MORNING MANNA           6-13-21

CONFIDENT BUT WRONG
“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man; but the end thereof are the ways of death.” (Proverbs 14:12)

Twice in the book of Proverbs (14:12 and 16:25) we learn that man’s judgment as to the right way is not reliable. What seems right to him ends in disaster and death.

During World War II the Navy gave a vivid illustration of this to its flight personnel. It was trying to impress on them that when they were flying at high altitudes and did not use their oxygen, they could not trust their senses. A pilot was instructed to enter a decompression chamber and sit down at a table on which was a sheet of mathematical problems. Oxygen was withdrawn from the chamber to simulate high altitudes. When the air became less dense, the pilot was told to solve the problems. He was also told that no one had done so correctly so far.

The pilot would breeze through the problems with utmost confidence that he had beaten the system. The problems seemed easy, and he had every assurance that he would receive a perfect score. There was no doubt in his mind about it.

But when oxygen was fed back into the chamber, and he emerged to have his paper corrected, he learned that his ability to solve problems had been seriously impaired by the lack of oxygen getting to his brain. The lesson was, of course, that if he flew at high altitudes without using his oxygen, he wouldn’t be able to trust his own judgment, and he would be inviting a crash.

Man’s judgment has been seriously impaired by sin. He feels absolutely sure that the way to heaven is by doing the best he can. If you tell him that no one has ever been saved by good works, he still has every confidence that he will be the first to beat the system. He is certain that God would never turn him away from the gates of heaven.

But he is wrong, and if he persists in his lack of “spiritual oxygen”, he will perish. His safety lies in trusting the Word of God rather than his own judgment. If he does so, he will repent of his sins and receive the Lord Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Because God’s Word is truth, those who believe it can be confident that they are following the right route.- (Copied)

David Stone

Lakeway Baptist Church

Humble, Tx.

MORNING MANNA          6-12-21

PEACEMAKERS

“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”– Matt. 5:9
Of all the things missing in the world today, peace is one of the most elusive. Conflicts are common everywhere. It’s no wonder that so many are miserable – even among “the rich and famous”. It’s clear that possessions, pleasures, and popularity do not produce peace in relationships. That being the case we are in great need of peacemakers, but they are scarce as hen’s teeth. Considering the difficulties associated with being a peacemaker, some wonder “Why even try?” The answer is found in the very first word of our text – “Blessed”. That means “happy, fulfilled, satisfied, or spiritually prosperous regardless of circumstances. That makes the pursuit of peace profitable.

But there is also another benefit. Our text says, “they shall be called the children of God”. Peacemakers are recognized as the children of God and that’s a testimony we all should desire. Are you concerned about what others think about you and your relationship with Christ? Does it matter to you whether or not they see something of Christ in you? If you do care then you ought to be a peacemaker rather than a troublemaker. Every Christian should consider what message they are sending to others. Think about it this way – what message are you sending if you aren’t a peacemaker? That ought to be a frightening thought to those who are always fussing and fighting, and also to those who just sit back watching it without making an effort to promote peace.

MORNING MANNA           6-11-21

LOVE

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.”- 1 Cor. 13:1-2

We tend to speak much about our needs and the things we lack, but somehow we neglect the most important things, such as love. So here’s a question, “Could we have a problem with a lack of love?” Of course we “could”, so a better question is “Do we have a problem with a lack of love?” Before you answer, let me say, if we lack love we do indeed have a problem – a very serious problem, not a matter of secondary importance. So I’ll repeat the question, “Do we have a problem with a lack of love?” Looking at society, any honest person would have to answer “Yes”. In this dog eat dog world we see evidence of that everywhere.

But let’s make it personal – “Do you have a problem with a lack of love?” That’s a question that needs to be answered because we are accountable to God, and failing miserably if love is lacking. But to answer it correctly requires an examination. Simply saying you love someone doesn’t mean you do. Nearly every woman has had a man whisper “I love you”, but it is often the case that the same man will disrespect her, cheat on her, or abuse her. It’s also a fact that many talk about loving God but refuse to obey Him. Something is missing. Truth is, no amount of words weigh enough to spell true love. True love can only be determined by your attitude and actions measuring up to the proper standard, which is God’s Word. And I know of no better place to see the attitude and actions of love than 1 Cor. 13. Consider what God says about love (charity) in these verses:

“And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth:…”- 1Cor. 13:3-8

Now examine yourself in the light of that and ask yourself again, “Do I lack love?” If the answer is “Yes”, you have a serious problem that leads to problems everywhere else in your life. To put it another way, as Paul said of the guilty “I am nothing” (vs. 2). Think about it! – HDS

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

MORNING MANNA           6-10-21

PRAYER

“And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.”– Matt. 26:39

“He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.”– Matt. 26:42

“And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”– Luke 22:43-44

‘Where to go in sorrow’ is one of life’s great questions. For there are none to whom sorrow does not come at some time. The Master, whose footprints are on all life’s paths, shows us the way to the refuge in the time of trouble. He found it in prayer. “Being in agony, He prayed.”

We may listen at the gate of the Garden of Gethsemane, and learn how our Master prayed. He was facing a great sorrow and He pleaded with His Father, that it might not come to Him. We have a right, therefore, to ask in prayer that the trouble which seems imminent may pass, or that we may be relieved of the bitter anguish we are enduring. God will never blame us for such pleading.

There was another element, however, in our Lord’s praying. In His most intense pleading for the passing of His sorrow, He still referred all to His Father. “Nevertheless, not as I will–but as You will.”

There is no true prayer, which is not modeled after this pattern. We do not know what is best. We do not know what is in the sorrow for us, for others, or for the divine glory; nor what would be lost if we failed to endure it. We must leave all with our Father, saying, “Nevertheless, not as I will–but as You will.”

Prayer is always answered. It is answered either directly in the giving to us of what we ask; or in ourselves, in enabling us to accept the will of God and rejoice. We shall never seek this refuge of prayer in vain. We shall always find comfort there, and peace–and always God will meet us to strengthen us!- J. R. Miller, 1905

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

MORNING MANNA           6-9-21

GLADNESS

“The Lord hath done great things for us, whereof we are glad.”- Psalm 126:3

Some Christians are sadly prone to look on the dark side of everything, and to dwell more upon what they have gone through than upon what God has done for them. Ask for their impression of the Christian life, and they will describe their continual conflicts, their deep afflictions, their sad adversities, and the sinfulness of their hearts, yet with scarcely any allusion to the mercy and help which God has vouchsafed them. But a Christian whose soul is in a healthy state, will come forward joyously, and say, “I will speak, not about myself, but to the honour of my God. He hath brought me up out of an horrible pit, and out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings: and he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God. The Lord hath done great things for me, whereof I am glad.” Such an abstract of experience as this is the very best that any child of God can present. It is true that we endure trials, but it is just as true that we are delivered out of them. It is true that we have our corruptions, and mournfully do we know this, but it is quite as true that we have an all-sufficient Saviour, who overcomes these corruptions, and delivers us from their dominion. In looking back, it would be wrong to deny that we have been in the Slough of Despond, and have crept along the Valley of Humiliation, but it would be equally wicked to forget that we have been through them safely and profitably; we have not remained in them, thanks to our Almighty Helper and Leader, who has brought us “out into a wealthy place.” The deeper our troubles, the louder our thanks to God, who has led us through all, and preserved us until now. Our griefs cannot mar the melody of our praise, we reckon them to be the bass part of our life’s song, “He hath done great things for us, whereof we are glad.” ( Charles Spurgeon)

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