MORNING MANNA            2-19-21
ALL SCRIPTURE

Rom. 8 (Read the entire chapter)

It’s obvious that we can’t escape troubles and trials, but we can endure tough times. The question is “How?” At this very moment some of you are having a difficult day and it almost seems like mockery for someone to suggest it could be otherwise. Some are wondering “Is it even possible?” They are so distraught that it seems that they will never laugh again – that happy days are forever over.

I am so very sorry and truly sincere when I say “I wish I could help”, but I can’t – at least not to the extent you desire. I can’t change your circumstances, answer you questions, nor supply what you long for. Chances are nobody else can either. Your need is such that nothing short of divine aid can deliver you from your dilemma. But there is good news. Although I can’t provide all your needs I can point you to the One who can. Of that I am sure. I base that statement on the Word of God, especially Romans 8, where I see four tremendous truths that should bring hope to your feelings of helplessness. Here they are —

I. GOD’S PAST PROVISIONSWhat we see here is astonishing and accurate. If you have received Christ as your Lord and Savior, God has removed all condemnation ( vs. 1), released you from the law of sin and death (vs. 2), put His Spirit within you (vs. 9-11), led you (vs. 14), freed you from fear (vs. 15), assured you of salvation (vs. 16), given you reason to hope (vs.17-25), and helped you with everything from pain to your prayers (vs.26-27). In other words, He has met your greatest needs. If He can do that He can do anything.

If that isn’t enough, look at history and you see His hand on every page. As someone said, “History is His-story”. In deed it is. God is sovereign and we see His providence everywhere. Over and over we see Him meeting the needs of people when it seems impossible. He can do the same for you!

II. GOD’S PROMISESIn Rom. 8:28 we find what might be the most popular verse among Christians. But that’s just one of many. The Bible is full of precious promises that are both true and tremendous. Acquaint yourself with them and cling to them like a drowning man to a life preserver. They will buoy you up when the storm is raging and no help is in sight. There is a promise for every need and God cannot lie (Titus 1:2). Standing on His promises can hold you up when the whole world has let you down.

III. GOD’S POWERIn Rom. 8:31-39 we see that God’s power is able to give us the victory over every enemy, get us through every trial, make us “more than conquerors”, and keep us secure in His love forever. His power is unlimited, sufficient for every need, and available for every child of God. You ought to write the words “He is able” on your mirror where you can see it every morning.

IV. GOD’S PURPOSEI’ve kept this for last because it speaks of what God is working toward and what He will bring us to. Rom. 8:29 tells us His purpose is that we might “be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” Regardless of how things are going this is where they’re going. Regardless of how bad it is, this is how good it will end! For the Christian the best is yet to come. – HDS
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346

Joseph came in unto them in the morning, and looked upon them, and, behold, they were sad.- Gen. 40:6

Have you ever noticed how unlikely it was that Joseph would notice the sadness of his cellmates? He had plenty of problems himself, without taking on anyone else’s. His brothers had sold him into slavery and then his boss had fired and imprisoned him on false charges. Yet, Joseph noticed and cared about others.

The surest way out of a personal pit of discouragement is to think of and serve others. The surest way to deepen your dark times is to draw into, and think more about, yourself. Joseph is perhaps the best example in the Old Testament of a selfless, servant-spirited saint and it is no coincidence that, in every situation in which he found himself, he continually rose above his trial and glorified God.

Are you going through difficult times? Have others wronged you? What has been your response? Do you think of others and how to help them, or only about yourself and your own problems? Look around you: there is a world of opportunities to help, and they are all open doors that lead out of your darkness.( Baptist Bible Hour)

David Stone

Lakeway Baptist Church

Humble, Tx.

Sent from my iPad

And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man’s life among you, but of the ship. For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee. – Acts 27:22-24

When Paul was being taken to Rome to stand trial before Caesar, his ship was caught in a terrible storm. At the point when the crew of the ship had given up all hope, Paul came on deck with a message he had received from God—that their lives would all be spared. Looking at the circumstances around them, there was no reason for them to believe Paul. God did not still the storm, and, in fact, it continued to rage right up until they were shipwrecked on an island. But just as God had promised to Paul, none of their lives were lost.

Many times when we are struggling with difficult circumstances, we find it hard to remember to trust the promises of God. When our eyes are telling us there is no hope, when those around us are giving in to despair, we can still be confident and even happy. I read about an elderly lady who always seemed to be in a cheerful mood. Finally someone asked her, “You always seem to be happy. Do you never have clouds in your life?” “Of course I have clouds,” she replied. “You can’t have showers of blessing without clouds!”

Nothing happens to us that takes God by surprise, and nothing happens to us that derails God’s plan for our lives. Our plans may lie in pieces in the middle of a great storm, but God is still at work. If we are willing to trust Him even when we cannot see the way ahead, we will not be disheartened by the storms. The stormy seasons of life are just as much a part of God’s plan for us as the calm seasons are, and He is always faithful. ( Daily in the Word)

David Stone

Lakeway Baptist Church

Humble, Tx.

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. ” – Phil. 4:13

I just read the following story that ought to give every Christian hope for their hardships. In 1924 a group of explorers tried to climb Mount Everest and failed. They attempted twice to tackle the mountain but with no success. The group lost two of its members in the second effort. After the failed endeavor they met with a group of supporters in London to raise funds for yet another expedition.

On stage, one of the hikers stood up and gave a rousing speech of determination. He was persuaded that his team could indeed conquer the mountain if given enough time and support. He closed his remarks by stating, “Mount Everest cannot grow larger, but we can.”

The obstacles we face and the mountains we climb can sometimes appear daunting and unmovable. The one advantage we have however is that we can grow, we can get stronger, and we can become wiser. It takes a spirit of resolve and faith to climb the mountains of life. Our failures can actually become our successes if we properly glean from our experiences.

Thomas Edison said, “Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.” Walk up the mountain one more time. Everest doesn’t get any bigger, but you can!

Too often we focus on our ability, or the lack thereof, rather than our availability. The fact is, when we make ourselves available God will make us able. Living the Christian life is not about us making changes, but by us being changed. 2 Cor. 3:18 makes it clear that God is the change agent. It is He who enables us to change and conform to His will for our life which is Christ-likeness. When we make ourselves available God makes us able and adequate. Surrender always produces success. He gives us courage for any challenge, victory over any vice, success in any situation, power over every problem, and joy throughout our journey. With Him all things are possible and without Him we can do nothing ( John 15:5). As Paul said, “in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” ( Rom. 8:37) – HDS

David Stone

Lakeway Baptist Church

Humble, Tx.