Daily Treasure

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (I Peter 5:8).

The last week of our Bible study contains what our writer calls “holy habits for overcoming deception.”   I would challenge you to post them somewhere as reminders.

Realize the devil is your enemy.  He doesn’t have all power so you can trust God to help you conquer him.  Satan does have a bag of tricks and is willing to use them to get you to stray from God.  You must stand guard against him or he will end up “devouring” you. Dare to be a victor instead of a victim.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: January is a good month to curl up in your favorite chair and read a good book while sipping a cup of hot chocolate. Pray about participating in an adult literacy program, helping others learn to read and enjoy this experience.

Order

“For the LORD is God, and he created the heavens and earth and put everything in place. He made the world to be lived in, not to be a place of empty chaos. “I am the LORD,” he says, “and there is no other” (Isaiah 45:18).

Even God Almighty believes  people should live their lives in order. God is all about putting the stars where they belong, numbering grains of sand and the hairs on our head, and keeping the hierarchy of man over nature in place.   Just like the stars, sand, our hair, and nature; every person in the world has a place and a purpose.  We’re not wandering around the cosmos while God lets the clock unwind—there is a plan and reason. Someday the curtain will be drawn back and we will know— as we have never known before—the great and awesomeness of God.

Karyn Pugh
Tennessee

PRAY TOGETHER: Continue to pray for the success of International Missions during the first month of their new funding program. Step out in faith and increase your giving.

“When he was alone, he explained all things to his disciples” (Mark 4:34).

Oswald Chamber’s book of devotionals, “My Utmost for His Highest” is one of the most powerful commentaries I have ever read.  It is rumored that his wife actually did most of the writing, but whatever the case, the words are filled with truth and mirrored in the scripture woven throughout.  His brilliance is that he has taken God’s Word and talked about it in a way that relates to the many emotions of  human beings—just like David, Job, or Solomon.  In the reading for January 12 Chambers brings an interesting point to the table. First, God is not required to explain himself to us, and second, sometimes he cannot explain things because we are not ready to understand them.

Karyn Pugh
Tennessee

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for the construction of the church in Marincek, Brazil. Pray the Lord will give wisdom for each decision made.

“But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4).

Read the temptation of Christ (Matthew 4:1-11).  Within our verse for today we see the best way to overcome Satan.  Jesus is our great example—using the Word to combat temptations.

The Bible often likens the Word to a sword. Pick up your sword and fight the devil with it.  Memorize the truths of God’s Word to fight against the devil’s lies. Have some Scriptures ready when you feel vulnerable to his attacks.  One of my favorites is “….greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world” (I John 4:4b).

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray today for the family of Yvonne Hampton, former WNAC administrative assistant who went home to the Lord a few months ago.

“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

Strive to be a good workman before God.  Do your best so you won’t be ashamed to show Him your work.  How will you be able to tell the difference between a lie and the truth if you don’t study God’s Word?  Failure to spend time in the Word could set you up for deception.  If you desire to be a good workman, you must spend time each day reading the blueprint for life found in the Word.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Meditate on Psalm 119:11: “Thy word have I hid in mine heart that I might not sin against Thee.” Pray for increased ability to memorize Scripture.

“……thy word is truth” (John 17:17b).

If you desire to know the answer to the title of today’s devotion, look in the Word of God.  By acknowledging God’s Word as truth, you can find the answer to the questions that perplex you today.  The more time you spend in His Word, you will find it has all the answers.

Our lives would have less stress if we would search His Word first instead of last when problems beset us.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Some from the U.S. will work from December until March on various projects at the Chame Seminary in Panama. Pray they will have a spiritual impact on the work.

“Now therefore, my son, obey my voice according to that which I command thee” (Genesis 27:8).

It’s obvious; Jacob was Rebekah’s favorite child.  Rebekah had overheard Esau talking to his aged father, Isaac. She took this information and gave it to Jacob. Together they plotted to get the blessing for Jacob before his father died. (Jacob had already obtained his brother’s birthright, which Esau had traded  for a bowl of stew.)  Jacob would have to face much adversity for his deceit. He eventually wrestled with an angel for God’s blessing.  He ended up limping around the rest of his days but God gave him the blessing he desired.  Whether you carry out deceit with or without an accomplice, your sin will lead to dire circumstances unless you ask God’s forgiveness.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for the many young people preparing for NYC Bible or music and arts competition. Scriptures learned are often remembered for a lifetime.