Daily Treasure

Everyone asks the question “why?” Many times it is in response to a difficult situation or experience. “Why?” has always been one of my favorite questions—not because I love it, but because it encompasses all my questions into one concise inquiry. Even more often the question is posed as, “Why, God?” People wonder “how can a good God allow bad things to happen?”  He has already given us an answer and a reason—sometimes the answer simply being, “For a reason.” His word is simple and clear—and more often than not, piercing.

2 Corinthians 1:3-7 (NLT)

“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us.”

Karyn Pugh

Tennessee

Pray Together: “Know His calling in the Workplace and Community” is our theme for November. Pray earnestly for the role women play both at work and in the community.

Halloween has never been one of my favorite events. Very early childhood memories found me hiding behind the door and peering through the crack in the door as masked and disguised children came to our home for candy treats. I realize that many people do not celebrate the event because of pagan religious associations with Halloween, but I just never have been too keen on opening my door to strangers in masks! 

I read Psalm 31 and the Psalmist, probably David, is asking for favor (or “treats”) but instead of wearing a mask, he begins to strip himself completely. In verse seven he mentions his affliction and anguish. In verse nine he says that he is distressed, his eyes are weak with sorrow and his soul and body are weak with grief. The following verses are filled with the Psalmists confessions of what is going on in his life, mind, and body and he is just laying it all out there for the Lord to see. He wears no mask, or makes no pretense. He is asking for favor. He knows that he deserves none, but has seen such mercy and favor from God in the past, that by the end of the chapter he is encouraging others to hope in the Lord.

Do we sometimes find ourselves hiding behind a mask or pretense or false identity when we come to the Lord? Do we actually tell God who and what we are so that He can heal us and meet our needs? He already knows what we are, and what we need, so the mask that we don is purely for our own benefit. It is pride. 

May we be like the Psalmist in Psalm 31 and strip ourselves of anything false and come to the Lord as we are? May we come with our failures, our fears and our false feelings of security. May we  allow God to show mercy and favor to us, so that we can arise from our personal altar with healing and hope in our hearts.

Tracy Payne

Oklahoma

Pray Together: Let’s pray earnestly that we will spend more time communing with God daily.

“Let all things be done decently and in order” (1 Corinthians 14:40).

Though I used this verse before, some things bear repeating. Where there are no rules, guidelines, or by-laws, chaos reigns. This applies to churches and any other organization.

Women, we have a calling to participate in church side by side with its men. How we handle that calling will either bring shame or glory to God. We should want to do whatever necessary to promote the cause of Christ and edify others through the local church. Thus we will bring glory to our Savior. If we choose to not follow God’s plan, we will have a negative impact on others. Let’s be willing to submit to God’s Will for the salvation of souls by carrying out the work of the church “decently and in order.”

Sue Winchester

Missouri

Pray Together: Today would be an excellent day to visit a nursing home and spend some time reading, singing, praying or just talking or listening to a resident.

“For Adam was first formed then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression” (2 Timothy 2:13-14).

This is a continuation of yesterday’s thoughts. There are reasons you may not always remember to have a quiet spirit. It is not a sign of weakness or wanting to fade in the background with the ministries of the church. There are some women who want to take charge and even control the work of the church. This was certainly true as Paul wrote to Timothy. He instructed this young preacher how to best handle those who would seek to run things in the church. It is essential for us to understand the order of creation and how easily deceived women can be when out of the will of God. Thanks be to God, in spite of woman’s part in the original sin, she isn’t without hope. God’s grace is extended to both men and women. With gratitude we should be willing to surrender all to Him. Even when we fail to understand God’s plan, we should be willing to trust Him in spite of that.

Sue Winchester

Missouri

Pray Together: Pray that more young people will answer the call to full-time Christian service.

“Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence” (1 Timothy 2:11-12).

There is something lovely about a woman with a quiet spirit about her. It’s not that she’s not entitled to speak her mind or have an opinion. It’s when the latter reflects an unhealthy attitude that things can become ugly. A godly woman will have discernment about when to speak up or be silent which is nicer than saying “hush up.” She may be very creative and have some great ideas she would like to see implemented in her church. However, she will seek the counsel of the men of the church before promoting them. She will stand more of a chance to be listened to if she doesn’t come off as domineering. If she feels led to teach or be a part of the business of the church, she won’t take any authority away from the men. Serving God quietly and faithfully carries more of an impact than we will ever realize. Take that in consideration as you consider God’s calling in the church.

Sue Winchester

Missouri

Pray Together: Pray for the many state meetings and retreats being held during this month.

“In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works” (1 Timothy 2:9-10).

In the verse proceeding today’s verses, Paul had written an admonishment for men to “lift up holy hands” before God. Then he turns to women and asks them to do likewise, but instructing how best to do this. He asks that women be noticed more for their kindness and goodness than for what they wear or how they fix their hair. It seemed, at the time of today’s scripture, women were drawing more attention to their outward appearance. If we aren’t careful, a lack of modesty and sensibility can hurt our testimony. We need to allow our Christian lifestyle to be more on display for others to see. It’s not wrong to wear the latest fashion, nice jewelry or an amazing hairstyle, but our character needs to shine brighter. In your calling in the church do others see a woman “professing godliness”?

Sue Winchester

Missouri

Pray Together: Pray about memorizing Scripture; fulfill Psalm 119:11.

“For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing” (Ephesians 5:23-24).

Though Paul was inspired to share today’s verses to help resolve problems he had in churches he helped plant, these verses are also relevant today to help avoid such problems. Like anything else God sets in order, the choice to ignore it does not change it in spite of changing times and cultures. It is not a question of superiority for we know God is supreme. It is God’s Will for us to submit to “one another in the fear of the Lord” (Ephesians 5:21). However, first we must submit to God. When both men and women are in tune with God, many a problem in the church and at home can be avoided. When either chooses to reject what God had in mind for the church as well as the home, there will be issues to resolve.

Sue Winchester

Missouri

Pray Together: Thanksgiving Day is rapidly approaching – praise God for blessings this year.