Follow the DE-no-INstructions
By Elin Henderson

“Take hold of instruction; do not let go. Guard her, for she is your life.”
Proverbs 4:13

Have you ever started a project and about halfway through, think to yourself, “What in the world have I gotten myself into?” For some reason that frequently happens to me. A few months ago my son discovered a “make your own” castle in a Family Fun magazine. For months now, he has been begging me to sit down and make it with him. This last week I finally conceded. However, several days into this endeavor with blisters on my hands from cutting cardboard, paint under my nails, and a mess that would take days to clean up, that very question above was whirling around in my head. Of course my son’s enthusiasm never waned! At one point I was working hard, concentrating as I tried to figure out a certain part of this castle when he said to me, “Mom, why don’t you just follow the destructions?” I had to stop and laugh and realize, yes, perhaps I should just follow the destructions after all!

A few days later, the paint is still under my nails and the blisters are almost healed, but I got to thinking about what he had to say. Sometimes we create destructions by not following the instructions! The Bible has plenty to say in regards to this area. Take a look through Proverbs and you will find verse after verse hammering home the importance of following instructions. Whatever our project or predicament, His Word provides ample instructions for us to follow. In Proverbs 4:10-13, He promises that when we do follow His instructions, He will lead us in wisdom, guide us along His upright paths, watch over our steps, keep us from stumbling, and more.

So, next time you find yourself knee-deep in some project with no end in sight, or when you are wondering what to do next or where to go next, just remember to “follow the instructions” and keep clear of those “destructions”!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Do you follow God’s instructions or do you tend to do life your own way? What motivates your decision?
2. For Fun: Take a highlighter and read through the first few chapters of Proverbs, highlighting the number of times “Instruction” is used and noting the promises related to following after it.

FURTHER READING:
Proverbs 1-4

Oakwood’s missionaries Elin Henderson and her husband Phil serve as church planters with New Tribes in Mozambique, Africa. Elin is mother to nine-year-old Callie and six-year-old Elias.

Getting Well
By Carolyn Hulliberger

“(Jesus) asked him, ‘Do you want to get well?’”
John 5:6

The Bible tells us the man Jesus spoke to in this passage had been an invalid for 38 years. His likely habit was to sit by a pool each day in the hope of physical healing. Locals believed that the waters of this pool had healing powers when an angel of the Lord would come down and stir the waters. The first person into the pool would be cured of whatever disease he or she had. Then one day, this invalid man encounters Jesus, who asks him, “Do you want to get well? [emphasis added]” On the surface it seems a silly question. The man spends every day by the pool. Each day he plays the “healing lottery,” hoping to be the big winner.

But Jesus asks “Do you want to get well?” Jesus knows that this man’s whole life will change if he is healed. The man will be responsible for himself. No longer will he have his affliction to lean on as an excuse for why he does not succeed in this world. The man’s answer is, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.” Jesus takes his answer as a “yes,” for Jesus’ reply is “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” At once the man is cured.

The healing of our own afflictions, especially emotional, can sometimes take this same route. Jesus performed a miracle of healing, but only after the man indicated that he wanted to be healed. It’s one thing to know that Jesus has the ability to heal us, but we have to be willing and ready for the healing to occur. This story also indicates that a second step…of obedience…was required for this man. The man’s habit had to change. What would have happened if the man on the mat had simply laid there and continued to hang out by the water? His life would not have changed, and the work of Christ would not have been completed in his life.

For Jesus to heal the afflictions in our lives, we not only need to want to get well, but sometimes we have to be willing to make the change in our lives to complete the healing.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Is there an affliction in your life that you want to be healed of? Are you ready for the responsibility of doing your part in the healing process?
2. Is there someone in your life who is in need of Christ’s healing? How can you encourage her to be ready for the step of obedience?

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 25:8-10

Along with caring for her husband, two children and the dog, Carolyn is an Office Representative for State Farm Insurance, serves as a small group leader for Wednesday p.m. Bible study, and is the treasurer for Women’s Ministries.

Only One God
By Susan Klein

“No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other.”
Matthew 6:24

A few years ago, a prominent religious figure was in the news for holding a worldwide ecumenical service to try to unite people groups from Native American Indians to Hindus to Roman Catholics. He claimed we should all come together to worship since “we all believed in the same god.” Hmm...

In a recent conversation with an acquaintance of mine, the topic turned toward this ecumenical movement. While I believe “ecumenism” to mean all Christ-followers, regardless of church affiliation or denomination, coming together as a unified body of believers, I was surprised by her take on the matter. She felt that to achieve spiritual unity across the globe, we need to embrace all cultures and religions with their various gods, and not think ours is better or more right than others. We need to be more open to other possibilities. I sincerely believe there is a danger in this type of thinking!

Though we are not to look down upon anyone, we are also not to accept wrongful teaching. While I support the command in Matthew 22 that we need to love our neighbors as ourselves, I believe the first part of that command is even more important. It says we are to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul and mind. We have only one God that we should be worshipping or serving. We are not to embrace another culture or religion that does not recognize and line up with the One True God and Lord Jesus Christ. In love, we need to share our beliefs and direct others toward this Scriptural truth.

Oh, how Satan would love to deceive us into believing that we have it all wrong! He even tried to deceive Christ in the wilderness by offering Him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor (Matthew 4:8), which didn’t even belong to him in the first place! Jesus replied, “Away from me Satan! For it is written; ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’” We cannot serve, or believe in more than one God. Men have tried it for thousands of years. Wars have been fought over it. But in the end, there is only one God.

GOING DEEPER:
1. How can you, as a believer in Jesus Christ, promote true unity, or “ecumenism,” in the fellowship of believers?
2. What will be your response to someone who believes we should all join together in one global religion, regardless of who or what we believe in?

FURTHER READING:
John 4:23-24; 1 Corinthians 8:4-6; Ephesians 4:3-6

Susan is a wife and mother of two. She is the Coordinator of Oakwood’s Tuesday a.m. Bible Study and one of its teachers.

Where’s the Peck of Pickled Peppers?
By Elizabeth Cole

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”
James 2:22

Remember this tongue twister from childhood?

Peter Piper picked a peck
of pickled peppers;
a peck of pickled peppers
Peter Piper picked.
If Peter Piper picked a peck
of pickled peppers,
where's the peck of pickled peppers
Peter Piper picked?

In the midst of all the laughter at humorous mispronunciation, I’m not sure I’ve ever paid much attention to the actual words. Poor guy. And by the way, were the peppers pickled at the point he picked them, or did he pick the peppers and then pickle them? (Try that one fast and out loud!) Inquiring minds want to know because the answer places him in either the grocery store or the field. But once more, I digress…

Bottom line, here’s this man who’s spent time acquiring eight dry quarts of peppers and yet, apparently, he has nothing to show for it and nothing to share. Depending on your childhood illustrator of choice, either the guy just carelessly lost all his peppers or else he’s sitting in a corner with a stomachache, having eaten all the pickled peppers himself. Either way, it’s terribly sad.

As Christ-followers, we have access to such abundance: multiple copies of God’s Word, an endless supply of Bible studies, great teaching, small groups, stirring worship music. We spend time acquiring spiritual knowledge and experiences…and yet, it seems at times, that we have nothing to show for it and nothing to share.

A paraphrase of what James writes in his New Testament letter says, “Don't fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear!” True confessions: I’m one of those “inquiring minds.” I love to learn, and there are times that I digress from obediently applying what God’s taught me to just being all the more prideful about what I know. According to Brother James, that’s terribly sad.

The right-hearted response to knowledge and experiences is to let the Holy Spirit use them to change us, to move us a step closer to looking like what He’s always had in mind for us…and then let Him use us to give God’s love to others.

Got anything to show for your time in the Word this week? Check out those pickled peppers…!

