Monday, January 31, 2011

Best Value
By Elin Henderson

“…so let my life be valued much in the eyes of the LORD,
and let Him deliver me out of all tribulation.”
I Samuel 26:24b (NKJV)

No, this isn’t a marketing scheme by Walmart! Just a little reminder for us all to remember where our best value lies. The amount of value we place on something is evidenced by how we treat and care for it. I value my health, so I take care to eat healthy, stay fit, and so on. I value my family, so I take care of them and spend time with them, letting them know they are appreciated and loved. I value my car, so I wash it, get the oil changed, and take it in for tune-ups.

I think we need constant reminders that we are valued by the King and that value is evidenced in His watch and care over us. So much in life can cause us to feel devalued - - expectations of others, being wronged, being shunned or put down. A day doesn’t pass when feelings like that don’t hit us front and center. That is when we need to fall back onto the promises of the Word of God that remind us that we are valuable because He values us! We are His best value and you don’t get any better than that! He is willing to step in at a moment’s notice and deliver us! He wants to see us perform at our best and takes care to maintain us, reminding us of our security in Him.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Are you aware of some verses in the Bible that remind us we are treasured by Him? If not, ask someone who could help you discover them.
2. Has something been causing you to feel devalued lately? What is it? What verses have you read or been reminded of that can help you see your best value is in Him?
3. As you take care of your car, computer, home or pet today, use the experience to remind you how much God cares for you!

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 18:19, 37:23-24; Psalm 139; Zephaniah 3:17; John 3:16; I Peter 5:7

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

Friday, January 28, 2011

What Day is It?
By Vernette Kureck

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

I'm one of those women who likes to make “to do” lists. It gives me a sense of accomplishment when I can cross off things that I have completed. Also, as a woman, I’m always thinking ahead, preplanning future days so the household will run smoothly. It is nice to know things are in order.

I have the pleasure of spending Wednesday mornings with my three-year-old granddaughter. We attend a weekly Bible study, visit great-Nana and “do lunch.” While we're in the car together, she loves to sing along with the CD. It is so precious to hear biblical truths sung in sweet innocence. The words to one song are “Good morning, God. This is your day; I am your child, show me your way.” 1 One day, as she was singing, my mind was thinking about the rest of the day and things to do tomorrow. We started chatting about some of those things that needed to get done, and what errands we were going to do. As a three-year-old, she is beginning to get the concept of days of the week, so I asked her what day it was. Imagine my surprise when she said, “Today is tomorrow.” Wow! Out of the mouth of babes!

How many times have I foregone enjoying things “right now” because I am living in my tomorrow? That incident helped me put my day back into order. I needed and wanted to be in the present. Psalm 118: 24 says, “This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.” I decided right then to keep my “to do” list on paper and out of my mind, and to enjoy the precious present.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Are you foregoing any of today’s pleasures because you’re worrying about tomorrow? Write it down and give it to the Lord. Let Him order your day. You will be surprised how it all seems to get done when He is in charge.

FURTHER READING:
James 4:13-15

Vernette and her husband Ken have two children and seven grandchildren. When she’s not “grandparenting,” she’s busy as Oakwood Church’s financial secretary.

1 Good Morning, God" by Lee Bristol Jr.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Lost And Found
By Susan Klein

“For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks the door will be opened.”
Matthew 7:8

Have you ever looked so hard for something but you just couldn’t find it...only to discover that it was right under your nose the whole time?!! I remember an hour-long search for some missing keys once that ended up being in my pocket the whole time. And recently, a friend and I had agreed to meet in a certain lobby, but when we arrived, there was a sea of people. After much looking, I spied her on the opposite side of the room. I could see her eyes darting all over in search of me. As I began to close the gap between us, I started flailing my arms and calling out her name, but she still did not see me. I was afraid she’d walk away before I reached her! Even when I got within arms’ length of her, she still looked above the crowd to find me. I had to actually reach out and touch her arm for her to see that I was standing right in front of her!

We all search for things, be they lost items, answers to difficult questions, or our purpose in life. But, do we always look in the right places? When you have a question, are you quick to Google or go to Ask.com? Or, perhaps you “phone a friend.” If you’ve misplaced something, do you enlist the help of your spouse or children or do you frantically search by yourself? If you are not sure what to do with your career or the free time on your hands, do you enlist the many job-search engines available or check the “help needed” section of the paper or your Sunday bulletin?

While all of these may be valid ideas, they should not take first priority in our search. We have a God who is always present, and immediately accessible. We should take our petition to Him first before taking it to someone or something else for help. He so desires to be our source of strength and guidance.

And, we have His Word, the Bible, as our search engine. It never needs refreshing or updating; it stands eternal! It is pure, practical, and full of promise. It gives information, instruction and insight into all of life’s questions.

If we seek in the right place, we will find!

GOING DEEPER:
1. What questions or lost items (opportunities, relationships...) do you need to take to the One who can help you find answers or solutions?
2. Make it a goal today to be intentional about seeking God and His Word before using other search helps.

