Christianity Oasis Forum

[lyl1114]

I want to serve the Lord and Represent Him. I want to serve Him with all of my heart and mind and strength. Those are my own prayers for my children...and I want to live that life my children can learn from. Above all, I want to Love the Lord. Committing to this was a little scary at first because I don't trust myself. I don't have faith in myself...but that is why we are here, right? Because we put our FAITH in our loving GOD.

I am excited once again. I know I will have to try harder to make time each day in my walk with Him. With so many worries and problems, I was hesitant at first but I prayed and I laid them ALL at the feet of Jesus. I am taking God's hand and gonna hold on to it very TIGHTLY!

Lord, I come, humbly, to be used by You for YOUR Glory. Please show me and guide me to do Your will. Thank you for loving me...me, so undeserving.

As I was reading this first step, a song came into my mind by Casting Crowns, Courageous.

we were made to be courageous
we were made to lead the way
we could be the generation that finally breaks the chains

we were made to be courageous
we were made to be courageous

we were warriors on the front lines,
standing unafraid
but now we're watchers on the side lines,
while our families slip away.
where are you men of courage?
you were made for so much more.
let the pounding of our hearts cry,
we will serve the Lord.

[color=#FF4040]we were made to be courageous,
and were taking back the fight.
we were made to be courageous,
and it starts with us tonight.
the only way we'll ever stand,
is on our knees with lifted hands.
make us courageous,[/color]

Lord make us courageous.
this is our resolution, our answer to the call,
we will love our wives and children,
and refuse to let them fall.
we will reignite the passion,
that we buried deep inside.
may the watchers become warriors,
let the men of God arise.

In the war of the mind i will make my stand,
in the battle of the heart, in the battle of the hands.
in the war of the mind i will make my stand,
in the battle of the heart, in the battle of the hands

[realtmg]

Waiting for next post.

GBU

Real

[abeliever]

I so love that song. God will use you for great and mighty things.
God bless you.

[lyl1114]

I didn't have a chance to post this yesterday...
First of all, I am not sure if I am doing this correctly. I am doing this study to see if I am chosen to serve...because I am not sure and wanted to find out.

Step #2
Who Am I...
character is my personality. My body is just a shell and what I am inside is who I am. So the characteristics that I should exhibit are:
* LOVE because God is Love
*Honesty, sharing the truth. Truth will set you free
*Attitude. Have a positive one because it's contagious
*Trustworthiness (Am I reliable? I need help with this one because I have hard time following through...)
*DETERMINATION!!! "I must be determined in my heart to live in God's image, for His glory, and to be an example to lead His precious sheep to do the same." Wow. This is a lot to handle...Am I called? I don't know. I really don't know if I can lead others, but I can try to live my life that is pleasing to God.

I don't know but will continue this study because either way, because I want to learn how to live for God.

[realtmg]

I didnt want to serve Him either but I knew I should.
I was miserable until I finally gave in.
This site is part of my service to Him.

GBU

Real

[lyl1114]

I thought I just use one topic for my steps (Maybe I can link together my first two, if someone could help me)

Step #3: Worldly view
"A friend of the world is the enemy of God" James 4:4

Are my clothes/jewelry/appearance representing Jesus?
What stood out was that I should be what God created me to be and don't live my life to impress the world, but rather live my life to glorify God. Yes, so many temptations and bad seeds out there in the world...what to have and what to look like. Looking at fashion magazines and watching tv gets me depressed...because I don't have all that the world says that I should have to be happy. Now, after starting this journey on oasis, my view has changed and I can guard my mind from getting depressed because of the "things" I lack.

a review of seeds and weeds and renewing of the mind from the counseling program. I must pay attention to what I put in my mind's garden to to weed out the bad seeds as soon as possible. Lord, help me to examine my thoughts and destroy those that are not pleasing to You. Help me to discern the evil from the good.

I have cut my time I spend of facebook because it really made me covet some of my friends' extravagant worldly lifestyle...all their carefree spending and lack of financial hardships.

"And be not conformed to this world; but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Romans 12:2

[lyl1114]

You know, it's not really if I don't want to serve Him...just I am not sure how and if I can. Maybe it's the same thing? I am not eloquent with words and don't really have much to offer...and I know that is what God seeks so He can use me and He can get all the glory. I guess I am a little scared of letting God take full control of me. I should pray about that.

