Opportunity Cost
By Elizabeth Cole

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and SELF-CONTROL.” Galatians 5:22-23

For quite a bit of my childhood, our family’s refrigerator had the above verse affixed to its front…exactly the way it’s written above. I’ve never asked my mom why she needed that particular part of the fruit highlighted…but I’m thinking that being the mother of four strong-willed children might have had something to do with it!

I find the word a little ironic since I personally have very little hope of effectively producing control of myself…of my appetites, of my choices, of my decisions. No, the only way self-control is ever evidenced in my life is when I am Spirit-controlled. And that’s a choice: moment by moment, decision by decision, opportunity by opportunity. In every instance, I choose whether to allow the Spirit to take the lead in my life, or wrestle back control and do it my way. I then have the delight of walking through the consequences of Spirit-led self-control, or the not-so-delightful consequences of utter lack of self-control. Sadly, those types of consequences often include plain old sin.

There’s a great term used by economists to describe the real cost of financial choices. Opportunity Cost is calculated by determining the cost of the opportunity that was forgone in the choice of one expenditure over another. For example, if an organization chooses to spend capital monies on purchasing a new copy machine instead of new computers, the opportunity cost is the cost of the computers…along with all the benefits the organization could have received had they purchased the computers instead. (1)

On a spiritual level, consider the opportunity costs associated with lack of self-control. Choices made in my out-of-control state include not just the cost of what I actually do, but also the opportunity cost of what I might have been able to be and do for Christ and His kingdom had I allowed the Spirit to give me self-control. Take yesterday for example: the real cost of sitting and watching way too much television cost me regret, a sore neck and a bored heart; the opportunity cost goes even further to include a couple of thank-you notes, an encouraging phone call or two, quality time with a child, and writing a devotional before the deadline!

Beloved, in making choices today, choose Spirit-led self-control…the opportunity cost is too high for the alternative.

GOING DEEPER:
1. In decision making today, what could you do to remind yourself to allow the Spirit to give you self-control?
2. As you think about an area of your life that lacks self-control, is it worth the opportunity cost?

FURTHER READING:
I Thessalonians 5:4-11; I Peter 1:13-16

Elizabeth is a wife, mother to one adult and two teen-aged daughters, and is the Director of Women’s Ministries at Oakwood Church.

(1) www.answers.com/topic/opportunity-cost

A “Softness” of the Soul
By Susan Klein

Let your gentleness be evident to all. Philippians 4:5

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, GENTLENESS and self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23

About 25 years ago, I worked with a young woman who left a lasting impression on everyone she met! She was about 19, very pretty with long blond hair, and worked with us over her summer break from college. My first impression of her was as someone who “looked” very sweet and gentle. Looks can be deceiving!

On her first day, I was in a patient’s room and heard a loud, masculine-sounding voice out in the hall. Not recognizing this unusual voice, I stepped out to see who it was. It was the new girl! Stunned, I just awkwardly gaped at her, not knowing what to say. Accustomed to this response, she explained that when she’d had a tonsillectomy as a child, she spoke too soon after the surgery and it permanently damaged her vocal cords. For years, people had come to assume she was sort of a “tough cookie” judging by the sound of her voice. So, she eventually adopted the tough-guy attitude and began to act accordingly. She spoke with vulgarity, defied all authority, and hung with a rough crowd. She even began to believe that “softness” or “gentleness” could and would never be a part of her character. My heart ached for this young woman who chose to live out the stigma attached to her! She needed the redeeming love of a gentle Savior.

As new creatures in Christ, we are blessed with the Holy Spirit’s indwelling. He works in us to smooth out our rough edges and cultivate the fruit of gentleness. That gentleness is the grace which pervades the whole nature, mellowing all which would have been harsh and austere(1). It is the softness of a dove, which comes with spiritual maturity and the sanctifying work of Christ in our lives. King Solomon instructs us that a gentle answer turns away wrath; Peter tells us to give a gentle answer; and Jesus Himself encourages us to learn from Him and to find rest for our souls in His humble and gentle spirit (Matthew 11:29). It is a choice we must make: to be rid of our old harsh ways and to clothe ourselves with gentleness.

Just as we pursue a “hard” body by working out, we must pursue a “soft” spirit by working on our inner self.

GOING DEEPER:
1) Do you possess any harsh ways that could use a little softening?
2) Have you swallowed the lie that you are who you are and you cannot change?

FURTHER READING:
1 Timothy 6:11; Ephesians 4:1-3

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

(1) The complete Word Study New Testament, Spiros Zodhiates, Th.D., 1991 AMG International, Inc.

Faithfulness
By Peggy Kleckner

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, FAITHFULNESS, gentleness and self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23

Faithfulness sings “full of faith” to me. Faith brings to mind trust and belief. Too often my life seems full of fear: fear of not being enough; fear of not having enough. That certainly doesn’t sound like faith “full”!

As of late, I seem bombarded with opportunities to fear. Am I the only Christian who battles fear? I looked to the Scriptures and found that I am not alone. When fear shows up, it is for the testing of our faith. Faith untested is like wearing a life preserver and never intending to go near the water. How do you know you will float, unless you get in the water….or get thrown into the water?

