Pastor David Stone

MORNING MANNA 11-21-21

BEYOND THE SUNSET

“For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.”– Heb. 11:10
After writing yesterday about the need to look at things that are invisible and eternal, I can’t help but think about the old song “Beyond the Sunset”. Due to the passing of time, painful experiences, and pressing needs, I long for the day when all the sun shall set for the last time and the Son of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings.

This last year has been a nightmare for many. For some life has been worse, they have had a lifetime of difficulties, disappointments, suffering, and pain. But while some sink under the wild stormy waves, others soar above the storms. Regardless of their problems they have a peace that mystifies others. They are able to do so because of faith in the God who is Faithful and True.

The difference is in perspective. If we focus on temporal tangible things it will lead to disappointment, discouragement, and despair. However, if we look beyond the sunset to that which is invisible and eternal it will change our outlook and that changes the outcome of the things we are forced to face. Knowing the best is yet to come gives us a reason to rejoice regardless of circumstances.

Years ago I spent several days with Dr. Lee Roberson. It seems I can almost hear him preaching his famous sermon “Some Golden Daybreak”.Dear friends, I say again, the best is yet to come! Do not despair. Perhaps it will do you good to read the lyrics to Beyond the Sunset and think about every word and the hope that awaits God’s children – HDS

Beyond the sunset
Oh, blissful morning
When with our Savior
Heaven’s begun
Earth’s toiling ended
Oh, glorious dawning
Beyond the sunset
When day is done
Beyond the sunset
No clouds will gather
No storms will threaten
No fears annoy
Oh, day of gladness
Oh, day unending
Beyond the sunset
Eternal joy
Beyond the sunset
Oh, glad reunion
With our dear loved ones
Who’ve gone before
In that fair homeland
We’ll know no parting
Beyond the sunset
Forever more

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

MORNING MANNA 11-20-21

November 20, 2021 By Pastor David Stone

MORNING MANNA 11-20-21

THE KEY TO KEEPING ON

“For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” – 2 Cor. 4:16-18

Examples can be great encouragement, and for me it doesn’t get any better than the apostle Paul. Looking at his life for the Lord you have to wonder how he could endure such great hardships and keep going. Well, we don’t have to guess about it. He tells us exactly what it was.

First, notice the word “look” in vs. 18. It means “to take aim at”. Sadly most people have their sights set on things that do not and cannot satisfy – nor supply what’s needed. In showing us what Paul was focused on he gives us two simple points. He tells us we must —

— Look beyond the visible to the invisible. He gave basically the same advice in Col. 3:1-2. Sadly most people fail because they are blinded by Satan ( 2 Cor. 4:4) and until they are saved they will never be able to live as they should. However, sometimes even we Christians fail. We here in America have it so good that we are distracted from what matters most. Rather than having the attitude of Paul ( Phil. 3:7-8) we treasure the things of the world, and that always ends in disappointment.

— Look beyond the temporal to the eternal. That’s the very essence of faith which is “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen’ (Heb. 11:1). Yet most folks focus on things they see, things that won’t last, things they will lose. How many people do you know that are actually living as though eternity is more important than the present? Few I would guess. I know, some often think about heaven and eternity occasionally, but I’m talking about more than that. I’m talking about seeing the value of unseen things that are eternal and committing yourself to the pursuit of things that pay eternal dividends. Seeing the importance of that will keep you going when you’re facing hard times in life.

If you doubt this will work just consider Paul and all he endured for Christ. If he could, we can, because we serve the same God – the God “that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think” (Eph. 3:20). Live each day with these things in mind and you can overcome whatever comes against you. It will provide peace you never thought was possible. – HDS

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

MORNING MANNA 11-19-21

November 19, 2021 By Pastor David Stone

MORNING MANNA 11-19-21

WHEN GOD FAILS

“Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.”- Hab. 3:17-19

The very title of this article probably raises some questions – maybe about my sanity. It might seem like a strange statement and some of you might have already concluded that it can’t be true. After all, how can God who is holy, just, righteous, and perfect in all His ways ever fail? That’s a fair question, and I understand your reasoning, and it deserves an answer. The fact is, there is a sense in which these words are true. The question is “How?”.

Here’s the answer. God fails in that He fails to meet our expectations, grant certain desires, change our situation,explain everything, reward us immediately, ignore sin, or extend our lives beyond what we want. This results in many folks issuing complaints against God.

But none of this means that God has actually failed. The truth is, God cannot fail. He fails only in the sense that He doesn’t always do what we desire, ask, expect, or understand. Actually it is we, not God, who fails. And not understanding this has created serious problems and much misery. Consequently it is essential that we come to a knowledge of the truth.

What people consider to be a failure on God’s part is actually a success. Rather than giving us what we want He gives us what we need – even when it hurts. Were we as wise as God we would agree with all He does. Since we aren’t, we must trust Him if we are to have peace. If we understood everything there would be no such thing as faith.

