MORNING MANNA            3-18-26
APPEARANCE OF EVIL
“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil.” ‭‭1 Thess. ‭5‬:‭21‬-‭22‬ ‭

I had the privilege of meeting Henry Morris many years ago. More importantly, I was able to hear him preach more than once. Although he was best known for his teaching about creation he was well versed in the Bible as a whole. Below is what he said about the text above:

“A Christian’s testimony is vitally important, for it may well affect the eternal destiny of others. His question about a given act should not be: “What’s wrong with doing this?” Rather, he should be guided by this question: “What’s right and positive about doing this?” Both wrong behavior, and behavior which could appear to be wrong should be avoided by the conscientious Christian (Romans 14:21; I Corinthians 6:12; 10:31-32; etc.).”

That being the case why do we go through life doing as we please without any consideration for what others think about our behavior? Some folks go to great lengths to justify their sin as though they don’t have to answer to anyone but self.Is it any wonder that unbelievers take no interest in what we say when we try to witness to them about Christ? Considering what they see in the average church member it is a miracle that anyone is saved.

You’ve probably heard the old saying,”You are the only Bible some people will ever read”.So, with that in mind, why are we so careless about the impression we make on those observing our life? If we are to lead others to a saving knowledge of Christ we must watch our ways as well as our words.God help us to live in way that others can see something of Christ in us.- HDS

David Stone  

Lakeway Baptist Church 

Humble,TX

MORNING MANNA              3-17-26
GOOD GRIEF
Charlie Brown often used the phrase “good grief”. Let’s just say that good can come from grief. However, bad can come from grief also.

“Thou tellest my wanderings: Put thou my tears into thy bottle: Are they not in thy book?” Psalm‬ ‭56‬:8

These words aren’t just beautiful poetic lyrics in a song from David. “Tears into thy bottle” actually speak of certain, small, clay vessels used to collect tears of one in mourning. After crying into the vessel it would sometimes be buried next to a loved one who had passed away or placed upon their grave. This served as an expression of grief.

To grieve is not to be weak or unspiritual. It’s actually unhealthy if we don’t grieve. Just as the pressure cooker let’s off steam, grieving is releasing a build up of our emotions within.

Why doesn’t God just prevent our pain. Well, healing “can” take place as we grieve. The use of the word “can” instead of “does” is for a reason.

There’s a choice to be made in grief. There’s the choice to become bitter in grief and there’s the choice to draw close to the Lord. The result will either be a hardened heart or a tender one. We will be hurtful to others or helpful depending on how we respond.

Do we need to make a decision today? I don’t know about “good grief”, but there’s a good response to it! It’s good for us, good for others, and gives glory to God.
Kenneth Preston 

Lakeway Baptist Church 

Humble, TX

MORNING MANNA              3-16-26
THE GREATNESS OF GOD
“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.” ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭3‬:‭20‬-‭21‬ 

After I preached about William Carey’s motto “Expect great things from God. Attempt great things for God”, Bro. Preston preached last night about the fact that God is great and never changes. All this reminded me of an article by an unknown author that I read many years ago. If you are doubtful of God’s ability to meet your need think about this.

“How big is your God? What would have happened had Moses tried to figure out what was needed to accomplish God’s command? One of the biggest arithmetical miracles in the world was required in the desert. 
Moses led the people of Israel into the desert….Now what was he going to do with them? They had to be fed, and feeding 3-1/2 million people required a lot of food. According to the U. S. Army’s Quartermaster General, Moses needed 1500 tons of food a day, filling two freight trains, each a mile long. Besides, you must remember, they were cooking the food. Just for cooking this took 4000 tons of firewood and a few more freight trains, each a mile long and this is only for one day (not to mention for keeping warm, and if anyone tells you it doesn’t get cold in the desert don’t believe them!). They were for forty YEARS in transit!!! 
Let’s not forget about water, shall we? If they only had enough to drink and wash a few dishes (no bathing?!), it took 11,000,000 gallons EACH DAY–enough to fill a train of tanker cars 1800 miles long. 
And another thing! They had to get across the red sea in one night. Now if they went on a narrow path, double file, the line would be 800 miles long and require 35 days and nights to complete the crossing. So to get it over in one night there had to be a space in the Red Sea 3 miles wide so that they could walk 5,000 abreast. Think about this; every time they camped at the end of the day, a camp ground the size of Rhode Island was required, or 750 square miles. 
Do you think that Moses sat down and figured out the logistics of what God told him to do before he set out from Egypt? I doubt it. He had faith that God would take care of everything. Let us have courage, we share the very same God!”

