Daily Treasure

“But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin” (Hebrews 3:13).

I remember an old song titled, “We Have This Moment Today.”  Within the chorus, we find these words:  “yesterday’s gone and tomorrow may never come, but we have this moment today.”  We, as body builders, must use daily opportunities to encourage others. If we fail to do this, and, it becomes a habit, we could become “hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.”

Hebrews 10:24 says, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” (NLT)   Don’t wait to encourage. Do it today.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Sometimes the last persons we think of encouraging are family members. Does a son, a daughter, a husband, a mother or father need your encouragement? Pray, then do it—today.

“For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.  Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. But ye brethren, be not weary in well doing” (2 Thessalonians 3:11-13).

The Living Bible offers this rendition of these verses: “Yet we hear that some of you are living in laziness, refusing to work and wasting your time in gossiping. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ we appeal to such people—we command them—to quiet down, get to work, and earn their own living. And to the rest of you I say, dear brothers, never be tired of doing right.”

I never see a place in God’s Word that says we are to sit down and quit.  Even when you feel you are spread very thin, don’t become so overwhelmed that you want to give up.  Slow down, but don’t quit. Your theme song, as a child of God, should be “We’ll Work ‘Til Jesus Comes.”

Others who see your zeal can’t help but notice. This will encourage them to “be not weary in well doing.”

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: The Hanna Project is now assembling team members for upcoming summer projects. Pray that people will respond to God’s leading and sign on for these journeys.

            Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace.  Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.” (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17)

Today’s verses contain a prayer for those in the church at Thessalonica.  It’s a prayer we can take to heart when we need encouragement or when we encourage others.

God has given us an abundance of resources to help encourage ourselves as well as others.  Our Treasure study writer expresses some great ideas we can use to encourage others.  We all face daily tasks. How we handle them, small or large, could be a means of support for others. What kind of example are you setting?

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: What tasks do you face today that beg for encouragement? As you pray concerning your tasks, pray encouragement for a missionary wife (one you know or your church supports) today.

“Now Adoni-zedek, king of Jerusalem, heard that Joshua had captured and completely destroyed Ai and killed its king, just as he had destroyed the city of Jericho and killed its king.  He also learned that the Gibeonites had made peace with Israel and were now their allies.  He and his people became very afraid when they heard all this…”  (Joshua 10:1-2 NLT).

Know who King Adoni-zedek was?

This king reigned over the area of Jerusalem prior to its capture and settlement by the Israelites.  He governed and maintained a rather large city for the time and took his job very seriously.  He was a man of power and someone who kept up-to-date on current events.  He was an enemy to God’s people.  He stood in the way of the multitude reaching and claiming the Promised Land.

God’s power scared him.

God’s people, filled with God’s power, scared him.

God’s people, filled with God’s power, doing what God asked them to do, scared him to death.

King Adoni-zedek was a lot like satan appears to us today.  He’s afraid, very afraid, of God’s kids taking God on His Word.  Satan himself is fully aware of all that can be accomplished under God’s command and power—and he trembles with fear.

But… (and I’m only passing along the question God asked me this morning) is he afraid of you?  Are you partnering with God in any battles, or doing it on your own?  Are you accomplishing huge things for Him, through Him, by His power—or attempting a strategy of your own making?  Are you filled with the power of the Almighty God, or are you a little too filled with yourself?

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray that WNAC Executive Director would gain information and fresh insights as she attends the annual meeting of RCMA (Religious Conference Management Association) this week.

“At harvest time Cain brought to the Lord a gift of his farm produce, while Abel brought several choice lambs from the best of his flock.  The Lord accepted Abel and his offering, but he did not accept Cain and his offering.  This made Cain very angry and dejected” (Genesis 4:3-4 NLT).

I won’t begin to tell you I can “read between the lines” in the account of the two brothers and their two offerings.  God hasn’t given me any special insight as to what occurred, but can I take a guess as to the order of events for the day?

Cain woke up late.  Cain had forgotten that this day was the day to present something to the Lord.  He mumbled, grumbled and fumbled around getting ready—and then grabbed up a few medium-sized zucchini and a handful of not-too-wilted radishes out of yesterday’s garden basket.  He pulled into the parking lot on two wheels, parking at the back because he was running late.  And then?  While he waited to approach God with his offering, he had to sit in a seat that wasn’t his.

Abel?  Abel had set his alarm.  Abel had selected, weeks prior to the holy day, which of his lambs looked the best and he had them fluffed and ready for the ride to the Tabernacle.  Abel left in plenty of time to deal with the delays he faced on the way.  He quickly found a parking spot and herded his sheep into the alotted place for the Lord to approve.

Cain left worship feeling a little hot under the collar, embarrassed and put out.  Abel headed home filled with awe of the Lord and a deeper appreciation of the privilege of being able to worship the Holy One.

Nothing’s really changed from that day to this, has it?  People are the same.  God asks today for nothing more or lessthan He did way back then.

If we were to get down to the nitty-gritty of it all, we’d have to survey our visit to the Temple last week.  What we took.  What we expected to receive.  What we went to do.  What we prepared for.  What we took home from the service.  How we served.  How we sang.  How we greeted.  How we listened.  How we responded.  How we worshipped our Savior.

So?  Based upon your own inventory…who were you more like?  Cain or Abel?

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for Free Will Baptist pastors and their families serving in Cote d Ivoire.

“….for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5b).

Today’s verse should encourage and motivate us to keep on loving and serving the Lord. Trust in Him and His Word. They will never fail. These words will help you when you feel you can’t go on. They will help you when you face fears and uncertain days. There will be nothing you face that you do it alone. Stay in the Word for every thing you will ever need in this life.

Be ready to share your assurance with other.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for believers in Romania today as they face uncertain times and social upheaval.

“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning.  That we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope “ (Romans 15:4).

The  The NIV Study Bible offers this insight concerning today’s verse: “Here Paul defends his application of Psalm 69:9 to Christ. In so doing, he states a great truth concerning the purpose of the Scripture.  It was written for our instruction, so that as we patiently endure we might be encouraged to hold fast our hope in Christ.”

I have read through the Bible several times. Each time I find something new and exciting, that maybe I hadn’t seen before. I’m thankful for the inspired Word of God and all the promises it contains.  It holds everything we need to encourage us, and, in turn, we can use it to encourage others.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Is there a shut-in or an elderly person you could encourage today with the Word? Pray for this person, then pick up the phone and call to share a Scripture.