Unworthy

By Susan Klein

“But when Simon Peter saw that, he fell down at Jesus’ feet, saying, ‘Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!’”

Luke 5:8b (emphasis added, NASB)

Simon had been fishing all night, only to bring in empty nets. Discouragement over his tiring-yet-profitless night likely settled in as he neared shore. Then, the One whom everyone was following - - the One who spoke wise words to the multitudes - - approached him. Give it another try, He persuaded. Though doubtful, Simon followed the Master’s bidding. No sooner had he let down the nets than they were bursting at the seams with fish, so much so he had to enlist the help of his partners in another boat to take in some of the massive quantity. Reality hit Simon like a ton of bricks! This was no ordinary teacher of wise words. This was the Lord, Jesus Christ! Humility took him to Jesus’ feet proclaiming his unworthiness of such a great gift.

Sometimes, I feel like Simon. I feel so unworthy, not only to have His blessings lavished upon me, but  to even be in His presence, especially when I’ve sinned. Like a little child, I want to run and hide, almost in fear of His Almighty-ness. I don’t want to face Him in my shame and have my ugliness exposed. Yet, our Lord replies, “Do not fear.” He wants us near Him in all of our brokenness and incompleteness. Not only does He forgive us and desire to be near us, but He also has a plan for us. “Do not fear, from now on you will be catching men,” He told Simon. Wow! A broken and battered fisherman was going to become a fisher of men, equipped by the Lord Himself.

Does  “fear of unworthiness”  ever keep you from drawing near to God? Do you ever wrestle with the fact that He truly wants to use you, just as you are, with all your flaws and failures? He does, you know. His love for you is limitless; His mercies are new every morning. None of us are “worthy”  of His great love, but He gives it so freely and with no strings attached. He doesn’t ask us to earn it, just to accept it.

Next time you are feeling like Simon, instead of retreating, try running full force into the waiting arms of the One who adores you!

GOING DEEPER:

1. What hinders you from spending time in His presence?

2. Have you spoken with Him recently about how He wants to use you?

FURTHER READING:

Ephesians 1:4-6, Esphesians 2:4; Titus 3:5

Susan is married to Mark, and has two adult children. She enjoys teaching Bible studies, writing, and tutoring with the Literacy Council. She is a member of the Peace Team at Oakwood.

For Sure

By Vernette Kureck

“Know that the Lord is God. It is He who made us and we are His, we are His people, the sheep of His pasture.”

Psalm 100:3 (NIV)

Oprah Winfrey’s magazine “O” ends each issue with a column called “What I Know For Sure.” Her original intention “was to have a magazine that would serve as a manual for living your best life.” Many of the monthly essays deal with relationships to self, family, nature, etc. As God’s people, we don’t need a magazine! We have the Bible, God’s inspired Word - - our believers’ manual - - which reveals how to live our best life and have our best relationships. Most important is our relationship with God Himself.

For sure, know that you are connected to God through Jesus His Son. Without Jesus, there’s no relationship with God. In John 14:6, Jesus says, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Have you invited Jesus to live in your innermost being? Acts 2:21 says, “And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord is saved.”

For sure, know “that it is by grace that you are saved, through faith - - and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God - - not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). God sees the work of His Son when He sees you. You are loved forever and never will be separated from God.

For sure, know that when “we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9-10). How liberating it is to know I am free from sin’s power; that when I mess up, I can turn away from sin and seek forgiveness and restoration.

For sure, know that every day God is available to talk with you. God’s Spirit searches our hearts and minds and intercedes in our weakness according to God’s will. The Creator of the universe has time to listen to you pour out your heart.

For sure, know that you have received gifts from the Holy Spirit. Everyone’s gifts are different and God places you where your gift can best be used. The important thing is to be using your gift to build up God’s family.

For sure, know that your future is in heaven. As a believer, your life is hidden in Christ who’s seated at the right hand of God and, when He appears in glory, you also will appear (Colossians 3:1-4). How exciting is that!

