Daily Treasure

“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?  For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

I’m sure we’ve all heard the phrase, “No one can tell me what to do. I’m my own person.”   That is a very prideful statement.  To let go of that pride, we must realize Who we belong to.  Our verses should give us a clear picture of who we are, in Christ.

There is no room for negative pride.  I say that because I’m proud to be a child of the King.  Every emotion, including pride, needs to be under His control.  It is a way of staying humble—to realize all He’s done to pay the ultimate price for our souls.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for members of the Wycliffe Bible Translators ministry family as they grieve the passing of Forrest Flaniken Jr. The 53-year-old senior vice president was killed Sunday, October 14, when a drunk driver struck the bicycle he was riding.

“Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12).

If you are going to let go of pride, you will need to catch yourself before you fall.  Look over the list of pride indicators and see what areas you need to work on.

Don’t become over-confident. Trust the Lord to help you live in humility. It all boils down to pride prevention.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for associate missionaries Stephen and Rejyna Beck and their children as they minister together in St. Croix, Virgin Islands.

“Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips, for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts” (Isaiah 6:5).

Our last week of study emphasizes the need to let go of pride. Today’s verse should not only open your eyes, but keep them open.  Isaiah got a glimpse of God and saw how undone and unworthy he was in the process.  When pride creeps in, dispel it with a picture of a holy God who cannot condone any sin.  Imagine you are in His presence.  It will humble you beyond measure.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray continued recovery for Eddie Bowerman, former FWBIM missionary to Panama, who recently received a liver transplant.

“About that time, Hezekiah became deathly ill.  He prayed to the Lord, who healed him and gave him a miraculous sign.  But Hezekiah did not respond appropriately to the kindness showed to him, and he became proud”  (2 Chronicles 32:25 NLT).

Well, I’ve jumped head-long into another tough situation.  I had the very best of intentions when I sought God’s direction in more areas of my life—those I need to be more involved in and those I need to drop like hot potatoes.  I asked expecting.  And now?  Now God’s answering in hugely evident ways.

Like today’s verse.

I struggle with pride.

Always have.

But then again, you probably guessed that by the verse He spotlighted in my Scripture reading today.

I have a long record of inappropriate responses.  I’ve walked away from several ministry opportunities that have left me with a sore arm—from patting myself on the back.

So?  Pride is the next life lesson I’ll be working on.  I’m going to start by adjusting my attitude to one of Christlikeness instead of the one I’ve been sporting.  I’m going to change my outlook to one that seeks to place God first and to glorify Him—to give Him back the microphone if you will.

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for your church musicians today as they help guide your heart to worship.

“Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit” (Psalm 51:14).

What a glorious feeling! That once-severed relationship with God has been mended.

Asking Him to restore the joy we once had is the only thing left to do.  Remember when necessary, ask Him to help us overcome pride or any other sin.  Go to I John 1:9.  It contains what we need to conquer sin.

The last week of our study is entitled, “Letting Go of Pride.”  If you have gleaned much from our study so far, you are probably ready for this to happen.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for Executive Committee members Jonda Patton and Pam Hackett who are both facing health challenges.

“Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions” (Psalm 51:1).

Once we have admitted our sin and chosen to repent, it’s time to ask for mercy.  It’s also time for a cleansing.   With love and mercy, He stands ready to offer us both.

Rejoice because He has forgiven us.  He now has room in our hearts to live. Praise God!

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for WNAC finances. Ask God to supply needed funds for daily operations.

“I tell you, Nay, but except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3, 5).

Some may think pride is not that big of a sin.  God doesn’t categorize sin. Those who sin will perish. When Jesus was posed a question about those who might be considered worse sinners He replied with today’s verse.  He even repeated it for emphasis.

While there is still time, God warns all to repent or they will suffer the consequences of their sins.  Romans 6:23a states, “for the wages of sin is death…”  However the rest of the verse gives hope—”the gift of God is eternal life.”  What will it be, repent or perish?

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for Christians under attack in Nigeria.