Wrestling Match
By Peggy Kleckner

“So Jacob was left alone and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. Then the man said, ‘Let me go, for it is daybreak.’

“But Jacob replied, ‘I will not let you go unless you bless me.’” 
Genesis 32:24-26 (NIV)

Left alone with a wrestling match. I’ve been there with God. I have gone to prayer whining and complaining and wanting my way. I have gone to prayer trying to hide behind my “success,” at least to all outward appearances. God, in His grace, kept me wrestling, wearing away my pretenses, and still I stubbornly hung on. Like Jacob, I haven’t even wanted to admit a new weakness that God has pointed out. Finally, light begins to dawn in my darkness and I won’t let God go because I know I need Him. I want His blessing and He is willing to give it when I come out of denial and admit who I am, or at least who I was, before the wrestling began.

I remember in the movie “You’ve Got Mail,” the woman is given advice from yet another movie, The Godfather. She is told to “go to the mats.” Apparently, to fight for what she wants, she should give it her all until she has nothing left for the fight. Well, here we are on the mat with God! Kind of funny, if you were posting the marquis “God vs. (insert your name).” It certainly sounds silly, yet we each do it more than once in our lifetime. We want what we want. We stubbornly hold on to our plan. We think we can persuade God to agree with us, to let us win this one particular match.

The key to a win in this, or any other, wrestling match with God is our surrender. In surrender, we are blessed. We are called to release our plans, our hold, and allow Him to lead us.

Jacob left the match blessed with humility and a changed heart. May the same be true for each of us.

GOING DEEPER:
1. What dream or plan are you holding on to?
2. Have you considered surrendering it to God?

FURTHER READING:
Genesis 32; Jeremiah 29:11-13

Peggy is a wife and mother of four adult children - - two sons and two stepsons, and is an active encourager at Oakwood Church in Delafield.

A New Woman

By Karen D’Amore

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away;

behold, all things have become new.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV, emphasis added)

As my fortieth high school reunion grew near, I spent hours flipping through the pages of my senior yearbook. In an effort to refamiliarize myself, I studied pictures and re-read classmates’ personal inscriptions. Because I’ve rarely reflected on that period of life, it was somewhat a blur. But that reflection process illuminated the contrast between who I was…and who I am today!

Relocating to a new city, I began my first year of high school a stranger to most. Unlike junior high, where I was active in sports, cheerleading, service clubs and student council, I refrained from such activities. My unique style of dress and mysterious loner-like eccentricity impelled students to notice me…yet not really know  me. My involvement in a local church translated into “religious-ocity” versus a personal identification with Jesus. As a deep introspective thinker, the maturity of my life-thoughts distanced me from my peers. My passion for writing spurred involvement with the school newspaper and yearbook. And as editor of our senior yearbook…the book became my voice to unlocking the mystery of “me.”

Other than a handful of Facebook connections, I haven’t stayed connected to the majority of my classmates. After much introspection and prayer, the decision to attend this particular reunion was prompted by God. As I considered the years that bridged time between the girl I was back then and the woman I am today, the contrast is as different as night and day.

The woman I am today is not the result of anything manufactured by me: not hard work, education or personal successes. I am who I am today because of the miraculous work of a loving and merciful God. Because of my personal relationship with Jesus, I’m a new woman, being continually molded into the image of Jesus. My motive for attending this reunion was for the express purpose of displaying the transforming work of our Lord. As classmates would be drawn to remember the girl in the picture on my nametag, my hope was that they would linger just long enough to see the contrast in the woman I am today.

With the reunion now behind me, I’m praising God for the opportunity to show Him off! In the process of reconnecting with old friends/acquaintances and meeting some new, God orchestrated opportunities to share my transforming faith journey. Reliving that journey served as a valuable reminder that I’m nothing without Jesus - - but because of Him - - I’m a “new creation…the old things have passed away…behold, all things have become new.”

GOING DEEPER:

1.  How can you better reflect the “newness” of who you are in Christ?

FURTHER READING:

Ephesians 4:24; 1 Peter 1:23

Married to Dan, Karen, a retired police officer, currently works as a Manicurist at Craig Berns Salon and a Foot Care Specialist at Shorehaven Senior Facility. 

All the Little Things

By Susan Klein

“Cast all your anxieties on Him, for He cares about you.”

1 Peter 5:7 (RSV)

While engaged in conversation with a close friend, she shared that she had accepted a request for her services that she was now regretting. Her plate was more full than she’d realized and adding one more thing was bringing her stress. I asked if she had prayed about it before accepting, to which she replied, “No. It was something very simple that I knew I could do and didn’t feel it warranted prayer.”

