Expansion project

We are nearing the end of the first phase of our expansion project. At the end of this week, children's ministry will begin their move into the new "Camp Oasis" area. Although, it will be several weeks before everything is completed in the children's area, they will begin to meet in their new rooms as the final touches are being made. One of the most exciting features of Camp Oasis to watch for will be the indoor playground. This will be in the main foyer at the end of the hall near the fountain. This should be completed within the next 4-6 weeks.

Presently, a new storage area is being enclosed on the rear part of the building to house all of the property teams equipment and soon walls will begin to come down in the area where our new auditorium will begin to take shape. This will be a 700 seat worship facility that will allow continued growth for the church family. Just off of the new auditorium there will be a prayer room, a connection room(A place to gather information about Oasis and opportunities for service, a recording room and also we are constructing a room for Starting Point and Next Step (Our membership class).

On the first Sunday in November, we plan to receive a "Finish Strong Offering" to help secure enough funds to complete our expansion project. Many of you have been faithful in giving and as we near the end I encourage everyone to give generously and with faith to this special offering. Again, the Finish Strong Offering will be on November 6. Please pray about what you should give on this day.

These are great times to be at Oasis and I am blessed to be your Lead Pastor. We continue to hear great reports of lives that are being changed and that disciples are growing in strength. May Gods hand continue to be with us as we move forward.

Todd West

Fearless (Week 5) Day 5

Day 5- "Moses' father-in-law said, "This is no way to go about it. You'll burn out, and the people right along with you. This is way too much for you—you can't do this alone. Now listen to me. Let me tell you how to do this so that God will be in this with you. Be there for the people before God, but let the matters of concern be presented to God. Your job is to teach them the rules and instructions, to show them how to live, what to do. And then you need to keep a sharp eye out for competent men—men who fear God, men of integrity, men who are incorruptible—and appoint them as leaders over groups organized by the thousand, by the hundred, by fifty, and by ten. They'll be responsible for the everyday work of judging among the people. They'll bring the hard cases to you, but in the routine cases they'll be the judges. They will share your load and that will make it easier for you. If you handle the work this way, you'll have the strength to carry out whatever God commands you, and the people in their settings will flourish also." Exodus 18:17-23

On most occasions, we are gripped by fear and overwhelmed because we have taken on more than God ever expected. We have done what others expected instead of what God had planned. The way Moses had been operating was no good for anyone. He thought by meeting the urgent demands and being the "go to" person that he was being godly, but as his father in law told him, " This way is too much for you, you can't do it alone."

Think... Read the passage again slowly and let God give you the answer to a more peaceful way to live.

Pray...

Week 5 ( Day 4)

Day 4- I cannot eat for sighing; my groans pour out like water. What I always feared has happened to me. What I dreaded has come true. I have no peace, no quietness. I have no rest; only trouble comes.” (Job 3:24-26 NLT)

Have you ever had this experience? What you always feared could happen, did happen. What you have dreaded has come, and with it no peace, no quietness, and no rest. If you live long enough, you will experience seasons like these and the fear of things never being normal again can be overwhelming. Job went through a long season of trouble, but let's just here what he told himself throughout his season of trouble

He said,
“I came naked from my mother’s womb,
and I will be naked when I leave.
The Lord gave me what I had,
and the Lord has taken it away.
Praise the name of the Lord!” (Job 1:21 NLT)

Though he slay me, I will hope in him;
yet I will argue my ways to his face. (Job 13:15 ESV)

“But he knows where I am going. And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold. For I have stayed on God’s paths; I have followed his ways and not turned aside. I have not departed from his commands, but have treasured his words more than daily food. (Job 23:10-12 NLT)

Think.. What would you tell yourself during your seasons of trouble?

Pray...

Fearless ( Week 5) Day 3

Day 3 - We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, (2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV)

According to scripture, our thoughts must be closely examined "taken captive". Ideas must be carefully considered to make sure they are Gods plan for us. Probably, the first test we should run on any idea would be to look at it in the light of scripture. Is the idea contrary to the teachings of the Bible? We can always be confident that God is not going to lead us to do anything that is in conflict with scripture. This is one more reason we should study the scriptures daily. When we do not know the teachings of Gods word, we have no filter to test our ideas.

