Daily Treasure

 “The wise are known for their understanding, and instruction is appreciated if it’s well presented”  (Proverbs 16:21 NLT).

I’m in the process of learning a new language.  No, I’ve no plans for travel in the near future, no missions trips planned I’m aware of, no new people in my neighborhood who speak a foreign language and I’m not on a self-improvement whim —well, maybe.

It’s not Chinese or French I’m hoping to grasp, though they may be easier for me to learn than what I’ve set as a goal.  It’s not Italian or Russian I’m hoping to speak one day with fluency.  My few years of high school Spanish are of little to no help in this new project.

You see, I’m learning to speak with godliness.

I’m wanting to present God in every syllable spoken by this unruly tongue.  I’m hoping to glorify my Savior with every word uttered by these unclean lips.  I’m wanting to draw people to Him through what I speak, and sometimes more importantly, through what I refuse to say.

It’s a completely new language for me.  A new dialect, new pronunciations, new tenses to learn.  I hope to use it in special occasions and on an everyday basis.  It’s going to take a lot of work on my part to undo what I’ve become so accustomed to; it’s going to take a lot more patience on God’s part to walk me through the lessons.

Want to join me on this new adventure?

Now, I wonder what the translation is for, “Honey, would you please take out the trash?”  and, “Your room really needs straightening up?”  Those two requests sound like good ones for starters.

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray that God would grant strength and healing to WNAC Executive Committee member Pam Hackett, who has suffered multiple strokes in this past year. Pray also for churches in Spain involved in Christmas outreaches today.  In Alpedrete, missionaries are hosting Christmas English activities, while the Esperanza Church in  Alcalá is processing boxes for Operation Christmas Child.

“Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:  And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not to men;  Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: For ye serve the Lord Christ”  (Colossians 3:22-24).

These past two weeks we have delved into the lives of those who were slaves.  You may have wondered how you fit into all this.  Today’s verses give us some guidelines of how we should live as servants.  Though written many years ago, the same principles apply.  We are not in bondage, but we do have people in authority over us—especially if we work outside the home. I liked these statements by Matthew Henry concerning these verses. “The fear of God ruling in the heart will make people good in every relation. Servants who fear God will be just and faithful when they are from under their Master’s eye, because they know they are under the eye of God.”  Later in his commentary, he wrote, “we are really doing our duty to God when we are faithful in our duty to man.”   Employed worker or stay-at-home mom, are we living a consistent Christian life?  There will be a payday at the end of life’s road.  Will we “receive the reward of the inheritance?” Or will we find ourselves receiving the wages of sin which is death (Romans 6:23a)?

In spite of affliction or other adversity, we must remain faithful to our heavenly Master.  In doing so, our greatest joy will be to hear the words, “Well done thou good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21).

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: The WNAC fiscal year is coming to a close. Pray that God would provide needed funds for ending in the black. Pray about giving to that end.

“And she gave him Bilhah her handmaid to wife: and Jacob went in unto her.  And Bilhah conceived and  bare Jacob a son”  (Genesis 30:4-5).

“When Leah saw that she had left bearing, she took Zilpah her maid, and gave her Jacob to wife.  And Zilpah Leah’’ maid bare Jacob a son.”” (Genesis 30:9-10)

I chose two Scripture passages for today’s devotion; both mention surrogates. In Old Testament times, a woman who was barren faced shame and disgrace.  Bilhah served as surrogate for Rachel and Zilpah for Leah.

These women were merely used as vessels, but, in the process they bore sons who were part of the twelve tribes of Israel. In spite of the sacrifice these women made, they at least had the honor of giving birth to Dan, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for Christians in Nigeria, a constant target for extremist-led violence in these past few months.

“And Hagar bare Abram a son: and Abram called his name, which Hagar bare, Ishmael” (Genesis 16:15).

