Monday, February 28, 2011

It’s All About ME
By Lisa Boyer

“And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again.”
2 Corinthians 5:15

My birthday was just a few days away and I was throwing myself a huge party. Oh, don’t be sad that you weren’t invited… it wasn’t a birthday party - - it was a pity party!

I knew what I wanted to do on my birthday, but due to circumstances beyond my control, it wasn’t going to happen and I was upset, really upset. And, if there was ever a day when I should get to do what I want, it’s on MY birthday! The good news is that my pity party didn’t last long. I was convicted of my selfishness (and my resulting bad behavior) and made things right. After all, I was plenty old enough - - even without another birthday - - to know that no day is ever solely about ME.

Well, actually there is one day in history that was about me but it wasn’t the day I was born. The day Jesus died on the cross was about me… He didn’t die for Himself; He died for ME…and for you!

And because He died so that I could live, my life isn’t about me; it’s about HIM! Several years ago, I wrote this to remind myself of that fact:

Lord, here I am at the end of my day,
Thinking there's something I should say,
A question’s haunting me in the back of my mind
This day I've just wasted was it even mine
Cuz, You paid a price for it that day on the tree
But I've just spent it as though it were free

So how expensive was my day
What was the price You had to pay
Was it all You had in mind for me
When You bled and died on Calvary

As I’m reflecting upon my daily life
I can't help but wonder if I'm living it right
In Your Book it's written that all my days were planned
And I am confident my soul is in Your hand
So as for my future well it remains the same
But I know somehow my life has got to change

Tomorrow starts another day
So here and now I bow and pray
Make it all you had in mind for me
When you bled and died on Calvary

After what He’s done for me, I am happy to make my birthday (and every other day) all about HIM!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Will you make today all about HIM?

FURTHER READING:
Galatians 2:20; Romans 14:7-8; Psalm 139:16

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.

Friday, February 25, 2011

God’s En-deering Presence
By Karen D’Amore

“Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge Him. As surely as the sun rises He will appear …”
Hosea 6:3a

Grazing outside my window…statuesque and serene…their presence evokes me to gaze tirelessly. A hush of tranquility shadows their every move; their gentle eyes contrasting their powerful strength. With the graceful precision of a ballerina, they prance sure-footedly across the terrain. The beloved deer majestically emulate attributes of our Lord. Drawing me to look for Him in my life, God uses His precious creatures to remind me of Himself. In the past, responding to my pursuit of His presence, God has orchestrated timely appearances by the deer. In times of doubt, or need for comfort and assurance, the deer have faithfully appeared outside my window. Seeing them draws me to rest peacefully in His presence.

Recently, just hours before undergoing a new and unfamiliar cancer procedure, I desperately sought the emotional assurance of God’s presence. Through Scripture assures me that He’s always with me (Hebrews 13:5), I anticipated His familiar encouragement through the deer. When no deer appeared, discouragement threatened to infiltrate my heart. Though in that moment, God met me and encouraged me in a different way, I was still sadly puzzled by the diversion from the deer.

Following the cancer procedure, a friend stopped by to check on me. Knowing and understanding my God-Deer connection, I shared with her my bewilderment in the absence of the deer. Had God abandoned me, I questioned from a place of spent emotion? Offering no verbal response, my friend left me with a tearful hug and a gift. Opening her gift, I wept as I unwrapped a miniature iron statue of a deer. Scripture assures us that God “rewards those who earnestly seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6b). Though I was looking for God through a different kind of deer, He rewarded my pursuit of Him in a far more personal and en-deering way.

“And if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul, you will find Him” (Deuteronomy 29:4b NLT). Desiring to be a part of our everyday lives, God beckons us to look for Him. He invites us to call upon His name, read His love letter called the Bible, and seek Him with our whole heart. God used an en-deering gift from an en-deering friend to reassure me of His presence. Now, the deer statue adorning my mantle reminds me daily of God’s faithful presence. Are you looking for Him? He wants to be found! Seek Him with your whole heart, and look for Him to reveal His presence, in a way that’s especially endearing to you!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Do you intentionally look for God? Along with Scripture, how does He make His presence real to you?

FURTHER READING:
1 Chronicles 28:9; Jeremiah 33:3; Proverbs 8:17

Married to Dan, Karen, a retired police officer, 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.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Lipstick on the Mirror
By Lexi Cole

“Have I 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

My sisters decorated my room as a “welcome home” from studying abroad in Scotland. They made large posters, printed American flags and wrote a sweet, long note on my dresser mirror with bright pink lipstick. After awhile, I decided it was time to clean the mirror. Figuring I was capable of cleaning a mirror, I spayed the Windex and got the paper towel. Unfortunately, the lipstick just smeared all over. It was an absolute mess! I used a ton of Windex and there was a small heap of completely pink paper towels on the ground. It took twenty minutes of digging my nails into the paper towel to scrape the lipstick off.

