Love Like Jesus

By Brita Crouse

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

John 13:34-35 (ESV, emphasis added)

I recently read a book about a young woman (who’s not much older than I), who “quit her life” and moved from America to the war-torn country of Uganda. Katie, at twenty years old, became a mother to thirteen orphaned or abandoned African girls. Here is a quote from her book and, as you will be able to tell, Katie is a girl after God’s own heart.

“It’s just different when it’s your child who’s suffering. But should it be? ...I believe that this is a normal human reaction. I also believe it is wrong. I believe that every human being on this planet is God’s child, perfectly made and beloved and cherished by Him. I believe that His heart hurts...for each and every one of the hurting, dying, starving, crying children in our world. So I have to believe that if my heart was truly seeking to be aligned with the heart of God, that I would hurt for each of these children as well.” [1]

As I read through the book, this quote in particular was especially convicting. Katie writes that she is constantly surrounded by suffering, but she does not hurt the same way for others as she does when it’s one of her girls who is suffering. I’m not a parent, but I do feel more love toward some people than others. Despite this human tendency, Jesus has commanded us, as His disciples, to love just as He has loved.

I think this is what Katie is alluding to: Jesus does not have favorites. His love doesn’t depend on age, gender, ethnicity or social status. So, why does ours?

It’s not easy to love those who are different from us or those who treat us poorly, but if we are Christ-followers, we are called to do just that. Jesus loved Judas, His betrayer, no less than the other disciples. He spent time with His persecutors. He healed the poor, sick and outcast.

Christ says if we show love for one another, people will know we are His followers. Think of how many people could experience Christ’s love if we, as His disciples, unconditionally loved just like Jesus.

GOING DEEPER:

1. Who can you start showing love to this week?

2. Read John 13. Write down examples of how Jesus showed loved to others in this passage.

FURTHER READING:

1 John 3:23; James 2:1-13

[1] Katie Davis, Kisses from Katie (Brentwood, TN: Howard Books, 2011), 221-222.

Brita recently graduated from Taylor University with a degree in Psychology, and is currently a helper for Oakwood’s Quest 56 and the Just Among Moms weekly childcare team.

Be Ready…Live Expectantly!

By Karen D’Amore

“Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

Matthew 24:44 (ESV)

My antenna was raised…my awareness piqued…God had my attention! In the course of one  day, a sermon, a Facebook post and a song all conveyed the same message. On that first Sunday after Christmas, Thomas Freeman preached from 1 Thessalonians and incited my holiday fatigue with this poignant thought: “We speak more often of Christ’s birth, death, and resurrection…than we do of His return.” Reiterating that we will each give an account for how we lived our life here on earth, Thomas challenged us to “live like Jesus is coming back any minute” and “to allow Christ’s return to direct our lives.”

Hours later, as Midwesterners braced themselves for a projected bitter freeze, a Facebook post read:

“PEOPLE…Tell them bad weather is coming and they prepare!

Tell them Jesus is coming…and they do nothing!”

“You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” Luke 12:40

Just before sundown, the radio blasted an old familiar Crystal Lewis song. I found myself singing along: “People get ready…Jesus is comin’…soon we’ll be going home!”

The repetitive messages provoked me to listen up and pay attention. I found it interesting that within 216 New Testament chapters, there were over 300 references to the return of Christ and I too find it something I rarely think or speak about. And as I introspectively considered Thomas’s challenge, I pondered deeply, “Am I living every minute like I’m ready for Jesus to return? And what exactly does that look like?” 1 John 2:28 says, “And now, dear children, continue in Him, so that when He appears we may be confident and unashamed before Him at His coming.” In light of it, I’m challenged to consider: would I be thinking, speaking or engaged in any activity I would be ashamed of should Jesus suddenly return?

As Christ-followers, we needn’t be overly concerned with when  Christ returns, but how we live until He returns. We’re not to just sit idly waiting, but rather to continually live conscious, alert, God-honoring lives. Scripture not only reveals everything we need to know regarding Christ’s return, but also how to live “rapture ready” lives until then.