For sure, know that the Bible is inexhaustible. It needs to be read and studied and read again! For sure, know that, unlike a magazine that comes and goes, it serves as the ultimate manual for leading your best life!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Make your own list of “For Sures.”

FURTHER READING:
Romans 8:26-28; Romans 8:35-39; Romans 12:4-8

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

Speak Over the Fear

By Lexi Cole Ellis

^“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)

Our words are powerful. In my classroom, I have this sign hanging up:

Similarly, there’s a familiar object lesson that teachers often use. Kids get to empty a tube of toothpaste (symbolizing their words) and then have to desperately try to put the toothpaste back in the tube…showing that our words are easy to say, but difficult to take back. Moreover, Nelson Hawk’s song “Words” also examines the reality of how powerful our words are:

Words can build you up,
Words can break you down.
Start a fire in your heart or
Put it out.

Let my words be life.
Let my words be truth.
I don't wanna say a word,
Unless it points the world back to You [1]

Certainly, there is a need to be very aware of what we say. But if I’m honest, all of that isn’t what’s challenging for me. The lesson of “watch what you say” is an easy one for me. While I’m certainly not perfect and there’s always a continual need to be aware of “guarding our tongue,” sometimes it’s easier for me to say nothing at all than be concerned about what to say.

In the second verse, the same song mentions to use words to speak over the fear. That one line captivated me. As a believer, I am called to speak above the fears I have. Often, for me, fear is rooted in insecurity concerning myself and fear of what others think. I am called to acknowledge my fears, but then address them and speak over them. It made me wonder: What’s the fear I need to speak over in my life? What part of my life makes me silent (because of fear) when I should be speaking over it? Is it a relationship that needs to have a (loving and respectful) conversation? Is it a conflict that I need to address? Is it a fear that I need to validate and bring before the Lord? Is it a situation at work where I need to acknowledge the fear, but speak over it?

The verse above is a familiar one, but an incredible reminder that we have not be given a spirit of fear. Because our words have power…because our words have incredible potential…we need to use our words to speak over the fears we have.

GOING DEEPER:

1. What fears can you identify in your life? What do you need to do to “speak over” your fears?
2. Take time today to listen to “Words.” (You can listen by clicking HERE.) What lines are meaningful to you?

FURTHER READING:

Isaiah 41:10; Deuteronomy 31:6; Psalm 34:4

[1] http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/hawknelson/words.html

Lexi is married to Andrew, has a puppy named Calvin and is a sixth grade teacher. She serves with Children’s Ministries and is the Fresh Start Coordinator.

0+0=10

By Elin Henderson

“God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did..."

Romans 4:17b (NIV)

There is only one economy where this formula works: God’s economy! Only He can create something out of nothing. This verse comes in the midst of Paul’s sermon on Abraham and his amazing faith. Of anyone in Scripture, Abraham truly believed  God to create something out of nothing. Let’s face it, God’s promise to give Abraham and Sarah a son came way after their child-bearing years were past and THEN….God waited another couple of decades to fulfill His promise, turning the impossible into the REALLY impossible. Now, that is some serious faith in God’s economics. 0+0=10 (or even 10¹⁰) How? Why? Abraham was convinced that (vs. 21) “…what He had promised He  was also able to perform.”

This faith was later tested in a major way when God asked Abraham to sacrifice this miracle-son he had longed and waited for. He had seen God take 0+0 and make 10 out of it before, and once again drew from that faith to believe that if God took them back to 0 once more, he could certainly turn it back into 10. He had seen God bring life out of death (the emptiness of Sarah’s womb) and believed that once more His God would come through.

This is such a faith challenge to me. How often it seems like life is just handing me 0 after 0. I feel depleted and there is nothing there to draw from… no funds, no strength, no purpose, no future, no hope… God challenges me to stop thinking in my human economy and start trusting in His divine economy. He alone specializes in making SOMETHING out of NOTHING: turning that 0+0 into 10 for His glory and my good!