As I thought about my pink-covered mirror, I thought about the mess that comes with doing life - - the struggles, pain and trials. Because we live in a sin-filled world, sometimes our mess is sin and sometimes it is circumstance. Regardless of how the mess came about, we find ourselves struggling to clean or work through it.

One thing I love about our God is how He used people for His Kingdom in the midst of the mess. In the Old Testament, Abraham’s mess was because of sin: choosing his way rather than God’s. But God used him to be the father of His nation. In the New Testament, Paul chose to speak God’s Word even when it was dangerous: a mess that was because of his obedience. But God used that pain and suffering to advance His gospel.

In the same way, God uses our lives for His kingdom, despite our mess. Though the mess can be large and takes hard work to persevere through, we serve a God who doesn’t require us to be perfect before doing His work. Instead, He partners alongside us in our journey. God uses imperfect people for His perfect will; people who are still working hard to “clean the mess off the mirror.” What an amazing comfort that is! Rather than waiting for us to handle the mess on our own and then do His will, He is with us in our mess - - to comfort, protect and guide us. We are not alone, no matter the mess we find ourselves in! We have a God who is able to do more than we could hope or imagine because He partners in our journey and uses us…pink-lipstick-on-the-mirror mess and all.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Identify some of the mess in your life and surrender it to God.
2. What are some things the Holy Spirit could be leading you to actively do for His Kingdom?

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 23; Matthew 28:20

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

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

“Lord, I Can’t Wait To See What You Are Going To Do!”
By Kari Lyles

“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.”
Ephesians 3:20-21

The new year is, well, not so new anymore, and it’s around this time that I start examining my new year’s resolutions…. if I made any! For me, the start of a new year brings a sense of anticipation, feelings of excitement of what could be, and new hopes of accomplishments. However, as the weeks pass, my anticipation unfortunately fades into the daily beat of life. Good intentions get swept under the rug for another year.

God has been convicting me that I can have that “fire in the belly” anticipation not just at the start of a new year, but every day of that year and in every circumstance I face.

Like you, I am sure, He has given me mountains to climb. Times where I have been at a loss for words either praying for myself or others, and I have been left vulnerable, saying, “Lord, I can’t wait to see what you are going to do.”

I have used this phrase for my children with struggles at school. When I wasn’t sure where my career path was taking me. When friends have come to me heartbroken. When my prayer partner and I pray weekly as she awaits a life-changing transplant. And I will continue saying it, praying it, sharing it and trying to live it.

Ephesians 3 reminds us that God can do the unthinkable, beyond our dreams.

There is a little catch.

My enthusiastic anticipation about what He is going to do in my life and in the lives of others does not always come with an answer that I expect. There is sometimes a “no,” a “wait” or silence. But I have found there is always a lesson in His wise response. When I can get past my disappointment, I grow, stretch, bend, search and persevere. I give in and allow Him to mold me into the woman, wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend I desire to be.

So, as I evaluate where I am at this time of year…I do have a long way to go. But I can tell you, “I can’t wait to see what He is going to do!”

GOING DEEPER:
1. Are you approaching God with anticipation or are you just going through the motions of life thinking, “it is what it is”?
2. Will you allow yourself to let go of your hopes and desires and let Him do “immeasurably more than all you could ask or imagine”?

FURTHER READING:
Jeremiah 29:11-14; Romans 8:26-30

Kari is a wife and mother to two girls ages 9 and 5. She works as a regional sales manager at MAX-R in Sussex and is involved in Oakwood’s drama ministry.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Building Blocks
By Peggy Kleckner

“As you come to Him, the living Stone - - rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to Him - - you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”
I Peter 2:4-5

I had brought up the large plastic tub of Duplos (you know, those lego building blocks for younger children) from our basement for my grandson to play with. I was trying to offer him something new to keep him occupied while the rest of the family was engrossed in a football game.

We have quite an assortment of these blocks. They are different colors, shapes and sizes. A lot of them even have wheels attached; however, the fun thing is that they all fit together. No matter the color, size or shape you can attach them to each other.

As I dug through the tub, I offered him a variety of new blocks for his enjoyment. While he was working on the blocks he had, I continued to fish around in the container and found some orange blocks. I was disappointed as I tried to attach them to some of the other blocks. They wouldn’t fit together. Upon closer inspection, I realized they were not Duplos, but counterfeits. Though they looked very similar, they could not be used to build up anything with the Duplos. Needless to say, I gathered up the rest of the counterfeits and disposed of them. I didn’t want my grandson to be disappointed by blocks that wouldn’t fit together.

