For Such a Time as This
By Susan Klein

“And who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
Esther 4:14b (KJV)

Esther knew. What she knew was that if she entered the King’s inner court without being summoned, the punishment was death, even though she was the queen. But her uncle, Mordecai, reminded her that God may have placed her, a simple Jewish girl, in the place of royalty “for such a time as this.” This was a time to plead with her king to save her own people from death and destruction. What Esther didn’t know was how God would work through this situation. Yet, she obediently sought Him in prayer and fasting, and decided to risk death if it gave her people a chance to live.

We, like Esther, are not placed here on this earth for ourselves. God is a God of order and has placed each of us here for a purpose. For some, like Esther, His purpose may be to take us from a simple life to do something incredible, like saving a nation. For others, like a widow putting her only coin in an offering plate, it may be to let our lives be a shining example of faith and obedience to those around us. We may never know how our lives have touched others this side of heaven. But, we do know that we are here to touch lives!

God gives us opportunities to act on our faith. He orchestrated the opportunity that He gave to Esther. Hers was a difficult choice to make, one that could have cost her life. But she prayerfully chose obedience, which strengthened her faith and drew her closer to her God. Not many of us experience life and death choices, but we all have choices to make in each opportunity that God presents.

Sometimes God may call you to share your faith with someone who is struggling. Or, perhaps He is calling you to take a stand for what is right in the midst of injustice. Embrace those opportunities to stand up or speak up! Show your God that you are willing to demonstrate your love for and commitment to Him by being obedient. His kingdom may be advanced through your life and your actions! Like Esther, your obedience will bring glory and honor to Him, and will draw you ever closer to the One who created you and called you to His purpose!

And who knows whether you have come into your circumstance for such a time as this!

GOING DEEPER:
1. What opportunities are presenting themselves to you that require action?
2. Do others see for whom you are living your life?

FURTHER READING:
Romans 9:16-17; Ephesians 1:11-12

Susan is a wife and mother of two. She is the Coordinator of Oakwood’s Tuesday a.m. Bible Study and one of its teachers.

How’s the Love?
By Elin Henderson

“And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is LOVE.”
1 Corinthians 13:13 (NKJV)

To do this justice, I would need a deep, gravelly radio voice that asks, “How’s the Love, baby?” One of the greatest signs of maturity is love. This is evidenced here in 1 Corinthians 13, the great love chapter. Paul is just finishing a serious discussion on diversity and unity in light of the liberty that we have in Christ. Liberty and love intersect in chapter 13 when Paul unites the two to show that true maturity is not measured by the number of rules you live by, how much freedom you have, or even your gifts, but by the love you show to others.

We can have many accomplishments, gifts or graces as it were. The tail end of 1 Corinthians 12 is a list of these many great graces. Yet, Paul doesn’t stop there, in verse 31 he tells the Corinthians, “Wait, just a minute, there is a better way,” and goes directly into love. Each of the gifts he mentions in verses 28-30, he shows (in chapter 13) to be useless and empty on their own. Just because we have these gifts does not mean we are mature or qualified; the qualifier is always love. It truly is the core of all the virtues. If we love others, we can rejoice with them and where is envy and strife? If we love others we can be patient and long-suffering because we are thinking of them first and not ourselves. If we love we can see past differences and find unity. And the list goes on.

So, my challenge to each one of us is to do a “love evaluation” and hand it in to God! How’s the love going in your life? For myself, I made a list: 1. family, 2. close friends, 3. acquaintances, 4. colleagues/coworkers, 5. strangers, and even 6. enemies. I went through each category and asked myself, “How am I doing?” The results were convicting and challenging. It brings us to our knees before the great Love of our lives. It shows us our need to allow His love to infuse and change each area of our lives, and to flow out to each of our relationships.

GOING DEEPER:
1. What are some gifts/abilities that you have? Make a list of those and ask yourself how love is impacting them.
2. Conduct a personal “love evaluation.” Did you find some relationships lacking? Can you think of some practical ways to show love to those individuals? How can prayer be a part of that?

FURTHER READING:
1 Peter 4:8; 2 Thessalonians 3:5

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.

20/20 Vision
By Susan Klein

“Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name…” Psalm 29:2a

“Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt His name together” Psalm 34:3

“Honor Him, for He is your Lord” Psalm 45:11b

“O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name...” Isaiah 25:1a

“Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him glory!” Revelation 19:7a

How do you see God? I believe we all have our own personal views of Him. Do you prefer to see Him as a strong father figure, or a gentle and nurturing “Papa”? Perhaps you view Him as more of a wise counselor, or even a loving friend. More often than not, we tend to see Him in light of our own personal circumstances and in ways that make us feel most comfortable. Fortunately, we worship a God who desires to meet us where we are and be to us what we need Him to be!

While none of these views are wrong in and of themselves, if we were to only see Him in ways that benefit us, we would have impaired vision. Our God is a magnificent God, worthy of the glory due His name! He laid the earth’s foundation. He holds the hearts of kings in His hands. He directs the winds and the waves of the sea. He tips over the water jars of heaven. He knows our every thought and the tiniest details of our existence!

Throughout Scripture we are called to glorify, exalt and honor Him. We may lean on the shoulders of a Papa or a friend, but we certainly don’t magnify or lift them up the way we do our Lord. While God desires to be our Comforter, our Healer, our Protector, our Counselor...He also desires to be kept in the place of glory and honor that is His and His alone! Our circumstances should not be allowed to cloud our vision, rather they should help us to focus on God’s sovereignty and magnificence.

