Christianity Oasis Forum

[smalltowngirl743]

Hello Everyone!

Wow, today's step was really awesome for me. It talked all about God's grace and forgiveness. The way it was worded got my attention, and made me think about these things in a new way.

For example, I know the story about King David and Bathsheba, but I had no idea that Jesus was descended from David's bloodline. And what David did to her and her husband were truly awful. Through this lesson, I learned how truly forgiving God is towards us...and that when we repent and mean it, God really does forget about the matter altogether. I mean, God let His own Son come from David and Bathsheba's bloodline. That is crazy...and amazing!

I also really thought hard about something else stated in this lesson. And that was, "if we repent of our sins to God through Jesus' name, then there is no effort required of us to obtain God's grace." Wow! It seems like I am always trying to gain forgiveness, even when I've already repented of a sin. It's like I think that my prayer for forgiveness didn't work or something. So, sometimes, I will ask forgiveness for the same sin more than once.

I am truly amazed that salvation is so simple! All we have to do is ask for forgiveness of our sins, by believing in Jesus, and really mean it with all our heart, and that's it. Zap...we are forgiven. It's actually so simple it's hard to believe.

Now, I do know, without a doubt, that the moment I was saved, every one of my past sins were forgiven and forgotten. The reason I know is this: I was crying, sobbing actually, and it felt like the weight of the world had been lifted from my shoulders. I mean, I literally felt lighter. And the relief was immense! I mean, we're talking a whole life time (up to that point ) of bad choices, embarrassing sinfulness, even evil actions on my part...all of them...gone in an instant. And to this day, I have never felt bad for the sins of my long ago past, because I know that they were forgiven and forgotten by God back in 2003. Sometimes, my family members will try to throw those past sins back into my face, but I don't let them. I tell them that I am forgiven of those things, and that they should just forget about them too. Sadly, those who have never experienced God's grace just don't understand, I suppose.

Having this, you might be wondering why I was so fascinated by step 3's lesson. Well, it is because I have fallen from God's grace since my salvation experience in 2003, and it's what I've done since that time that has me worried.

But, my worries are easing up. The Oasis community is truly a godsend to me, because I feel so welcome and comfortable here. And my sisters and brothers here are so willing to help me, that I am beginning to feel those winds of change coming into my life already.

Today's lesson has really got me excited to see what this 14-day program has in store for me. At first, I was hesitant and little bit cynical, but three days of letting out some long buried stuff is just...cleansing. Thanks to everyone who is encouraging me and guiding me on this journey. You'll never truly know just how much your words mean to me.




P.S. I just love the smilies...had to play with them a little bit!

[Dora]

Makes you walk feel a little lighter when you realize you don't have to work to receive forgiveness. Grace is grace. A free gift we don't deserve. It's a BEAUTIFUL thing.


luv ya

[momof3]

Hi towngirl....it is truly amazing how God's Grace is sufficient..and so simple, isnt it? On top of that, we have the Holy Spirit helping to guide us too! So many times we make it harder than it is. the enemy doesnt want us to take our sins to the Lord in prayer. he wants us to carry them, let them weigh us down, cause us to be too ashamed to believe in the saving free gift Jesus has given us. This song reminded me of you when i read your post today...along with a few other posts.

Whatever Reason-Disciple
In a whirlwind caught away
Broken lips have carried you to a place
Where you don't know just how you ever got this far away from here
Thinking somehow you could cross the point of no return
But my love will never end

Whatever reason you've been running
I just don't care anymore
Already forgotten whatever happened with what went wrong
I just want you to come home

Incarcerated, borrowed shame
Freedom was the promise they took away
And now you're left with what you find so hard is forgiving yourself

Whatever reason you've been running
I just don't care anymore
Already forgotten whatever happened with what went wrong
I just want you to come home

I see something far away
Could this be the day to take you in these arms and wash all of the wasted days and years away?
Just to see the eyes of my beloved child
Now I'm running I'm the one that's running

I love watching how the Lord works in His children through these steps. The truth does set you free.

love you, girl. Keep goin........Hes just gettin started!
standing with you.

in Jesus,
momo

[xxJILLxx]

You'll never truly know just how much your words mean to me.

i betcha i do know sis! i tell my oasis family all the time how much i appreciate them , u see almost a year ago i was where u are, wanna see how good God has been to me? this is what i posted in testimonies a bout a month ago, hope it glimmers with all the Hope His name brings!

my oasis testimony:

Many of you already know the battles i had faced since i became a member here in October.