Those blocks reminded me that God is building His Church with living stones, with those who have put their trust in Him alone. The truth is, counterfeit Christians just won’t attach to true Christians in the right way. Those who are believers are being molded into the image and likeness of Christ and God is fitting us together into one body. Those who refuse to be conformed to the image of Christ just won’t “fit together”… and it will be noticeable on Judgment Day.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Have you accepted God’s call to be conformed to the image of His son, Jesus?
2. Are you allowing Jesus to fit you in to His body, the Church?

FURTHER READING:
Matthew 25:31-46; 1 Cor. 12:12-26

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, February 21, 2011

No Quick Fix
By Susan Klein

“He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver....”
Malachi 3:3a

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you’ve desired a “quick fix” or a rapid resolution to your dilemma? Perhaps you’ve not clung to that New Year’s resolution of taking better care of your body and now desire to be back in great physical shape - - in a huge hurry! For some, it might be that the accumulation of unpaid bills over a period of time and the lure from the television ads of a “speedy solution” to get out from under their financial burden seem quite appealing! Unfortunately, a quick fix isn’t always possible.

I experienced this firsthand recently when I developed an affliction that required medical attention. I went to the doctor, had a quick minor procedure done, and believed that was the end of it. Four days later, the affliction worse, I returned to the doctor and received a different treatment that we hoped would bring rapid relief. Not so! Two days later, I was being informed that I required surgery, which would involve a very lengthy recovery time. Not exactly the quick fix I desired and had fervently prayed for! God had a different plan for me.

As I spent the next few weeks trying to be still and allow my body to heal, God also did a refining work in my heart. Not only did He help me to heal physically, but He allowed healing to take place in some other areas of my life that I had struggled with and had not taken the time to properly address with Him. The refinement of my heart might have been missed had he allowed a “quick fix” in my body to take place.

Just as precious metals need refining under high heat and prolonged pressure to bring out their brilliance, so God allows us to endure our own heated moments and sometimes lengthy times of trial so that He may refine us; that He may make our righteousness shine like the dawn (Psalm 37:6), and make us into a brilliant reflection of Him. He who began the good work in us will be faithful to carry it on to completion (Philippians1:6), but that takes time. It doesn’t happen overnight!

The next time your prayers for a quick-fix or a speedy solution don’t seem to be answered, take time to see what better things God might be trying to show you during the process!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Can you resist the urge to “quick-fix?” Are you willing to withstand the heat and pressure of refinement so as to reap the blessings of a closer walk with God?

FURTHER READING:
James 1:2-4, 12

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

Friday, February 18, 2011

The List
By Lisa Boyer

“Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.”
Ecclesiastes 2:11

When I’m stressed, I make a list. The list helps relieve my stress by taking an overwhelming project and breaking it down into several do-able items. I then work my way through the list crossing things off as I get them done. The idea is that when everything is crossed off the list, the overwhelming project will be done.

The name of my most recent list was “To get ready for Tuesday.” Tuesday has now come and gone, and I’m happy to report that the event I was getting ready for was a success! Or at least I thought it was until I found my “To get ready for Tuesday” list and discovered that I hadn’t done everything on the list!!! One third of the items on the list weren’t crossed off! Was it possible for the event to have been a success if the getting ready for it list was never finished?

Using the marvels of hindsight, I reviewed the list again… oh yeah, that probably didn’t need to be on the list, um, neither did that, whoa, that either, wow, what was I thinking when I put that on there? No wonder I had been so stressed! I had taken a simple event and created a monster! Not only was the event a success with one-third of the list unfinished, it would have been a success even if I had left one-half of the items on the list unfinished! Better yet, I should have left those things off the list completely.

I’ve always (secretly) prided myself on being like a woman named Martha in the New Testament, a person who gets things done. But there’s a downside to being like Martha… “But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made” (Luke 10:40). I had certainly become distracted, and sadly, not all the preparations had been necessary.

How often do I add to my list (and my life) things that aren’t essential? I still want to be a “Martha,” but I don’t want to be worried “about many things” (Luke 10:41) and miss out on important moments.

The next time I am stressed and make a list, I’m thinking it’ll be a whole lot shorter!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Have non-essential things distracted you from what is important? What steps will you take to correct that today?

FURTHER READING:
Luke 10:38-42

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.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

What’s In It For Me?
By Carolyn Hulliberger

“No doubt about it! God is good – good to good people, good to the good-hearted.”
Psalm 73:1 (The Message)

Following God with all your heart is difficult. Not just difficult…there are times that will call for social, physical or emotional discomfort, sacrifice, pain. At times it’s tempting for even the most seasoned Christ-followers to look around and say, “Forget it. Everyone else has more fun and prosperity…without any problems. What am I getting out of this? It’s not fair. I’m out of here.” This feeling is nothing new. Asaph, the author of Psalm 73, told his story and fought the same emotions. But God has an answer to him, and to us.