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 19:8; Roman 15:4; 2Timothy 3:16

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

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Talk About Patience!
by Pamela Blattner

"But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of His great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in Him and receive eternal life."
1 Timothy 1:16 (NLB)

Today, I was reading about a bamboo farmer. Yes, a bamboo farmer. Chinese bamboo farmers first plant seeds, then water, and then fertilize them. The whole first year, nothing happens. The second year, they continue to water and fertilize the seeds, and still nothing happens. The farmers continue the third and fourth years with no visual results. Then, in the fifth year, in a period of about six weeks, the Chinese bamboo grows ninety feet. Can you stand it? 90 feet! Five whole years! What patience!

Now I don't know about you, but I like to see results. I like to watch my plants grow on the patio and I'm afraid that I might forget to fertilize and water after a few months and no results…much less years! If they don’t give me the results I’m looking for, I usually go to the local Ben Franklin’s for the best look-alike silk plants I can buy!

Do you think God ever feels this way about us? The constant work, as well as the fact that He never gives up, is amazing to me. What patience!

I think about the way we parent our children. Many times, you plant seeds of character, pull the weeds of discipline, almost daily water your children in prayers, and fertilize with encouragement…for years. What patience!

I have several “sisters” in my life presently who have had patience with me in my Christian walk. Thank goodness that we have people in our daily lives who plant, weed, water and fertilize us! Without them, we are prone to sometimes let our gardens go wild, aren't we? What patience!

I am grateful we have Jesus, the ultimate Master Gardener tending to our souls. God is just like that Chinese bamboo farmer: He continues to work on us, sometimes with no visual results for a long time! Oh, what patience…and what a way He shows He loves us so dearly!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Who has blessed you by being patient with you? Have you told him or her?
2. In what ways has God been patient with you? Who can you tell?

FURTHER READING:
James 5:7; Romans 12:12

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

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Advice to the Top Dog
By Carolyn Hulliberger

“Have I (the LORD) not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9

“…Only be strong and courageous!”
Joshua 1:18

Being in charge is not all it’s cracked up to be.

Sure, from the outside, getting to be “top dog,” “head honcho,” “big shot,” “boss” or “Mom” looks pretty attractive. The person in charge gets to be the most informed, make decisions, tell others what to do, and grab all the glory after everything works out alright.

OR…

If you are the leader, you get to do research, ask questions, weigh your options, make decisions, hope that others will do as you instruct, and take all the fall-out if the decisions you make do not work the way you envisioned.

Being in charge is not for the faint of heart. We see this in the life of Joshua, the Old Testament leader of the Israelites.

Joshua took over the leadership of the Israelites after Moses died. He was tasked to safely lead what appears to be around two million people into the Promised Land. The mountain of responsibility this entailed was tremendous. But God knew that, and as He spoke to Joshua directly, three times God says, “Be strong and courageous.” I don’t know about you, but if God said something directly to my ear just once, it must be pretty important, let alone three times!

Joshua follows God’s instructions, preparing himself and the Israelites for the fight that awaits them. He explains the plan and gives the orders. The leaders of the tribes then answer Joshua: They will obey. They will see that there are consequences for individuals that do not obey. And…here’s the best part…they tell Joshua, “Only be strong and courageous!” There is no indication that these men knew the details of what God had told Joshua. These men only desired one thing…that the leader LEAD! These men did not want Joshua to direct them from a place of indecision, uncertainty or fear. They were putting their trust in Joshua, as God’s appointed leader, and confirmed God’s direction to Joshua.

Today, you might have your own mountain of responsibility before you. Remember that those you are leading want you to “only be strong and courageous,” too!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Think about where you are called to demonstrate leadership. Pray for God’s guidance on how to “be strong and courageous” in those settings.
2. Encourage a leader in your life today.

FURTHER READING:
Deuteronomy 31:7-8

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

Monday, January 24, 2011

The Choice Part
By Lexi Cole

“For you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.”
1 Peter 2:9

We live in a world of choices. I chose my college, my friends, my major. I choose what to wear each morning, what to eat each day and what time to go to bed each night. Even more so in this world of choices, after we enter a relationship with Christ, we are given a choice that is incredibly easy to write about and incredibly hard to live out.

We must choose to love. The choice part of love is active. Tom Holladay writes in his book, The Relationship Principles of Jesus, you “cannot command an emotion, but you can command an action. Understanding the difference between emotion and action - - between what you feel and what you do - - empowers every relationship you have…Jesus comes along and says, ‘I command you to love in a new kind of way.’ Jesus commands us …to act with love.” (1)

There are countless examples of the choice to love. John writes that Jesus’ active choices to love were so great that “if every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.” (2) The Bible itself is full of stories where people choose to authentically love despite opposition. In fact, the storyline of Scripture shows the choice part of love. God creates us for relationship; we chose to reject Him; God chooses to make a way to restore our relationship through with Jesus; if we choose to respond to His call, we are able to enter into relationship with Him; God chooses to send us the Holy Spirit to indwell and guide us as we are His Church to a suffering world until God returns.