GOING DEEPER:
1. As you look back over the first half of 2009, where do you see areas of spiritual growth in your life?
2. What would you need to change to reap and use greater spiritual fruit gleaned from your exposure to God’s word?
3. Commit to apply one new principle from the Bible to your life this week.

FURTHER READING:
John 15:1-17; James 1:23-25; Hebrews 5:11-14

Elizabeth is a wife, mother to three teen-aged daughters, and Director of Women’s Ministries at Oakwood Church.

Dancing on the Waves
By Leslie Snyder

“During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. ‘It’s a ghost,’ they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’ ‘Lord, if it’s you,’ Peter replied, ‘tell me to come to you on the water.’ ‘Come,’ he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.”
Matthew 14: 25-29

The story is told of a young boy who liked to jump into the arms of his father. The son would stand at the top of the stairs and leap gleefully into his dad’s secure arms. But, the rule was, the boy was only to jump after he heard his father’s voice inviting him to take flight. One night, the father changed the game. The boy, anticipating this nightly routine, stood perched at the top of the stairs waiting for the familiar voice of his father. But this time, the father turned off the hall lights and the boy could not see the face of his father or the strong arms that always caught him in mid-flight. “Jump!” the father shouted. “I can’t see you,” came the wary reply of the son. Again, the father gave the usual command, “Jump!” “But I can’t see you,” said the boy with fear rising in his voice. The father’s response was calm and sure. “Jump!” And, with terror in his heart, the boy leapt into the air and landed safely and securely in his father’s arms.

This is a great story illustrating the concepts of faith and trust!

Most people are familiar with the biblical encounter of Jesus and Peter walking on water. Often the focus of this account is on Peter’s lack of faith as he begins to sink. What if, however, this story really isn’t about lack of faith, but rather what a person can experience if he or she takes the invitation of Jesus seriously?

Peter’s response to Jesus is, in itself, remarkable, “Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water.” I’m not sure I would have been as bold as Peter in asking the seemingly impossible. Was Peter playing some ancient form of “Truth or Dare”?

While we may never know his motive, Jesus calls his bluff, inviting Peter to join Him. And with that invitation, Peter gets out of the boat and learns that Jesus can be trusted as he experiences the impossible.

Wherever you find yourself today, and you hear Jesus saying, “Come,” no matter how dark or impossible your situation seems, put faith into action and dance on the waves!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Scared to jump? Tell Jesus. Seem absurd? Trust anyway.

FURTHER READING:
Psalms 20:7; Proverbs 3:5-6; John 14:1

© HomeWord. Used by permission.

Rats in the Cellar
By Elin Henderson

“But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man ‘unclean.’”
Matthew 15:18

Have you ever been caught off guard as something pretty scary springs forth from your mouth? You wonder, “Where in the world did that come from?” Recently I came across a wonderful analogy by C.S. Lewis in his book Mere Christianity in regards to these “momentary lapses.” Indeed, they are not momentary, but a true look at what is within us.

Mr. Lewis gives the example of rats in the cellar. He says, “If there are rats in your cellar, you are most likely to see them if you go in very suddenly. But, the suddenness does not create the rats; it only prevents them from hiding…The rats are always there in the cellar, but if you go in noisily they will have taken cover by the time you switch on the light.” (1)

So, what is it that sheds light into the cellar of our hearts and reveals the rats? Generally speaking, it is sudden circumstances or remarks of people that “set us off.” If we have enough time, some of us can take a deep breath, and squelch that rat that just scurried out, or better yet, pretend we never saw it to begin with. Sound familiar? We are all guilty of shifting the blame and defending our innocence. Yet in our verse for today, Jesus reminds the Pharisees, that out of the heart, the mouth speaks. Everything that comes into our life comes through Him, even horrible situations that catch us off guard. And these circumstances simply reveal the ugliness in our hearts and show us areas we need to commit anew to the Lord.

So, the next time someone cuts you off on the highway, you stub your toe on the coffee table or someone just says something that “irks” you to the core, remember, a light just suddenly came on in the cellar. Don’t be surprised if a rat jumps out…just don’t let it run free and wild! Right away, recognize that negative reaction and commit it to the Lord. And, don’t be surprised if it happens again. We have a never-ending supply of rats! But, don’t lose heart either. Christ, through the shedding of His light, not only reveals the rats, but also gives us the victory over them! We are more than conquerors in Him!

GOING DEEPER:
1. What circumstance catches you off guard, revealing the “rats” in the cellar of your heart? Are you willing to let the Lord change you in this area?

FURTHER READING:
Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 8:37; 2 Corinthians 4:16

(1) Lewis, C.S. Mere Christianity. p 166. Touchstone. New York, NY. 1980.

Oakwood’s missionaries Elin Henderson and her husband Phil serve as church planters with New Tribes in Mozambique, Africa. Elin is mother to nine-year-old Callie and six-year-old Elias.

Wilting Flowers
By Jen Wollner

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers…”
John 15:5-6

One of my favorite things in this world is fresh-cut flowers. My spirits are lifted by the pop of color they add to any room. I savor the sweet aroma that wafts from their buds. And, I treasure the gesture of love another person shows to me when they give me a vase full of them. There’s only one thing that I don’t like about a beautiful bouquet of flowers: They quickly die! Even if I add a packet of “flower food” to the water, they don’t produce any new buds, they just simply shrivel up.

The reason flowers wither is obvious: They are no longer connected to the plant and its life-sustaining nutrients. Our verse for today reminds us that we are much the same way. God is our source of life and when we are cut off from Him, we quickly begin to droop. Apart from our Power Source, we are weak and, ultimately, can’t accomplish anything worthy of eternity. But, when we stay close to the Lord through His Word and prayer, Scripture tells us that we will “bear much fruit.” In other words, our character will look more like His and our actions will be the evidence of our intimacy with Him. Among other things, we will love others more fully and exude more patience, kindness and self-control. If we have accepted Christ as Savior and are cultivating a deep relationship with Him, obediently following His example, He will be glorified through the good works that are produced through us. No imitation nourishment can fill us up and empower us the same way our God can. We’ve got to be connected to the Source!

Oh, the loveliness of the godly fruit we bear through Christ…and the pleasing scent that lingers...

GOING DEEPER:
1. Are you receiving the sustenance offered by Jesus, the vine? If not, will you commit today to cultivating a closer relationship with Him?
2. If you are being nourished by Him regularly, what fruit are you bearing as evidence of your “remaining” in Him?

FURTHER READING:
John 15:1-17; Galatians 5:22-23

Jen and her husband are busily parenting three children under the age of 6. Jen heads the Fresh Start ministry and is on the leadership team for Mission: Hope, Oakwood’s orphan care ministry.

Whose Voice Counts?
By Kelly McFadden

“Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
Galatians 1:10

It seemed like any other recess in eighth grade. A group of us were all outside playing when it happened. I overheard a boy tell one of my friends that he didn’t like me. I was devastated. Now, this wasn’t someone I particularly cared for either, but the words stung all the same. Someone didn’t like me. To be honest, that had never occurred to me before. I went home that afternoon wounded and working to figure out what I could do differently.

I learned a very important lesson that day: No matter what you do, you will never be liked by everyone. Even more important is the lesson I learned later: The most important opinion to hear is God’s voice, not the voice of people. If you live your life trying to please everyone, you will only fail. Approval-seeking from others will only serve to get you in trouble. We must focus on what God sees in us and desires for us. That will lead to a life well-lived.

So what does God want from us? He wants us to live a life that is pleasing to Him and set apart. He wants us to love our neighbors, love ourselves and have an attitude of service to all around us. He wants us to recognize that we are no better than anyone else. We are equal in His eyes. He wants us to rest in His hope and strength. And more than anything, He wants us to know, that even when we fall short of His standards, He loves us unconditionally.