Faithfulness seems to show up for display in times of testing. In Mark 4:35-41, we see the apostles fearing for their lives at sea while Jesus sleeps in the same boat! Their fear was that they would perish, but underlying that was the knowledge that they, in and of themselves, were no match for the storm. In desperation, they wake Jesus. He was their answer. He was more than sufficient to stand up to the storm. His faithfulness was displayed not only to them, but to the people in the boats that were with them.

Another snapshot: the feeding of the 5,000 found in Mark 6:30-42. The apostles recognize that there are many mouths to feed and they don’t have enough to feed them all. I imagine their response had to include fear: How can they provide when they don’t have enough? Again, they look to Jesus, who again shows His faithfulness. He is sufficient to meet not only their need, but the needs of more than 5,000.

In both of these snapshots, the apostles were in situations that revealed their need for a Savior. They were confronted with fear, but in their desperation they turned to Jesus. Where do we turn? Where do we turn when there is more month than money? Where do we turn when the storms of life are blocking our progress? How are we doing in our faith tests?

The testing of our faith not only expands our faith in the One who died for us, it provides the fruit for those around us to taste and see that the Lord is good. We become a display of His splendor.

Don’t run from the tests of your life, stand still and become a portrait of His grace. His faithfulness will be seen in you and others will be drawn into His presence.

GOING DEEPER:
1. What faith test are you in at present?
2. Are you displaying His splendor or your own?

FURTHER READING:
John 9:1-12, Mark 4:35-41, Mark 6:30-42

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.

Goodness
By Elizabeth Cole

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, GOODNESS, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23

We’ve been eating a lot of fruit in our house lately. I think it might be a desperate attempt to hold on to summer…despite howling winds, orange-hued leaves and the need for a coat! But all that fruit has re-reminded me of what we all know: Just because it looks good on the outside doesn’t mean it’s good on the inside. Especially green grapes. Within the last several weeks, I’ve been literally disappointed by “sour grapes”!

In his letter to the Galatians, Paul is listing the fruit of the Spirit as examples of what Spirit-led living looks like. The Galatian church had alarmed him with news of its conflicts: theological, social and gender. So he offers them the answer to conflict: Living by the Spirit. (1) Then he illustrates it with a picture. And that bountiful harvest includes goodness.

One of the reasons I like the biblical word “goodness” is because it’s efficient…it not only describes a state of being (moral and spiritual excellence known by its sweetness), but also its results (active kindness). (2) Makes me think of those other green grapes I’ve had in my home…the ones that not only looked delectable, but tasted as good as they looked! Good fruit.

The goodness that only the Holy Spirit can produce in our lives is a goodness which flows from a rightly-movitated heart. Oh dear. That means that martyr-complex attitude after serving? Not good fruit. The unseen irritation when helping a friend? Yeah…not good fruit. The giving of resources out of obligation? Nope.

I can’t help but be dismayed when I think about authentic goodness. My first reaction is to tell myself how much I’ve got to work on that. And then Scripture reminds me: We’re not talking about my hard work; we’re talking about “fruit that is supernatural in origin (being the Spirit’s fruit) and natural in growth (being the Spirit’s fruit).” (3) It is the Spirit who produces the fruit from within me, the fruit that is evidence to other people of His residence in my life. My part? To ensure the garden of my heart has right conditions for fruit to naturally grow. Conditions of soft soil, of sowing what pleases the Spirit, of not growing weary in doing good (Galatians 6:8-9). Then the supernatural fruit naturally follows!

I’m headed to the Piggly Wiggly later today looking for a last bowl of sweet summer fruit. You know, the kind that looks and tastes like goodness!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Where is the Spirit at work aligning your heart and actions toward authentic goodness?

FURTHER READING:
2 Thess. 1:11

Elizabeth is a wife, mother to one adult and two teen-aged daughters, and is the Director of Women’s Ministries at Oakwood Church.

(1) Scott McKnight, The NIV Application Commentary, pp. 277-278.
(2) John MacArthur, The MacArthur New Testament Commentary, Galatians, p. 168.
(3) John Stott, Baptism and Fullness, p. 103.

Not-So-Random Kindness
By Carolyn Hulliberger

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience,
KINDNESS, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23

Scripture tells us that when we become a follower of Christ, there will be obvious signs of the Holy Spirit living in us. The analogy of “fruit” is used deliberately here. For fruit to grow, a plant must be healthy and nurtured…sun, rain and environment all work together in the plant to produce a fruit. The fruit can then be given to others to provide nourishment.

One of the fruits Christ-followers are to bear is kindness. This seems basic enough on the surface. Most people would likely describe themselves as kind. Kindness in the English language is synonymous with generosity, charity, compassion or benevolence. Some of us have even participated in “Random Acts of Kindness.”

But Christian kindness is more than just individual acts or doing a good deed a day. It is a constant attitude that puts feet to our faith by reaching out to others’ needs and assists them. It is greater than politeness and good manners, or just not being mean to another person. Christian kindness feels personal to the recipient. It speaks of compassion and tender-heartedness. “Kindness is sensitive and respectful of other's feelings, considerate of their perspective, thoughtful about taking the initiative to tenderly address the welfare of another.” (1)

Kindness is a natural product of a healthy follower of Christ. Nourish someone else today…on purpose!

GOING DEEPER:
1. If someone was looking for an example of kindness, could they look to you?
2. As you dwell on the kindness aspect of the fruit of the Spirit today, look to the example Christ set for us in demonstrating kindness.

