Oasis of Relief

It’s a great feeling when our favorite movie character who has been suffering in the desert sees a green area in the distance. Their laughter of relief cannot be held back as they eventually lie in the shade beside the little spring-fed pool and drinks the water. The Lord has made us into a church for the purpose of being an oasis for the relief of our community. The church is a spiritual oasis but not everyone can see how it will help. Most people in the world will not respond to their need for spiritual water. However, the church is available to deliver living water to any repentant individual. The Bible says: God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. (2 Cor 1:3-4 NLT). Water is freely given for salvation and also to refresh our daily lives. 

Offering living water to the world is the perfect work that the Lord has given to us. There are believers who want the relief our Lord gives but they will not comfort other people. Jesus is certainly disappointed with them. We are responsible to be a member of the Church that is continually ready to provide relief for some other person. Many Americans have the wrong idea of spiritual comfort. We tend to think of a couple of pillows and the recliner but that is not the biblical idea. Comfort in the original language means “encouragement.” There are many different jobs in the church but every Christian must learn to encourage others. This includes cheering up some, sponsoring others, or simply encouraging people in general.

The relief that Christians provide to others may not be rewarded here on earth. However, we can rest assured that it will be worth it all someday. Paul tells us without a doubt: We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us. (2 Cor 1:7 NLT). We must work to be an overcomer so that we can enjoy the encouragement of our Lord. The mercy of God is not a recliner; it is for those who desire God enough to put their lives on the line for Him. It may be difficult to accept the fact that we receive more encouragement only as we have more suffering. The people of the church have collectively endured much for Jesus. We must be ready to comfort others at any time. 

The body of believers is an oasis for relief from many fears. At the same time, Christians are to live in the fear of the Lord. There is a great difference between our many negative fears and the positive fear of God. The Bible says: The church then had peace … and it became stronger as the believers lived in the fear of the Lord. And with the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, it also grew in numbers. (Acts 9:31 NLT). In this verse we see an example of the comfort of the Holy Spirit in the Church. This encouragement came to the people as they feared the Lord. This type of fear is an attitude that encourages our righteous living and reverence of our God. It is the same attitude that motivates us to lead others to salvation. 

Collectively, the church contains a large share of the understanding that is taught in the Scriptures. People needing spiritual relief certainly require this collective wisdom in their lives. Paul said it like this: Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.  (Romans 15:4-6 NLT). The Lord is giving us everything as a group and it is right that we encourage each other toward the goal. When a person comes to this spiritual oasis they deserve a collective effort for their relief. Some people have their own agendas and do not contribute to the work of God as the Spirit directs the family group. The Church is a haven when the believers conform to Jesus Christ by the leading of the Spirit.

The greatest hope on earth is the return of Jesus for His family. The Church will all go together into Heaven and will no longer be represented on this earth. We should be doubling our efforts to bring other people to the Savior. God has always been on our side. Paul advises us: For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. (1 Thess 5:9-11 NLT). What a relief it is to be with people who are continually building us up. The world is a very harsh environment for Christians. We must encourage each other.

The church holds forth the Gospel and together we look forward to our trip home. Here is our instruction:  Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. So encourage each other with these words. (1 Thess 4:17-18 NLT). The raptured Church family, physically both the dead and the living, will leave this earth as one single group. We must tell our friends about our spiritual oasis so that they might join us and drink the living water! A reverent fear of God is a good thing and it is part of the redemption plan that will give us victory. It will draw us together into the oasis so that we can be of help to all people.

Steadfast Christian

The steadfast Christian is the very best of the Savior’s family. This person is unwavering in their dedication to God. They are committed for life because everything else has been abandoned and their bridges have been burnt. This Christian is totally loyal and can be depended upon in any and all situations. Every steadfast follower of Jesus Christ will gladly be faithful unto death. Many different things can contribute to this most excellent life style. This proposal will use the word “stead” to outline its recommendations. Webster says that this word means “a place, occupied by a substitute”. In other words, in the case of a Christian, something has taken the place of our old nature. Our old fallen nature will always fail when we depend on it for our righteousness. Yes, in salvation we do receive a new nature and it has great potential. But we do not automatically become “a steadfast person”. Hopefully, we can learn something about building a faithful life as we construct an acrostic with the word “STEAD.”