In all of us, there is a little girl or boy wanting to be liked. And that is not bad in itself. The danger comes when we make those opinions count more than what God thinks. God views us the same each and every day. We are His beloved creations, made in His image. There is nothing that can separate us from His love.

GOING DEEPER:
1. In what ways have you gotten caught in the trap of “people pleasing”? How have you seen this hinder your relationship with the Lord?
2. Who in your life are you making “perform” for your love? How can you show them the grace and love of Jesus?

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 44; 1 Corinthians 13:1-7; 1 Thessalonians 2:4-6

© HomeWord. Used by permission.

Forgive and Forget
By Carolyn Hulliberger

“As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”
Psalm 103:12

For ten months, the Las Vegas Police Department recorded every transaction played out in an undercover fencing operation. Items ranging from guns to cars to counterfeit cash were filtered through the staged storefront. Hidden cameras recorded the thieves approaching the clerk about the goods they needed to unload. Stories were told of how the items were acquired…some in quiet thefts, others at terrifying gunpoint. Prices were negotiated, money and goods exchanged. Dateline NBC was allowed to film the events and document the process of how the thieves were identified, caught and prosecuted.

When the investigation came to fruition and the criminals rounded up to be taken to jail, reporter Chris Hansen was on hand. With great solemnity he approached the men and women involved, asking, “Would you like to see a video I have?” He then replayed the tapes of their crime. The offenders, when faced with their actions on the tapes, had a common reaction…shame. The bravado disappeared, replaced with quiet responses and downward countenances. There were few denials of what they had done. After all, it was recorded for anyone to see. All knew a price would be paid for their choices.

We are all like those criminals. Each day we commit crimes…lying, anger, greed, jealousy…just to name a few. The Bible calls these crimes sin and says that a price for all sin is paid eventually. Jesus came to earth to sacrifice Himself on our behalf…to pay the price for us. When we come to Him and admit our actions, He erases our sins. Romans 8:1 says: “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” The Bible also says God puts our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.

No more shame, no more guilt, not from God. Unlike a Dateline reporter, God doesn’t keep a replay tape ready to show us. Amazingly, God truly forgives and then forgets!

GOING DEEPER:
1. For what do you need to ask God’s forgiveness?
2. Are you hanging on to guilt over a sin that God has already forgiven?

FURTHER READING:
Romans 8:38-39

Along with caring for her husband, two children and the dog, Carolyn is an Office Representative for State Farm Insurance, serves as a small group leader for Wednesday p.m. Bible study, and is the treasurer for Women’s Ministries.

New and Improved
By Jen Wollner

“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

Diaper changing time has always been a challenge at our house. None of my children liked the process, even though the end result of a clean diaper was much better than staying in the dirty one. They would kick, scream and squirm—anything to avoid it! My best guess is that they didn’t mind the mess of their dirty diaper and would just rather keep playing. Taking time out for the change just didn’t fit into their plans. I think the process was also unpleasant for them because of the cold they had to endure from removing their clothes and wiping them with a cold wipe. I really can’t blame then for fighting me—I would hate it, too, if someone did that to me!

Actually, Someone has changed many of my circumstances for what was meant to be for my good, but which caused me a lot of pain and discomfort. God has allowed things to come into my life that were really unpleasant—and I’ve kicked and screamed and fought Him. I guess I just get so used to the way things are that I can’t even see how much better my life could be. And, I definitely don’t want to go through the difficult process that is meant to get me from where I am to where I should to be. Change just isn’t in my plans most of the time.

Change is difficult for all of us, isn’t it? Unless we’ve initiated it, we aren’t interested! But, God sees the plans He has for us and knows what kinds of changes we need to make and at what time those need to be done. He loves us too much to let us sit in circumstances that aren’t best for us. He sees our potential and knows that, much of the time, growth comes out of discomfort. So, what we see as “bad” really isn’t, in the eyes of our all-knowing God.

As my children got older, they didn’t seem to mind the diaper change as much. They even got to the point of asking for it. They matured enough to understand that they didn’t need to sit in the dirty one and they were willing to go through the discomfort in order to get to the clean one. Let’s respond to change and discomfort in our own lives in the same way…with acceptance and trust that the One who desires to change us will work all our pain for good.

Out with the old, in with the new and improved!

GOING DEEPER:
1. What uncomfortable circumstances in your life has God brought to prompt change and growth in you? Thank Him for loving you that much.

FURTHER READING:
Jonah 1-4

Jen and her husband are busily parenting three children under the age of 6. Jen heads the Fresh Start ministry and is on the leadership team for Mission: Hope, Oakwood’s orphan care ministry.

LV 2 4GV
By Kari Lyles

“Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.
Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
Colossians 3:13

It was a typical Monday morning. My husband was off to work. My oldest daughter had just gotten on the bus. My youngest was enjoying her toast with all her favorite toppings and I couldn’t wait to start my pity party. As I slowly walked to the sink to wash some dishes, I stewed over the circumstances that had me feeling angry, alone and misunderstood. Since a party of one is not as much fun, I decided to call a girlfriend hoping maybe she would want to join in. No luck. My wise and godly friend told me to allow the day to play out and not make any rash decisions on how I should handle my situation, but to pray about it and that we would pray together that evening.

As I drove to an appointment that afternoon, I came upon a car driving rather slowly in the right lane. A little annoyed that the car was in no way driving the speed limit, I took special notice of the license plate: “LV 2 4GV.” (“Live to forgive”)

I chuckled as I passed. “I get it,” I said out loud, rolling my eyes. I knew all too well this was not just coincidence that I passed this car, at this time, on this day, with this license plate.

That evening I picked up my Bible and felt led to read Colossians 3. And there it was, “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” When the phone rang a short time later, my prayer partner asked if I was ready to pray. I told her what had taken place that day. How I prayed earlier and was still feeling hurt. How I had been convicted by a license plate and how God clearly spoke to me through His Word. While we prayed, I praised God for His faithfulness in giving me peace and freedom from my anger and especially for His forgiveness to me.

Somewhere in Lake Country, the driver of a gray, Lincoln Town Car should be thanked as well.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Have you been holding a pity party for yourself because of hurt, anger or feeling misunderstood? Allow the Lord to work in your heart so you can extend forgiveness and grace because of His forgiveness given to you.

FURTHER READING:
Colossians 3

Kari is a wife, mother to two girls, and has her own marketing consulting business. Kari is involved in Oakwood’s drama ministry.

Remember Not...
By Susan Klein

“Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you are good, O Lord.”
Psalm 25:7

If there’s one person in the Bible I can relate to, it’s David. I love reading through the Psalms and getting glimpses into his thoughts and feelings. I believe he was an emotional sort of person, like I am. And he enjoyed writing about what he was feeling, as do I. He wrote when he was praiseful, when he was afraid, when he was contemplative, when he was repentant, when he was distraught, when he thought God had abandoned him...he wrote about all the things that you and I experience today.
Many times, when I am struggling with present day issues or reminders of my own sinful past, I turn to the Psalms. I can always find a verse that relates to my personal situation.

Take, for example, the verse above. David, though eventually crowned a king, had his own sin issues to deal with. He was likely feeling a bit of remorse over past sin and was asking God to reassure him of His love. Having become a believer in Jesus Christ as an adult, I also struggled with much sin in the days of my youth. At times, I can only marvel at God’s great and complete forgiveness! Sometimes, though, I fall prey to the great deceiver who wants me to believe that I am still that same old sinner, and am not totally forgiven. But God’s Word shows me otherwise. He does not keep a record of my sins, nor my past rebellion against Him. David points out in Psalm 103:12, “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” God is faithful to forgive, and His mercies are new every morning!

