Step In!
By Jen Wollner

“… ‘When you reach the edge of the Jordan’s waters, go and stand in the river.’”
Joshua 3:8b

The land that the Lord had promised the Israelites so many years earlier was just on the other side of the Jordan River. The problem? Getting across the river! It was spring and the river was overflowing its banks. I imagine that also meant it was deep and rushing quickly as it passed the Israelite camp. For three days they had, no doubt, seen and heard its strong current and had probably wondered how and when they would ever get across.

Then came the word from the Lord as recorded in Joshua 3:7-8, 13: “Today I will begin to exalt you in the eyes of all Israel, so they may know that I am with you as I was with Moses. Tell the priests who carry the ark of the covenant: ‘When you reach the edge of the Jordan’s waters, go and stand in the river…And as soon as the priests who carry the ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth, set foot in the Jordan, its waters flowing downstream with be cut off and stand up in a heap.’”

“What?! That’s impossible! I’m not stepping one foot in THAT raging river!” That’s what I would have wanted to say if I had been one of those priests! But, they didn’t respond like that at all. They simply broke camp and got ready to cross.

God had a plan…actually, a promised land. But in order for the Israelites to get there, they had to step into the unknown, the scary, the dangerous, and trust God to work out the impossible. They had to follow His direction and obey, one step at a time.

Sometimes the Lord calls us to put feet to our faith by moving us in a direction that we think is impossible. Most times in life we can’t see the whole plan that He has in store for us, or even more than one step ahead, but we need to choose to move forward anyway, letting our faith conquer our fear.

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

So, what are you waiting for? Step in!

GOING DEEPER:
1. What’s God calling you to that’s causing you fear or uncertainty? Trust Him and move forward in the direction He is leading you.

FURTHER READING:
Exodus 14:15-31; Matthew 14:22-32

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

God is into the Veggies too
By Elin Henderson

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

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

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

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

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

FURTHER READING:
Matthew 6; Luke 11:13

Oakwood’s missionaries Elin Henderson (a registered nurse) and her husband Phil serve as church planters with New Tribes in Mozambique, Africa.  Elin is mother to eleven-year-old Callie and nine-year-old Elias.

Seasons
By Kari Lyles

“…A time to embrace and a time to refrain.”
Ecclesiastes 3:5

One of the many charms of Wisconsin is its change of seasons. As new dog owners, our family rotates walking Max in all kinds of weather. It’s on cold walks that I often daydream about palm branches swaying in the breeze. As the icy wind snaps me back to reality, the truth is, I would probably miss the splendor of the seasons; seeing the first tulip bulb popping through in spring, summer’s first boat ride and the magic of fall.

Seasons bring growth and change. Ecclesiastes 3 states that there is a time and a season for everything. The specific verse about “a time to embrace and a time to refrain” has been a personal theme for me over the last year.

For the past eight years, I have “embraced” a season I’ll call the “yes” season. A time for Bible studies, ministries and outreaches. I said “yes” when asked to teach, sing, act, read, write, cook, stand on my head…whatever it was, I was ready and willing. My “yeses,” were answers to the desire of my heart to serve and I could not have imagined the blessings that came from this season.

However, I have now taken “time to refrain.” Time to figure out what the next “yes” should be. This season has brought a word to my vocabulary I sometimes stumble to say…“NO!”

Can you relate?

The world has convinced us that “no” is an appalling word. The world’s view translates it into “unwillingness, unfriendliness, selfishness”…even, dare I say, “ungodliness.”

While I have prayed about what my “no’s” should be, the word has not left my lips without thoughts of “I hope she’s not mad,” or “I hope she knows my heart is in the right place.” But amidst some doubts, I have felt peace. This little word has given back to me in the forms of family time, quiet time and personal and spiritual growth.

Say “yes” with joy if it’s the right season…go for it, if you have sought the Lord in your decision. But, if you think that the only way you will be “in the know” is if you say “yes,” I am testimony that truly being “in the no” brings many a blessing too.

GOING DEEPER:
1. What season are you in? Are there things in your life that you feel you should prioritize by saying “yes” or “no”? Is God taking a back seat to too many obligations?

FURTHER READING:
Ecclesiastes 3; Psalm 46:10

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

A Melody of Love

By Susan Klein

“Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.” 

Galatians 6:9

In one of Kay Arthur’s teaching videos, we are treated to the testimony of a woman from a communist country. She shares how difficult it was to share the message of Jesus at her place of employment in her homeland. She asked God for guidance in how to be a witness to these women, none of whom were a bit interested in what she had to say. He told her not to speak, but just to live out His love. So, she shared her time watching their children, she shared her meager paycheck to help others with their rent, and she loved on the women in any way she tangibly could. Many times she went back to the Lord, asking if she should be more bold in her speech, and He kept whispering to her heart to just live out His love. After a whole year of loving with actions and not with words, a coworker confronted her. She said she didn’t understand how this woman could be so kind all the time, showing endless compassion without expecting anything in return. And how could she always seem so positive when conditions were so bleak?!! Now, it was time for words.

