Daily Treasure

“And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever”(Revelation 5:13).

Let us take another imaginary trip. Let’s travel this time to Heaven and picture the scene around the throne of God. Oh, the thrill of seeing thousands upon thousands giving praise to the Lamb of God! My mind drifts to the song, “Thank You for Giving to the Lord.” Tears fill my eyes and my heart is humbled as I look around and see lives I may have touched. I think you could visualize this as well as you look around and see those who have walked in or out your life through the years. You may not have thought you had much of an impact on their lives but there they are with you praising God around His throne. You are sharing in their joy and they will thank you for all eternity.

Until the above scene becomes a reality, let us continue to have a missions lifestyle. People need the Lord so we should press on with the gospel. They still have an opportunity to be among those you will see in Heaven.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for a clean heart, clear mind and calm spirit so that God may open our eyes to behold wondrous things out of His law (Psalm 119:18).

“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

Using your imagination, travel with me to the place where Jesus bids farewell to His disciples. It is an emotional scene. The disciples are feeling sadness, fear, and bewilderment. Christ had completed His mission on earth and was going back to the Father. However, the disciples still had their mission to complete. This may be a play on words, but, the disciples had to be asking themselves, “what on earth are we going to do?” In the midst of all the emotions Jesus had a plan.

He was heading up to His Father but He wasn’t going to leave his disciples and future followers comfortless or powerless. The Holy Spirit would be given to help them carry the good news of the gospel. God’s work would continue on earth. We can be eternally grateful it did. In our verse today we see the, who, what, and where of a missions lifestyle. He didn’t say pastor, evangelist, or missionary but “ye.” Along with the “ye,” He added “shall be witnesses.” Lastly, we see it is to be a global venture. All of this is futile without the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.

We can be witnesses because we know first-hand what Christ has done for us. Even if we aren’t well-versed in the Word, our personal testimony can be shared at first. Then we can share scriptures we have learned that helped bring us to Christ and to grow in Him. This cycle should not be broken. All of this is meant to be a lifestyle for the child of God.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Ask God to give Deborah St. Lawrence (FWBIM) and Ida Lewis (FWBHM) wisdom and strength as they prepare missions-related print materials.

“For we are labourers together with God…” (1 Corinthians 3:9).

Though I liked the name of our former magazine, I like the new name even more. “Together With God” denotes the fact our work for Him is a joint effort. Once we empty ourselves of self and transfer our will to His, we are ready for Him to teach and train us. He will work with us to help and guide our path. Even when we feel so inadequate, God knows our strengths and weaknesses better than we do. He knows what we need to cultivate a missions lifestyle. Trust in His wisdom. Being active in His work, He will work beside us to give us the help and strength we need. With love and patience He will make sure we finish the work He has called us to do. You and God make a dynamic duo when you work together.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray that teens and young women will find a place to serve within WAC groups.

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life that I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

Judging from today’s Bible verse, Paul understood the concept of dying to himself. He knew unless he was able to get self out of the way he wasn’t going to be able to glorify God. It meant he would have to “crucify” his fleshly desire and allow God room to dwell within Him. His new life in Christ was going to be lived by faith in the One, he said, “loved me, and gave himself for me.”

We must follow Paul’s example in dying to self, willing to rid ourselves of the things of the flesh. Many times our fleshly desires and attitudes hinder us from doing His Will. Transferring all we are and have over to our Savior can make a difference in how we look at life and the world. We will take the first of many steps in developing a missions lifestyle. We will see a lost and needy world through the eyes of God.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Most elementary, middle and high schools, colleges and universities begin in August. Keep students and teachers on your prayer list.

“Teach me good judgment and knowledge…” (Psalm 119:66a).

The best school for Christians is God’s school. We learn the things we need for life’s challenges. Our text book is the Bible, God’s Word, and our homework is putting into practice the precepts He teaches us. Let’s be good students and learn of Him and let us grow into the Christian God expects us to be. Let our prayer be ‘teach me dear Lord.’

LaCrecia McFaddin
Tennessee

PRAY TOGETHER: Always uphold the WNAC office staff in prayer. They carry heavy loads.

“Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all day” (Psalm 25:5).

These are back to school days and as our kids begin school whether kindergarten or college, let us go to spiritual school. Let’s follow in the paths of God’s truth and learn of Him. As we pack their lunches let us feed at God’s table. God’s school will prepare us as our children are prepared in their classes. Let our prayer be ‘teach me dear Lord.’

LaCrecia McFaddin
Tennessee

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for Sunday school teachers and youth directors. These individuals and these programs are vital to our local churches.

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

We should pray each day that we can rise above our circumstances and allow His light to shine through us. You won’t be much of beacon to those who walk in darkness if they can’t see your light. Can others see the light of your good works? If they do, you could be instrumental in helping them find the True Light. The end result is God will be honored and glorified. The latter is why you serve Him so get out in the world and rise and shine!

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for workers in Central Asia. New laws may affect their efforts.