TREASURE JAN/MAR 2024

TREASURE Helping Women Fulfill the Great Commission

REFLECTING GOD’S GLORY | GIVING UP YOUR MIRRORS | WHO IS THAT GIRL I SEE

Reflection JANUARY-MARCH 2024 1

Wisehart Scholarship Recipients

Sarah Lovett

The Wisehart scholarship is named in memory of WNA Executive Secretary-Treasurer Dr. Mary Ruth Wisehart. WNAC awarded its first wisehart scholarship in early 2012. This year’s recipients include: Sarah Lovett (Welch College), Bailey AnnMarie Guzman (Randall University), and Hannah Boyd (Southeastern FWB College).

Bailey AnnMarie Guzman

Hannah Boyd

TREASURE Volume IIII, Issue 1 | January-March 2024 | WNAC.ORG

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BIB L E ST U D IE S

IN EVERY ISS U E

Reflecting God’s Glory..................... 5

Tidbits................................................4

Are we reflecting God in our salvation, redemption, and sanctification?

What are we reflecting?

Who Is That Girl I See.....................11 How is God daily fulfilling you? Are you experiencing His purpose in your life?

What mercies have you received? How have you received grace?

Give Up Your Mirrors......................17 Take a look at the lives of Israelite women in the book of Exodus. How did they glorify God and how can we reflect His glory?

The Church Giggles........................ 16 Have you ever gotten the church giggles at a funeral...

Behind the Scenes..........................24 Take a look at what weekly Bulgarian kid’s ministry is like.

Just Being Ruthful..........................26 Join us in digging deeper into God’s Word and learning to reflect the shining light of God’s glory.

F E AT U R E S Tajikistan Report............................22

TREASURE (ISSN 8960038) is produced quarterly by Women Nationally Active for Christ of the National Association of Free Will Baptists, Inc., 5233 Mount View Road, Antioch, TN 37013-2306. Copyright privileges reserved. A 2024 Member of Evangelical Press Association.

17 TREASURE ISSN 8960038 Volume IIII, Number 1 Editorial Staff Ruth McDonald, Editor-in-Chief Phyllis York, Managing Editor Tori Matlock, Design WNAC Board Amy Johnson, Michigan Sharon Dickey, Texas Jonda Patton, Kentucky Sarah Sargent, Ohio Tracy Payne, Oklahoma LeeAnn Wilfong, Missouri Khristi Shores, Oklahoma Jessica Edwards, Tennessee Katie Postlewaite, South Carolina Contributors Amy Johnson, Michigan Sarah Sargent, Ohio Amy Postlewaite, Bulgaria April Tummins, Tennessee Claire Ryan, Tennessee Ruth McDonald, Tennessee

Mail questions or comments to: Treasure, PO Box 5002, Antioch, TN 37011-5002

treasure@wnac.org | wnac.org | @WNACFWB JANUARY-MARCH 2024 3

Thoughts From Amy

BY AMY JOHNSON

About the Colunnist: Amy Johnson chairs the WNAC board of directors. Along with a love of all four seasons, Amy has a heart for missions and enjoys working with children.

I Peter 2:9, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”

You’ll notice in this verse words such as chosen, royal, holy, and peculiar. Some synonyms for peculiar are unusual, strange, uncommon, and distinctive. I’m sure there are times we could relate to feeling strange in a situation or unusual in a particular setting. But being chosen, royal, or holy may seem a bit abstract.

In looking at this verse, we must first realize none of this is possible if it were not for the blood of Jesus. We could not be a chosen generation or a royal priesthood if it were not for Jesus dying on the cross for my sins and yours. We have the privilege of being adopted

by Him (Galatians 4:3-7).

We are a part of God’s kingdom and an heir of royalty because of Jesus. The process of becoming royalty starts with a yes. You must decide to take a seat at His table. You don’t just say yes and sit; you must follow and live like royalty.

A peculiar people. What makes you peculiar? -==As children of God, we are to be set aside or set apart. We have a purpose. We’re not set aside to sit on a pew. God needs us. He wants us (remember, you are a chosen generation)! What can you do for Him? When people see you, who do they see?

The theme for our Bible studies in 2024 is Reflection. How we reflect the love of Christ in our lives is directly related to what we do with Christ in our lives. Your decision to remain seated at His table will show in your reflection. We must be about our Father’s business, while bringing Him praise. We are no longer living in darkness.

Fill up with Jesus, so He can overflow your cup and touch those around you. Fill up with Jesus, so others can see His reflection in your life. Remember, you are chosen. You are royalty. You are now in His marvelous light. Shine bright through Him. Reflect His glory in your life.

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Reflect g God’s Glory January

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Reflecting on The Glory of Salvation “Just be a Good Human.” This is a common slogan I see these days on bumper stickers and t-shirts.

According to a recent wellness article, being a good human is defined as “having kind eyes, speaking kind words, and operating from a kind heart. Good humans take care not to cause unnecessary harm to those around them and are motivated by seeing others doing well. More than that, they desire to do good because they can.” That sounds like an acceptable standard, right?

But what does the Bible say about our ability to truly be good?

Isaiah 64:6 says, “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.”

In the beginning, God created man, and He called him good (Genesis 1:31). And mankind, in the beginning, was good, but sin entered the world through man and infiltrated every aspect of humanity. When Jesus walked the earth, He said, there is none good except the Father (Mark 10:18).

The Bible tells us the glory of the cross is this: that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for the ungodly (Romans 5:8). He so loved us all that He died on Calvary to bridge the gap between Holy God and sinful man that whosoever believes on Him will never die but will live with Him forever (John 3:16).

