“Don’t Mix the Reds With the Whites!”

By Susan Klein

“One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind.”

Romans 14:5 (NIV)

My daughter was visiting the other day and noticed my piles of clothes on the floor waiting to be washed. One tiny pile of three red items sat to the side…

 “You still do your reds separately?” she inquired.

“Of course! Don’t you?”

If you’ve ever washed a load of clothes, especially whites, where a stray red t-shirt got mixed in…Pink becomes the new white!

Everyone grows up with a pocket full of rules. Some rules we carry into our adult life; others we choose to leave on the path behind. Some become more like guidelines, or suggestions, but aren’t necessarily absolute truths. However, each is unique to the person who abides by them. Your rules are yours - - mine are mine. We each choose to follow what works best for us.

That said, there are governing rules that are absolutes. Each person has laws he must obey, mandated by his or her government, or else face the imposed consequences. Many would argue that the Bible has definite rules which we must all obey. So how do we know which ones are absolutes?

In his book, A Contrarian’s Guide to Knowing God, Larry Osborne proposes that many of the spiritual disciplines we learn about in Scripture are “tools” rather than rules. [1] They are there as guidelines to help us follow God better. The messy part comes in when we look at one tool as a rule for our own personal life, and then we expect others to see it the same way. For example, one might view tithing as a “rule” they’ve chosen to follow, while others use it as a guideline or suggestion to determine their giving.

We often want to help others by sharing our rules with them. If they work for us, why wouldn’t they work for others too, right? Not necessarily. Since most spiritual disciplines are actually “tools,” we are free (by the grace that’s been extended to us) to try them out and see what works best for us. And so is the next person. If I find I need to grow in a particular area, I may pick up a new “tool” to help me. If it doesn’t work, I may cast it aside and try something else. What works for me, may not work for my neighbor.

As for the laundry…perhaps you’re okay with pink?!

GOING DEEPER:

1. Do you tend toward rule-keeping or rule-bending?

2. Are you experiencing the fullness of “grace”?

FURTHER READING:

Galatians 5:1, 13-14; 1Peter 2:13-17

Susan is married to Mark, and co-leads an in-home small group. She serves as a mentor to young women, and is a member of Oakwood’s Peace Team, helping people work through conflict.

[1] Larry Osborne, A Contrarian’s Guide to Knowing God, chapter 18, Colorado Springs: Multnomah Books, 2007.

Who Is This?

By Peggy Kleckner

“Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, ‘Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?’ ”

Mark 4:38 (NLT)

Perhaps you are unfamiliar with this story. Jesus told His disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” Plainly, the trip in the boat was His idea. The Scriptures note this, “But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water.” Yet the disciples had to wake Jesus who was at the back of the boat with His head on a cushion asleep!

Jesus was not panic-stricken; in fact, He seemed to them unaware of their peril. They don’t call Him by name, they call Him “Teacher.” Clearly this is a name of respect, not familiarity. They have already been fighting the storm on their own, so much so that the boat has begun to take on water.

Students don’t always like to ask questions. I wonder if these students had all been looking at Jesus waiting for Him to get up and do something. Was it perhaps that they felt confident in boat-handling and thought He only knew how to preach? They didn’t ask Him to do anything, they asked Him what each of us seems to wonder at times…doesn’t He care that we are in a difficult situation that certainly looks like it will overcome us?

Have you been there? Are you there now? Are you too wondering if Jesus really cares at all?

These disciples are no different than we are. In the middle of a storm, in a boat, taking on water they are demanding an answer to their heart’s question: Does Jesus care?

What was Jesus’ reply? “He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.” His response was action and then these words, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

They knew Him as “Teacher.” This displayed Jesus as much more, and they were left to ask, “Who is this?” They thought they knew Him, but this didn’t fit their picture and they didn’t know what to do with this revelation. Jesus is much more than a man. He had not called out to God. He had commanded the wind and the waves and they had obeyed.

In our own faith walk we will also come into situations that push us to broaden our view of Jesus. He is always so much more.

GOING DEEPER:

1.  Who is this Jesus to you?

2.  Are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?

FURTHER READING:

John 1:29; John 4:25-26; John 21:12

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.