I am not the expert. I realize the pain it takes to love someone who has deeply hurt us. I realize in our world of choices, this is the hardest one. I realize there are people in my life whom the Holy Spirit is telling me to love. Tom Holladay ends his chapter by saying don’t give up because “not giving up means you realize that Jesus takes whatever little we give Him and does so much more… Don’t give up on people; the minute you do, they’ll surprise you. Don’t give up on prayer; God is doing so much more through your prayers than you can see. Don’t give up on God’s promises…. Choose instead to act. Act on Jesus’ command – and ‘love one another.’” (3)

GOING DEEPER:
1. Who is someone in your life whom you need to intentionally choose to love?
2. What will you do today to actively love that person?

FURTHER READING:
Matthew 22:37; Luke 10: 27

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

(1) Holladay, Tom. The Relationship Principles of Jesus. Zondervan, 2008, pg. 89.
(2) John 21:25b (NIV)
(3) Holladay, Tom. The Relationship Principles of Jesus. Zondervan, 2008, pg. 93-94

Friday, January 21, 2011

Catching a Case of Happy
By Kelly McFadden

“For the despondent, every day brings trouble; But for the happy heart, life is a continual feast.”
Proverbs 15:15 (NLT)

Recently, a 20-year study(1) was published reporting that emotions can be passed along much like a case of the flu. Meaning: If you know someone who is happy—especially if it is a mutual friendship—you are more likely to be a happy person. In fact, not only you, but others you know will benefit because of this happy person in your life. A part of the study’s conclusion was simply that a person’s well-being is not only dependent on his or her own behaviors and emotions, but also as a direct result of one’s social network.

We often do not have control of what happens to us, but we do have control of our attitude and how we respond. As the proverb says, for those who approach everyday hopeless, they will surely find a day of trouble. The opposite holds true as well. For those who go about their day focused on the good with a heart of gratitude, they will surely find happiness in each day.

So how do you get a happy heart? First, it matters with whom you surround yourself. Are you in relationship with joyful followers of Christ? Or do you constantly surround yourself with nay-sayers? Make sure you have people in your life who have happy hearts and encourage the same in you.

However, if you really want some guidance in having a happy heart in the midst of adversity, follow Paul’s example when he was in prison. He left a formula for the way to a happy heart in Philippians 4:8. He encouraged the people of Philippi to fill their minds and hearts with what is true, right and noble and think on godly and good things. It does not matter what we are faced with, joy will find its way into your soul when you focus on godly things.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Think about your overall attitude in life. In what ways have you helped yourself towards a happy heart and in what ways have you kept yourself from experiencing a happy heart?
2. Perhaps you are involved in unhealthy relationships or unhealthy thoughts. What areas in your life might need to have some changes made?

FURTHER READING:
Proverbs 14:30; Philippians 4:8

(1) Alice Park, “The Happiness Effect,” Time magazine, December 22, 2008

© HomeWord. Used by permission.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Boats, Bridges or Beyond
By Elin Henderson

“Then Joshua rose early in the morning…and came to the Jordan, he and all the children of Israel …and all Israel crossed over on dry ground.”
Joshua 3:1a & 17b (NKJV)

How do you think the Israelites felt standing on the edge of the Jordan River, the Promised Land in clear view: relieved, afraid, and expectant? We don’t know, but we do know they were getting ready for quite an adventure of faith. Humanly speaking, what would you do if you came up to a river? Well, logically you would start thinking about ways to get across – bridges, boats, rafts, ropes, something to get everyone safely from one side to another. We think boats and bridges, but God wants us to move beyond that.

God wants us to get beyond the logical, human and easy way of doing things to His wonderful ways – “Sanctify yourselves for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you” (Joshua 3:5). He did this for several reasons. One, it showed clearly His hand was upon Joshua, the new leader of Israel (vs.7). Also, it was a test of faith for both Joshua and the nation of Israel (vs.10). But, even beyond that, the nearby cities would have had to sit up and take notice if one day the river they depended on just stopped flowing (vs.16). This was not something that they could explain; it was a “wonder” beyond their beliefs. For some of them, it was the first of many opportunities to see the wonders of the LORD God of Israel.

When we come to the Jordan Rivers of our lives, do we start building boats and bridges and asking the Lord to bless them and get us across, or do we choose to go beyond human thinking and trust God to work wonders among us, not only to grow our faith but also to speak to the cities around us?

GOING DEEPER:
1. What kind of boats and bridges have you conjured up to help God get you across the rivers of life? How has He been trying to move you beyond your human thinking?
2. How has the Lord been using your Jordan experiences to influence the lives of those around you?

