Daily Treasure

“And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.  And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee” (Luke 10:34-35).

The Samaritan didn’t stand around wondering what he should be doing. He leaped into action.  He wasn’t afraid to get his hands dirty, and, he didn’t stop to figure out what it would cost him.  He didn’t mind the stretch. He just wanted to take care of someone who was in dire need.  He went the extra mile.  How far will you stretch in doing what you can to fill a need?

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray that God would give teachers boldness in sharing the gospel to children attending classes tonight in churches throughout the nation.

“But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was; and when he saw him, he had compassion on him”  (Luke 10:33).

In the story of the Good Samaritan we find a man beaten, robbed, and left for dead.

A priest and Levite avoided doing anything to help this man. Something was obviously missing in their lives.  They lacked compassion.  Would it have been that much of a stretch for them to do something—anything?

The Samaritan could have done like the other two men. They didn’t want to get involved so they walked away. If fact, they went out of their way in doing so.  However, today’s verse says the Samaritan, “had compassion on him.”  This was more than just feeling sorry for the man.  What he felt in his heart was prompting him to help this wounded stranger.

You may never be faced with a situation this terrible.  However, if ever you are, have enough compassion not to walk away.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray that God would speak to hearts at the Tennessee Seniors Retreat in Pigeon Forge, March 12-14. Pray for Elizabeth Hodges as she interacts with attendees and represents WNAC.

“But he willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbor?'” (Luke 10:29).

Most of us are familiar with the story of the Good Samaritan. We find a prime example of one who was willing to stretch no matter what the cost. Sadly, many think the cost is too high and the risk is too great.

I love our Treasure writer’s application in Week Two of this month’s study.  She includes  questions we should ask of ourselves.  How many of us know much about the needs of our community? Would we be willing to evaluate them as Dana Copeland did?

Today’s verse asks, “Who is my neighbor?” Finding the answer to this question may involve some stretching. That stretching will take us beyond our next-door neighbor. That someone to whom we can witness about Christ will not be out of our reach if we don’t set limits on our stretch. We have a message of hope for those around us.

You have the message of hope to share with those around you.  As you go in Jesus’ name, you won’t have to ponder the question of our verse.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray safety and productivity for the Master’s Men Disaster Relief Team working this week in Eastern Kentucky in cleanup from recent tornadoes. Pray God would use them as His witnesses in these communities.

“Then he turned to his critics and asked, Is it legal to do good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it for doing harm?  Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?”  (Mark 3:4 NLT).

Just how will you use your Lord’s Day?

Will you speak words of healing–or will your words become seed for decay in another’s heart?

Will you serve joyfully, willingly and excellently in your ‘spot’ today–or will you grumble, moan and complain the whole time?

Today is not just another day of the week.  Today will never be repeated or done over.  Today is marked by the Lord as a day to remember, serve and worship Him wholeheartedly.

What will you do with the Lord’s Day?

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Today is Girl Scout Sunday throughout the U.S. Pray that many girls and parents who do not regularly attend church will hear the gospel today and respond.

“Darkness as black as night will cover all the nations of the earth, but the glory of the Lord will shine over you.  All nations will come to your light.  Mighty kings will come to see your radiance”  (Isaiah 60:2-3 NLT).

Is the song, “This Little Light Of Mine,”  as much a part of your childhood as it was mine?  Did you sing it nice and loud as a child?  Did you holler a resounding “No!” when it came time to answer whether or not we’d hide our lights under a bushel basket?  Did you huff and puff demonstrating how Satan wants to snuff out our light?

There are days when I wish I had never learned the words or the tune of that little ditty.  Please, hear me out…

I’m convicted by the fact that my “little light” is, on the best of days, sporadic and weak.

I’m heartsick to know my “flame of righteousness” is easily blown out by the draft created by a passing doubt or fear.

I’m ashamed to say it, but a lot of days my light is, at most, a fraction of a spark.

Oh, yes, you can quote to me the fact that I am but a reflector of the light of the Lord.  You can preach the old sermon about me being a vessel of His light.  You can even quote the verse in Phillipians that I can do all things because of His light and love and strength.

No matter, there’s still the issue that I’m a faulty reflector, a too-small bulb, a teensy-tiny ember and the kind of gal who allows the pitch-forked enemy to douse my attempts to glow.  And still,  I am chosen to shine for Him.  His choice.  His selection to do His work, to glow for Him.

Lord, please help my little light shine.

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for the Arkansas WAC state meeting, Kentucky WAC officers meeting and district WAC meetings in several states—all occurring today.

“Withal praying also for us that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds. That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak” (Colossians 4:3-4).

Today’s verses came as a prayer request from Paul. We should pray one for another that God would give us opportunities to share the gospel.  We, most likely, will not be in prison like Paul. However, we may find ourselves facing difficult situations that warrant us to ask for prayer. Paul found, through the power of prayer, he could use his bonds to be a witness and testimony for God.  We, too, can use our circumstances to be the same. We just need to pray knowing that, in spite of where we are and what we face, God will be with us. It is not a stretch for God to give us what we need to say and how to say it.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for peace, restoration and emotional healing for FWB women in  Cote d’Ivoire, who have witnessed so much violence and political upheaval in the past few years.

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16).

The NIV Study Bible states, “Salvation  is from the Jews (John 4:22) and the Messiah was a Jew.  The “very words of God,” the covenants, law, temple worship, revelation of the divine glory, and Messianic prophecies came to them.  These privileges, however, were not extended to the Jews because of their superior merit or because of God’s partiality toward them.  It was necessary that the invasion of this world by the gospel begin at a particular point with a particular people, who in turn were responsible to carry the gospel to other nations.”

One can’t help but wonder why it was quite a stretch for the Jews of Jesus and Paul’s day to understand the aforementioned statements. Praise God, we as Gentiles, through the gospel of Christ, can be saved.  God made a way that all could be saved. Never be ashamed to admit this. Share the message of salvation.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for Lisa Bowden, president of Arkansas WAC, as she prepares for the Arkansas State WAC meeting this Saturday.