Daily Treasure

“My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes” (Psalm 119:171).

During school days I remember being either very interested in the subject which I was studying, or indifferent to the subject. My attitude depended upon my interests and my inclination toward that particular subject. I love history, so I still love to read historical accounts and sometimes historical novels. Science was another story altogether and I was indifferent. I did read and study and I received top grades in science, but it was not something that I intended to pursue and the subject of science is not something that I enjoy in conversation. However, get me with some history buffs and I am excited to listen and partake in the repartee.

Chapter 119 of the Psalms, beginning with verse 169 through the end of the chapter, is an example of “praising lips.” This writer has asked for learning and discernment and then praises God for the principles the principles he has been taught by God. He wants to sing about the commands of God and God’s Word. It is obvious that this person loves the subject he is learning. 

When we do study God’s promises, His precepts, and His principles, we should become excited. It is not history or science, but His Word is alive and speaks and lives in and through us. We can feel His presence through His Spirit, but also through His message to us. We should be able to feel it like the prophet Jeremiah, as determined not to speak of God’s Word and wonders, but declared, “But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.”

Our prayer should be, “Father, please give me a passion for your Word so that as I learn your  precepts, I can not stay silent, but have a song of praise on my lips for your Word is like a fire in my heart, and I can not be still or silent.”

Tracy Payne

Oklahoma

Pray Together: CREATIVE ACCESS: Pray for the effectiveness of various classes and programs that provide points of contact with unreached peoples.

(Glory performed by Nichole Nordeman)

Karyn Pugh

Tennessee

Pray Together: Pray that WAC groups will know God’s calling as women in our world.

“Enter into his gates with thanksgiving and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him and bless his name” (Psalm 100:4).

This coming Thursday we will commemorating Thanksgiving. We should celebrate it with a life of “thanks living” as the deacon of my former church used to say. We have so many blessings to be thankful for as individuals and as Free Will Baptists. Our missions program has a rich heritage and for the great things God has done within it. We should praise God for what has been accomplished. However, as we reflect on all of this, we should remember there is still work to be done.

Pray we can see even more accomplished as we “labor together with God” for the salvation of souls.

Sue Winchester

Missouri

Pray Together: PRAY BACKWARD: Praise God today for the rich heritage of FWB missions and for the great things He has done.

“How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:14).

If the Lord tarries His coming, we will need to “pray forward,” looking to the future of home missions work. There is an urgency to spread the gospel before His return.

We can’t ignore the need that today’s verses present. Who will our present missionaries turn the work over to when the time comes? The laborers are few to work the harvest now. What will the future hold? “Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest that he will send forth labourers into his harvest” (Matthew 9:38).

Sue Winchester

Missouri

Pray Together: PRAY FORWARD: Pray today for future missionaries and ministries. (Pray that God would burden hearts with the urgency of the harvest; pray that believers of all ages would respond to His call.)

“For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries” (1 Corinthians 16:9).

Today’s verse could easily be connected with our November Bible study; we need to think and pray “outside the box.” We expect home missionaries to reach out to souls in their “field,” but what about us? Let us pray, not only for “open doors” of opportunity for our missionaries, but, for ourselves as well. We must reach out beyond our church walls to souls who need the Lord. There is a book available through WNAC titled, “101 Ways to Reach Your Community,” by Steve Sjogren. It is a must read if you desire to get more involved in community ministries.

Sue Winchester

Missouri

Pray Together: PRAY OUTWARD: Pray today for community ministry opportunities. (These could include sports ministries, servant evangelism, chaplaincies, mentorships, childcare, tutoring services or other methods of outreach.)

“Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41).

We tend to forget, at times, our missionaries are just people. They are not immune from dealing with human frailties. They can face frustration, discouragement, or even depression just like us. From time to time we all need to “pray inward” lest we fall into temptation. Pray for the spiritual health as well as for any physical needs of our missionaries. Pray also for any needs of their families.

Sue Winchester

Missouri

Pray Together: PRAY INWARD: Pray today for the spiritual health of missionaries and their families. (Sometimes a missionary’s greatest challenge lies within himself or the four walls of his home.)

“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord” (Psalm 121:1-2a).

Today begins our Pre-Thanksgiving Week of Prayer. We will continue with our Bible study devotions next week as I digress to share the theme “Praying in Every Direction.” 

By now you have received a packet of materials to use during the week of prayer. Please read the scriptures and use the prayer requests within it as I will share some other verses with you this week.

For Day One we are to “pray that God would grant missionaries wisdom, guidance, and direction for their ministries.” We aren’t always aware of their needs or what they may be facing. We must be willing to lift them up in prayer, going to the source of their strength on their behalf. They count on our prayers so let’s “pray upward” for them daily.

Sue Winchester

Missouri

Pray Together: PRAY UPWARD: Pray today that God would grant missionaries wisdom, guidance and direction for their ministries.