MORNING MANNA               1-6-25 The ‘Shall Not’s’ of John’s Gospel   “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John…

MORNING MANNA           1-5-25

ANOTHER YEAR FOR THEE

“This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.” Lam. 3:21-24

This being the first Sunday of a new year, let us resolve in our heart to live for the One who died for us. Don’t allow your past failures to be fatal. Whatever tomorrow brings let us live it for the Lord

English hymn-writer Frances R. Havergal wrote:

Another year is dawning,

Dear Father let it be,

In working or in waiting, 

Another year with thee.

Another year of progress,

Another year of praise,

Another year of proving 

Thy presence all the days.

Another year of mercies,

Of faithfulness and grace,

Another year of gladness,

The glory of thy face…

Another year of service,

Of witness for thy love,

Another year of training

For holier work above.

Another year is dawning,

Dear Father, let it be,

On earth, or else in heaven,

Another year for thee. 

Thank God for a new beginning. We are entering new territory. Whatever the past has been we have an opportunity to be used of God let us live in such a way that 2025 ends we can look back with no regrets.

Regardless of who you are or where you are you can be a success. I define success as simply discovering the will of God and doing it. None of us are perfect, but we can be faithful – doing the best we can, with what we have, where we are, as long as we can. May we then live so as to hear the Lord say, “Well done”. That’s a life well lived and it is in your grasp. We have been given this new year as a gift, let us be “faithful unto death.”- HDS

David Stone  

Lakeway Baptist Church 

Humble, Tx.

MORNING MANNA             1-4-25

Taking Account

“And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods. And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward. Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed.” Luke 16:1-3

Renewing your life starts with reviewing your life which reveals things to be repented of.

January is Stewardship Month at Lakeway. It is a time when we are encouraged to review our past and consider our responsibilities for the year ahead. Just as businesses take inventory every year we are wise to review our past- considering what we’ve done in the light of what we should have done. If we are honest I suspect we all can discover something that needs our attention and leads to a resolution.

In light of the fact that we are accountable to our Master we best be honest. Just as the steward in our text had to give an account of himself so must we. I recently noticed the following list one church used to challenge its members to examine themselves. We would do well to do what it says- 

1. Am I more mature spiritually now than I was at the beginning of this year?
2. Have I been faithful in my walk with God (Bible reading, prayer, church attendance)?
3. Is there any hidden sin in my life right now?
4. Have I been a faithful witness to others this year?
5. Have I kept a pure testimony?
6. How many people are in church right now because I invited them?
7. Is there anyone I have wronged this year that I have not asked forgiveness?
8. Is there anyone with whom I am bitter/Is there someone I need to forgive?
9. Am I active in my local church?
10. Have I increased my faith by following God’s will for my life?

How did you do? Is there some area that needs your attention? Now is the time to deal with it rather than waiting until you are standing before the Judgment Seat of Christ. Is there something standing between what you are and what you should be? Take it to the Lord in prayer. It is my prayer that we will all be more like Christ at the end of the year than we are now. In light of His perfection there is always room for improvement in our lives. – HDS

David Stone   

Lakeway Baptist Church 

Humble, Tx.

MORNING MANNA              1-3-25

HOW TO WAIT

”Blessed is he that waiteth—” (Daniel 12:12)

 It may seem an easy thing to wait, but it is one of the postures which a Christian soldier learns not without years of teaching. Marching and quick-marching are much easier to God’s warriors than standing still. There are hours of perplexity when the most willing spirit, anxiously desirous to serve the Lord, knows not what part to take. Then what shall it do? Vex itself by despair? Fly back in cowardice, turn to the right hand in fear, or rush forward in presumption? No, but simply wait. 

Wait in prayer, however. Call upon God and spread the case before Him; tell Him your difficulty, and plead His promise of aid.

 Wait in faith. Express your unstaggering confidence in Him. Believe that if He keep you tarrying even till midnight, yet He will come at the right time; the vision shall come and not tarry.

 Wait in quiet patience. Never murmur against the second cause, as the children of Israel did against Moses. Accept the case as it is, and put it as it stands, simply and with your whole heart, without any self-will, into the hand of your covenant God, saying,” Now, Lord, not my will, but Thine be done. I know not what to do; I am brought to extremities; but I will wait until Thou shalt cleave the floods, or drive back my foes. I will wait, if Thou keep me many a day, for my heart is fixed upon Thee alone, O God, and my spirit waiteth for Thee in full conviction that Thou wilt yet be my joy and my salvation, my refuge and my strong tower. ( From Morning by Morning)

David Stone  

Lakeway Baptist Church  

Humble, Tx

MORNING MANNA            1-2-25

PURITAN GEMS

Thomas Brooks:“Time, like a river, carries us swiftly toward eternity–steer your soul well.”

“The wise man spends the year preparing for the day of judgment.”

Jonathan Edwards:“Resolved, never to do anything which I would be afraid to do if it were the last hour of my life.”

“The best resolution is to die daily unto sin, and live wholly unto God.”

John Flavel:“The new year reminds us that time is a talent to be stewarded, not squandered.” 

William Gurnall:“Every year brings fresh trials, but also fresh supplies of grace.”

Cotton Mather:“A new year is a renewed opportunity to glorify God, and mortify sin.”

“Each year spent without progress in grace, is a year wasted in vanity.”

John Owen:”The year is not your own, but lent to you by God. See that you spend it for His glory.”

“Our days will flee away quickly, but eternity presses ever nearer.”

Samuel Rutherford:“Every new year is a reminder that we are closer to meeting our King.”

“Begin the year by binding your heart more tightly to Christ’s cross.”

“The year ahead is a wilderness; walk it with the manna of God’s Word.”

“Heaven is nearer this year than last; let your soul be nearer too.”

Thomas Shepard:“As the year begins, so let your heart begin anew with holiness.”

“The year’s end is uncertain; live each day as if it were the last.”

Thomas Watson:“Time is a precious coin–spend it wisely on heavenly treasures.”

“A year begun in worldliness, is a year spent in wanton folly.”

“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”Ephesians‬ ‭5‬:‭15‬-‭16‬ 

“So teach us to number our days, That we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.”‭‭Psalm‬ ‭90‬:‭12‬

David Stone

Lakeway Baptist Church 

Humble,TX