Daily Treasure

“Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin” (James 4:17).

It can’t be much more plain. If we know what we are doing is wrong and we go ahead and do it anyway, it is sin. Galatians 6:7b states, “whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap.” If we choose to ignore the need for repentance, we will reap the consequences. We may have problems in this life, or, certainly, we will face the torment of Hell. In contrast, considering the alternative of blessings on earth and eternity in Heaven should make us stop and evaluate our actions. We must remember God is holy and no sin will enter Heaven. Be willing to confess your sin while there is still time. Strive to warn others about the “wages of sin” (Romans 6:23).

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray as college students prepare for final exams and graduation. Ask God to direct their future.

“Be not deceived: God is not mocked…” (Galatians 6:7a).

As we read over the account of the first sin on earth, we might think, how could Eve and Adam transgress against their Creator? The answer is the same today. They were deceived and thought God would overlook it. Adam and Eve were living in paradise and had beautiful fellowship with God. It only took their sin of disobedience to ruin everything.

When we yield to sin, we want to rationalize our wrong doing. As time goes by, and, we don’t repent, our perfect little world and our bond with Christ is ruined. Being a child of God doesn’t mean the devil will never bother us again. In fact, he will use every possible trick to deceive you to win you back. Ask God to help you keep your guard up and “be not deceived.”

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Praise! An Egyptian court recently recognized the faith of 12 converts to Christianity.

“And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat” (Genesis 3:6).

Most of us are familiar with the story of Eve’s sin. If only it had stopped with temptation, but she yielded. When we are faced with temptation, the same components involved with Eve’s are true when we sin. These are “lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” (1 John 2:16).

God shouldn’t have had to put a sign on the tree to keep Eve or Adam away. In spite of what she was told, Eve listened to the voice of the devil, who was disguised as a serpent. Not just any old snake but one that didn’t look one bit scary. As much as we never want to give Satan credit, he can make himself be anything he needs to be, especially when we are vulnerable. God had provided a perfect environment filled with every kind of tree, from which Eve or Adam could eat. However, Eve went beyond temptation when she plucked fruit off the forbidden one. She disobeyed God and, to make matters worse, she gave some of the fruit to her husband. How sweet it might have seemed for her to want to please him by sharing such delicious fruit. Poor Eve! She was so clueless about the consequences of her sin. Little did Eve and Adam realize how much of an impact their sin would have on all mankind. “Wherefore as by one man sin entered the world, and death by sin and so sin passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” (Romans 5:12).

Unless we learn to resist the devil, we may not only suffer in the life to come, but on earth as well. The weapons we can use are prayer and Bible study. We are in a daily battle against Satan. It was one Eve lost by giving in to temptation. Don’t become a casualty by following her example.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for the CMP team ministering in Southern France, May 13-27.

“Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home” (John 19:27).

The older mother watches through the window for sons and daughters to appear. They keep birth announcements and newspaper clippings as fond remembrances of days gone by. They are ever in prayer for those children who once played around their feet and now are gone to their own families. We need to pray for our older mothers and lift them up with a kind and cheerful word. Her work is over but she can still reach the hearts of little children. Let us keep her reminded of her useful experience and thank her for a job well done. Let’s keep her before God in our prayers.

LaCrecia McFaddin
Tennessee

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray today as you give to the Mother’s Day Emphasis Offering.

“And she brought forth her first born son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger…” (Luke 2:7a).

Young mothers are very busy. The work they do to provide a clean, healthy and pleasant home for their children is incredible. She manages to get her little crew to Sunday school and church with a smile on her face. My grandmother had 10 children and I will never know the work involved in that. We need to pray for our young mothers and lift them up with a kind and cheerful word. Her tasks are great and her spiritual goals for her children are enormous. Let’s offer assistance when we can and keep them before God in our prayers.

LaCrecia McFaddin
Tennessee

PRAY TOGETHER: When was the last time you read a good book on missions? WNAC offers several titles (Program and Plan Book, p. 108 or www.wnac.org/orders). Pray about which one to order and/or read.

“Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of Thy hands; Thou hast put all things under his feet:” (Psalm 8:6).

God did not create man to be lazy or idle. He entrusted authority to him to do work that would bring glory to Him. After reading over the excellent Bible study written by former missionary to Brazil, Pat Franks, “This Little Light of Mine,” I came to this conclusion. God’s plan was the start of Missions. If we are to fulfill that plan, we must bring glory to Him by being a witness for Him whether it is in our neighborhood or across the seas. In a previous devotion I wrote last year, I shared the fact we may not all be called to foreign lands but we may have a foreigner who lives next door to us that may be just as lost. We must desire to be a “light-bearer” to bring others to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for local, district, state, and national Women Active for Christ leaders.

“What is man, that Thou art mindful of him? and the son of man that Thou visitest him?” (Psalm 8:4).

When we consider all God has done from the beginning of time, we should periodically ask ourselves, who do we think we are that God should care so much for us? With the exception of man, all other creation consistently gleams for His glory. Though we are His highest form of creation, we often don’t let our light give off much of a beam. Years ago there was a song that contained the words, “you can’t be a beacon if your light don’t shine.” If you lack zeal in your witness or Satan has blown out your light, come to Jesus and have Him rekindle the flame in you that once burned bright for Him.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Begin praying for our new executive secretary-treasurer. Ask God to prepare her heart for leadership and grant her favor and acceptance with Women Active for Christ.