Peace
By Lexi Cole Ellis

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Colossians 3:15 (NIV)

“I did what everyone expected me to do. I planted a megachurch. I wrote a bestseller. I started a college, planted other churches, and spoke at conferences. But there was a big problem: I lacked peace. Based on what I read in the Word, there were too many inconsistencies. My lifestyle did not resemble the life of Jesus, and the church I read about in Acts seemed so foreign.” [1]Wow, I resonate with that. Okay…not any of the actual things Francis Chan did. I actually haven’t done any of those things! But I resonate with the idea of doing “what you’re expected to do,” yet still lacking peace.

So the next thought that I have is, Wow, I feel that way sometimes, too. Followed by, Wow! He didn’t feel peace after doing all those things? I’d be impressed with myself if I could just do one.

Bottom line, it’s probably safe to say that peace doesn’t necessarily come from any degree of success or accomplishment. So what IS peace? A Google search will give externally-focused definitions like “freedom from disturbance” or “freedom from violence”; however, Scripture talks about a different kind of peace that comes from God. This, too, resonates with me. [2]

Feeling at peace isn’t tied to what we do. It’s remembering who we are when we accept what Christ has done for us. In the verse above, there’s the phrase “peace of Christ” and then we are called to peace, which surely means that being at peace is achievable.

We see a similar phrase used in the book of Philippians. “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  Additionally, peace is listed as a fruit of the Spirit, so it must be something that we can receive, feel or have. God’s Word also says that He blesses us with peace, along with giving us strength (Philippians 4:7; Galatians 5:22; Psalm 29:11).

Scripture shows us that peace is something that we can have, but it’s not tied to what we do. It’s tied to my gratitude toward and my relationship with God. Peace is a result of loving God, from recognizing who He is in my life, and pursuing a relationship with Him. Attainable peace comes when I turn my focus to Him…it’s really not about me.
 

GOING DEEPER:

1.    Spend some time reflecting. What needs to change to better pursue, or receive, God’s peace?

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 34:14; Psalm 85:8; Isaiah 26:12

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

[1] Introduction by Francis Chan in David Platt’s book Follow Me, p. ix

[2] Google definition of “Peace”

Outbreak!

By Elin Henderson

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

Isaiah 44:3a (KJV)

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

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

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

           

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

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

  GOING DEEPER:

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

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

FURTHER READING:

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

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

Worthy of Suffering

By Susan Klein

“Then the Lord said to Satan, ‘Have you considered my servant Job?’”

Job 1:8a (NIV)

How do you feel about suffering? Are you a willing participant? Are you even worthy to suffer? (What…”worthy?”) In my most recent reading of the Old Testament Book of Job, I became convicted that I want to be like Job because he was “worthy” of suffering. Let me show you three ways in which he was worthy, and you decide for yourself.

First, God sees that Satan has been prowling the earth (no doubt looking for someone to devour), and God says, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one like him on the earth; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.” (1) God knew Job’s heart, and that he could withstand any amount of suffering while keeping a proper perspective on life and God. He went so far (in His sovereignty) as to suggest Job as Satan’s next victim.

Second, after four messengers come to deliver the anguishing news to Job that everything he’d possessed is now gone, including his children, Job tears his robe, shaves his head, and falls to the ground in worship. (2) I don’t know about you, but that probably would not be my first response. Mourning, yes, worshiping, no. I’d likely be too consumed with grief to even think of worship. Job recognizes that he came into the world with nothing, and he will leave with nothing. He knows that God is the giver of all things, and He can also take them away if He so chooses. Job does not doubt God’s sovereignty. He worships Him, not for what He does, but for who He is.

Third, as if all of that is not enough to deal with, God, yet another time, gives permission to Satan to strike Job, this time in his physical body, proclaiming, “He still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him for no reason.” (3) Wow! God knows Job’s integrity is intact, and can withstand yet another blow of suffering! Job had to have amazing faith in God, as well as being secure in God’s love for him.

Like Job, I want my faith to be so intact that I not only suffer well through the little things, but that God would consider me worthy of any catastrophe, knowing I would glorify Him with a right response.

What about you? Are you worthy of suffering? Can you hear God saying, “Have you considered my servant ________?”

