Sacrifice

By Tracy Smith

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”

John 3:16 (NIV)

His only Son. Think about that for a minute. Growing up attending church, I took for granted that Jesus came to earth as a baby, grew up, had a ministry, and died for our sins. I knew it was an awesome thing for the God of the Universe to allow Himself to live life here on earth and to die for our sins. I think that because I had heard this since I was a small child, I accepted it and believed it, but never really processed what it all meant to God the Father and to God the Son.

My focus was always on what Jesus did for us. There is nothing wrong with focusing on that, as His sacrifice is what allows me to have communion with God again, but I never really thought long and hard about how what He did impacted His Father.

Then I became a mother - - of sons. Suddenly, it was much more real. As Easter rolled around one year when my oldest was a toddler, it suddenly hit me what God the Father had sacrificed in His love for us.  I sat there looking at my son sleep and thought of all the people in my life whom I love and came to this conclusion: While my love for them is strong, I would never (strong word, but true) willingly sacrifice my son for them.  Not only that, but can you imagine telling your son that you would be sacrificing him for a bunch of sinners?

Thinking through that brought new meaning to Easter for me. Even though it’s still cold outside, the season of Easter will soon be upon us. Taking time to reflect before the holiday has caused me to really think about what Easter means…not only to my faith, but to my God.

GOING DEEPER

1. Will you commit to spending some time this week focusing on the incredible sacrifice that was made by God, just for you?

2. As we begin to approach the Easter season, with whom will you share the real meaning of John 3:16?

FURTHER READING

1 John 4:10; John 14:6; Romans 5:12-21

Along with being a wife and mother to two teenage sons, Tracy is a ministry assistant at Oakwood and works with a great group of Junior High girls.

The Ultimate 3-Legged Race

By Carolyn Hulliberger

“Haven’t you read?” he [Jesus] replied… “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’?  So they are no longer two, but one flesh.  Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

Matthew 19:4-6 (NIV)

Four years years ago, my husband and I celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary. As I anticipated the day, I realized it would be 7,306 days!  There are a lot of words that I could use to describe our journey together, but one of my favorite analogies is that marriage is the ultimate 3-legged race. 

The race is voluntary. We don’t get to choose many factors in our lives, like our parents or birthplace. We do, however, get to choose our partner in this race.

The race takes cooperation. If you don’t lock step with each other, failure is all but guaranteed. The more binds around your legs, the easier it is to keep in step. Think of each life experience shared as a strand of rope. The more stories that are common to both of you, the more strands of rope are binding you to each other. Laughter, tears, triumph, hardship…they all count.

To run the race well, both partners must face the same direction. From finances to parenting to in-laws to where you will live, being on the same page and intentional about communication will keep you pointed ahead.

Unforgiveness is equal to sitting down on the field. Every marriage has its “stuff.” As the saying goes, I am a selfish sinner, and I married one, too. Then we produced children with the same problem. When we don’t take the time to deal with the “stuff,” our legs will strain against the bonds. The ropes that serve as the ties that bind us together instead turn into shackles.

There will be times during the race when one partner has to bolster the other with his or her arms. This may entail practically carrying our partners ahead as their own strength has waned. The vows say “for worse,” “for poorer,” “in sickness” for a reason. 

After racing together a long time, the reward is that you may nearly forget that the three legs used to be Four. The muscle memory will change; the movement becomes more second nature. And those bindings on the legs only work to seal the commitment to one another.

GOING DEEPER:

1. Plan an outing with your spouse, focusing just on each other. Even a conversation over burgers will do.

2. Play a game with conversation starters like “Favorite moment while we were dating,” or “Best holiday celebration together,” or “The time you were my strength.” You may be surprised by the answers when you share with each other.

FURTHER READING:

Hebrews 12:1-2

Carolyn acquired her racing partner in April 1993, complete with big hair and poofy dress sleeves (on her).  They look forward to matching their parents’ 40+ and 50+, and grandparents’ 60+ years of marriage.

The Greater Truth
By Lisa Boyer

“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
John 8:32 (NIV)

I am the type of person who likes to know the truth, well, most of the time… I’ve been told some truths that I wish I hadn’t known; the kind that can really devastate a person.

Maybe you’ve been told one of those truths, too. Like when a loved says those dreaded words, “I just don’t love you anymore,” or when the company you’ve invested years in says, “We don’t need you anymore,” or when a mother reveals to her child, “I never wanted you; you were an accident.”

