Daily Treasure

“…God created the heaven and the earth” (Genesis 1:1b).

Other than creative writing, my artistic skills are very limited.  I’m in awe of those who can take various types of materials and create things of beauty. However, I’ve never met anyone who could virtually take nothing and create masterpieces.  The portion of today’s verse enlightens all of us to the fact that is exactly what God did. Praise God today for His amazing power as Creator.

Our January study is entitled, “Creative Light.”  This week I hope to “create” devotionals that will take us back in time when the story of God’s Creation began.  Imagine you were there.

Tomorrow we will shed some “light” on those Who participated in this marvelous event.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Praise HIM today for His unconditional love—to you and to the world.

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

“Rise and shine!” Reading this verse from Isaiah brings back memories of church camp. Every morning we awoke to the clang of a camp bell and the voice of a counselor proclaiming, “Rise and shine, girls.” Some of us (the morning people) were already stirring. Others required a gentle nudge and a second admonition, “Rise and shine.” Rising and shining meant climbing out of bed, making up that bed and getting dressed—physically preparing for the day.

“Arise, shine…” What did these words mean to the people in Isaiah’s day? They were prophetic words of hope. A new day—the long-awaited day of salvation—was dawning. The glory of the Lord would be revealed in the face of the Son, Jesus the Messiah. Rising and shining involved spiritually preparing their hearts for His arrival.

How do Isaiah’s words relate to us today? Our Great Counselor speaks and often gently nudges us out of our slumber. “Rise and shine.”  The Light is come—come to shine through us to reveal the glory of the Father and guide others to the True Light.

May we prepare ourselves both physically and spiritually for this Lord’s day. “Rise and shine, girls.” Rise and shine and give God the glory in our every word and in our acts of worship.

Sarah Fletcher
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: After confessing known sin, ask God to reveal unknown sin in your life.

“I will sing a new song unto thee, O God: upon a psaltery and an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee. [For Thou hast] put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD. O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory. Sing unto him a new song…For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth. …Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth, ye that go down to the sea, and all that is therein; the isles, and the inhabitants thereof. O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth. Sing unto the LORD, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people. Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; [when together we lift our voices in] …a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.

O, sing unto the Lord a new song…”

Psalm 33:3-4; 40:3; 96:1-3; 98:1; 144:9; 149:1; Isaiah 42:10; Revelation 5:9.

PRAY TOGETHER: May this new year and each day be a reminder of God’s love, grace and mercies toward you. Pray to live each day as if it were your last (Ecclesiastes 9:10a).

“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).

Another way we can be a beacon is to obey the call to holy living.  We are in the world, but we should not be of the world.  It is sad the world has crept into churches and among Christian people. Our lives should shine with distinct differences. We are called to be a “peculiar people.”  I liked the study writer’s illustration of the lights on a ball field. “There are many lights on one pole, and each light is positioned to shine on a specific part of the field. If one light goes out, there will be a dark spot on the field.”  Envision the world as that field and Christians as that pole of lights. Now look at your corner of the world.  If your light goes out, that part of the field will remain dark.

We must resolve to let our lights shine until Jesus comes just like Anna did.  Using the words of a familiar motel commercial, let us all pledge to also say, “we’ll leave the light on.”

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray 2011 will be a year of God’s favor and that He “will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations” (Isaiah 61).

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

Is your light flickering with the possibility of going out?  Have you lost the zeal to shine for Him?  Have you grown impatient waiting for His return?  It’s time for some fresh oil for your lamp. Anna spent at least four decades waiting for the first coming of Christ.  Her love for God and faith in His promises did not wane. She served God with great anticipation.  The message for us today is, keep the faith and shine for Him while we are waiting to see Him face to face. Be a beacon for the lost on life’s sea. They may perish if your light goes out.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray that God would grant physical endurance and emotional strength for Kenneth and Rejane Eagleton as they make preparations for a stateside assignment.

“For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6).

The light of the gospel brought us out of the darkness of sin. We must allow His light to shine in darkness to lead others to the true Light.  Anna didn’t have the resources we have today, but that didn’t stop her from letting her light shine.  We must use whatever means possible to penetrate the darkness of a sin-cursed world. When we do, we are remembering the impact Anna had on the lives of others.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for FWBIM Ambassadors preparing to travel and promote the WMO (World Missions Offering).

“But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Before we come to know the Lord, it is like our faces are covered with a veil. When we turn to the Lord, the veil comes off. We become as mirrors, seeking to reflect the glory of God.

Our study writer states “She (Anna) didn’t spend her days at the Temple trying to earn a spot in the Bible.”  She labored so others could see God in her life.

Does your life reflect the glory of God?  Did the brightness of Christ shine through your life this Christmas season?  Does the life you live point others to the true Light? Anna could answer “yes” to those questions.  If you couldn’t, take a look in the mirror. Maybe it’s time to rekindle your light.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for WNAC staff as they work to close out their financial year.