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV)

Think... What idea have you been considering lately? Is your idea supported by scripture?

Pray....

Week 5 (Day 2)

Day 2- Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. (Romans 12:2 NLT)

Anxiety has become an American custom. We have become a people of hurry and worry, and we are continuing to pick up speed never letting our minds and bodies find rest. The verse gives us life-changing direction. Listen to the words....

- Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world.

- Let God transform you into a new person by the way you think.

The word "think" is the key to making changes in your life. If you get your thoughts under the control of the Holy Spirit, your decisions will naturally follow the path God has for you.

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7 NLT)

Fearless Week 5 (Day 1)

Fearless Week 5
Day 1- And I will come upon him while he is weary and weak handed, and will make him afraid: and all the people that are with him shall flee; and I will smite the king only: (2 Samuel 17:2 KJV)

In this verse, we learn how our enemy often plans to destroy us. When we are weary, we are vulnerable to fear. Often, fatigue causes the smallest issues and decisions to look overwhelming. When we get weary, we become indecisive and our fears cause to either act out of desperation or to retreat. On the other hand, staying fresh and balanced leads to confidence, decisiveness, and a boldness to face our challenges with faith in God.

Think... What is your plan for for staying fresh and balanced?

Pray...

Fearless Week 4 (Day 5)

Day 5 - And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. (Hebrews 11:6 ESV)

We often here people say and have probably said it ourselves, "I want to be closer to God than I have ever been before." This cannot be achieved by simply having a Bible study daily or attending church weekly. Although these help to strengthen our faith, faith is action. If we want to draw near to God, we must act on what he prompts us to do during the times that we seek him in daily studies and when we hear the Word preached. Most of us know how God is prompting and leading us, but actually acting on those promptings is another level called "Faith".

Think... Can you identify a step in your life that God is prompting you to make?

Today, would you share this with another believer that you trust?

Pray.....

Fearless Week 4 (Day 4)

Day 4 -
Then Jesus said to all the people:
If any of you want to be my followers, you must forget about yourself. You must take up your cross each day and follow me. (Luke 9:23 CEV)

There can be much fear associated with becoming a fully devoted follower of Jesus. Because you will not live like the average church-goer in America. Putting self behind and Jesus first will bring persecution from those who say they are believers. You will be accused of being radical (which I take as a compliment), and those in your family and circle of friends will question your choices. This constant pressure and resistance can produce the fear of being rejected and constantly criticized. Can I encourage you? Take up the cross anyway and trust that following Jesus will lead to a life that makes a difference.

"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:10 ESV)

But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, (Matthew 5:44 ESV)

Think... In what environments are you persecuted for you fully devoted lifestyle?

Pray....

Fearless Week 4 (Day 4)

Day 3 Our Lord and our God,
you are like the sun
and also like a shield.
You treat us with kindness
and with honor,
never denying any good thing
to those who live right. (Psalm 84:11 CEV)

When considering changes in your life, it perfectly normal to experience fear. Will I like this new way of life? Will I have enough to get by? Will others approve of my new way of doing life? Will I really be able to pull this off?

Let's look at what our verse for today says will happen to those who live right (Follow Gods commands and follow his promptings).

He gives us sun. Sun lights the way and makes you grow.
He shields. As you follow he will protect you.
He will be kind to you because he knows that you have stepped out of your comfort zone.
He will honor you because of the faith that is evident in your decision.
He will not deny you. He will give you everything that you need to make the transition and accomplish his purpose.

Wow! What a promise and how incredible is our Heavenly Father. Why we just not go for it? Because our faith has to be stronger than our fear. You are getting there. With each passing day, the scale is tipping in the direction of faith and soon you will have enough to go for it.

Think... What is that one decision you are considering that really pushes you out of your comfort zone?

Pray

Fearless Week 4 (Day 2)

Day 2 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 ESV)

When facing your fears and challenges it always helps to have a godly person backing you. God works through others to give us courage, wisdom and endurance to overcome what we are facing. The verses today remind us that God puts people in our lives to bring reward, lift us up, and to keep us from breaking.

