Daily Treasure

“Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted.  Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the gates of death.  Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses. He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing (Psalm 107:17-22).
Matthew Henry wrote these comments concerning today’s verses.

“They hurt their bodily health by intemporance, and endanger their lives by indulging their appetitites. This their way is their folly.  The weakness of the body is the effect of sickness.  It is by the power and mercy of God that we are recovered  from sickness, and it is our duty to be thankful.   All Christ’s miraculous cures were emblems of his healing diseases of the soul. It is also to be applied to the spiritual cures which the Spirit of grace works.  He sends his word, and heals souls; convinces, converts them, makes them holy, and all by the word.  Even in common cases of recovery from sickness, God in his providence speaks, and it is done; by his word and  Spirit the soul is restored to health and holiness.”

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for David Crowe as he plans and prepares to officially assume the role of Home Missions Department Director on January 1. Pray that this transition will proceed smoothly both in the Home Missions office and within the denomination.

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.  It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones” (Proverbs 3:5-8).

The Living Bible commentary says this concerning today’s Scripture. “If you want favor with both God and man, and a reputation for good judgment and common sense, then trust the Lord complrtely;don’t ever trust yourself. In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success.  Don’t be conceited, sure of your own wisdom. Instead, trust and reverence the Lord, and turn your back on evil; when you do that, then you will be given renewed health and vitality.”

I would only add to those statements, choose to trust God and  take Him at His Word.  That is indeed a healthy choice.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for MKs (missionary kids) as they continue their adjustments to school. Whether overseas or in the States, ask God to provide capable, caring teachers; furnish good, safe friendships; ease students’ adjustment to new cultures or schooling situations; and use these transitions to teach life lessons about true dependence on Him. Several MKs have been sick over the last week or so. Pray for good health and ask God to help them as they try to keep up with classwork. (Source: FWBIM)

“You have seen everything the Lord your God has done for you during my lifetime.  The Lord your God has fought for you against your enemies.  I have allotted to you as an inheritance all the land of the nations yet unconquered, as well as the land of those we have already conquered–from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea in the west.  This land will be yours, for the Lord your God will drive out all the people living there now.  You will live there instead of them, just as the Lord your God promised you”  (Joshua 23:3-5 NLT)

It doesn’t take long sitting in any Sunday School class, prayer meeting or gathering of God’s kids to realize that some of us are going through some trying times—some wilderness experiences, some desert wanderings, some very low valleys.

Just to encourage your heart, I want you to remember:  This is not all there is.

God has planned for us some of the most lovely mountaintops.  Places where we can see the heights to which He’s enabled us to climb.  Spots where we seem closer to Him than we’ve ever been.

God also has in store for us some very fertile river land.  Acres upon acres of land waiting for us to use in producing fruit.

Another piece of prime real estate He has set aside for us?  Beach-front property.  For the Israelites, it was the promise of the Mediterranean.  For us, it’s the vastness of the beach, the calming effects of the waves, the relaxation of the sunshine and fresh air—faith, peace and joy.

Which land deal are you settling for?

Think He won’t come through on His end of the bargain?  Reflect back on the detours He’s walked you through, the scenery He’s allowed you to view, the souvenirs of faith He’s allowed you to accumulate over the years of traveling.

Will you keep traveling toward what He’s promised you?  Won’t it be worth it?
C’mon, fellow traveler—let’s keep moving towards the Promised Land.

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for fall outreach events (Harvest Parties, Trunk or Treats) planned by your church or other Bible-believing churches in your community.

“But I fear that somehow you will be led away from your pure and simple devotion to Christ, just as Eve was deceived by the serpent”  (2 Corinthians 11:3 NLT).

Someone prayed for me.

I recently had the humbling opportunity to speak at the church in which I grew up.  I stood behind a podium just a few feet from where I accepted Christ as my Savior.  I looked into a few faces that were there the Easter Sunday morning I gave my heart to the Lord.

