Daily Treasure

“Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you but if I depart, I will send Him unto you. And when He is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:” John 16:7-8

Jesus had to go away; if not, we could never be saved. While He was walking this earth with us, we had no need for any other. He would walk and talk with His followers. He taught them Himself. He knew that when He left we would need someone else to help us discern right from wrong. On our own, we sometimes allow things to go on in our hearts and life that we ought not. That’s the whole duty of the Holy Spirit. He knows the mind of God, because He came from Him. He will never fail to direct us if we only allow him.

PRAY TOGETHER: Several new church plants in Home Missions will have their grand opening this year. Pray for these new churches and their leaders.

“And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” Ephesians 4:30

God has given us his Holy Spirit. It is directly from Him. It’s presence in our life lets us know we belong to God. He uses it to comfort and admonish us in our journey to Heaven. That Spirit will let us know what is acceptable or not acceptable in God’s sight. Our part is to listen to that Spirit and not to ignore it when we feel His urging in one direction or another. What a privilege that our God would allow us to have a part of Him dwelling within our very lives.

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for Home Missions office staff: Sue Hayes, Ida Lewis, Janice Donoho, Sarah Hadley, Kathy Brown and volunteer Iva Mae Bracey.

“….in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise,” Ephesians 1:13

I enjoy doing a little canning of some of the produce from our home garden during the summer months. When I finish my canning, I want to make sure my jars are properly sealed so nothing can get to the food inside. If bacteria should get in there, it will spoil the food. Sometimes, these bacteria can be dangerous to the point of death. God seals us with His Holy Spirit. He wants to preserve us and protect us from anything that may spoil our walk with Him. If Satan could, he would love to break that seal and spoil us, even destroy us. God has so graciously sealed us. If we daily pray, study the Word and commune with our Lord, we have no need to fear what Satan can do to us.

PRAY TOGETHER: Please pray for Richard and Sandy Atwood as they travel across the U.S., visiting and encouraging home missionaries.

“But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, He shall testify of me;” John 15:26

How sweet is the knowledge that God sends the Comforter, the Spirit of truth to lead us and guide us in our walk with Him. That very Spirit will let us know what is from God, as the situation arises. Whether in conversation or in something we may be doing, God’s Holy Spirit will give us peace or reprove us. By that unction from the Comforter we will know if whatever we may be talking about or doing is pleasing to God or whether we are out of His holy will. What a blessing to know that we are not alone and that His guiding power is leading us in our daily living.

PRAY TOGETHER: Remember the Richard Adams family during this difficult time. Sister Carolyn went to be with the Lord on Saturday.

“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” John 14:26

It is so important for us as Christians to read and study God’s Word daily. We never know when we will need a portion of the Scripture to help us. We may need it to comfort another person, or an opportunity may arise to witness to a lost soul. God has done His part by supplying His Holy Spirit to bring to remembrance whatever He has said to us. He speaks to us through the scripture. By spending time in God’s word each day, He blesses us in our time of need through His precious Spirit that dwells with within us. How wonderful it is to know that the Spirit of God that lives within us brings to our remembrance just what we need, just when we need it.

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for David and Kathey Crowe concerning family care issues.

“And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever.” John 14:16

Jesus knew before He left this world that we would need something to help us as we traveled this journey to Heaven. He knew that we couldn’t make it being alone. He so graciously prayed to the heavenly Father that He would send us a Comforter. I think of my little granddaughter. She had a very special blanket that she slept with. She brought it with her when she would stay the night with us. If she didn’t have it, she would be upset to the point of tears. Just snuggling under her special blanket, would bring her comfort and she would drift peacefully off to sleep. How the Holy Spirit of God is like that. The Spirit covers and protects us from this cold world. The Spirit brings comfort in the most tearful and troublesome times in our lives. Praise God for the Comforter that He has sent to us.

PRAY TOGETHER:  Pray that Larry and Wanda Powell will have safety in travel and effectiveness in ministry.

“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Hebrews 10:25

Today is our day of organized worship. Make sure to attend worship services. God reminded us in this passage of our need for group worship. We draw strength from each other; and we will need it more as the days go by.

PRAY TOGETHER:  Prayerfully begin PreThanksgiving Week of Pray November 12-16; give generously to the Lizzie McAdams Offering for National Home Missions.