Daily Treasure

“So they took up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea: and the sea ceased from her raging” (Jonah 1:15).

As the storm raged and the ship to Tarshish was about to sink, the terrified sailors started throwing anything over the sides of the ship they felt would help keep them afloat. Jonah was asleep in the lower deck unaware of the storm. The sailors believed in many gods and wondered why they were angry with them. The captain went down to wake up Jonah. The crew drew straws and Jonah got the short one. He told the sailors his story and told them to throw him overboard and they would be saved. Even if it meant his death, the others would be spared. We can see how this is related to Christ. His death on the cross was necessary so the world could be saved.

One good thing happened that day, the crew of that ship came to know who was the true God and they would vow to follow Him.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Creative Access ministries concentrate on countries where missionary activities are restricted or forbidden. Pray for special ministries in these areas.

“But the Lord sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken” (Jonah 1:4).

God did not give up on Jonah. However, He had to help him see the error of his way. First, there was great wind and then a terrible storm hit the ship where a certain “runaway prophet” was a passenger.

God often has to use one kind of a storm or other to bring us back into His Will. What a merciful God we serve, Who doesn’t give up on us either. It’s through the storms of life we see that God is greater than any storm we may encounter.

Jonah was going to learn, the hard way, just how powerful God is. You should strive to hold tight to the hand of God no matter how hard the “tempest rages.” You don’t want to have to experience anything like Jonah did. The only way to avoid this is to draw closer to Him when the storms hit and you feel like the “shi p” of your life may break. He will be there for you to either calm the storm or you.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for Christians in Malaysia. News tell us Bibles were recently confiscated at the airport.

“But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish;” (Jonah 1:3a).

Jonah didn’t want to go to Nineveh so he foolishly went in another direction to Tarshish. He thought if he went far enough away, God wouldn’t find him. When he boarded that ship for Tarshish, little did he realize, God knew exactly where he was. You can run but you can never hide from God. When Jonah went to the lower deck of that ship, God saw him.

If God is dealing with you and you turn a deaf ear and run, never think He won’t find you. Don’t make Him do anything drastic to draw you back into His Will.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Remember the story of Jonah? Ninevah is located in modern-day Iraq. Does this tell us we should pray in light of the world situation?

“Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me” (Jonah 1:2).

Long before Christ was born, Nineveh was a great city. However, the people were very wicked and needed to repent. Jonah knew about their reputation and when God called him to go to Nineveh, his response was the closest thing to “Do I have to?” Jonah had prejudice toward the people of Nineveh. He knew if he warned them of impending judgment, they might just repent. God would be merciful and they wouldn’t be punished for their evil deeds. Jonah felt that just wouldn’t be fair so he was very reluctant to obey God’s command.

Do you ever find yourself being like Jonah when God speaks to your heart? Do you make excuses of why you can’t do His bidding? As the story of Jonah unfolds, you will see how God often finds a way to get a person’s attention. He will make it plain if you will listen and obey when He speaks to you through His Word. He may lead you in one direction and you want to balk and ask, “Do I Have To?” As you go further in your study of Jonah, what kind of predicament will you find yourself in for even thinking the question of today’s devotion? Even when you feel you don’t have the capability for the task God may be calling you to do, He is more interested in your availability and your willingness to trust Him to work out the details.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray as Verlin and Debbie Anderson begin their one year stateside assignment in June.

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for the CMP team ministering in Kazakhstan, June 1-19, and for the CMP team serving in Tajikistan, Jun 22-July 9.

PRAY TOGETHER: Are you still traveling light? Thank God for lessons you have learned.

“That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith” (Galatians 3:14).

God had made a covenant with Abraham prior to the coming of Christ. It was for the Jews only. However, through Christ’s death and resurrection, we, as Gentiles, became entitled to share in the “blessing of Abraham” as well.

Both Jews and Gentiles could also receive forgiveness of sin through faith and repentance. In addition, the Holy Spirit would be given for comfort and guidance to all. Everyone can partake of the promises and blessings listed in the New Testament if they accept Christ by faith. The joy and hope He extends should help us strive to share the good news of the gospel with all mankind.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for past FWBHM directors (or their families, if deceased) Homer Willis, Bob Shockey, Roy Thomas, Trymon Messer and for current director, Larry Powell.