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 48 years and are blessed with 8 grandchildren.  She serves Oakwood on the prayer chain and with Family Promise.

Return to Rest

 By Elin Henderson

“Return to your rest, O my soul, for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.”

Psalms 116:7 (NKJV)

One way or Return  are one of the first things that you click on when you are doing a travel search for airfare tickets. Return  indicates that you started off at some location. And logically, you want to return there. 

           

We were designed and created for rest, but how much of our lives today reflect a life of rest? Sadly, very little. Adam and Eve were given God’s presence, His life, His peace and placed in a perfect place of rest in the Garden of Eden. All that they needed was provided for them. They simply fellowshipped with their God each day and looked to Him for all of their needs. 

This rest came to an abrupt halt when Satan deceived Eve, and sin was brought into the world. They ceased to look to God and His provision, and instead they fell for the lie that there was something “more” out there that they were missing out on. God’s presence was removed from them as they exited the Garden, and they were left empty and hopeless in the hands of Satan. 

Since then, there has been a futile fight to find that rest again. We started off there, and we are frantically looking for the return  side of that ticket. Rest and the presence of God are one in the same. Without His presence, we have no rest. Jesus’ death on the cross bridged that gap that was between ourselves and God, making a way for that rest to return to us once again through His Spirit’s indwelling presence.

Yet, I know in my own Christian life, rest at times remains sadly elusive. Struggles come my way and instead of returning to the source of rest and remembering how God has dealt bountifully with me, I wallow in a state of worry. I need that reminder. That I have the return  ticket in hand: His presence with me. I need only board the plane and return  to that place of rest, my Garden of Eden, where God and I dwell hand-in-hand, and He is all I need. 

GOING DEEPER:                                                       

1.      Can you think of any other examples in Scripture where God’s presence brought rest to His people?  (Hints: A suffering Job. Daniel with a den full of hungry lions. Three men in a fiery furnace. Paul and Silas beaten and shackled in a jail cell…just to start you off!)

FURTHER READING:

Matthew 11:28; Psalm 46

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 seventeen-year-old Callie and fourteen-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 and also co-leads an on-site small group.

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 dog named Calvin. Lexi teaches sixth grade Reading and Writing. She serves with Children’s Ministries and is the Fresh Start Coordinator.

Grace and Mercy
By Stephanie LaCasse

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Hebrews 4:16 (NIV)

As I saw the red and blue flashing lights in my rearview mirror, it was a feeling of dread and alarm that crept up the back of my neck. Questions flooded my mind. Was I speeding? Since I was on a familiar path to work, it was entirely possible as I wasn’t really thinking about my speed. The officer came to my window and informed me… bum bum BUMMER! I had not paid the registration that was due four months prior. Oops. He also informed me that my driver’s license had expired at the end of the previous month. Double oops. I had received the notice, pinned it on our dry erase board, and forgotten about it. Guilty.

The officer wrote me a ticket and informed me that it could be reduced or eliminated if I appeared at my court date. I felt guilty, frustrated…and frankly, stupid, that I had made two careless errors. The officer was kind and merely doing his job, upholding the law. Before departing, I thanked the officer for keeping us safe. He smiled, chuckled and said, “I try.”

Fast forward to my court date. All of the traffic offenders are placed in one room, and you wait to be called forward. It’s humiliating, to say the least, as everyone is listening to everyone else’s crimes. I was called forward; I expected the judge to tell me I should have known better. Instead, he showed me considerable mercy and did not take points. He even greatly reduced my ticket.

I left the courthouse with a smile on my face and a reminder of our Heavenly Judge. When I was speaking to the officer, he showed me grace by extending kindness where he didn’t have to. I was shown mercy by the judge, not giving me what I deserved since I had committed the crime. Just as the woman in Luke 7 was extended grace and mercy by Jesus, so was I. Jesus knew just who she was and what she had been doing prior to their meeting, yet He showed her great compassion. Let those of us who are sinners (Steph raises her hand), reach out to others with grace and mercy…just as it has been given to us in abundance.

 GOING DEEPER:
1.  What ways has God specifically shown you grace and mercy? 

2.  What is something you can do today to show grace or mercy to another

     person? 