If that is not convincing enough, Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 5:17 that if we are in Christ, we are a new creation; the old has gone and the new has come! I cannot be that same old sinner! I am a new creation in Christ! The old “me” is gone, along with all those old sins! I can safely rejoice with David in saying, “Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. He forgives all my sins...he redeems my life from the pit and crowns me with love and compassion!”

GOING DEEPER:
1. When Satan tries to throw your past sins into your present face, are you able to stand firm on the truth that you are completely forgiven?
2. When you are struggling with the trials of life, spend some time with David in the Psalms.

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 103:3-4, 17; Micah 7:18b-19, 8:12

Susan is a wife and mother of two. She is the Coordinator of Oakwood’s Tuesday a.m. Bible Study and one of its teachers.

No Fear!
By Jen Wollner

“Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.”
2 Corinthians 3:5

My six-year-old son took part in a basketball camp last month that was run by our local high school basketball coach. It was an intimidating experience for him because he was the youngest of the kids participating, the team coaches were all high school players (very scary!), and the gym was really noisy with all those balls bouncing and whistles blowing. This was also the first time he ever played basketball…well, except in our driveway!

My son gets anxious for any new experience, but this was more than enough to put him over the edge. As we talked through his fears, he revealed to me that he was most worried about not being a good dribbler or shooter. He was very insecure because he wasn’t at all confident in his basketball skills. In order to relax and have fun, not to mention learn something at the camp, he needed the assurance that he would do well. Although he really wanted to play, his fear of failure was strongly affecting his motivation to even try. He was almost paralyzed…and were it not for encouragement from us and the coach that good effort was more important than skill level, he probably would not have participated at all.

We’ve all experienced insecurities at one time or another in terms of our abilities. Let’s face it, there’s always someone better out there, no matter how good we are at something. When we put our confidence in our own competence, we often end up feeling like a failure. But, if we recognize that our competence comes from God, we can rest assured that we can accomplish anything He calls us to do. Our foundation in His capability is solid. We don’t have to compare ourselves to others or try to pump ourselves up on our own skills or talents. We can simply rest in the security that His abilities are more than sufficient to equip us for any task.

Dribbling…No problem! Shooting…No sweat!

Playing on God’s team by His competence…No fear!

GOING DEEPER:
1. What abilities are you insecure about? Do your fears prohibit you from obediently doing the things God asks of you?

FURTHER READING:
Philippians 3:3

Jen and her husband are busily parenting three children age six and under. Jen heads the Fresh Start ministry and is on the leadership team for Mission: Hope, Oakwood’s orphan care ministry.

The Makeover Motivation
By Elizabeth Cole

“For they loved human praise more than the praise of God.”
John 12:43 (NLT)

According to its website, one of the episodes of TLC’s Makeover Story revolves around two “dazzlingly funny, up-and-coming” actresses and their pursuit of “hitting the jackpot.” As a result of their “Oscar-worthy makeover with a well-known Hollywood stylist,” they’re hoping to catapult their careers onto the fast track. In just a matter of three days, these two women are counting on their “behind-the-scenes red carpet star treatment” to “convince their friends they have made the ‘A’ list.”

Wow. Apparently, it takes just one very intense weekend in California to become all you’ve ever hoped to be…or at least, and more importantly, to persuade your friends you are. Who knew?!

I wonder, though…how much time and energy are we expending with the exact same objective in mind? Sure, we’re not hanging out with Hollywood’s premiere stylist. But just how often does the thought “Won’t they be impressed with this” oh-so-subtly creep into our motivation?

In the Old Testament, there’s a sad story of King Saul. A guy chosen by God to be the first king of the nation of Israel, he chooses man’s approval over God’s best plans. In fact, when confronted with his disobedience, Saul’s biggest concern was that he still be honored in front of his subjects, that they continue to be impressed with who he was…or who he appeared to be.

As Christ followers, we have the privilege of undergoing a transformation that’s not only incredibly authentic, but is also all about others’ praises. It’s just that those praises are rightly directed away from us and toward the Transformer. It’s a makeover with only one opinion that matters. And His opinion requires no convincing on our part. Rather, He knows our heart’s deepest motivations and whom we’ve set out to impress.

This day, may we be transparent, transformed women who love the praise of God over any other’s.

GOING DEEPER:
1. As you review the last week, what most motivated your behavior?
2. What could you intentionally commit to do this week to ensure that the Transformer of your life gets the praise for your transformation?

FURTHER READING:
I Samuel 15

Elizabeth is a wife, mother to three teen-aged daughters, and Director of Women’s Ministries at Oakwood Church.

Closer Than You Think
By Leslie Snyder

“Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.”
Psalm 139: 8-10

Love. It transcends time and makes time stand still. It causes people to do funny things and can break the heart of ones close to us. It fights for freedom and dies for a cause. It gives life to the next generation and gives its life for a generation it will never see. Love is deep, secure, strong, loyal, honest and true. It is displayed through a touch, a word, a look or a smile. Love sustains, guides, protects and is closer than you think.

Children know this intuitively. That’s what makes the story The Runaway Bunny* so endearing. It follows the conversation of a Mother Bunny and her baby and what would happen if the baby bunny ran away. No matter how elaborate the baby bunny’s plan to run away, the Mother Bunny always comes up with a way to find and care for the baby bunny. Frustrated by his inability to get away from the love of his mother, the baby bunny finally gives up, settles in at home and lets the Mother Bunny care for him.

The Psalmist also experienced this type of love. God and His love surrounded him at all times, in all places, and in all circumstances. Psalm 63:3 reads, “Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.” Today, take the time to notice that you are surrounded by the love of God. There is nowhere you can go that He will not be with you. There is nothing you can do that will keep His love from you. God is strangely and persistently accepting of us and readily waits for us with open arms.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Think of a time when you have sensed God’s love and presence in your life. How did you feel in those moments?
2. What keeps you from sensing God’s love more often? Why? What action step or step of faith might you take to experience God’s love more often?

FURTHER READING:
Jonah 4:2; Joel 2:13

*The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown, Clement Hurd (Illustrator) Harperfestival, February 1991

© HomeWord. Used by permission.

I’m Walking on Sonshine!
By Susan Klein

“The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”
Numbers 6:24-26s

In 1985, a group called Katrina and the Waves recorded their first major pop hit called, “Walking on Sunshine.” It was a catchy tune, very upbeat, and made you feel like dancing wherever you were when you heard it. Sometimes, on a clear sunny day, I can still hear those words in my head: “I’m walking on sunshine, who-oa...and don’t it feel good!” My feet immediately start to move as I twirl about to the melody!

I don’t know about you, but I crave the sun! I feel more productive, more energized, and just basically happier when that big blazing ball of light is in the sky. If I don’t see it peeking through the shade when I wake up, I don’t even want to leave my bed! What is it about the sun that invokes such a response from us?

Some researchers believe the sun has a great influence on our moods. They’ve even coined the term, Seasonal Affective Disorder, or S.A.D. for the symptoms that many people experience of feeling excessively sad or irritable over the long, dark winter months. Though much research has been done on this phenomenon, it is still a mystery as to why we are happier when the sun is out. Let’s face it, not every day can be a sunny day. In fact, one study shows that Southeastern Wisconsin only averages 90 full sunny days per year! YIKES! So, should we really allow our moods to be dependent on the elements?

I’ve learned that even if I can’t always wake up to sunshine, I can always wake up to the Son’s shining. My Lord shines the same yesterday, today and tomorrow! His mercies are fresh every morning, and His steadfast love endures forever. He is my refuge in the storm, the light in my darkness. If I can remember to focus on His face shining upon me throughout my day, and not let the weather outside cloud my mood, I know I will find plenty to be joyful about! I won’t have to worry about what the wind blows in if I take time to sit and bask in the warmth of His glory. He’ll put a new spring in my step and give me a new song to dance to.

