Relentless
By Lisa Boyer

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

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

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

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

So here it was two days later, with that lie back in my head again and I thought, “Wow! Satan is relentless!”

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

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

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

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

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

Lisa has been married to Ted for 19 years and they have two teenage sons. She is a co-leader for a Junior High girls’ small group at Oakwood Church.

Light Up, Soul Sisters!
By Pamela Blattner

“You are the light of the world.”
Matthew 5:14

I love the way God shows us, in the everyday-ness of life, unexpected ways that His Kingdom works. I remember being at a local food store in the Oconomowoc area. David, a young man with Down’s Syndrome, worked as a grocery store bagger for years! Each day, David smiled at the customers and wished us a good day. We were then thanked for coming in and shopping there.

There were times it seemed that there was a longer line at his checkout; there were times I wanted to be in his line. His smile was contagious! Even the employees seemed to “catch it” and greet customers with a smile and friendly words.

David didn’t own the grocery store or even supervise anyone. He probably didn’t make a huge salary or have a very high IQ. But he sure influenced the people of that place to be happier, caring, and a bit nicer to each other. He never thought of himself as too important to be of service to the patrons of the store.

When I think of David, I recall what Jesus said in Matthew 23:11: “The greatest among you will be your servant.” After seeing David in the store, I noticed that he consistently greeted the customers and made conversation about the little things he remembered from previous visits to the store. Not only was he was an encourager, he served selflessly and was the one who would gladly retrieve the grocery carts in the rain.

David reminds me of what Jesus calls us to do: to share our love in serving in whatever capacity so that we can help people experience the heart of Christ. Jesus is the true light of the world, and He wants us to be lights that reflect Him in the place in the world we’re in. There’s no one on this earth who can do what each of us individually has been gifted to do. We’re all unique and called to do something special for the Lord, and to bring His warmth and light to others. Wouldn’t it be great to let Jesus’ love shine through us to the people we meet today?

GOING DEEPER:
1. It may be the littlest things that we do to bless others that could make the greatest difference for God’s Kingdom. What could you do today to make a positive difference in someone’s life?

FURTHER READING:
Matthew 5:16; John 8:12

Pam and her husband Richard have two adult children and two grandchildren. She serves Oakwood through its Family Care and Touched Twice Ministries.

The Power of the Tongue
By Carolyn Hulliberger

“With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.”
James 3:9-10

Someone I love dearly recently hurt my feelings with a few thoughtless words. In the moment, it felt like this person used a herd of elephants to trample over my tender emotions. I’m sure you have had a similar experience. I have dealt many a careless word to others myself, and all has been discussed, forgiven and reconciled for this circumstance. But the situation got me to thinking about the power of the human tongue. For example:

- Without the tongue, we would not be able to eat, speak, spit or kiss
- Every tongue on earth has its own unique tongue print…just like our fingers
- There are over 10,000 taste buds on the surface of it, giving us the ability to differentiate bitter, sweet, sour and salty tastes
- The tongue is the strongest muscle in the body…probably because it is exercised WAY too much!

The Bible has a lot to say about our use of this particular part of the anatomy. James chapter 3 says, “…the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire…” Our words can be like a fire…we cannot reverse or control the damage that they can do.

The book of Proverbs says:
- Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. (12:18)
- He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin. (13:3)
- Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue. (17:28)

Today, as wives, mothers, daughters, sisters and friends, let’s use the “woman of noble character” in the Proverbs 31 poem as a role model:

“She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.” (31:26)

GOING DEEPER:
1. Memorize one of the verses above. Take sticky notes and put the verse in prominent places that you will see throughout your day.
2. Have you set a fire with a few words? Work to snuff it out today.

Along with caring for her husband, two children and the dog, Carolyn is an Office Representative for State Farm Insurance, serves in Student Ministries with seventh grade girls, and is the treasurer for Women’s Ministries.

My Stuff!
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 neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Matthew 6:19-21 (NASB)

The kids in my five-year-old’s Sunday school class have been participating in a special offering the past several Sundays, putting the money raised toward a project of building a playground for orphaned children in Latvia. My son and his classmates were challenged to do chores and other such things to earn money. This past Sunday, when the time came to put their offering into the collection jar, all the children carefully took their money out of their pockets. One-by-one they walked up to the jar and gave their hard-earned cash. One little boy, pulling out several crumpled bills, carried his gift in both fists as he walked up to the jar. Right before he dropped it in, he looked at his teacher and said, “I really don’t want to do this ‘cause I’ve got some stuff I’d like to buy with this!”

Ah, the things young children say…adorable, innocent, brings-a-smile-to-your-face cute, right? Yeah, the teacher and I had a good chuckle, until the brutal honesty caught up to our hearts! Oh, how many times have we reluctantly given of our time, resources or gifts? Or, worse yet, not given at all? Even when we see a great need that we know we can meet, we oftentimes just want to keep “it” for ourselves. We forego the opportunity to extend to someone else part of the blessing God has bestowed on us because, well, it’s our stuff!

Or, is it?

“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it…” (Psalm 24:1). The truth is that everything we are and have belongs to God. He never intended for us to keep all of this abundance for ourselves. He gave generously so that we could show His love to others by sharing all that we enjoy. If we obediently do as He asks, we will see His Kingdom enlarge and expand beyond our wildest imaginations! My son’s friend wasn’t all that keen on the idea of sacrificing the money he had, but he did it anyway. And, I fully believe that God will multiply his gift.

So, what are you tight-fisting today, hesitant to let go of, that God desires to use as a blessing for someone else? Go ahead…release it and see what He will do!

GOING DEEPER:
1. What is currently keeping you from being generous with your time and treasures?
2. Recall a time that you gave your time, resources or gifts for God’s priorities “anyway.” What happened?

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

Jen and her husband are busily parenting three children between the ages of eight and four. She serves on the leadership team for Mission: Hope, Oakwood’s orphan care ministry.

Forward Where?
By Elin Henderson

“Your way was in the sea, Your path in the great waters, and Your footsteps were not known.”
Psalm 77:18 (NKJV)

Here’s the scenario: Moses and the nation of Israel are finally free from tyranny; they set off on this great Exodus and, before too long, are faced with an obstacle of enormous size. They’ve just seen God work innumerous miracles to set them free, and here they face their first challenge. Will He come through for them once again?

Before them lies the Red Sea—a huge natural obstacle. Hot on their heels comes the enemy, the army of Pharaoh, dead set on capturing them and taking them back to Egypt! They cry out to the Lord and to Moses… one of those “What have You gotten us into?!” cries.

What is God’s response? “Don’t cry to me, just go forward.” I can only imagine Moses and Israelites saying, “Forward where??!! Does the word ‘SEA’ mean anything to You, Lord?!” Yet despite their unbelief and incredulity, they move forward, and God opens a way in the midst of the great waters! They pass through on dry land and then the seas swallow up Pharaoh’ armies. The story ends with, “Israel saw the great work which the LORD had done in Egypt; so the people feared the LORD, and believed the LORD and His servant Moses” (Exodus 14:31).

Have you ever been standing before your Red Sea with the enemy quickly closing in from behind? No place to go, no place to run, humanly speaking, and God says “Forward ho!”… to which you reply “Forward where?” There doesn’t seem to be a way, yet He wants to show you His power and His might. One of those “Stand still and see the Salvation of the LORD!” moments! While they are frightening and stretching for our faith, having gone through them, we would never have had it any other way! Our faith grows and our spiritual eyes see what He can do when we rest in Him and His provision! Each trial we go through helps grow our faith, which can then be applied to our next trial and our next, so on and so forth.

