Daily Treasure

“Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days, walking after their own lusts. And saying,  Where is the promise of his coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God, the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water” (2 Peter 3:3-5).

This week’sTreasurestudy’s Handprint says,   “God’s Word, inspired and eternal, is the channel through which we know, receive, and experience grace.”   According to Romans 10:17,“…faith cometh by hearing, and  hearing by the word of God.”  This tells me that without the Word I wouldn’t have developed the faith needed for my salvation.  Aren’t we all eternally grateful for the Word?

The Word has stood the test of time.  It was there in the beginning in God’s Creation (John 1:1) and will endure until Christ’s return.  Nothing within it has changed. People have changed and many have grown weary waiting for His return. God is eternal and doesn’t measure time as we do.  Every event and promise in the Bible has been fulfilled except for His coming. However, that does not mean He won’t return.  God is faithful to His promises and any day now He could come and take His children home.  I have often heard the phrase, “God said, I believe it, and that settles it.”  I have learned through  the years if God says it, that settles it whether I believe it or not. Keep reading and trusting the divinely inspired Word of God.  It is the unchanging truth for changing times. While we wait for His return, we have His promise to never leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). We have His Word on it.

In the introduction to this week’s study we also find these words:  “Peter’s words not only give a solid claim for grace through the Word, they also defend the reliability of God’s Word.”  Peter believed in the entire Bible—evidenced in his preachings and writings. As we share some Old Testament events, may we see the “proofs of the totality of Scripture as God’s enduring truth.”

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Praise God, all nine E-TEAMs arrived safely at their destinations Pray the 18 team leaders and 81 students will present God’s love and grace to all they meet. Pray also for good health, team dynamics, interactions with national Christians and missionaries, and testimonies before non-Christians.

“Are you really the Messiah we’ve been waiting for, or should we keep looking for someone else?”  (Matthew 11:3 NLT).

I’ve looked for a lot of things in this almost forty-year journey.  I’ve looked for my car keys, looked for my favorite lip gloss, looked for my cell phone on more occasions than I care to think about.

I’ve looked for that special diet that’ll work in less than twenty-four hours.  The one that allows me to continue eating the way I like and requires no exercise.

I’ve looked for that perfect pair of blue jeans.  The ones that fit just right, feel just right, wash up well and have the mis-labeled tag a few sizes smaller than my actual size.

I’ve looked for the potluck recipe that’ll knock the socks off every member of my church family with one bite.

I’ve looked, and looked, and looked, for that magical anti-wrinkle cream that I’m pretty sure will take away all the crow’s feet and fine lines overnight.

Oh, don’t laugh—you’ve spent plenty of time looking yourself…

For that knight-in-shining-armor.  (Here’s a clue:  I’ve found the last one—and am raising the next.)  For that perfect church.  And pastor.  And set of deacons.  And Sunday School teacher.  And music minister.  And door greeter.  Need I continue?

For that magic pill that will erase ugly pasts, set into motion brilliantly bright futures and fill you with patience in the present.

Well, you and I are going to be looking for a long time for a few things—but not the most important, most relevant, most life-changing, most amazing thing there is…

Jesus Christ.

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for summer camp ministries throughout the world today, asking God to change many young lives.

“On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour. And he became very hungry, and would have eaten, but while they made ready, he fell into a trance. And saw heaven  opened, and a certain vessel  descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth,and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And there came a voice to him, Rise Peter; kill and eat.  But Peter said,  Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.  And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.  This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven” (Acts10:9-16).

As we read today’s Scripture, we can’t help but wonder how anyone would react to this vision.  We always seem to want to see a vision or sign from God.  However, put yourself in Peter’s shoes.

He  had been primarily sent to minister to the Jews. Though he was saved by grace and  knew the traditions and rituals of the Jews, God would have to get Peter’s attention. The  “heaven-sent sheet” surely would have gotten my attention. Peter would have to change some of his thinking so he could continue the furtherance  of the gospel.  God would  give Peter the grace to accept the sheet vision.

I close this week with the chorus, “Greater Is He That Is In Me”

Greater is He that is in me,
Greater is He that is in me,
Greater is He that is in me,
Than he that is in the world.\

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for Ohio Women Active for Christ, together for their annual state meeting this weekend, and for WNAC Director Elizabeth Hodges as she interacts with women there.

“Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas:  this woman was full of good works and  almsdeeds which she did.  And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died:  whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber. And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them.  Then Peter arose and went with them.  When he was come, they brought him unto the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.  But Peter  put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.  And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.  And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord”  (Acts 9:36-42).

Most of us are familiar with  the story of  Dorcas. By God’s grace and power, Peter was able to raise Dorcas  from the dead. We may never be part of a scene like bringing someone back to life. However, we may be summoned to help someone in need. Will we know what to do?  As we trust in the power of God to help us,  He will equip us to do His will…just as He did Peter.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for safe and glitch-free transmission of the 2014 WNAC Program and Plan Book scheduled to go to press today.

“And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?  Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine. But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words. For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third  of the day (Acts 2:12-15).

Later in Acts 2 we find amazement turn to disbelief. With all that was going on with the Day of Pentecost, some starting mocking. The taunt was, “These men are full of new wine.” One day you may find yourself in a situation where you are ridiculed for your testimony or belief in Christ. Be  not dismayed.  God’s grace will help you remain bold in your witness.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Praise God along with Doug and Miriam Bishop, FWBIM missionaries to Japan, for the safe arrival of daughter Scarlet, born this past Sunday—on Father’s Day .

“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.  And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.  And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.  And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.  And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.  Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language”  (Acts 2:1-6).

We’ve already touched on the Day of Pentecost. However, let’s imagine we are in the upper room with 120 souls waiting for the Spirit to arrive. Then a mighty rushing wind comes over those in the room. The people begin to speak in other languages “as the Spirit gave them utterance.” (Acts 2:4b)  The setting might not have been familiar but the people involved were in one accord and let the Spirit take  control.  What a glorious experience!  Anytime we allow the Spirit to take control will always be glorious.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: The Brian Lewis family serves with FWBHM in Clarksville, TN. Continue to pray for Melissa Lewis’ health situation. Her cancer is still present but stable— no chemotherapy treatments since December. However, she continues to struggle with various physical problems related to past surgeries and treatments. She faces more tests and scans next month. Pray also for their church. The Lewises praise God for the core group He has brought together and for the growth they are seeing, but request prayer for unsaved persons to whom they we are ministering.

Read Acts 12:1-16

This week we will look at the life of Peter and explore how he found God’s grace sufficient in some unfamiliar settings. I think this will be a help for us in times when we come out of our “comfort zone” to serve the Lord.

Our Scripture text states Peter was in prison. Prayers were going up on his behalf.  It is no surprise that an angel appeared and helped him escape from prison. At first he wasn’t sure what had actually happened.  However, he made haste to go to the home of John Mark. There was a prayer meeting in progress. Peter knocked on the  door and a maiden named Rhoda came to the door. She recognized Peter’s voice, but in her joy she closed the door and ran back to the others with her news.

The others thought Rhoda had lost her mind when she tried to convince them of what she had seen.  Those who had been earnestly praying for Peter’s release were astonished that God had answered their prayer.  Aren’t we sometimes surprised when God answers our prayers right away?

We may not find ourselves in prison like Peter did, but thank God wherever we are, God is there to administer grace and help in time of need.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for E-TEAMs ministering around the world this week.