Speak Over the Fear

By Lexi Cole Ellis

 

^“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)

 

Our words are powerful. In my classroom, I have this sign hanging up:

Similarly, there’s a familiar object lesson that teachers often use. Kids get to empty a tube of toothpaste (symbolizing their words) and then have to desperately try to put the toothpaste back in the tube…showing that our words are easy to say, but difficult to take back. Moreover, Nelson Hawk’s song “Words” also examines the reality of how powerful our words are:

Words can build you up,
Words can break you down.
Start a fire in your heart or
Put it out.

Let my words be life.
Let my words be truth.
I don't wanna say a word,
Unless it points the world back to You [1]

Certainly, there is a need to be very aware of what we say. But if I’m honest, all of that isn’t what’s challenging for me. The lesson of “watch what you say” is an easy one for me. While I’m certainly not perfect and there’s always a continual need to be aware of “guarding our tongue,” sometimes it’s easier for me to say nothing at all than be concerned about what to say.

In the second verse, the same song mentions to use words to speak over the fear. That one line captivated me. As a believer, I am called to speak above the fears I have. Often, for me, fear is rooted in insecurity concerning myself and fear of what others think. I am called to acknowledge my fears, but then address them and speak over them. It made me wonder: What’s the fear I need to speak over in my life? What part of my life makes me silent (because of fear) when I should be speaking over it? Is it a relationship that needs to have a (loving and respectful) conversation? Is it a conflict that I need to address? Is it a fear that I need to validate and bring before the Lord? Is it a situation at work where I need to acknowledge the fear, but speak over it?

The verse above is a familiar one, but an incredible reminder that we have not be given a spirit of fear. Because our words have power…because our words have incredible potential…we need to use our words to speak over the fears we have.

GOING DEEPER:

1.    What fears can you identify in your life? What do you need to do to “speak over” your fears?

2.    Take time today to listen to “Words.” (You can listen by clicking HERE.) What lines are meaningful to you?

FURTHER READING:

Isaiah 41:10; Deuteronomy 31:6; Psalm 34:4

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/hawknelson/words.html

“He Marveled”

By Susan Klein

“Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled…”

Matthew 8:10a (NASB)

Whenever I find myself in need of some “real” time with my Savior, I know I can turn to the Gospels and find Him there. His presence is visible upon the pages of God’s written Word. How like our loving heavenly Father to provide us with this very personal gift to use over and over again to fit our every circumstance.

When I am grieving, I can read Jesus wept (John 11:35), knowing He personally shares in my grief. When I need counsel, I can read that Jesus spoke to the multitudes and I can glean from His message to them. When I am weary from life’s demands, I can learn from the example that Jesus withdrew to solitary places to be alone with His Father for rest and refreshment.

Among other things, the Gospels tell us that Jesus:

rebuked

healed

performed miracles

went away (or departed)

forgave

raised the dead

defended

prayed

All of these things have touched my heart in a personal way at a time when I really needed them. All of these things Jesus did because He was the Son of God and they were things He was sent here to do. However, there is one thing Jesus did in response to what someone else did. He marveled. In context, the above verse explains that Jesus marveled over the great faith of one man, a Gentile, no less. Without the benefit of growing up memorizing Old Testament Scriptures or sitting under the tutelage of esteemed Jewish leaders, a Roman centurion heard about Jesus and beseeched Him to heal his paralyzed servant. Jesus immediately understood the great faith this man placed in Him by humbly presenting this request, and by believing it would be done. (You can read the rest of the story in John chapter 8!)

As I glance back over my list, I realize these are things Jesus did for me. To show my gratitude, I’d like to do something for Him. I’d like to exercise my faith like the humble centurion did. I want to take all these things to heart and gratefully, diligently and unquestioningly apply them to my life in a way that brings Him glory and honor. And wouldn’t it just be ever-so-precious if perchance, He were to marvel at my faithfulness?!!

GOING DEEPER:

1. How can you spend intentional time exercising your faith?

2. What are some weak areas in your faithfulness that might require some attention?

FURTHER READING: 

Matthew 9:20-22; Romans 1:17; James 2:14-23

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.

