Daily Treasure

“And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise. And straightway, the damsel arose,and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment. And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat” (Mark 5:41-43).

We might know how the story ends, but we may find ourselves puzzled at the words of verse 43. The NIV Study Bible offers this explanation: “In the vicinity of Galilee Jesus often cautioned people whom he healed not to spread of the miracle. His great popularity with the people, coupled with the growing opposition from the religious leaders, could have precipitated a crisis before Jesus’ ministry was completed.”

Jesus performed a miracle, raising Jairus’ daughter to new life and a bright future.  To continue this life, she would need nourishment.  Thus Jesus’ also commanded that she be given something to eat.

Jesus continues to give healing. Maybe your problem isn’t physical. Perhaps you feel dead inside.  Your circumstances have rendered you helpless and hopeless. He wants to say to you, “Arise and eat.”  Feast on His Word; get back into the Word.  Let it feed you until you feel strong again.  Stay in the Word so you will never again feel malnourished.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Praise God for the safe delivery of Joseline Marie, born this past Wednesday to Josh and Alicia Crowe, FWBIM missionaries to Japan.

“And so at last the Tabernacle was finished.  The Israelites had done everything just as the Lord had commanded Moses…So the people of Israel followed all of the Lord’s instructions to Moses”  (Exodus 39:32, 40 NLT).

The original church house was finished.  It was done exactly to God’s specifications.  It was completed by His people, His priests and workmen.  Every pole, every stitch, every table, every garment–down to the underwear the priests wore, was done as God instructed.

And the result? All of Israel were drawn toward following God.

Wouldn’t you like to see that happen in the USA? From what I read, it’s going to take all of us, His children, doing exactly what He says to do. Exactly. No fudging.  No revamping.  No tweaking.  No giving a nod to what would be more fun or entertaining.  No wishy-washy commitments.  No cliques among the church pews.  No pushing aside gathering to worship for other good causes.

If we’re going to reach the lost and dying world, we’re going to have to do church right and with the right attitudes. May our obedience in worship draw them in.

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for the family of missionary Geneva Poole, Brazil, as they both grieve the loss of this saint and celebrate her entrance into Heaven.

“Solomon loved the Lord and followed all the instructions of his father, David, except…”  (1 Kings 3:3 NLT).

What about you?

You love the Lord.  You attend church.  You fulfill obligations to your family.  You own a Bible and read it on occasion.  You give to the church. But what about those things you aren’t doing or aren’t giving up that He has asked you to deal with.

We all have them. They are our excepts.

They will keep us from experiencing the complete and full joy of the Lord.

Is what you’re holding back really worth it?

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for continued relief efforts in the Philippines and that believers there would shine as lights in their world.

“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.  And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.  And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men,and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.  And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither  sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away ” (Revelation 21:1-4).

If today’s verses don’t give you reason to hope, I’m not sure what will.  We cannot begin to fathom what Heaven will be like.  We know there will be great beauty.  Oh, the sights we shall behold!  There will be a happy reunion in Heaven with family and friends gone on before.  Praise God, these verses also convey what won’t be there.  First and foremost, in Heaven we will want to see Jesus. He is our Hope, and we will want to kneel at His feet.  On days when pain and suffering may take its toll, think of Jesus wiping away your tears. May the hope of Heaven and all He has in store for us, help us continue to serve Him until He comes to get us.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Today’s PreThanksgiving focus is prayer for Future Dreams.
Pray that God would call missionaries to unevangelized areas, to fields white and ready for harvest.

Howard and Patsy Gwartney: Inset: Former Home Missions Director, Roy Thomas.

Patsy Gwartney, home missionary to San Tan Valley, Arizona, writes:
In 1970, Free Will Baptists hired Roy Thomas to promote home missions.  To convey his message of  “A missionary in every state for a church in every city,”  Daddy glued a map of the United States onto a cardboard frame.  Different colored dots on the map represented Free Will Baptist churches. We saw clumps of red dots (established churches), and occasional green and blue dots in remote states (former and present Home Mission works). But we mainly noticed all the white space.

Daddy’s map made an incredible impression on my family.  At age 15, my husband saw it and determined to someday start a FWB church.  We’re now planting our second church in Arizona, with the help of my mother, daughter and son-in-law. Our other daughter and pastor son-in-law are teaching the vision of the map to their children and casting it within their congregation.