As Kay so poignantly put it, “We need to let people hear the melody of the gospel before we give them the words.” I know in my own life, often I don’t feel like I’m being effective if I’m not sharing the words of the gospel. But, as illustrated above, sometimes actions speak more melodiously to the heart than words. This woman persisted in doing good to her fellow man (women) for a whole year before she saw the fruit of her labor. This was her opportunity to finally share the words of the gospel, when the other woman’s heart was opened and questioning. By first showing the sweet music of Christ-like love, the gospel words became that much more powerful.

 Sharing Jesus by lending a helping hand or a few dollars to someone in need may be just the melody that gets their attention so we can then point them in the direction of the lyrics. God is the Songwriter. He draws people to Him and does the tugging on the heartstrings. We are merely the notes He uses in His melody of love.

GOING DEEPER:

1. Who needs to hear the love song, which God has equipped you to share?

2. Is your music drawing others to the Lyricist?

FURTHER READING:

Matthew 5:16; 1 John 3:18

Susan is We Women's Tuesday Morning Bible Study Coordinator and one of its teachers. She and her husband Mark lead a couples' small group in their home; she is also involved in inner city outreach.

Turning Obstacles Into Opportunities

By Karen D’Amore

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.”

Romans 8:28 (NLT)

Stress poisoned me the moment I encountered the “obstacle.” A scheduling error would require me to perform services on a new client, with inadequate time to complete the scheduled services.  Leaving on her honeymoon, this new bride’s night of pampering could not be re-scheduled. Booked for multiple services with various technicians, I had  to finish her in a timely manner. With two days to stew over the error, and obsess over my fear of failing…I could only hope she’d cancel her appointment!

An hour before her scheduled arrival, my stomach reeled with tension. Tension erupted into panic when she finally arrived…extremely late. I was beside myself, unable to reconcile how I’d complete the services with the extreme time deficit. Desiring to bless this new bride, I didn’t want to shorten or eliminate any elements of the service.

Traumatized by a horrendous day, compounded by the stress of her late arrival, she spiraled into a sobbing meltdown. Inconsolable, I delayed her service until she found composure. I nearly choked on a reassuring response to her profusive apology for the late arrival. Desperation FINALLY provoked me to pray! Prayer incited peace as O entrusted my obstacles to God. Compelling me to extend compassion to this woman, my focus shifted from my obstacles to an opportunity to minister.

Completing her services with one minute to spare, I saw God stretch my time, and infuse my hands with the supernatural ability to complete services, more extensive than initially scheduled. With a parting hug, she expressed gratitude for my compassion and the ability to turn her difficult day into a delight.

As Christ-followers, we can trust that everything which passes through our lives, was first sifted through God’s hands and allowed for His purpose. Distraction with an “obstacle” impaired my ability to acknowledge and welcome God’s sovereign purpose. Paralyzed by the fear of failure…I wanted the “obstacle” eliminated. But God had allowed  that unwanted obstacle for my good. A faith-building lesson in His supernatural power:  Confidence comes from Him and His power is made perfect in our weakness. God purposed a Divine Appointment…filled with errors… to make the impossible…Him-possible. He turned an obstacle  into an opportunity  to not only strengthen my faith, but to also minister to a stranger.

Remember… “His ways are not our ways!” (Isaiah 55:8b) Embrace your obstacles… trusting in God’s good purpose to use those obstacles  as opportunities  to bring Him glory!

GOING DEEPER:

1. Memorize Romans 8:28, trusting its promise in everything (even obstacles) He’s allowed to pass through your life.

FURTHER READING:

Philippians 4:13; Ephesians 3:20; 2 Corinthians 3:5-6

Married to Dan, Karen, a retired police officer, currently works as a Manicurist at Craig Berns Salon.  She’s a leader for Oakwood’s Tuesday a.m. Bible Study and a volunteer at the Wildlife In Need Center.

The Braces of Life

By Tracy Smith

“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”

Hebrews 12:11

As I sit in the waiting room while my son has "round two" of braces put on, it occurs to me that there are lessons we can learn from braces and their purpose.

My son's mouth was extremely small. The first round of braces included an appliance on the roof of his mouth that widened his palette. As I had the same appliance 26 years ago, I know how painful this is. Despite the pain, it is necessary as his teeth were coming in too high and sideways because they had nowhere else to go.  The appliance widened the mouth and made room for the adult teeth already there, and the adult teeth yet to come. The pain was necessary for all of his teeth to fit comfortably in his mouth.

