“Lord, Throw Me a Life Raft!”
By Susan Klein

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.”
Isaiah 43:2

Recently, as I was flipping through the channels to get to the 10:00 news, I came across an interview with a young mother of triplets. Intrigued by her story, I watched for a few minutes. The three girls were born prematurely, at only 23 weeks gestation, and the doctors said they would most likely not survive.

Proving them wrong, the infants grew and thrived in the NICU and were able to go home with their mother, Liz, at approximately six months of age. Liz and her husband were having marital problems before the triplets arrived, but with the stress of their early births and health problems, the marriage crumbled. Now she’d be alone to face this overwhelming task of raising triplets and a three-year-old daughter!

The next couple of years brought serious trials for Liz and the babies. The first year, all three developed retinopathy and went blind due to their prematurity. As if that wasn’t difficult enough, at 2 ½ years of age, they were diagnosed with deafness, most likely due to strong antibiotics they’d received in the NICU. Her biggest fear was that they would think mommy had just stopped talking to them. Frustrated and confused, they often threw themselves on the floor in fits of inconsolable rage. Liz thought she was going to lose her own sanity! At times, she’d walk out the door and say, “God I can’t do this!” She felt as if she were drowning. She needed a life raft!

God’s Word promises that when we call out to Him, He hears us and He answers. He heard Liz’s cry for help and He sent her a life raft. He brought a former college sweetheart back into her life to love her and her daughters. They married, and he now helps in the raising of these very special-needs girls. Liz said she knew God gave her these daughters because she is too stubborn to quit, even though this is one challenge in her life that will never end. She still struggles with balancing the day-to-day care of three deaf/blind children, another daughter, and time with her husband. But God will not let her drown in her circumstances. He will provide what she needs, each step of the way.

He knows what each of us needs, when we need it, and how best to answer our needs. The rivers will not sweep over us because God will be right there with us.

GOING DEEPER:
1. What do you need from God in your life? Have you called out to Him? Will you trust His answer to be the best for your circumstance?

FURTHER READING:
John 14:1; Isaiah 42:16; 2 Corinthians 12:9

Susan is a wife and mother of two. She leads a small group and teaches for Tuesday a.m. Bible Study.

You’re Welcome
By Carol Meitler

"Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this
have entertained angels without realizing it!"
Hebrews 13:2

Two years ago, my husband and I had the privilege of traveling to Papua New Guinea to visit Jason and Kellie Knapp and their children who are missionaries there, ministering to the Tobo tribe.

We arrived to a large, welcoming group of people, many of whom helped unload the plane and carry the items up the hill to the house. Many wanted to shake our hands. They have a very unique way of shaking hands there: After shaking in the usual way, as they slide their hands off the other person’s hand, they snap their fingers. Also, while shaking hands they make a “tsk tsk” sound with their tongue, which represents kissing and welcoming a person with happiness and joy.

Recently, I was invited to a meeting at which I knew only the person inviting me. It was a little unsettling to enter a room not knowing anyone and not even knowing the room set-up…so I could sneak in and sit in a back corner unnoticed. But that didn’t happen because I was immediately surrounded by ladies seeking my acquaintance. What a welcome!

How do we welcome strangers, particularly those visiting the church we attend? Do we give them a warm handshake and smile? What a difference it can make in their worship and feelings of acceptance when people greet them and make an effort to connect with them.

Try this week to purposely greet someone you do not know. Smile at someone in the grocery store line. Take the time to chat with a person you work with whom you don’t know well. Or, if you see a task being done, ask if you can help. All of these actions show kindness and caring for strangers…and makes them feel relaxed and welcome, wherever they are.

GOING DEEPER:
1. How do you feel when someone makes an extra effort to welcome you, particularly in a situation where you are uncomfortable? Ask God to give you opportunities this week to put another person at ease.

FURTHER READING:
Genesis 18:2-5; Romans 12:13; 3 John 1:5; Matthew 25:40

Carol and her husband are parents of two grown sons. She serves Oakwood as part of the grounds-keeping team and helps with providing meals for those in need.

Pick Up Your Mat and Walk!
By Peggy Kleckner

“Then Jesus said to him, ‘Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.’ At once the man was cured;
he picked up his mat and walked.”
John 5:8-9

What kind of hold does the past have on us? The man in this story was an invalid for thirty-eight years. That is a large portion of any life.

Previous to this command, Jesus asked the man a question, “Do you want to get well?” I have always thought that question quite odd. What invalid doesn’t want to get well? Think with me for just a minute, though. If the greater part of your life has been spent as an invalid, you would now have new expectations put on you. Great changes would be before you and you would have much to learn. And, we can all agree that learning can be challenging.

The man never does directly answer Jesus’ question. Sometimes I think our hope is just about exhausted and we are afraid to dream of a new life. Maybe that’s why he doesn’t answer out loud. Thankfully, Jesus chooses to make him well.

I find it interesting that Jesus commands the man to get up, pick up the mat that he has been lying on and then walk. To me, the mat represents the man’s past. Jesus tells him to pick it up and then walk. His past no longer carries him along…he now carries it. He may need it now and then as a history lesson, or as a testimony to God’s grace, but it no longer has the power to define him. God’s grace now defines him. Walking denotes action. Jesus cured him and now he was free to take action, free to move forward, free to grow and learn a new life.

What a picture this is of a redeemed life! God wants to make us whole. Are we willing to pick up our mat and walk with Him?

GOING DEEPER:
1. What part of your past is still trying to define you?
2. What action step is God calling you to take?

FURTHER READING:
Mark 2:1-12; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Ephesians 2:8-10

Peggy is a wife and mother of four adult children—two sons and two stepsons. She is the Co-coordinator of Oakwood’s Wednesday p.m. Bible Study.

“Is That Your Final Answer...?”
By Susan Klein

“This is the assurance we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.”
1 John 5:14

Do you ever find yourself in the midst of a situation that, you feel, requires an answer from God, but you just don’t seem to be hearing from Him? I am in that place right now. It is quite perplexing, to say the least! I’m not sensing a “final answer” in the matter.

Oftentimes, God gives us an open door when His final answer is, “yes.” On the other hand, He will close doors or put barriers in our paths when His answer is, “no.” And hard as it is to deal with, sometimes He just says, “Wait. The time for that answer has not yet come.”

But, what if we have a decision to make right now, and we don’t feel that He is saying any of these things to us? Perhaps it is not a “yes” or “no” kind of question, but we just need His guidance on a particular decision that we are wrestling with. His word promises that He hears us. Psalm 91:15 says, “He will call upon me and I will answer him.” Is it possible that His answer could just be, “I’m going to be silent in this matter and let you take a step out in faith, trusting that I will direct you along the way?”

Picture a blindfolded person, whose guide does not tell him where he is going or how he will get there, but just takes him by the hand and carefully leads him, one step at a time. The blindfolded person is totally dependent on his guide, and they arrive at their destination together. I believe that this is how God answers us sometimes. He doesn’t spell it out, or even give us a clue. He just wants us to have “blind faith” that He will guide us in the right direction, and walk each step along with us.

In the Third Day song, “Revelation,” Mac Powell sings; Give me a revelation, show me what to do, ‘cause I’ve been trying to find my way, I haven’t got a clue, tell me should I stay here, or do I need to move...” This is where I am, and maybe you’ve been here too, asking and waiting for some sort of sign from God. But all I get is silence. Maybe His final answer is: “Just start walking, and trust that I’ll be right by your side, all the way to the end!”

GOING DEEPER:
1. Next time you are in a situation where you are baffled by God’s silence, try moving forward in faith. Resist the urge to stay “parked,” unless He is specifically telling you to “wait.”

FURTHER READING:
Romans 1:17, Psalm 37:5-6, Proverbs 16:9

Susan is a wife and mother of two. She leads a small group and teaches for Tuesday a.m. Bible Study.

