Daily Treasure

“Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;  Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation”  (1 Peter 2:11-12).

Our citizenship is in Heaven. So while we dwell on earth as “strangers and aliens,” we must strive to flee “fleshly lusts which war against the soul.”  We must have a lifestyle that will bring glory to God in the midst of any accusations against us.  In doing so, we will shine in purity.  Our good works are likely to lead others to Christ.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Ask the Lord to shine through you today. Pray “Make Me a Blessing.”

“Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin” (James 4:17).

As we set out to shine in purity, we must understand what sin is and understand its consequences.

God doesn’t categorize sin, and there will be a payday at the end of life’s road. The more we commune daily with God, the more we will be able to discern good and evil.  Knowing something is good and failing to choose that good thing means we are going against God’s will. This is sin, and sin should not be part of our lives.  As we draw closer to God, the desire to do good should become a priority.  It’s easy to detect sin in the lives of those who walk in darkness. Don’t let the world detect sin in our lives.  Instead, let our lives reflect purity as we strive to know what’s good and go about doing it.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Admit total dependence upon God—“I Need Thee Every Hour.” Pray for individuals in your church who especially need His touch today.

“Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will remain forever”  (Mark 13:31).

As a writer, I have to be very careful —to follow His leading and not veer off on my own personal tangents or opinions.  I want to present, as well as I understand it, His words, not my own.

There are portions of Scripture that the Holy Spirit must lead us, individually, to understand and interpret in personal manners.  I can let you in on how He leads me to understand and apply those convictions, but you will have to seek His will regarding your life.

And then there are the topics that are written in black and white.  The commands that leave no room to fudge.  The rules that require our strict adherence.

There are times, in each of our lives, when we may choose to walk away from what His Word says on any given topic.  There are days when our plans seem more important than anything He has in store for us.  There are seasons when arrogance and lack of self-control lead us farther and farther into the enemy’s territory.  At those times, we have to know this—His words remain.

How we feel changes.  His word does not.

What we’re going through changes.  His word does not.

Our wants and goals change.  His word does not.

People let us down.  Stock markets rise and fall.  Children disappoint.  Vows break.  Music ministers don’t choose the right choir song.  Sunday School teachers don’t select the literature you’d prefer.  Rest assured, things will change, be uprooted and blown away like chaff in the wind—but His Word will remain.

Comforting and sobering, isn’t it?

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Meditate on the words of  “How Firm a Foundation.” Give thanks to God for His excellent, unchanging Word. Pray that persecuted believers would know renewed hope and strength. 

“The next morning, when the Sabbath ended, Mary Magdalene and Salome and Mary the mother of James went out and purchased spices to put on Jesus’ body” (Mark 16:1).

I can imagine they’d made plans as to what time to meet. They’d predetermined a location to gather. There’s a very good chance, they’d already made a list as to what spices were needed—and quite possibly, which shop had the best buy on them.

I can see, in my mind, the ladies carrying their bag of embalming spices gingerly to the cemetery, honored to do what was needed, anxious to enter the tomb.

I can also see a small bag of spices lying uncared for on the ground after they find the tomb empty. Tossed aside as they see the linens lying asunder on the death bed. Unnecessary and unused.

The thing is, when Jesus is involved, plans are sometimes thrown out the door. You may be preparing for a day filled with the same old, same old; have you asked Jesus into your plans? You might be figuring on the same aches, pains and heartbreaks that you were plagued with yesterday; have you given those plans to Jesus? You just might be making arrangements for just another service tomorrow morning; have you mentioned those plans to Jesus? Go ahead, make your plans but don’t be surprised when Jesus steps in and all plans are canceled and greater plans are set in to motion.

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: “Count Your Blessings.” Praise God today for His numerous blessings; ask Him to encourage discouraged pastors.

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5).

The more time you spend in prayer and the Word, the more you will begin to see your attitude change.  The NIV Study Bible states, “In spite of all that is unique and radically different about the person and work of Christ, Christians are to have His attitude of self-sacrificing humility and love for others.” If we are going to shine in purity, we must consistently be asking, what would Jesus do?  Or how would He handle a given situation?  We must be willing to imitate Christ in our mind-set.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Think on the words of the old song,  “Breathe on Me.” Pray for Holy Spirit cleansing and power in WAC leaders and in your own life as well.

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee…” (Isaiah 26:3a).

A pure mind is a “fixed mind.”  It is fixed or focused on the One who will light our way and guide our steps to a peaceful existence. If you feel your life is in turmoil and you need Him to give you the peace that surpasses all human understanding, don’t take your eyes off of Him.

You will know a perfect and perpetual peace—a display of your trust in God.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Intercede for individuals you know who are facing sickness and loss. They may be wondering,  “Does Jesus Care?” Remind them, “Oh, Yes, He cares.”

“The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times”  (Psalm 12:6).

Today’s verse let’s us know we can trust anything God says in His Word.  His words are flawless and true.  The psalmist likens God’s words to “refined silver…purified seven times.”

Seven is the perfect and complete number in the Bible.  Thus, we can see how God’s words are refined thoroughly. When we take His words into our hearts and minds, we leave no room for doubt.  Rely completely on God’s pure words, as you strive to shine in purity.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Reflect upon the comforting truths of the song, “A Shelter in the Time of Storm.” Pray for missionary and ministry families facing storms and trials.