Suffering

By Peggy Kleckner

“For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him.”

Philippians 1:29 (NIV)

And so, light pierced my darkness. One sentence of Scripture placed seemingly random in my day and I felt His hand.

I had been prattling on to Him about feeling disconnected and yet knowing that I am not.  I am unworthy of His love and yet cannot deny that He loves me, just because He chooses to. I cannot decide for Him whom He should love, even when that someone is me.

I felt like I wasn’t “doing” anything for Him. I haven’t been doing mighty deeds of ministry. I haven’t been seeking the lost, keeping an orderly house and checkbook, taking on giants or whatever else I think of as “doing” for Him. He reminded me that being with Him has been important.  I have stepped away from most things, but not my practice of meeting with Him.

I have struggled in my belief as wave after wave of personal disappointments and heartaches bombarded my faith. I have wrestled with the daily-ness of life, feeling like Solomon in Ecclesiastes, life drained of joy…work and even words feeling meaningless. But still I walked with Him, I spoke to Him of my heartaches. I argued with Him over how things looked to me. He patiently listened and still we walked. I fussed and fumed, exhausting myself as a child in a tantrum. I was seeking to understand Him, to know His ways, to climb higher to get a better view of Him.

In all of my striving, I finally was exhausted and so we rested. When I looked up, I saw that we were resting at the foot of the cross. My argument had been, truly, that I didn’t want it to be true that Jesus not only had to come, but that all of His suffering and all of His pain was necessary for me. God did not allow one moment more of pain than was necessary. My mother’s heart does not like to look at or accept that painful truth. We cannot save ourselves. We cannot be good, even with His help.

Scripture is true…on our own, nothing good lives in us. Our sinful nature must be put to death and we must take up our new life in Him. Always, He leads into truth….more of Himself.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they will be satisfied. We hunger and thirst for Jesus, our true and only satisfaction. Our salvation rests in Him, not in ourselves.

GOING DEEPER:

1.  What deep questions are you not allowing to come to the surface?

2.  Are you willing to allow Him access to all of the rooms of your heart?

FURTHER READING:

Acts 17:28; John 15:5; Psalm 73:25-26

Peggy is a wife and mother of four adult children - - two sons and two stepsons, and is an active encourager at Oakwood Church in Delafield.  

Listen…Plan

By Lexi Ellis

“Good friend, take to heart what I’m telling you; collect my counsels and guard them with your life. Tune your ears to the world of Wisdom; set your heart on a life of Understanding.” Proverbs 2:1 (MSG, paraphrase)

Last year, I passed it every day on my way to work: suited women sitting in fancy chairs. And on this billboard, in large letters it reads, “Before we plan, we listen.” The billboard is for an investment company. From a marketing standpoint, it employs the powerful tactic of appealing to the innate desire to be listened to. Stephen Covey, in Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, addresses this art of truly listening rather than just hearing.(1)

Despite the humanistic and marketing draw, I realized this phrase is one applicable to my relationship with God. How often have I planned and forgotten that imperative first step of listening to God? How often I stress and schedule and skip being still, or asking the Holy Spirit for guidance, or reading His Word to allow Him to speak to me.

This is hard for me. I am a planner. I loved the planning part of my wedding; I jump on a chance to plan our vacations; I think and prepare for my students’ learning each day. I thrive on the planning. And I do work on truly listening to others. Yet, it’s so hard to listen first to God, then submit to His plan.

There are countless biblical examples of the essential “listen…then plan.” Scripture is filled with men and women who chose to stop, take time to pray, and listen to God’s direction before planning. And Scripture is equally filled with those who chose to go with their own self-sufficient planning, and we’re able to learn from the havoc and consequences that resulted.

The prophet Isaiah wrote, “The Lord God has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him who is weary. Morning by morning He awakens; He awakens my ear to hear…The Lord God has opened my ear.” (2)

God has an amazing plan when we choose to listen to His way before making our own plans. God has incredible things when He has our ear to hear. God does remarkable work in our lives and advances His Kingdom when we don’t jump straight to planning without first listening.