“I’ll be walking on Sonshine, who-oa, and it will feel good!”

GOING DEEPER:
1. If you feel more “blue” when the sun is not shining, what can you do to shift your focus from the elements outside to the shining of God’s love upon you?
2. Try putting on a joyful praise song and dance around your living room singing to the Lord!

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 4:6-8, 67:1-4, 118:27; 2 Corinthians 4:6; Ephesians 5:14b

Susan is a wife and mother of two. She is the Coordinator of Oakwood’s Tuesday a.m. Bible Study and one of its teachers.

I Want to Know What Love Is
By Carolyn Hulliberger

“Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”
1 John 4:11

God created in our spirits a desire to give and to receive love. His Word clearly directs us to love each other. From daytime soap operas to The Bachelorette, from the magazines at the check-out counter to the latest self-help book, everyone seems to have an opinion on love, be on a quest to find it, or be desperately trying to keep it from slipping away. But what is true love supposed to look like?

First Corinthians 13:4-8 is perhaps the most quoted reference on the topic. It says: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” So how do you know when someone loves you? A youth counselor once told me, when sizing up a potential mate, substitute the man’s name where the words “love” and “it” appear in these verses. When I found someone that this was mostly true of, then I would know that I had a keeper - and she was right!

What convicts me, though, is substituting my name in for “love” within these verses. Would the people around me find that: I am patient, I am kind. I do not envy or boast. I am not proud. I am not rude or self-seeking, easily angered, or keeping a record of wrongs (real or perceived)? I often fall short in these attributes, as you probably do, too. But as followers of Christ, we should all aspire to be known as people who love well those that God has placed in our lives.

No person is able to measure up to this standard all the time. Only the name of Jesus can complete these sentences accurately. He is the living example of these verses…and true love.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Are you accepting “imitation” love for the real thing? Seek true love first from Christ.
2. Substitute your own name for “love” in these verses. Pray for God to show you how to better display His love in you to others.

FURTHER READING:
2 John 5-6, 1 John 4:7-12

Along with caring for her husband, two children and the dog, Carolyn is an Office Representative for State Farm Insurance, serves as a small group leader for Wednesday p.m. Bible study, and is the treasurer for Women’s Ministries.

Don’t Go Near the Chip!
By Jen Wollner

“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”
Matthew 26:41

Chocolate and I have what you could accurately call a love-hate relationship. I hate that I love it so much! I can say “no” to just about anything else, but not chocolate, particularly the dark variety. I’d love to blame my obsession on hormones or the bio-chemical need for antioxidants, but it really just comes down to a lack of self-control.

Several weeks ago, I was making chocolate chip cookies for my kids. I had vowed to not eat even one because, well, quite frankly, there’s no such thing as just one chocolate anything. As I was putting the cooled cookies in a container, one lone chocolate chip fell onto the counter. Without even thinking, I picked it up and put it in my mouth. Oh, it was good! As a matter of fact, it was so good that I picked up an entire cookie and ate it…and then another…and before I knew it, one chip had turned into several cookies. I was horrified at what I had just done! Not because eating a couple cookies is so terrible, but because I literally did it without thinking. How could I let a single chocolate chip snowball into several cookies? It’s actually quite simple…I wasn’t paying attention. I let my guard down for just a second and that’s all it took to get into trouble.

That’s how temptation to sin is for us, isn’t it? Before we even know what we’re doing, one seemingly small thing turns into something much bigger. Maybe we find ourselves in a situation where we are tempted to verbally judge the actions of another person. We decide to share just one little piece of “constructive criticism” and before we know it, we’ve spewed all kinds of harsh words, wounding a relationship. Or, maybe we are out window shopping and decide to buy one small item…it’s no big deal, it’s on sale. Then, before we realize it, we’ve spent way too much on things we don’t really need, adding more debt to our already stressful financial situation. It’s so easy to fall into temptation and rationalize our actions, at least until we suffer the consequences and have to pick up the debris left behind by our poor choices.

“Watch”…be aware of possible temptations…. “And pray”…be spiritually equipped by the strength of God to fight them.

Let’s resist the chip…and avoid the tummy ache that goes with eating the whole batch of cookies!

GOING DEEPER:
1. What sin issue tempts you the most? What can you do to stay alert and self-controlled?

FURTHER READING:
Ephesians 6:10-18; 1 Peter 5:8

Jen and her husband are busily parenting three children under the age of 6. Jen heads the Fresh Start ministry and is on the leadership team for Mission: Hope, Oakwood’s orphan care ministry.

Opportunity Knocks
By Elin Henderson

“But as for you, you meant evil against me [Joseph]; but God meant it for good…”
Genesis 50:20a

Have you ever felt envied for what you have, even if you had little to nothing to do with acquiring it? How about feeling cast down, like you’ve been thrown into a pit and left to die? How about betrayed? Maybe even wrongfully accused? Have you ever felt abandoned, left up on the shelf while the good years of your life waste away? These are just a few of the feelings that must have come upon Joseph. Yet, he is a case study in enduring suffering and coming forth as gold.

I have to think that what made all the difference for Joseph was his outlook (or rather uplook). He chose to see problems as opportunities. When we look at difficulties through our own human eyes, they are simply “problems,” but when we can look at them through divine eyes, we can understand and see them to be “opportunities.” At times God may desire to use it to show Himself strong on our behalf, His grace sufficient. Still other times, He may be at work within us, making us more like Himself. Whatever the opportunity, His plan is the same: our good…His glory!

Next time you feel like life has taken another serious dip and nothing is going right, remember that the things we see as problems are actually opportunities for us to trust in the perfect plan of our gracious Heavenly Father who knows the end from the beginning and the good plan for our lives.

When opportunity knocks, are you listening?

GOING DEEPER:
1. Are you facing any problems right now that could be seen as opportunities? Commit them to the Lord and rest in the fact that He works all things for good.
2. If you were to read through Genesis 45 when Joseph retells his story, you’d note how many times he refers to God and His goodness. How does that challenge you in telling your story?


FURTHER READING:
Genesis 37-50 (Joseph’s story); Romans 8:28

Oakwood’s missionaries Elin Henderson and her husband Phil serve as church planters with New Tribes in Mozambique, Africa. Elin is mother to nine-year-old Callie and six-year-old Elias.

Times of Refreshing
By Susan Klein

“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out,
that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.”
Acts 3:19

Have you ever felt like you were in a desert? Perhaps it was a spiritual desert. Maybe a hardened heart about an issue kept you from drawing near to God. You couldn’t be comforted by His voice because there was some sin forming a barrier between the two of you. Or, maybe it was a physical desert. You struggled with an illness or disease that you couldn’t find any purpose in, and felt God had left you out to dry. Perhaps it was an emotional desert, created by circumstances beyond your control that brought pain and anguish to your mind. Most of us have been in, or will experience, some sort of “desert” in our lifetime.

I imagine this was true of the crowd of five thousand that followed Jesus to his solitary place in Matthew 14. They all had their personal deserts from which they wanted to escape: their sins, pains and burdens. They left towns and villages to follow this man whom they believed could provide some relief for their parched souls and weary hearts. They needed a time of refreshing, and Jesus, tired and spent Himself, was not about to deny them this privilege!

His disciples could see how much He needed rest, so they encouraged Him to send the people away. He could very easily have asked them to come back the next day, but He cared too much about their immediate needs to turn them away. Besides, it was getting late in the day and they had traveled far just to be with Him. He asked them to sit in the cool grass and get comfortable. He knew they were hungry, both spiritually and physically, so He spoke soothing words for their parched souls, and fed them fresh bread and fish for their hungry stomachs. I can just imagine the cares being let go of, the burdens falling from shoulders, and the outpouring of repentance as thousands experienced this wonderful time of refreshing in a peaceful and solitary place with Jesus. What a glorious place to be!