Think about that! With a God like that we have no need to worry. God is able! – HDS

David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church 
Humble,TX

From him come . . .
  wandering thoughts;
  roving imaginations;
  listless minds;
  dull memories;
  sleepy eyes;
  fidgety nerves;
  weary ears; and
  distracted attention.

In all these things Satan has a great hand.

People wonder where they come from, and marvel how it is that they find sermons so dull, and remember them so badly!

They forget the parable of the sower.

They forget the devil.

Let us take heed that we are not wayside hearers.

Let us beware of the devil.

We shall always find him at Church!

He never stays away from public ordinances.

Let us remember this, and be upon our guard.

MORNING MANNA                   3-12-26
DECIDE
Sixty six years ago today I married the girl of my dreams. Although I made the first six years of our marriage miserable for her she stayed with me. But from the day I became a Christian I gave her first place in my life. All of my children can testify that I never tolerated any of them disrespecting her. My wife was my dearest friend and greatest love on earth. Over the years of preaching so many revival meetings we were often separated and I couldn’t wait to get back home and hold her in my arms. The Lord called her home January 6th, 2025 and I miss her every moment of everyday. The following true story by an unknown source describes the feelings I had for her:

A few years ago a man was waiting for a friend at the airport in Portland, Oregon. He wrote in to an internet site to record an experience that changed his life.
As he was straining to locate his friend among the passengers leaving the plane, he noticed a man coming toward him carrying two light bags. He stopped right next to our visitor to greet his family.

First he motioned to his youngest son (maybe six years old) as he laid down his bags. They gave each other a long, loving hug. As they separated enough to look in each other’s face, the father said, “It’s so good to see you, son. I missed you so much!” His son smiled somewhat shyly, averted his eyes and replied softly, “Me, too, Dad!”

Then the man stood up, gazed in the eyes of his oldest son (maybe nine or ten) and while cupping his son’s face in his hands said, “You’re already quite the young man. I love you very much, Zach!” They too hugged a most loving, tender hug.

While this was happening, a baby girl (perhaps one or one-and-a-half) was squirming excitedly in her mother’s arms, never once taking her little eyes off the wonderful sight of her returning father. The man said, “Hi, baby girl!” as he gently took the child from her mother. He quickly kissed her face all over and then held her close to his chest while rocking her from side to side. The little girl instantly relaxed and simply laid her head on his shoulder, motionless in pure contentment.

After several moments, he handed his daughter to his oldest son and declared, “I’ve saved the best for last,” and proceeded to give his wife a long, passionate kiss. He gazed into her eyes for several seconds and then silently mouthed, “I love you so much!” They stared at each other’s eyes, beaming big smiles at one another, while holding both hands. For an instant they reminded me of newlyweds, but it was obvious by the age of their kids that they couldn’t possibly be.

Our bystander puzzled about it for a moment then realized how totally engrossed he was in the wonderful display of unconditional love not more than an arm’s length away from him. He suddenly felt uncomfortable, as if he was invading something sacred, but was amazed to hear his own voice nervously ask, “Wow! How long have you two been married?”

“Been together fourteen years total, married twelve of those,” he replied, without breaking his gaze from his lovely wife’s face.
“Well, then, how long have you been away?” the bystander asked.
“Two whole days!” came the reply

Two days? Our bystander was stunned. By the intensity of the greeting, our bystander assumed the man had been gone for at least several weeks, if not months. Almost offhandedly, hoping to end his intrusion with some semblance of grace the bystander said, “I hope my marriage is still that passionate after twelve years!”
The man suddenly stopped smiling. He looked the bystander straight in the eye, and with forcefulness that burned right into his soul, said something that left the bystander a different person. He said, “Don’t hope, friend … decide!”

Then he flashed his wonderful smile again, shook the bystander’s hand and said, “God bless!” With that, he and his family turned and strode away together.

The story can change us too, for while we may not all choose to display our love and affection in the same way as this family, we can decide whether we will dedicate ourselves to love. And it’s in that decision repeated daily that great marriages are made.

Don’t put it off another minute,”Decide” right now! – HDS

David Stone   
Lakeway Baptist Church 
Humble, TX