Those aren’t the kind of truths that set you free. Those truths burden you with their knowledge. Those truths leave you hurting deeply, even crushed.

This is when it’s time to hear the greater truth - - the “capital-T” Truth found in Jesus - - the truth that really does set you free.

…That person may not love you anymore, but Jesus loves you so much He died to have a relationship with you (Romans 5:8).

…Losing that job may have left you feeling useless, but God has work ready for you to do (Ephesians 2:10).

…Your mom may not have wanted you, but God wanted you and planned for you and designed you (Psalm 139).

Some truths can damage our hearts, but focusing on the truth of Jesus Christ, and all He is and does, allows the healing process to begin so we can know Him and be set free.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Have you been hurt by others’ truth? Will you go to Christ today for His greater truth and apply it to your hurting heart?

FURTHER READING:
John 17:17; I Timothy 2:3, 4

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.  

Don’t Forget the First-Aid Kit!

By Elin Henderson

“But a certain Samaritan….came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion on him…and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine…”

Luke 10:33-34 (NKJV)

This story is a familiar one. Three men passed by the wounded man in this parable told by Jesus, but only one was ready and willing to help. The other two had neither the supplies nor the heart to reach out to a fellow human being in need. The third man, however, was not only moved with compassion but was also ready and able to serve. He had bandages and medicine on hand and that, coupled with his willing and generous heart, brought healing and hope for this stranger.

How about us? Sometimes it isn’t enough to just have compassion for another suffering soul, we have to have our first aid kits metaphorically ready to be of use. Do we travel prepared and looking for the wounded and hurting? Our first aid kits may not have literal bandages and medicine in them, but we can stock them with ample amounts of God’s promises and His Word. That, coupled with a liberal dose of prayer and the power of His Spirit, can bring healing to the physically, emotionally or even spiritually battered and torn that lie strewn across our paths.

So, the next time you are getting ready for a trip down the road from your Jerusalem to Jericho, be sure and pack your first aid kit! You never know whom God might place in your path. Keep your physical and spiritual eyes open, your compassion in ample supply, and your first aid kit ready!

           

GOING DEEPER:                                                       

1. What kind of things would you pack in your spiritual “first aid kit”? Are there ways we can be preparing ourselves to be more aware of the hurting around us and more efficient in the use of our first aid?

2. Have you ever been on the receiving end of a “first aid kit”? What help did you receive and how can that propel you as you pack your own kit?

FURTHER READING:

1 Peter 3:8; Deuteronomy 15:11; James 2:15-17

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.

Vessels of Mercy

By Susan Klein

“What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction?  And He did so to make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory, even us…”

Romans 9:22-24a (NASB)

I’ve been camping out in the book of Romans lately. Our pastor is preaching from it and our small group is delving into it. As often happens when immersed in God’s Word, a passage that I’ve previously read a number of times suddenly comes to life. In chapter nine, Paul is expressing his despair over Israel’s rejection of the Messiah. Being a Jew himself, he goes so far as to say that his great anguish has made him wish/pray that he, himself, could be cut off from Christ if it would lead to the belief of his Jewish brothers. Wow! I desire to see the lost come to know Christ, but would I be willing to give up my salvation in order for it to happen? My life, maybe. But, my salvation?

Fortunately, God does not call us to do something so extreme. Paul knows this to be true. He himself advocates God’s grace as being irrevocable. But Paul makes another good point in the above text. While we can’t trade places with someone who is perishing, we are to be “vessels of mercy.” Have you ever thought of yourself in this way? If you’ve accepted God’s  gift of grace and mercy, you are a vessel of His  mercy! Let me gently paraphrase the above text:

God is just, and is rightfully capable of exercising His powerful wrath on those who deserve it. But, He is also long-suffering (desiring that no one perish) toward those who reject Him, exercising great restraint so that His glory may be shown through us, His chosen ones, prepared in advance to share His mercy with others.

You may think of yourself as a “cracked pot,” a “broken pitcher,” or even just a “lump of clay,” but The Potter desires to use you just as you are to be His “vessel of mercy” to those around you. You don’t have to get your cracks filled, your pieces glued back together, or be molded into a beautifully crafted urn before He can use you. Whether you’re battered and broken, or a mere piece of greenware, you’re filled with the riches of His grace and mercy. Are you a willing vessel, ready to be poured out on someone?