For years, I saw it as a weakness to reach out to others when I was struggling. I thought that admitting my fears would make me weak as a leader at home and in the church. I have discovered that being genuine with others actually gains their respect and draws me nearer to them. When I include others in my battles, I am stronger and more confident.

What is your greatest challenge for today?

What person/persons has God placed in your life that could help you as you face this battle?

Fearless (Week 4) Day 1

Fearless Devotionals
Week 4
Day 1 -Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you." Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, "Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land that the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall put them in possession of it. (Deuteronomy 31:7 ESV)

Following God is an adventure that calls for lots of courage when facing new challenges. Each year brings a different kind of challenge that is unlike the ones before. God sends us into situations, but he does not send us alone, "He goes before us". Whatever your next challenge is up ahead, God is already there to join you as you enter into the battle. These challenges all have a greater purpose and some of them we will not understand until we get to Heaven, but we can know what to do as we enter our challenges.
* Be strong and courageous
*Do not fear or dread
* Trust that God is with you
* Believe he will not leave or forsake you.

Fearless (Day 5) Week 3

Let's take some time today and think on how Great our God is.  Sometimes our problems in our lives seem HUGE simply because we fail to remember how big our God is ... Read through Psalm 77 and think on this passage today...


     I yell out to my God, I yell with all my might, I yell at the top of my lungs. He listens. I found myself in trouble and went looking for my Lord; my life was an open wound that wouldn't heal.  When friends said, "Everything will turn out all right," I didn't believe a word they said.  I remember God—and shake my head.  I bow my head—then wring my hands. I'm awake all night—not a wink of sleep; I can't even say what's bothering me. I go over the days one by one, I ponder the years gone by. I strum my lute all through the night, wondering how to get my life together.    
     Will the Lord walk off and leave us for good? Will he never smile again? Is his love worn threadbare?  Has his salvation promise burned out? Has God forgotten his manners? Has he angrily stalked off and left us? "Just my luck," I said. "The High God goes out of business just the moment I need him." 
     Once again I'll go over what God has done, lay out on the table the ancient wonders; I'll ponder all the things you've accomplished, and give a long, loving look at your acts.
    O God! Your way is holy! No god is great like God! You're the God who makes things happen; you showed everyone what you can do— You pulled your people out of the worst kind of trouble, rescued the children of Jacob and Joseph.
     Ocean saw you in action, God, saw you and trembled with fear; Deep Ocean was scared to death. Clouds belched buckets of rain, Sky exploded with thunder, your arrows flashing this way and that. From Whirlwind came your thundering voice, Lightning exposed the world, Earth reeled and rocked. You strode right through Ocean, walked straight through roaring Ocean, but nobody saw you come or go.
     Hidden in the hands of Moses and Aaron, You led your people like a flock of sheep.  (Psalm 77 The Message)


And spend some time relating the above passage with Acts 17:24-28 ...


The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.  And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel their way toward him and find him.  Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, for "In him we live and move and have our being" ... (Acts 17:24-28)


Spend today looking at your life from God's perspective and trust Him to carry you through whatever you encounter.  We serve a BIG God! Celebrate Him today.

Fearless (Day 4) Week 3

"I lift up my eyes to the hills.  From where does my help come?

My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.

Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade on your right hand.

The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life.

The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in

The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.

   from this time forth and forevermore." (Psalm 121)

It's great to know that at different times in our lives we have friends who "have our back".  They'll be there in a moments notice if we need them.  But what about when they can't be there.  What about the times in our lives when they can't understand what it is we're going through.  What about the times when fear takes hold in our heart and we don't know what to do next.  This passage of the book of Psalms is a great reminder to me about where my help comes from each day of my life.  There are two things I want us to see out of this passage.


1. My help comes from the Lord.  And to be even more specific, He is the one who created everything around us.  When we remember that He set the stars in motion and holds it all in place, we can have confidence in the fact that He can handle what we have going on in our lives.  We can have confidence to face each day with a strength that can only come from Him.  Not only does my help come from the Lord ...


2.  He will keep me through each step I take (my going out and coming in).  God is always watching over us.  In Jeremiah 29:11, God tells us, "I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."  God knows each step we take and is there to guide us through each step.  He has a plan and that plan includes Him being actively involved in our lives.  When we  know that God "has our back" we will be confident.  