Jesus loves you and me the same as He loved these dear children of God. He wants to provide times of refreshing for your soul and peace for your mind when you are weary. Will you walk away from your problems for a time, meet Him in a quiet place, and let Him feed you?

GOING DEEPER:
1. What sin do you need to confess, or problem do you need to lay at Jesus’ feet so that you can be refreshed? Are you willing to set aside some time to sit and be with Him?

FURTHER READING:
Deuteronomy 32:1-2; Psalm 34:8; 72:4-6; Hosea 6:3

Susan is a wife and mother of two. She is the Coordinator of Oakwood’s Tuesday a.m. Bible Study and one of its teachers.

Celebrating Our Freedom
By Susan Klein

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”
Galatians 5:1

When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bonds which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness.

These familiar words are contained in the first two paragraphs of our Declaration of Independence. They were penned by men who desired to live freely; not under the oppression of a tyrannical government, and to worship God as they chose; not be told who, how and where to worship. They believed that their governing officials were to support these ideas, not be detrimental to them. Thus, they were willing to fight and die for their freedom. Because of such devoted patriots, and a loving God, we continue to be blessed with freedom today in the United States of America.

Likewise, we as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ have been given a freedom: freedom from the bondage to sin and its eternal consequence of separation from God. We are no longer slaves to the tyranny of the evil one, nor that of our old sin nature. Unlike our forefathers, God sent Jesus to die for us so we would no longer have to fight the battle on our own. He knew that, if left to our own devices, we would lose the fight and perish in our sin. He had to be the One to provide for our freedom. Because of His great love, every man and woman today continues to have the same opportunity to experience His gift of freedom.

This weekend, as we celebrate our independence as a free nation, let’s also celebrate our freedom in Christ. Take a moment to say a special prayer of thanks to the Almighty Giver of those freedoms.

FURTHER READING:
Lamentations 3:22; John 8:34-36; Revelation 1:5-6

Susan is a wife and mother of two. She is the Coordinator of Oakwood’s Tuesday a.m. Bible Study and one of its teachers.

Praise You In This Storm
By Karen D’Amore

“Let the righteous rejoice in the Lord and take refuge in Him; Let all the upright in heart praise Him.”
Psalm 64:10

No forecast…no clouds…no warning…I found myself in the thrust of a personal storm. With the sudden restructuring of my business, my position would be eliminated. The news of ensuing joblessness struck like a bolt of lightning. More devastating than the hidden uncertainties of this daunting news was the insensitive manner in which the news was delivered.

The rain outside mirrored the storm in my heart. Committed to participate in a Prayer Hike, the rain became a strong deterrent. Responding to the thunderous voice of the Holy Spirit, I grabbed an umbrella and hiked with Jesus. Tears and raindrops co-mingled on my cheek as Jesus met me in every dark cloud along the path. His comforting presence calmed the storm in my heart and drew me to focus on His goodness. Driving home, the pounding rain nearly drowned out Casting Crown’s song on the radio. Turning up the volume, my heart lifted higher and higher with every word:

I was sure by now
God You would have reached down
And wiped away my tears
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say “Amen”
And it’s still raining

As the thunder rolls
I hardly hear Your whisper through the rain
I’m with you
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I’ll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I’ve cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I’ll praise You in this storm

In this life we will be plagued by clouds of adversity. Choosing an attitude of praise draws us to focus on God’s unequaled greatness in the midst of our circumstances. The dark storm still hovers over my life, with no blue sky in sight. But I have chosen to stand under God’s umbrella of protection, to be covered by His peace, showered with His love and praise Him in this storm.

“Praise can heighten your awareness that distressing circumstances are God’s blessings in disguise. Your trials rip away the flimsy fabric of your self-sufficiency. This makes room for God’s Spirit to weave into your life a true and solid confidence.” –Ruth Meyer

GOING DEEPER:
1. What personal storm are you in the midst of? What can you do to praise Him so that your focus is on the rainbow rather than the storm?
FURTHER READING:
Psalm 62:5-7; Psalm 71:14; Philippians 4:19

© 2005 Club Zoo Music (BMI). Words by Mark Hall/music by Mark Hall and Bernie Herms.

Married to husband Dan, Karen manages Intrigue Salon & Spa, is the administrator for Oakwood’s Tuesday a.m. Bible Study, and co-leads a freshman girls’ small group.

Remember When…?
By Jen Wollner

“I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.”
Psalm 77:11

“Remember when we went to our Junior Prom?” I asked my friend whom I’ve known since middle school.

“Yeah, but what were we thinking with those dresses?” she replied as we both laughed hysterically at the memory of the two of us in lots of ruffles and sequins.

Reminiscing. It’s something we find ourselves doing often, isn’t it? It’s fun for us to re-live shared experiences with friends and family. Sometimes the memories make us laugh so hard we can barely breathe. Other times they take our breath away. No matter what the circumstance, talking through it again brings back all the emotions of that time and draws us closer together in our relationship with the other person. It’s a form of bonding like no other. We may also find ourselves learning life lessons together as we re-process the event, looking at it through different eyes.

In Luke 10, starting in verse 17, we read about a sweet time of reminiscing between Jesus and seventy-two messengers He commissioned to go out and preach about God’s Kingdom. When they came back together, they shared their experiences and then turned to God and praised Him for all that was accomplished. Actually, praising and thanking God is a form of reminiscing. As we recall events and give Him the glory, we re-live the situation with Him and our hearts are uplifted. I believe that the Lord delights in remembering with us, too, and finds joy in our close relationship.

God is omnipresent (always with us), but let’s not let that deter us from re-living the big and little moments of our lives with Him. Reminiscing strengthens our friendship and gives Him the opportunity to speak to our hearts in marvelous ways.

“Lord, remember the time when…?”

GOING DEEPER:
1. Find time today to reminisce with the Lord about a particular part of your day. Pay close attention to what He wants to teach you or impress upon your heart in regard to that event.

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 100:4; Luke 10:17-21

Jen and her husband are busily parenting three children under the age of 6. Jen heads the Fresh Start ministry and is on the leadership team for Mission: Hope, Oakwood’s orphan care ministry.

Adam
By Elizabeth Cole

“Do you not know that the unrighteous and the wrongdoers will not inherit or have any share in the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived (misled): neither the impure and immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor those who participate in homosexuality, nor cheats (swindlers and thieves), nor greedy graspers, nor drunkards, nor foulmouthed revilers and slanderers, nor extortioners and robbers will inherit or have any share in the kingdom of God. And such some of you were [once]. But you were washed clean (purified by a complete atonement for sin and made free from the guilt of sin), and you were consecrated (set apart, hallowed), and you were justified [pronounced righteous, by trusting] in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the [Holy] Spirit of our God.”
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 (The Amplified Bible)

I knew this guy once whom I could hardly stand. He was arrogant, lived a self-indulgent lifestyle, and treated those who loved him most with contempt. For conversation’s sake, let’s call him Adam, after the most influential sinner we know.

I was “Eve’s” friend and I abhorred what Adam was doing to his family. If you’d asked me who was the last name on my list of those potentially giving their love and their lives to Jesus, I would’ve said, “Hands-down, Adam.”

One night, I left Adam’s house seething. All the way home, I ranted to God about the injustices I’d just witnessed; what a jerk this guy was; how God needed to do something. As I pulled into my driveway, our God totally took my breath (and my condescension) away. “What would you be doing differently right now if you knew for sure that someday Adam would be your brother? That in the future, he’s going to turn and follow Me?”

