God is into the Veggies too
By Elin Henderson

“But my God shall supply ALL your need…”
Philippians 4:19a (NKJV)

God is so good to remind us constantly that He is into the small stuff, just like He is into the big stuff! One dilemma I face monthly is how to get fresh produce brought into where we live. We are pretty well removed from the outside world here in the African Bush. The closest grocery store of size is about a six-hour drive away. We go out approximately every three months to buy supplies. Obviously, some things you can’t buy in bulk and store, like fresh fruits and veggies. Unfortunately the people here grow basically nothing but manioc (a root like a potato or sweet potato but starchier) and coconuts! Let’s just say, they aren’t as concerned with the four food groups and programs like “Eat 5 a day.” More like “Just plain EAT Today” is their goal with food scarce and variety unheard of! So, keeping my family fed with nutritious food is challenging, to say the least.

Each month, I get to trust the Lord for the little things like figuring out how to not only get my produce to last as long as possible (with temperatures soaring into the triple digits that is no small challenge!) but also how to get a fresh supply in. We don’t get regular supply runs, so we rely on just the usual comings and goings of visitors. Despite noble efforts, our garden fails to yield much…especially in the “hot” season, which encompasses about ten months of the year! Yet, each month, I never cease to be amazed at the Lord’s tremendous provision and how He cares about the little things when we commit them to Him! There has hardly been a month go by when He doesn’t work out a trip to or from our support base where I can get my supplies refreshed!

So, next time you are faced with a dilemma, remember that God is into the “veggies” of our life, not just the BIG stuff! He cares about the little concerns that press upon our hearts and minds. May you find His timely and abundant provision available and sufficient in your time of need, as well!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Make a list of the little concerns that are pressing upon your heart these days. As you list them, ask the Lord to help you remember He is in the small stuff!
2. How did the Father take care of the little “veggie” needs of His Son, Jesus, during His time here on earth(rest, food, family, strength…)? How can you apply that to your needs?

FURTHER READING:
Matthew 6; Luke 11:13

Oakwood’s missionaries Elin Henderson and her husband Phil serve as church planters with New Tribes in Mozambique, Africa. Elin is mother to ten-year-old Callie and eight-year-old Elias.

Just Get in the Chair
By Carolyn Hulliberger

“Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me [Jesus].”
John 14:21a

My daughter, like many of us, does not like to have the attention of others focused on her. The idea of being pointed out in a large group of people is mortifying. Maybe you can relate.

Recently, my daughter was at a school assembly where a world-class basketball team consisting of wheelchair-bound athletes was giving a demonstration. Shannon was chosen to participate. While she was reluctant and about to decline the invitation, her friends extended a bit of peer pressure to encourage her. She got in the wheelchair, took a basketball in hand, and began to concentrate on what the instructor was saying. (Listening was important if she did not want to look foolish in front of a couple of hundred classmates.) Shannon ended up having a lot of fun, and her comment to me was, “Mom, I pretty much forgot about all the other kids watching me when I started playing the game.”

Isn’t our life the same way sometimes? There might be times when you are asked by God to come forward, and perhaps the attention of other people might be focused on you. Maybe you’ll mess up the task, lose the ball, or fall out of the chair a few times. But Christ asks for us to focus on Him…to listen to His instructions…to shut out the distractions…to forget what someone else might think…and obey anyway! And as we do that, the task He’s asked us to perform on His team becomes more important than the crowd on the sidelines.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Is God moving you reluctantly out of your comfort zone? What steps of obedience do you need to take?
2. Is a friend being moved to something new? How can you “extend a bit of peer pressure” to be an encouragement?

FURTHER READING:
2 Corinthians 4:18

Along with caring for her husband, two children and the dog, Carolyn is an Office Representative for State Farm Insurance, serves in Student Ministries with seventh grade girls, and is the treasurer for Women’s Ministries.

Faith of a Child
By Jeannine Sawall

“But Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.'”

Matthew 19:14

My husband and I are one of those couples where having a baby didn’t come easily. We lost three babies to miscarriage before the birth of our oldest son. The doctors thought they had “fixed” the issue and we went on to have our second son without problems. When we decided it was time for another, we once again experienced the heartache of miscarriage. This time the doctors suggested it was the one in four “fluke.” Unfortunately, that was not the case and I went on to miscarry five times over the next 26 months. I was devastated and heartbroken.

During this season, we were teaching our young sons the power of prayer. They had received a children’s prayer journal and each night we would write down a prayer request, an answer to prayer or something they were thankful for. My oldest son asked for a new baby each night. This went on for months. After our fifth loss, it became too painful for me to write it, let alone pray it with him; to me, it seemed the heavens had turned to brass. With tears ready to fall, I told him we could stop asking because it didn’t appear we would add another baby to our family; that sometimes God’s answer is “no.” He looked at me, his innocent face full of concern, and said, “That’s okay, Mom. God didn’t tell me ‘no.’ I’ll still pray for a new baby, even if you can’t anymore.” And he did…faithfully.

A few months later, I was pregnant again. I had no joy, thinking I was on my way to another miscarriage. However, that was not the case. Eight and a half months later, we were elated with the healthy arrival of our third son. I was blessed not only by my son’s faith, but also by his smile, as he wrote Matthew’s name in his journal as God’s answer to his prayer!

The path God calls us to is not always easy or quick. Sometimes we are left in a hard place for longer than we like and we must really dig in and hang onto God. The Lord used my six-year-old son and his tireless faith to show me that. Of course, there are absolutely times when God’s answer is “no”; however, until His answer becomes clear, we are called to press on, press in and to have unwavering faith…like that of a child.

GOING DEEPER:
1. What area in your life is God calling you to press on and have faith like a child? He is faithful to see you through whatever circumstance is causing you to doubt.
2. Is there someone or something in your life you have been praying for and have not gotten an answer for? Continue to call out to God, He promises to answer you.

FURTHER READING:
Hebrews 11:6; Luke 18:17; Psalm 71:5-6

Jeannine is a wife and active mother of four boys. She works in property management and is a part of the Special Events team for Oakwood’s We Women ministries.

Anna
By Pamela Blattner

“Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And coming in that instant [after Simeon’s blessing] she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.”
Luke 2:36-38 (NKJV)

When we’re first introduced to Anna in Scripture, two words stick out in my mind. First, "she was of great age" - - as in, old. Second, "a widow of about 84 years" - - alone. Anna had been a widow who worshiped, prayed and fasted day and night for several decades and likely lived at the Temple. God used her to state publicly that Jesus was the Redeemer, and Messiah!

It’s amazing, isn’t it, that if we look at her situation, her life seems depressing. Yet, Anna sounds to me like a woman who’s thriving. And I have to think it’s because she had God’s Word and His Spirit. I envision her as an ever-ready, grace-energized woman, filled with joy and in love with God.

Even though Anna was 84 years old, she understood correctly that God still had work for her to do. Anna was old, but not hopeless. She knew the pain of loss, but apparently not bitterness. She realized her limits, but not uselessness; and she had to have known loneliness, but not emptiness. I know a few great Spirit-filled women in nursing homes. I’m amazed at how strong they are, ready to do the work that God gives them when the time arrives. Their abilities and duties may have changed, but they are never too old, never too disabled, never too poor or too lowly to work for the Lord.

Most of us are not called to a famous or super-important position in the work of the Lord, but all of us are equipped by God to serve Him in whatever capacity we’re able. That includes doing a good job at work, keeping our house clean, taking meals to the needy, helping young mothers with child care, shoveling the snow for our neighbors, praying for others, visiting the sick, sending cards to the grieving, visiting nursing home residents, etc. Serving the Lord is simply living each day as a Christian and taking the opportunities that come our way to serve others and let them know about Christ, our Messiah.

GOING DEEPER:
1. There was a pattern in Anna’s life. Anna made choices to worship and give thanks. What can you apply to your own life’s pattern?

FURTHER READING: Psalm 92

Pam and her husband Richard have two adult children and two grandchildren. She serves Oakwood through its Family Care and is Co-Coordinator of Touched Twice Ministries.

Heard
By Sarah Kosanke

"Praise be to the Lord, for He has heard my cry for mercy."
Psalm 28: 6

Revealed to him by the Holy Spirit years before, Simeon was promised that he would see the Messiah, Israel's Consolation, before he died. Many years had gone by, Simeon had grown old yet he held onto the promise God made to him. After being prompted by the Holy Spirit, he went to the Temple only to be greeted by God's promise to him fulfilled in the form of a baby, arriving at the temple with His family.

This is my favorite part: He asks Mary if he may hold the baby and he starts to sing about God's promise fulfilled to him.

"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you may now dismiss your servant in peace.
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel."

Even though there are only ten verses written about Simeon, He has become my favorite character in the story of Christmas...besides Jesus, of course! You see, Simeon's name means "heard." I think that's quite special since he had not only heard God's promise to all people that He would send the Messiah, but beyond that, he'd heard God's promise to him personally that he would see this promised Messiah before he died.

Simeon also was heard by God. I wonder how many times Simeon cried out to God, asking if the Lord was really going to keep His promise.