GOING DEEPER:

1. Meditate on Job’s story and seek the Holy Spirit’s assistance with any perspective changes you might need to make.

FURTHER READING:

(1) Job 1:8; (2) Job 1:20-21; (3) Job 2:3

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

True Confession

By Lisa Boyer

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

2 Corinthians 6:11 (NIV)

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

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

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

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

GOING DEEPER:

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

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

FURTHER READING:

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

Lisa is married to Ted and they have two sons in college. Lisa serves as an event photographer at Oakwood and wherever else she is needed. 

The Cycle
By Lexi Cole Ellis

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:17 (ESV)

One thing I’ve noticed one month into this parenting thing is the “cycle.” I don’t know if it’s an actual thing. But more often than not, if Sloane doesn’t sleep well in the morning, she gets overtired, then she eats more often…which makes our feedings less effective…which makes her gassy and more reflux-y…which makes her not sleep well. The cycle continues for a day, and then we get back on track. Bad seems to lead to bad - - cycling over and over for that particular day.

This can be true for us too. Our bad decisions tend to also cycle. Bad choices, or sin, often lead to more bad choices. One affects the other, and it’s hard to stop or “turn the ship around” once we’ve begun down that path. One example in Scripture is King David. In 1 and 2 Samuel, David does a lot of good: he serves the Lord, does the honorable thing again and again and chooses the right thing time after time. After becoming King, we read about a bad choice that David makes in 2 Samuel 11:1. When he’s supposed to go off with his men to fight, he decides to stay home, skirting his responsibility.

This leads to a second bad choice. To put it tamely, David then has an affair with a married woman and continues with more sinful choices (including murder) in an attempt to keep his poor decisions a secret. Obviously, I don’t know David’s thought process, but I doubt he woke up one day thinking he’d murder someone! My guess is that he got there after repeated bad decisions, continuing down the path of sin. Later, there were consequences and pain for David’s actions. But there was also a sweet story of how David chose repentance, God gave forgiveness and grace, and He used David for great things.

The cycle of bad choices begetting bad choices isn’t exclusive to 2 Samuel. Even though it’s easy to continue in this cycle, it doesn’t have to be set in stone. While owning our consequences and making things right is difficult, it is possible. And, thankfully, Believers have been given the Holy Spirit to help convict us when we make the first bad choice - - if we choose to listen and live in step with God’s Word.

Today and every day, may we know God and ask Him to convict us when we make the first wrong choice, before it becomes the cycle.

GOING DEEPER:

1.    Take time to look at the story of Jonah. (Click HERE to read it.) Where do you see the cycle?

FURTHER READING:
Galatians 6:7-8; Proverbs 3:5-6; 1 John 1:9

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

Foundations

By Tracy Smith

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”

Matthew 7:24 (NIV)

While a road trip a few years ago, we were playing CDs we’ve had for years. One 20-year-old song is one I’ve always loved, but have not heard in a while. The song is sung by the band Big Tent Revival and is called “Two Sets of Jones’.” The song is a modern retelling of the Wise Man/Foolish Man parable. It tells a tale of two young families. One family builds its foundation on money, success and material things. The other builds its foundation on Jesus. The chorus goes like this:

And the rain, came down,
And it blew the four walls down
And the clouds they rolled away
And one set of Jones' was standing that day [1]

The song goes on to talk about how the family with the wrong foundation falls apart through hard times while the other family stays strong. 

The parable is found is found in Matthew 7:24-27. Jesus points out that those who hear His words and put them into practice are like the wise man who builds his house on the rock. When the winds and rains come, the house is standing in the end. Those that hear His words and ignore them are like the man who builds his house on the sand. When the wind and rain come, the house crashes down because the foundation was not firm.

The song asks two important questions. The first: “Is your life built on the rock of Christ Jesus or a sandy foundation you’ve managed to lay?” [1]

There are so many sandy foundations we can build our lives on: money, success, looks, education, earthly relationships, careers, etc. Each of us has to look into our own hearts to see what sandy foundation beckons to us.

