Faithfulness
By Peggy Kleckner

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”

Galatians 5:22-23a (NIV)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

FURTHER READING:
John 9:1-12, Mark 4:35-41, Mark 6:30-42
 
Peggy is a wife and mother of four adult children - - two sons and two stepsons, and is an active encourager at Oakwood Church in Delafield. 

The Marathon
By Elizabeth Cole

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”
Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)

The air was brisk; a Tiffany-blue sky showcased startlingly white clouds distinctive to the Midwest. Yes, it was a perfect day for the Chicago Marathon. As we made our way through the early morning streets to our designated start, the energy of the day was palpable. I’d never been to this historic marathon…truth be told, I’d never been to any marathon. This would be my first. 34,700 runners prepared to begin; I stomped my feet to keep the blood flowing and settled into my assigned place…among 1.5 million spectators who’d come to witness what would turn out to be a record-setting race.

We were joining our dear friend Andy’s family as he ran the race. Traveling by foot and by the L, we made our way to four different spots along the route, showing up in time to raucously cheer him on as he passed. We sure weren’t alone. Those hundreds of thousands of spectators lined the course, not only calling out encouragement to those whom they knew, but to those they didn’t, as well. Imagine, for a moment, you’re a marathoner, working your way up the hardest part of the course with a five-deep crowd of complete strangers yelling, “Hey, number 15169, nice job! Keep it up! You can do it!” Wow…talk about energizing!

Around mile 20, we waited with anticipation for Andy’s arrival. He came around the corner with a solid pace…unfathomable to me at this point in the race. As the rest of his family and friends wildly hollered our support, Andy’s adult son Alex took off…into the sea of runners, next to his dad’s side. Matching his stride to Andy’s, Alex proceeded to run the last six miles side-by-side his father. He didn’t say much, but knowing his dad’s time goal, he slowly and consistently accelerated their pace together as they neared the finish line.

The finish line. What a celebration! A Jumbotron screen broadcasting the runners; bands playing; blow horns screeching; gift bags, beverages, applause. Utter exhilaration!

Since then, I’ve thought about what those anonymous spectators did for the runners. Just words called out at exactly the right time. And since then, I’ve been challenged by what Alex did for Andy that day. Coming alongside as a companion. Few words, just motivating action that resulted in a triumph over the finish line! Oh, how I long to encourage others through my voice or through my presence.

Yes, today’s a perfect day for a marathon.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Who needs words of encouragement from you today? And who needs just your motivating presence?

FURTHER READING:
Hebrews 12:2-3, 3:13, 10:25

Elizabeth is a wife and mother of three grown daughters and two sons-in-laws. She is the Director of Connecting and oversees We Women at Oakwood Church.

Faithful God

By Brita Crouse

“And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Matthew 28:20b (NLT)

What do you do when faced with a tough decision? Do you make pro/con lists? Consider possible scenarios? Talk to others who have gone through a similar thing? Or do you crawl under your covers? Worry and stress out over the unknown? Cry to your mom or a close friend?

I’m not always like this, but recently when faced with a difficult choice, I was leaning toward that latter group of options. I was so concerned about how this decision would impact my future that I began to worry about silly things, things I had no control over. Worrying so much that I was losing sleep and feeling sick, I was turning into a crazy person! But then, these words reminded me: “If God leads you to it, He will lead you through it.” (1)

That was the wakeup call I needed. For the past seven years, I have been taking all the necessary steps to fulfill my goal of becoming a licensed counselor. Now I am at the point where I have to choose where to attend graduate school, and it has not been an easy decision. But, for the past seven years, God has been placing this desire in my heart, renewing it and strengthening it with each opportunity He has given me. God has led me this far, He is not going to leave me in the midst of this stressful situation.

These lyrics from the song “Oceans” by Hillsong UNITED have also been a good reminder:

“Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me,

You’ve never failed and You won’t start now.” (2)

God has promised us in His Word He will be with us always, but even more than that, He fulfills this promise daily by never abandoning us, even when we turn from Him. This decision I am making has been covered in prayer and I am confident that God will continue to bless me and provide me with opportunities, no matter where I end up.

As a Christ-follower, if you are facing a difficult decision or a tough circumstance, take hope in the fact that you can call upon the name of the Lord, He will hear you, and He will be with you, even to the very end of the age.