• Be Watching  (Luke 12:37)
• Be Waiting   (James 5:7-8)
• Be Working  (Luke 12:43)
• Be Godly   (2 Peter 3:11-14)
• Be Ready (Matthew 24:42)
• Be Anxiously Expectant (Revelation 22:20)

Jesus is  coming back! Are you ready?!

GOING DEEPER:

1.  Evaluate your thoughts, activities and priorities…in light of Christ’s return…and consider your readiness.

FURTHER READING:

Matthew 24:36, 25:13; 1 Corinthians 15:52; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

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.

Let’s Not Talk About It

By Lisa Boyer

“But He gives us more grace”

James 4:6a (NIV)

I heard the phrase “breathing in Your grace, breathing out Your grace” on the radio and I was intrigued. I wondered what breathing out God’s grace would look like. Well, God may have been waiting for me to wonder that because the next day He started me on a journey of breathing out His grace.

In a two-and-a-half-hour period, I found myself interacting with the same person over and over again and each encounter left me feeling a sting. By the last encounter, I was just plain hurt. It was so unlike her and I had no idea what to do. But I did know whom  to ask. I went right to God, who knew exactly what was going on in both our hearts. I honestly expected a simple “just talk to her,” which is usually the appropriate response; instead, He clearly said, “Give grace.” I instantly knew what giving grace would look like in this relationship.

For the next month, I gave grace, but in the back of my mind I kept wondering about the day we would have to sit down and talk about it. Ok, I did a little more than wonder, I worried. I just couldn’t imagine how we could truly move forward without a get-it-out-in-the-open conversation. But for this specific situation, God had said to give grace, and that’s what I truly wanted to do.

Once again, I went to God; once again, He answered clearly, “Give more grace.” This time I didn’t know what He meant, but I trusted Him to tell me when I needed to know.  And He did. The next time I saw her, God spoke to my heart, I listened and I gave more grace as instructed. The act of giving more grace spoke more than words ever could. I was overwhelmed with emotion and knew we’d never need to talk about it.

Breathing out His grace has been a beautiful experience. Freely giving love and forgiveness and not asking for (or needing) an apology has given me a tiny glimpse into the love and joy God feels when we are reconciled to Him because of His grace toward us.

What an amazing gift grace is…both to receive and to give. 

GOING DEEPER:

1.  Have you been holding on to feelings of hurt and unforgiveness? Today, will you go to God and ask Him to help you give of the grace you have received from Him?

2.  Will you prayerfully consider how God wants you to share His message of reconciliation?

FURTHER READING:

2 Corinthians 5:18-19; Romans 5:8; Matthew 5:23-24; Galatians 6:1

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 loves hanging out with and impacting teenage girls for Christ.

A Melody of Love

By Susan Klein

“Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.”

Galatians 6:9 (NIV)

In one of Kay Arthur’s teaching videos, we are treated to the testimony of a woman from a communist country. She tells how difficult it was to share the message of Jesus at her place of employment in her homeland. She asked God for guidance in how to be a witness to these women, none of whom were a bit interested in what she had to say. He told her not to speak, but just to live out His love. So, she shared her time watching their children, she shared her meager paycheck to help others with their rent, and she loved on the women in any way she tangibly could. Many times she went back to the Lord, asking if she should be more bold in her speech, and He kept whispering to her heart to just live out His love. After a whole year of loving with actions and not with words, a coworker confronted her. She said she didn’t understand how this woman could be so kind all the time, showing endless compassion without expecting anything in return. And how could she always seem so positive when conditions were so bleak?!! Now, it was time for words.

As Kay so poignantly put it, “We need to let people hear the melody of the gospel before we give them the words.” I know in my own life, often I don’t feel like I’m being effective if I’m not sharing the words of the gospel. But, as illustrated above, sometimes actions speak more melodiously to the heart than words. This woman persisted in doing good to her fellow man (women) for a whole year before she saw the fruit of her labor. This was her opportunity to finally share the words of the gospel, when the other woman’s heart was opened and questioning. By first showing the sweet music of Christ-like love, the gospel words became that much more powerful.