GOING DEEPER:

1. Are you giving more thought to the condition of your vessel or what’s inside?

2. What are you pouring out?

FURTHER READING:

2 Corinthians 4: 7-10; Jude 21-23

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.

Race Encouragers

By Karen D’Amore

“…I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.”

Romans 1:12 (NIV)

Watching my co-worker train for her first half marathon has drawn me to reminisce about my  race days, many years ago. I recall the energy and enthusiasm of the spectator-lined streets, with race supporters clapping, cheering and chanting: “You can do it!” “You’re almost there - - KEEP GOING!” Initially, I planned on being my co-worker’s race day “spectating-cheerleader,” until she encouraged me to train and run the race with her.

To aid in my training, I purchased and activated a Fitbit. Worn on the wrist, this high-performance wireless device tracks steps taken, distance traveled, calories burned, very active minutes and quality of sleep. With my pre-set fitness goals programmed into the application, my Fitbit buzzes when I’m close to reaching my goals and displays vivid fanfare when I’ve reached my goals. My Fitbit has been my perpetual cheerleader and encourager throughout my training. With every “buzz” of encouragement…I’m compelled to “KEEP GOING!”

In my early race years while living in Southern California, training/running conditions were optimal year round. Now in the Midwest, winter weather hinders my training/running capabilities. Though environmental obstacles threaten to discourage my training, my Fitbit’s goal-achieving alerts inspire and encourage me to persevere and stay on course with my training, even amidst ice and snow. Being impacted by the encouraging power of this little bracelet-like device, I pondered the possibility of such a device for spiritual training.

Scripture likens our faith-walk to “running a race.” That racecourse is inundated with obstacles and hindrances which impact our endurance and perseverance. While we wrestle with the internal hindrances of sin, we also encounter external hurdles like sickness, death, betrayal, injustices and hardships. And while, as believers, we’re responsible for running our own personal race, we’re not called to run alone.

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another…” (Hebrews 10:24-25a, NIV).

To be successful in our race as believers, we need to be one another’s “cheerleaders.” We need to applaud each other when we’re doing well, and pray for one another when we stumble and fall. And when obstacles become sources of discouragement, tempting our teammates to quit the race, we need to be their “race encouragers!” We need to function like Fitbits - - “buzzing” with encouragement, urging our fellow believers to “KEEP GOING” and finish the race!

GOING DEEPER:

1. How can you function like a “Fitbit” and become a race encourager?

FURTHER READING:

Acts 15:32; 1 Thessalonians 5:11; Hebrews 3:13

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.  

Free

By Lexi Ellis

“With the arrival of Jesus, the Messiah, that fateful dilemma is resolved. Those who enter into Christ’s being-here-for-us no longer have to live under a continuous, low-lying black cloud. A new power is in operation. The Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently cleared the air, freeing you from a fated lifetime of brutal tyranny at the hands of sin and death.”
Romans 8:1-2 (The Message paraphrase)

Four years later, I can still distinctively remember it…feeling hopeless and just staring at my laptop’s blank screen. Writing a paper wasn’t usually difficult. For a class, I had to analyze a societal message and its effects in my life. Originally, I had a researched, beautiful outline in which I wrote of my struggles with having a healthy relationship with food. It was a comfortable vulnerability, un-messy. And yet, my professor wanted me to re-do it. After lots of tears, I was convicted I needed to address issues beyond my simplified outline. I had to ask questions with unknown answers…or ones I might not like.

So after processing and praying, I approached the blank screen and wrote how my food issues were a coping mechanism for a simple reality: I struggle with self-hatred. It takes work to overcome a flood of critical, self-deprecating thoughts. But even after I learned the tools to help manage this, I felt guilty. For some reason, the guilt from struggling with self-hatred was worse than acknowledging the “food stuff.” Here I was with this struggle that seemed so stupid. It was terrifying to realize that acknowledging it through writing would force me to address it.

Part of the enormous beauty of the Cross is that Christ conquered guilt and shame. Paul writes that in Christ “there is no more condemnation.” A synonym is criticism. There is now no more criticism. What Christ has done for us (and our acceptance of His gift along with an ongoing relationship with Him) means we are free.

