HOPE FOR HARD TIMES
“ Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.”-  Hab. 3:17-18
Believe it or not, the answer to our anxiety, help for our hurts, strength for our struggles, solution for our sins and the means to miracles is trust in God. Yet when you tell folks “you just need to trust God for your need” you can tell that most of them are offended by it. They act as though you are insulting them or that you lack empathy.

Although we are simply declaring what God’s word says they don’t like it. It’s as though they are saying “Surely there is some solution for my situation besides trusting God”. Even thought they don’t say it, that’s the impression most folks leave.

Since what you’re doing isn’t working for you, I suggest that rather than try to survive and thrive by other means that you make God’s Word your first line of defense. Ponder the precious promises of God and you will find faith that produces peace. Examine the examples of those who trusted God and you will find both instruction and inspiration.

Stop acting as though peace isn’t possible, joy isn’t justified, and that love has limits. God isn’t dead, sick, or missing. How about giving Him the credit He deserves. Has He ever failed? Although He hasn’t always given in to the whims of man He has never failed anyone.

Look to God’s Word and see the testimonies of those who placed their faith in God during the most difficult days of their lives. Do you hear any complaints against Him? Of course not. Why then do you fail to se faith in God as you greatest need as to the solution for your situation? It is to be expected that sometimes our faith isn’t as strong as it ought to be, but there’s something we can do about that. As Paul said in Rom. 10:17 “faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God”. Do you believe that? So how much time do you spend in the word – reading, meditating, studying, and praying? If you fail in this don’t complain about a failure in faith. if we ignore the means appointed by God we have no right or reason to feel that He has shortchanged us.

Let me end with this suggestion. If this is one of those days when you’re down in the dumps, spend some time studying Hab. 3:17-18. it’s the account of a person who has lost everything, yet enabled to “rejoice in the Lord – joy in the God” of his salvation. If he could you should and you can – if you trust the Lord. That doesn’t mean that He will grant all your wishes, remove all your pain, fill your empty cupboards, make a deposit in your bank account, restore your broken relationships, or increase your IQ. However, it does assure us that His grace will be sufficient to get us through anything providence brings us to ( 2 Cor. 12:9). And that’s reason to rejoice! – HDS

David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
Humble, Tx.

MORNING MANNA          5-13-21
REPENT

“ If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”- 2 Chronicle. 7:14

MORNING MANNA            5-12-21A LIGHT IN THE NIGHT
“ Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” – Matt.5:14,16
Have you ever heard of “Vantablack“? Don’t feel bad, I hadn’t either until I read this:“A team of scientists at Surrey NanoSystems has the distinction of having created the blackest black known to man. It is darker than soot, darker than coal, darker than night. Once an object has been coated in their patented Vantablack, it stops reflecting light so that all visible depth and texture are lost, and the object takes on the appearance of a void. Vantablack sets a world record by absorbing 99.96 percent of visible light.“
Reading that reminds me of the pitiful condition of many professing Christians and their failure to provide light in this sin darkened world. Rather than reflecting light they received from Christ they leave others in doom and gloom. Meanwhile the lost go about stumbling in the dark reeling to and fro as drunken men. They know not the Lord nor His Word and such “Christians” leave them there.
As you’ve heard, “You are the only Bible some people will ever read”— so what are you saying to them? Is your life a light showing them the way or has it been darken by sin? Failing to be a light to those in darkness is a horrible tragedy. In such a condition we fail to glorify God by failing to glow and others are deprived of guidance and deserted in the gloom of sin.
We live in a sinful and sad world and every Christian could and should be a light to others. Sadly, far too often they shed shadows causing others to question their profession or they display darkness making the glorious gospel repulsive to those who need it most.
I know, most of you can quote this scripture and sing the song “This little light of mine”. That’s well and good, but it isn’t enough if all others see is darkness. Our Lord is the light and has given us His light, now we need to let it shine!
Look around and you will see needy people everywhere, and you can make a difference. By pointing them to the Lord you can bring hope to the helpless, peace to the perplexed, aid to the afflicted, delight to those in despair, solace for the suffering, and glory to God. You have the light, now be the light. You need not try to “make” it shine. Just let it shine. It is there and it’s time you let others see it. – HDS

David Stone

Lakeway Baptist Church

Humble, Tx.

MORNING MANNA            5-10-21

THE WAY AND WORTH OF WISDOM

“He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he.”- Prov. 16:20

For several years I gave the church a memory verse at the beginning of each new year. I mention that because, next to Psa. 90:12, I used Prov. 16:20 more than any other verse, and I feel it was for good reason. I’ve also preached from this verse several times, and never without getting a blessing from it myself. It opens the door to much thought. Below is what Spurgeon had to say about it.

Wisdom is man’s true strength; and, under its guidance, he best accomplishes the ends of his being. Wisely handling the matter of life gives to man the richest enjoyment, and presents the noblest occupation for his powers; hence by it he finds good in the fullest sense. Without wisdom, man is as the wild ass’s colt, running hither and thither, wasting strength which might be profitably employed. Wisdom is the compass by which man is to steer across the trackless waste of life; without it he is a derelict vessel, the sport of winds and waves. A man must be prudent in such a world as this, or he will find no good, but be betrayed into unnumbered ills. The pilgrim will sorely wound his feet among the briers of the wood of life if he do not pick his steps with the utmost caution. He who is in a wilderness infested with robber bands must handle matters wisely if he would journey safely. If, trained by the Great Teacher, we follow where he leads, we shall find good, even while in this dark abode; there are celestial fruits to be gathered this side of Eden’s bowers, and songs of paradise to be sung amid the groves of earth. But where shall this wisdom be found? Many have dreamed of it, but have not possessed it. Where shall we learn it? Let us listen to the voice of the Lord, for he hath declared the secret; he hath revealed to the sons of men wherein true wisdom lieth, and we have it in the text, “Whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he.” The true way to handle a matter wisely is to trust in the Lord. This is the sure clue to the most intricate labyrinths of life, follow it and find eternal bliss. He who trusts in the Lord has a diploma for wisdom granted by inspiration: happy is he now, and happier shall he be above. Lord, in this sweet eventide walk with me in the garden, and teach me the wisdom of faith.

David Stone

Lakeway Baptist Church

Humble, Tx.