About the Book
Book: Treasures of the Wise: 30 Devotions For Storing Up Heavenly Riches
Author: Tracy L. Smoak
Genre: Pictorial Devotional
Release date: December, 2024
Stories have been written throughout the centuries about the search for gold. But the true treasure we all need is easier to find than we think. For the wise person, treasure that will not be wasted, tarnished, or stolen can only be found in God’s Word.
Join author and educator Tracy Smoak on a thirty-day journey around the world as she showcases coins to highlight the beauty of the eternal treasure given to us from God. Each devotional is short but filled with riches beyond what the world can offer, as well as photographs of unique international coins and snippets of information about them.
Start your day off as one of the wise, who seeks after priceless insights offered by our Heavenly Father.
Click here to get your copy!
About the Author
A native Floridian, Tracy L. Smoak grew up riding horses and climbing citrus trees. Her passion is to encourage others in their faith journey. Smoak contributes to Guideposts. Ambassador International released her debut novel, Who Brought the Dog to Church?. Bold Vision published her Bible study about encouragement titled Refuge of Grace: Finding Your Safe Place.
She loves photography, and Treasures of the Wise is the third devotional with her original images. Living Water to Refresh Your Soul features tranquil lake scenes while Arranged with Love showcases floral landscapes.
Smoak holds a master’s in Education and a bachelor’s in Communication. At her church home she leads small-group Bible studies.
More from Tracy
Laying Up Treasures
The word “treasure” can send mixed messages. On one hand, that noun can bring forth images of pirates commandeering others’ gold and valuables. We all get a gleam in our eye from time to time and dream of great wealth.
The verb form of “treasure” means to hold something dear, such as a photograph of loved ones. This object may have no special worth, other than sentiment. What priceless object do you protect? Is it a leather baby shoe stored in a tiny box or a beaten-up, old baseball glove?
Either way, what we pursue—and hold—as our prized possession reveals much about our priorities. Is our contentment based upon acquisitions? If so, we find ourselves on a merry-go-round ride that leaves us dizzy. No matter how much we get, we still want more. This constant demand is damaging.
“Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction” (1 Timothy 6:9 NIV).
To be well off, we need to put our hope in God, who richly provides us with all that we need and more.
“The emptiness we try to fill with earthly things stems from the desire for more of God,” said author and teacher Nancy Jenkins (Bibledolls: A Panorama of 28 Biblical Women).
To live well, we are advised to complete a wealth of good deeds. We are to be generous and willing to share. “In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life” (1 Timothy 6:19 NIV).
Today’s prayer:
Dear Lord, please help us act on opportunities to do good for others. We appreciate your many gifts and find contentment in this moment, just as things are, with You by our side. Amen.
Interview with the Author
- If you could invite one person to dinner, who would it be and what would you cook?
I would invite the Pharoah pictured on the ancient Egyptian coins so that he could bring his own cooks and treat me to a banquet. Grilled mullet from the Nile and sugary dates would make a delicious dinner. I’d even eat leeks for my veggies.
- Does writing energize or exhaust you?
Can I cheat and say both? The creative process of coming up with a new idea and letting the words dance across the page in the initial phase is exhilarating. However, the process of multiple edits to streamline content can be exhausting, particularly when an editor wants me to redo a rough section like a million times. I know the end result is better for the rewrites but definitely grumble while redoing.
- How did writing this book grow you spiritually?
With each Bible passage studied and photograph captured, God reminded me how abundantly He provides. While I can get hung up on income desired, the reality is that I lack for nothing! Sometimes, I get stuck counting only the cost of sitting at the computer to write and lose track of the value of lives to be touched. When I think about my life’s legacy, my grandchildren probably won’t remember what clothes I had or what car I drove. My fond hope is that they can hold a book I wrote and feel God close to guide them, long after I am gone.
- Share something your readers wouldn’t know about you.
In college, I didn’t practice good money management, even though my parents tried to teach me. I bounced several checks and cried like a baby when the bank statement came in because I didn’t know how to do a monthly reconciliation. I did learn though, and those early mistakes prevented much more costly ones later.
- What is the most difficult part about writing for you?
Having readers like what I create is gratifying, but not everyone agrees with an insight I might share. Some reviewers don’t care for the material—at all. I have to step back from feeling rejected and accept that my writing may not resonate all the time. My job is to do the best I can to share information and let others determine their takeaway.
Blog Stops
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, January 29
Lots of Helpers, January 29
Leslie’s Library Escape, January 30
Simple Harvest Reads, January 31 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 1
For the Love of Literature, February 2 (Author Interview)
SHE LIVES TO READ, February 3
Tell Tale Book Reviews, February 4 (Author Interview)
Texas Book-aholic, February 5
Blossoms and Blessings, February 6 (Author Interview)
Mary Hake, February 6
Locks, Hooks and Books, February 7
Cover Lover Book Review, February 8
Artistic Nobody, February 9 (Author Interview)
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 10
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 11
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Tracy is giving away the grand prize of a hardcopy of the color devotional!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.