How powerful that He freed us from the bondage of hell and the bondage of guilt!  In John Bunyan’s classic Pilgrim’s Progress, the character Christian has been carrying a heavy, horrific burden. When he encounters freedom in Christ, this immense baggage drops, “loosed from off his shoulders, and fell from off his back, and began to tumble; and so continued to do…and I saw it no more.” [1]

While life doesn’t always get easier, we are free from shame. When life is hectic, it’s important to be aware the Cross also released us from guilt. I’m thankful that a blank screen caused me to recognize - - while it was hard to process how gripping that guilt was on my life - - I serve a bigger God who has freed me. 

GOING DEEPER:

1. What guilt/shame do you struggle with?

2. Take it to the Lord - - He has conquered guilt.

FURTHER READING:

Romans 8:1-4 (The Message paraphrase)

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] Bunyan, Pilgrim’s Progress, chapter 3 (http://www.learnthebible.org/c_p_pilgrims_progress_chapter_3.htm)

A Tragic Tumble
By Elizabeth Cole

“So then, let us stop judging one another. Instead, you should decide never to do anything that would make others stumble or fall into sin.”
Romans 14:13 (GNT)

Jack and Jill went up the hill
To fetch a pail of water.
Jack fell down and broke his crown,
And Jill came tumbling after.

I’ve always felt so sad for Jack and his friend Jill. On what seems to be an appropriate and well-intentioned mission, Jack falls. After considerable thought and pondering, I’ve come up with a number of questions about this tragedy:

1.Did you carelessly wander off the path, Jack? No map? Is that what caused you to fall down?

2. New shoes? I’ve noticed in the church nursery that new shoes are a guarantee for at least two falls per hour.

3. A little too chatty to pay attention to that turn in the road?

4. Or maybe someone had strung a line across the trail to trick you?

While Jack’s fall is certainly concerning, especially the part about his broken crown, it’s Jill who gets my particular sympathy. Apparently, she was just innocently trekking along—doing her best—when all of a sudden Jack’s fall tripped her up short and sent her tumbling too.

Yes, it’s Jill who has my heart. The Jill who’s struggling with an addiction and is invited out for “just one” with the girls. The Jill who’s trying to figure out what godly “wife-ing” and parenting looks like, but encounters consistent criticism, husband-bashing and harshness. The Jill who’s new to following Christ and experiences rejection by a fellow believer for being a little too authentic. The Jill who’s getting ready to give up trying to make a friend at church. The Jill who thought that love, surrender and obedience to Christ really matter.

Being in Christ means being in Christ together. What we think and what we do matter, not only in our own walk with Christ, but in those lives whom God has placed beside us on this part of the path. May we choose this day to be women who grab a hand and help another woman along the way. May this be a day of deciding to lay aside what could cause a sister in Christ to stumble and, instead, to intentionally “walk in the Spirit.” May we live in such a way that others see what we do and give praise to our Father in heaven.

Walk well today, Jack.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Whom has God placed in your life right now to influence her spiritual walk? How are you doing with that divine privilege?
2. Take a moment to thank the Lord Jesus for those He’s placed beside you to influence you for His good in your life.

FURTHER READING:
Galatians 5:22-26; Matthew 5:16; 2 John 6

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

Tangled Trees

By Elin Henderson

“…the genealogy of Jesus Christ the Son of David, the Son of Abraham…”

Matthew 1:1 (NKJV)

Let’s face it, most of our family trees are interesting sights to behold. There are some straight and lovely branches, and then there are the gnarled branches, and the ones you wish you could snap off and hide. Usually, our trees are a tangled mess of the good and the bad.

Jesus was no different than we when it comes to tangled family trees. On his mother’s side, there were more than a few gnarled branches. The first chapter of Matthew does a great job of listing out the key characters in Jesus’ family tree.

Among the many names there are a few that stand out. He had many upright and godly men in His tree: names like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David and Solomon. Then there are the lesser known Uzziah and Jotham, both who “did what was right in the sight of the Lord” (II Kings 15:34).  BUT, there are a few shady characters as well. Do you remember Rahab? She was the prostitute (not the best career choice) who hid the Israelites who came to scout out Jericho. Next someone named Abijam. I Kings 15:3 says, “…he walked in all the sins of his fathers…his heart was not loyal to the LORD his God…” Then Ahaz, who was so bad, he made Abijam look good (II Kings 16:3)!! On and on it goes through the list - - some good, some bad.

Jesus truly had a controversial family tree. It was part of His identity, but He didn’t live in relation to that. He was a Branch that stood out among all the others. Jeremiah 23:5 calls Him the “Branch of Righteousness.” Why? He lined Himself up with a different point of reference: His Heavenly Father.

