TREASURE
Helping Women Fulfill the Great Commission
FUN HOUSE MIRRORS | MAGNIFYING GLASS | THROUGH A DARK GLASS
Reflection
TREASURE
Volume IIII, Issue 4 | October-December 2024 | WNAC.ORG
BIBLE STUDIES
Fun House Mirrors .......................... 5
The problem with warped mirrors—they never show you the whole truth.
Magnifying Glass............................ 11
Take a look at Psalm 34. As we raise our magnifying glass to our magnificent Savior, and His radiance shines through, may a flame be kindled that burns brightly to the dark world around us.
Through a Dark Glass ................... 18
Have you ever forgotten to take your sunglasses off as you came in from the outside? You stumbled around trying to find your way to a light switch? Take off your glasses, and you will be able to see clearly.
FEATURES
2024 National Convention .......... 16
Reflecting ........................................ 23
IN EVERY ISSUE
Tidbits 4
See the conclusion of our year of reflecting and remember the mission of our women’s ministry.
Giggles ............................................ 22
Have you ever gotten the giggles while mowing the grass at church?
Just Being Ruthful ......................... 25
“The truth will set you free; but first, it will make you miserable.” Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of Sherlock Holmes
TREASURE
ISSN 8960038
Volume IIII, Number 4
Editorial Staff
Ruth McDonald, DIrector
Phyllis York, Editor-in-Chief
Tori Matlock, Design
WNAC Board
Jonda Patton, Kentucky
Sharon Dickey, Texas
Tracy Payne, Oklahoma
LeeAnn Wilfong, Missouri
Jessica Edwards, Tennessee
Katie Postlewaite, South Carolina
Melanie Franks, Alabama
Angie Frazier, Florida
Ashley Alphin, Ohio
Contributors
Emily Vickery Tennessee
Joy Corn, Tennessee
Lee Ann Wilfong, Missouri
Amy Johnson, Illinois
Sarah Sargent, Ohio
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.
Mail questions or comments to: Treasure, PO Box 5002, Antioch, TN 37011-5002 treasure@wnac.org | wnac.org | @WNACFWB 5 11 18
Tori Matlock, Oklahoma
Ruth McDonald, Tennessee
About the Colunnist:
Amy Johnson served on the WNAC Board for 15 years. Since moving back to Michigan, she has enjoyed family time and takes every opportunity to enjoy a Lake Michigan sunset, one of God’s greatest gifts to creation!
Thoughts from Amy
BY AMY JOHNSON
This publication concludes our year of Treasure Bible studies exploring the theme, “Reflection.” These studies have encouraged and challenged us to reflect on God’s glory, to identify any dullness in our lives, and to stay focused on what really matters by making our life a reflection of His Word. We have looked at various people and stories in the Bible and gleaned a deeper understanding of the teachings in His Word.
After the year ends, we often reflect on what the year has produced. Are we in the same place in December as we were back in January? Have we grown in His Word? What ways have we seen God move in our lives? As a new year dawns, we look ahead and set goals. Our main goal should be always striving to reflect Jesus and His love.
Reflecting on the past and looking to the future was a time I especially enjoyed as a Women Nationally Active for Christ Board member. It was exciting to reminisce about how God had worked in prior generations and ministries. With our mission statement nearby, we pondered new projects and ministries, considering how God might use His daughters today and in the next generations. What is your mission statement in life? Do you have one? Do you easily get caught up in day-to-day happenings, and suddenly realize that a chunk of time has flown by?
According to our mission statement, Free Will Baptist Women’s Ministries “exists to provide opportunities for each woman to fulfill the Great Commission through her God-designed roles at home and abroad. “ We must keep God at the center of all we do.
It has been a pleasure to serve as a board member of WNAC. I am excited about the future of Free Will Baptist Women’s Ministries and look forward to it. God has been and will continue to be faithful and true. May you continue to be blessed as you strive to be His hands and feet each day, continuing to be an example today and for generations to come.
October
Fun House Mirrors
BY Emily Vickery
My mother-in-law has the best mirror. As I write this, I’m enjoying some time in Alabama with my in-laws after Christmas. While trying on Christmas gift additions to my wardrobe, I noticed something interesting about my mother-in-law’s mirror. It is a narrow, floor-length mirror propped up against her bedroom wall, and due to its angle or perhaps a warp in the glass, reflected objects look narrow, too. This slimming effect is flattering and ideal for ignoring the results of too many Christmas goodies, but unfortunately, when I return home to my own mirrors, I will be disappointed.
Have you ever stood in front of a fun house mirror? Your image appears distorted, and not at all normal. Instead, you look short and round or long and tall or maybe twisted and squiggly. The fun house mirror will never give you a true reflection of yourself. See, that’s the problem with warped mirrors—they never show you the whole truth.
Our world contains quite a few faulty “mirrors.” Some offer rosy pictures of ourselves and the world in which we live. Their warped projections seem innocent enough at first glance: “You do you!” “Live your truth!” Other reflections are slightly more negative: “You’re on your own, kid.” Or perhaps, “Is this all you have to offer?” Still, others aren’t even pointed at us but reflect faulty images of God Himself, showing Him as all-loving but omitting His commitment to holiness. Some echo that crafty Serpent’s age-old question from Genesis 3, “Did God really say…?”
This fun house of mirrors can seem overwhelming. How can we be sure that the view we have of ourselves, the world around us, and the Lord above is the correct one? How do we discern what is true in a world that gives such credence to falsehood? The psalmist in Psalm 119:9-16 (ESV) asks similar questions and provides biblical wisdom on where to turn when looking for truth.
“How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your
commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statutes! With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth. In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches. I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.”
