Relentless
By Lisa Boyer

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:38-39 (NIV)

Four years ago, as I walked up to my front door, a thought popped into my head for the 100th time… ok, possibly not the 100th but it sure felt like it.

It had started two days ago at a women’s conference. I had attended a workshop entitled “The Battle Within” where we learned ways to combat the lies that pop into our heads, attempting to steal our joy and freedom. I sat there listening and thinking, yes, I do that and it works. I left feeling pretty good about myself because I had that issue under control.

Then I headed off to my second workshop “Blessed are the Peacemakers” which was about conflict resolution. There was no doubt that I needed this workshop, but let’s just keep that between you and me. Anyway, as I sat there listening to the speaker talk about how God uses conflict and healthy ways to resolve conflict, a thought kept popping into my head about a time when I had had a conflict resolution conversation with someone. The fact was that it had gone well, but the thought popping into my head during that workshop wasn’t reflecting it like that at all. The thought was a lie. I spent the whole 45-minute workshop pushing that thought out of my head only to find it back just a few minutes later. Evidently, I was no expert at controlling “The Battle Within” after all.

Two days later, with that lie back in my head again and I thought, “Wow! Satan is relentless!”

But then it hit me: Ultimately, Satan isn’t relentless… GOD is relentless; relentless in His love for us. 

Our heavenly Father has let nothing stand in the way of us having a relationship with Him! He sent His only Son to die for us! Now THAT is relentless, relentless love! And He allows nothing to separate us from His relentless love: “neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

The enemy may be persistent and most certainly annoying, but he’s not relentless… he’s defeated.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Today, will you take a moment to reflect on the relentless love your heavenly Father has for you?
2. With whom can you share your experience of relentless love?

FURTHER READING:
John 3:16; 1 John 4:4

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. 

“Mr. Gorbechav, Tear Down this Wall!”

 By Elin Henderson

“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds [a.k.a. walls],”

2 Corinthians 10:4 (NKJV with my addition)

Oh, if only it was that easy, to see an obstacle looming in front of us and simply say like President Reagan did, “Mr. Gorbechav, tear down this wall!”

Nowhere do walls loom larger than in the hearts and minds of people. My husband and I work in a resistant context where the walls seem thicker, higher and have razor wire strewn atop them! But I realize that resistant hearts can exist anywhere, especially in a location where all our needs are met and there are no absolutes. The commentator Warren Weirsbe says, “Once the walls in the mind have been torn down, the door to the heart can be opened.” [1]

How then do we move forward? Satan has built and fortified many mind-walls. Our human efforts are vain and empty against them. There are no wrecking balls big enough, words strong enough, nor personalities bold enough to break through. This battle will not be fought with weapons of the flesh. Instead we are endowed with two simple, yet extremely powerful weapons of the Spirit: prayer and the Word of God.

When studying the armor of God, we find that these are the only two offensive weapons offered. Dependence on the Holy Spirit in ongoing prayer, as well as continued sharing of the Word of God  - -  in word and deed! This may seem like an odd way to break through resistant walls, but when have God’s ways been typical? How many times have those either on and at the walls said, “What on earth is going on here?” What is foolishness to man is awesome power to God.

Our job is to stay faithful, obedient, patient and wield our weapons wisely! Then when He moves, watch out! Because the walls will come tumbling down in such a way that we might be caught off guard. Joshua’s Old Testament battle at Jericho wasn’t over just because the walls came down. He still had much fighting to do. The city had to be subdued. With the walls down, the heart will be open to hear truth. But we must then be available to teach that truth and speak life into that individual.  

So we boldly cry out to the only One who can…“Oh God, tear down this wall!”

GOING DEEPER:                                                       

1.      Who in your life has resistant walls built around their heart? Will you utilize prayer and God’s Word, as you boldly cry, “Oh, God, tear down this wall!”

