Sent by David Stone on Wednesday, May 7 at 5:13AM

MORNING MANNA                 5-6-25
FACING THE FACTS

“And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man...” 2 Sam. 12:7
“And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD…” 2 Sam. 12:13

Frances Schaeffer said that there are times “when a negative message is needed before anything positive can begin”. He was right. As unpleasant as it is, man has to see and admit his need before he can get what he needs. He has to face the facts before he can find and fix the problem. We see this perhaps best of all in Solomon’s search for satisfaction. Until he discovered the futility of life without God he did not seek God as his source of satisfaction.

This is not to say that we must conduct such an experiment as Solomon did before we can get on the right track. There are better ways. For one thing we can learn from those who are older and wiser. Or we can look at the lives of others and see what works and what doesn’t. But, best of all we can listen to the counsel of God’s Word and let it serve as our guide. That will bring us face to face with our faults and failures. It forces us to deal with the unpleasant negatives in our life. It makes us think about both the “goodness and severity of God“( Rom. 11:22).

Pleasant preaching might be popular, but it isn’t always profitable. Speaking smooth things, that offends nobody might entertain, but it does not always edify. What people need isn’t always what they want. Human nature being what it is, we would rather not think about the negatives in our life, but in order to advance we must. We can’t get better until we realize that there is a need for change. As related to salvation, we fail to find forgiveness until we are first forced to focus on our faults. We must see ourselves as sinners before we can become saints. And even after we are saved we sin and find ourselves in need of forgiveness. To receive it we must confess our sins. But we don’t do that until we are confronted with our sins. That’s why preaching that never hurts seldom helps. Sin must be described and denounced. Count it a blessing when someone loves you enough to tell you the truth, although it hurts.

It is crucial that we regularly examine ourselves in the light of God’s Word. Naturally we would rather brag about our success than deal with our failures, but we can’t succeed until we see where we’ve failed. Pretending we’re better than we are never helps. It is only when we get brutally honest about our condition that we are able to get better. Is it pleasant? No, but it is indeed profitable. – HDS

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

MORNING MANNA            5-5-25
“HIS BILLOWS”
“Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: All thy waves and thy billows are gone over me. Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, And in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.” Psalm‬ ‭42‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭

Annie Johnson Flint is one of my favorite poets. Many years ago she wrote a wonderful poem entitled “His Billows” based on these words from Psalm 42:7 “—All thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.” Do yourself a favor–find it and read it.

 
The point of the poem, as the title indicates, is that regardless of our difficulties they are “His billows”. In other words, God either appoints or allows everything that happens to us. That’s right, I said, “everything”–no exceptions! He is always in control. He does so for a reason and, if we maintain the right attitude, He will use them for our good. 

Here’s the problem– sometimes we really don’t believe Romans 8:28 like we claim we do, at least when the problem is personal. We like to quote it to others when they are going through great difficulties, but we don’t seem to accept it when the problem is ours. And when bad things happen that we can’t change or control we tend to get bent out of shape. 

If you’re struggling with your attitude regarding your afflictions, maybe these words from an unknown writer will help: “Stand up in the place where the dear Lord has put you, and there do your best. God gives us trial tests. He puts life before us as an antagonist face to face. Out of the buffeting of a serious conflict we are expected to grow strong. The tree that grows where tempests toss its boughs and bend its trunk often almost to breaking, is often more firmly rooted than the tree which grows in the sequestered valley where no storm ever brings stress or strain. The same is true of life. The grandest character is grown in hardship.”

 Remember my dear friend–it is “character”, not comfort, that counts. For every trial there is a reason and a season – it won’t last forever. For the child of God in the will of God the best is yet to come.- HDS 

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

As this old song says:

“Day by day, and with each passing moment,
Strength I find, to meet my trials here;
Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment,
I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.
He Whose heart is kind beyond all measure
Gives unto each day what He deems best—
Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure,
Mingling toil with peace and rest.”

Sent by David Stone on Friday, May 2 at 3:54AM