And I cried.

And I laughed.

You see, the verse this morning reminds me that all those years ago (approximately 36 years), someone prayed I would stay close to the God I met at that altar.  Someone prayed that I would not be led away from His service.  Someone prayed that I would not be drawn away from His side.  Someone prayed that that moment in history would forever be etched on my heart.  Someone prayed that God would deepen the relationship began that Easter Sunday.

And here I am.

Oh, don’t get me wrong–there have been bumps in the road, but I’m still with God.  He’s never left my side and I have never wandered far enough away that I didn’t know my way back.  I’ve questioned.  He’s seemed distant.  I’ve balked.  He’s remained firm and unmoving.  I’ve wanted more and more and more.  He’s proved to be all I need.

I believe it’s because of the prayers of folks at that time in my life.

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Examine your heart. For whom are you regularly and consistently praying? Is it time to make a prayer list? Or return to one you’ve neglected?

“And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole: go in peace, and be whole of thy plague” (Mark 5:34).

Whatever version of the story you may read, in the woman healed of her issue of blood,  you will see a  picture of  faith.  She had to believe she could find healing even if it meant just touching the hem of His garment.  She didn’t let the press of the multitude around Jesus cause her to give up.  Even when she was spotted in the crowd, she was convicted to tell the truth when Jesus asked, “Who touched me?”

The touch of His garment had started the healing process. The words of today’s verse affirmed the fact she had been made complete, physically and spiritually.  She is an example of what faith and confession can do in a person’s life.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for WNAC team members as they prepare materials and messages for the upcoming CAST (Central Asian Sisters’ Training) events in April 2014.

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:9-10).

As devasting as some illnesses may be, none can compare to the sinsick soul.  We find in today’s verses the prescription from the Great Physician.  The plan of salvation is not as complicated as some folks would make it.  Even after we are saved, we need to follow up with the Great Physcian.(1 John 1:9)
Whatever it takes for you to be made whole, be willing to trust God for whatever the need. Maybe it involves a physical or spiritual healing, or perhaps both. The woman in our Bible study received both.  Healing began with the touch of His garment. Tomorrow we will witness Christ’s declaration to this woman. In desperation she reached out and was made whole.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for the ministry of the Gideons International, and for its members who help fund and participate in the distribution of God’s Word across the globe.

“Confess your faults one to another and pray for one another, that ye may be healed…” (James 5:16a).
Www.biblegateway.com offers these interesting insights on today’s verse.
“Prayer is the encompassing instruction, because it is the right course of action for the full range of life-situations and for any one in these situations: Pray in times of trouble, pray in times of happiness, and pray in times of sickness.” 

I especially like the vision James had for the body of Christ. “James is writing about spiritual freedom given to the church. This freedom happens because ‘the Lord is full of compassion and mercy,’ and in that mercy James exults.  Picture this exultation happening in modern churches, and you have something of James’ vision: elders leading with spiritul authority in the name of Jesus; Christians praising God joyfully, confessing their sins openly and  praying for each other lovingly; the church together experiencing spiritual cleansing and physical healing. This is the exciting power of prayer.”  I agree with James that prayer brings results.”The conviction that prayer brings results was implicit in James 5:13-14. It becomes explicit in James 5:15-16.with James’ assurance of four results. The prayer will make the sick person well….the Lord will raise him up…he will be forgiven…so that you may be healed. The first result, make well is the NIV’s translationof the verb sosei ‘will save.’  It is a proper translation for this context, where ‘will save’ is in the sense of healing rather than spiritual salvation.”

I conclude that it is possible to receive physical, as well as, spiritual healing through the power of prayer.  We must be willing to confess whatever the need  to God.  We must also be willing to go to our brothers and sisters in Christ, enlisting their prayer support.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for individuals in your church who suffer from chronic illnesses. Why not send at least one of them a card, acknowledging your prayers and concern?