Daily Treasure

“And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. Then the twelve called  the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.  Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.  But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.  And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them”  (Acts 6:1-6).

The early church was growing in number. Given the big mix of Jewish peoples, there were bound to be some problems.  The apostles found themselves spread pretty thin in trying to take care of the needy, attend to church needs and find time for prayer and Bible study.

They decided to turn everything but prayer and Bible study over to a godly group of men who would help. The brethren wisely chose seven men with the credentials listed in today’s Scripture passage.  These men were gifted with servant hearts, and they were ordained in the church where they served. By using their spiritual gifts, these men helped lighten the apostles’ load.

In the same way, using your spiritual gifts within your church can lighten the load of your pastor.  He needs time to devote to the Word and prayer.  He can’t have much of that if he has so many other responsibilities.  You may not be ordained like the deacons in today’s verses, but you can follow their example in using spiritual gifts.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Today is Day 23 of 40 days of Prayer and Fasting with International Missions.  Ask God to give Clint Morgan wisdom as he directs the International Missions department. Pray for safety of travel, direction as he leads, and insight as he plans strategy.

From Home Missions: Five home missionaries are dealing with major health issues. Pray for healing as God wills and for good health of all home missionaries.

“Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me” (Romans 15:30).

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  And be not conformed to this world:  but  be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable and perfect will of God”  (Romans 12:1-2).

Whether we are trying to discern our spiritual gift(s) or developing our gift(s),  we will find we must make some changes. Emptying ourselves of our will and leaving the world behind is inevitable.  When we think of all He has done for us, is that too much to ask?  His mercy and grace should prompt us to serve Him. He has given us so many blessings, and then He bestows upon us spiritual gifts. Can we sit idly by and not use our gifts? We’ll always be a work in progress, but, as we give ourselves in service to Him, we will be transformed into a vessel of honor.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Today is Day 22 of 40 days of Prayer and Fasting with International Missions and the beginning of Home Missions’ emphasis month. Ask God to give Larry Powell wisdom as he directs the Home Missions department. Pray for safety of travel, direction as he leads and insight as he plans strategy.

Home Missions request: Pray Home Missions will be an asset in strengthening our Free Will Baptist denomination.

“Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands”  (2 Timothy 1:6).

In October’s Treasure Bible study, writer Jan Clay encourages, “Believe you are a spiritually gifted person and accept the gifts God has given you.”  I hope you gleaned that truth.  Now we must ask the question: What will we do with our gifts? We must first submit our will over to His will.  We must be obedient in carrying out that will. We will then have a passion to use our gifts.  That passion will be like a fire within us.  We must stir or kindle that fire daily as we are led by the Spirit, to be the best we can be for God’s glory.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Today is Day 21 of 40 days of Prayer and Fasting with International Missions. Ask God to supply the resources needed to carry out the work of each national ministry: Executive Office, Home Missions, International Missions, Master’s Men, WNAC, Randall House Publications, and FWBBC. Pray for divine wisdom and insight as Board of Retirement and the FWB Foundation manage the monies entrusted to them.

“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

“Now I beseech you, bretheren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1 Corinthians 1:10).

“As you enter the house of God, keep your ears open and your mouth shut”  (Ecclesiastes 5:1 NLT).

I’m not a Greek scholar.  The only thing I know about the Hebrew language is how to spell it…H-E-B-R-E-W.  I can only offer an opinion as to what God intended this verse to mean by sharing what He’s spoken to my heart.

As you step inside the church open your ears to hear My voice.  Shut your mouth, you’ve said quite enough this week, it’s time to listen.  Bring a heart filled with a relationship with me—not a heart your pastor must fill for the week with his wise words and well thought out three-point sermon.  Empty hands, please—you’ve nothing to offer God.  You’ve done nothing worthy of His attention. You accomplished very little with your best efforts.  Come in with tired feet—shoes worn from going about your Father’s business, rushing here and there to tell the Good News.  And as for your wallets?  Go ahead and leave them at home until you’ve mastered the above criteria and your heart’s in the right place for worshiping the Savior.

No, I’m not adding anything to the Holy Scriptures.  If anything, I’m allowing them to do what they’re intended to do—speak directly and intimately to my heart, mind and soul.  It’s just what happens when we take a piece of His love letter and we read, re-read and re-read it.  It’s what happens when we chew on it until it can be digested by our childlike systems.  It’s what happens when we take the Holy Bible and apply it like a salve to the afflicted parts of our lives.  It’s what happens when we realize this God-breathed Scripture is alive and well—and it’s intended for each of us to take personally.

What will you do with the Bible today?

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Today is Day 20 of 40 days of Prayer and Fasting with International Missions. Pray for The Hanna Project and Free Will Baptists’ efforts to bring help, hope, and healing through Jesus’ name. Ask God to give wisdom to leaders, to provide opportunities to validate the ministry of overseas workers, and to truly make a difference in the lives of those with whom they come in contact.  

“And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward” (Matthew 10:42).

“There is a season for everything…A time to keep and a time to throw away”  Ecclesiastes 3:1, 6 NLT).

My purple-striped leg warmers from junior high.
My Menudo tee shirt from grade school years.
My Jordache jeans from high school that I hate to l admit I’ll never be able to get into again.
The rabbit’s foot purchased at the skating rink in 6th grade.

Yes, it’s time for me to pitch a few things…and it’s time I keep a few things a little closer to my heart.
My relationship with God.
My efforts to reach the lost.
My determination to train up my child in daily Scripture reading and prayer time.
My commitment to seeing my church grow—in spirit, then in number.

Yes, there’s a time for everything.  It’s up to me to listen closely enough to hear Him lead me in doing what needs done.

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Today is Day 19 of 40 days of Prayer and Fasting with International Missions. Pray for partnering organizations working with Free Will Baptists around the world. Praise God for those of like belief with whom we can join to accomplish His purpose of spreading the gospel to millions who have never heard it.
“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now” (Philippians 1:3-5).

“Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another”  (Romans 14:19).

Bible scholar Matthew Henry makes these statements regarding today’s verse:  “Many wish for peace, and talk loudly for it, who do not follow the things that make for peace. Meekness, humility, self-denial, and love, make for peace. We cannot edify one another, while quarrelling and contending.”

The church at Corinth needed to come to terms with those statements.  The only way any church will have harmony is when its believers start using their gifts to build up those within the Body of Christ. How much body building is going on in your church?  More important, are you a body builder?

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Today is Day 18 of 40 days of Prayer and Fasting with International Missions. While extremely thankful for and dedicated to our Free Will Baptist denomination, ask God to help us work well with others. Pray for cooperative effort among evangelicals with like beliefs.

“Now I beseech you, bretheren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1 Corinthians 1:10).

“Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church” (1 Corinthians 14:12).

Paul wanted believers to be excited in pursuing spiritual gifts. However, Paul desired that they seek ones that would really be a help to the whole church. Today’s verse admonishes us to be body builders.  We’re always going to be a work in progress. We must continue to learn and grow as we use our spiritual gifts.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Today is Day 17 of 40 days of Prayer and Fasting with International Missions. Pray for wisdom, direction, and resources for the mission efforts of the International Fellowship of Free Will Baptists. Ask God to direct their efforts to send internationals to other countries with the gospel.

“But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him” (James 1:4-5).