What a blessing to both Simeon and us: This promise of the Messiah. Because God keeps His promises, both Jews and Gentiles may enter into His presence through Jesus. God knew mankind's agony of being eternally separated from Him due to our sin...and He sent the Messiah to save us, to be our salvation.

What a blessing to know we are heard by God!

GOING DEEPER:
1. What is on your heart now? Whether you are struggling and crying out to Him for His help, or whether you are overflowing with joy and can't help but sing, God hears you. Openly talk to Him about it, He will listen.

FURTHER READING:
Luke 2:25-35

Sarah is a single young lady who works as a rehabilitation specialist for mentally ill clients in a group home. She teaches the 5th and 6th grade girls on Sunday Mornings and the 2nd through 4th grade girls on Wednesday nights at Oakwood.

The Christmas Prayer
By Lexi Cole

“The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
John 1:14

Because I have a typical evangelical Protestant background, liturgies were not a common experience for me. While studying abroad in Scotland, I have come to love the timeless, powerful words that have been written for the traditional liturgies. There is something powerful about the church speaking as one voice about the eternal truths of our God - - especially around Christmastime. Today, may this be our timeless prayer:

“Wonder of wonders, God has to come to us!
Not as a judge, but a Savior.
Not in power, but as a servant.

Wonder of wonders, God has come to us!
Not in silence, but in the Word made flesh.
Not in the shadows, but bringing Light.

Wonder of wonders, God is with us!

Angels sang their anthems at the midnight hour to awaken a sleeping creation;
Shepherds came to worship you, and went away rejoicing;
Wise ones gave their hearts to you, so they could dwell in yours.
O Emmanuel, we adore You.

You came as a baby, to hold us in Your grace;
You came to us in a stable, so we would have no trouble finding you;
You came to us in poverty, to enrich our lives.
O Beautiful Messenger of Peace, we adore You...

God became one of us, so that we could
see the face of love,
hear the voice of peace,
be touched by the hand of grace,
know the heart of mercy…

Child of Bethlehem, be born in us today:
forgive us,
heal us,
make us new;
We will join the angels in singing your praise this Christmas day and all the days to come. Amen.” (1)

GOING DEEPER:
1. Is there a place you can be alone today for a moment to read this aloud as a prayer to our God? Better yet, can you share it with someone else?

FURTHER READING:
Luke 2

Lexi is an Elementary Education major at Bethel University, currently studying abroad in Scotland. The last two summers, she’s been the Children’s Ministries intern at Oakwood.

(1) Thom M. Shuman. Christmas day liturgy, Year B. Revised Common Lectionary.

Good News of Great Joy!
By Jen Wollner

“…I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”
Luke 2:10b-11

There they were. Lowly shepherds living in their fields, tending their flock, keeping watch, minding their own business. Until…BAM! Out of nowhere an angel appeared, the glory of the Lord shining around him! Then an army of heavenly hosts filled the sky, praising God and singing! Their message was clear: the Messiah had come!

The shepherds hurried to find the baby and rejoiced when they saw Jesus, just as the angel had said. They ran throughout Bethlehem telling of this wondrous event. Their lives were changed that day they met their Savior…forever changed by His good news of great joy!

This same scenario repeated itself many times over in Jesus’ life. Countless people sought Him out, desperately hoping that He was who He said He was and could do what He said He could do. When they met Him, they were changed…healed…restored. When they left His presence, they were different than they had been before. And, most couldn’t keep the news to themselves. They rejoiced, and told about Him to anyone who would listen. They had much good news of great joy to proclaim!

What about us? When was the last time we were forever changed by an encounter with Jesus? Have we grown so complacent in our faith that we don’t recognize His amazing works on our behalf? Or, hear His still, small voice? Perhaps we’ve stopped seeking Him, preferring to do life on our own. Maybe we’ve put Him in a box, not allowing ourselves to experience Him fully, instead letting the things of this world seep in, clouding our vision and wearying our hearts.

And, when was the last time we told someone else of how the birth of a baby has forever changed us?

This Christmas, may we experience Him afresh. May we allow ourselves to be, once again, changed by the miracle of His birth. And, may we share His story with those around us so that they, too, could experience this good nes of great joy!

GOING DEEPER:
1. How has the goodness of Jesus brought joy to your life? How has He touched you and transformed your heart?
2. This Christmas, who in your life needs to hear about your Savior? What do you plan to share with him/her?

FURTHER READING:
Luke 2:8-20

Jen and her husband are busily parenting three children between the ages of seven and four. She serves on the leadership team for Mission: Hope, Oakwood’s orphan care ministry.

The Angels
By Susan Klein

"And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people."
Luke 2:9-10 (KJV)

Scripture tells us that angels were created by God, to carry out His purposes, and to be His messengers. They are spiritual beings which, at God’s choosing, can sometimes take on a physical appearance in order to appear visible before man. And, sometimes that appearance can be frightful!

In the first two chapters of Luke, we find three specific occasions where God sends His angels to appear before man: first to Zechariah, then to Mary, and finally to the shepherds. In each case, the recipients were struck with fear at the sight of these glorious beings. They knew that angels had come to earth before, and not always with good news! They knew the stories about the angels of wrath who destroyed whole armies and cities. Yet they were also aware of the angels who saved their ancestors in the wilderness, and also King David’s life.

Just for a moment, let’s try to imagine the scene from an angel’s perspective.

Who would have guessed when He created us thousands of years ago that this day would come?!! We’ve been very busy fighting His battles, protecting His people and delivering His messages... but never one like this! He says it’s a message of hope and good news, the most important message ever! God has just informed us that now is when He is going to step down to earth in the form of a man and dwell among His people! He has a wonderful plan of salvation for all. Won’t they be excited?!! Oh, how long they’ve been waiting for the Messiah! We can hardly wait to tell them the wonderful news! Of course, we’ll have to reassure them that we have not come to issue a warning or bring judgment upon them so they need not be frightened. But, once they hear what we have to say, they will surely burst out in praiseful song right along with us!

After the initial shock of the visit wore off, I imagine the awe and wonder settled in for the shepherds, Mary and Zechariah. A personal visit from a messenger of God, Himself! Both Mary and Zechariah (after his speech returned) indeed responded in praiseful song! How gracious of our Father to create these very special messengers to fight for us, to protect us, and to touch our lives with good tidings of great joy!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Are you filled with awe and wonder at the message of the messengers? Praise God for their invisible presence in your life today!

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 91:11; Matthew 25:31; Hebrews 1:14

Susan is our Tuesday Morning Women’s Bible Study Coordinator and one of its teachers. She is also involved in youth outreach ministry.

Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room
By Karen D’Amore

“And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”
Luke 2:7 NASB

It was not an ideal time for a road trip, let’s just say. A census requiring people to return to their city of origin forced a pregnant Mary and Joseph to travel to Bethlehem. Floundering in the overcrowded city, they faced a harsh reality…there was no room in the inn. Accommodations in a dingy stable were the best a Scripture-implied Innkeeper could offer. And so, the Savior of the World was born in a dark, stinky stable. Wrapping Him snug in common rag strips, Mary laid him to sleep in an animal feeding trough.

Would the Innkeeper have made room in the inn had he/she known whom Mary was carrying in her womb? Would there have been room in the inn for the Messiah, the Son of God, King of the Jews? One can only speculate!

The Jews were looking for a royal King, not a baby born of a poor virgin. They had no room in their head or hearts for this kind of king. A handful of people saw the star, heard the angels voices, and came that night to welcome Jesus into the world. Taking the angelic hosts at their word, they opened the doors of their hearts to the Messiah.

Just like that fateful night in Bethlehem, Jesus is still on a quest to find room…not to be born into the kingdom of this world, but for us to be born into the Kingdom of God. Today, He is still knocking on doors…not the door to an inn, but rather the door to hearts. In Revelation 3:20, Jesus says to the believers at Laodicea, “I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him and him with me.”

We make room for that which is important to us…friends, family, jobs, church, sports, hobbies…but do we make room for Him? The chambers of our hearts become crowded with busy-ness, disappointment, bitterness, selfishness, doubt and even unbelief. As the innkeepers of our hearts, it may be necessary to evict the clutter which occupies the space intended for Him.

Jesus is not looking for a temporary place to visit…He is looking for a welcome mat and a place to dwell. He wants to be the Innkeeper of our lives. Let every heart prepare Him room!

GOING DEEPER:
1. What needs to be evicted from your life to make room for Him?

FURTHER READING:
Matthew 6:33; Matthew 16:24

Married to Dan, Karen is a retired police officer. Currently, she is a Nail Technician at Craig Berns. She is the administrator for Oakwood’s Tuesday a.m. Bible Study and a volunteer at the Wildlife In Need Center.

The Blessing of Inconvenience
By Jeannine Sawall

“And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name.”
Luke 1:46-49

Oftentimes during the Christmas season, I find myself frustrated by the many inconveniences I encounter preparing to celebrate. The roads and parking lots are jammed with cars and I generally have to park a mile away. The store lines grow to enormous lengths and there’s no such thing as running in quickly to get something. Even the events that are meant to help celebrate the season tend to cause added stress as every class, band and choir my children are in schedule a Christmas program to tie up a part of my day. Don’t they know I’m busy getting ready and running out of time! It seems getting through the season with a joyful heart is an impossibility.