Greater

By Lexi Cole Ellis

You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

1 John 4:4 (NIV)

Years ago, I had the opportunity to lead a workshop for our women’s retreat on the subject of comparisons. As I prepared, I dug into societal implications of comparing and how they hinder our oneness with God. What started as comparisons with physical appearance soon turned into a realization that we are drowning in comparisons in every facet and role. I just want to be prettier. I just want to be more like _________; she has it all together. I just want to be the best teacher. I wish I was a better ministry leader like _________. I long to be a better mom. ________ really is a better wife than I.   

Whether appearance or performance, these constant, detrimental comparisons often mean we are comparing ourselves to an unknown, unattainable ideal. We don’t know what “better” looks or feels like; we just know it’s not us. This results in never really accomplishing our standard of perfection.

As I struggle with rejecting self-deprecating, life-sucking comparisons in my own life, I’ve come to appreciate the comparisons in life that are  life-giving. There’s incredible hope, peace and a release of guilt that comes with surrendering our thoughts of unhealthy comparisons over to the God who knows and is greater.

Chris Tomlin’s song, “Our God,” is filled with comparisons words…the good kind. He identifies God as greater, stronger and higher than any other. Recently, as I listened to this song on the radio, singing along with the familiar chorus, I realized that it felt incomplete. For me, I felt God speaking to me, adding to the comparisons. I grabbed my phone and started using the speaking function as I spoke what His Spirit was saying:

Our God is greater… {than my circumstance.}

Our God is stronger… {than my fear.}

God, you are higher than any other…{insecurities I have.}

Our God is Healer, Awesome in Power, Our God! Our God! [1]

The single best and healthiest comparison is that God is bigger and stronger. As we go through storms and struggles, may we cling to the truth that He is higher than all…and that praising Him means working through and rejecting the unhealthy comparisons we mentally entertain. May we be children of God who actively pursue His healthy comparisons.

GOING DEEPER:

1. Spend time with the Lord. How is His Spirit adding onto the lyrics for you today?  Fill in the blanks: “Our God is greater than ________.”

2. Take time to listen to the song, “Our God” today. (Click HERE to listen to it.)

FURTHER READING:

Ephesians 6:10; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10; Psalm 46:1

Lexi’s family consists of her, her husband, Andrew, her daughter, Sloane, and her dog, Calvin. She teaches sixth grade Reading and Writing and serves with Children’s Ministries.

[1] http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/christomlin/ourgod.html, brackets added

“Mr. Gorbachev, Tear Down this Wall!”

 By Elin Henderson

“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds [a.k.a. walls],”

2 Corinthians 10:4 (NKJV with my addition)

Oh, if only it was that easy, to see an obstacle looming in front of us and simply say like President Reagan did, “Mr. Gorbechav, tear down this wall!”

Nowhere do walls loom larger than in the hearts and minds of people. My husband and I work in a resistant context where the walls seem thicker, higher and have razor wire strewn atop them! But I realize that resistant hearts can exist anywhere, especially in a location where all our needs are met and there are no absolutes. The commentator Warren Weirsbe says, “Once the walls in the mind have been torn down, the door to the heart can be opened.” [1]

How then do we move forward? Satan has built and fortified many mind-walls. Our human efforts are vain and empty against them. There are no wrecking balls big enough, words strong enough, nor personalities bold enough to break through. This battle will not be fought with weapons of the flesh. Instead we are endowed with two simple, yet extremely powerful weapons of the Spirit: prayer and the Word of God.

When studying the armor of God, we find that these are the only two offensive weapons offered. Dependence on the Holy Spirit in ongoing prayer, as well as continued sharing of the Word of God  - -  in word and deed! This may seem like an odd way to break through resistant walls, but when have God’s ways been typical? How many times have those either on and at the walls said, “What on earth is going on here?” What is foolishness to man is awesome power to God.

Our job is to stay faithful, obedient, patient and wield our weapons wisely! Then when He moves, watch out! Because the walls will come tumbling down in such a way that we might be caught off guard. Joshua’s Old Testament battle at Jericho wasn’t over just because the walls came down. He still had much fighting to do. The city had to be subdued. With the walls down, the heart will be open to hear truth. But we must then be available to teach that truth and speak life into that individual.  