GOING DEEPER:

1. In what areas of your life are you facing a difficult decision? What are some steps you can take this week to create trust and dependence in your relationship with God?

2. Listen to “Oceans” by Hillsong UNITED. What lyric sticks out to you most and why?

FURTHER READING:

2 Timothy 2:13; Hebrews 10:23

(1) Author unknown

(2) Oceans (Where Feet May Fail) by Matt Crocker, Joel Houston, Salomon Lighthelm. Hillsong: United.

Brita recently graduated from Taylor University with a degree in Psychology, and is currently a helper for Oakwood’s Quest 56 and the Just Among Moms weekly childcare team.

For Such a Time as This
By Susan Klein

“And who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
Esther 4:14b (KJV)

Esther knew. What she knew was that if she entered the King’s inner court without being summoned, the punishment was death, even though she was the queen. But her uncle, Mordecai, reminded her that God may have placed her, a simple Jewish girl, in the place of royalty “for such a time as this.” This was a time to plead with her king to save her own people from death and destruction. What Esther didn’t know was how God would work through this situation. Yet, she obediently sought Him in prayer and fasting, and decided to risk death if it gave her people a chance to live.

We, like Esther, are not placed here on this earth for ourselves. God is a God of order and has placed each of us here for a purpose. For some, like Esther, His purpose may be to take us from a simple life to do something incredible, like saving a nation. For others, like a widow putting her only coin in an offering plate, it may be to let our lives be a shining example of faith and obedience to those around us. We may never know how our lives have touched others this side of heaven. But, we do know that we are here to touch lives!

God gives us opportunities to act on our faith. He orchestrated the opportunity that He gave to Esther. Hers was a difficult choice to make, one that could have cost her life. But she prayerfully chose obedience, which strengthened her faith and drew her closer to her God. Not many of us experience life and death choices, but we all have choices to make in each opportunity that God presents.

Sometimes God may call you to share your faith with someone who is struggling. Or, perhaps He is calling you to take a stand for what is right in the midst of injustice. Embrace those opportunities to stand up or speak up! Show your God that you are willing to demonstrate your love for and commitment to Him by being obedient. His kingdom may be advanced through your life and your actions! Like Esther, your obedience will bring glory and honor to Him, and will draw you ever closer to the One who created you and called you to His purpose!

And who knows whether you have come into your circumstance for such a time as this!

GOING DEEPER:
1. What opportunities are presenting themselves to you that require action?
2. Do others see for whom you are living your life?

FURTHER READING:
Romans 9:16-17; Ephesians 1:11-12

Susan enjoys teaching Bible studies, writing, and tutoring with the Literacy Council. She and her husband Mark most recently co-led an on-site small group with Oakwood's Wednesday Night Community.

All Things
By Peggy Kleckner

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”
Romans 8:28 (NIV)

All things, not some things…what an amazing concept! When I am delayed (all things), when I am disappointed (all things), when I am blessed (all things), when I am cheated (all things), when I am hurt (all things). On and on it goes. Only God can weave all things so intricately that the outcome is good. I may not see it soon…perhaps not even this side of heaven…but if He said it in His Word, I can count on it as truth. What an extraordinary comfort this truth can bring into a difficult day.

Truth is hard to hold onto when we are being battered by the winds of adversity. We must cling to it as a person shipwrecked in the ocean holds fast to anything that floats. Perhaps that is where the saying, “hope floats” comes from! Truth is the hope we as Christians cling to in our life storms.

John 14:6 reads (NIV), “I am the way, and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.” Jesus spoke those words. He is the truth that we cling to in the midst of our life storms. We tether ourselves to Him and hold fast. He makes the way to the calmer waters. Too often we keep fighting, rather than resting in Him. He allows the storm, as well as the calm. He knows the purpose of each.

Is today a stormy day or a calm day for you? Look to Him in “all things.”

GOING DEEPER:
1. What storm are you trying to weather on your own? What “hope” are you clinging to?

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 25; Luke 8:22-25

Peggy is a wife and mother of four adult children - - two sons and two stepsons, and is an active encourager at Oakwood Church in Delafield.

Dark Spaces

By Carolyn Hulliberger

“Consider it pure joy…whenever you face trials of many kinds,

 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

James 1:2-4 (NIV)

I have been in a really dark space lately. There are situations in my life right now that are overwhelming and coming from many different places. In the past few weeks, I’ve had thoughts I’ve never had, uttered sentences I’d never imagined, had conversations I never anticipated, been to places I hadn’t expected.