So next time you find yourself between “a rock and a hard place”… or a sea and an army, and you hear the still small voice of the Lord say “Forward!” may your growing faith allow you to step out into the great waters of life and see His salvation unfold before you!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Can you think of any Red Sea experiences you have had that have grown your faith in Him? What did you learn; how can you apply that to any current struggles you are facing?
2. With whom can you share those prior experiences and the lessons you learned?

FURTHER READING:
Exodus 14:20-31; II Chronicles 20:17; Isaiah 33:2; Revelation 19:1b

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

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 ten-year-old Callie and eight-year-old Elias.

Free to be Me!
By Elin Henderson

“Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.”
John 8:36 (NKJV)

Life today is all about being happy with who you are! Happy and free to be me! Individuality is highly encouraged and eagerly sought! Self-esteem and self-actualization are pushed at us on all fronts from cosmetics to shampoo to health food to exercise, and more. Yet, despite this, many of us struggle with who we are and with being ourselves. What keeps us from wanting to be ourselves? Fear of what people may think of us. Insecurity with who we are. The list really is endless.

Today’s society would have us be content with who we are, but content for what reasons? Our experience or age? Our beauty? Our accomplishments or education? As believers, the true question for us to ask ourselves is “Can we dare to be ourselves (free to be me) in the will of God?”(1) We can look for freedom and contentment in many outside sources, but there is only one place where we can find it. We are only free to be who God created us to be - - free in our individuality - - when we find ourselves in Him.

How do we find ourselves in Him, or in His will? For one, we must know Him as our personal Savior, aware of His life within us in the form of the Holy Spirit! Only then can who we are (my “Elin-ness” as I like to call it), be used for its greatest potential in Him. But having that Holy Spirit in my heart does not guarantee that I am now all set! It is when I choose to walk with Him, and allow Him to renew and transform me from the inside out, that my security comes! Being in His will is simply being willing to let God be God in my humanity! That is when man’s approval takes a backseat and I realize, “If God is for me, who can be against me” (Romans 8:31). In fact, “I will not fear what men can do to me” (Psalms 118:6), because “I am free indeed” (John 8:36).

That is what I call true freedom! True self-actualization! True self-esteem! Free to be me in the person of Jesus Christ! Free from the search for man’s approval because I have found the source of true approval – in Christ, in God!!

GOING DEEPER:
1. In what areas have you been struggling in your personal identity? Individuality? What promises from Scripture can you claim to find security in Him?
2. How can this newfound freedom now impact the world around you? How you deal with others? Yourself?

FURTHER READING:Galatians 2:20, 5:1; Romans 8:2

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

(1) Wiersbe, Warren. The Bible Exposition Commentary: Volume 1. Chariot Victor Publishing. Colorado Springs, CO. 1989.

Do What It Says!
By Susan Klein

“Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house: yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
Matthew 7:24-27

Two hearing men, two houses, two foundations, two very different outcomes! Jesus’ parable at the end of His “Sermon on the Mount” served to emphasize the importance of the words he had just spoken. Those who listen to His message and put it into practice will survive the storms of life that come crashing on their doors. Those who listen only, and do not do what He says will not have a firm foundation and may not survive the storm!

James makes a similar point when he says that anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who studies his face in the mirror, then goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. (James1:22-24) Have you ever studied a passage of Scripture, only to close your Bible and completely forget what you studied?

Why do you read your Bible? Is it to gain knowledge or wisdom? Is it so you can have thought-provoking conversations with other believers? Perhaps it’s because you teach a Sunday school class or Bible study. Maybe you want to take the challenge of reading through the Bible in a year. While these are all commendable reasons to spend time in God’s Word, Jesus made it very clear that our main goal should be to do what it says! Practical application of God’s Word is key to living the righteous life that He desires and aids us in standing firm during trials, which are guaranteed to come! Just reading alone won’t cut it!

King Solomon, though a very wise man, did not always put to practice what he preached. He knew the truth in his head, yet chose to walk the way of the world, believing that knowledge would suffice. Unfortunately, his foundation and his empire eventually crumbled.

Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Are you walking the walk or just talking the talk? Is there someone you trust with whom you could share what God’s leading you to obey?
2. How might you better apply God’s Word to your daily life?

FURTHER READING:
Matthew 13:1-23

Susan is our Tuesday Morning Women’s Bible Study Coordinator and one of its teachers. She is also involved in youth outreach ministry.

Letters From the Enemy
by Elin Henderson

“And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers and read it; and Hezekiah went up to the house of the Lord and spread it before the LORD.”
2 Kings 19:14 (NKJV)

"Letters from the Enemy" sounds like the title of a novel or television drama, doesn’t it? It really was a real-life drama for Hezekiah and has a real life lesson for us today. Early in his reign, it was evident that Hezekiah was a good guy. “He trusted in the LORD God… held fast to the LORD; he did not depart from following Him… (and)… the LORD was with Him” (2 Kings 18:5-7). Then came the king of Assyria, an enemy nation. He threatened to take over and began to spread doubts about Hezekiah’s leadership and Hezekiah’s God. “Do not let Hezekiah deceive you, for he shall not be able to deliver you… nor let Hezekiah make you trust in the LORD saying, ‘The LORD will surely deliver us.’” Furthermore, after hearing that the prophet Isaiah prophesied victory for the Israelites and not defeat (2 Kings 19:6-7), the king of Assyria sent a threatening letter to Hezekiah reiterating what he planned to do to the nation of Israel (2 King 19:9-13).

Have you ever received a letter from the enemy? Now, it may not have been in paper form, but has our enemy ever sent you a message that said, “There is no hope. God isn’t going to save you! You are foolish to even think that!” Condemnation, guilt and despair; those are his messages to us. And he is on the prowl, sitting on the outskirts of our heart, sending in letters to see what we will do. Any sign of giving in to the pressure and he has a foot in the door!

But, what do we do with these letters? May we follow Hezekiah’s example and immediately take them into the presence of the Lord, lay them at His capable feet and say, like Hezekiah, “You are God!” After all, victory is ours! Our enemy has been rendered powerless by the work of Jesus Christ, but that doesn’t stop him from trying to send us threatening letters! What will be our response? Will it be fear, anxiety, hopelessness… footholds for the enemy to invade our hearts? May we instead go to the Lord, spread it before Him and say, like Hezekiah, “You are God… You are the LORD GOD, You alone” (2 Kings 19:15a, 19b).

GOING DEEPER:
1. Can you think of a specific “letter” you have received recently from the enemy that has caused you despair?
2. What does “You are God… You are the LORD God, You alone!” mean to you? How can that truth help you overcome the threats of the enemy?

FURTHER READING:
1 Corinthians 15:51-58; Romans 8:1; 1 John 5:4

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

My Bio
By Lexi Cole

“You have searched me, Lord, and you know me.”
Psalm 139:1a

At the end of each Fresh Start devotional is a two-sentence bio - - a short description of who the writer is. According to my bio, I am a student, a future teacher and hold a ministry role. Other bios identify women as mothers, wives, professionals or by their ministry roles.