You have something today that you need God to show up and not only help you, but take you through each step.  We can do all things through Christ (Phil 4:13). Ask Him to not only make you aware of your options and have the boldness to be different, but also ask Him to help you Be Confident in Him.

Fearless (Day 3) Week 3

"And Benaiah the son Jehoiada was a valiant man of kabzeel, a doer of great deeds.  He struck down two ariels of Moab.  He also went down and struck down a lion in a pit on a day when snow had fallen." 2 Samuel 23:20

Benaiah possessed a boldness that we can all learn from.   He didn't see this lion as something to run away from.  He didn't see it as an overpowering obstacle.  I believe he saw this lion as an opportunity to chase his fears.  He boldly grabbed this lion by the mane and struck it down.  

We all have lions in our lives that stare us down.  Sadly too many Christians are running away from their lions.  They passively allow their lions to dictate the course of their lives.  But that doesn't have to be you.  Through the power of the Holy Spirit flowing through your life, you can boldly face your lions and strike them down.  No longer cowering in fear.  But living with a boldness that is found in the Lord. 

"We can cower in fear and run away from our greatest challenges.  Or we can chase our God- ordained destiny by seizing the God-ordained opportunity."  Mark Batterson

Lord, give us the courage and the boldness to be the people you have called us to be. 

Fearless (Day 2) Week 3

If we are going to live fearlessly we must be AWARE.  What exactly do we need to be aware of?

1.     Aware of God

Caleb was able to confidently say “Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it.” (Num. 13:30) He was aware of the fact that God had already said he was going to give the land to them.

Jesus was able to withstand the attacks of Satan because he was aware of what God had spoken through his word (Luke 4:1-12).

When we live faith filled lives we must be aware of what God has spoken. “for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power, love, and self-control” (2 Tim. 1:7).

2.     Aware of our enemy

Our enemy wants to take us out!  He knows that through the power of the Holy Spirit you and I have the ability to change the world around us.  He also knows that when we’re not under the control of the Holy Spirit we can do much damage in little time.

Why is it so important to be aware of your enemy?  He’s aware of you.  ”And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time.” (Luke 4:13) “Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)

3.     Aware of ourselves

Each of us has weaknesses in our lives.  We all have sin that we struggle with.  But the key is STRUGGLE.  Many Christians don’t struggle with their sin.  They just tap out, give up, and give in.  Your greatest enemy is not the enemy.  You are your greatest enemy.  “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. “ (James 1:14)

Be aware yourself and the things that lure you away from God’s purposes for your life.  When tempted, remember God isn’t in it.  And if God isn’t in it, you need to get out of it.

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me, your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4

Fearless (Day 1) Week 3

Jonah 1:1-3 ¹Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, ²"Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil^[a] has come up before me." ³But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went on board, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the LORD.


There are times in our lives when the Lord will lead us in a very specific direction.  It may be to work harder on our marriage, to make a career change, to speak to someone about spiritual things, to stand for Him even if we're alone.  We have opportunities every day to "Rise Up and Go".  At those times, we always have a choice of how to respond.  Jonah was told to rise up and go to Nineveh.  His response was to go the exact opposite direction.  His prejudice against the people of Nineveh kept him from moving forward and following God.  Jonah was afraid that the people of Nineveh would actually repent and turn to God.


Before we judge Jonah for what seems to be a VERY WRONG decision.  Let's look at our own lives.  We make choices everyday to follow what we want instead of what God wants because we let our fear win.  We're afraid of being "That Christian", of being different than our friends, of standing alone, of being rejected.  We let our fear drive our lives and as a result move further away from the presence of the Lord in our lives.  


What would change in your life if you began moving forward in the direction He has planned for you?  What can you do today that would move you towards your "Nineveh" in your life?

Fearless (Day 5) Week 2

Day 5 - He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it. (Matthew 10:39 NKJV)

Releasing control of our life and our plans to God can be a fearful event for us. Surrender is not a common act in our culture which promotes living independently. When making a decision, it seems we turn to people, current cultural trends, secular books and programs, and whatever ideas we can develop instead of seeking the God who created us. This verse, which happens to be one of my favorites tells us that "when we find our own life, we lose it". Chasing after any plan other than Gods will just waste time and energy and bring loss in our lives. However, when we surrender to Gods plan, we find a life of peace and purpose. On so many occasions, God has led me to trust in an idea that did not make sense to me at the time, but later I was able to see how he safely guided me to the right place in life. "He who loses his life for my sake will find life". You can never go wrong giving up your plans to live out his plan.