Hold Tight…Tomorrow, Too
By Elizabeth Cole

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!”
1 John 3:1a (NIV)

When I was four, I would commonly spend Sunday evenings in my grandparents’ home, relishing my princess status as we had tea parties together. Precious memories are still easily bidden, including the frequent game that revolved around “Let’s pretend that I’m the mom and you’re the children…and you must do everything I tell you.” Oh my…no comment! That one worked well until just about bedtime, at which point I was kindly reminded that the game was over and I needed to be the child once more.

So it was as the child that I experienced my sweetest memory. At the end of an endearing bedtime ritual, my grandfather would take my little-girl hand, gently kiss the palm and fold my fingers over it. “Hold tight what I give you,” he’d whisper before quietly leaving the bedroom. Every time, I’d concentrate on clutching my hand tightly over my grandfather’s kiss, determined to keep it all night. And, of course, every morning it would be gone, released in slumber.

But I don’t remember ever being saddened at the loss, not once. And I suppose that it must be because I knew my grandfather so very well. It never occurred to me that there wouldn’t be plenty more kisses for the next day…and the next, as well. I knew him; I knew his generosity; and I confidently depended on his love for me.

I think about that a lot. When I wonder if I’ve reached the end of my allotment of blessings from the Father’s hand. When I find myself worrying that this time when I obey, I’ll fall alone, flat on my face. When an unbidden thought mocks me with God’s inattention.

But then I remember. We know Him. We’ve experienced His generosity over and over again, and we have depended on His unchanging love. He never leaves us; He has loved us with an everlasting love; His mercies are new every single morning.

Arise, beloved, confident this morning in the love the Father has for you. Hold out your hand.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Where are you tempted to question God’s unending love and involvement in your life today? Are you willing to look back, and to make a list of all those times He’s proven His love, awareness and presence?

FURTHER READING:
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17; John 14:7, 15:9; Psalm 36:5-10

Elizabeth is a wife with three grown daughters and two sons-in-law, and is the Director of Connecting at Oakwood Church.

Deceptive Decoys

By Karen D’Amore

Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.

Ephesians 6:11 (NIV)

Along a path I travel daily is a large pond, flanking a neighboring church. As dusk fell on a routine trip, I spotted an animal lying in the grass area surrounding the pond. Pulling into the church parking lot, I zoomed in with my iPhone’s camera and identified the animal as a coyote. After snapping a few pictures, I called out in an attempt to spur movement. As the coyote remained motionless, darkness inhibited my sight. The next morning, while passing the pond on my way to work, I noticed the same coyote…now standing…in the location where it had previously been laying. With my tender heart for wildlife spurring concern for its well-being, I considered calling the local wildlife rescue center, until….a third pass by the pond revealed that I’d been fooled by a… deceptive decoy!

Desiring to humanely deter the “messy” geese from overtaking the pond and parking lot, the church used decoys as an effective deterrent. For the remainder of that season, the pond and surrounding area remained goose-free due to the placement of the coyote decoys.

The next summer, the coyote decoys were once again placed around the pond; however, within a few weeks…the pond was overflowing with geese. I won’t embarrass myself by sharing how I was eventually fooled (again) by swan decoys that replaced the coyote decoys, but I do have an elaborate photo collection of the fake birds! Spurring my curiosity, research revealed that decoys eventually become ineffective if they’re not moved around periodically. While the decoys - - whether coyotes or swans - -  remained in the exact location, the geese wised-up, recognizing that the decoys were “fake predators” exhibiting no threat to them.

My comical photo collection of fake coyotes and plastic swans impelled me to consider “deceptive decoys” which pose a threat to believers. In Ephesians 6:11, we’re exhorted to guard against the “devil’s schemes.”  As a “master of deception” (Daniel 8:25) Satan’s arsenal of “deceptive decoys” are endless. We’re warned in 2 Corinthians 11:14 that “Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.” Using deceptive decoys that change constantly in appearance and position, Satan will do everything in his power to fool us and deter us from The Truth. Like the geese, as Christ-followers, we need to wise-up, exercise discernment and protect ourselves from being fooled by the devil’s deceptive decoys.

Are you ready to foolproof your life?  “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7, KJV).

GOING DEEPER:

1.  Identify areas of your life where you’re vulnerable to Satan’s deceptive devices and resist being fooled!

FURTHER READING:

Romans 16:20; 1 Peter 5:8-9

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. 