Sharing Jesus by lending a helping hand or a few dollars to someone in need may be just the melody that gets their attention so we can then point them in the direction of the lyrics. God is the Songwriter. He draws people to Himself and does the tugging on the heartstrings. We are merely the notes He uses in His melody of love.

GOING DEEPER:

1. Who needs to hear the love song, which God has equipped you to share?

2. Is your music drawing others to the Lyricist?

FURTHER READING:

Matthew 5:16; 1 John 3:18

Susan enjoys teaching Bible studies, writing, and mentoring. She and her husband Mark co-lead an on-site small group studying 1 Corinthians with Oakwood's Wednesday Night Community.

We Didn’t Start the Fire

By Carolyn Hulliberger

“What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; There is nothing new under the sun.”

Ecclesiastes 1:9 (NIV)

In 1989, Billy Joel’s song, “We Didn’t Start the Fire” hit #1 on the United States pop charts. The song is a stream of consciousness listing of 40 years of historical events that had happened during his lifetime. After each long list, he sings, “We didn’t start the fire. It was always burning since the world’s been turning…” [1] Consider this partial list, you might find some familiar topics: Richard Nixon, Marilyn Monroe, H-Bomb, James Dean, Bay of Pigs invasion, Disneyland, punk rock, Ayatollah’s in Iran, Afghanistan, AIDS, crack, suicide.

To add some hot topics from the years since, I would include 9-11, Apple, meth, climate change, obesity, Y2K, Al Qaeda, hanging chads, H1N1, 50 Shades, bullying, Columbine.

You get the idea. There are days I turn on the news and I get so discouraged. Our world is a mess! But here’s the thing… it’s ALWAYS BEEN THIS WAY! The Old Testament talks of child sacrifice, incest, thirst for power, victimization of the poor, war, famine, slavery, adultery, murder. Solomon’s words from Ecclesiastes in the verse above ring true, “There is NOTHING new under the sun.” (Emphasis added). Humanity has been depraved and destructive since sin was chosen in the Garden of Eden.

Oddly, there can be comfort in that. Man hasn’t come up with anything new. And God is still God. He:

• created the universe and all that is in it,
• formed man for the purpose of loving and glorifying Him,
• gives each of us the ability to choose who (or what) we will serve,
• enters into a relationship with us when we accept His free gift of salvation.

And through that all, He is still in control. Our world can feel like it will implode at any given moment. We can choose to be fearful of the future for ourselves or our children and depressed about the state of our society.  OR… we can take heart in knowing His Truth and Promise, “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. Read the paraphrase of Job chapters 38-41 in The Message.

2. What do God’s own words about His creation and power say to you?

FURTHER READING:

Ecclesiastes 12:14

[1] Billy Joel. We Didn’t Start the Fire. Album: Store Front.

Along with caring for her family, Carolyn works as an insurance representative, serves in Oakwood Church’s Student Ministries with an awesome group of junior high girls, and is the treasurer for Women’s Ministries.

Kindred Spirits

By Becci J. Terrill

“The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.”

Romans 8:16 (NIV)

If you’ve read the book or seen the movie Anne of Green Gables,  you are familiar with the term “kindred spirit.” Finding a “kindred spirit” was very important to Anne. [1]

The term “kindred spirit” means “somebody who resembles somebody else in character, interests and temperament.” [2] Have you ever come across someone like this? If you have, you know how special they are. You make a connection instantly and have so much in common. You enjoy each other’s company and no matter the distance or time lapse between visits, you can always make that bond.

I have been blessed with many “kindred spirits” during my life: women who were older than I, as well as those who were younger. There is no age requirement for a kindred spirit. That’s what makes these individuals so special.

Recently, one of my “kindred spirits” retired after a lifetime of service. I remembered meeting her for the first time and the instant connection that we made. Over the years, our relationship has deepened and the feelings that sprang up in those first moments have proven true again and again. I’m grateful for the impact that she has had on my life.

