Do you think of heavy iron chests filled with gold coins buried on a deserted island? Or maybe you think of diamond necklaces, golden tiaras and rings with every imaginable precious stone? Do you think of stocks and bonds, vast houses and estates, jets and fancy cars?  While all of those things hold appeal, true treasure has value for all eternity.

We have been instructed in God’s word and have access to the greatest treasure of all.  Jesus told his disciples, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has been instructed about the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old” (Matthew 13:52, NIV).

Those of us who have been called to lead and teach others have the awesome privilege of pulling out treasures from God’s word and sharing them with those around us.  Listen to Paul’s words as he speaks about those he has not met personally, yet feels the burden to guide:

“My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:2-3, NIV).

That same task has been given to us.

Let’s speak the good news of Jesus, teach about the kingdom of heaven, explain truth from God’s word.  In short, let us bring out eternal treasures from our storeroom and share it with everyone around us.

Heavenly Father, thank you for entrusting me with the treasures of your eternal kingdom. May I encourage everyone I know with the truth. Amen.

Questions: How do we fix our attention on true treasure? What treasures about God’s kingdom can you share with us today?

About the Author Suzanne Benner

Even though it’s been 20 years since I’ve been in school of any kind, September still brings with it the feeling of a fresh start, a clean slate, another chance, of purpose, and of promise.

The desire to be different tugs at my heart. More loving, less demanding, more patient, less of a perfectionist, the longing pulls.

The hope that it’s possible to get off the world’s treadmill to walk instead on the narrow road is renewed.

The Bible says, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2)

Mark Buchanan puts it this way. “Transformation is the fruit of a changed outlook. First our minds are renewed, and then we are transformed, and then everything is different, even if it stays the same.” (p 33, The Rest Of God, by Mark Buchanan)

God knows the story of how you arrived where you presently are. He knows the scars you bear, the pain and struggle of your days. He wants to make everything different, even if it stays the same. And the way it happens is through the rehabilitation of our thinking process.

Right thinking includes:

God loves me; I am of infinite worth in His sight.

God is in control; He has a good plan for my life.

Money and stuff are temporary; people are of eternal value.

It’s time to start thinking right, to know how much we are loved by God, to understand our lives have purpose and significance.

It’s time to allow God to transform our minds.

Holy God, I want to think on what is true, not what the world says or values. Renew my mind so that my life will be transformed.

Question: How do you keep your mind focused on what is true, and now merely on what the world says?

About the Author: Suzanne Benner

What do you think of when you hear the word treasure?

Do you think of heavy iron chests filled with gold coins buried on a deserted island? Or maybe you think of diamond necklaces, golden tiaras and rings with every imaginable precious stone? Do you think of stocks and bonds, vast houses and estates, jets and fancy cars?  While all of those things hold appeal, true treasure has value for all eternity.

We have been instructed in God’s word and have access to the greatest treasure of all.  Jesus told his disciples, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has been instructed about the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.” (Matthew 13:52)

Those of us who have been called to lead and teach others have the awesome privilege of pulling out treasures from God’s word and sharing them with those around us.  Listen to Paul’s words as he speaks about those he has not met personally, yet feels the burden to guide:
“My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (Colossians 2:2-3)

That same task has been given to us.

Let’s speak the good news of Jesus, teach about the kingdom of heaven, explain truth from God’s word.  In short, let us bring out eternal treasures from our storeroom and share it with everyone around us.

Heavenly Father, thank you for entrusting me with the treasures of your eternal kingdom. May I encourage everyone I know with the truth. Amen.

Questions: How do we fix our attention on true treasure? What treasures about God’s kingdom can you share with us today?

About this Author: Suzanne Benner

Does your soul continuously crave for more?

Join us for our Daily Devotional Chat today in our Women’s Chatroom at 10:30 am EST.

“You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked” (Rev 3:17, NIV).

The description of the church in Laodicea, (Rev 3:14-22, NIV) sounds eerily like many of our churches today.  In North America, it is easy to think that our great material wealth is proof of God’s blessing. Have we fallen into the trap of measuring riches by the world’s standards?