Psalm 119 is, in many ways, an ode to the beautiful gift we have in God’s revealed Word to us. These verses showcase this theme well, reminding us that when we delight in God’s Word, we find the paths of life. It does not lead us astray with half-truths or distorted pictures of reality. And as new covenant believers, we also have the gift of God’s Spirit in us, helping us to “not wander from [His] commandments” (verse 10).
This doesn’t mean we can coast from here, though. No, if we are to walk daily in the truth, it will take an intentional effort. Note how many active verbs there are in this series of verses. The psalmist speaks of guarding his ways, seeking the Lord wholeheartedly, declaring truth with his lips, delighting in God’s ways, meditating on His precepts, and fixing his eyes on God. The way of truth is not a path we walk down by mistake. Rather, it takes a devoted heart (and mind) to continue in the ways of God.
Is the Warp So Bad?
What happens when we exchange the mirror of God’s Word with one showing a warped but perhaps more aesthetically pleasing version of ourselves? Is it truly so terrible to accept some of the more affirming messages of society? After all, doesn’t God want us to love ourselves, too?
When we are tempted to allow messages that go against God’s Word to sway us, however ‘positive’ they may sound, we will eventually realize the detrimental effect these messages have on our lives. Rather than leaving us feeling affirmed and fulfilled, we find ourselves exhausted, burnt out, and overwhelmed. No matter how many times we tell ourselves we are capable enough to do it all, we just
weren’t created that way. If we consistently surrender to our world’s answer to treat ourselves like the queens we are, we’ll discover that no number of pedicures or iced lattes will ever fully satisfy us. Scripture puts it even more bluntly: “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death” (Proverbs 14:12 ESV).
Ironically, when we yield to the positively warped mirrors of our current culture and its dictation of how we view the world, we may find our self-image negatively skewed. Social media hosts endless influencers who laud the ‘girl power’ of women everywhere. However, a bad day at work, at school, or with family can leave us feeling miles away from the ‘girl bosses’ we see on Instagram. Even if social media isn’t a temptation, it is challenging to avoid the world’s message: we should be able to do it all, see it all, and have it all. When we inevitably fall short of these lofty (read: ‘unattainable’) goals, we may develop thought patterns warped in more negative ways, mirrors that magnify our faults and failings and hide our more positive angles altogether.
If we rely on our own ideas or the ideas of a secular society to influence our hearts more than the truth of God’s Word, the result will not be aesthetically pleasing. In fact, Scripture reminds us consistently that our hearts are wicked and deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9), and we are, indeed, prone to wander from the truth (Isaiah 53:6). So, we cannot rely on the warped mirrors of the world or our own warped perceptions of truth if we hope to walk the paths of life.
Keeping Our Mirrors in Good Shape
Now that we know which mirrors not to trust, let’s ensure the mirrors we use are providing us with a picture that accurately represents ourselves, our world, and our God. Looking back at Psalm 119:9-16, we are reminded that when we fix our eyes on the Word of God, we will find His truth. This focus on Scripture requires us to read it consistently, memorize it (verse 11), and meditate on its truths daily (verse 15). Maybe from a young age, we were raised
in church, attended services and Sunday School, possibly even “hid God’s Word in our hearts” (Psalm 119:11), and yet we still struggle to apply biblical precepts to the various choices, situations, thoughts, and beliefs we encounter daily.
Perhaps a simple biblical framework will help as we place our “mirrors” under the lordship of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). I credit the work of Emily Jensen and Laura Wifler, in their podcast and book, Risen Motherhood, for popularizing this framework in day-to-day situations faced by wives, mothers, and women in our modern world. * These ladies use a bare-bones version of the Gospel story as a starting point: creation, fall, redemption, consummation. We can also use these biblical themes as touchpoints in discerning what is true. In the remainder of this study, we will work through these themes and consider what they reveal about the familiar and alluring messages in our world today.
Creation
God created this world as a perfectly functioning ecosystem full of worshippers who interacted with their Creator in ways we can only imagine. He made man and woman in His image to display His likeness and serve as priests and garden keepers. The first humans experienced perfect communion with God and with the world around them. The world had no concept of shame, pain, or failure. In Genesis 1 God called His creation “very good,” and indeed it was, at least for the first two chapters of Genesis.
Fall
Enter Serpent, stage left. The crafty deceiver appears in Genesis 3 and utters the first question recorded in Scripture: “Yea, hath God said, ‘Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?’” And he sowed seeds of doubt and discontentment where, to this point, humanity had only felt certainty and peace. When Adam and Eve sinned, the perfect world of the Garden (and perfect communion with the God of the Garden) was tarnished and broken. Now, all created order feels the effects of sin in all aspects of our lives, including our
ability to discern what is right and true.
Redemption
Praise be to God; He was not content to leave us in our fallen state. Through Christ, His perfect life, sacrificial death, and triumphant resurrection, we can now be reconciled with God and pardoned from the effects of our sin. Accepting Christ’s redeeming work establishes us as co-heirs with Him to the eternal hope of Heaven and a final resurrection. As we await His second coming, we allow the Spirit to do His sanctifying work in us, conforming us to the image of Christ.
Consummation
We who are now in Christ enjoy an in-dwelling of God’s Spirit and a promise that Christ will return one day to make all things new. We await with anticipation this final glorification, echoing the words of Paul: “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known” (1 Corinthians 13:12 ESV).
Putting It into Practice
Knowing the gospel story (and thus, the story of the whole of Scripture) is a wonderful thing. But how can it practically help us discern thoughts based on distorted thinking? These four biblical concepts provide the lenses to view our thoughts, emotions, and life circumstances. They can serve as guideposts in thinking biblically (and thus truthfully) about the perspectives we receive from the mirrors of the world, other believers, and even our own hearts.
Let’s practice this with two of the more prevalent messages or thought patterns we often encounter.
The “Treat Yourself” Mentality: “I deserve every good thing coming to me.”