I met with another “kindred spirit” who is at the beginning of her life journey, yet she has much to share that I can learn. Still another “kindred spirit” and I shared stories of our journey as moms, wives, women and leaders.

I wonder if this is similar to what it’s like when the Holy Spirit takes up residence in our lives. We know there is something different the moment we accept Jesus as our Savior - -  His Spirit testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. We learn to hear His voice and listen to the promptings that come from Scripture, a song or nature. It’s not something that can be easily described, YET we know - - just as we do when we meet a “kindred spirit” - - there is something special with this relationship. It is unlike any other.

If you, like Anne of Green Gables are searching for a “kindred spirit,” I encourage you to read the Book of John. Jesus can’t wait to meet you! He will be a best friend that will never let you down. Find a “kindred Spirit” in Him.

GOING DEEPER:

1. Read Spirit Rising: Tapping into the Power of the Holy Spirit  by Jim Cymbala or Forgotten God  by Francis Chan.

FURTHER READING:

1 John 4:7-11; Proverbs 27:17;

[1] For fun, read or watch Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maude Montgomery. Anne’s adventures are sure to make you smile.

[2] Encarta Dictionary: English (North America)

Becci is a wife and mother of two adult daughters. She is the Director of Ministry Partnerships at Shepherds Ministries in Union Grove, WI. She serves as WE Women’s Special Events Coordinator and teaches 4th grade.

What It’s About

By Lexi Cole Ellis

“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”

Colossians 2:6-7 (NIV)

Two years ago, my then-fiancé, Andrew, and I were meeting with wedding caterers and it wasn’t something I was particularly enjoying. I felt defeated. We had been in contact with ten different caterers - - analyzing menus and prices, comparing pros and cons - - and I was overwhelmed. 

On the way home from another appointment, I lost it. Andrew looked at me, put his “non-driving” hand over my eyes and said “Change of plans, I have a surprise. Keep your eyes closed.” When the car stopped, we were at Dickten Park. Andrew led me to the spot where he had proposed and said, “Babe, this is what it’s about. Not the money, not the kind of food. It’s all about the next step we chose to take right here.” 

We all need those little reminders. We all need breaks in the midst of crazy busy-ness to remember what it’s about. That day made me wonder: Are there other areas in my life where I feel so overwhelmed that I’m missing out on what my life is really about? Are the details and the busy-ness of my routine getting in the way of the “big picture things”? Things like remembering who God is and what He has done for me? Because I’ve known Christ for a long time, I sometimes forget what it’s about. I get caught up in the “today” and the checklist of things to do right at this moment.

What are some of those “big picture” things? What is it all really about?

We are: 

 - God’s image-bearers.

 - loved by the Creator of the Universe.

 - free from guilt and shame because of His work on the Cross.

 - called to a life that is intentional about loving and serving others.

 - redeemed by a God who desires oneness with us.

 - purchased at a great cost because He values us.

 - worthy in His eyes to be called His daughters.

The reality is, there is so much power and freedom in the magnitude of what God has done for us. I’m thankful Andrew reminded me of the “big picture” with our wedding planning. I’m also thankful we serve a relational God who deserves to be served above the small little details of our lives. HE is what it’s about. 

GOING DEEPER:

1. Before the day gets busy, stop and think about what it’s really about. 

2. What do you need to do right now to focus more on the “big picture” of our God rather than the busy details?

FURTHER READING:

Isaiah 40; Psalm 1

Lexi and her husband, Andrew, are puppy-parents to Calvin. She serves with Oakwood’s Children’s Ministries, teaches at Lake Country Christian Academy and is the Fresh Start Coordinator.

The Right Hand

By Vernette Kureck

“Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel and afterward you will take me into glory.”

Psalm 73:24-25 (NIV)

Oh, how sweet it is to feel a little hand slip into my hand. Children will often reach up to grandparents or parents with an outstretched arm so you will grab their hand and guide them. It is a great feeling of security. Many times there is even an anticipation and excitement as to where you are taking them. 

