MORNING MANNA 4-29-21

April 29, 2021 By Pastor David Stone

MORNING MANNA 4-29-21

OPPORTUNITIES TO WITNESS

“But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake. And it shall turn to you for a testimony.” – Luke 21:12–13

When Mary came to the throne of England in 1553, her greatest desire was to see the nation returned to her Catholic faith. She launched a wave of persecution against those who would not profess allegiance to Rome. Hundreds were killed, leaving her with the name “Bloody Mary.” Two of the victims martyred by Queen Mary were Nicholas Ridley and Hugh Latimer. Both had preached fearlessly under the reign of Henry, but Mary regarded them as heretics.

After a brief show trial, they were condemned to be burned at the stake. As the watching crowd stood by, the two men went to their fate. The executioners used green wood which would burn slowly to prolong the suffering of the condemned men. As he waited for death Latimer called out, “Be of good comfort, Mr. Ridley, and play the man! We shall this day light such a candle by God’s grace, in England, as I trust never shall be put out.”

None of us enjoy enduring hardship or suffering, but God regards these tests as both necessary and valuable: “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” (1 Peter 1:7). In addition to strengthening our character, trials present us with an opportunity to show to all around us that faith is real. Our faith is not just meant for the church and home, but for the hospital, the unemployment line, and the cemetery. Whatever hardships we may face, even the threat of persecution and death, let us be found faithful. Every difficult circumstance of life is an opportunity to demonstrate that our faith is real.( copied)

David Stone

Lakeway Baptist Church

Humble, Tx.

MORNING MANNA 4-28-21

April 28, 2021 By Pastor David Stone

MORNING MANNA 4-28-21

SEEING YOURSELF AS YOU ARE

“The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints“- Eph. 1:18
I love to study the prayers of Paul. They are like windows into his heart. I mention this because of the his frequent request for eyes of their understanding to be opened. He was greatly concerned about their need to see the truth and avoid error and it’s consequences.

In dealing with people I am often amazed by how easily people overlook the obvious – especially in regards to themselves. They fail to see their faults that are clear as day to others. In some instances they are extremely critical of certain sins of others when that particular sin is one of their glaring faults – a fault that everyone else can see, except they themselves. They are either blind to their faults or they are trying to hide them by diverting your attention away from them to others. They often say, “I hate ___” when the named sin is one of their glaring faults. They condemn in others what they condone or tolerate in themselves. They expect others to live to a higher standard than they do.

Evidently such people don’t know themselves as well as they think they do. They go through life without ever seeing themselves as they really are. They try to project an image of what they want others to think they are – and it;s always exaggerated because they want to put themselves in the best possible light. They live behind a mask – more concerned about their reputation than they are about their character. When a person professes to be a Christian you would think they would get beyond this, but old habits die hard and the flesh is persistent.

The major problem in this is the failure to examine ourselves in the light of God’s word – the only way to get a true picture. We’re kidding ourselves if we think the average church member is truly a student of God’s word. Most people spend as little time as possible studying the Bible. Consequently they feel satisfied with themselves rather than seeking to grow spiritually.

Another thing to keep in mind is this. Even our best effort to examine ourselves will end in failure without God’s help. We need the Holy Spirit’s help in seeing ourselves as we are. Our daily prayer ought to be, as the song says, “Search me O God and know my heart today”. Let that be your prayer and godliness your pursuit, and growth will be your prize. – HDS

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

MORNING MANNA 4-27-21

April 27, 2021 By Pastor David Stone

MORNING MANNA 4-27-21

PRIDE

“Walk humbly with thy God.” Micah 6:8

Pride is one of our greatest evils: to indulge it is to nourish a serpent in the bosom. The grace of God always humbles us; and it is only as we are humble that we can be happy. God condescends to walk with the humble man, but He keeps the proud at a distance. Consider what you were by nature, what now lurks in your heart, what you would have been but for the grace of God, and be humble. All you have is the gift of free grace; all you do that is good, is the effect of God’s working in you. What have you to be proud of? What reason to boast? Oh, lie low in the dust of self-abasement; cherish humbling thoughts of yourself; admire the mercy, condescension, and infinite compassion of God, in noticing so vile, so unworthy a worm! Study the character and conduct of the humble Jesus, learn of Him, and endeavour to walk as He also walked. Serve the Lord in all humility of mind. But beware of spurious humility; that is not humility which rests contented without seeking for the utmost God has promised, or aiming at the highest duties God has commanded.- James Smith, 1840

By faith in Christ I walk with God,
With heaven, my journey’s end, in view;
Supported by His staff and rod,
My road is safe and pleasant too:
Though earth and hell my course withstand,
JEHOVAH guards me by His hand.