This devotional can’t offer any magic answers about coming out of that place because I’m still in it, and will likely be here for a while. Life is like that sometimes and it is exhausting. However, there are some things that I’m realizing are helping me. They are God-given gifts, placed in anticipation of my needs:

1.    Reminders of Scripture. I need to be reminded of God’s presence and care for me and those I love. These reminders come from many places, including my pastor’s weekly sermon, this daily Fresh Start devotional, my copy of Streams in the Desert  and in my Facebook newsfeed that posts some of the different ministries that I “like.” (1). Random bits of encouragement and wisdom are precious.

2.    Prayer. Ultimately, there is nothing like a storm of crisis to ramp up your prayer life. As the verse above says, trials produce perseverance. I want my faith to be rock-hard strong. A tree that never has to withstand wind will topple over in the hurricane. I want to be able to stand straight.

3.    My community of friends. William Arthur Ward said, “A friend is one with whom you are comfortable, to whom you are loyal, through whom you are blessed, and for whom you are grateful.” At our church, we talk about our community groups “doing life” together. This group, along with a few other individuals, is definitely doing that with me. Their encouragement and concern have been priceless.

So while the space that I currently inhabit feels pretty dark, I am not. My hope is in Christ. As John 1:5 (NIV) says about Jesus, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

GOING DEEPER:

1. What gifts have you received from God when you have faced trials?

2. Consider becoming part of group to “do life” with.

FURTHER READING:

James 1:12; Psalm 13:5

(1)  Some of the things I’ve liked on Facebook include including Ann Voskamp, Beth Moore, Purpose Driven Life, or Proverbs 31 Ministries.

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.

The Vine
By Lisa Boyer

“…let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles…”
Hebrews 12:1b (NIV)

When we purchased our “house in the country,” the neighbor was kind enough to let me know about some of the trees and plants that grew on the property line. She made a point of showing me a vine and warned me that it spreads easily and is quite destructive. Being as I don’t have a green thumb, I wasn’t overly concerned and I let the vine run wild. I noticed that it was creeping down the property line towards the road, but I didn’t care, since there was no danger to the mature trees on the lot line.

Five years later, I found myself out there with gigantic clippers trying to get the vine under control. This was not an easy task. As the vine travels along the ground, it entrenches itself by dropping roots along the way. As it travels above ground, it wraps itself tightly around tree branches and bushes. I tracked down every piece of the vine, tugging and pulling it out of trees and bushes and ripping it out of the ground. The job seemed hopeless, but I wasn’t giving up. I was determined to stop the vine.

So, why the sudden interest in a vine I had been warned about and ignored for five years? The vine had reached something that I loved: the beautiful lilac bush at the front of my property. I managed to rescue the lilac bush, but the vine has taken hold in the area and I cannot get rid of it.

That vine reminds me of how surrounded we are by sin in this world. Left unchecked, sin creeps closer and closer until it gets into our very lives, entrenching itself and entangling us. We must be ever-diligent and proactive about protecting ourselves and our families. Regular “yard” checks to see if sin is creeping into our lives by radio, television, relationships, movies, books, magazines, computer and more, are in order.

When we bought our home, the vine was 250 feet from that lilac bush. Today, the vine is less than 10 feet from the lilac bush. The lilac’s only hope for survival is my diligence in cutting back the vine. Oh, how I regret letting the vine get that close. I won’t do the same with sin.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Will you ask God to give you wisdom as to how you can best protect yourself and your family from the influences of the sin of this world?
2. If you’ve become entangled in sin, will you turn to the Savior and ask Him to set you free?

FURTHER READING:
John 8:36; 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22

Lisa has been married to Ted for over 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.

Happiness

By Lexi Ellis

But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful.

Psalm 68:3 (NIV)

It’s the subject of a popular song and the constant topic in articles and sermons that distinguish it from joy. Joy, mentioned a lot in the Bible, is about “true contentment that comes from the internal factors like our faith in the Lord.”(1) Happiness, mentioned much less in Scripture, is described as things like “fleeting” and dependent upon “temporal factors like circumstances.”(1)

Happiness seems to get a bad rap because there’s so much focus on its difference from joy. Google finishes for you when you start to type “the biblical difference between,” with 680,000 results.(2) This difference, though important, can result in exclusively elevating joy. The message seems to be: Ignore happiness..it’s just a byproduct of circumstances.