FURTHER READING:
Exodus 3:20, 15:11; I Peter 1:7

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

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Preaching in the Desert
By Peggy Kleckner

In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea and saying, “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is near.”
Matthew 3:1-2

I read this verse one morning and was struck by the phrase “in the desert.” I looked up “desert” in my Webster’s New World Dictionary and found this definition: 1) an uninhabited region; wilderness 2) a dry, barren, sandy region. What an odd place to preach!

Sometimes, I feel as though I am in a desert. My spiritual life feels dry and barren, which makes me think, “Who am I to speak of the things of God?” Then along comes God’s Word to remind me that He can call us to preach even from our dry places. In fact, oftentimes it is in our desert places that we remain the most desperate to hear God’s voice and so we are the most attentive to His smallest whisper.
Perhaps that is why John preached in the desert. Perhaps it was the place He heard God best.

I also have to wonder if, at first, John wasn’t preaching to himself. In our desert places, we need to speak God’s Word aloud so that our soul can hear truth. Oh, how the enemy loves to cloud our thinking with lies! Speaking God’s truth aloud for ourselves and to others reminds us of whose we are and all that He has promised.

So, I will join John the Baptist and lift my voice “in the desert.”

“A voice of one calling in the desert, Prepare the way for the LORD, make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God.” Isaiah 40:3

GOING DEEPER:
1. What has God been asking you to do for Him? Have you believed the lie that you can’t because you feel you are “in the desert”?
2. What Scripture do you need to preach aloud to yourself?

FURTHER READING:
Matthew 4:1-11; Psalm 107:8-9

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.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Absolute Stillness
By Susan Klein

“Be still, and know that I am God...”
Psalm 46:10

Have you ever experienced “absolute stillness”? Recently, our family took a mini-vacation to the Northwoods for a few days of R&R. As we turned onto the lengthy gravel drive leading to the remote cabin in the woods, it began. Total silence! There was no sound, no visible sign of life, no movement of any sort. All we saw were endless trees and blankets of fresh white snow. When we pulled up to the cabin and stepped out of the vehicle, I felt encompassed by this mysterious stillness. Not a branch swayed, not a flake of snow fell. Everything was perfectly still, other than our footsteps. Talk about isolated!

We soon discovered that there was no television reception, no computer connection, and even our cell phones had zero bars! It was almost eerie, like we’d stepped back in time to the “Little House in the Big Woods” days of Laura Ingalls Wilder. Reality, as well as a bit of concern, began to register as I realized that in the event of an emergency, we’d be unable to dial 9-1-1 for help, or anyone else for that matter!

By the second day, I had become familiar with my tranquil surroundings, and even began to embrace them. I took a long walk by myself with only the snow-covered trees and the sunny blue sky to accompany me. As I walked along in complete silence, I was suddenly overcome by a reverential awe of my situation. I was totally dependent on my heavenly Father! I was all alone in this stillness, with no one accompanying me and no technology to help me. It was just me and my Creator! His peace and His presence permeated my entire being. I could not help but feel worshipful in that place.

When God tells us to “be still,” I believe this is a picture of what He is talking about. Not that we have to drive to a remote get-away to be alone with Him, but that we abandon all else. We intentionally desert all of life’s demands and duties and become vulnerably dependent on Him. We cease and desist! We get quiet, get alone, and get focused. We become still enough to experience His presence. And when we do, He shows us Himself! We are emptied of all distractions and can see Him more clearly and know Him more fully. What a wonderful place to be!

Have you ever experienced “absolute stillness”?

GOING DEEPER:
1. Take some time this week to abandon all activity, noise and movement. Be still before God in a way that lets you experience His powerful presence.

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 37:7; Isaiah 30:15

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

Monday, January 17, 2011

Consult the Gardener
By Lexi Cole

“I love the Lord, for He heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy.”
Psalm 116:1

My mother may not love that I’m sharing this, but my family is not amazing at weeding. However, our home has quite a few flowerbeds and since we don’t stay on top of the gardens, we normally end up having Saturday “family weeding days”!

This past summer, I was working on my assigned flowerbed and there were some huge weeds. Some were tall, others flowering, and I had no idea which was a real plant and which was a weed. This dilemma gave me two options: guess and pull what I thought was a weed, or grab my mom and ask her. The second option was best because my mom knew which plant needed to be pulled out and which was suppose to stay.

It made me think about my immediate impulse when I don’t know what to do. When there is conflict, drama, pain, confusion - - whatever “weed” is in my life - - do I guess and pull it out, hoping it was the right thing to do? Or do I stop, pause and consult the One who knows best? More often than not, I immediately go to trying to solve the problem. I pull what I think is the weed, when I should first ask God. As believers, we have been given the Holy Spirit to guide us, a Bible that is the primary way God communicates with us, and prayer to communicate with Him. The moment we don’t know what to do should be the moment we pause to listen, read and pray. Instead, I get caught in the immediate “let’s-fix-it,” rather than stopping to consult the Gardener.

