Daily Treasure

Read Luke 19: 1-10

If you remember the chorus about Zachaeus, you must recall his story.  Maybe Luke included his given name because he had a reputation in Jericho—a not-so-good one, either.  One only had to describe him as a short man and a crooked tax collector. People knew exactly who this man was.
Notice I use the word “was.”  Interestingly, in verse three we find that Zacchaeus “…sought to see Jesus who he was.”
But, as usual, there was a big crowd around Jesus.  And because Zacchaeus was short, he could not get close enough to see Him. But he had an idea.  Knowing Jesus would pass by, he climbed up in a sycamore tree so he could at least see Him.  Jesus knew Zacchaeus’ name and exactly where he was.  When Jesus came to the trunk of the tree where Zachaeus was perched, He looked up and admonished him to come down quickly.  Jesus was going to abide with him that day.  Zacchaeus wasted no time getting down from that tree.  As usual, Jesus received criticism for going to a sinner’s house.  Luke 19:10 says, “For the son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” The truth of this verse brought salvation to Zacchaeus. Not only did he pledge his life to Christ, he pledged to restore anything he had taken unlawfully from others.

You may not have to climb a tree to seek  Jesus, but, rest assured, God knows where you are because He knows your name.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Begin praying now for upcoming activities surrounding See You At the Pole, September 25.  There’s still time to promote this among teens you know.

“And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity”  (Luke 13:12).

All it took was a glance in her direction and a call to come to him for “Miss Captive” to become “Miss Liberty.”  In an article by Don Schwager, I found these words, “God’s Word has power to change us spiritually and physically.  Is there anything that keeps you bound up or weighs you down? Let the Lord speak his Word to you and give you freedom.” He ends the article with the following prayer:
“Lord, you grant freedom to those who trust in you.  Give me freedom to walk in your way of love and to praise and worship you always. Show me how I can bring your mercy and healing love to those in need around me.” 

May this be our prayer today.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for former FWBIM missionary Bessie Richards as she adjusts to life after the recent death of her husband Norman.

“And they came to Jericho; and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging.  And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me. And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy on me. And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called.  And they called the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee.  And  he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.  And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee?  The blind man said unto him, Lord that I might receive my sight.  And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole.  And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way” (Mark 10: 46-52).

Today’s passage concerns a blind beggar named Bartimaeus.  A mountain of commentaries reflect on this beautiful story. Though lengthy, Matthew Henry’s commentary is powerful. Here are some highlights from his writings.

First of all, we find the name “Bartimaeus, the son of Timeus which, some think, signifies the son of a blind man he was the blind son of a blind father, which made the case worse, and the cure more wonderful.”   With this in mind, it is almost understandable he was begging for his livelihood.  When Bartimaeus heard was near the highway where he sat begging, he cried out to Him.

“In coming to Christ for help and healing, we should have an eye to him as the promised Messiah, the Trustee of mercy and grace.”   The crowd tried to quiet him, but he was determined to be with Jesus. He cried out later.

Finally, Jesus called out to him. “The gracious invitations Christ gives us to come to him are great encouragements to our hope, that we shall speed well if we come to him, and shall have what we come for.”

Once summoned,  Bartimaeus “cast away everything that might be in danger of throwing him down, or might in any way hinder him coming to Christ. Those who would come to Jesus, must cast away the garment of their own sufficiency, must strip themselves of all conceit of that, and must free themselves from every weight, and the sin that, like long garments, doth most easily beset them. (Hebrews 12:1)”   When asked what he wanted Christ to do, Bartimaeus asked that “his eyes might be opened so he might be able to work for his living, and might be no longer burdensome to others.”  This part was so amazing—Christ spoke the words that changed his life forever.  Jesus told  him “his faith had made him whole.”

“When he had received his sight, he followed Jesus by the way.  By this he made it appear that he was thoroughly cured, that he no more needed one to lead him, but could go himself and by his he evidenced the grateful sense he had of Christ’s kindness to him, that when he had his sight, he made this use of it.”

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for Elizabeth Hodges, in Fort Worth, Texas, this week for preliminary 2014 pre-convention meetings.

Read Mark 2:1-12.

We find in today’s Scripture verses the story of a paralyzed man who was desperate to get to Jesus. As He traveled from town to town, Jesus drew throngs of people. Many of them had infirmities.

Jesus had entered the town of Capernaum, and news had spread that He was in a particular house.  The place was packed; a severely crippled man and four of his friends were outside wondering how in the world they could get their desperate friend into the house. His friends were so sure, if they could get him to Jesus, his needs would be met. I admire the determination of this very lame man’s friends. It was a bold move to put a hole in the roof to lower this man down to see Jesus. The saddest part of the story seems that there was room for those pesky scribes, but not for those with desperate needs.
I like what The NIV Study Bible says  about verse five: “Jesus recognized that the bold action of the paralyzed man and his friends gave evidence of faith.  Jesus first met the man’s greatest need: forgiveness.”  I love how this story ends. Mark 2:11-12 reads, “I say unto thee, Arise and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house. And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all, insomuch that they were all amazed,and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.”