GOING DEEPER:                                               

1. What other stories in Scripture can you think of where God created something out of nothing – or next to nothing?? (To get you started: Creation, Manna and Water in the Wilderness for the Israelites, The feeding of the 5,000)

FURTHER READING:

Luke 18:27; Mark 10:27; Hebrews 11:17-19

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 fifteen-year-old Callie and twelve-year-old Elias.

Clinging to Truth

By Susan Klein

“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

John 8:32 (NIV)

For years now, I’ve attempted to live by the motto: “Cling to the things you know to be true.” I’ve ingrained it in my brain by journaling about it, writing it on post-it-notes and placing them in highly visible spots, and repeating it out loud often. I’ve even shared it with countless others when they’ve had circumstances that deem it beneficial. I’m really not sure where I first came across this concept, but it has been a crucial motto to live by during some pretty tough times in my life.

I tend to be emotional. Okay, that’s an understatement. I ooze emotion! Do you remember that cute little Mary-sunshine from your childhood who always danced around with a smile on her face and never seemed to have a care in the world? Yeah, that wasn’t me. Sometimes I think God must have mis-wired me because my “feeler” can rise to the ceiling or plummet to the basement in a flash! It can even get stuck in either place for indeterminable amounts of time. Any given thing can instigate this rapid rise and fall and I often feel as if I have no control over it. My heart races with the best of them and my stomach can churn at the slightest provocation. Because I’m so emotionally wired, what often happens is my feelings override what I know to be truth. For example: I’m feeling unloved, therefore I must be unloved. If left unchecked, my feelings (rather than truth) can influence my response. Ever been there?

Over the years, I’ve had to compile a list of truths to cling to, especially when my “feeler” starts acting up. Let me share some of my top picks with you.

* God is for me. (Even when it feels like no one else is.)  [1]

* I am sealed. (Even when I feel like I’ve really messed up and God couldn’t possibly still want me.) [2]     

* God is bigger than, and has allowed all of my circumstances.

* My emotions are a part of me, but they don’t have to control me.

* This isn’t as good as it gets! (Even when the world tries to convince me otherwise.) [3]

Times change, bad things happen. Life gets sticky and people are messy. There will always be dips and climbs in our emotional roller coaster, but clinging to things we know to be true can and will make the ride much more bearable!

GOING DEEPER:

1. What are some truths that bring you peace of mind?

2. How can you incorporate these truths during highly emotional times?

FURTHER READING: (from above references)

[1] Romans 8:31-32; [2] Ephesians 1:13-14; [3] 2 Corinthians 4:17

Susan is married to Mark, and has two adult children. She enjoys teaching Bible studies, writing, and tutoring with the Literacy Council. She is a member of the Peace Team at Oakwood.

Things I Know (But Some Days Fail to Remember)

By Lisa Boyer

“Many, LORD my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare.”

Psalm 40:5 (NIV)

I know how amazing the God of the universe is:

“For the LORD Most High is awesome, the great King over all the earth.” Psalm 47:2

“… for the LORD your God, who is among you, is a great and awesome God.” Deuteronomy 7:21 

“He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted.” Job 5:9

“For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes.” Deuteronomy 10:17

“Then I said: "LORD, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments” Nehemiah 1:5

I know that God created me(!):

“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” Genesis 1:27, 31a

“Know that the LORD is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture.” Psalm 100:3

“Your hands made me and formed me” Psalm 119:73a

I know that God chose me to have a relationship with Him:

“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.” Ephesians 1:4

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9

“In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will.” Ephesians 1:11 

I know that God has a plan and a purpose for my life:

“For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”  Ephesians 2:10

“He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Thessalonians 2:14 

Even though I know these things, some days I fail to remember them; but not today, today I will remember!!!

GOING DEEPER:

1.  In the busy-ness of daily life, what is it that you fail to remember? Today, will you go to His Word to be reminded by Him? 

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 serves in Quest 56 on Sunday mornings at Oakwood.