So we boldly cry out to the only One who can…“Oh God, tear down this wall!”

GOING DEEPER:                                                       

1.    Who in your life has resistant walls built around their heart? Will you utilize prayer and God’s Word, as you boldly cry, “Oh, God, tear down this wall!”

FURTHER READING:

Joshua 6; Ephesians 2:14; Ephesians 6:10-18; 1 Corinthians 1:26-31

Oakwood’s missionaries Elin Henderson (a registered nurse) and her husband Phil serve as church planters with Ethnos 360 in Mozambique, Africa.  Elin is mother to eighteen-year-old Callie and fifteen-year-old Elias.

             

[1] Weirsbe, Warren, The Bible Exposition Commentary Volume 1, pg 665, Victor Publishing Colorado Springs, CO, 2001.

The Impossible Imposter

By Carolyn Hulliberger

“But he was pierced for our transgressions,

He was crushed for our iniquities;

The punishment that brought us peace was on him,

And by his wounds we are healed.”

Isaiah 53:5 (NIV)

In the early 1900’s, the U.S. was in a state of “Chaplinitis.” Charlie Chaplin’s silent movie character became a phenomenon and from it sprung a pastime of “look-alike” contests. Entertainment folklore says that Charlie himself dressed up in character and entered a contest in San Francisco.

He failed to make the finals.

I’m pretty sure Jesus could relate to how Charlie might have felt.

Since Old Testament times, the human race has been looking for Messiah. Prophets have foretold hundreds of details about Messiah, and dozens have claimed to be the Promised One.

Only One fulfilled them all…Jesus Christ of Nazareth, born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2) of the Virgin Mary (Isaiah 7:14).  A descendant of King David (Isaiah 9:7), he healed the brokenhearted (Isaiah 61:1-2) and was rejected by His own people (Psalm 69:8). He was betrayed (Psalm 41:9), falsely accused (Psalm 35:11), crucified with criminals (Isaiah 53:12), and mocked (Psalm 22:7-8).

Messiah would pray for His enemies (Psalm 109:4), be buried with the rich (Isaiah 53:9), resurrect from the dead (Psalm 16:10 and 49:15), and ascend to heaven (Psalm 24:7-10) as the sacrifice for all sin (Isaiah 53:5-12).

In fact, there are over 700 biblical prophecies concerning the Messiah. The odds of one person fulfilling even 48 of them are 1 in 10 to the 157th power. Mind-boggling!

As we consider how Jesus fulfills all of these prophesies, let’s remember that everything else that He said must be true, too.

Which means He’s Coming Back!  This Easter season, as we reflect on the triumph of the resurrection, let’s also remember that, “…Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many;  and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him” (Hebrews 9:28). Amazing!

GOING DEEPER:

1.  How does seeing Jesus as the miraculous fulfillment of prophesy affect how you see His role in your life today?

2.  How does the knowledge that Christ is going to return impact your life?

FURTHER READING:

John 14:1-3; Acts 1:10-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

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

To Him Be the Glory

By Jeannine Sawall

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV)

Having grown up in the church, oftentimes people have asked me to share my “testimony.” For years, I felt I didn’t have anything to say. And while my childhood was not picture-perfect, I never got involved in anything “bad.” I was the girl who didn’t “smoke, drink, cuss or chew or went with boys who wanted to.” I didn’t have one of those “life changing, I’ve been delivered” testimonies to share. I really felt my personal faith-story was pretty “boring.”

After sharing these feelings with a friend who has a rather dramatic “life-changing” testimony, she admonished me. She told me that just because God had kept me from much of the pain and drama many people experience in childhood and early adulthood didn’t mean my testimony was somehow less powerful than those with dramatic, life changing results. In fact, it was only because of Jesus, I was where I was. It was then I realized my “boring” testimony was only by the grace of God - - to Him be the glory! There were so many other paths I could have traveled had God not continuously guided me through the years, but He did. I didn’t deserve His presence, yet He gave of Himself abundantly. That’s huge! It is only because of Jesus, I was the “good-girl” - - all the glory belonged to Him! It’s only because of Jesus, I traveled the safer roads that I did - - all the glory belonged to Him!

