Treasures of Truth ministries . . . helping

women connect with truth that will

transform their world.

Week 1 - Watch your Step!

 One of my most embarrassing moments ever took place at the wedding of a friend when I was about 7 months pregnant with our first child.  The receiving line for the bride and groom was extraordinarily long, so, while waiting to speak to them, I took the opportunity to visit with friends I had not seen since high school. Between visiting with friends and looking for an opportunity to speak with the bride, I walked over to the buffet.  Someone had spilled some dip or something of similar consistency in the very spot in which I stepped.  Being 7 months pregnant, my balance was not that good, and off I went, sliding the entire length of the table while trying desperately to find something to hold on to as I flew by.  I finally came to a screeching halt, but not without knocking off some items on the very end of the table.  Nothing broke and, with the exception of my husband who was standing nearby, I don’t think that many people noticed what had happened in the noisy, crowded room.  My husband sometimes feels that when we married he entered an ongoing “I Love Lucy” episode, but he is dealing with it.  Concerned I had hurt myself or the baby during the unplanned “skating” adventure, my husband promptly put his food down and insisted we leave.  Because I was somewhat shaken, we left, but not without disappointment. I had enjoyed all the festivity surrounding the occasion that was planned to honor the bride, but left without having spoken to her.

My disappointing and embarrassing experience is strikingly similar to the manner in which many approach and experience the holiday season.  With lives already out of balance from trying to stuff too many things, activities, and events into our lives, we then will set our feet down in the middle of the holiday frenzy that begins in October.  The department stores are simultaneously displaying Halloween costumes and every item you can think of with either the imprint of a pumpkin, a turkey, or a Christmas tree.  Large bags of candy and magazines filled with recipes for delicious, high calorie foods are enticing us to indulge our sweet tooth. If not careful, we may soon find ourselves unable to stop the spending, shopping, and eating induced momentum that leaves us feeling totally out of control.  Then, on December 26, when we find that we have come to a complete stop, we look around to assess the damage.  After starting a new diet, cutting up the credit card, and putting away the Christmas decorations, the biggest disappointment many will experience is that somehow, they never even acknowledged or interacted with the Honoree of the Season. 

"Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us” (Matthew 1:23 NKJV).

I hope you will join me in starting the holiday season, even now, with a prayer.

“Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me (Psalm 119:133 NIV).

“Uphold my steps in Your paths, That my footsteps may not slip” (Psalm 17:5 NKJV).

I invite you to check back each week as we prepare our hearts and homes for the holidays together.

© 2007 Lauren Fletcher all rights reserved

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 Week 2 - Develop a Calm Spirit

I have an annoying characteristic that my husband describes as a prerecorded scream.  It typically has a certain rhythm to it, is extremely loud, can be initiated by anything startling, will continue for a certain length of time even when I realize the perceived danger does not exist, and cannot be retrieved once the trigger is pulled.  It is actually quite terrifying to those who have witnessed it.  My 6’2”, 200 pound son who played football on the offensive line once unintentionally triggered the scream and told me it was one of the scariest things he had ever seen.  I'm sure he didn't mean that literally, but from what they tell me, it is quite a sight to observe.  This keeps things interesting in our home, to say the least. 

 How about you?  Do you maintain a calm, controlled spirit?  Though I am often teased about my characteristic scream, a spirit that is not calm and controlled is actually a serious matter.

1 Peter 5:8 warns of the danger it can bring.  “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”

The word “sober” in the Greek means to be calm and controlled in spirit.  It also means to be temperate, dispassionate, and circumspect.

You are possibly thinking, and, . . . what do temperate, dispassionate, and circumspect mean?  Read and meditate upon the definitions of these words because they contain clues needed to discover the key to a calm, controlled spirit.

temperate - mild or restrained in behavior or attitude, without extremes
dispassionate - not influenced by emotion or personal feelings
circumspect - taking into consideration all possible circumstances and consequences before acting

When you consider the fact that the holidays encourage excess, not restraint, and that they are strongly influenced and driven by emotion, it is not surprising that we experience anything but a calm, controlled spirit during this time of the year.

These weeks preceding Christmas should ideally focus on a celebration of Christ, but can quickly become a time of vulnerability for us physically, spiritually, and emotionally.

The verses preceding I Peter 5:8 are especially helpful.

“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God . . . casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:6,7 NKJV).

