Trick or Treat

Trick:

“Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say………” Genesis 3:1 (NIV)

“But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.”  2 Corinthians 11:3 (NIV)

“Be alert and of sober mind your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”  1 Peter 5:8-9 (NIV)

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy…”   John 10:10a (NIV)

Treat:

“I (Jesus) have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”  John 10:10b-11 (NIV)

“Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”  Matthew 10:28 (NIV)

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - -  not by works, so that no one can boast.”  Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)

 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, “says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”  Revelation 1:8 (NIV)

GOING DEEPER:

1.  Who have you chosen to follow: the thief or the Shepherd?

2.  Are you looking past this present day into the Hope we have in Jesus?

FURTHER READING:

Psalm 23; Psalm 56:3-4; Psalm 89:6-8

HOPE

By Karen D’Amore

“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me?

 Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”

Psalm 42:5 (NIV)

Just weeks after losing her mother to cancer, my client/friend was diagnosed with stage-four pancreatic cancer. Having spent months supporting her through her mother’s illness, I was stunned by her disheartening news. As I attempted to digest her prognosis, I felt crippled with helplessness…and initially, a feeling of hopelessness.

Committing to walk through this battle with her, I prayed for distinct ways to encourage her. And as I wallowed in those feelings of hopelessness, God clearly impressed on my heart the word…HOPE!

The Free-Dictionary’s definition of hope is: to wish  for something with expectation of its fulfillment; desire, aspiration. In contrast, biblical HOPE transcends far beyond a fragile and flimsy “wish.”

“According to the Hebrew and Greek words translated by the word “hope” and according to biblical usage, HOPE is an indication of certainty. “Hope” in Scripture means “a strong and confident expectation.” Though archaic today in modern terms, HOPE is akin to trust and a confident expectation.” [1, emphasis added]

As a believer, my friend is embracing this battle with confident assurance that her HOPE is in the Lord. She’s also trusting God has allowed this battle to pass through her life for His purpose. Because I am a  former cancer warrior, God is continually redeeming my cancer battle to comfort and encourage her.

“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).

It’s been several months since my friend’s initial diagnosis. Her good news/bad news journey fluctuates daily, with some tumors shrinking while others continue to grow. Her future is uncertain; each time I see her, I recognize it could be the last. Believing God called me to encourage her with inspired words of HOPE, each visit I leave her with an object/gift with the word HOPE on it. With her chemo-ravaged body displaying distinct signs of illness…I’m HOPE-full and encouraged, as her Spirit reflects the joy of the Lord.

Is your soul downcast by life’s struggles? Are you in a situation that feels hopeless?  Turn to God…the True source of HOPE! And… “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13, NIV, emphasis added).

                                                He

                                                Offers

                                                Peace

                                                Everyday

GOING DEEPER:

1.  What have you fixed your hope on?

FURTHER READING:

Romans 12:12; Hebrews 10:23-25

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. 

[1] https://bible.org/article/hope

The Lord, My Strength

By Peggy Kleckner

“The LORD is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.

Psalm 28:7a (NIV)

Two years ago, I was invited to a birthday party. That sounds fun, even as an adult, doesn’t it?  Especially when it is for a dear friend who loves you, and you know quite a few of the others who are invited. So why, on the day of the party, was I feeling fear and anxiousness?

I had to ask myself that question and let God answer it. He and I have been walking together for some time now, and the review of my journey brought some revelation. Years ago, a party meant drinking.  While in that phase, I hid behind alcohol. No one had to see the real me.  Drinking gave me something to do at the party, and whatever behavior someone didn’t like, I could blame on the alcohol. Thankfully, I lived through that phase of my life, surely by His grace. I have also hidden behind words. That may sound odd to you, but think about it for a few minutes: Don’t you know people who talk incessantly?  I am one of those people. God has helped me to recognize that this has been a defense. If I just keep talking about a topic of my choosing, no one can ask me something I don’t know or about anything I don’t really want to discuss. It also feels safer behind a great shield of words. However, this is surely wearing on others and leaves the talker very lonely. Lonely, because we won’t let anyone in to find the real us.

