Debunking the Myth

By Brita Crouse

“Therefore, since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone - - an image made by man’s design and skill.”

Acts 17:29 (NIV)

“Have you ever repented for the way you thought God was?” This question startled me to attention in the middle of a sermon one Sunday. Have I ever had a negative idea about God that wasn’t accurate? Certainly I had, but I never thought it warranted an apology. But…why wouldn’t it? It got me thinking about times in my life when people have had wrong impressions of me and how it made me feel...not so great.

God has feelings, too! He has made us in His image; He’s given us qualities and characteristics that directly reflect Him. Think of the person who you think loves you the most. God loves you infinitely more than that person could. Yet, we can get inadvertently sidetracked into misinterpreting His actions to mean He’s capriciously wrathful and angry and does not love.

We tend to compare God to our human relationships because that’s what we know. But, God is so much better than we think He is. He loves us more than any human could. He provides for us more than any amount of money could. He protects us more than any weapon could. He disciplines us more justly than the most loving parent could. He empathizes better than any best friend could, weeping when we weep and rejoicing when we rejoice. He is jealous, but not in the “crazy-ex-boyfriend” kind of way. His anger and wrath are righteous and just, not sinful. 

God gives us human relationships, though, to reflect His nature. Think of your spouse or a parent or good friend. Those relationships are meant to reveal different aspects of God, but because they are human relationships, there is bound to be hurt in them at some point.

Unlike humans, God is perfect, and while we  may stumble in our walk with Him, it’s not because of anything He did. It’s all us. God is not like a man made idol. He is not silver or gold or stone. He is real. He is personal and relational and intentional and loving…and we are His offspring! Thankfully, when we recognize we have a wrong assumption of God, His Spirit teaches us something about Himself that we didn’t know before.

Repentance for our mistaken assumptions of God can only draw us closer into relationship with Him. “Have you ever repented for the way you thought God was?”

GOING DEEPER:

1.  List the wrong assumptions you have or have had about God. Talk to Him about them.

2.  Read 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 for a picture of God’s perfect love.

FURTHER READING:

1 John 3:1; 1 John 4:7-21

Brita recently graduated from Taylor University with a degree in Psychology, has been attending Oakwood for sixteen years, and is currently part of our Just Among Moms weekly childcare team.

Rescued

By Elizabeth Cole

For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves,  in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Colossians 1:13-14

One of my favorite movie characters of all times is Jocopo in The Count of Monte Cristo. He’s the one who’s facing sure execution by his fellow-pirates right when the innocent Count washes up onshore after a daring prison escape. Forced into a knife fight to the death, the Count overpowers Jocopo, but then negotiates with the pirate captain to save his life. In utter gratitude, Jocopo commits, “From here on out, I am your man.”  He makes good on that statement and faithfully serves the Count the rest of his life, constant in his obedience and love for his master. Wholehearted and single-minded.

He was a rescued man.

In his sermon last fall, one of my pastors asked this crystal-clear question: “Are you living as if you’ve been rescued?”  I have heard its echo ever since. It’s captivated my thoughts and, I pray, is impacting my actions more and more. If I truly grasp even a portion of what I’ve been rescued from  and rescued for…wouldn’t my life be one of gratitude, expressed through love toward others? Wouldn’t I faithfully serve my Rescuer in obedience and constant awareness of His desires for my life? Wholehearted? Single-minded?

I began a list of what I’ve been rescued from:

          from sin’s penalty of eternal separation from God.

          from the verdict of aloneness.

          from enslavement to my dark side.

          from chains of complete self-absorption.

          from shackles of my own shallowness.

          from an existence of purposelessness.

And the start of the list of what I’ve been rescued for:

          for a love relationship with Jesus through the Holy Spirit.

          for allowing God to express His love to others through me.

          for victory over destructive actions.

          for participation in God’s grand plan to restore and redeem.

          for making a difference and doing good works chosen in advance for me to do.

          for living in biblical community in a way that is winsome to others.

          for a life that’s whole and holy.

I am a rescued woman.