FURTHER READING:

Joshua 6; Ephesians 2:14; Ephesians 6:10-18; 1 Corinthians 1:26-31

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

             

[1] Weirsbe, Warren, The Bible Exposition Commentary Volume 1, pg 665, Victor Publishing Colorado Springs, CO, 2001.

New King James Version (NKJV)
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Thinking Outside the “Boat”!

By Karen D’Amore

 

When the disciples saw Him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” He said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 

Matthew 14: 26-29 (NIV)

 

Jesus was stretching the disciples to exercise their faith in Him, for when He would no longer be with them...physically.  Peter responds by exercising, what some may call... “reckless” abandoned faith!  In my personal faith-walk, I recall wavering between doubt and trust, before recognizing that abandoned faith “colors outside the lines” and “thinks outside the box!” Here we see Jesus modeling “out of the box” behavior when, instead of arriving by boat, He reconnects with the disciples by walking on water. This unexpected method of arrival frightened the disciples, drawing them to question who Jesus was... thinking He was a ghost.

 

When I walked through a personal storm with cancer, I struggled to recognize God’s presence in it. Praying God would stop that storm, I found fear erupted when He didn’t. But like Peter, once I exercised faith and stepped out of the boat, I was able to walk on water...with Jesus. Through that experience, I learned that when Jesus doesn’t calm the storm, He’s calling us to walk in it...with Him!

 

While the other disciples remained in the safety of the boat, Peter steps out of his “comfort zone” and experiences the miracle of walking on water. Thinking outside the boat requires stepping out of our comfort zone...walking towards Jesus and trusting in His power. We must then continue  that walk of faith by keeping our eyes on Jesus...instead of focusing on the stormy circumstances. Peter demonstrates how to conquer our fears by moving forward in faith...even when we’re afraid.

 

It’s encouraging how Jesus used the obstacle which made the disciples fearful (the sea) as a staircase for them to come to Him. Paralyzing fear was my initial response to my cancer diagnosis! When I stopped resisting that “storm” and allowed Jesus to rescue me and carry me through those rough waters, He became my anchor of hope. The obstacle which incited fear (cancer) and distanced me from Jesus became the staircase which drew me closer and strengthened my faith in Him.

 

We’re promised, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you”  (Isaiah 43:2, NASB, emphasis added). Faith requires stepping out of the comfort of our “boats”...into the storm. It entails thinking outside the “boat” where the impossible becomes...Him-possible!

 

GOING DEEPER:

1. Are you docked in a safe harbor or walking on water?

 

FURTHER READING:

Philippians 4:13; Isaiah 55:8; Romans 12:2

 

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.  

“I Know”
By Lexi Cole Ellis

Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
    I have called you by name, you are mine.

Isaiah 43:1b (ESV)

Recently, I was leading my small group of three- to five-year-olds during Sunday School. In prayer, I ended with “We love you, God. Amen.” As the group rushed to the table for snacks, one of my buddies stayed on the carpet. “Miss Lexi,” he said, “I think when we tell God we love Him, He smiles at us and says, ‘I know.’”

What theology from a five-year-old! Because the reality is, we don’t pray to give God new information. He’s all-knowing, and it’s clear that He has a game plan in mind already.

It got me thinking. We often say things the hearer already knows. I tell my husband that I love him…I hope he already knows this and that my actions confirm it. Yet my words serve as a reminder that our relationship matters deeply. So it is with God. There is so much power in the relationship we have with Him: He knows, and yet He wants to hear from the heart of His beloved.

“God, this situation is really hard…I hate this road I have to walk down right now.”

My Friend, I know…I suffered unimaginable pain as well, and desired there could have been another way, too. Hang in there. There is power in the fact that Your Creator knows your hurt and pain.

“God, this relationship is struggling. I don’t know what to do.”

My Child, I know…I’ve been working at restoring my relationship with humanity since the beginning of time. I know rejection; I know heartache. I have been there, and I am with you always.