I have even hidden behind my husband; he seems to be better at mingling. Perhaps he is applying some of these defenses as well, but at least two feels safer than being a one. Unfortunately, it was hunting season and he was not available.

My final defense has been food. At least eating gives you something to do, something to focus on. God has been dealing with this habit, as well. Spending the night on a nonstop munch was not a choice that God would approve of.

Suffice it to say, this was a test. Not a test for me to pass or fail, but one where God could show me just how far He has brought me. The people were gracious, the evening was delightful, and I accepted His strength in place of my former addictive behaviors.  May His name be praised.

“My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song.”  Psalm 29:7b (NIV)

GOING DEEPER:

1.  What situations make you anxious?

2.  Are you willing to trust God to lead you into new healthy behaviors?

FURTHER READING:

Psalm 147:10-11; Proverbs 30:5; Colossians 3:2-3

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.

Gorgeous Weeds

By Susan Klein

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.”

1 Corinthians 16:13 (NIV)

Driving down the highway, I was struck by a tall vibrant yellow blossom in a field. It was absolutely stunning as it towered above the fading greens and browns of autumn. Returning from my errand, I watched for it again as I neared the same spot. There it was…so majestic as it rose a few feet above the other foliage! Gorgeous as it was, it was still a weed. And the roots below the surface can choke out other plants and take over good ground.

Like the deceptive beauty of the weed in the field, we need to beware of another kind of weed. In Matthew chapter 13, Jesus tells a parable about this. The weeds in this story represent the sons of the evil one. They may take on visually appealing appearance, but their harmful intent is to infiltrate the good plants/the children of God and seek to destroy them. They receive the same rain, sunshine and soil as the rest of the plants, so at first they might go unnoticed. But, as time passes, their differences become evident to the stronger plants, though many of the weaker plants may suffer great harm.

Jude warns us (vs.12) that these weeds will even slip into our worship places unbeknownst to us. They may tout a good message, be very charismatic and charming, but their intent is not to glorify God. “They are godless men, who change the grace of God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ.” (vs. 4) Jude wrote a strong warning to the church body back then, and its message is still relevant today.

We, as the body of Christ, need to be prayerfully discerning about what we see, and hear, and are exposed to. Some messages may sound appealing at first, but have hidden lies below the surface. If we are not strong and healthy plants, we could fall prey to some choking by these weeds.

As the time nears for our Lord to return, this activity will only increase. Jude exhorts, “In the last times, there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires. These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. But you, dear friends, build yourself up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.”

GOING DEEPER:

What condition are your roots in? Are they strong enough to help you stand firm against the weeds?

FURTHER READING:

1 Thessalonians 5:5-6; 1 Peter 5:8-9

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 and also co-leads a small group.

Intentional

By Lexi Cole Ellis

“…Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
1 Corinthians 15:58b (NIV)

A couple of summers ago, my friend and I were at our husbands’ softball game. I had brought the puppy since we were intentionally practicing a skill with him. After a long day with him, I was working on not being frustrated and continued to do our training. My friend looked at me and said, “I’m impressed with how intentional you guys are with Calvin and his training. Keep it up; you’re doing a great job.”

It was what I desperately needed to hear. But I realized it wasn’t just Calvin; every sphere in my life puts intentionality at a high importance. A teacher…wife…friend…sister and daughter…ministry volunteer and leader…coworker. And - -  similar to occasionally feeling tired at the intentionality that’s required with being a “puppy parent” - -  there are times I’m exhausted with the amount of work and intentionality needed in my other roles.

Take a moment to look at some of the spheres in your life where you’re intentional in spiritual development.  My response is similar to my friend’s comment: Keep it up! You’re doing a good job! The tireless, spiritual intentionality you invest in your relationships, your marriage, your kids, your job, your ministry is worth it when it’s done with a heart of humility. The diligence you bring to those roles is God-honoring. He sees:

·         the way you have continually prayed for open doors with a coworker.

·         the patience you have as you constantly work every day to be the faith-trainer in your child’s life and the really hard diligence you pursue to develop your child’s spiritual, emotional and social formation.

