July / August Issue 2003

---

Greetings & Salutations!

---

The Treasure Box

By: Miss Heidi Lesmeister

What have you said today that helped encourage someone? Our words can be devastating or uplifting. Oftentimes, we say things without even thinking about our words will affect someone else. Proverbs 31:26 says, “She openeth her mouth with wisdom, and in her tongue is the law of kindness.” This verse talks about the virtuous woman who speaks wisely and makes sure that her speech does not discourage or hurt somebody. This can be very difficult to do, because it requires us to think before we say something. Before you blurt out that unkind comment to your friend, think about the way it will hurt them.

There are several reasons why a Godly Christian girl should be mindful of her words.

First is that other people are looking up to you. No matter how old we are, there is always either a younger sibling or a young person at church who is watching us. They watch to see how we conduct ourselves, how we speak to our elders, and how we handle everyday matters. Our words show them hot to react in the same situation. That little brother or sister that is always “bothering” you and getting on your nerves is following your example, and when you shove them off or tell them to go bother someone else, you are hurting them more than you will ever know. Take time to say something nice to them today – it will make their day.

Another reason to be mindful of our words is that we can be a stumbling block to not only a younger Christian, but to unsaved people that you come in contact with like your coworker or neighbor. I work at a grocery store, and I’ve been asked many questions like: “Why don’t you ever swear?” or “Why are you always talking about church?” Can you imagine what they would think if I came in and said something awful? My testimony at work would be ruined! They would think that there was really nothing different about me at all, and I was just like them. We need to consistently show them the way a Christian speaks and acts. They will never be saved or come to church if we don’t.

The third reason to be mindful of what we say is that friendships can be ruined. That girl that you have been best friends with for years now can be hurt terribly by your unkind words. Even things that are not easy to tell them can be said kindly. When was the last time you told your friend that she was such a blessing to you and you thank the Lord for her? That would definitely draw your friendship closer.

Remember, all words are either devastating or uplifting. Before you speak, make sure that what you are going to say will be encouraging to that person. “She openeth her mouth with wisdom, and in her tongue is the law of kindness.” Proverbs 31:26

---

Amazing Grace

The Testimony of: Debbie Henley, missionary’s wife to the Philippines

My name is Deborah Henley or Debbie and since age 6 I attended an Independent Baptist Church names Neuse Baptist. My Aunt Sylvia would always come to get me and for two years my mama did not attend church with me. Then she began coming and was saved. I however, took a little longer to soften. At age 10, our church had youth camp and every Summer I looked forward to going. At 14 years old I was at Camp Yakama in Virginia and the pastor was asking me, “If you died today, where would you go?” I knew I would not go to Heaven and at that time, the Holy Spirit convicted me of my sin. I was saved at camp that Summer, but my life had more problems than before I was saved! A life of wanting my old friends for 2 years soon brought me to my knees to fully surrender to the Lord. He had to come first. Seems like I am a hard-headed Christian! Ha!

Then activities in the church kept my heart tuned to God. My church was my lifeline. Now, as a missionary I think of a church as a long range goal. I am glad my church was there for me and Lord willing, I want our church to be there for our members here in Ley-Sam Baptist Church, in Leyte, Philippines.

Thanks so much, Laura,
Debbie Henley

---

Into the Treasury

By: Megan Bedwell

Hi Girls,

I hope everyone’s Summer has been going well. I went to a S.M.I.T.E. Camp to learn how to lead children to the Lord. In four days there were 876 souls saved! You could just feel the Holy Spirit moving.

I just wanted to share with all of you this time something that God speaks to my heart about. There are times in our Christian life that we get so busy, we want to serve God every day of the week. We tell people about God, and we do our best to obey our parents. But as we are doing all of this serving God, we lose sight of Him and His Word.

God’s Word is the most precious Treasure we have.

There are so many things in our life that we could just put into a treasure box and keep forever, but the Bible is a treasure box in itself. Make sure that you hide God’s Word deep in your heart because God is His Word, and without God we cannot accomplish anything for Him (Psalm 119:11).

