Daily Treasure

“…..if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be glorified together.  For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which  shall be revealed in us”  (Romans 8:17b-18).

I have received comfort and hope from these verses.  If we focus on the glory that awaits us, we can find the strength to endure any hardships in this life.  Think of the joy to come when we see Christ.

It will be worth it all when we see Jesus,
Life’s trials will seem so small when we see Christ;
One glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase,
So bravely run the race till we see Christ.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for Christians you know who are battling terminal illnesses. Ask God to comfort them in their pain with the reassurance of glory awaiting them at the end of their journey.

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.   But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing” (James 1:2-4).

Those who have faced or are facing trials often look at these verses and say, “You’ve got to be kidding?”  James wasn’t kidding. He knew there are lessons to be learned when our faith is tested. I’ve heard that faith is like a muscle.  The more it is exercised, the stronger it becomes.

A biblegateway.com commentary on James 1 says:

“Isn’t it the desire of your heart to learn to live by faith and to be ‘a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ’ in a patient, disciplined, steadfast, faithful way? Now you have the reason to rejoice in the midst of trials! These trials provide the opportunity for the testing that will develop this quality of faith. To stop trusting and start worrying, to cease ministering and start withdrawing, to interrupt godliness and start selfishness, just because of one’s anxiety over the current trials, would be precisely the wrong course to take. The spiritual realities call for joy in the opportunity to learn perseverance.”

We certainly don’t like to go through trials, but, when we do, we allow our faith to grow.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for final preparations for this year’s Christmas Joy events in Central Asia. Pray that God would grant open doors in spite of recent changes in laws concerning allowable religious activities.

“Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:  Yet I will rejoice in the God of my salvation” (Habakkuk 3:17-18).

Habakkuk learned the lesson of faith, to trust in God in spite of his circumstances. He was determined not to let anything rob him of his joy. Another prime example is found in the story of Job. I doubt any of us had his woes.   Ask yourself this question, would you rather go through tough times with or without God?  In the midst of trials, count your blessings.

Being thankful will always help to take the focus off your problems.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray that retired and former FWB missionaries battling health difficulties may find cause for rejoicing today.

“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy”  (Psalm 126:5).

Our Treasure study writer uses the parable of the sower to help us understand today’s verse.  “The seed is the Word, but the soils vary.  In every case, the planter’s responsibility involves only the sowing—not the growing.  The same is true for you.  Leave the harvest to Him. You are only in charge of sharing the good news, of telling the story.  It takes courage, labor, effort, struggle, pain, rejection, and repetition. But then comes the harvest. God promises you will reap in joy.”  That joy is worth every effort and tear.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray that Free Will Baptist believers in Myanmar would reap a joyful harvest in spite of great difficulties.

“…..weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning” (Psalm 30:5b).

Our final week of study contains a concept of joy often difficult to understand.  A line in a familiar song states, “the God of the day is still God in the night.” We must learn that even through tears and troubles, we can still find joy. During your darkest hour when you feel you can’t shed any more tears, don’t let go of His hand. He won’t abandon you. Have enough faith to believe God knows what He’s doing. When the long night has ended, you will have reason to rejoice. You’ve survived the storm, cradled in His arms.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: The day after Christmas means parting and goodbyes within many families. Pray for unsaved relatives today.

“…The Holy Spirit was right when he said to our ancestors through Isaiah the prophet…”  (Acts 28:25 NLT).

That He would be Wonderful.

That He would be the Prince of Peace.

That He would be wounded for our transgessions, bruised for our iniquities.

That He would be our Redeemer, our Savior, our Friend.

That He would be our Counselor—oh, that He’s have better listeners.

The prophet Isaiah was right.

All of this in a tiny, little Baby.

Merry Christmas!

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for unsaved family members and for opportunities to share the true meaning of Christmas with them today. Pray for worship services throughout the world today.

“…Worship only God!”  (Revelation 20:15b NLT)

I asked for something simple and straight forward.  I needed words that were clear and concise.  In all reality, I wanted Him to fill my head and heart with a thought that was simple but powerful, easy to grasp but monumental in depth and power.

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for missionary families separated by the miles this Christmas Eve. Also, ask God to bless the many Christmas Eve services throughout the world today.

He came through.

He swept away the haze of an early morning.  He removed from me the list of all that needs done in the next twenty-four hours.  He left no doubt in my mind, no reason to theorize or debate, there was no needing to intepret the Scripture on this one.  He simply wrote…

“…Worship…God”  Revelation 20:15 NLT

There was nothing I needed to be reminded of more than that.  During this wonderfully, holy season, I’d pushed aside the Baby.  I’d crowded the Birthday Boy out of the manger scene and placed Santa smack dab in the middle of heart and mind.  I’d allowed the hustle and bustle to wreak havoc on my Silent Night.

But God spoke through His Word again.  And I chose to listen.  I’m choosing to respond.  I’m deciding to obey His simple instructions.