“I will strengthen thee.” (Isaiah 41:10)

Although I try to write every Morning Manna, several factors prevent me from doing so. Therefore I send something written by another whose abilities far exceed mine, something that has been a blessing to me, and hopefully will be a help to you. Such is the case today in this article by Charles Spurgeon. Facing the many struggles in life this is something we all need.

When called to serve or to suffer, we take stock of our strength, and we find it to be less than we thought and less than we need. But let not our heart sink within us while we have such a word as this to fall back upon, for it guarantees us all that we can possibly need. God has strength omnipotent; that strength He can communicate to us; and His promise is that He will do so. He will be the food of our souls and the health of our hearts; and thus He will give us strength. There is no telling how much power God can put into a man. When divine strength comes, human weakness is no more a hindrance.

Do we not remember seasons of labor and trial in which we received such special strength that we wondered at ourselves? In the midst of danger we were calm, under bereavement we were resigned, in slander we were self-contained, and in sickness we were patient. The fact is that God gives unexpected strength when unusual trials come upon us, We rise out of our feeble selves. Cowards play the man, foolish ones have wisdom given them, and the silent receive in the self-same hour what they shall speak, My own weakness makes me shrink, but God’s promise makes me brave. Lord, strengthen me “according to thy word.“

In light of all this it’s easy to see why Paul said, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” ( Phil. 4:13). Whatever great challenge lies before you today, God is able to infuse you with confidence and courage to face it. Be encouraged my friend! – HDS

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

MORNING MANNA            1/4/21 

The Gospel Message

“We pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” – 2 Corinthians 5:20-21

Here is the gospel in a nutshell. First, God made Jesus sin itself— Jesus who had never sinned in his life.

On the cross, Jesus took our sins on himself, and God treated Jesus as if he had lived your life! All the sinful thoughts, dishonest deeds, and selfish ways that have characterized your life were put upon Christ and he was punished as if they were his own thoughts and deeds and ways.

Jesus was your substitute; he took your place—and the penalty you deserved—on the cross. But more than that, he gave you his righteousness; in Christ, you have the very righteousness, the perfect record and holy character, of God himself.

So because God punished Jesus for your sins on the cross, he now treats you, dear believer, as if you had lived Jesus’ life! The slate is perpetually clean, the record is permanently expunged, the rap sheet is forever removed.

On behalf of Christ then, Paul says, we beg you to be reconciled to God. The impossible has occurred and a way has been made for you—corrupt and faulty sinner that you are—to have complete, unhindered access to and communion with the holy God.

The wrath of God against your sin was spent on Christ; Christ has reconciled you to God by his death. Will you not then be reconciled in your own heart and mind to God, trusting in and submitting to his sovereign grace in your life? – The Baptist Hour

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

Sent from my iPad

MORNING MANNA          1/3/21

GOING WITHOUT KNOWING

“. . . . he went out, not knowing whither he went.” – Heb. 11:8

“Prepare to meet thy God” – Amos 4:12

Sent by David Stone on Friday, January 1 at 8:53AM