Hold Tight…Tomorrow, Too
By Elizabeth Cole

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!”
1 John 3:1a (NIV)

When I was four, I would commonly spend Sunday evenings in my grandparents’ home, relishing my princess status as we had tea parties together. Precious memories are still easily bidden, including the frequent game that revolved around “Let’s pretend that I’m the mom and you’re the children…and you must do everything I tell you.” Oh my…no comment! That one worked well until just about bedtime, at which point I was kindly reminded that the game was over and I needed to be the child once more.

So it was as the child that I experienced my sweetest memory. At the end of an endearing bedtime ritual, my grandfather would take my little-girl hand, gently kiss the palm and fold my fingers over it. “Hold tight what I give you,” he’d whisper before quietly leaving the bedroom. Every time, I’d concentrate on clutching my hand tightly over my grandfather’s kiss, determined to keep it all night. And, of course, every morning it would be gone, released in slumber.

But I don’t remember ever being saddened at the loss, not once. And I suppose that it must be because I knew my grandfather so very well. It never occurred to me that there wouldn’t be plenty more kisses for the next day…and the next, as well. I knew him; I knew his generosity; and I confidently depended on his love for me.

I think about that a lot. When I wonder if I’ve reached the end of my allotment of blessings from the Father’s hand. When I find myself worrying that this time when I obey, I’ll fall alone, flat on my face. When an unbidden thought mocks me with God’s inattention.

But then I remember. We know Him. We’ve experienced His generosity over and over again, and we have depended on His unchanging love. He never leaves us; He has loved us with an everlasting love; His mercies are new every single morning.

Arise, beloved, confident this morning in the love the Father has for you. Hold out your hand.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Where are you tempted to question God’s unending love and involvement in your life today? Are you willing to look back, and to make a list of all those times He’s proven His love, awareness and presence?

FURTHER READING:
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17; John 14:7, 15:9; Psalm 36:5-10

Elizabeth is a wife with three grown daughters and two sons-in-law, and is the Director of Connecting at Oakwood Church.

Deceptive Decoys

By Karen D’Amore

Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.

Ephesians 6:11 (NIV)

Along a path I travel daily is a large pond, flanking a neighboring church. As dusk fell on a routine trip, I spotted an animal lying in the grass area surrounding the pond. Pulling into the church parking lot, I zoomed in with my iPhone’s camera and identified the animal as a coyote. After snapping a few pictures, I called out in an attempt to spur movement. As the coyote remained motionless, darkness inhibited my sight. The next morning, while passing the pond on my way to work, I noticed the same coyote…now standing…in the location where it had previously been laying. With my tender heart for wildlife spurring concern for its well-being, I considered calling the local wildlife rescue center, until….a third pass by the pond revealed that I’d been fooled by a… deceptive decoy!

Desiring to humanely deter the “messy” geese from overtaking the pond and parking lot, the church used decoys as an effective deterrent. For the remainder of that season, the pond and surrounding area remained goose-free due to the placement of the coyote decoys.

The next summer, the coyote decoys were once again placed around the pond; however, within a few weeks…the pond was overflowing with geese. I won’t embarrass myself by sharing how I was eventually fooled (again) by swan decoys that replaced the coyote decoys, but I do have an elaborate photo collection of the fake birds! Spurring my curiosity, research revealed that decoys eventually become ineffective if they’re not moved around periodically. While the decoys - - whether coyotes or swans - -  remained in the exact location, the geese wised-up, recognizing that the decoys were “fake predators” exhibiting no threat to them.

My comical photo collection of fake coyotes and plastic swans impelled me to consider “deceptive decoys” which pose a threat to believers. In Ephesians 6:11, we’re exhorted to guard against the “devil’s schemes.”  As a “master of deception” (Daniel 8:25) Satan’s arsenal of “deceptive decoys” are endless. We’re warned in 2 Corinthians 11:14 that “Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.” Using deceptive decoys that change constantly in appearance and position, Satan will do everything in his power to fool us and deter us from The Truth. Like the geese, as Christ-followers, we need to wise-up, exercise discernment and protect ourselves from being fooled by the devil’s deceptive decoys.

