Daily Treasure

“And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon’s porch. Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.  Jesus answered them, ‘I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me.But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.  My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.  I and my Father are one’” (John 10:22-30).

Jesus was speaking with Jews who were always out to entrap Him. Christ plainly shares with them that no matter what He would say, they weren’t believing or following Him.  If they were part of His sheepfold, they wouldn’t even be having this conversation. He points out that His works are done in His Father’s name. Then when Jesus said, “I and my Father are one,”  O, my! to these Jews, well that was blasphemy. They stood ready to stone Him to death.

It’s often difficult to explain how Jesus could be both Son of God and Son of Man. I believe the truths of God’s Word by faith. Because God sent His only begotten Son to live on this earth, die on a rugged cross for my sins, and rise again, I am redeemed.  He is my Sovereign Lord and Savior. Praise His name!

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for Shannon Little (Tokyo, Japan) as she hosts English students and shares the true meaning of Christmas today, tomorrow and Friday.

“And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them” (Luke 21:8).

Throughout the rest of this week, let’s focus primarily on Christ.  Remember how Simeon and Anna longed to look into the face of Jesus? They waited a long time for this desire to become reality. Though the birth of Christ happened long ago, we now prepare our hearts in anticipation of His second coming.

How the world has changed since Christ’s birth!  We are living in perilous times, and Christ’s return is imminent.  It is so important to spend time in prayer and Bible study. If we don’t, we may easily become deceived.  One day every knee will bow, even those who dare to claim they are Christ. But there is just one Christ.  Accept no substitutes.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Ask God to provide strength and good health for Kenneth and Shirley Cooper, Joint Project/Associate Missionaries with Free Will Baptist Home Missions and the state of West Virginia, as they work to plant a Free Will Baptist church in Glenville, West Virginia. Located in the exact center of the state, Glenville is home to Glenville State College.

“For unto to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord”
(Luke 2:11).

The NIV Study Bible makes these comments: “Many Jews were looking for a political leader to deliver them from Roman rule, while others were hoping for a savior to deliver them from sickness and physical hardship. But this announcement concerns the Savior who would deliver them from sin and death.”

This week we will look at “The Son As Savior.” We find this pronouncement in today’s verse. Mary would embark on an extraordinary journey and face a daunting task as the mother of the Messiah.  For the next 33 years she would care for and support her son, Jesus. As blessed as she was, in this wonderful opportunity, Mary would realize she needed Him as her Savior.  I believe she discerned this during her attendance at Christ’s first miracle.  Our introduction to week three contains these words about that first miracle: “As she walked away to allow her son to perform His first miracle, I imagine she knew that she essentially completed her role as Jesus’ mother. She had provided for His needs as a child, but now He would perform the role of a Savior for her and the entire world.”

I hope sometime during the Christmas season you will read the scriptural account of the Christmas story.  Yes, a Savior was born. As you think about “the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger,” think about the shadow of the Cross looming over that manger.  Reflect on why He came to earth. That baby, Mary’s son, was born to be our Savior.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray that attendees at the English class parties scheduled today, tomorrow and Wednesday in southern France would allow many to hear and ponder the true Reason for the Season.

“Praise the Lord!  Sing to the Lord a new song…”  (Psalm 149:1 NLT).

Oh, I’ve heard you singing.  Lovely melody.  Catchy tune.

But you’ve been singing the same song for too long, haven’t you?

Yes, I know Jesus saved you—there’s a verse about it in the song you sing.  You’ve counted blessings from your childhood—there’s a verse about that, too.  Your lyrics refer to last year’s revival, the answer to prayer you received five years ago and the wreck He saved you from the year you started driving (Wasn’t that 1978?).

Your choruses are nicely rhymed with your Dad and Granddad’s account of old-time religion, the moving of God and the nearness of the Holy Spirit.

They’re nice verses.  But they’re dated.

Honestly, they are.

You see, His Word says to sing a new song.  A 2013 hymn of faith.  A chorus of praise that will relate to the here and now.

New, as in what He did for you today.  What’s fresh on your mind.  How in awe of Him you are right now.

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray that the Holy Spirit would use Christmas programs and special services today to touch hearts, convict and bring many into right relationship with God.

“But Israel soon became fat and unruly; the people grew heavy, plump and stuffed!  Then they abandoned the God who had made them; they made light of the Rock of their salvation”  (Deuteronomy 32:15 NLT).
 
The cookies.  The party foods.  The only-at-the-holidays appetizers.  The rich desserts.  The butter-laden sweets.  Aaah, Christmas.

I’ve found myself smack-dab in the middle of this verse.  Instead of nibbling on the feast, I gorge.  Instead of taking a little here and a little there, I load my plate.  And then I don’t appreciate the goodies as much as I thought I would.

Like I do with God.  I seek Him when I need Him.  I cry out for Him when I have a want.  I spend time in His presence when I think about it.  Then I get what I want.  Or, better yet, I get a whole lot more than I’d have ever dreamed I could have—and I forget Him. I forget my Savior.  My Redeemer.  My Rock.

Fat.  Unruly.  Heavy.  Plump.  Stuffed.  Uggh!

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for the St. Nazaire church (France) as their choir presents a concert today at a shopping mall across the street from the church.

“Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:4).

Bible commentator Matthew Henry wrote this concerning today’s verse:
“Our Lord set a little child before them (the disciples), solemnly assuring them, that unless they were converted and made like little children, they could not enter his kingdom. Children, when very young, do not desire authority, do not regard outward distinctions, are free from malice, are teachable, and willingly dependent on their parents. “  I can imagine the disciples felt pretty humble for asking who is the greatest in the kingdom of Heaven(Matthew 18:1).

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for workers and volunteers at Operation Christmas Child headquarters as they pack myriad collected shoeboxes and prepare them for delivery.

“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23).

The NIV Bible words our verse like this:”Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.”  The NIV Study Bible makes this statement about today’s verse: “If we store up good things in our hearts, our words and actions will be good.” Matthew 12:34b states …for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.”

Our walk and talk needs to show humility.  May the following verse be our prayer: “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer” (Psalm 19:14).

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for both the Home Missions and International Missions boards in meetings this week as they seek ways to effectively send missionaries and engage individual believers and churches to partner together to globally share the gospel.