MORNING MANNA                 4-2-26
THE POWER OF PRAYER 
“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;” 1 Timothy‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬ ‭

Many years ago I read the following true story about a missionary’s testimony regarding the power of prayer:

“A mother at our mission station died after giving birth to a premature baby. We tried to improvise an incubator to keep the infant alive, but the only hot water bottle we had was beyond repair. So we asked the children [at our orphanage] to pray for the baby and for her sister. One of the girls responded. ‘Dear God, please send a hot water bottle today. Tomorrow will be too late because by then the baby will be dead. And dear Lord, send a doll for the sister so she won’t feel so lonely.’ That afternoon a large package arrived from England. The children watched eagerly as we opened it. Much to their surprise, under some clothing was a hot water bottle. Immediately the girl who had prayed so earnestly started to dig deeper, exclaiming, ‘If God sent that, I’m sure He also sent a doll!’ And she was right. The heavenly Father knew in advance of that child’s sincere requests, and five months earlier He had led a ladies’ group to include both of those specific articles.”

 
Everyone of us and people all around us are in need of prayer. Right now someone you know is in desperate need and your prayers could deliver them from their dilemma. God forbid that we ignore them.

Nothing is more important than prayer. One of the first books I read after becoming a Christian was “The Power of Prayer” by E.M. Bounds. That along with attending prayer meeting helped me more than anything. The first sermon I ever preached was on prayer. Without prayer I would never have escaped the clutches of sin, nor do what God called me to do.

We are in a spiritual warfare and without prayer we lose! One of the most helpful things you can do is to study the prayers of Paul. He knew that prayer was the key to living a victorious life. The sooner we discover that the better off we will be.- HDS

A church stays on its feet when its members get on their knees.

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

We love Him—because He first loved us! When we know and believe the love that God has to us—then we love Him in return. And as we increase in the knowledge of Him—we love Him not only on account of what He has done for us, but also on account of what He is in Himself. As we see His glory in the face of Jesus Christ—we adore Him and delight in Him.

Happy is the state, and glorious are the privileges of all who love God.

God causes all things to work together for their good . . .
  all their trials and their comforts,
  all their sorrows and their joys,
  all their temptations and their consolations,
are so arranged by the wisdom and goodness of God, their Father, that they contribute . . .
  to their spiritual good,
  to the humbling of their spirit,
  to their deliverance from sin and self,
  and to their glorying only in the Lord.

In themselves, many of the things which befall the Lord’s people would be evil—even as in medicine, some of the ingredients are poisonous. But as a skillful physician so mixes the toxic ingredients that they work together for the health and cure of the patient—so the infinitely wise and gracious God makes all things work together for the final and eternal well-being of His people! – author unknown 

Before him lay the prospect of tiger infested jungles, bat infested houses, and a fever infested climate—for life. Behind him lay an almost unimaginable trail of hardship and loss. But he did not leave off from his work. He did not abandon his Bible translating or his preaching and teaching labors. How could he? Eternal souls were at stake. Who else could reach the Burmese as well as he? So he remained for over 20 more years, returning to America only once—and that for necessity, not by choice.

. . . Adoniram Judson’s devotion for life was not in vain. On one occasion, during the great annual festival held at the towering golden Buddhist pagoda in Rangoon, he recorded that he had distributed “nearly ten thousand tracts, giving to none but those who ask. . . . Some come two or three months’ journey, from the borders of Siam and China—‘Sir, we hear that there is an eternal hell. We are afraid of it. Do give us a writing that will tell us how to escape it.’ . . . Others come from the interior of the country, where the name of Jesus Christ is little known—‘Are you Jesus Christ’s man? Give us a writing that tells about Jesus Christ.’ ” For Judson, it was worth it all. Today there are more than one million Burmese believers.

Can you imagine what would have happened if Adoniram had not obeyed the Lord and followed Him? What a loss that nation would have suffered! What millions of souls would have never found their way to heaven! But because of his sacrifice and obedience, his life was blessed and he became a blessing to millions.