[lyl1114]

Step #4: Peer Pressure

We need to defend our faith and the only one we need to answer to is GOD, not the world. We can get so caught up in this world, I will need to watch out for what I think about as to not depress my spirit.

Psalm 143:8
Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.

I also read the Whispers study and learned that I should discern the origin of the whispers.

Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Listen to the voice of God and not the whispers of the enemy. Search and say the TRUTH so the enemy will flee. Yes, they will flee!
I liked that the study said that anyone can live in the ways of the world but someone with real courage and faith can stand up and represent Jesus. YES, I will be bold and be strong because my LORD is with me!!

The last few days, I have been a little afraid (ok, more than I should have been) with my eyes being open to the spiritual stuff...but I let those thoughts hinder me from focusing on GOD...a loving GOD who loves me so much and who has sent HOLY SPIRIT to help me and guard me. Now I will keep my eyes fixed on God, Jesus, and my best friend, Holy Spirit.

[lyl1114]

Step #5: What is a calling?

When I started this study, I didn't know exactly what a calling for me would be...but a little part of me, I always knew was teaching children. I was an elementary school teacher until I got married and became a stay at home mom. However, I had always taught sunday school...from toddlers to high school students. When I was in high school, someone prophesied that I would be great with children and that God was amazed how I could teach them. I admit, I became lazy and my heart was more concerned with worldly things. I taught but I haven't given my all, in the last 10 years. Ashamed. But here I am now, God still didn't give up on me and gave me chances after chances to do His will. I am beginning to feel that I need to give it my all when I prepare and teach these children. Jesus LOVES children and I was doing a disservice by not putting my whole heart. Holy Spirit had convicted my heart of my wrongdoing. PRAISE GOD!

My sister in law and brother in law and their family are in India as missionaries. They took their three children to live a hard life...and I didn't understand how they can put their children through the hardships. But it is for God's glory and they answered their calling when God called. They went not to seek what is temporary here on earth but what is eternal in heaven. The analogy of military men leaving their families to serve and protect our country, made it clearer. Serving God and putting nothing before Him, is true service, and service that matters most. I pray that God will help me to live each day with this state of mind.

"But seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Matthew 6:33

Giving up my life-style for His sake...it will be hard but I feel little by little I can do it with the help from God. And I will live each day with happiness, despite the hardships that I will face, because I will be storing up treasures in heaven.

Lord, I love you...and thank you for choosing me to serve you. Help me to constantly pray for the children that I teach and help me to give it all when preparing and teaching your precious children. May your words plant seed in their little hearts, although they may not fully understand at the moment, but may they cultivate and bloom one day as they live this life on earth.
"so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." Isaiah 55:11

Lord, also, help me to seek You daily, every moment of the day. I love you, Lord, for teaching me and guiding me.

[realtmg]

Growing I see.
Nice.
GBU

Real

[lyl1114]

Step #6: Anointed Bible

John 15:16
"Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, He may give it you."

Ordination comes from the Holy Spirit, not man. Today's study says to get on my knees and pray to see ig God has indeed called me. I will pray about it today...

[lyl1114]

Step #7: review of Who is the Holy Spirit of God

Enjoyed studying this again...as I have been or trying to spend time with the Holy Spirit. I do feel eager each day and look forward to spending time with Him. However, it is hard...with chores, duties, kids and family...I know, they are excuses but I try. I do wish I can spend all day with Him with no distractions how wonderful that would be!

So what does it mean to be filled with the Holy Spirit:
* to voluntarily SURRENDER my life to the control of the Holy Spirit who lives in me
* Moment by moment,walk in dependence upon and sensitive to His leadership, and guidance,
* and to SURRENDER my body, soul, and spirit to Him with childlike faith that He will be what He promised to be in me...
* My COMFORTER and my HELPER
* He is the PROVIDER of the TRUTH

I am so excited for Him but seems like I am only making small progress at a time. Is it a lifestyle change so we need to do this little at a time, so we can ingrain in ourselves how we should live for God? Sometimes, I doubt if I am where I should be...maybe I should be putting in a little more effort. hmmm...
Anyhow, very very grateful for this site and how it is helping me to see the TRUTH and guiding me in how I should live my life in a Godly way, pleasing to Him. and really appreciate all of you on this site who have offered help and encourage my walk with God. Praise God for HE IS GOOD!