Asaph saw that “the wicked” (v. 3, NIV) seemingly had no struggles. They were healthy, proud, arrogant, and carefree (v. 4-12). Sound familiar? Just like many of us, Asaph found himself struggling with envy of these people. But God showed Asaph the destination of the unfaithful. They are “cast down to ruin…destroyed…completely swept away” (v. 18-19). And Asaph’s destination? The very presence of God (v. 24).

At the end of the psalm, Asaph worships God:

“I’m still in your presence,
But you’ve taken my hand.
You wisely and tenderly lead me,
And then you bless me.
You’re all I want in heaven!
You’re all I want on earth!
When my skin sags and my bones get brittle,
GOD is rock-firm and faithful.
Look! Those who left you are falling apart!
Deserters, they’ll never be heard from again.
But I’m in the very presence of God—
Oh, how refreshing it is!” (v. 23-26, The Message)

God showed Asaph the last chapter of the book, to help him understand that he…just like us…lives in the middle of the story. God’s faithfulness to those who love Him does not end.

GOING DEEPER:
1. What are you putting your hope and confidence in today?

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 89:8

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.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Hey, I Know You!
By Leslie Snyder

“I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night caught nothing. Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!”
John 21:3-7a

The disciples had witnessed Jesus’ torturous death. They had assisted in His burial. They were witnesses to His resurrection. But now, Jesus was nowhere to be found. So, what to do? Peter decides to go fishing. While that may seem a strange response to us today, before Peter became a follower of Jesus, he had been a fisherman by trade. He simply returned to what had been so familiar to him. He went fishing, and his friends joined him.

An unsuccessful night of fishing must have seemed an appropriate end to the events of the previous days. Then, at daybreak, as the weary fishermen readied the nets and the boat to come in from the sea, divinity broke into humanity. A question rose above the water from the shore. “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered, likely filled with frustration, anger and hunger. “Throw you net on the right side of the boat and you will find some,” came the reply from the stranger on the shore. I can only imagine that this was met with mixed responses on the boat for the nets were heavy, the men were exhausted and ready to come in, and to do this would mean more work, more time on the boat with no guarantee of a catch. But, they decided to try again and their efforts were rewarded.

Is that when the pieces began to fall into place? Did Peter’s heart begin racing as memories of a similar event years ago flooded his mind? At what point did he realize that was Jesus? If you read on in this passage you’ll learn that Peter jumped out of the boat and appears to haul in the catch all by himself! He is infused with new life as he realizes the man on the shore is Jesus himself.

Going Deeper:
1. Once again, Jesus met Peter and the disciples in the familiar events of the day. He had done it three years previously and again on this day. So what does this mean for us? Never forget that Christ meets us in both unexpected and familiar places.

Further Reading:
Luke 5:1-11

© HomeWord. Used by permission.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Responding to His Heart Call
By Pamela Blattner

If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
John 15:10-11

This week, I did an inventory about the ways the Spirit of God works in my life and if I was really called to do the things I was involved in. Suppose I asked you to fill in the blank in this statement: “My greatest ‘burden’ for the church I attend is_______________________.” How would you answer that? Some would want a greater freedom in worship, or others might focus on a prayer ministry for wholeness in people’s lives. Others might even say, “I love junior high kids.” All of our answers would vary because God has made us all differently, to care for something different. Isn’t that great? Do you have a “positive burden” today? A “well-up-within” kind of burden that has discipleship - - growing others in their love and response to Jesus - - at its center? God has something for us to do.

This call often seems bigger than we can ever accomplish in our own resources. Remember the story about Moses in the Old Testament? Moses was out there in the desert for 40 years and, all of a sudden, there was this burning bush and the Lord spoke to Moses! God said that He heard the cries of His people in Egypt and He was going to release them through Moses! Moses didn’t say, “No problem, God, what took you so long?” He didn’t think he would be able to do it. He only succeeded out of trust and in obedience and with the strong arm of the Lord.

I think that we should remember that our heart-call should come with energy and joy, not regularly characterized as a burden. I feel like God’s doing an adjustment in this season of my life in what He’s calling me to do. I’m patiently trying to learn from Him; through His Word and His loving disciples He’s brought my way recently from Oakwood.