In the middle of my frustrations of inconvenience and “it’s impossible” attitudes, I think of Mary, and her response to God’s calling to be inconvenienced. Here she was, going about her day when suddenly she’s greeted by the angel Gabriel telling her the news she would soon be with child. There is a reason God chose Mary to be the mother of Jesus and not me. If I’d been Mary, I would have responded to Gabriel with arguments aplenty telling him this was not the best idea and the timing was surely not the best. Mary was engaged to be married. Pregnant girls didn’t get married, they got stoned! Who would believe her story…“Yeah…God’s baby…riiiight!!”

But Mary didn’t consider the inconveniences, she considered the blessings. She didn’t consider her timing, she accepted God’s. She didn’t argue for her way, she submitted to His will. Mary’s song reflects a heart humble and willing to yield God’s call to bring forth the Savior of the world. She put aside her own plans so God could bring glory to His name. What a lesson she has left behind for us. When I consider the small inconveniences I might deal with this Christmas season, my prayer is to have a heart like Mary’s and to look for the bigger blessing. You never know what impossibility God may orchestrate to bring glory to His name.

Going Deeper:
1. Where in your life might you need an attitude adjustment as you deal with the frustration of inconvenience? Have you considered the inconvenience just may be orchestrated by God?
2. What plans might you have for your life that you are unwilling to lay aside for God? Ask Him to help you yield your heart and trust Him in all things.

For Further Reading:
Proverbs 3:5; Galatians 4:4; Jeremiah 29:11

Jeannine is a wife and active mother of four. She works in property management and is a part of the Special Events team for Oakwood’s We Women ministries.

The Dream Changes Everything
By Carolyn Hulliberger

“When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him….”
Matthew 1:24

Have you ever been betrayed? What was your reaction…after the initial shock? Was it anger, even rage? How about humiliation? Disgust? Depression? Embarrassment? Grief? A mix of these?

I imagine that Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus, felt some of these same emotions when he was told that Mary, his fiancée, was pregnant. The ramifications of this pregnancy ran deep. Joseph knew the child could not be his. He would have been publicly shamed by Mary’s apparent infidelity. Joseph could not only choose to go through a divorce process, but he could have called for her to be put to death by stoning.

Joseph would certainly have felt betrayed by Mary. The Bible says his initial reaction was to go through with a divorce quietly, not causing further undue embarrassment. However, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, and amazingly confirmed Mary’s story. Mary had not disgraced herself nor Joseph…she carried the Son of God. She was innocent. And Joseph was to marry her. Marriage to Mary was a prescription of dishonor for Joseph. By going through with the marriage, it would be seen by their society as either an admission that he was the father, or that he would raise the child of another man, conceived in sin.

But here’s the important part. When Joseph woke up, wiped the sleep from his eyes, and recalled the dream….He was obedient. He took Mary as his wife. He provided for his family. He protected and raised the Christ child. Joseph showed himself sensitive to God’s guidance and willing to do God’s will, no matter the consequence. He was an ordinary man whose obedience and faith allowed him to be used by God in an extraordinary way.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Is God asking you to be obedient in a way that might require sacrifice? Pray for the strength to follow through, and then step forward.

FURTHER READING:
Matthew 1:16-2:23 and Luke 1:26-2:52

Along with caring for her husband, two children and the dog, Carolyn is an Office Representative for State Farm Insurance, serves in Student Ministries with seventh grade girls, and is the treasurer for Women’s Ministries.

A Gift for Mary
By Lisa Boyer

“Therefore encourage each other with these words.”
I Thessalonians 4:18

When reading Luke recently, I found myself fascinated by the words Mary’s relative, Elizabeth, spoke to Mary. There are few verses recorded in the Bible about Elizabeth, but I imagine that her impact on Mary was immeasurable.

Let’s review the story: Elizabeth is an old, barren woman when God performs a miracle and she and her husband conceive John the Baptist. Mary is a young virgin when she is visited by an angel who tells her that she will be the mother of the Son of God.

Upon hearing from the angel that her relative Elizabeth is going to have a baby and is in her sixth month, Mary rushes off to see for herself. Mary travels the long way to Elizabeth’s house and Elizabeth greets her with these words: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” (Luke 1:42, 43)

Wow! First of all, Elizabeth reaffirms the news the angel had given Mary, before Mary could share it with her. Second, Elizabeth encourages Mary with the repeated use of the word blessed.

Mary’s response implies how much Elizabeth’s words may have influenced her: “My soul glorifies the Lord!” I imagine that when Mary arrived at Elizabeth’s, she was apprehensive about everything she’d heard from the angel. But after hearing Elizabeth reaffirm it, her apprehension turns to rejoicing!

The story doesn’t end there. “Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months” (Luke 1:56a). Mary gets to spend three months with a woman who has just experienced everything she would be experiencing during her own pregnancy! And not just any woman, an encouraging woman who was “upright in the sight of God” (Luke 1:6). What a marvelous gift that must have been to Mary.

I don’t know about you, but I want to be like Mary’s relative, Elizabeth. I want the first words out of my mouth to be those of encouragement. On my own, that would be impossible, but Elizabeth didn’t do it on her own and neither do I. “Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit” (Luke 1:41b), the same Holy Spirit who fills me and you today.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Is there a “Mary” in your life that you could speak words of encouragement to today?
2. Do you believe you’re too old to be used by God; will you reconsider the possibilities as you reflect on how God used Elizabeth?

FURTHER READING:
Luke 1; Romans 5:5

Lisa has been married to Ted for 18 years and they have two teenage sons. She is a co-leader for a Junior High girls’ small group at Oakwood Church.

Just Another Saturday
by Elin Henderson

“To shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death…”

Luke 1:79a

For as much as we complain that the Western World is falling far away from the true meaning of Christmas, it is still evident that it at least recognizes the holiday - - even if only with a mediocre understanding of what it is about! You can guarantee that Walmart will have its decorations out, the streets will be lit with lights, and most everyone will be decking the halls with boughs of holly! There are reminders of Christmas everywhere!

It is interesting for our family to live in a place where Christmas is just another day on the calendar; where there is absolutely no difference between that day and any other. Now, there are a handful of people here in Mozambique who recognize a “form” of Christmas with all-night drum-beating and getting drunk…but otherwise, the majority are completely unaware of the significance of this day.

As the joy of the season grows and we wait in anticipation to celebrate the birthday of our King, the world around us just moves on like nothing is happening. It is a sad reality for us, but one that also spurs us on to share the truth and joy of Christmas, so that they also will see it as more than just another day in the week.

May you too find opportunities this holiday season to make Christmas more than just another Saturday for those around you who do not know the true meaning of Christmas. May you look for ways to shed the light of His coming to those who sit in darkness. How fortunate you are to have the Word in your own language, and the ability to communicate the truth! May each one take advantage of that privilege this holiday season!

GOING DEEPER:
1. With whom can you share what you know about Jesus today?
2. To whom can you show what you know about Jesus today?

FURTHER READING:
Romans 10:13-15

Oakwood’s missionaries Elin Henderson and her husband Phil serve as church planters with New Tribes in Mozambique, Africa. Elin is mother to ten-year-old Callie and eight-year-old Elias.

Longing for Light
By Lexi Cole

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness, a light has dawned.”

Isaiah 9:2

The candles glimmered in the dark room. The lights of the Christmas trees sparkled. The glow on the congregants’ faces flickered. And in the midst of all of that, we sang a song and then recited a liturgy that spoke of the longing we have for Christ, our Light. This night, I was reminded of the Old Testament prophets, who longed for their Savior to come. As we celebrate our Savior’s birth, I am also reminded that we are in a time of waiting, as well. Jesus’ birth, life, death and resurrection were the beginning of restoration and of the establishment of His kingdom here on Earth; however, it is not yet completed until He returns again. That night, we sang “Glorious Light” and the third verse proclaims, “There is a day all creation has longed for, when all of time has been spent and the Lord returns. His song we’ll repeat, as heaven complete; promised peace that will fill the nations. Glory to God in the Highest, peace to men on Earth. Come and adore with wonder, Christ, Lord of Heaven and Earth.” (1) To end the night, we recited an old Scottish liturgy that mirrored this idea of longing. With that, we recognize the past incarnation of our Savior, we see the present of waiting for Christ’s return and we look forward to the future of His coming.

“The nights have drawn in – long summer evenings are but memory;
winter is upon us – and darkness surrounds us.

We wait in darkness, Lord, for the coming of your light.

Our world is shadowed in darkness:
of oppression,
of pessimism,
of helplessness.

We wait in darkness, Lord, for the coming of your light,
trusting in Your promise that Yours is a light that no darkness can overcome.