1 Peter 5:6-7 show us a specific way to restrain our behavior and reactions. They reveal behavior that needs to become a prerecorded, habitual response.

We are often upset by the unexpected, the overwhelming, and the things over which we have no control.  Humbling ourselves under the mighty hand of God involves recognizing that those unsettling circumstances in our lives are not out of control.  They are simply not under our control.  The mighty, caring hand of God is a very secure place for us to bring our anxiety and concern. 

Try this:

Every time you feel troubled about something, pray about it and speak the truth revealed in these verses concerning the situation - even if you have to readdress the issue many times.  The more we respond in obedience, the more natural a right response becomes.  Right responses lead to a calm, controlled spirit.

Prayer:

Father, You are mighty.  I am anxious and troubled about  ________________ .  Though I am unable to handle it, I realize that nothing is impossible with You.  I know You care for Me and I know this is in Your hand. You are able to do abundantly more than I can even imagine in this situation.  I praise You and thank you for Your love.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

© 2007 Lauren Fletcher all rights reserved

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Week 3 - Cultivate a Thankful Heart   

I remember an overseas visit to Israel during a time of unrest in the seventies  Armed soldiers kept a visible presence on the city streets of Bethlehem and Jerusalem as civilians went about their daily routines.  Their presence was comforting and yet discomforting, because it served as an ever present threat of conflict and danger.  On a less serious note, I couldn’t find a hamburger, a chocolate bar, or many of the foods which I regularly enjoyed in the States. Mature, seasoned travelers typically embrace the opportunity to partake of and enjoy the cultural differences of other countries. This young college student, however, perceived the absence of McDonalds and vending machines as a deprivation.   

 As a result, I became much more appreciative for the many comforts to which I had become accustomed and which I often took for granted in my country. 

 I find that it also helps to regularly contrast my state before knowing Christ with the blessings I now enjoy. 

When I do, I give thanks to my Heavenly Father because . . .

1.  He has qualified me to be a partaker of His inheritance.

 “giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light” (Colossians 1:12 NKJV).(emphasis of underlined words mine)

2.  He has delivered me from the power of darkness into a kingdom characterized by light and love.  What a contrast!

Colossians 1:13 “He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,” (Colossians 1:13 NKJV).

3.  He has forgiven my sins and redeemed an otherwise hopeless situation with His own blood.  The redemption He provided is eternal.

“in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:14).

“Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption” (Hebrews 9:12).                                 

4.  He has provided security.  The only One who is qualified to bring an accusation against one of God’s own is Christ, who it just so happens died for us, is risen, and is now at the right hand of the Father making intercession for us.

 “Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. (Romans 8:33-34 NKJV).

5.  Nothing can separate us from His love.

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” (Romans 8:35 NKJV)

 “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

(Romans 8:38-39 NKJV).

6.  God has made victory available to us through our Lord Jesus Christ

“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ”

(1 Corinthians 15:57). (emphasis of underlined words mine)

7.  He is able to do more than we can pray or imagine and is generous in allowing His power to work in and through us.

“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21 NKJV).

Have you thanked God lately for these seven gifts?  How indescribably fortunate we are that we don’t have to live under the power of darkness! Imagine what life would be like without the seven blessings mentioned above.  What a contrast to the life believers enjoy!

Perhaps you are dreading the approach of the holidays because this year has not been a good one for you.  I encourage you to focus on these gifts which, for those who possess them, remain consistent amid the ever changing circumstances of life.  They can not be taken from you.

If you haven’t already, you, too can enjoy a personal relationship with Him.

I invite you to contact me through the website and I would love to share with you further.  I will also send you some free materials that answer questions you possibly have about entering a personal relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Have a great week cultivating a thankful heart!

© 2007 Lauren Fletcher all rights reserved

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Week 4 - Learn the Secret of a Making a Great List

It is very likely that many of you have or will make several lists this week …a  list of the foods you will prepare for you holiday meal, a list of ingredients to buy, a list of gifts to buy at the after Thanksgiving sales …

Some of my fondest holiday memories as a child are of Thanksgiving Day, the day on which I made "the list" every year.  We usually woke up to the many aromas that are so characteristic to that day. I would jump out of bed in anticipation of the arrival of my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. After we had eaten as much as we could possibly hold and played all afternoon, the sun would begin to set and my cousins, my three sisters, and I would begin our Thanksgiving evening routine of looking through the Christmas catalog that had come in the mail.  We would then begin to excitedly make a list of what we hoped to receive for Christmas.

