MORNING MANNA 12/1/19

December 1, 2019 By Pastor David Stone

“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” – Matt. 5:44 ( read vs. 38-48)
J. H. Jowett said, “It must be the aim of a Christian to make his enemy lovely. It is not my supreme business to secure my safety, but to remove his ugliness”. That’s a tall order for those of us short on ability. Not only is it a difficult duty we also have to deal with the lack of desire. The willingness to do it is often harder than the work. When we think about how we have been hurt by our enemies it is rare that we want to help them. In most cases we are more concerned about revenge than we are about restoration. Wanting them to pay for the evil they’ve done we aren’t willing to pay the price to help them get better.

But, assuming we do desire the best for them, we are still faced with what seems to be an impossible task. We know that due to their character that they aren’t likely to cooperate. Sometimes our efforts are misunderstood and mocked. When all is said and done we are left with only one hope, one means whereby we have a chance of helping them. That one thing, as the Lord tells us, is love. If a person refuses to respond to love they won’t be changed by anything else. The threat of punishment or the promise of reward might alter their course for a moment, but it won’t produce any change in their character. Nothing short of unconditional love can do that.

The question is “Where do we get such love?” It’s not something we have by nature, nor something we can gain by strong resolve. Such love can only come from the Lord. The one who requires it from us provides it for us. However, it is not until we are overwhelmed by the greatness of His love for us that we will be able to overflow with love for others. That being the case, the person with the greater need for change is often us rather than our enemies. They are sin sick and our failure to love them is like withholding the only miracle medicine that can help them. That being the case the first thing that needs to change is our love for the Lord. That is the fountain from which all else flows. So, to renew your love for others review God’s love for you. That’s the spark that will ignite the fire of affection in your heart. That alone will enable you to love those that are unlovely and unloving. As long as you love them you leave the door of hope open that can lead to their change. Don’t allow their rudeness or lack of response to deter you from your duty to love them. Keep the door open! – HDS

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

MORNING MANNA 11/30/19

November 30, 2019 By Pastor David Stone

“First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.“- Rom 1:8

It wasn’t easy being a Christian in Rome. As the capital of the Roman Empire, the city had a population of around one million. Caesar Nero was in power, and toward the end of his reign, he went out of his way to destroy Christians. For sport, he sent Christians covered in animal skins into the arena for wild animals to kill. He covered Christians with pitch and lit them on fire, using them to light his garden as he rode around in his chariot.

Yet the church in Rome not only survived, but it flourished. And not only did it flourish, but it also impacted the Roman Empire. In fact, it impacted the entire world. The apostle Paul told the believers in Rome, “I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. ” (Romans 1:8).

Do people know you for your faith? If someone polled people you work with and live near and asked them if you were a Christian, would they say yes? Would there be no question about it. It’s a good reputation to have. If someone arrested you for being a Christian, would they find enough evidence to convict you? If you want to be a believer like those of the first century, then others should know you for your faith.

Jesus did not say, “Go into all the world and be a good example.” Rather, He said, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel” (Mark 16:15). Being a good example will not bring people to Christ. But it can open the door for you to articulate your faith, because you’ve earned the right to be heard. Be a good example, but use it as a springboard to share your faith. – Greg Laurie

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

MORNING MANNA 11/29 /19

November 29, 2019 By Pastor David Stone

“Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;” – Eph. 5:20

“By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.” – Heb. 13:15

Some people seem born with a sullen and feverish temper, and it is very difficult for them to brighten into smiles and songs. But whatever our natural disposition may be, if we belong to Christ it is our bounden duty to cultivate a thankful heart. a melancholy person has a bad effect upon others. It is miserable to have to work with or under a confirmed pessimist. Nothing is right, nothing pleases, there is no word of praise or encouragement…..

The advantage of joy and gladness is that it is a source of strength to the individual soul, and to all others who come within its range, and commends our Christianity!…..The world is sad, and has to pay her jesters and entertainers; it is a mystery to her that the face of the Christian should be bright and smiling, although the fig-tree does not blossom, and there is no fruit in the vine. Let us count up our treasures and blessings, and we shall find that even in the saddest and loneliest life there is something to turn our sorrow into singing (2Co 6:10). – – F. B. Meyer

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

MORNING MANNA 11/28/19

November 28, 2019 By Pastor David Stone

“IT IS A GOOD THING TO GIVE THANKS UNTO THE LORD, AND TO SING PRAISES UNTO THY NAME, O MOST HIGH:” – Psa. 92:1
There can be no doubt that God demands thanksgiving and delights in it. The problem, what most people fail to see, is that God deserves it. And until that fact is established we will never give God His due. We will have withheld that which we are obligated to give.

We can weigh the wickedness of the world in many ways, but perhaps the lack of thankfulness speaks the loudest. Listen to this indictment from Rom. 1:21 “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” Read on in that chapter and you will see the sad result of the world’s willful rejection.

Amazingly God continues to shower the world with blessings that testifies of His goodness – “..for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” (Matt. 5:45). The Psalmist said, “The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.” ( Psa. 145:9). The reason for this is stated in Rom. 2:4 “Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?”. To think that God thinks so lovingly of us should cause us to thank Him from the bottom of our heart. This was the grounds for Paul’s appeal to the men of Lystra. He said, “… We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein: Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.( Acts 14:15-17).That being the case, giving thanks is a universal obligation.

Here the final conclusion – “Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.” (Psa. 150:6); “O praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people.” ( Psa. 117:1). Whether you descend into the deepest darkest cavern or ascend to the highest mountain top there you will find reason for thanksgiving. Whether you are gathered around the table with your family, flat of your back in the hospital, or behind prison bars, there is something to be thankful for. God is good to all, all the time! – HDS
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346

MORNING MANNA 11/27/19

November 27, 2019 By Pastor David Stone

“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”- 1 Thess. 5:18
The command – “In every thing give thanks”. Notice what we are to do – “give thanks“. That means more than being thankful. We are to “give” thanks – express our gratitude. That is a simple command. It can be understood by all and it applies to all. Notice where or when we are to do this – “In every thing“. Sometimes this seems impossible, but even then it is required. We are to give thanks even when we don’t feel like it. Thanksgiving is never out of season or without a reason. Even Job found reason for thanksgiving – Job 1:21. We are to give thanks always ( Psa. 34:1; Heb. 13:15). The Thessalonians had experienced great difficulties, suffering, and the death of many members, yet they were told to give thanks. That’s the pilgrim spirit. They faced great difficulties and half of them died the first year, but they found reasons to be thankful. What about you?
The cause – “for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus”. Much more could be said but nothing more needs to be said. There are several benefits to giving thanks, but this one is of the greatest importance – it is the “will of God“. We shouldn’t need any other reason. Life is full of decisions, but there is one that helps us more than any other in that it helps us answer all the others. Here it is – “Is this God’s will?” That’s the question everyone should be asking about everything. The phrase “in Christ Jesus” tells us why. Thanksgiving was revealed by Him, required from Him, and for Him.
The congregation – “concerning you”. Although he was writing to “the church of the Thessalonians” (1 Thess. 1:1) this applies to all of us. No one has the right to ignore this command. Even the heathen are obligated to be thankful to God for His goodness toward them. There is not a creature upon the earth that dies not benefit in some way from His goodness. Most of all, the many blessing of believers ought to cause us to give thanks continually. – HDS
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346

MORNING MANNA 12/1/19

MORNING MANNA 11/30/19

MORNING MANNA 11/29 /19

MORNING MANNA 11/28/19

MORNING MANNA 11/27/19

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