Maintaining 20/20 vision of God requires seeing Him for all He is and lifting Him up above all else!

GOING DEEPER:
1. What circumstances might be keeping you from seeing God with clear vision?
2. Pray back Scripture to God using verses that bring glory and honor to His name, or grab a friend and exalt His name together!

FURTHER READING:
Proverbs 21:1; Job 12:13-25, chapters 38 and 39

Susan is a wife and mother of two. She is the Coordinator of Oakwood’s Tuesday a.m. Bible Study and one of its teachers.

Not Exchanged, But Renewed

By Kelly McFadden

“The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!”
Hebrews 9:13-14

I bought a new jacket only to have the buttons pop off and a hole formed in the side seam. Receipt in hand, I went in to exchange the jacket. The store offered to let me return it, but they no longer had my size to complete the exchange. Not wanting a different one, I walked out with my jacket, determined to fix it.

Repairing the seams and securing the buttons later that evening, I couldn’t help but think of Christ’s sacrifice for people. He could have exchanged us when we sinned. He could have thrown out the broken models and started over from scratch, creating obedient and sinless humans. Yet, instead of exchanging us or tossing us out, He loved us and died for us. He shed His blood so that we could be forgiven. He bore the sin of each person, so that we can have eternal life with Him and be made new. Through His death and resurrection, He provided the means to patch up our imperfections, renewing us, to make us pure and holy in His eyes.

God will not give up on you. He will not exchange you or make hasty, short-term repairs. He will re-create you. Don’t be misled to think you can do it on your own. Bring your brokenness to the foot of the cross, confess your inability to cleanse yourself, and ask the Lord to forgive you. Only He can make you new.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Think about a time you have forgiven someone else. What was it about the situation that allowed you to forgive them?
2. How does confession play a vital role in your life when it comes to forgiveness?

FURTHER READING:
Exodus 30:7-10; Hebrews 10:21-23; 1 John 1:9-10

© HomeWord. Used by permission.

For Emergency Use Only
By Elin Henderson

“Let us therefore, come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
Hebrews 4:16 (NKJV)

Wouldn’t it be great if we could store up a Grace First Aid Kit? You know, God could give us a “for emergency use only” grace pack that we keep on hand. Either that, or we could store up all the grace we have received, like in a special “grace tank,” and whenever we need more just open the tap. If it were only that easy!

While His grace is available anytime we need it and always in measure to the sufferings that we go through, it is expendable and can’t be saved up for future use. It is a one-time use only kit that fortifies us but can’t be hoarded away for another day…grace sufficient for the day, help in time of need. If we had it on hand, we would tend to try and treat ourselves with our emergency kit instead of call upon the Great Physician of Grace to be our treatment.

It is a lot like eating healthy. If you eat lots of healthy food every day and one day come upon a time of famine, can you all of the sudden dip into your reservoir and find more food? No, your food has benefited you and as a result of it you are stronger and can endure the famine longer than others who have not been investing in healthy eating, but the food itself is not there, it has become part of you.

Grace is like that, it becomes part of who we are. It infuses into our being and changes us, but it cannot be extracted at will for further use! It does help us when we face discouraging or challenging times, because we have grown and know that just as before, God will help us again. We can endure!

So rather than looking for a quick fix of grace or an on-hand “grace pack,” may we desire to grow in grace. May it become an integral part of who we are. And as we look to the Giver of all Grace, may we rest in the knowledge that He will infuse into us just the amount of grace we need for this trial. And, through that, we will be fortified for what lies ahead.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Read Romans 5:1-5. What godly character is built into us as His grace is infused into our being? How will you act on that today?

FURTHER READING:
1 Corinthians 1:6; 1 Peter 5:10

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.

That's a Good Question
By Leslie Snyder

"Look on me and answer, O Lord my God."
Psalm 13:3

Some questions beg an answer. Consider the following:

Why do banks charge a fee on "insufficient funds" when they know there is not enough money in your account?

How do you know the light really turns off when you shut the refrigerator door?

What exactly is Spam?

Why doesn't glue stick to its own bottle?

Why does Superman stop bullets with his chest, but ducks when you throw a revolver at him?

Here’s my personal favorite question: Why do people constantly return to the refrigerator with hopes that something new to eat will have materialized?

Unfortunately, not all of life’s questions are so humorous. We often have deep questions such as:

Why did this happen to me?

Does my life really matter?

How could I have been so wrong?

What am I going to do?

In despair, David cried out to God with deep questions, “How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?” (Psalm 13:1-2).

This short passage is filled with the raw emotion that comes from the depths of a hurting soul. While it can be tempting to overlook the humanity in this prayer, I invite you to sit down with it and linger over the words, both in your mind and heart. Perhaps these words resonate within your own soul today. Embrace them as your own prayer and, as the psalmist did so many years ago, continue to trust in God’s unfailing love, rejoice in his salvation and sing to the Lord, for He has been good to you.

GOING DEEPER:
1. If you could ask one question of God, what would it be?
2. How can Psalm 13:5-6 make a difference in life when we have so many unanswered questions?

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 13

© HomeWord. Used by permission.