Think.... What decision are you facing today, and what steps having you been taking to find the solution? What could you do to discover Gods plan and to increase your faith to trust him?

Pray....

Fearless ( Week 2) Day 4

Day 4- How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!" But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?" So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. (Romans 10:14-17 ESV)

I am convinced that fear controls so many today because we minimized the importance of hearing the Word of God preached by God called men. Consistently attending a church where the truth is being spoken in power can transform your fear into radical faith and boldness. Even though I preach most every week, I still seek out sermons weekly through books, blogs, podcasts and other means to feed my faith and starve my fears. I have always been amazed with preaching and how God always seems to know just what I need to hear. I am grateful for the Pastors, Evangelists and Teachers that God has used and continues to use to create courage and boldness for the journey. "So faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God" (Romans 10:17 KJV).

Take time.... Write the names of those who have preached the word to you and strengthened your faith and pray for them.

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1 1:18 NKJV)

Fearless (Week 2) Day 3

Day 3 But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.” (Exodus 14:13-14 NLT)

As Israel came to the Red Sea and the Egyptian army came after them, fear set in the minds of the Israelites. Some of them complained to Moses that they should have stayed in Egypt, instead of seeking the land that God had promised. As we follow God there will be places along the journey where things look very uncertain. In these moments, when fear comes we will be tempted to come up with our own solutions. Fear can make us impulsive and cause us to take short cuts instead of waiting on God.

Look at the statements in this passage as you consider your own fears that you are facing.

Don't be afraid
Just stand still
Watch the Lord rescue you today.
The Lord himself will fight for you.
Just stay calm.

Fearless Week 2 (Day 2) "Right Thinking"

Day 2- "Right Thinking"

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Philippians 4:8 ESV)

Our thoughts determine the direction of our lives. The only way to establish control of your life is to get control of your thoughts. Satan is continually trying to create fear by feeding our minds with thoughts that are untrue. Prayer, Bible Study and accountability with the right people all serve as filters to help us discern what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent and praiseworthy. Remember, the only way to get your life under control is to get your thoughts under control.

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. (Philippians 4:6 NLT)

Think... In the presence of God, think about all that God has done and is doing right now. This will help you to get your thoughts on what is true.


Pray...

Fearless (Week 2) Day 1

Fearless Devotionals
Week 2

Day 1 - You shall not be afraid of them but you shall remember what the Lord your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt, (Deuteronomy 7:18 ESV)

When reading in the old testament, we see much reference to enemies. You and I are not fighting the Egyptians today, but we are battling enemies like addiction, worry, discontentment, inconsistency, confusion, etc ... All of which can spark fear in us. Our verse today encourages us to remember what God has done in the past when we faced other enemies. As you battle your own enemy today, would you take time to remember what God has brought you through in the past. Remembering...
Reminds us of Gods Faithfulness.
Gives us hope in our present battle.
Causes us to lean hard on Gods power.

Take time... To write down some occasions where God helped you to stand strong when an enemy threatened your peace and sanity.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5 ESV)

Pray

Fearless (Week 1) Day 5

Day 5- But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men."(Acts 5:29 ESV)

This verse has given me courage on so many occasions when people did not agree with the direction that God was taking my life. One of the hard realities of life is that not everyone rejoices with you when you do the will of God. Often, we are put in the position of pleasing God or others. This is difficult because most of us want to please others and we want everyone to celebrate our decisions. We know that God has plans for our life, but have you discovered that other people also have plans for us? There are going to be times where what God wants and what others want are going to clash. In these moments, fear can take over, if we are not firmly committed to following Christ and the desires that he has given to us. When I was called to preach the gospel, you would think that everyone would have celebrated my decision. It was not the case. Even some who were leaders in churches, encouraged me not to leave my career to pursue pastoring. Because I would be making less money and be leaving a promising career, they just couldn't see the wisdom in my decision. Can I be honest? There were moments when it didn't make sense to me either, but that is where faith takes over and launches us in the direction of Gods plan.

