Daily Treasure

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.  And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people” (Luke 2:8-10).

Imagine you are there with the shepherds tending sheep.  So far, it’s just an ordinary night. The shepherds know what to do if something tries to harm the sheep.  However, suddenly an angel appears and the glory of the Lord is shining all around you. No ordinary night now, this one is like no other.

How do you feel?  Are you afraid?  Sensing the shepherds’ fear, the angel tries to calm them and then shares this message—“good tidings of great joy.”  How humbling, yet thrilling, to hear about the birth of Jesus. More angels appear, praising God.  Fear vanishes and excitement fills the hearts of the shepherds. They go to find this precious baby in the manger, then spread the joyful news round about them.

I really love this part of the Christmas story. What makes this scene so special? The glad tidings, meant for all people, was first given to lowly shepherds. The Christmas season presents opportunities for sharing glad tidings to all.  Use these opportunities to share the good news of the gospel to those around you.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Remember our Christian brothers and sisters who are unable to attend public worship services due to governmental restrictions. Pray for added grace and strength to face these trials with joy.

“Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.  Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts” (James 4:2-3).

The Living Bible states the following: “You want what you don’t have, so you will kill to get it. You long for what others have, so you start a fight to take it away from them.  And yet the reason you don’t have what you want is that you don’t ask God for it.  And even when you do ask you don’t get it because your whole aim is wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.”

What a sad picture of our world today.  Even sadder are the ways Christian people get drawn into this web.  Is it any wonder why souls are so miserable?

If your life feels empty of joy, evaluate your motives and attitudes. It’s time to repent and ask God to restore your joy. Start anew on the path to living a life pleasing to God.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Thinking of Christmas gifts? Pray that God would give believers worldwide (including you)  boldness in sharing the best gift of all—the message of the gospel.

“For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy…” (Ecclesiastes 2:26a).

When we live a life pleasing to God, He bestows blessings upon us.  Included in the things mentioned in today’s verse is joy.

Solomon in all his wisdom and knowledge lacked joy. His great wealth and possessions couldn’t fill a void in his life. He had it all but all was vanity.  Life was meaningless without joy.

First Timothy 6:6 states, “But godliness with contentment is great gain.”  If you are one “that is good in his sight,” intangibles like wisdom, and knowledge and joy will mean more to you than any earthly treasures.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Year-end spiritual inventory? Do I have a greater vision for world evangelism? Is my heart truly burdened for those living apart from God’s grace?  Pray for a missionary by name, asking God to empower this person to effectively share the gospel. Make or revisit a list of people God has placed on your heart. Pray for their salvation or reconnection with His church.

“And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.  Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive that your joy may be full”  (John 16:23-24).

Before His death and resurrection, Jesus taught His disciples to pray (Matthew 6:9-13).   Once He ascended back to His Father, they would have direct access to the Father as they prayed in Jesus’ name. If they would do this, God would honor their prayers and grant their requests. We should rejoice that we not only have a Savior, but also a Mediator.  By God’s mercy and grace, we know the privilege of prayer. This should cause our cup of joy to overflow.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Continue in our spiritual inventory: Has my quiet time with God increased or become more meaningful? Have I witnessed any answers to prayer? Spend quality time today both in conversation with the Father and in listening to His Word.

“And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep  his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight” (1 John 3:22).

After reading several commentaries on this verse,  I came to this conclusion. If we are living a life pleasing to God, we are praying His will be done.  We won’t be prone to use God “like a genie in a bottle” as our writer mentioned. The granting of our requests, when asked in faith according to His will,  strengthens our confidence in Him to hear and answer our prayers. This assurance should bring joy and contentment to our lives.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Let’s continue our year-end spiritual inventory. Have I faithfully prayed for my pastor and his family and for church leaders (including those who serve unnoticed—nursery workers, janitor, etc.)? Breathe a special prayer for these individuals today.

“A little while later I found him and held him…”  (Song of Solomon 3:4 NLT).

Remember when you met Jesus?  When your relationship first bloomed?  The first sparks of passion, zeal and commitment?

And now?

You’ve matured.
You’ve allowed so many things to come between the two of you.
You’re too tired for passion.
You’re too level-headed for zeal.
You’re too busy for commitment.

Grab hold of Him again…and this time, don’t let go.

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: The final month of 2011 is quickly coming to an end. Time for a look back and a spiritual evaluation. Have we faithfully prayed for our President and members of Congress? Let’s focus our prayers on these leaders today.

“The Lord was with Joseph and blessed him greatly as he served in the home of his Egyptian master…The chief jailer had no more worries after that, because Joseph took care of everything.  The Lord was with him, making everything run smoothly and successfully”  (Genesis 39:2, 23 NLT).

Maybe you’re not on top of the mountain, living the life of the rich and the famous or even doing more than getting by.  Quite possibly you feel like Joseph—enslaved and imprisoned.

Look around.  When you’re feeling dragged down and defeated, look around.  Do you see God at work in the surroundings?  Do you see Him using you in the slave quarters you currently occupy or in the dungeon to which you’ve been sentenced?

Surely Joseph had to look for his blessings, too.  I doubt the shackles around his ankles were made of silk instead of steel.  I dare say his accommodations were not superior to any other slave’s in his master’s house.  Do you suppose the prison to which he was sent resembled a lush green garden and were his days filled with sunshine and flowers?  Joseph had to look for his blessings because, dear friends, not all blessings are material.

Was it an attitude of joy, peace and hope that God granted him during his tough times? Was it a heart filled with love towards those worse off than he? Was it his gut-feeling—a deep-down knowledge of being loved and used by God for something bigger, grander, more exciting?  Was he blessed by the folks to whom he ministered?  Did he talk of God to everyone he met?  Was he a missionary in his master’s house or in the jail cell?

You may be working a job you hate. You may find yourself still enslaved to a sin you’ve been battling for years.  You may be surrounded by the enemy.  You may not have all the newest, latest or grandest of things…but do you see Him where you are?

Have you been given an opportunity as the only Christian in your workplace? Are you blessed with acquaintances who have sought you out in times of need, when prayer is what will work?  Have you, out of your little, been able to share with another?

Have you been able, physically able, to talk about Christ while sitting in the chemo chair? Have you shared a church pew with your family, after a battle over the effort it took to get everyone there, pressed and clean?

If you’re God’s child, then look for His hand, His favor, His blessing in your day-to-day life.  You’ll find He is there.

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray that practices and preparations for upcoming Christmas events will honor the Lord and draw participants closer to Him.