           

What incredible lists. Yet, here’s the rub for me: In the busy-ness of life, I find myself distracted from the truth of my rescue. Rather than wholehearted, I’m “kinda-sorta-mostly-hearted.” Rather than single-minded, I’m…well, prone to wander.

It’s time for a stake in the ground once again. A moment where I confess my brokenness once more to my Rescuer and ask for His love to compel me. To say to my Rescuer, “Lord Jesus, from here on out, I am your woman.” Wholehearted. Single-minded.

You? You’re a rescued woman.

GOING DEEPER:

1. How will you express gratitude to your Rescuer today?

FURTHER READING:

Galatians 1:3-5, 5:1; 2 Corinthians 5:14

Elizabeth is a wife and mother of three grown daughters. She is the Director of Connecting and of We Women at Oakwood Church.

The  Designer’s Wardrobe

By Vernette Kureck

“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.”

Proverbs 31: 25 (NIV)

After a long cold winter, it is time to open up the closet, clean out the drawers, and get ready for spring.  I sort through my clothes and determine what is too old or too small or too out of date. Some articles of clothing have fond memories attached to them. Some are just fun to wear. But because of my lifestyle, most are just everyday regular women’s casual wear. So, how should I dress? I felt led to check out the Word.

“She is clothed with strength and dignity.” How do you fold that in a drawer or drape it on a hanger?! Strength is the quality of being able to withstand the application of force without yielding or breaking. That sounds like a physical workout, but in reality, it is both physical and spiritual exercise resulting in a steady composure. Dignity is a manner of serenity; a state of honor and worthiness. That sounds like I hold a high rank or position. Well, I am  the daughter of THE King! So, how should I dress?

Colossians 3:12-14(NIV) says, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” In other words, demonstrate pity for the suffering or distress of another with the desire to help, while being modest and humble. Be gentle, considerate, goodhearted, mild and amiable. Be this way while also being capable of awaiting results with tranquility and uncomplaining endurance. Cease to blame and grant pardon to those who have offended you. Cover yourself with God’s love and experience harmony and mutual understanding.

So, this is how I should dress. The beauty of this Holy Spirit-designed wardrobe is it never gets too old, outgrown or out-of-date. And it is perfect for every occasion, dress or casual. Yes, it’s a good time to evaluate just what I have been wearing and ask the Holy Spirit to do His spring cleaning…and to make sure His designer wardrobe is never packed in a drawer or draped on a hanger. 

GOING DEEPER:

1. What are you wearing that identifies you as a daughter of the King? We are all works in progress so pray that the Holy Spirit will reveal what you need to cast off and what you need to put on.

FURTHER READING:

Matthew 6:30-33; Matthew 7:7-11

Vernette and her husband Ken have been married 44 years and have 2 sons. They have been blessed with seven grandchildren. She serves Oakwood on the prayer chain.

Hemmed In

By Lisa Boyer

“You hem me in - - behind and before.”

Psalm 139:5a

While praying for a friend of mine, one Bible verse kept coming to mind… “You hem me in - - behind and before.” That verse had me so convinced of God’s goodness, I was literally excited about how God was going to protect her in the midst of her situation. I just knew that everything was going to be all right, even if it didn’t appear to be all right; God was in complete control... my friend was “hemmed in” no matter what. First chance I got, I shared the good news of that verse with her!

A few weeks ago, I was pouring my heart out to this same friend about a potentially life-changing health situation I was facing. The situation threatened to overwhelm me, but my friend so sweetly reminded me that I was “hemmed in.” In the midst of my circumstances, I hadn’t thought to apply that verse to myself. But she was right…I was “hemmed in” by the same loving God who hems her in!!! And it’s not dependent on what’s happening. Just because negative circumstances come into our lives, it doesn’t mean we are no longer “hemmed in.” We are always “hemmed in,” no matter how the situation looks from the outside; God is in complete control at all times.

I was so thankful that God had sent her to remind me, but He didn’t stop there…He illustrated it for me, as well!

I was driving home on a two-lane highway when debris began flying into my lane from under an oncoming semi. I immediately slowed down and began pulling off the road, but avoiding the flying debris was impossible. Both the car in front of me and behind me also pulled over. We all got out to inspect the damage. The car in front had a huge gouge in his now-flat front tire. The front grille of the car behind me had been split into two by flying debris. My car was...well, fine. God had hemmed me iin - - behind and before...and on the sides!

