MORNING MANNA            5-24-21   
DO YOU SEE YOUR NEED ?

“Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.”- Job 23:12

In a sense man’s greatest need is to see his need. Until a person realizes he has a need he isn’t going to do what he should. People don’t get saved until they first realize they are a sinner in need of a Savior. But even God’s people have problems in this area. Far too often we suppose that all is well between us and God when it isn’t. At other times we know that something is amiss, but we don’t take any steps to correct it.
   We could talk about numerous things in this regards, but the one thing that stands out the most in my mind is people’s attitude toward the Word of God. Based on their actions it’s obvious that they don’t see any great need for it. They seem to think that daily Bible reading and study is only for preachers and teachers. For them, all they need is a weekly portion spoon fed to them by someone else.
   If that’s your case, let me ask you some questions. Don’t you ever long for God to communicate with you in a vivid meaningful way? Don’t you ever feel that, although you have all the major doctrines pretty well nailed down in your mind, something is still missing? Don’t you ever wonder why you can’t stay fresh and excited about your duties as a Christian? Have you lost the wonder of worship?
   I’m simply trying to help you see that you have needs. I think every true Christian can identify with the things I’ve just mentioned. I would guess that we have all felt that way during some peroid of our life. So what’s the solution? I’m sure, at least I hope, that you already know where I’m going. The answer for all those questions is the Word of God. Just as God designed us so that we need our daily bread physically, we need His word daily. You can’t neglect God’s Word without paying a price. You can’t neglect it without serious consequences anymore than you can refuse to eat without suffering physically.
   God’s Word provides peace for your problems, comfort in your calamities, strength in your struggles, hope when you are helpless, direction in your despair, faith to face your fears and much, much more!
   Don’t miss out on the wonderful feast God has prepared for you. Make sure you spend quality time everyday feeding on His wonderful Word. You’ll be glad you did and it will show. Job said,”I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food”.( Job 23:12). We all should do the same!                                                                           —David Stone

David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
Humble, Tx.

MORNING MANNA            5-23-21
GLORY IN TRIBULATION
“… we glory in tribulation also knowing that tribulation worketh patience: And patience, experience, and experience hope.”- Rom. 5:3-4

Read those first words again – “we glory in tribulation”. That sounds insane – something a madman might say. Who in their right mind would glory in tribulation? To the natural man this just doesn’t make any sense. Truth is, it seems like something impossible for man to do. How can a burden be viewed as a blessing? Thankfully Paul doesn’t stop there and leave us hanging. He speaks of the benefits of such burdens.

Paul pictures the worst things in life as being profitable. And he does so in a way so as to not leave the impression that this is possible for only a few super-saints. He says “we”, so what was true of Paul was true of others, and it should be the norm for all believers. Rather than remorse over our trials we should rejoice that God will use them for good. And God repeatedly reveals the reason why.

There is so much information recorded in the scriptures about this that there is never any excuse for us being confused about the subject of suffering. While there are many mysteries about this that we cannot comprehend, we know that when we enter into the presence of the Lord we will see the complete picture and understand clearly.

Until then we need to rest assured that there was some divinely appointed good in even the worst of our experiences. Knowing that’s true helps us deal with difficulties. He whose eye is on the sparrow is watching over you and He will never put more on you than what His grace will enable you to bear. Knowing we serve a God like that give us a reason to rejoice regardless of circumstances. —HDS
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church 
Humble, Tx.

MORNING MANNA            5-22-21
IN TIME OF TROUBLE
“Let us come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need”- Heb. 4:16

As unpleasant as it is we all have to live with troubles and trials, the bad and sad. And in this age of modern technology we hear bad news at a record pace. Nearly everyday I receive prayer requests. They can be related to disease, divorce, death, or a dozen other difficulties. But they all have one thing in common. They remind us of our need of God’s help. None of us can get along without it.

We are not sufficient of ourselves to deal with such difficulties. We all need help all the time that God alone can provide. Thankfully God is not only able, He is available – so much so that He bids us to “come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need”.

I don’t know what you’re going through at the moment, nor what you might be dreading, but I can assure you that help is available. Our text is no token invitation to just cheer you up for the moment, it is instruction straight from the God of all comfort, the God who cannot lie and will not forsake you. He will provide what He promises.

Day after day people fear getting “that” call. You know the one I mean, the one you dread hearing the most, the one that will take you beyond your limits. You live each day knowing that it’s just a matter of time. It’s coming and you can’t stop it. However, we can remain confident that sufficient grace will meet us at our point of need, and that enables us to live in peace. A child of God in the will of God can endure anything. If God brings you to it, His grace will get you through it.- HDS
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
Humble, Tx.

Sometimes we act as though we have no control over our lives–peace doesn’t seem possible, but the little word “Let” tells us otherwise. Jesus said, “Let not your heart be troubled”. So, if you are truly a child of God peace is possible. The choice is yours. Jesus didn’t say, “Keep yourself from trouble”. That would be impossible (Job 14:1). However, although we will have trouble, we don’t have to be troubled by our troubles. Maybe you are thinking, “That doesn’t seem possible”. But, who are you going to believe–yourself or the Lord? Jesus promised that peace is possible and Paul proved it is possible (Phil. 4:11). If you will just admit that it’s possible you will have come a long, long way. Most of our fear and worry is caused by a feeling of hopelessness. If you can just see that peace really is possible you will be encouraged to pursue it. Regardless of what you are going through, and contrary to the way you might feel, peace is possible. Christ always provides what He promises! Get into the Word and find out what He says and then trust Him to do as He promised. That’s the path to peace. I’m not asking you to believe me. I’m begging you to trust Him. When you do amazing things happen.”Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee.”(Isaiah 26:3) – HDS

—-my bonds in Christ—Philippians 1:13 

It seems strange that some of the best people have the worst problems and some of the sweetest songs come from prisons, rather than a palace. As Paul wrote this marvellous letter he was wearing chains for Christ, yet he did so with great rejoicing. It’s unlikely that you and I will ever be forced to wear chains for Christ’s sake, but if we do our duty we will, without a doubt, experience suffering of some sort. Whether we speak of it as chains we wear or a cross we bear, the point is the same. Both represent the suffering we experience as a result of doing God’s will. Jesus, remember, spoke about the difficulties of discipleship. He didn’t lie! For some it is household cares that make up the links of the chain that binds them. Don’t kid yourself–being a faithful housewife isn’t a walk in the park. For others the chain that holds them is a low-paying, dead-end job that they must work to support their family. Could you rejoice in a situation like that? The list could go on, but you get the point. Doing what God expects can be very uncomfortable–down right painful. How do you handle it? Or, does it handle you? Let me make a suggestion–let Paul serve as an example( Phil.3:15-17). Instead of thinking of yourself as being deprived in bondage and complaining because you can’t escape, think of situation as an opportunity to do what you otherwise wouldn’t do–given a choice. Consider your circumstances as a chance to serve Christ. That’s exactly what Paul did. He didn’t sit idly by. He attributed his presence in prison to an act of God, although wicked men put him there, and he used the occasion to preach the gospel (Phil. 1:12-13). Your circumstances and your mission, to an extent, are different, but your attitude should be the same. Do all things without murmurings and disputings—joy, and rejoice with me.”(Phil. 2:14,18). Do that and you will be blessed by whatever binds you! –HDS
David Stone