God doesn’t value the same things we do. Because He knows all things and sees all things – past, present and future – He is able to tell us where to find true wealth. While on earth, Jesus instructed his followers, “Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys” (Luke 12:33, NIV).

In Revelation, He says to the Laodiceans, “I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see” (Rev 3:18, NIV).

Gold refined in the fire could refer to character that is built through the trial of testing. White clothes to cover our nakedness, points to the truth that purity and righteousness before God comes only through Jesus Christ. He is our righteousness. Salve for our eyes is needed for us to recognize our great need and true condition before God.

Real wealth can’t be purchased with a dollar, a yen or a euro. True riches come only from God.

Holy God, forgive my pride. I come to You, acknowledging my need and asking You to refine my character and cloth me with Your righteousness.

Questions: Why don’t we recognize our true condition before God? How can we change our perspective on wealth?

About the Author Suzanne Benner

The letter to the church in Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-13) describes a people who were patiently enduring the hardship they faced. They remained faithful to God but had little strength.  Do you love God, but feel weak and weary? Are you following Him, but wonder how much longer you can continue under the weight of your trouble? Take heart. The message to Philadelphia is a message for you.

God knows your heart.  He understands your struggle.

Though our strength is limited, God’s strength is not. He is almighty and nothing can stand against His power. What He opens, no one can shut; and what He shuts, no one can open. The trouble you face may be insurmountable for you, but it is not insurmountable  for God.

The apostle Paul writes, “God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it” (1 Corinthians 10:13, NIV). God has placed an open door before us that no one can shut. Ask Him for the power to walk through it.

Heavenly Father, thank you that You are always strong. I am so weak; give me the power to walk through the door you have opened for me. Help me to remain faithful to You and to never deny Your name.

Questions: How does admitting your weakness help you access God’s power? Why do we forget about God’s all-powerfulness?

About the Author Suzanne Benner

Do you regret having an abortion? Need someone to talk to?

“I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God” (Rev 3:1, 2).

When our lives progress at a steady pace, with no great difficulties, it is easy to become complacent.   We can slide into a “cruise control” mentality. What will it take to jar our thinking and make us pay attention to the direction our lives are taking?

Maybe that was the situation the church of Sardis found itself in when John received the revelation from Jesus about it. (Revelation 3:1-6) They had become careless in their spiritual lives.  They were inattentive to the voice of the Holy Spirit, oblivious to the true condition of their hearts. They were coasting. This letter was their wake up call.

They were challenged to remember what they had been taught, to obey it and to repent.  Jesus Christ is going to return. We can not afford to become negligent in our faith or slack in our service to God.  Jesus’ own words are recorded by Mark, “Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come” (Mark 13:33).  Like Sardis, we are called to wake up.

Each of the letters to the churches is ended in the same way: “He who has an ear, let him hear what the spirit says to the churches” (Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 29, 3:6, 13 & 22).  Let us not be found guilty of not listening to what God is trying to say to us.

O God, forgive my laziness and my carelessness in following you. Make me faithful and diligent, I do not want to be found sleeping when You return.  Amen

Questions: What lulls us into inattentiveness? What causes us to wake up?

About the Author Suzanne Benner

Do you have questions about what is truth? Ask us.

Join us for our Daily Devotional Chat today in our Women’s Chatroom at 10:30 am EST.

“I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first” (Rev 2:19).

Some in the church in Thyatira (Revelation 2:18-29) had managed to keep themselves separate from the evil that was going on in their church, but others were following a woman who called herself a prophetess and had misled people into sexual sin.  God proclaimed judgment on this woman, “I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling” (Rev 2:21).  God promised the same to her followers unless they repented.

Sometimes we find ourselves in the first group, simply following God to the best of our ability, doing what is right in the midst of wrong teaching. We might even be looked down on or ridiculed for not being as “enlightened” or for not understanding these “deep secrets”.   If that is where you are, then the message for Thyatira is for you: hold on to truth.

“Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets (I will not impose any other burden on you): Only hold on to what you have until I come” (Rev 2:24, 25).

You know the truth: that Jesus died for your sins and He alone makes you righteous, that life is not about pleasing ourselves but pleasing God who sacrificed all for us.  Don’t worry about what is going on around you. Jesus will return. God will judge those who do evil.  As for you, simply hold on until then.