Sometimes God's lessons can feel this way: painful, but necessary in order for Him to widen our lives to fit in all that He feels is necessary. 

After a period of no braces - - while we waited for all of his adult teeth to make their way down - - it is now time for braces again.  When looking at my son, his teeth look fine to me. They are all in, they all fit and they are straight; however, the orthodontist explained why his bite needs to be fixed and the teeth shifted into their correct position. All of this will avoid problems in the future. 

Again, how much like our Lord!  His correction can be painful and seem unnecessary to us, but God knows why we need it.  He knows the painful correction is necessary in order for us to avoid problems later in life.

The next time I feel the braces of life irritating me, I will remember why they are there and look for the lesson the Lord wants me to learn.

GOING DEEPER

1. What painful times of your life can you look back now and see how God was using that experience to help you avoid future pain?

2. What can you do to learn these lessons faster and make them less painful?

FURTHER READING

Proverbs 3:11-12; Psalm 94:12; Deuteronomy 8:5

Along with being a wife and mother to two boys, Tracy is an administrative assistant at Oakwood, serves on the Women’s Ministry Special Events Team and leads a great group of Junior High girls.

Manipulating God

By Lisa Boyer

“The Lord detests lying lips, but He delights in men who are truthful.”

Proverbs 12:22

The concert is this Saturday and I need a camera with lots of zoom to get good pictures…I’m going to be so far from the stage!  I prayed silently as I gazed at the selection of cameras at the store, particularly the one with the awesome 35X optical zoom.

Let me backtrack: I had been trying to get permission to purchase that camera for months, but didn’t have peace about buying it. Here I was, once again trying to talk God into giving me permission. You see, not only was the concert Saturday but it was also my birthday, so if there was ever a time to talk God into giving me what I really wanted, it was now! But it didn’t work. I left the store without the camera. Fact is, my old camera still works. It has issues, but none serious enough to justify the purchase of a new camera and certainly not the expensive one I wanted. Back to the story…

Two days later, I got an email in response to a contest I’d entered online. I had won early entry tickets to Saturday’s concert! Early entry meant I would get a seat with the VIP ticket holders a half an hour before the other 9,000+ general admission ticket holders! I was going to get a good seat at the concert, way better than the nosebleed seat I had the year before!

As I turned my thoughts to thanking God for the tickets, I think I heard Him laughing… laughing and saying something like You said you needed to get good pictures, now you’ll have a seat close enough to do that - - with your old camera.

Ouch. He knew  I had used the concert  as an attempt to manipulate Him into allowing me to have something He had already said “no” to! Didn’t Satan attempt to manipulate Jesus into falling for his temptations? I was NOT in good company.

Yet instead of knowing about my attempt and letting it go at that, God still kindly provided for what I told Him I “needed” - - good pictures at the concert. I was humbled by our amazing God!

Winning early entry tickets was bittersweet. Bitter because during the entire four-hour concert my seat reminded me that God knew I had tried to manipulate Him. Yet sweet because of His incredible display of grace and mercy in giving me that seat which allowed me to take great pictures with my old camera. 

GOING DEEPER:

1.  Do you continually ask God for something to which He has already told you “no”? Today, will you decide to accept His answer, trust Him and let it go?

FURTHER READING:

2 Corinthians 9:8; Matthew 4:1-11; Ephesians 2:4-7

Lisa has been married to Ted for 19 years and they have two teenage sons. Lisa administers Fresh Start’s Facebook and blog, and loves hanging out with and impacting teenage girls for Christ.

Cracked Pots

 By Karen D’Amore

“We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.”

2 Corinthians 4:7 (NLT)

The story goes that a water bearer in India carried two large pots hanging from a pole that lay across his neck. One of the pots was perfect, but the other one was cracked.  Every day as the water bearer carried water from the stream to his master’s house, half of the water in the cracked pot would leak out. Every day for two years, he was only capable of delivering one and one-half pots of water. The perfect pot was proud of his accomplishments, while the cracked pot was ashamed of its imperfections and miserable that it only accomplished half of what it was designed to do. One day, the cracked pot shamefully apologized to the water bearer for its inability to deliver a full pot of water. “Because of my flaws, you have had to work hard without getting the full value for your efforts,” said the cracked pot.

Having compassion on the cracked pot, the water bearer told it to notice the beautiful flowers along the path which they traveled each day. Then the water bearer said to the cracked pot, “Did you notice that the flowers are only on your side of the path and not on the other pot’s side?  You see, I was well aware of your flaws and I used them to my advantage. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, which you watered every day, as we journeyed from the stream to my master’s house. For two years you have enabled me to pick beautiful flowers to decorate my master’s table. Without you being who you are, he would not have had this beauty to grace his house.” 1

We are clay jars (earthenware vessels) made of common, ordinary material, which in itself has little value. Just as jars/vessels are designed to hold something, we as Christ-followers, were designed to hold a great Treasure - - “Living Water. ” Made from material that is easily chipped, cracked or broken…we are at times “cracked pots.” Well aware of our flaws, God allows nothing to go to waste in His economy. As His Light shines best through the cracked and broken places in our (pots) lives, He will turn that which the world considers trash into God-glorifying treasure.