“Before we plan, we listen.” May that be true of us today and every day.

GOING DEEPER:

1. What parts of your life do you need to surrender, lay in front of the Lord, and listen to Him before you continue planning?

FURTHER READING:

Proverbs 2:1-5; Psalm 85:8-9; Matthew 6:33

(1) Stephen Covey’s chapter “Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, then be Understood” in The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. ©1989 Running Press.

(2) Isaiah 50:4-5 (ESV) 

Lexi and her husband, Andrew, have an adorable puppy names Calvin. She teaches sixth grade at Silver Lake Intermediate School, serves with Children's Ministries and is the Fresh Start Coordinator.

Preppers

By Elin Henderson

“ ‘The time has come,’ he said. ‘The kingdom of God is near.

Repent and believe the good news!’ ” …

Mark 1:15 (NIV)

Have you seen the show Preppers?  It follows people who are preparing for a variety of doomsdays. Some have huge shelters built underground in which they store up food, water and supplies for months. Others are training themselves and their families in self-defense, while stocking up with enough guns and ammunition to fight off half an army!

Jesus calls us to be preppers, as well: preppers for His Kingdom. He calls us to store up treasures not on this earth, but to store up treasures for the Kingdom that is to come. He calls us to train ourselves to fight the good fight, but not for the kingdoms of this world, rather forHis  Kingdom! 

This prepper mentality is not one born out of paranoia or conspiracy theories, but out of a sense that this world is not our home. It requires a GOD-focus not a SELF-focus. It’s risky business to be a Kingdom Prepper. The costs are high and the stakes are crazy from a human perspective.  “Lose your life to gain it” (Luke 17:33).  “Be last to be first” (Mark 9:35).  “Be low and let Him lift you up” (James 4:10). These aren’t the slogans of self-preservationists. 

So…are you ready to join the ranks and be named with the crazy Kingdom Preppers of this age?! 

GOING DEEPER:                                               

1. What are some ways that you can be part of this Kingdom Preppers movement?

2. How can you help others around you catch the vision, as well?

                                                           

FURTHER READING:

I Corinthians 4:20; Luke 12:31; Luke 4:43

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

He’s Aliiiiiive!!

By Jeannine Sawall

“The angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying.’ And they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy and ran to report it to His disciples.”

Matthew 28:5-6, 8 (NIV)

My family often has gone camping over Easter and we aren’t always able to find a traditional church service to celebrate Easter. One tradition we’ve developed, though, is to celebrate our own Easter service around the campfire while sharing the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection using Resurrection Eggs.

Resurrection Eggs are a dozen plastic eggs, each filled with some symbol to represent a part of the Easter story. We pass the eggs out to the kids and anyone we’ve invited to join us for our celebration, and when we come to their part of the story, we let them tell it in their own words. Years ago, as we went around the campfire circle, listening again to the story of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, His betrayal, trial, beating by the Roman soldiers and His death on the Cross, we finally came to my youngest son who held the last egg. When he opened it, the egg was empty, representing the empty tomb. At the time, Josh was just four and so I wasn’t sure he would understand the meaning behind the empty egg, let alone how he would explain his part of the story. As he opened his egg and realized there was nothing in it, he stood up and in a loud, joyous voice began singing “He’s aliiiiiiiiiive! He’s aliiiiiiiiive! Jesus is aliiiiiiive!!” Everyone around the campfire smiled at his enthusiasm and joined his celebration.

As I remember back to that special night of celebrating Jesus’ death and resurrection, I am amazed by the conviction and passion my young son had. He got it! Jesus is not dead; He is alive! It is something to stand up and sing about! He understood, even at that tender age, what a miracle it is. He did not hesitate or try to explain it in complicated terms. He accepted it for face value and stated it simply…the tomb is empty, Jesus is alive! It makes me want to stand up and sing and let the whole world know…our Savior is not dead, He is alive today, and we serve a living God!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Does the story of Easter make you want to stand up and sing with great joy, letting the whole world know the tomb stands empty? If not, ask the Lord to fill you with His passion for His story.