FURTHER READING:
Ephesians 4:23-24; Colossian 3:12

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

(1) © 1999 James A. Fowler, Christ in You Ministries

Got Patience!!!
By Karen D’Amore

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, PATIENCE,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23

She didn’t get it! Dabbling in “churchianity,” she reduced Jesus to a “spare tire,” pulling Him out of the trunk, in the midst of life’s “blow-outs.” Her childhood years of learning Bible stories, reciting Scriptures and singing “Jesus Loves Me” proved fruitless. She wore a “Christian” nametag, yet lived like a heathen…straddling the fence between Light and darkness. She spit in God’s face, trampled His grace and dishonored Him with her rebellious wiles. She was the epitome of a hypocrite and an embarrassment to her fellow believers. She lived a life of self-indulgence…yielding a spirit of impatience, intolerance and foolishness. When squeezed tightly under the painful consequences of her sinful ways, she would plead for mercy, vowing to turn from her evil behavior. Her repentance insincere…her lifestyle unchanged!

One can only imagine how often she got on God’s nerves, testing and provoking His patience! However, she was the recipient of His makrothumia (patience, long-suffering, slow to anger and wrath); the Divine balance between wrath and grace when God postpones judgment in hope for repentance. Late in life, she eventually “got it” and in a spirit of true brokenness and sincere repentance, she surrendered her heart to Jesus, giving Him Lordship over her life. The “she” I’m referring to is…ME, and as I recall my foolish journey, I am convinced that “patience” is God’s ultimate gift to mankind.

Makrothumia, in the Greek translation, refers to patience with people. It’s the ability to remain patient when people are foolish, and not grow irritable when they seem un-teachable. It is the ability to accept the folly, the perversity, the blindness, the ingratitude of others and still remain gracious. God often surrounds me with people just like the “old” me…people who are difficult, un-teachable, stubborn and frustrated with the lack of victory in their fence-straddling lives. My flesh winces with an attitude bent toward impatience, but my heart can’t help but respond in humble reflection of the patience God extended to me.

As Christ-followers, we are to exercise the same patience with one another that God exercised with us. Though impossible in our own strength, this attitude is manifested through submission and yieldedness to His Spirit. With His Spirit living within us we have the ability to reflect His fruit and character. Through this Spirit-filled nature, what once seemed IMPOSSIBLE is now “HIM POSSIBLE”! In the words of Jean Jacques Rousseau, “Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.” (1) Got Patience???

GOING DEEPER:
1. Is someone testing your patience? How can you extend makrothumia?

FURTHER READING:
Romans 9:22; 1 Timothy 1:16; 2 Peter 3:9, 15

Married to Dan, Karen is a retired police officer and is currently 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.

(1) http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/j/jean_jacques_rousseau_2.html

Peace
By Lisa Boyer

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7 (NASB)

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, PEACE, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23

It was an uncomfortable feeling, no, not uncomfortable, it was awful. I had knots in my stomach. Right away, I knew what it was: anxiety. I was anxious. I quickly tried to figure out why, but nothing came to me. As I contemplated my condition, Philippians 4:6 came to mind, “be anxious for nothing.” I laughed as I realized that in my terrible state, I was being very biblical. I was, in fact, anxious about nothing!

When times are tough, we go in search of peace. When we need God’s peace, we are quick to follow the whole verse of Philippians 4:6. We let our requests be made known to God by prayer and supplication. And we try our best to do it with thanksgiving. But when there are no obvious problems, do we need peace? Do we go in search of it? Or does it become the neglected fruit of the Spirit, sought after only when it becomes obviously missing, replaced with anxiety, sometimes without cause?

The other fruit of the Spirit…love, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control…affect those around us in obvious ways. Peace can be so easily neglected. And yet, when peace is neglected, anxiety takes its place. And when we are anxious, can we truly display the other fruit? Anxiety affects our ability and tendencies to show love, to have joy, to display patience, to be kind, good, faithful or gentle and most certainly to exhibit self-control.

In Paul’s closing remarks to the Thessalonians, he said, “Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance” (2 Thessalonians 3:16). Every circumstance. Good times, bad times, all the time.

Let’s proactively pursue peace today by taking everything to God in prayer, with thanksgiving.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Do you find yourself being anxious? Will you pray today and let your requests be made known to God with thanksgiving?

FURTHER READING:
Colossians 3:15; John 14:27

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.

Intentional Joy
By Susan Klein

"Joy cometh in the morning." Psalm 30:5b (KJV)

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, JOY, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23

Have you ever gone to bed with the weight of the world on your shoulders? Makes it kind of hard to get up and get going the next morning, doesn’t it? I tend to want to pull the covers over my head and hibernate! Make no mistake: Trials and circumstances will most certainly come and try to rob us of our joy. That is when we must become intentional about joy.

When my daughter was born, I loved the meaning of the name “Abigail,” which is “my Father’s joy.” I didn’t particularly care for the name itself though, since it conjured up images of little old ladies in wheelchairs that I used to care for in a nursing home! So, we opted to name our tiny baby, “Abie Joy,” instead. I adore the fact that Scripture says God delights in us, or He takes joy in us. And not necessarily because of what we do, but just because He created us and we exist. We are His joy! As a baby, Abie brought me joy just by “being.” She didn’t have to do anything in particular. In fact, there was no joy in the circumstances surrounding her long and painful delivery. There was no joy in her fussing and her refusal to let anyone but me feed her for the first whole year of her life! But, as I sat and held her in my arms, I took joy in the little “her” that she was, and in the knowing that she’d be mine for as long as God allowed.