We must remember without Christ, we are depraved in every area—thought, word, will, and deed. Even the “good things” we do, unless they are in Christ, through Christ, and for Christ, are, at best, just achieving the world’s feeble standard of being a “good human.”

We aren’t called to merely be nice but to mirror Christ.

Ephesians 2:8-9; 11-12 (ESV) says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, 6 TREASURE

so that no one may boast. Remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh . . . were . . . separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world”.

It has been said if we treasure all we have in Christ, we must remember who we were without Him.

A Hymn of Thanks Shackled by a heavy burden, ‘Neath a load of guilt and shame.

Then the hand of Jesus touched me, And now I am no longer the same.

He touched me, Oh He touched me, And oh the joy that floods my soul!

Something happened and now I know, He touched me and made me whole.

Application: Take a moment to reflect specifically on what He has saved you from (a sinful lifestyle, destructive relationships, dangerous situations, etc.).

Write out a list of blessings God has bestowed upon you through salvation in place of the curses of sin.

Reflecting the Glory of Redemption According to John 8:34, we have all been enslaved: “Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin” (ESV).

In this context, Jesus spoke to those who thought they were good, religious people. They had rejected the idea they were enslaved to anything or anyone.

But Jesus saw the stronghold sin had on their hearts.

Hymn of Praise Amazing grace how sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me I once was lost, but now I’m found Was blind, but now I see My chains are gone, I’ve been set free My God, my Savior has ransomed me And like a flood His mercy reigns Unending love Amazing grace (Lyrics by Chris Tomlin) Did you know you are always laboring in the spiritual realm? We are never in neutral. Our lives are being lived to further the kingdom of darkness or for God. Slavery is defined as the ownership of a person as property, especially regarding their labor. Slavery typically involves compulsory work, with the slave’s

location of work and residence dictated by the party holding them in bondage. Enslavement is the placement of a person into slavery.

When we walk in darkness and gratify our flesh, we contribute toward the schemes and goals of the evil one. He plans to steal, kill, and destroy that which God created to be good (see John 10:10). Sin sullies our ability to reflect light, rendering us ineffective to those who desperately need the Lord. Because of this, our sin doesn’t just affect us; it negatively affects all we encounter.

However, when we walk in the Spirit and reject evil in every aspect of our lives, we radiate the glory and goodness of God! We are choosing to labor for Him and His amazing, redemptive plan for mankind.

Application: In John 8:32, what did Jesus say makes us free?

In verse 35, who sets us free?

When God saves us, we are still not our own. We are bought with a price; we are redeemed. Redemption is defined as the deliverance from sin and the atonement for guilt. It is the repurchase, as of something sold.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”

Application: Because our bodies are now the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit, how should that change how we treat them to honor Christ? Are you determined to live a godly life?

Read Ephesians 2:1-9. What are the comparisons of what we were before we were redeemed versus who we are in Christ?

You are God’s workmanship, created in Christ to do the good works He has prepared for you to do JANUARY-MARCH 2024 7

(Ephesians 2:10). You are a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). In Christ, you are alive to God— living in unbroken fellowship with Him (Romans 6:11).

“As a result of grace, we have been saved from sin’s penalty. One day we will be saved from sin’s presence. In the meantime, we are being saved from sin’s power.” (Author and Bible teacher Allistair Begg)

Reflecting the Glory of Sanctification As the redeemed of Christ, we have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Each day, our primary focus should be to worship and to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. When this is our desire, the Holy Spirit works inside us to continually grow and guide us into God’s plans and purposes.

In his devotional book, Oswald Chambers wrote, “The greatest characteristic a Christian can exhibit is this completely unveiled openness before God, which allows that person’s life to become a mirror for others. When the Spirit fills us, we are transformed, and by beholding God we become mirrors. You can always tell when someone has been beholding the glory of the Lord, because your inner spirit senses that he mirrors the Lord’s own character. Beware of anything that would spot or tarnish that mirror in you.” (My Utmost for His Highest – January 23rd) Even, or rather, especially in the mundane and ordinary tasks, the way we live our lives should reflect the character of Christ.

2 Corinthians 3:18 says, “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit” (ESV).

The Word of God is a mirror to our souls—it shows us who we are and who God is.

Of God’s glory, Psalm 104:1-2 says, “O Lord my God, you are very great!

You are clothed with splendor and majesty, covering 8 TREASURE

yourself with light as with a garment, stretching out the heavens like a tent” (ESV).

Our human nature is described this way in Isaiah 53:6, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way.”

Our tendency is not toward God but toward self. The more time we spend with Him praying, reading and studying the Bible, and applying its teachings to our daily lives, He transforms our thinking, attitudes, desires, responses, and actions.

Galatians 5:22-25 is an excellent “mirror verse” to gauge where we are spiritually: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit”.

Application: According to this verse, what areas have you experienced significant growth in Christ?

Growing in Christ and reflecting His glory are to be a part of the ongoing Christian journey. In James 1:2224, we are warned, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing” (ESV).

The Apostle Paul wrote, “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:12).

Though none of us have arrived at perfection, we continue striving toward living godly lives.

“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one

has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony” (Colossians 3:12-14, ESV).

Application: We are God’s chosen. His holy (set apart) ones. His beloved. Meditate on this truth.

How does this empower you to “put on” the godly qualities listed in this verse?

In what areas can you ask God to grow you so you can bear even more fruit for Him?

Reflecting Light in the Darkness We have been saved. We have been redeemed. We have been sanctified. What are we to do now? We are to reflect God’s light!