The Lord is our light and our help,
calling us to look beyond the darkness to the promise of His coming.
We wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Savior…

And as we wait in joyful hope…may God hold us in the palm of His hand. Amen.” (2)

GOING DEEPER:
1. Take a moment to pause and reflect on this liturgy. What speaks out to you?
2. How does this concept of longing and wait change the way you live your life this holiday season?

FURTHER READING:
John 1:1-11; Isaiah 9:2-7

Lexi is an Elementary Education major at Bethel University, currently studying abroad in Scotland. The last two summers, she’s been the Children’s Ministries intern at Oakwood.

(1) “Glorious Light” Keith & Kristyn Getty & Ian Hannah. Copyright Thankyou Music 2004.
(2) Selections from “Longing for Light” liturgy from the Church of Scotland

The Advent Prayer
By Lexi Cole

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:6

It’s there every year. Four candles, lit once a week in the weeks of December leading up to Christmas. As a child, I learned the significance of each candle: the first represented hope, then peace, then joy, then love. Different dominations put different emphasis on the candles, but the lighting of the candles has remained a constant during the month of December. Author Mike Yankosk writes in the World Vision’s Advent Bible Study that the word is Latin for “arrival” or “coming,” and the tradition originated in the sixth century. (1) As we wait with anticipation for the day, as we celebrate the arrival of our King, as we light each candle, this traditional prayer for each candle may be of value to you. Its simplicity moved me. This is what we put our hope in…this is the peace we long for…this is where we find our joy…this is love we have.

As I have meditated on the meaning of each candle, I have realized how significant each one is. We have hope through the promise of Jesus’ arrival on Earth and promise of returning. We have peace because of Christ’s coming to restore the path of relationship with God. We have joy, not based on individual circumstance, but through God’s gift. We have love and, though we were completely unworthy, the God of the Universe came to save us. Oh, what an amazing God we serve!

Traditionally, these are four separate prayers, one for each week, but they’re short enough to work as one. This is the longing of our heart this season; this is why we celebrate; this is reason we bow before Him and worship.

“Hope:

God…grant us the courage to hope.

Hope for Your presence,

Hope for Your peace,

Hope for Your promise.

Peace:

God…grant us to courage to make peace.

Peace in our hearts,

Peace in our homes,

Peace in our communities.

Joy:

God…grant us the courage to experience joy.

Joy in the face of apathy,

Joy in the face of sorrow,

Joy in the face of uncertainty.

Love:

God…grant us the courage to share Your love.

Love for the unexpected challenge,

Love for the vulnerable one,

Love for the presence of God. Amen.” (2)

GOING DEEPER:
1. What part of the Advent touches your heart?
2. What part of the Advent can you share with someone else?

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 31:24; Psalm 29:11; Psalm 66:1; 1 John 4:19

Lexi is an Elementary Education major at Bethel University, currently studying abroad in Scotland. The last two summers, she’s been the Children’s Ministries intern at Oakwood.

(1) http://www.worldvisionresources.com/educational/advent-adult-study---complete.pdf
(2) Katherine Hawker. Advent Prayers. 2000.

The Remembrance Reminder
By Lexi Cole

“I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds.”
Psalm 77:11

Finals…end-of-the-semester paper dues…buying presents...choir concerts…relatives coming…Christmas parties…housecleaning…Christmas cards…finding a Christmas tree…decorating the Christmas tree…work…the list goes on and on. In the midst of the busy-ness we normally find ourselves in, the month of December seems to always be “more busy.” And yet, our hearts don’t want to be consumed by the “busy-ness”; we don’t want to miss why we celebrate Christmas or forget that “Jesus is the reason for the season.” It’s just that we can’t necessarily remove the busy-ness: I still have to take my finals and turn in my papers. And getting the house ready for relatives coming is, definitely, a good thing!

So the question becomes, “How do we accept the busy-ness, but still intentionally remember the reason we celebrate it all?” It sure seems that, first, we must realize that pausing to remember God’s greatness is crucial. The verse above, in context, is written in a time of “great personal distress.” (1) We don’t know the specific circumstance, but we know that in his distress, the psalmist still pauses to remember how great our God is. Shouldn’t that be our desire in the midst of the busy-ness? That we would daily pause and remember the “deeds of the Lord”?

But how do we do that? How do we go beyond that verse and live it out? Recently, Calum Jack, the pastor of my church here in Scotland, gave us all small candles as a tangible reminder of the commitment to pause, refocus and remember Christ’s gift. (Similarly, I remember when my home pastor, Noah Palmer, handed out small dot stickers a few years ago for us to put somewhere as a reminder.) I’ve placed that candle right by my laptop to remind me to pause in the midst of my busy-ness to remember the reason I celebrate Christmas: God’s plan-in-action to begin the restoration of relationship with Him through the humble Christ-child.

The busy-ness will continue, but in the midst of it, my “remembrance reminder” has been there. The actual object is insignificant; the important part is that we find a proactive way to pause and praise Him….during the busy-ness of the Christmas season and beyond.

GOING DEEPER:
1. What insignificant object can serve as your “remembrance reminder” during the busyness of the Christmas season?
2. What are some of the attributes, names of God or things God has done for that you can pause and thank Him for now?

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 77:1-20

Lexi is an Elementary Education major at Bethel University, currently studying abroad in Scotland. The last two summers, she’s been the Children’s Ministries intern at Oakwood.

(1) NIV Study Bible. Zondervan, Grand Rapids, 2002.

The Lesson From Star Stickers
By Lexi Cole

“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Oh Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14

The “teacher-ness” in me was going crazy! Studying abroad meant not being in a classroom for three whole months, but then I had the opportunity to sign up to help at Christmas Rock, a children’s event at my church. I was the group leader for the “star” group. We were encouraged to find creative ways to connect with our kids, so I made large stars stickers for my shirt, one for my hair and 36 stars for my group – traced with a sharpie, different shades of yellow and cut out perfectly. It took a lot of time but I knew my group would look so cute with their homemade star stickers.

That morning, I suddenly got changed to the “carol singers” group due to last-minute cancellations. I’m embarrassed by how devastated I was. I gave my stickers to the new leaders and my heart sank as they said, “We might fit them in.” I was so deflated - - all that work and time for nothing. Immediately after thinking that, I felt guilt. Why should that matter? It wasn’t about the stars, it was about children hearing the Christmas story in an exciting and relevant way. The circumstance made me sad…and the guilt of my response didn’t help.

I think we’ve all had that…that “moment after” where we are shocked by a thought, reaction or emotion we have. We want to be Christ-like but aren’t sure how after we’ve produced the thought or felt something un-Christ-like. Jason Stonehouse, my college church pastor, recently said, “Don’t focus on the guilt associated with the specific emotion. That’s not the problem; but rather, the emotion is an outcome of an attitude, which reveals our true heart condition and mindset.” I realized my attitude and mindset were selfish. Yes, I made those stars for the kids but, honestly, it was also a prideful heart condition on my part.

The awesome thing is that our heart condition and mindset are changeable through Christ. By allowing Him to change these, our attitude and behavior automatically shifts. Psalm 19:14 above shows this because the psalmist’s desire is not just for the behavior to be pleasing to God, but also the heart’s attitude. This is my prayer for us, that we would allow the Holy Spirit to transform our heart condition and attitude. It’s not a one-time thing, but a daily decision.

I had a blast with my carol-singing group, and I’m thankful the Holy Spirit reminded me to focus more on addressing my heart condition and attitude of pride, rather than my emotion of guilt….star stickers or none!

GOING DEEPER:
1. What attitude is God showing you needs to be changed in your life? What are some ways to change that?
2. What can you do in advance to prepare your heart and mind for the sudden “upsets” you’re sure to encounter at some point this Christmas season?

FURTHER READING:
2 Corinthians 5:17-21

Lexi is an Elementary Education major at Bethel University, currently studying abroad in Scotland. The last two summers, she’s been the Children’s Ministries intern at Oakwood.

That’s Just Crazy!
By Lisa Boyer

“For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom”
I Corinthians 1:25a

A few years ago, I read an email about a man who bought a gallon of milk he didn’t need because God told him to. God then directed him to the house of the total stranger that he was to deliver it to. A woman answered the door and said "We had no money to buy milk for our baby, so I prayed and asked God to send an angel with some milk. Are you an angel?" He was an answer to prayer.

I can’t confirm if that story is true or not, but I do know that I had a similar experience one Saturday this past summer. I was walking past a display of flowers at the grocery store and knew I should buy some. I didn’t know who I was supposed to buy them for, but I purchased the most beautiful bunch I could find anyway. The next morning I brought the flowers to church. Of course, I left them in my car; I was afraid someone would ask whom they were for and it would sound crazy for me to say I didn’t know. As I looked around the church that morning, I instantly knew whom those flowers were for. After the service I quickly went to my car, got the flowers and gave them away. Yes, I felt weird buying flowers not knowing whom I was buying them for, but in giving them away, I got a glimpse of why God had me buy them and I was so glad I had obeyed.

