The Clock is Ticking

By Carolyn Hulliberger

“LORD, remind me how brief my time on earth will be.

Remind me that my days are numbered  - - how fleeting my life is.”

Psalm 39:4 (NLT)

Author Update:  This devotional thought was originally written 2 years ago.  Now that time has marched a bit, my updated thoughts are in italics.

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Most of us are slaves to the calendar. We count down the shopping days to Christmas, the days to a vacation, or a birthday.

Recently, I was discussing with a friend how time was flying with our high-school sophomores. The comment was made that we have three years left with them at home…which turns into just over 1,000 days.  (These kids are now SENIORS – yikes!)

1,000 days doesn’t seem like much time to influence and mentor your child into young adulthood.

So I started thinking…here is the countdown to some of my upcoming milestones…

170 days until my grandmother’s 90^th birthday celebration and family reunion

205 days until our daughter’s graduation

282 days until she leaves for college

660 days until my youngest starts high school  Already happened

1,250 508 days until my 25^th wedding anniversary

2,130 1383 days until my youngest heads off to college

2,530 1788 days until my next “decade” birthday

8,036 7267days until retirement – hopefully less!

Psalm 90:12 says, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (NIV) I wonder if we all sat down and actually did that…numbered our days. I wonder how we could use that to influence others. Would we waste less time? Would we spend more time with things that matter? When we realize our time is limited, how would we change the way we spent our time with our loved ones, with getting to know our neighbors and co-workers, or volunteering in our churches and community?

As predicted, the1000 days are rushing through my world.  In the last 2 years, the growth and challenges came quickly…some expected (learning to drive!), some not (remember high school?). One thing I have learned: there is a power in being aware and intentional in spending our limited time wisely. Don’t waste it.

GOING DEEPER:

1. Figure out the number of days to some of your milestones (hint: Google “countdown timer” for a help with this).
2. How can you resolve to be deliberate in impacting others?

FURTHER READING:

Psalm 90:4; Psalm 90:12; 2 Peter 3:8

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.

He Sought Me

By Brita Crouse

 

“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.”

Galatians 5:24 (NLT)

 

“He died for me while I was sinning

Needy and poor and blind

He whispered to assure me,

‘I've found thee, thou art mine’

 

I'd never heard a sweeter voice

It made my aching heart rejoice” [1]

 

The first time I heard those lyrics, it was like I had been struck by lightning. I was in church, feeling disheartened and distant from God, when all of a sudden...these words hit me. It was truth I so badly needed to hear during a time when God was feeling very distant. The song? The hymn “In Tenderness,” originally written by William Spencer Walton.

 

After hearing this song, I had a revelation, which is probably obvious, but it struck me nonetheless. It was this: The closeness I feel in my relationship with God is dependent on me. I was at a place where I was feeling far from God and wondering why I felt like this. Well, it was because of me, because of my distance. God is constant, faithful, and steadfast. I (we) are fickle, unreliable and inconsistent.

 

All relationships require effort, including our relationship with God. It’s easy just to shout up a prayer to God when we want something, but this isn’t how our relationship with Him is supposed to be. For relationships to grow and flourish, they require constant communication, unconditional love, and genuine care and concern for one another (among other things). Here’s the thing: God demonstrates these things perfectly, we don’t.

 

The truly amazing thing about having a relationship with God is His gift of salvation and His willingness to forgive our sins. “He died for [us] while [we were] sinning!” Our sins were crucified with Christ. He died for you. He died for me. How comforting it is to know God wants to forgive us, to bring restoration to our relationship with Him. All we need to do is confess and ask.

 

It is easy to put up barriers with God, to convince ourselves we are too unlovable to be loved by Him. But, it’s simply not true. God is still unwavering in His love for us when we are at our worst. A relationship with God is not always easy, but it is always worth it.

 

 Listen for His voice, whispering, “I’ve found you, you are Mine.”

 

GOING DEEPER:

1.  How is God speaking to you today? What are ways He is showing His love for you?

2.  Listen to “In Tenderness” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ib1cUFyZwv0) and reflect on the lyrics and how they apply to you today.

 

FURTHER READING:

Galatians 5:13-14, 17, 22-25; Ephesians 2:4-10

 

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.

 

[1] http://www.songlyrics.com/citizens/in-tenderness-lyrics/

Post-Election Woes

By Susan Klein

“So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.”

