Daily Treasure

“For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another” (1 John 3:11).

Judging from Bible commentaries, yesterday’s key verse, “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you” (John 15:12), may be what is meant in the phrase, “heard from the beginning.”  We look at today’s verse and realize that Christ’s love command has not changed. We’ve heard it from the time we were saved, and we should continue to “love one another.” This command gave direction to Jesus’ disciples, and it remains the message for us as His followers today. Do we willingly obey this command?

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for WNAC editor Sarah Fletcher as she begins work on the 2012-2013 Program and Plan Book.

“This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you” (John 15:12).

The Weymouth New Testament states, “This is my commandment to you, to love one another as I have loved you.”

In my Bible, John 15 is entirely written in red.  Christ’s words speak of abiding in Him and His love.  If we love Him, we will want to obey His commands.  Christ knows if we keep the words of today’s verse, our joy will be full.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray today for a special loved one in your life (spouse, child, parent, friend).

“And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us as an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour”  (Ephesians 5:2).

This week,  we will look at love as a command.  When we consider love in this way, it becomes something we shouldn’t have to think about.  We should just do it according to His Word.

The Living Bible states “Be full of love for others, following the example of Christ who loved you and gave himself to God as a sacrifice to take away your sins. And God was pleased, for Christ’s love for you was like sweet perfume to him.”  In light of all He has done for all of us, it is not too much to ask us to “walk in love.”

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray God’s protection and guidance for missionary marriages.

“Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives new life from heaven” (John 3:6 NLT).

I need this verse Xeroxed, with copies placed everywhere I go. On Sunday morning as I step into my Sunday School classroom. On Sunday evenings as I scan the crowd. On Wednesdays as I watch the door with anticipation.

I want to see huge changes, life altering commitments and walks that mimic our Lord’s within the Christian brothers and sisters God has placed in my life. But with all the mentoring I can muster, it’s still the Holy Spirit who brings conviction.
Regardless of the encouragement I exude, it’s God who draws the human heart to Him.
In spite of the imperfect guidance I offer, our Creator’s perfection is what should be sought.

I can instruct, urge and “preach” to my little heart’s content. But in the end, and the beginning and the middle, it will be God’s work of salvation and the Holy Spirit’s work in the individual that will bring about new life.

That, dear friends, does not let me (or you) off the hook. On the contrary, it should make us want to double up our efforts, strengthen our resolve and keep on keeping on till we see His creation completed in each and every life He affords us the opportunity to touch.

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for national pastors in Cote d’Ivoire today as they preach, teach and encourage spiritual growth among their congregants.

“Shadrach, Meschach and Abednego replied, O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you.  If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us.  He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty.  But even if he doesn’t, Your Majesty can be sure that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up”  (Daniel 3:16-18 NLT).

Maybe you’re in the same spot as the three Hebrew boys—feeling the heat of a raging fire, a painful trial or an awful experience.  Quite possibly you’re close enough that the heat from the furnace of refining is causing a sweat to break out on your upper lip.

You asked God to rescue you from harm, tribulations and heartache—but here you stand, in front of the fire or the firing squad.

You kept your nose in the Word, seeking His face, wanting Him to know your commitment to Him, your desire to see Him act—but here you are, facing persecution.

You prayed. You asked others to pray. You prayed that others would pray.

And to add insult to injury, you watched as they, your enemies, threw another shovel of coal into the furnace.

Will you still stand strong?  Will you continue to serve, praise and trust the One who has redeemed you for a purpose?  Even if your request isn’t answered, will you still worship Him?

You can handle the heat of the furnace if you’ll remember He’s holding your hand.

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for Jeff  and Susan Turnbough, former missionaries to Spain as they continue to transition to stateside life and ministry. (Jeff now serves as IM’s Director of Field Operations.)

We love him, because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19).

The Living Bible states “…our love for Him comes as a result of his loving us first.”

We don’t have the capacity to generate genuine love. His Spirit within us gives the ability to love others. We have the greatest example of love in Christ.  We basically know how to love only “because he first loved us.”

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray today for former WNAC Executive Directors Marjorie Workman and Mary Ruth Wisehart.

“ Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another” (1 John 4:11).

We have already learned about God’s great love. With heartfelt appreciation for the love He gave and continues to give us, we should be willing to love one another. The People’s New Testament gives us this commentary: “Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. If we are of God, and God so loves us, we must love one another.”

Is God’s love for you the motivation for your love of others?

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray today for FWBHM board members: Bob Lewis, Ron Parker, Bobby Shepherd, Tim Stout and Bob Thebeau.