I thank God that he sent me to people who could help me through Him.

When i stumbled upon this site i ws so confused and lost and had a lot on my plate and had no idea the journey He was taking me on. Thank You Father!

The enemy was furiuos because i had rededicated my life bak to Christ and was attacking on all sides.

some of the things he sent my way:
.problems with my daughter of depression, cutting, suicidal
.my teens literally fighting me and destroying my property because they didnt want to go to church
.my oldest teen acting up and not listening and actually got physical with me a few times and had to call the police a few times
.problems with a "friend" who had tried to sway me into false doctrine
. horrible situations at work : being demoted for telling the truth, hours were cut out of retaliation for whistle blowing , harassment, stress etc
. not to mention God was dealing with me too on getting off meds that i believe i should of never been on ( all they did was sedate me and not let me deal with the problems but cover them up)

let me tell you how good our God is to me !!

. my daughter is no longer cutting she still struggles with depression and low self esteem but she is no longer cutting!!!!!!
. the kids enjoy going to church now and actually i cant drag em out of it when im ready to go home
.my oldest teen went to a youth convention in alabama in June and God has transformed him , he has come back as a respectful God fearing young man
.the problem with the false prophet thank God was taken care of with the advise and counsel with many of u here
.my job where do i start, well i still lost my title as assistant manager but my pay was never cut just hrs. but now because i was truthful with the owner i have his favor and when the manager tried to fire me the owner told him no way~ and now i have the most hrs out of all the cashiers here so that is a blessing.
. the meds~ wow i stopped all meds with the careful guidance of our Father (not recommended for everyone) it was an issue that i felt our Dad was leading me through and you know what i feel so much better! i feel alive, the meds made me numb to everything. I actually feel now and at first it was definatley hard but i depended on Him and Him alone and He brought me through Thank u Father!

To god be the glory for all the blessings He has brought my way i had no idea He cared this much for me and my children.

i would also like to say a special thank you to all those here who RE-presented Christ to me through you. there are many and you know who you are and so does Dad.

Now yall can get a lil understanding why i am so happy and free spirited and nw i will be able to RE-present Him as well > thank u Father for giving us the priveledge to serve and honor you.

To u be the Glory always




God bless you all and thank u all and thank Him as well!
He deserves the glory!
Thank u all for your support, encouragement, prayer, tears, laughs, glomps and all that good stuff. You definatley RE-present Him
♥Jill


~Just think what Hes gonna do in your life sis!~


Gbu smalltowngirl
♥Jill

[smalltowngirl743]

Thanks for your replies, ladies...

Pine...I'm so glad to see you and have your support! Thanks so much for standing by my side through this.

Momo...I loved the song when I read it...thank you! I liked the end, when He was saying that He was the one running (to us). Just about everything I read on here is a blessing to me.

Jill...my goodness, what can I say?? What an awesome testimony! You're so happy all of the time, it's hard to believe you were going through that stuff. Thanks for sharing it with me...it was inspiring. I hope that I can someday write a good testimony as well. I guess you do understand where I am coming from. I am beginning to see that just about everyone here at Oasis understands, and each has gone through their own trials and sufferings.


I know I say this a lot, but this place is great......it seems like I can't say it enough! God bless you all, and have a wonderful, happy day!

[mlg]

stg, you know we often think it's our actions that will get us grace, when in reality it really is nothing that we do other than love Jesus. Jesus died for us, because He loved us so very much...and no matter how much we wrong Him, He still forgives and loves us. It's often hard to understand this kind of love and forgiveness because as flesh we weigh how we "love" people based on how they "treat" us....but that's not Jesus or how He is. His love is not conditional.

Something else I want to add is that there IS healing in these steps. I already see God doing a work in you, and your heart is opening back up to Him. He is so glad to have you coming back in His presence. He is smiling on you.

Keep it up sis. Your doing great.

luv ya