I still have a few of the things I received during those childhood Christmas years.  They all fit into one storage box which I had out this week because we were rearranging a closet.  My granddaughter walked into the room and upon seeing Chatty Cathy, a teddy bear, Barbie and Ken, and a small sewing machine, became fascinated with these “antiques.”  I told her that these were my toys when I was a little girl.  She said, “Are they mine now?”  These will indeed go to my granddaughters and are theirs to play with now as often as they like. I was thrilled that she was interested in them. Chatty Cathy was one of the first talking dolls and created quite a sensation, but when her string is pulled now, the message is garbled.  Ken’s hair has rubbed off in places and he actually appears to be balding.  Barbie, of course, still has her figure, but she is the only toy that survived the aging process.  Are you surprised? The teddy bear’s fur is missing in places and his remaining fur is matted. 

Thankfully, however, I have something much more valuable than this collection to pass on to my children and grandchildren - something that will not diminish in its relevance or usefulness in the years to come. This most valuable possession is the memory of the wonderful works the Lord has done in our lives. We talk about them and I record them in my prayer journal to make sure they are remembered.  They are told and retold in the typical way families rehash the same familiar experiences and events over and over again.

“I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old, Which we have heard and known, And our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children, Telling to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, And His strength and His wonderful works that He has done” (emphasis of underlined words mine) ( Psalm 78:2-4 NKJV).

“so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children, “(Psalm 78:6 NIV)

“That they may set their hope in God, And not forget the works of God, But keep His commandments;” (Psalm 78:7 NKJV).

I never tire of hearing the story of how God miraculously provided in a particular situation for my newlywed parents. When I hear them talk about the serious illness I had as a child and the healing that came after they, along with my grandparents, stood around my hospital bed, held hands, and prayed, I am reminded again of His strength. I relish the story of God’s mighty intervention in a situation in my grandfather’s life as well. I recall other experiences in which God’s intervention involved providing the grace and strength to deal with unpleasant or painful events that are also woven into life.

I grew up hearing about the strength of the Lord and the wonderful works He has done. Many of my own personal experiences and answered prayers have now been added to this repertoire.

This Thanksgiving I will again be making a list, but I will be adding things to it which will not diminish with age, but will stand the test of time as long as they continue to be acknowledged and remembered.  I will be going through my prayer journal from the past year and making a list of the mighty works I have personally seen God do this year.  We will talk about these as a family sometime before the clock strikes midnight on the eve of 2008.  I hope you’ll join me in this tradition.

“so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children, “(Psalm 78:6 NIV)

“That they may set their hope in God, And not forget the works of God, But keep His commandments;” (Psalm 78:7 NKJV).

Maybe you are the first generation in your family to know the Lord.  Don’t get discouraged.  You can begin now having an impact on your family for generations to come.

Maybe you didn’t keep a record of your answered prayers this year.  Ask God to help you remember what they were and record them.  Then, determine to keep an ongoing record this coming year.

New beginnings, after all, are one of the most wonderful works of God. We can all certainly praise Him for that!

© 2007 Lauren Fletcher all rights reserved

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Week 5- Incorporate Light into Your Christmas Décor

I was thrilled to drive through the neighborhood this past evening and see many beautiful Christmas lights.  Our neighbor across the street has a light display that is stunning and, even in Florida, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!  It is only fitting that light is such an essential element of our Christmas décor, for the arrival of the Messiah brought light into a very dark world. 

^“ I have come as a light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me would not remain in darkness” (John 12:46 CSB).

Though God has graciously prepared an escape from the darkness, it is amazing how comfortable we can become in it. Several years ago, I experienced this for myself in a Bible study class I taught.  Our classroom had no windows and, without electricity, was very dark. On one particular occasion, I intentionally kept the lights off as the women entered the classroom because I wanted to provide an object lesson illustrating the impact that light has when introduced to darkness.  We visited with each other in the dark while waiting for all to arrive.  I noticed that, at first, the women felt uncomfortable sitting in the dark room talking to each other.  As the minutes passed, however, our eyes adjusted to the darkness and though we could not see clearly and distinctly, we were soon able to vaguely recognize those with whom we were sharing and felt quite at ease in the darkness. Despite our comfort, it eventually became necessary to turn on the lights in order to read from our Bibles. The entrance of light into the room was not initially celebrated, however, because it briefly caused discomfort to our eyes that had so quickly adjusted to the darkness. Many responded with a verbal “ouch”, or by sheltering their eyes momentarily as their pupils adjusted to the brightness of the light.

