Daily Treasure

“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come”  (John 16:13).

Christ had so much yet to share with His disciples.  However, He knew they couldn’t bear it at that time.  They were overwhelmed with all kinds of emotions.  Adam Clarke states concerning the coming of the Spirit, “He will fully explain everything that may now appear dark or difficult to you.  The Spirit would not teach anything contrary to what they had already been taught.”

You can trust the Spirit to guide you in all truth because He works in perfect agreement with the Father and the Son.  Allow Him to help you as you shine in truth.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray that students who made decisions during a VBS or in Christian camp this summer will follow through on their commitments.

“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: be ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you” (John 14:16-17).

As Jesus was preparing His disciples for the day He would be taken from them, He gave them a blessed promise.  He wasn’t abandoning them.  He was sending the Holy Spirit to give them comfort and lead them into all truth.

The Living Bible states, “the world at large cannot receive him (the Spirit), for it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him.” Christ was telling His disciples not to look to the world for what they would need when He would leave them. By giving them the assurance and hope of the Holy Spirit, the disciples could look forward  to the soon indwelling of the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit would help dispel their doubts and fears.  He does the same for us today.

Depend on the Holy Spirit as you shine for Jesus in truth.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for your local WAC meeting. Go ahead. Shock your leader by offering to help in some extra way.

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me”  (John 14:6).

One of  life’s more perplexing questions is, “What is truth?”  Those walking in darkness are blinded to the answer.  As God’s children, we cease asking the question. By the inspired Word of God we come to embrace the truth only found in Christ.  To seek it any other way will lead us far from Him. Today’s verse helps us understand something I recently read: “Know God; know truth. No God? No truth.”  The NIV Study Bible comments, “To God, Jesus is not one way among many, but the way.”  If we are going to shine in truth, wemust simply believe in God and His Word as the only Way to the Father.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Another Monday. Sing your praises and problems to God.

^“Thus shall Aaron come into the holy place…” (Leviticus 16:3).

Leviticus 16 bears a subtitle in my Bible—a heading or description, of sorts.  It’s printed boldly on the page.  The words?  They clearly state: Instructions For The Altar.

God specifically wanted the Israelites to know who could approach the altar of the Tabernacle and how, why and when they were to come before Him. He wanted, under no uncertain terms, to make sure they were full aware of the importance, the privilege, the immense honor that coming to the altar deserved.  He provided specifics regarding sacrifices, human involvement and the charges prescribed for misuse.

And today?  What would the instructions be for us in using the altars within our churches?

Might it be simply be put—use it more?

Bring more burdens to His feet?

Kneel in reverence more often?

Bow in adoration a lot more frequently?

Offer more of the praise He’s due?

Dump even the petty issues at His throne?

Seek His will more fervently?

Pray in unity with other believers?

I’m not sure how frequently the altar is used at your church, but I’ll venture a guess—it needs to be used more.  As my pastor states, “The altar isn’t only for sinners.”

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Enter into His courts with thanksgiving and praise. Allow God to speak to a calm heart as you listen for His instructions today.

“He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowds.  So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree beside the road so he could watch from there”  (Luke 19:3 NLT).

I never realized how very much I have in common with Zaccheus, the wee little man.

First, we’re cut out of the same cloth—the short bolt, that is.  Neither of us stand heads above anyone.  Not either of us faces the problem of bumping our heads on a lot of things.  And when it comes to Jesus, we both come up really, really short.

Secondly, we’re both tree climbers.  Zaccheus and I both heave ourselves up and down “sycamore projects” in order to catch of glimpse of Christ.  We are so intrigued that we’ll go to extreme lengths and physical exhaustion trying to get into His presence.  Extremes really, because it’s so much simpler to be with Him than any of us want to admit.

Thirdly, at times, just watching is all Zacchues and I want to do.  There are services when sitting on the pew is all I plan to do.  There are instances when God speaks and I politely say, “Today, Lord, I just want to watch.”  I don’t want to dirty my hands, break a sweat or to be quite honest, be bothered by it all.

But then Jesus comes along.  He knows my stature, physically and spiritually, and is full aware that I’ll never measure up—but He has fallen in love with me.

Then Christ climbs the tree and helps me down when I’m frayed and worn, when my desire to serve has turned to a determination to compete.

And?  And there are the times when He sees me sitting in the tree, on the sidelines, on the back pew, and bids me come to Him—and I cannot resist.

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for worship services in mission churches tomorrow.

“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was manifested unto us;)   That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus” (1 John 1:1-3).

There is nothing like an eyewitness to confirm the truth.  John gives a glowing testimony of his time with Christ.  It is like he was saying if you knew Him like I did, you couldn’t help but believe He is the one True God.  Christ is indeed the Word and the Life, everything His Word says He is.  We accept John’s words—along with the rest of the inspired Word of God—as true by faith.  It’s not complicated unless we let the devil distort the truth.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Praise God for your pastor and his family. Show them you care.

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105).

We live in a sin-darkened world that needs to be enlightened with the truth. We must be willing to carry the light of God’s Word like a glowing torch.

Back in 2004, the Olympic torch relay came through St. Louis, Missouri, my former hometown.  Past and present Olympians proudly carried and passed a beautiful torch.  Part of the parade passed along the streets where my family and I lived.  It was quite a thrill.!  As my mind drifts to that memory, I think about what it would be like, if we, as Christians, were to parade like that with the gospel message.  It would be even more thrilling.

We have the “lamp.”  We must carry it high and pass it on to those who need the truth to set them free.  May we ask the Lord to give us oil in our lamp so we can shine like an eternal flame until His return.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Does pride hinder you from going to the altar for confession, encouragement or other needs only known to God? Pray, asking God to search your heart.