Maybe you feel your testimony isn’t “dramatic.” Do you love the Lord? That’s dramatic! Nothing about us draws us to Him…it’s only His Holy Spirit at work in our life that makes it possible - - all the glory belongs to Him! Maybe you need to simply look for God in your life. Wherever He is actively working to break, prune, grow or shape you is where your testimony can be found. And the surprising thing is that your testimony isn’t as much about you, as it is about God’s work IN you - - to Him be the glory! Your testimony counts. It. Is. Powerful. It is to be shared for the glory of God. It will change your life and others’ lives - - to God be the glory!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Are you amazed by the incredible work God has done in your life? Ask Him to show you all the ways He has/is working in your life to His glory.
2. And then ask Him to show you whom He wants you to share it with…for His glory!

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 138:5; John 1:14; 2 Corinthians 4:6

Jeannine is a wife and mother of four great boys. She works in the property management business. Jeannine serves in several behind-the-scenes ministries at Oakwood and has a heart for those who are grieving.

Help, My “Ugly Fruit” is Showing!
By Susan Klein

But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
 Galatians 5:22-23a (NIV)

Have you ever seen an “uglifruit”? It’s a sort of hybrid between a pomelo, an orange and a tangerine. Its external appearance befits its name. It has a rough, wrinkly rind with ugly green blemishes. Chances are, if you saw it in your produce section, you’d turn your nose up and walk right by. However, beneath its deceptively ugly exterior lies a succulently sweet and juicy interior!

At a women’s conference I attended, the table topic turned toward “fruit of the Spirit.” We were encouraged to answer the question, “What fruit might others say is most evident in your life?” Many of the ladies didn’t want to answer, feeling it might sound boastful. Even when reassured by our table leader that we’d only be boasting about what the Holy Spirit is doing in us, it still left some hesitant to reply.

One lady confessed, “I think my ugly fruit is what is most evident much of the time.” While invoking a good chuckle, we all admitted we could relate. The significance of the question seemed to lie in the word “evident,” or what others see in us. As we discussed this topic further, we concluded that the above verse shows that the word “fruit” used here is singular; meaning if you have one, you have access to them all. In other words, if the Holy Spirit is dwelling in you, you have this whole wonderful fruit dwelling inside of you, even if what others see on your outside is blemished and ugly. What is “evident” is determined by your choice of which fruit to display.

When we are truly walking in the Spirit, focusing on our Lord and not on ourselves or our circumstances, our good fruit will be much more evident than our ugly (sin-nature) fruit. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:24-25.

Some days, when I’m not keeping in step with the Spirit, I might not have the whole fruit evident on my branches. Perhaps I am exhibiting patience with my spouse, but the joy in my difficult circumstances is hidden from view. Or maybe I’m exercising self-control in my spending, but my kindness is not evident to the store clerk. On days when my ugly fruit is showing, I know it’s really time to get back in step with the Spirit so His sweet, succulent fruit can shine through!

GOING DEEPER:
Which aspect of your spiritual fruit might most frequently be hidden from view of others? What can you do to display it more prominently?

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 92:12-15; Romans 8:9-10; Colossians 1:10-14 

Susan is married to Mark, and co-leads an in-home small group. She serves as a mentor to young women, and is a member of Oakwood’s Peace Team, helping people work through conflict.

Building a Boat

By Peggy Kleckner

“Build a large boat from cypress wood and waterproof it with tar, inside and out…..Make the boat 450 feet long, 75 feet wide and 45 feet high….So Noah did everything exactly as God had commanded him.”

Genesis 6:14,15,22 (NLT)

Three short sentences packed with work and faith. Let’s consider the dimensions of this boat that God instructed Noah to build. I took out my tape measure and measured the length, width and height of my kitchen. I measured something familiar to try and understand the unfamiliar. I found that the length of my kitchen had to be multiplied thirty times in order to be the same length as this boat!

God does not always give easy assignments. Not only is this boat massive in dimensions, but it includes a roof, three decks and a door. Don’t forget that he had to waterproof the entire thing inside and out with tar. Finally, I have to wonder if Noah knew anything at all about boat building.