Dance Floor
By Peggy Kleckner

“He brought me out into a spacious place; He rescued me because He delighted in me.”
Psalm 18:19

I was invited into something big. You know one of those opportunities where your heart stirs and yet you think to yourself, “This can’t be for me.” So began the battle in prayer. The invitation was before me and I had to choose whether to step into it, or away from it.

Have you been there too? Have you lived a life on the party sidelines? Have you always been willing to be the one to blow up the balloons, or clean up the debris?

It seems as though we are always glad to be invited to the party, but somehow we never quite feel like we belong. We are willing to work, but not so willing to just relax and enjoy.

Why, I wonder, is that? Why do we think we must earn our place at the party, or be useful? Why can’t you and I learn to relax and enjoy the party?

I think somewhere along the way in our life’s journey we believed the lie that we aren’t lovable, so we must be useful. We accept being needed instead of loved, and tell ourselves that it is enough.

Guess what I found out? God wants to love me. He wants me at His party. Not only that, He wants His name on my dance card.

As I continued to pray for His direction in regards to the opportunity before me, everything was “yes.” The final ponder was this: It was as if Jesus stood next to me with His hand outstretched and was inviting me out onto the dance floor. Not to embarrass me, but to allow me to display His splendor. The dance floor is the spacious place I envision in the verse above. He rescued me many years ago at the point of my salvation, that moment when I recognized my sinfulness and my need for a Savior. I have been content to be near Him, to work for Him, to listen to Him, but now He was reaching out to me in an intimate gesture. Would I accept His outstretched hand? Would I trust that He wasn’t offering in order to watch me fail? Could I really believe this dance was for me, my opportunity to be in His intimate embrace?

I did say “yes” and what a wonderful, joyful twirl it was! When He extends His hand to you, what will you say? After all, He does delight in each of His children….His Word says so.

GOING DEEPER:
1. How has your relationship with Jesus progressed?
2. What walls of self-protection need to come down in this precious relationship?

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 142:5-7; Ephesians 3:14-19; 2 Peter 3:18

Peggy is a wife and mother of four adult children - two sons and two stepsons. She is the Co-coordinator of Oakwood’s Wednesday p.m. Bible Study.

Remembering My Father….Every Day!
By Pam Blattner

“…he being dead yet speaketh.”
Hebrews 11:4b (KJV)

My dad was a remarkable man. Born and raised in poverty in South Milwaukee, his spirit of adventure and his commitment to work hard took him a long way. Although he only had a high school education, he taught me some of life’s greatest lessons. He taught me more than just how to do things, as he modeled patience, compassion and unconditional love. His sense of humor kept us laughing even in the hard times, and the stories he would tell from his youth got bigger and better every time he told them! The lessons I remember most from my dad were these:

• Always keep your promises.
• Work hard and be proud of what you do.
• A good imagination is one of life’s greatest gifts.
• When faced with a problem, don’t say, “It can’t be done.” Get busy and figure out a way to do it!
• Don’t give up! You’ll succeed if you just keep trying.
• You don’t have to preach to teach people about the love of God.

A few weeks ago when we had my mom’s funeral, I stood staring at his gravestone. My younger sister and I were truly blessed. We will always be grateful that we had a father who cared, who was sensitive to our needs, and who left us with lessons to guide us through life.

Considering the blessings of my earthly father, moves me to think of my heavenly Father. From the beginning, God intended to have an intimate, loving relationship with us. Did you ever think that when we look at the Son, we are seeing a reflection of our heavenly Father? Jesus Himself said, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9).

In the Bible, God invites us to join His family. He took care of all the arrangements; our part is to say “yes.” At salvation, the Lord adopts us and becomes our Father. His relationship with us lasts for eternity, and provides us with support, encouragement and affection. I love that about Him! He will never desert or turn away from us. From the moment of our salvation, we are indwelt with His presence through the Holy Spirit. And from then on, as our caring Father, He teaches us life’s greatest lessons to guide us through life!

GOING DEEPER:
1. How is God’s Spirit working in you to make your family resemblance stronger and clearer in thought, word and deed?

FURTHER READING:
John 1:12-13; John 3:16

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.

Obedience Training: Lessons in Drool-Free Waiting
By Karen D’Amore

“I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I put my hope.”
Psalm 130:5

With slimy dog-drool puddled in my cupped hand, I’d call out a firm “WAIT!” Once the soaked treat softened with moisture, I’d eventually emit an affirming “ok.” Obsessed with her training treat, she inhaled it with a zealous gulp. As a puppy, Moriah had learned through obedience training to trust and depend on her master. When I displayed her favorite treat open-palmed beneath her nose, she had to wait for my command to retrieve the treat. Drooling and shaking uncontrollably, her attempts to snatch the treat before the affirming “ok” delayed the dispersal of the reward.

As an adult dog, Moriah has mastered this trick. With treats boldly displayed under her nose, she now looks away from the treat and keeps her eyes fixed on me. By focusing on the rewarder versus the reward, she’s learned to trust in my words. “Wait” translates into a delayed “yes,” enabling her to wait expectantly…cool…calm…and drool-free!

Though it’s difficult to teach an old dog new tricks, God’s indoctrinating me in “Obedience Training 101: Lessons in Drool-Free Waiting”! Displaying “treats” before me, He calls out a clear “WAIT!” Fixated on the “treats,” I salivate with anxious anticipation. Shaking uncontrollably, my whining and begging leave me standing in a pool of embarrassing drool. Inept at waiting well, I desperately need remedial training!

