Daily Treasure

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promises…” (1 Peter 3:9a).

The ceremony has begun.  The minister states the couple have come together in the presence of God  and in front of those who are attending the wedding, to be joined together in holy matrimony.  Sadly, many couples who once stood before God and pledged their love and loyalty are now divorced. God intended that these vows be taken seriously and kept until “death do [you] part.”

God always keeps His promises.  Nothing ever happens that would cause Him to break them.  Our verse uses the word, “slack,”  meaning the Lord is not negligent or careless about His promises.  Oh,  that couples would take seriously the “blue” tradition and remain faithful to their vows before God.  Oh, that we all would keep any promises we make to God.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for Maude Coffey, former WNAC president, as she prepares to relocate in Tennessee.

“And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband”  (Revelation 21:2).

This is somewhat of a continuation of yesterday’s devotional. Symbols of all four parts of our wedding tradition are worn to enhance the beauty of the bride. With these adornings, she is finally ready to walk down the aisle to meet her groom.

We have learned from our study in relationship to the Bride of Christ, that we must put off the “old” sin nature,  put on His “new” nature, “borrow” wisdom from godly examples, and add a wisp of “blue” for faithfulness.  With these adornings and beauty enhancements, we, the Bride, look ready to meet our Bridegroom.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for Debe Taylor, former WNAC president, as she shines God’s light in the business world.

“That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy without blemish” (Ephesians 5:27).

There’s something beautiful about a bride.  Dressed in her white gown, her face glows. This special day marks a new beginning for her and her groom.

One day there will be an event even more special.  I can only imagine the awesome sight when the Bride of Christ, in white array, is caught up to be with her Bridegroom.

I doubt if I could ever find the words to describe the look on the faces of His saints. What joy there will be as eternity begins.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray diligently for Elizabeth Hodges, our new executive director—the person we believe God has set aside and chosen for this important position.

“For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s”  (1 Corinthians 6:20).

As we focus on the “something blue” part of the wedding tradition, let us first look at a Jewish tradition.  Our study writer gives us some insight to several of them in the topic “Redeemed.”   The Jewish bridegroom would go to his future bride’s home. He gave a covenant payment to her father. He bought his bride.  This bound the bride to stay faithful to him during the waiting period before the actual wedding took place.  Our wearing of the blue symbolizes the bride’s faithfulness to her husband.

Christ paid the ultimate price for His Bride, the Church.  As part of that “Bride,” we should stay faithful to Him as we await His return for us.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER:Pray for Arkansas Women Active for Christ as they meet together today and for WNAC’s new leader, Elizabeth Hodges. This is her first state meeting to attend as WNAC Executive Director.

“When Jesus got back into the boat, the man who had been demon possessed begged to go, too.  But Jesus said, No, go home to your friends and tell them what wonderful things the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been”  (Mark 5:18-19).

He wanted to go with Jesus.  He knew what Jesus had done for him, and he did not want to leave.  He was content to stay in Jesus’ presence.  He wanted to experience all of Jesus he could experience.  He didn’t want to go back to his friends, his hometown, his old haunts.

But Jesus wouldn’t let him. He asked him to go and share what had happened in his life with the people who knew the old him.

We do the same thing.  We linger at the altar.  We hang around after church is dismissed.  We are practically pushed out the door by the janitor each Sunday.  We don’t want to leave Him, do we?  It’s easier to be Christ-like in the church house, with hymns playing in the background, surrounded by Christians and the comfortable feel of the pews.

But He wants us to tell others.  He’s designed us to be living, breathing testimonies of His greatness.  He has created this great, big world, placing evidence of Him at every turn—but He wants us to speak.

Spend your time in His presence, fill up with the Holy Spirit, receive your marching orders—then go and tell the world all about it.

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: The color blue is beautiful. But when blues enter our lives? Not so much. Pray for women who struggle with depression.

“But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil”  (Hebrews 5:14).

As we close our study for July, I hope we have learned the importance of borrowing and being prepared.  As we apply what we have borrowed, there will come a time when we can claim those things as our own.  We will always be a work in progress.  We will, from time to time, still feel the need to borrow.  Don’t be too proud to ask for help. You may have reached a point where you are ready to wean yourself from the “milk” of the Word and start digging into its “meat.”  Congratulations! You are gaining maturity.  Don’t stop now.  Continue to learn and grow until the Bridegroom comes.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for fellow colaborers in various areas of the world who have suffered from floods, earthquakes and other life-changing challenges this year.

“To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.  Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded” (Titus 2:5-6).

Our verses contain principles that elders are supposed to teach the younger.  Young woman, take these teachings and apply them the rest of your days until you must pass them on to the next generation.  Don’t let the cycle be broken.

Some people fear the cycle will be broken.  Pray those concerns will be unnecessary and those fears unfounded.  If parents, grandparents, and older leaders of the church will do their part, teaching by example the truths of God, young people will be able to learn the truths they must pass on when they become the elders.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: It’s okay to share a memory, but not okay to borrow tomorrow. Pray for widows in your church, widows of ministers and missionary widows as they await a reunion with their mates in Heaven.