FURTHER READING:
Jonah 4

Stephanie is a mom of three young sons and wife to Dave, who is currently in seminary preparing for chaplaincy in the US Army. In her spare time, she’s employed at a law firm.

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 a Foot Care Specialist at Shorehaven Senior Facility.  

The Wrong Weapon

 By Elin Henderson

“…they said to Him, ‘Lord, shall we strike with the sword?’ And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear.”

Luke 22:49b-50 (NKJV)

How many times do we seek to defend our Lord, but sadly pick up the wrong weapon to strike with? Jesus’ disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane were genuinely trying to defend and help Him. But impulsive thinking and not understanding the Father’s plan led them to pick up what was closest at hand and strike out.   

Jesus understood the plan of the Father and used one weapon to defend Himself and the Father: His Word. “It is written…” was the catchphrase to His weapon of choice. He never used it impulsively, but wielded it deliberately, carefully and effectively. Satan’s attempts to tempt Him in the wilderness were met with three quick blows of the Word. I imagine the Pharisees, time and time again, felt the blade of the Word of God pierce their hearts with conviction.

It’s not our ability to reason, our philosophy or our quick wit that helps us defend our Lord and defeat our enemies. It is knowing how to patiently use our one and only weapon: His Word. Just as a master swordsman becomes faster and more effective with his blade by constant practice and study, so also, we need to become expert wielders of the Word of God - - to have an “It is written…” response in every season.

Our impulsivity and unchecked zeal can lead us, like the disciples, to grab the wrong weapon and lash out; however, a restful understanding of the Father’s will, and an intimate knowledge of His Word, will help us to defend and defeat the enemy.

God’s Word…it’s sharp. It’s powerful. And it’s effective. Let us wield it carefully and effectively today!

             

GOING DEEPER:                                                       

1.      What habits can you put into practice today that will help you become more effective Weapon wielders? 

2.      (GOING REALLY  DEEP!) How do you use the Word of God in defense against those who deny it as being the truth? 

FURTHER READING:

Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 7:6; Hebrews 4:12

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

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 is married to Ted and they have two sons in college. Lisa serves as an event photographer at Oakwood and wherever else she is needed.  

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

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.

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

“He Marveled”

By Susan Klein

“Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled…”

Matthew 8:10a (NASB)

Whenever I find myself in need of some “real” time with my Savior, I know I can turn to the Gospels and find Him there. His presence is visible upon the pages of God’s written Word. How like our loving heavenly Father to provide us with this very personal gift to use over and over again to fit our every circumstance.

When I am grieving, I can read Jesus wept (John 11:35), knowing He personally shares in my grief. When I need counsel, I can read that Jesus spoke to the multitudes and I can glean from His message to them. When I am weary from life’s demands, I can learn from the example that Jesus withdrew to solitary places to be alone with His Father for rest and refreshment.

Among other things, the Gospels tell us that Jesus:

rebuked

healed

performed miracles

went away (or departed)

forgave

raised the dead

defended

prayed

All of these things have touched my heart in a personal way at a time when I really needed them. All of these things Jesus did because He was the Son of God and they were things He was sent here to do. However, there is one thing Jesus did in response to what someone else did. He marveled. In context, the above verse explains that Jesus marveled over the great faith of one man, a Gentile, no less. Without the benefit of growing up memorizing Old Testament Scriptures or sitting under the tutelage of esteemed Jewish leaders, a Roman centurion heard about Jesus and beseeched Him to heal his paralyzed servant. Jesus immediately understood the great faith this man placed in Him by humbly presenting this request, and by believing it would be done. (You can read the rest of the story in John chapter 8!)

As I glance back over my list, I realize these are things Jesus did for me. To show my gratitude, I’d like to do something for Him. I’d like to exercise my faith like the humble centurion did. I want to take all these things to heart and gratefully, diligently and unquestioningly apply them to my life in a way that brings Him glory and honor. And wouldn’t it just be ever-so-precious if perchance, He were to marvel at my faithfulness?!!

GOING DEEPER:
1. How can you spend intentional time exercising your faith?
2. What are some weak areas in your faithfulness that might require some attention?

FURTHER READING:
Matthew 9:20-22; Romans 1:17; James 2:14-23

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.

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.