When circumstances get you down or when your day begins with a mile-long list of things you’ll never get done, take a moment to focus on true joy. Take joy in the King who has taken joy in you! Take joy in breath, and life, and your position in Christ! Take joy in eternal life, or the Holy Spirit within you, or just the mere freedom to choose to be joyful. Let God be the source of your joy rather than letting your circumstances rob you of it!

Then, the next time you feel the urge to stay in bed and hide from the world, rub the sleep from your eyes, put your cares in their proper place, and make an intentional choice to have joy!

And before your feet hit the floor, relish the fact that God is taking joy in you at that very same moment!

GOING DEEPER:
1) What is usually the first thing you focus on when you awake in the morning?
2) Make a habit of professing joy, whether in thought or aloud, before you get out of bed. See if it makes a difference in your day!

FURTHER READING:
The book of Psalms

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

Just the Right Ingredient
By Jen Wollner

“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith than can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.”
1 Corinthians 13:1-3

“But the fruit of the Spirit is LOVE, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23

“Oh, no! Why isn’t this working?” I said with irritation as I was preparing my dessert. I looked back to the recipe, reading it several times over, looking for my mistake. “I’ve followed it exactly. What’s the problem?” Again, I recounted my steps and couldn’t figure out what I had missed. Then it hit me. I frantically looked through the garbage for the package of one of the ingredients. Yep. That was it. You need to use instant pudding when making a trifle, not cook-and-serve pudding! Such a small thing, but it made all the difference. Without this one ingredient right, the whole thing was a flop. None of the other perfectly good ingredients could make up for the one that was missing.

Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians that love is kind of like that, too. It’s the ingredient in our lives that brings everything else together. We can have any number of wonderful spiritual gifts, but without love, we have nothing, are nothing and gain nothing. Love is the character trait that makes all of our gifts and talents work the way they are supposed to, according to God’s design. If we are lacking in love, we are missing the very thing that makes the biggest impact in our lives and the lives of others.

Friends, as we seek to develop the unique gifts the Lord has given to us, let’s not forget, first and foremost, to be characterized by our love. A love that is patient and kind. A love that doesn’t envy or boast. A love that isn’t proud, rude, self-seeking or easily angered. A love that keeps no record of the wrongs of others. A love that doesn’t delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. A love that always protects, trusts, hopes and perseveres.

Let’s make an intentional decision to daily demonstrate the greatest gift of God…love.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Are you characterized by your love? What would others around you say?
2. To whom and in what way could you show godly love today?

FURTHER READING:
1 Corinthians 13:1-13; 1 John 3:16-18

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.

Bringing the Cheese
By Pamela Blattner

"Take along these ten cheeses to the commander of their unit. See how your brothers are and bring back some assurance from them."
1 Samuel 17:18

I enjoyed reading the story of David and Goliath last night for the first time in a good while.

In the Bible, we read a story about two men: one a great, great big man who didn't love God, and didn't know God, and didn't really want anything to do with the true and living God; and another, an average-sized young man who did love God, and served God, and wanted to do whatever God wanted Him to do.

The Philistine army had threatened to wipe out Israel and sent their biggest man, Goliath, with a challenge, "Whoever will come and fight me, I will fight. If I win, you will be our slaves; and if you win, we will be your slaves." The Israelites were just plain scared…until David, a young man with tremendous faith in God came along. Because you see, David knew something that the other people had forgotten. David knew that God gives us the power to do whatever He would have us to do, no matter the circumstances.

When reading it through this time, one thing that stood out to me in the story was that David had no clue about what God was going to do with him that day. He thought he was "bringing cheese" to the armies and his brothers, according to his father's instructions. That's all he knew at that point.

Truthfully, I really have no clue what God will do with me tomorrow either. The best attitude is to listen and willingly do what work my Father has for me today. David thought he was "bringing cheese," but God saw it as an opportunity to raise up a man after His own heart and win a mighty battle.

It made me want to listen carefully to the Father's voice and work. We don't know what "unseen" opportunity may be just around the corner—some small work or deed that He tells me to do could be a life-changing experience. And as you trust Him, He'll make things happen that you never believed possible. He'll give you extra strength. He'll give you extra courage. He can provide extra funds, extra work, extra assurance, extra peace, extra calm, extra kind people to help fix broken hearts, He can do all. Remember, girlfriends, He can give you the power to do and to take care of whatever He needs to be, no matter what the circumstances.

It makes one excited to live another day! Who knows!

GOING DEEPER:
Is there something you need to trust God with in your life? Ask for His help and enjoy His fellowship today.

FURTHER READING:
I Samuel 17:45; Isaiah 40:29-31; Philippians 4:13

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.

Life-lesson From a Chipmunk
By Susan Klein

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"
2 Corinthians 5:17

One thing that tickles my fancy is watching the birds feed at my feeders. One thing that does not tickle me, however, is watching the chipmunks and squirrels devour all of my bird food. How dare they eat what is not meant for them! Do they know that they are not birds?!!

