The Most Honest Person in the Bible

By Carolyn Hulliberger

“… (Jesus said), ‘Everything is possible for one who believes.’”

Mark 9:23 (NIV)

A story is told in Mark chapter 9 of a desperate father. This man had brought his son to the disciples, seeking help for his demon-possessed son. Since childhood, this boy would go into convulsions, even being thrown into fire or water against his will. 

This father is going through hell on earth. Completely out of control, frantic that his son will be killed, helplessly watching these episodes.  He has tried everything, including bringing this boy to the disciples who can perform miracles. The disciples were unable to help. Now, he pleads with Jesus:

“If you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”  “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” Immediately, the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief” (Mark9:21-24, NIV, emphasis mine).

And with that statement, I believe this man is the most honest person in the Bible.

When you or I are forced to watch helplessly in our own life situations, our human faith’s imperfections come exploding to the surface. We desire with everything in our souls to believe that an all-mighty God can sweep in to fix our suffering, but doubt that He will choose to for us. The thought niggles in our mind that perhaps God has forgotten about me or my loved one, or we wonder if He is even there at all, or a dozen other wrong contemplations. The daily grind of dealing with the wayward child, the ill parent, the dysfunctional marriage, job stress, health or any other issue, will bring us to our knees. And our doubts only serve to compound our guilt and frustration.

Listen to the next part of this story. When the boy’s father cries in brokenness to Jesus, Jesus does not rebuke him.  Jesus does not take him to task over his admission. He does not shame the man. Jesus instead sends the demon out of the child. His grace and healing are extended, despite the imperfect belief of the father. His grace will come to us, despite our flaws, as well.

GOING DEEPER:

1. When going through the dark times, consider claiming the words of Jesus and this man into your prayer time: “Jesus, You said that anything is possible for those who believe. I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief.”
2. Be honest about your faith and doubts with God.

FURTHER READING:

Psalm 28:7; Matthew 19:26

Along with caring for her family, Carolyn works as an insurance representative, serves in Oakwood Church as a Community Group leader and a High School home group leader.

Agree to Disagree

By Susan Klein

“One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.”

Romans 14:5 (NIV)

Have you ever had a major disagreement with someone?  One in which you felt very strongly that your position was right, yet so did the other person? Perhaps your position was even backed by Scripture, but the other person’s was not. When do we exercise grace, and when do we take a purposeful stand for the truth?

I had one of these encounters. It was with someone who was raised with the same biblical beliefs as mine. However, as we advanced in our life-journeys, the other person’s path took her in a completely different direction. I felt the great deceiver, Satan, had her believing a lie as she made a life-choice that I believed was contradictory to God’s Word. My heart ached for her to be so blind-sided by this wrong belief that our culture touted as right. She felt equally bad for me, feeling that I was clinging to archaic beliefs, not being culturally relevant and accepting of her choice. What transpired was not at all biblical: We argued.

Scripture is clear that the Lord’s servants are to not take part in foolish quarrels or arguments. Instead we are to gently instruct those who oppose God’s Word, so that the Holy Spirit can convict them and lead them to a knowledge of the truth. [1]  When I argued with my friend, we were each trying to impose our own beliefs on the other, which was foolish and futile. Neither of us was about to change our battle position. I am not her Holy Spirit and cannot convict her of something she is not choosing to believe, especially when I am argumentative instead of “gentle.”

So what might have been, or still could be, a better solution when faced with similar circumstances? Perhaps, when at an impasse, we need to agree to disagree. That doesn’t mean I change my mind or my convictions.  But it does mean that I won’t expect her to change her choice based on my beliefs, and she won’t expect me to change my beliefs based on her choice. We respectfully disagree, allowing the Holy Spirit to work it out as He sees fit, in God’s perfect timing.

I have learned that our battle is not with each other, but with the enemy - - the deceiver - - Satan. (Eph.  6:12)  And one of our greatest weapons in that battle against him is prayer, out-loud prayer that the enemy can hear.