Along with those things, there are situational descriptors that change with time: I’m a full-time student. I used to be “currently studying abroad in Scotland,” but that changed when I came back. There are relational descriptors: I’m a daughter, sister, niece, granddaughter, friend and girlfriend. With that last kind of descriptor, I began to look at God’s descriptors for us in His Word.

We are made in His image, created to do great things. In the beginning, God creates a world of intricate structure and beauty…and it is good. But He finishes with His masterpiece - - humanity in perfect oneness with Him - - and it is very good. That is the hope of our future and complete restoration! Paul writes that “being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion” (Phil. 1:6).

We are children of God. Jesus addresses crowds by saying “your Heavenly Father” multiple times and the Apostle Paul uses the phrase “God’s children.” John the Apostle writes, “Yet all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12).

We are active ambassadors of Christ. Being Spirit-led, we are the hands and feet of Christ. We are a light in a dark and suffering world. We are called to be others-focused by living radically different and selfless lives.

Scripture is filled with descriptors God has for us. We are His workmanship. We are His servants. We are His Bride. We are His People. We are His joy. We are receivers-of-His-gift. We are justified. We are purified. We are forgiven. We are renewed. We are transformed. We are unbelievably loved. We are set free. We are victorious. We are redeemed. We are advocates for His justice. The list goes on and on…

These descriptors are permanent and relational. While there will be a time when I won’t describe myself as a full-time student, the descriptors God has for me and you will never change. No matter what unbelievable pain, struggle or trial we face, we serve a God who is constant in His descriptors for us. My bio may be two short sentences at the bottom of a devo, but our God has a looooong list of beautiful descriptors in His Word!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Think of your descriptors – literally and spiritually.
2. What spiritual descriptor is hardest for you? Pray the Holy Spirit would continually remind you of this eternal truth this week.

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 139(1)

Lexi is an Elementary Education major at Bethel University. The last two summers, she’s been the Children’s Ministries intern at Oakwood.

(1) In addition, http://oakwoodnow.org/index.php?nid=92564&s=mn&grpid=48850&grpDetails=true has an extensive list of descriptors God has for us with verses as well.

Three Steps to Preventing Heart Failure
by Elin Henderson

“Then David said to Saul, ‘Let no man’s heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight this Philistine.’”
1 Samuel 17:32 (NKJV)

Does that sound like an excerpt from the latest Prevention magazine or Health Journal? We are all concerned about our heart health. We eat healthy, exercise, see the doctor, and do what we can to keep our ticker ticking healthily away! So, you can guess that I’m not talking about physical heart failure here, but spiritual heart failure. How can we avoid or prevent spiritual heart failure? Well, let’s take a look in the Spiritual Medical Book—the Bible—and see what David has to share with us.

In the Old Testament in I Samuel 17, we find the army of Israel facing their age-old enemies the Philistines, yet this time, instead of confidence and power we see dismay and fear. Let’s take a look at Israel’s heart failure and see how David doesn’t fall into the same trap.

The giant, Goliath comes forth, making a LOT of noise and scaring the people to death, literally! What does Israel do? Run and hide. Sometimes we do that with our problems. We think that if we play dead and lie still long enough, they will just go away. We hope and pray that maybe with time the enemy will forget we are there and just move on to someone else. Step one in preventing heart failure: face your fears; don’t run or hide from them. Fear leads to frustration, which leads to dismay. David didn’t delay or dismay, he turned and immediately faced the giant declaring, “Who is this Philistine that defies the armies of the living God?” No hiding there!

Next, young David is brought before King Saul who tries to humanly help him out. Step two in preventing heart failure: don’t trust in human resources. That doesn’t mean we don’t utilize the resources God provides for us. But sometimes, our well-meaning friends try to “help,” but instead encumber us with weighty and unnecessary armor and weapons. In the end, David’s greatest weapon was his faith. God can use weapons. There are multiple counts of battles won with weapons, but our greatest weapon is knowing in whose hands the battle really lies.

Finally, look at the confidence with which David attacks the giant Goliath (vs. 46-48). He verbally lets him have it and right away lets him know just whose battle this is, “For the battle is the LORD’s and He will give you into our hands.” Step three for preventing heart failure: hit the ground confident and running… not in your own strength but fully convinced that God is able to deliver!

Just like that, one whack in the head and the battle was over. David was the victor in human terms, but God was the victor in spiritual terms! Everyone else around him had given in to fear and dismay, but David’s heart stood firm. Granted, there are many other forms of heart failure prevention, but these are a few that we can learn from David and apply to our own giants today.

GOING DEEPER:
1. We all have our Philistines: those spiritual enemies that, no matter how many times we fight them, just keep popping up! And our Philistines can occasionally rally their forces and send out a giant. What or who are your Philistines? And what form does your giant take?
2. How can you apply these three steps and prevent heart failure as you face your giants?

FURTHER READING:
Take the time to read the whole story – 1 Samuel 17 – and get a full glimpse of the battle and the victory!

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

True Beauty
By Jen Wollner

“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment…Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”
1 Peter 3:3-4

A couple of years ago, I was traveling and found myself on a hotel shuttle with a group of twenty-something young men. I couldn’t help but overhear their conversation as we rode to our destination. They were talking about their plans for the evening and that they were going to meet up with their female friends later. I ascertained from the conversation that these ladies had frustrated the men because they were taking too long primping for their night out, so the guys left without them. One of the men summed up all of their feelings perfectly by saying, “They spend so much time getting ready…and they come out looking the same!”

I’ll be honest, this statement rubbed me the wrong way at first. Personally, I think I look a lot different after a shower, styling products and make-up, than I do when I first wake up in the morning. This young man obviously has no appreciation for what we go through, I thought. But, what if he was right? Women, in general, often spend a significant amount of time on their outward appearance—clothes, hair, make-up—all of which, as evidenced by his comment, doesn’t make much difference in how others perceive our beauty. But, why is that? If we work so hard, why do we still look basically the same?

And then it hit me…maybe it really is what’s on the inside that matters most. Maybe our heart plays a bigger role in our outer appearance than we realize. We can cover up physical imperfections with clothes or cosmetics, but the true condition of our heart shines through. If we are downcast or negative on the inside, it will usually show on our face, in our body language or through our words. But, if we have joy in our hearts, that’s what others see on the outside, too. Whatever is going on inside comes out in our words, actions and attitudes.

There’s only one effective way to alter our hearts and, consequently, our outward beauty: Jesus. Spending time with Him can dramatically change the way we look to those around us. Wouldn’t it be encouraging if we literally looked and acted differently after each time we are with Him? Every time we read His Word or converse with Him in prayer, our hearts should look a little more like His…and the reflection on the outside will be truly beautiful.

GOING DEEPER:
1. How much time do you spend on your outward appearance versus your heart?2. Are you making time regularly for God? How do you look different because of your time together?

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 105:3; Proverbs 4:23; Proverbs 31:30

Jen and her husband are busily parenting three children between the ages of eight and four. She serves on the leadership team for Mission: Hope, Oakwood’s orphan care ministry.

MY Spiritual Battlefront
by Elin Henderson

“For we wrestle (battle) not against flesh and blood but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against the spiritual wickedness in high places.”
Ephesians 5:12 (NKJV)

I am not sure how many people I have come across ask me, “So, what’s it like on the front line battlefield?” For some reason, a lot of people consider missionary work “front-line” while everything else is what…“back-line”? Today, I would like to dispel this misrepresentation. While there is some truth in it, the reality is that God has given each of us a “battlefront” and there He wants us to stand and fight!