“God, I feel alone…abandoned. Where is your goodness?”

My Created, I know…I am with you in the valleys and in the joys. I have promised to never leave you nor forsake you. I have blessed you in ways that are known and in ways that are yet to be seen. Keep trusting me.

“God, I feel unloved. The guilt and shame is overwhelming, and I am sometimes shocked at my thoughts….”

My Redeemed, I know…and the great works of my Power  - - from the Old Testament to the Cross  - - reveal  that I believe you are worth pursuing. My sacrifice in your place not only saved you from your sin, but released you from guilt and shame. Join me in true freedom that comes in a relationship with me.

I’m thankful for the reminder from my five-year-old friend. We serve a God who smiles at us and says “I know.”

GOING FURTHER:

1.      What truths or promises come to mind that you know are true of God? Click on this list if you need some reminders.

FURTHER READING:

Zephaniah 3:17; Colossians 2:6-7

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

The Monsters in the Closet

By Jeannine Sawall

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

Philippians 4:6 (NIV)

"So how was your appointment?" I asked, expecting “fine” as his response. This was a routine appointment my husband had just had. "Well... they found an unusual mass in my chest they are concerned about," he answered quietly. My heart stopped for a moment..."a mass in your chest? Do they know what it is?" "It's unusual...and it wasn't there last time. They are going to make an appointment for me to come back and see the thoracic team." "When?" "In the next few weeks."

And so the monster in the closet came out of hiding and I was afraid. Over the next few weeks, my mind went to terrible places. If you google "mass in chest," all sorts of monsters can be found. If you anticipate worst-case scenarios - - the monsters of cancers, chemo, financial hardships, sickness and even the extreme of early widowhood and raising young sons alone - - you can barely function due to the anxiety and worry that accompanies those thoughts. God says, not to “be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." But what did that mean and how does one do that? Did it mean I had to be fearless in every situation and THANKFUL?!?

Of course not! It means we don't have face those fears alone! When God allows a situation in our life that brings up fears, He knows our hearts and He knows our thoughts. We could pretend we aren't afraid, but to what good? We wouldn't be fooling ourselves and we certainly wouldn't be fooling God. However, when that gut-wrenching, confusion-making torrent of emotion takes over our hearts and minds from time to time, God calls us to trust Him and believe that He will be with us, even when there are monsters. He never condemns us for being afraid; instead, He is telling us to turn to Him and allow Him to give us His peace which surpasses understanding.

365 times we are told to "fear not" in the Bible: Once for each day. It is a reminder that He is there for us in the middle of the fear-causing situation. Remembering He is with us may not remove the situation from our lives or even permanently remove the fear from our minds; we may have to be talked off the ledge over and over. But remembering God's promises to us in the midst of fears allows us to take our eyes off of the monster, even for that moment, and go forward confidently with the Lord, thankful He is always with us.

GOING DEEPER:

1. What fears are you battling today?

2. Which of God's promises do you need to be reminded of?

FURTHER READING:

Deuteronomy 31:6, Psalm 56:3-4, Isaiah 41:10

Jeannine is a wife and mother of four great boys. She works in the property management business. Jeannine serves in several behind-the-scenes ministries at Oakwood and has a heart for those who are grieving.

Divine G.P.S.

By Karen D’Amore

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;
 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)

The appointment was in an area that was unfamiliar to me. With the needed information stored in my I-phone, I hadn’t written down the business name, address or phone number. I was relying on my phone’s GPS to accurately guide me to my appointment.  Unfortunately, within ten miles of my appointment, I noticed that my phone had…died! Pulling to the side of the road, I fumbled feverishly with the phone. Repeatedly pushing every button, the screen remained black. I plugged the phone into the battery charger but still nothing! The phone was dead!