As I sat contentedly watching the Grosbeaks this morning, their breakfast was suddenly interrupted when a chipmunk flung his little body onto the feeder and actually crawled inside of it for a greedy little feeding frenzy. My contentment soon turned to resentment! Frustrated by this intrusion, I opened the door and went out to chase him away. My usual shouts didn’t make him flee! Blinded by his focus on the prize, I had to physically pound on the feeder to scare him out! Knowing he’d return as soon as I left, I took the feeder down and hauled it back in with me. “That’ll teach him,” I muttered.

As I returned my gaze to the shepherds crook... sure enough! There he was! He climbed to the top, looked down, and didn’t see the feeder. Turning his head side to side, he climbed half-way down and then back up again. Still no feeder. This went on for about a dozen more repetitions. His mind was so trained that there was food at the end of the crook that he had a hard time processing that it was not there. It had become automatic.

We can be like that chipmunk sometimes. We can get caught in a pattern of behavior that becomes automatic. It may not even be a desirable behavior, but it is so ingrained in our brains that we keep repeating it over and over. Perhaps it’s using a harsh response to things that irritate us, repeatedly watching a bad television show, or a self-indulgence of some sort. We keep going blindly back to it without even thinking. God tries to speak to us, but we cannot hear His voice since we are not focused on hearing Him, only on what is in front of us. Sometimes He has to rattle our cages to get our attention! Or, He may even go so far as to remove the object that has kept us from hearing Him.

As new creatures in Christ, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles and focus our eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:1-2)! For He is our true prize!

GOING DEEPER:
What indulgences or habits might you need to stop? Are you willing to ask God for help in breaking the pattern?

FURTHER READING:
Ephesians 4:22-24

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

Put Down the Knife
By Carolyn Hulliberger

"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit – just as you were called to one hope when you were called – one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."

Ephesians 4:1-6

Have you ever heard the expression, “Don’t cut off your nose to spite your face”? It is a term meant to describe a needlessly self-destructive reaction to a problem or frustration. The reaction does more damage to yourself than the source of your anger.

This phrase came to my mind recently in response to author Anne Rice’s renunciation of the Church. In 2004 when Ms. Rice announced her alignment with Christianity, there was much hoopla made over her high-profile conversion. This summer, she again made headlines by announcing that, “Today I quit being a Christian. I’m out.” She was clear that she still believes in and loves Jesus Christ, just not His Church. I could not help but wonder what Jesus thought of her announcement.

I don’t know what experiences led Anne Rice to this conclusion, but I do know that she is not the only one to ever feel this way. Jesus gave the Church to His people. Unfortunately, people make up the Church. Flawed, imperfect, people of varieties of backgrounds and convictions. People with baggage, with hurts, people that have the best of intentions, people with the worst of motives. People that “get it,” and people that don’t. People that mistakenly believe rules can replace relationship with the Savior. And Christ went to the Cross for us all.

Cutting off association with Christ’s Church leaves His followers vulnerable. It removes the call to accountability with other believers. It leaves us open to false teachers. We lose the opportunity to support others within the Church, and for them to support us in return. It rejects the instruction for us to use the specific gifts we were created with to work together to bring the Message to others until Christ’s return.

Colossians 1:18 says that Christ is the Head, and the Church is the body. So is it possible to separate them? To do so would be like…cutting off your nose to spite your face.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Do you see people getting in the way of the Church? Pray for how God could use you to move His Church closer to Him.

FURTHER READING:
Ephesians 4:12-16

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

Hands-and-Feet Worship
By Elizabeth Cole

"Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share."
1 Timothy 6:18

As usual, hundreds of people met at the church I attend to worship together two Sundays ago. They worshiped with their voices through singing; they worshiped with their hearts and minds through studying what God was saying to us through His Word, the Bible…and then they set out together in jeans and t-shirts to worship with their hands and feet for the rest of the morning.

Some worshiped by sorting donated clothing for our community’s free warehouse.

A bunch of others cleared trails and planted mums at local schools.

Groups of them sang and served ice cream to seniors in a local nursing home.

One team painted a home for those in need; another cleaned a community outreach home.

Families weeded and harvested at a community garden that supplies one of our local food pantries.

A mom and her daughter worshiped by making lunch for those who’d been cleaning the bike trail.

Others packed up their kiddos and went to the local county park to spread fall wood chips.

Scripture says that as a Christ-follower, my life is not my own. In fact, the spiritual reality is that “I no longer live, but Christ lives in me” (Gal. 2:20). And doesn’t it make sense that the Jesus who engaged His “community” and looked with compassion on those around Him and responded to need, the same Jesus whose Spirit lives within, would compel us to act in the same way?

Delight in worshiping our God today…with voice, heart, mind, hands and feet!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Where will you worship and do good today, for the sake of Christ?

FURTHER READING:
Matthew 5:16; Eph. 2:10; Galatians 6:8-10

Elizabeth is a wife, mother to one adult and two teen-aged daughters, and Director of Women’s Ministries at Oakwood Church.

Back-to-School Prayer
By Leslie Snyder

"Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children."
Proverbs 17:6

I saw a school bus the other day and that can only mean one thing. It’s time to go back-to-school. Families across the globe are preparing for another school year and while the educational settings may look different depending on where you live, similar transitions are happening in nearly every home.

During the back-to-school season, my prayers change and become very focused. I suppose it’s natural to feel better when my children are with me. I know what they are doing, whom they are with, and where they will be. But the truth is, with the return of the school year, my children will spend more time away from me than with me. It’s likely yours will, too. So, as we release our children to another school year I invite you to pray the following prayer.