Recently, though, happiness grabbed my attention. It started with watching his TED talk and then listening to Shawn Achor speak at my husband’s work event. Achor researches Positive Psychology, a subset that studies proactive, healthy mind habits versus negative mental health. Incredibly fascinating. The brain scans…the studies…everything validated what Scriptures implies: Happiness is a choice.

Yet many of us ignore that choice by ignoring the actions, though simple, that are necessary to be happy. Based on studies and research, Achor listed five habits that led to higher levels of optimism…none of which are revolutionary nor complicated, all of which have clear biblical connections. There were two I wanted to look at particularly.

The first habit was to write down three specific things we’re grateful for.(3) Finding those three for that day (beyond the “thank you for my house, my food, my family”) is something we all do at Thanksgiving, but it’s an action that’s required daily to develop a heart of hospitability and thankfulness. Scripture says, “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”

The second habit was to write a positive message (note, email or text) to someone who is in your support network.(3) Its importance is not new information, but in moving our focus off ourselves. Scripture says, “Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Despite the craziness that goes on, how easy it is to forget to intentionally schedule time to encourage others.

Gratitude and encouragement...it sounds so simple. May we be people who choose intentional lives of happiness through investing in habits of being grateful and encouraging others.

Going Deeper:

1. What choices and adjustments do you need to make to choose happiness?

2. Which is easier - - gratitude or encouragement? Which is instinctively harder for you?

Further Reading:

Psalm 16:9 & 37:4; Philippians 2:4 & 4:4; Colossians 4:2

(1)  http://www.gotquestions.org/joy-happiness.html

(2) Google search

(3) Anchor, Shawn. “The Happiness Advantage.” Thrivent Peak Performers’ Conference. Chicago, May 13, 2014.

Lexi is married to Andrew and has an adorable puppy named Calvin. She serves with Oakwood’s Children’s Ministries, teaches at Lake Country Christian Academy and is the Fresh Start Coordinator.

Creative God

By Brita Crouse

“O LORD, what a variety of things you have made! In wisdom you have made them all. The earth is full of your creatures.”

Psalm 104:24 (NLT)

Some days, God’s creativity just astounds me. I was thinking about how creative our God is one day as I sat at my desk writing a devotional, when, within a few seconds, I saw five or six different types of animals scamper or fly across my backyard. The view from my bedroom is one of my favorites in our whole house because I have a front row seat to God’s amazing creation.

My room faces the east, with the sun waking me up with some of its first rays of the day. From my windows, I can see a small creek, a pond, and a farm field. Because I live in such a rural setting, we see an abundance of wildlife: beavers, bunnies, coyotes, deer, geese, cranes, ducks, frogs, toads, snakes, mice, robins, cardinals, and about a dozen other types of birds throughout the year. I am also witness to the planting and harvesting process, as I watch the farmers work their fields through the spring, summer and fall months. I am privy to God’s thoughtfulness and see His creativity every day, right in my own backyard, but rarely do I take time to notice and thank Him for it.

This world is teeming with products of God’s artistic hand. We can see His creativity in the blooming flowers, in the ever-changing weather, in the complexity of a blade of grass, in the variety of colors we see daily. Yet, often we are so bogged down by tragedies and difficulties of this world that we forget the beauty and uniqueness and complexity of every person, plant and animal.

I love the spring and summer seasons because it means we have the chance to watch life and growth happen for the first time all year. Seeing the flowers bloom and trees bud and animals roam freely is a good reminder of our oh-so-creative God. It is such a privilege to be surrounded by the beauty of His creation!

Our God is the Creator of all things living. Take a moment to stop and thank Him for this amazing, colorful and creative world and the opportunity we have to be a part of it.

GOING DEEPER:

1. Keep track of the creativity you see in God’s creation this week. Take time to thank Him for it!

2.  How can you take more time to notice and be appreciative of God and His creativity?

FURTHER READING:

Psalm 104

Brita is a graduate of Taylor University with a degree in Psychology, and is currently a helper for Oakwood’s Quest 56 and the Just Among Moms weekly childcare team.