I find hope in Jesus’ tangled tree. It reminds me that my past does not dictate my future. Yes, there are some great things in my family tree, but you know, there are some pretty ugly things, as well. My hope and prayer is that as I look to Him, He will continue to make all things new in my life, including my branch of the family tree.

GOING DEEPER:                                             

1. As the holiday season has wrapped up, having brought relatives from far and wide to remind us of our tangled trees (!), what can we learn from the good and even the bad that make up our family trees?

2. How can we stand out as branches of righteousness in the midst of it all this new month…and throughout the year? 

                                                           

FURTHER READING:

Zechariah 3:8, 6:12; II Corinthians 5:17

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.

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

A Thousand Thanks

By Susan Klein

“Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)

A few years ago, I gave a small journal to a young woman leaving for college. I told her to use it as a Gratitude Journal. I exhorted, “When things get tough at school, or you’ve just had a bad day, take time before you go to bed and journal something you are thankful for. It’ll really help!” My intent was to help keep her focus on the Giver of all good things and not on difficult circumstances.

This past year, in our family and friend circle, I’ve seen several people die and know some who are just clinging to life. There have been a few too many “bad days.” Around Thanksgiving, I decided to heed my own advice and start a Gratitude Journal. My goal was to write one thousand things that I am thankful for - - without repeating any. It didn’t seem like such a daunting task at first.

Most days I’d open the journal and easily come up with a dozen or more. As time passed, and not wanting any duplicates, I found I had to think a little harder in order to come up with new ones. Admittedly, some days I wasn’t “feeling” the gratefulness, and the journal remained out of sight. But on those days when grief was most consuming and I made the effort to pull out the journal (in spite of my feelings), it became a balm to my soul!

The enemy has a hard time doing his work when our minds are fixed upon the God of compassion who gives good gifts to His children. Even if I struggled to think of something new to jot down, just reading over the things I had previously written was encouragement for my weary heart.

I’m still working on that journal. I actually have a long way to go yet, but there is great joy in the journey! I’ve become much more attuned to things (and people) in my life which invoke thankfulness. When I see something new, I tuck it away in my mind to record the next morning. Truthfully, while I’ll definitely celebrate reaching the goal of one thousand things, I don’t know if I really want to reach it. I kind of like keeping this mindfulness of “looking for” things to be grateful for.

I suppose the journey could continue indefinitely…want to join me?

GOING DEEPER:

1. Will you commit to being more mindful of things God has blessed you with, and then will you share them with Him?

FURTHER READING:

Colossians 1:12, 2:6-7, 3:15

Susan is married to Mark, and has two adult children. She enjoys teaching Bible studies, writing, and tutoring with the Literacy Council. She is a member of the Peace Team at Oakwood and also co-leads a small group.

The List
By Lisa Boyer

“Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.”
Ecclesiastes 2:11 (NIV)

When I’m stressed, I make a list. The list helps relieve my stress by taking an overwhelming project and breaking it down into several do-able items. I then work my way through the list crossing things off as I get them done. The idea is that when everything is crossed off the list, the overwhelming project will be done.

A couple years ago, I named a list “To get ready for Tuesday.” Tuesday has now came and went, and I was happy that the event I was getting ready for was a success! Or at least I thought it was until I found my “To get ready for Tuesday” list and discovered that I hadn’t done everything on the list!!! One third of the items on the list weren’t crossed off! Was it possible for the event to have been a success if the getting ready for it list was never finished?

Using the marvels of hindsight, I reviewed the list again… oh yeah, that probably didn’t need to be on the list, um, neither did that, whoa, that either, wow, what was I thinking when I put that on there? No wonder I had been so stressed! I had taken a simple event and created a monster! Not only was the event a success with one-third of the list unfinished, it would have been a success even if I had left one-half of the items on the list unfinished! Better yet, I should have left those things off the list completely.

I’ve always (secretly) prided myself on being like a woman named Martha in the New Testament, a person who gets things done. But there’s a downside to being like Martha… “But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made” (Luke 10:40, NIV). I had certainly become distracted, and sadly, not all the preparations had been necessary.

How often do I add to my list (and my life) things that aren’t essential? I still want to be a “Martha,” but I don’t want to be worried “about many things” (Luke 10:41) and miss out on important moments.

The next time I am stressed and make a list, I’m thinking it’ll be a whole lot shorter!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Have non-essential things distracted you from what is important?