GOING DEEPER:

1. How might you avoid quarreling with someone who believes a lie?

2. Are you wielding your spiritual battle weapons?

FURTHER READING:

[1] 2 Timothy 2:22-26, 3:16-17; 1 Corinthians 10:31-33

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 with her husband.

My Ignorance
By Lexi Cole Ellis

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.”
2 Timothy 2:15 (ESV)

Ignorance. It’s got to be on the list for one of the most-overused and polarizing words. Doesn’t it just seem to seep judgement? Rather than engage in a productive discussion over matters of disagreement, it’s so much easier for both sides to just claim their opponents are simply “ignorant.”

Consider its actual definition. The formal definition is “lacking knowledge, information, or awareness about something in particular.”  But then our informal vernacular also adds the emotion of “rude, uneducated or unsophisticated,” shifting the word from not just being uninformed but adding insult.  [1]

Maybe it’s an insult because it’s a word that’s exclusively pointed at someone else? But then it made me wonder. What ignorance do I have? Where am I “lacking knowledge, information or awareness”? Rather than pointing and being frustrated with the “other side,” where does my own selfishness, or my individual privileges and experiences, prohibit me? What parts of God’s kingdom-building am I missing out on because of my own ignorance?

Recently, Tim Bodnar, the Vice President of Exploit No More, spoke at my church. [2] Even though I thought I knew quite a bit about human exploitation and trafficking, his sermon revealed my lack of knowledge and a lot of misconceptions on my part. The Holy Spirit convicted me.

What other topics remain a no-no for believers to respectfully dialogue and biblically debate among each other? If we don’t engage in humble learning and discourse, aren’t we perpetuating our own ignorance? Even worse, if believers can’t respectfully disagree and discuss our own “ignorance,” what hope is there for healthy debate outside of the Church?

Jesus calls us to identify our own ignorance. Much of His biblical teaching addresses and corrects what others had distorted about God. Over and over again, Jesus also called His followers to live counter-intuitively to their own selfish desires. Thankfully, believers now have the Holy Spirit to help us discern and highlight when we are lacking grace, compassion, information or awareness.  

God convicts us when we ask. It’s time that followers of God stop using the word “ignorant” as an attack on others.  Instead, let us start pleading with God to reveal our own ignorance. Pray that He would show us what following Him really looks like, and then pray that He would help us focus on what His Kingdom-building work should entail.

GOING DEEPER:

1.      Take time to just focus on you. Pray that God’s Spirit identifies areas of ignorance in your life. Then…what’s your next step?

FURTHER READING:

1 John 1:9; Matthew 5:1-11

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

[1] https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=define:+ignorant

[2] June 26, 2016. Oakwood Church. Watch the sermon by clicking HERE.

Outbreak!

By Elin Henderson

“I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry grounds…”

Isaiah 44:3a (KJV)

You want to see some people in the medical field get up and move pretty quickly? Just whisper the word “outbreak!” Nothing invokes fear like that simple word. It basically means that something is out of control, uncontainable, moving faster than the medical personnel can keep up with. We saw that recently in Africa and beyond when Ebola reared its ugly head once again!

An outbreak occurred on a small island in the UK many years ago. But this wasn’t your typical outbreak where the medical field was called in and people quarantined. A famous minister, Duncan Campbell, was there to witness it. He called it an “outbreak of God.” A power was let loose from on high, and it literally spread like wildfire across this small community and beyond. Like all outbreaks, there was no predicting it nor containing it. Those who were there saw the hand of God moving and realized very quickly that this was not a result of human effort, but one of divine intervention. 

The revival on the island of Lewis began with a handful of men committing to persistent and faithful prayer. They cried out first for clean hands and clean hearts, and then for revival to spread throughout their community. One day, it started to rain on that parched soil and an outbreak of God occurred that stunned the world! 

           

Our land has grown dried and parched with no rain in sight. What we need is an outbreak of God’s living water to descend upon us and wash over us today! But like outbreaks of disease, there is no predicting it, no planning it. It just happens. What we need to be doing is praying for it and getting ourselves ready to receive it. We need to pray for revival within our own hearts and homes first.  And then we need to pray for a revival that sweeps through our neighborhoods and country…changing lives for eternity! 