The Expendables

By Elin Henderson

“Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself,

and take up his cross, and follow Me.”

 Mark 8:34b (NKJV)

         

You may not know it, but the recent movie The Expendables  with Arnold and Sly was pre-dated by the actual story of a group of men and women who knew the true meaning of being “expendable.” The movie portrays a group of “past their years” soldiers united to stop world destruction with the usual hard-core criteria of being relentless, fearless and unstoppable. But the movie’s predecessors - - Jesus’ disciples and the men and women of the early Church - - were common, everyday people with an uncommon, divine criteria list.

Jesus set up the benchmarks and made the call to “expendability” for His kingdom!  Let’s take a look at what His criteria were here in Mark 8:34-37:

·         Come after me  (choose His way)

·         Deny yourself  (live selflessly)

·         Take up your cross  (crucified with Christ)

·         Follow me  (followers by faith)

·         Willing to lose your life

·         Live unashamedly

Quite a challenging list, and it equally applies to us today! We, too, are being called

to be “expendable” for Him, but the criteria and call isn’t an easy one. If we want to be an unstoppable force here on earth for His kingdom, there is only one way: His way!   

Have no fear! Though the challenge is great, the strength and grace to fulfill it are equally available. Unlike the movie, there is an unfathomable force behind the call. But Christ promises to go with us and be our strength even to the ends of the earth! The first group of “expendables” all those years ago went out and turned the world upside down for His Kingdom. What about us? Will we take up the challenge and be part of a new generation of “expendables,” willing to go wherever He sends and do whatever it takes for Him?

GOING DEEPER:                                             

1.  Using the above “criteria” list from Mark 8 as a checklist, how do you line up?

2. In what areas can you be asking the Lord to help you to be more expendable for Him?

FURTHER READING:

John 12:26; Matthew 16:24; Mark 4:19; Matthew 28:18-20

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 eleven-year-old Elias.

Choosing the Better

By Susan Klein

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith…”

Hebrews 12:2a (NIV)

Two of the most beloved sisters in the Bible are Mary and Martha. Some have argued that Martha got a bad rap. Perhaps she was just a really hard worker, maintaining a home and a staff and trying to be the model hostess. What if Mary was actually somewhat of a slacker? (Like that younger sister who hides out in the bathroom for an hour when the table needs clearing and the dishes need to be washed.) We really don’t know for sure the circumstances leading up to this exchange between Martha and Jesus in Luke chapter 10. What we do know is that in this circumstance, “Mary has chosen what is better.”

I believe the “better” that Jesus references has everything to do with Himself.  It wasn’t that Mary was being an astute listener or model student of the Master, it was that she was choosing Him over “worry.” She chose Him over all the “distractions.” She chose Him over being “upset about many things.”  Martha’s choice to prepare and be hospitable was not a bad choice, but she was missing out on the “better” choice because she was focusing on herself.

How many times do we miss out because we don’t choose the better? Like Martha, we choose to compare, complain, and combust when things aren’t going the way we think they should. We choose to focus on ourselves and our circumstances. Mary wasn’t ignorant of the fact that Jesus was coming to dinner with an entourage in tow. She knew there was much to prepare for, yet she chose to drink of the Living Water rather than fret about what to feed them. She chose to trust in the Provider rather than worry if there were enough provisions for the group. She chose to sit and be still, rather than run around in a flurry of activity.

I think it’s safe to say that most of us have a bit of a Martha side. We have our to-do lists that need to get done, and that’s okay. But when they don’t get done or distractions come in, can we choose to seek Jesus over worry? When our neighbor’s life looks to be going better than ours, can we choose to thank Jesus for what we’ve been blessed with over choosing to compare? When someone is being ugly to us, can we choose to ask Jesus to love that person through us?

In every circumstance, there are choices. Will you choose the better?

GOING DEEPER:

1. Choose to start your morning with Jesus, asking Him to prepare your to-do list.

2. Consider all your options before choosing.

FURTHER READING:

Matthew 6:25; 2Corinthians 4:17-18, Galatians 6:4

Susan enjoys teaching Bible studies, writing, and tutoring with the Literacy Council. She and her husband Mark most recently co-led an on-site small group with Oakwood's Wednesday Night Community.

Pssst…Pass It On!