Copy Cat
By Jen Wollner

“Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
Ephesians 5:1-2

Not too long ago, my daughter and I shared a rare meal alone. My husband and two boys were gone, which left us with time for mother/daughter bonding. She loves eggs, so even though it was suppertime, I made scrambled eggs and toast. As we were enjoying our “breakfast for dinner,” I noticed that my daughter was copying everything I did. If I took a bite of eggs, she took one. If I picked up my toast, she picked up hers. If I drank my milk, she did the same. I took note because this is not a common mealtime occurrence. If the five of us are all eating together, she just eats and is distracted by the commotion of the meal. If anything, she is more inclined to copy the inappropriate behaviors of her brothers! But, since the two of us were alone, she was really focused on me. She was watching my every move closely and imitating all that she saw.

Our verse for today tells us that we, as children of God, should be imitators of Christ. Specifically, we should copy Jesus in the way He loved. While here on earth, He showed His love in many ways, but with one common thread: He loved sacrificially. He gave of Himself…all of Himself…to others. Throughout the Scriptures, we see examples of Jesus giving His time, His energy, His power, His resources and, ultimately, His very life to those around Him. And, He made it clear that He didn’t do anything apart from His Father. He stayed deeply connected with the Father, often spending time alone with Him in prayer. This ensured that He would always be focused on God and follow His lead, and giving us an example to imitate.

As we spend time in God’s Word and in prayer, catching a glimpse of the way Jesus loved sacrificially, we can then imitate Him and show others that same kind of love. What a blessing to have the perfect example to copy!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Have you spent time alone with the Lord today, getting to know Him better so that you can accurately imitate Him in all you do?
2. To whom could you show sacrificial love today? What could you do for that person?

FURTHER READING:
1 John 3:16-17

Jen and her husband are busily parenting three children under the age of 6. Jen heads the Fresh Start ministry and is on the leadership team for Mission: Hope, Oakwood’s orphan care ministry.

A Good Measure
By Susan Klein

“Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Luke 6:38

One of the first Christian music artists I was exposed to as a new believer was Ron Kenoly. He sang a song called “Give to the Lord,” which included the above verse. It had a catchy tune and I often found myself singing along to the lyrics. I wasn’t really sure, though, what was meant by “a good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over.” Until one day...God showed me!

My husband had only been working at his job for a few years and I was now a stay-at-home-mom of a new baby. One Sunday, our pastor made a plea on behalf of a missionary couple our church supported. The wife had been diagnosed with MS and they needed to make some sizeable changes to their home to accommodate her wheelchair and other medical needs. Our pastor strongly felt the Lord calling our congregation to raise all the money for these needs. He challenged us to give sacrificially, “‘til it hurts,” he said.

As we discussed and prayed over this request, my husband and I came up with an amount. We weren’t sure how we could do without that money, but we wanted to trust in God’s provision by giving “‘till it hurt!”

A couple of weeks after we had written the check, I was looking at our budget trying to decide where we could make cuts to allow for those lacking funds. It didn’t look good! When my husband came home from an all-day work meeting, I sat down to show him my grim findings. He was smiling the whole time I talked! I finally asked, “What gives? How can you be happy about this?” He pulled out an envelope from his pocket and said he had received it at the meeting, quite unexpectedly. It was a bonus check, for the exact amount that we had committed to give to the missionaries! He had no idea he would be receiving a check that day. But God did!

For the measure we used, it was measured back to us! God blessed our giving in a way we could never have foreseen. I learned a lot from that experience…about trust, about sacrificial giving—a good measure, pressed down and shaken together—and about the Lord’s desire to bless us for our faithfulness.

Imagine our blessings if we applied this principle not only to our treasures, but our time, talents, and treatment of others as well!

GOING DEEPER:
1. In what area might God be challenging you to give “a good measure”? Are you willing to give “‘til it hurts”?

FURTHER READING:
2 Corinthians 9:6-15

Susan is a wife and mother of two. She leads a small group and teaches for Tuesday a.m. Bible Study.

His Strength in Adversity
By Shelly Schumacher

“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me.”
John 14:1

I am often struck by how people rise to overcome adversity in the midst of uncertainty. In January of 2008, Wesley Ngetich, Kenya’s hope for Olympic gold, was brutally murdered in a tribal war. Enter Samuel Kamau Wanjiru, seen by many as the dark horse in the Beijing marathon.

With the weight of his country’s pain riding on his shoulders, Wanjiru stood at the edge of Tiananmen Square to start the race with a field of nearly 100 other elite runners. Against insurmountable odds, he put aside his worry and went on to win the race, breaking an Olympic record to finish in 2:06:32 and bringing the first Olympic Marathon gold medal home to his violence-riddled nation.

In His final hours with His disciples, Jesus tells them not to be troubled. He senses their concern and apprehension about the things that are ahead, and He lovingly lets them know that there is no need for worry and fear. He comforts them, reassuring them that He is preparing a place for each of them in heaven and that He will come again. He had it all planned out for them. What reassuring words from the Master to His beloved.

We can have this same confidence by simply trusting in Jesus. Because He came to dwell among us, He knows the pain we face. Even if we are wearing the weight of the world on our shoulders, a relationship with Him will provide the peace we are seeking.

GOING DEEPER:
1. How do your typically react in the face of adversity? How would your responses be different if you consistently ran to the Master instead of running to doubt and worry?
2. Keep a journal of your trials and worries. In your daily devotions, take a moment to read over this list. Willfully, give your list to Jesus, knowing that He will lovingly see you through.

FURTHER READING:
John 14:27; John 16:22, 24

Shelly is wife to Nick and mom to her two girls. She spends her time freelancing as a writer/PR professional, and is active in Oakwood's worship and drama ministries.

“Choking Out” the Holy Spirit
By Karen D’Amore

“Do not quench the Spirit.”
1 Thessalonians 5:19

As a police officer, I was entrusted with enormous power; the power to direct and re-direct lives, save lives and, if necessary, take lives. As a rookie officer, the execution of that power in a particular incident impacted me in an unforgettable way. When minimal levels of force failed to subdue a physically combative prisoner, it became necessary to escalate the level of force and administer the Carotid Restraint, commonly referred to as a “choke hold.”

By compressing the carotid arteries between the forearm and bicep, blood flow to the brain is restricted, rendering a person temporarily unconscious. Watching my prisoner flop around on the ground before slipping into brief unconsciousness, scared me to death! Witnessing the magnitude of my power played out before me, etching my mind with indelible memories. Recognizing the potentially lethal consequences if executed improperly, I never utilized the “choke hold” again.

As Christ-followers, we are also entrusted with enormous power…the power of the Holy Spirit. His power directs and re-directs us on the path to ever increasing holiness. The Spirit empowers us with wisdom, understanding, counsel, strength, knowledge, and the desire to fear and worship God. When we quench the Spirit, we render ourselves spiritually unconscious. The “choke hold” provides a visual analogy of what it looks like to quench the Spirit. Restricting blood flow to the brain resulting in unconsciousness, quenching the Spirit restricts the power supply necessary for the believer to live as “new creations in Christ.”

When we fail to obey that which the Spirit commands, wills or leads…we quench the Spirit. When we ignore the Spirit’s presence in our lives, refusing to invite, acknowledge or accept His help, we also quench the Spirit. Anything that moves God out of first place and comes between us and Him quenches the Spirit. And when we quench the Spirit, “choking out” His power, His work in and through us comes to a halt.

The Holy Spirit never leaves us; however, we have the power to inhibit His power through disobedience. Check your spiritual pulse and guard against slipping into unconsciousness!!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Quenching the Spirit refers to sins of omission. Are you saying “yes” to God?
2. Are you seeking solutions apart from God’s leading? How can you realign yourself with His leading?

FURTHER READING:
Romans 8:9; Ephesians 1:13; John 14:26; Galatians 5:16; Romans 8:26-28

Married to husband Dan, Karen manages Intrigue Salon & Spa, is the administrator for Oakwood’s Tuesday a.m. Bible Study, and co-leads a freshman girls’ small group.

A Difference of Opinion
By Susan Klein

“It is to a man’s honor to avoid strife...”
Proverbs 20:3a

Have you ever had a difference of opinion with someone? Silly question! We all have. Did it ever turn into a quarrel? Perhaps you felt certain that you were right, but so did the other person. Aren’t there usually two sides to every story?

