Daily Treasure

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).

I once heard an evangelist tell the story of a new convert who struggled with temptation. The man told the preacher every time he tried to do what’s right, the devil kept knocking on his door. The preacher quickly advised him to stop getting up to answer the door. This might seem a bit silly, but, isn’t that good advice?  If we’re going to shield our heart against the devil, we are going to have to quit answering the door when he knocks.  Instead, why not take the best preventive measure to avoid confrontations with that old rascal?  Stand firm in your resolve to daily submit your heart and life to God. Let the devil know exactly where you stand  “and he will flee from you.”

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Today is See You At the Pole. Pray for students participating in this annual event. Why not join them and show your support? If your school does not participate, pray about ways you might encourage a student to spearhead next year’s observance. 

“Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, according as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:1-8).

Our Scripture passage lists other ways to pursue a heart-healthy lifestyle. Applying these principles is similar to taking supplements to improve your health. As a child of God, we must rely on His Word to supplement what we receive on Sundays and Wednesdays.  Sadly, many are malnourished with weak hearts because they have missed taking anything to enhance their relationship with the Lord.  Our verses carry several add-ons.  We must resolve to use them, so we can better appreciate verse 8, “For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: “In everything give thanks…” That’s easier said than done when troubles abound. Yet, do it.

“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  To him be glory both now and forever. Amen”  (2 Peter 3:18).

We often hear the phrase, “Time heals.” Whatever the heart condition, time does heal. In the meantime, gain knowledge to help accelerate the healing.  This is especially true spiritually.  We are to grow in grace through prayer and Bible study.  In other words, there must be a dialogue. To put it in even more simpler terms, “Know and grow.”

We must resolve to do whatever it takes to make our hearts work so we can live a healthier physical and spiritual life. Knowing what to avoid enables us to live the abundant life Christ offers us. “To him be glory both now and forever. Amen.”

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray today for your pastor’s encouragement, then seek a way to put those prayers into action. My pastor enjoys chocolate pie.  Maybe you could surprise yours with his favorite dessert.

“Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to live in a way that pleases God, as we have taught you.  You are doing this already, and we encourage you to do so more and more”  (1 Thessalonians 4:1 NLT).

“Living for Jesus, a life that is true.  Striving to please Him in all that we do…”

Got it down pat, have you?  Your Sunday schedule is set in stone—worship, out to lunch and a nap.  On Wednesday nights you make 3 out of 4 prayer meetings during the month.  You’ve had your picture taken for the church directory and over the past year you’ve prepared nine casseroles/desserts/salads for potlucks and funeral dinners.

You must be worn out—and so pleased for your participation.

What about the “more and more” part mentioned in today’s Bible reading?  Are you doing it?  What might “more and more” living look like?  Well, here’s how God’s pricked my heart…

Write Sunday’s check for a little more than usual—regardless of the bills you know are coming due.

Send a couple more cards than you usually eek out through the week—you know the response you get when you do.

Spend a little more time in prayer, off the computer and with television off and without having an emergency.

Forget the list of committees and boards you’re on—ask the pastor where he might need your help.

“More and more” has convicted me this morning, and now I’m passing it on to you.

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER:  Rejoice as your worship today thanking God you’re able to attend services.

“I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection!  But I keep working toward that day when I will finally be all that Christ Jesus saved me for and wants me to be”  (Phillipians 3:12 NLT).

Lord, what will I be like when you finish the process?  Will I look different?  Feel differently?  Speak differently?  Will I be able to do more?

Will my old friends know me?  Will anyone, including myself, notice the difference?  How will my life change when your work is complete?

I can see the huge strides made already—and I appreciate them, but we’ve still got a lot of work to do, don’t we?

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER:  Remember our WNAC Executive Director Elizabeth Hodges in her travels and work.

“Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:31-32).

These verses show a sharp contrast in behavior.  Unless we are willing to change, we won’t see a change in our heart condition.  Physically it is about mindset.  In terms of the spiritual, it is a heart set. We must allow the love of Christ to flow through us by being kind one to another.  It is great therapy for the heart.

The real test of passing our heart check is found in “forgiving one another.”  Are we flunking this part of the test?  If so, make another appointment with the Great Physician. As we look next week at more ways to strengthen our hearts, let us apply the things we have learned from Ephesians 4.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for the many State WAC retreats scheduled this fall. If possible, attend one and be uplifted. 

“Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing that is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.  Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption”  (Ephesians 4:28-30).

Reassessing your heart condition, do you notice positive changes in your behavior?  As your heart grows strong in the Lord, some changes will come automatically. You won’t have to think twice about doing the right thing.  You will want to please God and not grieve the Spirit with how you live. You will realize life is not all about you. You will reach out to others in need. You will want to encourage others with your words.  In other words, your walk and talk will match.

Are you in recovery or renewal mode? Trust God to help you make the necessary changes to keep you heart healthy.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray today for caregivers. Are you a caregiver? May God grant you His strength, wisdom and joy as you serve.