Drawing wisdom from my wise old dog, I tried looking away from the “reward” and fixing my eyes on the Rewarder. Acknowledging God’s “wait” as a delayed “yes” enabled me to wait calmly and expectantly. Fortifying my trust and deepening my dependence on Him, lessons in waiting have proved invaluable. Now, what I wait for pales in significance to what He’s doing in me…while I wait.

As Christ-followers, we are called to wait on God. It’s a difficult process that’s developed through obedience training. Waiting tests our submission to Him as our trustworthy Authority, believing in His perfect timing and deliberate delays. It challenges us to take our focus off the natural and allow it to rest on the supernatural. It teaches us to lean on Him alone, placing ourselves at His disposal.

His nail-scarred palms display savory treats; the promises of His Word. Those outstretched palms are open to each one of us. As He desires to reward obedience, let’s sit quietly at His feet…stay focused on Him alone… and heel when He says, “Follow Me.” And in those times when He commands us to “WAIT,” may we wait expectantly…cool…calm and drool-free!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Do you need remedial training in anxious-free waiting?
2. How can you be more obedient to your Master?

FURTHER READING:
Isaiah 30:18; Psalm 37:7, 27:14; Habakkuk 2:3

Married to Dan, Karen is a retired police officer, and a recently licensed Nail Technician. She is administrator for Oakwood’s Tuesday a.m. Bible Study, and is a wildlife rehabilitator.

The Marathon
By Elizabeth Cole

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”
Hebrews 12:1

The air was brisk; a Tiffany-blue sky showcased startlingly white clouds distinctive to the Midwest. Yes, it was a perfect day for the Chicago Marathon. As we made our way through the early morning streets to our designated start, the energy of the day was palpable. I’d never been to this historic marathon…truth be told, I’d never been to any marathon. This would be my first. 34,700 runners prepared to begin; I stomped my feet to keep the blood flowing and settled into my assigned place…among 1.5 million spectators who’d come to witness what would turn out to be a record-setting race.

We were joining our dear friend Andy’s family as he ran the race. Traveling by foot and by the L, we made our way to four different spots along the route, showing up in time to raucously cheer him on as he passed. We sure weren’t alone. Those hundreds of thousands of spectators lined the course, not only called out encouragement to those whom they knew, but to those they didn’t, as well. Imagine, for a moment, you’re a marathoner, working your way up the hardest part of the course with a five-deep crowd of complete strangers yelling, “Hey, number 15169, nice job! Keep it up! You can do it! Wow…talk about energizing!

Around mile 20, we waited with anticipation for Andy’s arrival. He came around the corner with a solid pace…unfathomable to me at this point in the race. As the rest of his family and friends wildly hollered our support, Andy’s college-aged son Alex took off…into the sea of runners, next to his dad’s side. Matching his stride to Andy’s, Alex proceeded to run the last six miles side-by-side his father. He didn’t say much, but knowing his dad’s time goal, he slowly and consistently accelerated their pace together as they neared the finish line.

The finish line. What a celebration! A Jumbotron screen broadcasting the runners; bands playing; blow horns screeching; gift bags, beverages, applause. Utter exhilaration!

Since then, I’ve thought about what those anonymous spectators did for the runners. Just words called out at exactly the right time. And since then, I’ve been challenged by what Alex did for Andy that day. Coming alongside as a companion. Few words, just motivating action that resulted in a triumph over the finish line! Oh, how I long to encourage others through my voice or through my presence.

Yes, today’s a perfect day for a marathon.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Who needs words of encouragement from you today? And who needs just your motivating presence?

FURTHER READING:
Hebrews 12:2-3, 3:13, 10:25

Elizabeth is a wife, mother to three grown daughters, and Director of Women’s Ministries at Oakwood Church.

Run, Meerkat, Run!
By Carolyn Hulliberger

“If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!”
Ecclesiastes 5:10

I was mesmerized by the drama unfolding on my television. The Meerkat Manor narrator spoke in hushed tones describing the venomous snake camouflaged in the parched grass. The unsuspecting meerkat wandered away from the main group. The viper waited patiently for the approach of his prey. “No! Turn back! Run! Don’t you see it?” I shouted at the television. The narrator’s voice spoke more urgently; the background music grew louder. Suddenly, the lone meerkat sees the predator. Immediately the meerkat jumped back and gave a warning shriek. In an instant, the entire family group responded, surrounding the viper in a complete circle, except for a small gap meant for the snake’s departure. Each one of the meerkats got up on his legs and began to arch back and forth in unison at the threat, growling, hissing, spitting. Each time the snake lunged, the group adjusted its defensive posture until, finally, the predator gave up its hunt and made use of the escape hole.

I was struck by the clear parallels between those odd little mongooses to our human existence. First, we should not drift far away from our support systems…our church, community group, our family. Alone, we are more vulnerable to an attack from the Enemy. Second, when we find ourselves under attack, call for help. Dealing with a problem or temptation single-handedly is rarely effective. Ecclesiastes 4:12 says, “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves…” And lastly, when a member of our family calls, we…as the Church…need to respond quickly. The reaction should be unified against the source of the attack, not against the one who wandered off. Isaiah states, “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way….” (Isaiah 53:6). Each of us has played the part of the “the wanderer” at one time.