Oh, God. How I love my kids. Thank you for allowing me to be their parent. As the school days approach, I entrust them into your hands. You are everywhere and I thank You that You are where I cannot be. You are in their classroom, in the school hallways, in their lunchroom. You are in the hearts of those You love and those who love You. You are in the heart of my child. Today, I ask for Your presence to surround our school, the buses, and the sidewalks our children will walk. Give teachers and school leaders wisdom and patience. Protect my children’s minds, bodies and souls from any harm and may we trust that You are always with them. Amen.

GOING DEEPER:
Make it a priority to pray daily for your child's teacher, his or her school, faculty and staff. Also, make time to visit your child's school regularly. It will make all the difference in the world.

FURTHER READING:
Numbers 6:24-26

© HomeWord. Used by permission.

God Bless Us!
By Pamela Blattner

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves."
Philippians 2:3

When the television program The Apprentice came out, I was fascinated. It made me study leadership in our modern world, especially as we often see power-obsessed people hailed as leaders and put up on pedestals as the ideals of success.

Yet, certainly Jesus was the most effective leader of all time. As God in human flesh, He displayed and promoted an alternative model of leadership: humble service. Mark 10:42-43 says, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.” I began to think, “Can leaders truly be humble and be ‘empowered’? If Jesus was employed by a large competitive company, would His humility even work in today’s workplace?”

In the January 2001 edition of Harvard Business Review, Jim Collins wrote that he found humility to be central to effective leadership. He described humble leaders in this way:

• Personally humble leaders demonstrate a compelling modesty. They shun public adulation and never boast. They are more interested in the getting the job done than talking about it.
  Personally humble leaders act with calm and quiet determination, not relying on their own charisma to inspire followers but rather use their own values and moral standards to motivate others.
• Personally humble leaders avoid personal ambition in favor of multi-generational growth and development. They desire to see others succeed.
• Personally humble leaders are self-reflective and tend to appropriate blame towards themselves and not others.

During my fundraising years, I learned this similar lesson from a fascinating 100-year-old seasoned saint named Walter, whom I loved. He’d greet everyone with his famous shout of “God Bless Us!” In one of our talks together, Walter said that after his midlife crisis, he’d tried to follow in the footsteps of St. Benedict regarding leadership. St. Benedict wrote a rule to combat leadership pride, and his list started with humility, the fear of God. Walter explained that humility, like leadership, starts and ends with recognizing that God is the ultimate leader. Walter said he learned to lead with his “head bowed down.” Don’t you just love that? God Bless Us!

GOING DEEPER:
1. William Temple said, “Humility does not mean thinking less of yourself than of other people, nor does it mean having a low opinion of your own gifts. It means freedom from thinking about yourself at all.” What leadership position do you have in your home, workplace or church that would benefit today from your leading with your “head bowed down,” focused on the Ultimate Leader?

FURTHER READING:
Proverbs l:7; John 13:12-15

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

411 - Looking For Some Information

By Kelly McFadden

"And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe."

1 Thessalonians 2:13

Before the birth of our first child, my husband and I did what many first-time parents do and read books about pregnancy, books about babies, books about parents, books about…you get the picture. We read contrasting opinions, latest trends, medical opinions and asked a lot of questions to anyone who already had a child.

The amount of information given in these books is staggering. One of my favorite books has an index in the back so I can look up specific words based on my needs and be directed to the answer. How great! I wish life was like this…

Maybe it is. As Christians, we have been given the ultimate 411 reference book. We have been given the gift of the Bible, the Word of God. The Bible is a living and active work. Not just a book for yesterday with some good moral lessons in it, but a book that is relevant today. These are writings that are considered living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword. The Word of God will penetrate the soul and work in and through you when you accept and believe. It is powerful and beneficial and will guide you to the truth.

So why is it so hard to read the Bible at times? Sometimes I feel like I have read it already or that I can get some more relevant advice from a friend or a book that references the Bible. I don’t know why I fall into those lies. There is no greater information, no greater book, no greater life-changing word than the Bible and what a privilege I have that I own one and read it whenever I want. (What is so helpful is that many of the Bibles these days have thorough concordances, just like my baby book, making it easy to look up topics that are pertinent for us that day.)

While it is beneficial to talk with friends, seek out wisdom from pastors, read other books, we must always remember that there is one ultimate source of truth that God has given us: The Bible. So don’t let it collect dust on your bookshelf. Allow it into your life to work in and through you, who believes.

GOING DEEPER:
1. What sources do you look to for wisdom and guidance?
2. How can you make sure that your ultimate decision is not simply based on tradition, but on the Word of God?

FURTHER READING:
Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 15:1-9; Acts 12:20-25; Hebrews 4:12

© HomeWord. Used by permission.

It’s Today!
By Jeannine Sawall

“This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it.”
Psalm 118:24

Monday morning dawned bright as my youngest son came bounding into our bedroom with excitement and shouted, “It’s today! It’s today!” He was having a birthday party with a few school friends and had been waiting what had seemed like forever for this day to arrive. At last, the page on the calendar had turned and it was finally “today.”