“Seeing” the purpose of God in our life. Do we believe that our life can be steadfast? When the children of Israel were told to enter the Promised Land they refused. They were afraid and could not see what God was offering to them. A Christian must “see” or believe that Jesus through the Spirit will grow their new life into a powerhouse of steadfastness. Can we believe, without doubt, that God’s power can operate inside of us: Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Phil 2:12-13 (NLT) After the men of Israel all died in the wilderness, their children came again to the Promised Land. This time they believed God and poured into the Land, conquering everything in their path. My friends, do we stand in front of our new life with a fear that keeps us from being a great Christian. If we have been in the wilderness for any length of time then let us rise up and believe that God will give us victories as we live a great Christian life. “Seeing is believing.”

“Trusting” the Spirit of Christ completely. We all say “I trust Jesus” but then we go about our life and do not obey His commands. We are not being obedient when we live our life in some worldly pattern that blends in with everyone else. When we follow the savior we will stand apart. How can we really trust Jesus when we are not living in the way He wants for us? The trusting life that Jesus wants for us is about how well we obey Him. Someone said that the most we will ever be like Jesus is when we are obeying God completely. We show our trust in Jesus when we obey in the same way He did. Trust Jesus to make us faithful by the power of the Spirit. Step out in faith and obey every day. Although we don’t live our new life for rewards, Jesus made it clear that trusting in Him through obedience is of great value. One of His parables says: “Well done!’ the king exclaimed. ‘You are a good servant. You have been faithful with the little I entrusted to you, so you will be governor of ten cities as your reward.” Luke 19:17 (NLT) The Spirit of Christ is continually telling us what God wants and we must learn to trust Him with our life.

“Expecting” victory in our life is necessary. Sitting in church and believing God will be victorious is easy but accomplishes nothing. But it will take courage to get up and do something in faith, expecting that God will guide us into victory. We cannot be steadfast if we do not expect victory’s in faith. If we have any sin in our life we may have some victory but God will not accept any glory from it. A Christian must only expect a victory that brings glory to God. Paul told some Christians that; As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ. 2 Cor 9:13 (NLT) In this verse we also observe that the expected victory brings glory because these people were obedient to God. Many people today feel that just living a regular life is all that is necessary for God. That is not good enough. Paul said: I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. Phil 3:12 (NLT) We must push forward in faith and live for God like we mean it. Victories are possible.

“Accepting” the life that God has for us. Many people have studied the Bible and know everything about living for God. But they are not doing it. It seems that only a few believers have accepted the Gospel as their complete way of life. Most people today have been sidetracked into things of this world that interest them. We only have one life to live and when it is over only the life lived in God will have any meaning. It would be a terrible thing to end this life with an eternity of regret. Accepting the new life takes bravery and certainly the help of God.  Jesus said that the new life would be possible: Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more… When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. John 16:10-13 (NLT) The Spirit stands ready to help if we will only allow his ways into our life. It is important to our salvation that we accept the responsibilities of our new life. Every Christian at some point in time must accept the role as their brother’s keeper. To deny this role is to tear the heart out of our local church.

“Desire” is the power that drives Christians. The requirements of our new life cannot be met with our own power. We must have the desire that the Spirit can generate inside of us. Why were the sick that Jesus healed so ready to trust Him? Those people knew their own helpless position and they desired a change in their life. My friend, if we want to live with God our position is absolutely hopeless unless we become His servant. There must be a pure desire in us in order to serve God and to please Him. Real faith is only as strong as our desire. We can improve our desire by obeying everything Jesus has told us. As we are obeying, the Spirit in us gives us more desire because this is one of the reasons He lives in us. This brings us back to steadfast Christians. May the Lord show us how that a righteous life is a great plan! Also, that we must get up and do things fully believing that the Spirit will lead us. May we expect the Lord to work in our life if we accept everything the Spirit has for us. We should be able to say, “I long to serve God and with my whole heart I will seek Him.”