MORNING MANNA                   6-7-25
LEAVE IT TO HIM
“--The will of the Lord be done.-“ -Acts 21:14

Last week I commented to someone, “I am having a hard time practicing what I preach when it comes to accepting what God allows”. I said that in reference to the limitations I’m having in regards to preaching and church attendance. Shortly thereafter I was reminded of something I wrote over twelve years ago. Here is the article:

As we face the mysteries and miseries of life we must ever be mindful that the will of God is the main thing–regardless of circumstances, cost, or consequences. J. R. Miller once told a story that illustrates this. He ssaid, “I sat  one evening with a father and mother beside the bedside of their little child, who seemed about to leave them. We talked of the will and love of God, and before offering prayer I asked the parents,’ What shall we ask God to do?” There was a moment of silence, and then the father, with deep emotion said,”We would not dare decide. Leave it to Him.’ Only God knows what will be best–to live in this world, enduring its wintery weather, or to be taken to the summerland of heaven, to grow up there, getting the crown without the conflict. We are not wise enough to decide what will be best; we would rather leave it to our Father.”

Dear friends, why is it that we act as though the will of God is a bad and undesirable thing? Is He not always good? Does He not know what is best? Is He not to be trusted? Well–you know the answers. So, let’s act like it. Let us accept with joy the things He sends or allows–knowing they will work together for good. Let us neither murmur nor repine, but put ourselves in the center of His will– believing that it is the safest, best, and right place to be. My intent is not to minimize your problems, but rather magnify the Lord whose grace is always sufficient.- HDS

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

MORNING MANNA                  6-6-25
FROM BOREDOM TO BLESSING
Galatians 6:10 “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them of who are of the household of faith.” 
The late Clovis Chappell told the story of a troubled man who lived without any sense of purpose. The man finally became so bored and bitter that he decided to end his life. He made his way to a pier and jumped into the sea. Fortunately he had a friend who had become suspicious and was watching. Seeing the man jump into the water, this friend leaped in after him.
 
It so happened that while the would-be suicide was an excellent swimmer, his friend couldn’t swim a stroke. Therefore, when the man attempting suicide saw his friend drowning for his sake, he went to his rescue. After a long hard struggle, he managed to save him. This experience proved to be such a thrill that the man decided that he wanted to live. Little by little his boredom vanished and joy was restored to his life, all because he had helped someone else and began to see a purpose in living.
 
Dear friend, if you feel fed-up with life, as though it is of no value, try shifting your focus to the needs of others. Think about those in nursing homes, incarcerated in prison, in rehab for addiction, or grieving the loss of a loved one. Fact is some of those with the greatest need do not even see their need – they are unsaved and on their way to a Christ-less eternity. Tell them of God’s saving grace! Make your life count for something important by reaching out to those in need. That’s the best way to find what you need. Remember—When you are good to others you are always best to yourself.– HDS

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

MORNING MANNA                   6-5-25

IS THERE BLOOD ON YOUR HANDS?
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.”- 1 Pet. 3:15-16

“Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.”- Acts 20:26

The first verse here raises the question – “Are you ready?”- ready with an answer when others ask about the reason for the hope within you. As Christians what we know is what everybody needs to know. And, we ought to live in such a way that it raises questions from others. Our lifestyle should be so different that it causes others to wonder and inquire.

Sadly too many saints are sinfully silent on the subject. Have you ever thought about how awful it is to not have an answer for those inquiring about the most pressing need of their life? Would you give a cup of water to a person dying of thirst, or rescue from a woman from a  car crash, or throw a lifeline to a drowning man, or warn a family whose house is on fire? Of course you would. Why then do we fail to show others the way to eternal life? 

Is it any wonder that our nation is in such a wretched condition? A few years ago I received a call about the person’s shock at the large number of foreign apologists doing mission work in America. Whoever thought that America would need missionaries? The sad truth is that we are failing miserably and don’t want to face the facts.

You don’t have to be a Bible scholar or an eloquent speaker to lead someone to Christ. If you are saved you know what it takes to become a Christian. All you have to do is tell your story and pray that God will use it. Share with the person how you came to realize that you are a sinner in need of salvation. Tell what you learned about Christ, and let them know that it is “by grace” and “through faith” that we are saved. Tell them about how God changed your life and that He will do the same for all who trust Him.

Next to being saved the most wonderful thing in life is seeing a loved one receive Christ as their Lord and Savior. Their need is urgent, our opportunities are slipping away, and the night cometh when no man can work. We need to do what we can while we can. It can make the difference between heaven and hell. If we make no effort their blood is on our hands, so we dare not delay and risk losing the chance to lead a soul to Christ.- HDS

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

MORNING MANNA                      6-4-25

FIXING YOUR FOCUS
Everyone has problems, some more than others. Strangely enough some of the best people have the worst problems. But, have you ever thought about the possibility of that being one of the reasons why they are among the “best” people? Let that sink in. It happens. Problems can make us bitter or better. As you’ve heard before– the same sun that melts the wax hardens the clay. The same fire that consumes the wood, refines the gold.

Life is just as unfair and difficult for others, at least for some, as it is for you. Some handle it worse than you and some handle it better, but everyone makes a choice in how they will handle it. And, that determines whether they will be miserable or merry, whether they groan or grow, pout or prosper. But it is their choice. No one can force us to go one direction or another–it is our decision. Sadly, most people take the wrong path— a path that leads to more problems rather than peace. Why?

One of the main reasons for our poor choices has to do with what we focus on. Even the strongest/best person will eventually go astray if they start focusing on the wrong things. If we constantly focus on the negatives our outlook will become worse and worse. That’s why depression is dangerous. For many folks, depression becomes an obsession. They dwell on the things they despise, and that causes them to descend lower and lower into the pit of depression until they are imprisoned by it.

Deliverance from that horrible pit doesn’t come until they see that their fall, faults, and failure are determined by what they focus on. That day is the beginning of the end of their misery. If you are a Bible believer you have to believe that. This is exactly what we see in Heb. 12:1-3. By “Looking unto Jesus” (vs. 2) we are enabled to endure even the greatest difficulties in life. As we “consider Him” we are able to over come weariness and kept from “fainting” (vs. 3). It is obvious from this that what we focus on is our choice and our destiny is determined by our decision. What will you decide? Moses endured by “seeing Him who is invisible” Where is your focus? – HDS

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

MORNING MANNA                6-3-25 THE SCHOOL OF CHRIST “I will instruct thee and teach thee–“ -. Psalm 32:8  Here is a precious promise! The all-knowing God will teach us–and we are in desperate need of the…