Weekly Teaching
Be a Doer of the Word
Do we attend church once in awhile or just out of obligation? Do we consider church to be a waste of our time, that perhaps we could be doing something more to our liking? Are we bored in church? What would we do instead of church? Perhaps it is time to examine ourselves and ask ourselves where is my faith? Do we see the importance of gathering together as believers to uplift one another?
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Are we trying to fill the void in our life with exercise, pleasure, entertainment, job, success, finances etc.? Are we trying to fill the void with social media, our devices? The question is do we come to church expecting? Do we come to participate or to be entertained? Do we just have itching ears? Are we asking the Holy Spirit to reveal to us what He wants us to learn or just to hear a message? Are we asking how is this word relevant? Are we asking the Holy Spirit to show us how to apply it in our life? If we just hear the message but never apply it by doing it, we will never change or grow in the Lord. Could we just be pretending. Some people only go and sit and if you ask them later what word was taught or what the message was about, they could not tell you. James 1:22 (KJV) “But be ye doers of the word, and not hears only, deceiving your own selves.”
Copyright @June 2020 Carol Wright/Oasis Worship Center
In His Presence
The Lord has not called us to be stressed but unless we are relying on the Holy Spirit daily it easy to be stressed. Stress is a feeling of emotional tension and even physical tension. Stress can come from some event like being laid off work, uncertainty in life, or our current dealings with COVID-19. When we do not control our thoughts stress can happen that causes feelings to surface like anger, frustration, irritability, trouble sleeping, anxiety, and depressions. Stress can affect us physically.
For peace and assurance, we need to look to the Word of God and rely on the Holy Spirit. In every situation we need to realize that the Lord God is sovereign. The Word of God is what will speak truth into our lives. We must renew our minds to the Word of God. Psalms tells us to cast all our cares upon Him and He will sustain us. Philippians 4:6-7 (AMP) ‘Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. 7 And God’s peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” In everything we need to go to the Lord so can have peace. It is in His presence, we will find peace.
Copyright @June 2020 Carol Wright/Oasis Worship Center
Be Essential
For numerous weeks now we have heard about essential, non-essential, isolation, and social distancing along with other things in this pandemic. In addition, wearing mask and gloves etc. When reflecting about these things we can relate them to our walk as a believer and church.
As believers how would we be categorized, would we be considered essential or non-essential? What are we doing for the kingdom of God? Are sharing the good news of the gospel? Have we been a light in our community? As a church, or/ and believers have we isolated ourselves with other believers away from people in the world? Have we social distance from those that need to hear the gospel? Are we making a difference? Are we delivering a life changing message to others by our lives? Because of us do people see the value of the good news.
The Lord has called us to be essential and He has enabled us thorough the power of the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:8 (AMP) “But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends (the very bounds) of the earth.” This power is so we will be witnesses of Jesus, all of the time, in all places, to all people. Think about this Jerusalem was where Jesus was executed, the people of Judea rejected Him. The Jews did not have any dealings with Samaritans. The uttermost parts of the earth would be all Gentiles who were considered heathens. Let’s all determine to essential.
Copyright @May 2020 Carol Wright/Oasis Worship Center
Grateful
Are we grateful for what the Lord has done? Are we grateful for the blessings large and small? Do we see the blessings every day? Do we have a lifestyle of praising God for all our blessings? Psalm 105:1 (AMP) “O GIVE thanks unto the Lord, call upon His name, make known His doings among the peoples!” We are called to praise the Lord because of the many things He blesses us with. Isaiah 12:4 (AMP) “And in that day you will say, Give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name and by means of His name [in solemn entreaty]; declare and make known His deeds among the peoples of the earth, proclaim that His name is exalted!” We should have a hard time talking about the greatness and blessings of the Lord.
When we go to the mountains, we will find evergreen trees that are always green despite the changes in weather around it, whether it is the heat of summer or the cold snowy weather of winter. Our lives as believers are to be characterized by an enduring thankfulness that is unaffected by the changes or circumstances around us. Even in the heat of a pandemic, a week full of pressures, we should have the attitude of thankfulness, regardless of what is going on around us. Every day we should say “thank you Lord”. Being thankful or gratefulness colors our whole life in seeing things in a different light.
Copyright @May 2020 Carol Wright/Oasis Worship Center