Recently, while studying the book of Acts, I came upon the disagreement between Paul and Barnabas. Paul was about to start his second missionary journey and asked Barnabas to accompany him. Barnabas wanted to take his cousin, Mark, along with them. However, Paul apparently did not think he was spiritually mature enough for this journey because he had deserted them on a previous trip. Scripture tells us they had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company! Paul took Silas and headed in one direction while Barnabas took Mark and went the other way. Was one wrong and one right?

Scripture is full of verses that warn against quarreling and strife. Paul even admonishes Timothy to avoid quarrels and to teach others likewise. So, why the sharp dispute with Barnabas? I believe it is a wonderful example for us to see that there are always two sides to every story, and that, occasionally, both people can actually be right! Paul was not wrong in feeling that Mark wasn’t up for the task. After all, he did bail out on them once already. Paul was on a very deliberate mission from God and needed someone trustworthy to accompany him. Barnabas, on the other hand, was a caring and compassionate man who saw a potential in Mark that just needed some nurturing and mentoring. The problem was that each man had his own opinion, and neither thought the other’s was as significant as his own. It all worked out for the best, though, as God so often has it happen. Each man, going his own way, could cover much more territory than both going together.

So what can we learn from Paul and Barnabas? I think that it is important to realize that we are all unique creatures, and we all have differing opinions on some things. When a dispute arises, it is best to “agree to disagree,” and part on good terms, rather than have our differences turn into a quarrel. It might also be wise to take some time to consider the other person’s opinion for some time before making a hasty decision. Perhaps God is showing us a new perspective that we haven’t previously considered.

Let’s take Paul’s advice to Timothy and instead of quarreling, be kind to everyone, able to teach, not being resentful.

GOING DEEPER:
1. How do you handle differences of opinion? Are your eyes open to new ideas God might be showing you?

FURTHER READING:
Proverbs 13:10, 15:18, 17:14; 2 Timothy 2:14, 24-25; Acts 15

Susan is a wife and mother of two. She leads a small group and teaches for Tuesday a.m. Bible Study.

Contentment
By Becky Morrow

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation…”
Philippians 4:12

Is it just me, or is being content a battle? Well, I've been in a bit of a battle recently.

I'm not struggling with contentment in the area of material things...I don't want a bigger house or a cooler car or lots and lots of clothes. I am really struggling with being content in the midst of my loneliness. We moved across the state a while back, and it has been kind of hard to meet people. Being lonely colors the way I look at things and that is what makes me discontent. I think, if only we lived back in Waukesha, I would have friends and wouldn't have to take Leah to Walmart for interaction with other people.

I once heard contentment defined as “wanting what you have.” There may be truth in that. If I stopped letting loneliness cloud my vision of what is true, I would see all that I do have. I may be lonely right now, but I have an amazing husband, a bright and funny daughter, a new (to us) house, cars that work, and lots and lots of little things that give me joy every day.

Our verse for today is followed by verse 13 which says, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." I'm sure we've all seen that verse applied to everything from competing in athletics to kicking an addiction to conquering a fear…and those are great applications. But, if we look at the direct context, verse 12 is talking about being content in a variety of different circumstances. If I were to rewrite verse 12 to make it personal to me, it would say, "I know what it is to be lonely, and I know what it is to have friends. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation.” The only way that I'll ever know that kind of contentment is by the strength that comes from Jesus living in me! I'm really glad that strength comes from Him, because I don't have it on my own.

We will all be discontent with things in our life from time to time, but let’s look to the Lord and rely on His strength to overcome it and turn our minds back to joy and blessing!

GOING DEEPER:
1. How do you struggle with contentment? Take some time to talk to God about it.
2. Think through or write out Philippians 4:12 to make it personal for you.

FURTHER READING
Philippians 4:4-8, 11-14; 1 Timothy 6:6

Becky is a wife and mother to her two-year-old and newborn daughters. As Oakwood-supported missionaries, she and her husband Aaron serve with InterVarsity at UW Platteville.

Providential Blindness
By Karen D’Amore

“As the enemy came down toward him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, ‘Strike these people with blindness.’ So He struck them with blindness, as Elisha had asked.”
2 Kings 6:18

I was one of three speakers at a recent Women’s Conference. Sharing personal experiences, within the theme “Real Life Makeovers,” each speaker had no knowledge of what the others would be sharing. By the end of the conference, a unifying theme of “Providential Blindness” emerged from the stories of each speaker.

I shared how, as a police officer, God temporarily blinded me to a driver’s symptoms of drunkenness. This blindness prevented me from getting into my police car to transport him to jail. Moments later, while ticketing this driver, my police car was demolished by a drunk driver. It was immediately apparent that God’s miraculous intervention had spared me my life. A prodigal daughter at the time, this dramatic experience drew me back into a relationship with Jesus.

Growing up in a missionary family, the second speaker shared an experience from her childhood. War broke out while she and her family were serving in a foreign country. In danger of being captured, they were forced into hiding. When heavily armed militants broke into their home, God blinded the militants to her and her family as they hid in plain sight in a back bedroom. God’s intercession protected them from capture and execution.

The final speaker shared how in a spirit of rebellion, she denounced God and set out on a journey to distance herself from Him. Thoroughly researching a school in a foreign country, God blinded her to the Christian affiliation of the facility in which she had enrolled. Through relationships within that school, she eventually trusted Jesus as her Lord and Savior.

We see throughout Scripture how Jesus repeatedly worked miracles through blindness. He gave healing sight to those who were physically blind and He inflicted temporary blindness to protect the righteous. The God of miracles in biblical times is still a God of miracles today. Though His methodology differs from person to person, one thing remains constant…Jesus is the explanation for that which is unexplainable! And may Jesus who is the same yesterday, today and forever receive the glory for the providential results.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Are you facing a situation that seems impossible? Ask God to work a miracle in your circumstances, and then give Him the glory and trust His best for the results.
2. How can your faith be strengthened by the modern day miracles shared by these speakers?

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 77:14; Proverbs 3:5; John 14:11; John 9:25

Married to husband Dan, Karen manages Intrigue Salon & Spa, is the administrator for Oakwood’s Tuesday a.m. Bible Study, and co-leads a freshman girls’ small group.

Hope
By Peggy Kleckner

“At mealtime Boaz said to her, ‘Come over here. Have some bread and dip it in the wine vinegar.’ When she sat down with the harvesters, he offered her some roasted grain. She ate all she wanted and had some left over…So Ruth gleaned in the field until evening. Then she threshed the barley she had gathered, and it amounted to about an ephah (about 30 lbs.). She carried it back to town, and her mother-in-law saw how much she had gathered. Ruth also brought out and gave her what she had left over after she had eaten enough.”
Ruth 2:14-18

In this portion of Ruth’s story, Ruth has gone out to the fields hoping to glean enough barley to help sustain her and her mother-in-law. Their husbands are dead and they are alone trying to provide for themselves. Although Naomi, the mother-in-law, is an Israelite, she has returned home to her country bitter and hurt by her circumstances. Have you ever been there? Have you fallen headlong into a season or pit of despair and hopelessness? Naomi knew God, but she was struggling to believe that He cared for her.

Ruth did what she knew to do. She had gone out to work in order to take care of her and her mother-in-law. In the process, she ran strait into God’s provision and grace. She went out as a foreigner (she was a Moabite, not an Israelite) and found favor in the field of Boaz. She wasn’t even a hired field worker; she was a beggar allowed to glean after the harvesters.

Read the verses again. Ruth was given roasted grain to eat until she was full and she saved the leftovers for Naomi. She also carried home 30 pounds of barley. I am sure she didn’t realize that what she brought back to her mother-in-law was not simply food, but hope as well. It was God’s exclamation point. She reminded Naomi that Naomi’s God was the God of more than enough! The God of abundance! When we least expect it, God sends grace right to our doorstep.

Ruth went out in faith looking for provision and was met with not just provision, but grace abundant enough to bring back and share. Are we willing to step out in faith? Are we willing to bring back armfuls of hope?

GOING DEEPER:
1. Who are you in the story? Are you in a “Naomi” season of bitterness and despair or are you in a “Ruth” season of discovering God’s provision and grace? Are you willing to take a step forward in faith in order to receive hope?

FURTHER READING:
1 Kings 17:7-16; 2 Kings 4:1-7; Luke 9:12-17

Peggy is a wife and mother of four adult children - two sons and two stepsons. She is the Co-coordinator of Oakwood’s Wednesday p.m. Bible Study.