Creation – Scripture tells us we were all created in God’s image. Because of this, every woman possesses innate dignity and worth. God gave us dominion over the earth to enjoy and subdue His creation. This role involves rewards and responsibilities.
Fall – Every person born after the Fall in Genesis 3 has inherited Adam and Eve’s sin nature. All of us are sinful and depraved, and the Bible tells us we all deserve death (Romans 6:23).
Redemption – The work of Christ at Calvary rescued those who have accepted Him as Lord and Savior from this death sentence. While in our sin, we deserved death, but now, God has given us the promise of eternal life and an inheritance in Heaven, not of our own merit but entirely by God’s grace (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Consummation – While things in this life may not always be pleasant or easy, we are blessed with a hope of eternal rest and perfect happiness with the Lord. On that resurrection day, we will be transformed fully into a glorified, perfect Bride of Christ, free to enjoy His presence and goodness forevermore as He always intended. Only the righteousness of Christ on our account could bring us to this place.
Conclusion – While rewarding ourselves for achievements or celebrating milestones is not problematic in itself; believing our own merits somehow earn us good things is problematic. We can’t ignore the ugliness of sin if we want to appreciate the beauty of Christ’s grace fully. All of humanity deserves nothing but God’s wrath; mercifully He offered us His grace instead.
The “Girl Boss” Mentality: “I should have it all together all the time.”
Creation – The first humans were tasked with filling and subduing the earth (Genesis 1:28). God never ex-
pected them to attempt these tasks without His help. He met with them daily and offered wisdom and guidance. He made humanity communal beings, and thus we need community. God also modeled the importance of rest and recovery in the very schedule of Creation, resting from His work on the seventh day.
Fall – Sin made our God-given roles more difficult. We now work by the sweat of our brow and may not see the results we want.
Redemption – Although Christ was able to say, “It is finished,” (John 19:30), referring to His own salvific work on the cross, those He redeemed are still unfinished works in progress. When we walk in the Spirit’s power, He molds us more and more into the likeness of Christ, but we will never see perfection on this side of Heaven.
Consummation – God promises to one day make all things new and set all wrongs right. We will finally be in constant peace and unity with Him and one another; sin and death will be no more.
Conclusion – Striving for excellence may be biblical, but perfectionism is not. Attempting to keep all things going smoothly all the time on our own power ignores the sovereignty and omniscience of God alone and leads to burnout and disappointment.
Facing the Truth
It is easy to get frustrated when we don’t always act in accordance with God’s truth. It’s embarrassing at times to look back on things we accepted as right, true, and real, when they were false. This unfortu-
nate reality is a result of being on this side of the Fall. While through God’s grace and by His Spirit, we continue to grow in discernment and awareness of our own blind spots; this process takes time. Even this week my husband gently reminded me that my description of a particularly difficult day’s events led me to believe things were worse than they really were. While he was only trying to point out I was painting a more negative picture of myself and my abilities than was warranted, I found myself affronted at the idea I could possibly be acting dramatically about the situation!
Too often, we feel the same way about the pricking of the Holy Spirit. Let us not give in to this temptation. Instead, let us accept with gladness the Lord’s correction, knowing that only the truth sets us free (John 8:32). God has given us such a gift in clearly communicating His truth to us. Accept this gift and feast on it as daily bread. Let us preach the Gospel to ourselves often, so we will not be led astray by the warped mirrors of our present age. Fun house mirrors may be enticing, but they always show a false image. When we look to the Word of God and the revealed Word in Jesus Christ, we will never see anything other than the Truth.
THINK ABOUT IT:
What mirrors are you using most often in your life? Take a moment to identify some of the underlying thoughts and beliefs that shape most of your emotions, actions, and habits.
What habits and practices can you implement to better prioritize meditating and memorizing the Word of God?
Christian community is a needed resource in recognizing and combatting falsehood in our lives. Is there someone (or a group of people) in your church family with whom you could seek discernment and accountability?
About the Writer: Emily Vickery lives in Chapmansboro, Tennessee, with her husband, Zach, who pastors Oaklawn Free Will Baptist Church. She holds a master’s degree in
Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She works part-time in Institutional Research at Welch College and spends the rest of her time trying to keep her house in a decent state and her two children, Jack and Daisy, alive and well.
*Emily Jenkins and Laura Wifler, Risen Motherhood: Gospel Hope for Everyday Moments (Eugene, Oregon: Harvest House Publishers, 2019).
November
Magnifying Glass:
Psalm 34
BY Joy Corn
My eyes are older than they used to be. I find myself using the zoom feature to look at photos on my phone; enlarging the font on an email, and even pulling out a magnifying glass to read a document’s fine print. Not to mention trying to pluck eyebrows and stray whiskers! In fact, I’ve discovered I must use both my close-up vision lenses and a magnifying mirror to see if there is even something to be plucked! As much as I dislike seeing the wrinkles up close, I need the mirror to enlarge my features to see what I’m doing.
Makeup mirrors are sold with varying degrees of magnification. The downside of mirrors with the highest magnification is they highlight every flaw in such great (and almost scary) detail. However, when the same mirror magnifies my granddaughter’s young, wrinkleless face, her beauty is only more striking.
Psalm 34 opens with David exhorting us to magnify the Lord with him, to exalt His name together (verse 3). He makes the case that as we magnify our wonderful Lord, His perfection and beauty will be all the more striking.