Are you ready to foolproof your life?  “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7, KJV).

GOING DEEPER:

1.  Identify areas of your life where you’re vulnerable to Satan’s deceptive devices and resist being fooled!

FURTHER READING:

Romans 16:20; 1 Peter 5:8-9

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

A Lost Art?

By Susan Klein

“A friend loves at all times…”

Proverbs 17:17a (NIV)

”I’m friends with her on Facebook.” Though common to hear in today’s culture, I recently paused to ponder this all-too-familiar response to my inquiry. How often is someone we only know through social media considered to be a “friend”? If you were to view my Facebook page, you’d see that I have 270 “friends.” That couldn’t be farther from the truth! I’ve never even met some of those people. Has social networking (with over 200 sites to choose from…not counting dating sites) caused some to redefine what a true friend is, and what it means to “practice friendship”?

Gone are the days when women friends gathered around a table to stitch a quilt together for the bride-to-be as they spent much-valued time catching up on each other’s lives. It’s no longer common practice to chat with our neighbors as we hang clothes on the line or run down the street after dinner to check on a friend. No doubt, we live in different times.

Friendship is truly an art and, like any great masterpiece, must be diligently worked at. Though times and trends may change, a true friend is still one who encourages, who sharpens, and who actively loves another without conditions. A really good friend knows how to set healthy boundaries, yet is not afraid to confront and hold accountable, always looking to the friend’s best interest. These actions cannot be accomplished by the stroke of a key or the swipe of a screen. Leaving a short birthday wish on a social network site might be fine for someone who is merely an acquaintance, but should it replace a card or phone call to someone we hold dear? Should a “how are you?” text message replace an earnest phone call to let someone know we care about them?

Social media definitely has its place. Caring Bridge and Linked In are two wonderful vehicles for sharing information with others. Even Facebook allows me to gather information and see pictures of family and friends that live far away. Many blessings can be gleaned through these technological means, but nothing can replace sharing a cup of coffee and a good long chat with a precious friend, or a listening ear and a word of advice when we are facing a tough decision. And, who would turn down a hug and an encouraging word from someone on a really bad day?  

Let’s keep the art of practicing friendship the beautiful masterpiece that it was intended to be!

GOING DEEPER:

1. Do you have any works of art that have been neglected for awhile?

2. How might you actively sharpen or encourage one of your friends?

FURTHER READING:

Proverbs 27:17; Ecclesiastes 4:9-10; John 15:12-13

Susan is married to Mark, and has two adult children. She enjoys teaching Bible studies, writing, and tutoring with the Literacy Council. She is a member of the Peace Team at Oakwood.

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)

Once, while in college, 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 were getting married, starting new jobs or new relationships, and some of us were 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 talked regularly, saw each other whenever we could, supported one another during times of suffering, and laughed together during times of joy. We were open and honest with one another. We apologized when we need to, held each other accountable, and spurred 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 loved me. They encouraged me, prayed for me, and “spurred [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 is currently working toward her Master’s in Counseling at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. She has called Oakwood her home church for the past seventeen years.

The Great Pursuit

By Elin Henderson

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life…”

Psalms 23:6a (NKJV)

Since the beginning of time, there has been a great pursuit going on, one that to this day has never ceased. This great pursuit is that of the God of this universe, actively pursuing mankind. We see this first evidenced in the early chapters of Genesis, when God came down and called to Adam and Eve in the garden, knowing full well they had sinned against Him. He then pursued Cain after he killed his brother, offering a chance for repentance. He pursued Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Saul, David, and the list could go on and on.

The Hebrew word for “follow” according to Strong’s Dictionary(1) is “Radaph” and one of the meanings is “to pursue,” literally to “be on the heels of.” David tells us that surely  His goodness and mercy continually pursue mankind, nipping at their heels saying, “Turn to me, look to me, I am right here!” We can’t escape it, even if we want to.