EXTREME Impossibilities!
By Elin Henderson

“For with God, nothing will be impossible!”
Luke 1:37

We have all heard of extreme sports. People go to all lengths to prove their might, speed, even foolishness at times. And, if you are like me, you really enjoy watching Extreme Makeover, where they do miraculous wonders and change someone’s complete appearance. But, you know, God delights in extreme impossibilities!

In I Kings 18:20-40, we find poor Elijah doing battle with the prophets of Baal. They have set up a “test” for their gods to see who is the most powerful. What is interesting in this story is that God wasn’t satisfied in proving Himself in just an “impossibility” – raining fire down from heaven to burn up the offering. Instead, He told Elijah to pour water on the sacrifice, soaking it completely, not once, not twice, but three times! Like the fire wasn’t enough, he added layers to the impossibility.

There are multiple examples throughout Scripture: God weeded Gideon’s army down from hundreds of thousands to a measly 300 to defeat an impossibly large army. Jesus waited until Lazarus was dead for three days before raising him. Do you see a pattern? I do! God loves the impossible, but really delights in the extreme impossibilities.

I find myself asking God for the impossible and even the extreme impossible a lot lately. Not only am I here in Mozambique trying to learn a virtually impossible, unwritten language, but I get to live with the constant stresses that life brings: a solid week of rain which results in moldy clothes, centipedes crawling into bed with me…all sorts of added “buckets of water” being poured on top of an already impossible task. And then, lest I forget, I am reminded of the more impossible task at hand of seeing the lives of hundreds of thousands of “resistant” peoples brought from darkness into light. Yes, the task before us is pretty extreme…extremely impossible! Yet, in the end, the God of extreme impossibilities will be victorious!

So, next time you feel like “it can’t get any worse!” and it does, just think of it as another bucket of water onto the quest for the impossible. When your day meets obstacle after obstacle and your goals seem totally unattainable, remember, God delights to show Himself strong on our behalf, going above and beyond what we could ask or think. Not only will the outcome be amazing, but it will be totally His doing! In those extreme impossibilities in Scripture, was there any way, humanly speaking, that victory could have been achieved? I don’t think so! God delights in the work He does and He specializes in Extreme Impossibilities!

GOING DEEPER:
1. What seemingly impossible task or situation is God asking of you? Give it to Him and expect His extreme provision!

FURTHER READING:
Judges 7; John 11:1-44

Oakwood’s missionaries Elin Henderson and her husband Phil serve as church planters with New Tribes in Mozambique, Africa. Elin is mother to nine-year-old Callie and six-year-old Elias.

Promise Keeper
By Susan Klein

“The Lord is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made.”
Psalm 145:13b

I remember, as a girl, being in the Girl Scouts program. In our pledge, we promised to do our duty to God and our country, to help other people at all times and to obey the Girl Scout laws. Quite a lofty promise! One I’m sure I didn’t always keep.

We hear people making promises all the time; elected officials, teachers, spouses, parents, clergy, our children...But do they always keep them? What about the child who promises to never be naughty again, the alcoholic who promises to never touch another drink, the spouse who promises to be more considerate, the President who promises to cut taxes and get our country out of debt.... While all of these may have the most honorable of intentions, their “promises” cannot always be trusted.

David, in the Psalms, promised to obey God’s words yet we know for a fact that he sinned against God by murdering an innocent man. The Israelites promised to trust and obey God when He delivered them out of Egypt, but they continually doubted and disobeyed Him. In our human efforts, we tend toward failure when it comes to keeping our promises. We let other people down and they let us down. We do succeed some of the time, but not all of the time.

Scripture shows us over and over again that God is the only real Promise Keeper, 100% of the time. Most of the references to the word “promise” in the Bible have to do with His divine promises to us. And many speak of His faithfulness in fulfilling those promises. He promises rest for the weary, answers to prayer, deliverance from our sins and troubles, power for our weakness, grace to sustain us, good to be worked out in all things for His divine purpose, unlimited spiritual blessings, a resurrected body and eternal security for believers. He makes promises to the afflicted, the believers, the humble, the generous, the obedient, the penitent, the poor, the seekers, and the tempted. His promises are unfailing, assured by His supernatural power, and of infinite value.

The Lord isn’t just faithful to some of His promises, but to all of His promises, because He is loving toward all He has made! And that includes you!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Are you struggling to trust in God’s promises, perhaps because other people in your life have disappointed you with their broken promises?
2. Are you willing to meditate on His promises, believing that He can and will do as He says?

FURTHER READING:
1 Kings 8: 56-58; 2 Corinthians 1:20, 7:1; 2 Peter 1:3-4; 1 John 2: 24-25

Susan is a wife and mother of two. She leads a small group and teaches for Tuesday a.m. Bible Study.

Our Forever Family
By Jen Wollner

“…God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons….So you are no longer a slave, but a son;
and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.”
Galatians 4:4-5, 7

Many years ago, before my husband and I were even married, we talked about our desire to have children one day. Like many couples, we wanted to try to have biological children, but God had also put another dream in our hearts…adoption. It was something we both felt strongly drawn to and a few years ago, God made that longing a reality when He orchestrated the adoptions of two of our children from Guatemala.

As we went through the process of adopting our son and daughter, there was one particular piece of paperwork that we found very interesting. It was a notarized document we both signed saying that our adopted children would be full heirs of ours, treated no differently than our biological son. By signing this form, we were promising that they would carry our surname…and, along with it, they would enjoy all the benefits of being part of our family, including being equal beneficiaries to our assets, both while we were living and in the event of our deaths. They would no longer be orphans, but the son and daughter of Benjamin and Jennifer Wollner…and nothing could ever change their status or inheritance. We would be a family, forever!

Just as my husband and I adopted our children, so God adopts us, paying the price of our adoption through His Son, Jesus. We become children of Almighty God—Creator of the universe—by accepting Jesus as our Savior. Our status changes from “orphan” to “daughter of the Most High”! Nothing can take away the security we have in that position. Scripture says that when we believe, we are “…marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance…” (Ephesians 1:13b-14a). In other words, when we believe in Jesus for our salvation, the adoption papers are signed and stamped official with the delivery of the Holy Spirit into our hearts. Then, we are full heirs to His Kingdom and all its riches and blessings are ours, both here on earth and throughout eternity in Heaven. Oh, what joy we find in our forever family!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Your adoption into God’s family has already been paid for…have you accepted His invitation to become His daughter? If not, what’s keeping you from doing so and receiving the incredible inheritance that is waiting for you?
2. If you are already a daughter of the King of Kings, take a moment to appreciate the gift of your identity through faith in Christ.

FURTHER READING:
Ephesians 1:3-14

Jen and her husband are busily parenting three children under the age of 6. Jen heads Oakwood’s Fresh Start ministry.

A Sense of Urgency
By Susan Klein

“Hasten, O God, to save me; O Lord, come quickly to help me.”
Psalm 70:1

Do you feel it? It’s all around us these days. Everywhere you turn...a sense of URGENCY! For some, it’s the urgency to get our troops back safely on American soil. For others, it’s the urgency to find a solution to our economic crisis and steadily falling stock market. And there are those who feel an urgency to find ways to combat pollution and fix the depleting ozone layer. Just open any newspaper or turn on any news broadcast and you will sense it: We need to do something, and we need to do it NOW!

Most of this urgency can be related to fear or panic. People fear things will not get better, or may even worsen, if our elected officials and designated task forces do not find a quick solution to the problems at hand. This is a human fear, or panic, dependent on man’s ability to fix things, not God’s.

Those of us who know Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, and trust in the Almighty God who created the earth and everything in it, don’t have to experience this type of fear-related urgency. We have the confidence of His spoken and written Word, which is full of promises for those who believe. We know He is sovereign, He is in control, and He has our best interests at heart. He also promises to provide for all of our needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Jesus tells us in Matthew that we should not worry about our life, what we will eat, or drink, or wear.... He says if God cares enough to feed the birds of the air, will He not care for us, who are much more valuable?

