Daily Treasure

“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ my rest upon me” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Most of us are familiar with Paul and his “thorn in the flesh.”  He had prayed three times for it to be removed. According to The Living Bible we find these words: “Each time He said, No.. But I am with you; that is all you need.  My power shows up best in weak people.” “Now I (Paul) am glad to boast about how weak I am; I am glad to be a living demonstration of Christ’s power, instead of showing off my own power and abilities.”
When we go through any form of adversity, it’s not always easy to give praise to God.  How lighter our burden would be if we could learn to give Him the glory in all things.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Army Chaplain Terry Austin (San Antonio, Texas)  asks prayer for these requests: His wife Mona’s health; issues affecting military ministry (same sex unions); military members currently deployed.

Read Mark 5:25-34.
Today’s verses are Mark’s version of  the story of the woman with the issue of blood. This week we will focus on why confession plays a part in this woman’s healing.  It is amazing to me that people use Christ as a last resort.  I remember reading a pamphlet in a doctor’s office about chronic pain that included a list of ways to deal with pain. Last on the list was, “Turn things over to God.” This should be first not last. We want to analyze God’s delay; in doing this, our thinking gets distorted.
The woman in our story was past figuring out things on her own. She believed if she could just touch His garment, she could be made whole. The multitude may have contained people as desperate as she, but her last thread of hope lay in touching His garment.  She may have had only the faith of a mustard seed, but that would be enough.  That faith would lead to her spiritual and physical healing; the moment she touched His garment, she was immediately healed.

It’s wonderful to know He knows our names and what we need.  When we get to the point where we surrender all to the Lord, God can work a miracle in our lives as well.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for Pray for expectant moms Alicia Crowe (November, Japan) and Rachel (November, THP Spain). Both Alicia and Rachel have had difficult pregnancies and deliveries in the past. Pray moms and babies remain healthy. Ask God to provide safe deliveries.

“You were getting along so well.  Who has interfered with you to hold you back from following the truth?”  (Galatians 5:7 NLT).

It’s someone’s fault; that’s to be noted up front. It always is.

But who should we blame when our Christian walks wander off the prescribed path? When our Bible time is pushed aside day after day and week after week?  When our prayer life becomes non-existent?  When missing another church service is easier this Sunday than last?  When our attitudes stick and our influence is less than godly?

Should we blame our pastors?  Our Sunday School teachers? Our parents and our pasts, even though the majority of us are grown, make-our-own-choices adults? Our society?
Or (hold on now),  should we place the blame where the blame lies…in ourselves?

We are the only ones capable of giving our time and attentions away.  We determine where to spend our time, what to do with what we know and who will set our attitudes for the day.

Hmmm, so when Paul asks whose fault it is, why we’re wavering in our faith—does he already know the answer?

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for David in his final day of teaching in a Central Asian country. Pray those whom he’s taught and trained will know greater effectiveness in ministry. Pray for safety as he journeys home tomorrow.

“This is what the Lord says, Tell the whole whole world and hold nothing back!”  (Jeremiah 50:2 NLT).

The truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth…According to God’s Word, that’s what I’m supposed to tell them.

But I know their living arrangements.
Or their lifestyle preferences.
Or their ideas on abortion, alcohol or abstinence.
Or they’re members of my church, for goodness sakes.

Or I think they know.
Or I think they’ll think I’m old fashioned.
Or I’ll leave it to God to convict them of it; after all, conviction is not my job.

Whatever the excuse, I’m not telling the world about God’s Son and God’s commandments.
I’m not sharing a better way.
I’m not talking about life-changing truths.
I’m not talking, so they’re not hearing…
The fault lies in my lap.
And what about you?

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for Ohio Women Active for Christ meeting together for their annual retreat this weekend.

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need”  (Hebrews 4:16).

As we close out this week of devotions, I hope we have gleaned something that we can cling to as we face our own plights. You may have health, financial, or spiritual issues. Whatever the circumstances, God is ready to take care of you.  You don’t have to agonize in desperation.
The NIV’s rendition of this verse reads: “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may  receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”  The Living Bible adds three words about coming to the throne of grace.  Those words are “and stay there.”  I feel many of us have lost track of the words, “pray things through.”  We may not find ourselves as desperate as those in our first week of study.  Yet, if our relationship is right with God, we don’t have to worry about coming to His throne.  Never deny the power of God and the mercy and grace He bestows. Pray for the faith you need to simply reach out to touch the “hem of His garment.”

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for Texas Women Active for Christ meeting together this weekend for their annual retreat.

“The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see, O Lord, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save!  Why dost thou show me iniquity and cause me to behold grievance? For spoiling and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife and contention”  (Habakkuk 1:1-3).

The NIV Study Bible has this to say about today’s verses: Habakkuk “had a dialogue with God. The basic theme is age-old: Why does evil seem to go unpunished?  Why does God not respond to prayer?  Violence! At this time Judah was probably under King Jehoiakim, who was ambitious, cruel, and corrupt. Habakkuk describes the social corruption and spiritual apostasy of Judah in the late seventh century B.C.”  The NIV states verse three this way: “Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds.”  As you can guess, this was Habakkuk’s complaint.  Do you ever find yourself complaining about the condition of our own nation?  Just as God had an answer for His prophet, He has one for us.

We often forget the power and sovereignty of our Savior. God has everything mapped out. He sees the total picture.  We have to trust He knows what He is doing. Our prayer for those around us as well as our nation and world would be ready to meet the Lord before the final judgment. Though Habakkuk might not have understood God’s plan for Judah, when the time was right, the Babylonians took the apostate nation of Judah captive.  God’s timing and ways are nothing like ours.  We find, at the end of the book, what Habakkuk learned.  People should put their complete trust in God no matter what the circumstances. God is bigger than any physical or spiritual problem.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for the ministry of Moms in Prayer, International (formerly Moms in Touch). Ask God about the possibility of starting or supporting such a group in your community.

“For my sighing cometh before I eat, and my roarings are poured out like the waters.  For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me. I was not in safety, neither had I rest,neither was I quiet, yet trouble came” (Job 3:24-26).

Most of us are familiar with the story of Job.  If anyone ever felt desperation, it was Job.  His faith was severely tested.  He had lost everything, especially his health. Before this, he had known the protective hedge of God around him and his family.  Now he was immersed in turmoil. But through every trial Job could say, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him:…(Job 13:15a) Today’s verses focus on Job’s plight. A lesser man would have given up long before Job spoke these words. But Job prevailed. He went from victim to victor. His story ends with Job restored and richly blessed.  He couldn’t help but know this was God’s touch on his life as he became complete again.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ. According to persecution.org, hundreds of Christians in Pakistan, Syria, Kenya, Nigeria and Libya have died within the last two weeks through attacks by radical Islamists.