MORNING MANNA            3-31-21
HAPPINESS HUNTERS

“ If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.”- John 13:17

MORNING MANNA            3-30-21

MORE THAN CONQUERORS

MORNING MANNA            3-29-21

WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN

“He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat: and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied thee”– Psalm 81:16

There are great lessons to be learned even from the failures of God’s people recorded in the Scriptures. God says if His people had obeyed His voice He would have subdued their enemies and fed them with honey out of the rock. But they rebelled and walked in their own counsels.

How sad that a people who that could have enjoyed the richest of blessings from their gracious God were instead given up to their own desires and suffered the consequences of their disobedience.

How often have you neglected the place of blessing? There is counsel and comfort in God’s Word but you have spent little time reading it. There are rich mercies to be found at the throne of grace but you have neglected prayer. There are joys and blessings to be found in God’s house but you have been attracted by the empty promises of the world.

Churches sometimes mourn the loss of spiritual fervor enjoyed in former days. But instead of being brought to repentance for sin and neglect, the excuse is made that we live in difficult times. The lack of power in preaching is a concern but still messages to make people feel good take precedence over sound biblical exposition.

The next time you are facing temptation to sin or to squander God’s blessings, remember this: God is willing and able to bless His people. Today, heed His call to return. Call upon Him, knowing He is willing to hear and ready to bless. (Baptist Bible Hour)

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

MORNING MANNA          3-28-21

MORE THAN JUST READING

“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”- James 1:22

I forgot where it was from but I recently read this story that serves to illustrate our text. The president of his own company employing several hundred workers was preparing for an extended business trip. Before leaving he sat down and wrote a lengthy letter, detailing projects he wanted accomplished in his absence, clients he wanted contacted, and the tasks he expected his employees to do while he was away. He finished it, put it in the company post office box, rode to the airport, and boarded his plane.

On his return several months later, he immediately noticed the grounds were unkempt: the grass obviously had not been cut in weeks, the lawn was littered, the shrubs and trees needed trimming, and the doors were marked with handprints. He parked his car and hurried inside. Employees were lounging in their chairs, drinking coffee and talking, feet propped on desks, and most weren’t dressed in office attire. A ping-pong table had been set up, and an array of video games littered the flat surfaces. His arrival went unnoticed.

Angrily, the CEO called a meeting of the entire management staff. When all had assembled, he began his tirade: “I can’t believe what I’m seeing! Everything is completely different from what I expected it would be. What’s been going here? Didn’t you get my letter?” Their faces brightened, and someone replied, “Yes sir, we did. We love that letter. We read it almost every day.” “In fact,” said one man, “I’ve even memorized several paragraphs from your letter.” “It’s terrific reading,” others chimed in. Another spoke, saying, “Sir, we’ve organized some study groups. We gather at least once a week and re-read portions of your letter to make sure we understand it all.”

Dumbfounded, the president asked, “But did you finish the projects? Did you call the clients? Did you do the things I asked you to do?” At that, everyone looked down. One man finally spoke on behalf of the group, saying, “No sir . . . you see, we’re still studying your letter.”

Our problem is not in our failure to understand certain biblical truths, but to live the truths we understand. We have all been entrusted with a letter from God—an inspired letter from our great King. Are you content to merely read it, study it, and perhaps memorize it? When are you going to put it into practice?

It is one thing for believers to say, “We believe the Bible!” It is quite another to behave as though we believe. May our belief and our behavior be one and the same—for the glory of God. Then, indeed, there will be no shame . . . should He return today!  Search your heart before God right now. Ask Him to open your eyes to the ways in which you have not been obedient to His Word, and confess those shortcomings to Him. Then pray for the power to change those habits, and strength to flee from those besetting sins.

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

MORNING MANNA           3-27-21

THE WORD WITHIN

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.“- Psa. 119:11

The Bible is the best selling book of all time, the most popular book in the world. It is also the most profitable book ever, provided we read and practice it. Sadly that rarely happens.

Many have the Bible in their home. Others have it in their hand as they carry it to church. Some have it in their head and can quote large portions of it. But what we really need is to get the Bible in our hearts. Having the Bible in your house, your hand, and your head is good, but to get its full benefit we must hide it in our hearts. The word translated “hid” means “store uu” or “treasure”- as you would hide something of great value. And we could talk about the benefits of the Bible for hours, but profiting from the Bible demands our attention, affection, appropriation, and adherence.

So, how much time do you spend in the Word of God? Chances are you spend more time watching TV, surfing the web, talking on the phone, etc. than you do with the Bible. It is no wonder that such people fail to live victoriously. Rather than being an overcomer they are overcome. They cave in to temptation, disobey God, desert their duties, and deprive themselves of what they could have had.

 
I hope you will determine today that you are going to reserve time to get alone with God and allow Him to speak to you through His word. That will be the greatest change factor in your life. It will strengthen and protect you. It will promote spiritual growth and keep you from sin. Regardless of how old you are or how many years you’ve been saved, you never outgrow your need for God’s Word. Studying the scriptures is always time well spent! – HDS

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