Daily Treasure

“And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full” (1 John 1:4).

A commentary entry at www.biblegateway.com says this concerning today’s verse:
“Clearly he (John) wishes to underscore that what he is bearing witness to is no figment of his imagination, no invention of his own.  He wishes to set before his readers the life that is in Jesus Christ.  His message was the Word of life which originates in the words and works of Jesus.”

John’s purpose in writing was to lead others into a personal relationship with God through Christ. He knew, from experience, the joy of being in His presence.  John wanted to pass along his message to help others find the Word of Life and the joy that being in His presence brings.  It is now up to us to share what we’ve experienced with others.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray that God would multiply gifts and offerings for the Ketteman Scholarship Drive at Free Will Baptist Bible College.

“And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him” (Genesis 5:22).

Perhaps the best example of one who spent his life abiding in the Lord was Enoch. He knew the joy of walking with God all his days. Listed in the Hebrews 11 Hall of Faith, his epitaph reads, “…he pleased God” (Hebrews 11:5).  However, you won’t find those words written on a tombstone. Enoch enjoyed such a close relationship to God that he never tasted death. One day he stepped from earth to glory.

The words to the famous old hymn, “Just A Closer Walk With Thee” should be our prayer.  As we trust God by faith, like Enoch, we can experience his joy as we daily walk with Him.  When our time comes to go and be with God, may we also leave the legacy that we pleased God.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Lord, let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing and acceptable to You today. Amen.

“These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy may be full” (John 15:11).

In John 15, we find what it means to abide in Christ.  If we are indeed abiding in Him, there will be dialogue.  We will turn to Him in prayer and then look to His Word, waiting for Him to speak to us.  The more time we spend together with God, the sweeter the communion.  We will not only be praying, but, we will be praising Him. That fellowship will give us great joy.  Everything Christ ever did was so our joy would be full—not just in Heaven, but in this life as well.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: How joyful are we in service to our families? Do our praises outweigh our complaints? Pray today for a joyful attitude toward those who know us best.

“Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the  joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts”  (Jeremiah 15:16).

How precious is God’s Word to you?  Do you take delight in reading and studying it?  Has His Word become a part of who you are?   In today’s verse Jeremiah found what might have been the Book of the Law and made those words a part of his being.  He treasured every word, and it gave him joy in his heart. He rejoiced in knowing he belonged to God. If you feel you are running low on joy, take time to refresh by delighting in what God has to say to you in His Word.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray that God will give unity and direction to the various FWB national boards meeting together this week in conjunction with the annual Leadership Conference.

“Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Psalm 16:11).

Let’s begin our December study with a couple statements about core fitness. If you’ve ever been involved in an exercise program, you will probably be familiar with them. “Core fitness is fitness training that provides strength and conditioning exercises to support how you move, work, and play everyday.  In essence, core training is an intelligent training system that corrects and strengthens and stabilizes weak muscles from the inside out.”  From a spiritual perspective, when you exercise values from the core of your being, the heart, you will become a stronger body builder. Our winter studies deal with three core values; joy, encouragement, and love.  We will begin with joy, often a lacking characteristic—even in the child of God.

Our entry into the Christmas season should fill us with joy, right?  Is our joy dependent on this year’s circumstances? Maybe we need to grasp the difference between being happy and being filled with joy.  When everything is going right, it’s easy to be happy.  However, when a trial or crisis hits, how long do we stay happy? On the other hand, joy can always be found as we retreat from the cares of a cold world and warm ourselves in His presence.

Spend time with Him and His Word. Review the Christmas story and allow it to thrill you once again.  Don’t let anything rob you of the joy Christ offers you now and always. Knowing His return is near should give us hope and fill our hearts with joy.  Rejoice in the promise of spending eternity in His presence, where “there are pleasures for evermore.”

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: The annual FWB Leaders Conference begins today in Nashville, TN. Pray that WNAC Executive Director Elizabeth Hodges and WNAC President Diana Bryant will gain valuable information and spiritual guidance for their leadership roles.

“And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing”  (1 Corinthians 13:3).

We find in today’s verse that were we to give everything we own to the poor and die a martyr’s death, if not motivated by love, this would accomplish nothing.  We desire to use our gifts to make a difference in our church and the world.  Without love, all our labor is in vain.

Paul certainly had a burden for the people of Corinth.  He did his very best to show the love of God even when he had to rebuke them.  We should have that same kind of love for those who are still walking in darkness. They need to be able to see love in our hearts as we use our spiritual gifts.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for Christian benevolence ministries in Central Asia. Ask God to enable these to continue operation in spite of new laws and governmental restrictions. 

“And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:2).

Wouldn’t we like to have all the gifts mentioned in today’s verse?  We would certainly feel “gifted.”  However, they don’t mean a thing, if we leave love out of the equation. One of Christ’s great attributes is love.  As a child of God, we should desire to pattern our life after Him.  If we are to serve as body builders, we need to see others through His eyes. With love in our hearts and a desire to do God’s will, we will be ready to use our gifts wisely.  We are nothing without Him, and we will accomplish nothing without love.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Examine the love factor in your use of spiritual gifts. Is everything you do characterized by love? Pray it would be so today.