Daily Treasure

“If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth” (1 John 1:6).

As much as some might think they can straddle the fence, it is simply impossible.  We can’t have it both ways. If we think we can have sweet fellowship with Christ and go on walking in spiritual darkness, we are living a lie.  We may think we are fooling others, but, we are not fooling God.

Matthew 6:24 states “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”

Who has control of your life?  If your answer is Christ, stay out of the dark.  Let His light lead your every step.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: One Tennessee WAC District pampers its pastors wives from Friday p.m. to Sunday noon—a relaxing, refreshing time of sharing, praying and learning together. Pray about holding such an event in your area.

“This then is the message which we have heard of him and declare unto you that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all”  (1 John 1:5).

John wrote what he heard and beheld of God. As an eyewitness, he could write with authority. He didn’t make anything up; his message is believable because he declared the truth.

That message has not changed; today we accept it by faith. We must also declare John’s message to those who still walk in darkness. God is still the light and He continues to shine through those who accept Him and His Word.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Does your state hold a Pastor Wives Retreat? Pray about your involvement. Is God leading you to help organize this?
Not a pastor’s wife? Pray about treating the first lady of your church to a retreat or similar event.

“Even if Noah, Daniel and Job were there, their righteousness would save no one but themselves, declares the Sovereign Lord”  (Ezekiel 14:14 NLT).

How many of us are depending upon someone else’s faith, commitment or relationship with the Lord to declare us godly?  How often do we place the burden of the work required to keep us in God’s presence and within God’s will onto another’s shoulders?

It’s not the pastor’s job.

It’s not the church we visit.  I’ll not even use the word attend, because some of us don’t. We merely drop in when it’s convenient.

It’s not dependent upon the parents chosen for you.  Genes do not grant us salvation.

It has nothing to do with the government or its choices.

There’s no correlation between living in the good ole’ USA and receiving a “Get Out Of Hell Free” pass.

It’s personal.  Your walk with the Lord, your relationship with the Creator, your righteousness (courtesy God) is what will save you.

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Before passing out tracts (or any other means of sharing your faith), ask the Lord to work, cleanse and purify your heart.

with whom you often come in contact. Pray for this person today.

“Every word of God proves true. He defends all who come to him for protection” (Proverbs 30:5 NLT).

Reassuring, isn’t it? To know all we read in the Good Book will come to pass. To rest on the promises of His presence, security and strength. Assured He’ll never leave us. Thinking about your mansion. Leaving every burden at His feet.  Angels.  Rewards.  Crowns. Heaven.

Scary, isn’t it? To realize all He tells us in His Word will come to pass. To face the music that He’s there with us, no matter where we’ve taken ourselves. Dragging God into the dirty gutters of our choices. Settling for less than abundant.  Judgment.  God’s wrath.  Sin. Hell.

Where does the verse take your thoughts? Are you hearing the comforting strains of “Blessed Assurance” or the convicting by the words of “Just As I Am”?

Every word. Every word! Every word?

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for wisdom in giving a tract today. Ask the Holy Spirit to use this as a means for drawing someone to Christ.

Special request: Pray protection on all involved in tornado/flood cleanup.

“Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another” (1 John 4:10-11).

If we ever want to know the definition of real love, look at today’s verses.  God’s Son laid down His life to save us from the penalty of sin. There is no greater love.  “The cross in the middle should have been mine,”  proclaims the lyrics of one gospel song. We deserved to die, but in mercy and grace, He took our place on the cross.  With this greatest demonstration of love presented to us, how can we not be willing to love others?  Even when we encounter people we consider hard to love, we can remember Christ died for their sins as well as ours. Let the light of His love shine in and through you.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Strain your brain for new, different ways to share the gospel message using tracts. Pray for effectiveness.

Special request: Pray and consider giving financially to help churches or families who must rebuild because of recent storms.

“Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works, or else I will come unto thee quickly and remove thy candlestick out of his place except thou repent” (Revelation 2:5).

This verse tells us the consequences of letting our light go out.  Repentance is vital. Failure to repent will ultimately result in judgment.  The church of Ephesus had reached great heights in their service to God and others.  However, they fell and now faced quick judgment if they didn’t turn things around.  God stood ready to forgive and restore.

When we lose what we once had for God, we must repent or else.  To avoid the “or else,” turn away from sin and return to your “first works.”  You can rekindle the original flame.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Check out Randall House Publications or your local bookstore for eye-catching tracts to give away. Pray about your selection.

Special request: Pray for pastors and Christian counselors as they console and care for recent storm victims.

“Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love” (Revelation 2:4).

In spite of all the good traits in the church of Ephesus, the people lacked something very important. They had left their first love. They didn’t love God as they had in the past.  Once on fire for the Lord, somewhere along the line, they forgot to fan the flames. Their love for God and each other had waned.

Remember when you were first saved?  Did your light shine brightly to those around you? Did you possess a burning zeal to serve the Lord?

What about now? Has your love for God and others gone from dazzling to dim?  Does your testimony lack luster?  Have you lost your first love?

It’s time to go to Him and repent.  He will give you fresh oil for the lamp of your life.  You can shine in love once again.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Tell a non-Christian friend of your burden to share Christ.  She might be willing to let you practice.  And you could gain a new sister in Christ.

Special request: Pray that God will grant strength to the weary and worn as storm cleanup efforts continue.