Daily Treasure

“And God said unto him, Thy name is Jacob: thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name: and he called his name Israel” (Genesis 35:10).

We are familiar with the before story of Jacob. His life and motives weren’t always pure. However, after a “wrestling match” with an angel, his life was never the same. God changed his name to Israel.  He carried out the covenant God had made with Abraham and Isaac. God made Israel a great nation.

God may not have to do something quite so dramatic to get your attention, but He will work in your life to help you be the best you can be. It’s amazing—God can use ordinary people to do extraordinary things for His glory.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Thank God for salvation. Think upon the words of “Victory in Jesus.” Pray that an unreached people might hear the “old, old story” today.

“Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee”  (Genesis 17:5).

As we close our study this week, we’re going to see some name changes. Today we look at Abram. He was an ordinary man with enormous faith. By faith, he was an obedient servant who trusted in the faithfulness of God. God honored him by giving him a new name with a promise. He would become the father of many nations.

Later in his life, he would father a son whom God would use to finish carrying out God’s promise.  You may feel you are just an ordinary person. However, with faith and obedience to His will, God can use you in a mighty way. He may not change your name but He will give you the promise of Heaven.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for true revival in our churches and in our land. Claim the promise that “There Shall Be Showers of Blessings.”

“Just to go across the river with you is all the honor I need”  (2 Samuel 19:36).
It didn’t take much to satisfy Barzillai. When David requested that this faithful, elderly friend accompany him back to Jerusalem, Barzillai politely refused. Just to go across the river with his king would be all the honor he needed.

We think we need a lot of things in life, don’t we?  We feel the need to be surrounded by our stuff.  We build bigger garages, reorganize closets, purchase portable storage buildings and rent units uptown in order to safely keep all the things we’ve collected—the things we need.

But as we slip off into eternity, as our last breath is drawn and our choice of heaven or hell is rewarded to us, we find Jesus is all we need.

We need His blood covering us as we stand before the Almighty God.

We need His reference to our acceptance of His salvation as we enter the throneroom of God’s judgement.

We need His guarantee of our names being in the Book of Life as we pass through gates of pearl.

Like Barzillai, we need the hand, only the strong hand of our King, to guide us across the river.

In the end, He is all we need.

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for young people in your church who face major  temptations: “Take the Name of Jesus With You.”

“…She talked about Jesus to everyone who had been waiting for the promised King to come and deliver Jerusalem”  (Luke 2:38 NLT).

Anna.

She spoke of Jesus before the night at the stable produced a baby King—before the shepherds were surprised by a great multitude of angels and awed by a Baby in a manger.
Before the three kings produced the three gifts to One in the Holy Trinity, she believed.  She anticipated.  She held fast to a promises.  She lived in hope.  She functioned in faith.
And when she met Jesus and his parents at the Temple, her commitment was rewarded.

Think she was so excited she couldn’t even hold the Babe?  Think she squealed and giggled in delight?  Think her old, arthritic body danced around the temple yard in jubilation?  Or did she just stand in silent wonder?

What do you do when Jesus shows up?  What do you do while you’re waiting?

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for renewed passion in your church for reaching those lost in sin; pray the message of “Set My Soul Afire” for a home missions church as well.

“Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.  In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother” (1 John 3:9-10).

When we are trying to live a pure life, there should be a marked difference between usand the world.  Sadly, many Christians are compromising their values to the point we can’t see a contrast. They have taken Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 9:22b way out of context. We’ll never lead a person to Christ by compromising our beliefs. In fact, others may end up bringing us down.   We need to build bridges in order to reach others with the gospel, but others also need to see a difference in our lives.

If we are truly born again, our live swill emulate Christ. We will desire to be more like Him. We won’t long to slip back into sin, and we will love others. No, we won’t love their sin, but, like Christ, we will love their souls.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Prayerfully think upon or sing the words of “Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us.” Rejoice today in the Shepherd’s guidance; pray for those in your flock (your church) who have gone astray.

“My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth” (1 John 3:18).

Sometime in childhood, surely all of us heard our mothers say, “actions speak louder than words.”   In our quest to live pure lives, do we often find our walk and talk don’t match?  Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “What you do speaks so loud that I cannot hear what you say.”  Is this true in our love for others? Is this what keeps us from shining in purity?

Another saying goes something like this: “Preach the gospel. Use words when necessary.”  Which speaks louder—actions or words—as you strive to let your light shine?

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Prayerfully sing, “Open My Eyes That I May See.” Ask God to open your eyes, ears and heart to His truth; also pray for Bible institutes worldwide.

“Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him” (1 John 3:6).

There is some debate about this verse. In my opinion, there always will be—if we take this verse and over-analyze it.  But the simple truth is, if we abide in Christ and remain obedient to His will, we aren’t so apt to sin. This isn’t about sinless perfection but more about the character of one who is fully trusting God.  That person is daily striving to do what is pure in God’s eyes. This verse is what some might call the “litmus test” of our relationship with God.  If a saved person keeps on sinning, that person must question whether he or she is really saved.  No one can shine in purity until he or she resolves that issue.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for those near salvation. Voice the thoughts of this song,  “Only Trust Him,” to an unsaved person today.