The first thought that came into my head was that if God could protect me during such a minor incident, He could easily have protected me from the health situation I was facing, but He hadn’t. He chose to allow it into my life. Knowing that before this situation reached me, it had gone through my loving God’s approval process filled me with peace. He hadn’t protected me from it, but I have no doubt that He’ll protect me during it!

GOING DEEPER:
1. If the circumstances of life have caused you to forget that you are “hemmed in,” will you spend some time today with your loving God and let Him remind you?

FURTHER READING:
Jeremiah 29:11; Psalm 34:7; 2 Corinthians 12:8-9

Lisa has been married to Ted for more than 20 years and they have two teenage sons. Lisa administers Fresh Start’s Facebook and blog, and loves hanging out with and impacting teenage girls for Christ.

Express Yourself!

By Susan Klein

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

Colossians 2:6-7

Thank you, muchas gracias, merci, danke, grazie...no matter how you say it, its meaning is universally understood and appreciated. Even if you’ve never studied a foreign language, you can almost always detect when someone is expressing his or her gratitude. There is a certain posture of humility and respect that flow from genuine gratefulness.

Thankfulness is intentionally communicated; it’s not an accidental occurrence. Once formulated in our minds and most often felt in our hearts, it becomes a predetermined path we choose to take. Its outward expression is frequently conveyed in the simplest of words. “Thank you” is one of the first phrases we teach our children, desiring to impart an eventual attitude of gratitude as they grow and learn.

As we mature in our faith walk, our gratitude should increase to the point of overflowing, as stated in the verse above. And this, not only in our gratitude to each other, but even more so in our gratitude to our Savior. The way the word “overflowing” is used communicates it’s something that should not just be experienced internally, but actively communicated outwardly. Our expression of gratitude should overflow: exceedingly, abundantly, beyond measure!

I know I struggle with this concept at times. My gratitude tends to stem from emotion. If I feel it, I’ll show it. But, I don’t always spend time intentionally showing gratitude to God (or others for that matter) for everything, regardless of how I’m feeling at that particular moment. Yet, when I do make the effort, reflecting on all that I have to be thankful for and pouring out my gratitude, even when “I don’t feel like it,” it results in a genuine heart transformation! One can’t help but be affected by sincere and humble thanks, whether being on the giving or the receiving end of it.

How about you? Are you continuing to live in Christ, rooted and built up by Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, overflowing with thankfulness for all He is and does for you?!!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Can you express genuine thankfulness even when things aren’t going your way?
2. Do you find your “attitude of gratitude” increasing with age? If not, is your faith walk being strengthened by like-minded people and time spent with God in His Word?

FURTHER READING:

Colossians 3:15-17

Susan is a We Women Bible Study Coordinator and one of its teachers. She and her husband Mark enjoy tutoring and working with inner-city youth.

Open the Windows of Heaven

By Elin Henderson

“So an officer on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God and said, ‘Look, if the LORD would make windows in heaven, could this thing be?’”

II Kings 7:2 (NKJV)

What do you think? Are there really windows in heaven where God peers down on the earth below and pours out His love and resources? I don’t know whether they are avenues for us to see little glimpses of this amazing God we serve, or avenues for Him to pour forth His love and resources, but I am thankful for the word picture this verse provides.

Sometimes though, like in this story in II Kings 6 & 7, the windows of heaven only swing open when we come to the end of ourselves and our human resources. Samaria is under siege by the Syrians, hopeless and helpless. Then, the prophet Elisha comes along and says to the main officer in Samaria, “Tomorrow your salvation will come!” Obviously the officer on duty questions the validity of this statement and incredulously says (basically), “God will have to open the windows of heaven to do this, there is no other way!” Elisha then responds with, “You better bet He will!”

Sure enough, the Lord sends out four lepers and the entire Syrian army flees. The windows of heaven swing open and the people of Samaria not only get a little glimpse of the power and might of the God of Israel, but also experienced His wonderful provision. They went from the brink of starvation to having abundance!