Overcome with a feeling of helplessness, I briefly panicked! I didn’t want to no-show or miss the important appointment but at that point, I was lost. I was in the middle of nowhere…with no idea where I was and no resource to direct me to my destination. With pay phones being extinct, I couldn’t even call for help. In a spirit of helplessness, I pleaded with God to revive my phone. Holding my breath while pushing the “on” button, I sighed with relief as a flicker of light emanated from the screen. The phone came back to life! With my phone/GPS back in operation, I resumed my travels. But to my dismay, a glitch in the GPS program directed me to an incorrect location, forcing me to call the business to seek better directions. Needless to say, I finally arrived at my appointment frazzled and frustrated, but enlightened by a valuable life lesson.

Though grateful for the technological conveniences of the smartphone, my utter dependence on this “man-powered” device was a sobering revelation. Without it, I was LOST...literally and figuratively! Though such “devices” are helpful tools when functioning properly,  they will never be 100% accurate nor reliable. I had been relying on an unreliable device to stay on course and guide me through daily life!

Before the invention of compasses, GPS units and smartphones, God created the North Star…a fixed and reliable navigational system. For centuries, it was the gauge for finding one’s way, establishing one’s bearings and redirecting one’s course when lost. As believers, God is our True North! Because He is nchangeable and eternally reliable, we need to trust and depend on Him to navigate life’s course. With the Bible as our compass, we can seek hope when we’re lost, establish our bearings when needing direction and determine The Way to navigate to our heavenly destination. Let’s remain anchored to the God Powered System, solely dependent and reliant on our Divine Guide…Protector…Savior!

GOING DEEPER:

1.  Who/what’s your navigator?

FURTHER READING:

Isaiah 30:21, Psalm 119:105

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.

It’s NOT business, IT’S Personal

By Elin Henderson

“To Timothy, a true son in the faith….”

1 Timothy 1:2a (NKJV, emphasis added)

I’ve been struck by the personal nature of Paul’s letters throughout the Epistles. He wasn’t just writing to the corporate church but he wrote to individuals, addressing their needs, their struggles, their highs, their lows. He knew people by name and was specific in his encouragements to them.

“Greet Priscilla and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. Erastus stayed in Corinth, but Trophimus I have left in Miletus sick…Eubulus greets you, as well as Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brethren” (2 Timothy 4:19-21, emphasis added). These were Paul’s friends; this wasn’t a business letter and his ministry was not a business negotiation. It was a friendly letter with a few business points.

Discipleship is of a personal nature. Sometimes in ministry, I find myself forgetting this principle. I get stuck in the rut of what I have “to-do” each day. The list gets checked off and business gets done, but the personal side suffers.

It’s the one-on-one, the person-to-person “face-time” that makes the difference in people’s lives. Jesus blazed the path as the forerunner and Paul left a remarkable example, as well. Look through the New Testament and keep track of how many personal names and personal details are poured out in the words written.

Hey, I love a checklist as much as the next gal, but my prayer each day is that I will see beyond the list and the business that has to get done, to the personal side and the people behind it.

           

GOING DEEPER:                                                       

1. What’s your business “to-do” list look like today? How can you look beyond it to the personal side of things?

2. Read through the Proverbs 31 woman’s life. How did she meld the personal and business in life?

FURTHER READING:

Proverbs 31:10-31; Philippians 1:8

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. 

To Him Be the Glory

By Jeannine Sawall

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV)

Having grown up in the church, oftentimes people have asked me to share my “testimony.” For years, I felt I didn’t have anything to say. And while my childhood was not picture-perfect, I never got involved in anything “bad.” I was the girl who didn’t “smoke, drink, cuss or chew or went with boys who wanted to.” I didn’t have one of those “life changing, I’ve been delivered” testimonies to share. I really felt my personal faith-story was pretty “boring.”