My friends, this is the way of true blessing: walking in the fear of the Lord and following Him at all costs. By His grace, may we all walk His path of life, living our lives for His glory and offering our bodies “a living sacrifices, holy, acceptable unto God” (Romans 12:1)

The following was written A.W. Tozer many years ago. And it’s even worse today. – HDS

The great god entertainment 

The only power God recognizes in His Church, is the power of His Spirit. Whereas the only power actually recognized today by the majority of evangelicals, is the power of man. God does His work by the operation of the Spirit; while Christian leaders attempt to do theirs, by the power of entertainment. Bright personality, has taken the place of the Spirit’s influence. But only what is done through the Holy Spirit, will abide eternally.

For centuries the Church stood solidly against every form of worldly entertainment, recognizing it for what it was:
  a device for wasting time,
  a refuge from the disturbing voice of conscience,
  a scheme to divert attention from eternal realities.
But of late she appears to have decided that if she cannot conquer the great god entertainment, then she may as well join forces with him and make what use she can of his trifles.
 
Christianity is so entangled with the world, that millions never guess how radically they have missed the New Testament pattern. Compromise is everywhere!
 
Evangelical Christianity is now tragically below the New Testament standard.

Worldliness is an accepted part of our way of life. 

Our religious mood is social, instead of spiritual. 

We have lost the art of genuine worship. 

We are not producing holy people.

Our models are successful business men, celebrated athletes and performers. 

We carry on our religious activities, after the methods of the modern advertiser. 

Our homes have been turned into theaters. 

Our desires are worldly, our literature is shallow, and our music borders on sacrilege. 

And scarcely anyone appears to care!
 

“Who is there even among you that would shut the doors for nought? neither do ye kindle fire on mine altar for nought. I have no pleasure in you, saith the LORD of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand.” ‭‭Malachi‬ ‭1‬:‭10‬ ‭

This sad picture ought to be a wake-up call for churches today! HDS

David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church 
Humble,TX

MORNING MANNA               3-28-26
FOR THE LOVE OF SOULS
It is written:  “I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.” (Psalm 142:4)

It is a sad truth; nevertheless it is truth, man cares little for the souls around him.  Every day folks go about their affairs with only one thought in mind – “ME! ME! ME! And no one else but ME!”  “Self” has become the number one priority in the lives of most people.  They are so busy with their own desires that they have lost sight of the poor lost souls around them.  Now, we expect this attitude amongst the lost but prevailing in CHRISTIANS?  How dare it to be so in our midst?  Honest Christianity is not about “self” or the big “I.”
Self-esteem has replaced Spiritualism.  The harsh reality is that we must “die to self,” or we will never be able to gaze beyond “ME” to behold the multitudes lost with no hope, leaving few to care for their eternal souls.  The reason the witness of Christ has grown so cold is that there is no passion for souls in the hearts of those who are only concerned about “SELF.”  Caring about souls requires compassion.

It is also written:  “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.  He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” (Psalm 126:5-6) Why do you suppose one goes and sows with weeping?  Honest tears are a language of the heart.  I realize some folk can shed tears at the blink of an eye, but I’m speaking of true tears that come forth because the spiritual burdens of the heart are so overwhelming.  When the burden of lost souls begins to weigh down the heart and mind of the saints, the overflow comes through the eyes, being revealed in tears.  The heavenly burden upon the heart forces out laborers into the fields sowing precious seed and weeping over the insurmountable numbers of lost souls.  Oh, that they could see what we see and hear what we hear of the Redeemer of men’s souls, the Lamb of God.  If only they could be covered by the blood of the blessed Savior by the gracious sovereign act of our God, they would know someone cares.  Is there a real burden in you that overflows the eyes with tears?  Pray for holy tears, brethren!WEEP FOR THE SOULS OF MEN!!! – Dr. M.J. Seymour, Sr.

David Stone  
Lakeway Baptist Church
Humble,TX