Wound Check

By Carolyn Hulliberger

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,  who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)

Sandy was an incredible young lady with a memory like a steel trap. She loved hugs, never met a stranger, and was always smiling.

Sandy had another remarkable trait:  she could literally feel no pain.

Born with a cognitive disability, the “wiring” to the pain center in her brain was affected. As a result, her sunny disposition was never impacted by headache nor heartache.

Sounds great, right? But if Sandy was hurt, she couldn’t tell anyone. As a young child, an unknown burn became severely infected and could have killed her. After the incident, her parents instituted regular “Wound Checks”  to identify any unknown injuries.

We don’t like it, but pain is a necessary component to our lives. Pain tells us to remove the hand from the hot stove, to stop the knife when the finger gets in the way, to draw fresh boundaries in a hurtful relationship. 

Pain also moves us to look for comfort from the hurt. When the ache takes over,  it is natural to look to someone who can help us. Someone who has been there. A person who has faced the diagnosis, survived the divorce, or mourned a similar loss. Those who have gone before can provide the much-needed “Wound Checks,”  because they know the pitfalls of the journey.

God sent us the Ultimate Comforter in Jesus. He came to earth as a human, willing to experience all of the emotions that come with that. He knew the betrayal of a friend (Judas),  and wept with those who grieved for a loss (Lazarus). And let’s not forget the physical pain of the torture He endured at the Crucifixion. 

Isaiah 61 says the Messiah has been sent to “bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, …to comfort all who mourn,…to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.” His very mission includes performing Wound Checks with us. 

Like Sandy, there are times when we need to submit to the Wound Check and listen to Christ and those He uses. Like Sandy’s parents, sometimes we need to love someone enough to do the Wound Check for them.

GOING DEEPER:

1.  Who can you help with his/her Wound Check?

2.  How is Jesus, the Ultimate Comforter, helping you with your wounds?

FURTHER READING:

Isaiah 61:1-3; Psalm 119:76; Ephesians 3:16

Along with caring for her family, 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.

A Thorough Weeding

By Susan Klein

“What was sown among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth come in and choke it, making it unfruitful.”

Matthew 13:22 (NIV)

I love to garden and I love flowers. I don’t, however, love weeds! With the abundance of rain we’ve had so far this summer, they’ve become like a metastatic cancer in my flower beds. I can barely keep up with them! And if it’s not the weeds encroaching on my beautiful blossoms, it’s aphids or beetles. So, I’ve weeded, and I’ve sprayed, and I’ve fertilized. And just when I thought I had everything looking picture-perfect, the roofers came. Now my flower beds have flying shingles and plastic tarps to contend with. I hope they are strong enough to survive!

In the Gospels, Jesus tells a parable about a farmer who went out to sow his seed. Some seeds fell among the weeds and the tender shoots were choked out, unable to produce any fruit. As I battle the weeds in my own flower beds, I can kind of empathize with that farmer. However, when I read the rest of the story, I see Jesus explaining the real meaning of the parable to the disciples. In essence, He says that when we hear the Word of God, and we don’t have strong roots in our faith, we are like those tender shoots when hardships and the worries of life (weeds) sneak in. We can’t stand firm and we are overcome by them. 

I have to wonder…what are the weeds, or the bugs, or the flying shingles that encroach on my faith, rendering it unfruitful? Am I spiritually strong enough to stay firmly rooted where I’ve been planted? Do I rely on scriptural truths in every circumstance, or does “Doubting Thomas” become my nickname the minute those weeds start creeping in? And how much time do I spend nurturing the seed that’s been planted in me?

Sometimes, a bit of fertilizer and a good, thorough weeding are in order. While it’s true that struggles and hardship are inevitable, we don’t have to let them overtake us. A healthy dose of God’s Word, along with some prayer mixed in, can be a great remedy for weak roots. And, pulling out those  “worry” weeds on a regular basis; trusting in the Master Gardener instead, will go a long way to promote fruitfulness in our lives.

So, what’s growing in your garden?!!

GOING DEEPER:

1. What steps can you take to ensure you’re standing strong against the encroaching weeds of this life?

FURTHER READING:

Proverbs 22:5; Hebrews 6:7-8

Susan is a We Women Bible Study Coordinator and one of its teachers. She and her husband Mark enjoy tutoring and working with inner-city youth.