We see in Scripture that not just some of us, but all of us are called to front-line service, although the service itself may take on varying appearances. It isn’t an elite few who get to see the front lines while the rest of us sit back and watch in awe or cheer. God has designed unique battlefronts for each of us. Now, how effective we are on our spiritual battlefronts is more a matter of where we are looking for strength and direction.

God, in His perfect foreknowledge, plans out in advance each of our personal battles, where good and evil are fought out and where the flesh and the Spirit fight for the right to raise their flag and claim us. He also knows how much each of us can take on the front line, doing hand-to-hand battle, and when we need a rest and a little “leave time.” Sometimes it may seem that the war is never ending and at other times, we wonder, “Why am I being kept back and not sent to the front line again today?” Either way, our eyes must be focused on the General, leading us onward. We must be confident that He alone knows what is best for us; how much we can handle today, how long we can stand the heavy shelling, and when we need to fall back for a little rest and recuperation before heading back to the fray.

What and where is your battlefront? Could it be in an office? At home with your kids? Teaching in a school? Working in a hospital? It is true that there are some locations that are more intense with spiritual warfare, but on either front the bottom line is sensitivity to our Leading General. Where does He have us today? Where should our forces be? And on the day we are called home and the battle is over, may we say with Paul, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept my faith” (2 Timothy 4:7, NKJV).

GOING DEEPER:
1. How can this apply to the spiritual armor that we are called to put on in Ephesians 6:11-13? How does this equip us for our personal spiritual battlefront?

FURTHER READING:
2 Chronicles 20:27; 1 Timothy 6:12a; 1 Timothy 1:18b

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

In This Moment
By Lisa Boyer

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy in peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 15:13

The God of the universe lives inside of me in the person of the Holy Spirit, but what difference does that reality make in my life, right now, in this moment?

To help understand what my “right now, in this moment” looks like, here’s a summary of a recent week of mine: Thursday, I got a call that my mom was going to the emergency room with blurred vision, headache, dizziness and overall “don’t feel good” symptoms. Friday, we weren’t sure if she was going to survive the weekend. Saturday, I got to see the MRI of her brain and all the aneurisms just waiting for her blood pressure to rise. Monday, I was told she didn’t recognize my niece. Tuesday, she was doing SO MUCH better but she’d begun hallucinating. Wednesday, my doctor called with the results of my recent blood tests…and they weren’t what I was expecting.

So, back to the question: What difference does He make in my life, right now, in this moment, in these circumstances?

Well, during all this uncertainty pertaining to my mom’s situation and even my own, I have been filled with a peace from so deep inside of me that it can be explained by nothing but Him. And I have had Bible verses running through my mind that clearly reassured me of Who is in control.

Normally when trouble strikes, I use my “phone a friend” lifeline. But when I got off the phone with my doctor, the Friend I wanted to talk to more than anyone else wouldn’t require the use of a phone… I only wanted to talk to God. I knew that He is the one who knows what the future holds and would understand my heart better than anyone. He is my Comforter.

I know I have a long way to go in understanding the complete difference He makes in my life, but in this moment, I am just thankful - - thankful that the God of the universe does live inside of me. Because of Him, I did not walk alone for one second during those seven days and I know that I won’t walk alone through anything that lies ahead.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Because you’re a believer, the God of the universe lives inside of you; what difference will that make in your life today?
2. Have the circumstances of life left you feeling hopeless? Right now, will you have a heart-to-heart talk with your heavenly Father and let Him fill you with hope as you trust in Him?

FURTHER READING:
John 14:26, 27; John 16:7; Ephesians 3:20, 21

Lisa has been married to Ted for 18 years and they have two teenage sons. She is a co-leader for a Junior High girls’ small group at Oakwood Church.

Inattentive
By Peggy Kleckner

"Do not get drunk with wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit."

Ephesians 5:18

I was in a Bible study the other night when the teacher was speaking on this text. She used her car as an analogy. Our cars need to be filled up with fuel in order to be useful, in order to fulfill their true purpose. We can’t just fill them up with whatever liquid we want to put in the tank; they must receive that which their engine was designed or created to use. So too with us as Christians, we are to be filled with the Spirit.

She went on to speak about what may keep us from being filled. Her first reason was “inattentiveness.” We may not even notice that we are running close to empty.

O.k. she had my attention, or perhaps I should say “He” did. Immediately, I was back in my car on the road to Minnesota with my mother this past summer. What a joyful, delightful time that was. She only visits once a year and we were traveling to my sister’s home. We were driving along enjoying our journey, when she finally spoke up and asked whether I might consider pulling over for gas since my fuel tank was just about resting on E for empty!

Now, you may think that I was just absorbed in our conversation, or perhaps focused on our destination. Truthfully, I was just not in the habit of looking at my gas gauge. I seldom travel far, so therefore I get gas on Fridays. This was not a Friday.

As I giggled at the memory, I wondered how many Christians are used to getting filled on Sundays. Perhaps as a new believer that was enough, but they have grown since then. They may not notice that they are beginning to whine and that their attitude is sputtering. Perhaps they still think they must be spoon-fed by a pastor. Maybe they don’t know that the “Spirit” station is available anywhere and anytime. Maybe, like me, they have been a bit “inattentive” and were too busy to pull over and allow Him to fill them up again! God wants to fill us. We need only to be still enough to hear Him calling us into His Word for refueling.

Have you checked your Spirit gauge lately?

GOING DEEPER:
1. How often do you “fill up”? How much are you being poured out?
2. Do you “fill up” out of routine or do you recognize your need to be filled?

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 23; Mark 6:30-32

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.

Steeped to Perfection!
By Susan Klein

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.”
Colossians 3:16

Being a tea-drinker, I know the importance of properly steeping my tea to bring out the full, rich flavor. I also know that a really good cup of tea will depend not only on how long I steep it, but also on how hot the water is, as well as how much tea I use. Brewing a truly “perfect cup” of tea takes some time and a bit of effort, but the results are oh-so-worth it!

Letting the word of Christ dwell in you richly is much like the tea-brewing process. The idea of “dwelling richly” suggests that it takes some time and effort. If you were to just glance at the words and close your Bible, it would be like quickly dunking a teabag once or twice in a cup of water. The tea would still taste like water, as all the flavor would still be in the bag. It must be allowed to steep for a time to bring out its richness, much as the Word must be meditated on for awhile to obtain its full meaning. Also, if you only chose to meditate on a few words, rather than a full passage of Scripture, it would be similar to putting only a few tea leaves into the water. Your tea would be weak, not achieving the maximum flavor, nor would you gain the full meaning or intent of the passage.

Taking time to learn about the art of brewing tea, as well as the many varieties of tea, allows one to more fully appreciate its many benefits and delightful flavors. Similarly, spending time immersed in God’s Word, exploring its many hidden treasures, and letting it steep to perfection in our hearts and minds will allow His rich flavor to flow forth in our words to each other and in our praises to Him.

Take some time to enjoy a good steeping!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Is your life a richly-steeped testament to God’s Word, or is it a bit on the weak side?
2. What are you putting in your cup? Is it pure tea, or bits of tea mixed with artificial flavors and other non-essential ingredients?

FURTHER READING:
Joshua 1:8; Psalm 19:14; Philippians 4:8

Susan is our Tuesday Morning Women’s Bible Study Coordinator and one of its teachers. She is also involved in youth outreach ministry.