Let Living Water spill out of your clay jar, and may your flaws and weaknesses be used to grace the Master’s table!

GOING DEEPER:

1.  Are you allowing God to redeem everything (including your flaws) for His purpose and glory?

FURTHER READING:

Psalm 138:8; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

(1)  www.talkjesus.com; Author Unknown  (paraphrased to fit)

Married to Dan, Karen, a retired police officer, currently works as a Manicurist at Craig Berns Salon.  She’s a leader for Oakwood’s Tuesday a.m. Bible Study and a volunteer at the Wildlife In Need Center.

No, We’re Not There Yet

By Carolyn Hulliberger

“…I am making everything new!”

Revelation 2:5

The day had been long, as family funerals normally are. My husband’s grandmother had died, and our family was gathered for the visitation. The time for a dinner break had come and as I began to get my then-infant son ready to go to the restaurant, my three-year-old daughter became visibly upset. 

“Mommy, we can’t leave!” she cried.

“But it’s time to go eat,” I rationalized.

“No, we CAN’T LEAVE!!”

“But everyone is headed out now. Why can’t we leave?” was my answer.

“We can’t leave HEAVEN!! Great-grandma is in heaven and she’s right OVER THERE!! We can’t leave!”

I chuckle now, but explaining to a three-year-old that the part of Great-grandma that smiled, hugged, and told her stories was in heaven with Jesus…and the part she could see stayed here…well, that was a little tricky.

Jesus told us that there is another place, one where His followers will live eternally. In John 13:36, Jesus says, “Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later.” He then states, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.  Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”

And when His apostles asked how to get to this place, Jesus instructed, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

In the book of Revelation, we learn that there is a time and a place where “…the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them…He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Rev. 21:3-4).

Think on this just a moment…belief in Christ…eternally living with God…a whole new order to our world…where pain is obsolete…

Even without the amazing details described in the rest of Revelation, being in the same place as Jesus is a place that I long to rest in. And even a three-year-old can grasp that once we get to be with Him in heaven and His New Kingdom, we’ll never, ever want to leave!

GOING DEEPER:

1.  Have you come to see Jesus as the Way, the Truth and the Life?  If not, what is holding you back?

2.  Enjoy a quiet time today, concentrating on what it will feel like to arrive at the believer’s final destination: in the presence of God Himself…forever.

FURTHER READING:

1 Corinthians 15:55-57; Isaiah 25:8-9

Along with caring for her husband and two children, Carolyn works as an insurance representative, serves in Oakwood Church’s Student Ministries with an awesome group of junior high girls, and is the treasurer for Women’s Ministries.

Phobics Apply Here

By Elin Henderson

“Whenever I am afraid, I will TRUST in You.”

Psalm 56:3 (NKJV)

We all have our list of “phobias,” don’t we? They run the gamut: fear of spiders, rats, feet, germs, or more serious things like cancer and terrorists. I confess my list of phobias and fears have dwindled after seven years in the African bush, but that is out of necessity, not as a result of therapy!  Let’s face it, we are a phobic generation! Just look at our obsession for insurances, security systems, sunscreen, antibacterial everything…and avoiding public speaking at all cost!

We are not alone in our fears. The Bible’s King David is with us. If you have ever studied his life, you probably remember that he knew a little something about fear. He expresses it briefly in Psalm 56. 

… My enemies would hound me all day, there are many who fight against me…(v. 2)

… they twist my words…(v. 5)

… they lie in wait. (v. 6)

Many of us know exactly what it feels like to be hounded by an enemy, and are familiar with the fear it brings. How did David react to this fear? TRUST! The antidote to fear is TRUST. Trust, not in a distant indifferent God, but in the God David trusted. The One who “numbers my wanderings and puts my tears in a bottle…(vs.8),” a God who knows us intimately and cares for us implicitly. 

It can be a scary world that we live in today. Besides our petty personal fears (for me, snakes and rats), there are plenty of real fears that can easily consume and paralyze us. The question for us is: What are we doing about those fears?  Only when we can TRUST in the One who is bigger than our fears will we find victory!  Then we can boldly say with David, “In God I have put my TRUST; I will not be afraid” (vs. 11a).

GOING DEEPER:

1. Take a sheet of paper and fold it in half. On one side, make a list of your top fears. On the other side, list how God is bigger than those fears. If you have time, add Scripture verses that back up your answers.  Keep this sheet of paper on hand. When one of those fears crops up, TRUST in the One who is able to handle them. This will also allow you, when others share their fears with you, to be prepared to point them to the Lord. 