Did you know that the moon has no light to shine of its own? Without the sun, it wouldn’t be visible at all.

Just as the otherwise darkened moon reflects the sun’s brilliance, we have the privilege of reflecting Christ’s glory in our lives amidst the backdrop of the desperate darkness pervading our neighborhoods, cities, and world!

Matthew 5:14-16 says, “You are the light of the world.

A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (ESV).

“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life’” (John 8:12, ESV).

Hymn of Dedication

Hymn of Challenge

Take my life and let it be

I just wanna speak the name of Jesus

consecrated, Lord, to thee.

Over every heart and every mind

Take my moments and my days;

‘Cause I know there is peace within Your presence I speak Jesus

let them flow in endless praise,

Your name is power Your name is healing Your name is life

let them flow in endless praise.

Take my will and make it thine; it shall be no longer mine.

Take my heart it is thine own; it shall be thy royal throne, it shall be thy royal throne.

(Lyrics by Frances R. Havergal)

Break every stronghold Shine through the shadows Burn like the fire Shout Jesus from the mountains Jesus in the streets Jesus in the darkness over every enemy Jesus for my family I speak the holy name Jesus (Lyrics by Charity Gayle) JANUARY-MARCH 2024 9

When we align our lives with the Word of God and ask Him to use us for His glory and purposes daily, lost souls around us are illuminated with the Gospel, strongholds of sin are broken, and chains are falling off from the captive in the spiritual realm.

This is why it is imperative we keep our lives free from sin and daily meditate on Scripture and apply it to every circumstance. The closer we are to the Lord, the more brilliantly our lives reflect Him and point others to the reason for our hope!

Regarding our behavior toward unbelievers, 1 Peter 3:15 says, “but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect” (ESV).

We honor Christ as holy in our hearts when we give Him the rightful throne of our lives—to be the supreme ruler over every aspect of our being.

When others watch you respond to life’s challenging circumstances in godly ways, you are sure to get questions about your faith (see 1 Peter 2:12). To be prepared for the inevitable questions, you must read and study the Bible, listen to the Spirit of God, and pray for wisdom, courage, and opportunities to share your faith effectively.

Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20, ESV).

Closing Prayer Lord Jesus, we thank You for the amazing grace You have lavished upon our lives. We are grateful for Your salvation and Your redemption. We rejoice to be called the children of Light! We long to shine like stars in the heavens, our homes, our communities, and our world.

We believe You have purposefully placed us where we are to display Your glory to those around us. Enable us then, Lord, to labor for You and for Your purposes alone so that You may be clearly and beautifully reflected in the mundane and grand moments of our fleeting lives. We confess that You are King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and we lift Your name high for all to hear and see.

Prepare our hearts.

Prepare our souls.

Prepare our minds.

Application:

Prepare our mouths.

How are you preparing to make a defense for the hope you have?

Prepare our feet.

Who is lost around you that needs your prayers and a godly influence?

In what specific, purposeful ways today can you reflect God’s light to someone you know who is living in darkness?

Every Christian has the incredible privilege of living a godly life empowered by the Holy Spirit, sharing the Gospel, and making disciples. It isn’t an exclusive calling reserved for the pastor, a deacon, a Sunday School teacher, or the “super-Christian” down the road. The Great Commission is for us all!

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Prepare our hands.

All for Your glory and all for Your sake.

Amen About the Writer: April Tummins serves in her local church in Dickson, Tennessee, as a Sunday School teacher, youth worker, and worship leader. She is married to her husband Philip and is mother to Grant and Oliver. She enjoys daily encouraging others to live for Christ. Professionally, she serves in human resources for a national hospice organization.

Who Is That G l I See February

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Mirrors are intriguing objects. They have a knack for reflecting both the good and the bad, pointing out the right and the wrong, and expressing the clean and the messy.

But there is one thing mirrors never do: lie.

There is no need because we do it already. When we— especially as women—stare down our reflection in a mirror, all the criticisms, blemishes, and lies our minds create swallow up any thoughts or ideas of beauty.

Mindset matters.

ers, the reasons a guy never looks our way, and the answers to our deepest fears and concerns.

We see our shortcomings, regrets, and failures. We see our sin.

In many ways, without God, we are defined by our sin. We are missing true purpose, fulfillment, or eternal hope. Without God, we are like Solomon when he says in Ecclesiastes: “Vanities of vanities…all is vanity.” (Ecclesiastes 1:2). Life is meaningless without Jesus.

When our thoughts scream revulsion at the very sight of ourselves, it is not long before our mouths follow suit. A pessimistic mindset soon turns into negative self-talk, which then evolves into a degrading way of living in which we no longer like the person we see in the mirror, not necessarily because of any bad choice we’ve made, but because we don’t look like… Fill in the blank.

Sometimes, I get sad at night. This may seem like an odd confession, or perhaps you experience something similar at times. My loved ones joke with me about it. Truthfully, I do as well; it is a bit comical.

Me—a grown woman in her late twenties with a wonderful home, job, family, and friends who seek daily to be closer to Christ—sometimes finds herself lying in the comfort of her bed at night overwhelmed with a deep, unexplainable feeling of sadness.

Society tells us we should be, look, and act a certain way. Our finite, human minds and hearts often agree.

I can only come up with one explanation for it.

But who does God say we are?

It is important for us to have a healthy understanding of who God is because we can then truly understand who we are with and without Him. So, who is God? Three in One, Creator, Sustainer, Ancient of Days, Savior, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, the Great Shepherd, Redeemer, the Word, Light, Mighty Warrior, the Bright and Morning Star, the True Vine, Prince of Peace, Deliverer—the list goes on.