By Carolyn Hulliberger

“We're not keeping this to ourselves,

we're passing it along to the next generation—

God's fame and fortune,

the marvelous things he has done.”

Psalm 78:3-4 (The Message)

Remember the game “Telephone”?  Everyone would sit in a circle and one person would start by whispering a sentence one time into the next person’s ear, and the phrase would get whispered and passed around until the last person said out loud what they heard.  Inevitably, the sentence would get changed from something like, “I had soup for dinner last night,” to “Stuart stole the skunk’s spotlight”?  With no one to correct the misunderstanding, the sentence gets murkier with each retelling.

Passing down our beliefs to the next generation can be like “Telephone.” The listener is trying desperately to hear what is being said…they must get it right if there’s any hope of moving the message on correctly.  But if the speaker is unclear, too quiet, or misheard the message herself…or the listener is distracted from the message….well, the message gets passed on all wrong.

In Titus chapter 2, Paul speaks about various groups within the church.  He instructs, “You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine…In everything set them an example by doing what is good.  In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned….” (Titus 2:1, 7-8a, NIV).

Regardless of your life situation…a teenager, a single lady, a grown woman, a mother with young kids, an empty nester, an aunt, a grandmother…our lives are speaking into generations beyond.  We need to take advantage of our opportunities!  One thing that I love about Student Ministry is that our “Women in Training” are at an age where they’re supposed to ask questions, not have all the answers.  So they ask away!  Our younger generations need women of faith to be available to answer and instruct.  Imagine that the two-year-old in the nursery today will be the young person who impacts your future child or grandchild for Christ. Or that the teenager struggling with faith today is guided well by her leaders and called into full-time ministry down the road. Or that the young mom at her wit’s end receives help and encouragement to keep bringing her children to church instead of sleeping in on a Sunday morning …and those kids are the two-year-olds in the nursery….and so on…

Pssst…Pass It On!

GOING DEEPER:

1.  To whom are you passing your faith on today? 

2.  If you couldn’t think of anyone, pray for God to reveal where He might have you pass on your faith.

FURTHER READING:

2 Timothy 1:5-7

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.

The Visit 

By Vernette Kureck

“He who has the Son has life, he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.”

1 John 5:12 (NIV)

One cold, wintry night, two men unexpectedly stopped by from a church we had visited. At eight months pregnant and exhausted from work, I wasn’t in the mood for guests. We reluctantly invited them in. Little did I know my life was about to be changed. 

 
After chatting, Joel asked, “Have you come to the place where you know for certain that if you died tonight you would go to Heaven, or is that something you‘re still working on?“

I was pretty sure I’d go, but then Joel probed further, “Suppose you were to die tonight and stand before God and He asked, ‘Why should I let you into my Heaven?’  What would you say?”  I responded that I was basically a good person; my good deeds certainly outweighed my bad. I’d broken some of God’s rules, but I thought He would let me in…after all, I’d gone to church most of my life.

We talked about Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:48 (NIV), “Be perfect, therefore, as your Heavenly Father is perfect.”  I knew I was a flawed perfectionist, kind of like making an omelet with six eggs…five perfect and one rotten.  I saw I was hopelessly infected with sin, just as Romans 3:23 (NIV) says, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” When I compared all of my “good” works to God’s holy standard, I knew I was a condemned sinner. 

I’m so grateful that the Lord Jesus said, “For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

That was me.  I had known in my head that Jesus came to die on the cross for the sins of the world, but I had never transferred that knowledge into my heart and acknowledged Him as my  Savior and Lord.

Heaven is a free gift that can’t be earned: “For it is by grace you have been saved through faith- - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - - not by works, so that no one can boast.” So by faith, I prayed that night, asking for forgiveness of my sins and thanking Jesus for dying for me.  Because He was willing to take my  punishment, I could now have eternal life with God in Heaven. I invited Christ to take over all of my life.  In doing so, my  true spiritual journey began.

Jesus said in Revelation 3:20 (NIV), “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.”  That door was a picture of my heart…I am so joyful I opened the door that night.  

GOING DEEPER:

1. Have you transferred your head knowledge to heart knowledge? 

2. Is Jesus standing at the door of your heart waiting to be invited in? If so, won’t you open the door?

FURTHER READING:

John 3:3, 6:47, 14:6-7; Ephesians 2:8-9

Vernette and her husband Ken have been married for 45 years. They have been blessed with eight grandchildren from their two sons and their wives. She serves Oakwood on the prayer chain.

