Sent by David Stone on Tuesday, May 20 at 5:25AM

MORNING MANNA                5-18-25

COMPLETING THE COURSE
“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with  so great a cloud of witnesses, let  us lay aside  every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run  with patience the race that is set before  us,  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down  at the right hand of the throne of God.  For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.“–Heb. 12:1-3
Statistics show that only one in ten pastors will finish as a pastor. Think about that– a 90% drop out rate! That’s shocking and exceedingly sad. Many start well, but few finish well. Of all people you would think, and hope, that they would never quit, give in, give up, or turn back–but most do. And, since this is true of pastors, it should not surprise us that so many others fail to finish their course. If those who regularly study and teach God’s Word quit the ministry it is not surprising that others would throw in the towel. Why?

While every case is different, I believe the root reason for failure is the same for everyone— a failure to keep “looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith”(Heb. 12:2). When we fail to focus on Him we faint, fall, and fail. We are safe only so long as we keep our eyes on Christ. Without Him we can do nothing. With Him all things are possible. Everyone, except those involved in it, think the ministry is easy, but it isn’t. Perhaps the only thing more difficult than being a pastor is being a pastor’s wife. But the fact of the matter is that all Christian ministry is hard –if you do it right. The demands of discipleship are difficult. While it cost nothing to become a Christian, it will cost you everything to be a true follower of Christ–“ So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh  not all that he hath , he cannot be  my disciple.”(Luke 14:33).

The only way any of us can complete our course is to constantly consider Christ. The only way to be faithful and become fruitful is to abide in Christ (John 15:1-7). To fail here is to fail altogether. Our motto should be “For to me to live is Christ…“(Phil.1:21). He is the One who enables us to “do all things” (Phil. 4:13) and is able to “supply all your need”(Phil.4:19). Why would we quit on a God like this?

Failure doesn’t happen overnight, it is the result of neglect. Backsliding is like a slow leak, rather than a blowout. When a person neglects Bible study. prayer, and duty it is just a matter of time before they faint from the hardness of the way, yield to temptation, revert back to their old ways, and drop out. Truth be known, some of you are headed in that direction at this very moment and unless you change your ways you will fail to finish your course–even if you are a pastor, or a pastor’s wife.

Our resolve should be to be “faithful unto death”(Rev. 2:10). Our reliance should be entirely on Christ. Our responsibilities should be fulfilled. Our race should be finished. Our reward shall be great. May God help us to say with Paul,“But none of these things move me , neither count I  my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.”(Acts 20:24). O to be able to say as Paul did,” I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:” (2 Tim. 4:7). Regardless of what hardships we are forced to face, to hear our Master say “Well done!” will be worth it all. – HDS- 12-5-14

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

Sent by David Stone on Saturday, May 17 at 5:45AM

MORNING MANNA              5-16-25  

DO IT TODAY
“—they believed not his word–” Psalm 106:24

One man said to another, “A man once offered me ten thousand dollars, and I didn’t take it.”

“Why didn’t you?”,asked the other fellow.

“Because I didn’t know it was ten thousand dollars”, he answered.

The gentleman who offered him ten thousand dollars had actually given him some advice that if taken would have resulted in great profit. He refused because he did not believe the man. It was not until later that he, regretfully, discovered his mistake. He missed an opportunity that was to never come his way again.

Even so, many folks have missed out on salvation, blessings, and eternal rewards all because they refused to believe God’s Word. That man merely lost money. These miss out on that which is imperishable. Don’t be a fool—trust God today. Not until it is to late will you discover what you missed if you don’t. This could be your last opportunity, so don’t waste it! -HDS

“while it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭3‬:‭15‬

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David Stone  

Lakeway Baptist Church   

Humble, TX

MORNING MANNA                    5-15-25
WORLD WEARY 
“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.  But if I live  inthe flesh, this is the fruit of my labour : yet what I shall choose I wot  not.  For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart , and to be  with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide  in the flesh is more needful for you.”–Phil. 1:21-24

Paul, and anyone else who knows what the Bible teaches, prefers heaven over earth. For the Christian “to die is gain”because heaven with Christ “is far better”. It’s no contest! However, those who care about people who are lost, and God’s plan, are willing to wait and work until God is through with them. But, being in the flesh often leads to weariness—work weariness and world weariness,etc.

I know what hard physical labor is–been there done that. I know what it is to be weary from work, and I can tell you that it is actually a good kind of weariness. You feel good about yourself– that you’re no afraid of hard work, you sleep better, and your over all health tends to be better. But there is another kind of weariness that isn’t so beneficial. I’m talking about being world weary– fed up with the ways of the world. It is a weariness that weighs you down and wears you out.

As a boy I never really understood why my mother was always singing “This world is not my home, I’m just a passing through”–that seemed crazy to me, but I understand now. Christians are pilgrims and strangers in the world and we cannot feel at home. As Jesus said, we are in the world, but not of the world. And, considering our weakness, it is only natural that we grow weary.

As a boy I thought exploring the world and seeing all the sights would be great. But, the longer I live and the more I see, the more I realize that this world has nothing of eternal value, nothing that satisfies the longing of the soul. Could we just be left alone with family and friends it would be better, although not perfect. But we live in a sinful and hostile environment. Everyday we are confronted with things that grieve our hearts. We are grieved because we know it could and should be better. Our compassion causes us to care. If we had no concern there would be no grief,—but neither would there be any goodness. So when we see crime in the streets, corruption in the Whitehouse, craziness in Ferguson, collapsing morals, conflict around the world, and complacency in the churches we get weary—world weary. To say, “I’m fed up with the world” is an understatement! But to quit is not an option. Love for God compels us to press on.

Since weariness can be dangerous, it is crucial that we realize what the remedy is. Fortunately God has revealed that to us. It is described in Heb. 12:1-3, and summed up like this–“looking unto Jesus“. Our holiness, happiness, helpfulness, and hope depends on this. If we faint we fall, and if we fall we fail. It is only by keeping our focus on Christ that we can remain faithful. If we succeed it is against all odds and only because the Lord is our Helper. Without Him we could do nothing. Because of Him we are able to press on, encouraged by the fact that He will say,”Well done”.- HDS, 12-29-14

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