2. Share these verses from Psalm 56 with someone else today.

FURTHER READING:

Hebrews 13:6; II Timothy 1:7; Romans 8:15

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

Choose What is Better…Sit at His Feet

By Karen D’Amore

“Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken from her.”

Luke 10:42

Imagine: There in the Living Room was Mary, sitting at the feet of Jesus. Gazing into His eyes, she listened intently as His words captivated her. All the while, Martha was in the kitchen slamming cupboards and clanging pots, annoyed that she was preparing the meal alone. Mary was neither moved nor distracted by the noise in the kitchen; her focus firmly fixed on The Master. After rebuking Martha for her misplaced priorities, Jesus commends Mary for “choosing what is better.”

Even though it went against the grain of societal expectations and meant ignoring her regular duties, Mary correctly discerned that listening to Jesus was more important than anything else she could choose. Mary’s extravagant love and devotion to Jesus impelled her to choose what was better.

As Christ-followers, there is no better place for us to be and no place where we are more welcome, than at the feet of Jesus. When we sit at His feet, listening to His Word, He becomes our spiritual compass, keeping us pointed in the right direction. By His Word, we are strengthened and sustained for the journey and tasks of each day. At His feet, we acknowledge His majesty and goodness. In that inner worship and communion, we learn that the most important part of the believer’s life, is the part that only Jesus sees. That stillness before Him endows us with the balance of sitting and serving: sitting without serving is powerless…serving without sitting is directionless…serving after sitting produces power and balance.

Danish artist Thors Walden sculpted a life-size statue of Jesus, in such a way, that you can’t see His face from a standing position.(1) Next to the statue is a sign that reads, “If you want to see the face of Jesus, you must sit at His feet.” When you sit at the feet of the statue, only then are you able to see His face.

The one thing that Jesus seeks, above all else, is to see our devoted hearts sitting at His feet. This must be our first priority, as this is the place…where we see His face and find in Him peace and rest. It is in these quiet moments that He directs our steps and empowers us to discern suitable balance between sitting and serving.

In humility, adoration, dependence and devotion…Mary chose what was better…sitting at the feet of Jesus. When was the last time you saw His face? Why not choose “what is better” and sit awhile!

GOING DEEPER:

1.  Do you tend to choose work over worship? How can you restructure your priorities to ensure spending more time at His feet?

FURTHER READING:

Psalm 27:4; Psalm 95:6; Psalm 46:10

(1) www.scultura-italiana.org

Married to Dan, Karen, a retired police officer, currently works as a Manicurist at Craig Berns Salon.  She’s a leader for Oakwood’s Tuesday a.m. Bible Study and a volunteer at the Wildlife In Need Center.

Only One Thing is Needed

By Karen D’Amore

“Martha, Martha, the Lord answered, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed.” 
Luke 10:41

As Martha rushed into serving mode, meeting the needs of those around her, she became mired in the pressure and stress of ministry. Can you blame her? J-E-S-U-S was her invited guest! She’s in a frazzled frenzy… to make sure all her “falafels” are in a row! Martha’s work was important and commendable…her anxiety and compulsion about it…wasn’t. Jesus didn’t rebuke Martha for her service, but rather for her worries and anxieties over many things. In her concern to feed the Lord, she failed to be fed  by the Lord. Heading to the kitchen, before spending time in the Living Room, resulted in service that was shallow, self-serving and a source of agitation. Annoyed that her sister Mary was sitting and listening to Jesus, instead of helping her, Martha agitatedly questioned Jesus and advised Him to act on her behalf. “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me” (Luke 10:40)! 

Martha was preoccupied with ministering to Jesus; Mary with the ministry of Jesus. It would appear that Martha needed a priority adjustment! Our Lord is not dependent on our ministry to Him, but our life in Him is dependent on His ministry to us. In seeking to serve Jesus, Martha was hindering the sustenance of Jesus in her life. The “one thing needed” was and is abiding in Christ, drawing strength and instruction from Him. Service may not result in the study of God’s Word, but meditating on and applying Scripture spurs hearts into service. 

I love the gentleness of the Lord’s rebuke as He resets the plumb line of Martha’s heart. He’s truly interested in our hearts and our hands; duty must be balanced with devotion! We must be ministered to  by our Savior before we can effectively minister for  the Savior. Ministry should be the overflow of time spent in communion with Him. And as our hands are anointed with the fragrance of Christ, His beauty and love will be spread while we’re serving others. 

Jesus invites us all to discover “the one thing that is needed” - - the place of refreshment and joy in His presence where He fills our hearts with His abundant love and goodness…that we, in turn, would pour out His love and goodness into the lives of others.