Return to Rest

 By Elin Henderson

“Return to your rest, O my soul, for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.”

Psalms 116:7 (NKJV)

One way or Return  are one of the first things that you click on when you are doing a travel search for airfare tickets. Return  indicates that you started off at some location. And logically, you want to return there. 

           

We were designed and created for rest, but how much of our lives today reflect a life of rest? Sadly, very little. Adam and Eve were given God’s presence, His life, His peace and placed in a perfect place of rest in the Garden of Eden. All that they needed was provided for them. They simply fellowshipped with their God each day and looked to Him for all of their needs. 

This rest came to an abrupt halt when Satan deceived Eve, and sin was brought into the world. They ceased to look to God and His provision, and instead they fell for the lie that there was something “more” out there that they were missing out on. God’s presence was removed from them as they exited the Garden, and they were left empty and hopeless in the hands of Satan. 

Since then, there has been a futile fight to find that rest again. We started off there, and we are frantically looking for the return  side of that ticket. Rest and the presence of God are one in the same. Without His presence, we have no rest. Jesus’ death on the cross bridged that gap that was between ourselves and God, making a way for that rest to return to us once again through His Spirit’s indwelling presence.

Yet, I know in my own Christian life, rest at times remains sadly elusive. Struggles come my way and instead of returning to the source of rest and remembering how God has dealt bountifully with me, I wallow in a state of worry. I need that reminder. That I have the return  ticket in hand: His presence with me. I need only board the plane and return  to that place of rest, my Garden of Eden, where God and I dwell hand-in-hand, and He is all I need. 

GOING DEEPER:                                                       

1.    Can you think of any other examples in Scripture where God’s presence brought rest to His people?  (Hints: A suffering Job. Daniel with a den full of hungry lions. Three men in a fiery furnace. Paul and Silas beaten and shackled in a jail cell…just to start you off!)

FURTHER READING:

Matthew 11:28; Psalm 46

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.

A Lost Art?

By Susan Klein

“A friend loves at all times…”

Proverbs 17:17a (NIV)

”I’m friends with her on Facebook.” Though common to hear in today’s culture, I recently paused to ponder this all-too-familiar response to my inquiry. How often is someone we only know through social media considered to be a “friend”? If you were to view my Facebook page, you’d see that I have over 200 “friends.” That couldn’t be farther from the truth! I’ve never even met some of those people. Has social networking (with over 200 sites to choose from…not counting dating sites) caused some to redefine what a true friend is, and what it means to “practice friendship”?

Gone are the days when women friends gathered around a table to stitch a quilt together for the bride-to-be as they spent much-valued time catching up on each other’s lives. It’s no longer common practice to chat with our neighbors as we hang clothes on the line or run down the street after dinner to check on a friend. No doubt, we live in different times.

Friendship is truly an art and, like any great masterpiece, must be diligently worked at. Though times and trends may change, a true friend is still one who encourages, who sharpens, and who actively loves another without conditions. A really good friend knows how to set healthy boundaries, yet is not afraid to confront and hold accountable, always looking to the friend’s best interest. These actions cannot be accomplished by the stroke of a key or the swipe of a screen. Leaving a short birthday wish on a social network site might be fine for someone who is merely an acquaintance, but should it replace a card or phone call to someone we hold dear? Should a “how are you?” text message replace an earnest phone call to let someone know we care about them?

Social media definitely has its place. Caring Bridge and Linked In are two wonderful vehicles for sharing information with others. Even Facebook allows me to gather information and see pictures of family and friends that live far away. Many blessings can be gleaned through these technological means, but nothing can replace sharing a cup of coffee and a good long chat with a precious friend, or a listening ear and a word of advice when we are facing a tough decision. And, who would turn down a hug and an encouraging word from someone on a really bad day?  

Let’s keep the art of practicing friendship the beautiful masterpiece that it was intended to be!

GOING DEEPER:

1. Do you have any works of art that have been neglected for awhile?

2. How might you actively sharpen or encourage one of your friends?

FURTHER READING:

Proverbs 27:17; Ecclesiastes 4:9-10; John 15:12-13

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.

The Pharisee

By Lisa Boyer

“When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, ‘If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is--that she is a sinner.’”