In Christ,
Megan Bedwell
Matthew 5:16

---

An Encouraging Word

By: Miss Chaille Jacobson

“Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:” Hebrews 10:23-24

Last week there was a lightning bug in my room. I had shut all the lights out, snuggled under my covers, and closed my eyes to relax and meditate on God’s goodness to me throughout the day. I opened my eyes and just inches from my face this little but lit up and startled me! I watched that little bug fly around my dark bedroom. I could tell which direction he was going because he would light up every few second. He was pretty noticeable in that dark room.

I was reminded of Matthew 5:16, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Can people tell where you are headed in life? Do they look at you and see a godly young lady doing all she can to serve God, or do they look at you and see a young lady who appears to be busy serving God, but who doesn’t really mean it? Believe it or not people can look at you and know whether you are real or not. You may think you have the wool pulled over everyone’s eyes, but look closely, it may be your own eyes that are covered.

People around us should notice there is something different about us. We should be sweet when the world is nasty. We should be servants when the world is living for self. We should be Christ-like when the world is ungodly. We should shine in the midst of the darkness of the world around us.

That lightning bug would never light my room by itself, but I sure did know he was there. I could see his light shine and I could see the direction he was moving in. You may be just one person, but one person can make a difference in the lives of those around her. Imagine what would happen if we would all let our light shine! We could turn the world upside down for Jesus! Remember Matthew 5:16 and let your light shine, even if you’re the only one.

Chaille Jacobson

---

There Is Reason to be Joyful

By: Miss Rebekah Wark

“I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with jewels.” Isaiah 61:10

Hello, Ladies! How are ya’ll? I hope you had a good Summer vacation. I know I did! I just got back from Football Camp and Senior Camp. We had a really great time and the Lord really worked in hearts.

Well, at first I didn’t know what I was going to write about in this issue. So I prayed and asked the Lord to give me something to share with you all. Then, He showed me Ecclesiastes 9:10, which says, “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do; do it with thy might.”

This verse is very familiar, but I couldn’t get it out of my heart! So I though, “Ya’ know? Wherever you are and whatever you are doing…you should do it with all of your heart and do it to please God.” You should do it heartily, no matter who you are around or where you are…and you should be joyful while doing it! Have a good time serving the Lord. Be a good testimony and show others that you can be joyful while serving the Lord…no matter what He has for you!

Yours,
Bekah

---

Nana’s Notebook

By: Mrs. Ruby Wagenschutz

“When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.” 2 Timothy 1:5

At 11, I realized that my soul was lost, and knew that Christ died for my sin;
Believing, repenting, the Saviour I sought, and true to His Word, Christ came in.

From time to time to time to church I would go, for that’s what a Christian should do.
Then one day before I had finished with school, I surrendered my all – through and through.

While I tried to save money for school to prepare my life in service to give,
I learned to win souls and taught high-school girls; with joy, I was learning to live.

God gave me a chance to play and to sing on the radio and also in church;
He was making me ready to fulfill His plan for which I daily did search.

Then I met John – a man who had promised to serve the Lord with his life,
And in just a few months, God showed me His will and I had become John’s wife.

Together we labored, making many mistakes, but the ministry flourished and grew;
Many were saved and problems were solved as we struggled God’s service to do.

Churches were built and people were trained; the Lord blessed in a wonderful way.
As the wife of a Pastor, my tasks were aplenty, never idle by night or by day.

But then my life changed as God gave us four sons and a daughter to round out our number.
Then I found no rest for unnumbered years – busy days and long nights without slumber.

One day I awakened, and to my amazement, all of our children were grown,
And I was so different from the girl John had married; my youth and my vigor had flown.

And as I reflect on the years gone before, I think: Is God pleased with my life?
For all I have done is nurture five children and work hard at being John’s wife.

Then God floods my soul with a joy and contentment as I live every day for His still.
Though to some it seems small, God is pleased with it all, for I’ve yielded my life to His will.

- Ruby Wagenschutz, 1996