Intentional Community

By Brita Crouse

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another

- - and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV)

Over the weekend, my high school friends and I met up at a local coffee shop. We sat at a small, round table, elbow-to-elbow, and talked about the changes we have seen in each other over the past eight years. Some of us are getting married, starting new jobs or new relationships, and some of us are going through really difficult things. 

One thing we all agreed on: Our friendship isn’t “normal.” It is a precious gift from God. Most college kids don’t stay in touch with their friends from back home. We did, though, despite attending schools in five different states (none of them Wisconsin), and having vastly different, life-changing experiences.

The secret to our long-lasting friendship? Intentionality and vulnerability. We talk regularly, see each other whenever we can, support one another during times of suffering, and laugh together during times of joy. We are open and honest with one another. We apologize when we need to, hold each other accountable, and spur one another on with biblical truths.

These friendships have given me a clear picture of how the Church should operate. How different would our lives be if we interacted with others in this way on a daily basis?

We have been created as relational beings, to be known and to know others. If you have ever spent a long time alone, you will know this to be true. Our faith life, our struggles, and our triumphs are not meant to be kept a secret. Believing that you are the only one who is going through something difficult is one of the biggest lies Satan tells. You are never alone in your struggles. Not only do you have God, but you also have a community of believers who are ready to give support and encouragement.

It wasn’t easy for me, but I have learned how to be vulnerable with this group of friends, and guess what? They still love me. They encourage me, pray for me, and “spur [me] on toward love and good deeds.”

When we are transparent with one another, those feelings of isolation and loneliness disappear, bonds are formed, and we are brought into an intentional community, where we are loved and supported. 

GOING DEEPER:

1.  Who can you be encouraging this week?

2.   What are ways that you can be spurring on your friends and family this week?

FURTHER READING:

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; Proverbs 27:9; 1 Corinthians 12:12

Brita recently graduated from Taylor University with a degree in Psychology, has been attending Oakwood for sixteen years, and is currently a helper for Oakwood’s Quest 56.

Encouraging our Faith
By Jen Wollner

“When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.”
Luke 1:41 (NIV)

Mary (the mother of Jesus) and Elizabeth (the mother of John the Baptist) were not only relatives, but also appear to be friends. Almost immediately after learning that she was to be the mother of the Savior, Mary made the trip to visit Elizabeth. The Scripture actually says that she “hurried” to see her. Why the haste? Was it because the angel Gabriel had told her that Elizabeth was in her sixth month of pregnancy and she wanted to confirm it herself and celebrate with Elizabeth? Or, was it because she couldn’t wait to share the news of her own pregnancy? Exactly why she so quickly went to Elizabeth’s side isn’t clear, but I’m guessing her decision involved these reasons and many more. Her mind must have been spinning as she made the journey to Elizabeth’s town.

What is really amazing about the story of Mary going to Elizabeth is how God used both women to encourage the other. Scripture says that as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary’s voice, John leapt in her womb and she was filled with the Holy Spirit. She exclaimed with joy the truth of Mary’s pregnancy and that she was, in fact, carrying her Lord. She continued by praising Mary’s trust in the Lord to accomplish what He said He would. Imagine Mary’s heart the moment she heard Elizabeth’s words and saw the joy on her face. The faiths of both women were encouraged that day by what God had done for each of them…and the world.

As with Mary and Elizabeth, God uses the women in our lives to speak to us. Our girlfriends encourage us to persevere, motivate us to action and challenge us to change. They laugh with us and cry with us. They share in joys and sorrows. They act as God’s hands and feet in our lives. But, best of all, they point us to God.

God knew that Mary and Elizabeth needed spiritual encouragement. And, He knows that we need that, too. Sometimes He sends heavenly angels with messages…and sometimes He sends a girlfriend.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Think about a woman in your life whom God has used to encourage you. What little act of thanks could you do to let her know how much she is appreciated?
2. Who in your life could use godly encouragement from you today? What could you do to encourage her?

FURTHER READING:
Luke 1:39-56; Psalm 10:17; Hebrews 3:13; Hebrews 10:25

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

M.I.A.
By Becci Terrill

“Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.”
Psalm 139:7-9 (NIV)

MISSING: 5’9”, 135 lb. female, brown hair & eyes, 46 yrs old, probably wearing red high heels.

