MORNING MANNA                 4-25-25

A SUPER SURPRISE

 “And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.”–Luke 24:36 

The greatest event ever had already happened that  morning, but they did not know it. On the very day that Jesus rose from the grave, the eleven apostles  met together, discussing the strange events of the past week. They felt alone, confused and fearful–what are they to do? 

They had heard the testimony of the women concerning the Lord’s resurrection, but they did not believe it. Peter and John had visited the tomb and found it empty, but they did not see Him. Now the eleven are listening to the report of two men who claimed they had seen Jesus, talked with Him, and even eaten with Him! Can you imagine what all is going through their mind at this moment? Then suddenly, “Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you”. What a surprise. A super surprise!

 It was this revelation that changed everything. Being assured of the Lord’s resurrection, they were transformed by the truth of it. Their depression gave way to delight. Their cowardice changed to courage. His presence provided peace. And I believe it will do the same for us. When we assemble together do we do so realizing that He is in our midst (Matt. 18:20)? As we go about our daily routine are we convinced that He is with us “alway, even unto the end of the world.”(Matt. 28:20)? Do you really truly believe His promise,”I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”(Heb. 13:5)?

Some scholars were discussing the great authors of the past. One asked, “What if Milton should suddenly enter the room?” “Ah!” replied another. “We would honor him and compensate him for the little recognition he received in his day.” A third man commented, “What if Shakespeare entered? Would we not all stand and proclaim him King of the Poets?” Then someone ventured, “And if Jesus Christ should enter?” There was a long silence, until finally one said: “But gentlemen, He is here!”

Dear friends, I remind you, He is here. He knows, He cares, and He can help! –HDS

“Although we cannot see our Lord,
We know that He is here;
His promise is dependable:
He always will be near”. —Hess

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

MORNING MANNA                  4-24-25
GOOD ADVICE
“—I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”Phil.4:11 

Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Apostle Paul knew how to say exactly what we need to hear. Have you ever noticed that some people seem to know how to say things that stick with us, things pertinent to the situation we’re in. For many people, Frances Schaeffer was just such a man. Here’s an example:

Several years ago in an interview during his battle with cancer, theologian Francis Schaeffer said, ‘The only way to be foolishly happy in this world is to be young enough, well enough, and have money enough,and not give a care about other people. But as soon as you don’t have any of the first three, or if you have compassion for the weeping world around you, then it is impossible to have the foolish kind of happiness that I believe some Christians present as Christianity.” 

What is our greatest need in life? Is it to be happy? We may long for a change in our circumstances, and sometimes that’s what we get. But a changed life is our deepest need. Changed circumstances may make us happier, but a changed life will make us better, for it will make us like Christ.

What Schaeffer said is true regardless of the condition we’re in, not just for those who have cancer. God is working to make us holy, not happy. But, out of the first comes the second. We never find true happiness by looking for it. Happiness is the by-product of holiness, and that depends on our attitude toward Christ, not circumstances.- HDS

MORNING MANNA                   4-23-25
THE TIME IS SHORT
“—-the time is short–“ 1 Cor. 7:29
The word “time” means “opportunity, due measure, seasonable, a limited period of time”. It speaks about an opportunity to do what needs to be done. While much could be said about what needs to be done, I want you to think about why the time is short. Time is short because of—
1. Cessation of life. You are going to die! You might at this moment be young and strong and death might seem many long years away. But death can leap on you faster than a crouching lion attacks its prey. It can sweep you away quicker than a F5 tornado can blow away an outhouse. You are going to die. maybe much sooner than you imagine. Your present opportunities will not last forever.

2. Capacity diminishing. One of the glories of youth is physical strength, but that can be gone overnight. An accident or an illness can leave you as weak as a kitten and unable to do the things that once were easy. Of course it might not happen that fast, but it will happen. The day might come when’ regardless of how much you want to do something you won’t be able to do it. It might be physical, or mental, or emotional, but eventually your capacity will diminish and your ability will be limited. You might have a desire to attend church and serve God, but not have the ability to do so— better do it now!

