Daily Treasure

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

I’ve always looked at today’s verse as a companion to Ephesians 3:20. From commentaries and sermons I have learned “all your need” encompasses more than the financial.

Whatever our lot in life, God will supply, if our faith we will apply.

Let’s end this week’s study of God’s miraculous provision for a poor widow, with this familiar chorus:

He owns the cattle on a thousand hills,
The wealth in every mine;
He owns the rivers and the rocks and rills,
The sun and stars that shine.
Wonderful riches, more than tongue can tell—
He is my Father so they’re mine as well;
He owns the cattle on a thousand hills—
I know that He will care for me.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for scheduled WAC meeting planning sessions—local, district, and statewide.

“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us”  (Ephesians 3:20).

As we read the account of the widow and her oil, may we all remember: whatever problems we face in life, God is bigger than anything we will ever encounter. Today’s verse plainly tells us God’s is more than capable  “to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think…” God had widows and all those in need on His mind when He admonished them to remember His unlimited power.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for widows in Central Asia who will receive encouragement and financial assistance this month through CA Help Widows Project.

“So she went from him, and shut the door upon her and upon her sons, who brought the vessels to her and she poured out.  And it came to pass, when the vessels were full that she said unto her son, Bring me yet a vessel.  There is not a vessel more and the oil stayed.  Then she came and told the man of God.  And he said, Go, sell the oil, and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy children of the rest”  (2 Kings 4:5-7).

 I admire the widow’s obedience to the command of Elisha.  Even with a mustard seed of faith, God can work miracles.  I visualize the scene of the widow’s sons going out to neighbors far and near, gathering empty vessels. I think God put into the hearts of the neighbors not to question their request.  The widow poured out from that little pot of oil enough to fill many vessels.  She was able to pay off her debt and use the remainder to live on the rest of her days.

Never underestimate the power of God. A former Sunday School teacher has used this quote: “When you can’t trust the hand of God, you can trust the heart of God.”

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray that home groups and weekly Bible studies in home mission churches would be fruitful in bringing souls into the Kingdom and discipling young believers.

“Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbors, even empty vessels; borrow not a few. And when thou art come in, thou shalt the door upon thee and upon thy sons, and shalt set aside that which is full”  (2 Kings 4:3-4).

Elisha made a request of the widow. At this point, she may have felt she had nothing more to lose. So she listened to what he had to say.  I don’t want to over analyze today’s verse, but I do want to share some thoughts. Elisha saw her faith and her plight.  He took charge in trying to help her resolve her problems.  This would eventually help strengthen her faith and get her past her present circumstances.  As strange of a request as this was, God was using His prophet to sustain a widow and her sons.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for Heath and Joni Hubbard, departing this week for missionary service in Japan.

“Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the Lord: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen.  And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee?  tell me, what hast thou in the house?  And she said, thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil”  (2 Kings 4:1-2).

Many are familiar with the story of Elisha and the widow. I see a picture of one desperate woman of faith. No matter how much faith a person has, that faith is tested in the loss of a mate. Consider the circumstances and culture. Surely God had Elisha in mind for such a time as this. A widow and her two young sons were fighting poverty.  The proverbial “hounds were at the door.”  A creditor had come to take away her sons and sell them into slavery to pay her debt. Maybe Elisha simply went by to check on her since she was a “woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets.” Whatever the case, the man of God was there to see what he could do to help.

I like how Elisha approaches her, “What shall I do for thee and what do you have in your house?”  When someone is grieving or feeling desperate, just having someone sit you down is needed.

That person can better assess the problem and lead you into finding a solution.  A clear head will always calm another’s frazzled mind.  The widow stated all she had in the house was a pot of oil.  Like wheat, olives, and grapes, oil was a priceless commodity. This week, as we explore this story, we will see God’s mind and hand as He uses Elijah to provide for a desperate widow’s needs.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for Carlisle Hanna, as he prepares to leave for India tomorrow.

“I will thank you, Lord, with all my heart.  I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done.  I will be filled with joy because of you…”  (Psalm 9:1-2 NLT).

I will…because of You.

I will…because of You.

I will…because of You.

It’s a decision we must make.  It’s a choice with which we’re confronted.  It’s a fork in the road on which we’re traveling.

What will we do with our freedom in the matter?

It’s nothing to do with what we’re enduring.  It’s nothing to do with what we’re expecting.  It’s nothing to do with what we’re led to believe will come to pass, what’s promised us or what we’ve been taught in the pew.

We will because of Him.

Melinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray that in spite of persecution, sickness, weather or circumstances, God’s people will choose to joy, praise and tell of His marvelous works through worship today—because of Him.

“…Save me because of your unfailing love”  (Psalm 6:4 NLT).

I’ll  borrow David’s words because I couldn’t come up with any better ones myself.

You see, Lord, I cannot ask you to save me because of anything I’ve done, I’ve defeated, I’ve given up or I’ve committed to do.

I’ve made open-ended promises to you before; You know that.

I’ve vowed allegiance and dedication in the storm and failed to come through when the rainbow appeared.

I’ve talked big.  I’ve walked tall.  I’ve spoken out.  I’ve gone up front and spoken before the crowd.

But I’ve also not spoken when I should have.  I’ve stumbled and fallen.  I’ve refused to take a stand when I could have pointed someone to You.

I’ve fasted, until my stomach growled.

I’ve taken hold of your promises, gathered up Your blessings in my arms and feasted on miracles.

But I’ve also refused to let go of a few things You’ve asked me to hand over.  I’ve held tightly to some characteristics, plans and ideas that need Your attention.

So, Lord, I cannot ask You to save my soul for any reason other than Your love for me.  Your unfailing love.

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Praise God for His salvation and unfailing love given to you. Pray that many would embrace that love and choose salvation this weekend in churches around the world.