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray that home missionaries Scott and Staci Warren, (Crosspoint Free Will Baptist Church, Salt Lake City, Utah) would see an increase in attendance and giving now that summer is over.  Also, pray that they could find affordable health insurance for their whole family.

“And she called the name of the Lord that spake unto her, Thou God seest me; for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?” (Genesis 16:13).

This week we will look at five different people in the Bible, named or nameless, with these things in common.  They each had a physical or spiritual need, a need to be healed, and need for a Savior.

By faith, all received mercy and grace.  Jesus saw each one; He sees us today. We must not question His methods. Be glad He sees our needs and stands by to answer when we call upon Him. Most of us our acquainted with the story of Hagar and Sarah’s attempt to rush God’s plan.  Most of us don’t take Hagar’s side. God had compassion on her. This leads up to our Scripture today.

Adam Clarke offers these insights on today’s verse. “And she called on the name of the Lord—She invoked the name of Jehovah who spake unto her, thus: Thou God seest me!
She found that the eye of a merciful God had been upon her in all her wanderings and afflictions; and her words seem to intimate that she had been seeking the Divine help and protection, for she says, Have I also (or have I not also) looked after him that seeth me? The last clause of the verse is very obscure and is rendered differently by all the (Bible) versions.  The general sense taken out of it is this, that Hagar was now convinced that God himself had appeared unto her, and was surprised to find that, notwithstanding this, she was still permitted to live; for it is generally supposed that if God appeared to any, they must be consumed by his glories.”

How real is God to you?  Have you ever felt so close to Him you could hear His heart beating?  You may not relate to Hagar’s story. However, whatever need you are facing now, look up. His watchful eyes are watching over you.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for the Teagues (Dennis & Carol, Joel & Lydie) serving with FWBIM in France as they grieve the loss of a beloved family member. Gladys Fowler, Carol’s mother and Joel’s grandmother, went home to Heaven this past Thursday. Funeral services were held yesterday at New Hope FWB Church near Ina, Illinois, where she served over 50 years as pianist and participated faithfully in WAC. In God’s timing, both missionary couples were stateside at the time of her death. Joel and Lydie are scheduled to depart for France tomorrow.

“How terrible it will be for you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees.  Hypocrites!  You are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy–full of greed and self-indulgence!  Blind Pharisees!  First wash the inside of the cup, and then the outside will become clean, too”  (Matthew 23:25-26 NLT).

I’ll tell you, I have to be very careful, as a mom, as a Sunday school teacher, as a leader of small children–as a Christian woman, not to be just Sunday clean when our day of worship rolls around.

The wrinkles can be pressed out of the skirt and blouse.  The jewelry can be matched to the outfit.  The hair and makeup may look better than any other day of the week.  The Bible, Sunday School book and planner can be gathered and carried with gracefulness under one arm…leaving one hand free for those handshakes we churchy-people so love.

The effort comes in making sure I’m Sunday clean when it’s time to worship with my Christian family in the Lord’s house.  I need to make sure what’s dirtied me through the week has been forgiven.  I need to make sure the attitudes and emotions okayed by the society we live in are filtered through Christ’s acceptance.  I need to take the extra time in placing others, their needs, their burdens, ahead of mine.

I can look good on the outside—but that’s not where God will be looking when I come before His throne in praise and adoration.  I can be Sunday clean sitting on the pew—but even Sunday clean is not good enough when it comes to being worthy in His presence.

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray God’s power upon your pastor as he speaks today and shares God’s message from the Word.

“Samuel was very upset with their request and went to the Lord for advice.  Do as they say, the Lord replied, for it is me they are rejecting, not you…”  (1 Samuel 8:6-7 NLT).

The saying that’s been going around as of late is true:  It’s not about me, it’s all about Him.
It’s a timeless truth.  The Bible reveals that to be so…
The folks you know who ignore your invitations to church, shun your mention of the gospel and make light of your decision to live for Christ, are not doing those things against you. They’re rejecting God.

It’s all about Him.

No one is exempt from His holiness and the conviction that comes when we stand up against it.  There is no one who can honestly tell us they don’t believe in God; everyone does. What they do with Him is another story.

Be very careful about taking it personally.  It’s not about you.   Continue to share, that’s what He’s asked you to do.  Keep inviting; it’s your calling as one of His.  Never stop living for Him. They notice.

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for the West Virginia State Ladies Retreat meeting this weekend at Bradley Free Will Baptist Church.