Dance Floor
By Peggy Kleckner

“He brought me out into a spacious place; He rescued me because He delighted in me.” 
Psalm 18:19 (NIV)

I was invited into something big. You know one of those opportunities where your heart stirs and yet you think to yourself, “This can’t be for me.” So began the battle in prayer. The invitation was before me and I had to choose whether to step into it, or away from it.

Have you been there too? Have you lived a life on the party sidelines? Have you always been willing to be the one to blow up the balloons, or clean up the debris? 

It seems as though we are always glad to be invited to the party, but somehow we never quite feel like we belong. We are willing to work, but not so willing to just relax and enjoy.

Why, I wonder, is that? Why do we think we must earn our place at the party, or be useful? Why can’t you and I learn to relax and enjoy the party?

I think somewhere along the way in our life’s journey we believed the lie that we aren’t lovable, so we must be useful. We accept being needed instead of loved, and tell ourselves that it is enough.

Guess what I found out? God wants to love me. He wants me at His party. Not only that, He wants His name on my dance card.

As I continued to pray for His direction in regards to the opportunity before me, everything was “yes.” The final ponder was this: It was as if Jesus stood next to me with His hand outstretched and was inviting me out onto the dance floor. Not to embarrass me, but to allow me to display His splendor. The dance floor is the spacious place I envision in the verse above. He rescued me many years ago at the point of my salvation, that moment when I recognized my sinfulness and my need for a Savior. I have been content to be near Him, to work for Him, to listen to Him, but now He was reaching out to me in an intimate gesture. Would I accept His outstretched hand? Would I trust that He wasn’t offering in order to watch me fail? Could I really believe this dance was for me, my opportunity to be in His intimate embrace?

I did say “yes” and what a wonderful, joyful twirl it was! When He extends His hand to you, what will you say? After all, He does delight in each of His children….His Word says so.

GOING DEEPER:
1. How has your relationship with Jesus progressed?
2. What walls of self-protection need to come down in this precious relationship?

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 142:5-7; Ephesians 3:14-19; 2 Peter 3:18

Peggy is a wife and mother of four adult children - - two sons and two stepsons, and is an active encourager at Oakwood Church in Delafield. 

Fair, Not Equal 
By Lexi Cole Ellis

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

Philippians 4:19-20 (NIV)

I learned this phrase when I was student teaching and have used it quite a bit in my classroom. Whether it’s a first grade room or fourth graders, there seems three little words I hear about six times a day.  “That’s not fair!”  To which, I calmly reply, “I will always be fair; I will not always be equal.” There’s a big thing in education called differentiation: It means we assess individual needs and address them. But my six-year-olds struggle with it. So to reinforce it, we do a skit. A doctor is visiting three sick patients. The first patient has a headache. The doctor says, “Go to bed early tonight.  It will be better.” Next patient has a broken arm. The doctor says, “Go to bed early tonight.  It will be better.” Third patient fell on the playground. The doctor says…you get the idea. We explain that the teacher is the doctor. Every student has different academic needs for learning. We need to “treat” his or her specific needs, not do the exact same thing for everyone.

For as much as I say my phrase and do my skit, I realized how often I am the six-year-old complaining, “That’s not fair!” It’s often not out loud, but in my thoughts. And yet, our God - - the great Doctor and Teacher - - looks on us with love and says gently, “I will treat your specific needs...it won’t be equal and, fortunately for you, I’ll give you far more than what’s fair!” He reminds us that He is the Giver and Supplier; that He is a God who knows exactly what we need, when we need it, even when we do not.

For me, it’s hard enough being aware of what slips out of my mouth…being responsible for what I think is tricky! But the reality is, our God is all-knowing…and my “it’s not fair” thoughts are a direct result of an ungrateful heart condition. Judging “fairness” is not my job and, left unchecked, these thoughts can become desires to “have something which we don’t have, but think we should”…which happens to be the exact definition of coveting, an identified sin in Scripture.

No matter the age, my kids love the “It’s not fair!” line. But the reality is, I often do, too. What things am I complainingly claiming are “unfair”? And, if I’m honest with myself, what does that reveal about my heart? I still say “I will always be fair; I will not always be equal” about six times a day…and it serves as a constant reminder for myself every time.

