Daily Treasure

“Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at anytime.  If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us” (1 John 4:11-12).

As we close this study, I hope we have gleaned some insights about Mary.  Her life could be summed up in the words, trust and obey. For us to find that same favor, we must seek to define our lives in those same words. Our heart’s desire, no matter our name, should be to seek favor with God.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray safety for families traveling to and from home during the holidays. Pray also for MKs apart from their families during this season.

“Pure religion and undefiled before God and Father is this.  To visit the fatherless and widows in their afflction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world” (James 1:27).

The Christmas season seems to be a time when people open their hearts and wallets to help the less fortunate. The fatherless and widows both number in that group.

The Living Bible offers this commentary on today’s verse. “The Christian who is pure and without fault, from God the Father’s point of view, is the one who takes care of orphans and widows, and remains true to the Lord—not soiled and dirtied by his contacts with the world.”  As we strive to obey the words of today’s verse, we must think of ways we can help the needy after the holidays. Living in this world, we see so much apathy.  Don’t allow ourselves to be part of that crowd.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray that seeds sown in Christmas gospel presentations would reap a harvest of souls within these next few months.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness,goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance:against such there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23).
Before we begin, MERRY CHRISTMAS!  May we pause today to reflect on the meaning of this wondrous day.

Knowing God’s will is putting our love for Him into action.  Most of us are familiar with today’s verses. If these traits are evident in our life, we are showing a lost world that His Spirit is working in us.

May we use every day, every season, to share the gospel. May others see what a difference God has made and continues to make in our lives.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for chaplains, relief workers and missionary families worldwide who are celebrating the holidays apart from family and friends.

“And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live” (Luke 10:25-28).

The title of the beautiful song “Loving God, Loving Each Other,”  recorded by the Gaither Vocal Band expresses the answer the lawyer gave to Jesus.  It is the will of God for us to love Him and love others.  If we are willing to do that, we will live a blessed life now and for eternity.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for the final night of the live nativity outreach at the St. Nazaire Church in France, as well as for Christmas Eve services this evening within your community, in church planting efforts throughout North America and in mission churches around the world.

“For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother” (Matthew 12:50).

The last week of our December study is titled, “Blessed Through Obedience.” Christmas will soon be here.  Obviously, “Jesus is the reason for the season.” But one more time, let’s focus on Mary, His earthly mother. Mary needed a Savior just as we do.  She found favor with God because of  her humility and willingness to do God’s will.  This week’s study introduction states “What a privilege Mary experience as she carried the Son of God in her womb. What a privilege she possessed to nurture Him and then watch Him perform magnificient miracles among people in all walks of life.”

When we seek to do God’s will, we gain privileges, too. “We know those same privileges as we carry Him in our hearts and see His miracles unfold in our lives and the lives of those around us.” Many people live far below what God wants to do in their lives.  Today’s verse makes it clear that if we do the will of God, we are indeed part of His family. Even though we are “adopted,” we have the same rights as blood family. One day soon, as “joint-heirs with Christ,”  we’ll experience the family joys and riches of Heaven. That should excite us.
Just like Mary, we, too can become “highly favored and blessed.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER:  Pray for members of the Good News Chapel Church in Japan as they host an evangelistic outreach, a Christmas charity concert to benefit the Tohoku area affected by the March 2011 earthquake/tsunami, as well as for Christmas outreaches this day at the Koinonia and Bihoro Churches in Hokkaido.

“Have not I commanded thee?  Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest” (Joshua 1:9).

Our verse came to Joshua at a time when he started walking in Moses’ shoes. This must have seemed like an overwhelming task to him, because God repeated these words several times to Joshua.

As we face uncertain days before Christ returns, much like Joshua, we may need reminders. When we needed a Savior, God sent His Son. Believe in His promises, knowing whatever our name or need, God is always there for us.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for believers in the St. Nazaire Church as they make final preparation for their annual Live Nativity, beginning tomorrow and continuing each evening through Christmas Eve.

“If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.  But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him” (John 10:37-38).

Today’s verses conclude the conversation mentioned yesterday. These words are written in red. Jesus couldn’t have made it much simpler.  He was sent by His Father to do His Father’s will.  Everything up to His death on the cross, Christ did under His Father’s authority. So why would anyone not believe the works of Christ?  At His Ascension, after Christ arose and conquered death, hell and the grave, He restated, “All power is given unto me in heaven and earth.”(Matthew 28:18b)  We should never underestimate that power.  Every time it is displayed, I’m happy to be in His favor.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

​PRAY TOGETHER: ​Pray for local food and Christmas gift distributions in your community. Is this something in which you could be involved? Pray about future participation in one of these ministry outreaches.