David Stone

Lakeway Baptist Church

Humble, Tx.

MORNING MANNA 4-26-21

April 26, 2021 By Pastor David Stone

STRENGTH IN WEAKNESS
“ And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. 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
There is a blessing in weakness, because it nourishes dependence on God. When we are strong, or deem ourselves strong–we are really weak, since then we trust in ourselves and do not seek Divine help.

But when we are consciously weak, knowing ourselves unequal to our duties and struggles–we are strong, because then we turn to Christ, and get His strength.

Too many people think that their weakness a barrier to their usefulness; or make it an excuse for doing little with their life. Instead of this, however, if we give it to Christ–He will transform our weakness into strength. He says that His power is made perfect in weakness; that is, what is lacking in human strength, He fills and makes up with divine strength. Paul had learned this, when he said that he now gloried in his weaknesses, because on account of them–the strength of Christ rested upon him; so that when he was weak, then he was strong–strong with Divine strength.

We need only to make sure of one thing–that we do indeed bring our weakness to Christ, and lean on Him in simple faith. This is the vital link in getting the blessing.

Weakness itself is a burden; it is like chains upon our limbs. If we try to carry it alone, we shall only fail. But if we lay it on the strong Son of God, and let Him carry us and our burden, going on quietly and firmly in the way of duty–He will make our very weakness a secret source of strength.

He will not take the weakness from us–that is not His promise; but He will so fill us with His own power, that we shall be strong, more than conquerors, able to do all things through Christ who strengthens us!

This is the blessed secret of having our burdening weakness, transformed into vital strength. The secret can be found only in Christ. And in Him–it can be found by every humble, trusting disciple.- J R Miller

Humble, Tx.

MORNING MANNA 4-25-21

April 25, 2021 By Pastor David Stone

MORNING MANNA 4-25-21

CULTIVATING CHEERFULNESS

“ A merry heart doeth good like a medicine .. Prov. 17:22

“ Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. ”- Phil. 4:4

A happy and cheerful heart is a matter of cultivation. We cannot afford to abandon ourselves entirely to our moods. There are times when we feel depressed and sad, for no special reason, except that a mood is on us! It is at such times that we need to anoint our heads, and wash our faces, that we may not be consumed by our fretfulness, or impose our depression upon others, for nothing is worse than to be a wet blanket! (Matt. 6:16-18).

On the other hand, there is nothing more objectionable than to be always in the presence of a comic person who thinks that every occasion must serve for frolic. After a time one gets as tired of funny stories and perpetual punning as of gloom, but while avoiding this extreme, we must not fall into the other of wearing a lugubrious expression and giving way to a moodiness of spirit, which cannot be accounted for.

We may alter our dispositions and moods by a resolute action of the will. We can refuse to look miserable, to speak mournfully, to be pessimistic, to pass on depression. In a spirit of unselfishness we can put on a cheerful courage, array ourselves in the garments of joy, anoint ourselves with the spirit of praise and thankfulness, and go forth into the world to shed sunbeams rather than shadows on the path of life. Do not nurse your sorrow of heart, lest your spirit and the spirits of others be broken.

We can promote a cheerful heart by dwelling on the bright things of our lot; by counting up the mercies which are left, rather than dwelling on what we have lost. When the heart is full of the light and love of God, can it be other than cheerful? How can this be obtained except by a living union with Jesus Christ. In Him there is an infinitude of supply of peace and joy, sunshine and light. Let us open our hearts to him, and put on these things as we array ourselves each morning in our garments (( Isa. 61:3-10) – F B Meyer

Through all the changing scenes of life,

In trouble and in joy,

The praises of my God shall still

My heart and tongue employ. AMEN

David Stone

Lakeway Baptist Church

Humble, Tx.

MORNING MANNA 4-29-21

MORNING MANNA 4-28-21

MORNING MANNA 4-27-21

MORNING MANNA 4-26-21

MORNING MANNA 4-25-21

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