Gracious God and Father, help me to walk in love and faith and truth. Thank you that You know my heart. Keep me safe from the lies that come at me from every side. Help me to hold on to the truth until You come.  Amen

Questions: How does knowing Jesus will return give you hope? How can we encourage each other to hold on to truth?

About the Author Suzanne Benner

Endure is a powerful sounding word. As I looked it up in the dictionary and pondered how the definition correlated to God’s love for us, a phrase leaped out at me: “without flinching.”

God’s love endures our fickleness, persists through our unbelief, remains during our rebellion, continues endlessly, and it does all that without flinching.

The steadfast love of the Lord is something that we can rely on completely. It never comes to an end.

Psalm 136 is a litany of praise for God’s mighty acts and goodness. Each of its 26 verses end with the response, “His love endures forever”

Something happens in my heart when I read that Psalm. Each time “His love endures forever” chants in my brain, it goes a little deeper. It adds layers of strength to my belief that it is true, solidifying my resolve to live in the hope and confidence that God’s love brings.

Claim this truth for yourself. Cling to it during your dark struggle. Nothing can endure longer or stronger than God’s love for you.

O God, we join with the psalmist saying, “Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever. We give thanks to Him who alone does great wonders; His love endures forever. We give thanks to the One who remembered us in our low estate; His love endures forever. We give thanks to the One who freed us from our enemies; His love endures forever. We give thanks to the One who gives food to every creature; His love endures forever. We give thanks to the God of heaven; His love endures forever”(Psalm 136:3, 4, 23 – 26).

Questions: Why do we sometimes question God’s love? What can we do to remind ourselves again that “His love endures forever”?

About the Author Suzanne Benner

The church in Pergamum (Revelation 2:12-17), although they were faithful to God, allowed false teachings to seep into their church. People who promoted a lax attitude toward idolatry and sexual immorality were accepted and allowed to teach their ideas within the church. As a result, holiness and righteousness were eroded.

Pergamum had the opposite problem that Ephesus did. The church in Ephesus was intolerant of evil but forgot how to love, while the church at Pergamum tolerated evil and allowed it to exist within the church.

It often feels like Satan has his throne where I live, in Canada, in the twenty-first century. Does it feel that way where you live? Evil surrounds us. The question is: Have we, like those in Pergamum, allowed it to seep into our lives?

Do we tolerate sexual immorality? Is it so rampant that it doesn’t bother us anymore? That we no longer regard it as sin? Do the idols of money and success get worshipped in our churches, alongside our worship of God?

We must pay close attention to God’s warning: “Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against [those who do these things] with the sword of my mouth” (Revelation 2:16).

Holy God, show us the areas where we have allowed sin to take root in our lives. Forgive us and make us clean. We want to be holy. Show us how to walk in the truth.

Questions: What false teachings have had the most influence over you? How do we take a stand against evil while still remembering to love?

About the Author Suzanne Benner

Join us for our Daily Devotional Chat today in our Women’s Chatroom at 10:30 am EST.

“Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10).

In the letter to the church in Smyrna (Revelation 2:8-11) we discover a people who were poor by the world’s standards and who faced great trouble. They weren’t reprimanded for any shortcomings, but were commended for their rich faith in God.

While still on earth, Jesus warned us, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Later, Peter reminded believers that suffering wasn’t unusual, but rather the norm. “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you” (1 Peter 4:12).

You see, we will face trouble; we will suffer; we will be persecuted for our beliefs.

Therefore, the message to Smyrna is a message to us. When trouble comes, don’t be afraid, be faithful.
•    Don’t be afraid of those who slander you for your poverty, you have riches in Christ.
•    Don’t be afraid of suffering because Jesus is the First and the Last. He is with you.
•    Don’t be afraid of death because Jesus died and came to life again. He has conquered death.

The promise God that gave to the faithful in Smyrna, can be ours as well, if we are faithful. “He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death” (Revelation 2:11)

Almighty God, thank you that I have a secure future in You. Help me not to be afraid of suffering or even of death, because I have eternal life in You.

Questions: Why are we surprised at suffering? How has God helped you not to be afraid?

About the Author Suzanne Benner