Christianity Oasis Forum

[deetu]

I was worshiping and felt the Lord wanted me to have a study with my friends that I met at conferences. We do not live close so I was thinking of e-mail, but I was reminded of IM.

I was looking for a chat room where we could meet and discuss our study. (I had sent each one a copy of the CDs) I was getting discouraged because there were some really strange places out there, when my sister popped up on AIM. First off, I usually don't have AIM on and second, it was already midnight for me, 11 for her. When she asked what I was doing, she immediately prayed that I would find a great site within a few minutes. That was when I found Christianity Oasis.

Now, I have to tell you, not once did this site show up until after that prayer. After my first chat, I knew this was the right place, a like minded place. Seemed to just fit right in.

So, I took the test. Some questions I wish had different answers to choose from; some questions I wish were worded differently but I did my best. Although I found that the answer to one question really bothered me and it is something I will have to deal with... pray about.

So we will see what the next couple of weeks brings me.
Hee hee, I'm thinking that you are chosen because you were willing to take the test.

[mlg]

Deetu, you know you make an awesome point. We are chosen when we choose to make the first step for Him. I am so glad you chose to do this study. You will be blessed by the coming 14 steps.

I don't think it was by mistake at all that God led you to the Oasis. He too brought me here almost 3 years ago now, and I love this place. It is home. I have met some wonderful children of the Lord and as each is different, they are all one Body for Him. It's great to see when other step out into their calling. There are so many lost souls in the world who need to hear of Jesus love. I pray that He sends more harvesters....and He continues to answer my prayer.

Take care deetu and God Bless always.

luv ya

[Dora]

Deetu that warms my heart to hear Gods answering your friends prayer.
He is so awesome.

Glad he did.

I am sure you'll enjoy your walk with the Lord through these steps.

God bless you and keep you.

[deetu]

Pine love your kitty.

Did study 2. I'm not sure if I agree with the soul telling the spirit what to do. I believe that the Spirit will tell me what to do. Guide me, lead me... that is why Jesus died so we can all have direct access to God and not have him hiding behind a curtain for only the high priest to see once a year.
John 14:26 But the Counselor, the Holy spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

I was just in Bible verse hunt and did John 16:13 so I wanted to add it.
"But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you.

[mlg]

You know sis, we all have our own interpretations of the living Word, that's why it's such an awesome book. See the Bible comes to life for each and every one of us, and that's why you can take one scripture and it can mean a different thing to each person based upon what we are going through at the time. But you know what's even more awesome? The Bible was written by God so that we can grow and mature in His love.

I'm so excited to see you doing this program, and to see you reading and interpreting each step with God's help. He will reveal to you sis, what He wants you to take and apply to your calling in Him. Keep doing the steps and continue growing. Your doing great.

luv ya

[deetu]

A chart? I hate writing things that remind me of school... sigh...

It is amazing how as my walk progressed, I changed. When I told a friend things I used to do before, she kept saying, "You? You used to do that?" And I said that the more you follow the Lord, the more it just melts away.
I cringe when I go to family dinners and hear the Lord's name taken in vain or used as a swear word. Where crude or racial jokes are passed. And yet, they treat me different because I no longer claim their religion. But I used to be one of them and am so happy that now I carry the light.
Now I am waiting for the time that my husband gets Spirit filled. I know it's coming because God told me so but I wish it was now.

I understand about letting little things in. I watched a movie thinking I could ignore the sexual stuff but that night I was attacked with nightmares and repented, asking for forgiveness. I kept hoping the movies would get better so I kept watching it since it was really inuendos more then actual but that weed seed still got in there.
Hee hee, I woke my husband up when in my sleep I commanded, "Leave in Jesus's name"

[mlg]

deetu you are such a precious soul. I smile to read your posts. You know something? I too frowned when I found out about the chart. In fact I got mad about it, but what you need to do on the chart, is to start with small goals. You can always add more later. Just make it simple for now.

As for your husband's salvation....God is working on Him. You are a witness to your husband...so keep on sis. You are planting seeds, and God is providing the water.

Keep doing the steps sis.

luv ya

[deetu]

Boy, was study 4 a long teaching; I guess because it had the other studies with it, tattoos and piercings and one size fits all. I was falling asleep because I did the study after chat; so I stopped and finished this morning. I will have to do the studies earlier from now on, just in case they are longer

Ah Faith... When you talk to people about faith, most will believe that they are fine, they go to church on Sunday, they live a good life...

I was at a conference once. The speaker said that she felt some people were feeling like this weekend was the last for them. If things didn't change, they were going to give up. She encouraged these people to come and lay themself at the alter. I was praying and opened my eyes to see so many people layed out... 35-40 people! At a conference of believers! My heart was crying out for these people that were hurting... they knew God but were lost... what of all the people that didn't know God?... all the lost souls... My heart was breaking... I felt one with Jesus... They know God but they don't know God.

Sometimes when I pray for a healing, the person is stuck and cannot believe they can be healed. They want to be healed and will have faith IF they are healed but usually don't have the blind faith before. Or hold onto that faith that God healed them after they are better. Most of these people are stuck in Religion and haven't been taught or haven't for themselves felt the Holy Spirit... and are usually afraid to find out.