Is the arm of God any shorter today? He is as ready today as then to reach down and revive this dry and thirsty land. No posters, meeting tents or advertising needed. Just a few individuals that are serious about revival, first within and then without, ready by faith to receive an “outbreak of God!”

  GOING DEEPER:

1.      Do you feel the need for revival in your lives and communities? Who can you be partnering with in prayer for an “outbreak of God”? 

2.      For more about this outbreak of God listen to the sermons by Duncan Campbell on www.sermonindex.net 

FURTHER READING:

Psalm 85:6; Isaiah 57:15; Psalm 24:1-6

Oakwood’s missionaries, Elin Henderson (a registered nurse) and her husband Phil serve as church planters with New Tribes Mission in Mozambique, Africa. Elin is mother to sixteen-year-old Callie and thirteen-year-old Elias. 

True Confession

By Lisa Boyer

“We have spoken freely with you…and opened our hearts wide to you.”

2 Corinthians 6:11 (NIV)

Two years ago, I had a moment where I realized I had been struggling as a writer. The last piece I had finished was started a long time ago, but other than that, I’d had nothing the previous five months. I saw things I wanted to share, but I wasn’t able to sit down and write about them - - as though it all disappeared before I had the chance. As a devotional writer, I didn’t know if it was writer’s block or God not having anything to say through me at that time, or the enemy purposely getting in the way of my writing.

As I look back on that time, I think the real issue was I had been afraid, which is ironic, because the topic I had wanted to write about before the writer’s block set in was “fear not.” “Fear not” is found over and over again in the Bible, both in the Old and New Testaments. Yet, I was afraid. I was afraid to share what was on my heart - - what God’s had been teaching and showing me. It’s not that a reader has ever given me a reason to be afraid; I just had been afraid.

As I look back, it wasn’t that I found a way out of all fear or around it. Instead, I had to choose to write in the middle of it. I had to choose to set the fear aside as best as I could and trust God to do the rest. I’m not sure how God plans to use my past confession in the lives of you, the readers, today…but He knows. Or maybe getting back to writing then was a necessary “getting back on the horse” to get over my fear (which may also remind you that those in ministry need your prayers). 

But perhaps it’s not just me and what I learned. Perhaps I’m not the only one who has been afraid to do what God has put on their heart to do. Perhaps you understand what I went through because you are suffering or have suffered from your own kind of “writer’s block.” Perhaps you too are or were afraid. Even today, I don’t have a lot of answers, but one thing I know: We, the children of God, are to “fear not.” Sometimes, fear is just an opportunity to step out in faith!  

GOING DEEPER:

1. Are you struggling with your own “writer’s block” that prevents you from using the gifts God has given you to bring glory to Him? After spending time in prayer, will you step out in faith and “fear not”?

2. As you read this, did God bring to your mind someone who is struggling? Will you take the time to pray for them?

FURTHER READING:

Isaiah 41:10, 13; Psalm 46:1-3; 2 Thessalonians 3:1

Lisa has been married to Ted for 24 years and they have two sons in college. Lisa serves in Quest 56 on Sunday mornings at Oakwood. 

Shimmering Trails
By Jen Wollner

“…women who have lived wisely and well will shine brilliantly…And those who put others on the right path to life will glow like stars forever.”
Daniel 12:3 (MSG)

Several years ago, my daughter got a new dress. Actually, it was a hand-me-down from a friend, but it was a new treasure to her. And, it wasn’t just any ‘ol dress…it was a fairy princess dress! The brightest, glitteriest outfit you’ve ever seen. As a matter of fact, it was so full of glitter that whenever she wore it, she left a trail wherever she went. Sparkles were everywhere and they stuck to everything…even to her brothers! It’s really quite fitting for her personality. She lights up every room she enters with her big smile and infectious giggle. And with this dress, she left a physical representation of her joyous spirit in the form of iridescent glitter, perfectly matching the twinkle in her eyes.