Where’s the joy? Committing to complete the work that God has given us to do. In the ministries you have with your children, grandchildren, and church-related activities do you say, "I was made for this. This is what I was born for"? What a privilege to be able to find that in our lives. So this morning, listen for the call of God that focuses on a need that you care about, that’s bigger than you can accomplish on your own strength, and comes with energy and joy.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Ask the Spirit of God to show you His heart call for your life right now.

FURTHER READING:
Exodus 3

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

Monday, February 14, 2011

BE MINE
By Karen D’Amore

“But now, O Israel, the Lord who created you says: ‘Do not be afraid,
for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine.’”
Isaiah 43:1 NLT

Spilling out from the box of Sweethearts, a message from God resonated through the candy conversation hearts! Once rearranged, the inscribed heart-shaped candies formed an endearing message: TRUE LOVE…FOR SURE…BE MINE. Mankind longs for true love and hungers to belong. Though the world offers many forms of imitation and counterfeit love, we know and have experienced that true love is only found in God. As Christ-followers, we have the assurance of this true love through our relationship with Christ. We have TRUE LOVE, FOR SURE, because we are HIS. Affirming His love through heart-inscribed messages, The Bible is God’s love letter to us:

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God” (1 John 3:1).

“See, I have engraved you in the palm of My hands” (Isaiah 49:16).

“I have loved you with an everlasting love” (Jeremiah 31:3).

“…yet My unfailing love for you will not be shaken” (Isaiah 54:10b).

“But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

Exhibiting true love for you and for me, God sacrificed His one and only Son. The arms once nailed to Calvary’s cross long to embrace us with an everlasting love. Jesus’ nail-pierced hands beckon us to be His. This Valentine’s Day, and everyday, His heart carries the same inscribed message…BE MINE.

Are you His?

“For God so loVed the world,
That He gAve
His onLy
BegottEn
SoN
That whosoever Believeth
In Him Should
Not perish
But have Everlasting life.”
-John 3:16

Jesus says…BE MINE…and receive TRUE LOVE…FOR SURE!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Are you longing for true love? This Valentine’s Day, give your heart to Jesus.
2. Do you know someone longing for the real thing? What Scripture above can you use to encourage her to give her heart to Jesus?

FURTHER READING:
Ephesians 3: 17-19; Hebrews 8:10; Psalm 34:8

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.

Friday, February 11, 2011

Blessings in Strange Places
By Sarah Kosanke

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Colossians 3:17

It had been a rough day to say the least, between the rejection letter I received telling me I wasn’t chosen for the job I so desperately wanted to the 10-hour shift at work that began at 5:30 a.m. Everything in me begged to go home, take a nice warm shower and go to bed…but I had obligations. It was Wednesday night, which meant I was working with kids at church. Honestly, that was the last place I wanted to be and the last thing I wanted to do. It took all of my willpower to get back into my car, drive there, walk in and be present for my girls.

As I look back now, I’m convinced that God had a big smile on His face anticipating the lesson I was about to learn. As the children learned their lesson on the virtue of discipline, I heard over and over: “Discipline is doing what you’re supposed to even when you don’t feel like it.” It completely made sense to me, and I chuckled a little in my head saying, “Thanks, God, I needed that,” and thinking it was the last time I would have to ponder that lesson. The rest of the night, however, kept getting better. Between lots of hugs and kind words, to fun games played with laughter, I left church a different woman - - a blessed, joyful, energized, and loved woman. The blessings didn’t stop there: I returned home to my roommate, who encouraged me even more. What a great ending to a rough day!

Even though I didn’t feel like it, I went to church to complete my responsibilities and came home blessed. I found blessing in being disciplined enough to do what I said I would do.

The same goes for all of us: the Lord blesses us with being disciplined. It may be a hard concept to grasp, but it is the Lord teaching you to grow stronger in the area of prayer, spending time with Him in the Bible, saying “no” to temptations with His help, or in whatever other area He’s growing us. Why does He do this, we ask? It’s not fun or pleasurable in the least! But it’s because our Lord loves us so much He wants to teach us, He wants to make His girls more like Him…and most of all, He wants to bless us!

GOING DEEPER:
1. What is God putting on your heart today on the matter of self-discipline? What is it that “you don’t feel like doing”?
2. Pray about this matter today. God put it on your heart for a reason and remember HE wants to bless you!

FURTHER READING:
1 Corinthians 9:24-27; Galatians 5

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

Thursday, February 10, 2011

The Importance of Eli
By Lexi Cole

Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy. So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if He calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’”
1 Samuel 3:8b-9

I have a platonic crush on Samuel! This Old Testament prophet spoke the Lord’s Word with conviction, led God’s people with compassion and trusted God without compromise. In 1 Samuel 3, God speaks to Samuel in an unfamiliar way. Scripture tells us, “In those days, the word of the Lord was rare: there were not many visions.” So when God calls, Samuel thinks it is his mentor and teacher, Eli. But Eli has no clue what Samuel is talking about and sends him back to bed. This happens two more time until Eli realizes it is God speaking to Samuel and instructs him to listen to God, to surrender to God and say “Speak Lord, for your servant is listening.” Samuel does exactly this and God does amazing things through Samuel.