By the way, my favorite part of this Meerkat Manor episode came a few minutes later when a hawk swooped down from the sky and put an end to that snake!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Do you know of someone who is wandering too far from community? Pray about how God might use you to help bring her closer to caring friends.
2. Think about your past. Did God use someone to draw you back into community? Share that story with someone else in your life today…along with the “Meerkat Principles” above.

FURTHER READING:
1 Peter 5:8

Along with caring for her husband, two children and the dog, Carolyn is an Office Representative for State Farm Insurance, serves as a small group leader for Wednesday p.m. Bible study, and is the treasurer for Women’s Ministries.

Wanted
By Sarah Kosanke

“Christ arrives right on time to make this happen. He didn't, and doesn't, wait for us to get ready. He presented himself for this sacrificial death when we were far too weak and rebellious to do anything to get ourselves ready. And even if we hadn't been so weak, we wouldn't have known what to do anyway. We can understand someone dying for a person worth dying for, and we can understand how someone good and noble could inspire us to selfless sacrifice. But God put his love on the line for us by offering his Son in sacrificial death while we were of no use whatever to him.”
Romans 5:6-8 (MSG)

Do you have something in your life that hangs you up? Maybe it’s a mistake that the devil doesn't let you forget, even when it’s long forgiven and forgotten by God? How about an old pattern of sin in your life that you thought you'd outgrown? Until, that is, it comes back as a painful reminder of “guess you’re not as mature as you thought!” It really does get a girl feeling pretty down.

The last few days I've been thinking about how useless I am to God...and, in reality, I am. Surprising concept to grasp, but we are not needed by Him, nor is He dependent on us. We’re not His little sidekicks whom He desperately needs to valiantly fight the enemy and ruin life as we know it. That is a depressing thought because I want to help God fight evil, I want to stomp Satan back to the fiery pits of hell where he belongs. But God has something better in mind for us. He doesn’t need us, He wants us.

To be wanted is a much better feeling then to be needed. I will admit, though, I like being needed. Sometimes, when I have a skill or knowledge that only I can bring to the table, you better believe it pumps my ego to use it and show it off. But I've got nothing to show off to God. He's seen it all, He designed such skills and nothing compares to His skill levels and knowledge.

Romans 5:6-8 says it beautifully. While we were of no use to God, He put His love on the line for the worthless. He put His Son on the line to make you and me worth something He could be around. Not because He needed us...no...He wants us! He wants you regardless of what you've done in your life, or what you could ever possibly do. He is pursuing you because you are special to Him!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Do you struggle to believe that God wants you, not for something you've done, but just because He loves you? Talk with Him today about your unbelief.

FURTHER READING:
Romans 7:7-25, Jeremiah 15:19

Sarah works as a rehabilitation specialist for mentally ill clients in a group home. She teaches the 5th and 6th grade girls at Oakwood.

There’s Praise in the Puddles
By Pamela Blattner

“Your joy will be a river overflowing its banks!”

John 16:22-24

Last week, I was having a “blue” afternoon. Nothing major was going on, I was just bogged down by mundane routine and everyday frustrations of babysitting for my three-year-old grandson who wanted to go outside and play. I was sitting in my office working on a project for church and trying to fight off the grey cloud that I felt hanging over my head, when it started to rain. I really love sunshine, and the rain just added to the heaviness in my heart. A few minutes after it started to rain, something outside my office window caught my eye. I turned my desk chair to see several puddles of water on the driveway. I took my grandson outside and was instantly captivated by one of the most precious sights I’ve ever experienced. This three-year-old warrior child was dancing in the rain…whirling and leaping with his face upward and his arms outstretched, soaking up every drop of rain possible. His dinosaur-stomping moves were powerful, parting every puddle with his jumping and dancing. It was his innocence and uninhibited enjoyment of the rainy moment that was so compelling. Something in my heart longed to dance with him. So I did. (It’s wonderful to be a grandparent!)

God blessed me with the opportunity to “dance in the rain,” to see the beauty in everyday moments and embrace whatever life brings with joy. I was so glad that I didn’t allow the circumstances of life to overwhelm the best part of life: God’s presence! Psalm 16:11 says, “You fill me with joy in your presence.” While my grandson may have just been dancing in the rain, he inspired me to embrace God’s presence in spite of the storms and to dance.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Think of the moments you have experienced where you can remember God’s love notes to you. Sometimes He sends His love in the giggle of a child, or peace in the midst of heartache. Can you think of a moment He lavished His love on you and your family this week? Who can you tell?
2. Do a Bible word study on “joy” by going to www.biblegateway.com and keyword search “joy.”

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 28:6, 97:11

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.

Season Finales
By Karen Damore

“I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.”
Jeremiah 29:11 (MSG)

Many lay wounded from a gunman’s rampage…a school bus teeters on the edge of a cliff…a family is lost at sea…when “TO BE CONTINUED” flashes across the screen. In the world of television, season finales typically end with a suspenseful cliffhanger. Unresolved dilemmas in the hyper-dramatic episode lure viewers to return next season, the most anticipated conclusion being the destiny of their famed characters. With the fate of each character resting in the hands of the Director, not every character’s role remains the same in the returning season.

