MORNING MANNA               9-8-25
DON’T STOP LEARNING

Solomon said, “A wise man is strong; yea, A man of knowledge increaseth strength” (Prov. 24:5) . I am amazed at the attitude of some folks toward learning. They remind me of the farmer who said to the city preacher, “ The Lord don’t got no need for yur book larnin. “ The preacher, however, hit the nail on the head when he replied, “nor has He any greater need of your ignorance.” It was the wise inventor, Henry Ford, who said. “Anyone who stops learning is old, whether this happens at 20 or 80. Anyone who keeps on learning, not only remains young, but becomes constantly more valuable, regardless of physical capacity.” His remarks shows why some folks are always bored, tired, and discouraged. It is simply because they’ve stopped learning.

Life can be an exciting adventure if we keep on learning. There are always new trails to blaze and new heights to climb. No one knows everything about anything. I wish I could inspire every young person to really apply themselves to the task of learning all they can as soon as they can. I wish I could encourage every adult to re-capture the thrill of learning new things.
 Men who are successful in secular vocations are constantly updating their knowledge of pertinent issues. Surely Christians should do no less. Learning is hard work, but it pays great dividends. Knowledge is like a vain of gold that must be sought and extracted. The sluggard folds his hands in slumber, while others are working, and is destitute in the day of harvest. So is he void of knowledge who refuses to study.

While it is most important that we study the Bible, that isn’t the only thing. God‘s work requires a wide variety of skills. Some could be a great blessing to their church if they would learn how to type and then use their newly acquired talent for God. Others could learn how to operate a sound system, a steam boiler, or a printing press, etc. Some could take a course in music or bookkeeping. There’s no reason for so many people to sit idly by when they could be greatly used of God if they would apply themselves. Don’t waste your life. Get busy, dig, deep, work hard, prepare yourself to be used to God. You won’t regret it. – HDS, 1977

David Stone  
Lakeway Baptist Church  
Humble, TX

Sent by David Stone on Friday, September 5 at 6:07AM

Those who have fled for refuge to the hope set before them in the gospel, all who are living a life of faith–are privileged to say of the Lord, “This God is our God forever and ever!”

Believers are privileged to say that the God who has all power in Heaven and earth, whose understanding is infinite, who is good, and who does good continually: “This God is our God forever and ever!”

Believers are privileged to say the God of holiness, righteousness, and justice; the God of mercy, truth, and grace; the “just God and the Savior”: “This God is our God forever and ever!”

Believers are privileged to say the God whose name and whose nature is love, and who has manifested His love toward us in sending His only begotten Son into the world that we might live through Him: “This God is our God forever and ever!”

Believers are privileged to say the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ; the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort; the Refuge of the oppressed, the Helper of the helpless, the Hope of the hopeless, and the Savior of the lost: “This God is our God forever and ever!”

Believers are privileged to say the Source of every good and perfect gift; the promise-keeping God: “This God is our God”–and always will be; for He never leaves nor forsakes His redeemed people. “He will be our Guide even unto death,” and our portion forever and ever!

“This God is the God we adore;
 Our faithful, unchangeable Friend;
 Whose love is as great as His power.
 And knows neither measure nor end!”

Sent by David Stone on Tuesday, September 2 at 5:03AM

A few years ago a young preacher came to me and told me his troubles. He was passing through a time of darkness that he could not understand. Several months ago he called upon me again, and in the course of our conversation he referred to the time of trouble through which he had passed. He said, “Those things that I could not understand at that time, have taught me lessons which have prepared me to help many souls as I never could have, had I not had those severe trials.”

Yes, things look different now. He can now see God’s hand in it. He can see that those difficult things were a blessing to his own soul and to the souls of others. He can see that he had been inGod’s school of adversity and knew it not. He thought these things were destructive to him, but when he looked back upon them with clear vision and a knowledge of God’s purpose–he saw real blessing in them. He saw them as manifestations of the wisdom and kindness of God, and he thanked God for those things which had been bitter and hard to bear.

Are you passing through difficult things which you cannot now understand?

Does it look as if these things are ruining you?

Just trust God and be patient. Out of your night of bitterness, out of your darkness and woe–will come strength of character, a blessed realization of God’s faithfulness, and a knowledge of Him and yourself which can come to you in no other way. You will look back in time to come, and thank God for His wise care and tender love for you which brought you to these things, and realize that it was His hand leading you to better and richer things beyond.