Luke 7:39 (NIV)

A few years ago, I experienced an “ah-ha” moment while trying to figure out why I didn’t feel particularly loved by Jesus. At the time, I’d written, “During my search, I also learned something about me. I felt reprimanded when I read the Gospels because, honestly, I had always related better to the Pharisees (priding myself on following the rules) than any of the sinners Jesus reached out to with love and compassion. I had never wanted anyone to know I was a sinner…. But when I began aligning myself with the sinners in Scripture, I was met by His love and compassion.” Since then, I’ve learned a few more things: I wasn’t the only one with a Pharisee complex and that it’s a multi-faceted issue… while I had moved past not wanting to admit I was a sinner, there was more to it than that. 

Following that insight, I was at a women’s conference where the speaker was talking about the fruit of the Spirit, but rather than saying what they were, she was cleverly giving examples of what the opposite might be. By the fourth comparison, my heart had sunk so low it was on the floor. God had brought to mind a particular person I was treating this way. I had been so disappointed and angry with her choices that I responded by walking in the flesh. I wasn’t patient...I was frustrated, I wasn’t kind…I was harsh, I wasn’t loving…I was apathetic. The list goes on, but I won’t.

While I could look for and possibly find Bible verses that might support my attitude, the bottom line was that I was still a Pharisee…self-righteous and judgmental… and I needed to make things right. It wasn’t going to be a matter of a simple apology; I needed to confess my sin of walking in the flesh and all that went with it. I left the conference knowing I had an appointment to make.

It’s costly to behave like a Pharisee, which is why I need to be intentional in making sure my primary motivation is love... always love.

GOING DEEPER:

1.  Have you been struggling to act in love towards others? Today, will you go to the Father and share your struggle with Him?

2.  Is there someone you need to apologize to? Will you take steps to do that now?

FURTHER READING:

Galatians 5:22-23; Matthew 5:23-24; Colossians 3:12-14

Lisa is married to Ted and they have two adult sons. Lisa serves on a Sunday morning Welcoming Team at Oakwood. 

To God be the Glory

By Brita Crouse

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."

1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV)

Did you know that Puffer Fish can inflate to several times their normal size? They ingest large amounts of water to make themselves bigger than they regularly are. The reason they do this is to ward off predators. They may be afraid of being eaten or attacked, so “puffing up” protects them from any threats.

There are many days where I feel very similar to a Puffer Fish, but instead of ingesting water, I ingest pride. My fears cause me to “puff up” so I can keep any threats at bay. I catch myself with this inflated pride when I am feeling insecure about my abilities or stressed out about my current situation. Instead of trusting God completely, I use my own defense - - my inflatable pride - - to make others believe I am better than I really am.

The truth is: I am no better than anyone else. What would make me so special or important to be favored over another?

In his book Crazy Love, Francis Chan says this about our verse for today: “Frankly, you need to get over yourself. It might sound harsh, but that’s seriously what it means.” (1) This was the swift kick-in-the-pants that I needed. It is harsh to hear that, but it’s true. In the grand scheme of things, our lives are only a vapor and it is what we do with that time that matters.

Do we glorify God by trusting in our own strength? Do we glorify Him when we put ourselves before others? Is it glorifying to God to put others down to puff ourselves up? The answer to all of these questions should be a resounding, “NO!” Yet, we still find ourselves doing these things.

Instead of focusing so much time on ourselves, what if we focused on others? What if we viewed people, tolerable or intolerable, as if they were Christ Himself? Our attitudes would be completely different! Plus, our actions, and the motives behind those actions, would be glorifying to God.

God created everyone. Not just you. Not just me. Everyone. And He loves His creation. Instead of focusing so much on ourselves, trying to puff up our egos, let’s love others as if they were Christ. In doing this, we will bring Him glory and honor.

GOING DEEPER:

1. What person, or group of people, should you be more loving to this week?

2.  Listen to “In The End” by JJ Heller. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-w4KLSEJUs) Make a conscious effort this week to act in ways that will glorify God.

FURTHER READING:

Proverbs 11:2; Mark 12:29-31

(1) Francis Chan, Crazy Love  (Wheaton: David C. Cook,  2008), 44.

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.