What does God’s Word say about Noah? It states that Noah found favor with the LORD, that he was a righteous man and that he walked in close fellowship with God.

That is how Noah “did everything exactly as God had commanded him” (v. 22).

All Noah had was God’s instructions…probably not written-out instructions, they were “invisible,” so to speak. Then he begins to build according to those instructions. Think of yourself as perhaps his neighbor. Maybe Noah shared his mission with you, maybe not. Before long, you begin to see something different going on at Noah’s home. Perhaps you saw the wood being brought in or heard the sound of sawing and hammering. Pretty soon something starts to be “visible.”

If you have accepted Christ as your new master, He has asked you to build an ark of faith…one day at a time, one board at a time. Your instructions are invisible to others and yet they have been given to you. So you begin to build. The work seems impossible because the vision is so BIG, but He has asked and so you build.

As your faith is built up in the One who instructs you, it becomes visible to others. His Word and work become visible. Jesus becomes visible in you. This may bring scoffing or ridicule from others, but perhaps someone will ask you why you are building, or where you got the plans. I wonder if that was Noah’s greatest hope.

GOING DEEPER:

1. Have you found favor with the LORD, been made righteous in Christ and now are walking in close fellowship with the Spirit?

2. If you have no idea what that means, are you willing to ask someone? If you do, how is your ark-building coming along?

FURTHER READING:

Hebrews 11:7; Hebrews 11:6; John 1:14

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.

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 and thought, “I am just like that blazing prairie.” I was experiencing a huge transition phase in life, and it had been a big trial. I felt as though I was 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 moved back to her home state of Wisconsin where she works as an Elementary School Counselor. She and her family have attended Oakwood for 20 years.

The Monsters in the Closet

By Jeannine Sawall

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

Philippians 4:6 (NIV)

"So how was your appointment?" I asked, expecting “fine” as his response. This was a routine appointment my husband had just had. "Well... they found an unusual mass in my chest they are concerned about," he answered quietly. My heart stopped for a moment..."a mass in your chest? Do they know what it is?" "It's unusual...and it wasn't there last time. They are going to make an appointment for me to come back and see the thoracic team." "When?" "In the next few weeks."

And so the monster in the closet came out of hiding and I was afraid. Over the next few weeks, my mind went to terrible places. If you google "mass in chest," all sorts of monsters can be found. If you anticipate worst-case scenarios - - the monsters of cancers, chemo, financial hardships, sickness and even the extreme of early widowhood and raising young sons alone - - you can barely function due to the anxiety and worry that accompanies those thoughts. God says, not to “be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." But what did that mean and how does one do that? Did it mean I had to be fearless in every situation and THANKFUL?!?

Of course not! It means we don't have face those fears alone! When God allows a situation in our life that brings up fears, He knows our hearts and He knows our thoughts. We could pretend we aren't afraid, but to what good? We wouldn't be fooling ourselves and we certainly wouldn't be fooling God. However, when that gut-wrenching, confusion-making torrent of emotion takes over our hearts and minds from time to time, God calls us to trust Him and believe that He will be with us, even when there are monsters. He never condemns us for being afraid; instead, He is telling us to turn to Him and allow Him to give us His peace which surpasses understanding.

365 times we are told to "fear not" in the Bible: Once for each day. It is a reminder that He is there for us in the middle of the fear-causing situation. Remembering He is with us may not remove the situation from our lives or even permanently remove the fear from our minds; we may have to be talked off the ledge over and over. But remembering God's promises to us in the midst of fears allows us to take our eyes off of the monster, even for that moment, and go forward confidently with the Lord, thankful He is always with us.

GOING DEEPER:

1. What fears are you battling today?

2. Which of God's promises do you need to be reminded of?

FURTHER READING:

Deuteronomy 31:6, Psalm 56:3-4, Isaiah 41:10

Jeannine is a wife and mother of four great boys. She works in the property management business. Jeannine serves in several behind-the-scenes ministries at Oakwood and has a heart for those who are grieving.

50 Shades of Darkness

 By Elin Henderson

“For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ..”