A friend of mine was on the receiving end of a “God told me to”…. She had considered purchasing an item on Black Friday but after praying about the purchase, she decided against it because she didn’t have peace. That Sunday, while encouraging her youth discipleship class to pray before buying something, she shared with them that she had just passed up a great deal and yet knew it was the right decision because she didn’t have peace about making the purchase. That week a friend gave her an even better model of the item that she had wanted to buy. Her friend’s reason: God told her to. The following Sunday, she was able to go back to the class and share with them about God’s provision.

When God asks us to do something, it might seem crazy but He always has a reason. We may only see the small role we play, but He sees the bigger picture and knows exactly what He’s doing!

GOING DEEPER:
1. This Christmas season will you listen carefully for God’s quiet, yet unmistakable, voice and obey… even if it seems crazy?

FURTHER READING:
Ephesians 2:8-10

Lisa has been married to Ted for 18 years and they have two teenage sons. She is a co-leader for a Junior High girls’ small group at Oakwood Church.

Recalculate…Recalculate
By Elin Henderson

“The Lord is not slack concerning His promises…but is longsuffering toward us not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” I Peter 3:9 (NKJV)

For those of us who are geographically and directionally challenged, the invention of the GPS has been a godsend! Our years of endless wanderings and countless wrong turns are over…for the most part. Not only do these miraculous machines tell you exactly where to go, but they can compensate even when you don’t follow their meticulous instructions. If you miss the turn you will soon hear, “Recalculate…recalculate…turn left at the next intersection” and voila, you are back on track.

Praise the Lord that He is a God of patience and long-suffering. Even when we don’t follow His well-laid-out plans, He graciously says, “Recalculate…recalculate” and comes up with a new plan b…c…d…. let’s just say, some of us take longer to learn!

We see this concept again and again through Scripture. He always wants to give second chances, new opportunities, and detours, to get us back on track and depending on Him. Our job? Repent, which really means to just admit you were on the wrong track/road and turn to follow Him. Look at Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Did God have to ask, “Where are you?” when He came down to walk with them? No, He knew where they were. He was offering them a “recalculate” – a moment to admit they were wrong and turn to Him. When God came to Cain and said, “Where is your brother?” did God not know where Able was? No, He knew, He was simply giving Cain a chance to admit His wrong and turn to Him. The people of Israel lived in a permanent state of “recalculation” it seemed – sometimes on the right track, sometimes way off.

He is not slack concerning His precious promises toward us. Promises such as: He will guide and direct us; provide for all of our needs; give grace for each situation we face; be our all and all; so on and so forth. In His longsuffering, He will try again and again to show us His ways and lead us toward Himself! May we respond quickly to His voice and even quicker to the gracious and patient “recalculations” He offers us!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Feeling a little lost lately? Has God been sending any “recalculate” messages to your soul’s GPS? What are some ways that you can more quickly respond to His still small voice?
2. Make a list of God’s promises from Scripture and post them where you can be reminded frequently – Maybe alongside your car’s GPS!

FURTHER READING:
II Chronicles 6:26b; II Chronicles 7:14; Psalms 86:15

Oakwood’s missionaries Elin Henderson and her husband Phil serve as church planters with New Tribes in Mozambique, Africa. Elin is mother to ten-year-old Callie and eight-year-old Elias.

The Call

By Elizabeth Cole

“...for ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?”

Romans 10:13-14 

My 17-year-old was on her way to go sledding with friends on a Sunday afternoon. Before she left, I heard her in the garage rummaging around. Silence. Then a call, “Mom, I need help!” There she was on the stepladder, reaching as high as she could into the rafters trying to get her flexible flyer down…but to no avail.

“I’m trying to get the sled down, but I can’t reach it. Will you help me?” Hallelujah... It’s was not often that I got that kind of request from my daughter!

“Here, hop off; I’ll do it for you.” I grinned as I easily did for her what she couldn’t do for herself, sending her on her way with sled in tow!

What a precious picture God gave me that day of the last part of His salvation process: Someone obeys Him and tells the Good News of salvation to another; that person hears the very words of God through the speaker and believes…and then, that person CALLS on the name of the Lord. Scripture makes it clear that just intellectually agreeing Jesus is the Savior isn’t enough -- “even the demons believe...” Certainly, my daughter could have stood all day on that stepladder believing that I was tall enough to help her. But it was only when she ACTED on what she knew to be true, calling out for my help, that she received what she needed, what she couldn’t do on her own.

Real life begins with a personal dependence on Jesus, with calling out to Him to give us what we can never attain ourselves: a right relationship with the God of the Universe through faith in what He did for us on the Cross.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Have you called out to Christ for salvation, acting on what you know to be true about Him? If not, what is preventing you from doing so today?
2. If you have, with whom will you share your faith story today?

FURTHER READING:
Romans 3:10-12, 23; Romans 6:23; John 3:16; Romans 5:8 

© HomeWord. Used by permission.

Prowling Enemies
By Jen Wollner

“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith…”
1 Peter 5:8-9a

My children like to watch a kids’ science show on PBS called “Fetch.” Recently, the show featured a segment about wolves that live in Yellowstone National Park. Along with many other facts, we learned that when wolves hunt for food, they rarely attack a healthy animal, but rather prowl around looking for a sick or old animal that is weak. By patiently observing a pack of elk, for instance, the wolves find one that will be an easy catch. And, what a feast they had!

Later that night, my husband and I were watching a “20/20” special report about money scammers who intentionally targeted vulnerable people, including the elderly. I immediately thought about the wolves we had learned about earlier in the day. Clearly, the scammers believed that certain people, in certain life circumstances, were more susceptible to falling into their trap. And they were right. They had stolen millions of dollars over several years.

This parallel between the animal world and the world of humans also carries into the spiritual realm. We learn from our verse for today that we have a spiritual enemy, Satan, who prowls around looking for someone to devour. He’s watching us. He knows our weaknesses. And, he’s patiently waiting for a vulnerable moment to attack…just like the wolves and the money scammers.

But, the verse doesn’t end there. Peter tells us to resist and stand firm in our faith. We are to be self-controlled and alert to the enemy’s schemes. He isn’t creative; he will tempt us and discourage us in mostly the same ways. He knows when we are most vulnerable and will take advantage of the situation. But Scripture is clear that we can protect ourselves with a healthy, powerful faith and an awareness of his tactics.

Let’s not turn a blind eye to Satan and the destruction he wants to perpetuate in our lives. Let’s be vigilant in strengthening our faith so that we aren’t helpless during his assaults and can resist and stand firm when they come.

Be on guard...the enemy is on the prowl!

GOING DEEPER:
1. In what area of your life are you most at risk of succumbing to the damaging work of the enemy?
2. Make a plan for how you will strengthen your faith and resist his next attack (see Jesus’ example in Matthew 4 for ideas).

FURTHER READING:
Job 1:7; Matthew 4:1-11

Jen and her husband are busily parenting three children between the ages of seven and four. She serves on the leadership team for Mission: Hope, Oakwood’s orphan care ministry.

Beyond the Notes
By Lexi Cole

“So then, just as you receive Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”
Colossians 2:6

I could not wait! Since studying abroad in Scotland, I have missed my choir back at Bethel so much. Imagine how excited I was to find out about the Stirling University Choir scheduled to perform Handel’s “Creation” in a 12th-century cathedral with a professional orchestra! But at the first rehearsal, I learned that the choir included the local community…as in, lots of older people with a few students. With all due respect and in this specific situation, this meant older women with out-of-control vibratos and older men who struggle with close-together notes. For months, each practice has consisted of the director pounding on the piano and pep talks about singing in tune. Since music has always been a big part of my life, I’m very aware of all the things we’re not doing. Musically, we have ignored stylistic things like similar vowels and good blend, because we’ve only focused on notes. We haven’t gone beyond that and we’re apparently content with it. The saddest part is that is I know how much more we could do if we went beyond just learning the notes.

It makes me wonder…how often are we like that in our relationship with God? How often do we decide what we know is enough, instead of going further in our spiritual walk with Jesus? In the context of the verse above, Paul urges the Colossians to continue to live in Jesus and strengthen the faith they were taught so they can discern against false teaching. I’m convinced Satan has no greater pleasure than seeing a Christian who is ineffective due to a non-growing, stagnant relationship with God. In the same way we intentionally nurture relationships with people, we must do the same with Christ. It is a daily decision to reject the ease of a passive relationship, and choose one where we commit to grow in our faith and in a love-relationship with Him. We do this by removing barriers that block growth and by choosing to spend our day and time wisely.

My choir performs in a week. Hopefully, the old cathedral and professional orchestra will help… but I am thankful for the reminder that being content with just learning the notes is not making the most of the music. We are so blessed to have relational access to a loving God that being content with the basics and never growing are equally tragic.

GOING DEEPER:
1. What aspects of your life are acting as barriers that prevent you from growing in your relationship with God?
2. What are some active and productive ways you can change those barriers?

FURTHER READING:
2 Peter 3:18; Colossian 1:10-12

Lexi is an Elementary Education major at Bethel University, currently studying abroad in Scotland. The last two summers, she’s been the Children’s Ministries intern at Oakwood.