GOING DEEPER:

1.  Are the things you’re doing for God intruding on time spent alone with God? What steps do you need to take to balance duty with devotion?

FURTHER READING:
Matthew 6:25; John 15:1-8; Jeremiah 9:23-24 

Married to Dan, Karen, a retired police officer, currently works as a Manicurist at Craig Berns Salon.  She’s a leader for Oakwood’s Tuesday a.m. Bible Study and a volunteer at the Wildlife In Need Center.

Naughty Dog

By Lisa Boyer

“Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away…”

Acts 3:19a (NASB)

The other day, my boys missed the school bus and I took my Alaskan Malamute, Kaela, along for the ride to drop them off. She loves car rides so much we never need a leash to get her to or from the car…or so I thought.

When we got back home, I opened the car door so she could run to the house, but something in the field next door had caught her attention and she took off after it. My naughty dog returned home an hour later smelling less than lovely. I was already running late for work because of her, so I quickly locked her in the kennel instead of the house and rushed off to work. When I got home, I gave her the bath she so desperately needed - - lucky for me, it was a beautiful 50-degree January day (in Wisconsin, no less)! 

However, smell and mud wasn’t all she came home with. Her journey into the 20-acre marsh behind our house left her with prickers imbedded in the fur on her tummy. As I worked to remove them, she gave me a warning growl and then snapped at me. I quickly set her straight and made her apologize (kiss my hand). I walked away thinking, I was only trying to help. Not more than ten minutes later, she approached me with this odd look on her face. She had figured out she couldn’t reach those prickers and needed my help. She humbly stood there as I removed one pricker after another.

I couldn’t be mad at her: not for running, not for returning smelly and muddy and full of prickers, and not for trying to protect herself during my first attempt to remove the prickers. I relate only too well to her behavior and you probably do, too….

We are following after God, but then take off running after something in life we shouldn’t. When we come to our senses, we return to God. He cleans and restores us, but often the consequences of our actions have left us wounded. Embarrassed, we try to deal with it ourselves and get defensive if God sends anyone to help. When we realize we can’t fix it alone, we humble ourselves and return to the Healer and allow Him to work. 

Sound familiar? Yeah, I thought so. Naughty dog…naughty daughter…same thing.

GOING DEEPER:

1.  Have you been chasing after something in this life you shouldn’t? Will you come home to God with a heart of repentance today?

2.  Is there someone in your life you should share this with? 

FURTHER READING:

Luke 15:11-32; Psalm 51:2; 1 John 1:9

Lisa has been married to Ted for 19 years and they have two teenage sons. Lisa administers Fresh Start’s Facebook and blog, and loves hanging out with and impacting teenage girls for Christ.

Just Right

By Susan Klein

“Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.”

 Romans 12:3

In Paul’s letter to the Roman believers, he addresses the issue of having a right relationship with other members of the body by encouraging an honest self-evaluation. Some were guilty of overrating their importance in the church by the positions they held or the gifts and talents they possessed. Paul admonishes them to not think too highly of themselves, being mindful that God has gifted each one individually, and not all with the same gifts, so that they may build up the body with what they have been given.

Apparently, this was a recurring problem. We read in his letter to the Corinthians that he observes some being “puffed up” by their knowledge (1 Corinthians 8:1), and to the Galatians, he warns, “If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself” (Galatians 6:3).  Paul knew the destructive force that pride could be on the church if not caught and dealt with.

Conversely, if some were to think too lowly of themselves, that could also be detrimental to the body. When God told Moses to lead His people out of Egypt, Moses wanted to decline, not believing he was gifted with the eloquence of speech that he would need to convince the people to follow him. But God does not call people to do things that He does not equip them to do. He told Moses that He would help him speak and teach him what to say, but still Moses replied, “Send someone else to do it.” Moses’ focus was on (his wrong evaluation of) himself, not on what God promised to do in and through him. Self-deprecation is no less harmful than thinking too highly of oneself.

The verse above says to think of yourself soberly, according to what God has given you. If He has given you the ability to lead or to teach, you should lead or teach. If He has equipped you with mercy or encouragement, you should share with others according to your giftedness, not comparing yourself with others. Truly knowing what your gifts are, and accepting that God has designed you exactly the way you are for a purpose (His purpose), will help you to view yourself in a “just right” light.

GOING DEEPER:

1. In your own self-evaluation, would you say you tend to swing the pendulum toward the side of pride, the side of thinking too lowly, or “just right”? How does this impact your relationships with others in the body of Christ?

FURTHER READING:

Proverbs 16:18; Ephesians 2:10; James 4:17

Susan is We Women's Tuesday Morning Bible Study Coordinator and one of its teachers. She and her husband Mark lead a couples' small group in their home; she is also involved in inner city outreach.