There is one sense of urgency that we should take to heart, however. I have felt it myself at times. It is the urgency to impact lost souls by telling them about Jesus. Someone you come in contact with today might not know the Lord personally, and may not have the guarantee of eternal life with Christ. Since we do not know when our Savior will come to take us home, be it shortly or many years from now, those who don’t have a relationship with Him could perish as soon as tomorrow! Our Spirit-inspired urgency should be to share the love and the truth of Jesus Christ with them. They need the eternal hope that we have in order to face these urgent and fear-filled times.

Let us not be caught up in the fear-related urgency of this world, rather let us hasten to be obedient to our God and to be a light to those in darkness.

GOING DEEPER:
1. What is your urgency today? Is it of a worldly or a spiritual nature? Is it panic-driven or purpose-driven?
2. Are you prepared to share with someone today why you have the hope that you do?

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 119:57-64; Philippians 4:6-7, 19; Matthew 6:25-34

Susan is a wife and mother of two. She leads a small group and teaches for Tuesday a.m. Bible Study.

Carriers
By Peggy Kleckner

“Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.’”
Mark 2:3-5

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the needs of your friends and family? Have you wondered what to pray or how to pray for people whose needs seem bigger than your faith?

I was walking and praying one day when I just had to flat out tell God that I had no idea how He should or could resolve the issues in my friend’s life. Her struggles seemed to be jumbo-sized and the list just seemed to continue on relentlessly. I wondered aloud how to pray for a friend like that. What words could possibly express or contain that immensity? In a moment, I had His answer.

Have you ever seen the series MASH? Out of that series came just the picture I needed. Remember when all the wounded would be brought in carried by corpsmen? They would line up all the stretchers that were filled with the wounded, casualties of all types. The chief doctor would look each one over and determine what was needed. Once that determination was made, the corpsmen were told where to put each patient and what order each should be brought into the operating room. Well, that’s our job, too. We are just the corpsman. We don’t determine what is needed. We bring our prayer concerns to the Father without telling Him what needs to be done.

We are only the “carriers,” like the people in the verse we find in the gospel of Mark. Those friends brought their friend on a stretcher. They were relentless in their pursuit to bring him to Jesus. They came together to bear him up. They didn’t give up until he was at the feet of Jesus. Mark doesn’t note that they even made a request. They were just carriers. Jesus knew what was needed and He answered their faith.

What a relief to know that we don’t even need to know what to say, we are just to bring our friends to Jesus. He knows just what they need.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Have you been trying to tell God what to do with each of your prayer requests? Are you willing to just bring them, lay them at His feet and trust Him to know just what is needed?

FURTHER STUDY:
Romans 8:26-39; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; James 5:13-20

Peggy is a wife and mother of four adult children - two sons and two stepsons. She is the Co-coordinator of Oakwood’s Wednesday p.m. Bible Study.

Why Run When You Can Fly?
By Karen D’ Amore

“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.”
2 Peter 1:3

Every morning, a flock of wild turkeys arrive at my home for their daily feeding. Running single-file down a consistent path, I can watch their arrival from my bedroom window. One morning, following a night of abundant snowfall, I watched the turkeys struggle and sink as they labored to run in the fresh, deep snow. Puzzled by their gawky trot I questioned, “Why would they struggle to run when they are equipped with wings to fly?”

With snow being a perpetual ground cover this past winter, I was not surprised by the many hobbling turkeys that had injured themselves in the debilitating snow. Though I have yet to uncover any logical reason for their choice mode of transportation, their labored activities have drawn me to see parallels in my own faith-walk.

When I labor to live out my life in my own strength, my exhausted soul can be found hobbling to the doorstep of my Lord. God never intended for us to carry out this faith-walk through our own blood, sweat and tears. He has equipped us with everything we need to live a life of devotion to Him. Scripture assures us, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). When I acknowledge my own powerlessness, God is allowed to be powerful for me. When I “let go and let God,” I am able to tap into the power of God working in and through me.

How do we tap into His power?

1. By renewing our minds with His Word. (Romans 12:2)
2. By letting Christ dwell within us. (Colossians 3:16)
3. By focusing our thoughts on what is pure, right, just, honorable and praiseworthy. (Philippians 4:8)
4. By fixing our eyes on eternal things rather then temporal things. (2 Corinthians. 4:18)

As Christ-followers, everything we need for life and godliness is found in knowing Christ. When we truly trust in Him---not just as Savior but also as Lord—we are empowered to live a life of fullness, distinction of character, and spiritual maturity so that He is glorified in our lives.

Equipped to fly, the foolish turkeys could have been spared from injury had they utilized their wings. Drawing wisdom from this illustration, we too can be spared from defeat when we utilize ALL that Jesus has given us for life and godliness.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Are you exhausted and defeated by trying to do things in your own strength? What changes do you need to make to tap into His power?

FURTHER READING:
Philippians 4:13; Hebrews 13:20-21; 2 Timothy 3:17; Isaiah 40:31

Married to husband Dan, Karen manages Intrigue Salon & Spa, is the administrator for Oakwood’s Tuesday a.m. Bible Study, and co-leads a freshman girls’ small group.

Revolving Around the Son
By Jen Wollner

“It is I who made the earth and created mankind upon it. My own hands stretched out the heavens; I marshaled their starry hosts.”
Isaiah 45:12

There’s a playground near our home that my kids and I frequent when the weather is nice. It’s a “space” themed park, so the main structure is a huge rocket ship. On one particular visit, I was up in the rocket with my children and noticed a drawing on the wall. It was a depiction of our solar system. I saw Saturn right away with its gigantic rings. And Earth was easy to spot because it had the outline of the continents on it. As I studied the illustration, testing myself to see if I could remember all the planets, something seemed really amiss. I couldn’t figure it out. What was wrong with this picture? And, then I saw it…the sun was missing! I looked closer and realized that the not only was there no sun, but the planets were all revolving around the Earth!

Ok, so maybe none of the kids up on that structure would have ever noticed or even cared about the misleading drawing of our solar system, but I couldn’t help but smile as I thought about what a true statement it made about us humans. We are often so self-centered that we think the whole world…the whole galaxy…revolves around us. Yes, we are born selfish, but our culture certainly doesn’t help us get over ourselves. We are bombarded constantly with messages that tell us to pamper ourselves or spend more time or money on ourselves. We are, after all, “worth it” according to L’Oreal and many others!

The hard truth is, though…we aren’t the center of the universe. Not even close. The One around whom everything revolves is Jesus Christ, the Son of God. He made everything for His pleasure and in Him all things hold together. And as His creation, we are to live our lives focused on Him, pointing to Him and existing for Him. Our purpose is found in Him, and through Him we receive all things. Yet so often, we are like that solar system with no sun…we completely forget about the Lord and leave Him out of the “picture” of our daily lives. Just as the sun is necessary to sustain life on earth, so the Son gives us our very breath. He deserves our attention! He is worthy of our praise!

Let’s not make the same mistake that the artist of the playground solar system made…let’s be sure the Son is in the center of our hearts and the object of our attention.

GOING DEEPER:
1. What could you do today to turn more of your focus to the Lord?

FURTHER READING:
Isaiah 42:5; Revelation 4:11; Colossians 1:15-17

Jen and her husband are busily parenting three children under the age of 6. Jen heads Oakwood’s Fresh Start ministry.

Black as Marove, White as Snow
By Elin Henderson

“He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet but is completely clean.”
John 13:8

Every few months I brave the elements and hike down to the rice fields about 2 miles from my house. The long trek starts downhill in white, coarse sand, then suddenly the earth changes and you find yourself in this massive expanse of marshlands. The white sand gives way to a thick black mud that is laced with roots and decaying leaves…better known here as marove. Needless to say, my anxiety levels start to spike when I can’t see the ground I am treading upon and thoughts of creepy crawlies start invading my head. My friends all think I am crazy and assure me that there are no snakes or such, but I am never so sure!

After wandering around working in the rice fields for an hour or more, often knee-deep in water and muck, we emerge from the abyss and climb to the local fresh spring. Here each one takes turns washing her legs caked in black mud. The first time I went, the ladies I was with nearly had a heart attack when they saw my legs post-swamp. They had never seen black mud on white legs and couldn’t figure out how I managed to get so dirty! They each took turns trying to scrub this black, cement-like mud off my legs. They did the best they could, but it would be days of soaking before my toenails and fingernails would be clean!