For the past four years, my “Master Director” cast me in a role in a business with perpetual soap opera-like drama. In spite of the drama-infused challenges, I found comfort in the routine, pleasure in relational bonds with clients and co-workers, and joy in the many ministry opportunities. With the recent closure of that business, I faced a personal “season finale.” With my fellow “cast members” and faithful audience scattered, I stand alone, awaiting a new leading role.

Holding a fresh diploma from beauty school, I now face a new season with a new script. Auditioning for a role I’ve never played, I wait for my “Agent” to direct me to a new stage. While the unfamiliar and unknown is unnerving, I find comfort in knowing that my fate lies in the hands of the Master Director!

“Like an open book, You watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before You. The days of my life all prepared before I’d even lived one day” (Psalm 139:16, MSG). As Christ-followers, God has written each of our personal scripts. Ephesians 2:10 assures us that “we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

We are His “leading lady” holding His eternal script. As seasons come and go, He may call us to play different roles. Let’s put on our Christ-like character and act out the role He’s directing us in. And remember, the cliffhanger endings in your “season finales” are faith-building preludes to…new seasons!

GOING DEEPER:
1. How can you better embrace the roles God has for you in changing seasons?

FURTHER READING:
Philippians 1:6; Isaiah 44:2; Romans 8:29

Married to Dan, Karen is a retired police officer, and a recently licensed Nail Technician. She is administrator for Oakwood’s Tuesday a.m. Bible Study, and is a wildlife rehabilitator.

Confession=Healing
By Susan Klein

“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”
James 5:16

When my husband and I were new believers, we joined a “small group” so that we would develop relationships with other believers who could help us grow in our faith. We were welcomed into a wonderful group where our faith walk really began to take root. As we got to know the others in our group, we began to feel more comfortable sharing our struggles and issues, and we welcomed their prayers and Scriptural guidance.

One night, as we got ready to pray, one of the ladies suggested we separate into two groups…men in one and women in the other…so we could share and pray on a more personal level. I had been struggling with a particular sin in my life and had felt burdened to share it with someone. I felt this might be a good time to confess it to the ladies, who were now my dear friends, and ask them to hold me accountable.

As I started to tell them of my struggle, one lady spoke up rather quickly. “You don’t have to confess anything to us! Your sin is between you and God. You just have to take it to Him and ask His forgiveness.” I know she meant well, and just didn’t want me to feel embarrassed by going public. What she didn’t understand was that I really wanted to share it! I was tired of dealing with it all alone and needed their prayers and their help! Sadly, I closed my eyes and went before the Lord in silence. I never shared my struggle with them. I continued with that sin for many years before the Lord brought it to an end. I often wonder what would have happened if I had been allowed to share it that night.

While it is true that we need not share with others every wrong we commit, the above verse suggests that it is good to confess some of our sins to each other for the benefit of intercessory prayer. God does not intend for us to struggle alone! It is a great joy for believers to pray for each other and to see God answer those prayers!

The prayers of the righteous can bring about healing for the sin-sick soul!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Do you have people in your life who will pray for you and hold you accountable? If not, you may want to consider joining a small group in your area.
2. Who, in your life, may be in need of your intercessory prayer today?

FURTHER READING:
James 5:13-20

Susan is a wife and mother of two. She is the Coordinator of Oakwood’s Tuesday a.m. Bible Study and one of its teachers.

Trust in the Lord
By Dawn Weimar

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.”
Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust is the confident expectation of something…or, hope. Trust, in a legal sense, is something committed to for safekeeping. The Lord wants us to trust in Him. Trust and hope are not blindness or naiveté, but a reliance on a Person. Not just any person, but the Person of God; no less than the God of the universe who created and maintains all good things. Yes, the Creator of heaven and earth wants you to trust Him and rely on Him.

I am a person who asks many questions. I need to know why. This inquisitiveness has served me well. When I learn something, I learn it well…inside and out. Part of learning is understanding. Yet, I realize that there are some things beyond our understanding. In Isaiah 55, the Lord states, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” Most situations will require us to not lean on our understanding. We will have to dig for His understanding and an understanding of His ways. And regardless, if He chooses to reveal an answer to the question “why,” we must choose to trust and rely on Him…or not.

There have been many situations in which I have wrestled over a “why” with God. I have been angry and questioning and struggling, until the day I read God’s answer to Job in chapter 38. If you are indignant, this will cause you pause: “Then, the Lord answered Job out of the storm. He said: ‘Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge. Brace yourself like a man; I will question you and you shall answer me.’” Well, you’ll have to read the rest for yourself; may it bless you with humility and trust in Him, as Job finally said, “I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted…Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.”

GOING DEEPER:
1. Do you trust God? In what practical situation do you need Him today?
2. Have you gone to His Word with that situation in mind to look for His guidance? If not, do not close your eyes tonight until you have spent some time tonight searching His Word.

FURTHER READING:
Job 38-42

Dawn is a wife and mother of three daughters, and is active in Oakwood's worship ministries. She's a pediatric nurse, currently working as VP of Business Development in Population Health Improvement.

That Piano In Heaven
By Pam Blattner

“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
Revelation 7:17

Last week we went fishing on a lake with some friends. During our conversation, one of the young girls expressed her excitement about taking drivers’ education this summer. While we were on the pier, she asked, “Do you think they have cars in heaven?” When I asked her why she was wondering, she said “Well, I know the Lord is coming soon and I hope that if I don’t get to drive a car here, I’ll get to drive one there!”