I’ll end with question number two from the song: “There’s two sets of Jones’, which one will you be?” [1]

GOING DEEPER:

1.  What is the sandy foundation you struggle with? What can you do to avoid using that as your foundation?

2.  The video for the song shows the story of the song, watch it here at this link (plus you get a flashback to 90’s styles!): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7qPchMdcO8

FURTHER READING:

1 Corinthians 3:11; Luke 6:47-49

Along with being a wife and mother to two teenage sons, Tracy is a ministry assistant at Oakwood and works with a great group of Junior High girls.

[1] http://www.lyricsmania.com/two_sets_of_jones_lyrics_big_tent_revival.html

Sand Bagging for Jesus

By Elin Henderson

 “When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.”  

Isaiah 59:19b (KJV)

For those who live near bodies of water (specifically rivers), or just watch it from afar on the Weather Channel like I do, annual flooding is just a fact of life. Those affected know the power that the floodwaters have to ravage their homes and neighborhoods and they are focused on one thing - - preventing it!  They build up walls of sand bags with one solitary goal: keep the water in the river and not spilling over the banks. 

How many times do we feel that the Enemy is overflowing our banks, pouring into our homes, ravaging our lives and the lives of those we love? It’s like a flood into our souls.  We might feel like Job… hit by wave after wave of destructive waters. [1]

What is our first reaction? SAND BAG FOR YOUR LIFE!  We look for ways to raise up some kind of barrier to keep Satan out. What a gentle but serious reminder the above verse in Isaiah is to me. How many times have I tried to sand bag for Jesus, forgetting that He alone is the One who can raise up the standard that will keep the flood waters of the Enemy at bay?

My sand bags will cave and fail, but His hold strong! Rather than exhaust ourselves in a battle we cannot win, better to let the Lord do the sand bagging and find rest knowing that His protection is sure!

           

GOING DEEPER:                                                       

1.    Can you think of a time when the floods of the Enemy threatened to overwhelm you? What was your initial response? 

2.    How can we encourage one another when we see someone struggling under the flood waters of the Enemy? How can we point them to the ONLY One who can build up the standard of protection that they need?

FURTHER READING:

Isaiah 26:3, 43:2; Psalms 46

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

[1] Job chapter 1

Let Your “Yes” Be Yes

By Susan Klein

“Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’, and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.”

Matthew 5:37 (NIV, 1984)

“Do you solemnly swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?” Even if you’ve never personally given a deposition in court, you’re likely familiar with these words or some variation thereof. Most every television or movie court scene begins with swearing in the witnesses. Once they respond “I do,” they are expected to give accurate and honest answers to questions asked. The court system enforces stiff penalties for perjury.

The key point Jesus was making in the above verse was to be a person of integrity. Since God knows everything we say anyway, we need not necessarily swear by Him. Jesus was addressing people at the time who were abusing “oaths,” exhorting them to just tell the truth, all the time.

How often are we quick to say “yes” when we might actually mean “no,” or even “I’m not sure”? Have you ever responded affirmatively when asked to do something, and then later changed your answer to “no”? Perhaps you’ve been on the receiving end of a “Sure, I’d love to,” only to have the person back out or be a “no show.” (“Ghosting” is a new corporate buzzword for people who don’t show up for interviews or even work after saying they’d be there.) Of course, this excludes unforeseeable legitimate excuses.

Sometimes, I think we just get caught up in the moment and go with a “yes,” not wanting to hurt the other person’s feelings with a “no.” But after carefully thinking it through, we might realize it was a wrong choice. Once we’ve said “yes” to someone, we should have the integrity to follow through. Even if something better comes up, even if it causes us to have to make sacrifices, even if…

Marriage vows are one form of oath we take. God and our spouse trust us to take our vows seriously. Most of us do our best to earnestly keep them. But what about simpler things like: saying “yes” to help with a project, agreeing to spend time with a friend, offering to pray for someone… Should not our “yes,” truly mean “yes”? Can people really rely on us to do what we’ve agreed to?

It’s okay to say “no,” or even “I don’t know right now.” Sometimes, those are actually better answers. Either way, Jesus is calling us to be people of integrity, and people that can be trusted to give an honest response.

GOING DEEPER:

1. Are you a thoughtful/prayerful responder or an emotional/impulsive responder?

2. How do you feel when someone doesn’t honor their “yes”?

FURTHER READING:

Proverbs 17:27-28, 25:11; Colossians 3:9-10; Ecclesiastes 5:5-6a

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

Word Problems

 By Elin Henderson

 “…for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.”