I’ve recently come to ponder this aspect of prayer. While my friend was certainly capable of accomplishing this simple task, what if God had wanted to spare her the stress He knew it would bring at that particular time in her life? What if He had already been preparing someone else’s heart to say “yes” to the request? Might He have somehow revealed this to her through prayer?

We all amble through our days making countless decisions without first praying. We don’t typically pray about what to eat for breakfast or which clothes to wear for the day. Praying beforehand may likely double the time it takes to accomplish each task. So how do we know which tasks to pray about?

This passage has become my standard for prayer. “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” (Philippians 4:5-7, emphasis added).

That “peace” part really grabs me! If we know a task has even the slightest potential for anxiety, we ought to pray before giving ascent. Conversely, if we’re feeling stressed, it might be a likely indicator that we should have sought God’s counsel first. Perhaps it’s a simple matter of just praying over our day’s to-do list so we don’t stress or miss out on God’s plans for us.

Just this morning, I searched at length for a recipe I couldn’t find. Not knowing if I should continue the fruitless pursuit or give up, I stopped and asked God for help, even in this seemingly insignificant matter. I wanted to be able to glorify Him and not be anxious. He answered my prayer and replaced my anxiety with His peace. Nothing is too insignificant to God!

While He doesn’t always answer our prayers immediately, God surely delights in our asking, knowing that we’re choosing to trust Him and keep Him involved in all the little things in our life. And… there’s just no substitute for His peace!

GOING DEEPER:

Don’t have time for stress? Make time for prayer.

FURTHER READING:

1 Chronicles 16:11; Ephesians 6:18

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

Ruby Slippers

By Stephanie LaCasse

"But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect."

1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)

"Keep your ruby slippers by your bed" was the clever advice I received over the phone while speaking with a client at work. I'd told her of my horrific tornado dream I had the night before.

Her response made me think and her advice wasn't far off. As demonstrated by Dorothy Gale in The Wizard of Oz, life is best lived in preparedness. We are called to be ready to give a spiritual answer about our hope to whomever asks (1 Peter 3:15), and to be strong and courageous even when fear rears its ugly head (Joshua 1:9). But how can we do this while distractions and excuses lurk around every turn?

I think the answer lies in Jesus' examples...examples we see in the New Testament multiple times. The key? He takes small moments to be with His Father, to pray and recharge. "Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed, 'Everyone is looking for you'" (Mark 1:35-37). Jesus took the opportunity to bypass the distractions and excuses to be alone with His Father, so He could fill up, prepare and pray. How many of us get up early to be alone in the quiet of the house to pray?

A friend once told me to find small moments with the Lord. Three boys and a full-time career can take it out of me, but if I don't continue to open myself to be filled consistently in those small moments, I'll burn up faster than plastic in the fireplace.

What are my "ruby slippers"...what are those small moments? Along with morning moments, posting a Bible verse on the cubicle wall, reading an email devotional before dashing into my day, and praying on my way to work are some of the strategies that work for me.

We are all called to be prepared. Are you?

 GOING DEEPER:

1. Identify some ways you can make sure you're ready.

2. Find a friend to help keep you accountable in these areas.

FURTHER READING:Luke 10:38-42; Matthew 6:33
Stephanie is a mom of three young sons and wife to Dave, who is currently in seminary preparing for chaplaincy in the US Army. In her spare time, she's employed at a law firm.

Son and Servant?

By Lexi Cole Ellis

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!

1 John 3:1 (NIV)

John Wesley was an extraordinary eighteenth century Christian leader with an impressive resume:  preacher, prison ministry, fasting, food ministries to orphans, degrees, ordination, prayer warrior and missionary. Yet in his journal, Wesley stunningly wrote, “I who went to America to convert others was never myself converted to God…I had even then the faith of a servant, though not that of a son.” [1]

My first thought is… Look at all he did! It’s not all that bad to be considered a servant like him, is it? Jesus modeled being a servant, and calls His disciples to do the same. Certainly, we are called to serve God, and we are called to serve the spiritual and physical needs of people.

Yes, we are called to serve. And some need to answer the Holy Spirit’s nudging to jump in, take a risk, and start serving in the Kingdom-building work of God. But Wesley recognized that it’s imperative that we be servants AND children of God.  Because if we’re serving without truly surrendering - - the surrendering that comes with being a child of our Abba Father - - then we’re missing the point as to why God has called us to serve.

