Daily Treasure

“Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us. To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace” (Luke 1:78-79).

A Survey of the New Testament concludes Luke 1 this way: “John the Baptist was born.  Zacharias sang a beautiful song called The Benedictus. It is a great hymn of faith, of hope and of gratitude  This is a song of the salvation that God has provided for all men.  God is spoken of as the Dayspring from on high who has visited us.”

These events happened right before the promised Messiah was born. Zacharias praised God for the miracle son given to him and Elisabeth as well for the hope he possessed of the coming Messiah.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Exercise the mind as well as the body. Ask God to help you memorize a new Scripture each month. Done? Try weekly/then daily.

“The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light sprung up”  (Matthew 4:16).

Today’s verse is the fulfillment of Isaiah 9:2.  Many years had passed since Isaiah made his prophecy.  During that time the people walked in darkness. It wasn’t only sin, but also ignorance that kept them in the shadow of death. One never gets accustomed to that kind of darkness.

When Isaiah’s prophecy was accomplished, it was like a giant burst of light shining to break all the darkness. How wonderful it is to know that even when the road we take leads us into darkness, God, in His love and grace, will never leave us there. God will shed His redeeming Light to lead us back to Him.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Know anyone who is always complaining? Pray for this person, then give her a call, determining to say only positive, God-honoring words.

“Now glory be to God!  By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more that we would ever dare to ask or hope”  (Ephesians 3:20 NLT).

What big thing will you face today?  Will you be controlling your tongue as you deal with another?  Are you attempting to walk the healthy path?  Preparing a tough Sunday School lesson?  Scheduled to work with the kids at church?  Going to the in-laws for lunch?  Having to work and therefore missing out on worship service all together?  Sitting smack dab in the middle of a dispute of neighbors?

What big thing is planned for you?

Before you take your first step towards beginning your big thing, praise God.

Yes, I said praise God.  Go ahead, before you get your hands dirty, a sweat worked up or caught up in the middle of it, praise Him for the outcome.  Anticipate His help and glorify Him for it.  Acknowledge His part in the plans and purpose of your life, in each and every part of it, and tell Him just how wonderful you think He is.

“Now glory be to God!  By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more that we would ever dare to ask or hope.”  Ephesians 3:20

Oh sure, you can wait to do it…but why?  What ever your big thing is, however you handle it, despite the outcome–He’s still God, He is unchanging, He is still worthy of our praise.

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Are there retired pastors in your area who might enjoy a visit or card from you? Pray for these individuals today.

“No one would light a lamp and then cover it up or put it under a bed.  No, lamps are mounted in the open, where they can be seen by those entering the house”  (Luke 8:16 NLT)

This little light of mine?  What am I doing with it?

Does everyone I come into contact with see it?  Is it evident in my words, my actions, my attitude?

Have I hidden Christ, the Morning Sun, the Bright and Shining Star, so that no one can see His light in me?

Is He who they see first when I enter a room?  Do I glow from having been in His presence?  Are my eyes lit up with joy because the Son of God resides in my heart?

Just what do I do with this little light of mine?

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for Bible college presidents: Matthew Pinson, Timothy Eaton, Wendall Walley, Karl Sexton and Lorenza Stox.

“And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight”  (Luke 24: 27; 30).

Before Christ ascended, He made several appearances to His disciples and other of His followers. One such appearance occurred on the road to Emmaus, the day of His resurrection. Scholars may debate the identity of these followers, but whoever they were, they didn’t recognize that He was Christ. The two men had been talking about Jesus and the events of surrounding His crucifixion. In their grief they were confused and disillusioned.

Jesus taught them from the Scriptures concerning Himself, sharing with them how prophecies had been fulfilled.  He then went on to share a meal with them. He broke the bread and passed it around. Suddenly, like light dawning, their eyes were opened and they recognized Christ. What joy they felt!  Christ had risen!  However, as soon as that happened, He vanished from them.

Christ then met with His disciples and convinced them of His bodily resurrection. He gave them their final instructions to evangelize the world.

Many today need their eyes opened to the truths of God and His Word. Unless we point them to the “risen light,” their eyes will remain closed.  Can we stand by as they stumble in the darkness?

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray that God’s people will have open ears and obedient hearts. He’s still calling workers to the fields white unto harvest.

“Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee” (Isaiah 60:1).

This verse begins with two commands. The first is “arise” and the second is “shine.” As we serve the Lord and wait for His coming, we may tend to become a little lax. It’s not that we’ve fallen into a deep sleep, but we do face that danger. Our verse starts with “arise.” Wake up and get back in the race. Our mission on earth is not over. We can’t let our lamp go out while souls are perishing. We must stay mission-oriented or our light will fade to a flicker.

One source points out that God appeared, when necessary, in some form of light. We remember the pillars given to the Israelites in the wilderness. Isaiah’s prophecy of the coming Messiah promised them the True Light.  That would surpass all other forms of light because it would be one of redeeming glory.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Begin praying now for July’s WNAC Convention in Charlotte, NC.

“And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them”  (Isaiah 42:16).

From time to time I must rely on commentaries or devotional emails as I share thoughts with you. Today is one of those times. One writer said of this passage:

“This verse is referring to the spiritually blinded people/nation of Israel.  The prophet Isaiah is showing how Israel did not learn from the troubled past of the people.  They witnessed miracles, saw blessings when they obeyed God, and went through tribulations when they did not.  This verse is showing that even though God’s people may be blinded from the truth and from what God has planned for them, He would not forsake them.

The same can be said of the everyday Christian. We may have gone through some difficult times that have blinded us from God’s plan and even robbed us of our godly joy. With that said, God still has a job for us to do, and, as long as we walk in obedience to God’s will, He will shine a light on our path to make our journey easy.  It is not until the journey is complete, and, we can look back are we no longer blinded. We see the full glory of God in our lives. We also will see the many blessings He has given us through that journey.”

I can only add this thought. If we let God’s redemptive light shine through and for us, we can claim the promise He will never leave nor forsake us.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Have you ever invited your mayor/council members to church?  Consider this unique way to witness and honor their offices, thanking God for them and offering special prayers for each one.