Grace and Mercy
By Stephanie LaCasse

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Hebrews 4:16 (NIV)

As I saw the red and blue flashing lights in my rearview mirror, it was a feeling of dread and alarm that crept up the back of my neck. Questions flooded my mind. Was I speeding? Since I was on a familiar path to work, it was entirely possible as I wasn’t really thinking about my speed. The officer came to my window and informed me… bum bum BUMMER! I had not paid the registration that was due four months prior. Oops. He also informed me that my driver’s license had expired at the end of the previous month. Double oops. I had received the notice, pinned it on our dry erase board, and forgotten about it. Guilty.

The officer wrote me a ticket and informed me that it could be reduced or eliminated if I appeared at my court date. I felt guilty, frustrated…and frankly, stupid, that I had made two careless errors. The officer was kind and merely doing his job, upholding the law. Before departing, I thanked the officer for keeping us safe. He smiled, chuckled and said, “I try.”

Fast forward to my court date. All of the traffic offenders are placed in one room, and you wait to be called forward. It’s humiliating, to say the least, as everyone is listening to everyone else’s crimes. I was called forward; I expected the judge to tell me I should have known better. Instead, he showed me considerable mercy and did not take points. He even greatly reduced my ticket.

I left the courthouse with a smile on my face and a reminder of our Heavenly Judge. When I was speaking to the officer, he showed me grace by extending kindness where he didn’t have to. I was shown mercy by the judge, not giving me what I deserved since I had committed the crime. Just as the woman in Luke 7 was extended grace and mercy by Jesus, so was I. Jesus knew just who she was and what she had been doing prior to their meeting, yet He showed her great compassion. Let those of us who are sinners (Steph raises her hand), reach out to others with grace and mercy…just as it has been given to us in abundance.

 GOING DEEPER:
1.  What ways has God specifically shown you grace and mercy? 

2.  What is something you can do today to show grace or mercy to another

     person? 

FURTHER READING:
Jonah 4

Stephanie is a mom of three young sons and wife to Dave, who is currently in seminary preparing for chaplaincy in the US Army. In her spare time, she’s employed at a law firm.

The Wrong Weapon

 By Elin Henderson

“…they said to Him, ‘Lord, shall we strike with the sword?’ And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear.”

Luke 22:49b-50 (NKJV)

How many times do we seek to defend our Lord, but sadly pick up the wrong weapon to strike with? Jesus’ disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane were genuinely trying to defend and help Him. But impulsive thinking and not understanding the Father’s plan led them to pick up what was closest at hand and strike out.   

Jesus understood the plan of the Father and used one weapon to defend Himself and the Father: His Word. “It is written…” was the catchphrase to His weapon of choice. He never used it impulsively, but wielded it deliberately, carefully and effectively. Satan’s attempts to tempt Him in the wilderness were met with three quick blows of the Word. I imagine the Pharisees, time and time again, felt the blade of the Word of God pierce their hearts with conviction.

It’s not our ability to reason, our philosophy or our quick wit that helps us defend our Lord and defeat our enemies. It is knowing how to patiently use our one and only weapon: His Word. Just as a master swordsman becomes faster and more effective with his blade by constant practice and study, so also, we need to become expert wielders of the Word of God - - to have an “It is written…” response in every season.

Our impulsivity and unchecked zeal can lead us, like the disciples, to grab the wrong weapon and lash out; however, a restful understanding of the Father’s will, and an intimate knowledge of His Word, will help us to defend and defeat the enemy.

God’s Word…it’s sharp. It’s powerful. And it’s effective. Let us wield it carefully and effectively today!

             

GOING DEEPER:                                                       

1.    What habits can you put into practice today that will help you become more effective Weapon wielders? 

2.    (GOING REALLY  DEEP!) How do you use the Word of God in defense against those who deny it as being the truth? 

FURTHER READING:

Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 7:6; Hebrews 4:12

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.

Dog or Wolf?

By Lexi Cole Ellis

Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.

Jeremiah 33:3 (ESV)

We watched a fascinating documentary called “Dogs Decoded.” [1] In it, scientists tested to see if the social-cognitive differences in dogs and wolves were genetic or experimental (nature or nurture). Both wolf and dog pups were raised by humans: fed by humans, close contact with humans and socialized with unknown humans. If the wolf pups ended up showing dog-like traits, then domestication was affected by nurture.