A former principal at my school habitually reminded students that bringing glory to God is, “to give other people the right opinion of whom God is,” by the way we live. Scripture tells us to give God the glory He deserves, not because He would lack glory without it; but because magnifying Him is part of what we were created and commanded to do. Consequently, we find purpose, fulfillment, and pleasure. In verse 3, the word “magnify” means “make great.” God is already great (without our help), but in magnifying Him, we are creating awareness of God’s
greatness in those who may not recognize it otherwise. When we magnify Him, we call attention to the multi-faceted grace He offers. His attributes of love and righteousness are displayed, and others see His mercy and compassion. And the more we “enlarge” (magnify) Him, like a jeweler examining a multi-faceted diamond, the more we understand His majesty and power are beyond our comprehension, and the more we realize His ways are higher than our ways. Magnifying Him makes all else small in comparison. Magnifying Him calms our troubled spirits and eases our anxious souls.
David’s Predicament
Psalm 34 is one of thirteen psalms where David gives the backdrop specifics. The superscription says, “A Psalm of David, when he changed his behavior before Abimelech; who drove him away, and he departed.” The event is recounted in I Samuel 21:10-22:1. The Philistine king is called Achish, but the dynastic title of Philistine kings was Abimelech, as in the title of the psalm. This psalm was written when David, a once-trusted general and champion of Israel, was on the run from King Saul who had tried to kill him. The little song, “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands,” (I Samuel 18:7) made Saul irrationally jealous. Though he had done nothing to deserve the hatred of Saul, David ran for his life, ending up in Philistine territory in danger. King Achish learned David was hiding out in his city, and his counselors considered him a serious threat. Thinking quickly to avoid certain death, David faked madness. (Presumably, he thought one of two outcomes would mean protection for him. Either Achish would pity his condition as a madman and give him shelter, or Saul would consider him harmless and find it needless to capture or kill him. Unfortunately, Achish was unwilling to harbor a madman, and David continued to hide in the cave of Adullam to avoid Saul.)
David’s Path
Verse 4 tells that David had three reactions to this harrowing situation: He feared, he sought, and he cried out.
He was afraid. (A very human reaction.) He was in fear because of Saul and his irrational attempts to kill him. David also feared the power of Achish and the Philistine army. And, no doubt, he was afraid of how the fallout from feigning madness would affect his family and those dear to him. All his fears were justified under the circumstances. But, even so, David writes, “He delivered me from all my fears.”
We should magnify the Lord because He offers deliverance from the daunting things that worry, scare, and hound us the most. The unknowns of life don’t have to consume us. Deliverance is available in the One who is love because “perfect love casts out fear” (I John 4:18). God loves us, and we don’t have to live in fear. “Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.” (Howarth, Helen, Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus)
What about your situation causes you to fear the future?
How does magnifying God keep you from being paralyzed by fear?
Verse 4 also tells us David wisely sought the help of One greater than either Saul or Achish, who were the source of his fears. “I sought the LORD ...” He knew where to turn, and he placed his confidence in One greater than himself.
Here, David uses the covenant name for God. When we see “LORD” in all caps in the King James Bible, the translators’ are alerting us that this name was used by God when He responded to Moses’ question, “Whom shall I say has sent me?” The answer was, “I AM THAT I AM.” Say that, “I AM hath sent me unto you” (Exodus 3:13-14). That covenant name reminds us of all God has been in the past and the promise that He continues to be whom He has always been. The same confidence and freedom from fear that David enjoyed can also be ours, because God never changes. His mercies are new every morning, and today, He is the same mighty God who acted on David’s behalf and on behalf of countless others in Scripture. He met our needs yesterday,
last week, and last year. We need not fear because His name holds His track record of absolute faithfulness.
Verse 6 tells us David felt undeserving as he cried out (“This poor man cried...”). The word poor means “low status.” No one was looking at him with respect. David as a king possessed the power to command his circumstances; however, at this time in his life he saw himself as powerless and insignificant. The verb tense in verses 4 and 6 tell us his cry was a determined cry. Though he felt undeserving, David directed his cry to the all-powerful God who loved him. He was determined to be heard by the One who could help his situation. David’s prayers silenced his fears.
We should magnify the Lord because He begs us to call unto Him, and allow Him to demonstrate His power in the hopeless situations of life (Jeremiah 33:3). He invites us to come boldly, (not in muted, fearful tones), and expectantly with our requests (Hebrews 4:16).
When we cry out, we find grace to help.
This “cry” reminds me of a sermon from Hebrews 2:18 that I once heard. “He is able to succour them that are tempted.” The word succour means “to run to the cry.”
The preacher had us picture a nursing mother responding to the cries of an infant. She doesn’t feel inconvenienced when her baby cries; she is not annoyed as the hunger pangs are expressed; she will not be indifferent to cries when her child is hurt or frightened. Instead, her motherly instincts cause her to run to the cry.
In the same way, when we cry out, as David did, God will run to our cry. The problem is that too many times we don’t cry out. By our silence, we are saying, “I can handle this myself. I don’t need You.” David quickly acknowledged his neediness and cried out to God, who ran to his cry.
Have you brought your fears to the Lord?
Have you admitted to God that you need Him?
David’s Praise
The psalm also gives us instructions about how we are to magnify the Lord. David models some practical
guidelines for our praise.
He was resolute in praise. Verse 1 says, “I will ...” Praise was a deliberate practice with David, an act of the will. Our busy lives and ‘the cares of this world’ can easily distract us from magnifying the Lord as we should. Sometimes we turn the spotlight on ourselves and magnify our own accomplishments rather than giving glory to God, who gave us the ability and opportunity to succeed. A multitude of things without eternal significance can occupy our time, if we do not resolve to magnify the Lord with our lives.
Who is watching you? As they observe your day-to-day life, do they see you intentionally placing the magnifying glass on the Savior to bring to light His magnificence?
As the old song asks, “can the world see Jesus in you?”
David’s praise was continual. He says, “I will at all times...” One of the distinguishing characteristics of the spiritually mature is they praise the Lord when they feel like it and when they do not.