In Scripture, King David did a similar thing: When confronted with a problem that arose out of his sin, David handled it his own way, plucked the “weed” himself and made things significantly worse. In comparison, when confronted with a problem - - the potential massacre of her people - - Queen Esther didn’t jump to a solution but fasted and prayed for three days with others in her community. It wasn’t until after she did this that she courageously went to King Xerxes.

In order to choose consulting the gardener over picking what we think is the weed, we need to acknowledge we need God and that we don’t always know which is the weed and which is the plant. My family may still have our “family weeding days,” but I am thankful for the reminder that when I come across a problem, trial, pain or confusion, all I have to do is stop, pause and consult the Gardener….thankfully, He’s always there to help.

GOING DEEPER:
1. What is an area of your life where you should be consulting the Gardener first? Will you?

FURTHER READING:
2 Samuel 11; Esther 1-8

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

Friday, January 14, 2011

A Dead Heart
By Kelly McFadden

“Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the LORD your God has commanded you.”
Deuteronomy 5:12

Chinese characters are probably the most beautiful and difficult written language to understand and learn. Each character written corresponds to a spoken syllable with a basic meaning. However, many words use two or more combined characters to create a meaning that is different from the original words used to create it. For example, the Chinese character for the word “busy” is written by combining the two words “heart” and “dead.” How appropriate. For when we are overly busy, we lay the foundation for a lifeless heart.

I think it would be a challenge today to find someone who is not busy. It is a part of our culture. It almost seems the busier you are, the more applauded and affirmed you get. But a lot can be learned from this ancient Chinese word. There is a reason God created a Sabbath day to be set aside for His people to relax. He commanded his people to work six days and on the seventh day to rest.

Work and projects and commitments in themselves are not bad. But when we let ourselves get overly busy - - even with good things - - we tend to neglect the important things. In some ways, we are showing that we don’t trust that God will provide for us. I believe what God is calling His people to is balance. When we get too busy, we are living a life on the verge of disaster… whether that comes to you, your spouse or your kids.

Make an effort in your life to rest and observe the Sabbath. Turn off your cell phone, the television, your computer and the video games. Take some time by yourself or your family to take a walk or spend some time at a park or the beach. Relax, refresh and renew your soul. Don’t create in yourself a “dead-heart,” create a heart that is filled with life. And one way to do that is to make sure you are not getting overly busy, but taking the time to rest.

Going Deeper:
1. In what ways have you made yourself too busy? How do you see that that busyness is affecting your relationships?
2. What can you do to have dedicated time each week to rest?

Further Reading:
Genesis 2:2; Deuteronomy 5:12-15; Psalm 127

© HomeWord. Used by permission.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Fleece-ifying
By Elin Henderson

“Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him.”
Psalms 37:7 (NKJV)

You’re probably thinking, “She’s been in the African Bush too long. Now, she’s inventing new words!” I guess I am! In the story of Gideon in Judges 6, we read that Gideon used wool fleeces to request signs from the Lord that would confirm His instructions. At times, God, in His graciousness, allows us to confirm His will with fleeces, as well.

You could ask, “So, what then is fleece-ifying?” Well, I think of it as a cross between justifying and fleece-placing. We try to justify our plans and our ideas with a fleece. In a way, we try and force the hand of God. Now, we wouldn’t call it that; we would spiritualize it into a holy thing, but still, it is our trying to make God work on our terms, instead of His. Setting up our plans and then asking God to bless them.

Satan tried this tactic with Jesus in the wilderness. He tempted Jesus with throwing Himself off of the pinnacle and seeing God intervene and save Him. But, Jesus knew that in so doing, He would be “fleece-ifying” or forcing the hand of God! Now, God would HAVE to work to save Him! (Luke 4:1-13)

It is very easy for us in ministry to “fleece-ify” our way into and out of things. We fail to walk in tune with His heartbeat and His pace, and instead try and force His hand to work out our plans. “God, You need to work in this way so that the people will see who You are!” It sounds good, but is it really what He desires? Whether it is moving ahead too quickly in ministry and then asking Him to bless our mess, or insisting He heal or move in a certain way to show Himself, we fail to see that He will show and prove Himself on His own terms, not ours. We want to orchestrate the scene and have Him just show up for the big finale!

So, is it wrong to set out fleeces and ask the Lord for His confirmation? It’s debatable, but I hope not, because I’ve done it. Perhaps the line gets crossed when we try to manipulate these fleeces into something more than they are designed to be. So, whether it is in ministry, family matters, work situations or just life in general, may we be careful to steer clear of trying to force the Lord’s hand by “fleece-ifying” our circumstances and, rather, rest and wait patiently for Him to move!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Can you think of think of a time you’ve tried to “fleece-ify” a situation?
2. Memorize today’s key verse.

FURTHER READING:
Judges 6; Psalms 25:5, 116:7

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

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Out of Darkness Into Light
By Vernette Kureck

“But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin.”
1 John 1:7

My, how things have changed! Recently, I was at the local bookstore perusing the shelves of young reading for kids when I came upon the old familiar book “Dick and Jane”… except it was revised to “Dick and Jane and the Vampire”! Learning to read opens the whole world up to children.

