The Oasis | Refuel

This account of Paul’s journey to Rome reminds us that God is in the minutest details of our lives and that He will see to it that we are protected and provided with what we need to do His will.  We are also reminded just how unique His will is for each of us and how we should embrace His […] The post <a href="http://theoasisaz.com/2015/02/paul-finally-arrives-in-rome-acts-28-1...

We encounter the many twists and turns as Paul sailed to Italy. His journey contains many great spiritual principles that will profit us today.  It is also a reminder that in each of life’s trials something spiritually beneficial can be gained from the experience. The post <a href="http://theoasisaz.com/2015/02/pauls-voyage-to-rome-acts-27-1-44/">Paul’s Voyage to Rome (Acts 2...

Following in the long line of opportunities God has granted Paul to share his testimony is Agrippa, the great grandson of Herod, the Great  (the ruler who sought to destroy any rival to his throne by murdering the children of Bethlehem).  Even in this meeting we are reminded of the futility of resisting or opposing […] The post <a href="http://theoasisaz.com/2015/02/pauls-witness-to-...

God was going to bring Paul safely to Rome but not in the way Paul would have imagined. There were many twists and turns along the way which would allow Paul to be a witness to people that in no other way would have crossed paths with Paul. Our journey in life is very similar. […] The post <a href="http://theoasisaz.com/2015/02/encounters-along-the-way-acts-25-1-27/">Encounte...

Paul is given opportunity to testify of his faith in Christ to the governor. There is much encouragement here for those who seek to share the gospel with others. We are only responsible to share with others what Christ has done in our lives. We are never held responsible by God for their response. The post <a href="http://theoasisaz.com/2015/01/pauls-witness-to-felix-acts-24-1-27/"&gt...

Tuesday, January 20, 2015  –  Paul’s Testimony To The Sanhedrin  (Acts 23:1-35) Paul is given an opportunity to address the leaders of his nation.  This occasion did not end the way he would have desired and he even may have felt as if he had failed.  How would Jesus respond to Paul in the moment? The post <a href="http://theoasisaz.com/2015/01/pauls-testimony-to-the-sanhedrin-...

Paul Shares His Conversion  (Acts 22:1-30) God had revealed His plan for Paul right from the start.  (Acts 9:15-16)  However, just like us, he didn’t know every detail or twist or turn.  He had to learn to trust God and we have to do the same. The post <a href="http://theoasisaz.com/2015/01/paul-shares-his-conversion-acts-22-1-30/">Paul Shares His Conversion (Acts 22:1-30)&lt...

Tuesday, January 6, 2014  –  Paul’s Journey to Jerusalem  (Acts 21:1-40) Luke recounts the similarities between what Paul was enduring as he sought to reach his fellow Jews with the gospel and what Jesus endured in seeking to do the same.  This chapter highlights the truth of Jesus teaching that a disciple is not above his teacher.  […] The post <a href="http://theoasisaz...

“Why We Celebrate Christmas” Many people observe Christmas,  but do they really celebrate it? The post <a href="http://theoasisaz.com/2014/12/why-we-celebrate-christmas/">Why We Celebrate Christmas</a> first appeared on <a href="http://theoasisaz.com">The Oasis</a>.

Knowing that he would never see these leaders of the church in Ephesus ever again, Paul’s final exhortation summarizes the key aspects that each spiritual leader should continually be aware of to fulfill the calling God has entrusted to us. The post <a href="http://theoasisaz.com/2014/12/pauls-appeal-to-spiritual-leaders-acts-20-25-38/">Paul’s Appeal to Spiritual Leaders (Act...

Many Christians tend to view the Apostle Paul as a task oriented person.  Yet here in this chapter, we discover the tenderness of Paul’s heart toward others.  As we minister ,especially over time, we can develop a hard heart towards others.  Paul allowed God over time to create a heart like Christ’s for those around […] The post <a href="http://theoasisaz.com/2014/12/the-...

In Acts Chapter 19, we have documented for us the more significant moments of Paul and his team of missionaries who ministered in Ephesus.  May their faithfulness to God’s calling inspire us to be faithful to what god has assigned to us. The post <a href="http://theoasisaz.com/2014/12/pauls-ministry-in-the-city-of-ephesus-acts-191-41/">Paul’s Ministry In The City of Ephesus (...