It had been one of those days…my husband was out of town, the kids were attending school out of state, the new job wasn’t going as well as planned, and to top it off, the puppy had just chewed up my Oriental rug. At this point, even Calgon couldn’t take me far enough away to help. The passport in my drawer was calling out my name, tempting me with visions of far off places, but unfortunately the checkbook was speechless and empty.

Maybe I could run to that place, like Cheers, where “everybody knows your name and they’re always glad you came.” Surely someone there would understand, wouldn’t they?

Have you ever had one of those days? A day when life is spinning out of control like an amusement park ride and you just want to get off and run away? Fortunately, no matter where we run, the Lord is there. Jonah found this out the hard way by trying to flee from God. He thought he had succeeded…paid the fare, boarded the ship, and settled in his bed for a nap. Then came the big storm, the unexpected swim and the unusual accommodations where God finally got his attention…in the belly of a whale.

Maybe that’s where I should run in the first place…TO JESUS! Maybe He allows all these things to crowd into my life to drive me TO HIM. I hadn’t thought of that before. Spending time with my precious Savior, away from the busy-ness and crazy-ness of life, is just what I need to refresh my soul and calm my emotions…especially after “one of those days.”

So, if you ever see the M.I.A. notice posted above, please let my family know I’ll be home soon…after time spent with Jesus!

GOING DEEPER:
1. What circumstance in your life makes you want to run away? Whatever you are facing, share your heart with Jesus.
2. Do you sometimes feel like you’re beyond God’s reach? Ask God to strengthen your faith.

FURTHER READING:
Jonah 1-2

Becci is a wife and mom to two daughters. She is the Director of Ministry Partnerships at Shepherds Ministries in Union Grove and is the Special Events Coordinator for Oakwood's We Women Ministries.

Believing Prayer
By Peggy Kleckner

“So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.”
Acts 12:5 (NIV)

The church was praying for Peter. They couldn’t physically free him, but they could pray to the One who could. They probably had their own ideas of how God would answer and none of them included Peter knocking, angel-released, at the door (Acts 12:13)! We read through this account and think, “That’s nice, Peter is free.” But if we take the time to really enter into the situation – WOW! He was chained to two guards, there were sentries at the entrance and an iron gate to get through…but earnest prayer to the One True God freed him from his captivity.

Have you ever been faced with an impossible situation, and then just known in your heart that you were to believe God would answer your earnest prayer? I have. I was sitting on the couch with my husband, when I realized the diamond was missing from my wedding ring. Now, this is no small annoyance for any woman, but our marriage had just survived some very dark waters (by the grace of God!), and this seemed to be just too much to bear. So I prayed, and I called on my family and my friends to pray. I knew that our God is the God of the Impossible. Finding a loose diamond is hard enough when you know where you lost it, but I didn’t even know that! Since a clean home is not where I live, that just added to the impossibility of the situation. So, we hunted and we prayed and I just kept believing that God was going to put that diamond in the palm of my hand. It was almost a week later that my son bent down in the kitchen, picked something up off the floor and placed it in the palm of my hand – yep, my diamond! What a joy to share answered prayer! Not only was my faith stretched and confirmed, but so was the faith of all of those who had joined me in prayer.

Over and over again prayer seems to be the Lord’s lesson to me. No matter the dire circumstances – God says pray. When we see no way out – too many guards and iron gates – He tells us to pray…and trust His sovereignty. He is looking for those who will believe, for those who have the faith to cry out in earnest prayer for Him to act on their behalf.

GOING DEEPER:
1. What impossible situation are you ready to turn over to God?
2. What friends and relatives do you have who are being held captive physically or spiritually? Are you praying for their release?

FURTHER READING:
Ephesians 6:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; James 5:13-18; Matthew 21:22 

Peggy is a wife and mother of four adult children—two sons and two stepsons and is an active encourager at Oakwood.

“Follow ME” – PERIOD!!

By Karen D’Amore

“Then Jesus said to the disciples, ‘If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him deny himself and take up his cross and Follow ME [emphasis added].’”

