MORNING MANNA               8-31-24
THE PROPER PERSPECTIVE
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God; to them who are the called according to his purpose”.–Romans 8:28

Since we cannot avoid afflictions, how we view them is crucial. If we view them properly we will see them as appointments not accidents. Although Satan may play a role we should not view every difficulty as an attack by the devil. It is best to think of them as the appointments of God. In other words, God either causes or allows everything. Nothing “just happens”. In some way or another God is always involved in the things that happen in life. And, because He is involved we always have hope. Although Satan means them for bad, God uses them for good. So instead of cursing our trials we should use them as an occasion to draw closer to God, experience His grace operating in our lives, and look for some good to come out of them.

Yeah I know– many things in life are unfair and terribly difficult and painful, but they don’t have to discourage, defeat, and destroy us. Nothing happens that does not first pass through the permissive will of God. Knowing that should be a comfort and a challenge to us. It’s easy to quote Romans 8:28 to someone else going through trials, but not so easy to apply it to our situation. Yet it is true in both instances. That which is a misery and a mystery to us is actually a ministry from God. He is working for us, not against us!

Every affliction that comes our way is an appointment from God and an opportunity for us to show others what God can do. And that’s just one of the ways in which God can bring good out of bad. God has a purpose, a good purpose, in all that He does. Whether we see the end result or not isn’t what’s important. It is the working out of His will that matters most. Knowing that God brings some good to us and/or others through our trials should change the way we view them. And when we have the proper perspective we have peace.-HDS, 4-18-13

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

We’ve all been guilty of not doing what we know we should.  That is especially true in regards to doing what God tells us to do.  We hear His word, know what He says, but refuse to obey.  Do you realize that you would have been better off had you not had the opportunity to hear His word?  Hearing it makes you accountable.  Unto whom much is given, of him shall much be required.

I’ve heard people talk about leaving church the same way they came, but, while that might be true in a sense, technically it isn’t true.  Having heard the word of God we leave better or worse than when we came– depending on our response.  While submission softens the heart, rejection hardens it.  So, refusing to respond to God’s word is dangerous.  It changes us and the way God deals with us. In doing what we please and getting what we want we often miss getting what is best.

Isn’t it strange – all of creation responds to the voice of it’s Creator, except man.  A mother responds to the cries of her child.  The hungry person responds to a meal.  People respond to the offer of a “better” job. Most people respond to the commands of a law enforcement officer. Why then do we refuse to respond to God – the Highest Authority?  In this they do themselves a terrible injustice.

What we all need to remember is this – regardless of whether or not we personally benefit from obedience we are still obligated to obey God.  Our responsibility is more important than our comfort or compensation.  Although obedience to God always results in a great reward eventually it can subject us to great difficulties at the moment.  If our main concern is to glorify God we will do as He commands regardless of the cost, circumstances, or consequences.  We need to heed the advice of Mary who said, “Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it” (John 2:5).  That alone makes you a success in life! – HDS, 11-9-14

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

“-–Thy will be done—“ Matthew 6:10
“—not as I will, but as thou wilt.” Matthew 26:39

Just about everyone would say that they want to live a successful life, but few are successful! What is success? It is doing the will of God, nothing less and nothing more. If you have any other purpose, aim, goal, or ambition as the main thing in life it is wrong. It’s not just wrong but wicked also. We have no right to do only as we please–unless what we please pleases God.

The truest test of one’s life is character. Reputation is one thing, character is another. Although we should be some what concerned about what others think about us it is God’s opinion that matters the most. With Him it is character that counts the most. It also what causes us do the things we do. That’s why we often hear it said, “Being is more important than doing”. It can also be said that a man of noble character will prize God’s will above all else. He is pleased by what pleases God.

It is only as we do the will of God that we are able to please God and, as strange as it might seem, that’s the only way to please self. Man was created to live in communion with God, in harmony with His will, and only in doing so can he find true fulfillment and complete satisfaction. To prize and pursue anything else as our reason for being is foolish. It is like a child chasing a soap bubble—it disappears the moment he grasps it. Such an endeavor is a waste of time and energy.

He who makes the pursuit of pleasure, power, position, popularity, or possessions his sole aim in living will never achieve true success–he misses the target every time. In their place these things might be fine, but they are never “in their place” when they are in first place. They can never be any better than of secondary importance. Only the will of God should be given top priority.

A life well lived is one which submits cheerfully to the will of God, seeks mainly the glory of God, and serves faithfully according to the dictates of God. Anything less is not enough. The true success has for his purpose, pursuit, pleasure, and prayer the will of God. He does it regardless of cost, conditions, circumstances, or consequences. So, how successful are you?-HDS, 3-18-12

IN GOD’S HAND
“My times are in thy hand: Deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.”Psalm‬ ‭31‬:‭15‬ ‭

Is not this truth a joy to you, my soul?

It would be a sorry thing for me if my times were in my own hands—and it would afford me little satisfaction if my times were in an angel’s hands. How restful should I be in knowing that they are in Savior’s nail-pierced hands!
He sees the end from the beginning.
He knows how to apportion my sorrows and my joys.
He knows what to give—and what to withhold.
He knows also when to give—and when to take away.

But, alas! how often is my heart mistrustful—how often have I murmured under the trying dispensations of His providence! O my soul, be ashamed and confounded—be humbled in the dust that you should ever call in question the wisdom or kindness of the dealings of Him who so loved you as to give His life for your redemption!

Help me, O God of my salvation, henceforth, with childlike confidence and peaceful trust—to yield all to You, and to rejoice in the assurance that “My times are in Your hand!”

“My times are in Your hand;
 Why should I doubt or fear?
 My Father’s hand will never cause
 His child a needless tear!”– Author unknown