As I noticed the new sparkles throughout my home, I got to thinking: What do I leave behind when I walk out of a room? What sticks around long after I’m gone? I absolutely shudder to think of some of the things I’ve been known to leave splattered across a room…or on a person. Oh, the horror of my selfishness, critical spirit, unkind words and harsh tone. What utter foolishness! My sinful nature and free will have, at times, left destruction and chaos following behind me in a long path of sorrow. Maybe you can relate?

I praise God that over time, as we begin to conform to the image of Christ through the work of the Holy Spirit, our minds and hearts change! Consequently, the trails we leave behind as we walk through life begin to change, too. Instead of devastation, we leave a brilliant twinkle in the form of grace, love, mercy and compassion. Instead of “self” being evident when we walk out of a room, there are shiny glimmers of hope, encouragement and wisdom sparkling everywhere, sticking to everything and everyone.

Oh, beloved, may today be a day in which we outwardly display the light of Christ we possess in our hearts. Let’s put it on like a radiant, shimmering princess dress…then, do a twirl and let the glitter fly!

GOING DEEPER:
1. How has the Lord transformed the ugly trail of sin in your life? What beautiful path do you now leave behind wherever you go? Thank Him.
2. Whom in your life could you sprinkle a little “glitter” on? How could you show that person Jesus’ love today?

FURTHER READING:
Romans 6:13; Matthew 5:16

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.

Greater Love
By Carolyn Hulliberger

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God…”
1 John 4:7 (NIV)

Vesta Burgess was a mother. She gave birth to eight children and loved them each deeply. The seventh child was born severely physically and mentally disabled. This child never talked, never crawled, never walked. Each day of this child’s 14 years, Vesta fed her, cleaned her, spoke to her, and prayed for her. While many only saw this child as a burden, and in fact, pushed Vesta to institutionalize her daughter, Vesta saw only a gift from God that she was to nurture. What great love!

Mr. McKay was an elderly man who believed in helping impoverished students to achieve their college dreams. A man of means, he would allow young men to live in his home near campus rent-free in exchange for household chores. Even upon his death, his will stipulated that first his assets were to be used to help any students currently living with him to obtain student housing for the balance of the school year. What great love!

Mike’s* wife is leaving him. Oh, she’s still in the house, but she has been diagnosed with dementia. Daily he sees changes in the woman he loves. Her physical prognosis is good, but her mind is wasting away. He is determined to care for her, despite the emotional and financial challenges facing them for many years to come. What great love!

Jesus commanded us to love sacrificially. We may not have to face dying in the place of someone else, as He did for us, but each of us is charged to lay down our lives…put others first…make another person’s needs a priority. You may not have a loved one that needs physical care. You may not be able to spend a lot of money. Sacrificial love doesn’t have to be extreme. It can be listening, encouraging, or lending a hand.

By the way, my father was the last student who stayed with Mr. McKay. Without the free room, Dad could not have gone to college. Vesta Burgess was my grandmother and I was blessed to have been loved by her, too.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Think of a way today to show someone a little love beyond what you might normally do. And then do it! Some ideas: sending a note, giving a caretaker or young mom a break, or calling a friend with whom you’ve lost touch.

FURTHER READING:
Romans 5:8; John 15:12-13

*Name changed for privacy

Along with caring for her family, Carolyn works as an insurance representative, serves in Oakwood Church as a Community Group leader and a High School home group leader.

Just the Right Ingredient
By Jen Wollner

“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith than can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.”
1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (NIV)

“But the fruit of the Spirit is LOVE, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”

Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV, emphasis added)

“Oh, no! Why isn’t this working?” I said with irritation as I was preparing my dessert. I looked back to the recipe, reading it several times over, looking for my mistake. “I’ve followed it exactly. What’s the problem?” Again, I recounted my steps and couldn’t figure out what I had missed. Then it hit me. I frantically looked through the garbage for the package of one of the ingredients. Yep. That was it. You need to use instant pudding when making a trifle, not cook-and-serve pudding! Such a small thing, but it made all the difference. Without this one ingredient right, the whole thing was a flop. None of the other perfectly good ingredients could make up for the one that was missing.

Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians that love is kind of like that, too. It’s the ingredient in our lives that brings everything else together. We can have any number of wonderful spiritual gifts, but without love, we have nothing, are nothing and gain nothing. Love is the character trait that makes all of our gifts and talents work the way they are supposed to, according to God’s design. If we are lacking in love, we are missing the very thing that makes the biggest impact in our lives and the lives of others.

Friends, as we seek to develop the unique gifts the Lord has given to us, let’s not forget, first and foremost, to be characterized by our love. A love that is patient and kind. A love that doesn’t envy or boast. A love that isn’t proud, rude, self-seeking or easily angered. A love that keeps no record of the wrongs of others. A love that doesn’t delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. A love that always protects, trusts, hopes and perseveres.

Let’s make an intentional decision to daily demonstrate the greatest gift of God…love.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Are you characterized by your love? What would others around you say?
2. To whom and in what way could you show godly love today?

FURTHER READING:
1 Corinthians 13:1-13; 1 John 3:16-18

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.

What is His Name?
By Peggy Kleckner

“He who forms the mountains, creates the wind, and reveals His thoughts to man, He who turns dawn to darkness, and treads the high places of the earth - - the LORD God Almighty is His name.”
Amos 4:13 (NIV)

"Oh what is his name?" How often have we uttered that phrase followed by "you know the one that did such and such or played so and so in that movie." We say what we know about a person to help describe them, so that someone will fill in the name that is lost on the tip of our tongue. Imagine the conversation: " You know the One who forms the mountains and creates the wind." "The One who turns dawn to darkness." Would your friend's face become clouded over? Who doesn't know God?

Truthfully, there are days I remember His name, but I forget what I should know about Him! When I am being overwhelmed by the "stuff" of life, when life isn't looking "fair," when it looks like the darkness is winning...those are the times I struggle. Does He care? Where is He? Does He really have a plan for me? This morning, God used the dawn. It came quietly, no great noise. Gradually, it overcame the darkness. Suddenly I could see out the window, where before all was black and my vision was of no use. In my thoughts, I dared to question further, "What about when the darkness returns?" But then I recalled that the darkness does not overtake the light, the light leaves. Darkness is powerless when we hold on to the light...our hope.

God is sovereign. He orchestrates our lives. Look for Him in all of your situations. If you are in darkness, look up, reach out and grab the hand that knows the way. Open His Word and allow Him again to remind you of who He is and all that He is capable of. Stand fast; our Creator-Redeemer lives.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Do you have a harder time recognizing God in the darkness or in the light?
2. What have you learned about Him in both places?

FURTHER READING:
Genesis 1:3-5; Exodus 10:21-23; Exodus 20:20-21 

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.

Waiting for the Master's Return

by Kelley Kuphall

“Watch, therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.”

Matthew 25:13 (KJV)

My son and I were waiting in the car while my husband made a quick run into the store. Knowing there would be a delay in getting home, I was already getting antsy. My son’s repeating the same knock-knock joke for the 12^th time wasn't funny anymore either! 

As I rolled my eyes and looked out the window, I saw something that gave me a happy distraction. There was a truck that pulled up next to us with this beautiful dog in the backseat. I've always loved dogs and while I was impatiently waiting for our hot ham & rolls, I enjoyed watching this glorious pup.

It’s a common picture…perhaps you’ve seen the same: He barked once when his owner got out and walked into the store, but then he was silent. As much noise as my seven-year-old was making, that dog was not distracted. He was watching and waiting for his Master's return. He never took his eyes off those doors where his owner disappeared, except to move his head to get a better view when something blocked his way.  He knew his Master would come back, and he was committed to waiting.

Oh, for us to be like that loyal friend. To be faithful, waiting for our Lord's return. To not let the chaos of the world distract us from being prepared or doing what we can to lead others to be prepared. It's easy to plan the next week or month, and I find myself thinking about the next big years: my son's birthdays, graduation, traveling, etc. But what am I doing to plan for the King's return?

