MORNING MANNA              11-1-24

WHY WORRY?

Here’s some good advice. When you’re tempted to worry–don’t! Actually that is more than advice, it is a command from the Lord (Matt.6:34). Since it is a requirement it ought to be our rule. Regardless of how bad things get, and they will get bad, don’t break the rule. It might seem that the sky is falling, the earth is crumbling beneath your feet and the whole world is against you, but don’t worry.

 Maybe you’re thinking the standard is too high–that surely there must be some exception to the rule, circumstances that justify worry, but there isn’t. Jesus could not be any clearer about it–“take no thought, saying, what shall we eat? or, what shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?—Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficent unto the day is the evil thereof.”(Matt.6:31,34). Paul says the same thing.”Be careful for nothing–“(Phil.4:6). 

Why is it that we so often violate this command and then excuse ourselves when we do? For some reason we are intent on worrying, even when we know we are forbidden, and that we have many “exceeding great and precious promises” assuring us that our Father will supply our needs. Whatever the reason, we do ourselves a great dis-service when we worry. Worry takes the sparkle out of our eyes, the spring out of our step, the smile off our face, and the song out of our heart. It’s just not worth it. Maybe it will help if we look at it like this. We can put everything in two categories: things we can control and things we can’t control. If we can control it there is no need to worry–just do what needs to be done. If it’s something we can’t control–why worry. You can’t do anything about it. Worrying never does any good, but it can do a lot of harm–so don’t hurt yourself. Conquor these two areas and you’ve conquored all. I know, some will be quick to argue for their right to worry and will point out all kinds of reasons trying to justify their sin; things such as disappointments, injustices, misunderstandings, losses, pain etc., but the scriptures make no exceptions. 

So what do we do when we sense worry rising up within us? The answer is found in 1 Peter 5:7, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”I know, that sounds so simple that some will refuse to take it seriously, but that’s the answer, the one and only answer. Our burdens are much too heavy for us to carry them alone–cast them upon the One who has all power in heaven and on earth. Trust Him. He never fails! – HDS, 4-3-09

David Stone  
Lakeway Baptist Church. 

 Humble,Tx

MORNING MANNA             10-31-24

BLESSED BY A BEAST

“And there came a lion” (1 Sam. 17:34).

It’s a fact–our greatest opportunities often come to us disguised as obstacles. I was reading an old devotional book that I’ve had since the sixties when I came across this article that enlarges on this thought:

“It is a source of inspiration and strength to come in touch with the youthful David, trusting God. Through faith in God he conquered a lion and a bear, and afterwards overthrew the mighty Goliath. When that lion came to despoil that flock, it came as a wondrous opportunity to David. If he had failed or faltered he would have missed God’s opportunity for him and probably would never have come to be God’s chosen king of Israel. “And there came a lion.”

One would not think that a lion was a special blessing from God; one would think that only an occasion of alarm. The lion was God’s opportunity in disguise. Every difficulty that presents itself to us, if we receive it in the right way, is God’s opportunity. Every temptation that comes is God’s opportunity.

When the “lion” comes, recognize it as God’s opportunity no matter how rough the exterior. The very tabernacle of God was covered with badgers’ skins and goats’ hair; one would not think there would be any glory there. The Shekinah of God was manifest under that kind of covering. May God open our eyes to see Him, whether in temptations, trials, dangers, or misfortunes.” 

Dear friend, regardless of what you are facing, regardless of how hopeless it seems, regardless of how weak you are, it might be the opportunity of a lifetime. The very thing that threatens to destroy you might be the means God uses to bless you. Fear not to battle the beast—God is able! HDS, 8-6-10

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

MORNING MANNA           10-29-24

Sermons—Not Remembered, But …

   “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭10‬:‭25‬ ‭

 Many have dropped out of church because they felt it was of no benefit to them. Maybe the following story will help put things in the proper perspective:

There was an article in a church paper entitled, “32,850 Sermons Later.” It started off with a letter printed in the British Weekly from one of their English readers. The British letter went like this:

“Dear Sir,

‘It seems ministers feel their sermons are very important and spend a great deal of time preparing them. I have been attending a church quite regularly for the past 30 years, and I have probably heard 3,000 of them. To my consternation, I discovered that I cannot remember a single sermon. I wonder if a minister’s time might be more profitably spent on something else?

“Sincerely….”

For weeks a real storm of editorial responses ensued. The uproar finally was ended by this letter:

“Dear Sir:

“I have been married for 30 years. During that time I have eaten 32,850 meals—mostly of my wife’s cooking. Suddenly, I have discovered that I cannot remember the menu of a single meal. And yet, I have received nourishment from every single one of them. I have the distinct impression that without them. I would have starved to death long ago.

“Sincerely….”

How about it—-don’t you think it’s about time that you got back into the habit of attending church regularly?

David Stone  

Lakeway Baptist Church  

Humble,Tx

MORNING MANNA               10-28-24

HOW ARE YOU TREATING JESUS?
“And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭25‬:‭40‬

An old well known story illustrates our text. It was a stormy night in England in the mid of winter. A common lady was sitting down to eat in her home that night when a knock came at the door. A tall woman in a large overcoat and hat stood at the door, and said, “It has begun to rain, and I was wondering if I could borrow an umbrella of yours? I promise I’ll return it.” “Sure just a minute,” the lady replied. 

She hurried to the back where she kept her umbrella. She had recently purchased a new umbrella and had saved the old one, meaning to either throw it away or give it away. She debated on which one to give the woman. She reasoned that since she had been meaning to get rid of the older one anyway, she could simply give it to the lady in the doorway. She grabbed the old, worn umbrella that was missing a few pieces, and gave it to the lady. The woman thanked her and was on her way. A few days later, the palace royal guard visited the common lady’s home and returned to her the umbrella she had given the woman. The woman had actually been the queen of England! Shocked and embarrassed, the common lady lamented to the guards, “Oh, if I had only known it was the queen, I would have given her my good umbrella.”

I suspect that the woman in that story regretted that she had a once in a lifetime opportunity to honor her Queen and blew it. Thinking she was just helping an ordinary woman she gave less than her best and possibly felt good about herself until she discovered that the woman was her Queen.

Her story should remind us of what Jesus said in our text, “ Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”. God help us to remember that what we do for others is as though we did it unto Christ. And we will regret it if we do less than our best.-HDS

David Stone 

 Lakeway Baptist Church  

Humble,TX