He pursues us for salvation, and then pursues an intimate relationship with us. This active following never stops as long as we have breath. His pursuit of goodness reminds us of His love and compassion for us; His pursuit of mercy reminds us of His great long-suffering and forgiveness. Together, they bring a package deal of security and strength!  

So, let us always be aware of the pursuit that is constantly taking place in our own lives, and in the lives of those around us. May it impact us every moment of every day. We too are part of “The Great Pursuit” which will be talked about for all of eternity!

GOING DEEPER:      

1.  How have you experienced the “Great Pursuit” either in salvation and/or your daily walk?

2.  How should this awareness of His pursuit of us impact how we react to circumstances and live each day?

FURTHER READING:

Isaiah 50:7-8a; Psalms 27:13; Psalms 13:5

(1)  http://www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/hebrew/kjv/radaph.html

         

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 fourteen-year-old Callie and twelve-year-old Elias.

Chasing

By Lexi Ellis

“For You have been my help, And in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy. My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me.”

Psalm 63:7-8 (NASB)

I recently read the words of an actress discussing turning 40 years old. She said, “The trick for me turning 40 was to really evaluate what I wanna do with this next phase in my life…The one thing I don’t wanna do is chase what I looked like at 20.”[1]

I think of actresses who very clearly “chase” what they used to look like through plastic surgery. We roll our eyes at it, but think of the multi-billion dollar industries that thrive on our chasing what we used to look like. Think of the money and resources we spend to change - - desperately chase - - in an attempt to recapture what used to be.

The more I thought about it, the more I saw how silly it is on paper. Why chase something that’s gone? Why spend the time and money desperately trying to look 20 when you’re not? How foolish to chase something that isn’t now obtainable.

And yet, I do the same thing. What do I chase instead of God? What do I desperately run after in my life that isn’t obtainable? I chase control. I chase consistency. I chase my plans. I chase my way. I chase my timing. I chase outcomes I want.

These things I chase aren’t for my best. They’re not obtainable if I want to serve and love others like Jesus did. They’re not things I can dwell on if I’m about advancing the Kingdom. The things I’m chasing, the things I’ve built my security on, are distractions and obstacles to fully surrendering to Him.

Instead of chasing things of this world, how would my life look differently if I intentionally chose to chase after my Creator? What kind of words would I use differently if I was continually chasing God’s will? What kind of attitude would I have if I strove to chase my Savior? The best part about chasing God instead of my own agenda is that it’s a drastically different result, as in, it’s an obtainable relationship.

The petty things I chase affect my relationship with God because they consume me. They reveal my selfishness. I need to deliberately choose to chase God, to choose to cling to Him like the psalmist David does in Psalm 63. This actress realized chasing something unobtainable like younger looks is foolish.

May we see the insignificant things we chase and choose to make a shift so we find ourselves chasing Him.

GOING DEEPER:

1.  What worldly things are you chasing?

2.  What do you need to do right now to chasing your God?

FURTHER READING:

Psalm 63:1-5; Deuteronomy 13:4

[1] http://www.people.com/people/package/article/0,,20360857_20694095,00.html

Lexi and her husband, Andrew, have an adorable puppy named Calvin. She teaches sixth grade at Silver Lake Intermediate School. Lexi serves with Children’s Ministries at Oakwood and is the Fresh Start Coordinator.

Gatekeepers Of Our Tongues

By Susan Klein

“A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.”

Proverbs 25:11 (NIV)

Oh, the power of the spoken word! They can build up or tear down, instruct or deceive, lead to life or to death. Once they’ve left our tongues, words can never be put back. Thus, we must inspect our words carefully before they leave the building!

Recently, I saw an old Arabian Proverb that proclaimed: “The words of the tongue should have three gatekeepers: is it true, is it kind, is it necessary?” Wouldn’t we love to have these three gatekeepers constantly attending our lips?!!