Even sweeter is to see an elderly couple that has been married many, many years showing their love and affection by holding hands. It is an intimate bond that reflects their special relationship and demonstrates how, together, they are stronger and complete each other. This expression of tenderness warms the viewer’s heart.

Then there is the sweetest expression of hand-holding. Our Heavenly Father extends His right hand for us to hold. With that connection, we receive intimacy, guidance, provision and security. Psalm 145:16 says, “You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.” And Psalm 31:15: “My times are in your hands.”  We can be comforted and excited, anticipating the green pastures He promises to lead us to. Let us lift up our hands in prayer and thank our Creator for His everlasting love, and, like the biblical psalmist David, be filled with joy in His presence.  

“Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup, you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. I will praise the Lord who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I have set the Lord always before me. Because He is at my right hand I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; and my body will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay.  You have made known to me the path of life; you fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand” (Psalm 16: 5-11). Thank you, Lord.  Amen.

GOING DEEPER:

1.  Whose hand have you been holding?

FURTHER READING:

Acts 2:22-35

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

“Honk” for Help

By Karen D’Amore

“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

Galatians 6:2 (NIV)

I felt alone as I walked through a dreadfully dark season. Though I struggled to maintain my “everything is fine” persona, the weight of isolation was crushing me. A few close friends were aware of my circumstances; however, the magnitude of my pain remained undisclosed. Fearful of being burdensome, my life often emulated a “go it alone” guise. Considering Galatians 6:2, I’m more comfortable being a “bearer” as opposed to a “bear-ee” of burdens.

Though Scripture contradicts this propensity to fly solo through adversity, I’ve wrestled with voicing  needs. God realigned my heart by illustrating spiritual truths through nature. Living in an area saturated with Canadian geese, I’m mesmerized by their “V” formation flight patterns. Impelled to research, I was touched by their God-given instincts:

“As geese flap their wings, it creates an up-lift for the other geese. Flying in a “V” formation adds 71% greater flying range than if they flew alone…When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of flying alone. It quickly moves back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the goose immediately in front of it… When the lead goose tires, it rotates back into the formation and another goose flies to the point position… The geese flying in formation honk to encourage those up front to maintain their speed. When a goose gets sick or wounded, two geese drop out of formation and follow it down to help protect it. They stay with the goose until it dies or is able to fly again, launching out with another formation or catching up with the flock.” [1]

One day I was struggling alone  in my crushing circumstances and I spotted a lone goose honking  and flying zealously. In the distance was a flock of geese flying in “V” formation. My heart ached for the lone goose as it frantically honked  and attempted to catch up with the flock. Remarkably, as the flock of geese became aware of the lone goose through its persistent honking, they circled back… allowing the lone goose to catch up and join the flock.

Overcome with emotion, the lessons from these geese pierced my heart. Recognizing their need for each other, geese don’t fly alone! Instinctive communication/honking is vital to their relationships. As Christ-followers, designed to need one another…we’re also called to be “honkers!”  “Honk” to encourage …help those who “honk” and “honk” for help!

GOING DEEPER:

1. How are you “honking”?

FURTHER READING:

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; Hebrews 10:24-25

[1] Quotes taken from Curriculum Leadership Development: A Guide for Aspiring School Leaders by Carol A. Mullen, p. 111. Original work: Lessons from Geese by Dr. Robert McNeish

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.

Safe In His Hand

By Jeannine Sawall

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)

Once I was shopping with my then-nine-year-old son. We had parked the car, gotten out, and were walking toward the store through a busy parking lot. As we rounded the car and headed out into the busy thoroughfare, his hand reached up and linked with mine. I looked down at his little red head and smiled. I said to him, “Josh, I like holding your hand…how much longer do you think you will want to hold mine when we walk?”  He took a moment to ponder the question and responded, “I think when I’m ten, then I’ll be okay to walk by myself. When I’m ten, I will know how to be safe.”