Fair Weather Faith
By Leslie Snyder

“Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?”
Job 2: 10b

I have never known suffering. I have always lived in a free country, had more than adequate shelter, food and clothing, and have only experienced mild degrees of illness. To most, my life would appear extremely blessed. But I am drawn again and again to the story of Job who experienced suffering unlike anyone I have ever known. God allowed Satan to destroy Job’s crops, his property, his animals, his children and ultimately his own health. In it all, Job’s faith never wavered. In fact, Job 2:11 tells us that “in all of this Job never sinned.” How is that possible?

In the book Man’s Search for Meaning, Viktor Frankl conveys his experiences of unimaginable horror in the Nazi concentration camps of Auschwitz and Dachau. Of all the experiences shared, most striking are his references to religious faith and its impact on the prisoners. Frankl writes, “The religious interest of the prisoners, as far and as soon as it developed, was the most sincere imaginable. The depth and vigor of religious belief often surprised and moved a new arrival.” And again, “In spite of all the enforced physical and mental primitiveness of the life in a concentration camp, it was possible for spiritual life to deepen. Sensitive people who were used to a rich intellectual life may have suffered much pain, but the damage to their inner selves was less. They were able to retreat from their terrible surroundings to a life of inner riches and spiritual freedom."[1]

Suffering still exists today. Abuse, poverty, hatred, hunger and malnutrition, disease, war and death continue to plague our world. And Scripture is clear that suffering shows no favoritism. The Israelites suffered under Pharaoh, Joseph was hated by his brothers and unjustly sold into slavery, widows and orphans were overlooked in food distribution, disciples were imprisoned and killed and Jesus was unjustly accused, unfairly tried, beaten and put to death on a Roman cross. Suffering is very real in this sin-laden world.

Frankl later came to the following conclusion about suffering, “If there is a meaning in life at all, then there must be a meaning in suffering. Suffering is an ineradicable part of life, even as fate and death. Without suffering and death, human life cannot be complete.”

Job suffered greatly, but in his suffering never sinned. His faith deepened and in the end, he was rewarded by the very God who permitted his suffering. His faith weathered the very greatest of storms.

Going Deeper:
1. Perhaps you are in a time of suffering in your own life and are questioning the presence of God in that suffering. Listen to the story of Job, study it, and see how his experience might bring encouragement into your own.

Further Reading:
Romans 5:3

© HomeWord. Used by permission.

[1] Viktor E. Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning, Washington Square Press, 1959, 1962, 1984.

What’s Your Homepage?
By Lexi Cole

“In the morning, Lord, You hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before You and wait expectantly.”
Psalm 5:3

I did something horrible. I put Facebook as the homepage for my Internet browser. Now, every time I open the Internet, the first thing I see is that tempting Facebook log-in in the upper right-hand corner. This is horrible because most of the time, I’m opening the Internet with the intention of going somewhere other than Facebook - - normally homework-related. And instead, I end up on Facebook. What I set my homepage to is important because it’s the first thing I see, it begins “my Internet time.” There is a very simple solution to a problem like this: Change your homepage to something worthwhile, something beneficial, something un-distracting.

In the same way, don’t we often begin our mornings with a loud alarm telling us to race out of bed and start a very busy day? Just like our homepage is the first thing we see when we open the Internet, what do we start our day with? I grew up singing a simple children’s song that goes, “Good morning, God. This is Your day. I am Your child. Show me Your way.” (1) What if this was our mentality? What if the homepage of our daily life reflected on His faithfulness, mercy and presence? Would we live drastically different lives - - would our attitudes and heart conditions be totally different - - if we started with God?

This shift of beginning our day with God looks different for different people. For some, it’s devotionals or quiet time with God in His Scriptures right away. Others spend time in prayer talking to God. Some are silent and listen to God’s Spirit speak to their hearts. Others worship God through His Creation. Even singing that simple children’s song is a great way to start the day. For me, I’ve been intentional about starting my day with “Lead me, Holy Spirit, to do Your work today.”

As Christians, I think it’s easy for us to get into a rut and a routine. Maybe the solution is something as simple as starting our day with Him. Just as we choose what our homepage is on our Internet browser, we choose how we start our day; we choose the first thing we see. I did realize having Facebook as my homepage probably wasn’t the best idea…and trying to resist that log-in button every time I opened a new tab was too hard. So I can proudly say…I changed my homepage.

In the same way, my homepage is a reminder that how we start our day makes a difference. So the question remains: What’s your homepage?

GOING DEEPER:
1. In terms of your daily life, what has your current “homepage” been? What should you change it to? Actively commit to doing that this week.

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 118:24; Philippians 4:4; Psalm 28:7

(1) "Good Morning, God” by Lee Bristol, Jr.

Lexi is an Elementary Education major at Bethel University. The last two summers, she’s been the Children’s Ministries intern at Oakwood.

Jesus Knows Me, This I Love
By Jeannine Sawall

“I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.”
John 10:14-15

There’s just something special about being with those close intimate friends who know you like few people do. The kind of friends where every pretense is removed. The kind of friend who actually knows how much you weigh…you know, the number-on-the-scale type of friend, not the number on your driver’s license! The kind of friend you feel comfortable enough to show your worst and she still gives you her best. Those kinds of friends are rare, and when you find one or two, you treasure them like priceless jewels.

I love being with these precious friends. It’s a comfortable, safe place where I never have to worry about whether or not I’ll find acceptance. Explanations are rarely necessary. It’s a place I go when I want to rest and relax. It’s also a safe place for me to cry and pour my heart out when the burdens I’m carrying feel overwhelming. It’s safe because I know these friends desire the best for me, they would do almost anything for me. They will listen, but also share hard truths when I need to hear them. What great freedom in these friendships.

Jesus invites us to have the same kind of relationship with Him. He designed us to have a REAL relationship with Him, not just a “religious” relationship with Him. He knows us more intimately than anyone on earth. He loves us more than we can imagine; He loves the REAL us. He doesn’t care about the number on the scale, the “real” color of our hair or what secrets we think we may be hiding. He knows it all already and loves us the same. He wants us to come to Him in total honesty, bringing all our desires, our hopes, as well as our sorrows and disappointments to share with Him. He wants us to lay down our pretenses so we can enjoy the freedom we can find in true fellowship with Him, better than even our closest friends. I don’t have to pretend to find acceptance with Jesus, all I have to do is be who He made me. He already knows who I really am, so why waste all that energy pretending anyway!

Jesus knows me…the real me…and this I love!!

GOING DEEPER:
1. What part of your life do you try to hide from Jesus? Ask Him to help you surrender everything to Him.
2. Do you find yourself being more “religious” than “relational” with Jesus and/or others? Who will you ask today to pray with you about changing that?

FURTHER READING:
Proverbs 8:17; Jeremiah 1:5; Luke 4:18; 1 Corinthians 1:9

Jeannine is a wife and active mother of four boys. She works in property management and is a part of the Special Events team for Oakwood’s We Women ministries.

Worry Replaced by Prayer Equals Trust
By Pamela Blattner

"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand."

Philippians 4:6-7a (NLT)

Any worriers out there? In certain situations, do you find yourself dealing with anxious thoughts? At times, worry can feel like an attack - - I don’t know if you’re like me or not, but when I worry over something or someone, I feel helpless and frustrated. Anxiety is a distressing emotion, and the devil wields it very well. Isn’t it interesting that Scripture gives us a word picture depicting Satan prowling around us like a roaring lion…right after a verse that deals with anxious thoughts (I Peter 5:7-8)?