I've been humming this old hymn lately, but I could only remember certain parts.  Looking up the words, I found it more meaningful than just the chorus that I was remembering.

“Faithful and true would He find us here, If He should come today?

Watching in gladness and not in fear, If He should come today?

Signs of His coming multiply, morning light breaks in eastern sky;

Watch, for the time is drawing nigh, What if it were today?

Glory, glory! Joy to my heart ‘twill bring,

Glory, glory! When we shall crown Him King;

Glory, glory! Haste to prepare the way;

Glory, glory! Jesus will come someday.”

                                                 -Leila Morris, What If It Were Today  [1]

                                  

GOING DEEPER:

1.      How will He find you waiting?

2.      What would it look like if we were "watching in gladness and not in fear"?

FURTHER READING:

2 Peter 3:10-18; Matthew 24:36; Matthew 25:13

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjyklzQeBQY

Kelley’s a wife and mom who works part-time at a Christian counseling clinic and has a personal direct sales business. Kelley serves with Oakwood’s worship team and is the coordinator for the HeartLove Place Birthday Cake ministry.

Trusting God With “Whatever!”

By Karen D’Amore

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart...”

Proverbs 3:5a (NIV)

As an extreme “creature of habit,” I’m most comfortable with the routine and familiar elements in my daily life. My daily regimen is etched with repetition, including servicing the same familiar clients, week after week. A proverbial struggle is when my flesh resists those periodic disruptions to my routine (comfort zone). A recent season, in which God has been unlocking doors to the new and unfamiliar, has translated into a litany of new, unfamiliar clients on my appointment books.

Jane (not her real name) was a most recent new, pedicure client. When I learned from the receptionist of Jane’s oddly disturbing behavior and numerous phone calls while booking her appointment, I had perplexing concerns about servicing this new client. On the morning of Jane’s appointment, I was overcome by a wave of anxiety as I anticipated her evening pedicure. Stressing to the point of nausea, the salon bathroom became my temporary prayer closet. While I was praying over the appointment, God impressed upon my heart the word…whatever.

 I was reminded to practice what I’ve been preaching for many years! I believe that as Christ-followers we can trust that “whatever” passes through our life…was first sifted through the hands of God. So as I anticipated this unfamiliar client, who had already displayed warning signs of a potential nightmare, I felt God asking me, “Will you trust me with this...whatever ?!” Trusting and believing that God was allowing this “whatever” for His express purpose, I chose faith over fear and embraced the “disruption” as a potential ministry opportunity.

Jane’s sixty-plus minute appointment turned into an adventure resembling Disneyland’s’ Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride! I quickly learned that Jane, who suffers with severe OCD, is a patient in a local treatment facility. Unfamiliar with this condition, I followed the Holy Spirit’s leading, in my dialoging with Jane. While her condition made our interaction frustrating and at times annoying to me, God faithfully infused my heart with supernatural patience and compassion. And as God gradually peeled back the complex layers of this troubled young lady, I soon learned that her condition has derailed her (once strong) faith in God - -  leading her down a path of perceived hopelessness.

Like a divinely-scripted scenario from an inspirational stage show, God appointed this opportunity to encourage Jane and steer her back into a relationship with Him. As we exchanged hugs, Jane professed her hunger to re-unite with God and trust Him with her disorder. Confident that this appointment was a divine disruption and definitely a God-allowed whatever,  the experience served to deepen my trust and readiness to trust God with those future…whatevers.

Are you willing to cup-open your hands and trustingly pray: Whatever…Lord?

GOING DEEPER:

1. How’s your trust?

FURTHER READING:

Romans 8:28; Jeremiah 17:7; Psalm 37:3

Married to Dan, Karen, a retired police officer, currently works as a Manicurist at Craig Berns Salon. She serves on the Oakwood Women’s Ministry Special Events planning team.