Directionally Challenged
By Jeannine Sawall

“This is what the LORD says - your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: ‘I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.’”
Isaiah 48:17

I am directionally challenged. It doesn’t matter how good the directions are, or whom I’m following, there is a good possibility I will get lost! One time, I was going to a friend’s home for lunch after our Bible study. I had not been there before, so to make things easier, she said I should just follow her. She gave me a few brief instructions, told me the name of the subdivision and said we would pass one entrance, but would enter the second entrance because it’s easier to get to her house from that one. It should have been no problem!

As we came up to that first entrance highlighting the name of her subdivision, she drove by it. I stopped. In my mind, I questioned her ability to get to her own house. I thought to myself, “Where is she going? She missed the turn.” I didn’t even know where her house was, yet I thought I knew the best way of getting there. How crazy is that?!?

As logic returned, I put my foot back on the gas pedal and hurried after my friend before I lost her. In that moment, God spoke quietly to my heart and pointed out how often I do the same thing with Him. He will lead me in a direction and lay out a clear path for me to follow when suddenly I put on the brakes and question His ability to get me where He’s going. “Shouldn’t we turn here? Why are we going that way? Are you sure this is the right way?” I don’t even know where the final destination is, yet I will question God on the best way to get there! But rather than leave me sitting behind and questioning where I am, God, in His merciful patience, slows down and waits for me to repent of my doubts and pride. He invites me to continue after Him so I can again be on the road to exactly where He wants me to be.

Going Deeper:
1. Are you directionally challenged when it comes to hearing or seeing God’s directions? Ask Him to clearly guide you. He will make Himself known to you.
2. How often do you question the direction God is taking you? Ask Him to forgive you of your doubts and pride, and look to Him to take you to exactly where He wants you to be.

For Further Reading:
Proverbs 3:5; Psalm 32:8, 48:14; Isaiah 58:11

Jeannine is a wife and active mother of four boys. She works in property management and is a part of the Special Events team for Oakwood’s We Women ministries.

Extravagant Waste
By Leslie Snyder

While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table. When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.” Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me.

Matthew 26:6-10

Not long ago our family was enjoying a night free of outside activities. The kids were playing games, reading, and doing homework, my husband was kicked back in the recliner watching TV and I was lying down on the couch, feet up and relishing the slower pace. It was then I felt something cold being spread across my toes. I opened my eyes to see our three-year-old son carefully “painting” my toenails with his sister’s sparkly blue gel body glitter. Surprised, I asked him what he was doing. “I’m painting your toes, Mama,” came the straightforward reply. He was, in fact, intently working on his “design” which started at my toes and ended up covering my entire foot. What amazed me, however, was not his action so much as the devotion that covered his face. When my husband started to intervene with expressions of how Jesse was “wasting” the girls’ glitter, Wisdom jumped in and stopped him. For, this was more than just playing dress up and wasting his sisters’ makeup, this was an act of love from a young son to his dearly loved Mama.

It was that night that I embraced the humanity depicted in the Scripture above. Truly, the scene invites us to close our eyes and allow our imaginations to dive in and listen to the mixture of conversation and laughter of Jesus and his followers; to smell the freshly-made bread and pungent aroma of cooked lamb; to see Jesus reclining on the floor next to a low table lit with oil candles and covered with bowls of dates, figs, and olives; and to imagine the unusual mixture of guests of fishermen, tax collectors, Pharisees, men, women, servants and Jesus. The room must have been filled with energy and wonder.

Enter the woman. Oblivious to the activity around her, she focuses intently on the Object of her devotion, the One who set her free. Her tears flow freely as the perfume runs down Jesus’ hair, face, shoulders and body. “What waste!” her objectors retort but are quickly hushed by Jesus as He accepts the gift of her love and devotion. Extravagant waste? Maybe. Extravagant devotion? Absolutely.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Sometimes we hold back our expression of love to Jesus for fear of the reaction of those around us. What would your devotion look like if we did the same as the woman?

FURTHER READING:
John 12: 1-8; Mark 14:1-9; Luke 7:36-50

Used with permission. Homeword, Inc.

Roller Coaster Worry
By Lisa Boyer

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Matthew 6:34

This past summer, I spent a day at Six Flags Great America with the church youth group. While waiting in line for Virtual Velocity (V2), I was entertained by the lady in line behind me. She was scared. Maybe a little more than scared… terrified! So in an effort to calm her concerns, I timed the ride. I then attempted to comfort her with the news that the ride would last less than one minute of her life: 47 seconds, to be exact. But it didn’t work. Ultimately, we waited 49 minutes to ride V2 and most of that time, she spent worrying.

Yes, I found her entertaining… but then I realized that I tend to behave the same way. Not over a roller coaster ride, but over things even less worthy of concern - things that will never happen, things that may happen, and unavoidable things that will happen. I’ve done my share of worrying for 49 minutes about 47 seconds…and it’s never helped!

I imagine that’s why Jesus makes it so clear that we are not to worry. In Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus tells us “do not worry about your life” and then gives us a detailed list of things that we shouldn’t worry about and why.

In Matthew 6:27, Jesus interrupts the list with a simple question: “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” Not only do we not add to our lives, each moment we spend worrying is a moment lost forever.

Jesus continues with the list, pointing out that worrying demonstrates a lack of faith. He then concludes in verse 33 with what we are to do instead of worrying: “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” What kind of difference would it make in our lives, and the lives of those around us, if we tried seeking His kingdom and His righteousness instead of worrying?

Worrying for 49 minutes about 47 seconds will always be futile. And so much can be done in 49 minutes when it comes to His kingdom: 49 minutes of kindness… 49 minutes of encouragement… 49 minutes of intercessory prayer… 49 minutes of goodness… 49 minutes of loving… 49 minutes of fellowship with Him… 49 minutes of….

So how will you spend your 49 minutes?

GOING DEEPER:
1. Do you tend to spend time worrying? Today, will you begin to spend that time seeking His kingdom and His righteousness instead?

FURTHER READING:
Luke 12:22-31; Philippians 4:6-7; 2 Peter 1:3-6

Lisa has been married to Ted for 18 years and they have two teenage sons. She is a co-leader for a Junior High girls’ small group at Oakwood Church.

Experience Cards
By Elin Henderson

“O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth.”
Galatians 3:1a (NKJV)

Sometimes, life is like the game Monopoly. You buy, you sell, you win, you lose. You look forward to those “experience card” spaces where the unknown waits for you! What new experience will I get? “Straight to jail, do NOT pass go, do NOT collect $200”? Or “Win a free ride on the Reading Railroad”? Our lives are built around experiences. We are an experience-driven people!

Yet, there is a separate and essential component to our Monopoly experience cards called “TRUTH.” Experience and Truth are two factors on a precarious balance. Experience without truth can be misleading. Truth without experience can be empty and meaningless. From a human perspective, which is easier to measure? Our natural default is always Experience. We can see it and feel it. Truth can be abstract and distant, difficult to discern. The balance is then set with Experience as the Judge, and Truth as being judged by it.

But we, as believers, live by a different standard, a balance on which the reverse is true. Truth is the essential factor by which we weigh all of life’s experiences. Truth in the unchanging form of God’s Word, revealed by God’s Spirit to our human hearts and minds, influencing our actions and behavior! While experiences can change from person to person, truth remains the same. “God is the same yesterday, today and further” and He is, after all, “the way the TRUTH and the life.”

He often does use experiences to reveal truth to us and to help us grow. The key is to get to know Him as the Truth, and His Word as the revelation of that Truth. Then, our scales will be able to properly discern the different experiences that we encounter.

In the second and third chapters of Galatians, Paul gets after the Galatian believers and asking them pointedly: Who has fooled you? You are hung up on experiences but have forgotten the Truth. They had lost sight of the truth of the gospel (2:14) by looking to experiences (in this case, circumcision and outward conformity or, in other words, “experiences”). Let’s not follow in their footsteps and become so experience-focused that our scales become skewed.

The next time life deals you a unique “experience card,” pick it up without fear and measure it against the truth of the Person and Word of God and see what He has in store for you!

GOING DEEPER:
1. What recent experiences do you need to throw onto the balance of truth?
2. How well do you know the “TRUTH” side of the scale? How can you better apply yourself to the study of His Person and His Word?

FURTHER READING:
III John 4; I John 5:6; I John 2:21; II Timothy 2:15

Oakwood’s missionaries Elin Henderson and her husband Phil serve as church planters with New Tribes in Mozambique, Africa. Elin is mother to ten-year-old Callie and eight-year-old Elias.

