Daily Treasure

“Moreover Josiah kept a passover unto the Lord in Jerusalem: and they killed a passover on the fourteenth day of the first month. And he set the priests in their charges, and encouraged them to the service of the house of the Lord”  (2 Chronicles 35:1-2).

Josiah became king at a very young age. He loved the Lord and led in the repair of the temple and restored true worship in Israel. Today’s passage tells how he encouraged the priests so they would return to their service in the Lord’s house.  Do you ever get discouraged as you serve the Lord in your church?  Pray that God will send someone to you to give you the encouragement you need.  And as you seek to be encouraged, look around. You might find someone who needs your encouragement.  I have found when I seek to encourage someone, I end up being encouraged myself.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Who encourages the church planter when he gets discouraged—especially those in remote areas? Pray today for home missionaries. As you scroll through their pictures, allow God to burden your heart for these families who are working together with you to fulfill the Great Commission.

“For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore, comfort one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:14-18).

We often hear today’s verses read at a gravesite service.  However, they also bring comfort and hope to those who may be suffering with a terminal disease or other affliction.  I get excited any time I read the above verses.  There’s going to be a great reunion day for the children of God.  Encourage one another with Scriptures of hope and assurance.

Another set of encouraging verses I enjoy reading and using is John 14:1-3.  The bottom line is, the greatest encouragement we can offer anyone is found in God’s Word.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray that God would give missionaries in Japan comforting words from the Word to share with the many who are still grieving and facing the devastation of last year’s earthquake and tsunami.

“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others, which have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13).

This week we will be studying about “Encouragement Through the Word.” The study writer states, “Truth that truly encourages and motivates our friends comes from God’s Word.”

At times, you will be faced with circumstances that involve death and dying. Whether it involves your family, friends or church family you may need to give or receive encouragement. When giving it, it may seem very difficult to find the right words because you feel their pain.

Sometimes in the receiving of it, you may not always be comforted by the words of others.

Study God’s Word and commit to memory some verses that offer hope. Send messages and cards and include Scriptures. Never underestimate the power of His Word. It contains the encouragement you cannot express in your own words.

Today’s verse gives great consolation when a loved one falls asleep in Jesus. Tomorrow’s devotion contains verses that gives even more hope.  When someone is going through that initial pain of separation, God’s Word can be a balm for her hurting soul.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Bring to mind someone who has recently lost someone in death. Pray about ways you could encourage this person today. Pray especially for former FWBIM missionary Joy Jones, whose husband Bill recently entered Heaven.

“Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Mary was the mother of Jesus, who is called the Messiah”  (Matthew 1:16 NLT).

I’m not usually a fan of the “begats.”  I’d place those genealogies in my list of less than desirable Bible verses.  But this morning, things are different.

Maybe it’s the new year?  Could it be the extra sleep I allowed myself this morning?  I’m hoping it’s just a matter of the Lord speaking to me—and me actually listening, but I’ve been excited over the list of ancestors found in the first sixteen verses of Matthew 1.  Especially the final verse…

“Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Mary was the mother of Jesus, who is called the Messiah.”  Matthew 1:16 NLT

That verse in it self is great news, but let’s fast-forward several generations.  Let’s continue to extend the genealogy.  Let’s add a page or two to the begats.  Let’s carry on for another several generations and there you’ll find the most amazing of news…my name.

You see, I’m a child of God.  I’ve invited Christ into my heart, which places me in the family.  I’ve asked forgiveness and received His grace and mercy. That, dear friend, places me at the table with the King.

Christ’s birth and, more importantly, His death and resurrection, my acceptance of His gift of salvation and His acceptance of me gives a spot in the family to me.  I’m kin!

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for Maria del Rosario (Sister Charo) as she leads the Feminil, WNAC’s affiliate organization in Mexico.

“Then the Lord asked satan, Have you noticed my servant Job?  He is the finest man in all the earth–a man of complete integrity.  He fears God and will have nothing to do with evil”  (Job 1:8 NLT).

Ethical investing is a buzz-word in social circles nowadays.  It’s a neat term for making stocks and bonds purchases only of companies maintaining Christian ethics, selling non-offensive products and using tactful advertising.  Businesses are scored according to their commitment to charitable giving, employee relations and impact on the community.  The premise behind the idea is that good stewardship should prompt us all to use our money as wisely as possible, because after all, it’s not really ours.  One could also say that in placing our money into God-honoring businesses, we are using it to spread the gospel even farther.

Job and his oxen/sheep/donkey/camel business could have been listed as a company of choice on the ethical investors Top Ten in his day.  It’s stated, by God himself, that Job was a man of complete integrity.  And let’s be honest, if God says that about someone, you can take it to the bank.

Makes me do a little soul-searching.  You see, would the company I work for be considered a good Christian investment because of me?  Do my work ethics point to God?  Does my idle time honor Christ?  Do the jokes I tell, the jokes I laugh at, the conversations I allow myself into–do they show integrity on my part?

Put aside my titles:  church member, Sunday School teacher, Cubbie leader.  Do I show godliness throughout the week?  Do my Monday through Saturday actions and attitudes match up with my Sunday face?

Would I be recommended by God as worthy,  filled with integrity, a good and godly investment, like Job?

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for Sue Winchester, weekday Treasure devotional writer, as she faces ongoing health concerns.

“Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.”  (1 Thessalonians 5:14).

Today’s verse uses the word exhortfor encouragement. At the time of its writing, there were some lazy people in the church at Thessalonica who needed to be dealt with. Some had the idea once saved, they would just sit back and wait for the Lord’s return. Paul encouraged church leaders to warn against idleness. Giving rebuke (when needed) doesn’t mean we don’t care for someone; we are actually doing this person a favor. Giving comfort and support to those less fortunate or in a weaker state are ways we can encourage all men

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Continue to pray for denominational and Tennessee state leaders as they plan the 2012 FWB National Convention. Ask God to give each one safety (and opportunities to share Christ) traveling home today.

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“And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you, and are over in the Lord, and admonish you.  And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves”  (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13).

If you do not respect your church leaders, you will probably give them cause for discouragement. Love those who work hard among you as they do their best to help you in the faith. They need you to work with them, not against them. Encourage them by doing your part to promote harmony and unity in the church.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for unity today among Tennessee church leaders and denominational personnel as they meet together today in convention planning meetings. Pray for WNAC Executive Director Elizabeth Hodges as she participates.