My understanding of this passage came from an excellent Bible study by Priscilla Shirer entitled He Speaks to Me. In it, she talks about what Samuel did to hear God’s voice - - how Samuel was still, how he surrendered and listened. Therefore, my personal application has always focused on what Samuel did to hear God’s voice.

As I re-read this passage recently, it made me wonder…What about Eli? While I do believe we can learn from Samuel’s life in a lot of great ways, this time, I saw the important role Eli played. He helped Samuel hear God’s voice. He showed Samuel who was speaking. He gave Samuel the tools to move from an unfamiliar to a familiar. While Samuel did choose to be still, surrender and listen, Eli is the one who mentored Samuel in that experience. Scripture says Samuel “did not yet know the Lord: the Word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to Him.” It’s Eli who realizes it’s God’s voice and teaches Samuel how to listen. We can’t forget about Eli.

So the question becomes: Who is my “Eli”? Am I surrounding myself with people who will encourage a life that is in step with God’s Word and His will? Am I in community with people who will teach me to be still, surrender and listen to God’s voice? And with that, am I, in return, intentionally engaging in others’ lives so they too can hear God’s voice? I still have my platonic crush on Samuel, but I am newly thankful for the less-noticed role Eli played.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Who is your “Eli”?
2. To whom can you be an Eli and how can you intentionally do that today?

FURTHER READING:
1 Samuel 3

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

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Deep Rooted Encouragement
By Karen D’Amore

“May God…encourage your hearts and strengthen you…”
2 Thessalonians 2: 16a, 17b

It was a dark, dreary morning…fitting for the ensuing cancer procedure. With emotions stirring like the restless winds, I felt anxiety threatening to overpower me. Bending under the weight of fear, I needed the assurance of God’s presence. As prayer for encouragement filled the quiet space, the drive to the hospital grew darker. Mid-prayer, an overwhelming “nudge” spurred a brief detour to Walgreens. In the card aisle, I selected THE first card I touched:

A mighty wind blew night and day
It stole the oak tree's leaves away
Then snapped its boughs and pulled its bark
Until the oak was tired and stark.
But still the oak tree held its ground
While other trees fell all around.

The weary wind gave up and spoke,
'How can you still be standing, Oak?'
The oak tree said, ' I know that you
Can break each branch of mine in two,
Carry every leaf away,
Shake my limbs and make me sway.
But I have roots stretched in this earth,
Growing stronger since my birth.
You'll never touch them, for you see,
They are the deepest part of me.
Until today, I wasn't sure
Of just how much I could endure.
But now I've found, with thanks to you,
I'm stronger than I ever knew.'

Thinking of you and caring for you. (1)

But my heart read two more unprinted words…Love, God.

God met me in a card aisle, responding to my need for encouragement. While blows of re-occurring cancer threatening to knock me to the ground, He reminded me of my roots. Like the deep, grounding roots of the oak tree; my life is deeply rooted and grounded in Him. He has used the storms of life and winds of adversity to drive my roots deeper and my grip on Him tighter, enabling me to stand with unbendable, unshakeable faith.

Adversity is no respecter of person and as the winds of hardship blow through our lives, the ability to stand is dependent on our roots. As Christ-followers, let us be encouraged by the example of the mighty oak tree and let us not pray for God to calm the winds, but rather to grow our faith-roots deeper.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Are your faith-roots deep enough to withstand the storms of life? How can they be deepened?

FURTHER READING:
Colossians 2:6; Isaiah 41:10; Jeremiah 17:7-8

Married to Dan, Karen is a retired police officer, who 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) card poetry by Johnny Ray Rider Jr.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Breakthrough!
By Elin Henderson

“…the LORD has broken through my enemies before me, like a breakthrough of water.”
II Samuel 5:20b (NKJV)

How many times have you prayed, “Oh God, I could really use a breakthrough right about now”? Maybe you are dealing with a personal crisis or a health problem or a spiritual battle; whatever it might be, you find yourself crying out for relief and/or some kind of breakthrough!

I love the word pictures we find in Scripture. How easy is it to break through water? The last time you were at the pool or beach, how much effort did it take to break into the water and get through it? It isn’t like mud or sand, or even snow. David gives us a beautiful visual to remind us how God has breakthroughs. Smoothly, quickly and concisely God can take care of the enemies/problems of our lives.