More Than…
By Jen Wollner

“Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.”
Lamentations 3:23 (NLT)

It had been a rough three days. I could blame it on a million things, but the truth of the matter was that I was irritable and everyone was paying the price. That third night I tried to sleep, but as I lay awake in bed, my mind swirled with discouraging thoughts: “You are a horrible wife and mother. Your husband and kids don’t deserve this. You should be ashamed of yourself! They’d probably be better off without you. You might as well just give up because this is how you’ve always been and how you’ll always be…selfish to the core. You’re a failure and a hypocrite. You say you love God, but if you really did, you wouldn’t treat others like garbage. You’re causing permanent damage to your relationships…they’ll never forgive you. You aren’t fooling anyone…you’ll never be…enough.” On and on the thoughts continued as I drifted off to sleep…

…then morning came…

Before I could even open my eyes or process the fact that it was time to get up, I heard a soft song playing in my head. The lyrics were sweet music to my weary soul…

“You are more than the choices that you make. You are more than the sum of your past mistakes. You are more than the trouble you create. You’ve been remade.” (1)

As these words and truth repeated over and over in my mind, I felt the forgiveness of God wash over me. I felt His love and mercy rush into my heart, kicking out the shame and guilt. I praised Him for His compassions that come with the dawn of each morning, drowning out the lies that flourish in the darkness.

Because of Him, I am more than my bad choices and the trouble I bring on myself and those around me. I’m more than the voices in my head want me to believe. I’m not defined solely by my actions, but by my Father. I have been redeemed and remade. I am more…

…because of His faithfulness.

GOING DEEPER:
1. What lies are swirling around in your head today? How can you exchange them for the truth of God’s love and mercy?

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 139:13-14; 1 John 4:10; Romans 6:18, 8:1

Jen and her husband are busily parenting three children between the ages of seven and three. She serves on the leadership team for Mission: Hope, Oakwood’s orphan care ministry.

(1) “You Are More” by Tenth Avenue North. Written by Jason Ingram and Mike Donehey. Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC.

Memorial Stones
By Carolyn Hulliberger

“In the future, when your children ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’…These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever.”
Joshua 4:6-7

There’s a story in the book of Joshua that I have come to love. The scene is this: After wandering in the wilderness for 40 years, Moses has died and Joshua is the new leader of Israel, a nation of 600,000 fighting men, possibly over 2.5 million people total. God has promised the Israelites safe passage into the Promised Land, and the entire people of Israel have just crossed the Jordan River on foot…during its flood stage! If this were a movie, the soundtrack would crescendo, Joshua would rally the troops and then immediately begin conquering the nearest city for the fulfillment of God’s promise.

Instead, there is an intermission. God instructs Joshua to send 12 men to each select a stone from the middle of the Jordan River, bring them back, and set them on the ground where the people crossed the river. The stones were to serve as a memorial for future generations. Every time an Israelite passed that way, the stones would serve as a visual reminder of God’s faithfulness and Israel’s obedience on that momentous day.

We can have our own “memorial stones” today. A few years ago, I started a Thanksgiving tradition for our family. I have a journal with lined paper, and on Thanksgiving Day, each member of our immediate family, and whomever we are enjoying the holiday with, write about what we are thankful for. We love to go back and recall who we were with, and see notes of God’s faithfulness and lessons learned. Sometimes there is humor (my niece no longer is especially thankful for Dora the Explorer), sometimes loss over who is not there with us, but mostly these notes express moments in time where we pause, reflect, and remember on paper in a tangible way the faithfulness of God.

And we are thankful.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Create a Thanksgiving journal for yourself.

FURTHER READING:
Joshua 4:1-9; James 1:17; 1 Thess. 5:16-18

Along with caring for her husband, two children and the dog, Carolyn is an Office Representative for State Farm Insurance, serves in Student Ministries with seventh grade girls, and is the treasurer for Women’s Ministries.

The Holy Alphabet
By Kelly McFadden

"Look at my Servant, whom I have chosen. He is my Beloved, and I am very pleased with him. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations. He will not fight or shout; he will not raise his voice in public. He will not crush those who are weak, or quench the smallest hope, until he brings full justice with his final victory. And his name will be the hope of the world."
Matthew 12:18-21

Although things are not perfect
Because of trial or pain
Continue in thanksgiving
Do not begin to blame
Even when the times are hard
Fierce winds are bound to blow
God is forever able
Hold on to what you know
Imagine life without His love
Joy would cease to be
Keep thanking Him for all the things
Love imparts to thee
Move out of “Camp Complaining”
No weapon that is known
On earth can yield the power
Praise can do alone
Quit looking at the future
Redeem the time at hand
Start every day with worship
To “thank” is a command
Until we see Him coming
Victorious in the sky
We’ll run the race with gratitude
X-alting God most high
Yes, there’ll be good times and, yes, some will be bad, but
Zion waits in glory…where none are ever sad. (1)

As you probably know, life is not always easy. One of the greatest promises Christians have is in the joy and hope of Christ. We live not simply for today, but with an eternal perspective. As you go about your day today, think about all the ways you can be thankful. Try to live each day with gratitude!

GOING DEEPER:
1. What is keeping you (or has kept you) from being thankful?
2. How can you live each day with an eternal perspective?

FURTHER READING:
Acts 2:25-29; Romans 8:23-28; Romans 15:1-4

(1) Author unknown

© HomeWord. Used by permission.

“It Is What It Is” For A Reason
By Susan Klein

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33

In today’s culture, there is turmoil at every corner. We see it daily in the lives of others and we all experience it on a personal level. Open up God’s Word and you’ll find trials and turmoil in just about every book. For many, seeking an escape from their trials can become a never-ending pursuit.

Could it be that God intends for that trial to be present? Paul says in Colossians 1:24, “Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you...” He suffered persecution in order that God’s message would be delivered to the Gentiles. His goal was not to avoid the persecution or find a way out of it, but to be used by God in the midst of it. He trusted that God was with Him in the persecution since God had called him to this work in the first place. And He never promised it would be easy going!

In Acts chapter 5, the apostles, after preaching the Good News and healing many, were brought before the Sanhedrin and flogged for their actions. Verse 41 says they left the Sanhedrin rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name (of Jesus). They didn’t flee, but pressed on.

Daniel did not try to find a way out of the lion’s den, rather he focused on his God who had allowed him to be thrown into the den even after being obedient. And what a mighty work God did in the king’s heart after he found out that God had saved Daniel from death! God had a purpose, and His presence was with Daniel the whole time.

Our goal, as Christ-followers, should not be to live a struggle-free life, but to see God and rely on Him in the midst of the struggle. He allows every trial for a reason, whether it makes sense to us or not. And He promises to give us peace, though that peace is not exempt from struggle, it is in the midst of it. His promise is to be with us in the trial, not to always spare us from the trial. And, if we can remember to focus on Him, not on an escape, we will find His perfect strength and His perfect peace.

GOING DEEPER:
1) When in the midst of a struggle, can you grasp that God is with you and has you there for a reason?
2) Will you make it your goal to look for God, rather than look for a “way out”?

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 139:5-7; Isaiah 26:3; John 14:27

Susan is our Tuesday Morning Women’s Bible Study Coordinator and one of its teachers. She is also involved in youth outreach ministry.

Blindsided
By Kari Lyles

Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.”
John 9:39

I sheepishly rolled over to look at the clock that glowed 6 a.m. When I turned back over I felt the butterflies in my stomach flutter and my heart begin to race. I knew I had to do it.

I walked to my closet, pulled my laptop from the shelf, crawled back under the covers, and started. My fingers clickety-clacked on the keys, tears streaming down my cheeks. I read it again and again, trying to make sure my heart was being poured out in love and not putting the receiver on the defensive. I pushed the “send” button.

Done!

I did it. I shared my heart and now the ball was in the receiver’s court. Surely she would take into account my feelings, see my side and feel convicted of behavior that had caused hurt. So, I waited.

And waited…

Every time my Blackberry binged with a new email, my heart raced a little. It binged for a whole week. (Kohls’ really does offer 15-30% off EVERY DAY!)

A response never came in the form of an email. But one came from my Lord… and I was blindsided.

As I sat down with my Bible, I had asked the Lord to give me wisdom to move forward. This is what I proceeded to read: “Jesus said, ‘For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.’” I know that in the context of this passage, Jesus was referring to spiritual sight and the “blindness” of the seeing Pharisees. But in my specific situation, I am convinced that, in His kindness, He was using those words to show me His desire for me.

It hit me like a ton of bricks. I not only was supposed to turn the other cheek in circumstances… but sometimes, even though I could see things were not right and that I was hurt, I needed to choose to become blind. OUCH!

Those words stung. I wanted to feel somehow that my email was justified and that it had been the right thing to do. Instead, I was being asked to become blind to it. To become like Christ. To love another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins (I Peter 4:8).

A smile came to me and I knew that God was once again growing and molding me. Yes, I was still hurt…but if He chose to be “blind” to my many faults, I knew He would give me the grace to become blind to others.

GOING DEEPER:
1. What do you need to become “blind” to?
2. How does becoming “blind” actually help you to become more like Christ?

FURTHER READING:
John 9 -10

Kari is a wife and mother to two girls. She works as a regional account manager at MAX-R in Sussex. She is involved in Oakwood’s drama ministry.

Are You Thrilled?

Psalm 98:1-4 (NLT)


It is good to give thanks to the Lord,

Father, I thank You today for_____________________________.


to sing praises to the Most High.

Here’s my song for You today: ___________________________________.