Everywhere you look right now, vampires seem to be quite the cultural phenomenon. Vampires are corpses which rise in the darkness to feed off the blood of living creatures. They need this life source to exist. There is something deeply captivating about the universal themes of life-giving blood, good and evil, choice and free will, the light of day and the darkness of night.

As Christ-followers, our hearts resonate with every one of those themes. With a particularly keen sense of the sacred, we read the Apostle Paul’s words about Jesus’ last night before His death: “On the night Jesus was betrayed, he took bread, and when he had given thanks he broke it and said, ‘This is my body which is for you, do this in remembrance of me.’ He also took the cup and said, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, do this whenever you drink it in remembrance of me.’” (1 Cor. 11:24-26).

In John 6:53-56, Jesus Himself says, “I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life.” In essence, He’s using an analogy: “Just as you take food and drink within your body and it becomes a part of you, so you must receive Me within your innermost being so that I can give you life.” (1)

Only through the precious shedding of the Savior’s blood are we purified from the evil of sin. Jesus, the perfect Lover of our souls, offers us the choice of eternal good, as well as a way to come out of the darkness and to live as light. Our children need to understand that truth as much as we do. As believers, we can live in a dark world as long as we’re not using a dimmer switch!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Thank Jesus for being the Light and ask Him to expose any area of darkness in your life.
2. Do you have any young women in your life with whom you could discuss these biblical truths?

FURTHER READING:
2 Cor. 6:14-16

Vernette and her husband Ken have two sons and seven grandchildren. When she’s not “grandparenting,” she’s busy as Oakwood Church’s financial secretary.

(1) Warren W. Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, New Testament, p. 251.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Joy Set Before Me
By Peggy Kleckner

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
Hebrews 12:2

I have heard it often debated whether or not God has a sense of humor. I see no reason for debate. Once you walk with Him a while, you KNOW that He does!

Here’s my latest dose of His humor. I have been working my way through some physical therapy for my neck. Apparently, this has been helping me to develop perseverance and patience. I just wanted to attend a time or two and then be well. You all know that is not the way physical therapy works. Like so much of life, it is a process and the body will heal at its own pace, which, of course, will not be as fast as I would like.

Anyway, I had progressed far enough that not only had the therapist given me stretching exercises, but also strengthening exercises. This included a stretch band with handles that is grasped and pulled with both hands at the same time, while standing erect and looking forward. I had done this many times at the physical therapy clinic, but eventually I realized that I owned one of these bands and could also do these exercises at home. I wrapped the band around the bedpost in my study room.

Finally, I actually decided to use it! I grasped the handles, stood erect facing forward, only to break out in a giggle. There before me, directly in front of me, was a sun catcher hanging in my window that read “JOY” and, of course, what sprang to mind but the verse above. So, for the “JOY” He set before me, I endured my exercises and am looking forward to my healing!

You just never know when God will use His Word to have an “inside” joke with you!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Do you think you always have to be “serious” with God?
2. When was the last time you chuckled with God?

FURTHER READING:
Proverbs 17:22; Psalm 68:3

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.

Monday, January 10, 2011

Why Can’t We Be Friends?
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.”
Ephesians 4:2-3

There are several great female pairs in the Bible. Think of Ruth and Naomi…Mary and Elizabeth…the “other” Mary and Martha…Euodia and Syntyche. Euodia and Syntyche? Who are they? And how exactly DO you pronounce these names anyway? But I digress.

This pair is mentioned by name in one verse in Philippians 4. Paul says, “I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord.” He then asks a third party to help these Christ-following women heal their broken relationship. My heart hurts for these ladies every time I read this chapter. Can you picture the scene? For their church to receive a letter from Paul was a big deal. The church leaders would have gathered everyone around to hear what Paul had to say specifically to them. Their ears would have been the privileged first to hear the tremendous passages of having joy in suffering, imitating Christ’s humility, pressing on toward the goal of Christ-likeness.

And then…

These women are made aware that Paul himself knows of their feud…that someone within the church thought their issue was significant enough to be brought to Paul’s attention. We don’t know why they weren’t getting along. We do know that they both had faith in Christ, and both knew Paul personally (Phil. 4:3). I imagine their embarrassment at the time. Talk about wanting a big hole to open in the ground and swallow you up. (Little did they know that their story would be recorded for mankind to read for generations after!)

Paul’s main point is this: these ladies needed to resolve their problem. Can you relate? Sometimes it is those closest to us in our lives, even our ministries, who are the most challenging to agree with. Once we get beyond what we have in common on the surface, our differences show more noticeably. Dissimilar personalities, approaches or priorities can become stumbling blocks. One commentary puts it this way, “It is possible to believe in Christ, work hard for His Kingdom, and yet have broken relationships with others who are committed to the same cause. But there is no excuse for remaining unreconciled.” (1)

Paul’s objective is to move these ladies beyond the problem and to agreement, for the sake of the gospel. I so hope Euodia and Syntyche responded to his pleading…however their names are pronounced!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Do you need to be reconciled to someone? Take a step toward unification today.