I have never forgotten that experience and how shocked the ladies were at my depth of filthiness. Recently, I was reading in John 13 of the Last Supper and how Jesus washed the disciples’ feet. Peter wanted to refuse, but Jesus told him, “You get dirty at times in this world and need your feet cleaned.” Not only do I think of the saving grace that washes us white as snow the moment we believe, but I also think of the cleansing the Holy Spirit needs to do as we tread in this unclean world. There are many times we get knee-deep, caked in dirt and sin, and it takes the scrubbing of the Holy Spirit through His Word or fellow believers to get us back to white again. How He longs to keep us sensitive to the marove we often find ourselves coated with, to recognize its presence and to go to Him for cleansing.

GOING DEEPER:
1. What “marove” in your life needs to be washed away? What steps could you take today to start that process?

FURTHER READING:
John 13:5; Psalm 51:7b

Oakwood’s missionaries Elin Henderson and her husband Phil serve as church planters with New Tribes in Mozambique, Africa. Elin is mother to nine-year-old Callie and six-year-old Elias.

Reflecting God
By Susan Klein

“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil.”
Ephesians 5:15

Have you ever seen or heard this message on television: “WARNING: The following program may contain views and opinions that do not necessarily reflect the views of this network”? Does it make you stop and wonder what you are about to see, or why the network would promote something it may not agree with?

I sometimes wonder if God feels this way about His children. Do we contain views and opinions that are contrary to His? Are we broadcasting our message on His network, but not following His written guidelines? Do we sometimes have one foot in the Word, and one foot in the world?

2 Corinthians 5:20-21 says: “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us...God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” Wow! We are called Christ’s ambassadors, and the righteousness of God! He is using us to appeal to the unbelievers of this world by displaying His righteousness in our lives, and on His network so that He might get the glory. That’s a pretty tall order! But God doesn’t give us a task to do without equipping us for the job. He promises that we are given every spiritual blessing we need for the job He has called us to do. And He’s also given us His Holy Spirit to empower us to accomplish the task. If that’s true, and we apply these principles, then we should be a pretty accurate reflection of Him, though we know, of course, we won’t be a perfect reflection until heaven.

In reality, when our program is on, what do people see? Do they need to be warned first that some of our content doesn’t exactly follow those of our Savior’s? Or, are we following Paul’s exhortation to Timothy to do our best to present ourselves to God as approved workmen who are not ashamed and who correctly handle the Word of Truth? We must not be like the world, going our own way and stating things contrary to our network Head. We must make sure we have consulted with the One True God and are lined up with His Word before we broadcast anything live.

Let’s give our God cause to say: No warning necessary. The following program lines up with my ways! It is safe for you to view!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Where in your life might you be slipping into some habits or actions (visible to others) that are contrary to God’s teachings? If these areas exist, what will you do to realign yourself with God’s Word: ending the habit, stepping back from service, seeking help to break free?

FURTHER READING:
Proverbs 27:19; Ephesians 4:1-3; Titus 2:11-14; 1 John 2:3-6

Susan is a wife and mother of two. She leads a small group and teaches for Tuesday a.m. Bible Study.

Storing Up Treasures
By Jen Wollner

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Matthew 6:19-21

A couple months back, I watched an interview with Candy Spelling, widow of the late Aaron Spelling. Mr. Spelling was a television mogul, producing such successful shows as Dynasty, The Love Boat and Beverly Hills 90210. As you would guess, his financial fortune is worth billions of dollars. In the 1970’s the Spellings built a 57,000 square foot home in Beverly Hills dubbed, “The Manor.” Among other things, it has a movie theater, bowling alley, gym, beauty salon, gift-wrapping room, library, tennis courts and two swimming pools…amenities that many small towns don’t even possess! Mrs. Spelling said the home is so large she’s not even sure how many rooms it has (it’s reportedly 123, but who’s counting).

As the viewers got a tour of the home, Candy Spelling showed off all of her collections and possessions. The entire third level of the home is a humidity-controlled attic space where she keeps everything that isn’t on display in the house. She has also saved many of her children’s possessions from their childhood. Things like art projects and Halloween costumes are organized and neatly stored in boxes.

Later in the interview, Mrs. Spelling talked of her relationship with her daughter, Tori. The two are estranged, reportedly over a rift about Mr. Spelling’s money. According to Candy, she doesn’t know where Tori lives and she has never even met her one-year-old granddaughter.

As I watched, our verse for today came to mind immediately. Candy Spelling has an abundance of material wealth, but does she have any “treasures” that cannot be destroyed or stolen? Will she ever be able to repair her relationship with her daughter and, thus, have the opportunity to have a lasting impact on her grandchildren?

We may not feel that our lives are at all like Candy Spelling’s, but if we look closely, I’m confident we could find some similarities. It’s easy to get distracted with the treasures of this earth, isn’t it? Maybe we focus our energies and resources on our career, clothes, collections or health. Don’t you wonder what would happen if we sincerely asked God to help us break away from all that and find our greatest treasure in Him, and in impacting the lives of others? We are sure to receive eternal rewards that put “The Manor” to shame!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Make a list of all the things you do and spend money on this week. How much of your time and resources go toward storing up treasures on earth versus treasures in heaven?

FURTHER READING:
Matthew 6:24; Amos 3:10

Jen and her husband are busily parenting three children under the age of 6. Jen heads Oakwood’s Fresh Start ministry.

Shine Like Stars
By Peggy Kleckner

“...children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life…”
Phil 2:15

This verse has come to mind quite often lately. It was in our women’s Bible study last year and it keeps coming back to me. We are to shine like stars as we hold out the word of life. I went back and looked it up and was struck by several things. First, how wonderful to be called one of His children! We are certainly not faultless on our own, but rather forgiven because of Christ’s full payment for our sins on the cross. What a joy to be His! Next, we most certainly recognize that we are living in a crooked and depraved generation. The daily news confirms that. Thinking further on that, I realize that as this world sinks deeper into the darkness of depravity, the light that is in us becomes much more noticeable. We don’t see the stars during the daylight hours and yet our minds know that they are there. We, as Christians, are becoming more noticeable as the world becomes darker. In the darkness, even the smallest or weakest light brings hope and comfort.

So, as the children’s song goes, “This little light of mine. I’m going to let it shine!” We are called out as His stars to help light the way and give direction to those who are lost. We should not hide under a bushel basket and refuse to shine in these darkening times. Instead, we can allow Him to place us on display, so that others may see us and be led to Him.

Perhaps we should look at these bleak times differently. Although they are difficult, they are a dark backdrop on which God can display His stars and lead many to Himself.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Have you thought of your role as His star in these darkening times? Pray for His strength as your identity in Him is revealed.
2. In what ways can you “shine” for Him to those around you?

FURTHER READING:
Matthew 5:14-16; John 1:1-14; 2 Timothy 1:7-12

Peggy is a wife and mother of four adult children - two sons and two stepsons. She is the Co-coordinator of Oakwood’s Wednesday p.m. Bible Study.

The Test of Betrayal
By Karen D’Amore

“If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if a foe were raising himself against me, I could hide from him. But it is you, my equal, my companion, my close friend, with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship as we walked with the throng at the house of God.”
Psalm 55:12-14

We were partners in ministry, confidants, and the best of friends…a friendship unlike any other in my lifetime. Esteeming her higher then any woman I had ever known, I had placed her on a pedestal of towering heights. When betrayal obliterated that esteemed friendship, my deeply wounded soul lay crushed beyond repair. My flesh hungered for justice and wrestled with God for worthy answers. My embittered spirit ached for revenge; an opportunity to back her into a corner of conviction. Remaining silent stretched me far beyond my walls of constraint; however, deep inside I knew that “giving her a piece of my mind” would never truly bring me “peace of mind.”