His simple answer brought tears to my eyes. Not because the day when he felt he would be safe and didn’t need to hold my hand was coming sooner rather than later, but because he knew my hand was there to provide safety and comfort. Walking in that busy parking lot with our hands linked meant he did not have to fear; his mom was there to protect him. He no longer had to be dismayed or worried, since I would not let him go where he would get hurt. I loved knowing he knew that!

It wasn’t too many days later, I came upon the verse in Isaiah and the Lord impressed upon me that He has His hand out, ready to protect me, to help me, to strengthen me…and all I have to do is rest in it. It was such a startling picture in my mind - - imagining my hand linked with God’s, knowing I did not have to be afraid of or worry about anything. Being assured that He is always there, offering that same love and concern I had offered to my child.

As much as we love and protect our children, doing whatever we can to make them feel loved, safe and secure, the Lord is there providing the same love, protection and care…only infinitely more than we can even imagine. He says, “Do not fear or be dismayed.” He wants us to have that same sense of security in Him that our children have in us. Whatever you have going on in your life, reach out and grab the Father’s hand; He won’t let you go where His hand can’t safely keep you.

GOING DEEPER:

1.  What in your life causes you to be dismayed or fearful?

2.  Do you trust the Father to keep you safely in His hand?

FURTHER READING:

Psalm 121:7; Jude 1:24; Psalm 91:1-7

Jeannine is a wife and mother of four active boys. She works in the property management business. Jeannine is actively involved in ministry to those walking through grief.

Finishing Strong

By Susan Klein

“I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me…”

Acts 20:24 (NIV)

In his book, Nearing Home, Reverand Billy Graham shares an anecdote involving his wife Ruth. He tells of a time when she was driving along a stretch of highway that was under construction. As she came to the end of all the detours and cautionary signs, she found one that read, “End of Construction. Thank you for your patience.” Chuckling, she conveyed the incident to her family and proclaimed that was what she wanted inscribed on her headstone when she died. [1]

While this is indeed sweetly humorous, it really does speak to each of our hearts. We are always under construction by our heavenly Father. He is shaping, refining and perfecting us until we are conformed to the image of His Son. While it is true we are created in His image at our conception, the conforming of our sin nature into that of a Christ-nature is quite a lengthy process. Lifelong even. None of us ever gets to the point where we can say, “I’m finished!” God is not finished with us until He takes us home to be with Him.

The problem is, we never know when that end will come. It may be tomorrow or several years down the road. Too often, we fall into thinking we have lots of time yet. We may think we can just coast through some of the stretches of construction because the end is so far away. But what if it were just around the next bend? Would we be more alert? Would we be more willing to welcome God’s refining process? Would we be more pliable in the hands of our Creator? Would those irritating detours become something to look forward to?

What if we lived each day as if it truly were the end of our construction zone? What if we got up each morning and spoke the words of the Apostle Paul in the verse above, “I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me [today]”? We could truly finish each day strong, and go to sleep knowing God was whispering, “Well done, my good and faithful child.”

GOING DEEPER:

1.  Are you alert to God’s construction in your life or are you on cruise-control?

2.  How are you steering (each day) toward “completing the task the Lord Jesus has given you”?

FURTHER READING:

Hebrews 10:36-39, 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 15:58

[1] Nearing Home: Life, Faith, and Finishing Well, Billy Graham, Thomas Nelson Publishing, ©2013.

Susan enjoys teaching Bible studies, writing, and mentoring. She and her husband Mark co-lead an on-site small group studying 1 Corinthians with Oakwood's Wednesday Night Community.

Quick, Throw Me My SELF-Preserver!
By Elin Henderson

“…and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.”
2 Corinthians 5:15 (NASB)

Warren Wiersbe, in his commentary on 1 John, Be Real,  says the following, “‘Self Preservation’ is the first law of physical life, but ‘self-sacrifice’ is the first law of spiritual life.” (1) How often I find self-preservation to be the pervading song of my life! Things get a little rough, too many people need me, my responsibilities grow too large, and I am quick to say, “Hurry, throw me my self-preserver!!” Yet recently, the Lord has been challenging me to move beyond self-preservation and trust Him with a spirit of self-sacrifice.