I know I say this alot but it is true. We can save so many more souls if we can somehow get people to break open the box that churches have put God into. I have been meeting more and more people who say they talk to God but don't go to church and this makes them feel guilty. I usually tell them it's okay, that God wants them to talk to him, not only asking for things but all the time. I would tell them that church is good for fellowship and support, that maybe they can get together with friends and have a home meeting or maybe they should look into a different church or even religion that might be more appealing to them.

Humm... I'm getting a little off the study now but it is something I feel so strongly about.

[lizzie]

deetu

Its wonderful to see you doing this program

Ive been reading your posts and I thank you for sharing with us as you move forward on this journey. I saw you had a question that I had a long time ago. Please allow me to share some thoughts on that

I'm not sure if I agree with the soul telling the spirit what to do. I believe that the Spirit will tell me what to do.

I was kinda confused about this as well. Till I began to understand that our spirit is not the same as the Spirit of God. We all have a spirit indeed, given to us by God when He created us, but the Holy Spirit is God's Spirit and IS God.

The Spirit of God/Holy Spirit is who communicates with our spirits and leads us into truth. He came to dwell within us when we accepted Jesus. But even non-believers have a spirit tho they do not have the Holy Spirit within them.

Our spirit, the spirit of man, is what is directly influenced by our soul.

Hopefully i didnt confuse you any

As per your last post, I totally agree that a building is not needed for us to worship and praise God. He is with us always, always ready to talk, always ready to listen. Fellowship is definitely a gift, and there is strength in numbers, but its not the man made building that is important... God lives within us and we are the temples in which He dwells

This is my church here at the Oasis. May seem weird to some, but the Oasis is where i find Christian fellowship, where my soul and spirit are nourished and where I serve God... Same as a physical building in my eyes... even better in some ways, cuz if i went to a physical church, i would never have met you Being here allows me to meet people from all walks of live, all over the world

God is good

May He continue to bless you deetu and keep pushing ahead He is worth it

[mlg]

You know sis, this brings thoughts to mind of the verse that says If two or more are gathered together in His name so shall He be there. Problem with gatherings is that sometimes people just gather and forget to invite Him to join them. Sure is sad how people have become so lazy when it comes to truly being reverant in their fellowship with God.

Faith a big factor for sure. Gotta believe to receive, and the more faith you have the more amazing things God can and will perform thru and around you. He knows what He can do, and He doesn't need us to question what He is capable of. Why we do this, falls back on our lack of faith in Him. Gotta keep striving to build our faith daily, renewing ourself in Him.

Thanks for sharing today sis. Awesome thoughts.

luv ya

[deetu]

Hey, I was sitting here and this white dove landed on my shoulder with a white ribbon in it's mouth.

Thanks lizzie, that makes sense.

Tonight I went to a prayer group that was just starting. There were five of us meeting to refresh in the presence of the Lord.
One person was having trouble understanding dying to yourself. She thought that when you were born again, your old self would die.
I said that I used to swear, lie, tell off color jokes that I still did after I was born again but they started to disappear the more I walked with the Lord. These things that died would then leave room to be filled by the Holy Spirit. Renewed to overflowing in my new wineskin. Ha ha!

[deetu]

I did the study early because I have things to do tonight and didn't want to miss it.

I was raised in a church that had ordained priests. We were trained to show adoration toward these men and hold them in high regard but something always seemed off...missing...
We were taught to pray, crossing ourselves saying "In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost" (I would always skip over the Holy Ghost because it scared me) but I can never remember being taught that the Holy Spirit was inside of me.
There were rituals, repeated prayers, standing-sitting-kneeling-standing-sitting-standing... but no fulfillment. You used to mindlessly go through the ritual, thinking about all the other things you wanted to be doing instead.
Isaiah 29:13 "These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me."
Funny thing was, my parents didn't go to church, just dropped us off so we could go to Sunday school afterward. Needless to say, once I was old enough, I stopped going to church.
I never talked to God. Didn't know I could. Thought I was leading a pretty good life... after all, I never killed a person.
Hee hee, the things the enemy will tell you...

Anyway, after I was born again, God told me to volunteer at the hospital. I ignored it. He told me again..uh, more firmly. Yea, I ignored that too. Finally, I called the hospital and found out that they had a Spiritual Care Program that had volunteers spend time with patients, talking, encouraging and praying for them.
I remember the first patient I met with the Pastor. I thought, "Boy, this man is sick" Duhh...(couldn't find a smiley slapping himself in the side of the head, so just picture one)
God really knows what He is doing because I was put through a really trying time that first year of my walk and the hospital was the only thing that kept me together. It would have been sooo easy for me to have fallen away under this trial but I saw how God was working through me to reach and comfort other people. (thanking God my sister was also there for me)

Yesterday, I hugged a nurse that always looks forward to my hugs. God told me to ask her if she felt His love in my hugs and she said "Yes. Oh yes. Isn't it amazing how we don't know each other but are drawn to each other because of Him" I asked her about the worry He said she had which made her tear up. She said that she feels bad that she doesn't pray enough. I told her He knows her heart and understands... that she talks to Him all the time... that He loves her and is proud of her. I then told her that the enemy is the one putting those thoughts into her head knowing it upset her to toss them out whenever they try to come in and they we come less and less once the enemy realizes it no longer bothers her.
She thanked me, telling me that I couldn't know how much that meant to her and told me again later when she saw me. I told her I was just a conduit for God, giving His message. I feel He has a bigger plan for her. whoo hoo