Daily Treasure

“But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving” (Jonah 2:9a).

Jonah was in the belly of a great fish we often call a whale. I would dare say, in spite of his circumstances, he felt like giving thanks. When you feel trapped in your trials or problems, you can still find a reason to be thankful. For Jonah, it was knowing God hadn’t forsaken him.

God is worthy of our thanks and praise. Whatever our lot or wherever we are at any given time, we must be willing to lift our voice up to Him and give Him thanks. Sure, it’s difficult to do that when we feel overwhelmed, but when we take the focus off our predicaments, the peace of God can calm us. There is a song that has these words: “sometimes He calms the storms, sometimes He calms me.” Sometimes God must whisper to us, “peace be still.” Still yourself in His presence even when you feel you can’t even pray. Offer to Him a “sacrifice of praise” and give Him thanks always.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for dramatists Amanda Kilgore, Mary Ruth Wisehart, Anna Gee Harris, Laura Thigpen and Lorene Miley as they prepare to minister at the WNAC Convention Monday Seminar, July 21.

“When my soul fainted within me I remembered the Lord” (Jonah 2:7a).

Being in that big fish for three days and nights, I’m sure Jonah probably suffered some anxiety and times of panic. I feel the tide turned when Jonah “remembered the Lord.” From my own experience of dealing with chronic pain and grief, a sense of peace comes over me when I remember the goodness and mercy of God.

You may feel your life is in turmoil and feel the waves of life’s storms raging. Don’t take your eyes off the Savior. Remember all the times He has been there for you and draw from that well of grace.

Don’t allow the cares of this life to overwhelm you. 1 Peter 5:7 states, “Casting all your care upon him for he careth for you.” What a welcome relief to know we can lean on the Lord and avoid despair. We don’t have to sail the sea of life alone when Jesus is the Captain of our boat. It is not God’s fault when the vessel of our life starts to sink and we forget God’s willingness to help. If we reach out to Him in good times and bad, when we go through rough patches, we will have the strength to overcome until the storm subsides.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for the upcoming Panamanian Field Council Retreat, June 16-19.

“And said, I cried by reason of my affliction unto the Lord; and He heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and Thou heardest my voice” (Jonah 2:2).

Isn’t it wonderful to know when we get to the end of our rope or feel deep despair, we can cry out to God? He hears our cries and help is on the way. It’s when we feel our problems are bigger than God; we fail to turn to Him. He’s only a prayer away. Sometimes the problems may have to increase for us to realize God hasn’t abandoned us.

How many times have you gone through tough times and felt the presence of God? How many times did you get in God’s way trying to face trials without His help? There is no question, you would rather fight life’s storms knowing God will be close by to help.

In the “belly of hell” Jonah cried out to the One that He knew he could count on to help. He was desperate but he knew Who to cry out to. God would mercifully keep him from total destruction.

Ask God to give you the faith and strength daily to avoid going the circumstances Jonah had to face.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray that God will send youth workers to assist home missionaries in their works.

“Then Jonah prayed unto the Lord his God out of the fish’s belly” (Jonah 2:1).

There may not have been materials to build an altar, but Jonah prayed like there was one present. As he poured out his heart to God, I can only imagine he was deeply regretting his running from God.

You may not find yourself in the belly of a great fish, but wherever your problems bring you, build an altar and pray. Humble yourself in His presence and cry out to God and He will answer. Wherever your place is to pour out your heart and feel He will always be with you that will be your “altar.”

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for Dr. Doug Earls as he leads the Leadership Conference at the seminary property in Panama, June 13-14.

“And He saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And He saith unto me. These are the true sayings of God” (Revelation 19:9).

Oh how sweet are thoughts of the Lord returning for His bride, the church. He will descend from heaven with a shout and the trump of God will sound as the invitation. He will emerge through the billows of clouds and the dead in Christ will rise first and then the remaining will meet Him in the air. We shall be in that eternal union with the One who gave His life that we might have life. Oh how sweet that day shall be.

LaCrecia McFaddin
Tennessee

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for the upcoming Texas State WAC Meeting, June 11-13.

“And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: And both Jesus was called and His disciples, to the marriage” (John 2:1, 2).

June is a great month for weddings. Couples come together to unite themselves for the rest of their lives. There are bridal showers and many exciting activities with a wedding. Jesus was a proponent of marriage. He performed His first miracle at the wedding at Cana. Throughout God’s Word there are guidelines for husbands and wives; if heeded they will produce a happy marriage. Ladies during this month let us enhance our own marriages and encourage those who are planning to marry this month. Remember marriage takes three, a husband, a wife and God our Father.

LaCrecia McFaddin
Tennessee

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for FWB Bible Institutes both in the States and abroad.

“Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights” (Jonah 1:17).

As Jonah began to sink down into the cold, black sea, he wasn’t alone. God knew where he was and still wasn’t going to give up on him. The Bible uses the phrase “great fish,” but we liken it to being a whale. Anyway, God prepared to give Jonah to the fish for lunch. Usually man catches fish, but this one caught Jonah.

For three days and nights Jonah sat in the smelly belly of that fish, but at least he was still alive. It’s not the sweetest place to reflect on your life, but Jonah had time to think things over.

God may have to allow certain circumstances to happen in your life. Through them, you, too, will take time to take personal inventory. Is there something in your life, “swallowing you up”? God only wants you to be followers of Him. Pray He will help remove any obstacles that would hinder you from His Will.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for E-TEAM leader training June 9-11; E-TEAM members train June 11-16.