Matthew 16:24 (TLB)

Horses LOVE peppermints?! Eager to test out this new revelation, I hiked to the neighboring horse ranch…my pockets overflowing with peppermints. Greeting me, a handful of curious horses patiently waited as I freed the peppermints from their plastic wrappers. One bite and it was clear…this newly-acquired information was true! Within moments, the small group multiplied into a large herd and the feeding frenzy spun out of control. When the horses kept trying to steal the peppermints from my pockets, I backed off and continued my walk along the bridle path. Looking over my shoulder, I noticed the entire herd following me. As I playfully and repeatedly changed my direction of travel, the herd followed me everywhere I went. The herd stopped and wandered back into the pasture once my pockets were empty. For months, I’ve repeated this peppermint ritual; the results always the same. The horses followed me “conditionally”…only if and when I dispensed sweet peppermint treats!

How often we conditionally follow Christ. And yet, repeatedly throughout Scripture, Jesus says, “Follow Me.”   Period!!!  At times I have struggled with putting a comma where God puts a period!  He says “Follow Me,” and I’ve said, “I’ll follow You if…” or “I’ll follow You when…” or “I’d follow you, but…”

As Christ-followers, we are called to follow Jesus. Period!

We’re to follow Him:
…when He’s silent.
…when He says “no” to our plan.
…when He doesn’t answer our prayers the way we think He should.
…when He leads us through undesirable places or circumstances.
…when He asks us to sacrifice our comforts.
…even when His pockets are empty of “sweet treats.”

When Jesus says, “Follow ME,” the “period” should be translated… “unconditionally.” It’s an all-or-nothing invitation! We give up our rights in exchange for a relationship with our Savior. Following Jesus means becoming His shadow:  following Him through “leper colonies,” being friends to outcasts, and standing firm for what’s right, in spite of the cost. It means following Him in the very essence of who we are - -that deep place within where we submit our rights to the One who gave them up for us.

Following Jesus consists of remarkable benefits, but also a price. But whatever   the cost, hearing those words “well done, good and faithful servant” will have made following Him so worth the sweet, eternal “treats.”

How are you responding to His invitation? Prayerfully surrender the “ifs”… “whens”… and… “buts”…and “Follow Jesus”…PERIOD!

GOING DEEPER:

1.  What conditions are you putting on your “following”?

FURTHER READING:

Luke 9:57-62; 1 Peter 2:13-24

Married to Dan, Karen, a retired police officer, currently works as a Manicurist at Craig Berns Salon and a Foot Care Specialist at Shorehaven Senior Facility.  She also serves on the Oakwood Women’s Ministry Special Events team.

“He Marveled”

By Susan Klein

“Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled…”

Matthew 8:10a (NASB)

Whenever I find myself in need of some “real” time with my Savior, I know I can turn to the Gospels and find Him there. His presence is visible upon the pages of God’s written Word. How like our loving heavenly Father to provide us with this very personal gift to use over and over again to fit our every circumstance.

When I am grieving, I can read Jesus wept (John 11:35), knowing He personally shares in my grief. When I need counsel, I can read that Jesus spoke to the multitudes and I can glean from His message to them. When I am weary from life’s demands, I can learn from the example that Jesus withdrew to solitary places to be alone with His Father for rest and refreshment.

Among other things, the Gospels tell us that Jesus:

rebuked

healed

performed miracles

went away (or departed)

forgave

raised the dead

defended

prayed

All of these things have touched my heart in a personal way at a time when I really needed them. All of these things Jesus did because He was the Son of God and they were things He was sent here to do. However, there is one thing Jesus did in response to  what someone else did. He marveled. In context, the above verse explains that Jesus marveled over the great faith of one man, a Gentile, no less. Without the benefit of growing up memorizing Old Testament Scriptures or sitting under the tutelage of esteemed Jewish leaders, a Roman centurion heard about Jesus and beseeched Him to heal his paralyzed servant. Jesus immediately understood the great faith this man placed in Him by humbly presenting this request, and by believing it would be done. (You can read the rest of the story in John chapter 8!)

As I glance back over my list, I realize these are things Jesus did for me. To show my gratitude, I’d like to do something for Him. I’d like to exercise my faith like the humble centurion did. I want to take all these things to heart and gratefully, diligently and unquestioningly apply them to my life in a way that brings Him glory and honor. And wouldn’t it just be ever-so-precious if perchance, He were to marvel at my faithfulness?!!