I would love to see Daddy’s dream fulfilled. We would then have the men and the message to spread the gospel across the entire globe.

“These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life,and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God” (1 John 5:13).

Today’s verse gives us the assurance of salvation.  There is no maybe or perhaps that this verse is so. We can know, beyond any doubt, we are saved.  And, in knowing we are saved, we know for sure we have eternal life.  Our life on earth and all its circumstances is temporary.  We can look with hope toward eternity.  Plan your future with eternity in mind.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Today’s PreThanksgiving focus is Future Construction.
Pray that future construction projects would bond believers and form congregations.

Brian and Melissa Lewis family. Inset: Bob and Brenda Lewis family

Brian Lewis, FWBHM team missionary to Clarksville, Tennessee, writes:
As a kid, I never experienced what it was like to attend an established church. My early memories of church include rented facilities, home Bible studies, construction, and the close relationships we forged. Numerous meals were consumed around kitchen tables while I eavesdropped on conversations of dreaming, planning and establishing a church. Some of my best memories were at the construction site. With hammers in hand, friendships grew even deeper; thoughtful spouses showed up with meals prepared.  Kids used nearby mounds of dirt as their playground. Excitement grew. Families bonded. A congregation was being formed.

Thirty years later, things have come full circle. I’m in the same place, but from a different perspective. We are in the construction phase, but I’m at the grown-ups’  table—dreaming, planning, and working to establish a church. I just hope my kids are eavesdropping.

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end” (Jeremiah 29:11).

What are your expectations for the future? What plans have you made for it?  From today’s verse, we see that God has already mapped out our future.   All we have to do is to accept His gift of eternal life.

If you are saved and anticipate His return, you won’t be disappointed.   I remember once reading in a commentary, “As excited as we are for Christ’s return, He is just as anxious for us to be with Him.”  That thrilled my heart and increased my hope.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Today’s PreThanksgiving focus is Future Involvement. Pray that children of future missionaries would adapt well as they involve themselves in ministry.

Donnie and Susan Burke family. Inset: Bill and Glenda Fulcher family

Susan Burke, home missionary to Castle Rock, Colorado, writes:
I am a missionary come full circle. My parents, Bill and Glenda Fulcher, served with FWBIM in Uruguay and Panama, and with FWBHM, working with Hispanics in Houston, Texas. I am now the same age my mother was when she became a home missionary. I have great childhood memories as a missionary kid. I was able to experience life in a different culture and learn a different language.

Now my children are missionary kids, experiencing something they’ve never known—SNOW. They are actively involved in bringing people to church and youth group. Hopefully, one day they will look back and cherish their childhood memories. I pray they will always see the big picture and be willing to go to the area of greatest need, even if it means leaving family and what is familiar. I also hope that I will be able to let them go, just as my grandparents let my parents go nearly 50 years ago.

“….I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10b).

In John chapter 10, we find Jesus depicted as the Good Shepherd.  We are His sheep and He desires to take good care of us.  He has our best interests at heart and is willing to provide and protect us at all costs.  Even if it means laying down His life, Christ was willing to do this for us.  This Christ did so we could ultimately have eternal life with Him.

By faith, we can even trust Him for a good life while we await His return. The fact He watches over us and gives us what we need are abundant blessings.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Today’s PreThanksgiving focus is prayer for Future Support. Pray that God would bless future missionaries with supportive parents and/or spiritual mentors.

Allen and Jenny Hall family. Inset: Jim and Jan Summerson family

Home missionary Jenny Hall, York, Pennsylvania, writes:
My parents, Jim and Jan Summerson, took two Free Will Baptist Home Missions works to self-supporting status, while I was a little girl in the 1970s. Back then, I was not aware of the personal sacrifice and hard work it takes to plant a new church for the Lord. One of the biggest blessings of being a second-generation home missionary wife and mommy is the privilege of having parents who consistently support and encourage us in the work, empathize with our struggles, pray for us diligently and rejoice in our victories. The old adage that it is best to seek advice from those who have “been there, done that” is certainly true in mission work. I am thankful that the Lord called us to York, and I look forward to His continued blessings as we follow His will for our lives.