Daily Treasure

During the rush of the Christmas season, let us be reminded of this wonderful old hymn. Don’t neglect your time with God.

Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord; abide in Him always, and feed on His word. Make friends of God’s children, help those who are weak, forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.

Take time to be holy, the world rushes on; spend much time in secret with Jesus alone. By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shalt be; thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see.

Take time to be holy, let Him be thy guide, and run not before Him, whatever betide. In joy or in sorrow, still follow the Lord, and, looking to Jesus, still trust in His word.

Take time to be holy, be calm in thy soul, each thought and each motive beneath His control. Thus led by His spirit to fountains of love, thou soon shalt be fitted for service above.

PRAY TOGETHER:  Pray for mentors to those who are genuinely seeking the Lord’s help. Psalm 34:18.

“And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” (Matthew 21:22)

Thanksgiving Day is over. You’re either tired from all the preparations and fellowship of the day or you’re thinking about hitting the stores to take advantage of the after Thanksgiving sales. Though many stores have already begun placing Christmas decorations and toys out since after Labor Day, you will soon be caught up with the distractions planning for Christmas brings. Have we forgotten yesterday already? In case you have, let us look to at least one more blessing.

Whether you look back through this year or years past, God has included in your bag of blessings, answered prayer. Whether it was concerning a health need you or a loved one had, a financial need, a prayer burden you may have had, or some kind of family crisis, God was there to bring you through it. You had the prayer support of your immediate family as well as your church family.

Did you spend any part of the holiday in praise and thanksgiving to the One who is always there to hear and answer prayer? God is faithful so cling to the promises of His Word. Nothing is too hard for the Lord; bring it all to Him in faith believing. Thank God for the privilege of prayer and the blessing of One who hears and answers it.

PRAY TOGETHER: Continue to pray daily for our armed forces and chaplains.

“But my God shall supply shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)

First of all, Happy Thanksgiving! As you spend your day with family and friends, set aside some time to reflect on God’s goodness. I have touched on a few of the blessings we have, but isn’t it wonderful to know God has unlimited resources to meet all our needs? Whenever He comes through for you, it is an added blessing. God wants us to have an abundant life as we journey toward Heaven. How thankful are we for God’s goodness and mercy? We should give thanks for everything with which God blesses us. With grateful hearts let us make every day one of thanksgiving. May our lives be ones of “thanks-living” to the One who supplies our every need.

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for lay people who will pray and visit, giving pastors more time for study.

“Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not: and yet I say unto you that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.” (Luke 12:27)

Another blessing we may overlook at times is God providing what we wear. There is much emphasis on fashion and keeping up with the latest trends. If you can go to your closet and find anything to wear, it is a blessing. God is concerned about every aspect of our lives. If He lovingly takes care of the lilies, He will make sure you are clothed as well. God wants us to be happy and not to be encumbered with the cares of daily needs.

Once again I borrow from my childhood. Friends and neighbors were kind to give our family clothing their kids either had outgrown or no longer wanted to wear. Some call them hand-me-downs, but since I was the oldest of all my sisters, they were new to me. Many times there were some nice items that I couldn’t imagine why anyone would want to give or throw away. I may have gotten ridiculed at school for wearing used clothing, but I was glad to have those discards. Mom made sure those clothes were clean and pressed. As we wore those clothes, it was a testimony of God’s provision.

Many people aren’t as fortunate as we are. Reach out to help when you can with coats, blankets, or clothing. Let others see the love of God flowing through our lives. In doing so, they will find a Savior who not only adorns the lilies of the field, but makes provision to adorn us as well.

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for wisdom for our government leaders. Read Romans 13:15.

“I have been young, and now am old, yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, or His seed begging bread.” Psalms 37:25

I grew up in a Christian home in a large family. Many considered us very poor. Money was tight and there never was a variety of food put on our table. I think many of you can relate with similar circumstances. However, we never went to bed hungry. Maybe the food wasn’t fancy or plentiful, but God always provided something to eat.

When I moved away from home to marry, we encountered some tough times, but God made a way to give us each day what we needed. I thankfully look to today’s Bible verse, mindful that my loved ones and I never had to go “begging bread.” As I continue in the faith, I know I never will.

There are many things we don’t understand when we are young, but when we are older, we look back and wonder how we ever survived. We can never take for granted how God supplies our daily bread. We must stay faithful and trust Him, one day at a time. He stands ready to sustain us. If you are willing to share your bounty with those less fortunate, you may be given opportunities to introduce them to the “Bread of Life.” (John 6:35)

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for Sarah Fletcher as she balances caregiving for her father-in-law, family, church and work responsibilities.

“For God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

Soon it will be Thanksgiving Day. As a Christian, every day should be one of giving thanks to the One who bestowed the greatest blessing upon us. He paid the enormous price for our salvation. He loved us so much He was willing to die that we could have eternal life. It was the greatest demonstration of amazing love. John 15:13 states “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” We cannot even imagine the depth of God’s love. If we had nothing else to be thankful for, we would still be blessed beyond measure. However, God sees fit to add to His gift of salvation many other blessings. We should give thanks with praise and worship to Him. We should also be willing to serve Him with thanksgiving. As you continue to travel along life’s road, be willing to share with the lost the blessing of knowing the only begotten Son of God.

PRAY TOGETHER: Shipping costs for missionaries’ personal items can be expensive. Pray about helping.

“If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?” Luke 11:13

There have been times in my life when I have become overwhelmed by the trials and trouble that have surrounded me. I have felt alone and that my prayers were not going anywhere. It was then I would bow before the Father for His help. I could pour out my heart to Him and tell Him of my feelings of hopelessness. He has sent the Comforter, His precious Holy Spirit to strengthen me. The situation may not have changed and the trials may have not passed, but a peace has come to me—something I could not see or touch, but a feeling that God was in control. All I had to do was ask.

PRAY TOGETHER: Today is Benjamin Randall Day. Pray and give generously to the offering.