Several months ago, I made a trip to the Emergency Room to treat a very painful condition. I also reacted negatively to a medication that was administered and felt worried and anxious. I started to prayerfully yield myself to God - - submitting to Him with the confidence that He has the power to control my life. I’d felt helpless before that, but I was reminded with hope and peace that God is always in the business of managing circumstances for our good and His glory.

Prayer is my declaration of dependence on Him. We kneel before the omnipotent God and nothing is too much of a challenge for demonstrating His power on our behalf. I have to remember the “2 T’s” formula for beating anxiety: Telling then Trusting. When you tell the Lord your troubles and then trust Him to deal with them, He takes the responsibility for meeting our needs and giving His peace.

Dear friends, the last thing I want to share with you is about that “roaring lion.” Resist him. As God’s child, don’t reach up and grab your worries right out of God’s hands to once more worry over them. They’re safe with Him. Don’t allow the evil one to make you tremble with anxiety. Stand Firm. Our mighty and caring God is more than adequate to handle all of our life situations, our anxious thoughts…and He cares for you.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Are you dealing with apprehension about physical or emotional suffering on the horizon? Use the “2 T’s” today in your specific situation and look expectantly for His provision and peace for your heart.

FURTHER READING:
Matthew 6:31-32, 26:38-39; Romans 8:28

Pam and her husband Richard have two adult children and two grandchildren. She serves Oakwood through its Family Care Ministries and is Touched Twice Ministries.

Who’s Counting?
By Elin Henderson

“…for nothing restrains the LORD from saving by many or by few.”
I Samuel 14:6b (NKJV)

Have you ever noticed how into numbers we are? When we have a decision to make, either big or small, it usually comes down to numbers. It might be counting:

Cash - - Do we have enough in the bank to buy this house?
People - Can we pull together a party for this weekend? How many hands do we have to help?
Days - - Can we make that trip? Quick, check the calendar dates; do we have enough vacation time saved?
Energy - - Do I have enough energy to take on that new ministry?
Soldiers - - Can we win this war? Do we have enough men on the front to take this enemy?

Let’s face it: We love to crunch numbers! The better the odds, the better chance of our saying “yes.” The worse the odds, the better chance we will come up with some way out of it.

However, God isn’t into numbers. How many times in Scripture does He save by “few” and not many? How many times does He provide from nothing…not something? These resources, which to us are essential, to Him are optional and marginally necessary.

Cash? He owns the cattle on a thousand hills (Psalms 50:10).
People? He can call up the rocks and hills to call forth His message (Luke 19:40).
Days? One day is as a thousand years to Him (II Peter 3:8).
Energy? Less is more. His strength is perfect in weakness (II Corinthians 12:8).
Soldiers? Read on….

In I Kings, Prince Jonathan is out patrolling the hillside with his armor bearer. The Philistine enemy had previously commandeered the steel market and removed all swords from the shelves. It’s likely that between Jonathan and his armor bearer there was only one sword. Yet, Jonathan sees a camp of Philistines and by faith attacks, his battle cry, “WHO’S COUNTING?! God isn’t into numbers!” Two against an encampment - - bad odds! Yet, they had an unseen factor: the LORD among them! They got their strategy from above and set off to victory! God doesn’t require numbers, He requires faith! Faith to see beyond the odds and to believe that “With God nothing is impossible.”

So, next time you are in a dilemma or scrimmage, and you find the odds stacked against you, may you turn with eyes of faith, look to the God of ALL and sound the battle cry, “WHO’S COUNTING?! My God isn’t into numbers!”

GOING DEEPER:
1. Can you think of any other examples in Scriptures where numbers didn’t count but faith was the victor?
2. Where in your life’s journey have you seen the same principle? Who could you tell?

FURTHER READING:
I Samuel 14; Psalm 20:7; Romans 8:37

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

The Power of God
By Leigh Ann Sickinger

“…..apart from Me you can do nothing.”

John 15:5b

Recently, my friend’s relative was diagnosed with a very serious condition. After a successful surgery resulting in fully restored health, I was talking with my friend regarding her relative. During the conversation, she said to me, “See what the power of prayer can do!”

After I left that day, her statement kept coming into my mind, unsettling me. Of course, I’m certain that my friend had been trying to give praise to God, but that one comment didn’t sound that way. In fact, it sounded more like she had been praising everyone’s prayer efforts instead of God’s hand in this miracle.

My thoughts wandered to how many times I do this even on a daily basis. I ask God to guide me, I know He is present with me, but after a situation resolves itself, I look back with admiration in my heart for all the “things” I did to help resolve it. Am I admiring my efforts or God’s hand in the outcome? Why is it I can’t look beyond my efforts and see the all-powerful ONE? What is it about myself that I need to feel like my efforts created the results? And why do I get so caught up in myself?

I don’t have a good answer to any of those questions…other than to remember I’m in process! I guess in the journey of becoming more Christlike, our goal is to evolve into seeing more of Him and less of ourselves. And in seeing HIS hand of power instead of my own!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Today, notice any admiration you have for yourself and what you have done. In that moment, move your thoughts to God and praise Him for being the all-powerful One.
2. See if you can become aware of a time today when you can verbally give the glory to God that He deserves.

FURTHER READING:
Proverbs 16:9; Psalm 150

Leigh Ann is a wife, mother of four, and Co-Coordinator of the Adoption Support Group at Oakwood Church.

The Invisible Shield
By Sarah Kosanke

“Take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.”

Ephesians 6:16

During battle, in ancient times, the shield was a very important, life-saving tool. Each shield was made of a solid material to protect the soldier from the attacks of others. The shield was also covered in thick leather. Soldiers took care of their shields by oiling the leather to keep it supple; however, before battle, they would soak their shields in water. This was to extinguish the flaming arrows, as enemies often lit their arrows on fire to bring further destruction to the soldiers and their surroundings. Soldiers not only used a shield to save themselves, often they would make a shelter to protect themselves from their enemies’ arrow attacks. When a soldier would die in battle, he was carried out on his shield, often buried on it. What an important weapon against their enemies, something to protect them.

Ephesians 6:16 says to “take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” We are in a fierce battle against the evil one, the devil. He wants nothing more then to see us destroyed. Alone, we cannot stand up against his attack; but we have our God for help.

How clever of God to liken our faith to a shield. From being oiled/anointed to being soaked in water/immersed into and filled with the Holy Spirit, our faith helps protect us against the fiery assaults from the devil himself. The more we trust God, the stronger our stand. When the devil hurls his lies at you, like fiery arrows from the pit of hell, our shield of faith is what keeps us grounded and remembering who our Champion truly is. Think of the Old Testament heroes of faith. Noah built an ark when God told him to, and it had never rained before. Abraham trusted God’s promise that through Him would be a nation more numerous then the stars. Those men have long passed on; however, the stories of their faith in a faithful God live on.

When we are in the midst of battle, when the devil is hurling his flaming arrows at us, it is our shield of faith that protects us. We can’t always physically see the Lord there; however, with faith, we are sure of His presence. Dear ladies, whatever you are battling today, I urge you to pick up your shield of faith, as the One who shields you is faithful!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Where can you trust God today, and in what battle do you need to lift up and use the shield of faith He has given you to use?