The New Testament reminds us over and over to give thanks in everything. Thanksgiving is a crucial component of prayer: “In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God, and the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7). If we are looking for the blessing of God’s peace that passes understanding as we face our own trials and fears, we should start with fulfilling the admonition to give thanks in everything (I Thessalonians 5:18), in the good times and the bad, in sickness and in health, in poverty and in wealth. Everything.
David had an audible praise. Verse 1 says, “His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Articulating our praise to God is part of magnifying Him to others as we are witnesses to His faithfulness, but it has the byproduct of doing us good as well. Our own spirits are renewed as we focus on the goodness of God and actually say out loud what He has done for us.
Years ago my young cousin Ashley attended a tent
meeting with my grandmother. The singing, preaching, and atmosphere were all quite different from the rather formal church services with which she was accustomed. As the service unfolded, several people shouted their praise to the Lord. After about 45 minutes, Ashley leaned over and whispered, “Mamaw, while you weren’t looking, I stood up and said ‘Hallelujah!’” There is something about spoken praise that sends it deeper inside us. When it comes to verbally praising the God of the universe, we should never be timid or embarrassed.
His was a God-centered praise. According to verse 2, David made his boast “in the LORD.” This verse is one more reminder that it is not about us. The Lord should be the focus of all our worship and praise. We are simply the recipients of His blessings.
Do your conversations brag about what the Lord has done, or are they all in first person?
Do others think of you as one who gives God the glory?
His praise was contagious. David says, “the humble shall hear thereof and be glad” (verse 2), and he goes on to actively enlist others to join in the praise of God, “O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together” (verse 3). Some things are just too good to keep to yourself!
How have you helped those around you to “praise God from whom all blessings flow”?
David’s Promise
David now recites several of the Lord’s promises he had seen fulfilled in his own life. In verse 7, he says the Lord is a deliverer and calls attention to the protecting ministry of angels, (the same ministry woven into many events of the Bible and the stories of church history).
When verse 7 talks about “the Angel of the Lord,” Bible scholars agree this is a reference to the pre-incarnate manifestation of Jesus.
Verses 8-10 tell us that the Lord is a deliverer from distress. David compares the Lord to something which is particularly tasty. “O taste and see that the Lord is good.” By taste and by sight, we make discoveries and we have enjoyment. When we “taste and see” God’s goodness, we take notice of it and find comfort in it.
Someone said that the difference between a mere optimist and a Christian optimist is that the former lives by the principle that life is good, and the latter by the principle that God is good. David states the truth in verse 9, “There is no want to them that fear him.” Then he illustrates in verse 10, “the young lions do lack,
Who have you recruited to join you in magnifying the Lord?
and suffer hunger…” “Young lions” paints a picture of vigorous and powerful hunters, but David says sometimes even they go hungry. Verse 10 concludes with the contrast, “But those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing.”
David’s Plea
The psalmist’s experience of God’s gracious deliverance compels him to invite others to share his experience. The psalm concludes with a series of practical pleas to those readers enduring problems. David urges us to put the Lord to the test (verse 8). The emphasis is on the experiential nature of the test. If you are going to taste something, you must commit yourself to taste it. Many political candidates say, “I stand on my record.” Our faith stands on the record of what God has done, on the record of His promises kept. John 20:31 says, “These are written that you may believe.” Faith is not inherited, nor does it come by accident. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God and discovering that God keeps His promises. Faith is “standing on the promises.”
The following verses give practical admonitions from one who is older and wiser.
Fear the Lord (verse 11):
This is a learned behavior (“I will teach you...”). It does not happen automatically, but is developed over time as we put the Lord to the test.
Control the tongue (verses 12-13):
The reward is expressed first in verse 12. If we desire abundant life (many days of seeing good), verse 13 tells us the outcome is tied to controlling our tongues.
Forsake evil (verse 14):
This verse presents the negative side. Sam Jones, a famous evangelist from the 1800’s, often offered this admonishment: “We have to quit our meanness!”
Follow peace (verse 14):
Now the positive side…we must actively pursue peace and good. Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers” (Matthew 5:9). We are not to be simply peacekeepers (promoting the absence of war), but peacemakers,
taking an active role in bringing peace to discordant situations.
Psalm 34 reminds us many of the greatest opportunities to magnify the Lord come in times of testing. David was in a life-threatening situation full of anxiety and fear most of us cannot imagine, yet in the worst of circumstances, he praised the Lord.
Billy Graham is credited with saying, “The will of God will never lead you where the grace of God cannot keep you.” That’s another way of saying with Paul, the apostle, that we never have temptations greater than we can bear (I Corinthians 10:13). We pray for lighter burdens when we ought to pray for stronger backs. We pray for an easier path when we ought to pray for tougher feet. We pray for fewer problems when we ought to pray for better solutions.
You’re the only Bible some people will ever read. Are you providing an “enlarged” picture of the all-sufficient God who can see you through every trial?
Are you allowing God to do a work in you that will illustrate to others His faithfulness and power?
Are you giving other people the right opinion of whom God is by your actions and reactions?
A magnifying glass enlarges our view and we perceive things that would not be noticeable without it. But the same magnifying glass can also start a fire if focused on the sun’s rays. As we raise our magnifying glass to our magnificent Savior, and His radiance shines through, may a flame be kindled that burns brightly to the dark world around us. May we demonstrate to them how that flame guides us through the dark times in our lives.
“O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together!” About the Writer: Joy Corn lives in Ashland City, Tennessee, and has been married to her husband (a former pastor) for 44 years. After 34 years of teaching middle school math, she recently retired and is delighted to be spending more time with her husband and three grandchildren. She enjoys singing (especially harmony), substituting for the pianist, helping in the nursery, and leading a monthly ladies’ Bible study at Ashland City Free Will Baptist Church.
Board Chairman Amy Johnson welcoming convention goers to the WNAC Celebration Service.
Johnsons share their gratefulness for women’s ministry faithfulness.
