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.....