Make no mistake about it, the mystery of our misery is due to our lack of misunderstanding, not God’s mistakes. And if we understood why we can’t understand we would agree that God’s way is always right, best, and safest. So, rather than complaining, we ought to thank God that we can’t see the future. We couldn’t handle it. Our emotions would overwhelm us, our reasoning would impair us, and our duty would elude us. Therefore, living by faith is the only sensible way to live. You can trust God because He cannot fail and He never lies. -HDS

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

MORNING MANNA 11-18-21

November 18, 2021 By Pastor David Stone

MORNING MANNA 11-18-21

SYNTHETIC SAINTS

“Let love be without dissimulation…”– Rom.12:9

The whole of our duty is to love God and others (Matt. 22:37-40). The problem is that some people have finely honed the art of deception to the point that they are not what they appear to be. That’s why Paul says “Let love be without dissimulation” (hypocrisy).

We live in the age of the artificial. We have everything from imitation plants, flowers, and grass, to fake food. We even have fake news designed to deceive and sway people over to their way of thinking. But there is something much worse and that’s what Paul warns us about.

We live in the day of Synthetic Saints. Just as plastic plants can appear real so can people. Phonies are everywhere and some are very impressive when it comes to their appearance of being a Christian. But God looks on the heart, and He expects authentic Christianity – genuine godliness.

The word “hypocrisy” speaks of play acting, putting on a mask. Strictly speaking, love with dissimulation is an oxymoron, because true love is without hypocrisy. All else is as phony as counterfeit money. When such people speak of love it is a sham designed to make people think more highly of them. It’s not Biblical love.

True love is a love that loves others regardless of circumstances, cost, conditions, or consequences. It is a self-sacrificing, caring commitment that seeks the greatest good of others. True love goes the second mile, above and beyond the call of duty, rather than doing just enough to get by. It has a genuine interest in others, rather than self. But that’s not what we see today. When we do just enough to get by we are saying, “I care more about myself than I do about you or what God wants”.

Far too many folks are like Judas who betrayed Jesus with a kiss. They pretend to care when they don’t. They give you a kiss on the cheek, mutter “I love you”, and then leave you where you are without aid. They are as phony as Judas who turned Jesus over to cruel men who tortured and killed Him. Your situation is different, but your sin is of the same sort. You are more like Judas than you are like Jesus.

It’s no wonder that we have such a difficult time leading others to Christ. Synthetic saints have given them the wrong impression and made the glorious gospel repulsive to others. People judge Christ and Christians on what they see and too often we send the wrong message. May God help us to show others what true love looks like. I know, none of us are perfect yet, but in light of what our text says we ought to be on guard against pretending. Let us strive to love others as Jesus loved us – doing what is necessary to remove any doubt. True love is powerful. It will do wonders in the lives of others. And that’s what God expects. – HDS

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

MORNING MANNA 11-17-21

November 17, 2021 By Pastor David Stone

MORNING MANNA 11-17-21

OVERCOMING EVIL

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

If you don’t think you need God’s help just consider how difficult this command is. Jesus said, “ Love your enemies” ( Matt. 5:44), then he said, “and a man’s foes shall be they of his own household” ( Matt. 10:36). Assaults can come at us from any direction, even from within our family or from among friends.

Sometimes people we dearly love can be as mean as snakes. They can do hurtful things that are hard to forget. It’s the people we love the most that can hurt us the most, and it’s easy to get bitter or to seek revenge – which the Bible forbids.

I’m sure I don’t need to convince you that we live in an evil world. We can’t escape being exposed to it, but we can do something to avoid being overcome by it. Fact is we are commanded to do so. Overcoming evil is something that God desires and expects. Allowing ourselves to be overcome and failing to overcome evil is a sin.

Now notice both of these—
— “Be not overcome of evil”. I know this is easier said than done, but the difficulty of it doesn’t dismiss us from duty. We live in a difficult and dangerous world therefore we must be vigilant at all times. Evil can come from any direction and it often comes from a place and time that we least expect.

— “ but overcome evil with good”. Rather than reacting according to our feelings we must respond as God tells us to do. Perhaps you never thought of good as a weapon, but it is – it is a weapon against evil. Without it you are unarmed.

Our foolish natural tendency is to return evil for evil. We tend to feel that we ought to pay people back for the wrong they’re done, but that just makes matters worse. It’s like adding fuel to the fire. Instead, we are to do exactly the opposite. We are to overcome evil with good. Otherwise we allow the failure of others to cause our fall.

George Washington Carver said, “ I will never let another man ruin my life by making me hate him”. That’s a good attitude. We will never overcome evil with evil. We can only change things for the better by loving kindness – doing good to others. Love has great power. It can get attention when nothing else can.

We ought to give the guilty party what they need rather than what they deserve. If that seems unreasonable and unfair to you, you need to think about what God did for you. Our aim should be to heal others not hurt them. Christ died for His enemies, surely we can be kind to ours. We need to have a love beyond limits, love that is unconditional. If we love others as Christ loved us we will be amazed at what God will do. – HDS

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

MORNING MANNA 11-21-21

MORNING MANNA 11-20-21

MORNING MANNA 11-19-21

MORNING MANNA 11-18-21

MORNING MANNA 11-17-21

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