MORNING MANNA                9-12-25 SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP Although I had sent earlier emails by way of maintaining contact with our church family, this is the oldest since I started using the title of Morning Manna…

MORNING MANNA                  9-11-25

SOMETHING YOU DON’T KNOW
“Lo this, we have searched it, so it is; hear it, and know thou it for thy good.”- Job 5:27

Adding to the horrible suffering of Job was the fact that he was misunderstood by those who thought they understood — his so-called friends. Our text comes from the closing words of a statement made by Eliphaz. He tells Job that they had observed his situation, investigated the matter, and arrived at a wise conclusion that Job needed to heed. Out of his ignorance, arrogance, or both he declared “so it is” — another way of saying “these are the facts, and we couldn’t be wrong”. He said “so it is” when in reality no it wasn’t. While some of the things he said were true his conclusion as to how they applied to Job were wrong. And he wasn’t the only one to make such a mistake. It happens all the time.

When things happen to others we don’t always know the cause, or the purpose, nor the effect it has on the person. And it’s better that we don’t pretend that we do. One of the most common phrases we hear is “I know how you feel”. The fact is, no you don’t. And it’s important that we understand that. You might go through a similar experience as another person, but we cannot know exactly how the other person feels. The same thing affects us differently.

Empathic people can feel some of the pain another person feels, but they cannot know if it is less or more. And assuming we know exactly can lead to problems. We might mean well, but sincerity doesn’t make everything right. When we say, “I know how you feel” it can be interpreted by the person as meaning that your problems are just as big or bigger than theirs. Making such a statement is not only usually useless it can be harmful. You are shifting the conversation from them to yourself. They might feel as though you are saying, “It’s not that big of a deal– get over it. I did”. Even when we try to put ourselves in the other person’s shoes, we still can’t know that we feel as they do. And not knowing should govern our thoughts and guard our tongue.

We are to be as understanding as we can, but we need to understand that we can’t fully understand. We never have all the facts, nor the same level of tolerance for pain. What seems trivial to you might be torture to another. What appears to be intentional wrong doing might be a mere mistake. What appears to be an excuse might be the truth. So, unless there is solid proof that it is otherwise we should give the other person the benefit of the doubt– go the extra mile, assume the best. It’s true that some people will intentionally deceive you, use you, and mistreat you, but they have to answer to God for that. We should do what we know is right and then leave the matter with the Lord.

This doesn’t mean that we are to be so gullible as to believe everything we’re told. It means that we are to be wise enough to know that it’s possible that they are telling the truth, patient enough to not jump to conclusions, kind enough to not express our opinion, loving enough to not speak evil, and smart enough to not say, “I know how you feel”. There are better ways to express your sorrow and concern. Simply saying, “I am so sorry. I can’t possibly know how you feel, but I love you and I will be praying for you” can do a world of good.–HDS, 1-28-19

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

Sent by David Stone on Wednesday, September 10 at 5:47AM

Here is a great message from my dear friend Dr. Pat Briney. Please subscribe if you want a blessing.- Bro. Stone.

 Vitamins For Your Soul

—You’re receiving this newsletter because you signed up to stay informed with practical Christian updates and insights from Dr. Patrick Briney.—

Ever wrap up a busy day and think, “Why does it still feel like something’s missing?” You’ve done what you should—been productive, met responsibilities, maybe even hit a milestone. But deep down, something feels untouched. That quiet ache? It’s not weakness. It’s could be a spiritual signal.

It’s your soul whispering, You were made for more. 🌱

A lot of us try to fill that ache with distraction: comfort food, endless scrolling, entertainment, drugs, even relationships or success. They offer momentary relief—but never lasting peace.

📖 “But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” — John 4:14

Jesus isn’t offering a sip of comfort. He’s promising a well—a continual, deep, life-giving flow.

You were designed for that kind of fulfillment. You’re not just physical—you’re spiritual. And when that part is neglected, the emptiness grows. But here’s the good news: 

God has a plan for fulfilling your life.

📖 “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” — Jeremiah 29:13 

📖 “I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.” — Proverbs 8:17

No perfection required—just a heart that’s open. A quiet reach. A sincere prayer.

God’s presence isn’t earned, it’s received. He responds to honesty, not eloquence. And He promises to show up in the seeking—not just in churches or mountaintop moments, but in living rooms, commutes, coffee breaks, and tearful nights. 

Being a participating member in the church He adds you to is important, but He will talk to you anywhere.

📖 “The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.” — Psalm 145:18 

📖 “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near.” — Isaiah 55:6

🌾 Here’s the shift: Stop trying to fill what only God designed to satisfy. That ache isn’t a flaw. It’s an intentional response when you lack the spiritual input you were designed for.

And when you set out to fulfill that lack correctly, something beautiful happens—you begin to overflow.

💡 Vitamins For Your Soul

1️⃣ As you connect more deeply with God, the impact isn’t limited to your own soul. The overflow touches your conversations, your decisions, your leadership—your everyday influence.

A quiet devotional moment becomes clarity in a tough conversation. A whispered prayer becomes calm in someone else’s storm. A verse stored in your heart becomes someone else’s breakthrough.

📖 “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.” — Psalm 119:130

You don’t have to be flashy—you just need to be faithful. God lights you up from the inside, and your words begin to carry light. His nourishing words become food the share with others.

2️⃣💬 Speak with clarity, not noise. 

💛 Love with depth, not obligation. 

🕊️ Lead with warmth, not weight.

3️⃣Faithfulness is the goal—not fixing, not performing, just remaining close to Christ.

📖 “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”— 1 Corinthians 4:2

The result? You begin pouring from a full well. Not because life is easy, but because you’re drawing from the Living Water. You become a safe place for others to find rest, truth, and encouragement by following your example of finding fulfillment in Christ.

This isn’t hype—it’s hope.

💧 You were never meant to run dry and remain unfulfilled. 

💧 You are not forgotten or disqualified. 

💧 You are deeply loved and invited into the fulfilling relationship with Christ.

Every moment you choose Him, you choose fullness. Every time you seek, you’re already finding. You’re not just going through motions—you’re stepping into meaning.

Keep reaching. Keep calling. Keep drinking deeply.

God’s well is always ready to be dipped into—and it never runs dry.

🌿With hope and prayers for undeserved mercy and grace, 🙏

P.S. Did this message speak to your heart? If so,

1. Hit the reply button, just to say Amen, you agree, and you liked this lesson.
2. Add a comment to your reply if possible—I’d love to hear a word of encouragement from you!
3. Forward this email to friends and family to share these encouraging words.
4. Send your friends the link to the Vitamins newsletter: https://patrickbriney.com/vitamins to join the thousands of subscribers taking their dose of vitamins for spiritual growth and well-being. Together, we can grow closer to God and share His truths. 
5. 👉Learn how to deepen your 🙏prayer life with this free email course: https://patrickbriney.com/prayer-email-course.✨

MORNING MANNA                   9-9-25 WHEN I AM WEAK, THEN I AM STRONG “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…