For me, the call to serve…the “do-ing”…actually comes naturally. If I’m honest, maybe it’s because when I am serving, I know that other people notice. They see the “outside” of me, and this easily fosters my pride. So the question really becomes: What is my heart motivation for serving? Am I serving because it’s “the right thing to do”? Or am I serving because it impresses others with how filled my schedule is?

OR is my serving an extension of my extreme gratitude - - my thankfulness that I am adopted into God’s family? Is my serving a recognition of everything that Christ has done for me? Does my serving stem from truly surrendering myself to Him? Am I living as a child of God, dependent and trusting Him as I serve?

Sometimes it’s easy to let pride be the motivation for my “yes” to serving. When the reality is, I need to serve God because I truly recognize the amazement that comes with being redeemed as His child. I need to fully delight in God’s Word and acknowledge how vast God’s redemption is. At the end of the day, I need to ask myself:  Am I truly surrendered to my Abba Father…or am I just serving Him?

Going Deeper:

1.      Take time with the Holy Spirit. Are you actively serving? Is so, what’s your motivation behind serving?

Further Reading:

1 John 2:28-3:10; Hebrews 6:10

Lexi and her husband, Andrew, have an adorable dog named Calvin. She teaches sixth grade Reading and Writing, serves with Children’s Ministries, and is the Fresh Start Coordinator.

[1] Platt, David. Follow Me. Pg. 101. Tyndale, 2013.

Security

By Tracy Smith

“Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.”

Psalm 9:10 (NIV)

Thursdays are my grocery shopping day.  In running my errands, I would pass the middle school. Four years ago, on one particular Thursday, I happened to glance at the school as I drove by and saw my son sitting on the sidewalk reading a book! I pulled into the parking lot; after he was in the van, he told me that he had missed the bus. Knowing his dad could be there within the hour, he called his dad’s cell phone and left a message to pick him up. When I asked why he didn’t call me, he responded that he knew I grocery shopped that day. I reminded him that the reason I saw him is that one of the stores I shop at is right across the street from his school!

In recounting the story to my sister, something occurred to me - - my son was so secure in the knowledge that his dad would come get him when he got the message that he was calmly sitting on the sidewalk reading a book! He was in no way worried about how he would get home.

If my son can have that much security in the love and trustworthiness of his earthly father, why do I struggle with having that same trust in my heavenly Father?

In asking that question, I decided to search out Bible verses that I can use to remind me of God’s character.  My favorite is the one at the top of this devotional; here are a few more that really resonated with me:

“In you our ancestors put their trust; they trusted and you delivered them.” Psalm 22:4 

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 

“Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.” Isaiah 26:4  

“Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.” Proverbs 29:25

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8

GOING DEEPER

1. Have you been struggling with fully putting your trust in the Lord? If so, would you commit to memorizing a verse about God’s trustworthiness?

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

The Idol of Perfectionism

By Carolyn Hulliberger

“For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth,

Visible and invisible,

Whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities;

All things have been created through him and for him.

He is before ALL things, and in him ALL things hold together”

Colossians 1:16 (NIV, emphasis added)

I recall clearly when my issue with perfectionism started. A competitive classmate, jealous that I received a better grade on a test in junior high, started the nickname “Little Miss Perfect” for me. From then on, I had to best her. But it didn’t stop with her. A battle was born inside me to craft perfection and eliminate weakness for myself and those around me. This battle took me years to recognize and even still fight today. What I’ve come to understand is that perfectionism has a voice, and it subtly says:

My ideals are more important than anyone else’s needs.

                                                               

I deserve better or more than what I have now.

If something isn’t perfect, then it’s worthless.

In actuality, my quest for flawlessness in myself and others was equal parts a thirst for control, and a fear of being out of control. I found myself a slave to the unending pursuit of continuous improvement, and a victim of my own idolatry. Perfectionism made me tired and resulted in unhealthy behavior and relationships. I was a really, really crummy friend.

It was during a study of Galatians chapter 5 that God started dealing with my battle. It became clear to me that a person pursuing the fruit of the Holy Spirit - - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control - - cannot also be violently critical of herself and those around her at the same time. A woman who believes today’s verse that God is before her and holds all things together, cannot also believe that she is the one in charge of keeping all things in her small world together. A woman who is passionate about loving God and loving others cannot do that if she is trying to fix  everyone.

Armed with a new understanding, I surrendered to the work of changing my thinking. I am, along with everyone else, a work in progress… imperfect.  And that’s okay. But I take heart in Paul’s words:

“Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you

      will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6).