Empty Baskets
By Elin Henderson

“And Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks He distributed them to the disciples and the disciples to those sitting down; and likewise of the fish, 

as much as they wanted.” 
John 6:11 (NKJV)

This is such a familiar story to so many of us, the feeding of the 5,000 (plus). Far beyond being a simple story, it is such a beautiful picture of our relationship with our Savior and our need to go to Him for our own needs and the needs of others. The disciples were given a task beyond their capabilities. To feed a crowd of 5,000 plus is no small job! They brought their meager provisions before the Master realizing the insufficiency of them and He supplied above and beyond that which they could ask or think. It was the hands and feet of the disciples that got the bread to the needy people. Jesus was there as the provider.

Now, perhaps I am taking some spiritual and scriptural license here, but I wonder how the disciples carried the food to the people! Obviously, 12 men could not carry enough bread and fish to feed over 5,000 hungry people. Because baskets are mentioned, I am going to assume they used those. They took what they could, went to as many people as they could and then did what? When the supply they had ran out and their baskets were empty, did they try to start fabricating more bread and fish on their own? No, I’m imagining they went back to the Master for more provisions! They knew where the source was!

Many times our Master gives us the provision to reach out to a hungry and needy world around us. Our sufficiency just isn’t enough! We can’t come up with a plan, let alone the provision to meet the need. He gives us all we need, equips and provides for us, and asks us to be His hands and feet to go and meet the needs of others. But, like the Israelites in the wilderness gathering just enough manna for that day (any more would have just gone bad), our Master gives us just what we need for that day and asks us to come to Him when that runs out. Like the disciples, may we take our empty baskets to the Master and ask Him to fill them and equip us for reaching out to the lost world in which we live and work. And, when our manna runs out, may we immediately return to the source, stock up and set out again!

GOING DEEPER:
1. What task has the Lord laid on your heart? In what ways has He asked you to be His hands and feet? Where are you going for the provision for that task?

FURTHER READING:
Philippians 4:19; Colossians 1:29

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 fourteen-year-old Callie and twelve-year-old Elias.

Danger in Safety

By Brita Crouse

“Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.’”

Matthew 16:24 (NIV)

I am learning that sometimes in life, it feels easier to “play it safe” than to take risks. However, as our verse above tells us, as Christians, we should have a very different mindset about how to live. As easy as it seems to live comfortably, we are called to follow Christ, which doesn’t necessarily mean living in safety.

The book Crazy Love  addresses this idea of “safe living” with these words:

“People who are obsessed with Jesus aren’t consumed with their personal safety and comfort above all else. Obsessed people care more about God’s kingdom coming to this earth than their own lives being shielded from pain or distress.” [1]

The Bible gives us numerous examples of Christ-followers who lived for Christ, not for comfort. David hid in caves as he was pursued by Saul because of his appointment as ruler over Israel. Moses led an exodus while warding off Egyptians, fielding complaints, and acting as mediator between God and His people. Paul was imprisoned for doing the Lord’s work and Peter was crucified for being a follower of Jesus. These people, by any standard, were not living comfortably, but they were being obedient to Christ.

My brother has been on a two-month journey working as an intern with orphanages in Latvia. He has many excuses and reasons not do to this, (namely, it’s far away and the unstable political climate in Eastern Europe), but in faith, he has chosen to be obedient. My parents have received many questions and concerns about his safety also, but they have taken on the attitude of, “Who are we as parents to tell him to disobey his Father?”

We have all sorts of things that lull us into feeling secure, like seatbelts and helmets and financial stability. It is very important to be wise, but there is danger in “playing it safe.” It is when we feel comfortable that we forget our true purpose in this life: to be a follower of Christ.

Let us not exclusively and excessively concern ourselves with safety, but rather leave the protecting to God. Instead, let us pray that we, as well as others, would be used by God to further His kingdom. Let’s take a risk and practice obedience.

GOING DEEPER:

1. Listen to “The Cost” by Rend Collective Experiment. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2TxahqbSbU)
2. Is there a situation in your life where God is calling you out of comfort?

FURTHER READING:

Matthew 28:18b, 19; Joshua 1:9

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.

[1] Francis Chan, Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God (Elgin, IL: David C. Cook, 2008), 133.  

The Journey
By Lisa Boyer

“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 (NIV)

Sometimes during life’s journey we find ourselves on routes we didn’t expect….