2. What steps will you take to correct that today?

FURTHER READING:
Luke 10:38-42

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

The Transformer

By Vernette Kureck

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God‘s will is - - His good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Romans 12:2 (NIV)

Was I going to be conformed or transformed? That was the question I was asking myself as I prepared to be baptized back in 1977. Baptism by immersion is a picture of the old life being buried under the water and rising up in new life with Christ. I had selected the above verse as a life verse since it was one I could use to gauge how I was doing in the Christian walk. I also loved the word “transformed”… this was the era of the new Transformer toys and our sons really enjoyed converting the many moving parts of some sort of vehicle into a disguised warrior. They quickly found out that if they didn’t follow the directions to move the parts, there could be breakage or malfunction.

Thankfully, I was not left alone in my transformation. Jesus gives us the Spirit of Truth, and He guides us in all things, as He tells us in John 16:13-15. The more I poured the Bible into my mind and responded to His counsel, the closer I was to His good and perfect will. The more I adhered to God’s way and followed His direction, instead of following my way or the world’s way, the more encouraged I became that I was pleasing Him. And as I tested God’s will in Christian service, I realized more and more that He was strengthening me, and He continues to do so. The renewal process began.

Paul’s charge to Timothy is: “Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses” (1 Timothy 6:12). The daily battle is who to listen to…the world or the Word. To malfunction or to follow His guidance. For me, the old life is dead, so the choice is clear. I prayerfully commit to do His will, and ask for forgiveness when I do malfunction. (That is another whole devotional!) As believers in God, we are being converted and transformed into spiritual warriors. In order to be effective in the battle, we need to follow the Master Transformer and allow Him to do His work in us.

With His love and guidance, the battle will be won…and we will no longer be disguised. We will be renewed. We will be transformed. Approved, and pleasing to God.

GOING DEEPER:

1. What sources and resources are you using to renew your mind?

2. Is the world or the Holy Spirit counseling you?

FURTHER READING:

Psalm 19:7-14; Colossians 3:1-17

Vernette and her husband Ken have been married 46 years. Their two married sons have blessed them with eight grandchildren.

A Mix of “Mattering”
By Lexi Cole Ellis

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)

A couple months ago, I was driving, listening to a local Christian radio station. As the song ended, the radio host jubilantly proclaimed, “Isn’t it nice that yesterday doesn’t matter? Yesterday…does…not …matter.” [1]

I see his point. There’s something biblical about this idea of a fresh start.  Acts 3:19 tells us to “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.”  God’s Word says that when we accept God’s free gift of salvation, we are given eternity in heaven. Scripture says that nothing can separate us from God’s love…no matter what we’ve done. [2]

And yet, a part of me immediately questioned that statement when I heard it. Consequences still exist. How I treat the people in my life today will certainly affect my tomorrow. And Scripture talks about this idea of “…whatever one sows, that will they also reap.” [3]  The Bible also shows, over and over, that there are sometimes long-lasting consequences for sin that extend beyond the day.

So on the issue of “mattering,” where is the line? If we relish exclusively in the mentality that every day is a fresh start, we are more apt to be reckless in our relationships and our choices. If we stand firm on consequences, we miss out on the incredible grace that God has so freely lavished upon us.  Clearly, there’s a mix. There remains consequences for sin and disobedience in this world, but there is freedom that God has rescued us from eternal separation from Himself.

And while that seems obvious, I’ve recently realized that I sometimes tend to camp on one side or another, instead of living life like there’s a mix of both. Sometimes I justify my bad attitude with the “yesterday doesn’t matter” mentality. When I do that, I miss the opportunities of being Christ to a broken world. Sometimes I get legalistic, focusing on doing the right thing and hyper-aware of what I do and don’t accomplish. When I do that, I miss out on continually basking in the freedom that comes with God’s unfathomable grace.

As we continue into the New Year, I’m thankful for that reminder on the radio.  A reminder that, in my life, there needs to be a mix of both a fresh start and a beyond-today thinking.

GOING DEEPER:
1.  What “side” do you tend to focus on more in your study and thinking?
2.  What do you need to do in order to have a better mix of God’s grace with God’s consequences?

FURTHER READING:
Isaiah 43:25, Isaiah 43: 19; 2 Corinthians 12:8-9

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] July 18, 2016. Life 102.5, mid-afternoon

[2] Romans 8, NIV

[3] Galations 6:7, NIV