Daily Treasure

“For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.  Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure:for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ”  (2 Peter 1:8-11).
Picture yesterday’s list of virtues (2 Peter 1:3-7) as rungs on a ladder.  William Barclay states “To keep climbing up the ladder of the virtues is to come ever nearer to knowing Jesus Christ; and the further we climb, the further we are able to climb.”  He later continues, “Further, to fail to climb the ladder of virtue is to forget that the sins of the old way of life have been cleansed away.”
When climbing a ladder you must move upward or you’ll lose your balance and fall downward. The latter doesn’t indicate growth.  In light of this, Peter admonishes us to make the effort to keep climbing.

William Barclay concludes with the following: “Peter urges his people to make every effort to confirm their calling by God.  Here is a most significant demand.  In one way all is of God; it is God’s call which gives us entry into the fellowship of his people; without his grace and his mercy we could do nothing and could expect nothing.  But that does not absolve us from every possible effort.”
As we continue to live a holy lifestyle, climbing upward, we have the hope and promise of entering into His eternal kingdom.  As the beautiful old song reveals, “Heaven Will Surely Be Worth It All.”

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for Christian educators in public schools, as they face greater challenges due to changing laws, policies and educational requirements that do not align themselves with the Word of God. Pray that God would give them wisdom, discernment and boldness to instruct the truth.

“According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:  Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity”  (2 Peter 1:3-7).

The NIV Study Bible gives us some insights to today’s verses. “God has made available all that we need spiritually through our knowledge of him.    Through God’s excellence—internal and external—he has given us great promises. Their nature is suggested in the words that follow: participation in the divine nature and escape from worldly corruption.   To participate in the divine nature does not indicate that Christians become divine in any sense, but only that we are indwelt by God through His Holy Spirit.”
We read the following in The Living Bible for verses 5-7: “But to obtain these gifts (promises and blessings) you need more than faith; you must also work hard to be good, and even that is not enough.  For then you must learn to know God better and discover what he wants you to do.  Next, learn to put aside your own desires so that you will become patient and godly, gladly letting God have his way with you. This will make possible the next step, which is for you to enjoy other people and to like them, and finally you will grow to love them deeply.”
We could entitle today’s verses, “How to Grow a Fruitful Christian.”

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for Moms in Prayer groups as they enlist women in prayer ministry during this school year. Prayerfully consider joining one. www.momsinprayer.org

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men.  Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” (Titus 2:11-12).

The NIV Study Bible words our verses this way: “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.  It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.”

I’m so glad that salvation was not just for the Jews.  We, as Gentiles, were included in God’s plan. We must remember we have a dual citizenship, one on this earth, and an eternal one in Heaven.  Until Christ’s return, we must live a life above reproach.  Following Christ’s example of holiness makes that possible.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for the WNAC office today. Ask God to supply financial needs.

“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9).

The Living Bible states this about today’s verse: “But you are not like that (those that will stumble because they wouldn’t listen to God’s word)  For you are priests of the king, you are holy and pure, you are God’s very own—all this so that you may show to others how God called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.”

Before His mercy and grace were extended to us, we were nothing. When we accepted Him by faith, we became children of the King. Shouldn’t that motivate us to grow by living a life of holiness like our Heavenly Father?

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for Brad Ransom as he assumes the role of Director of Church Planting for Free Will Baptist Home Missions.

“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation: Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:15-16).

Last month we shared devotionals using the title, “Show.” What better way to show His Grace than to follow His example of holiness.  If we’re going to pattern our lives after Him, we must strive to be holy, as He is holy. Our code of conduct is to walk worthy of our calling—He’s invited us to become one of His children. How can we show others we belong to God if we don’t display holiness?

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for missionary kids (from preschool to college) as they begin a new school year, whether overseas or in the States. Ask God to calm beginning of the year nerves; provide capable, caring teachers; furnish good, safe friendships; ease students’ adjustments to new cultures or schooling situations; and use these transitions to teach life lessons about true dependence on Him (Source: FWBIM),

“For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse” (Romans 1:21).

Regarding today’s verse, we find these comments in The NIV Study Bible:  “No one—not even one who has not heard of the Bible or of Christ—has an excuse for not honoring God, because the whole created world reveals him.” We find in Psalm 14:1a these words: “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God….”  Those who believe and teach this philosophy are fools.  How could anyone  view the awesome wonders of God’s Creation and believe God never existed?   Without a doubt, God, the Master Designer  of the world, is revealed in creation.  He is also revealed within His Word.  Accept the truths of the Bible, gaining the knowledge necessary to grow in Christ.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for first-time homeschooling mothers who are starting “school” this month.

“And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth” (Luke 12:15).

The Living Bible phrases our verse this way:  “Beware! Don’t always be wishing for what you don’t have.  For real life and real living are not related to how rich we are.”

False teachers make false promises about money and power.  They teach very little about “laying up treasures in heaven.”  Buying into their messages means buying into their greed.  You yourself will fall into the greed trap if you put money and power ahead of God.  In your pursuit of  obtaining knowledge and truth, believe the words of  Matthew 6:33. God must have first place in your heart.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for young Christians in your church today, who are most susceptible to these false teachings. Ask God to give them great desire to know the Word, and a clear understanding of all they read in Scripture.