Daily Treasure

“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him”  (Colossians 3:17).

In choosing to be a servant inside or outside of the home, remember the words of today’s verse.  In word or deed, we are called to be an ambassador of Christ. Are our actions showing we are His representatives?  We will always be effective in the service of the Lord if we go in Jesus’ name.  Remember to stop and give thanks for the opportunities He gives us to serve Him.

I love the song, “By Your Grace for Your Glory.”  The following are the words of the chorus:

By your grace, for your glory,
I am here to tell the story,
Of all the doors you’ve opened for me
That I might give, I might love, I might live
By your grace and for your glory.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for women in your church who work outside the home in the business world. Pray that God would allow them to find grace in the eyes of their employers and multiply their influence for godliness within these secular settings.

“Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine.  And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.  Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise  (John 21:12-13).

Another example of Christ serving is found after His resurrection. His disciples had gone fishing and had caught nothing. Though they didn’t know it was Jesus, He gave them some good advice about fishing. They followed it and could hardly bring in all the fish they caught. They were tired and hungry. Christ called to them to come have some breakfast. By now they knew who He was and didn’t ask any foolish questions. The Risen Lord had prepared fish and bread for them to take nourishment. The second verse of the old hymn “Come and Dine” states this about the scenario:

The disciples came to land,
Thus obeying Christ’s command,
For the Master called unto them, “Come and dine”;
There they found their heart’s desire,
Bread and fish upon the fire;
Thus He satisfies the hungry every time.

As you find yourself doing some “home stretches,” take time to feast at Jesus’ table.  You, too, will find “He satisfies the hungry every time.”

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: As you prepare or partake in meals today, meditate upon the Bread of Heaven that satisfies. Pray for family members who hunger yet have not yet chosen to “come and dine.”

“And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would” (John 6:11).

We are most humble and our light shines brightest when we serve. Even in the midst of the miracle of the loaves and fishes, Jesus served.  Sure, He could have just sat there and let the disciples take care of the distribution.  As we study the ministry of Jesus, we find He came to serve, not be served. This occasion was no exception.   He along with the disciples passed the food God had abundantly provided.  If we ever want an example of how to serve others, we can look at the life of Christ and those He called to be His disciples.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for retired missionary Alice Smith as she faces daily challenges in caring for her mother.

“Then the cloud covered the Tabernacle, and the glorious presence of the Lord filled it.  Moses was no longer able to enter the Tabernacle because the cloud had settled down over it, and the Tabernacle was filled with the awesome glory of the Lord”  (Exodus 40:24-25 NLT).

That’s what I want—to be so filled to overflowing that there’s no room for me because His glorious presence is in the house.  I want there to be no room for my plans, my faults, my way because the awesome glory of the Lord fills my heart, my spirit and my head.

Push me out of the way, Lord.  Scoot me over.   Come on in!

Is that what you want, too?

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray that God’s Spirit would fill houses of worship today as He inhabits the praise of His people.

“When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also” (2 Timothy 1:5).

We don’t have to stretch our minds to understand why Timothy was a man of faith. He learned Christian values from his mother and grandmother.  Will our kids and grandkids be able to say we instilled the same in them? When it comes our time to go home to be with the Lord, what kind of legacy will we leave?  Will people look at our children and know we were part of the reason they are people of faith?

Next week we will focus on biblical examples of service to others. A couple of these individuals used their homes in service to the Lord. Be prepared to examine your life to see if you have a servant’s heart.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for West Virginia Women Active for Christ meeting together tomorrow. Pray also for Elizabeth Hodges as she travels to meet, interact with and encourage fellow sisters in Christ.

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6).

If ever a verse lends encouragement to parents who have done their best in raising their children, this is it.  When we have trained and disciplined our children well, only to have our hearts broken if they go astray, take heart. Most Bible commentaries suggest the guilt lies with the children, not the parents. That guilt from sin and conviction prodded by the Holy Spirit will bring them back if we have instilled in them Christian values. If you have a prodigal, don’t give up on him or her. Remember the story of the prodigal son, (Luke 15)  Be that parent who is waiting in prayer, clinging to the hope today’s verse offers. That “home stretch” will involve outstretched arms.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for Kacy Stone, Brandon LaPere Moody, Steve and Amanda Reeder and Maggie Paxton as they serve as overseas apprentices this summer. Ask God to give them servant hearts and direction as they seek God’s will for future ministries.

“And he spake unto the children of Israel, saying, When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean these stones?”  (Joshua 4:21).

We find in the preceding verses the story of how God miraculously led the children of Israel across the Jordan River onto dry ground.  A monument was placed with twelve stones, one for each tribe of Israel so no one would forget that miracle.

Have we set up monuments in our own lives as a tribute to God’s care for us?God has shared with us many of the answers to life’s questions. If we have been faithful to God and His Word, it won’t be such a stretch to answer the many questions our kids and grandkids will ask.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray that children attending midweek programs in churches tonight would clearly hear and understand the gospel and receive answers to their questions about the Lord and His work.