Treasures of Truth ministries . . . helping

women connect with truth that will

transform their world.

   September's Theme: Back to School

A couple of years ago, I had a medically necessary procedure done on my nose.  As a result, I had to wear a large bandage for several weeks.  Attempting to divert attention from something that noticeable was rather challenging. Even skillfully applied makeup and carefully styled hair proved to be futile in redirecting the gaze of others, because the bandage on my nose was an attention magnet with which nothing could compete.

“As a ring of gold in a swine's snout, So is a lovely woman who lacks discretion” (Proverbs 11:22 NKJV).

A gold ring may be placed in the snout of a pig, but it will not obscure the distasteful characteristics of its nose!

Attempts at beautification are, in some instances, wasted effort.  Possessing perfect features and form will also not conceal the most distasteful characteristics of an otherwise beautiful woman who lacks discretion.

Discretion comes from a Hebrew word that refers to taste or judgment. Is good judgment simply one of those instinctive intangibles with which some fortunate people have been blessed?   Fortunately, the answer is to that question is - “Definitely not!”  According to Psalm 119:66, good judgment can be taught, and therefore, can be learned. 

^“Teach me good judgment and knowledge, For I believe Your commandments” (Psalm 119:66).

The word “judgment” in this verse comes from the same Hebrew word from which “discretion” in Proverbs 11:22 is also translated. 

Good teaching, however, is wasted on the disinterested or unwilling. 

^“The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness” (Proverbs 15:14). 

The word “feeds” in this verse comes from a Hebrew word meaning to graze in the manner in which cows and sheep eat. The word “feeds” also means to associate with or to be a friend of.

Obtaining good judgment basically comes down to what we chose to eat.  We can seek understanding and knowledge or we can feed on the junk food of foolishness.

Characters who make foolish, sinful choices in novels, on soap operas, or in television shows can quietly and deceptively become our associates and teachers through exposure. Foolish gossip often also begins to mold us.  Consequently, we often eventually realize that we ourselves have begun to emulate our subconscious teachers and are not using good judgment.

This is an appropriate time to renew our love for wisdom, knowledge and understanding.  I hope you will resolve, along with me, to replace the junk food in your life with wisdom from the Proverbs, daily time in God’s word, Christian radio or television programs, uplifting Christian music, and with Christian friends who have a strong walk with God. 

Join me each week as we discover how wisdom affects our homes, families, relationships, and even our speech.  Let's make Psalm 49:3 our goal: 

^“ My mouth shall speak wisdom, And the meditation of my heart shall give understanding.” 

 © 2007 Lauren Fletcher all rights reserved

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  Week 2  Becoming a Skilled Test Taker

Every good student needs to become an accomplished test taker. Few would disagree that there is an art to taking a standardized test. One commonly known tip for answering a question on a multiple choice test is that the test taker should eliminate any answers that are obviously false and then stick with their first choice.  According to statistics I have read, those who change their answers are making a mistake a large percentage of the time.  Too much analysis of what is meant by the question can sometimes lead to looking at the question from an angle that was not intended. 

The first question of the first “standardized” test recorded in the Bible is found in Genesis 3:1.

^“Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, "Has God indeed said, 'You shall not eat of every tree of the garden'?" (Genesis 3:1 NKJV).

Notice the portion of Eve’s original answer I have included below:

And the woman said to the serpent, "We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden;” “but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, 'You shall not eat it . . . lest you die.' (Genesis 3:2-3 NKJV).

After giving this answer, Eve should have moved on, but she didn’t. Notice how she was drawn into contemplation and consideration of the answer she gave.

“Then the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die.  For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil ” (Genesis 3:4-5 NKJV).

Now that puts an entirely different spin on the question and one which greatly affect Eve’s response.  Rather than eliminate this response because it contained a lie, she began to consider her dilemma from a different angle.

^“So when the woman saw that the tree was . . . “ (Genesis 3:6 NKJV). 

The longer Eve looked at the tree, the more she “saw.”  “Saw” is translated from a Hebrew word which means to inspect, consider, perceive, learn about, observe, watch, give attention to, or gaze.

As she inspected, observed, and gave close attention to something God had said to avoid, she began to perceive that perhaps this forbidden fruit was the answer to her physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. 

Three things about this tree appealed to her.  Two of the three were related to what she saw and  what she thought she would experience.

“. . . when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, . . .”(Genesis 3:6 NKJV).

“Pleasant” is translated from a Hebrew word that means the longings of one’s heart, lust, or covetousness. The word can have a positive or a negative connotation.  The longing of our heart can easily become lust or covetous when its subject is outside the boundaries of what God has permitted.  As Eve focused the longing of her heart on the forbidden fruit, her longings turned to lust and covetousness. 

Emotional and sensual desire usually needs one “spiritual” ingredient in the mix to justify its fulfillment and Eve managed to find the perfect ingredient.  This tree that was good for food and pleasant to the eyes was also desirable to make one wise!  Once she determined this would make her wise, that settled it, and she confidently bubbled in the wrong answer. 