In Genesis 37, we read of the young man Joseph who had dreams, dreams from God of his brothers bowing down to him. But in Genesis 39 and 40, we find that he’s not being revered by his brothers, he’s been sold into slavery by them and is in an Egyptian prison. Prison: not where Joseph expected to be.

1 Samuel 16 tells us of the young shepherd boy David who is anointed by the prophet Samuel to be the next king of Israel. But in I Samuel 19 through 26, instead of ruling a kingdom, David’s hiding in caves, hunted like an animal by King Saul who’s trying to kill him. Hiding: not where David expected to be.

Those unexpected routes in life can surely shake one’s faith, but Joseph and David remained faithful. Now, we Bible readers may be tempted to take their faith for granted because we can turn forward a few pages and see how their life’s journeys unfold: Joseph is made a ruler in Egypt and his brothers do bow down before him; David becomes the king and rules for 40 years. But Joseph and David were in the middle of their journeys without the Book to tell them how things turn out. All they knew was that God made a promise and they believed He was going to keep it. They kept the faith in spite of years of waiting…yes, years. The two chapters describing the events of Joseph’s slavery and imprisonment covered 13 years of his life’s journey. From the time David is anointed as king to when he actually becomes king is over 15years.

The middle of life’s journey can be difficult and long, but we must not lose sight of the fact that we are in the midst of a journey. It’s not over yet. We may not be able to see where our journey leads, but we KNOW that God is always up to something in our lives and it’s always a good something, even if it doesn’t feel like it at the time.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Have you become discouraged with your life’s journey? Today, will you reaffirm your commitment to follow and trust God no matter what route your life’s journey takes?
2. Have you intentionally left the path God had you on? Right now, will you go to God in prayer and get back on the route He has planned for you?

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 16:11; I John 3:2a; Jeremiah 29:11

Lisa has been married to Ted for 24 years and they have two sons in college. Lisa serves in Quest 56 on Sunday mornings at Oakwood.

Life-lesson From a Chipmunk
By Susan Klein

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation; the old has gone, 

the new has come!"
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)

One thing that tickles my fancy is watching the birds feed at my feeders. One thing that does not tickle me, however, is watching the chipmunks and squirrels devour all of my bird food. How dare they eat what is not meant for them! Do they know that they are not birds?!!

As I sat contentedly watching the Grosbeaks this morning, their breakfast was suddenly interrupted when a chipmunk flung his little body onto the feeder and actually crawled inside of it for a greedy little feeding frenzy. My contentment soon turned to resentment! Frustrated by this intrusion, I opened the door and went out to chase him away. My usual shouts didn’t make him flee! Blinded by his focus on the prize, I had to physically pound on the feeder to scare him out! Knowing he’d return as soon as I left, I took the feeder down and hauled it back in with me. “That’ll teach him,” I muttered.

As I returned my gaze to the shepherds crook... sure enough! There he was! He climbed to the top, looked down, and didn’t see the feeder. Turning his head side to side, he climbed half-way down and then back up again. Still no feeder. This went on for about a dozen more repetitions. His mind was so trained that there was food at the end of the crook that he had a hard time processing that it was not there. It had become automatic.

We can be like that chipmunk sometimes. We can get caught in a pattern of behavior that becomes automatic. It may not even be a desirable behavior, but it is so ingrained in our brains that we keep repeating it over and over. Perhaps it’s using a harsh response to things that irritate us, repeatedly watching a bad television show, or a self-indulgence of some sort. We keep going blindly back to it without even thinking. God tries to speak to us, but we cannot hear His voice since we are not focused on hearing Him, only on what is in front of us. Sometimes He has to rattle our cages to get our attention! Or, He may even go so far as to remove the object that has kept us from hearing Him.

As new creatures in Christ, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles and focus our eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:1-2)! For He is our true prize!

GOING DEEPER:
1. What indulgences or habits might you need to stop? Are you willing to ask God for help in breaking the pattern?

FURTHER READING:
Ephesians 4:22-24

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.