FURTHER READING:
John 2:19; Luke 24:46-47; Acts 13:30

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

The Story Isn’t Over

John 19 (NLT)

“So they took Jesus away.  Carrying the cross by himself, he went to the place called Place of the Skull (in Hebrew, Golgotha).  There they nailed him to the cross. Two others were crucified with him, one on either side, with Jesus between them…

 When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they divided his clothes among the four of them. They also took his robe, but it was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. So they said, “Rather than tearing it apart, let’s throw dice for it.” This fulfilled the Scripture that says, “They divided my garments among themselves and threw dice for my clothing.” So that is what they did…

Jesus knew that his mission was now finished, and to fulfill Scripture he said, “I am thirsty” A jar of sour wine was sitting there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put it on a hyssop branch, and held it up to his lips. When Jesus had tasted it, he said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and released his spirit…

Afterward Joseph of Arimathea, who had been a secret disciple of Jesus (because he feared the Jewish leaders), asked Pilate for permission to take down Jesus’ body. When Pilate gave permission, Joseph came and took the body away.  With him came Nicodemus, the man who had come to Jesus at night. He brought about seventy-five pounds of perfumed ointment made from myrrh and aloes.  Following Jewish burial custom, they wrapped Jesus’ body with the spices in long sheets of linen cloth. The place of crucifixion was near a garden, where there was a new tomb, never used before.  And so, because it was the day of preparation for the Jewish Passover and since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.”

But the story isn’t over. Praise God it doesn’t end there! While it is important to realize the magnitude of His suffering and death, we cannot stay exclusively in mourning. What a gift and privilege that we know this isn’t the end of the story. That, after two days, He conquered death and paved a way for a relationship between us and Himself when we are willing to accept His free gift of salvation. This Good Friday - - and every day - - may we be people who recognize the high cost of His sacrifice and equally celebrate the gift of His resurrection!

Who Is This?

By Peggy Kleckner

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

Mark 4:38 (NLT)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

GOING DEEPER:

1.  Who is this Jesus to you?

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

FURTHER READING:

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

Peggy is a wife and mother of four children - - two sons and two stepsons, and is an active encourager at Oakwood Church in Delafield.

Meeting With God

By Susan Klein

“There, above the cover between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the Testimony, I will meet with you…”

Exodus 25:22 (NIV)

Reading through the Book of Exodus, one could really get bogged down with all of the details and specifications that are recorded for the building of God’s Tabernacle. Some might even question, “Why must we know all of this minutiae?” I often tend to skim over sections such as this, but if God chose to include them in His written word, there must be some important nuggets to glean.

As I pondered chapters 25-30, I came to understand some things about God’s reason for such detailed plans regarding His meeting place with His people. First of all, God’s people were on the move. Places and circumstances were always changing. The Tabernacle was to be a consistent place to meet God, one which never changed. Secondly, it was to be holy and reverent. They had just fled Egypt, where it was easy to get caught up in wrong customs of the culture, which could (and did) distract from authentic worship of the one true God.

I may not be nomadic, but I’ve moved more than once in my life. With each move, I’ve searched for a new church that was consistent in its beliefs and practices with the one I had left. But, what about the issue of cultural distractions? Our culture deems it appropriate to don our preferred team’s jersey on game Sunday, or to sip our favorite coffee drink during the sermon. Or, how often do we run into the building at the last minute because we let simple distractions at home make us late? Perhaps we’re just  more focused on after-church activities than we are on the message being preached. While these may not necessarily be wrong in and of themselves, they can become wrong if they distract our focus from worshipping God.

