Daily Treasure

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8).

The  NIV Study Bible notes, “Paul understood the influence of one’s thoughts on one’s life.  What a person allows to occupy his mind will sooner or later determine his speech and action.”

Remove negative thinking.  It will lead you away from God.  Replace it with the things mentioned in today’s verse.  Just think.  If every member of every church would be willing to do this, there would be less divisions in churches today. Maybe you could take the lead in showing members of your church what it is like to change our way of thinking.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Offer praise to the Triune God today by singing or declaring the hymn, “Holy, Holy, Holy.”



“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).

Our June study challenges us to “Shine in Purity.”  We understand the concept of holiness and even strive for that. However, we tend to shy away from confronting the issue of living a pure life in this present world.  We seem to think we can’t live up to God’s standards.  With His light to guide our every step we can shine in purity.  This kind of life is something the world can’t comprehend because of its perverseness.  We can shine in the world if we are willing to live a life above reproach.

We’re not talking “sinless perfection” but a willingness to walk in the light of God’s will.  In fact, if we desire to shine in purity, we’ll be a beacon to a “perverse and crooked” world.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Praise God for His awesome power and greatness. Sing “How Great Thou Art” in worship to Him today.

“Look at the lilies and how they grow.  They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.  And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won’t he more surely care for you?  You have so little faith!”  (Mark 12:27-28).

The lilies are blooming here on our little farmette.  The blazing orange of the day lilies stand in stark contrast against the white barn.  The Asiatic lilies, with their ‘freckles’ carefully placed, are surrounding the well—deep red, creamy white, salmon and sherbet-y orange.  Their robes of color are spectacular.  Each petal carefully painted the perfect shade.  Each stamen and pistil capped with the yellowest of pollen.  The stems are sturdy and of vibrant green.

And what did I do to produce such amazing plants?  It was a rather complicated matter of digging a shallow hole and throwing the bulbous roots in the ground.  Oh yes, then I gave them a drink.  After that?  Well, to tell you the truth, after that they were on their own.

I couldn’t have grown a flower as lovely.  No research, attention, cultivation, fertilizer, pruning or talking to the plants brought about this show of color.  It’s from the Lord—and how much more so I realize that this morning.

And to think, He loves me even more?  I cannot grasp the immensity of His favor on me, after seeing such detail in the lilies.  He has brought them to life, colored them with shades of joy and displayed them to the world as His masterpiece…and still, He loves me more.

Amazing, wouldn’t you agree?

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Keep your heart in tune. “Whisper a Prayer in the Morning” then continue to commune with your Father throughout this Lord’s Day.

“For David had done what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight and had obeyed the Lord’s commands throughout his life, except in the affair concerning Uriah the Hittite”
(1 Kings 15:5).
Of all the Bible greats, I think we’d probably all agree David would be in the top 10. He sang, he served and he sought after the Lord.

I’m reassured that I can reach for all that David attained, because God, in His infinite wisdom, chose to also include the fact that David sinned.

You see, like David, I have issues in my Christian walk that leave my record much less than stellar. I have an unending list of areas where I’ve slipped, fallen and failed. I’m sure you do, too.

That’s why Jesus came—to cover our exceptions.

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Voice your commitment to God today in song. “I Am Thine O Lord.”

“But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate” (Revelation 2:6).

Recently, we’ve looked at the church at Ephesus and observed how God had commended them, then later criticized them for losing their first love.  Today’s verse mentions one thing in their favor.  They hated the deeds of the Nicolaitans. God hated those deeds as well. The Nicolaitans were a very evil group of people whose lives were filled with immorality and idolatry.  God hates sin, but He is not willing that any should perish.  When we see others we know are blatant sinners, we tend to shun them.  We forget we were once sinners.  We cannot condone their sin, but, we must remember they have a soul and Christ died for them.  If we are to shine in love, we must follow Christ’s example. As much as He hates sin, He loves the sinner.

You may have noticed that this week’s devotional titles all ended with a question mark. How we answer these questions will determine how brightly we shine in love.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for total consecration: “Take My Life and Let It Be (Rejoice! p. 507).

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

For years, we’ve heard the phrase, “actions speaks louder than words.”  It’s still rings true.  We can extend well wishes and offer to pray for others.  However, if we do little or nothing to show our love, our words seem hollow.  Just saying we love others means very little if we don’t back it up with some action. Shining in love may mean rolling up our sleeves to lend a helping hand.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for willingness for personal surrender: “Just As I Am” (Rejoice! p.275).

“But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?” (1 John 3:17).

In spite of today’s economy, some of us have more than enough material possessions.

As a child of God, can we see someone in need and not offer to help? What kind of message does our life send if we fail to help?  When we lack compassion, we are hurting our testimony.

If the world doesn’t see evidence of God living in us, how will we shine in love?

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Month extra busy? Sing your prayers all day long. All songs taken from Rejoice! (page noted). Today’s prayer hymn is “Come Christians Join to Sing” (29).