“Now also when I am old and greyheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come.” – Psa. 71:18

“American history shall march along that skyline,” announced Gutzon Borglum in 1924 as he gazed at the Black Hills of South Dakota. It was three years later that he began sculpting the images of George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, and Theodore Roosevelt on the face of Mount Rushmore.

Working with jackhammers and dynamite, Borglum’s team removed around 400,000 tons of outer rock, working to within three inches of the final surface. Sadly, Borglum died in March of 1941. His masterpiece was finally finished years later.

It’s been said, “The true meaning of life is to plant trees under whose shade you do not expect to sit.” Some of the greatest visionaries who have ever lived never got to see their visions take shape. Instead, they had a vision so big that just achieving it took longer than the remainder of their lives.

If you want to leave an impact on this world, do something that will outlive you. That doesn’t mean you have to carve a mountain. But you can invest in others’ lives and lead them in truth. When you start living beyond yourself, there’s no limit to what God can accomplish through you!

Pray and ask God to show you where you can make an investment today that will outlive your years on this earth. (Senior Living)

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

“…. in Christ Jesus:” – Eph. 1:1

In his letter to the Ephesians Paul writes to those who are “in Christ” about being “in Christ“. He wanted them to understand who they are, what they have, what to do, and what to expect as a result of being in Christ. That short simple phrase speaks volumes. It is the key that unlocks the tremendous treasures of truth regarding the believers position, union, identity, relationship, and blessings “in Christ”.

To gain a proper perspective on life we must see things as they are. In other words we must understand the position we are in. For example – no one is ever saved until they first see themselves as a sinner in need of a Savior. As sinners we are”in Adam“, in bondage to sin, in the flesh, and condemned. That’s an awful position to be in! Making matters worse is the fact that we can’t do anything to change our position. We could never be delivered from that awful place, but for God. Only in Him do we find hope.

From that horrid position as sinners we hear this good news – “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Rom. 5:8. Alas we hear of hope and the goodness of God leads us to repentance (Rom. 2:4). By grace through faith we are saved (Eph. 2:8) and “of him are ye in Christ Jesus” (1 Cor. 1:30). Now we are in a new position and we become new people (2 Cor. 5:17). Out of that miserable pit Christ redeems us, releases us, and receives us. We are now “in Christ” and that changes everything forever! By grace through faith we are placed in a new position – God “hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:”- Eph. 2:6. It is no wonder Paul said, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:” ( Eph. 1:3).

Not only does our new position in Christ change our lives now, it assures us that the best is yet to come. Listen to what Paul wrote in this regard. “Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.” – Eph. 1:9-14
Regardless of who we are or what we have done Paul says, “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus” ( Gal. 3:26). So where are you? Are you yet in your sins or in Christ? – HDS

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

“Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people…Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name”– Psalm 96:3,8

Why should we put our reputation, our comfortableness, even our lives in danger in order to spread the name of Jesus Christ around the world? Ultimately, the psalmist reminds us, the motivation is not the worthiness of people, but the worth-it-ness of Christ.

Declare the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ among the heathen! Exalt His name where it has never even been heard! Tell of His surpassing majesty wherever you go. Why? Because He is worth it! Because He is due all the praise of all people everywhere.

No matter how well you speak of Him, you cannot exaggerate Christ’s glory or worthiness. No matter how far you go, or who you speak with, around the globe no one is exempted from this command: “Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name!”

He created the earth and heaven. He breathes life into people, sustains our existence, and even came and died for the sins of his creatures. This Lord, this Savior is due the worship of all his creation.

Make it the determination of your heart today to give the Lord the glory due his name, by declaring and exalting his wonderful name.

Is there a co-worker who does not know Christ? Is there a family member with whom you have not shared the good news? Is there a nation to which you have opportunity to go, or send, in his name? Declare his wonders among all people! (Baptist Bible Hour)

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

MORNING MANNA         7/24/20

TEMPERANCE

“But the fruit of the Spirit is… temperance..” – Gal. 5:22-23

The bottom line is this – if we are not under the control of the Holy Spirit we are out of control. And when we are out of control bad things happen – there is no telling what we might do. It’s easy to look out on the world and see things that need to be changed – it’s not a pretty picture. But, what we need to do is to look within – examine ourselves in the light of God’s Word, and see ourselves as we really are. Then we need to surrender ourselves fully to the Spirit of God. He will change us and create within us that which causes others to see Christ in us. Not only is it  heartbreaking to see believers so out of control that they are not useful in the work of God, it also grieves the heart of God who has purposed better things from them and for them. – HDS

“……What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.” – Job 2:10