Christ is the ultimate example of sacrifice and servanthood…not only in His death, but also in His life here on earth. Look through the Gospels at His life and you will find a life lived nonstop for others and for the Father. Crowds followed Him, people needed Him virtually 24/7, He had a group of disciples that He was helping to bring along spiritually…His plate was full! How did He do it? By constantly communing and abiding with His Father.

Yet in the busy-ness, we do see that the Father didn’t keep Him going beyond which He was able, but gave Him breaks and times of refreshment. Sometimes I fear that if I give myself fully to the Lord, I will just be run into the ground. That wasn’t the case with Christ and it won’t be what God does to us. Who knows us best? We think we know ourselves, but reality is that we are finite in our understanding. Only God truly knows our limits and our capacities. Psalm 139 tells us in verses 1 and 2 that He searches and knows us. In verses 13-16, the psalmist tells how God has known every fiber of his being from before conception until now. Christ found rest in the fact that His Father knew Him best, and from that confidence could give Himself fully to be used up.

Just as Christ lived a life of servanthood and sacrifice, those who desire to follow after Him must do the same, realizing that the road may be difficult. Within us, we might be screaming for self-preservation, but the safest and best place to be is fully available to our Father to use as He sees fit. He will guide us as we fully depend on Him.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Do you intentionally make yourself available to God each day? What might you be holding back?

FURTHER READING:
Philippians 2:5-8; John 15:1-8

(1) Wiersbe, Warren. The Bible Expository Commentary: Volume 2. Chariot Victor Publishing. Colorado Springs, CO. 2001. p. 511.

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 thirteen-year-old Callie and ten-year-old Elias. They are currently in America on Home Assignment.

Scandalous Grace

By Tracy Smith

“And since it is through God’s kindness, then it is not by their good works. For in that case, God’s grace would not be what it really is - - free and undeserved.”

Romans 11:6 (NLT)

I am a fiction reader and have favorite authors whose new releases I eagerly look forward to. One of those authors is Dee Henderson. She had a new book released shortly before our family had a trip planned to visit my husband’s family in Minnesota. Six hours of reading - - a dream come true for this reader! Little did I know that this fiction book would have a gem of a quote that would spark my thinking for months to come. In the book, Unspoken, I found this quote, “Grace is so scandalous we can never get beyond its reach to forgive.” [1] Wow! I had to stop reading, write the quote down to think on later.

Scandalous and grace - - not two words you think of as “going together.” But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that God’s Word is full of examples of scandalous grace.

David (2 Samuel 11): David sent a man to his death in war so that he could have the man’s wife. Yet because of David’s true repentance and lifelong trust in God, he is later called a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14).

The Samaritan woman at the well (John 4): She was a woman and a Samaritan, so normally a Jewish man would not have spoken to her. On top of that, she was an outcast (she was at the well during an “off” time) because of some sad choices she had made in life. Choices others may have seen as unforgivable. Yet, Jesus did a scandalous thing for His day: spoke with her and then offered her Living Water.

Saul/Paul (Acts 9:1-31): As Saul, he thought he was doing God’s work by persecuting and contributing to the death of Christians. Yet, after his conversion, God used Paul mightily in the new church.

In our world, the actions of those above would be deemed “hard to forgive” or even “unforgivable.” But God puts no one and no action outside of God’s redemptive, forgiveness grace. Scandalous and amazing!

GOING DEEPER:

1.  Do you ever feel like you’ve done something hard to forgive or even unforgivable? If so, would you commit to finding more stories of God’s scandalous grace in the Bible as encouragement?

2.  Do you know those who feel like they’ve done something unforgivable? What can you do to encourage or remind them of God’s forgiving grace?

FURTHER READING:

Ephesians 2:8; Romans 5:1; Hebrews 4:16

[1] Henderson, Dee. Unspoken. Page 170. Bloomington, MN: Bethany House Publishers, 2013.

Along with being a wife and mother to two boys, Tracy is an administrative assistant at Oakwood, serves on the Women’s Ministry Special Events Team and leads a great group of Junior High girls.