GOING DEEPER:

1.  What do you battle that keeps you from pursuing the fruit of the Holy Spirit?

FURTHER READING:

Philippians 1:3-11, Galatians 5:22-25

Along with caring for her family, Carolyn works as an insurance representative, and serves in Oakwood Church’s Student Ministry.

Choose What is Better

By Brita Crouse

“‘Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.’”

Luke 10:41-42 (NIV)

Last year, my parents celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. So, as a present, I wanted to appropriately celebrate with a surprise party. I spent weeks planning out details and delegating tasks to my very helpful family and friends. The day of the party was spent setting up tables and place settings, making and putting out food, decorating, checking sound equipment and the projection screen, and making sure everyone was in the right place at the right time. In the end, my parents were surprised and enjoyed celebrating this momentous occasion with people they loved.

As for me, I enjoyed the organizing and planning that this kind of event required. But, I spent much of the party keeping the music playing or refilling food or getting the slideshow started or making sure everyone was well-fed and having a good time. In focusing so much on these details, I found myself losing sight of what the celebration was about. I had to keep reminding myself to just sit down and enjoy the people around me.

It’s important to note that an organized nature is not inherently bad; it’s part of how God made some of us. It’s when this love of planning and organization grows greater than our love for God and for people that this passion becomes a problem.

In many ways I find myself relating to Martha, Mary’s sister. When Jesus comes to visit, to teach and eat, Martha gets caught up in the preparations, while Mary spends her time intently listening to Jesus. Martha sees Mary as being lazy because she is not helping hostess. I’m sure Mary saw Martha as being too tightly wound and wished she would just relax and listen to what Jesus had to say.

I am always “that person” who has to clean up or have everything in order before I can enjoy myself. Sometimes, though, I just need to relax and be with people or spend time with God instead. Life can be crazy and hectic and overwhelming, but it’s always worth it to take a minute to remember the big picture and think about why we are really here on Earth.

It is never a waste to spend more time with people or with God, so choose what is better.

GOING DEEPER:

1. Who do you relate to in the above passage? What are ways you can find a balance between the two personalities in your everyday life?

2. Make it your prayer today to “choose what is better.”

FURTHER READING:

Luke 10:38-42; Psalm 118:24

Brita recently graduated with her Master’s in Educational Psychology from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. She has called Oakwood her home church for the past eighteen years.

The Encounter

by Elizabeth Cole

“…He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd.  So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to  see him, since Jesus was coming that way.”

Luke 19:2-4 (NIV)

He’s rich, with a great degree of control in his world. His unethical business practices are known and, as a result, it’s safe to say that he’s deeply loathed. I imagine his size doesn’t get in the way of his aggressive approach to life, other than when there’s a parade in town…like this particular day.

In past years, I’ve been more focused on the fact that, in the New Testament story, Zacchaeus went to such lengths as climbing a tree to see Jesus. It’s not a bad application…seek Jesus, He promises He’ll be found…but it doesn’t take into account the last sentence of the narrative: “I came to seek and to save those who are lost.” Recently, in conversation with a colleague, a richer, more gospel-saturated picture emerges: Jesus seeks Zacchaeus. He sees Him; He knows him by name; He calls him to a personal encounter…and everything changes.

Our Savior not only calls out Zacchaeus from the limbs of a sycamore, He calls him out of a false life and worldview. He calls Him into a relationship with the God in whose image He and his victims were created. He calls Him into a whole new gospel perspective of himself and others. And both his convictions and actions change ever-so-dramatically.

Scripture records Zacchaeus’s response upon welcoming the Lord Jesus into his home that day, “But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, ‘Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.’”

 “Christ is our model of compassion and conviction. He loved Zacchaeus enough to sup with him, knowing the social stigma attached to his occupation. Zacchaeus adopted a new worldview in response to his encounter with Jesus. This worldview taught that exploiting citizens and perpetuating a system that hurt the poor was no longer an option.”1   And so Zacchaeus acted accordingly.

Oh, that our lives would be ever-increasingly as gospel-informed as Zacchaeus’. That the unimaginable truth of God’s lovingkindness toward us would play out in our worldview, in our grace toward others, and in our ordinary living.

He sees you. He knows you by name. He gifts you with His grace and forgiveness. He calls you to a gospel-saturated life…you are His. And that changes everything.