It is often when we too are in desperate straits that we finally look to Him and realize He is sitting there with His hand on the shutters, ready to throw open the windows of heaven, show us Himself and provide in abundance for our needs. In Malachi 3:10b we are reminded that it isn’t a trickle or a token provision, but a pouring so great that “there will not be room enough to receive it.” May we always keep our eyes looking heavenward, waiting the moment when the shutters swing back and love pours down!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Have you ever had any glimpses into the windows of heaven? How has the Lord shown Himself strong on your behalf and provided in miraculous ways for you…and who have you told?
2. I love the old song He Giveth More Grace. One of its verses says, “When we have exhausted our store of endurance, When our strength has failed ere the day is half done, When we reach the end of our hoarded resources, Our Father’s full giving is only begun.” What does that mean to you today?

FURTHER READING:
Philippians 4:19; Acts 2:17

Oakwood’s missionaries Elin Henderson (a registered nurse) and her husband Phil serve as church planters with New Tribes in Mozambique, Africa.  Elin is mother to Callie and Elias. They are currently in America on Home Assignment. 

A Light in the Darkness
By Jen Wollner

“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
 Isaiah 41:10 (NASB)

The fear was overwhelming. The more I thought about my upcoming mission trip, the more anxious I became. My mind reeled with “what ifs” and parked itself in a dark place. All I could think about was the difficult trial ahead. All I could see was pain and suffering. I wondered if what God was asking me to do was really worth the sacrifice…worth the heartache and tears that I knew were eminent.

As I lay in bed, my thoughts spinning, I struggled to push past the fear, instead forcing myself to remember the truth in His Word. With great effort, I attempted to recite Isaiah 41:10 over and over, pushing out the anxiety. I couldn’t even remember every word of the verse, but managed to repeat the key words as best I could. As I chose to focus on truth, a sliver of light peered in the darkness. As I chose to believe God and His promises, the light shone stronger and stronger in my heart and mind until, eventually, darkness and fear were overpowered by truth and peace.

It’s so easy to spiral down into the depths of terror and despair. Our minds are powerful and often get the best of us. One thought turns into another and pretty soon we’re in a pit of anxiety, unable to get ourselves out. Although it’s a challenging choice, the best way to combat our worries is with the truth of God’s Word. It is alive and active and has the divine power to demolish strongholds…even those that have driven our minds to unhealthy places. As we focus on truth, believing God instead of lies, He strengthens and upholds us. As we concentrate on His Word, it pierces our heart and soul. And a light begins to seep into our darkness, illuminating the power and love of our God.

My future circumstances are still unknown. I am sure to face some very difficult moments. But right now I’m choosing to focus on the goodness of the Lord and His provision. I’m taking God at His Word and letting Him consume my thoughts… “Do not fear, for I am with you...I am your God.”

GOING DEEPER:
1. What life circumstance has you anxious and upset?
2. Memorize Isaiah 41:10 and recite it to yourself when your fears threaten to overtake you…and let the light of His Word shine in the darkness!

FURTHER READING:
Hebrews 4:12; 2 Corinthians 10:4-5; Romans 8:28; Psalm 4:8

Jen and her husband are busily parenting three elementary-aged children. She serves on the leadership team for Mission: Hope, Oakwood’s orphan care ministry.

The Hole in the Night

By Jeannine Sawall

So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down and, if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’”

1 Samuel 3:6b

God works in mysterious ways. Sometimes, he calls us gently in the night to talk. If we heard the Lord’s voice calling to us tonight, what would we do? Would we think it was the Lord’s voice calling to us personally, or would we think it was that beef burrito we ate for supper?!

I have a friend who had to ask himself that question. He found himself waking up routinely in the middle of the night. Instead of grumbling about lost sleep, or tossing and turning, he thought it must be the Lord waking him and decided to make use of this time to share his heart through email to fill what he calls “the hole in the night.” Soon, the thoughts and musings he shared with friends and family grew from a dozen email addresses to over 200. He blesses us with truths and thoughts to ponder, challenging us to live a deeper, freer, less “religious” faith. He inspires us to be about the work of Jesus, not just quoting Jesus. He encourages us to be about God’s work on the “waiting room” side of eternity.

