Daily Treasure

“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes: and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain, for the former things are passed away” (Revelation 21:4).

There are so many things that can affect our future here on earth. As pilgrims in a weary land, we encounter roadblocks on our journey. Matthew Henry states this about today’s verse: “This new and blessed state will be free from all trouble and sorrow; for, 1. All the effects of former trouble shall be done away. They have been often before in tears, by reason of sin, of affliction, of the calamities of the church; but now all tears shall be wiped away; no signs, no remembrance of former sorrows shall remain, any further than to make their present felicity the greater. God himself, as their tender Father, with his own kind hand, shall wipe away the tears of his children; and they would not have been without those tears when God shall come and wipe them away. 2. All the causes of future sorrow shall be for ever removed: There shall be neither death nor pain; and therefore no sorrow nor crying; these are things incident to that state in which they were before, but now all former things have passed away.”

For now sorrow, pain, and death flood our eyes with tears. What a glorious hope that one day the gentle hand of God will wipe away all our tears. Our joy will be eternally complete.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray that families who’ve lost love ones over the holiday season will cling to this blessed hope and find comfort to share with others in grief.

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33).

We live in a fast-paced world with modern technology, but we frantically feel there aren’t hours in the day to get everything done.

We lead such stress-filled lives. Maybe it’s because we have not determined what is really important. If Christ is in the center of our lives, He can help us sift through life’s issues.

We tend to crowd Him out of our hectic days then wonder why we feel overwhelmed. An old saying comes to my mind, “A day hemmed in prayer seldom comes unraveled.”  We must be good stewards of our time. He doesn’t demand all of  it, but He does want to spend some time with us.  First thing in the morning seems a logical time even if it means getting up a few minutes earlier. (I know if I wait until bedtime, I’m asleep before I finish praying.)   When I take time to prioritize,  I am amazed how much smoother everything comes together.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray today for needed funding for FWBIM, enabling missionaries to go and/or return to their fields of service..

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3).

I found noteworthy the following commentary by Matthew Henry concerning our verse: “The hope of a Christian has this excellency, it is a living hope. The hope of eternal life in a true Christian is a hope that keeps him alive, quickens him, supports him, and conducts him to heaven. Hope invigorates and spirits up the soul to action, to patience, to fortitude, and perseverance to the end.”  It is that “lively hope” that can sustain us through another year if Christ tarries His coming.  That same hope will help give us strength to continue to do His Will.

My prayer for all who read this devotional today is God will continue to bless and strengthen you throughout the new year.

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for a year of growth and expansion for WNAC. Expect great things from God.

“Where there is no vision, the people perish…” (Proverbs 29:18).

As you begin to set new goals, can you visualize reaching them? What about the spiritual ones?  Will you have a greater vision for the lost? Will you do more than just make a resolution concerning those around you who are perishing?  Will you pray more for those spreading the gospel at home and abroad?  Will you give more to keep them on the field?

Pray God will help you visualize the lost as if you we were looking through His eyes. (I hope you also see that this plan puts Him first where He belongs.)

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for WNAC office staff as they prepare for the organization’s yearly financial audit.

“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God?  Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind.  Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: But ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of God” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).

Before I begin, I would like to wish everyone a healthy and happy New Year.

A brand new year lies ahead of us. I’m sure many are making resolutions. Unfortunately, resolutions are made to be broken.  Will this year be different for you?  It could be if you could make this a time of recommitment unto the Lord. A few years back I wrote an article titled, “A Plan to Revitalize.”  Within it are some basic principles that could help us as we begin 2012.

The hardest part and first step of this plan is reviewing the past year. If you need to make some changes, they must start from within.  Whether we want to admit it or not, there are some blemishes we need to have washed away. Paul draws a contrast in our verses.  We were destined for eternal punishment.  Thanks be unto God for verse 11. However, we must also be grateful for 1  John 1:9.

I found the following definition for sanitize: to make less offensive by eliminating anything unwholesome, objectionable, or incriminating.  When we come to Him in repentance, He washes, sanctifies and  justifies.  We are forever sanitized. Can you think of a better way to start fresh this year?

Sue Winchester
Missouri

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for safety of students returning to colleges and universities.

“For without consulting me, you have gone down to Egypt to find help.  You have put your trust in Pharoah for his protection.  But in trusting Pharoah, you will be humiliated and disgraced”  (Isaiah 30:2-3 NLT).

I’ll be the first to admit I’m not big on New Year’s resolutions.  Why set yourself up for failure?  That being said, I do wholeheartedly agree with the concept of accountability among Christian brothers and sisters, so I’m going to share with you what I want to do with my New Year.

This year, I want to make God my first choice, my first stop, my first line of defense, my first thought.

You see, I usually don’t.  And if that caught you off guard or you’re snickering at my confession, I’ll guess you usually don’t either.

We see what we can do ourselves.

We seek answers on the Internet.

We make appointments with doctors.

We try new medicines, new programs, new diets, new ideas, etc.

We might share a situation with our closest church family.

We will, on occasion, mention something to the pastor.

But seek God?  Ask God’s advice?  Pray that He gives an answer?  Relief?  Help?  An open door?  Allow Him to take over our thoughts, actions and attitudes about what’s bothering us?

My New Year’s resolution is to seek God first in all areas of my life.  To make Him my first line of defense.  To set my mind, heart and ears, on hearing from Him. What about yours?

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for WNAC. Ask God to increase the outreach and influence of Women Active for Christ and provide adequate resources for continuance of its ministries.

“…But the God of my father has been with me…”   (Genesis 31:5 NLT).

The last day of 2011.  Number 365.  The final 24 hours.

What are you saying about it?

Good riddance?

Hate to see it go?

Where has it gone?

I’m not sure what’s filled your year.  I can only guess:  blessings, heartache, joy, grief, highs, lows, excitement, fear, awe, despair?

No matter what’s occurred, can you say,  “But the God of my father has been with me”?   (Genesis 31:5 NLT)?

Better yet, can you say, “But my God has been with me”?

Malinda Edgell
Illinois

PRAY TOGETHER: Pray encouragement for missionaries sidelined from ministry due to lack of funding. Pray that end of the year giving to FWBIM will allow them to go and/or return to their fields of service.