All that I am . . .
  as a child of God,
  as a servant of Christ,
  as an heir of Heavenly glory
—I am by the grace of God!

Am I cleansed from the guilt of my sins? It was Your grace, O God of love, which opened the fountain that washed it all away!

Am I justified? It was Your grace that provided the spotless robe of righteousness, in which I stand accepted before You.

Am I sanctified? It is not by works of righteousness which I have done, but by Your grace I am saved from the love and power of my sins.

Am I bearing any fruit to Your glory? It is by Your grace in Christ Jesus—for apart from Him, I could do nothing.

Am I different from what I once was, or from the ungodly who have their portion in this world? It is Your grace alone which has made me to differ. I have nothing which I have not received from You.

“By the grace of God I am what I am!”
  A pardoned sinner,
  a justified believer,
  an adopted child,
  an heir of glory!

Sent by David Stone on Monday, April 6 at 5:04AM

MORNING MANNA             4-5-26
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 feel 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, 4-24-11

“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               4-4-26
UP FROM THE GRAVE!

It all started so good—“very good” (Gen. 1:31). But Satan was determined to turn the garden into a graveyard. Man was created to live in fellowship with his Creator. God desired that man live in constant communion with Him. Doing so would bring perfect peace and abundant joy, such as could not be found in any other source. But sin changed all that, depriving man of what God intended.

Since sin entered the world life is a constant struggle—everything is now difficult. Nothing comes easy anymore.  Even the food we eat must be earned by the sweat- of- our brow. We live in a wicked world and we are weak. Instead of subduing the earth we find ourselves being brought into submission to it. That is not what God intended. So now, in our natural state, we are forced to live a life that is “of few days and full of trouble”(Job 14:1). And our prospect for the future is even worse. As sinners we face an eternity of separation from God. That’s the bad news!

The good news is that Jesus came to change all that. He came to redeem man and restore him to fellowship with God. To do this He had to suffer and die in our place. O, how amazing it is that He, who is without sin, would be made sin for us, “that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (2 Cor. 5:21). That sounds too good to be true—but it is true! The proof that God is able and willing to do this is found in the resurrection of Christ. The fact that He lives sweeps away all doubt for those who trust him. They have a hope that goes beyond the grave!

The world, however, is always trying to pull us down and bury our hopes and dreams and joy beneath a deluge of difficulties. That’s exactly where some of you are at this very moment. Your joy is buried under an avalanche of adversities, and you feel you will never laugh again. But, it doesn’t have to be that way. Jesus came to raise our hopes and His resurrection proves He can. Because He was raised from the dead, He can raise you up out of the ash-heap of sin and restore you to fellowship with God. Why would anyone not trust a God like that?           ———HDS  4/12/09

David Stone  
Lakeway Baptist Church
Humble, Tx

Come, then, my soul, to Him—as an empty vessel to be filled. A supply is waiting for you in Christ Jesus. “It has pleased the Father that in Him should all fullness dwell.” He is the never-failing Fountain of blessing! Out of His fullness, you may receive grace upon grace. Whatever you need—come to God in Christ for it.

Is your faith weak? He can strengthen it.

Is your hope dull? He can enliven it.

Is your love cold? He can warm it.

Is your patience failing? He can sustain it.

Is your zeal languishing? He can invigorate it.

And observe, the Lord gives not only a new supply of grace, but He also gives it in a larger measure: “He gives more grace!” He came not only that we might have life—but that we might have it “more abundantly.”

Come, then, to Him with enlarged desires.
He can fill you with joy and peace in believing.
He can enable you to bear much fruit to the glory of the Father.
He can bless you, and make you a blessing to many.

O Lord, enlarge my desires, raise my expectations, and help me to receive, not only constant supplies of grace—but increased