What has endeared this “old geezer,” as he fondly calls himself, to so many is his honesty about his relationship with the Lord. He readily admits that some things are a mystery. He prompts us to hear the Lord’s quiet voice in the midst of this loud world because the more we listen, the more we’ll hear Him speak. He dares us to seek the Lord in the midst of every circumstance. And he shows us that the Lord works in mysterious ways…who’d have thought an 87-year-old widower would have an email following of over 200 and growing, just because he couldn’t sleep through the night? How many of us might have just popped an Excedrin P.M. and called it a night?! When God gives us an opportunity to do His work, it will lead to a crisis of faith and action. We might question if it really is God; however, when God sees us listening with an attitude of obedience toward opportunity, He blesses that work because it brings glory to His name. I encourage you to listen for His voice calling to you in your day…or night...today.

GOING DEEPER:
1. In the midst of the loud world, what are you doing to be able to hear the Lord’s quiet voice calling to you?
2. How might you be missing an opportunity to bring glory to the Lord in your day or night?

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 46:10; John 16:13

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

All-Consuming Fire

By Brita Crouse

[Trials] have come so that your faith - - of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire - - may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.   

1 Peter 1:7 (NIV)

I went to college in the-middle-of-nowhere Indiana, literally surrounded by cornfields. There wasn’t much available to students as far as entertainment, so most of the time, we had to make our own fun. In the springtime, one thing we always looked forward to was the annual Prairie Burn. My school owns a small, nearby prairie that is used by the Environmental Science department for research and observation. Every year, the department sets the prairie ablaze and students gather to watch the flames consume this small plot of land.

Why does the prairie have to be set on fire every year? The answer may seem a little counterintuitive: It is so re-growth can happen. There is something about fire that produces rich soil, allowing for healthy plants to grow abundantly. Fire also controls the spread of harmful or invasive plants within the prairie. Basically, fire is necessary in maintaining a healthy ecosystem and a thriving prairie.

I was listening to the song “All-Consuming Fire” by the band Jesus Culture the other day and thought, “I am just like that blazing prairie.” I am experiencing a huge transition phase in life, and it has been a big trial. I feel as though I am sitting in the hottest part of the fire. I think we can all relate to this “prairie feeling,” though. We have all had times where we can’t see through the smoke and flames to know which way is up.

But, there is hope! Fire may consume us at times, but every time we face a trial, we are made stronger through the process. Those “invasive plants” in our lives are burned up and we are made ready to have our faith grow. Gold is put through fire to make it pure and free of any blemishes. We are put through fire for the same reason. Going through fire may be hot and uncomfortable, but the end far outweighs the means. Seasons of trial only bring us closer to God, and create a dependence on Him that could not come from any other process.

Because of fire, our faith is strengthened and refined, and that is reason enough to be grateful for those times we feel like the Prairie Burn.

GOING DEEPER:

1.  How are you being refined through the fire?

2.  Listen to “All-Consuming Fire” by Jesus Culture (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beWTuiQiK1E). Make this your prayer today.

FURTHER READING:

1 Peter 1:3-12; Romans 5:1-5; James 1:2-4

Brita recently graduated from Taylor University with a degree in Psychology, has been attending Oakwood for sixteen years, and is currently part of our Just Among Moms weekly childcare team.

It Is Finished

By Jeannine Sawall

“Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the other linen cloths, but folded up in a place by itself.” 

John 20:6-8 (ESV)

I always wondered why the writer gave the small detail about the linen which had been on Jesus’ head being folded up separately. Then I heard the story of the carpenter’s cloth, and it brought understanding and blessing. In the first century, a carpenter did not have the convenience of a cell phone or text message to let the contractor or the next worker coming to the job know when the work was finished, so a “signature” was created to indicate it was complete. When the carpenter finished his job, he would take his carpenter’s cloth, a small square of linen, fold it neatly and place it over his finished work. This told the next person who saw it, “my work is finished.”

When Peter came running to the tomb that Easter Sunday, he saw the linen cloths lying there in a pile, but he also saw that folded square. He got the message. Jesus was saying to those coming to the tomb “My work is complete.  It is finished.” When the message registered, Peter’s sorrow was replaced with hope and he ran to tell the others the good news.  