"The approval of others is desirable, but it is not necessary" (Howard Hendricks)

Think... What decision have you avoided, because you fear what others may say or think?

Are you presently being persecuted because you have chosen to follow God?

Pray....

Fearless (Day 4) Week 1

Day 4- Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. (Philippians 3:13-15 ESV)

Do you find that as God opens doors in your life that often past failures enter your thoughts? "What if this turns out like last time?" I noticed that in our verses, we are to "forget" what is behind and notice the words "straining forward" and the word "press". This indicates that it will be a struggle to put the past in the past and move forward to the next step God wants you to make. How do we "strain forward" and how do we "press" forward?

1. Learn from the past, don't dwell on it.
2. Talk to a godly friend about your future.
3. Be willing to step into the unknown, if God is giving you a continual desire, go for it.
5. Believe that God is already at work in your future.
6. Don't be so consumed with what is ahead, that you ignore what needs to be done in the
present.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9 ESV)

Think... What desire is God giving you for the future?

What experience from the past could be hindering forward movement?

Pray...

Fearless Day 3 (Week One)

Day 3- for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. (2 Timothy 1:7 ESV)

I have noticed in recent years that fear causes me to feel insecure. I began to doubt myself, those around me and even God. When my fear is controlled, I do not feel powerless, but rather I have confidence that God is at work in my situation. I feel power! When fear is kept in check, I can love others because I am not so consumed with what is going to happen in my life. I am not selfish. I have love! When fear is under control, I am under control. I am free to give more thought to my choices and resist temptation. I have self control! The Holy Spirit is the one who helps us conquer our fears. As we seek God daily, during our times of study, prayer and meditation, the Holy Spirit transforms our mind with with the proper perspective for the challenges we will face that day.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)

Think... What fear is making you feel powerless, keeping you from loving, or causing you to lose control?

Take time to pray...

Fearless (Week 1) Day 2

Day 2- Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. (Matthew 10:31 ESV)

We worry about the "what if's" in our life. What if.... The problem with "what if's" is that most of the time they never happen and even if they do will God forsake us? If suddenly, our fears come true and our life heads in reverse, will we have to face it alone? Every morning I see the birds in my yard flying, eating, feeding their young, building their nests, singing and playing. Morning after morning God provides for them. Our verse says, "you are more valuable than many sparrows". Listen...

I have been young, and now am old,
yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken
or his children begging for bread. (Psalm 37:25 ESV)

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19 ESV)

The fear of man lays a snare,
but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe. (Proverbs 29:25 ESV)

By the way, I saw the birds in my yard again today.

What fear are you battling today?

Think.... In the presence of God, think about your fear and about these verses. Allow God to speak into your life and share your thoughts with him.

Fear of reverse (Day 1)

Day 1- And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28 ESV)

Even when our lives seem to be moving in reverse, Paul writes that "All things work together for good". We tend to think, if we are not moving forward that we are being hindered by the enemy, but God works in "all things" including reverse. Have you ever considered what driving would be like without reverse? Turning around in tight spots is made possible because of reverse on your car. On many occasions, God will move you in reverse, so that he can get you turned in the right direction to accomplish his purposes and to give you a more abundant life. Finally, the verse says, "For those who love God, all things work together for good". Our focus simply needs to be on "loving God", and then we can know that all things will be well. We tend to focus more on what is going to happen in our lives instead of simply loving God and trusting him to work everything together for our good.

Think.... In what area of your life does it seem that you are in reverse and how do you see God working for your good?

Take time to pray......

House to House

I do believe strongly in the need to gather for corperate worship, but I also believe that many gatherings should be done from house to house. It seems for 75 years or more the churches in America have been moving everything away from the home and to the church campus or building. Discipleship, meals, and other gatherings that in biblical days took place from house to house have been replaced with large gatherings in bigger buildings.

Acts 2:46-47 says, "So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart. praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved."

