MORNING MANNA           7-23-21

FACING THE FACTS

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33
Having been saved by the grace of God I have no cause for complaint, but neither do I have the right to think that life should always be fun and easy. Living by faith doesn’t mean living like a fool. Common sense forces me to face the facts.

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

MORNING MANNA          7-22-21

OUR DAUGHTER’S DEATH
“And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.”– Job 1:21-22

MORNING MANNA            7-21-21

OUR EXAMPLE

“For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.”- John 13:15

We all need examples and there is no better example than Christ. He is perfect in every area of life, but here we see Him setting Himself before us as an example in one particular area – serving others.
He had met with the apostles in the upper room just before the Passover and His crucifixion. Yet His thoughts were on others. Knowing His time was short He used this occasion to demonstrate His love by washing the feet of His disciples! Afterward He asked them if they understood what He had done. He expected them to learn a lesson from His love, as well we all should. Then He issues a command, counsel, and a challenge by saying, ” do as I have done to you”.
An event like this is not what anyone would expect. Normally it would be the servant washing his master’s feet, not the master washing the servants feet. Think about it. The Creator washed the feet of His creatures. The King of kings and Lord of lords stooped down to wash the filthy feet of His subjects. Such acts of humility simply are not expected among men – but this is Jesus!
May God help us to observe His ways and obey His will by being of service to others as He commanded. In doing so others see something of Jesus in us and hopefully will have a desire to know Him as their Lord and Savior. So, rather than demanding attention and desiring admiration let us display our affection for others by offering them our aid in their time of need.- HDS
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346 

MORNING MANNA          7-20-21

SENSELESS SACRIFICE

“But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice.” (Matthew 9:13)

God is far more interested in how we treat other people than in how many religious ceremonies we go through. He prefers mercy to sacrifice. He places practical morality above ritual. It might seem strange to read that God doesn’t desire sacrifice, because it was He who instituted the sacrificial system in the first place. But there is no contradiction. While it is true that He ordered the people to bring sacrifices and offerings, He never intended these to take the place of justice and kindness. “To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice” (Proverbs 21:3)

The Old Testament prophets thundered out against people who observed all the proper rituals, yet who cheated and oppressed their neighbors. Isaiah told them that God was fed up with their burnt offerings and religious holidays as long as they oppressed the fatherless and widows (Isaiah 1:10-17). He told them that the fast God desired was to treat their employees fairly, to feed the hungry and clothe the poor (Isaiah 58:6-7). Unless their lives were right, they might as well offer a dog’s head or swines’ blood (Isaiah 66:3).

Amos told the people to stop their religious observances because God would continue to hate these rituals until justice and mercy flowed like a mighty torrent (Amos 5:21-24). And Micah warned that what God wants more than ritual is reality – the reality of fairness, justice, mercy and humility (Micah 6:6-8).

In our Lord’s day, the Pharisees earned His scorn by pretending to be religious with long, public prayers while evicting widows from their homes (Matthew 23:14). They were careful to give God a tenth of the mint in their garden, but this could never take the place of justice and faith (Matthew 23:23). It is futile for us to bring our offering to the Lord if our brother has a valid grievance against us (Matthew 5:24); the gift is acceptable only after the wrong has been righted. Attending church regularly will never serve as a cover-up for dishonest business practices during the week. There is no use giving mother a box of chocolates on Mother’s Day if we treat her hatefully during the year. Or a shirt to father on Father’s Day if we do not show love and respect to him the rest of the time.

God is not fooled by externals or rituals. He sees the heart and our day-by-day behavior.- William MacDonald

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

MORNING MANNA            7-19-21

THE PURPOSE OF THE BIBLE

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” – 2 Tim. 3:16-17

It is impossible to live a successful life without being a student of the scriptures. The Bible provides — communication from God – commands to guide us- counsel to direct us- cautions to protect us- confidence to strengthen us- compulsion to motivate us- courage to face fears- comfort to calm us- character to make like unto Christ – HDS 7-19-21

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