It was ironic that she asked this question, especially since we don’t talk about heaven very often and my mother had just passed away. It’s a topic hardly spoken about by anyone. Preachers rarely preach a sermon just on heaven and about the only time you can count on hearing about it is at a funeral…as a comfort to those whose loved one is in a “better place.”

If we really believe that, then why don’t most of us long for heaven? I believe it’s because we are still bound by all the trappings that life on this side has to offer. We have unfinished business here and family whom we love dearly. There are also tomorrow’s dreams that we’re only just beginning to see come true…including a young lady’s anticipation of driving a car.

But some of us are also afraid of death. We don’t see it quite the way the Apostle Paul did when he said, “Where, O death, is your sting?” (1 Corinthians 15:55). We don’t view life from an eternal perspective. So, while Paul saw death as the “last enemy to be destroyed,” (1 Corinthians 15:26) we find it a little hard to look beyond the grave.

While I sat by my mom’s side at the hospice, I sang all of her favorite songs, and prayed for God’s peace as He ushered her into heaven. I began to reminisce about the things I looked most forward to when I get to heaven. Things like seeing Jesus, catching up with my mom and dad and hugging my Grandma Martin. I also shared with my mom how much I looked forward to getting my perfect body. “I have no musical ability and always wanted to play the piano here on earth,” I told her and my daughter. “But if I get there before any of you, look for the good-looking, skinny piano player playing praise and worship music for the best sounding quartet you’ve ever heard…the one I’m really hoping is led by Elvis! That will be me!”

GOING DEEPER:
1. Where do you stand in your viewpoint on heaven? Are you eager to see Jesus or afraid of death? Talk to God about your feelings.

FURTHER READING:
Philippians 3:20-21; Revelation 21

Pam and her husband Richard have two adult children and two grandchildren. She serves Oakwood through its Family Care Ministries.

All Things
By Peggy Kleckner

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”
Romans 8:28

All things, not some things…what an amazing concept! When I am delayed (all things), when I am disappointed (all things), when I am blessed (all things), when I am cheated (all things), when I am hurt (all things). On and on it goes. Only God can weave all things so intricately that the outcome is good. I may not see it soon…perhaps not even this side of heaven…but if He said it in His Word, I can count on it as truth. What an extraordinary comfort this truth can bring into a difficult day.

Truth is hard to hold onto when we are being battered by the winds of adversity. We must cling to it as a person shipwrecked in the ocean holds fast to anything that floats. Perhaps that is where the saying, “hope floats” comes from! Truth is the hope we as Christians cling to in our life storms.

John 14:6 reads, “I am the way, and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.” Jesus spoke those words. He is the truth that we cling to in the midst of our life storms. We tether ourselves to Him and hold fast. He makes the way to the calmer waters. Too often we keep fighting, rather than resting in Him. He allows the storm, as well as the calm. He knows the purpose of each.

Is today a stormy day or a calm day for you? Look to Him in “all things.”

GOING DEEPER:
1. What storm are you trying to weather on your own? What “hope” are you clinging to?

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 25; Luke 8:22-25

Peggy is a wife and mother of four adult children - two sons and two stepsons. She is the Co-coordinator of Oakwood’s Wednesday p.m. Bible Study.

What’s Wrong With Me?
By Lisa Boyer

“Finally, brothers…whatever is right…think about such things.”
Philippians 4:8

The church bulletin read, “Today’s Message Is: ‘What’s Wrong with Me?’” The pastor began…“Have you ever asked yourself, ‘What’s wrong with me?’ If you have or even if you’ve just felt that way, that uncertainty can become very devastating.” He went on to say, “If God brings us to the place where we ask ourselves ‘What’s wrong with me?’ it is meant to help us grow, overcome, and be free from the bondage of self-doubt. Let God show you what is right about you; why He loves and cares for you so much.” (1)

Nothing that is wrong with you can compare with what’s right about you:

• You are created in God’s image! “So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them” (Genesis 1:27).
  
• God cares for you! “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father…So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows” (Matthew 10:29, 31).
  
• Jesus prayed for you! “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their message” (John 17:20).
  
• Jesus loves you and freed you from sin! “To Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood” (Revelation 1:5b).

GOING DEEPER:
1. The next time you find yourself asking “What’s wrong with me?” how will you refocus your attention to what’s right about you from God’s perspective?

(1) Pastor Jerome Spencer, New Beginnings Christian Church, Waukesha, WI, May 2, 2010.

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

MY Spiritual Battle Front
By Elin Henderson

“For we wrestle (battle) not against flesh and blood but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against the spiritual wickedness in high places.”
Ephesians 5:12 (NKJV)

I am not sure how many people I have come across ask me, “So, what’s it like on the front line battlefield?” For some reason, a lot of people consider missionary work “front-line” while everything else is what…“back-line”? Today, I would like to dispel this misrepresentation. While there is some truth in it, the reality is that God has given each of us a “battle front” and there He wants us to stand and fight!

We see in Scripture that not just some of us, but all of us are called to front-line service, although the service itself may take on varying appearances. It isn’t an elite few who get to see the front lines while the rest of us sit back and watch in awe or cheer. God has designed unique battle fronts for each of us. Now, how effective we are on our spiritual battle fronts is more a matter of where we are looking for strength and direction.