NAFWB directors compete at Laughter & Latte to find out who knows their spouse best.
TAMPA NATIONAL CONVENTION
Girls group from Florida opened the service with praising God.
Director Ruth McDonald opens the 2024 Celebration Service.
Lynette Morgan and Madame Solange thank women for their kindness and generosity.
CONVENTION
French Missionary (name withheld for mission security) thanks ladies for continued prayer during recent health scare.
Board of Directors entertains the crowd at Laughter & Latte
Women from all over gather for a night of relaxation and comedy relief.
December
Through a Dark Glass
BY Lee Ann Wilfong
“For now we see through a glass darkly; but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I know even as also I am known (1
Corinthians 13:12).
Have you ever forgotten to take your sunglasses off as you came in from the outside? You stumbled around trying to find your way to a light switch? You are looking through a glass darkly! Take off your glasses, and you will be able to see clearly. Isn’t that how life is? Things happen. You worry. You don’t know how each situation is going to work out. But then, the crisis is over, and you look back and see God’s hand at work, taking care of you, loving you, holding you in His love. No longer are you looking through a dark glass! The old saying, “hindsight is 20/20,” really is true, isn’t it?
When my dad was about sixty years old, he was diagnosed with macular degeneration. At first it was a small black dot in his eye, but he could see everything around him—the small black hole was more of a nuisance than anything else. As the disease progressed,
so did the size of the black hole. My dad was eventually declared legally blind. Everything was harder to see around the ever-expanding hole. Driving was no longer an option, and he could no longer read his Bible, (an inability that greatly frustrated him).
He compared it to our Bible verse, “For now we see through a glass darkly.” Thirty years after his diagnosis, he could see everything, everything…brightly, clearly, everything! At almost ninety, he was transported to a place with no dark glass; he saw his Savior face to face; there was no darkness in his destination—Heaven!
Before he could see clearly, my dad had to wait. From the moment he had accepted Jesus into his heart, he had waited to see clearly in his spiritual living. While my dad waited, he lost a baby daughter, a mom and dad, a wife, a son, a grandson, and many other loved ones, but still he waited. Then the wait was over! On that wintry January day, I can imagine my dad peering through the dark glass as that black hole cleared away, and he stepped from life on earth to a heavenly bright light leading him into the portals of Heaven. No doubt he was full of indescribable joy
when he first clearly saw his Savior and fell at His feet in worship! Then he clearly saw that baby daughter, his wife, his mom and dad, that grandson, and son waiting for his arrival. What a glorious reunion that must have been full of rejoicing and shouting and singing!
Many instances in the Bible describe times when God’s people waited without knowing the future. They couldn’t see or fully understand everything God planned to do while in their waiting. Let’s look at several of them.
Noah
Genesis 6:8 introduces us to Noah who “found grace in the eyes of the Lord.” The world was evil and full of wickedness, but God saw one man He could use. He had big plans for Noah. Plans that Noah could not possibly imagine because he was looking through “a dark glass.” Let’s imagine the conversation between God and Noah:
God: Hello, Noah, my faithful servant.
Noah: My Heavenly Father, I have been praising you for being so faithful and good.
God: I know, I heard you!
Noah: Oh, yeah, that’s right! Father, it’s getting bad down here. So much evil is going on. These people are so far away from you.
God: I know, my son. I see that wickedness, and I know their imaginations and the evil thoughts in their hearts. It grieves me that I made man. I must destroy these people I have created. But you, my beloved, in you I see grace and a love for me.
Noah: Oh yes, Father, I love you with all my heart, and I am your willing servant.
God: Speaking of being a willing servant, I do have a plan for you, Noah. I want you to make an ark from gopher wood.
Noah: A what? What’s an ark?
God: Well, it is like a boat that floats on water, but
it’s a big boat. I will give you all the details, then in a hundred and twenty years…
Noah: Say what?
God: Trust me, Son, do what I say, and you will be saved from the flood.
Noah: Flood? What’s a flood?
God: Well, that’s another thing. When you’re all done building the ark, you will take your wife and your sons and their wives into the ark. After you have loaded every animal I have created…
Noah: Father! I don’t understand any of this! Arks, floods, animals…lions and tigers and bears, oh my…!
God: That’s when trust comes in, Noah. Put your trust in me. I will be with you to the end.
Noah: Okay, God, I will put my trust in you.
(But I have no idea what is ahead. I guess someday it will all make sense, because right now…)
God: Trust me, my son.
THINK ABOUT IT: How would you feel if God had a big plan for you to accomplish for Him? Guess what? He does! Can you think about a time you believed God was leading you to do something you thought impossible? In the end, did it all become clear, and you knew God was always with you?
Joseph
Now, let’s focus on Joseph, whose story is also in the Book of Genesis. As a young man with ten older brothers (and we all know how older brothers can be), Joseph was aware he was different. He sensed that God had a special purpose for him, even though he didn’t know what it was. His name meant “dreamer,” and that’s what he did—he dreamed! If I could give him one piece of advice, it would be, “Joseph, maybe keep those dreams to yourself!” But he didn’t, and his brothers hated him for it. To be fair, the dreams didn’t exactly paint his brothers in the best light; they placed Joseph above them. However, what the brothers didn’t realize was those dreams were a
part of a plan God had for Joseph.
To fulfill His purpose, God even used their evil act of abandoning Joseph in a pit and leaving him for dead. As a result of their treachery, Joseph ended up in prison in Egypt. Many years later, those same brothers traveled to Egypt, desperate for food—food that only Joseph, whom they believed to be dead, could provide. What a miraculous turn of events!