As I lay in bed for a moment longer, putting off the inevitable, I had to smile at my son’s excitement simply because today had arrived. For me, it was just another Monday, with a mile- long list of things to accomplish before the party guests arrived. I did not quite share the same level of enthusiasm he did. Yet, in that same moment, the thought ran through my mind how wonderful it would be if I could greet each day (especially Mondays!) with just a fraction of the excitement my son had expressed in greeting his “day.” How differently my days might go if I began each one eagerly anticipating what it held, instead of begrudgingly running down my to-do list.

So as I climbed out of bed, I thanked the Lord for the simple lesson He had taught me through my son’s innocent joy. The Lord has made each day and gives them to us as a gift. We get to choose our attitude; to greet “today” with gladness or glum. Some mornings I may have to work harder at rejoicing than others, yet I can purposefully set my heart on gladness. What a difference it would make to greet each day with “Today is the day the Lord has made and I will be glad.”

GOING DEEPER:
1. Do you greet each day with an attitude of gladness? If not, ask the Lord to give you His gladness.

FURTHER READING:
Philippians 4:4; Psalm 4:6-7; Psalm 68:3; Ecclesiastes 3:12

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

The Encourager
By Carolyn Hulliberger

“When the church in Jerusalem got wind of this [the spreading of the good news of Jesus], they sent Barnabas to Antioch to check on things. As soon as he arrived, he saw that God was behind and in it all. He threw himself in with them, got behind them, urging them to stay with it the rest of their lives. He was a good man that way, enthusiastic and confident in the Holy Spirit's ways.”

Acts 11:22-23 (The Message)

Have you ever been blessed by an Encourager? Maybe it was a teacher, a parent, a pastor or a workplace mentor. Encouragers seek to build others up, to stretch their training, to motivate and praise another’s progress. They leave lasting impressions. Barnabas was just such a person. In fact, Barnabas wasn’t even his given name…it was the nickname he earned from the apostles. The name “Barnabas” translates to “Son of Encouragement” (Acts 4:36). Talk about an insight into a person’s character!

Barnabas demonstrated strong faith, ministered with joy, and taught new believers. He didn’t stand on the sidelines “supervising”…the verse says he “threw himself in with them.” He was active in the building of the early church. Barnabas served with Paul on his first missionary journey. He also mentored John Mark, who wrote one of the gospels.

He is a great example to the rest of us, not only in how he encouraged, but what he encouraged. In a time of opposition, Barnabas urged the younger in the faith to stick with it for the rest of their lives. Sound familiar? Our times have plenty of opposition to Christ-followers, too. We would do well to prepare others in advance, so that the time of our greatest pain or hardest struggle is not the time to wrestle with a faith in Christ. From the very beginning, Barnabas intentionally urged others to stay faithful and resolve to obey God.

As this school year starts, let’s keep our eyes open to ways to throw ourselves in with others…to mentor, teach, inspire, and help prepare for the opposition that is always just around the corner.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Have you had a Barnabas in your life? What made that person’s influence special to you? Pray for ways to translate that influence on to someone else.

FURTHER READING:
1 Thessalonians 5:11

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

Labor Day
By Susan Klein

"Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work..."

Exodus 20:9, 10a

Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country. The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City, in accordance with the plans of the Central Labor Union. In 1884 the first Monday in September was selected as the holiday, as originally proposed, and the Central Labor Union urged similar organizations in other cities to follow the example of New York and celebrate a "workingmen's holiday" on that date. (1)

Much debate exists over who actually “created” this national holiday. It seems to have stemmed from a downturn in the economy, much like today. As the economy dipped, travel and tourism were among the first to suffer, as is often the case. Workers at a train car company had their salaries cut to make up for the company’s losses. A rail strike ensued, and spread like wildfire across the country. President Grover Cleveland stepped in to put an end to the strike by force of U.S. Marshals and armed troops. It didn’t end well for some. In an effort to appease a wounded nation, a holiday was declared in honor of the “working man.” A large parade down the streets of New York marked the first Labor Day celebration.

In Scriptures, God gave us our first “Labor Day” holiday of sorts. It was called “The Sabbath.” It was the gift of a full day of no work, given to the hard-working laborers to ensure they had time for R&R. Just as God rested on the seventh day of creation, so He desires for us to rest from our labors. He knows we need a time to recharge our batteries and be productive once again. He also knows we need a time of spiritual renewal to get us through the barrage of attacks that come our way during the week.

Whether you receive a salary for your work, or you volunteer your services, take some time this week to celebrate, to rest, and to enjoy the One who has gifted us with the opportunity to work and the ability to rest.

GOING DEEPER:
1) Consider sending a note of appreciation to someone you know who labors diligently.
2) Make a habit of setting time aside to rest from your labors and be renewed.

FURTHER READING:
Colossians 3:23-24; Mark 6:31

(1) U.S. Dept. of Labor, www.dol.gov

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

“Hoarding: Buried Alive”
By Pamela Blattner

"I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth. Look, here is your money back." Matthew 25:25 (NLT)

Last night I surfed the stations on our cable and was amazed at how many reality shows there are. You can watch children with problems set on the straight and narrow inThe World's Strictest Parents. If you are not happy with your spouse, you can Wife Swap for another while everybody watches. The world is also even now invited into the private moments of drug and alcohol interventions. One of the newest reality shows to hit the airwaves is called Hoarding: Buried Alive. People on this show have made a lifestyle out of holding on to what they have.

