Daily Treasure

“No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us” (1  John 4:12),

From the various commentaries I read concerning today’s verse, I chose to share from The NIV Study Bible.  “Since our love has its source in God’s love, His love reaches full expression (is made complete) when we love fellow believers. Thus the God whom “no one has ever seen” is seen in those who love, because God lives in them.”   The test is to continue to love so this expression can become stronger. Can others see expressions of God’s love through you? Within your church?

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Does your church hold midweek services? Cover leaders in prayer today.

“He that loveth not, knoweth not God; for God is love” (1 John 4:8).

Today’s key verse presents another test of our love. Sadly, many who claim to love God are failing this test. They don’t know God as much as they think they do.  In Barnes Notes on the Bible, we find these insights:   “He that loveth not, knoweth not God—Has no true acquaintance with God; has no just views of him, and no right feelings toward him. The reason for this is implied in what is immediately stated, that ‘God is love,’ and of course if they have no love reigning in their hearts, they cannot pretend to be like him.”

God is the embodiment of love.  If we desire to be more like Him, we must embrace this truth: God is love.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Tomorrow is the registration deadline for the Master’s Men/WNAC Marriage Enrichment Conference, March 23-25 in Branson, MO. Pray that many couples will register. Pray about the possibility of attending yourself.

“Beloved let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God”  (1 John 4:7).

I love the way our Treasure writer Carol Reid begins the third week of our Bible study. “Love has been called ‘the badge of Christian discipleship.’ This is the way we let others know we are believers.”

The NIV Bible words 1 John 4:7 this way: “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.  Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.”

Today’s verse is a gauge for measuring how genuine our love is.  Examine your love for God and others. Are you passing the test?

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Thank the Lord for the love labors of volunteers who assemble and mail PreEaster Week of Prayer packets this month.

“His great works are too marvelous to understand.  He performs miracles without number.  Yet when he comes near, I cannot see him.  When he moves on, I do not see him go”  (Job 9:10-11 NLT).

The sunrises we can view—their pinks, reds, oranges and yellows lighting up the dark night.

The babies we can hold in our arms—their newness, their uniqueness, their delicates parts knit in the secret places.

The blades of grass we can touch with our fingers—trace their veining, view their growth over a day’s time.

The cool breeze we can feel on our skin.  We can observe as it shakes the leaves in the trees and the surface of the waters.

The snowflakes we can watch as they fall, creatively crafted in the heavens—their points and angles determined by God.

And when we cannot see Him?  When we cannot sense His presence, trace His fingerprints or cling to His robe?  When the darkness of the night, the storm or the situation robs our vision?

We must know.  We must carry God in our hearts, minds and spirits.

We must trust.  Blindly.  Wholeheartedly.  Faithfully.

Because of our efforts, our abilities, our belief, our faith?

No.  Because He is.

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for Joe Grizzle as he shares this morning from God’s Word in a final challenge to couples at the WNAC/Master’s Men Marriage Enrichment Conference in Chattanooga.

“O Lord, I will honor and praise your name, for you are my God.  You do such wonderful things!  You planned them long ago…”  (Isaiah 25:1 NLT).

Friend, you have no idea what God has in store for you.

Oh sure, you’ve been dreaming wildly and wishing hard on every evening’s first star—but what’s coming will amaze and astound you.

The things you’re asking for?  Over and above is what He’ll do.  The reasons you’re seeking?  Won’t matter when you see His face.  The wait?  Worth every minute of it when you see what God has in store for you.

Dream big.  Pray hard.  Believe, with all you’ve got, that whatever He’s sending your way will be wonderful.

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for a wonderful annual meeting of the Arizona District WAC and safety of travel for WNAC Executive Director Elizabeth Hodges as she attends.

“Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently” (1 Peter 1:22).

The Living Bible says of today’s key verse: “Now you can have real love for everyone because your souls have been cleansed from selfishness and hatred when you trusted Christ to save you; so see to it that you really do love each other warmly, with all your hearts.”

The NIV Study Bible offers this explanation:  “A command no doubt based on John 13:34-35. See also I Thessalonians 4:9-10 where, like Peter, Paul commends his readers for their love of fellow believers and then urges them to love still more, deeply, fervently.”

Finish out this week with a song.

I’m gonna live the way He wants me to live
I’m gonna give until there’s just no more to give
I’m gonna love, love till there’s just no more love
I could never, never out love the Lord.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Meditate on the truths found in the lyrics of “I Could Never Outlove the Lord.” Make this chorus your prayer today.

“If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love.” (John 15:10a).

John 15 is all about abiding in Christ and His love. The Living Bible states “When you obey me (Christ) you are living in my love, just as I obey my Father and live in his love.”

Obedience and love go hand in hand.  As an extension of the Vine (John 15:5), willingly abide in His love.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray that couples attending the Master’s Men/WNAC Marriage Enrichment Conference this weekend would reaffirm their commitment to each other and to the Lord.