GOING DEEPER:
1. How can you spend intentional time exercising your faith?
2. What are some weak areas in your faithfulness that might require some attention?

FURTHER READING:
Matthew 9:20-22; Romans 1:17; James 2:14-23

Susan is a We Women Bible Study Coordinator and one of its teachers. She and her husband Mark enjoy tutoring and working with inner-city youth.

Product and Process

By Lexi Ellis

“So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please Him.”

2 Corinthians 5:9 (ESV)

Currently, there is a push for product-driven education - - ways to determine the actual product and effectiveness of education. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. I have a product - - what I want my students to learn or achieve -- and I then create a pathway to get there.

Of course, like anything, it can go too far. I recently saw on Pinterest, (1) “I care more about the people my students become than the scores on the tests they take.” Tests are important: They give important information. But when we focus exclusively on the product of the test score, we miss out on the process of learning.

In my teaching, I try to balance process and product; however, in my spiritual life, I find I often focus exclusively on a product - - how I appear to others. Oswald Chambers writes that our true aim must be pleasing God, not the product of appearance.  It’s “not making our first priority to win souls, or to establish churches, or to have revivals, but seeking only to ‘be well pleasing to Him.’” (2)

It isn’t about how I look to others. It’s about my pursuit of pleasing my God. Chambers goes on to write, “My worth to God publicly is measured by what I really am in my private life. Is my primary goal in life to please Him and to be acceptable to Him, or is it something less, no matter how lofty it may sound?”

When I seek to be pleasing to God, in faith, I do what He asks and I love like He loved. The apostle Paul wrote about how insignificant the product is without the process of love.

“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 

 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 

If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.” (3)

When I choose to pursue the process of pleasing God and not on the product of how I look to others, I allow God to use me for His Kingdom. In the same way education works to balance process and product, we need to remember to forgo our own emphasis on appearance and focus our energy on pleasing our Creator.

GOING DEEPER:

1.  Spiritually, where are you focusing on the product rather than enjoying the process?

FURTHER READING:

2 Timothy 2:15; Colossians 1:10

(1) http://pinterest.com/pin/109353097174514328/

(2) Oswald Chambers. My Utmost for His Highest. March 17 entry.

(3) 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

Lexi is married to Andrew, serves with Oakwood’s Children’s Ministries, teaches at Lake Country Christian Academy and is the Fresh Start Coordinator.

To God be the Glory

By Brita Crouse

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."

1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV)

Did you know that Puffer Fish can inflate to several times their normal size? They ingest large amounts of water to make themselves bigger than they regularly are. The reason they do this is to ward off predators. They may be afraid of being eaten or attacked, so “puffing up” protects them from any threats.

There are many days where I feel very similar to a Puffer Fish, but instead of ingesting water, I ingest pride. My fears cause me to “puff up” so I can keep any threats at bay. I catch myself with this inflated pride when I am feeling insecure about my abilities or stressed out about my current situation. Instead of trusting God completely, I use my own defense - - my inflatable pride - - to make others believe I am better than I really am.

The truth is: I am no better than anyone else. What would make me so special or important to be favored over another?

In his book Crazy Love, Francis Chan says this about our verse for today: “Frankly, you need to get over yourself. It might sound harsh, but that’s seriously what it means.” (1) This was the swift kick-in-the-pants that I needed. It is harsh to hear that, but it’s true. In the grand scheme of things, our lives are only a vapor and it is what we do with that time that matters.

Do we glorify God by trusting in our own strength? Do we glorify Him when we put ourselves before others? Is it glorifying to God to put others down to puff ourselves up? The answer to all of these questions should be a resounding, “NO!” Yet, we still find ourselves doing these things.

Instead of focusing so much time on ourselves, what if we focused on others? What if we viewed people, tolerable or intolerable, as if they were Christ Himself? Our attitudes would be completely different! Plus, our actions, and the motives behind those actions, would be glorifying to God.

God created everyone. Not just you. Not just me. Everyone. And He loves His creation. Instead of focusing so much on ourselves, trying to puff up our egos, let’s love others as if they were Christ. In doing this, we will bring Him glory and honor.

GOING DEEPER:

1. What person, or group of people, should you be more loving to this week?

2.  Listen to “In The End” by JJ Heller. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-w4KLSEJUs) Make a conscious effort this week to act in ways that will glorify God.