1 Peter 4:19 (NIV)

If you partake in any form of social media, you have seen it exploding with viewpoints on the recent presidential election. Some folks are delighted their candidate won; others are exploring a move to a different country. Many believe it was a lose-lose situation altogether. Even people in other countries are weighing in on whether or not things turned out for good or bad, both for themselves and for us. This is definitely a turbulent time in our country (perhaps our world) and could lead some down the road of despair.

To help keep things in perspective, here are (just a few) truths from God’s word:

·         No plan of God’s can be thwarted (Job 42:2).

·         God establishes kings, and directs their courses (Daniel 2:24, Proverbs 21:1,     

  Romans 13:1b).

·         Nothing, and no one can separate us from the love of Christ (Romans 8:35-  39).

·         What man may mean for evil, God can mean for good (Genesis 50:20).

·         The Lord’s plans stand firm forever, even foiling the plans of men (Psalm 33:10-11).

What then might our response be in view of these truths?

·         Keep our eyes fixed on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2).

·         Try to live at peace with everyone (Romans 12:18, Hebrews 12:14).

·         Continue to live uprightly as we wait for the blessed hope of the Lord’s return (Titus 2:12-13).      

·         Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances    (1Thessalonians 5:16-18a).

·         Be self-controlled and alert, resisting the evil one, standing firm in the faith (1 Peter 5:8-9).

Whatever your position on this election, hold fast to the truths of God’s unchangeable Word.

GOING DEEPER:

1. How can you encourage someone with God’s Word who might be struggling?

2. What truths might you add to the list above?

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.

Are You Thrilled?

Psalm 98:1-4 (NLT)
 
“It is good to give thanks to the Lord,

Father, I thank You today for_____________________________.


to sing praises to the Most High.

Here’s my song for You today: ___________________________________.


It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning,

Whom shall I tell today about how You’ve loved me? __________________________.


your faithfulness in the evening,

I recall that time you were so faithful to me: _____________________________.


accompanied by the ten-stringed harp and the melody of the lyre.

I don’t play the harp or the lyre, but I can use my _______________________ to honor You today.


You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done for me!

What really overwhelms me about Your kindness is___________________________.


I sing for joy because of what you have done.

May the way I live be a life-song of joy to You today.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Start a running list of that for which you’re thankful to our God. Consider adding to it daily!
2. How are you training gratitude in your home?

FOR FURTHER READING:
Psalm 100

Psalm 118

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    his love endures forever.

² Let Israel say:
    “His love endures forever.”
³ Let the house of Aaron say:
    “His love endures forever.”
⁴ Let those who fear the Lord say:
    “His love endures forever.”

⁵ When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord;
    he brought me into a spacious place.
⁶ The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid.
    What can mere mortals do to me?
⁷ The Lord is with me; he is my helper.
    I look in triumph on my enemies.

⁸ It is better to take refuge in the Lord
    than to trust in humans.
⁹ It is better to take refuge in the Lord
    than to trust in princes.
¹⁰ All the nations surrounded me,
    but in the name of the Lord I cut them down.
¹¹ They surrounded me on every side,
    but in the name of the Lord I cut them down.
¹² They swarmed around me like bees,
    but they were consumed as quickly as burning thorns;
    in the name of the Lord I cut them down.
¹³ I was pushed back and about to fall,
    but the Lord helped me.
¹⁴ The Lord is my strength and my defense;
    he has become my salvation.

¹⁵ Shouts of joy and victory
    resound in the tents of the righteous:
“The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!
¹⁶     The Lord’s right hand is lifted high;
    the Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!”
¹⁷ I will not die but live,
    and will proclaim what the Lord has done.
¹⁸ The Lord has chastened me severely,
    but he has not given me over to death.
¹⁹ Open for me the gates of the righteous;
    I will enter and give thanks to the Lord.
²⁰ This is the gate of the Lord
    through which the righteous may enter.
²¹ I will give you thanks, for you answered me;
    you have become my salvation.

²² The stone the builders rejected
    has become the cornerstone;
²³ the Lord has done this,
    and it is marvelous in our eyes.
²⁴ The Lord has done it this very day;
    let us rejoice today and be glad.

²⁵ Lord, save us!
    Lord, grant us success!

²⁶ Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
    From the house of the Lord we bless you.
²⁷ The Lord is God,
    and he has made his light shine on us.
With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession
    up to the horns of the altar.

²⁸ You are my God, and I will praise you;
    you are my God, and I will exalt you.

²⁹ Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    his love endures forever.