FURTHER READING:
Hebrews 11; James 5:13-16

Sarah is a single young lady who works as a rehabilitation specialist for mentally ill clients in a group home. She teaches the 5th and 6th grade girls on Sunday Mornings and the 2nd through 4th grade girls on Wednesday nights at Oakwood.

It’s All About ME
By Lisa Boyer

“And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again.”
2 Corinthians 5:15

My birthday was just a few days away and I was throwing myself a huge party. Oh, don’t be sad that you weren’t invited… it wasn’t a birthday party - - it was a pity party!

I knew what I wanted to do on my birthday, but due to circumstances beyond my control, it wasn’t going to happen and I was upset, really upset. And, if there was ever a day when I should get to do what I want, it’s on MY birthday! The good news is that my pity party didn’t last long. I was convicted of my selfishness (and my resulting bad behavior) and made things right. After all, I was plenty old enough - - even without another birthday - - to know that no day is ever solely about ME.

Well, actually there is one day in history that was about me but it wasn’t the day I was born. The day Jesus died on the cross was about me… He didn’t die for Himself; He died for ME…and for you!

And because He died so that I could live, my life isn’t about me; it’s about HIM! Several years ago, I wrote this to remind myself of that fact:

Lord, here I am at the end of my day,
Thinking there's something I should say,
A question’s haunting me in the back of my mind
This day I've just wasted was it even mine
Cuz, You paid a price for it that day on the tree
But I've just spent it as though it were free

So how expensive was my day
What was the price You had to pay
Was it all You had in mind for me
When You bled and died on Calvary

As I’m reflecting upon my daily life
I can't help but wonder if I'm living it right
In Your Book it's written that all my days were planned
And I am confident my soul is in Your hand
So as for my future well it remains the same
But I know somehow my life has got to change

Tomorrow starts another day
So here and now I bow and pray
Make it all you had in mind for me
When you bled and died on Calvary

After what He’s done for me, I am happy to make my birthday (and every other day) all about HIM!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Will you make today all about HIM?

FURTHER READING:
Galatians 2:20; Romans 14:7-8; Psalm 139:16

Lisa has been married to Ted for 18 years and they have two teenage sons. She is a co-leader for a Junior High girls’ small group at Oakwood Church.

God’s En-deering Presence
By Karen D’Amore

“Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge Him. As surely as the sun rises He will appear …”
Hosea 6:3a

Grazing outside my window…statuesque and serene…their presence evokes me to gaze tirelessly. A hush of tranquility shadows their every move; their gentle eyes contrasting their powerful strength. With the graceful precision of a ballerina, they prance sure-footedly across the terrain. The beloved deer majestically emulate attributes of our Lord. Drawing me to look for Him in my life, God uses His precious creatures to remind me of Himself. In the past, responding to my pursuit of His presence, God has orchestrated timely appearances by the deer. In times of doubt, or need for comfort and assurance, the deer have faithfully appeared outside my window. Seeing them draws me to rest peacefully in His presence.

Recently, just hours before undergoing a new and unfamiliar cancer procedure, I desperately sought the emotional assurance of God’s presence. Through Scripture assures me that He’s always with me (Hebrews 13:5), I anticipated His familiar encouragement through the deer. When no deer appeared, discouragement threatened to infiltrate my heart. Though in that moment, God met me and encouraged me in a different way, I was still sadly puzzled by the diversion from the deer.

Following the cancer procedure, a friend stopped by to check on me. Knowing and understanding my God-Deer connection, I shared with her my bewilderment in the absence of the deer. Had God abandoned me, I questioned from a place of spent emotion? Offering no verbal response, my friend left me with a tearful hug and a gift. Opening her gift, I wept as I unwrapped a miniature iron statue of a deer. Scripture assures us that God “rewards those who earnestly seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6b). Though I was looking for God through a different kind of deer, He rewarded my pursuit of Him in a far more personal and en-deering way.

“And if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul, you will find Him” (Deuteronomy 29:4b NLT). Desiring to be a part of our everyday lives, God beckons us to look for Him. He invites us to call upon His name, read His love letter called the Bible, and seek Him with our whole heart. God used an en-deering gift from an en-deering friend to reassure me of His presence. Now, the deer statue adorning my mantle reminds me daily of God’s faithful presence. Are you looking for Him? He wants to be found! Seek Him with your whole heart, and look for Him to reveal His presence, in a way that’s especially endearing to you!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Do you intentionally look for God? Along with Scripture, how does He make His presence real to you?

FURTHER READING:
1 Chronicles 28:9; Jeremiah 33:3; Proverbs 8:17

Married to Dan, Karen, a retired police officer, is currently a Nail Technician at Craig Berns. She is the administrator for Oakwood’s Tuesday a.m. Bible Study and a volunteer at the Wildlife In Need Center.

Lipstick on the Mirror
By Lexi Cole

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9

My sisters decorated my room as a “welcome home” from studying abroad in Scotland. They made large posters, printed American flags and wrote a sweet, long note on my dresser mirror with bright pink lipstick. After awhile, I decided it was time to clean the mirror. Figuring I was capable of cleaning a mirror, I spayed the Windex and got the paper towel. Unfortunately, the lipstick just smeared all over. It was an absolute mess! I used a ton of Windex and there was a small heap of completely pink paper towels on the ground. It took twenty minutes of digging my nails into the paper towel to scrape the lipstick off.

As I thought about my pink-covered mirror, I thought about the mess that comes with doing life - - the struggles, pain and trials. Because we live in a sin-filled world, sometimes our mess is sin and sometimes it is circumstance. Regardless of how the mess came about, we find ourselves struggling to clean or work through it.

One thing I love about our God is how He used people for His Kingdom in the midst of the mess. In the Old Testament, Abraham’s mess was because of sin: choosing his way rather than God’s. But God used him to be the father of His nation. In the New Testament, Paul chose to speak God’s Word even when it was dangerous: a mess that was because of his obedience. But God used that pain and suffering to advance His gospel.

In the same way, God uses our lives for His kingdom, despite our mess. Though the mess can be large and takes hard work to persevere through, we serve a God who doesn’t require us to be perfect before doing His work. Instead, He partners alongside us in our journey. God uses imperfect people for His perfect will; people who are still working hard to “clean the mess off the mirror.” What an amazing comfort that is! Rather than waiting for us to handle the mess on our own and then do His will, He is with us in our mess - - to comfort, protect and guide us. We are not alone, no matter the mess we find ourselves in! We have a God who is able to do more than we could hope or imagine because He partners in our journey and uses us…pink-lipstick-on-the-mirror mess and all.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Identify some of the mess in your life and surrender it to God.
2. What are some things the Holy Spirit could be leading you to actively do for His Kingdom?

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 23; Matthew 28:20

Lexi is an Elementary Education major at Bethel University. The last two summers, she’s been the Children’s Ministries intern at Oakwood.

“Lord, I Can’t Wait To See What You Are Going To Do!”
By Kari Lyles

“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.”
Ephesians 3:20-21

The new year is, well, not so new anymore, and it’s around this time that I start examining my new year’s resolutions…. if I made any! For me, the start of a new year brings a sense of anticipation, feelings of excitement of what could be, and new hopes of accomplishments. However, as the weeks pass, my anticipation unfortunately fades into the daily beat of life. Good intentions get swept under the rug for another year.

God has been convicting me that I can have that “fire in the belly” anticipation not just at the start of a new year, but every day of that year and in every circumstance I face.