Recently at Oasis Church, we recruited about 25 families to host 8-15 people in their home after worship on Sunday morning.  After speaking on Acts 2:46-47, I called the hosts to the stage and asked the people in the congregation to choose which family they would have lunch with today.  Spontaneously, the seats began to empty as people joined with families they hardly knew to journey to their home for a meal and good conversation. We have received multiple emails from all over Central Arkansas raving about the results of the day. One man wrote, "It was like the Church at Jerusalem at my house today". Another wrote, "We had conversations in our home today that would have never happened on the church campus."

My hope is that these house to house gatherings will continue without the prompting of a pastor.  That through these gatherings, authentic relationships will be built, God will be praised and he will continue to add to his church.

Todd West
Lead Pastor
Oasis Church (Central Arkansas)

What Now? May 22nd, we will look ahead at the next 6 months.

Making room for more people
We have been in a season of growth at Oasis in the first 6 months of this year. Historically, May is a low attendance month, but yesterday both services were full. We know that more people are coming in this summer and into the fall months, so where are we going to put all of our new friends that God is sending our way.  This Sunday, I will be sharing some of the plans for making room for more people and what all of us at Oasis must do to make this happen.

Missions
We have over twice as many people making mission trips this summer compared to last year.  This Sunday, we will see just where everyone is headed this summer and we will have a special time of prayer just for these that will represent Oasis this summer.

Revisiting Church Goals for 2011
Many of the goals that we set at the beginning of 2011 have already been reached, so we will celebrate what God has done.  We will also look at some goals that are yet to be acheived and what needs to happen to reach those goals for God's glory. 

The Sermon
I will be sharing the importance of vision in the church and why it is so important to continue moving forward.  Prepare to be challenged this Sunday!

National Day of Prayer

I always wonder what is going to happen when we meet to pray. Thursday night May 5th we are meeting at Oasis at 7pm.  We are providing childcare and expecting a full house of people seeking the Lord.  It is national day of prayer and we are going to lift up Jesus in singing and spend time calling on his name for many different needs.  We believe II Chronicles 7:14, "If my people, which are called by my name, will humble themselves and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from Heaven, forgive their sin and heal their land." 

Fanning The Flame

Prayer Service Tonight @ Oasis

• Doors open at 6:00pm for those who would like to speak to a pastor one on one in the auditorium. (No child care during this time)
• Child-care for ages 3 yrs and down from 7-8pm only.  After 8pm, you may bring them into the auditorium.
• Praise/ Worship/Prayer from 7pm - ??? (Just come when you can and leave when you need to go)
• I am hearing from our people that we have many un-churched people that will be in the prayer service tonight.  Do you know someone that needs to be there tonight?
• We have heard that we are expecting storms in the area tonight.   Please follow God's lead and use wisdom in making your decision about atttending.

Something special started happening around the first weekend in April at Oasis.  I could not possibly tell you every story of what God has done in the lives of so many and the church has never been more alive and aware of God's presence.  Yesterday, our 9:30 service just ran into our 11am service as people were gathered all over the auditorium praying in huddles for those that publicly expressed conviction of sin and others that had specific burdens.The same happened as people poured into the auditorium for the 11am service and this continued until 12:45.  During the 9:30 worship yesterday, I felt led to call a prayer service for tonight.  This is a call for help.  Can you come and help us tonight as we do the work of God?  

 

Also, we are hearing reports from all over Central Arkansas that God is moving in many churches and similar things are happening in many places.  Our neighbor, The Summit Church began to experience the hand of God on the exact Sunday morning when it all began to happen here at Oasis.  They have been meeting every night for the last 3 weeks and are continuing on tonight as well. Would you pray with me that revival would spread throughout Central Arkansas into all churches and would you help "fan the flame" that has sparked in our area?  

 

Todd West

Lead Pastor

Oasis Church 

 

God Waves are coming in.....

