MORNING MANNA         12-10 -20

In the light of current events I thought this might be a good time for me to resend a Morning Manna from the past. Rather than despair let’s use our time to do the work God has given us.
SUCH A TIME AS THIS

MORNING MANNA           1/9/21

HELP IS HERE

“For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee”- Isaiah 41:13

I’m amazed at the way God works. I read several devotions nearly everyday, written by different writers at different times. But I’ve noticed a strange thing the last few days. Over and over again I’ve seen references to Isa. 41: 10 and 13. These were written by different writers, at different times in history, and under different circumstances, yet all dealing with the fact that we need God’s help. I can take a hint, so today I’m going to share on written in 1840 by James Smith. I hope it helps you! Here it is — 

Wherever the Lord leads us, He will support us; nor shall the difficulties of the way, or the weakness we feel, be too much for us. His hand is stretched out to us, and it is for faith to lay hold of it and proceed, confident of assistance.

The arm of His power is the protection of His people in danger, and the strength of His people in weakness. He is a very present help in trouble. A God at hand. Are you weak, or in difficulty?
Plead His word; it is plain, positive, and sure. He cannot lie.
He will not deceive. His strength is made perfect, and is glorified in your weakness. Fear not, underneath are everlasting arms. He will strengthen you with strength in your soul.

He CAN help, for He is omnipotent. He WILL help, for He has given you His word. Trust in the Lord at all times; yea, trust in the Lord for ever, for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength. That strength is promised to you, and will be employed for you in answer to prayer.

Why then are you so fearful? Why cast down? He says, “I WILL HELP THEE.” “He hath said, and shall He not do it? He hath spoken, and shall He not make it good?”

Fear not; I am with thee; O be not dismay’d!
I, I am thy God, and will still give thee aid!
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.

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

“Blessed be the LORD, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant.” – 1 Kings 8:56 ( read vs 54-61)

“There hath not failed one word of all His good promise.” Supposing one word had failed, how then? If one golden promise had turned out to be counterfeit, how then? If the ground had yielded anywhere we should have been fearful and suspicious at every part of the road. If the bell of God’s fidelity had been broken anywhere the music would have been destroyed. But not one word has failed. The road has never given way in time of flood. Every bell of heaven is perfectly sound, and the music is full and glorious. “God is faithful, who also will do it.”

“God is love,” and “love never faileth.” The lamp will not die out at the midnight. The fountain will not fail us in the wilderness. The consolations will not be wanting in the hour of our distresses. Love will have “all things ready.” “He has promised, and shall He not do it?” All the powers of heaven are pledged to the fulfilment of the smallest word of grace. We can never be deserted! “God cannot deny Himself.” Every word of His will unburden its treasure at the appointed hour, and I shall be rich with the strength of my God. (J H Jowett)

As we face great difficulties, disappointments and dread let us be ever mindful of the fact that God is on His throne and among us. The world is not whirling madly out of control. Nothing happens by accident. Everything that happens is either appointed or allowed by God who is working out a plan we cannot always see nor understand. He has made exceeding great and precious promises and everyone will be fulfilled – in His time. So rather than despair let us trust the One who never fails! – HDS

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

“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”–Isaiah 41:10

Having been raised in the Ozarks and having pastored a church in Cincinnati, I know about snow and I hate it. Okay, if that’s too harsh I’ll say “I really don’t like it and hope I never see it again”. But I’ll admit there is something fascinating about it. In fact it can serve as a good illustration of how God can use something bad to create a beautiful blessing. The following article from Senior Living makes my point.

“Snowflakes are fascinating.. They come in all different shapes and sizes.  Some appear as delicate lace doilies others as shining stars.  Yet they all have their similarities. Each snowflake has six points, is made up of molecules of hydrogen and oxygen, and is symmetrical in shape.

But did you know that the ice that makes a snowflake collects around a particle of dust floating in the atmosphere? The tiny imperfection may be as small as 1/100,000 of a millimeter in size, but it has to exist for a snowflake to form!

In the same way, imperfections in life can often be the catalysts that cause something wonderful and beautiful to happen. A “foreign invader” that crashes into our lives—such as a terminal illness, an accident, or a heartbreak—can actually turn into a source of blessing.

As it says in Ecclesiastes 3:11, ‘He has made everything beautiful in its time.’

When you encounter obstacles in life, remember that they give you, as a believer, the chance to let God make something wonderful happen. If you are struggling with a difficult situation in your life, seek the Lord and wait for Him to create from it a beautiful blessing. Because I promise…if you’re looking for it…He will!

Thank God that when hardships come, He makes something beautiful as a result! Pray that He would continue to transform your trials into blessings by surrounding you with His grace, love, and mercy.” 

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

MORNING MANNA            1/6/21

HELP FROM WITHOUT

“Yea, I will help thee”- Isaiah 41:10

Yesterday’s promise secured us strength for what we have to do, but this guarantees us aid in cases where we cannot act alone. The Lord says, “I will help thee.” Strength within is supplemented by help without. God can raise us up allies in our warfare if so it seems good in His sight; and even if He does not send us human assistance, He Himself will be at our side, and this is better still. “Our August Ally” is better than legions of mortal helpers.

His help is timely: He is a very present help in time of trouble. His help is very wise: He knows how to give each man help meet and fit for him. His help is most effectual, though vain is the help of man. His help is more than help, for He bears all the burden and supplies all the need. “The Lord is my helper, I will not fear what man can do unto me.”

Because He has already been our help, we feel confidence in Him for the present and the future. Our prayer is, “Lord, be thou my helper”; our experience is, “The Spirit also helpeth our infirmities”; our expectation is, “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, whence cometh my help”; and our song soon will be, “Thou, Lord, hast holden me.”(Faith’s Checkbook)

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