Daily Treasure

“That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:15).

The NIV Study Bible shares these words concerning today’s verse: “Not absolute sinless perfection, but wholehearted, unmixed devotion to doing God’s will.”  If you are shining in obedience, your light will penetrate the darkness of a perverse world.  As you walk daily in the light of God’s love and will, a sin-cursed world will find you to be “blameless and harmless.”

You won’t be on low beam; rather, you will shine as a beacon light.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Did you know Master’s Men and WNAC share office space to decrease costs? Praise God for efforts toward better stewardship.

“The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light” (Romans 13:12).

July’s focus is “Shine in Obedience.”  In past devotionals, we have looked at the various aspects of light and shining in that light.  Disobedience will hinder us from shining brightly in a darkened world.  And our choice of clothing is an obstacle the enemy uses to block us from being obedient. We can’t be much of a light if we’re wearing garments of darkness.  Our Scripture verse today admonishes us to discard “works of darkness.”   If we’re going to make a fashion statement for the Lord to a lost and dying world, we must “put on the armor of light.”  The Lord’s return is fast approaching. As an obedient child of God, what will you be wearing that day? Don’t be found with a closet full of nothing to wear. Protect yourself and your testimony by slipping into your armor daily. I guarantee, you will stand out in the world.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: On this Fourth of July, thank God for freedom of religion.

“What can I do to help you? Elisha asked. Tell me, what do you have in the house? Nothing at all except a flask of olive oil, she replied. And Elisha said, Borrow as many empty jars as you can from your friends and neighbors” (2 Kings 4:2-3 NLT).

You know what happened, don’t you? Every jar she’d borrowed God filled with oil. Every borrowed jar was sold and the money was used to release her from the bondage of debt.
What about you?
Are you borrowing jars in preparation for God’s answers to your prayers? Are you speaking in language that tells others you believe He’s going to answer? Are you picking out that church pew for your entire family to sit on one day? Are you seeing things through the eyes of a believer, not a doubter?

Go ahead and borrow jars. He’s still in the business of filling them up.

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for ONE Magazine managing editor, Eric Thomsen.

“We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints (Colossians 1:3-4).

Paul had heard about the Colossian church’s faith, and he was impressed.  He’d heard the rumors of their trust in Christ and the stories of how they had put feet on their faith.

What would he have heard about you?  What comments might I hear if I were to bring your name up in conversation with another?

Is the rumor floating around town that you are a Bible believing, prayer trusting, focused-on-a-living-Savior kind of person?

Is loving one of the top ten character traits people might list when referring to you?

What are people saying about you?

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray today for Board of Retirement employees: D. Ray Lewis, John Brummitt and Sara Poston.

“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches;  To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it” (Revelation 2:17).

Today’s title might have also been, “A New Name in Glory.”  As I read commentaries on this verse, my heart was thrilled.  In the Old Testament, God provided manna for the children of Israel to sustain them on their journey. Our verse tells us when our journey ends and we are labeled “overcomers,” we’re going to receive some “hidden manna.”

In Bible times, stones were used for various purposes. It is assumed that the white stone was used like an admission ticket. In our case, admission to the marriage supper of the Lamb. That stone is like an engraved invitation. The fact we have accepted it and have lived a life of purity ensures that this “stone” has our name carved in it. It is ours alone and no one else can use it.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for general officers of the National Association of Free Will Baptists and for Executive office personnel.

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end”  (Jeremiah 29:11).

God has a plan for each of our lives.  That was decided long before we were born. He knows us by name.  When we were saved, He wrote down our name.  Whether God speaks our names in encouragement or rebuke, I’m thankful He know our names.He knows everything about us. He knows our hearts.

Shine in purity until one day we see Him face to face, and He calls out our name. What joy we will experience on that glad reunion day!  Will you be ready to meet Him when He calls your name?

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Let praise be your song today as you sing the “Doxology.”

“And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it”  (Matthew 16:18).

There are many things one could say about Peter. He is widely recognized for his denial of Christ. However, his dynamic preaching on the day of Pentecost tends to overshadow that.

In spite of anything in his character, he had the kind of faith strong enough for God to name him Peter and to state the words of today’s verse.

Though some would interpret our verse differently, God wasn’t building His church on Peter.  It was Peter’s steadfast determination, faith, and zeal that were as solid as a rock. These traits would be like the foundation for the Church.  Through the ages, nothing has happened to destroy the Church of the Living God!

What would Jesus say about your traits?  What name would He give you?

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Where is God calling you to follow Him? Will you go? Pray today for missionary discipleship efforts as you sing, “Wherever He Leads I’ll Go.”