2 Corinthians 4:6 (NKJV)

Sometimes it seems that the darkness that surrounds us here in Africa is so intense, so heavy, so impenetrable that we wonder if light will ever break through. If there were 50 shades of darkness, they would all be found here: darkened souls, darkened minds, darkened eyes, darkened hearts... 

Perhaps today you are reaching out to people whose hearts seem this way. The prince of darkness has blinded and darkened them. Maybe you are not ministering to darkened souls but your own life has become heavy, dark, void and without form?  There are times in our personal lives that darkness threatens to overwhelm us as well. 

But lest we lose hope and heart and get sucked into this darkness, God gives us tremendous verses of encouragement like the one above in II Corinthians. Shining light into dark places is God’s specialty. After all, it is where He started. “The earth was without form, and void and darkness was on the face of the deep…Then God said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light…” [1]

Let’s face it. Since the dawn of creation, there has never been darkness like in the book of Genesis. Literal emptiness, no light, no life - - nothing!  And somehow from that, God spoke light and life into being. I don’t know about you, but those simple verses bring a lot of hope and encouragement to my heart! Even to this day, He uses His powerful WORD to transform darkness into light! 

No matter the darkness that surrounds us, we have a God who is ruler of the day and the night. Darkness cannot hold Him or limit Him. In fact, He conquers it, speaking “life and light” into it. What our world needs is more and more of His WORD of light to pierce through the 50 shades of darkness! 

GOING DEEPER:                                                       

1.    What darkness are you facing today? Would you term it as a ministry darkness or a personal darkness? 

2.    How can the knowledge of the glory of God, in the face of Jesus Christ, transform this darkness into light? 

FURTHER READING:

[1] Genesis 1:2,3

Psalm 36:9; Ephesians 5:8; Luke 1:79

Oakwood’s missionaries Elin Henderson (a registered nurse) and her husband Phil serve as church planters with Ethnos 360 in Mozambique, Africa.  Elin is mother to eighteen-year-old Callie and fifteen-year-old Elias.

             

Divine G.P.S.

By Karen D’Amore

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;
 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)

The appointment was in an area that was unfamiliar to me. With the needed information stored in my I-phone, I hadn’t written down the business name, address or phone number. I was relying on my phone’s GPS to accurately guide me to my appointment.  Unfortunately, within ten miles of my appointment, I noticed that my phone had…died! Pulling to the side of the road, I fumbled feverishly with the phone. Repeatedly pushing every button, the screen remained black. I plugged the phone into the battery charger but still nothing! The phone was dead!

Overcome with a feeling of helplessness, I briefly panicked! I didn’t want to no-show or miss the important appointment but at that point, I was lost. I was in the middle of nowhere…with no idea where I was and no resource to direct me to my destination. With pay phones being extinct, I couldn’t even call for help. In a spirit of helplessness, I pleaded with God to revive my phone. Holding my breath while pushing the “on” button, I sighed with relief as a flicker of light emanated from the screen. The phone came back to life! With my phone/GPS back in operation, I resumed my travels. But to my dismay, a glitch in the GPS program directed me to an incorrect location, forcing me to call the business to seek better directions. Needless to say, I finally arrived at my appointment frazzled and frustrated, but enlightened by a valuable life lesson.

Though grateful for the technological conveniences of the smartphone, my utter dependence on this “man-powered” device was a sobering revelation. Without it, I was LOST...literally and figuratively! Though such “devices” are helpful tools when functioning properly,  they will never be 100% accurate nor reliable. I had been relying on an unreliable device to stay on course and guide me through daily life!

Before the invention of compasses, GPS units and smartphones, God created the North Star…a fixed and reliable navigational system. For centuries, it was the gauge for finding one’s way, establishing one’s bearings and redirecting one’s course when lost. As believers, God is our True North! Because He is unchangeable and eternally reliable, we need to trust and depend on Him to navigate life’s course. With the Bible as our compass, we can seek hope when we’re lost, establish our bearings when needing direction and determine The Way to navigate to our heavenly destination. Let’s remain anchored to the God Powered System, solely dependent and reliant on our Divine Guide…Protector…Savior!

GOING DEEPER:

1.  Who/what’s your navigator?

FURTHER READING:

Isaiah 30:21, Psalm 119:105

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.