Daily Treasure

“Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.  But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 10:32-33).

Most of us are familiar with the story of Peter who denied Christ three different times. No matter how much we profess to know Jesus as our Lord and Savior, if we’re truly honest we’ll have to admit at times we’ve denied Him, not speaking of Him or speaking out for Him to others.

Today’s verses make very plain the consequences of either confessing or denying Him before men.  Stop and think about what it will be like to stand before God, knowing we have denied Him—knowing we didn’t seize opportunities to take a stand for His Son.

But Peter’s story doesn’t end with his denial. How wonderful that God knows and forgives and restores. Let God’s grace serve as a reminder and motivator today to share this good news; confess Him before men.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for the congregation of Collista FWB Church, Hager Hill, KY, whose building was completely destroyed by last week’s round of tornadoes. Pray for the Master’s Men Disaster Relief Team as they mobilize to help in the cleanup and rebuilding.

“Sing unto the Lord, bless his name, show forth his salvation from day to day” (Psalm 96:2).

Remember show and tell? I’m not sure this is done much any more in schools, but I remember, as a child, those special days. It was fun to share even though you felt a little nervous standing in front of class. You had something special. You wanted to show it and talk about it.

We have accepted the plan of salvation. The world needs us to “show and tell.”  Proclaim to others how special salvation is and be willing to talk about it. Do this in song, in words of praise, and most importantly, do it daily.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for Bible Conference speakers and attendees this week at Free Will Baptist Bible College.

“Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest” (Luke 10:2).

The title of this month’s study is “Quite a Stretch.”  Those of us who exercise by choice or through therapy understand the need to stretch. Physically, after a good warm up, stretching is beneficial to your exercise regiment. It minimizes injury, especially if you are a beginner at trying to build a healthier body. If stretching is done properly, it can enhance your performance.

From a spiritual perspective, if we’re going to be Body builders, we’re going to have to come out of our comfort zone, and stretch beyond our serving capacity. I’m reminded of the old song, “My House is Full.”  Many want to be everywhere else but in the harvest.  As we pray our verse, ask ourselves: How willing  are we to be a labourer?

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for WNAC Executive Director Elizabeth Hodges today.

Church attendance continues to decline.  Some churches only meet once a week. It must sadden the heart of Jesus to see the lack of church growth. Does it upset you as well?

I like how our study writer begins this week dealing with “Barriers to Growth.”  Think about your own church and its outreach program. Or does your church have one? It’s a sobering thought our writer shares, “churches that do not grow will die.”  Is it just your church that needs to “stretch”?  Or, just as important, what about you?   The “harvest” demands us to “stretch” our limits. Jesus is coming soon. Will He finding you working in the fields?

“Micah set up a shrine and he made a sacred ephod and some household idols.  Then he installed one of his sons as the priest.  In those days Israel had no king, so the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes”  (Judges 17:5-6 NLT).

You wouldn’t dare, you say to yourself.  Idols?  Statues to worship?  Never—it’s against God’s law.

Did you notice what Micah’s gods were called?  Household idols.  House related.  Things around the house.  Nothing elaborate.  Not necessarily made of gold or silver.  Things that distracted but didn’t really look as sinful as what they were.

Are you still saying you wouldn’t?  Haven’t?  Couldn’t?

The things I worship do not sit on an altar.  The things that draw my attention away from God aren’t always flashy.  The idols I set up and spend time, effort and money on may not look exactly like Micah’s—but it’s 2012, after all.

The cleaners I use to ensure that my house shines and looks as nice as Sister So-and-So’s.  The certain balance I want to keep in my checkbook—a comfortable balance.  The extracurricular events that portray a well-rounded family.  The lawn that needs mowing on Sunday, always on Sunday, only on Sunday and every Sunday.  The computer that steals my time away from beneficial things.  The issues I allow to ruin my day of rest and my focus on worship.

I’m guessing our household gods look a lot alike.  Sad, isn’t it?

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for those involved in cleanup efforts from this past week’s barrage of storms. Trust God to redeem these losses for His glory and pray for opportunities to share God’s love and grace to those without hope.

“The righteous will move onward and forward, and those with pure hearts will become stronger and stronger”  (Job 17:9 NLT).

In a time when Christians are being pushed around and portrayed as fools in the media. In an age where toleration is appreciated, conviction to godly morals is offensive and pressure from high places of stardom make more of an influence than what comes from the pulpit…I have good news. Well, I don’t, God does: “The righteous will move onward and forward, and those with pure hearts will become stronger and stronger.”

The Christians (those really living it, not just claiming it as a title) are going to win.  The church of the Living God will arise and honor Him.  The remnant of believers living in the out of the way places will stand up and be counted.

God’s Word will be promoted.  God’s way will prevail.  God’s judgment will fall on those who have mocked, sneered and attempted to downplay its importance to man.

So?  So, I tell you all this so you can know, while watching the news or reading the paper, that although it may look as if we’re behind in scoring in this last quarter, we’re still going to win.

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: This past week marked the anniversary of the tsunami that destroyed much of Japan and devastated its peoples. Pray for believers still involved in recovery efforts; pray also that this remembrance will speak to many about their need to follow God.

Onward and forward, Team Christ!  Go, go, go!

“And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity” (1 Corinthians 13:13).

Paul had written the Love Chapter to dispel any confusion about what was even greater than any of the spiritual gifts mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12.  Having and using any or all spiritual gifts is of no value if they lack love.  The love of God should motivate us today to put our love into action. We must use our gifts wisely. We will become more effective as  body builders because we know the truth of today’s verse.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for adequate finances to maintain WNAC ministries.

“Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:7-8a).

As we begin to wrap up our February Treasure study, let us look one more time at charity or love.  The NIV Bible puts today’s passage into these words:  (Charity) always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”  In Heaven, love will be perfected.  Matthew Henry adds, “Where God is seen as He is, and face to face, there charity is in its greatest height; there only will it be perfected.”  Our labors of love will not be in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58b).

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray that FWBIM missionaries “grounded” stateside would quickly be able to return to their fields of service. Pray that God would supply needed funds to make this possible.