I am hugely thankful that we live in the age of grace. Unlike the Israelites, we have not been given pages upon pages of specific instructions on how we are to worship or how we are to build our Tabernacles. That said, “holy and reverent” should never be left out of our worship equation. We are all still responsible to enter God’s house of worship with a right and respectful heart. We are there to meet with Him! If we allow the distractions of the world to take the forefront of our thoughts, we will not be able to reverentially worship our God in the way in which He deserves.

How are you meeting with God?

GOING DEEPER:

1. How do you prepare yourself to worship on Sunday mornings?

2. Identify the distactions that might be keeping you from “reverential” worship.

FURTHER READING:

1 Chronicles 16:29; Psalm 95:6-7; John 4:23-24

Susan is married to Mark, and has two adult children. She enjoys teaching Bible studies, writing, and tutoring with the Literacy Council. She is a member of the Peace Team at Oakwood.

Creative Accounting

By Elin Henderson

“’Yes, what joy for those whose sin is no longer counted against them by the Lord.’”

Romans 4:8 (NLT)

You can hardly turn on the news these days without hearing the term “creative accounting.” Some red numbers were turned to black numbers and maybe even shifted columns a little. Then, lo and behold, the books balanced in the favor of one group or another. I’m sure a list of companies is running through your head even now. Maybe you were even the victim of one of these innovative bookkeeping schemes. 

For once though, I am thankful for the “creative accounting” God uses on my account. In Romans 4:5, I am reminded that He has deposited His righteousness into my account. And more than that, in verses 6-8, I read that the sin that was there, He deleted and no longer counts against me. Now, I am no accountant but I know that this is some creative accounting. We get what we don’t deserve and we don’t get what we do deserve. The debt is deleted and the riches of His righteousness are imputed to me and, voila, my account is permanently in the black. 

But, it doesn’t stop there! We, too, are called to “creative accounting” when it comes to dealing with others. In 1 Corinthians 13, the love  chapter, verse 5 reminds us that “love does not keep a record of wrong” (NLT).  Just as all our sins are forgiven and He has cleared our accounts, so also we are called to throw away the score cards and keep clean accounts with those we come in contact with.  

God goes first and sets the example and then calls us to follow in His footsteps. It’s time we pulled out the books and checked to make sure that we have been appreciating and applying His creative accounting  in our lives today. 

GOING DEEPER:                                             

1. How does knowing that our accounts are always in the black help us to deal with past guilt and condemnation? 

2. Are there any relationships in your life right now that could use some creative accounting?

FURTHER READING:

Ephesians 4:22; Colossians 2:13

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

The Cross

By Karen D’Amore

“He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness…”
1 Peter 2:24a (NIV)

A fugitive wanted for murder, he’d been on the run for many years. As the police officer instrumental in his capture, I was disturbed and distracted by the large silver, jewel-encrusted cross hanging from a rope-like chain around his neck. Making reference to his cross necklace I commented, “Nice cross, are you a Christian?” “It’s just a decoration,” he snapped back. It’s a conversation I’ll never forget…and one that has challenged me in the message and handling of the Cross.

Though the Cross is one of the most readily recognized Christian symbols today, many have reduced it to a decorative fashion statement. It was on a wooden cross that Jesus Christ took upon Himself the sins of the world, paying the penalty with His own blood. The Cross is not a symbol of doom, but rather a foreshadowing of the triumphant celebration of Jesus’ resurrection. It points to a loving God reaching down to deliver man from the bondage of sin; it points to Jesus who willingly laid down His life for mankind. Jesus not only preached a powerful faith in God, He also lived it. He was faithful to God, and “obedient to the point of death” (Philippians 2:8). Christ crucified! Christ resurrected! A symbol of faith, hope and love…the Cross changes everything.

As Christ-followers, the Cross is a proclamation of our new identity in Christ. “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me” (Matthew 16:24). For believers, the Cross should be reflected in our changed (crucified) lives. As the Cross stands at the center of our lives, it clarifies the purpose for which our Lord created us and died to save us. Its declaration of hope, grace and eternal life anchors our existence and motivates our responses. “Jesus lived His life for you - - then He gave His life to you. Now He wants to live His life through you!” –Jacquelyn K. Heasley  (1)

As we head into the week of Easter, what is your response to the Cross? Is it a decoration or a proclamation?