If you ever doubt that God knows us in the most private places of our hearts, just have a conversation like this with Him. In two quick sentences, He pinpointed my prideful heart, my judgmental spirit, and my haughty assumption that I was, somehow, more deserving of God’s grace than Adam. Yet truly, the Kingdom of God is peopled with a bunch of ragamuffins who’ve been washed clean of a whole lot of ugly dirt…“and such some of you were once.” Not a single one of us is in the running for the prize of “Most Deserving.” And not one of us can predict who next will turn and follow Christ.

About Adam? He did.

GOING DEEPER
1. What kinds of people are most reviling to you? Any chance God’s calling you to love them in a way that cooperates with the “unimaginable” that God might be getting ready to do in their lives?
2. As a Christ-follower, washed clean from your previous lifestyle, have you thanked God recently for His freedom?

FURTHER READING:
Colossians 3:5-14; Acts 26:9-18; Ephesians 2:1-10

Elizabeth is a wife, mother to three teen-aged daughters, and Director of Women’s Ministries at Oakwood Church.

God of the Unlikely
By Elizabeth Cole

“Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, ‘Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.’ So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the book of Isaiah the prophet. The Spirit told Philip, ‘Go to that chariot and stay near it.’”
Acts 8:26-29

Back in the 1960’s, Joy and her friend Bernie believed that God was leading them to start a neighborhood Bible study. They decided to go door-to-door to invite women, many of whom Joy didn’t know since she was new to that neighborhood. As they made the rounds, they purposefully skipped over one house. In response to a questioning look, Bernie explained, “I know that Wilma. I already KNOW she wouldn’t want to come. She’s a social climber, plus she’ll smoke and make my house smell.”

The next morning, Bernie phoned Joy exhausted, “I couldn’t sleep all night. We have to invite Wilma.” She went on to say that she’d just called Wilma, stating, “You wouldn’t want to come to a Bible study, would you.” To which Wilma immediately replied, “Actually, yes. I’ve always wanted to know about the Bible.”

You know what happened next. Wilma came to understand the relationship Jesus wanted to have with her, and received His gift of salvation and His presence in her life. She went on to share that amazing news with her family, each of whom also received Him. At the time, her husband worked for the government in Boise, but he quit and the family followed God’s call to train for international tribal ministry. My Gramma Joy told me recently that Steve and Wilma served as missionaries in Indonesia for 22 years before retiring.

We serve a God of the Unlikely. I sure am glad Philip not only listened but obeyed the Holy Spirit’s direction to go the Ethiopian eunuch. The rest of the story includes Philip explaining the Holy Scriptures and the eunuch turning to Christ in faith. I sure am thankful that Bernie’s heart was tender enough to hear the Spirit’s correction and instruction, and that she then made that call. And it makes me wonder: Who’s my Wilma? Who’s your Wilma?

GOING DEEPER:
1. Is there anyone in your life with whom you’re unwilling to talk about Christ? Would you be willing to be made willing, as the Holy Spirit leads you?

FURTHER READING
Acts 8:26-39; 1 Timothy 2:3-4

Elizabeth is a wife, mother to three teen-aged daughters, and Director of Women’s Ministries at Oakwood Church.

The Least of These
By Susan Klein

“I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”
Matthew 25:40

Recently, I visited a church in the inner-city area where I live. I knew vaguely of their existence, but had never actually been inside this church that meets in a park and recreation building. A dear friend of mine was delivering the message that morning, so I thought I’d go support her.

What I saw tugged strongly at my heartstrings and left me feeling quite humbled! This church was full of “the least of these.” There were people from various ethnic backgrounds, some with debilitating physical conditions, others with ragged clothing and tattered hair, some shaky and uncertain due to addictions they were trying to quit, and many babies and toddlers carried by single moms. They came in the doors hoping to find a friendly face to greet them; wanting to feel like they “belonged” someplace where somebody might actually care.

I watched my friend walk through the rows of chairs, greeting each person she knew by name and asking questions about the welfare of their families. The ones she didn’t know, she made an effort to meet. When one toddler started to fuss during the praise time, his mother becoming visibly distressed, my friend picked the boy up in her arms and cajoled him, coaxing a smile from his precious face.

My eyes welled over with tears several times during the morning as I saw the love of Christ poured out to these needy people. If they needed a ride, they got one from the church van. If they needed some counseling for their addictions, they could receive that also. If their needs were clothing or food, the church tried to supply that as well. Activities were being planned for the kids who would be out of school over the summer and needed somewhere safe to go. They came because they found love there.

As I walked to my car after the service, I asked myself, “What am I doing for the least of these brothers?” If I am doing nothing for them, then I am doing nothing for my Savior, according to the verse above? I have always helped out when God has placed a needy person in my path, but I haven’t done well seeking them out.

Someday, when I stand before my Lord, and He asks, “What have you done for the least of these brothers?” I want to be able to say, “I showed them love!”

GOING DEEPER:
1. In what ways might God be nudging you to help someone needy in your area?
2. Are you willing to step out of your comfort zone to actually seek them out?

FURTHER READING:
Proverbs14:31; Deuteronomy 15:7-11; Matthew 5:42

Susan is a wife and mother of two. She is the Coordinator of Oakwood’s Tuesday a.m. Bible Study and one of its teachers.

Secure Your Own Mask First
By Jen Wollner

“’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength…Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
Mark 12:30-31

If you’ve ever been on an airplane, you probably remember the flight attendant reviewing the safety information as the pilots prepared for take-off. There are instructions given for many procedures, including what will happen in the event of a loss of cabin pressure. If this occurs, an oxygen mask drops down from the ceiling and you are supposed to put it on and begin breathing normally. One key directive, though, is that you should secure your own mask before helping others around you. It’s noble to want to lend a hand to someone else first, but in this case, if you do, you may render yourself utterly useless to the person you are attempting to assist.

Our verse for today gives a similar command regarding our spiritual lives. Jesus Himself tells us that the first and most important thing we should do in this life is develop our personal relationship with God. We are to know and love Him with everything we have and are. Our entire being…heart, soul, mind and strength…should revolve around loving Him. We are to fill ourselves completely with Him, breathing in His life-giving love. It’s only then that we are best equipped to move on to His second command…loving others. And I love that this transaction is as natural and moment-by-moment as breathing in, then breathing out; breathing in, breathing out.

What happens sometimes, though, is that we give and serve and empty ourselves for others, but we don’t take the time to fill ourselves up on the Lord first. We get too busy or too tired to interact with Him through His Word or prayer. If we make this mistake, we’ve failed to put on our spiritual “oxygen mask” and may risk “injuring” ourselves as well as those we serve, particularly in times of crisis. There’s a reason why Jesus listed loving God first…because He knew we would need to do that before we could successfully follow His second command of loving our neighbor. Our obedience to this instruction directly correlates to the kind of impact we have on the lives of those around us. The more we love God, the more love we can and will show to others.

So, put on your mask, take a deep breath…and then turn to your neighbor, overflowing with God’s love.

GOING DEEPER:
When could you set aside time today to get to know God better?
After doing that…who in your life needs love? How could you show godly love to that person?

FURTHER READING:
1 John 4:7-12

Jen and her husband are busily parenting three children under the age of 6. Jen heads the Fresh Start ministry and is on the leadership team for Mission: Hope, Oakwood’s orphan care ministry.

“To Mentor or Not to Mentor...”
By Susan Klein

“...train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind and to be subject to their husbands,
so that no one will malign the word of God.”
Titus 2: 4-5

In the movie Fried Green Tomatoes, a woman named Evelyn is floundering in her marriage and feels as if no one takes her seriously. She is struggling with her identity and purpose in life. While visiting a family member at a nursing home, she meets an older woman who befriends her and regales Evelyn with wonderful tales of her past. As Evelyn returns each week for more of Idgie’s inspiring stories, she begins to develop a newfound confidence in her womanhood and builds a lasting friendship in the process. Idgie becomes a mentor of sorts to Evelyn through just being her friend.