He claims in Revelation, “I am the Alpha and the Omega…who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty” (Revelation 1:8). His promises are true, His holiness unfathomable, and His grace everlasting.

He is the All in All. Who we are without Him is what we see when we look in the mirror from a worldly, fleshly perspective.

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In those moments, I am entirely inwardly focused on myself concerning entirely outward experiences. Instead of relying completely on the Lord, I am self-absorbed, attempting to process my world all by myself.

If I, as a follower of Christ, occasionally experience hopeless, meaningless thoughts and emotions, how much more do the world’s unbelievers find themselves in a similar predicament? All the more, I am reminded of our daily need for Jesus to take control of our relationships, experiences, and lives.

Solomon, who had all the worldly possessions and experiences anyone could desire, heavily exclaimed that without God, who can find enjoyment? Who can truly understand what it means to love life and experience it abundantly (Ecclesiastes 2)?

Galatians 6:3 reads, “For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.” Jesus tells us in John 15 that He is the Vine, and we are the branches; apart from Him, we can do nothing (John 15:4-5).

Without God, we are all the negative things mentioned above: nothing, without purpose, and without hope.

Application: Who does God say we are with, through, and in Him? With Christ as our Savior, we have: Purpose: “(God) Who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began” (2 Timothy 1:9).

God gives us purpose through Christ.

Reflection: Where have you experienced God’s purpose for your life recently?

Fulfillment: Psalm 16:11 reads, “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

In Christ, we find complete fulfillment.

Reflection: How has Christ fulfilled you this week?

Satisfaction: Psalm 107:8-9 reads, “Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.” Jesus speaks to the woman at the well, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again” (John 4:13-14). In Jesus, there is complete satisfaction.

Reflection: What can you hand over to the Lord to experience complete satisfaction in Him? Mercy: Lamentations 3:22-23 reads, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” In Christ, we find mercy far greater than any sin we have committed.

Reflection: What mercies did the Lord give you even this morning?

Peace: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanks-

giving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7). “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

Reflection: What circumstance can you hand over to the Lord, making room for His unexplainable, all-encompassing peace?

Forgiveness: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). “To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name” (Acts 10:43).

Reflection: In the mighty name of Jesus, we can have forgiveness. Where have you seen the Lord’s forgiveness in your life recently?

Grace: “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).

The Bible speaks of God’s grace as: amazing grace, abundant grace, abounding grace, saving grace, sanctifying grace, satisfying grace, strengthening grace, restraining grace, redeeming grace, restoring grace, grace greater than all our sins, and grace upon grace.

He is full of grace. And He offers that grace to us.

Reflection: How have you experienced God’s grace this week?

Life: “And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life” (1 John 5:11-12). “Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst” (John 6:35).

Reflection: Jesus offers eternal life and joy with Him forever to any who will receive Him. How can you praise Him this week for the glorious life He has offered you?

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This is merely a short list of our incredible hope and promise through Jesus Christ. All of this is found in Scripture.

I once heard a preacher discuss mirrors in a sermon; he asked us to consider how often we look at ourselves in a mirror during the day. Some studies claim the average mirror time for a human could be anywhere between one and four hours; other research claims women, specifically, look at a mirror 30+ times a day.

How often do we spend time in Scripture? Forget daily; what about weekly? Monthly? 2 Timothy 3:1617 tells us Scripture is God-breathed; it is meant to teach, correct, and train us in the ways of righteousness so we may be fully prepared to do the Lord’s work. How are we supposed to reflect what the Bible teaches us if we are not spending time looking at it?

God’s Word tells us exactly who we are as His creation and who we are to be as His followers. Too often, we allow the lies of this world to persuade us otherwise.

Imagine you are having the following conversation with God:

“I’m nobody.”

I have created you in My Image. I know the number of hairs on your head (Genesis1:27, Matthew 10:30).

“I’m ugly.”

You are My masterpiece. You are fearfully and wonderfully made (Ephesians 2:10, Psalm 139:14).

“I can’t be saved; I’ve done too much wrong.”

Whoever calls upon My Name shall be saved (Joel 2:32, Romans 10:13).

“God doesn’t care.”

I care for even the birds and the lilies of the field…how much more I care for you!

(Matthew 6:26) Come to me, give me your burdens. (Matthew 11:28).

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“I keep messing up.”

You’re being made more like Me every day through the truth of my Word. It won’t be an immediate transformation; you must wake up each morning and choose Me. You must combat each temptation with Me. You must seek tolive every moment for Me. I know your weakness, I am strong. My grace is sufficient; My mercies are new every morning. (2 Timothy 2:21, John 17:17, 2 Corinthians 12:9, Lamentations 3:22-23).

This is a fictional conversation, but the Scripture references are true. The emotions within it are real.

Often, the person we are in the reflection is the opposite of who we ever intended to be, altered by the falsities of the world. It is certainly the opposite of who God intends us to be. Proverbs 27:19 reads, “As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects the man.”

Reflection: Who or what is your life reflecting? If our lives look differently than we want, how can we, as Christians, change it? Take a moment to reflect on these thoughts.

The simple answer to that question is this: We can’t.

Our human flesh cannot make a positive change within us; that change can only come from the Lord.

But when we peel back the layers of that response, we start to see the simple answers of “We can’t” and “Only God can” have far more depth than we initially thought.

To change the reflection from someone we don’t want to be to someone we were created to be requires a great deal of cleaning.