GOING DEEPER:

1. What things are you claiming as “unfair” in your thoughts or to God?

2. Identify what you need to do to address this.

FURTHER READING:

Matthew 20:1-16

Lexi is married to Andrew and has an adorable puppy named Calvin. She serves with Oakwood’s Children’s Ministries, teaches fourth grade and is the Fresh Start Coordinator.

That Day in June

By Lisa Boyer

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God….”

1 John 3:1a (NIV)

There’s this holiday in June that excites some people more than others…Father’s Day. We all have different views of Father’s Day and our view usually has something to do with, well, our fathers. But not all fathers deserve a Hallmark Card on Father’s Day.

For me, Father’s Day itself isn’t all that bad, but the days leading up to it can be just awful. The TV and radio ads tend to be more than I can bear. I know there are fathers that are as wonderful as those ads make fathers out to be (I’ve had the privilege to meet some of them), but unfortunately, they sometimes seem to be more the exception than the norm. So by midweek before Father’s Day, after I’ve heard ad after ad proclaiming how wonderful and deserving fathers are, I am ready to scream, “Not everyone has THAT kind of father!!!”

But this year, I have a plan to keep myself out of anger management classes…and it’s a reminder we all need, whether we grew up with a Hallmark Card father or not.

I am going to honor my Father this year. Yes, that’s right, my Father…my heavenly Father. I don’t deserve a Father like Him, but He adopted me anyway. Before I even knew that I needed Him, He made a way for our relationship through Jesus’ death on the cross. “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God….”

I love how this describes our relationship to Him:

“…the place of sonship…an unspeakable privilege, obtained by grace, through regeneration, and adoption. In this relation of nearness and privilege to the Father in the kingdom of His Son, believers are ‘sons of God’…. It is a relation, not of nature, but of grace.” [1]

Perhaps my Father’s Day anger management issue indicates that the little girl inside of me has never outgrown her desire to have a father who loves and cares for her. But God is and has been that kind of father to me and this year I will honor Him! He is enough…He is more than enough and more than I could have hoped for.

GOING DEEPER:

1.  If you don’t have God as your heavenly Father, will you begin that relationship today through Jesus?

2.  Today would be a wonderful day to express your appreciation to your heavenly Father for what He’s done for you.

FURTHER READING:

John 1:12-13; Ephesians 2:8; Colossians 1:13

[1] “God the Father” by James Orr http://topicalbible.org/f/father.htm

Lisa has been married to Ted for over 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.

The Bride

By Elizabeth Cole

“My beloved is mine and I am his...”

Song of Solomon 2:16a

She stood in the white gown and I almost couldn’t breathe for a moment. A grown woman standing nearly six feet tall (I remember when she was 19 inches) with only the sparkle in her smile outshining the jeweled sparkle on her dress.

Four days to go, and we’re having a final “dress rehearsal,” ensuring we’ve got all that she needs. She giggles just a bit, utterly radiant as she anticipates appearing before her bridegroom on their wedding day. I can hardly wait for that moment when I get to stand, turn and watch her confidently walk down the aisle on the arm of my beloved toward a man our grace-lavishing God has sweetly given her.

Revelation 19:6b-8 uses captivating wedding imagery as it describes the cosmic story our God has been unfolding since the beginning of time, culminating in Christ the Lamb’s return for His bride, the Church:

 “Hallelujah!
    For our Lord God Almighty reigns.
7 Let us rejoice and be glad
    and give him glory!
For the wedding of the Lamb has come,
    and his bride has made herself ready.
8 Fine linen, bright and clean,
    was given her to wear.”

Those who are in relationship with Christ have been given all that we need to be ready for our Bridegroom’s coming. Through His redemptive work on the cross, Jesus has exchanged our robes of sin for His robe of righteousness, adorning us as with jewels. Beloved, in the eyes of your groom, you stand radiant and sparkling…because your grace-lavishing God has gifted you.

May we confidently live today as a dress rehearsal…the wedding feast is one day closer!

GOING DEEPER:

1.  How will you walk through today as a bride preparing for her Bridegroom?

FURTHER READING:

Isaiah 61:10; Revelation 21:2

Elizabeth is a wife, mother to three adult daughters and soon to be TWO sons-in-law, and is the Director of Connecting at Oakwood Church.