Daily Treasure

“And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us” (I  John 5:14).

We never have to wonder if God answers prayers.  It isn’t always His will for Him to say, “yes.”  Our loving Father wants what is best for us and works everything out for our good. Claim Romans 8:28.  Whatever comes our way does so for a purpose whether we like it or not.  Remember what God brings you to, He will bring you through.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray concerning God’s choice for WNAC Executive Secretary-Treasurer.

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations.  Knowing this, that the trying of  your faith worketh  patience”  (James 1:2-3).

Our last week of the study deals with our reaction to discouragement.  You read our verses today and probably thought, “you’re kidding, right?”  I’m facing tribulation and I should be happy about it?  From experience, it really does help your faith to grow.  One commentary I read said we should allow our faith to grow so next time we face any kind of trial we will be stronger.  Think about the many times you endured any  kind of difficulty.  You can draw strength knowing you lived through it to testify of God’s faithfulness.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: As you view discouragement through the eyes of three individuals in Luke 15, pray for discouraged persons in your church and women’s group. Ask God for wisdom in encouraging them.

PRAY TOGETHER: Encourage women to complete the weekly studies in TWG. Make this a matter of prayer today.

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” ( Proverbs 3:5-6).

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart: Webster defines trust as “having reliance or faith in” and “having confidence in”.  When we put our complete confidence (faith) in the Lord, wonderful things will happen.  We can see souls saved, people accept the call to missions, good grades at school, safe travel, flourishing marriages, etc.  Nothing is too small for us to trust the Lord with.  He cares about it ALL.  Psalm 37:5 tells us to trust in the Lord and do good.  If our trust is in the Lord, can we do anything but good?

and lean not unto thine own understanding: We don’t need to glory in our own wisdom (Jeremiah 9:23).  Sometimes the Lord leads us in a direction that we, by ourselves, are not comfortable with.  He allows us to move outside of our comfort zone.  Public speaking is not my forte’, but the Lord allowed me to speak to a group of ladies at a retreat several years ago.  My husband had just accepted the call to preach, and I was selected with a group of ladies to give a portion of the talk.  Through my trust in the Lord and listening to him instead of me, we (the Lord and me) made it through just fine.  If we trust in him and follow his leading, good will result.

In all thy ways acknowledge him: God is such an awesome God.  We cannot fathom his powers.  Give God the glory; he’s the reason we’re here.  Everything we do should be for his glory.  Not just the big things, and not just things other people see.  In ALL thy ways acknowledge him.

and he shall direct thy paths: In 1 Chronicles 28:9, David charged Solomon to seek God and he will be found.  If we seek him he will guide us in the path we must go.  We have to seek to find our path.  It’s often been said that we don’t go on a trip without a map.  We rely on that map to get us from point A to point B.  If we lose the map, we may veer off the correct path.  If we don’t seek God by trusting him and acknowledging him, we will get out of that straight, narrow path to Heaven.  We must show our trust in the Lord and not our own understanding.  May your journey be one with the Lord.

Melissa Haralson
Arkansas

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for those in the Belo Horizonte Church (Brazil) who are taking on new ministries.

“Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves comforted of God” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

We may not always understand why we must endure times of discouragement.  However, we can take our testimony to those who may be facing similar circumstances.  You can encourage and comfort others with how God brought you through some tough times.  When someone comes to me who has been where I am, it gives me courage to keep pressing on.  Just be there to listen and give comfort.  Someone was there for you.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for the WNAC staff and Executive Committee as they make plans for WNAC’s 75th anniversary celebration in Oklahoma City, OK, this July.

“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (2 Corinthians 4:17).

When we face discouragement in any form, the “affliction” seems to weigh us down. But consider what lies ahead when it passes. We often forget the most precious words of the Bible, “and it came to pass.”  Troubles don’t come to stay, they come to pass.  We just need to have faith and patience.  In comparison to the glory that awaits us, we can face the uncertainties of life with hope. Better days are indeed coming.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Many missionaries are reaping spiritual fruit. Pray they can effectively disciple these new believers and help them grow spiritually.

“What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee”  (Psalm 56:3).

Many times when things in life are working against us, we shouldn’t rely on anyone but God to see us through them.  It’s easy to trust God when life seems to be running smooth.  However, when discouragement overwhelms us we need to remember the same God who helps us during the good times is still there for us.  He is aware of what we face and admonishes us to “fear not.”  We should be grateful “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1).

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: PANAMA: Pray for the Cuban couple interested in doing mission work outside their homeland, who might come work at the seminary.