That folded cloth leaves a message for us as well that lasts long after Easter celebrations are complete. Jesus’ death on the cross, days in the tomb and triumphant resurrection tell us the work has been completed for all people and for all time. All that is left for us to do is receive the good news and believe. With Christ’s completed work on the cross and resurrection, we no longer work toward  victory, but from  victory. Jesus lives on the victorious side of the tomb, and offers us that same victorious life through Him! 

Because of His victory, we no longer have a long-distance relationship with our Creator. We can speak to our Father as our friend; we have become His children. Revel in that fact! Because Jesus finished the work, we can boldly enter into the Holy Place. Consider that privilege! Because it is finished, we no longer have to be slaves to sin, live empty lives, or work toward our salvation. Count the many blessings! While the cost of victory was dear, Christ paid the price for us. He folded the cloth and left the tomb. His work is complete. Hallelujah; it is finished! 

GOING DEEPER:

1. What areas in your life do you need to stop working towards victory and accept Christ’s victory?

2. How can you live out Christ’s finished work?

Further Reading:

Romans 8:37; 1 Corinthians 15:57; Romans 6:4

 

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

I Didn’t Marry the Perfect Person

By Lexi Ellis

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”

Romans 8:28

I accidentally freaked out my husband. I was reading an article a friend had posted. Seeing the title as he walked by, Andrew said, smiling, “Nine months in and you’re reading that!”

The article was “You Never Marry the Right Person” by Timothy Keller.[1] His premise is that our culture believes in perfect soul mates  - - ideal companions - - and therefore love comes naturally, without work. Keller suggests, rather, we must recognize and embrace our “messy-ness” and believe it’s a beautiful thing. It’s “painful and yet so wonderful…because it is a reflection of the Gospel, which is painful and wonderful at once. The Gospel is: We are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared to believe, and at the very same time, we are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope.”

My husband is an incredible man of God. He’s not perfect…I’m really  not perfect! If there’s anything we’ve learned from others, it’s this: Marriage takes work, it takes investment. And it’s one that’s incredibly worth it.

While marriage is a unique relationship, we experience the reality of “un-perfect-ness” with other relationships. My best friend, my sisters, my parents aren’t perfect. And yet, I am so grateful for those relationships because through them, there are two non-perfect parties striving to share God’s message and love like Jesus loved.

It’s the non-perfect times that draw us closer in our relationships. My sisters and I have the intimacy we do because we’ve been vulnerable with each other. Keller writes that it’s the hard times that “drive us to experience more of this transforming love of God.”

How powerful that God uses selfish, self-serving people to accomplish incredible things! How wonderful that we can approach the throne of God (because of what Christ did) and come as we are![2] How awesome God can use un-perfect us when we allow Him!

Keller writes, our “conviction and repentance move us to cling to and rest in God’s mercy and grace.” Our “un-perfect-ness” in our relationships means we desperately need our God. I’m thankful for the reminder that God uses the mess in our relationships, and uses that mess to compel us to relish in His mercy and grace.

I didn’t marry the perfect person (neither did Andrew) and I’m so glad I didn’t.

GOING DEEPER:

1.    How has God used “un-perfect-ness” for His glory in your life?

2.    Visit http://bible.org/illustration/god-can-use-us-all. What biblical example do you relate to?

FURTHER READING:

2 Timothy 2:20-21; Psalm 27:1-5

[1] Timothy Keller. http://www.relevantmagazine.com/life/relationship/features/27749-you-never-marry-the-right-person. It’s an excerpt from his book, The Meaning of Marriage. 

[2] A website of examples in Scripture of un-perfect people God used: http://bible.org/illustration/god-can-use-us-all

Lexi recently married Andrew, serves with Children’s Ministries at Oakwood, and is a fourth grade teacher at Lake Country Christian Academy.

EXTREME Impossibilities!
By Elin Henderson

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

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.