Food was set out but the pathway was completely “inaccessible to the animals; human help would be required to access it.” At first, all the pups tried to get to the food on their own. But by minute two, the dogs “began to look towards the humans. This increased over time and by the fourth minute there was a statistical difference…Not only did the wolf pups not spontaneously initiate eye contact…but they also failed to learn that eye contact was the key to solving their problem.” The experiment concluded that:  “Even after being raised by humans, wolves simply do not see humans as potential social partners. The dogs, however, quite rapidly took a social approach to solve each problem they were given.” [2]

It makes me wonder: am I like the wolf pup or the dog pup? When I see that “food”  - - my dreams and hopes, my needs - - am I willing to initiate eye contact with my Master? Or do I continue to try on my own in vain, never willing to ask for help…even from the One who has provided for and loved me? Whatever the situation, trial, hardship or struggle I’m facing, am I choosing to act like the wolf or the dog? Do I learn quickly that I should make eye contact with God- - spend time in His Word, pray, ask His Spirit for guidance - - or do I continually try on my own, refusing to ask for help?

Have I built a habit of going to God in prayer first regarding the things that are next in my life? Do I make spending time in His Word a priority in a life where there is often noise and busyness? If I’m honest, I find myself more like the wolf, working towards the things I want…in the way I want. But in the end, it’s not very rewarding. May we be those who initiate eye contact, turning to our Master as we pursue the things we most need.

GOING DEEPER:

1.    Identify a situation in your life where you can be more like the dog pup.

2.    What do you need to do to depend on God more?

FURTHER READING:

1 Peter 5:7; Isaiah 26:4; Philippians 4:19

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] Dogs Decoded, aired July 3, 2013 on PBS. You can watch this documentary on Netflix.

[2] Goldman, Jason G. Dog, But Not Wolves, Use Humans As Tools, 30 April, 2012, Scientific American, http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/thoughtful-animal/dogs-but-not-wolves-use-humans-as-tools/

Bloom and Grow

by Jeannine Sawall

Then he said to his disciples, "the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask The Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into this harvest field."

Matthew 9:37-38 (NIV)

 Years ago, I planted a strawberry patch in my garden. As the snow melted away and the first glimmers of spring began to emerge, I went up to my garden to see how my strawberry patch had fared this past winter. In just a few years, those 20 plants have multiplied and spread to fill the patch and are spilling over into other parts of my garden.

As I marveled at my growing patch, I found several lessons for our Christian life. Just as those strawberries spread, our Christian influence is capable of spreading everywhere we go. Strawberries bloom where they are planted and we, as Christians, are to bloom where we are planted. While I started with only 20 plants, they have spilled over and have planted themselves in areas I hadn't planned on. As followers of Christ, our influence can surpass our expectations in areas of our life we didn't expect. Whether it is in our homes, our workplace, our friendships or random encounters, when we allow Christ to reign in our lives, the gospel message spreads.

Even though the patch is flourishing, there's still work to do. In order to enjoy the berries, I have to tend to the patch. The Lord posts a "help wanted" sign in the last part of the verse above from Matthew. When I tend to the patch, the harvest is plentiful and sweet. However, if I ignore it, the weeds get in and choke out the plants, the ripened berries will either rot on the vine or animals whom I do not want to reap the berries will steal my harvest. Any harvest requires workers and while God does not NEED us to get His work done, the glory of it all is He wants to use us. He is willing to share the blessings of His harvest work with us if we are willing to obey and be His workers.

A simple strawberry patch offers us a lot of insight into our spiritual lives. We are to grow our Christian influence wherever we are planted. We are to tend to our spiritual walk and be available to The Lord. If we walk in disobedience or refuse to do the work we are called to, we miss what the Lord has in store for us and our sphere of influence is diminished, allowing others who may not have God's purposes in mind to steal our blessings and the harvest. However, when we walk in obedience and availability, He allows us to bloom and grow.

GOING DEEPER:

1) Where is your Christian influence spreading?

2) How do you make yourself available to reap God's harvest?

FURTHER READING:

Psalm 37:3, 2 Corinthians 9:10, Galatians 6:9

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.