How easy is it to tell a “little white lie” or only admit to a half-truth when it suits our purpose? And who hasn’t embellished a story to make it more interesting for the hearer? If we ignore the gatekeeper of truth, our lying could lead to some seriously undesirable consequences. Scripture admonishes, “The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in those who are truthful” (Proverbs 12:22, NLT). It also carries a warning: “A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who pours out lies will not go free” (Proverbs 19:5).

I know I’ve uttered more than a few unkind words in my life. No sooner had they left my lips than I wished I could have taken them back. I’ve learned (often the hard way) that “a gentle answer turns away wrath but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Proverbs 15:1). Oftentimes, our unkind words are unleashed in the heat of anger or frustration. Perhaps we feel let down, or our expectations haven’t been met. I believe the gatekeeper of kindness understands grace. Ephesians 4:32 says: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”  If God could show such kindness and compassion to me while I was steeped in sin, how can I not show kindness to others whose offenses are far less?

“Is it necessary?” Have you ever not answered the phone because the caller might talk for hours? Or, who of us hasn’t offered unsolicited advice to a friend or family member when all they needed was a listening ear? According to God’s Word, it is never necessary to use our words to gossip, to slander, to betray a confidence, to tear another down, to blaspheme, or to deceive. Conversely, it is always necessary to use our words to comfort, to build up, to encourage, to teach, and to share the Word of God.

As King Solomon once said, “He who guards his lips guards his soul” (Proverbs 13:3a). Wise words to live by.

GOING DEEPER:

1. Identify any gatekeepers you may not be employing.

2. Choose what is necessary.

FURTHER READING:

Ephesians 4:25,29,32; Colossians 4:6

Susan is married to Mark, and has two adult children. She enjoys teaching Bible studies, writing, and tutoring with the Literacy Council. She is a member of the Peace Team at Oakwood.

Run Your Own Race

By Karen D’Amore

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)

I was a distance runner for many years, until knee surgeries forced my withdrawal from the race circuit. Discouragement cocooned me into a state of idleness, where I often reminisced about my marathon days. Recently, I dusted off my running shoes and resumed training for a different race. Starting out slow, I was initially discouraged and embarrassed by my 20 mpm pace. But with discipline and perseverance, I worked my way up to six consecutive miles at a 12 mpm pace.

I’d been training for this race for several months. Though only a 5k, it was substantial strides from the couch I’d been warming for many years. I was surrounded by hundreds of fitly-toned, seasoned runners and my stomach churned with nervous anticipation as I watched them stretch and warm up for the race. My husband accompanied me, running for the fun of it, but the race didn’t hold the same personal significance for him as it did for me. With diversity in our strides and paces, I worried I’d be thrown off and distracted by our differences. So, as we approached the start line, I told him to “run his own race” and we’d meet at the finish line.

During the race, many runners passed me up, while others lagged behind and some dropped out. In spite of how others were running their race, including my husband who remained by my side, I managed to stay focused on running my own race. As my husband and I crossed the finish line together,  I was encouraged by the cheering of the runners who’d finished before me. And though all the runners had each run with varying strides and paces, we all shared an important thing in common. We each ran our own race…before crossing the finish line!

We’re called to “run with endurance the race God has set before us.” (Hebrews 12:1, NLT) Let’s resist the temptation to compare ourselves with other believers and become distracted by how they run their race.

As we fix our eyes on our Heavenly Pace-setter, He’ll faithfully equip us to run the race He calls us to run and lead us victoriously across the finish line. Let us eagerly anticipate the crossing of that eternal finish line, where we’ll be greeted by the cheering of all who finished the race before us.

Are you ready?????

…………on your mark…get set…GO!  Run your own race!!!!

GOING DEEPER:

1. Identify anything hindering you from running your own race?

2. Are you caught up in the comparison trap? Pray for freedom!

FURTHER READING:

1 Corinthians 9:24; Hebrews 10:36

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