After sharing these feelings with a friend who has a rather dramatic “life-changing” testimony, she admonished me. She told me that just because God had kept me from much of the pain and drama many people experience in childhood and early adulthood didn’t mean my testimony was somehow less powerful than those with dramatic, life changing results. In fact, it was only because of Jesus, I was where I was. It was then I realized my “boring” testimony was only by the grace of God - - to Him be the glory! There were so many other paths I could have traveled had God not continuously guided me through the years, but He did. I didn’t deserve His presence, yet He gave of Himself abundantly. That’s huge! It is only because of Jesus, I was the “good-girl” - - all the glory belonged to Him! It’s only because of Jesus, I traveled the safer roads that I did - - all the glory belonged to Him!

Maybe you feel your testimony isn’t “dramatic.” Do you love the Lord? That’s dramatic! Nothing about us draws us to Him…it’s only His Holy Spirit at work in our life that makes it possible - - all the glory belongs to Him! Maybe you need to simply look for God in your life. Wherever He is actively working to break, prune, grow or shape you is where your testimony can be found. And the surprising thing is that your testimony isn’t as much about you, as it is about God’s work IN you - - to Him be the glory! Your testimony counts. It. Is. Powerful. It is to be shared for the glory of God. It will change your life and others’ lives - - to God be the glory!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Are you amazed by the incredible work God has done in your life? Ask Him to show you all the ways He has/is working in your life to His glory.
2. And then ask Him to show you whom He wants you to share it with…for His glory!

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 138:5; John 1:14; 2 Corinthians 4:6

Jeannine is a wife and mother of four great boys. She works in the property management business. Jeannine serves in several behind-the-scenes ministries at Oakwood and has a heart for those who are grieving.

Napkin Holder
By Peggy Kleckner

“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.”
Psalm 51:1-2 (NIV)

Some time ago, I was in a church small group discussion. As we spoke, one woman shared that she felt like every time she made it through a particular situation, or addressed one bad habit, she noticed a new one sprang up. As she related that, she said it was like a spring-loaded napkin holder. You pull out one and the next one moves forward! Sort of like that “layers of an onion” picture, except this one really tickled our funny bones! After that, our “inside joke” picture of the napkin holder was brought up often and never ceased to make us chuckle.

As I was thinking on that picture later, a new thought came to mind. Perhaps we didn’t broaden the lens of our mental camera large enough. With the wide-angle lens on, we might see beyond just the napkin holder to the bigger picture of Christ mopping up the latest mess in our lives with that supply of napkins! Jesus dabbing the dirt off of us with those pure white napkins.

On our own, we cannot change. The Spirit of Jesus does the work in us. Each spill or mess reminds us that we truly are frail and in need of a Savior…and He is willing to wash away our iniquity and cleanse us from our sin. That is why He came for us.

So, when does that supply of napkins run out? I think He has a napkin holder filled with enough for each of our days here on earth. Spring-loaded napkin holders are usually on the table when we are out to eat, not at home. And certainly, Earth is not our ultimate home.

When the napkins run out, He is calling us home to His eternal banquet table!

GOING DEEPER:
1. What “mess” or “spill” in your life are you still trying to mop up on your own? Are you willing to surrender it to Him?
2. Have you pondered His unfailing love and His great compassion today?

FURTHER READING:
Isaiah 53:2-6, Acts 3:19 

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 Anchor Holds

By Susan Klein

“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.”

Hebrews 6:19 (NIV)

Christian music has always played a big part in my faith journey. One of my favorite artists when just starting out on my faith walk was Ray Boltz. His songs told stories. One of my favorites was, “The Anchor Holds.” [1] The chorus goes:

The anchor holds
Though the ship is battered
The anchor holds
Though the sails are torn

I have fallen on my knees
As I faced the raging seas
The anchor holds
In spite of the storm

Many times, I would play the CD and sing along, not giving too much thought to what the lyrics were about. Then, one summer, while my neighbor across the street was at home celebrating the birth of her baby girl, I was at home mourning the loss of mine. Overcome by grief and unable to sleep, I sat alone in my living room, feeling much like that torn and battered ship, having gone through my own personal storm.