However, Joseph did not receive an immediate reward. He had to wait. And while he waited, he had no idea what the future held for him. He was sold into slavery, falsely accused, and thrown into prison. Through it all, he continued to have dreams, but God’s plan remained unclear. Despite everything he endured, Joseph was essentially looking at his future through “a dark glass,” unable to see what lay ahead. Did he ever wonder, does God remember me? Does he really care for me? But finally, in God’s timing, one day he saw things clearly! And Joseph knew without a shadow of a doubt that God did remember him, and He did love him.
THINK ABOUT IT: Take some time to read the full story of Joseph’s life in Genesis 37 through 50 and learn how God had a plan for Joseph, from beginning to end, no matter how long it took. Are you experiencing “bad” things in your life, making you wonder if God remembers you and cares for you? Can you remember a time when you, looking back on your life, realized that God was there all the time for you?
Martha
In John 11 we see Martha, Lazarus’ sister, certainly seeing through “the dark glass” as she mourned her brother’s death and waited—dare I say impatiently, for Jesus to come and help. She had faith Jesus could heal Lazarus from the dead, and she trusted that He loved them. But maybe, on the fourth day after Lazarus’ death, (when a corpse started to stink) she had to be questioning, “Jesus, didn’t you hear me? Aren’t you coming?” She was looking through that dark glass, and her faith was weakening. But Jesus
did come; He did raise Lazarus from the dead; He did love her. As she embraced her sweet brother, she saw more clearly.
THINK ABOUT IT: Take a moment to read the familiar story in John 11:1-46. Embedded in that story is a little verse—the shortest verse in the Bible, “Jesus wept.” Jesus didn’t weep because He couldn’t heal Lazarus, or because His friend was dead and buried. Jesus wept because of all the people who didn’t have the faith to believe in Him. I would be devastated to know I made Jesus weep. But I must ask myself, have there been times Jesus wept because of my unbelief? Because I wouldn’t trust Him completely? Because I wouldn’t look through a dark glass and just trust Him until I could see His plan clearly? Can you think of a time that you may have caused Jesus to weep because you refused to trust Him?
Mary, Mother of Jesus
And lastly, let’s think about Mary, the mother of Jesus, who also had to wait to see through her glass clearly. Mary was a poor, simple, virgin girl who loved God with all her heart. In Luke 1:30, the angel
told Mary, “Thou hast found favor with God.” What a wonderful commendation! And right then, her life was changed, drastically changed! Surely, she felt she was seeing through a glass darkly when the angel told her God’s plan for her life. But she trusted God and allowed Him to use her to fulfill His plan, the plan that would give us a blessed hope of eternal life and joy with Him. Mary also did not see immediate results. She had to look through that dark glass for many years. But she didn’t lose hope, even when she saw her beloved son, Jesus, mocked and beaten, ridiculed, forsaken, and even killed by her own people. Those three days were quite “a dark glass” as she waited for God to reveal His Plan. What joy on that third day when she witnessed her son’s empty tomb, and she knew He was alive! Her “dark glass” was a little clearer and would be completely clear when, at her death, she is reunited with her son at Heaven’s gate
THINK ABOUT IT: Mary, of course, was full of wonder at what happened in her life. But let’s suppose what Mary’s own mother was enduring. We can assume she was a faithful believer since she had raised a daughter eager to serve God. No doubt, the inevitable gossip and rumors were difficult
for her, heartbreaking. How would we react if our child told us God was leading them in a direction we had not considered? Would our faith be strong enough to trust God with our most prized possession—our child?
So, here we are, thousands of years later, wondering about God’s plan for our lives. We can only see through that dark glass for now. Occasionally, we look back on our lives and clearly see God was in control all the time. But we won’t completely see through that “dark glass” until we reach Heaven—when we are face to face with our Savior. Hallelujah! Those faithful individuals we discussed, Noah, Joseph, Mary, have finally witnessed clear sight—no more dark glass for them.
We are still waiting to see clearly…to cast off the dark glass...to meet our Savior and our loved ones in that beautiful city of Heaven. As the old song says, “Won’t It Be Wonderful There?” We can imagine, we can dream, we can study Scripture to learn about Heaven, but we cannot really know—really see—what we are going to experience; not until that dark glass is gone. Only then will we see clearly all that God has for His faithful children.
THINK ABOUT IT: Let’s think about Heaven—that’s not a chore, is it? Of course, we will rejoice when we see our Savior and reunite with our loved ones. But when we dream of Heaven, what are some other things, simple things, that we might imagine about Heaven? I, for one, will be glad sinus infections and allergies will not be present. (I say this as I am wiping my nose and coughing for the umpteenth time!) What simple thing will you have (or not have) when you get to Heaven? What will you be able to see clearly when you step through those pearly gates that, until now, you only see through “a dark glass?”
ABOUT THE WRITER: Lee Ann Wilfong has been actively involved in women’s ministries since her teens, and currently serves on the Women Nationally Active for Christ board. She and her husband, Vernon, live in Park Hills, Missouri, and attend Leadington Free Will Baptist Church.
Giggles
BY SARAH SARGENT
Have you ever gotten the giggles while mowing the grass at the church?
I must start this story by telling you that no one was seriously hurt! I also must confess I am one of those people who laugh when people fall. I know, I know, not very kind, but I always ask if they are okay, (but often, it’s while I’m giggling). Okay, now onto the story.
When I was younger, maybe 2nd or 3rd grade, the craziest thing happened at the church. My mom volunteered to mow the grass that week, and she took me and a couple of my friends to the church with her. While she was outside mowing, we three kiddos were inside playing.
The church had a little side yard off the driveway, and that little yard was surrounded by a metal cable strung about four feet off the ground. Mom had completed mowing that side yard and was ready to take the mower to the garage. Typically, when finished mowing this section, it makes sense to get off the mower and push it under the cable. To this day, we do not understand why my mom decided to ride the mower under the cable …
Pause the story for a comparison. Remember the Looney Tunes Cartoons when Wile E. Coyote set up all these traps to catch the Road Runner? Inevitably, Road Runner escaped, and Wile E. was often caught in whatever trap he had deployed. Now imagine Wile E. has erected a clothesline to hinder Road Runner from running past. Road Runner, of course, sees it and ducks under the line. Wile E. attempts to do the same, but instead of clearing it, he gets entangled and spins around and around the clothesline.