In late August, middle Tennessee experienced a massive heat wave. The flowers began to die, the grass started to wither, and the green thumb inside me (the one that makes an occasional appearance to appreciate the beauty of flowers and well-manicured lawns briefly) ached for nature as if I was the parched, shriveled one. So, I took myself outside and

helped my friend water every inch of nature in sight while the water inside me profusely leaked from each pore. As caretakers go, I am no professional; you won’t see any Nobel prizes in my future.

The next afternoon, we grabbed the hose and did the same thing. The grass and flowers needed care every day that week. One evening, after watering, I noticed the daylilies had more brown strands than green. As this was still during the time frame of my occasional green thumb, I was naturally saddened by this. I bent down, lightly touching the plant’s leaves, and…wait!

Upon further inspection, there was radiant green life amongst the cracking brown.

The daylily was not dying. It was getting rid of the old, so the new had room to grow. I carefully brushed aside some green leaves to see more brown at the roots. These dead strands had to go. For the next 15 minutes, I shuffled between the four daylily plants, weeding out the bad, so the good could flourish.

Like all of nature, the daylily plant was created for God’s glory; its wonderful purpose and life reflect the beauty of a wonderful Creator. Sometimes, it needs a little extra water or weeding.

Likewise, as humans, we were created to glorify our Father in Heaven. Our purpose and lives should reflect our Creator’s glorious, unfathomable beauty. Even still, sometimes we need extra care, some water here and some weeding there. This may mean getting rid of the old ways, how we used to live before Christ. Thus, making room for our new life in Christ to flourish.

Whether you are a veteran Christian or a new convert, we all need daily care and cleaning. This comes from the Great Caretaker. He loves us so deeply; He desires to mold us into humans who reflect Him and His power and grace.

Therefore, how should we view ourselves?

Imperfect, unique individuals created with the sole purpose of glorifying the Creator; unworthy of saving, but viewed by God with such love and devotion

that His very Being would not allow us to remain in our hopeless state of depravity without providing a means of redemption; and meaningful, undeserving of His love, grace, and mercy—is how we view ourselves, but when we put on Christ Jesus, God deems us worthy. We are worthy of His calling, name, grace, and kingdom, and worthy of Him. This life is filled with so many reflections. Sometimes, they are good reflections showing your success, fulfillment, and happiness. Others are negative; they can become so prominent in our lives so obnoxious and overwhelming you lose sight of the person God intended you to be.

Who God says we are as His children and what He calls us to reflect in His Word is the voice that truly matters. Through Him, we are worthy of His calling as believers. If you have accepted Christ as your Savior, His Holy Spirit lives within you, and He desires to use you for His glory. As a Christian woman, He can do mighty things through you.

Beyond that, He wants to do mighty things through you.

The all-powerful, all-knowing, ever-present Lord of all Creation seeks to bring heaven down through you.

If we do not like the reflection we see in the mirror, we must allow God to make those necessary changes to us, no matter the cost. Then, we will see who God says we are and not who the world says we are. When we learn to study the Bible more than we study the mirror, we will not have to wonder who we are in Christ. We will know.

We are loved, chosen, forgiven, satisfied, beautiful, whole, grace-filled, and made new ambassadors of Christ with a reflection in the mirror that proves it.

And mirrors never lie.

About the Writer: Claire Ryan, originally from Southern Illinois, has lived in the greater Nashville area for almost six years. She is a graduate of Welch College and holds a master of arts degree in instructional leadership. Claire has taught both middle and high school. Claire currently is an assistant coach for the Welch College Lady Flames basketball team. In her free time, Claire enjoys writing fiction.

JANUARY-MARCH 2024 1 5

THE CHURCH

BY SARAH SARGENT

Giggles

Have you ever gotten the church of the room, so he wouldn’t have to see them

About the Colunnist: Sarah Sargent loves to laugh and loves making others laugh even more.

She is a third-generation member and leader in FWB (Free Will Baptist) Women’s Ministries. She currently serves as president of the women’s ministry at Reynoldsburg FWB Church, president for Ohio FWB Women’s Ministries, and on the WNAC board.

She is a proud alumnus of The Ohio State University and loves all things Disney and her Labradoodles Regal and Lexi.

giggles at a funeral? As a pastor, my dad has done a lot of funerals. This particular funeral was unlike any I’d ever heard of before or since. Before my dad could even enter the funeral home, the family met him outside. They wanted to share some of the things he would encounter that evening. They let him know their brother was a major superhero fan, and he was being buried in a Superman shirt and cape. Many of his collector action figures would be on display throughout the room.

This young gentleman had been attending our church for several years, and many of our congregation was in attendance that night.

In addition to our church members and Randy’s friends and family, members of his Star Trek cosplay (the practice of dressing up as a character from a movie, book, or video game) troop were there—in full costumes. If you can’t envision this scene, please take a moment and Google search the following terms: Romulans, Fleet Officers, Volcans, and Klingons. Okay, now you understand why seeing these troop members mingling around with members of our church could be humorous. When my dad asked Randy’s brother about this particular troop, he learned that they would often dress up and visit children’s hospitals and do charity events in character to raise money for the children’s hospitals.

My grandparents were in attendance, and I desperately wish I could show you a picture of my Grandpa Delmas’ face when the troop members arrived. My grandpa has never seen an episode of Star Trek in his life. Dad recommended that Grandpa sit in the alcove section

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all the time. As the service began, the funeral home director ushered all the troop members to the alcove to sit. So there sat both my grandpas, a retired deacon, and a minister from our church surrounded by fictional aliens.