FURTHER READING:

Proverbs 11:2; Mark 12:29-31

(1) Francis Chan, “Crazy Love.”  Pg. 44, David C. Cook, © 2008

Brita recently graduated from Taylor University with a degree in Psychology, has been attending Oakwood for sixteen years, and is currently a helper for Oakwood’s Quest 56.

Beyond Abilities

By Elin Henderson

“For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing.”

2 Corinthians 8:3 (NKJV)

         

How often we measure our life and our accomplishments past, present and future by our abilities. We look at our measure of strength and from that, we say “I’ll take that job, it falls within my list of abilities, but that one there is a little too beyond me.” In my life and ministry here in Mozambique, the Lord is constantly reminding me to be open to be used beyond my abilities. I am not a teacher, but am called to homeschool my kids with minimal resources and minimal ability/knowledge. My language skill is low, but I’m called to speak into the lives of the people around me and teach literacy classes, stretching far beyond my abilities. On and on the list goes.

In your life, I am sure you can find similar circumstances occurring. God’s power is unleashed into our lives when we are “freely willing,” like the Macedonians Paul was speaking of here, to be used beyond our abilities! Then, we truly experience that for which we have been created; to be used of Him and allowing Him to live His life and purposes out through us with an unexplainable strength.

One of my favorite preachers of old is Phillips Brooks. He was ministering in the US around the time of Abraham Lincoln and has a quote that I keep close by to remind myself to be available “beyond my abilities.”

“Do not pray for easier lives; pray to become stronger men.

Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers;
Pray for powers equal to your tasks.

Then your life shall be no miracle, but you shall be a miracle.

Each day you shall wonder at that which is wrought in you
by the Grace of God.” (1)

May your life be a testimony and miracle of the impossible as you freely and willingly go beyond your abilities by His strength!

         

GOING DEEPER:

1. If you were to make a list of your abilities, what would it look like? How about the things that are beyond your abilities? Do you feel the Lord calling you to any of those areas? Today, “pray for powers equal to your tasks, not tasks equal to your powers.”

FURTHER READING:

Luke 18:27; John 8:28-29

(1) Phillips Brooks – all sermons and quotes available online at The Project Gutenberg Ebook.

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 thirteen-year-old Callie and ten-year-old Elias. They are currently in America on Home Assignment.

Getting Well

By Carolyn Hulliberger

“(Jesus) asked him, ‘Do you want to get well?’”

John 5:6

The Bible tells us the man Jesus spoke to in this passage had been an invalid for 38 years. His likely habit was to sit by a pool each day in the hope of physical healing. Locals believed that the waters of this pool had healing powers when an angel of the Lord would come down and stir the waters. The first person into the pool would be cured of whatever disease he or she had. Then one day, this invalid man encounters Jesus, who asks him, “Do you want to get well? [emphasis added]” On the surface it seems a silly question. The man spends every day by the pool. Each day he plays the “healing lottery,” hoping to be the big winner.

But Jesus asks “Do you want to get well?” Jesus knows that this man’s whole life will change if he is healed. The man will be responsible for himself. No longer will he have his affliction to lean on as an excuse for why he does not succeed in this world. The man’s answer is, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.” Jesus takes his answer as a “yes,” for Jesus’ reply is “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” At once the man is cured.

The healing of our own afflictions, especially emotional, can sometimes take this same route. Jesus performed a miracle of healing, but only after the man indicated that he wanted to be healed. It’s one thing to know that Jesus has the ability to heal us, but we have to be willing and ready for the healing to occur. This story also indicates that a second step…of obedience…was required for this man.  The man’s habit had to change. What would have happened if the man on the mat had simply laid there and continued to hang out by the water?  His life would not have changed, and the work of Christ would not have been completed in his life.

For Jesus to heal the afflictions in our lives, we not only need to want to get well, but sometimes we have to be willing to make the change in our lives to complete the healing.

GOING DEEPER:

1. Is there an affliction in your life that you want to be healed of? Are you ready for the responsibility of doing your part in the healing process?

2. Is there someone in your life who is in need of Christ’s healing? How can you encourage her to be ready for the step of obedience?

FURTHER READING:

Psalm 25:8-10

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.

“To Mentor or Not to Mentor...”