The verse above comes from a story of three servants who were entrusted by their master with his money while he was away. The first two servants pleased their master by multiplying what they had been given. The third servant hid the money, keeping it safe, but also keeping it from earning interest. In other words, he hoarded what his master had given him. Why did he do this? The servant was afraid. He was so consumed by his fear that he did nothing. He was afraid of messing up. He was paralyzed by the thought of doing something wrong. In fear, he made a hiding place, hid the money and then gave it back.

I decided to watch this new “hoarding” show, and as the program ended, I felt compassion toward the hoarder and pondered the events of the story from Matthew in my mind. A picture of myself came to me and I didn’t like it. In the picture, I was bowing before my holy Lord, giving back exactly what He entrusted to me, nothing more. I questioned myself: Am I responding to my Master as this servant responded to his master? Have I fully used or am I fully using, even developing, the gifts and talents He has entrusted to me? Am I hiding what He gave me out of fear of failure?

It is easy to think we are not good enough or that we are undeserving of God's gifts. Our negative thoughts take us captive, leading us to believe we would reflect poorly upon our Lord if we dared to multiply and grow what He has given us. Praise God our intervention is not dramatized in front of millions of people! We stand before an audience of One…the only One who matters...our precious Savior, Jesus Christ. Ask Him to supply the confidence you need to clean out your hiding places.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Are you fully using, even developing, the gifts and talents God has entrusted to you? Are you hiding what He gave you out of fear?

FURTHER READING:
Matthew 25:14-28; Colossians 3:23

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

Warning Grooves
By Kelly McFadden

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

Philippians 4:8

Have you ever come home at 11:30 p.m. for a midnight curfew? It’s not likely. I remember waiting on my front steps until 11:59 p.m. before going inside. When given the opportunity, it seems to be in our nature to push the limits to the very farthest degree. Perhaps you’ve asked this question before: how far is too far? How much noise can I make until I push Mom over the edge? How fast over the speed limit can I drive before the police will pull me over? How much can I cheat before getting caught?

We like walking on the edge. The problem is that when we live life near the edge, we can go too far before we realize it. It’s like being on a winding mountain road. On many of them, as you near the edge, you’ll hit a series of warning grooves that cause you to start bumping along. They are there to remind you to get back on the right track. Driving on the edge of a road is dangerous, because it can be easy to lose control and drive off the edge.

The Christian life is much the same. I used to think some of the rules in the Bible were cumbersome. I have come to realize, however, that it is these very guidelines…like warning grooves on a road…that help keep me from flying over the edge and losing control in my life. God’s commandments and principles are there for our protection so we can experience all God wants us to experience. Typically, when people lose control of their lives, it hasn’t been just one bad decision that launches them off a moral cliff, but a series of bad decisions along the way. The Scriptures, the Holy Spirit and our brothers and sisters in Christ help provide us with the warning grooves and the guardrails we need to keep us from flying out of control and going over the edge.

Thank God today for giving us the help we need to stay on the “narrow road."

GOING DEEPER:
1. What is the meaning of today’s verse, Philippians 4:8?
2. Pray today, asking the Lord to show you who can be a companion to walk beside you and help keep you accountable in your thoughts and actions.

FURTHER READING:
Ecclesiastes 4:11-13; James 5:13-18; 1 John 3:1-2

© HomeWord. Used by permission.

Play Dough
By Elin Henderson

“We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair, persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down but not destroyed.”
2 Corinthians 4:8, 9 (NKJV)

When was the last time you sat down with some little ones and worked with play dough? Molding it, squishing it, pressing it into different shapes? Do you ever feel like that piece of play dough, being shoved into one of those forms and pressed down until you come out looking like spaghetti? Is the weight of the world on your shoulders, overwhelmingly pressing you down? Perplexed? Persecuted? Struck down? It leaves you feeling limp and worn out, used and empty.

Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 4 that suffering can sometimes feel just like we are pieces of play dough being pressed through uncomfortable, tight molds. Yet, while suffering is a natural part of life and a part of being conformed more to His image, it isn’t fatalistic. He didn’t just leave us with “You will be pressed down, perplexed, persecuted and struck down… deal with it!” No, there is hope beyond the pain. The hand that is applying the pressure to the dough knows the limits of it!

Pressed down? Yes, but NOT CRUSHED! His goal isn’t to crush and destroy us but to mold and shape us! Perplexed? Waiting for answers that just don’t come? Waiting for God to do a work but nothing is happening? Confused as to who He is and what is going on in your life, or the lives of others around you? Perplexed yes, but NOT IN DESPAIR! In Him lies hope, and when the time is right His plans will be revealed. Have you been wrongfully accused? Feeling persecuted, maybe put down and brought low? But you are NOT FORSAKEN! He will never leave or forsake you. How about struck down? Feeling left abandoned? Maybe it is your own doing, or perhaps the doings of another? Yet, you are NOT DESTROYED! He faithfully keeps you in the palm of His hand.

This passage of Scripture answers the cries of our heart when are experiencing difficult circumstances. Let us remember the promises that accompany each painful feeling. May we be play dough in His hands!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Think of an area of your life where you are experiencing one of these sufferings. How do these promises encourage your heart today?
2. How can we encourage others using this passage when we see them going through “play dough” experiences?

FURTHER READING:
1 Peter 4:16-19; 2 Timothy 3:12; Philippians 1:29

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.