Daily Treasure

“In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you”  (John 14:2).

I’ve never owned my own home, but, God has always provided a place for me to live. Knowing one day, because of His mercy and grace, I will live with Him in splendor gives me great hope.  We all know how God faithfully keeps His promises.  Today’s verse will be no exception.  If you have ever felt you haven’t had much in this life, just think about what’s waiting for you in Heaven.  Heaven will be beyond any earthly description, and that’s a promise.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: You are a promise, a possibility with much potentiality. Ask God to help you be all He wants U 2 B.

“For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known” (1 Corinthians 13:12).

Our last April week of study is entitled, “The Prelude to Heaven.”  Our TWG writer states “Heaven’s promise changes the way we live today.”  Some have referred to the Christian life as a state of “already/not yet.”  I found the following statements in The NIV Study Bible concerning today’s verse:  “The imagery is of a polished metal (probably bronze) mirror in which one could receive only an imperfect reflection in contrast to seeing the Lord directly and clearly in heaven.  The Christian will know the Lord to the fullest extent possible for a finite being, similar to the way the Lord knows the Christian fully and infinitely. This will not be true until the Lord returns.”  One day soon, all things we’ve been questioning will become clear and complete.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for your state promotional personnel.

“Then he turned to his critics and asked, Is it legal to do good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it for doing harm?  Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?..”  (Mark 3:4 NLT).

Just what will you use your Lord’s Day for?

Will you speak words of healing—or will your words become seed for decay in another’s heart?

Will you serve joyfully, willingly and excellently in your spot today—or will you grumble, moan and complain the whole time?

Today is not just another day of the week.  Today will never be repeated or done over. Today is marked by the Lord as a day to remember, serve and worship Him wholeheartedly.

What will you do with the Lord’s Day?

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Think of one unsaved coworker, friend, family member or woman with whom you often come in contact. Pray for this person today.

“For you ignore God’s specific laws and substitute your own traditions”  (Mark 7:8 ).

Only one day away from the church’s biggest day of the year.  The one most planned for.  The day most anticipated.  The day when the church brings out all the chairs, bells and whistles.  The Sunday when the choir has practiced and intends to sound their best.  The Sunday more bulletins will be printed.  The day of the year Madonna lilies are placed across the altar and their scents reach even the back pew.  The Sunday most attended.

Easter Sunday.  Unchurched family members will be attending.  Unbelieving souls will be sitting in our pews.  Uncommitted members will show up to be counted.  Visitors will be asked to fill out the cards placed on the back of each pew.

And you?

Purchased your new dress, white shoes and Easter bonnet?  Planned to attend the Sonrise service your church is offering?  Have your ham scheduled to percolate in the oven while you’re at worship service?  Planning to get to church early enough that one of the visitors won’t get your pew?  Given the speech to your children about how to behave in adult worship, how to sit with a dress on? Got Cheerios in your bag to keep them quiet and coloring books to keep them entertained?

What have we turned Easter Sunday into?

How do you think God intended us to honor His sacrifice?  What celebrations do you think He expected us to have?  Do you really think He wants us to turn Resurrection Day into a grand-sized public display of godliness—when our thoughts are too busy with the externals to really ponder the wonder of the day?

What have we turned the grandest day of the church into?  Are we worrying more over the Easter baskets and bunnies than we are the empty tomb?  Are our minds focused more on the family dinners and large crowds than the promise fulfilled and the hope it holds?

We’ve ignored a lot of Christ’s sacrifice in order to instill some traditions filled with chocolate and fluff.  Take a minute or two to think, really think, about all Christ has done for us—and the power it took to raise Him from the dead.

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Read John 14:1. Be not troubled; trust. Pray for grace to trust more.

“And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth” (Revelation 19:6).

Today is Good Friday, the day we commemorate the Crucifixion.  The Jews had looked for an earthly king.  They didn’t realize He wasn’t coming to occupy an earthly throne.

His mission on earth was to do the will of His Father.  He freely gave His life that the world could be made free from the bondage of sin. The only crown He wore on this earth was one of thorns.

Because Sunday is coming and we rejoice in the Resurrection, things will be totally different when Christ comes the second time.  When He ascended to sit at the right hand of His Father, He had completed His mission on earth. When He returns, as our mighty, omnipotent Savior,  He will come as our glorious King to reign in His heavenly kingdom for ever and ever.

We haven’t finished our work on earth, so press on with hope of a brighter tomorrow.

Allow His light to lead you as you share your witness and testimony with the lost.  They will be the stars in the crown that you will want to cast at the feet of Jesus.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: ray that God would supply the needs of missionary candidates awaiting preliminary approval or final approval for departure.
NOTE: This is the final day of WNAC’s annual PreEaster Week of Prayer for World Missions, but the needs are ongoing.  Download the daily prayer guide and continue to remember these global evangelism efforts.

“Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing” (Revelation 5:12).

Today’s and tomorrow’s devotional thoughts will focus on the subject of eternal praise to our Eternal Light.

Think back to the Crucifixion. Think of the crown of thorns and the mockery of the title put on the cross, “Jesus of Nazareth the King of the Jews” (John 19:19)  The only Perfect Sacrifice died an agonizing death.  He didn’t deserve to be treated with such cruelty.

When He returns, He will come with great power and glory.  As was mentioned, He conquered death, hell, and the grave.  He will always be worthy of our praise. Through the endless ages we will join the heavenly chorus in praise to the “King of Kings and Lord of Lords.”  He is worthy of all that our verse names. In short, He is worthy of all the honor and praise, which His angels and people will forever give Him.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Ask God to protect international pastors and their families, hiding them in the shadow of His wings today.
NOTE: This is WNAC’s annual PreEaster Week of Prayer for World Missions. The 2011  focus is two-fold: Hard Places and Harvest Places. Download the daily prayer guide and join Women Active for Christ everywhere in focused intercession for global evangelism efforts.

“And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead.  And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:  I am he that liveth, and was dead, and behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and death”  (Revelation 1:17-18).

John got a glimpse of the glory of God as described in preceding verses. Like John, I think I would have fallen as dead at his feet. However, when that image spoke to him, he assuredly experienced comfort and peace. What blessed assurance to know we will spend eternity with the One who conquered death, hell, and the grave.

What will it be like when we see Jesus?  Imagine what that will be like as we kneel before Him.  He is everything the Word describes…and more.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for FWBIM office staff and volunteers—often unsung heroes.
NOTE: This is WNAC’s annual PreEaster Week of Prayer for World Missions. The 2011  focus is two-fold: Hard Places and Harvest Places. Download the daily prayer guide and join Women Active for Christ everywhere in focused intercession for global evangelism efforts.