Dad learned Randy was the Klingon Captain of this troop. He was told they would do something to honor Randy when the service was over. As Dad finished his message with prayer, up walked two Klingons and a 6’5, 300+ pound man dressed like a Klingon Wolf Hound. They asked Dad if he wanted to join them in sending Randy up to “the black fleet” with a wolf howl, (he respectfully declined).

They then proceeded to loudly howl for a sustained period of time. When the howl ended, the funeral director dismissed the attendees to say their final respects to the family. Now, Dad typically stands by the casket during this part of the service, but this time, he was joined by a Klingon honor guard standing watch beside him.

As the night drew to an end, Dad spoke to the troop leader and shared that he, too, liked reading Star Trek books. The man quickly offered him their troop business card and invited him to join. Dad said, “Oh, I don’t have a costume.” He looked at Dad as seriously as could be and said, “These are not costumes; they are uniforms.” Dad responded, “I don’t have one of them either.”

My dad would like me to encourage you—if you have unique hobbies or interests, share them with your pastor before you die. It’s not fun learning these things about your congregation after the fact. He says he would have loved to visit a children’s hospital with a Klingon.

H d Ov Yo M r s March

JANUARY-MARCH 2024 1 7

Exodus 30:17-21; 38:8 We don’t always like what we see in the mirror, but imagine how difficult life would be without it.

On a recent trip to Central Asia, I met a woman who had very little. She lived in an abandoned gas station surrounded by dry, desolate dirt. She and her little family lived in a building that was never meant to be inhabited—lacking electricity, running water, or even a primitive toilet. And yet, I noticed she had hung a small fragment of a broken mirror on her adobe wall.

In the ancient world, most women never owned a mirror. Centuries before glass mirrors were invented, wealthy women in Turkey, Egypt, Japan, and China saw their reflections in ornately decorated mirrors made of highly polished metals such as copper or bronze. Though not as efficient as glass mirrors would be, they gave at least a hazy reflection of the person looking into them. Women of means carried them around and they were sometimes used in religious rituals. Some ancient mirrors included engravings of gods or goddesses.

Exodus 38:8 is a fascinating verse easily overlooked in a daily Bible reading plan. This short verse is the focus of this month’s Bible study: “He made the basin of bronze and its stand of bronze, from the mirrors of the ministering women who ministered in the entrance of the tent of meeting.”

Rags to Riches After 430 years of slavery in Egypt, the Israelites had been delivered by God’s miraculous hand. They experienced the miracle of the plagues and the crossing of the Red Sea. They ate manna and quail provided by God’s hand and drank fresh water from a rock.

Moses received instructions from God Himself on how to build a tabernacle where His people could worship Him. Bezalel, the “he” in Exodus 38:8, was appointed to oversee the construction site, making sure to follow all of God’s instructions.

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To accomplish such a building project, the people were called upon to make donations. But after four centuries of slavery, they couldn’t have much to offer in the way of money, jewelry, or finery. Could they?

Well, we read in Exodus 12, before leaving Egypt, Moses instructed all the women of Israel to borrow everything they could from their Egyptian mistresses.

The Bible records the people of Israel had also done as Moses told them, for they asked the Egyptians for silver and gold jewelry and for clothing. The LORD had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, and they let them have what they asked. Thus, they plundered the Egyptians.

This plunder came in handy when the offering plate was later passed. The first rounds yielded gold and silver jewelry and expensive fabrics used to craft many of the tabernacle’s components. In fact, Moses had to tell them to stop bringing in gold because they already had enough!

The inventory of their offerings listed in Exodus 35:20-29 reminds me of an exhibit I once saw of Egyptian treasures from King Tut’s tomb: “They brought brooches, earrings, signet rings, armlets, all sorts of gold objects, blue or purple or scarlet yarns, fine linen, silver, bronze, acacia wood, onyx stones, stones to be set, spices, oil, and fragrant incense.”

Perhaps more impressive than the intrinsic value of their haul, though, is the description of the hearts of the people.

“And they came, everyone whose heart stirred him, and everyone whose spirit moved him, and brought the LORD’s contribution to be used for the tent of meeting, and for all its service, and for the holy garments. So they came, both men and women.

All who were of a willing heart...”

“All the women whose hearts stirred them to use their skill spun the goats’ hair” (Exodus 35:26).

“All the men and women, the people of Israel, whose heart moved them to bring anything for the work that

the LORD had commanded by Moses to be done brought it as a freewill offering to the LORD” (Exodus 35:29).

Go back and read the italicized words again. The people’s hearts were stirred, moved, and willing to contribute their possessions, skills, and labor.

Imagine after more than four centuries of enslavement, deprivation, and hard labor, they finally came into possession of all those luxury items. In that context, it is impressive they willingly gave up their newfound treasures to build the new place of worship.

Women in Ministry

after the Israelites had miraculously passed through the Red Sea we read in Exodus 15:20-21 that “Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women went out after her with tambourines and dancing. And Miriam sang to them: “Sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously; The horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.”

Maybe the women gathered at the entrance with their instruments, singing, dancing, and praising God—a kind of prelude to the worship that would take place inside.

Unfortunately, we simply do not know what kind of ministry they were involved in. We only know they were known for their consistent service at the entrance to the tent of meeting.

In Exodus 38:8, we return to the focus of our study: “He made the basin of bronze and its stand of bronze, from the mirrors of the ministering women who ministered in the entrance of the tent of meeting.”

A Sacrificial Spirit

We can only speculate as to the identity of these “ministering women” and the nature of their service. This obscure and lone reference leaves many unanswered questions. What was the nature of their service?

It seems these women are included in Scripture not so much for the tasks they performed as for their spirit of sacrifice. Whatever the nature of their daily ministry at the Tabernacle, the significant point is they donated their treasures for its construction.

