SPIRITUAL OASIS Podcast

Have you ever messed up? I mean really messed up! For some people, concerns about the possibility of messing up prevents them from deciding to follow Jesus. For others of us, the reality of our mistakes hinders our spiritual development. Because we are so focused on what we have done in the past, we fail to serve God effectively in the present. This message provides biblical insight into the question: What if I mess up?

Here's a lesson based on 2 Chronicle 20:1-30, where we read of God's people learning how to trust God in difficult times. We learn that the way to live victoriously is to:

1) Stand in God’s presence... v. 9, “…we will stand in your presence…”
2) Trust in God’s purpose for your life... v. 12, “…our eyes are upon you.”
3) Stand together as God’s people... v. 13, “All the men of Judah, with their wives and children and little ones, stood before the LORD.”
4) Trust in God’s power for victory.. v. 14, “Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel…”
5) Follow God’s plan for deliverance... v. 15, “…the battle is not yours, but God’s.”

Blessings to all,
-bill
Spiritual Oasis Blog

Here are a few comments I made after our return from the Mid-Ohio Valley Work Camp, along with a lesson from Jesus' parable which we call the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25ff).

Blessings to all,
-bill

Luke 1:17 contains a phrase that seems quite appropriate for Father’s Day. Here we are told that Zechariah’s promised son, who would go before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah, would turn the hearts of the fathers to their children.

As this was needed then, so is it needed today! In this lesson we will focus our thoughts on this idea. To do so we will consider Paul’s inspired summary of the Heart of Fatherhood found in 1 Thessalonians 2:10-12. Here we learn two priorities for fathers:

#1) Being a Spiritual Model
#2) Being a Spiritual Mentor

May God help all of us who are fathers, be what He would have us to be. May all children be blessed with fathers who embrace these values.

Blessings to all,

-bill

This lesson is based on Hebrews 6:13-20. When we look at this passage the fact that God’s promises are reliable really stands out. They, therefore, provide a secure foundation for hope.

Beyond this we observe at least three additional points to treasure:

1) God’s promises are received by those who patiently endure.
2) God’s promises are the basis for great encouragement.
3) God’s firm and secure promises provide an anchor for our souls.