When I was in Mozambique, I found myself asking God for the impossible and even the extreme impossible a lot. Not only was I trying to learn a virtually impossible, unwritten language, but I got 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 was 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 was, and 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 (a registered nurse) and her husband Phil serve as church planters with New Tribes in Mozambique, Africa.  Elin is mother to twelve-year-old Callie and ten-year-old Elias. They are currently in America on Home Assignment.

Washing Feet and Flipping Pancakes
By Peggy Kleckner

“…so he [Jesus] got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.”
John 13:4-5 (NIV)

What a picture the above verse brings to mind. The teacher humbly serving His students during the last meal they would share together before Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion. He goes on to explain that in doing this, He was setting the example for His disciples to follow…an example of servant leadership. So, what would that look like today? Have you seen a leader washing feet lately?

I haven’t seen a leader washing feet, but I have seen one flipping pancakes! It was a cold Monday morning. My start time at work is later than most of the other employees. I came in the back door, walked down the hall, turned the corner and headed for the time clock when I saw tables set up in the hallway. And, behind the first one was the CEO of our company. In fact, he was the only one behind the table. He was stirring the pancake batter, pouring it out and flipping pancakes on and off of the griddle. What a wonderful surprise! Hot, fresh pancakes on a Monday morning. Our leader seemed quite at ease and happy with the work. I asked him why we were being treated to pancakes and he said they were a thank you to the employees. Work had been a bit tough lately…hours had been shortened and some perks had to be cut as the company tries to weather the unsteady winds of the economy. Apparently, he saw this as a way to encourage us. There was no prior “hoopla” about how management was going to cook for us. It wasn’t even a team effort. It was just one man’s way of saying, “We’re in this together.” It was his way of making the workday a bit brighter than expected.

Looking on this scene, I couldn’t help but think of Jesus wrapped in a towel washing the disciples’ feet. My leader chose an apron and pancake batter, but he was still serving.

What about us? Are we willing to don an apron or a towel to be a servant leader to those around us?

GOING DEEPER:
1. Who in your life do you recognize as a servant leader? How does that person demonstrate this kind of leadership?
2. How can you be an example of servant leadership to those around you?

FURTHER READING:
Matthew 20:25-28; Philippians 2:1-11

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. She serves as the Coordinator of Fresh Start.

A Common Misconception
By Susan Klein

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him...”
Romans 8:28a

One of the most common misconceptions about the verse above is that some believe it to mean, “God makes all things good in the lives of those who love him.” Not quite! Though He is good in nature, and works for good in our lives as well as for His perfect will, He most definitely allows bad things to happen. Sometimes, in His “working for the good,” He allows us to endure hardships.

For example, a woman suffers from years of anxiety and depression. Her family is neglected, her health is poor, and she suffers from a loss of hope. One may question, “Where is the good in this?” Many years later, she recovers, and God uses her to minister to other women who are suffering in the same way. Her family learns compassion and long-suffering.

Another woman’s husband loses his job. After several months of unemployment, they cannot afford to pay the bills or make their monthly mortgage. All seems hopeless. Then, God gives other people the opportunity to reach out to this couple and share what they have with them. The givers and recipients alike see the loving hand of God’s provision and goodness.

Then there is the woman who loses a child in an accident and is grief-stricken. How can God possibly work something good from this? Her heart will always ache with the wonder of what would have been, but now cannot be. Perhaps she will not even see the good work that God does through this. He may have used the tragedy to touch a different person’s heart. It could be that her faith has led another to Christ without her ever knowing this side of heaven. His goodness in this may only be visible to Him, but it is there. He promises it!

God does not promise everything will be good. But He does promise that He will never leave us nor forsake us in our time of need. He does promise that His grace is sufficient for us and His power is made perfect in our weakness. And, He does promise us an eternal glory that far outweighs all of our troubles.

“The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made” (Psalm 145:9). Now that’s a promise we can cling to!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Are you questioning God’s goodness in a difficult situation you may be going through? Are you willing to put your trust in the promise that He is “working for the good,”   even if you cannot see it?

FURTHER READING:

Romans 12:2; Psalm 34:19, 100:5; 2 Corinthians 1:20, 4:17, 12:9

Susan is a We Women Bible Study Coordinator and one of its teachers. She and her husband, Mark, enjoy tutoring and working with inner-city youth.