FURTHER READING:
Philippians 4:2-3; 1 Corinthians 1:10

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

­(1) Life Application Bible, commentary on Philippians 4:2, 3.

Friday, January 7, 2011

A Time To Heal
By Kelly McFadden

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28

Starfish have a unique capability. If a starfish should lose a limb, it can re-grow a new one. This is called regeneration. The process can take years, but when it is complete, you would probably not be able to tell that the starfish had ever been damaged.

In our lives, many of us have been damaged. We limp around with burdens from the past. The battles of life have torn at our resolve and stolen bits of our joy, leaving us bruised and crippled. It is easy to do the quick fix and “band-aid” our pain or mask the hurt. But underneath the façade lies a bleeding wound that over time will continue to fester until it is laid before the Great Healer.

It can take years for the limb of a starfish to regenerate until it is whole again. However, if you take the starfish away from its source of life, the ocean, not only will it never heal, but it will ultimately die. The same is true with you.

Our source of life is Jesus, and He wants to heal you. Many of us go through life with burdens weighing heavily on our shoulders. Whether it is the weight of sin, regret, oppression, persecution, abuse, sorrow, divorce, unfaithfulness, fear, unforgiveness, betrayal, regret…Jesus says, “Come to me.” He wants to come alongside you and heal you. He wants to take the band-aids off and properly clean your wounds.

If you want to be spiritually healed and set free from the burdens that weigh you down, call out to Jesus. It will take time and it may not be easy, but if you keep yourself surrounded by Jesus, the source of life, ultimately you will be healed. And when you are healed, you will experience the love, peace and hope only Jesus can bring.

GOING DEEPER:
1. What areas in your life need healing?
2. How can you give your burdens and cares to Jesus and rest in His promise?

FURTHER READING:
Matthew 11:28-30; Mark 9:2-13; 1 John 5:1-5

© HomeWord. Used by permission.

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Forward Where?
By Elin Henderson

“Your way was in the sea, Your path in the great waters, and Your footsteps were not known.”
Psalms 77:18 (NKJV)

Here’s the scenario: Moses and the nation of Israel are finally free from tyranny; they set off on this great Exodus and, before too long, are faced with an obstacle of enormous size. They’ve just seen God work innumerous miracles to set them free, and here they face their first challenge. Will He come through for them once again?

Before them lies the Red Sea - - a huge natural obstacle. Hot on their heels comes the enemy, the army of Pharaoh, dead set on capturing them and taking them back to Egypt! They cry out to the Lord and to Moses… one of those “What have You gotten us into?!” cries.

What is God’s response? “Don’t cry to me, just go forward.” I can only imagine Moses and Israelites saying, “Forward where??!! Does the word ‘SEA’ mean anything to You, Lord?!” Yet despite their unbelief and incredulity, they move forward, and God opens a way in the midst of the great waters! They pass through on dry land and then the seas swallow up Pharaoh’ armies. The story ends with, “Israel saw the great work which the LORD had done in Egypt; so the people feared the LORD, and believed the LORD and His servant Moses” (Exodus 14:31).

Have you ever been standing before your Red Sea with the enemy quickly closing in from behind? No place to go, no place to run, humanly speaking, and God says “Forward ho!”… to which you reply “Forward where?” There doesn’t seem to be a way, yet He wants to show you His power and His might. One of those “Stand still and see the Salvation of the LORD!” moments! While they are frightening and stretching for our faith, having gone through them, we would never have had it any other way! Our faith grows and our spiritual eyes see what He can do when we rest in Him and His provision! Each trial we go through helps grow our faith, which can then be applied to our next trial and our next, so on and so forth.

So next time you find yourself between “a rock and a hard place”… or a sea and an army, and you hear the still small voice of the Lord say “Forward!” may your growing faith allow you to step out into the great waters of life and see His salvation unfold before you!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Can you think of any Red Sea experiences you have had that have grown your faith in Him? What did you learn; how can you apply that to any current struggles you are facing?
2. With whom can you share those prior experiences and the lessons you learned?

FURTHER READING:
Exodus 14:20-31; II Chronicles 20:17; Isaiah 33:2; Revelation 19:1b

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

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Lights, Camera, Action!
By Kelly McFadden

“Share in each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.”
Galatians 6:2

My son knows how to “turn it on.” He is only nine months old, but if you hold a camera in front of him and say, “smile,” he could be in the middle of a crying fit and he will flash one of the biggest, brightest smiles you have ever seen. It makes for great pictures, but I can’t help but think how often I do this myself. Instead of letting those close to me know how I feel and what is happening in my life, I simply put on the smile everyone wants to see. I don’t think that is always what God wants from us.