3. Circumstances changing. You don’t have to die or find yourself with diminished capacity before your opportunity is gone. 1001 things can happen that will leave you unable to do what you once could and should have done. Perhaps you have a neighbor, co-worker, classmate, or friend that is unsaved and in need of hearing the gospel. Today you could witness to them, tomorrow they might move or be indisposed. Although death delays and strength stays your opportunity could be gone forever, in a heartbeat.

4. Christ returning. The very last thing Jesus said in the Bible was, ” Surely I come quickly”(Rev. 22:20). Although we know not the day or the hour we know without a doubt that He will come again–He cannot lie. He might come today! Although that will be glory for the believer it will spell the end of our opportunity for service. He could come today. He might come tomorrow. He will come sometime! Then the night will have come when no man can work. We will have had our last opportunity. Think about it! – HDS, 12-13-12

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

MORNING MANNA                 4-22-25

BATTLING BITTERNESS
Bitterness is one of the most difficult and deadly enemies we have to contend with. Although most won’t admit it, many are bound by bitterness. They are enslaved by it and every area of their life is adversely affected. So, perhaps the most difficult part of this battle is admitting that we are bitter. Until that happens we will never overcome it.

One of the things that makes this so difficult is the wretched condition of the world in which we live. Everywhere you look you see things that disappoint, hurt, discourage, and trigger resentment. To make matters worse, even if you limit your view to the “Christian” segment of society you can’t escape the temptation to get bitter. Truth is— that just might be the most troublesome area of all. We don’t expect much from the world, and for good reason, but we have lofty expectations for those professing to be God’s children. And what we see is heart-breaking. But we make matters worse if we get bitter.

I understand why so many unbelievers want nothing to do with Christianity. The rotten condition of churches today have made the glorious gospel repulsive to the world in general. We Christians ought to do better than that! Our own imperfections should remind us that life is hard and we all fail. Considering how gracious and tender God has been with us, we ought to be more patient with others. Isn’t it strange how we try to justify our own sins by pointing the faults of others? At this very moment some are bitter toward others because of their “wrong-doings” toward them, and they are so focused on their faults, real or perceived, that they can’t see their own. Make no mistake about it– if you have bitterness in your heart, you have sin in your life, and that is as problem. It is a problem for you and others. Consider what is said in Heb. 12:15,”Looking diligently  lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing  up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled”.

I’ve watched some people pout for months, even years, over some professed injustice in their life. They are miserable and they make others miserable. They have taken themselves out of the picture so far as being useful in God’s work. They are sitting on the sidelines complaining when they should be joyfully involved. Not only are they miserable, since the “joy of the Lord is your strength”, they are weak and susceptible to temptation. You could say, they’ve fallen and are fixing to fall further.

If I stopped here it would be bad enough, but there is more. Your bitterness ends up defiling “many” others. So now the “victim” becomes the villain. Now how do you justify your bitterness and judge your “enemy”? Even if he is in the wrong, do you not put yourself in the same category by harboring malice in your heart? – HDS

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

Opinions about how to get to heaven are “Thicker than fleas on a cat’s back”, as we used to say. It seems that everyone has a theory and I see no need to make a list, you’ve heard most of them.

Isn’t it strange that there is so much confusion about the most important thing in the world? And it’s so needless! The Bible couldn’t be any clearer. Jesus said, ”I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh to the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). He did not say, “I am a way” or “I am one of the ways”, He said, ”I am the way”. That’s emphatic. There are no exceptions. There is no other way.

God the Father sent His Son, Jesus, to be our substitute. Jesus took upon Himself the sins of the world and suffered the punishment we deserve. As the old song says, “Jesus paid it all”—indeed He did! According to Hebrews 2:9, He tasted death “for every man”. Sin’s debt has been paid and all you have to do is receive Christ as your Savior (John 1:12). We receive Him by simply believing (John 3:16, 36), trusting in His shed blood to save us from our sin (Hebrews 9:22).

Dear friend, religion, good works, etc. won’t get you to heaven. Jesus is the only way. Because of Him we can have eternal life, a home in heaven where we will spend eternity in the presence of Almighty God. So, before you accept one of the opinions being tossed about, you had better find out what the Bible says, and remember—“God …cannot lie” (Titus 1:2). So, who are you going to believe? It’s your choice.- HDS