It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning,

Whom shall I tell today about how You’ve loved me? __________________________.


your faithfulness in the evening,

I recall that time you were so faithful to me: _____________________________.


accompanied by the ten-stringed harp and the melody of the lyre.

I don’t play the harp or the lyre, but I can use my _______________________ to honor You today.


You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done for me!

What really overwhelms me about Your kindness is___________________________.


I sing for joy because of what you have done.

May the way I live be a life-song of joy to You today.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Start a running list of that for which you’re thankful to our God. Consider adding to it daily!
2. How are you training gratitude in your home?

FOR FURTHER READING:
Psalm 100

Whose Voice Counts?
By Kelly McFadden

“Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
Galatians 1:10

It seemed like any other recess in eighth grade. A group of us were all outside playing when it happened. I overheard a boy tell one of my friends that he didn’t like me. I was devastated. Now, this wasn’t someone I particularly cared for either, but the words stung all the same. Someone didn’t like me. To be honest, that had never occurred to me before. I went home that afternoon wounded and working to figure out what I could do differently.

I learned a very important lesson that day: No matter what you do, you will never be liked by everyone. Even more important is the lesson I learned later: The most important opinion to hear is God’s voice, not the voice of people. If you live your life trying to please everyone, you will only fail. Approval-seeking from others will only serve to get you in trouble. We must focus on what God sees in us and desires for us. That will lead to a life well-lived.

So what does God want from us? He wants us to live a life that is pleasing to Him and set apart. He wants us to love our neighbors, love ourselves and have an attitude of service to all around us. He wants us to recognize that we are no better than anyone else. We are equal in His eyes. He wants us to rest in His hope and strength. And more than anything, He wants us to know, that even when we fall short of His standards, He loves us unconditionally.

In all of us, there is a little girl or boy wanting to be liked. And that is not bad in itself. The danger comes when we make those opinions count more than what God thinks. God views us the same each and every day. We are His beloved creations, made in His image. There is nothing that can separate us from His love.

GOING DEEPER:
1. In what ways have you gotten caught in the trap of “people pleasing”? How have you seen this hinder your relationship with the Lord?
2. Who in your life are you making “perform” for your love? How can you show them the grace and love of Jesus?

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 44; 1 Corinthians 13:1-7; 1 Thessalonians 2:4-6

© HomeWord. Used by permission.

Turning Adversity into Gain
By Pamela Blattner

“Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.” Psalm 27:14

Recently, I found myself experiencing a dark time. In the middle of planning a large-scale event, I contracted pneumonia, and then a month later, faced a heart-rending experience in my family.

Are you facing a season of difficulties that seems to have no end? It almost seems as if you don't ever shake free of the trials—you’re either beginning or just ending a trial, when another relational, financial, physical or spiritual challenge comes along. I’d like to encourage you that God is faithful. He always offers us hope.

My recent challenge was very draining and discouraging. Wow, God sure got my attention this time! I didn’t really appreciate His timing, either. Stunned, I felt like a fly on the wall that just got whacked by a fly swatter! On top of that, I questioned God’s timing. In my despair, God provided three saints in my life to help me realize that God uses the adversity in our lives. Sometimes it’s to teach us to rely only on Him; sometimes, it’s to minister to others. Difficulties won’t last forever. They have an appointed time and purpose, and we can profit from them if we trust our Father and set our hearts to learn from Him.

I began to think of Joseph in the book of Genesis. Joseph had huge significant needs! First, he’s in a deep pit, and then endures a long stint in an Egyptian prison. I asked myself, “Why did God wait so long before meeting such important needs?” And then I thought, “Why not?” Could it be that God was redirecting him or preparing him for something new? Beyond that, a wise gentleman asked me to consider that God had a greater purpose He wanted to accomplish: Meeting not only Joseph’s needs, but the needs of Joseph's entire family.

In a similar way, is it possible that God is redirecting you or preparing you for something new? When He’s in that process of redirecting our lives, sometimes He delays meeting certain needs. Why? So that His greater plan for us—and for others—might be accomplished.

I only got peace from this trial by being alone with Him, receiving His reassurance as I released my cares to Him alone. As I trusted Him with the bigger picture, I also depended on Him to help me “be strong and take heart,” to watch and wait for Him to use the adversity for gain.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Read Lamentations 3 and discover what Jeremiah learned about God’s loving kindness. What comes to mind in your own experiences as you read? Is there a verse you could share with someone else in a season of adversity?

FURTHER READING:
Genesis 50:19-21; Proverbs 4:5, 28:26; James 1:2-12

Pam and her husband Richard have two adult children and two grandchildren. She serves Oakwood through its Family Care and is Co-Coordinator of Touched Twice Ministries.

Road Rage and Loving Others
By Lexi Cole

“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.”
John 13:34

A few years ago, my mom was really nervous about my driving alone to visit a friend in Illinois. So there I was, driving along Roosevelt Avenue, almost to my destination, trying to figure out what she was so worried about, and feeling very proud of myself. Yes, I battled insane construction, annoying tolls, and mean Illinois drivers who don’t use their blinkers, but I was practically there. I came to a red light and noticed a guy to my right wanting to pull into my lane, but no one would let him in. I did. He waved; I waved back. Less than two minutes later, a woman in a minivan pulled out in front of him. It wasn’t all that risky; he barely had to tap on his brakes. But, he obnoxiously blared his horn and tailed this minivan until I turned onto a different road. While it had nothing to do with me, I was furious! What kind of jerk was this guy anyway? Here, I had been gracious to him, and yet two minutes later, the man couldn’t even let a minivan (a.k.a. “classic mom-car”) into his lane.

Then, I realized something (besides that I might have road rage). That’s exactly how we are with God. He saves us and a couple of minutes later, we’re too busy to invest in someone else’s life. He takes the time to listen to our every prayer, and the following day we forget to pray for someone else’s problem, pain or struggle. He loves us unconditionally, and the next week we disregard being intentional about loving others. I think it’s easy for Christians to accidentally see God as a no-fee ATM machine. We go to Him with our problem, enter our PIN, grab the solution, and then go without a second thought. That’s not a relationship, it’s a transaction.

We are called to be like Jesus to others because “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). My response to that guy just showed how unlike God I am…and maybe how silly my reaction is to such little things. We have been loved by a great God and commanded to love others. I’m working on not forgetting that command when, two minutes later, I have the chance to love as Christ does. To have Him live His life of love through me.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Any chance you’ve used God as a no-fee ATM machine recently? Ask for His forgiveness, and intentionally focus on your love relationship with Him today.
2. To whom can you show and tell Jesus’ love today?

FURTHER READING:
Matthew 18:21-35; I Corinthians 13

Lexi is an Elementary Education major at Bethel University, currently studying abroad in Scotland. The last two summers, she’s been the Children’s Ministries intern at Oakwood.

Free to be Me!
By Elin Henderson

“Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.”
John 8:36 (NKJV)

Life today is all about being happy with who you are! Happy and free to be me! Individuality is highly encouraged and eagerly sought! Self-esteem and self-actualization are pushed at us on all fronts from cosmetics to shampoo to health food to exercise, and more. Yet, despite this, many of us struggle with who we are and with being ourselves. What keeps us from wanting to be ourselves? Fear of what people may think of us. Insecurity with who we are. The list really is endless.

Today’s society would have us be content with who we are, but content for what reasons? Our experience or age? Our beauty? Our accomplishments or education? As believers, the true question for us to ask ourselves is “Can we dare to be ourselves (free to be me) in the will of God?”(1) We can look for freedom and contentment in many outside sources, but there is only one place where we can find it. We are only free to be who God created us to be—free in our individuality—when we find ourselves in Him.

How do we find ourselves in Him, or in His will? For one, we must know Him as our personal Savior, aware of His life within us in the form of the Holy Spirit! Only then can who we are (my “Elin-ness” as I like to call it), be used for its greatest potential in Him. But having that Holy Spirit in my heart does not guarantee that I am now all set! It is when I choose to walk with Him, and allow Him to renew and transform me from the inside out, that my security comes! Being in His will is simply being willing to let God be God in my humanity! That is when man’s approval takes a backseat and I realize, “If God is for me, who can be against me” (Romans 8:31). In fact, “I will not fear what men can do to me” (Psalms 118:6), because “I am free indeed” (John 8:36).

That is what I call true freedom! True self-actualization! True self-esteem! Free to be me in the person of Jesus Christ! Free from the search for man’s approval because I have found the source of true approval – in Christ, in God!!

GOING DEEPER:
1. In what areas have you been struggling in your personal identity? Individuality? What promises from Scripture can you claim to find security in Him?
2. How can this newfound freedom now impact the world around you? How you deal with others? Yourself?

FURTHER READING:
Galatians 2:20, 5:1; Romans 8:2

Oakwood’s missionaries Elin Henderson and her husband Phil serve as church planters with New Tribes in Mozambique, Africa. Elin is mother to ten-year-old Callie and seven-year-old Elias.

(1) Wiersbe, Warren. The Bible Exposition Commentary: Volume 1. Chariot Victor Publishing. Colorado Springs, CO. 1989. pg 686.