GOING DEEPER:

1.      How does Jesus’ gospel affect your worldview and life values?

2.      Thank Jesus for seeing you, calling you by name, and claiming you as His own. 

FURTHER READING:

Matthew 5:16; Romans 12:2; 1 Peter 2:9

Elizabeth Cole is a wife, mother of three grown daughters, and Oakwood’s Director of Connecting.

1 Sho Baraka, Christianity Today weekly newsletter, 9/16/16

Surrender
By Peggy Kleckner

"If you can?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes." Immediately the boy's father exclaimed. "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"
Mark 9:23-24 (NIV)

A while back, I woke up one morning pondering surrender. The picture I thought of is putting up the white flag and coming out with your palms in the air. What a vulnerable, trusting position! We have all seen that picture played out in the movies, but those people were surrendering to their enemies. Imagine trusting your enemies enough to lay down your weapons and turn yourself over to their will. What a frightening picture! It is no wonder this is done only as a final choice, when no hope is left and it seems to be the only option to save your life.

As Christians, we are called to surrender. However, we are called to surrender our lives to the lover of our souls! Why do we struggle so? Why is it so difficult to come out from our burdens, lay down all of our masks and surrender to the One who created us, knows us best, has good plans for us and has such a tender heart toward us? Is it a lack of faith? Faith is defined as unquestioning belief, complete trust or confidence. Do we trust ourselves more than we do our Lord? Oh Lord, help our unbelief, our lack of true faith! Do we think God is not big enough to rescue us from our sinful nature? Help our unbelief! Is God not big enough to rescue us from the hold of our enemy? Help our unbelief! Is God not big enough to change our attitudes and renew our minds? Help our unbelief! Is God not able to do above and beyond all that we can think, hope or dream? Help our unbelief!

Let’s take a few minutes and picture ourselves coming out of hiding with an air of "everything is fine,” out past our self-built walls of protection and throw our empty palms in the air. He is waiting for us and we will find rest in Him.

Lord, we do believe, but help our unbelief!

GOING DEEPER:
1. In what area of your life are you still struggling to trust God? Can you hear Him calling you to surrender it?
2. Ask Him to help you with any unbelief, doubt or lack of trust.

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 118:8, Matthew 11:28, Proverbs 3:5

Peggy is a wife and mother of four adult children - - two sons and two stepsons, and is an active encourager at Oakwood Church in Delafield.

It Is Finished

By Susan Klein

Jesus said, “It is finished.” 
With that, He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.

John 19:30 (NIV)

Every once in awhile, I find my mind wandering to the memories of sins in my past. Old feelings of guilt overcome me and I wonder how God could possibly have forgiven them all, not to mention how He keeps forgiving my many trespasses in the present…and those yet to come. I want to cry out like King David in the Old Testament, “Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways” (Psalm 25:7, NIV). That is when I have to take my thoughts back to the finished work of the Cross.

When Jesus uttered the words, “It is finished” from the Cross, He wasn’t talking about His physical life being over. He was speaking of the completion of the task He had been called to perform by the Father: bearing all the sins of the world and paying the penalty for each and every one of us. The word “finished” here indicates a conclusion of a job or task, a goal achieved - - yet not just ended but brought to perfection.  In essence, Jesus was saying, “Father, what you have asked me to do has been perfectly completed, now and forevermore.”  (Jesus spoke of this completed work before it even happened in His prayer to the Father in John, chapter 17.) Since I know this to be a true statement, how can I possibly question His forgiveness? Who am I to suggest that my sins are too great for this finished perfect work?

In their song, “You Love Me Anyway,” the Sidewalk Prophets describe this very sentiment:

I am the thorn in Your crown
But You love me anyway
I am the sweat from Your brow
But You love me anyway
I am the nail in Your wrist
But You love me anyway
I am Judas' kiss
But You love me anyway [1]

God loved us so much that He willingly gave us His perfect Son, who demonstrated His love by dying on the Cross and paying the penalty once and for all for every sin ever committed on the face of this earth. His one act of selfless, perfect   love was the final payment, bringing all sacrifices to a final end. Conclusion: “It is finished.”

Dear ones, it truly is finished. We are once and for all, now and forever, completely forgiven. Let’s live like it!

GOING DEEPER:

1. What sins in your own life might you have trouble viewing as “forgiven”?

2. Ponder the personal significance of these three words, “It is finished.”

FURTHER READING:

John 17:1-5; Acts 13: 38-39; Hebrews 8:12

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

 [1] You Love Me Anyway, These Simple Truths Album, By: Sidewalk Prophets,Word Records / 2009