The Hebrew verb used for “to minister” or “to perform tasks” is most often associated with military groupings. Perhaps this indicates the women were organized into shifts to keep their specific service orderly and continuous. It is possible in this era, before the formalization of priestly and Levitical functions, women played an assisting role in the Tabernacle, though that is only speculation. It is also possible their service was more of a practical nature, maintaining supplies or cleaning. Some speculate they aided in the preparation of food.

When it came time to craft the bronze altar, Bezalel passed the offering plate again. This time, he was asking for items made of bronze. Each woman may have fingered her treasured mirror with a sigh as the plea was made—another round of sacrifice.

In the context of modern church culture, we tend to imagine them passing out bulletins and greeting those who come in the door, but this seems very unlikely to be the nature of their service. It is better to look at other Old Testament passages for hints of what kinds of service women were involved in.

It could be Moses’ sister Miriam gives us an idea. Just

Was it difficult for these women to give up their fancy mirrors? They’d already given up most of the luxury items they’d packed and carried out of Egypt, and it seems they gave them willingly. They had readily used their skills and time to weave beautiful linens and fabrics for the Tabernacle. As previous slaves, they undoubtedly enjoyed carrying their beautifully carved and polished mirrors with them as they went about their days. It must have felt good to look at their reflection in the same way the wealthy ladies of Egypt had.

To give up their treasured possessions required a generous heart of sacrifice. After all, they couldn’t just go JANUARY-MARCH 2024 1 9

to Target and replace them. They had no hope of ever owning anything else so lovely and fine.

These women are exemplary. They willingly gave up their treasured possessions for the sake of the Lord’s work. They once again became women without mirrors, underlining the fact their focus was not on themselves and their physical appearance. The focus was not on their material possessions but on their longing to worship God and praise Him in His dwelling place.

Women Not Allowed The sacrifice these women made becomes even more impressive when we look at how their mirrors were actually used. They would never be allowed to use the bronze basin made from their mirrors. They didn’t even get to look at a plaque on a pew each Sunday acknowledging their offering.

Though we read accounts of prophetesses and other women who ministered in God’s house, Scripture leaves no doubt women were forbidden to go past the outer court of the Tabernacle. The ministering women were only allowed at the entrance to the tent of meeting, while the bronze basin was located next to the altar and, therefore, off limits to them. They would never use it. Maybe they would never even see it.

In Exodus 30:17-21, the Lord gave Moses instructions about the usage of the bronze basin. “You shall put it between the tent of meeting and the altar, and you shall put water in it, with which Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet… they shall wash with water, so that they may not die.”

The bronze altar and basin were deeply significant as symbols of blood atonement and purification, foreshadowing the message of salvation through Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God. Specific instructions were given to Moses, stating the priests were to first offer a blood sacrifice at the bronze altar for the forgiveness of sins. As we know, this repetitive shedding of blood pointed to the once and for all sacrifice of the spotless Lamb of God. 20 TREASURE

After the sacrifice, the priests were to proceed to the bronze basin made from the women’s mirrors. It was here they were to wash their hands and feet before entering into the presence of God. They could not come before a holy God with any impurity. This ritual symbolized the ongoing sanctification of those who had been forgiven, and God was very serious about it, stating they were to observe this ritual “that they may not die.”

Even though the women themselves would never wash in the basin, they understood their sins would also be forgiven through the sacrifices and ritual cleansing of the priests. Their fear of the Lord and belief in His commands moved them to willingly give their precious items to make the tabernacle furnishings. They had a deep reverence and appreciation for the work the priests did on their behalf. They understood that unlike physical appearance, spiritual cleansing was only made possible by what took place at the altar and in the Holy Place.

Barbara Latta, a contributing author to Crosswalk, wrote: “Relinquishing their mirrors could have been a freewill offering from these women out of devotion to the Lord to signify giving up their desire to look at themselves and instead to now look unto their Deliverer.”

All One in Christ The study of this obscure little verse about the “ministering women” is so rich in nuance for us today.

One of the things we can’t help but notice is the contrast between the old and new covenants. The bronze altar became obsolete because of Jesus’s sacrifice for us on the cross. By the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, we no longer ritualistically use holy water to purify ourselves from sin. And through His death and resurrection for all who believe, the thick curtain separating us from the holiest part of the Tabernacle has been torn apart.

In Galatians 3:28-29, we rejoice to read: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave

nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.”

Is it easier for you to spend money on yourself or others? Does $50 seem more significant when you consider giving it as an offering?

As women under the New Covenant, we need not stay outside the gates longing to be allowed inside. We may enter boldly into the very throne room of our Maker, every bit as much “Abraham’s offspring” and “heirs according to promise” as our brothers in Christ.

Are you eager to give to others even when you will get nothing in return?

Even though they lived and served many years ago and in a completely different culture, our ancient Hebrew sisters still challenge us today. Their mention, though brief, speaks volumes to us about motives, selfless service, and stewardship of our possessions. How do we measure up to their example?

For Discussion 1. What are your treasured possessions?

Wealthy or not, we all have them. What is the thing that you would run back into your burning house to retrieve? Whether of sentimental or intrinsic value, we can all think of things that we would be heartbroken to lose.

If God required it of you as an act of worship, would you be willing to sacrifice that item for Him? 2. Read Philippians 2:3-4, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

3. Do you have a skill or talent to offer the Lord? In Exodus 35, we read about “all the women whose hearts stirred them to use their skill.” Take inventory of your talents and abilities and make them available to your church, local ministry, or community.

