Sent by David Stone on Friday, July 18 at 7:17AM

Sent by David Stone on Thursday, July 17 at 6:52AM

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” Galatians 6:7

When we are born into this world our life is like a empty plot of dirt in which nothing has been planted–just barren ground. But as soon as we reach the age of accountability we become sowers of seed. We then go through life sowing seeds of different sorts here and there. The crop of course depends on the kind of seed we have sown.

Everything we do, whether a thought, a word, or a deed are seeds. Some are good and some are bad, but they all have within them a quality to grow and to reproduce. Those who sow good seeds reap a harvest that is of the same nature. It is the same for those who sow bad seeds. You do not sow seeds of one kind and reap a harvest of another. Whether we shall receive good or bad depends on what we sow. Actions have consequences.

Seeds in and of themselves seem like such small things that we seldom think of them as having great significances, but when the harvest comes there is a mass production of what we sowed. A boys first drink might lead to a miserable life and an early death. The first good deed, however, can sometimes be the impetus for a life of useful service. In every case virtue will have its just reward and vice its due punishment. It is impossible to live without sowing and it’s impossible to sow without reaping. And, what you sow determines what you reap. It is as someone said:

“–Thy will be done— Matthew 6:10
“–not as I will, but as thou wilt. Matthew 26:39

Just about everyone would say that they want to live a successful life, but few are successful! Most don’t even know what success is. So what is success? It is doing the will of God, nothing less and nothing more. If you have any other purpose, aim, goal, or ambition as the main thing in life you will be unsuccessful. And it’s not just wrong it is wicked also. We have no right to do only as we please–unless what we please pleases God.

The truest test of one’s life is character. Reputation is one thing, character is another. Although we should be some what concerned about what others think about us it is God’s opinion that matters the most. With Him it is character that counts the most. It also what makes us do the things we do. That’s why we often hear it said, “Being is more important than doing”. It can also be said that a man of noble character will prize God’s will above all else. He is pleased by what pleases God.

It is only as we do the will of God that we are able to please God and, as strange as it might seem, it’s the only way we can find true satisfaction. Man was created to live in communion with God, in harmony with His will, and only in doing so can he find true fulfillment and complete satisfaction. To prize and pursue anything else as our reason for being is foolish. It is like a child chasing a soap bubble—it disappears the moment he grasps it. Such an endeavor is a waste of time and energy.

He who makes the pursuit of pleasure, power, position, and possessions his sole aim in living will never achieve true success–he misses the target every time. In their place these things might be fine, but they are never “in their place” when they are in first place. They can never be any better than of secondary importance. Only the will of God should be given top priority.

A life well lived is one which submits cheerfully to the will of God, seeks mainly the glory of God, and serves faithfully according to the dictates of God. Anything less is not enough. The true success has for his purpose, pursuit, pleasure, and prayer the will of God. He does it regardless of cost, conditions, circumstances, or consequences. So, how successful are you?- HDS

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

MORNING MANNA            7-14-25
THE PRIVILEGE OF PAIN
“Before I was afflicted I went astray: But now have I kept thy word.” Psalm‬ ‭119‬:‭67‬ ‭

I don’t know about you, but I get tired of hearing bad news—especially when it involves me and/or my loved ones. However, I have to remind myself–that’s the price of living, and death is the only other option. Since we live in a fallen world, no bad thing should surprise us and no good thing should go unappreciated. But just because we expect bad things that doesn’t always make it easier to accept. You might expect a root-canal, but that doesn’t mean you will enjoy it.. However if we see that in the end the pain proved to be profitable, in a strange way, you can say the pain was a privilege. Make sense?

Looking at it another way. As a parent I consider it one of the greatest blessings in life to have children, yet it has been hard and painful at times. You can’t have one without the other. Children spell TROUBLE. They bring tremendous pleasure, but also plenty of pain. For me and most parents, the pleasure out weighs the pain. I’ll choose my children over a care-free life any day. They are worth whatever problems they cause.

I love life! I don’t enjoy everything in life, but the experience of living is worth whatever I have to endure to have the experience. When I say,”I love life” there are many things about it that I love. At the top of the list is the pleasure of life with my wife and family, and the privilege of serving the Lord. Although it is sometimes hard being a husband, a father, and a preacher, the happiness it brings far outweighs the hardness that goes along with it.

Maybe it doesn’t work for you, but it helps me greatly to think about these things. I have to focus on my privilege of living so as to not complain about the the problems that accompany it. Whether I spend my life being contented or complaining is determined by whether I view life as a privilege or a problem. How do you see life? The choice is yours–no one can make it for you. If you choose contentment no one can take it from you–you have to give it up. What will you choose?

There is so much riding on your answer I am reluctant to end this article. I feel like begging and pleading, doing everything in my power to sway your opinion. I wish I could say that I always have the perfect attitude and serve as an ideal example, but I am miles from perfect. Please don’t let my failures dissuade you from doing the right thing. I know life is tough and some of you are going through deep waters and dark valleys, and you are weary and worried. I just want to remind you that the sunshine comes after the rain, the mountain top after the valley, and pleasure after pain. Like the song says,”It will be worth it all”. It really will–you have God’s word on it. Don’t ever give up!

We find pleasure by seeing our problems as privileges because they are profitable!- HDS

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