Daily Treasure

“And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was a valiant man of Kabzeel, a doer of great deeds. He struck down two ariels of Moab. He also went down and struck down a lion in a pit on a day when snow had fallen. And he struck down an Egyptian, a handsome man. The Egyptian had a spear in his hand, but Benaiah went down to him with a staff and snatched the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with his own spear. These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and won a name beside the three mighty men. He was renowned among the thirty, but he did not attain to the three. And David set him over his bodyguard” (2 Samuel 23:20-23). (ESV)

Benaiah was one of David’s mighty men. He was called valiant and esteemed worthy enough to be the captain of David’s bodyguard. We can assume that he is an important person because he is mentioned by name in the Bible. I did not know about Benaiah until about four months ago when I was talking to a friend and he felt like he needed to tell me to kill some lions. He told me about Benaiah and how Benaiah’s reputation is valiant because he was a doer of good deeds. There’s no explanation of his personality or attitude except that when he was supposed to do something, he did it without hesitation. There are no reasons for his deeds because the emphasis is on his active response. Benaiah killed a lion because that’s what needed to be done. Consider this a World-Wide-Web altar call: are there lions in your life that you need to kill? My friend had no idea what was going on my life right then, but God knew; he used my friend to get the message through because I obviously wasn’t listening to any other cues! An interesting cross reference about lions is found in the well-known passage about Satan.

1 Peter 5:8 “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

Got lions?

Karyn Pugh

Tennessee

Pray Together: Tomorrow begins the PreThanksgiving Week of Prayer for FWB Home Missions. Ask God to raise up a multitude of intercessors for this ministry.

“When I am afraid, I will trust in you” (Psalm 56:3).

I will never forget this verse because it was the first one I ever memorized. When I was a little girl it was easy to recite over and over, especially if I was trying to go to sleep or if it was dark outside. Context is an important thing. In Psalm 55 the writer says, “Listen to my prayer, O God, do not ignore my plea; hear me and answer me. My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught” (vs. 1-2). The beautiful language continues in Psalm 57:1-2, “Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.”

Disaster. Trouble. Fear. These words often go together in our lives. A home burns down or suffers damage in a storm. A child is losing their faith as they believe the lies of peer pressure. A family is torn apart by secrets, miscommunication, and bitterness. A woman is forgetting who she is in the shadow of constant introspection. A mother has to let her child make his or her own mistakes. A Christian learns to hold God’s hand when one cannot see the next step. These are all instances of disaster, trouble, or fear. It is wonderful to know that whenever these things attack, we can still trust that God is in control.

Karyn Pugh

Tennessee

Pray Together: PANAMA: Pray for Chame seminary students ministering at the Las Tablas FWB Church.

“Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).

Women in the early church were commended for their faith and benevolent work. They cared about the needs of others. The only thing that motivated them was their love for God. Attitudes and self-interests didn’t come into play. The song states, “Little is much if God is in it.” God can take your “little” and do wonders with it. Remember what He did with a young lad’s sack lunch. As we help others in any way, it is like we are administering that to Jesus. (Matthew 25:35-40)

What we try to do for His glory will always be noticed by God. Just to hear Him say, “well done” will be worth every effort.

Sue Winchester

Missouri

Pray Together: Please pray for the physical health of home missionaries and their families.

“And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul” (Acts 16:14).

We’ve all heard about Lydia. She was a wealthy woman who already worshipped God but needed to hear what Paul had to share with her. I think, from what I read, she was ready to have her heart opened to the truths of the gospel. Once this happened, she was saved and baptized. Once she was “enlightened” then she could shine for Jesus in her community. We mainly know about her being given to hospitality and inviting Paul and his workers into her home. I think the fact she wanted to do something for the Lord after her conversion should be noted. If you don’t have a desire to put your faith into action, maybe it’s time the Lord opens your heart.

Sue Winchester

Missouri

Pray Together: Pray for the TWG Team, as their offer input and insight for each Together With God magazine.

“Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretations is called Dorcas:  this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did” (Acts 9:36).

The story of Dorcas is a familiar one. Her faith and willingness to do for those in need say much about her letting her light shine. She was a seamstress who didn’t sew with a fancy sewing machine. Her garments were sewn by hand and every stitch was made with love. It was evident her labor of love was appreciated especially when Lydia fell sick and died. Two men knew Peter was in the area and ran to get him. In the meantime people were mourning the loss of Lydia holding some of the garments she had made. Peter came and, by the power of God, raised Lydia from the dead! Because of this many believed on the Lord. (Acts 9:42) Dorcas was an example of one who simply used what talent she had to serve God in her community.

Sue Winchester

Missouri

Pray Together: SPAIN: Give praise to God as the Villalba Church worships in their new building.

“Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house”  (Matthew 5:15).

Within our November study Carol Reid has listed some practical ideas to help us be a light to our neighbors. Don’t hide your light, be a beacon shining brightly for Jesus. As a hymn states in one of its verses, “Trim your feeble lamp my brother; Some poor sailor tempest tossed, Trying now to make the harbor, In the darkness may be lost.”

One such “sailor” just may be your next door neighbor. Shine on!

Sue Winchester

Missouri

Pray Together: Pray for those who design and maintain the WNAC website.

“Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of man. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is sat on an hill cannot be hid” (Matthew 5:13-14).

I recently heard this saying, “Preach the gospel. Use words when necessary.” The writer of our November study, Carol Reid, states, “Our lifestyle and our words should support each other.” Starting first in our neighborhood then launching out into our community, we need to be busy being both “salt” and “light.” It has often been said we may be the only Bible some ever read. What are people on the street observing in your life that points them to the True Light?

Sue Winchester

Missouri

Pray Together: Pray about giving to the Mission: North America Offering. Monies received go to further support the work of Home Missions and the missionaries.