By Susan Klein

“...train the younger women to love their husbands and children,
to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home,
to be kind and to be subject to their husbands,

so that no one will malign the word of God.”

Titus 2: 4-5

In the movie Fried Green Tomatoes, a woman named Evelyn is floundering in her marriage and feels as if no one takes her seriously. She is struggling with her identity and purpose in life. While visiting a family member at a nursing home, she meets an older woman who befriends her and regales Evelyn with wonderful tales of her past. As Evelyn returns each week for more of Idgie’s inspiring stories, she begins to develop a newfound confidence in her womanhood and builds a lasting friendship in the process. Idgie becomes a mentor of sorts to Evelyn through just being her friend.

It seems such a simple concept. The older woman befriends the younger woman and helps her by sharing her own life-experiences. In return, the older woman has made a new friend and can look forward to more sweet visits!  It’s a win-win situation! 

So why does this not happen more often in our society today?  Don’t we all have inner cravings to have an older, wiser woman to invest in us and guide us through life’s difficulties?  On the flip side, haven’t we all been through situations that we have come out the other side of with more wisdom and strength?  Couldn’t we be sharing with those younger than ourselves?

When I became a believer in Jesus Christ, a sweet older man made it his mission to mentor me for a time until I could understand my newfound faith and get my bearings as I rambled through God’s Word. It was as simple as meeting for soup a few times. As he taught me to memorize three verses in Romans, he told me something I will never forget. He said, “If you only memorize three verses in your entire life, you will still have three verses to share with someone who does not know them.”  I love that man, and believe his words apply to all aspects of my Christian walk. When the Lord works in my life, I bring Him glory just by sharing those experiences with others He places in my path.

We don’t necessarily have to make a “ministry” out of our mentoring, rather just be willing to share with those who are in need.

GOING DEEPER:

1. What younger woman has God put in your life that you could share some of your experiences with?

2. Ask God to lead you to an older woman who would enjoy your fellowship as much as you’d enjoy gleaning from her wisdom!

FURTHER READING:

2 Corinthians 1:3-4; 1 Thessalonians 5:11; Romans 15:14; Proverbs 16:20-21

Susan is a We Women Bible Study Coordinator and one of its teachers. She and her husband Mark enjoy tutoring and working with inner-city youth.

Why… God…?

By Lisa Boyer

“You are good, and what You do is good”

Psalm 119:68a (NIV)

Last year, while dealing with major health issues, I found myself struggling with the “why” question. I had been trying so hard not to ask God “why,” fearing that if I did ask, I would be demonstrating a lack of trust in Him. Not wanting my struggle to become a full-blown crisis of faith, I talked over my dilemma with a trusted friend. She took me to the Scriptures, reminding me that David - - a man after God’s own heart - - asked “why.” So I could ask, but asking doesn’t guarantee answers. And my point of asking was to gain some sort of understanding, giving meaning and purpose to the suffering, so then what?

My dear friend, knowing there may not be an answer to my “why” question, wisely pointed me in a new direction. “All I know,” she said with deep conviction, “is that God is good and what He does is good.” While her conviction bolstered my faith in ways I can’t explain, her  conviction wasn’t going to be enough. I needed my own  conviction that God was good and that what He was doing in my life was good… which was hard, because it hadn’t felt good. But conviction is about knowing, not feeling. I had to move past how I felt and remember what I knew.

I knew the Word of God and I personally knew God! I had spent years reading, studying and learning the Word of God. I knew God’s character! I knew Him to be trustworthy, I knew Him to be a provider, I knew Him to be loving, I knew Him to be faithful, and I knew Him to be good!

Yes, I knew…I had just needed to be reminded.

I never did get an answer to my “why” question, which is okay because I didn’t need to know why anymore. I just need to know Him and trust Him. He is good, and whatever He’s doing is good, no matter how I feel!

GOING DEEPER:

1.  If this devotional finds you in a “why” time of life, will you take time today to dig in the Word so you can be reminded of God’s character, and then talk to Him about where you are at and what you feel?

2.  If you aren’t sure you are familiar enough with God’s character to know that He truly is good, even in times of trouble, email us at info@oakwoodnow.org for more information on how to begin to study the Bible and learn about God and His character.

FURTHER READING:

Psalm 43:2, 106:1; Isaiah 41:10

Lisa has been married to Ted for more than 20 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.