·         the loving respect you choose to have for your husband.

·         the kind words you choose to express to a family member or friend…even when it’s hard.

·         the overflow you expend by volunteering your time and talent to the Church.

Thank you for your intentionality and being willing to be in it for the long haul. It’s worth it, despite the days it feels overwhelming, futile and frustrating. Luckily, we have a God who knows that intentionality can often bring tiredness and frustration, and He has given believers His Spirit, His Word and His offer to come to Him when we’re weary (Matthew 11:28-30).

I’m thankful my friend noticed our intentionality when I was frustrated and encouraged me to keep it up. Thank YOU for the intentionality you’re choosing every day in your relationships. Keep it up…keep being intentional in pointing others to Him. I promise it’s worth it!

GOING DEEPER:

1.      How are you choosing to be intentional in spiritual development in your relationships?

FURTHER READING:

Acts 20:35, Hebrews 6:10

Lexi and her husband, Andrew, have an adorable dog named Calvin. Lexi teaches sixth grade Reading and Writing. She serves with Children’s Ministries and is the Fresh Start Coordinator.

The Worry Vortex

By Elin Henderson

“Don’t worry about anything: instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done.”

Philippians 4:6 (NLT, emphasis added)

Many of us experienced (to some degree or another) the infamous “Polar Vortex” of this past winter - - and we are all praying it doesn’t strike again, right??!  A cold mass of air moved down from the Arctic and just sat there whirling around the Northern part of the United States.

What if the program you are listening too suddenly stopped and you heard a  “BEEP! BEEP! BEEEEEP!! This is a report from the Severe Worry Warning Center, an area of pressure  has formed over your heart and a cycle of inefficient thoughts have been seen whirling around a center of fear. A severe worry warning has been issued!”  If only, we would say! Usually, like most storms, we aren’t given much warning and are left to deal with the aftermath.

This is exactly how Corrie Ten Boom describes worry. She said, “Worry is a cycle of inefficient thoughts whirling around a center of fear.” [1] We have “Worry Vortexes” that form in our hearts and souls continually. It doesn’t take much to spur one on and unless we are prepared, we are often majorly affected! The “pressure” moves in and the next thing we know, our senses are flooded with inefficient thoughts about it. This is further worsened by a sinking feeling of fear that whirls uncontrollably in our spirits.

So, how can we prepare ourselves for the oncoming “Worry Vortexes” that plague us continually? Paul gives us some clues in Philippians 4:6-8. Let’s work backwards. In verse 8, we see that as we place our whirling inefficient thoughts before Him, and focus in on what is true and good, and we take the time to pray and even thank Him (verse 6), He moves in and replaces the center of fear with a center of peace (verse 7), thus disbanding the whole vortex! 

Let’s stay alert to the Worry Warning Centers of our hearts. When we feel the pressure moving in and a new center of fear forming, let’s quickly disband it by applying Philippians 4:6-8! By His strength we can send these Worry Vortexes back to where they came from!  

GOING DEEPER:                                                       

1. We can’t stop the pressures from forming in or on our hearts, but using the above, what can you do to keep them from becoming worry vortexes?

2. How do inefficient thoughts lead to fear and thus worry?

FURTHER READING:

Luke 12:22-31; 1 Peter 5:7; Colossians 3:2

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.

 [1] http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/181088-worry-is-a-cycle-of-inefficient-thoughts-whirling-around-a

One-Of-A-Kind

By Karen D’Amore

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made…”

Psalm 139:14 (NIV)

In recent years, I’ve developed a fond appreciation for one-of-a-kind, handmade goods…especially jewelry. This type of jewelry strongly contrasts with what I’ve purchased in the past, which was mass- produced and manufactured from expensive materials and gems. Within my growing collection of handmade pieces, one particular necklace is among my favorites. Formed from inexpensive materials, this particular one-of-a-kind necklace was handmade for me by a precious friend. Knowing someone cared for me enough to create something custom made me feel valued and loved. From a material perspective, this favorite necklace wouldn’t be considered “valuable.” However, because of the designer’s love and unique tailor-made design, I value this necklace beyond words.