I put in the CD to hear the familiar lyrics. As the music started, I opened the case to follow along with the words printed inside. I knew them by heart, but something propelled me to look anyway. What I found was another story. The author of the song was a dear friend of Ray Boltz’s, and he wrote the lyrics right after losing his own baby. [2] How come I never noticed that before?!! I believe my loving Abba Father was saving it for just that moment, when He knew the pain of a grieving daddy would soothe this grieving mommy’s heart. I sang along, this time knowing and feeling the author’s pain, his words reaching the deepest part of my heart and becoming my words. I sang with tears of sadness, of comfort, and of hope. God would be my anchor, and I would get through this.

Years later, re-visiting the song, I can now relate to the last verse:

I have been young
But I am older now
And there has been beauty
These eyes have seen

But it was in the night
Through the storms of my life
Oh, that's where God proved
His love to me

The Anchor holds. [3]

GOING DEEPER:

1. Who is usually the first person you turn to when the storms of life start raging?

2. Let God, who makes all things work together for good, meet you in your storm and be your anchor.

FURTHER READING:

Proverbs 3:5-6, 25-26; Deuteronomy 31:6; Romans 8:28

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.

[1] Ray Boltz, Lawrence Chewning, The Anchor Holds, 1992; Copyright: Shepherd Boy Music, Word Music LLC

[2] http://www.lawrencechewning.com/custom.html

[3] Want to listen to this song? Listen to it here: http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=E2FJMNNU

The “C” Words

By Susan Klein

“In this world, you will have trouble.” 

John 16:33a (NIV)

Conflict. Nobody enjoys it. In fact, most of us try to avoid it at all costs. The same applies to confrontation. How many of us, when confronted with a conflict, relish the thought of having a confrontation? However, as Jesus states in the verse above, in this world - - it’s inevitable. Just about every book in the Bible contains one conflict or another. Abraham had conflict with Lot, Moses had conflict with the Israelites, the disciples had conflict with each other…Let’s face it, we aren’t all created alike. We all have personality differences that can potentially lead to conflict. So what’s a girl to do when she’s faced with conflict?

Besides the obvious, “pray,” I believe there are a few more tools we can hook to our belts to use when dealing with a conflict. I like to call them the “3 G’s”: Glorify  God, Gift  others, and Grow  to be more like Jesus.

When a conflict with another person presents itself, the first thing to do is to not  flee from it, but to check our own actions, to see if we are at fault in any way. This brings glory to God. Then, Scriptures tells us (in Matthew 18) that we are to confront the other person, using words and actions filled with grace and love, which also brings our Father glory. Gifting others can be accomplished by overlooking minor offenses, speaking the truth in love when needed, or coming alongside a non-believing offender to show them what Christ did to forgive us. And in every conflict that our God allows, His desire is to conform us to the image of His Son, to grow us into the godly women that He has designed for us to be.

Author John Maxwell says we are to be like “velvet –covered bricks, not people pleasers or bulldozers, strong on the inside but soft on the outside.” He says, “Velvet-covered bricks are not afraid to deal with conflict in order to iron out an unhealthy situation…they are peacemakers as opposed to peacekeepers…remaining open to the perspective of others.” (1)

The rest of the above verse states, “But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Christ’s victory of overcoming the world and all its evil is also our joyful triumph to claim. Remembering that our real conflict is not with flesh and blood, but with the powers of this dark world (2), we can have joy in our conflicts knowing He has endured all things before us, and has given us the victory!

GOING DEEPER:

1.    What proactive steps can you take to become “strong on the inside, but soft on the outside” when dealing with conflict?

FURTHER READING: 

Matthew 18:15-18; Galatians 6:1-5

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

(1) Maxwell, “Velvet-Covered Bricks,” (www.injoy.com/newsletters/leadership)

(2) Ephesians 6:12