"So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate.  She also gave to her husband wtih her, and he ate: (Genesis 2:6 NKJV).

The more she had reasoned, the further Eve had strayed from the truth. She failed to remember that God had already provided much pleasant, delicious fruit which she was allowed to fully enjoy.

”And out of the ground the LORD God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil” (Genesis 2:9 NKJV).

The sensual fulfillment she needed had already been provided.  There seemed to be one major difference in the trees she had and the tree she wanted, and that was that it was desired to make her wise.

According to Psalm 111:10, she didn’t need the forbidden tree for that reason either because wisdom also was readily available to her.

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His instructions have good insight . . . “(Psalm 111:10 CSB).

Is there a test question on which you are deliberating right now?  Do you keep changing the answer?  Are you wavering back and forth between two answers?  Is your eraser creating a torn spot on your test? 

Don't rely on emotions, desires, or the interpretation of what others think God meant.  Check out what the Bible actually says and then move on in obedience! 

 © 2007 Lauren Fletcher all rights reserved

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Week 3 – Becoming an Active Learner

Some of my favorite years as a classroom teacher were spent under the supervision of a principal who challenged us to use innovative methods intended to stimulate the students to become passionate, active learners. Instead of ordering workbooks for my class,  the principal allowed me to use a budgeted amount of money for sets of books that would serve as the basis of a literature based curriculum through which every subject would be taught.  

I remember one particular assignment in which I asked my second graders to find every possible state in the United States which could possibly serve as a setting for the story, “Harry by the Sea”.  While researching the answer to this question, one group became curious about an island that is very close in proximity to the United States.  I sent the group to the library to satisfy their curiosity.  They returned very excited because they learned that even though the island had not been named one of the fifty states, it had been purchased by, and was considered a part of the United States. They asked if they would be allowed to use this island as a setting for the story. While some of the students were satisfied wtih answers that were simple and obvious, many of the students learned to think critically because they made the effort to search for anwers and most importantly, to apply what they were learning.

Into which category do you fall when it comes to applying God’s word?  Are you satisfied with passive exposure to it or do you see it as something to be explored, understood, and applied?

“. . . if you receive my words, And treasure my commands within you,” (Proverbs 2:1 NKJV).                         

Think about the attention you give to that which you treasure the most. That is the attention connected with the promise to come in the following verses.

“Yes, if you cry out for discernment, And lift up your voice for understanding,” (Proverbs 2:3 NKJV).

 Have you ever called out the name of a lost child or pet?  That is the level of intensity connected to the promises in this passage.

“If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures;” (Proverbs 2:4 NKJV).

 Have you ever searched for a stone that has fallen from a setting in a ring?  That is the untiring, determined effort which characterizes the search that will be rewarded. 
 What are the rewards?

“When wisdom enters your heart, And knowledge is pleasant to your soul, Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you” (Proverbs 2:10-11 NIV).

This wisdom, once found, must still enter the heart.  It must be possessed and retained through memorization, meditation, and application.

 And then, a wonderful thing happens.  We will discover that as we guard this special treasure, it also guards us!

 © 2007 Lauren Fletcher all rights reserved

 A kickball game I participated in with my third grade students some years ago describes the importance of finishing well.  After consenting to play, I was chosen for one of the teams.  Though the sandals I was wearing were a hindrance, I decided to give it my best effort.  After kicking the ball and getting on base, the game soon became tedious rather than exciting.  As several foul balls were kicked in succession, I became tired of running to the next base, only to have to return to the previous base when the foul ball was called.  I was not in shape at the time and trying to run in sandals finally persuaded me to leave the game, sit on the bench, and have a student take my place on second base.  Before long, the student moved from second to third, and then crossed home plate to the cheers of everyone on the team. I remember thinking, “That could have been me!  I could have been the one crossing home plate to the cheers of the team and content in the knowledge that I had fulfilled my purpose and contributed to the effort of the team.”

“Staying in the game” and moving from base to base through spiritual growth requires vigilance, priority, and focus because someone is trying to put us out of the game.

We will stay in the game longer if we are wearing clothing and shoes that do not hinderour movement.  “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11 NKJV).  

Sometimes we take two steps forward and one step back because someone has kicked a foul ball in our lives.  We may grow discouraged and feel that we are not getting anywhere, but we must chose to persevere. “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. Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest,” (Ephesians 6:13-14 NKJV).

It is possible to be on the team, but not an active participant in the game.  Once we become His child, that relationship is  “sealed”  until the day of redemption according to Ephesians 4:30.  We are secure in Him, but we may not be fulfilling our purpose as a team member. 

A disciplined, well trained athlete has the stamina to stay in the game.  Just as exercise builds physical strength and stamina, God’s word, prayer, and obedience develop spiritual strength and reliance.

^“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it” (1 Corinthians 9:24 NKJV)

^“ . . .  I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified” (1 Corinthians 9:27 NKJV).

The player who faithfully remains in the game is the one who crosses home plate in victory.  

© 2007 Lauren Fletcher all rights reserved

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