Just how does He break through? How do you break through water? You lead with your hands and arms. This is just conjecture, but I wonder if He doesn’t use His mighty right hand/arm? That one He talks about all through Scripture. The one that saves (Psalms 20:6); holds us up (Psalms 18:35 & 63:8); stretches out the heavens (Isaiah 48:13); the mighty one (Psalms 89:13)! I believe that this right arm is the one that breaks through the waters of our lives and gives us victory.

So, the next time you find yourself crying for a breakthrough, give yourself a mental picture of how the strong right arm/hand of the Lord is ready and able to break through the waters of our lives.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Have you experienced any breakthroughs of His mighty right hand recently? Share those with a friend; we all need daily reminders of His might!

FURTHER READING:
Exodus 14; Joshua 3; Psalms 17:7, 60:5, 74:11

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.

Monday, February 7, 2011

No Comparison

18 To whom can you compare God?
What image can you find to resemble him?
19 Can he be compared to an idol formed in a mold,
overlaid with gold, and decorated with silver chains?
20 Or if people are too poor for that,
they might at least choose wood that won’t decay
and a skilled craftsman
to carve an image that won’t fall down!
21 Haven’t you heard? Don’t you understand?
Are you deaf to the words of God—
the words he gave before the world began?
Are you so ignorant?
22 God sits above the circle of the earth.
The people below seem like grasshoppers to him!
He spreads out the heavens like a curtain
and makes his tent from them.
23 He judges the great people of the world
and brings them all to nothing.
24 They hardly get started, barely taking root,
when he blows on them and they wither.
The wind carries them off like chaff.
25 “To whom will you compare me?
Who is my equal?” asks the Holy One.
26 Look up into the heavens.
Who created all the stars?
He brings them out like an army, one after another,
calling each by its name.
Because of his great power and incomparable strength,
not a single one is missing.
27 O Jacob, how can you say the Lord does not see your troubles?
O Israel, how can you say God ignores your rights?
28 Have you never heard?
Have you never understood?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of all the earth.
He never grows weak or weary.
No one can measure the depths of his understanding.
29 He gives power to the weak
and strength to the powerless.
30 Even youths will become weak and tired,
and young men will fall in exhaustion.
31 But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:18-31 (NLT)

GOING DEEPER:
1. What portion of God’s Word above means the most to you today?
2. Try memorizing just one verse above and see how God uses it in your life today.

Friday, February 4, 2011

Napkin Holder
By Peggy Kleckner

“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.”
Psalm 51:1-2

Some time ago, I was in a church small group discussion. As we spoke, one woman shared that she felt like every time she made it through a particular situation, or addressed one bad habit, she noticed a new one sprang up. As she related that, she said it was like a spring-loaded napkin holder. You pull out one and the next one moves forward! Sort of like that “layers of an onion” picture, except this one really tickled our funny bones! After that, our “inside joke” picture of the napkin holder was brought up often and never ceased to make us chuckle.

This morning, I was thinking on that picture once again, when a new thought came to mind. Perhaps we didn’t broaden the lens of our mental camera large enough. With the wide-angle lens on, we might see beyond just the napkin holder to the bigger picture of Christ mopping up the latest mess in our lives with that supply of napkins! Jesus dabbing the dirt off of us with those pure white napkins.

On our own, we cannot change. The Spirit of Jesus does the work in us. Each spill or mess reminds us that we truly are frail and in need of a Savior…and He is willing to wash away our iniquity and cleanse us from our sin. That is why He came for us.

So, when does that supply of napkins run out? I think He has a napkin holder filled with enough for each of our days here on earth. Spring-loaded napkin holders are usually on the table when we are out to eat, not at home. And certainly, Earth is not our ultimate home.

When the napkins run out, He is calling us home to His eternal banquet table!

GOING DEEPER:
1. What “mess” or “spill” in your life are you still trying to mop up on your own? Are you willing to surrender it to Him?
2. Have you pondered His unfailing love and His great compassion today?

FURTHER READING:
Isaiah 53:2-6, Acts 3:19

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.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

The Greater Truth
By Lisa Boyer

“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
John 8:32

I am the type of person who likes to know the truth, well, most of the time… I’ve been told some truths that I wish I hadn’t known; the kind that can really devastate a person.

Maybe you’ve been told one of those truths, too. Like when a loved says those dreaded words, “I just don’t love you anymore,” or when the company you’ve invested years in says, “We don’t need you anymore,” or when a mother reveals to her child, “I never wanted you; you were an accident.”

Those aren’t the kind of truths that set you free. Those truths burden you with their knowledge. Those truths leave you hurting deeply, even crushed.