God, in His perfect foreknowledge, plans out in advance each of our personal battles, where good and evil are fought out and where the flesh and the Spirit fight for the right to raise their flag and claim us. He also knows how much each of us can take on the front line, doing hand-to-hand battle, and when we need a rest and a little “leave time.” Sometimes it may seem that the war is never ending and at other times, we wonder, “Why am I being kept back and not sent to the front line again today?” Either way, our eyes must be focused on the General, leading us onward. We must be confident that He alone knows what is best for us; how much we can handle today, how long we can stand the heavy shelling, and when we need to fall back for a little rest and recuperation before heading back to the fray.

What and where is your battle front? Could it be in an office? At home with your kids? Teaching in a school? Working in a hospital? It is true that there are some locations that are more intense with spiritual warfare, but on either front the bottom line is sensitivity to our Leading General. Where does He have us today? Where should our forces be? And on the day we are called home and the battle is over, may we say with Paul, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept my faith” (2 Timothy 4:7, NKJV).

GOING DEEPER:
1. How can this apply to the spiritual armor that we are called to put on in Ephesians 6:11-13? How does this equip us for our personal spiritual battle front?

FURTHER READING:
2 Chronicles 20:27; 1 Timothy 6:12a; 1 Timothy 1:18b

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.

Fireworks, Festivals and Celebration
By Pam Blattner

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.”
Galatians 5:1

It’s almost July 4th! When you think about July 4th, what types of things come to mind? Maybe, you think about a day off from work with picnics, fireworks, and patriotic flags displayed in front yards along your streets. Those are certainly good, but the one word that comes to my mind is freedom.

It is a fact that we live in the United States of America where we can voice our opinions freely, and can vote for the people of our choice. These are valuable reasons why we should never take our freedom for granted.

I have a friend who really goes all out decorating for every holiday, including July 4th. I loved walking past his house in July because I could hear Sousa’s marching band music powerfully playing inside the house, and I love seeing our nation’s flag displayed in his front yard for the entire month. The flag means a lot to me because of those in my family, and those of my friends, who have been in wars…some of whom didn’t come home. I think about my father serving in World War II; family members volunteering with the Red Cross then; friends who served in Vietnam, Desert Storm and Afghanistan. Because of their contributions in keeping us all free, I proudly display the flag.

Consider all that the American flag stands for. It represents an emblem of the greatest nation on the earth. It has been carried through centuries in battle. It is placed on the graves of our honored dead who fought for the right to remain a free nation, and it flies high during peace times, as well as war.

As we celebrate national freedom this week, there is another freedom we can have…one more real, more valuable, and never-ending. We can display the “banner” it symbolizes every day of the year, and the music it inspires can play year-round in our souls. That kind of freedom begins with a personal relationship with God and results in our freedom “in Christ” to live a life that glorifies Him. To live a life that flies His banner of love in a way that can be seen by all. Let freedom ring out in your hearts today, girlfriends, and lift high HIS flag!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Is there anything in your life you would change right now in order to maintain your freedom in Christ? Take that first step.
2. Do you have the freedom in Christ that starts with a personal relationship with God? If not, and you’d like more information, email us at elizabeth@oakwoodnow.org.

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 3:3, 118:5, 119:32; Luke 4:18-19; John 8:32

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.

Smack Down 101
By Pamela Blattner

"God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."
James 4:6

My friend, Lynne, is an artist and has “thrown” a lot of pottery in her day. One day, I asked her about clay. She commented that in order to make clay that is useable, a potter has to start with just the right mixture of earth and water. If there is too much water in the clay and it is too wet, it will not harden. If it is too soft, it will be too weak to hold up and nothing will be able to be formed from it. If it is too dry, it will crumble and break apart and will be just as useless. There must be a perfect combination of the two ingredients in order for clay to be useful.

I started to think about the methods God uses to form us into the kind of vessel He wants to employ for His kingdom. I grew up in an environment where an individual’s value was determined by her education, ability and expertise that led to wealth. I’d been striving for my parents’ approval all my life, and never quite measuring up. You can just imagine the relief I felt when I went to a new church one day and heard the pastor’s message on grace. I immediately went down to the front of the sanctuary after the service and approached him. I remember saying, “I’ve never heard that before. That’s in the Bible? It’s really not grace plus works that save us?” That was the day I became clay in the Potter’s hands. Smack Down 101!

It’s 30 years later and I still find myself being molded. Well, it took God 20 long years of pouring and pounding until the consistency of Jacob's heart became soft enough. Moses appears to have needed 40 years! Is it possible for us as believers to have a tender heart for a season, but then when God speaks to us about a difficult issue we choose not to humble ourselves, but rather to harden our hearts? God has lovingly allowed some things in my life to pound me, in order to make my heart useable for His kingdom agenda.

Jesus loves a tender heart. God always seeks to do one thing with us on the Potter's wheel…not to make us more powerful and famous, but to make us more like His Son Jesus, a humble and meek servant.

GOING DEEPER:
1. In what ways is God trying to mold and shape you? Are you humbling yourself and softening your heart toward Him, or remaining hard-hearted?
2. Think of a time when you were in pride, arrogance, or smugness and you confessed it. How did God give you grace when you humbled yourself?

FURTHER READING:
Proverbs 4:23; Ephesians 5:21; Romans 12:3; Jeremiah 18:3-4

Pam and her husband Richard have two adult children and two grandchildren. She serves Oakwood through its Family Care Ministries.