We, too, can become comfortable in darkness and often desire to remain there “just a little longer.” 

Though God’s word is a source of light and provides the understanding and guidance we so desperately need, it can also bring conviction and discomfort until we adjust to the application of His word in our lives.

“The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple” (Psalm 119:130 NKJV).

What will we do with the light that is available to us?

We must embrace the light, adjust our lives to it, and then shine brightly.

This Christmas, our “light” needs to be as obvious to our neighbors as theirs are to us! 

^“ . . . let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16 CSB).

© 2007 Lauren Fletcher all rights reserved

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Week 6 - Consider This!

“Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee     named Nazareth,to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary . And having come in, the angel said to her, ‘Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!’ But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was” (Luke 1:26-29.NKJV). (bold print added for emphasis)

Mary considered what she heard.

An angel was sent to Mary with a word from God.  As Mary listened, the Bible says she considered what the meaning of this visit could be.  The word considered is translated from a Greek word which means to reason, revolve in one's mind, or deliberate

Mary’s thought process began and whose wouldn’t?!  This was a most unexpected encounter.

The angel responded to her thoughts.

Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end." (Luke 1:30-33 NKJV).

Then, Mary’s thoughts led her to ask one question. 

“Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I do not know a man?" (Luke 1:34 NKJV).

Before we move on, let me ask you a question.  Put yourself in the place of Mary.  Would you have asked more than one question?  What questions would you have asked?  What would you thoughts have been? 

The baby would not be Joseph’s baby and in Mary’s culture, the consequences for this could literally be deadly. 

Mary’s questions, however, had nothing to do with how Joseph would respond, with what would happen to her, or whether she was qualified to raise the son of God.  She simply wanted to know how this could be possible. 

The angel answered her question.

“And the angel answered and said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and           the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who    is to be born will be called the Son of God. For with God nothing will be impossible.’” ⁽Luke 1:35, 37 NKJV). (bold print added for emphasis)

Her question was answered and she took God at His word.  She believed what she was told and that sealed it for her.

Mary made her decision.

“Then Mary said, ‘Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.’ And the angel departed from her” ⁽Luke 1:35, 37-38 NKJV) (bold print  added for emphasis)

 After what appears to be limited thinking and reasoning, Mary responded in obedience.  It appears that one of the qualities which I have never heard attributed to Mary, but which I believe she possessed was that she was very disciplined mentally.  Had Mary been controlled by her emotions, I believe fear would certainly have been an obstacle to her obedience.

Mary had a brain and she used it.  She reasoned and considered, but she limited what she considered to the word sent by God to her. 

There is a lesson here for us.  We can keep things much simpler in our lives if we limit our reasoning, analysis, and questioning to how we are going to fulfill God’s purpose for our lives.  For any and every situation in our lives, God has a plan.  Instead of saying, “What if . . . “ or “If only . . . “, we too should respond with “How will this work?”, and “What is my part?”.  Considering every possible scenario and rehashing our regret only clouds our thinking and delays actual obedience.

Another “impossible” situation comes to mind when I recall the promise God gave Abraham.  Abraham was a hundred and Sarah was well past childbearing years, but he refused to consider these factors and chose instead to continue to believe God’s promise.

Abraham refused to consider any facts that were not consistent with what God said would happen.

^“And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah's womb: He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God,” (Romans 4:19-20 NKJV). (bold print added for emphasis)

Abraham, like Mary, was selective, and controlled the thoughts he allowed himself to consider.

You may not have ever thought about it this way, but one of the pivotal participants in the Christmas story was a woman whose participation in God’s plan was determined by her thoughts which led to her response. 

Now, here is something for us to consider.  Mary and Abraham are not fictional characters. They were actual people who lived on this earth and faced fears, obstacles, and challenges that were in many ways similar, though not identical, to the ones we experience.

Their disciplined thoughts led to responses which have served as a blessing to the many generations that have followed.

It makes you want to think correctly, doesn’t it!

^“ For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. . . . “ (Proverbs 23:7 NKJV). (bold print added for emphasis)

© 2007 Lauren Fletcher all rights reserved 

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