Now I am not saying that everyone should walk around like “Debbie Downer” when they are in a crummy mood. However, no Christian should ever have to walk through life’s struggles alone. As Christians, we are called to share in each other’s burdens. This is a way we obey Christ. This does not necessarily put the responsibility on everyone else when it comes to caring for our needs. We must be willing to share our burdens with those who are close to us.

Christians work best as the body of Christ when we are willing to be open, honest and journey through life together. That means seeking accountability in areas where we sin and fall short. It means praying for each other. It means rejoicing with each other and mourning with each other. But if we never share how we are feeling, we are taking that blessing away from our brothers and sisters in Christ. If we always hide behind a smile and never open up to those who are close to us, we have fooled ourselves.

Perhaps you have never helped to carry another’s burdens because it feels like too much. God doesn’t ask you to do it alone. The next step is to cast all your cares and worries onto the Lord. A part of helping carry those burdens means lifting them up to the Lord in prayer and trusting in His sovereignty to care for each and every one of us.

GOING DEEPER:
1. How are things going with you right now? Is there an area of your life where you need to reach out to another believer and allow him or her to help you carry your burden?
2. Do you know someone who needs help carrying his or her burden? How can you reach out today?

FURTHER READING:
Galatians 1:10; 1 Peter 5:7; Romans 12:15-21

© HomeWord. Used by permission.

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Fast-Forward
By Lisa Boyer

“This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Psalm 118:24

Many years ago, as I was looking forward to a future event in my life, I had a life-changing realization: I was always looking forward and missing the day I was living in. I looked forward to when my boyfriend would propose… then I looked forward to our wedding day… then I looked forward to buying our first home… then I looked forward to when the baby would be born… you get my point. I was, in essence, fast-forwarding though my life by anticipating the future.

While listening to the Christmas Eve service this year, I began to wonder if Jesus was ever tempted to fast-forward through His life. I simply can’t imagine how it must have been for Him to leave heaven and take on human form, or how confining that might have felt. We often talk about how short His life was, but I think 33 years just might have been more like an eternity to Him! Jesus was fully aware of who He was, why He was here and the Cross that was before Him. And although He literally could have hit the fast-forward button, He didn’t.

Jesus came into this world not only to die, but to live. And live He did!!! Jesus lived in the moment… interacting with and touching the lives of those around Him. He lived each day, each hour, and each minute to the fullest. In three short years of ministry, Jesus used those days, hours and minutes to change the world and the people in it with His love and compassion!!

Today, let’s make a plan for the future, not only for the year 2011, but for our next three years. Let’s commit to actively live each day, interacting with and touching the lives of those around us with the love and compassion of Jesus. Some days we may only touch the lives of our family members, some days our co-workers, some days our friends, some days a stranger, but multiplied by all of us, we will change our world!

GOING DEEPER:
1. To whom will you show the love and compassion of Jesus today?
2. If you have been fast-forwarding through life, will you pause and rejoice in today… the day that the Lord has made?

FURTHER READING:
Matthew 9:36-38; Luke 10:27-28

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.

Monday, January 3, 2011

A Good Healthy Fear
By Susan Klein

“Now fear the Lord and serve Him with all faithfulness...choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve.”
Joshua 24:14a, 15a

I once heard a popular television talk show host declare that a god who had to be “feared” was not a god she would choose to worship. I believe many people today would agree with her sentiment. Yet, Scripture calls us to “fear the Lord” in numerous verses. So, how do we as Christ-followers exhibit a healthy fear of our God?

When you were a child, and you did something wrong, did you fear the outcome or the punishment that would ensue for the wrongdoing? As an adult, when you consider behaving in a way that you know to be sinful, do you hesitate just a bit and consider God’s response to your action? You should! Proverbs 1:7 tells us that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” If we have no fear, perhaps we lack the knowledge of who our sovereign God truly is. Galatians 6:7 says, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” Just like the child who suffers the consequences of her actions, so we should fear the consequences of our own wrongful actions.

The actual Hebrew definition of this word has two parts, much like a battery with a positive and negative side. Each is important in the function of the battery. The first part of fear is a literal emotional feeling of fear or dread, as well as an intellectual anticipation of harm as a direct result of our actions. The second part is a positive feeling of awe or reverence for our God. (1) If a person truly recognizes God as all-powerful and just, this will be reflected in her attitude and actions as reverence and respect. On the flip side, if one does not recognize or choose to serve the true living God, then she will lack the wisdom, reverence and fear that come from the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Her battery will be lacking the positive charge, so to speak!

Everyday, we must make choices. Our fear of the Lord keeps us from making wrong choices, while our reverence or respect for the Lord keeps us making right choices. As we grow in our faith walk, constantly being conformed to the likeness of Christ by our loving heavenly Father, our literal fear will wane and our reverential fear will increase!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Are the choices you are making motivated by a healthy fear of your God? Spend a little time in Scripture exploring this concept of “fear” further.

FURTHER READING:
Deuteronomy 10:12-21; Luke 1:50; Acts 10:34-35

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

(1) Zodhiates, The Complete Word Study O.T.