Reflecting on Psalm 139:14, I’m reminded that we too were each handmade, uniquely designed by God. “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart…” (Jeremiah 1:5, NIV, emphasis added). God formed each of us in a way that cannot be replicated. He selected our personalities, established our talents and gifts, and crafted our physical attributes and traits. Our aptitudes, interests, temperaments and abilities are varied and distinctive. We are each remarkably original. By divine design, we are each a one-of-a-kind!

Throughout my life, I wrestled with dissatisfaction when comparing myself to others. Desiring to be like them, I attempted to mimic others’ desirable attributes. God never compares us to other people, nor does He replicate us. Considering this, I realized it is potentially insulting to Him to be dissatisfied with the “me” He’d so intricately handmade. As I viewed my uniqueness through the work of His hands, I resonated deeply with Psalm 139:14 and tattooed it on my ankle. It’s freeing to finally be able to value and embrace my individuality!

Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (NIV). Considering this, I’m impacted by another purpose for our uniqueness. God not only created each of us to be  unique, He has planned and willed something uniquely purposeful for each of us to do!  I’m awed by the realization that in this highly diverse and competitive world… I (you) am uniquely purposed and divinely formed to fill a place in this world that nobody else can fill…except me (you)!

Strive to be the original God created you to be…valuing and celebrating your exclusivity. Compliment your Designer by becoming the best you that you can be for His glory. Remember, God doesn’t create junk:

You are Be-You-tiful…You are You-nique…You are a…One-of-a-Kind!

 Be Yourself!

GOING DEEPER:

1.  Consider… who is the YOU…God designed you to be?

FURTHER READING:

1 Corinthians 6:20; Isaiah 44:24

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.  

(Parentheses)

By Elin Henderson

“To declare Your loving-kindness in the morning, and Your faithfulness every night.”

 Psalms 92:2 (NKJV)

In a time when life has a lot more unknowns than knowns, God has given me this precious verse to remind me that He has placed His parentheses around me each and every day.  Every morning, He awakens me with a declaration of His loving-kindness and every night I fall asleep being reminded of His faithfulness.  Everything that happens in between falls into the protected middle and are filtered through these two little (curved walls).

His loving-kindness reminds me that He has a love for me that will never let me go, a deep tenderness combined with consideration.  That is the Hebrew translation in a nutshell of this word “chesed”. [1] It means more than love and more than kindness, rather the best of both! It signified the covenant between God and Israel and the same could be said with us, His children bought by the precious blood of His son!

His faithfulness brings to mind God’s unchangeableness. [2] There is no shadow of turning with Him.  It is a reminder of His consistency towards me, and the fact that He will never leave nor forsake me. 

May you remember these parentheses as well when you wake up each day and fall asleep each night. May they hedge you in every hour of every day: His tender consideration which will never let us go starting you off, and His consistent character and unchangeableness closing you in for the day!

           

GOING DEEPER:                                                       

1. What’s a practical way you can remind yourself (or others) of these “parantheses”? (Write it on a card above your bed? Put it on your fridge? On your coffee maker?)

2.  How can this impact the way we handle the things (and people) that come our way during the day?

FURTHER READING:

Psalms 36:7; Psalms 40:10; Psalms 89:1; Lamentations 3:22-23

:  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.

[1] http://www.bible-researcher.com/chesed.html

[2] http://www.biblestudytools.com/encyclopedias/isbe/faithful-faithfulness.html

Just Get in the Chair
By Carolyn Hulliberger

“Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me [Jesus].”
John 14:21a (NIV)

My daughter, like many of us, does not like to have the attention of others focused on her. The idea of being pointed out in a large group of people is mortifying. Maybe you can relate.

Two years ago, my daughter was at a school assembly where a world-class basketball team consisting of wheelchair-bound athletes was giving a demonstration. Shannon was chosen to participate. While she was reluctant and about to decline the invitation, her friends extended a bit of peer pressure to encourage her. She got in the wheelchair, took a basketball in hand, and began to concentrate on what the instructor was saying. (Listening was important if she did not want to look foolish in front of a couple of hundred classmates.) Shannon ended up having a lot of fun, and her comment to me was, “Mom, I pretty much forgot about all the other kids watching me when I started playing the game.”