GOING DEEPER:
1. Consider what the Cross means to you. Is it merely a decorative adornment or a symbol of your crucified life in Christ?
2. When others look at your life, do they see the reflection of the Cross?

FURTHER READING:
Galatians 6:14; 2 Corinthians 5:14-17; Acts 2:23-24

(1) Quote from Sermonindex.net

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

The King

As Jesus and the disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the town of Bethphage on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of them on ahead.  “Go into the village over there,” he said. “As soon as you enter it, you will see a donkey tied there, with its colt beside it. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone asks what you are doing, just say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will immediately let you take them.”

This took place to fulfill the prophecy that said,

    “Tell the people of Jerusalem,
    ‘Look, your King is coming to you.
    He is humble, riding on a donkey—
    riding on a donkey’s colt.’”

The two disciples did as Jesus commanded. They brought the donkey and the colt to him and threw their garments over the colt, and he sat on it.

Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting,

    “Praise God for the Son of David!
    Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
    Praise God in highest heaven!”

The entire city of Jerusalem was in an uproar as he entered. “Who is this?” they asked.

And the crowds replied, “It’s Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

Matthew 21:1-11 (NLT)

His disciples didn’t understand at the time that this was a fulfillment of prophecy. But after Jesus entered into his glory, they remembered what had happened and realized that these things had been written about him.

Many in the crowd had seen Jesus call Lazarus from the tomb, raising him from the dead, and they were telling others about it. That was the reason so many went out to meet him—because they had heard about this miraculous sign.

John 12:16-18 (NLT)

GOING DEEPER:

1. What prompts you to worship Jesus as King?

2. In what ways does your life demonstrate that Jesus is, in fact, your King?

3. How has Jesus’ reign over your life been different than you expected?

If you’re local, come to Oakwood’s Good Friday Experience on Friday, April 3, between 3:00 and 7:00 p.m. The self-guided, multi-sensory experience is family-friendly and gives you an opportunity to worship and ponder the last several days of Jesus’ life before His crucifixion.

Napkin Holder
By Peggy Kleckner

“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.”
Psalm 51:1-2 (NIV)

Some time ago, I was in a church small group discussion. As we spoke, one woman shared that she felt like every time she made it through a particular situation, or addressed one bad habit, she noticed a new one sprang up. As she related that, she said it was like a spring-loaded napkin holder. You pull out one and the next one moves forward! Sort of like that “layers of an onion” picture, except this one really tickled our funny bones! After that, our “inside joke” picture of the napkin holder was brought up often and never ceased to make us chuckle.

As I was thinking on that picture later, a new thought came to mind. Perhaps we didn’t broaden the lens of our mental camera large enough. With the wide-angle lens on, we might see beyond just the napkin holder to the bigger picture of Christ mopping up the latest mess in our lives with that supply of napkins! Jesus dabbing the dirt off of us with those pure white napkins.

On our own, we cannot change. The Spirit of Jesus does the work in us. Each spill or mess reminds us that we truly are frail and in need of a Savior…and He is willing to wash away our iniquity and cleanse us from our sin. That is why He came for us.

So, when does that supply of napkins run out? I think He has a napkin holder filled with enough for each of our days here on earth. Spring-loaded napkin holders are usually on the table when we are out to eat, not at home. And certainly, Earth is not our ultimate home.

When the napkins run out, He is calling us home to His eternal banquet table!

GOING DEEPER:
1. What “mess” or “spill” in your life are you still trying to mop up on your own? Are you willing to surrender it to Him?
2. Have you pondered His unfailing love and His great compassion today?

FURTHER READING:
Isaiah 53:2-6, Acts 3:19 

Peggy is a wife and mother of four adult children - - two sons and two stepsons, and is an active encourager at Oakwood Church in Delafield.

