Daily Treasure

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:  and lo I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Matthew 28:19-20).

This third day of PreThanksgiving Week of Prayer offers us a look at the gift of  “shepherding/mentoring.” Our missionary focus is Janice Wallace who works with her husband Ron in Fairbanks, Alaska.  Janice possesses a “shepherding heart.”  One source defines shepherd as “a person who protects, guides, or watches over a person or group of people.”  Others see these qualities in Janice as she works for the Lord in a vastly isolated area.

Today’s Scripture is a familiar one—we are to go and make disciples. When we describe this process, we’re apt to use the word mentor.   It’s one thing to witness and see a person saved.  It’s another thing to follow up and help that person grow in Christ.  Think of those who mentored you.  If it weren’t for the love and patience people exhibited toward me, no telling where I would be.  I thank God for the women who helped shape my life. Many have gone on to meet the Lord, but their legacy lives on.

How will people remember you?  Will people say you, too, had a “shepherd’s heart?”

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for Janice and other home missionary wives who possess the spiritual gift of shepherding. Today is also Day 37 of 40 days of Prayer and Fasting with International Missions. (Follow the link to read this day’s request.)

“But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin”  (Hebrews 3:13).

On day two of PreThanksgiving Week of Prayer we spotlight Christy Reynolds who labors with her husband Bill in North Kingstown, Rhode Island.  She shares the gift of exhortation or encouragement, and in doing so, seeks to enlist others to join in the planting and growing of a FWB church there in North Kingstown. Christy’s organizational skills and pleasant demeanor help motivate and nurture children and adults alike in this exciting ministry.

If ever people needed us as encouragers, it is now.  It’s time to stop judging or being critical and replace these actions with kind, encouraging words.  If you haven’t discovered your gift, or if you think we have no gift, explore the gift of exhortation.  You may have just the words others need that will make an eternal difference in their lives.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for Christy and other home missionary wives who exercise the spiritual gift of exhortation. Today is also Day 36 of 40 days of Prayer and Fasting with International Missions. (Follow the link to read this day’s request.)

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him”  (Hebrews 11:6).

This week we will pause to commemorate the PreThanksgiving Week of Prayer.  I love the theme title “Hand in Hand.”  It really fits with using our spiritual gifts.  Though each day we will focus on one particular missionary wife, we ask you to be much in prayer for every missionary family serving with FWBHM.  We commend them all for using their spiritual gifts to spread the gospel.

Today, as we focus on the gift of FAITH we think of Donna Thomas who serves with her husband Mark in Pueblo, Colorado. Donna is a good example of one who understands, through facing difficult circumstances, what it is to trust God.  She knows without faith she couldn’t carry out her daily tasks and mission work, and neither can we.  Added to her daily routine is the care of a mentally disabled child; Donna shares her gift of faith as she ministers in Colorado.

As we take time to reflect on the work and workers of  Free Will Baptist National Home Missions, may we resolve to have a stronger faith that pleases God and to share that faith with those around us.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for Donna Thomas and other home missionary wives who share the spiritual gift of faith. Today is also Day 35 of 40 days of Prayer and Fasting with International Missions. (Follow the link to read this day’s request.)

This is also day one of

“We believe that we are all saved the same way, by the special favor of the Lord Jesus”  (Acts 15:11 NLT).

Do we? Oh, sure we know there’s only One way to salvation—through the saving blood of Christ.  But do we pause momentarily to ponder the thought of the special favor bestowed on us by God?  Are our meditations occasionally wretched free of habit and thrown into honest praise, admiration and awe of what He’s done to save us from hell?

Special favor.  Not repayment for all we’ve done.  Not genetic distribution.  Not racially, socially or denominationally determined to fall into our laps.

You and I, dear friend, are saved only by the special favor of the Lord Jesus.

How will that realization change your day?

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Today is Day 34 of 40 days of Prayer and Fasting with International Missions. (Follow the link to read daily requests from both International and Home Missions.)

“…He has done what he said he would do” ( Zechariah 1:7b NLT).

That phrase really jumped out at me this morning.  It’s like it was written in bold print or spotlighted with a high-intensity beam of light.

It spoke to my heart.  It began processes in my head.

It’s true.

God is the only one who has done just what He said He would do.

My husband intends to pick milk up from the grocery, but forgets.

My son, I’m sure, has the greatest intentions to pick up his room, but alas, clothes remain on the floor.

The sales clerk assures me he will be available when it comes time to install my new printer, and then leaves for lunch.

People disappoint, err, fail and fall short of what they say they will do.  Human limitations are sometimes the reason.  Emergencies come up.  Lies are uncovered.

But God?  He has never and will never fail to do what He says He will do.

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Today is Day 33 of 40 days of Prayer and Fasting with International Missions. (Follow the link to read daily requests from both International and Home Missions.)

“Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.  These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee”  (Titus 2:13-15).

We have a message of hope for a lost and dying world.  By the authority of the Word of God, we must take a stand and share that message. These verses contain that message. You may be given the opportunity  to encourage or even rebuke, if necessary. But don’t back down.  Don’t let anyone despise you for speaking the truth.

Even if we don’t think we have the gift of exhortation, we can all be body builders and encourage one another in the faith.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Today is Day 32 of 40 days of Prayer and Fasting with International Missions. (Follow the link to read daily requests from both International and Home Missions.)

“But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry”  (2 Timothy 4:5).

Timothy had the gift to minister. I picture him as a great itinerate preacher who could preach and teach.  He had a great teacher who didn’t forget to warn him of some possible obstacles he would have to face as he served the Lord.  As we use our gifts for the Lord, we may encounter people or circumstances that could hinder us. The devil is there to set up roadblocks. However, “greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4b).

No matter what we may endure, the most joyful place to be is in the center of God’s will.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray that God would grant WNAC Executive Committee members wisdom and guidance for making decisions at their semiannual meeting beginning this evening in Nashville, TN.
Today is also Day 31 of 40 days of Prayer and Fasting with International Missions. (Follow the link to read daily requests from both International and Home Missions.)