Isn’t our life the same way sometimes? There might be times when you are asked by God to come forward, and perhaps the attention of other people might be focused on you. Maybe you’ll mess up the task, lose the ball, or fall out of the chair a few times. But Christ asks for us to focus on Him…to listen to His instructions…to shut out the distractions…to forget what someone else might think…and obey anyway! And as we do that, the task He’s asked us to perform on His team becomes more important than the crowd on the sidelines.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Is God moving you reluctantly out of your comfort zone? What steps of obedience do you need to take?
2. Is a friend being moved to something new? How can you “extend a bit of peer pressure” to be an encouragement?

FURTHER READING:
2 Corinthians 4:18

Along with caring for her family, Carolyn works as an insurance representative, serves in Oakwood Church as a Community Group leader and a High School home group leader.

Kings & Leaders

By Lexi Ellis

“So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you’ll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind…”

1 Thessalonians 5:10b-11a (MSG, paraphrase)

I recently started watching a documentary on the English monarchy. The first kings' reigns were laughable in comparison to the extensive previous Roman Empire. These kings had one thing in common...each leader couldn't maintain control for very long. Alfred the Great, King of Wesex, (849-899) changed this. [1]

Inheriting a kingdom on the cusp of continual invasion from the Vikings, this brilliant general recognized there was a necessary and imperative ingredient to victory: investing in others' leadership. The result? While all other Anglo-Saxon kingdoms had fallen to the Vikings in 870, "Wessex alone was still resisting." [2]

Alfred did this by allowing other, smaller leaders to keep their "positions of authority in their localities." [2] Unlike other kings in the 800’s, Alfred the Great realized you can't have your army filled with men who had just had their authority stripped away...and expect them to fight to the death for your name.

Isn't that true in the spheres of our lives where we lead? There are ways I lead in my home, in my job and in ministry. The question becomes: Am I great at investing in others’ leadership? As a wife, do I invest in my husband’s strengths and encourage ways for him to lead? As parents, do we correct when necessary, but also allow for leadership opportunities for our kids? As a teacher, am I modeling the type of leader I want my students to be? As a ministry leader, do others’ natural leadership strengths intimidate me, or do I encourage and invest in these abilities?

Jesus is the example of leading others and launching their strengths with opportunities to lead. He spent three years with His disciples, training and equipping them so that eventually they could to go on their own in the Spirit’s power. But while still on earth, Christ also sent the disciples out in pairs in Mark 6 and sent an even larger group out in Luke 10... giving His followers opportunities and training to be leaders even before He returned to heaven.

Albert the Great knew in order to be successful, he had to allow his troops to lead in their own spheres. Based on the example of Jesus, may we continually look for ways to encourage our spouses, children, and those we lead at work and in ministry to tap into their strengths and to lead, as well.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Think of those you have been entrusted to lead.

2. How do you give appropriate opportunities to showcase others’ strengths or to lead in smaller ways?

FURTHER READING:

Mark 6:7-13; Luke 10:1-24; Hebrews 10:24-25

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

[1] “Monarchy,” 2004. David Starkey. Series 1, Episode 1: “A Nation State.” 

[2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_the_Great

Desert of Discontent

By Susan Klein

“‘Stop grumbling among yourselves,’ Jesus answered.”

John 6:43 (NIV)

If complaining or grumbling doesn’t really accomplish anything, why do you suppose we do it? Perhaps we do it to let off some emotional steam over a situation that frustrates us. But if we were honest, we’d admit that the satisfaction of venting is momentary at best. The situation still exists if nothing has been done to change it. Could it really be that complaining just gratifies our sinful nature of wanting things our own way? And, by voicing our dissatisfaction out loud, aren’t we really hoping others will jump on our grumbling wagon and join us on our journey of discontent? Some would say, “Oh, what’s wrong with a little harmless grumbling?” Plenty!

