Daily Treasure

“Human plans, no matter how wise or well advised, cannot stand against the Lord”  (Proverbs 21:30 NLT).

Aaah! Just what I needed to hear this morning.  Just when my thoughts were leaning towards hopelessness regarding some friends and family members, He reminds me that He is God, and His plans will prevail.

You needed that reminder, too?  For your children who have wandered?  For friends who are running into the arms of godlessness?  For family members who believe (and live like) they don’t need the Lord?  For those who once lived for the Lord and have now turned their backs? (Yes, that’s still called backsliding.)

I can look over my prayer list and give a half-smile.  I can now glance past the names and the heartache I feel for each one. You see, they don’t know what they have in store.  God wants them back—and when God wants something, you can pretty well take it to the bank that He’ll get whatever it is.

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Today is National Back to Church Sunday. Pray that across this nation, many will return to churches and find peace with God.

“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).

Many of us could write a lengthy essay on today’s verse. Many have preached sermons and taught extensively regarding this issue.  After much research, here are my thoughts.

Albert Barnes states, “There is no danger that more constantly besets Christians, and even eminent Christians, than pride. There is no sin that is more subtile, insinuating, deceptive; none that lurks more constantly around the heart and that finds a more ready entrance, than pride.”

Paul associates this thorn with self-exaltation or pride. Did Paul deal with a pride problem from time to time? Knowing how much Paul’s salvation meant to him, I don’t think he desired that pride become an issue in his life. Yet to keep pride at bay, Paul was given a “thorn in the flesh?” Though this may sound cruel, God actually used this for his good. Remember the story of Job and how God allowed Satan to put him to the test? The “thorn”, the “messenger of Satan” was, in a sense, a test for Paul. (From all indications both he and Job passed.)

Much debate exists about the identity of this “thorn.”   Some think it had something to do with his eyes. When he was tempted to give in to pride, the sharp pain identified with that “thorn” was a reminder to go to God.   Paul prayed for it to be removed three times, God told him, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”  After these words in 2 Corinthians 12:9,  Paul realized his infirmity was something that would cause him to ever be dependent on the Lord.  Instead of bemoaning the fact, he was grateful. What will God do to help rid your life of a pride problem?  Pray for His help in overcoming pride. Be willing to accept, as Paul did, whatever measures He must take to resolve this matter.

Now that we are more aware of pride’s author (Satan) and how he tempts even the most devoted believers with pride, we will turn our focus next week to the topic of  “Self-Righteousness.” Our study writer describes it as “one of the greatest hindrances to true spirituality.”

“For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God” (Romans 10:3).

Out of various commentaries, I like The Living Bible‘s words concerning today’s verse.  “For they don’t understand that Christ has died to make them right with God. Instead they are trying to make themselves good enough to gain God’s favor by keeping the Jewish laws and customs, but that is not God’s way of salvation.”  We live in a world of people trying to “establish their own righteousness.”  In doing so, they tend to leave God out of the equation.  In addition, they remain lost in their sins.  Man can never make himself  “good enough to gain God’s favor.”  The only thing such ignorance and pride reveals is a heart and life not submitted to God.

Acts 17:29-30 states “Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we out not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device. And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent:”

There was a time when God may have “winked” or overlooked man’s ignorance.  That all changed when Jesus came as “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).

If you know someone trying to live life his or her own way, point this person to Christ.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for relief workers assisting with help and cleanup from recent earthquakes and flooding in

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for workers assisting with care and cleanup from recent earthquakes and simultaneous flooding in China. Areas affected, rural Yunnan and Guizhou, are among China’s poorest regions.

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Submission to Him is really the only way to live.

“Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works; for they say and do not.  For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and  lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.  But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments.  And love the uppermost rooms at feasts in the synagogues, And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi” (Matthew 23:1-7).