Like you, I am sure, He has given me mountains to climb. Times where I have been at a loss for words either praying for myself or others, and I have been left vulnerable, saying, “Lord, I can’t wait to see what you are going to do.”

I have used this phrase for my children with struggles at school. When I wasn’t sure where my career path was taking me. When friends have come to me heartbroken. When my prayer partner and I pray weekly as she awaits a life-changing transplant. And I will continue saying it, praying it, sharing it and trying to live it.

Ephesians 3 reminds us that God can do the unthinkable, beyond our dreams.

There is a little catch.

My enthusiastic anticipation about what He is going to do in my life and in the lives of others does not always come with an answer that I expect. There is sometimes a “no,” a “wait” or silence. But I have found there is always a lesson in His wise response. When I can get past my disappointment, I grow, stretch, bend, search and persevere. I give in and allow Him to mold me into the woman, wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend I desire to be.

So, as I evaluate where I am at this time of year…I do have a long way to go. But I can tell you, “I can’t wait to see what He is going to do!”

GOING DEEPER:
1. Are you approaching God with anticipation or are you just going through the motions of life thinking, “it is what it is”?
2. Will you allow yourself to let go of your hopes and desires and let Him do “immeasurably more than all you could ask or imagine”?

FURTHER READING:
Jeremiah 29:11-14; Romans 8:26-30

Kari is a wife and mother to two girls ages 9 and 5. She works as a regional sales manager at MAX-R in Sussex and is involved in Oakwood’s drama ministry.

Building Blocks
By Peggy Kleckner

“As you come to Him, the living Stone - - rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to Him - - you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”
I Peter 2:4-5

I had brought up the large plastic tub of Duplos (you know, those lego building blocks for younger children) from our basement for my grandson to play with. I was trying to offer him something new to keep him occupied while the rest of the family was engrossed in a football game.

We have quite an assortment of these blocks. They are different colors, shapes and sizes. A lot of them even have wheels attached; however, the fun thing is that they all fit together. No matter the color, size or shape you can attach them to each other.

As I dug through the tub, I offered him a variety of new blocks for his enjoyment. While he was working on the blocks he had, I continued to fish around in the container and found some orange blocks. I was disappointed as I tried to attach them to some of the other blocks. They wouldn’t fit together. Upon closer inspection, I realized they were not Duplos, but counterfeits. Though they looked very similar, they could not be used to build up anything with the Duplos. Needless to say, I gathered up the rest of the counterfeits and disposed of them. I didn’t want my grandson to be disappointed by blocks that wouldn’t fit together.

Those blocks reminded me that God is building His Church with living stones, with those who have put their trust in Him alone. The truth is, counterfeit Christians just won’t attach to true Christians in the right way. Those who are believers are being molded into the image and likeness of Christ and God is fitting us together into one body. Those who refuse to be conformed to the image of Christ just won’t “fit together”… and it will be noticeable on Judgment Day.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Have you accepted God’s call to be conformed to the image of His son, Jesus?
2. Are you allowing Jesus to fit you in to His body, the Church?

FURTHER READING:
Matthew 25:31-46; 1 Cor. 12:12-26

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.

No Quick Fix
By Susan Klein

“He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver....”
Malachi 3:3a

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you’ve desired a “quick fix” or a rapid resolution to your dilemma? Perhaps you’ve not clung to that New Year’s resolution of taking better care of your body and now desire to be back in great physical shape - - in a huge hurry! For some, it might be that the accumulation of unpaid bills over a period of time and the lure from the television ads of a “speedy solution” to get out from under their financial burden seem quite appealing! Unfortunately, a quick fix isn’t always possible.

I experienced this firsthand recently when I developed an affliction that required medical attention. I went to the doctor, had a quick minor procedure done, and believed that was the end of it. Four days later, the affliction worse, I returned to the doctor and received a different treatment that we hoped would bring rapid relief. Not so! Two days later, I was being informed that I required surgery, which would involve a very lengthy recovery time. Not exactly the quick fix I desired and had fervently prayed for! God had a different plan for me.

As I spent the next few weeks trying to be still and allow my body to heal, God also did a refining work in my heart. Not only did He help me to heal physically, but He allowed healing to take place in some other areas of my life that I had struggled with and had not taken the time to properly address with Him. The refinement of my heart might have been missed had he allowed a “quick fix” in my body to take place.

Just as precious metals need refining under high heat and prolonged pressure to bring out their brilliance, so God allows us to endure our own heated moments and sometimes lengthy times of trial so that He may refine us; that He may make our righteousness shine like the dawn (Psalm 37:6), and make us into a brilliant reflection of Him. He who began the good work in us will be faithful to carry it on to completion (Philippians1:6), but that takes time. It doesn’t happen overnight!

The next time your prayers for a quick-fix or a speedy solution don’t seem to be answered, take time to see what better things God might be trying to show you during the process!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Can you resist the urge to “quick-fix?” Are you willing to withstand the heat and pressure of refinement so as to reap the blessings of a closer walk with God?

FURTHER READING:
James 1:2-4, 12

Susan is our Tuesday Morning Women’s Bible Study Coordinator and one of its teachers. She is also involved in youth outreach ministry.

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

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.

The name of my most recent list was “To get ready for Tuesday.” Tuesday has now come and gone, and I’m happy to report 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). 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? What steps will you take to correct that today?

FURTHER READING:
Luke 10:38-42

Lisa has been married to Ted for 18 years and they have two teenage sons. She is a co-leader for a Junior High girls’ small group at Oakwood Church.

What’s In It For Me?
By Carolyn Hulliberger

“No doubt about it! God is good – good to good people, good to the good-hearted.”
Psalm 73:1 (The Message)

Following God with all your heart is difficult. Not just difficult…there are times that will call for social, physical or emotional discomfort, sacrifice, pain. At times it’s tempting for even the most seasoned Christ-followers to look around and say, “Forget it. Everyone else has more fun and prosperity…without any problems. What am I getting out of this? It’s not fair. I’m out of here.” This feeling is nothing new. Asaph, the author of Psalm 73, told his story and fought the same emotions. But God has an answer to him, and to us.

Asaph saw that “the wicked” (v. 3, NIV) seemingly had no struggles. They were healthy, proud, arrogant, and carefree (v. 4-12). Sound familiar? Just like many of us, Asaph found himself struggling with envy of these people. But God showed Asaph the destination of the unfaithful. They are “cast down to ruin…destroyed…completely swept away” (v. 18-19). And Asaph’s destination? The very presence of God (v. 24).

At the end of the psalm, Asaph worships God:

“I’m still in your presence,
But you’ve taken my hand.
You wisely and tenderly lead me,
And then you bless me.
You’re all I want in heaven!
You’re all I want on earth!
When my skin sags and my bones get brittle,
GOD is rock-firm and faithful.
Look! Those who left you are falling apart!
Deserters, they’ll never be heard from again.
But I’m in the very presence of God—
Oh, how refreshing it is!” (v. 23-26, The Message)

God showed Asaph the last chapter of the book, to help him understand that he…just like us…lives in the middle of the story. God’s faithfulness to those who love Him does not end.

GOING DEEPER:
1. What are you putting your hope and confidence in today?

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 89:8

Along with caring for her husband, two children and the dog, Carolyn is an Office Representative for State Farm Insurance, serves in Student Ministries with seventh grade girls, and is the treasurer for Women’s Ministries.