Daily Treasure

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear “ (1 Peter 3:15).

The Living Bible gives these comments on today’s verse: “Quietly trust yourself to Christ your Lord and if anybody asks why you believe as you do, be ready to tell him, and do it in a gentle and respectful way.”

Our study writer shares the following: “Realizing time is short, we proclaim and extend grace as we share the reason for our hope.” Will you share your hope today?

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for new FWBIM missionaries,  Doug and Miriam Bishop as they prepare to share their hope with unsaved individuals in Japan.

“And saying, Where is the promise of his coming?  for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:4, 9).

We could sum up these two verses in these phrases: man’s denial and God’s delay. First of all, sinful man doubts Christ’s existence. So naturally, he will deny His return.  Just as in Peter’s day, non-believers as well as some Christians  are asking, “Where is the promise of His Coming?”
If you have grown in the knowledge of God and His Word, you know God has kept every
promise. He will keep one last promise when He sends His Son to bring His children home. Only God knows the date and time.
Some either deny our Lord’s return or they are skeptical about His delay.  William Barclay writes this concerning 2 Peter 3:9 and gives these possible reasons for God’s delay:  “There are in this passage three great truths on which to nourish the mind and rest the heart.  (1) Time is not the same to God as it is to man.  (2) Time is always to be regarded as an opportunity. Every day which comes to us is a gift of mercy. It is an opportunity to develop ourselves; to render some service to our fellow-men; to take one step closer to God.  (3) God is not willing that any should perish.  He
holds His hand in order to give sinning man another chance to repent and find salvation.”
Jesus is indeed coming back. Continue to grow in hope, anticipating His promised return.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for mothers of school-aged children as they adjust and prioritize their lives in the midst of all the demands and activities of the school year. Pray that they would put Christ first, allowing Him to use them as instruments of His grace and bearers of His truth.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3).

The Living Bible contains these comments: “All honour to God, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ; for it is his boundless mercy that has given us the privilege of being born again, so that we are now members of God’s own family. Now we live in the hope of eternal life because Christ rose from the dead.”

We serve a risen Savior.  Because He lives, one day we shall live forever with Him.
He’s gone to prepare a place for you and me. He promises that He will return for us. Doesn’t that keep your hope alive and growing?

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for the Fernando Bustamante family, Joint Project Home Missionaries with National Home Missions Department and the South Carolina Mission Board whose heart burden of their heart is to plant Hispanic Free Will Baptist churches within the state of South Carolina. Fernando and his wife Reyna have already begun a work in the city of Effingham and aspire to plant churches in the Florence and Myrtle Beach areas as well. Their daughter Mayan is working alongside them in this project. Please remember this family as they continue this awesome task for the Lord.

“Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end  for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:13).

Last week we shared devotions regarding growth through suffering. Sometimes when Christians face trials and testings, their growth is halted.  They can’t get past the suffering.  They can’t grasp that in comparison to eternity, suffering lasts only a short while. They have lost hope and tend to give up in their upward journey.

Prior to today’s verse Peter had shared about the greatness and glory that Christians can look forward to in the future. John Wesley wrote these notes about today’s verse. “ Wherefore—Having such encouragement. Gird up the loins of your mind—As persons in the eastern countries were wont, in traveling or running, to gird up their long garments, so gather ye up all your thoughts and affections, and keep your mind always disencumbered and prepared to run the race which is set before you.  Be watchful—As servants that wait for their Lord. And hope to the end– Maintain a full expectation of all the grace. The blessings flowing free favour of God.  Which shall be brought to you at the final revelation of Jesus Christ—And which are now brought to by the revelation of Christ in you.”
I remember a children’s chorus with these words, “With Christ in the vessel we can smile at the storm as we go sailing home.”  Get a mindset of hope.  One day soon we’ll be sailing for our eternal home.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for the Norman Richards family, former FWBIM missionaries  to Cote d’Ivoire and FWBHM missionaries to Louisiana. Norman gained an entrance into glory last Thursday morning after a battle with cancer. Remember his wife Bessie, sons Gene and Randall and their families during this difficult time.

“…Therefore God, your God, has anointed you; pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else”  (Psalm 45:7 NLT).

Are people around you aware that you are a Christian?  Would they be surprised to know you attend church?  Do you stand out among your peers and co-workers as someone filled with integrity, character—and joy?

Do you bring light to a room?  Do you bring smiles to the faces of those you meet?  Do you speak with encouragement, peace and love?

You, friend, have been touched by the Creator of the universe, saved by the Redeemer of souls, set apart by the High Priest and anointed by Yahweh to perform duties specifically set aside for you, to fulfill purposes designed for you and your lifetime.

You have been anointed with the oil of joy. Does it show?

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray that you would radiate this oil of joy as you worship in God’s house today.

 “If only I knew where to find God, I would go to his throne and talk with him there.  I would lay out my case and present my arguments.  Then I would listen to his reply and understand what he says to me”  (Job 23:2-4 NLT).

Job mentions finding God,  approaching His throne, providing Him with his list of complaints and then doing one of the hardest things there are to do…stop to listen and understand.

Wouldn’t you agree?  Hearing is easy.  If you have ears, you’re capable of hearing.

Listening and understanding?  Hard!

We’d prefer to leave our wish lists at God’s feet, spout off our requests–and run off, believing He’ll do just what we’ve asked.  That’s not exhibiting faith, that’s being demanding and aloof to the responses a Mighty Savior demands we make to His holiness.

Are you making the time to stop and listen to the Lord?  Are you finding out what heart issues need immediate attention?  Are you understanding the hardest of His decisions?

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for new believers in Home Mission churches. Ask God to give them a hunger for understanding the Word of God and a delight in sharing it with others.

“Absalom followed Ahithophel’s advice, just as David had done.  For every word Ahithophel spoke seemed as wise as though it had come directly from the mouth of God”  (2 Samuel 16:23 NLT).

We are bombarded by things that seem to be great.
Things that seem to be worthy of our time and attention.
Things that seem godly.
And, a lot of things are.
And, a lot of things are time wasters, distractions, diversions and sinful.
How do we know?
We have to stop long enough to ask God’s opinion on the matter.
Each and every one.
Each and every time.
Even in regards to the things that are advertised beautifully and seem to be “all that and more.”
We have to look over the situation and clearly surmise if it is of God—or isn’t.

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for more laborers for the harvest—more workers in your local church, throughout churches here in North America, and in missionary service around the world.