It seems such a simple concept. The older woman befriends the younger woman and helps her by sharing her own life-experiences. In return, the older woman has made a new friend and can look forward to more sweet visits! It’s a win-win situation!

So why does this not happen more often in our society today? Don’t we all have inner cravings to have an older, wiser woman to invest in us and guide us through life’s difficulties? On the flip side, haven’t we all been through situations that we have come out the other side of with more wisdom and strength? Couldn’t we be sharing with those younger than ourselves?

When I became a believer in Jesus Christ, a sweet older man made it his mission to mentor me for a time until I could understand my newfound faith and get my bearings as I rambled through God’s Word. It was as simple as meeting for soup a few times. As he taught me to memorize three verses in Romans, he told me something I will never forget. He said, “If you only memorize three verses in your entire life, you will still have three verses to share with someone who does not know them.” I love that man, and believe his words apply to all aspects of my Christian walk. When the Lord works in my life, I bring Him glory just by sharing those experiences with others He places in my path.

We don’t necessarily have to make a “ministry” out of our mentoring, rather just be willing to share with those who are in need.

GOING DEEPER:
1. What younger woman has God put in your life that you could share some of your experiences with?
2. Ask God to lead you to an older woman who would enjoy your fellowship as much as you’d enjoy gleaning from her wisdom!

FURTHER READING:
2 Corinthians 1:3-4; 1 Thessalonians 5:11; Romans 15:14; Proverbs 16:20-21

Susan is a wife and mother of two. She leads a small group and teaches for Tuesday a.m. Bible Study.

Cattle on a Thousand Hills
By Elin Henderson

“For every beast of the forest is Mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.”
Psalms 50:10 (NASB)

Hudson Taylor, in his book Spiritual Secrets of Hudson Taylor, said, “If God owns the cattle on the thousand hills, why be a vegetarian?” Now, I am not opposed to being a vegetarian. In fact, I eat vegetarian several times a week…mostly for health reasons, but also because sometimes in the bush there just isn’t much meat! What he means is how many of us are spiritual vegetarians because of our unbelief? Our Heavenly Father knows our needs and takes intimate care of us. The cows (His provisions) are there on the hillside whether we believe it or not.

As missionaries we get the privilege, and challenge at times, of trusting the Lord for our daily bread. When we have a need, it isn’t a matter of working overtime or pulling out a loan…we must call out to the Lord…and we see time and again His undertaking. Whether you usually feel as though you are solely depending on the Lord or whether it seems like you “earn” your “cows,” they really are all still His provision. And, His cows are beyond all we could ask or think! Everything and anything is at His disposal, even though we all have needs of differing shapes and sizes. He promises to take care of us, although the avenue isn’t always spelled out clearly. So, why we do we struggle when needs come up? Perhaps unbelief, or perhaps our own individualistic American mentality that “I must provide for me!” The desire to be independent lurks in us all. Yet, does that change the facts? No, it just keeps His provision outside our reach!

In this day and age, things are not as sure as they used to be. The financial market is crumbling and things like job security and retirement are looking shakier by the day. Where do you turn, though, when a need arises? In a particularly difficult time in his life, Hudson Taylor says, “Our faith never was so much tried, His faithfulness never so much experienced.” God will take care of us, it isn’t a matter of the cows being there, it is our believing that the cows are there and asking the Holy Spirit to reveal that to our hearts. A pastor from one of our churches once said, “Inspiration (God’s Word) without Illumination (the Holy Spirit making it real to us) is just Information.”

God’s Provision: It’s what’s for dinner!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Are you a “spiritual vegetarian” when you could be experiencing the provision of the Lord?
2. What area of your life do you need to turn over to Him and wait for His provision?

FURTHER READING:
Ephesians 3:20; Philippians 4:19

Oakwood’s missionaries Elin Henderson and her husband Phil serve as church planters with New Tribes in Mozambique, Africa. Elin is mother to nine-year-old Callie and six-year-old Elias.

My Father’s Eyes
By Karen D’Amore

“Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father.”
John 14:9

As a young girl I was often told, “You have your father’s eyes.” Resembling my father enabled others to recognize me as his child. Living out the majority of my life in a strained relationship with my father made this observation disconcerting to hear. Stirring up tense and painful emotions, I often wished I could alter my appearance to resemble someone whom I chose to be identified with.

Late in life, through a Christ-surrendered heart, I was given a new set of eyes through which to see my father. As a Christ-follower, Jesus empowered me to see my father though His eyes. Through lenses of grace, I was able to look past my father’s shortcomings and mistakes…past the painful upbringing and abuse…and straight to the man whom Jesus loved unconditionally. God taught me that I could love as much as He loves, by allowing Him to love my father through me. God’s love in me enabled me to love my father with the same love God had for him.

We learn through Scripture that one thing identifies us as followers of Christ: our love. “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34-35). We are identified as Christ-followers when our lives reflect our Father’s love. His love forgives our enemies and prays for them, does not seek revenge, and does not harbor anger. In our own strength, we can never love others as God does. This type of love can only be accomplished through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Recent news of my father’s sudden hospitalization oppressed my heart with concern. As his conditioned worsened, my heart ached with compassion. Feeling genuine love for him, for the first time in my life, validated the transforming power of God’s presence in my life.

This Father’s Day, as I celebrate the life of my father, he is still very ill. As our journey together on this earth grows short, I can rejoice that we both now have our Father’s eyes. And for the remainder of my journey, I now strive to live in a way that others will say, “You look just like your Father.”

GOING DEEPER:
1. How are others able to see Jesus in you by the way in which you love? Pray that Jesus would empower you to love like He does.

FURTHER READING:
Hebrews 6:10-11; John 10:30; Revelation 22:11; 1 Corinthians 13:8

Married to husband Dan, Karen manages Intrigue Salon & Spa, and is the administrator for Oakwood’s Tuesday a.m. Bible Study.

Lavish Love
By Elizabeth Cole

“But God demonstrated his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8

I was so excited. College finals had just ended and Christmas break was finally here. My way home had two parts: drive a couple hours from San Diego to Van Nuys and then take a small commuter flight home to northern California. Should’ve been easy, but the traffic on the 405 was like nothing I’d ever experienced. Sitting at a standstill in the middle of five lanes, the only thing I saw moving were the clock’s hands. Throw in a debilitating migraine and the darkness of a winter evening, and I was a wreck. I made my way off the next exit and found a sole pay phone, right next to a timed sprinkler that began its drenching midway through my dialing.

“Dad, I’ve missed the flight, I’m soaking wet, and I can’t see very well with this headache,” I sobbed.

“Keep going as best you can and wait for me when you get to the airport. I’m coming for you.”

Upon hanging up, my father proceeded to drive the family station wagon eight hours south to pick up his daughter, tuck her into a makeshift bed in the back, and then turn around and drive through the rest of the night and early morning to deliver her home for Christmas.

Lavish love. Love that disregards inconvenience or sacrifice. A fatherly love that does for the child what the child cannot do for herself.

Regardless of the earthly fathers we’ve had…from those who reflected their God to those who’ve warped the very concept of a parent…our heavenly Father demonstrated lavish love beyond comparison or even words. Oh, how He must love you and me…passionately, poured out, lavishly.

Happy Father’s Day.

GOING DEEPER:
1. What would be a way you could say “Happy Father’s Day” to your heavenly Father?
2. How might you demonstrate lavish love to the father who’s nearest you today: husband, dad, father-in-law, spiritual mentor?

FURTHER READING:
Luke 15:11-32

Elizabeth is a wife, mother to three teen-aged daughters, and Director of Women’s Ministries at Oakwood Church.