Sun & Shield

By Elin Henderson

 “For the LORD God is a sun and shield…”

 Psalms 84:11a (NKJV)

Several years back, doctors in the U.S. began to see an odd re-occurrence of the disease called Rickets.  For years, it had been considered an eradicated disease, so when children began appearing with signs of major Calcium and Vitamin D deficiency the doctors began wondering why. They soon discovered that some parents were so afraid of over-exposure to the sun that they literally never allowed their children to go outside. Those that did allow their children outside, smothered them with so much sunscreen that the sun’s rays (which provide Vitamin D) never reached their skin. Without Vitamin D, Calcium is not properly absorbed and that was the cause of the reoccurrence of Rickets. The problem: too LITTLE of a good thing!! 

On the other hand, my family lives in the African sun and we have to make annual trips to the dermatologist for my husband to have pre-cancerous lesions removed. Hats and sunblock are shields from the sun that make up an integral part of our daily routine. The problem: too MUCH of a good thing!!

It is clear that in order to lead healthy lives, we need the proper balance of sun exposure and protection from the sun. One without the other is dangerous to our health. 

I was reminded of this paradox when I read this verse in Psalms. God is the perfect balance of what we need for our spiritual health. He is our sun providing warmth, energy, and light for our days. And He is also our shield providing protection and shelter from life’s challenges. He combines both these needed elements in His perfect Sun/Shield package! 

With the awareness of today’s doctors and their efforts in parental education, Rickets is once again a thing of the past. As for our family, well, let’s just say we are doing our part to keep sunblock companies in business. A little balance between sun and shield (sunblock), and everyone is fine. It is the same in your spiritual lives: God will provide you just the right balance of sun and shield you need to keep you strong and healthy in Him! 

GOING DEEPER:

1. How has God been a sun in your life lately? How has He warmed your soul, given you energy for the day’s challenges, or light for your paths?

2. How has He been a shield of protection and shelter?

3. What are some ways you can share this sun/shield package with those around you  - - family, friends, coworkers, etc.? 

                                                             

FURTHER READING:

II Samuel 22:31; Psalms 3:3, 33:20, 121:6

Oakwood’s missionaries Elin Henderson (a registered nurse) and her husband Phil serve as church planters with New Tribes in Mozambique, Africa.  Elin is mother to eleven-year-old Callie and nine-year-old Elias.

Soothing Secrets

By Jen Wollner

"If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come to me and I will give you rest."

Matthew 11:28 (CEV)

The title of the magazine article read, “Soothing Secrets: Kick back and relax with four easy, expert-suggested ideas for taking the edge off.” Yes! This was just what I needed...to relax and take the edge off. Only four easy steps? Perfect!

It was a couple weeks after Christmas and I was wiped out. The holidays themselves, while joyous, can also be really draining. The parties, food and gifts are, well, just too much of a good thing. We also had the delight of having a houseguest for three weeks over the holidays...a young man from the orphanage in Latvia where our church ministers regularly. Our family was determined to show him love and  a good time. And, that we did! We became tourists in our own area. It was great fun, but not a lifestyle we could sustain for much longer! By the time we said our heartrending good-byes to our dear friend, I was physically, emotionally and mentally exhausted. I wanted to run away from it all to recharge and rest.

As I looked at my calendar, I realized that I wasn’t going to get the kind of break that was suggested by the “experts” in the article I had read. There wasn’t much time for comfort food and bubble baths! My Bible study was starting up again and I had homework to catch up on, not to mention a luncheon with my small group to prepare for. I also had several meetings planned with individuals in various ministries. These would present me with much to pray about and opportunities to serve. I was simply not in the mood for more activity, but I knew I needed to honor the commitments I had made long before the weariness had set in.

As it turned out, every task on my calendar was a God appointment! Those couple weeks were some of the most energizing I’ve ever had! I was recharged by being back in God’s Word and in fellowship with passionate Christ-followers. And, I found rejuvenation in fervent prayer and service to others. I realized that it wasn’t worldly rest I needed, it was rest in Jesus and in His perfect will.

Sometimes it’s necessary to step back and take physical, mental and emotional breaks, but let’s not fall into the trap of thinking that relaxation only comes in pampering ourselves…it just doesn’t last. Deep, fulfilling restoration is only found in Jesus. Take your burdens to Him today…He will give you rest.

GOING DEEPER:

1.  How do you prefer to relax when you are feeling weary? How can you include Jesus in those activities?

FURTHER READING:

Isaiah 40:28-31

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

A Friend in Every Science Class

By Chelsey Waala

“Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

John 11:25-26

I do not enjoy science. I often say I am forever thankful to those who apply it in things like medicine, engineering, and research, but I do not want any part in studying it myself. And so, you can imagine my complaints as I begrudgingly take a required science course (with a lab!) this semester. This is boring, this is boring, this is boring, I catch myself thinking often. I try to approach this class with an open mind, but I am constantly disappointed in the material we are studying. This makes it incredibly difficult to find any hope in enjoying the class.