Betrayal was one of the most difficult, gut-wrenching tests I have ever faced. Being wounded deeply by someone I trusted dearly required Christ-like grace to forgive. Struggling to understand God’s purpose in the estranged relationship, I was still aware that He was watching for my response. It was a test! Would I seek revenge and fix things myself or would I find the grace to let Him resolve things His way? When I learned to stay “vertical” with God and avoid the trappings of working things out my way, I experienced freedom. It was no longer my problem. In such situations, we must closely examine our hearts. If our hearts are clean, we can trust that the affront is for character building. It is one way God builds the deepest level of character in His children.

A.W. Tozer wrote, “It is doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly until He has hurt him deeply.” In order to accomplish that deeper process of character refinement, God may allow thorns of conflict to prick our relationships. Loving our betrayers cannot be accomplished through our own strength. We must die to ourselves, enabling Christ to love through us. Loving those who betray us is graduate-level Christianity. Are you willing to enroll in this school? Are you willing to take the test? These tests are preparation for greater use in His Kingdom…and each time you pass this one, He sees and notes.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Are you struggling to forgive a betrayer? Extend God’s grace and experience freedom.
2. If you have been wounded by betrayal, allow God to deal with your betrayer Himself instead of seeking your own justice.

FURTHER READING:
Hebrews 12:15; 1 Peter 3:9; 2 Corinthians 13:5

Married to husband Dan, Karen manages Intrigue Salon & Spa, is the administrator for Oakwood’s Tuesday a.m. Bible Study, and co-leads a freshman girls’ small group.

You Shall Rest
By Susan Klein

“Six days you shall labor, but on the seventh day you shall rest...”
Exodus 34:21a

Have you ever stopped to consider that God intentionally gifted us with a day of rest? When I think of the word “Sabbath,” I usually conjure up images of Old Testament Jews sitting down after a long week of planting or harvesting or whatever work they participated in. I daresay it’s not a modern-day image!

The word Sabbath means “to cease, to celebrate, to put down, to take rest, to be still.” God gifted His people with a day that they could put aside their work, their struggles and cares, and just rest…in Him. He wanted His people to have some time to relax, enjoy His creation, and enjoy their Creator! He still wants that for us today.

Most Jewish people celebrate the Sabbath from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday, though most Christians observe it on Sunday. The point is, we are to set aside an entire day for physical, mental and spiritual rest. We need to look at it as not only a day, but as a heart attitude. One that says, “I will be restful, even in the midst of busyness and unrest.”

“I can’t waste a whole day doing nothing!” one might argue. That is not the point of Sabbath rest. Notice in the definition it says “to cease,” meaning to cease whatever it is you work at or struggle with all week. It also says “to celebrate.” Have some fun! Play, take a nap, worship, feast, enjoy family or friends in ways that enhance your celebration of God’s gift of Sabbath rest. Another part of the definition is “to be still.” While part of this stillness is resting, another aspect is being still before God. Be attentive to His presence. Let His perfect peace wash over your weary soul like a refreshing spring rain. In order to be productive the other six days of the week, we must take time to rest and be refreshed. If we stay on our hectic pace 24/7, we will eventually crash.

In his book, The Rest of God, Mark Buchanan notes that just as food and water are essential to our bodies, so rest is essential to our whole physical, mental and spiritual being. He states, “In a culture where busyness is a fetish, and stillness is laziness, rest is sloth. But without rest, we miss the rest of God: the rest He invites us to enter more fully so that we might know Him more deeply.”

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

GOING DEEPER:
1. What is your current attitude about being restful?
2. What are some practical ways that you could incorporate Sabbath rest into your lifestyle?

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 62:1, 5; Hebrews 4:9-11

Susan is a wife and mother of two. She leads a small group and teaches for Tuesday a.m. Bible Study.

God’s Peace
By Jen Wollner

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you…”
John 14:27a

It had been a really long day and it wasn’t even noon yet. We had been up since 3:30 a.m. traveling home from a family vacation in Florida. After a layover in Atlanta, we were thrilled to be starting our descent in Milwaukee. At only 11:30 in the morning, all of us were way beyond exhaustion. I had hoped that each of my three kids would take naps on the plane, so when I looked over at my two-year-old daughter and saw her sleeping soundly, I smiled, thanked God…and then started praying she would sleep at least until we landed! The plane was exceptionally noisy. The roar of the engine was almost deafening. The flight attendant and pilot made several booming announcements regarding our landing. And, behind us, my son was watching a train video with the volume turned way up. The “toot toot” of the whistle carried clearly over our seats, startling me every few seconds…as did his boisterous, incessant comments about everything he was watching. I was sure my daughter would be aroused by one of these disturbances, but to my amazement, she wasn’t. She rested peacefully until the plane came to a complete stop on the runway.

This is a beautiful depiction of what true, God-given peace looks like. It’s that supernatural kind of peace we feel when, well, peace is the last thing we should be experiencing. It’s a feeling that’s not dependent on our situation, but is present in spite of it. Real peace is a priceless gift in a chaotic world. As we face trials and pain, it carries us above the stress we are under…it covers us, soothes us and reassures us of God’s presence and deep love for us. Peace is free…and it’s freeing. It gives rest…and takes away fear. It eases our minds and liberates our hearts.

Philippians 4:6-7 tells us how to receive God’s peace. It says, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

When everything around us is falling apart. When our world is turning upside down. When our strength is almost gone. When the voices around us are loud and disturbing…

"Peace I leave with you…"

Indescribable, unexplainable, priceless…

"My peace I give you..."

GOING DEEPER:
1. What situation are you facing today that has you stressed and restless? Present your problems to the Lord and receive His peace.
2. Who in your life is struggling to find peace? How could you encourage that person?

FURTHER READING:
Colossians 3:15; John 16:33

Jen and her husband are busily parenting three children under the age of 6. Jen heads Oakwood’s Fresh Start ministry.

Interests
By Peggy Kleckner

“Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
Philippians 2:4

How often do we look past our own interests to the interests of others? We live in a very “me” centered society. We have been taught to judge everything by “what’s in it for me?” Notice that God doesn’t tell us not to look at our own interests, but He does tell us to look beyond them.

Let’s look at the workplace. Perhaps you work in a business atmosphere. Does each department look not only to their own interests, but also to the interests of the other departments? Does the accounting department try to understand the needs of the sales department? How about vice versa…does the sales department try to understand the accounting department? If each department could enter into a conversation seeking to understand the other and its’ needs, how much progress could be made? I have seen lots of aggravation when two parties refuse to see the others’ needs as legitimate. Sales departments want to make the sale, but the accounting department understands that there are tax codes and forms to fill out. The company needs both of these departments or they won’t last long, but shouldn’t they be able to learn to function with mutual respect for each other, rather than ridiculing one another?

Now think about yourself for a moment. If you already understand your side of things, wouldn’t it be wise to try to listen to the needs of the other person? Once you have that understanding, you may gain wisdom in how to accommodate both of your needs. Without it, you are both just demanding your own way.

Too often we don’t respect the interests of others. God’s Word certainly gives us wise counsel, but we must be willing to receive it and apply it to our daily lives.

Today, in whatever circumstance you may find yourself, stop long enough to remember God’s instruction and then ask Him to help you implement it. You may be amazed at what you learn about others’ interests and how easily some situations can be resolved by taking God’s good advice.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Looking back over the last week, where have you missed the opportunity to apply the wisdom of today’s verse? (Hint: Think about conversations where you felt the other party didn’t understand your needs.)
2. Looking forward, in what area of your life (work, marriage, family, friends) can you plan to apply the wisdom from today’s verse?

FURTHER READING:
James 1:19-27; Proverb 18:13

Peggy is a wife and mother of four adult children - two sons and two stepsons. She is the Co-coordinator of Oakwood’s Wednesday p.m. Bible Study.

The Whole Earth Groans
By Susan Klein

“We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth
right up to the present time.”
Romans 8:22

Open up any newspaper or listen to any news broadcast today and you will hear reports of natural disasters around the globe. Devastating hurricanes, tornadoes in the middle of winter, raging forest fires, severe flooding, earthquakes in Italy...the list is endless. According to the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction, its data shows a hugely significant rise in the frequency of these events over the past hundred years.

Scientists and politicians believe that our careless use of the earth and its elements have caused a global warming, or greenhouse effect, on our atmosphere, largely responsible for the rise in natural catastrophes. They also believe that we can reduce these occurrences and restore the earth by how we care for it. Can we really repair the earth?

