Daily Treasure

“Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you…” (Matthew 28:20a).

The teaching portion of the Great Commission need not be complicated.  We have the best teaching example to follow.  Jesus modeled the truth, took time to answer questions, and was never too busy to spend time with people. He earned people’s trust because He showed He genuinely cared about them.  By the way, the latter traits are great for building friendships along life’s way.

Teaching may seem difficult if you feel you are still a student yourself. Don’t let that hinder you from obeying God’s great command.  Our verse tells us to do our best in delivering and dividing the Word of truth. Often times our personal testimony can be coupled with Scripture as a teaching tool.

Tomorrow we will learn about a promise that will help us as we “go” and “teach.” God never expected us to go it alone.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Ask the Lord to reveal ways you can assist in your local church.

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son, and the Holy Ghost” (Matthew 28:19).

The Great Commission is a call of obedience to every true believer. We find three main elements in the words, “go,” “baptize,” and “teach.”  We have the message of hope and truth to deliver to the lost.  We can’t sit on the sidelines with it.  Is it a coincidence that the first two letters of gospel are “g-o”?  Once we go with the gospel, we gain opportunities to lead souls to Christ. Our work doesn’t stop there.  We must teach them the importance of following the Lord in baptism.

We, ourselves, know what baptism by immersion is because someone taught us. It symbolizes our dying to the old sin nature, burying our sins, and rising to newness of life (Romans 6:4).  We have been immersed into a relationship with the Godhead.

We might think our work is done after teaching about baptism. Teaching must continue.  Fundamentals of the faith must be taught, so new believers will grow in Christ. If you haven’t guessed by now, I’ve been describing the phrase, “make disciples.” Where would you be today if someone hadn’t gone to you in obedience to God’s command?  Making disciples is God’s plan for increasing His Kingdom. Keep the message of truth going as you deliver it to those around you.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Will you pray, “Not my will but Thine” today—regardless of your circumstances?

“And Jesus came and spoke unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth”  (Matthew 28:18).

The last week of our August study concerns delivering the truth.  It’s our blessed privilege to participate in the Great Commission.  Jesus was ready to ascend to His Father, His mission on earth completed.  His disciples had to be wondering what they were to do now. Jesus stepped up and uttered the profound statement of today’s verse. This would remove all doubt concerning Who He was and still is.  While Christ lived on earth, He submitted  Himself to His Father’s authority.  After the Resurrection, He resumed His Heavenly power and authority.  He would have unbridled sovereignty.  He is worthy to issue commands. We, as His servants, must choose to obey them. As we learn more about God’s final “marching orders,” we must be willing to shine in truth through Christ’s unlimited power and authority.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for believers caught in the political crossfires and conflicts throughout North Africa.

“When you enter the land and plant fruit trees, leave the fruit unharvested for the first three years and consider it forbidden.  In the fourth year the entire crop will be devoted to the Lord as an outburst of praise”  (Leviticus 19:23-24 NLT).

I have to tell you, the very thought of this practice humbles and excites me.

Imagine digging the holes, planting the seeds or seedlings, watering on a daily basis. Picture yourself watching and waiting for the first spring that the trees are covered with blossoms.  And the first ripe fruits hanging on the branches?

And picture yourself waiting through three harvests of the fruit of your labor.  Can you see yourself sitting among the fruit trees as the over-ripe fruit drops off the branches and hits the ground?

And the fourth year?  Bushels of fruit picked, carried to the church house and left there for the priests to use or to be consumed by fire as an offering?

All that waiting?

Maybe you don’t see your waiting and commitment as anything other than what it is.  But friend, your determination to see Him through is an outburst of praise on your part,  Working hard and pushing the outcomes into His hands is a form of praise—some of the highest praise He can recieve.

So wait it out.  Don’t throw in the towel.  Keep hoeing out the weeds.  Continue carrying the watering cans.  Watch as the fruit of your efforts fall wastefully on the ground at times.  And when the huge harvest comes in—carry the baskets of praise to our Creator.

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Witnessing is often easier with strangers, but don’t neglect family. Pray about sending a card to a relative that seems unreachable.

“Nowhere among the pagan gods is there a god like you, O Lord.  There are no other miracles like yours.  All the nations—and you made each one—will come and bow before you, Lord, they will praise your great and holy name.  For you are great and perform miracles.  You alone are God”  (Psalm 86:8-10 NLT).

Buddha’s lacking.

Small deities and tiny statues are insufficient.

The Koran holds several hundred pages, but no answers, and certainly no hope.

The mountaintop monks are still seeking.

Nowhere is there a God like ours!  The miracles He does are second to none.  He is God—of all and for all.

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray that WNAC’s new publication format will encourage more women to spend time together with God.

“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time” (1 Timothy 2:1-6).

Paul writes to Timothy, giving him instructions on how he, and also we, can shine in truth.  Why?   Because God wants everyone “to come to the knowledge of the truth.”  That truth is found in 1 Timothy 2:5-6.

Continue to live a life pleasing to the one true God.  By doing so you are defending what you believe.  Let others see you shine.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for educational and ministry effectiveness in homeschooling missionary moms. (Pray for their students, too.)

“But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.  And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be spoken of” (2 Peter 2:1-2).

Just as in the days of the apostles, false prophets and teachers will creep into our world and churches.  Unless we know what we believe and take a stand, we will be drawn away to ultimate doom.  Evil, deceiving people will come as “wolves in sheep’s clothing.”  They will be very persuasive as they denounce the truths of God.  In the face of scoffing and persecution, will you be able to shine in truth?

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Partner in prayer with a student this school year. Begin today.