Daily Treasure

“Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee. For thou has delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.  I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living”  (Psalm 116:7-9).

The Book of Psalms contains many verses that can calm a troubled soul. Today’s verses are ones which help us see that, in life or in death, we are sheltered in His arms.  We don’t have to live stress-filled lives, ones filled with fears and tears.  We especially don’t have to worry about stumbling and falling. As we walk with Him, He is always there to protect us.

Meditate today on the words of the chorus of a beloved Dottie Rambo song. It helps me draw a vivid picture of the protecting arms of God. Humble yourself, place your hand into the Mighty Hand of God, and rest in the shelter of His everlasting arms.

So let the storm clouds rage high,
The dark clouds rise,
They don’t worry me;
For I’m sheltered in the arms of God.
He walks with me,
And naught of earth shall harm me,
For I’m sheltered in the arms of God.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER:  Praise God for His protection in the lives of His servants.  Pray that God would shelter home missionaries as they minister today and guard their hearts from sin.

“Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God, our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever” (Jude 24-25).

I like what Matthew Henry has to say about today’s verses. “God is able, and as willing as able, to keep us from falling, and to present us faultless before the presence of his glory. Not as those who never have been faulty, but as those who, but for God’s mercy, and a Saviour’s sufferings and merits, might most justly have been condemned long ago. All sincere believers were given him of the Father; and of all so given him he has lost none, nor will lose any one. Now, our faults fill us with fears, doubts, and sorrows; but the Redeemer has undertaken for his people, that they shall be presented faultless. Where there is no sin, there will be no sorrow; where there is the perfection of holiness, there will be the perfection of joy. Let us more often look up to Him who is able to keep us from falling, to improve as well as maintain the work he has wrought in us, till we shall be presented blameless before the presence of his glory. Then shall our hearts know a joy beyond what earth can afford; then shall God also rejoice over us, and the joy of our compassionate Saviour be completed. To Him who has so wisely formed the scheme, and will faithfully and perfectly accomplish it, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.”

I love the song, “I Can Only Imagine.”  How we long to be in His presence. However, how will react when this becomes a reality?  He has done so much to make us ready for the glory and joy that awaits us. We will be overwhelmed as we stand before Him. We may even fall at His feet as we worship Him for all eternity.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER:   Pray that home missionaries would sense God’s presence upholding them,  offering them cleansing and joy today, whether they find themselves on top of the world or at the bottom of a exit ramp (see today’s bookmark reminder).

“Be thou exalted, Lord, in thine own strength: so will we sing and praise thy power” (Psalm 21:13).

If you are using the PreThanksgiving Week of Prayer bookmark reminders this week, you will recognize each day’s Scripture.  This is that wonderful time of year we designate to thank God for His many blessings.  However, we should give thanks daily for all He’s done and given to us.  A former Sunday School teacher of mine used to say, “Thanksgiving should be a time for thanks living.”  I think our missionaries understand that concept. I hope we all grasp the meaning of that phrase.

Have you ever been in a situation when you felt powerless? Did you panic or pray?

If you prayed, God asserted His power and you then felt you could handle anything.

Think of how good you felt when God gave you power and strength to face your circumstances.

Did you stop to give Him praise in word or song?   Our prayer request for today is not just for home missionaries but for all of us who need to depend on the power of God as we daily serve Him. Let’s be thankful for the words found in 2 Corinthians 12:9a: “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness…”

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray God will display His power through instances when home missionaries find themselves powerless. Ask Him to give them special grace today as parents, spouses and ministry leaders. May they sing and praise God’s power, knowing His strength is made perfect in their weakness.

“Hear my prayer, O Lord; listen to my plea!  Answer me because you are faithful and righteous”  (Psalm 143:1 NLT).

So many prayer requests.
So many needs.
So many friends, family and unsaved strangers needing a touch from God.
And here I sit, incapable, inadequate, incompetent, illiterate as to the language of a Savior. Unable, undisciplined, unworthy.
And the burden to pray remains.  The desire to help stays in my heart.  The need to speak to my Father keeps me up at night.
And then I read…
“Hear my prayer, O Lord; listen to my plea!  Answer me because you are faithful and righteous”  (Psalm 143:1 NLT).
That’s it!  The secret.  The key required to unlock the power of prayer.
“…because You are…”
Not because I can pray.
Not because I deserve answers.
Not because at the end, I’ll receive the glory.
Because You are…
Capable.
Willing.
Merciful.
Gracious.
Loving.
Omnipotent.
Wise.

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Thank the Lord for veterans who have served to protect our freedom.

“Along the way, he encouraged the believers in all the towns he passed through…”  (Acts 20:2 NLT).

All we as Christians await the moment in which we realize the purpose for which we were created.  The day or hour in which our Christianity is put to the test—and we pass with flying colors.  The circumstance we find ourselves in that proves our faith, glorifies God and draws another closer to Him.

We all wait for that special time.  But what are we doing in the meantime?

Paul was a hugely important Christian in his time.  He had a testimony that wowed his listeners.  He had determination and zeal.  He had clout.  He spoke constantly and to some pretty impressive crowds.  He wrote, and now we read what he wrote.  He experienced, and now we draw strength from what he learned in those moments.  But what’s most interesting is what I found in today’s key verse.

Paul not only shone in the big, spotlighted venues God called him to speak to, he also made the concerted effort to spread it in between.

We need to be doing the same.  Speak about God constantly.  Study as if each day were our big test.  Believe, wholeheartedly believe.  Today may or may not be our time to shine; regardless, there will undoubtedly be some folks along the way we can encourage and uplift.

On the way to your moment, make the best of the journey.

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray strength and encouragement for brothers and sisters in a key Central Asian nation who are currently facing pressure from government authorities and being put to the test concerning their faith.

“For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name if Holy; I dwell in the high and holy  place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones”  (Isaiah  57:15).

The Living Bible states this about today’s verse: “The high and lofty one who inhabits eternity, the Holy One, says this: I live in that high and holy place where those with contrite, humble spirits dwell, and I refresh the humble and give new courage to those with repentant hearts.”

There are times in our lives we face circumstances we cannot bear alone. It’s wonderful to know if we humbly go before the Lord, He will walk beside us through them. When these times pass isn’t it wonderful to know He will refresh us and “give new courage?”

             “Ain’t God Good”

Ain’t God good to give us so many blessings?
Undeserving, that’s what we are
We ought to thank Him, love and praise Him
A little more today and a whole lot more tomorrow.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER:  Pray for the WNAC Executive Committee as they meet for a full day of planning and prayer at their biannual session, which began yesterday in Nashville, TN.

“By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life” (Proverbs 22:4).

Among the various commentaries I read, I found the following on the website www.bibletools.org   “When one has a relationship with God, humility precedes honor, riches, and eternal life itself. Humility is a prerequisite to receiving the blessings only God can give, the kind that will prepare and equip us for His service now and in the Kingdom to come. If we are not humbled, we will not submit. No submission means no obedience; no obedience, no preparation; no preparation, no honor, exaltation, or glory. One would have lived life in vain.”

Though the world can’t understand the benefits of humility, they are there for the obedient child of God.  True humility can lead to blessings. One of my many favorite verses is Ephesians 3:20 “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.” Allow Him to reward your faithfulness and humility.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER:  Pray for Dr. Jack Williams, longtime encourager and supporter of WNAC, who suffered a stroke earlier this week.