Hagar, the Egyptian slave had become a secondary wife to Abram. Sarai had been barren and in her impatience, used a surrogate to obtain God’s covenant child. Hagar was used as a means to hurry God’s plan.  In the midst of Hagar’s adversity God saw her distress and heard her cries. He made a promise to her which is found in Genesis 16:10.

I found the following at a website, www.bible.org  “The name of Hagar’s child served to commemorate the compassion of God for the afflicted. Ishmael means literally, ‘God hears.’ Even when it is the chosen of God who are the source of affliction, God hears and cares for the down-trodden. This truth did much to carry Hagar through the difficult years that lay ahead.”

Many times in life we grow impatient waiting on an answer from God.  In the process we run ahead of Him.  God wants what is best for us. However, too many times we fail to wait for this.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for deacons and their families during this busy season.

“And he said, Hagar, Sarai’s maid, whence camest thou? and whither wilt thou go? And she said, I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai. And the angel of the Lord said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands” (Genesis 16:8-9).

Sarai, as well as Abram, had a lapse in faith. As a result, Hagar was caught in the middle of a problem that could have been avoided. When we fail to trust God for the outcome, problems will always arise. In spite of mistakes and presumptions made, God was still there. His promise to Abram would be delayed, while He tried to clean up the mess made in Genesis 16.  God saw the distress of Hagar and the angel admonished her to go back to her mistress. I think the angel’s question, “Where are you going?,” brought Hagar to the reality of her situation   She was going to have to face the consequences of her fleeing and forsaking her duties.

Maybe you find yourself running from God for one reason or the other. Stop and ask yourself, “Where am I going?”  We pray it will lead you back to the Master.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for FWB Chaplains ministering in combat areas this holiday season.

“But Abram said unto Sarai, Behold thy maid is in thy hand; do to her as it pleaseth thee.  And when Sarai dealt hardly with her, she fled from her face.  And the angel of the Lord found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur” (Genesis 16:6-7).

As we read Genesis 16, we find much tension within Abram’s household.  From all indications,  Sarai must have regretted giving Hagar to Abram “to wife.”  She was miserable and went to Abram with her complaint. She may have wanted him to be the one to deal with the matter. However, Abram told her she should deal with Hagar, her handmaid.  Sarai “dealt hardly with her.”  Hagar, who had been basking in the glow of carrying Abram’s child, would be brought down from her lofty attitude.  When her pride and physical being could no longer bear the harsh treatment, she fled.   However, she forgot she had a duty to serve her mistress as a bondwoman. She might have thought she could flee back to Egypt, but she would have to return to Sarai.

How many times when we have strayed away from God did we think we could really get away with it?  If the Lord is the master of our lives, be thankful He is watching out for us that we don’t veer too far away.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for Christmas outreaches in FWB church plants across the globe this season.

“Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to live in a way that pleases God, as we have taught you.  You are doing this already, and we encourage you to do so more and more”  (1 Thessalonians 4:1 NLT).

“Living for Jesus, a life that is true.  Striving to please Him in all that we do…”

Got it down pat, have you?  Your Sunday schedule is set in stone—worship, out to lunch and a nap.  On Wednesday nights you make three out of four prayer meetings during the month.  You’ve had your picture taken for the church directory and over the past year have taken nine casseroles/desserts/salads for potlucks and funeral dinners.

You must be worn out—and so pleased for your participation.

What about the “more and more” part mentioned in today’s Bible reading?  Are you doing it?

What might “more and more” living look like?  Well, all I can share is how God’s pricked my heart.

Write Sunday’s check for a little more than usual—regardless of the bills you know you have coming due.

Send a couple more cards than you usually eek out through the week—you know the response you get when you do.

Spend a little more time in prayer, off the computer and with the television off—and without having an emergency.

Forget the list of committees and boards you’re on—ask the pastor where he might need your help.

“More and more” has convicted me this morning, and now I’m passing it on to you.

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for special Christmas projects your church or WAC group is participating in this year.