Take that image in your mind back to my tale. Mom is riding the 3’6” lawn mower under a tension cable that hangs about four feet off the ground. She is playing her own game of limbo. “Jack, be limbo, Jack, be quick; Mom did not make it under the limbo stick.” The cable clotheslined her off the back of the tractor. To make matters worse, that lawnmower didn’t have an automatic shut-off. The riderless tractor drove under the cable enroute to the garage. Unfortunately, a bus was parked right in its path!
I remember my friend Katie running to me inside the church and saying, “Sarah, your mom is lying outside on the ground!” We all rushed out to see if she was okay. We helped her up so she could stop the mower before it hit the bus. Mom was very sore after her fall, but thankfully, not seriously hurt. The emergency room doctors even confirmed it.
This happened over 31 years ago, but occasionally, this memory pops up, and I get the church giggles all over again. Sometimes, I’ll ask Mom, “What made you think that was a good idea?” I honestly wish I had a video of this incident. Maybe in Heaven, God will rewind the videos of time, and allow me to watch this one. In all seriousness, if you ever find yourself on a riding mower approaching a cable, please get off. This isn’t a limbo game you want to play. About the Colunnist: Sarah Sargent loves to laugh and make others laugh even more. She is a third-generation member and leader in FWB Women’s Ministries. She currently serves as president of the women’s ministry at Reynoldsburg FWB Church and president for Ohio FWB Women’s Ministries..
Reflecting: Who Are You and Who Do You Want To Be?
BY Victoria Matlock
“Hey Mom!” I remember running through the house looking for my mom. It was summer, and I was excited to get started on our big plans for the day. I stumbled to a halt in our living room. Mom looked up from her Bible and journal, smiled, and said, “I’ll be done with my devotion in about 10 minutes, Victoria. Go find something to do until then.”
I remember going away and muttering. I didn’t understand then what was so important about doing a daily devotion.
Twenty years later, I am awed by my mom’s dedication to her devotion time, even with a distracting child causing chaos around the house.
Hopefully, you have your own stories or moments of realizing your mentor’s faith and the example they set for you. In the coming year, will you choose to become more or less like your role models? Will you become the relationship with God that you envy others having? Will you take the time to grow your prayer life? Will you take time every day to pray?
Taking time to be with the Lord should always be a priority. James 4:8 and Ephesians 6:11-18 are great examples of ways our spiritual walk with Christ can help us. How can we expect to arm ourselves in the Gospel and defend against the devil and the trials of
this world without taking time to be in God’s Word?
What example are you giving your children, your spouse, your friends? Is spending time with God a priority, or does it sit on the counter all day getting lukewarm like a forgotten cup of coffee? Do you show others that you take your faith seriously and prioritize it?
Reflect on the examples of godly faith demonstrated to you and decide for yourself. This year, take the time to grow your devotional life. Don’t put it off another year.
James 4:8
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Ephesians 6:11-18
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and hav-
ing put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.
About the Writer: Tori Matlock is a graduate of Welch College. She is a part of a church revitalization in Ardmore, Oklahoma. She and her husband are expecting their first child in January 2025.
i m e t o
Simulcast Conference Coming February 1, 2025!
20+ satellite locations across the USA!
Registration is open for all locations October 1st-December 1st.
Anna Claire Swindol
Amanda Dunla Kellie Penn Amy McDonald
Just Being Ruthful*
BY Ruth McDonald
“The truth will set you free; but first, it will make you miserable.”
Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of Sherlock Holmes. It is becoming increasingly difficult to know who to trust. Our minds are bombarded daily with conflicting opinions, polar opposite “truths,” and a wide spectrum of persuasive arguments. Each time we check the news, open our phones, or listen to water cooler conversations, we are subjected to the spin zone—or ‘the twilight zone.’
No wonder we get confused. We encounter far more distortions than facts. You won’t hear it from the world system, but our best and only source of truth is still the inerrant Word of God. Jesus remains and will always be “the way, the truth, and the life.” He gave us bedrock when He said, “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free,” in John 8:32.
Obviously, the truth of the gospel is at the heart of His statement: we are sinners in need of a Savior. By trusting in Him, we are unshackled from slavery to sin and self and set free to live a life of purpose, forgiveness, and grace. But I’ve long suspected that verse also has broader implications for our lives.
*Ruthful is an archaic English word (the opposite of ruthless) meaning “full of compassion.
Psychologists and counselors agree a person cannot heal from trauma without first accepting that it happened. One cannot sort out dysfunctional relationships without seeing things as they really are. Distortions, misrepresentations, and lies all serve to prevent us from seeing and accepting reality. We cannot heal from trauma that we deny or repress. We cannot make restitution for mistakes we do not acknowledge. No matter how painful or uncomfortable the truth may be, we must face it to move on.
In this issue of Treasure, we will delve into these issues and look deeply into the Word for answers. As Sherlock’s quote above states, some truths make us miserable. But just like the skillful cut of a surgeon, truth will bring healing, wholeness, and health. God’s truth “cuts like a two-edged sword,” (Hebrews 4:12) but is full of grace and truth.
I once heard a preacher say, “trying to cover sin is like putting a Band-Aid on cancer.” We need an accurate view of our hearts and lives, and we receive it by looking into the mirror of God’s Word. Not just once but every day. Let’s approach the Lord with the prayer from the Psalmist: “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” (Psalm 139:23-24 ESV).
Blessings, Ruth
