Daily Treasure

“Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder.  Yea, all of you be subject one to the other, and be clothed with humility, for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God that he may exalt you in due time” (1 Peter 5:5-6).

These verses speak of submission and humility. We, as members of the body of Christ, must learn submission to keep the unity of the Spirit.  We must disgard the garments that don’t allow Christ to be first in our lives. We must be willing to “be clothed with humility”  and willing to daily wear this garment.

The following is taken from Adam Clarke’s notes on the Bible: “Humble yourselves—Those who submit patiently to the dispensations of God’s providence he lifts up; those who lift themselves up, God thrusts down. If we humble not ourselves under God’s grace, he will humble us under his judgments. Those who patiently submit to him, he exalts in due time; if his hand be mighty to depress, it is also mighty to exalt.”

Living in humility results in blessing and reward. Throughout this past month, I pray we have gleaned the importance of letting Jesus be.  He only wants what is best for us. Often times we become our own worst enemy because we aren’t patient enough to wait on Him.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for Elizabeth Hodges as she completes requirements for certification as a Convention Meeting Planner.

“But he giveth more grace, Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble”  (James 4:6).

A simple definition of grace contains the words, “mercy” and “pardon.”  I was always told grace was God’s unmerited favor toward man. We didn’t do a thing to earn this favor. We are humbled by His grace because we are unworthy to receive it.  If we live in humility, God will extend more grace—yet another humbling factor.

Wouldn’t you hate to feel God’s resistance because you were too proud to accept His mercy and grace? Would you be ready to face the judgment without His grace?  How you answer these questions may be a means of testing whether you are prepared to stand before God.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for Tammy Powers as she leads Virginia Women Active for Christ.

“And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure” (2 Corinthians 12:7).

Our study writer quotes Charles Spurgeon as saying, “Every Christian has a choice between being humble or being humbled.”

Within the past couple months I have alluded to the fact Paul might have had a pride issue. This could have caused him many problems in his ministry.  I feel he prayed about this., He didn’t want anything to hinder his service to the Lord.  Our verse states “there was given to me a thorn in the flesh.”  Whatever the thorn, it was a painful reminder of his need to depend completely on God.  Spurgeon’s quote exemplifies Paul; he made the right choice.

God doesn’t enjoy having to use various means to help us stay humble. But whatever it takes He will do what He knows is in our best interest to work things for our good (Romans 8:28).  As you strive to live a life of humility, be willing to accept His will. Failure to do this may result in His humbling you in some way.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for your pastor, asking God to give him humility and grace in ministering to others this week.

“And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead, And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not, I am the first and the last”  (Revelation 1:17).

Try to imagine the magnificent vision John had of Christ.  He was exiled to Patmos. There probably weren’t many distractions as he received the awesome responsibility of writing down everything revealed to him.  He wrote the book of Revelation under divine inspiration. Wouldn’t you have loved to have been with John, especially during the vision of Christ?  I think it would have felt like a foretaste of Heaven.

The song, “I Can Only Imagine,”  might have come close to what John possibly felt during his vision of Christ.  I imagine John was a bit afraid, trying to grasp His glory.   I think anyone humbled by the presence of God would have reacted the way John did.  However, God’s Mighty Hand reached down and calmed his fears when He saw John’s display of humility.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for FWBIM longtime employee Cheri Ham and her family. Through her years at International Missions, she has worn many hats and worked quietly behind the scenes.

“Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.  If I then, your Lord and Master have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.  For I have given you an example that ye should do as I have done to you.  Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his Lord , neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.   If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them”  ( John 13:13-17).

The real test of humility is how we live it day to day. Our study writer gives some great suggestions to help us with our humility lifestyle. However, it is God that equips us so we can maintain humility.  We may have to step out of our comfort zone.  We may have to get our hands dirty. Whatever we need to do, God is there with us every step of the way. In turn, we become all that He would have us to be.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for longtime FWBHM behind-the-scenes employee Kathy Brown and her family.

“So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness”  (1 John 1:6 NLT).

The holidays are here. Today is the first Sunday of Advent. Christmas program practices are underway, baking has begun and Jesus’ birthday will be here before you know it. Something else is on my calendar.  Something I await anxiously—my yearly physical.

On one hand I look forward to finding out if my exercise regimen has made any difference in my health.  On the other, well, we all know doctors have a way of bursting our bubbles, surprising us with inopportune diagnosis and suggesting more tests, just to rule a few things out.

Another exam that rolls around this time of year? A spiritual one—mentioned in the verse above.  How would you do on this exam?

I know most of you say you’re Christians, I proclaim the same—but how would we do if the clipboard were brought out and the questions started:

Are your thoughts always godly?

Are your intentions consistently focused on someone other than yourself?

Are the corners, closets and basements of your heart opened to God’s penetrating light?

Is your lifestyle one God would approve of?  Let’s be more specific:  How are you living Monday through Saturday?

Are you producing Fruit of the Spirit in your words, deeds and ambitions?

Tough test, don’t you agree?  But He tells us in His Word that what we say means very little if how we’re living doesn’t match up.  To be specific, if our talk and walk don’t match up—He calls us liars.

Take the test.  Pray about the results.  If you come to the conclusion that further tests need to be performed, seek His opinion and carry out the regimen.

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: On this first Sunday of Advent, pray that believers everywhere would covenant to make this year’s celebration more about Christ than those in past years.

“God’s ways are as hard to discern as the pathways of the wind, and as mysterious as a tiny baby being formed in a mother’s womb”  (Ecclesiastes 1:5 NLT).

As I ponder a mental list of all I’m thankful for, topping it all would be what King Solomon surmises in this verse.

I’m most glad God doesn’t think like I think.

I’m very thankful He doesn’t do for me exactly, and in every circumstance, just what I’ve asked Him to do.

I’m grateful that I don’t always see Him at work, and then am blessed beyond measure to see what He’s done.

I’m ecstatic to know the how’s, why’s, when’s and where’s of life are safe in His hands—my planner and myself are really not required.

Yep, this Thanksgiving week, I’m most thankful for the fact that God’s ways are mysterious and glorious.

What about you?

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray that year-end contributions will help put WNAC finances in the black. Is God nudging you to assist?