About the Writer: Ruth McDonald has served as the Director of FWB Women’s Ministries since November 2022. She comes to this position after 38 years of ministry with her husband Donnie as a missionary with IM, Inc. (Free Will Baptist International Mission) in Japan. Born to church planters in the Pacific Northwest, Ruth has also lived in Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee, Arizona, South Carolina… and, of course, Japan.

During her years in Japan, Ruth actively participated in church planting, music, children’s ministry, evangelism, and discipleship. Ruth’s passion is for encouraging women in their faith through writing, speaking, and counseling.

Donnie and Ruth have four young adult children and four grandchildren. Her family describes her as “crazy, fun-loving, talkative, and passionate.”

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WNAC is actively working to encourage women in the U.S. and around the world. In late August, Director Ruth McDonald and Jackie Gasperson joined a THP team to minister to the women of Tajikistan. While there, they were able to visit Hope Centers that serve women and children and to fellowship with Tajik Christians who share the Gospel in very challenging situations.

“How beautiful are the feet” of Tajik believers sharing the Gospel and making disciples.

Tajik women were thrilled to receive hand crocheted dishcloths made by FWB women in Michigan.

Faithful women are keeping the doors open at one “house of prayer.” (Below)

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Many children in Tajikistan suffer from poverty, lack of clean water, and abandonment. THP works to provide water, school uniforms, and children’s homes.

Delivering flour and oil to a recently baptized man. (Above) A beautiful young pastor’s wife who works as a seamstress to support her husband’s ministry. (Left) JANUARY-MARCH 2024 2 3

BEHIND THE SCENES For years, the only “children’s ministry” we were involved in on Sundays here in Pleven, Bulgaria, was just me and my two daughters. We prayed and waited for a long time for opportunities to reach children in our neighborhood with the Gospel. Who knew that one day the Lord would allow us to teach three different groups of kids about Jesus every Sunday!

These opportunities are such gifts to us.

At 9 a.m. on Sunday, I walk with another lady from our church up a big hill to a children’s home in our city, where we lead a “Christian Values Club.” We’re greeted with big (often overwhelming) hugs and gather the hyper group of kids on a blanket to sing songs about God, share a Bible story, and do crafts and games. We pray for God to use this time to remind the kids He loves them, values them, and hasn’t forgotten them.

At 10:30, Jonathan drives up to the children’s home, and I jump in the car. We drive to a village church about 30 minutes away, which formed about five years ago after a VBS-type outreach. Now, a small group of adults who have become believers meet in a former restaurant with Jonathan to study the Word. Meanwhile, I go outside to lead “The Greatest Journey” Bible study with a group of cousins who are eager to learn more about Jesus. Other kids and their grandparents

out in the center often watch us and come listen out of curiosity.

We go back home for lunch and a nap for our four-year old. Around 3:30 p.m., we start walking to our church building in Pleven. Jonathan, our oldest daughter, and a worship team led by international students prepare for the bilingual worship service. In the room next door, I participate in a prayer time and get ready to teach a mixed group of preschoolers, preteens, and young adults with disabilities (from another children’s home). The group of worshipers is very diverse, but the joy and love that’s shared among us is precious!

After church, our family eats supper at the mall food court. Even though we’re tired, we go to bed with prayers of gratitude for how the Lord is changing lives in our city and region, one day at a time. We thank Him for how He is revealing His love and truth to people who have hungered to know Him for so long.

About the Author: Jonathan and Amy Postlewaite are IM, Inc (International Missions) church planters in Pleven, Bulgaria. They have a heart to see people in their city and in the unchurched villages of their region reached with the Gospel. Their three children (Anna, Jonna, and Andrew) and the other spiritual children God has given them are one of their greatest sources of joy.

Learn more:iminc.org/im-missionaries/jonathan-and-amy-postlewaite/ 24 TREASURE

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Just Being Ruthful*

BY Ruth McDonald

Did you know the moon doesn’t generate any light? Each time we marvel at that glowing nightlight in the sky, we just see a reflection of the sun–even though it now illuminates the other side of our globe. The moon is not shining. As a matter of fact, it is not even made of particularly reflective material. It is just lit up by the sun, and in a dark environment, it looks bright and brilliant to those viewing it from Earth.

*Ruthful is an archaic English word (the opposite of ruthless) meaning “full of compassion.

We are excited about Reflection, our 2024 theme for Treasure. During the coming months, we will focus on ways to reflect more effectively the image of the God who created us. We will study the Word to behold His glory and be transformed into His image “from glory to glory” by the Spirit of the Lord (2 Corinthians 3:18).

We may perceive ourselves as being like the moon: dull, dusty, and full of craters and scars. But the only thing we need to shine in this dark world is to reflect the pure light of God. One day, as I drove into the parking lot of my church, I saw the most gorgeous tree ever. It was a brilliant red, so vibrant that it almost appeared to be on fire.

I thought, “I’ve got to get a picture of that tree!” After I’d safely parked my car and gotten my cell phone out of my purse, I found myself terribly disappointed. The tree was nothing but a dull and lifeless brown. Then, I realized the beauty I had thrilled at was only visible because the light was shining through the tree’s dull and almost dead foliage.

As we travel through this dark world, I hope we will be flooded with the light of the Lord. May we bask in His Word, be warmed by His love, and give off a beautiful reflection that will cause all who know us to recognize the glory of our Maker.

“This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all” (I John 1:5, ESV).

Shine on, sweet sister!

Ruth McDonald 26 TREASURE

Finding Ways To Shine Jesus’ Light

Everyday

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