Let’s go back to Genesis, chapter three. After Adam and Eve sinned, God said the consequences would be much groaning! Woman would groan with pain in childbirth, man would groan in his toiling of the land, and even the ground would groan, producing thorns and thistles as God himself had cursed it. A ground that is divinely cursed will likely worsen with time, not regenerate!

So, do we sit back and do nothing? Absolutely not! We are called to be good stewards of everything God has given us. He entrusted the earth to us to care for it to the best of our ability. But can we completely stop the earth’s groaning? Not if it’s divine in nature. So, where is the hope? In Romans 8, Paul talks about a future glory when he says “The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.” It goes on to say that we (believers) also groan inwardly as we eagerly await the redemption of our bodies. Because of sin, everything and everyone faces decay. But, we have hope! Christ paid the penalty for our sin on the cross and has promised we will one day have new resurrected bodies and a new heaven and earth. Then, and only then, will the groaning cease.

While Earth Day is being globally acknowledged today, let’s take some time to acknowledge the Creator of our earth!

GOING DEEPER:
1. What can you do to show God your thankfulness for His creation?

FURTHER READING:
Romans 8:18-25; 2 Peter 3:10-13

Susan is a wife and mother of two. She leads a small group and teaches for Tuesday a.m. Bible Study.

If God Can Speak Through Donkeys…He Can Speak Through Deer!
By Karen D’Amore

“Then the Lord opened the donkey’s mouth, and she said to Balaam…”
Numbers 22:28

God desires for us to hear His voice…feel His presence…and know His will. And while He is, at times, a God of mystery or secrets, He doesn’t leave us floundering in confusion. He desires for us to know Him and experience Him, in a personal way, within our daily routine.

So how does God speak? Searching the Scriptures we see that there is no standard method. He spoke from a cloud, through a wet fleece and a dry one, through a blinding light, in a “still, small voice” and even through a donkey! Repeatedly throughout the Bible, God spoke through different methods, however, two things remained likely: (1) God spoke and (2) whomever He was speaking to usually knew it was Him.

Discerning God’s voice and recognizing His presence can only be developed through knowing Him. Through a deepening intimate relationship, I am impelled to look for God in everything around me. Passionate about wildlife, God’s creatures serve as a vessel through which I see His splendor and experience His presence.

Praying as I packed for a trip home to California, apprehension and anxiety flooded my heart. Re-uniting with everything safe, comfortable and familiar…the trip held potential for rousing displeasure with my newer, less comfortable homeland. In the midst of my prayer, God drew my attention to movement outside my window. Pressed against the window were the noses of three deer! As God’s presence transcended through those precious deer, peace echoed from the depth of my heart. God spoke to me in that pivotal moment by illuminating a significant source of my contentment in my new Midwest homeland. In His still, small voice He spoke volumes by communicating in a manner which was so utterly clear to me.

Are you longing to hear God’s voice...feel His presence…or know His will? The Lord manifests Himself to us and through us as we humbly seek Him. “Trust the Lord from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; He’s the one who’ll keep you on track” (Proverbs 3:5-6 The Message).

God spoke to Moses through a bush, to Balaam through a donkey and to me through deer. Stop…look…and listen! God desires to speak to you in a manner which is unique and special, exclusive to you!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Are you longing to hear God’s voice but feeling disconnected? Humbly draw near to Him and re-connect.

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 25:12; Proverbs 16:3; Jeremiah 29:12-13; Isaiah 30:21

Married to husband Dan, Karen manages Intrigue Salon & Spa, is the administrator for Oakwood’s Tuesday a.m. Bible Study, and co-leads a freshman girls’ small group.

Prayoritizing Your Day
By Elin Henderson

“The mind of man plans his ways, but the LORD directs his steps.”
Proverbs 16:9

Have you ever started a day with grand plans and expectations only to have it turn into complete mayhem and confusion? Sometimes I wonder if my life EVER goes as planned! I mean, my home-school morning will be going smoothly when a man shows up with a six-inch oozing gash in his leg that he has left unattended for several days, deciding that today is the day to show up and see what the missionary can do for him. You might not be facing a similar scenario at your front door, but I am sure you are familiar with interruptions and changed plans.

My sister recently sent me an idea that was revolutionary for me. It was given to her by her pastor’s wife. She calls it prayoritizing your day. One reason we are so frustrated when our plans don’t go well is that they are just that…our plans. How many times do I just plan my day without the least thought of the Lord’s input into my schedule?

When God is in control, are there accidents? Are there interruptions? No, they are all part of His sovereign plan. When we have committed our full day and schedule to Him, we can rest that He will guide and direct us, and if part of that guidance includes interruptions, we can accept that. He knows far better what we need for that day and the people He wants to use us to bless and encourage.

So, tomorrow morning when you wake up and are getting yourself organized for the day, make a list of what you want to accomplish that day. Then, take the time to commit each of those activities to the Lord, asking Him to guide and direct as He sees fit. Not only will making a list help you stay focused, but bringing it to the Lord in prayer will help you accept the changes and unexpected turns it may take. As they occur, remind yourself that this is God’s will for you today and ask Him, “What do You have to teach me in this? How do You plan to use me in this?” Then, go to Him for the wisdom and strength for this new challenge He has sent your way.

GOING DEEPER:
1. How do you normally react when your plans go awry? Will you commit to prayoritizing your daily schedule?
2. Look at the life of Christ. How did He prayoritize His days and plans?

FURTHER READING:
Proverbs 3:5-6; Jeremiah 10:23; Isaiah 45:2-3; Philippians 4:12-13; Hebrews 10:23b; 1 Peter 3:8

Oakwood’s missionaries Elin Henderson and her husband Phil serve as church planters with New Tribes in Mozambique, Africa. Elin is mother to nine-year-old Callie and six-year-old Elias.

Blessed Are the Un-Cool
By Susan Klein

“For the wisdom of the world is foolishness in God’s sight.”
1 Corinthians 3:19

Every decade is marked by fads and fashions that define what “cool” is according to our eclectic American culture. In the 60’s, cool meant you wore bell-bottom pants and mood rings, owned a lava lamp and listened to the Beatles. Really cool people definitely went to Woodstock!

In the 70’s, cool people wore leisure suits or anything made of polyester. The female gender sported platform shoes and Farrah Fawcet hairdos. You definitely owned an 8-track player and went to rock concerts. And only the super cool could recite scenes from The Rocky Horror Picture Show!

In the 80’s, coolness was defined by owning an Atari or playing Dungeons and Dragons. Cool girls mastered “Valley Girl talk” and “like, wouldn’t be caught dead in anything other than spandex or skinny jeans with zippers up the legs!” You emulated Michael Jackson and joined a Jazzercise class if you were “anybody.”

By the 90’s, coolness had turned to Pokemon for the kids, WWJD bracelets and wide-leg jeans for the teens, doing the Macarena for those who enjoyed group activities, and SUV’s and Oprah’s book club for the mature set. More “out-there” coolies were into extreme sports or grunge.

The coolness of the new millennium brought with it High School Musical, You Tube, American Idol, iPods and blogging. If you aren’t technologically savvy, don’t even think about being cool! Metrosexuality and Emo are lifestyles reserved for the elite cool.

I have to admit...I’m not very cool! I don’t blog, don’t own an iPod or a laptop, I wear comfortable shoes and my impossible hair never looks like the styles in the current trendy magazines. But I am who God created me to be, and I’m okay with that. In fact, I wouldn’t want to be cool if it meant trying to be something other than what God designed me to be. I’ll stick to being an alien in this strange world!

1 John 2:16-17 says: “Everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.” Trends and fads all pass away, only to be replaced by more trends and fads. God’s love, His principles and His promises never pass away, nor do they change with the times. Isn’t it better to be trained by God’s time-tested truths, than to be tempted and trapped by today’s worldly trends?

GOING DEEPER:
1. How can you resist the “trend-trap” and stay grounded in the Truth? Will you give yourself permission to be “un-cool” by the world’s standard?

FURTHER READING:
John 15:18-19; Colossians 3:2; James 4:4-6

Susan is a wife and mother of two. She leads a small group and teaches for Tuesday a.m. Bible Study.