MORNING MANNA              4-15-26
THE SIN OF SELFISHNESS 

“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” Luke‬ ‭9:23 

Did you read about a Dutch woman who married herself? She wore a wedding gown and stood before a registrar with her witnesses and promised to “love, respect and honor” herself in good times and in bad.

Wow! That takes the cake- no pun intended. I don’t know if she had cake. But I do know that it is “self esteem “ or “loving yourself “gone wild! Yet that is exactly what most people do. They do it without a ceremony, but for all practical purposes they do what she did. 

They are number one in their eyes. They think themselves to be king of their little kingdom of self.
They are like those in the book of Judges, “In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” Judges‬ ‭21‬:‭25‬. They live for self and according to self without concern for God or others. They consider their pleasure more important than the profit they could be to others. And some will do anything to get what they want.

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD…..‭‭Psalm‬ ‭37‬:‭23‬ , so that tells you a lot about those who walk in their own ways. Rather than doing what discipleship demands they are only concerned about delighting themselves. They walk in their own ways rather than the ways of God. They are ignorant of the fact “…the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.”Jer.‭10‬:‭23‬.

Their lifestyle proves that they do not understand that the will of God is always right, best, and, safest.- HDS

David Stone  

Lakeway Baptist Church  

Humble, TX

Sent by David Stone on Tuesday, April 14 at 2:11AM

MORNING MANNA                4-13-26
Blessed With an Invisible Presence
“Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.”Zechariah 4:6

Here is still another negative –positive that provides help in our dilemma. If there are hosts against us, there are also hosts on our side. The King of Syria sent a host against Elisha, but “behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots round about Elisha.” No wonder he assured his servant, “Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.”

If we are beset by an unseen foe, we are also befriended by an Unseen Friend. Great is our adversary but greater is our Ally. “The battle is the Lord’s” If there are evil angels there are also good angels. “The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.”

I noticed recently a repair shop operated by a man named Angel. His sign read, “Angel Service.” I laughed and said, “I’ve head angel service for years. ‘Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?’”

Joshua, before the battle of Jericho, met the captain of the host of the Lord. The conquest of the hosts of evil depends on the Captain of the hosts of God. Before Jericho, meet Jesus!  – Vance Havner

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

I am weary of myself, ashamed of myself–and often turn with disgust from myself! And yet I find a great deal of self-love, self-esteem, and self-pity working within me! I sometimes get into such a state of confusion, into such misery and wretchedness, that I cry out, “Oh, what a wretched man I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death!” Romans 7:24

I feel that I am too carnal, too much like the generality of professors. I do not follow the Lord fully. I am not wholly set apart for God. But I am ashamed of complaining, I have done so, so often, and it has ended there. I need more life, more savor, more love in my religion; and to be more energetic and self-denying in my ministry. I need, alas, what do I not need? I am only a mere skeleton of a Christian. I can keep up the outward form pretty well, but the power–the power is what I need! I want to be like Jesus. O for a Christ-like spirit, temper, and course of conduct!

I am obliged to renounce self entirely–all that I do, all that I feel, and all that I say, and build on Jesus Christ, and on Him alone. This is very mortifying to poor, proud human nature, but so it must be. The creature must be nothing, that the Savior may be all in all!

How swift-footed is time! Soon, very soon, it will land me on the shores of eternity! Well, to die will be gain. I shall then be with Christ–with Christ forever! Then all my trials will be ended, all my sorrows will cease, and I shall sin no more! If I could but live without sin, I would not care how long I lived. Nothing grieves me like sin–and yet I sin daily. I grieve the loving heart of Jesus, and wound the tender bosom on which I lean. What a pleasant thing perfect holiness will be!

This is the testimony of the great apostle of the Gentiles. Many were the perils to which he was exposed, and many were the hardships which he endured—but he was borne up and carried through them all by the help of God his Savior.

Just so, He who was the Helper of the great apostle—is the Helper of the feeblest child in His family, or the weakest lamb in His flock. He is your Helper, beloved Christian reader! He who has redeemed you, not with corruptible things, such as silver and gold, but with His precious blood—will assuredly afford you seasonable aid. Look then to Him, in the discharge of your daily duties—for all needful wisdom and strength.

In domestic cares and trials—remember that your Helper is near.

In every hour of weakness and sorrow—cast yourself on His sustaining grace.

In the hour of your extremity, when human help avails nothing—then cling to Him, and listen to Him as He says,