Matthew 12:34b (KJV)

As much as I loved math in school, there was one aspect of it that made my palms sweat and my body nearly break out in hives: the dreaded “Word Problem.” Give me an equation, and I will happily solve away. But start throwing a bunch of words about trains moving one way and cars driving another, and I want to throw in the pencil! 

I don’t do math equations that often these days but for some reason these word problems keep haunting me. Only they aren’t mathematic, they are mouth-ematic!  Anyone else out there able to empathize with me? My words cause me more problems than any equation ever did. I know that this is a human problem that we all share. Otherwise, why would there be so many Scripture verses written about it? 

“Be quick to hear, slow to speak...” [1]

 “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth…” [2]

“The tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity…” [3]

Warning after warning, exhortation after exhortation… Why? Because it’s the gateway to the heart, and the revealer of what’s really going on inside of us.

In his book The War of Words, Paul Tripp says, “The war of words is really a war of sovereignty.”  [4] In my life lately, I have been increasingly challenged to take my “word problems” seriously. Is God sovereign over this situation or not? And if so, how does that affect the words that flow out of my mouth? As my heart grows in its rest in the Sovereignty of God, my words will reflect that. My word problems emerge when I try to take the throne of control and make my view known and my way clear.

So the next time mouth-ematics throws a word problem your way, don’t throw in the towel or the pencil. But rather look to the Sovereign Head Master to help you pass the exam and bring you word victories for His glory! 

GOING DEEPER:

1.    How can resting in God bring you victory over your potential word problems?

2.    Is unrest resulting in word problems for you?            

FURTHER READING:

James 3:1-12; I Corinthians 15:57; II Peter 1:3

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

[1] James 1:19

[2] Ephesians 4:29

[3] James 4:6

[4] Tripp, Paul David, War of Words, P& R Publishing, Phillipsburg, NJ; 2000. 

God’s Critic

by Becci J. Terrill

Then the Lord said to Job, “Do you still want to argue with the Almighty?

You are God’s critic, but do you have the answers?”

Job 40:1-2 (NLT)

“I don’t like...”

The words were simple, clear and honest. And boy, did they hurt!  Something that I had loved for so long. Something that I had been excited to share with someone else  - - had been totally rejected. I could feel my heart sinking inside.

As I choked back my feelings about this person and their response, the Spirit gently reminded me that I have had a similar response to God. Me? No! As I thought more, I realized the truth. Me? Yes. God has nothing but my best in His plans, and so many times all I can say is, “I don’t like...”

Think about it.

1Thessalonians 5:18 says, “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

How many times have you looked in a mirror and not liked what you saw? How many times have you wished for a different_____? If you’re like me, you’ve stopped counting. Every time we do this, we are telling God, “I don’t like… the way you made me.”  Or how many times have you wanted a different circumstance than the one God has you currently living in? Every time we do this, we are saying, “I don’t like…” to God. 

Each time we do this, we become God’s critic.

We are not alone. In the Old Testament, Job too, questioned God. God’s response to Job is also for us:

“Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words? Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them. Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you know so much.”
Job 38:2-4 (NIV)

Ouch! God continues to question Job, and Job realizes that none of us have the right to be God’s critic. I love his reply to God:

“I am nothing - - how could I ever find the answers? I will cover my mouth with my hand. I have said too much already. I have nothing more to say.”

Job 40:3-5 (NIV)

I can just picture Job putting his hand over his mouth before God! Just as I had to “cover my mouth” and respond lovingly to the rejection of my friend who “didn't like…” So too, I need to cover my mouth every time I want to respond that way and be God’s critic.

GOING DEEPER:

1. What have you been telling God that you “don’t like” about your life?
2. How might your attitude change if you started thanking God for this - - trusting that you are His masterpiece and He has a plan and purpose for your life?

FURTHER READING:

Job 38-42, Ephesians 2:10

Becci Terrill is a wife and mom to two adult daughters. She is the Children’s Ministry Director at Oakwood Church.

The Most Honest Person in the Bible

By Carolyn Hulliberger

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

Mark 9:23 (NIV)

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

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

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

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

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

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

GOING DEEPER:

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

FURTHER READING:

Psalm 28:7; Matthew 19:26

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