We can learn so much when we consider the lives of the people God was working in and working through here in the book of Acts.  Disciples of Jesus are continually being reproduced as was God’s design for His followers all along.   The post <a href="http://theoasisaz.com/2014/11/the-principles-of-life-changing-ministry-acts-181-28/">The Principles of Life Changing Ministry (Ac...

Luke continues to chronicle for us their missionary efforts.  In this chapter, we see the Word of God taking hold in Thessalonica, Berea, and Athens.  We should not the different approach the missionaries took depending on their audience. The post <a href="http://theoasisaz.com/2014/11/bringing-light-into-the-darkness-acts-171-34/">Bringing Light Into The Darkness (Acts 17:1-34)&lt...

In this chapter we find the details of Paul’s second missionary journey. It is a journey that reveals the greatness of God’s plan for those who will follow Him. It is not an easy road, but it is a path in which one will experience things that only a life of faith can produce. The post <a href="http://theoasisaz.com/2014/11/the-greatness-of-gods-plan-acts-161-40/">The Gr...

For many, this chapter may not seem significant, but what took place in this chapter forever shaped church doctrine. It could have been used by our spiritual enemy to get God’s people forever off course, but thanks to the leadership of Holy Spirit-filled people, the church met the challenge before them. We would do well […] The post <a href="http://theoasisaz.com/2014/11/dealin...

Acts 14 offers us details about the conclusion of Paul and Barnabas’ first missionary outreach. Like all responsibilities we assume in life, this text reminds of the importance of finishing well what we started. The post <a href="http://theoasisaz.com/2014/10/pressing-toward-the-finish-line-acts-141-28/">Pressing Toward The Finish Line (Acts 14:1-28)</a> first appeared...

This chapter is devoted to the details of Paul and Barnabas’ first missionary journey. There were days of joy and days of pain. Yet, through it all, one thing is clear. There is nothing on earth that can compare to placing ourselves in God’s hands and watching Him work through such feeble and fragile vessels. The post <a href="http://theoasisaz.com/2014/10/mission-incomparable-...

With James being murdered and Peter being imprisoned, the church could have sunk into despair. However, by staying connected to God through prayer, the followers of Christ learned that God is greater than any challenge or trial we will ever face. The post <a href="http://theoasisaz.com/2014/10/god-is-bigger-than-anyone-or-anything-acts-121-25/">God Is Bigger Than Anyone Or Anything...

In Acts 11, we learn that God will stretch His people at times beyond their own comfort zone. These times will be great opportunities for witnessing and spiritual growth. The post <a href="http://theoasisaz.com/2014/10/the-church-extended-acts-111-30/">The Church Extended (Acts 11:1-30)</a> first appeared on <a href="http://theoasisaz.com">The Oasis</a>.

This chapter recounts the barriers that God was breaking down between Jew and Gentile and what characterizes a beautiful life from God’s perspective. God was at work preparing hearts. Are we allowing God to prepare ours? The post <a href="http://theoasisaz.com/2014/09/living-a-beautiful-life-acts-101-48/">Living A Beautiful Life (Acts 10:1-48)</a> first appeared on <...

We have in Acts, Chapter 9, the salvation of Saul who became Paul, one of the greatest missionaries of all time as well as the author of most of the New Testament. May his conversion inspire us all. The post <a href="http://theoasisaz.com/2014/09/a-turning-point-in-church-history-acts-91-43/">A Turning Point In Church History (Acts 9:1-43)</a> first appeared on <a href=&qu...

This chapter reflects the importance of individual ministry and also reminds us how influential, good or bad, one individual can be. The post <a href="http://theoasisaz.com/2014/09/the-power-of-one-acts-81-46/">The Power of One (Acts 8:1-46)</a> first appeared on <a href="http://theoasisaz.com">The Oasis</a>.

This chapter highlights how one individual totally devoted to God can be used by Him to impact the world. The world may dismiss and even murder God’s messengers but God’s mission and message prevail. The post <a href="http://theoasisaz.com/2014/09/gods-message-through-stephen-acts-71-60/">God’s Message Through Stephen (Acts 7:1-60)</a> first appeared on <a href...

We discover in this chapter of Acts the many challenges when the early followers of Christ experienced growth. There are great lessons in being a leader that can be gleaned from this passage of Scripture. The post <a href="http://theoasisaz.com/2014/09/the-challenges-that-growth-brings-acts-6-1-15/">The Challenges That Growth Brings (Acts 6: 1-15)</a> first appeared on <a...