“Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.” Romans‬ ‭10‬:‭1‬ ‭

On January 13, 2012, the massive Costa Concordia cruise ship with more than 4,200 passengers and crew on board was sailing off the coast of Italy on a tour of the Mediterranean Sea. The captain deviated from his planned course and the ship struck a reef near the shore. After taking on water for a while, the ship began to sink. Abandoning his duty to the passengers and crew, Captain Francesco Schettino left the ship instead of remaining to make sure everyone could be rescued.

In a phone conversation, the local Coast Guard commander repeatedly pressed Schettino for an update on the situation. “Tell me if there are women, children and people in need there.” Failing to receive a satisfactory reply, he ordered Schettino to return to the ship. The captain responded, “You realize it’s dark and we can’t see anything?”

“You’ve been telling me that for an hour, now get back on board!” the Coast Guard official shouted. The captain was later arrested for his failure to do his duty, resulting in the deaths of more than thirty people.( CNN,July 17, 2013)

That’s awful, but what about those who bust a gut singing “Rescue the Perishing” with great emotion, yet won’t lift a finger to see a soul saved.

Every day we are surrounded by people who will spend eternity either in Heaven or in Hell. And that should disturb us. The Bible tells us that Jesus cared about people. Matthew 9:36 says, “But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd”. The sad condition of the lost should stir our hearts and cause us to do everything in our power to win others to Christ.- HDS

David Stone  

Lakeway Baptist Church    

Humble,TX

Man, apart from God, is a miserable creature. Search as he may, and he does, he cannot find the fulfillment he longs for. Like the troubled sea, he cannot rest. I know–it seems that some have found the pot of gold at rainbow’s end, but things are not what they seem to be. Don’t be fooled by all the glitz and glamor of those who live the life style of the rich and famous. They are no closer to finding peace and contentment than the bum on the street. Regardless of their outward appearance there is something missing and, whether they admit it or not, they know it. They are always discontent. The more they get the more they want, and the more apparent it becomes that “all is vanity”. They know that something, something more important than anything else, is missing.

Christians know that that “something” is actually “Someone”–Christ! They have drank from the Fountain of Living Water and they thirst no more. They have eaten the Bread of Life and they hunger no more. They have discovered that contentment is found only in Christ. Their Savior satisfies! Although they have their “ups and downs” like everyone else, they know their Foundation is sure and they are at peace–even when the storms are raging.

What about you? When you’ve run your mad race throughout the day, searching for satisfaction, and finally put your head on the pillow at night, just how satisfied are you? How do you feel? Do you have a calm sense of peace that makes life an enjoyable experience? Or do you feel restless, as though there is no rhyme or reason in life? Are you sick and tired of not having a sense of purpose? Are you bored with going through the same old same old everyday, as though there is nothing better?

Well there is good news. When life is not as it should be, the first step toward a better life is getting dissatisfied with life as it is. Until we acknowledge the problem we can’t solve the problem. If you are fed up with your life as it is, run to Him who is seeking you. Open the door of your heart and give Him entrance while He is knocking. Receive Him and you will be received into God’s family as a joint-heir of Christ! Live for Him who died for you, lest you waste your opportunity. Give your life away and you will find it. Instead of feeling empty you will have life more abundant, full and free. 

Sent by David Stone on Wednesday, September 17 at 5:40AM

MORNING MANNA               9-16-25
BURDENS INTO BRIDGES
“–the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel.”–Phil. 1:12

We live in a pressure cooker world and everyone feels the heat! Even believers are often burdened down to the point that they feel they will be crushed if relief isn’t found. No one is exempt from trials (Job 14:1). We all have our share of suffering and sorrow, but people view them and deal with them differently. Some poor souls throw their hands up in despair and quit. Others become bitter and resentful, often rebelling and resorting to destructive habits. A few, however, have learned to turn their burdens into bridges. Their burdens make them better rather than bitter.

The Apostle Paul gives us a good example as to what our attitude should be. Numerous passages tell how he benefited from his burdens. He knew God had a purpose in all that He allows to enter our life, a plan to use it for good, and the power to make it happen.

We too can benefit from our burdens. While burdens weigh heavily upon us, impeding our progress, bridges enable us to rise above difficulties and enable us to cross over into new territory. When your burden becomes a bridge it brings you to places you could have never reached by any other means. It can promote spiritual growth, protect you from danger, or put you in a place of ministry that you could never be in without it. Believe it or not you can advance through adversity, grow through grief, and benefit from your burdens.

Don’t allow your burden to become a barrier, shutting you off from the good things God planned for you. Make your burden a bridge whereby you can experience the blessings of God in your life. In other words, don’t waste your suffering. You cannot escape it, but you can embrace it and allow God to use it to make you the person He wants you to be. 

Having received the promise that God’s grace would be sufficient, Paul wrote, “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then am I strong.”–2 Cor. 12:9-10. No doubt about it–Paul turned his burdens into bridges, so can you! –HDS

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

PEACE IN PRISON

“And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.” –Acts 16:25

During WW II, a lady by the name of Darlene Deibler was doing mission work in Indoneisa when she was captured by the Japanese secret police. This is how she described what happened as she was locked in solitary confinement:

The door closed upon me, and I dropped to my knees, eyes intent upon the keyhole. When I saw the key make a complete revolution, I knew I was on death row, imprisoned to face trial and the sentence of death.

I listened to the footsteps of the guard recede on the concrete walkway. When he was gone beyond hearing, I sank back onto my heels. My face and hands were wet with cold perspiration; never had I known such terror. Suddenly I found I was singing a song that I had learned as a little girl in Sunday school in Boone, Iowa:

Fear not, little flock, whatever your lot;

He enters all rooms, The doors being shut.

He never forsakes, He never is gone,

So count on His presence from darkness ‘til dawn.

So tenderly my Lord wrapped His strong arms of quietness and calm about me. I knew they could lock me in, but they couldn’t lock my wonderful Lord out. Jesus was there in the cell with me.

The same God who gave Paul and Silas peace in the prison gave this dear sister a song in the night. In her most desperate hour she was assured that God was there with her, and that gave her hope. They could lock her in prison, but they couldn’t lock God out! 

My dear friend, it might be that you feel as though you are bound in some dark lonely prison today. There appears to be no ray of light and no reason to hope. Although your circumstances are different your fear is just as real. In this terrible time I remind you that her God is your God and what He did for her He can do for you. With God we always have reason to hope. –HDS, 3-10-11

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