When Christians want to cite an example of hypocrisy, they often start with today’s verses. The scribes and the Pharisees were supposed to be the religious leaders of their day.  The Pharisees made sure people knew exactly who they were.  They were boastful and arrogant, filled with selfish pride. They were pretty wrapped up in themselves.  The packaging was found on their special garments and the boxes of Scripture verses worn predominately on their foreheads and arms. It was obvious they did all they did, in the name of the Lord, “to be seen of men.”  I would think it a mockery to call any of them “Rabbi.”  God was not pleased with the actions of the Pharisees. In various portions of Scripture, Christ pronounced several woes and judgments upon them.

Ephesians 2:8-9 states “For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.  Not of works, lest any man should boast.”  Remember these verses, along with those you read today. They may help when you feel pride creeping into your life and you begin imitating the Pharisees.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray that workers in Bible distribution ministries such as the Gideons, Bible League, Bible Foundation, Bibles Unbound and many others, would find open doors for both giving and communicating God’s Word.

“How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:  I will ascend above the heights of the clouds: I will be like the most High”  (Isaiah 14:12-14).

Lucifer was once a beautiful angel of light until he developed  “I” trouble. He became so wrapped up in himself.  He was so full of pride and this became his downfall.  Pride will also be the downfall of all who are tricked into trusting him instead of God.

Satan, devil, Lucifer, Son of the Morning….Whatever you want to call this evil creature, you must be aware of his tricks, his disguises, and lies. The only way you can is to fully trust in God and spend time with Him daily.  It means daily putting on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6), because the devil will do everything he can to win you back. His power is limited, but he appears more powerful when you are most vulnerable..

We should strive to be like God, but never be God or try to take His place like old Lucifer wanted to do. In Isaiah 14:15 we see what will eventually happen to Satan. He is working overtime to take as many as he can with him.  Don’t allow pride to be his means of destroying you.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray today for FWBHM staff member Teresa Womack, as she coordinates missionary itineraries, processes faith promise commitments and serves as the office liaison in scheduling church and areawide missionary conferences.

“For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world..” (1 John 2:16).

One of my favorite commentators is Matthew Henry. He makes these statements about today’s verse: “The things of the world are classed according to the three ruling inclinations of depraved nature. 1. The lust of the flesh, of the body: wrong desires of the heart, the appetite of indulging all things that excite and inflame sensual pleasures. 2. The lust of the eyes: the eyes are delighted with riches and rich possessions; this is the lust of covetousness. 3. The pride of life: a vain man craves the grandeur and pomp of a vain-glorious life; this includes thirst after honour and applause.”  I would add that we can see the origin of pride is not of the Father. So that leaves Satan as the god of this world system.

A warning comes with lustful pride. This is found in James 1:15, “Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death” (James 1:15).   To avoid the trappings of this world, turn your life over to Jesus and give Him full control.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray today for FWBIM director of finances, Rob Conley, as he seeks to handle God’s money wisely and use it most effectively for Kingdom advances.

“Whatever us specially set apart for the Lord also belongs to you”  (Numbers 18:14 NLT).

I don’t know what experience ushered you from childhood into the grown-up world, but for me this meant sitting at the big table.

At both of my grandparents’ homes. kids required special accommodations for big meals.  At Grandma Browning’s house, the little ones sat on the front porch—either on the glider or at low tables Grandpa set up just for us.  At Grandma Lawrence’s house, we sat on the staircase with our plates perched precariously on our little laps.

I’m pretty certain each of my cousins remembers as vividly as I do the special day each of us was invited to the big table.  The awe.  The excitement.  The jealous looks from the smaller cousins.  The conversations.  The platters of food.  Getting to sit by Grandma or Grandpa.

We used every single manner we could muster.  We used the butter knife with finesse.  We passed the dishes like a pro.  We gingerly used the salt and pepper shaker because it was there, not because anything needed it.  We drank from the real glasses.  Being deemed worthy of the big table was certainly a special occasion.

And today?  Those years are long passed, but this morning I read that I’ve been considered worthy by my Lord.  He has included me.  He has endowed me with special rights.  He has chosen me to receive more than I deserve or could expect.  He has cleaned me up and dressed me for dinner.  He has seated me at the big table with Him.

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray that fellowship meals or group gatherings planned at your church would unify your congregation and communicate love and acceptance to guests who attend.