The Impossible Imposter

By Carolyn Hulliberger

“But he was pierced for our transgressions,

He was crushed for our iniquities;

The punishment that brought us peace was on him,

And by his wounds we are healed.”

Isaiah 53:5 (NIV)

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

He failed to make the finals.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

GOING DEEPER:

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

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

FURTHER READING:

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

Along with caring for her family, Carolyn works as an insurance representative and serves in Oakwood Church's Student Ministries with an awesome group of junior high girls.

To Him Be the Glory

By Jeannine Sawall

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

Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV)

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

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

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

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

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

Jeannine is a wife and busy mother of four boys. She works in property management, serves in Oakwood’s Café and has a heart for those walking through grief.

Navigating the Waves

By Lexi Cole Ellis

“The salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; He is their stronghold in time of trouble.”

Psalm 37:39 (ESV)

I had a childhood friend who was terrified of waves…ocean waves and the wave pool at the water resort. I couldn’t fathom it…to my fifth-grade mind, jumping over a wave as it simultaneously slid over and pushed you up was the absolute best. But for her, a scary experience of getting caught under a wave as a small child resulted in a deep fear of jumping over it at the exactly right time and an inability to enjoy the waves at all.

Sometimes waves come crashing over us unexpectedly. Sometimes, despite all the careful navigating we do, a situation hits and the waves we were easily coasting over now have become scary. All of a sudden, we are out of sync with our jumps and the water is billowing over us as panic and a sense of losing control takes over. A job loss…a conflict with a loved one…a health scare…the fear of an unknown outcome…the waves of unknown and fear start to drown us.  I love what Mark Hall and Steven Curtis Chapman write in the song, “Voice of Truth”: [1]

But the waves are calling out my name and they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me
Time and time again, "Boy, you'll never win!"
"You'll never win…" [2]

Thankfully, the story doesn’t have to end there. Thankfully, we serve a God who rescues us in His perfect timing from the actual waves AND additionally saves us from being paralyzed by the fear of waves. We don’t have to navigate through the waves on our own. As believers, we’ve been given His Spirit and His Word that remind us of the countless times God has been faithful in and through the storms. Additionally, we have community with other believers in God’s Church, a community which supports us through the waves and reminds us to cling to our God, actively pursuing a relationship with Him.

Years ago, my friend missed out on the wave pool because of her fear of the waves. May we be people who depend on God…so that when the waves come, rather than being paralyzed by fear and unknown, we navigate through them with the help of His Spirit, His Word and His community of believers.

GOING DEEPER:

1. What do you need to do to depend on Christ to help you navigate the waves in your life?

2. Consider listening to the rest of the song, “Voice of Truth” as you start your day. (http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=DGGPNNNX)

FURTHER READING:

Philippians 4:13; Colossians 1:13; 2 Timothy 4:18

[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voice_of_Truth_%28song%29

[2] http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/castingcrowns/voiceoftruth.html

Lexi Cole Ellis and husband, Andrew, have a puppy named Calvin. She teaches sixth grade at Silver Lake Intermediate School. She serves with Oakwood Children’s Ministries and is the Fresh Start Coordinator.

Thinking Outside the “Boat”!

By Karen D’Amore

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: 26-29 (NIV)

Jesus was stretching the disciples to exercise their faith in Him, for when He would no longer be with them…physically.  Peter responds by exercising, what some may call… “reckless” abandoned faith!  In my personal faith-walk, I recall wavering between doubt and trust, before recognizing that abandoned faith “colors outside the lines” and “thinks outside the box!” Here we see Jesus modeling “out of the box” behavior when, instead of arriving by boat, He reconnects with the disciples by walking on water. This unexpected method of arrival frightened the disciples, drawing them to question who Jesus was… thinking He was a ghost.