A few hours after I finished complaining to a fellow classmate, I was reminded that Jesus often turns our disappointments into opportunities. In her devotional, It’s a Wonderful (Imperfect) Life,(1) Joan C. Webb explains that in every unfavorable situation, from the mildly annoying to the devastating, our Lord provides us with lessons, relationships and growth. . For example, when Jesus “missed” the opportunity to heal Lazarus, Mary and Martha were grief-stricken. However, Jesus was now able raise Lazarus from the dead in front of others, leading many to faith. Because he was “late,” many people were saved! And Mary and Martha no doubt fell deeper in love with their Christ as they witnessed Him turn devastation into celebration.

Our Lord is the ultimate optimist. With His help, we can turn our everyday annoyances into opportunities to build character. We can turn disappointments into hope, and tragedy into praise. We can seek comfort in knowing that He will help us find the positives even when it seems impossible.

As for me, I found that my science class allows me to see a lovely friend every day. I get to interact with someone who understands my distaste for the sciences but lifts me up with humor. There is a friend in every boring class, just as there is an opportunity in every disappointment.

GOING DEEPER:

1. Can you recall a recent disappointment? Looking back, can you find one positive outcome?

2. How can you encourage others to seek God’s positivity in every situation? Will you?

FURTHER READING:

John 11:1-44; Habakkuk 1:5; Ephesians 1:11-12

(1) Webb, Joan C.  It’s a Wonderful (Imperfect) Life. Ventura, CA:  Regal, 2009

Chelsey is a sophomore at Augsburg College in Minnesota, studying Secondary Education and English. Upon graduating, she hopes to foster a love of life and learning in high school students. When home, she has served in Oakwood’s Children’s Ministries.

“WAIT” Training

By Karen D’Amore

“But those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength…”

Isaiah 40:31 (NKJV)

I can still hear Adi’s thick Yugoslavian accent hurling orders like a military drill instructor: “PU-USH…PU-USH…WHAN MORE…YU KAN DOO IT!”  Once aspiring to be a competitive bodybuilder, I enlisted the help of a professional bodybuilder/personal trainer. With dumbbells firmly fixed in my grip, “pumping iron” became my melodious theme song. Trembling with exhaustion, my muscles were pushed to the point of failure daily. This painful type of resistance training causes the muscle fibers to tear, then rebuild stronger than they were before. Complying with the “No Pain, No Gain” motto…my body ached perpetually. Pushing through the pain, though tempted to quit, I found that perseverance produced staggering results. I was stronger than I ever could have imagined!

Weight training is sweaty, tiring, and painfully difficult…but necessary to build strong physical  muscles! As Christ-followers, spiritual strength is imperative! Desiring to firm our “flabby faith,” God recruits us into His gym, where He builds our spiritual muscles through…“WAIT” training. Like weight training, “wait” training can also be painfully difficult. Throughout Scripture, we read the “waiting” stories of many. Abraham and Sarah waited 25 years for a child. Jacob waited over seven years for his beloved Rachel. Joseph waited 13 years for full freedom. David waited 15 years for his new job as king. Each of these “waiting” stories poignantly reflects the faith of the “waiters,” as well as the God-glorifying results!

What are you waiting for? Are you feeling crushed under the weight of the “wait”? The heaviness may seem unbearable and the “wait” tiring and painful, but “wait” training is a discipline intended to strengthen us. Hebrews 12:11 reminds us, “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”

Waiting on God pushes us from a position of self-reliance to God-dependence. It spurs us to grow in the confidence of His sovereignty and His ability to bring all things to completion, in His timing, and in a way that benefits His children and glorifies Him. Waiting on God is never passive, but always active, requiring us to cease our own pursuits and give God our undivided attention. Perseverance in the “wait” exercises our faith and builds strong spiritual muscles.

Is your Personal Trainer whispering…“W-A-I-T…W-A-I-T”??  Don’t sweat…rest in His grip and…WAIT…as He renews your strength!

“God does not give us overcoming life—He gives us life as we overcome. If there is no strain, there will be no strength.” – Oswald Chambers (1) 

GOING DEEPER:

1.  How is your “wait” training? Are your spiritual muscles firm or flabby?

FURTHER READING:

Psalm 27:14; Isaiah 30:18; Isaiah 40:31

(1) Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, Discovery House Publishers, 2008.

 

Married to Dan, Karen, a retired police officer, currently works as a Manicurist at Craig Berns Salon.  She’s a leader for Oakwood’s Tuesday a.m. Bible Study and a volunteer at the Wildlife In Need Center.