MORNING MANNA         6-23-21

THE MEAT OF MINISTRY

“Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work” – John 4:34

What drives you? What motivates you? What sustains you? Jesus revealed to his disciples, when they could not understand his passing up a lunch break, that his driving motivation was the will of his heavenly Father.

My meat, my food, my sustenance comes from doing the will of God and finishing the work of God, Jesus says. Notice that it does not suffice Jesus’ appetite to simply know the will of God or to study His works. Jesus finds his fulfillment in actively engaging in the work of God and persevering until it is completed.

Too often we think of Christianity as a set of beliefs only. But following Christ invariably means hungering to know the will of God and being satisfied only when we are engaged in it. Nothing else can substitute for active obedience.

And Jesus takes it a step further than obedience; his mission statement includes completion of the work that God has for him to do. Jesus is not just trying to salve his conscience or make a show of obedience; his satisfaction only comes in the achievement of God’s purpose for him here.

What about you? Is your meat to do your Master’s will? Are you actively seeking to practice the Christian faith, in public and in private? Are you striving to finish the great purpose for which God has placed you here? (Baptist Bible Hour)

Too many people think of duty as drudgery rather than a delight. For them ministry is misery. But for Christ and His followers satisfaction is found in service. They are most gratified when God is most glorified. For them service is a blessing rather than a bother. A child of God in the will of God is in the most satisfying and safest place on earth! Where are you? – HDS

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

MORNING MANNA          6-22-21

MORNING MANNA           6-21-21

HELP LORD

“Help, Lord.”- Psalm 12:1

This example reminds us that our prayers need not be long, loud, or lovely. It is not the eloquence or emotion of our prayers that impress God, but the sincerity of our heart. The following comments by Charles Spurgeon should prompt all of us to pray more:

“The prayer itself is remarkable, for it is short, but seasonable, sententious, and suggestive. David mourned the fewness of faithful men, and therefore lifted up his heart in supplication—when the creature failed, he flew to the Creator. He evidently felt his own weakness, or he would not have cried for help; but at the same time he intended honestly to exert himself for the cause of truth, for the word “help” is inapplicable where we ourselves do nothing. There is much of directness, clearness of perception, and distinctness of utterance in this petition of two words; much more, indeed, than in the long rambling outpourings of certain professors. The Psalmist runs straight-forward to his God, with a well-considered prayer; he knows what he is seeking, and where to seek it. Lord, teach us to pray in the same blessed manner.

The occasions for the use of this prayer are frequent. In providential afflictions how suitable it is for tried believers who find all helpers failing them. Students, in doctrinal difficulties, may often obtain aid by lifting up this cry of ‘Help, Lord,’ to the Holy Spirit, the great Teacher. Spiritual warriors in inward conflicts may send to the throne for reinforcements, and this will be a model for their request. Workers in heavenly labour may thus obtain grace in time of need. Seeking sinners, in doubts and alarms, may offer up the same weighty supplication; in fact, in all these cases, times, and places, this will serve the turn of needy souls. ‘Help, Lord,’ will suit us living and dying, suffering or labouring, rejoicing or sorrowing. In him our help is found, let us not be slack to cry to him.

The answer to the prayer is certain, if it be sincerely offered through Jesus. The Lord’s character assures us that he will not leave his people; his relationship as Father and Husband guarantee us his aid; his gift of Jesus is a pledge of every good thing; and his sure promise stands, ‘Fear not, I will help thee .’ “

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

MORNING MANNA            6-20-21

MANLINESS

 “Now the days of David drew nigh that he should die; and he charged Solomon his son, saying, I go the way of all the earth: be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man” – 1 Kings 2:1-2

MORNING MANNA        6-19-21

FAMILY

“But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.”– 1 Tim.5:8

Once highly touted as the building block of society the family institution has morphed into something considered unnecessary and undefinable. No one seems to know what family means and even fewer care. To them it is an antiquated institution of no importance today.

Considering all the glowing things said about it in previous generations you can’t help but wonder what in the world happened? How could something so highly regarded be reduced to a pile of rubble so quickly? Was no one resisting the changes? Evidently not enough. And now as we see it in its present state few seem concerned. When it’s mentioned they just shrug their shoulders as if to say, “Who cares?’

So this is where we are and there doesn’t seem to be any quick fix in sight – especially when we are witnessing the demise of churches. Rather than being salt and light to the world the church has been absorbed into the world system. That which the Bible describes as “the pillar and ground of the truth” has become a place of confusion and compromise. The world has more disdain for the church than it does for the family. So it’s not likely that it will lend a listening ear.

Sadly there is no quick fix for something so far gone. The best we can do is to take care of our little corner of the world. We don’t have the platform nor the power to produce a world such as it should be. We are mired down in a mess that is worse than we can fix. The world is so confused that it doesn’t know one gender from another, murders babies, and — the list goes on and on. Until the Lord comes and makes all things right we’ll have to live with things that are wrong. Let us then each one bear witness to the world by living as we should even when they won’t do the same. We can’t win the world , but we can win someone. So, rather than focusing on what the world should be doing let’s focus on what we should do. As our text shows, not doing so is a very serious sin. – HDS

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