MORNING MANNA             12-3-24
SPIRITUAL DIMENSIONS 
Just yesterday my wife and I was talking about this subject. Then when I opened my drafts this morning I quickly noticed this article that I saved for future use. Over the years I’ve repeatedly emphasized the importance of balance in life, but I have never read such a vivid, concise, yet comprehensive statement about it as this, by F. B. Meyer:

“And the city lieth foursquare— the length, and the breadth, and the height of it are equal.”– Rev 21:16

The cube was evidently a favourite unit of Hebrew measurement. The Holy of Holies was a cube, and so was the New Jerusalem, the Holy City, which St. John saw in a vision, “coming down from God out of heaven.” We are reminded of the length, and breadth, and depth, and height of the love of Christ which passeth knowledge (Eph 3:18). Ought not this to be the measurement of every well-ordered life?

There must be Length i.e. the issuing forth of the soul as it leaves the things that are behind and reaches forth to those that are before. We must never be satisfied with that whereunto we have already attained, or think that we are perfect.

But with length there must be Breadth. Our life must reach out on the right and left to help others. The Cross stands for unselfishness, and those who claim to have been crucified with Christ must live, not to themselves, but to Him who died for them and through Him for all that He cares and loves. The world is full of lonely, weary, and desolate lives, to whom Christ would send us if we were ready for His use.

There must also be Depth. We must dwell deep! The Apostle says rooted–i.e, we must strike our roots into the subsoil; grounded–we must have our foundations in the very depths of a life hidden with Christ. From His life we must arise as fountains spring from the depths of the hills. Tree roots need to spread as far underground as the branches above.

There must be Height. Our ideals should always be rising. We must fix our affections on things above, not on things on the earth. Let us by thought and prayer thither ascend and dwell where Christ sits on the right hand of God (Col 3:1-4)

MORNING MANNA           12-1-24

Are You Really?
“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” ‭‭James‬ ‭1‬:‭22‬

Thankfully we have some men and women who are truly dedicated to the prayer ministry. Because of them we have the means to know the names of those in need of prayer. But we need to do more than read the list. We need to pray for one another as we are commanded to do. The question is, “Are you really praying?”‭

 I love the story that Warren Wiersbe told many years ago. He said, “A congregation was singing, as a closing hymn, the familiar song, “For You I Am Praying.” The speaker turned to a man on the platform and asked quietly, “For whom are you praying?” The man was stunned. “Why, I guess I’m not praying for anybody. Why do you ask?” “Well, I just heard you say, ‘For you I am praying,’ and I thought you meant it,” the preacher replied. “Oh, no,” said the man. “I’m just singing.” 

Pious talk! A religion of words! To paraphrase James 1:22, “We should be doers of the Word” as well as talkers of the Word. We must walk what we talk. It is not enough to know the language; we must also live the life. “If we say—” then we ought also to do!”

I can’t help but wonder if we actually do what we sing, preach, and pray about. If not then we are lying. And that’s a serious sin. When you see a need posted on Facebook or elsewhere and say “Praying” do you pause to pray? Are you really praying, or just pretending? It makes a difference. Think about it!- HDS

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

MORNING MANNA              11-29-24
COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS

“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5‬:‭18‬ ‭

I read a beautiful story from a missionary who was working in a leper colony. During a worship service, he asked if anyone had a favorite song. He said that a woman stood who had the most disfigured face he had ever seen. She had no ears, and most of her nose and lips were gone as well. But she raised her fingerless hand and asked, “Can we sing ‘Count Your Blessings’”?

The ingratitude of the society around us has sadly infected God’s people as well. We have so much for which to be thankful, yet far too often we spend our time complaining about what we think we should have rather than rejoicing in the many undeserved blessings and benefits we have received. God does not owe us anything. Every good gift that comes from His hand is the result of His grace, not our merit.

There are few sins more damaging to our Christian life than ingratitude. Someone said, “If you woke up tomorrow with only those things for which you gave thanks today, what would you have left?” The benefits we receive from God deserve our sincere and continued praise. And because they come day after day, our thanksgiving should rise to Him day after day. The realization that it is God’s goodness that is at the root of our blessing should make us love Him even more.

If we are not thankful for the many blessings we have received, we will not love God as we should.(Author unknown)

David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
Humble, TX