When I walked through a personal storm with cancer, I struggled to recognize God’s presence in it. Praying God would stop that storm, I found fear erupted when He didn’t. But like Peter, once I exercised faith and stepped out of the boat, I was able to walk on water…with Jesus. Through that experience, I learned that when Jesus doesn’t calm the storm, He’s calling us to walk in it…with Him!

While the other disciples remained in the safety of the boat, Peter steps out of his “comfort zone” and experiences the miracle of walking on water. Thinking outside the boat requires stepping out of our comfort zone…walking towards Jesus and trusting in His power. We must then continue  that walk of faith by keeping our eyes on Jesus…instead of focusing on the stormy circumstances. Peter demonstrates how to conquer our fears by moving forward in faith…even when we’re afraid.

It’s encouraging how Jesus used the obstacle which made the disciples fearful (the sea) as a staircase for them to come to Him. Paralyzing fear was my initial response to my cancer diagnosis! When I stopped resisting that “storm” and allowed Jesus to rescue me and carry me through those rough waters, He became my anchor of hope. The obstacle which incited fear (cancer) and distanced me from Jesus became the staircase which drew me closer and strengthened my faith in Him.

We’re promised, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you”  (Isaiah 43:2, NASB, emphasis added). Faith requires stepping out of the comfort of our “boats”…into the storm. It entails thinking outside the “boat” where the impossible becomes…Him-possible!

GOING DEEPER:

1. Are you docked in a safe harbor or walking on water?

FURTHER READING:

Philippians 4:13; Isaiah 55:8; Romans 12:2

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

The Anchor Holds

By Susan Klein

“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.”

Hebrews 6:19 (NIV)

Christian music has always played a big part in my faith journey. One of my favorite artists when just starting out on my faith walk was Ray Boltz. His songs told stories. One of my favorites was, “The Anchor Holds.” [1] The chorus goes:

The anchor holds
Though the ship is battered
The anchor holds
Though the sails are torn

I have fallen on my knees
As I faced the raging seas
The anchor holds
In spite of the storm

Many times, I would play the CD and sing along, not giving too much thought to what the lyrics were about. Then, one summer, while my neighbor across the street was at home celebrating the birth of her baby girl, I was at home mourning the loss of mine. Overcome by grief and unable to sleep, I sat alone in my living room, feeling much like that torn and battered ship, having gone through my own personal storm.

I put in the CD to hear the familiar lyrics. As the music started, I opened the case to follow along with the words printed inside. I knew them by heart, but something propelled me to look anyway. What I found was another story. The author of the song was a dear friend of Ray Boltz’s, and he wrote the lyrics right after losing his own baby. [2] How come I never noticed that before?!! I believe my loving Abba Father was saving it for just that moment, when He knew the pain of a grieving daddy would soothe this grieving mommy’s heart. I sang along, this time knowing and feeling the author’s pain, his words reaching the deepest part of my heart and becoming my words. I sang with tears of sadness, of comfort, and of hope. God would be my anchor, and I would get through this.

Years later, re-visiting the song, I can now relate to the last verse:

I have been young
But I am older now
And there has been beauty
These eyes have seen

But it was in the night
Through the storms of my life
Oh, that's where God proved
His love to me

The Anchor holds. [3]

GOING DEEPER:

1. Who is usually the first person you turn to when the storms of life start raging?

2. Let God, who makes all things work together for good, meet you in your storm and be your anchor.

FURTHER READING:

Proverbs 3:5-6, 25-26; Deuteronomy 31:6; Romans 8:28

[1] Ray Boltz, Lawrence Chewning, The Anchor Holds, 1992; Copyright: Shepherd Boy Music, Word Music LLC

[2] http://www.lawrencechewning.com/custom.html

[3] Want to listen to this song? Listen to it here: http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=E2FJMNNU

Susan is married to Mark, and has two adult children. She enjoys teaching Bible studies, writing, and tutoring with the Literacy Council. She is a member of the Peace Team at Oakwood and also co-leads a Wednesday Night Community small group.