Grumbling is more than just words. It stems from a wrong heart attitude, one that is likely communicating ungratefulness. God not only hears our grumbling, but He sees our hearts. Ingratitude is a guaranteed wall-builder between us and God, and that’s not harmless. He has ordained every situation in our lives, the good and the bad. When we grumble, we are inevitably voicing ungratefulness to Him. In Scripture, we learn about the Israelites complaining while wandering in the wilderness. Even though God went before them in a cloud, even though He always provided food and water, even though He protected them from their enemies, they grumbled. They were afraid, they were tired, they didn’t like the food, didn’t like their leadership… (Sound familiar?) In Numbers 11:1 (NIV) we read, “Now the people complained abut their hardships in the hearing of the Lord, and when He heard them His anger was aroused. Then fire from the Lord burned among them and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp.” Yikes! What if God chose to rain down fire every time He heard us complain? Fortunately for us, that’s not His standard response.

In 1 Corinthians chapter 10, Paul shows us that some things never change as he addresses more grumblers in the church. He reminds them about their forefathers’ grumblings and how some of them were killed by the destroying angel. He admonishes them, saying these things “were written down as warnings for us. (vs. 10-11, NIV)” Let’s learn from them.

God still sees and still hears. While He may not send down literal fire to consume us, He can let us get burned by our own words. He can also let us wander in the desert of our discontent. We may not receive any relief until we stop complaining, focus our energies on doing something proactive, and seek Him.

Let an attitude of gratitude be your oasis amidst a desert of discontent.

GOING DEEPER:

1. What consequences of complaining might you be currently experiencing?

2. How can you avoid riding the grumbling wagon?

FURTHER READING:

Philippians 2:14-15; Colossians 2:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:18

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 and also co-leads an on-site small group.

Goodness
By Elizabeth Cole

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

Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)

We’ve been eating a lot of fruit in our house lately. I think it might be a desperate attempt to hold on to summer…despite howling winds, orange-hued leaves and the need for a coat! But all that fruit has re-reminded me of what we all know: Just because it looks good on the outside doesn’t mean it’s good on the inside. Especially green grapes. Within the last several weeks, I’ve been literally disappointed by “sour grapes”!

In his letter to the Galatians, Paul is listing the fruit of the Spirit as examples of what Spirit-led living looks like. The Galatian church had alarmed him with news of its conflicts: theological, social and gender. So he offers them the answer to conflict: Living by the Spirit. (1) Then he illustrates it with a picture. And that bountiful harvest includes goodness.

One of the reasons I like the biblical word “goodness” is because it’s efficient…it not only describes a state of being (moral and spiritual excellence known by its sweetness), but also its results (active kindness). (2) Makes me think of those other green grapes I’ve had in my home…the ones that not only looked delectable, but tasted as good as they looked! Good fruit.

The goodness that only the Holy Spirit can produce in our lives is a goodness which flows from a rightly-movitated heart. Oh dear. That means that martyr-complex attitude after serving? Not good fruit. The unseen irritation when helping a friend? Yeah…not good fruit. The giving of resources out of obligation? Nope.

I can’t help but be dismayed when I think about authentic goodness. My first reaction is to tell myself how much I’ve got to work on that. And then Scripture reminds me: We’re not talking about my hard work; we’re talking about “fruit that is supernatural in origin (being the Spirit’s fruit) and natural in growth (being the Spirit’s fruit).” (3) It is the Spirit who produces the fruit from within me, the fruit that is evidence to other people of His residence in my life. My part? To ensure the garden of my heart has right conditions for fruit to naturally grow. Conditions of soft soil, of sowing what pleases the Spirit, of not growing weary in doing good (Galatians 6:8-9, NIV). Then the supernatural fruit naturally follows!

I’m headed to the Piggly Wiggly later today looking for a last bowl of sweet fruit. You know, the kind that looks and tastes like goodness!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Where is the Spirit at work aligning your heart and actions toward authentic goodness?

FURTHER READING:
2 Thessalonians 1:11

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

(1) Scott McKnight, The NIV Application Commentary, pp. 277-278.
(2) John MacArthur, The MacArthur New Testament Commentary, Galatians, p. 168.
(3) John Stott, Baptism and Fullness, p. 103.