MORNING MANNA            5-29-21

RESPONDING TO HATE

“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?” – Matthew 5:44-46

Born into slavery in Virginia, Booker T. Washington was nine years old when the Civil War ended and his family was freed. Throughout his life, he dealt with discrimination and opposition, struggling to find acceptance and a way forward. Despite all that he endured, Washington refused to abandon his faith in God or his determination to treat others properly. He said, “I will not permit any man to narrow and degrade my soul by making me hate him.”

We sometimes are tempted to use the actions of others or of society as a whole as an excuse for our own bad behavior. But Jesus calls us to a better way of living. Our heart attitude toward others does not have to be dictated by their treatment of us. Even the worst people we know who treat us horribly and say awful things about us are to be loved rather than hated. If we allow ourselves to become bitter toward our enemies, we are failing to show them Christian love and the example of Jesus, and we are damaging our own spiritual health.

While it may be satisfying to let someone have a piece of our mind or to condemn those who oppose us, they are instead to be loved and even pitied. Jesus pointed out that God does not reserve the blessings of the natural world just for His children, but freely gives them to all. In the same manner, we are to demonstrate grace and mercy even to our enemies. The way we treat those who hate us reveals a great deal about the depth of our obedience to God. (Daily in the Word).

David Stone

Lakeway Baptist Church

Humble, Tx.

MORNING MANNA            5-28-21

SAMSON

“Samson called unto the Lord, and said, O Lord God, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee” – Judges 16:28

What an embarrassing scene. What a shameful spectacle.

Samson, who had been judge over Israel for twenty years, had been blessed with supernatural strength, had in one day killed a thousand Philistines with nothing but a bone in his hand — this same Samson now stands in the stadium of the Philistines, being made sport of and being himself the occasion for thanksgiving to their pagan gods.

And the worst of it all is this: he is there because of his own sin, his own foolishness. Because he wouldn’t say no to the temptress Delilah, he had been caught unawares, defenseless, and helpless. His eyes have been put out because he was too blind to see how dangerous sin is.

Why then would anyone use Samson as an example of faith? Shouldn’t he be an example of how to throw away everything that God has given you and make a royal mess of your life over and over again? Well, yes, he is that too.

But Samson is also an example of true, God-honoring, world-overcoming faith. God himself mentions his name among the select few that are included in the “hall of faith” in Hebrews 11. And why is he mentioned? Because, through faith, Samson “out of weakness was made strong” (Hebrews 11:32, 34).

Even after all his failures, all his shameful conduct, all his detestable sins Samson had faith to come to God again and pray for forgiveness and healing. Imagine the nerve! And yet God commends him for his faith. In fact, that kind of faith is mentioned as one of the most courageous and admirable to be found.

Believer, if you have made a mess of your life, follow Samson’s faith and turn to God. He will hear you, He will heal you. ( Baptist Bible Hour)

David Stone

Lakeway Baptist Church

Humble, Tx.

MORNING MANNA            5-27-21

LIVING TILL YOU LEAVE

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. -Phil. 1:21

One day the famous evangelist George Whitfield was relating the difficulties of ministry to some friends. He said he was tired of the burdens and was glad his work would soon be over as he was getting close to going home to be with the Lord.

His other friends admitted having the same feelings – all except one, a Mr. Tennant. Whitfield asked, “Brother Tennant, you are the oldest among us. Do you not rejoice to think that the time is near when you’ll be called home with the Lord?”

The old man said bluntly, “I have nothing to do with my death. My business is to live as long as I can and serve my Savior as faithfully as I can until He thinks it’s time to call me home.” Whitfield accepted the word as a gentle rebuke from the Lord, and it encouraged him to continue going about his ministry.

As we reach the autumn years of our lives, it can be tempting to think our best years are behind us. This can cause us to become discouraged. But the truth is that our usefulness for the Lord never expires until the very moment He calls us home. So stay focused on the task at hand, encouraged that your best days are ahead when the Lord will use you in a powerful way!

Ask God to give you the strength and encouragement you need to continue serving Him faithfully all the days of your life.( Senior Living)

David Stone

Lakeway Baptist Church

Humble, Tx.

MORNING MANNA            2-26-21

DIFFICULT DAYS
“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered“- Rom. 8:26

MORNING MANNA            5-25-21

THE SEASONS OF LIFE

“ To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:”- Ecc. 3:1