Daily Treasure

“And it came to pass after these things, that the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, fell sick; and his sickness was so sore, that there was no breath left in him” (1  Kings 17:17).

As we begin our final week of this study, we find our “solitaire” facing another trial. God had worked a miracle, and she was so grateful that neither she nor her son ever went hungry during the famine.  But the last thing she needed was to face another crisis. In today’s passage, we glimpse a grief-stricken, widowed mother.  She feels so alone in spite of her faith.  Human emotions overwhelm her.  As with any mother, she adores her son.  Now he is dead.

How many times have we also gone from the fire to the furnace? Just when we thought we were through a crisis, another one comes on its heels. In these times, we learn God is still enough. We have no strength to rely upon, but His strength is perfect.

Check in tomorrow as we continue this heartrending story.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray that God would open new doors for The Hanna Project.

“…Why are you doing this all alone?”  (Exodus 18:14 NLT).

I don’t know why, Lord.  I really don’t know.

I know I’m not worthy of Your help.

I’m not really wanting to bother You with my petty things.

I’m trying to live out the verses that tell me of the strength You’ve provided me.

No.  No, those probably aren’t the real reasons.

I..well…I don’t want to admit I can’t.

I…uh…I would prefer that everyone continue to believe I’m some kind of wonder woman.

I…well…I might as well say it…I want it done my way.  There, I’ve said it.

The real reasons why I continue to struggle underneath burdens of my own making, weights that are dragging me down and over issues I choose to hang on to aren’t pretty.  They’re centered around me.  They focus on my own abilities.  They tend to highlight my…well, they’ve always tended to highlight my…failures.

Why am I trying to do it on my own?  I’ve seen your record and I’ve experienced my own. And to tell you the truth, I’m not making such a wise choice.  But You knew that all along, didn’t You?

You’ll help me, won’t You?  I mean, not only in the things that need done, but in the change I’ll have to go through in order to break this pattern I seem to be repeating.  Be patient with me; I’ve created quite a rut for myself.  Years of practice will be hard to undo, but You will, won’t You?

Whew, I have to say, it feels a lot better getting this off my chest.  Thanks for asking.

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for pastors who are struggling with discouragement.

“Day by day the Lord takes care of the innocent, and they will receive a reward that lasts forever.  They will survive through hard times; even in famine they will have more than enough”  (Psalm 37:18-19 NLT).

You’re not questioning the Lord’s plan, are you?

In the midst of your storm?  In the dark of your longest night?  With the diagnosis still ringing in your ears?  Having held so much, and now grasping for anything?  Your faith wavering?  Your hopes dashed?  Your joy having left you?  Enemies surrounding you?  Spiritually thirsting and hungering? Doubt?

And what does He provide?  Care.  A reward that lasts forever.  Survival.  Provision.

Look outside your circumstance.  Look beyond what today holds.  Look past what you can accomplish.  Look deeply into His promises to care for His own—He does not change.

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: It’s a full moon. Step outside tonight and praise God for His wonderful creation.

“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us” (Ephesians 3:20).

When we fail to turn our problems and cares over to Him, we put a limit on what God can do for us. We limit Him by thinking our problems are too big or small for Him to handle.  James 4:2b states “…yet ye have not because ye ask not.”  Today’s verse tells us He is capable of providing for us beyond our expectations.  Take God at His Word.  He can do anything but fail.

Next week we will continue with our study of the widow of Zarephath.  If you thought her story ended with one miracle, you will want to learn “the rest of the story.”

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray that God would give WNAC direction in expanding our ministry to better meet the needs of women.

Prayerfully read Matthew 6:25-34:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%206:25-34&version=KJV

We find Matthew 6 written all in red.   God is speaking to us.  He is telling us to stop worrying about everything.  He advises us to seek Him first and everything else will fall into place.  He is very aware of what we need and face in this life.  So why do we continue to stress over things when we can place everything under His control?

We fret over some of the most trivial things and things that haven’t even happened yet.

Oh, that we could just live one day at a time and praise Him daily for taking such good care of us.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray God would call young men from your church into ministry.

“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

We often think this verse refers to financial matters.  The verse says “all your need.”  There is no limit to what God can do for us.  The Bible tells us if we ask anything in His will, it’s as good as done. Last week, we learned of God’s provision—an endless supply of meal and oi—for a poor widow during a famine. In His mercy and wisdom we learn, if we trust Him, no problem is too small or large for Him.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for homeless women in your community.

“I have been young, and now am old, yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread” (Psalm 37:25).

Every child of God should commit this verse to memory.  It is a testimony of God’s providential care.  Often times we neglect taking time to thank Him for His loving care.  For food, health, shelter and countless blessings, we should come before Him daily with thankful hearts.  Instead of constantly being doubtful and filled with worry, take time to praise God for all He’s brought you through.  You will find, as I, that God always provides.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray that God would supply tuition costs for students at the Bible Institute in Chame, Panama.