The first sign that something significant was happening came a few Sunday's ago when spontaneously people in the 9:30am worship experience joined hands in the altar area praying. 3 people were spontaneously baptized and another wave of God came in the 11am worship experience, when 15 more were spontaneously baptized. Many in the church sensed that this was not the end and yesterday we experience another wave.  Electricity went out during the 9:30 worship experience yesterday, but the hand of God was with us because I was able to remember with clarity every verse and was given every thought needed to share the message in the dark.  In the dim room, people began to confess their trespasses one to another and pray.  Groups were all over the darkened sanctuary praying for one another and encouraging one another. In the 11am worship experience, the electricity came back on and I spoke briefly about "Examining Ourselves" from I Corinthians 11 and people seemed to be on the edge of their seats just ready for the invitation to pray. Another wave came when people started to practice James 5:16 by confessing their trespasses to one another and praying for one another.  I looked up and at one point, the auditorium was a sea of prayer groups calling on the Lord. One man left after the 9:30 worship and quickly went home to get his sick daughter (in a wheel chair) and bring her to the house of prayer. Believers laid hands on her and prayed for healing from God.  This was a reminder of New Testament moments when people retrieved the sick and brought them to Jesus. We had 2 Ministers of The Gospel present that were both battling with bitterness from former pastorates and the church gathered around them to pray for healing. 3 young ladies that will be going on out from the church as missionaries this summer came for prayer and were surrounded by those reaching in to touch them and pray for them. Foster parents brought their children to ask the church to pray for them. I was overwhelmed by the number of men that came asking the church to pray because they felt God was calling them to go to the "next level". So many men responded!!! Many began to testify during the service about what God has done in their life and about the incredible experience of being in the church family. The kids from childrens' ministry were brought in and got to see a genuine movement of God and to witness their parents crying out to God. Our 9 year old daughters were moved by the experience. When the waves began to quiet down,  it was 12:45pm and even our first time guests had stayed to experience what God is doing. I could hardly believe how quickly the time had past and how everyone just wanted to stay with each other. 

Summit Church in North Little Rock has been experiencing the incredible power of God over the last several weeks.  My good friend, Pastor Bill Eliff has led them to meet each night for the last two weeks and for hours each evening hundreds of people have been coming in from around the city and the state. Brokeness, confesssion, healing, praising, reading the scriptures, salvations and baptisms, and many other works of God continue to take place in this wonderful church.  We are beginning to hear other reports from churches around Central Arkansas that show signs of something incredible happening in our area.

I can hardly contain myself as we wait for another wave to come in (maybe even today). We are preparing for The Lord's Supper on Friday evening and anticipate another wave on that evening.  Because the hearts of our people are in tune with the Lord, I can only imagine what God is going to do in our worship experience on Easter. Pray that souls would be saved and the making of disciples will continue. 

Todd West
Lead Pastor
Oasis Church

18 Baptized on April 3, 2011

A few months ago, our Small Groups Pastor (PJ) told me about a church in North Carolina that had a unique baptism Sunday. It sounded awesome to me!  So, some of our staff members purchased "scrubs" of all sizes and brought plenty of towels and I preached a simple message on baptism and people opened their hearts to the Lord. I must admit that I was shocked when people just kept coming forward to be baptized. Some were people that we have prayed for on many occasions(some for years), and others were new to Oasis.  Some were new believers, others had been saved for years, but never biblically baptized. I noticed that people started coming forward to be obedient only after many believers gathered at the front of the stage and held hands praying.  18 is the most that I have ever seen baptized on one occasion. As if all of this was not enough, 3 people came desiring membership at Oasis and they will be attending our "Next Step Membership Group".  I am so excited! I have called and texted with many Pastor friends, shared the praise on Facebook and around our house it seems to be dominating our conversations.  Last night, Riley (one of our daughters) praised the Lord during her prayer for the 18. I am so glad that our church family is getting to see the hand of God.  Let's celebrate and anticipate more of this as we continue to be obedient as a church. 

Todd West
Lead Pastor

What does the Lord expect?

One of the reasons that Paige (My wife) and I have a strong marriage is because we know what is expected of one another.  Relationships flourish when we know what is expected and live to bring pleasure to one another.  If you have been in a relationship with Jesus Christ for some time, you know what to expect from him.  He fights for you, he speaks to you, he never leaves you, he heals, he forgives and he never gives up.  Lamentations 3:23 says it best, "Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning."  We have learned through life what to expect from our Heavenly Father, but do we know what he expects from us?  

"And now Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you? He requires only that you fear the Lord your God, and live in the way that pleases him, and love him and serve him with all your heart and soul."  Deuteronomy 10:12

Our relationship with God our Father will flourish as we live out the words of this powerful verse from God.

Todd West