Daily Treasure

“Therefore I say unto you, what things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.  And when ye stand praying, forgive, if you have aught against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive your trespasses” (Mark 11:24-25).

We see in today’s verses two factors necessary in our “prayer stretch.” We may find the believe part easier than the forgiving. The inability to forgive hinders our prayers.

We want answers when we pray. Faith is a vital part of receiving them. However, an unforgiving spirit will be a barrier.  Maybe it’s time to extend that stretch. We will receive when we are ready to forgive and believe.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for Virginia Women Active for Christ as they convene for their State meeting/retreat this weekend and for Elizabeth Hodges, WNAC Director, as she travels to attend.

“And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you”  (Luke 11:9).

When I look at this verse, I see the real stretch as spending more time in prayer. If we have something or someone on our hearts, we may need more than a three-minute prayer.

If we are willing to ask, seek, and knock, we can be confident He is always there to give us the answer we need.   With that in mind, how about spending more time on our knees?

There is a great need for prayer warriors who will look beyond their own needs to pray for others. If we are persistent in  prayer, we will see God work miracles. He will work them, not only in the lives of others, but, in ours as well.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for the Alabama State WAC meeting this Friday and Saturday.

“But when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly” (Matthew 6:6).

This week we hope to find a way to stretch our prayer habits.  Most of us are familiar with the term “prayer closet.”  How long has it been since you visited yours?

Many of us lead hectic lives with so many distractions. We need to have that quiet place where we can go to and spend time in prayer. We don’t realize how much simpler life would be if would  find or make time to steal away and pray.  We need to spend some “me time” in prayer.  Even if it’s going to be a stretch to squeeze it into your day, make it a priority to spend time with the Lord. The old saying is true, “A day hemmed in prayer seldom comes unraveled.”

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for persecuted believers in the Middle east.

“The Lord will decide between us.  Perhaps the Lord will punish you for what you are trying to do to me, but I will never harm you”  (1 Samuel 24:12 NLT).
It’s a daily struggle to battle the bulge. It’s one choice after another to make the healthiest decisions.  It’s a love/hate relationship between myself and the gym’s treadmill. Today’s verse offers a very important dieting tip.

Taking the higher road is a weight loss technique.

Refusing to carry a grudge looks good on any body shape.

Allowing God to settle the score between myself and any of my offenders, frees me up to experience more and more of His blessings.

Are there issues I could continue to stew about in my mind?  Are there instances of hurt feelings quickly recalled to memory at the slightest thought?  Have I been hurt, used, ignored, spoken badly to or enraged?

You bet. But from one weight watcher to another, they’re not worth carrying around.  Receiving a well done from God surpasses the most fleeting tastes of revenge.

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for unity and freedom from these extra weights of conflict among believers in your congregation.

“…We would rather put up with anything than put an obstacle in the way of the Good News about Christ”  (1 Corinthians 9:12 NLT).

Gulp.  I don’t know about you, but the word anything conjurs up a whole heap of a lot of things I might have to put up with as I strive to spread God’s love to the world in which I live.

—Things that might make me uncomfortable.
—Things that might make me look less than stellar.
—Things that might get my hands dirty.
—Things that are completely out of the norm for me.
—Things that might cause my Christian brothers and sisters to look down their noses at me.
—Things that are outside tradition.
—Things that are God-inspired and not planned in my head.

Does my statement of faith involve Paul’s challenge?  Am I willing to tolerate, put up with, push aside my discomfort?  Does getting the gospel to the unknowing stir my soul enough to do whatever it takes–and put up with anything in order to do it?

That’s a lot to swallow this morning.

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for directors Clint Morgan (FWBIM) and Larry Powell (FWBHM) as they seek God’s guidance and direction concerning mission strategy and needed personnel.
ALL DAY LONG
Today’s reading:  Psalm 42-44

“I do not trust my bow; I do not count on my sword to save me.  It is you who gives us victory over our enemies; it is you who gives us victory over our enemies; it is you who humbles those who hate us.  O God, we give glory to you all day long and constantly praise your name.”  Psalm 44:6-8 NLT

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8).

If we “think on these things,” there won’t be room for things that could hinder our mindset. If we are having trouble doing the “mindset stretch,” maybe it’s time to look at Romans 12:2. This verse speaks of a mind renewal. Let God transform your mindset as you willingly submit your life as an offering to Him.

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for teachers and business persons strategically working in creative access areas. Ask God to give them clear opportunities to share the gospel without fear, despite impending persecution or government intervention.

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (1 Timothy 1:7).

As we develop our mindset, we must allow the Spirit to control what is planted in our minds. We must remember fear and worry are not of God. These are two things the devil will use to keep us from being all God wants us to be.  He wants to wreak havoc in our lives. If we give them free reign in our minds, he wins.  We must not let Satan win!

God offers us power, love and a sound mind as we give the Spirit control.  We can have the confidence to reach out to the lost, knowing God is there with all we need to help us accomplish His will.

Tomorrow we will see how we can do a mindset stretch by filling our minds with things to give us victory.

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for home missionaries Tim and Amanda York and Josh and Ashley Bennett as they adjust to ministry and life as new parents.