Daily Treasure

“Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath” (Ephesians 4:26).

Another garment that needs to come out of the closet of our lives is anger.  A spouse would not find this attire attractive. The Lord feels the same way.  Nursing grudges does not enhance any relationship.

For couples, the adage, “Always kiss me goodnight” is a good one to adopt. Get rid of anger issues before sundown.

In putting off the old nature we must learn to place our emotions under God’s control. When anger begins to overtake us, get over it quickly.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for E-TEAM students and leaders as well as the missionaries and families who will host these teams.

“That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts” (Ephesians 4:22).

As we get rid of any excess baggage, we will find some aspects may be harder to put off than others.  Whatever the relationship, letting go of the past is one of the most difficult.  Once everything is out in the open, our feelings associated with guilt, shame, and the inability of forgiving ourselves must be sifted through.  It takes time to just let go and move on.  However, the sooner we can do this the better.  By God’s mercy and grace we can find the needed strength to overcome.   Put off the garments of “deceitful lusts.”  Don’t plan to wear them anymore.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for Sarah Fletcher as she completes the July/August issue of TWG and prepares the 2010 Program and Plan Book.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my thoughts. And see if there be any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24).

Week two of our TWG Bible study with these words, “All honeymoon luggage includes a certain amount of personal baggage.  Sorting and sifting through old hurts and wounds will help you move forward and allow you to live in healthy relationship with a spouse.” This can also apply to our relationship with Christ.  It’s one thing to be less than honest with old hurts and attitudes with our spouse.  However, it’s even worse when we fail to be honest with ourselves.  We all may have baggage that needs to be unpacked and gone through.  Failure to do this will affect our future.

Go to God and pray today’s verses. Have Him do a baggage check.  Your load will be so much lighter as you continue your journey. You are bound to have a happier marriage and your walk with God will be blissful, too.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for the Go 10 Walk for the World. Ask God to call young people to take the gospel to others.

“The next morning Jesus awoke long before daybreak and went out alone into the wilderness to pray”  (Mark 1:35 NLT).

Because of His supreme knowledge, Jesus was well aware of what His day would hold and what would be required of Him.  He knew the power He’d be allowed to display, the healings He’d be a part of, the patience He’d have to have with the people He’d meet and the disciples He’d chosen.  He knew His day would require that He be completely in touch with His Father.  Jesus, even in His perfection, knew He needed God on a daily basis.

Cars need gasoline.

Computers need electricity.

Plants need carbon dioxide.

I need God on a daily basis, too.  Oh, I’ll try to do it on my own.  I’ll struggle to handle things as only I can.  I’ll stumble beneath a load I’m not intended to carry.  I’ll pack my day full of things of great importance, but not make the time for Him.  I’ll substitute many things for Him and at the end of the day realize that anything less than time with Him has been a waste of time.

He knows I need Him—and He’s more than willing to oblige me of His time and His presence.

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for the many VBS programs planned for the summer. This is a great outreach tool for churches.

“The baby’s sister than stood at a distance, watching to see what would happen to him”  (Exodus 2:4).

The basket had been made.  The pitch prayerfully applied.  His favorite blanket tucked neatly around him.  His ark of safety set silently to sail on the Nile.

The mother had to leave the riverbank, going home to pray…but she instructed her daughter to stay.  Strict instructions were given to monitor the situation very closely.  Orders were made that required she keep her eyes on the little basket at all times.

Why?

I believe Moses’ mother expected a miracle.

I do not think she expected Pharoah’s daughter.  I doubt she ever imagined her little one’s new home would be a palace.  I hesitate to believe she wasn’t overwhelmed with praise for Yahweh when she nursed her baby that evening.  I can see her waking in the night and walking to his cradle, just to make sure she wasn’t dreaming.

But isn’t that how God works?  If we hang on just a little longer what will we see?  If we hold out in faith for a few more moments, how will He amaze us?  If we present the request and watch–expectantly?

How will He awe you today?

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: As we celebrate Armed Forces Day, pray for all our service men and women.

“And  Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands for my sake and the gospel’s, But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life” (Mark 10:29-30).

Some people never marry because they feel they must give up too much.  The same often holds true of people making a commitment to God. The willingness to invest one’s self in spite of any sacrifices to make a marriage work will result in wedded bliss.  The desire to forsake all to live for Christ results in blessings along with the promise of eternal life.  One commentary states, “God takes nothing from a Christian without making multiplied restorations in a new or glorified form.”  You gain more than you give up,  so what do you have to lose?

Even if we must face suffering or persecution in this life, take comfort in the words of Romans 8:18.  “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”  Be willing to forsake all to follow the One who will never forsake you. (Hebrews 13:5b)

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for our sisters in Illinois as they attend their state WAC meeting tomorrow.

“And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him” (Mark 1:18).

When a couple marries, their priorities need to become meshed.  They should be ones that put Christ first.  Life is no longer all about one or the other, it’s about what matters most to them as a Christian couple.

Simon and his brother Andrew were fishermen. This was their priority, their livelihood.  However, Jesus had something better for them to do with their lives. He was going to make them “fishers of men.”  Did they hesitate and ask questions?  No  They “forsook their nets, and followed him.”

What things are in your “net?” What do your priorities revolve around?  If Christ were to call you to forsake all , could you, as a couple or an  individual, answer that call?

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for missionaries Sam and June McVay as they travel and raise funds.