This is when it’s time to hear the greater truth - - the “capital-T” Truth found in Jesus - - the truth that really does set you free.

…That person may not love you anymore, but Jesus loves you so much He died to have a relationship with you (Romans 5:8).

…Losing that job may have left you feeling useless, but God has work ready for you to do (Ephesians 2:10).

…Your mom may not have wanted you, but God wanted you and planned for you and designed you (Psalm 139).

Some truths can damage our hearts, but focusing on the truth of Jesus Christ, and all He is and does, allows the healing process to begin so we can know Him and be set free.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Have you been hurt by others’ truth? Will you go to Christ today for His greater truth and apply it to your hurting heart?

FURTHER READING:
John 17:17; I Timothy 2:3, 4

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

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

My Massah and Meribah
By Lexi Cole

“Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah, as you did that day at Massah in the desert, where your fathers tested and tried me, though they had seen what I did.”
Psalm 95: 8-9

It seemed like another beautifully-written poem. “Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for He is our God and we are the people of His pasture, the flock under His care.” As I read Psalm 95, the song that echoes this verse came to mind. But the eleven-verse psalm quickly turns to a less-idyllic melody. “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah, as you did that day at Massah...”

I assumed I would journal about the first seven verses - - God’s greatness. But I kept wondering, What are Massah and Meribah?

As I looked into it, I found Massah and Meribah are referenced five times in the Old and New Testament. There’s some debate about whether they’re one place or two, but scholars identify the main story as an event told in Exodus. (1) Here, the Israelites complain about not having enough water (even though God had miraculously provided food one chapter before). God provides water for the people, and Moses calls the place Massah and Meribah as a reminder of God’s faithfulness. (2)

Historical significance aside, the question becomes, “What is my Massah and Meribah?” When have I tested God or doubted His providence? When have I seen God’s hand at work one minute, and the next moment forgotten His goodness? We serve an active God - - not only active in our lives personally, but also active in our church, our community and our world. Because of this, we are fortunate to see His goodness and have His guidance daily. His faithfulness is everywhere, from a beautiful sunset to a friend saying just what we need to hear. However, like the Israelites, I know there have been times when I have seen God’s goodness and then, the next second, forgotten to go to Him and His Word.

Moses gave a name to the time when the people forgot to rely on God. He identified a place so it would serve as a reminder, so it could be referenced later in Scripture as a loud “Remember this? Don’t make the same mistake! Learn from your past.” While the psalm begins with God’s goodness, the second part - - the reminder of Massah and Meribah - - is equally a great reminder that we need to look back and remember God’s great faithfulness.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Think about the times you’ve recognized God’s faithfulness and the times you’ve forgotten to rely on Him. What can you do today to increase incidences of the first?
2. What could you create as a tangible reminder to keep your heart soft and free from doubting God’s provision?

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 95; Exodus 17; Numbers 20

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

(1) Orr, James. General Editor. “Entry for ‘Massah and Meribah.” International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. 1915.
(2) Exodus 17: 7

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

You Forgive Him?
By Kelly McFadden

"'My son,’ the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.'"
Luke 15:31-32

He was angry! In fact, the Bible indicates that he was beyond angry, he was fuming! He had served his father faithfully his entire life and now his younger, rebellious brother was back. And they were throwing that brother a party. When had they ever thrown him, the faithful son, a party? When had they ever even acknowledged his dedication to the family? NEVER!

While his younger brother traveled the world, spending money and living without a care, he had stayed and done as he should. And now that the money had run out for his brother, he had returned home. What the older brother wasn’t expecting was to see his irresponsible sibling welcomed upon his return. He had expected his father to turn him away or, at the most, let him work as a servant in the fields. It was he, the older brother, whom this party should be for and there was no way he was going in to celebrate his baby brother.

So his father comes looking for him and asks him to come in. The older son explains his hurt and anger, but his father does not apologize. He simply reminds his son that he loves both sons and cannot help but to celebrate the one who has returned.

While his father forgave, the older brother held onto resentment. He resented his younger brother for leaving. He resented his younger brother for returning. And he resented his father for his willingness to forgive, so much so that he could not experience the joy that comes when we are willing to show mercy on others.

How is your forgiving heart? Is there someone out there whom you have trouble believing that God would love because it is so hard for you to love him or her? If so, you are missing out on the celebration and joy you can share with God each and every time one of His children turns from wrong ways and returns to Him.

Going Deeper:
1. Why can it be tempting to be angry or bitter about the grace God lavishes on everyone?
2. Is it hard or easy for you to forgive others when they hurt you? Pray today that God will give you a heart of mercy like His.

Further Reading:
Jonah 4:1-10; Matthew 6:12-15; Luke 23:32-43

© HomeWord. Used by permission.