The Oasis | Refuel

Paul instructs young pastor Timothy to confront and combat the false teaching rising up in his church by laying out from the Scripture what true godliness looks like in the life of a believer. The post <a href="http://theoasisaz.com/2016/10/learning-to-be-godly-and-content-1-timothy-6-2-10/">Learning To Be Godly and Content (1 Timothy 6:2-10)</a> first appeared on <a href=...

Paul lays out a number of areas where we must assume a responsibility to one another so that the church becomes strong and remains strong.  We must always keep in mind that our life is either positively or negatively impacting our fellow believers. The post <a href="http://theoasisaz.com/2016/10/our-responsibility-toward-one-another-1-timothy-5-17-6-2/">Our Responsibility Toward On...

The church must not lose it’s focus about it’s primary responsibility.  This is why Paul encourages this young pastor to set up parameters and boundaries on the situations of need that will arise from within the church. The post <a href="http://theoasisaz.com/2016/10/the-churchs-responsibility-1-timothy-5-1-16/">The Church’s Responsibility (1 Timothy 5:1-16)</a> f...

Many Christians become frustrated or get discouraged in trying to make progress spiritually.  But the Bible declares that our growth as believers will never be realized through trying but through the cultivation of spiritual disciplines.  Paul told Timothy, “train yourself for godliness.”  (1 Timothy 4:7) The post <a href="http://theoasisaz.com/2016/09/its-not-in-trying-its-in-...

So many Christians live such complacent lives that they are extremely susceptible to spiritual hazards and dangers.  Timothy is both to model, and to teach his people that only those who are continuously diligent and careful will be able to avoid the pitfalls that lie in our path. The post <a href="http://theoasisaz.com/2016/09/acknowledging-our-vulnerability-1-timothy-4-1-6/">Ackn...

Paul instructs this young pastor to teach his people just how important the local church is.  The church must be the place where God’s truth is proclaimed and protected.  Paul then reveals part of an early church worship song which includes the truth he has just spoken of. The post <a href="http://theoasisaz.com/2016/09/a-song-for-the-church-1-timothy-3-14-16/">A Song for the...

Paul gives this young pastor, Timothy, detailed instructions regarding who should be serving in the local church.  The focus is clearly on the quality and character of the servant and the necessity to be taught and trained before one begins serving. The post <a href="http://theoasisaz.com/2016/09/standards-for-those-who-serve-1-timothy-3-1-13/">Standards for Those Who Serve (1 Timo...

Paul lays out for Pastor Timothy how his church can build an atmosphere and environment of prayer.  Prayer is so important because it invites God into each and every situation we are praying about. The post <a href="http://theoasisaz.com/2016/08/a-house-of-prayer-1-timothy-2-1-8/">A House of Prayer (1 Timothy 2:1-8)</a> first appeared on <a href="http://theoasisaz.com...

Paul shares his personal testimony to remind all of us that we are a unique demonstration of the reality and character of God.  Each of us can become an encouragement for others to place their faith in Christ when they see the undeniable proof of God’s activity in our own lives. The post <a href="http://theoasisaz.com/2016/08/being-gods-showpiece-1-timothy-1-15-20/">Being God...

Paul shares his own personal testimony as a reminder to all of us of the grace and mercy of God.  It is recognition of God’s compassion in our lives that should motivate and inspire our faithful service to Him. The post <a href="http://theoasisaz.com/2016/08/the-testimony-of-paul-1-timothy-1-8-14/">The Testimony of Paul (1 Timothy 1:8-14)</a> first appeared on <a hre...

The church has been appointed by God as the place where God’s Word is proclaimed as well as protected.  Within the church, we should have the checks and balances necessary to keep ourselves on track.  We must adhere to God’s message rather than becoming preoccupied with that which doesn’t accomplish God’s purpose. The post <a href="http://theoasisaz.com/2016/08/the-...

The apostle John reminds us of the truth that we should know as believers.  This knowledge is the fuel and foundation for our life and service in Jesus Christ.  If we already know these things, then let us be reassured of them.  These are John’s final thoughts in this letter to those he loves. The post <a href="http://theoasisaz.com/2016/06/what-every-follower-of-christ-should-know-1...

The apostle John encourages his readers by reminding them of the reward of maintaining unbroken fellowship with God. The benefit of our fellowship is both now and in the future. There is great motivation for being in fellowship with God at all times. The post <a href="http://theoasisaz.com/2016/06/the-reward-of-fellowship-1-john-4-14-19/">The Reward of Fellowship (1 John 4:14 -19)&...

Though many people believe they know what love is, John sets the record straight in this passage.  God defines what love is so we must become acquainted with God’s revelation on love in order to truly understand love ourselves. The post <a href="http://theoasisaz.com/2016/06/a-lesson-on-love-1-john-4-7-12/">A Lesson On Love (1 John 4:7-12)</a> first appeared on <a hr...

We, as believers in Jesus Christ, do not fight for victory but from victory.  Our God is greater than anything we will ever face so our fellowship with Him provides us with all we need to be over-comers. The post <a href="http://theoasisaz.com/2016/06/living-in-victory-1-john-4-4-7/">Living In Victory (1 John 4:4-7)</a> first appeared on <a href="http://theoasisaz.com...

Why Do Christians Have Trials? – with guest speaker Brian Tammany The post <a href="http://theoasisaz.com/2016/06/why-do-christians-have-trials/">Why Do Christians Have Trials?</a> first appeared on <a href="http://theoasisaz.com">The Oasis</a>.

The apostle John relates how we must stay vigilant in order to remain in continual fellowship with God.  There is so much false doctrine and false teaching that can lead us away from our privileged position.  It is only through continual testing of what we hear that enables us to stay on track. The post <a href="http://theoasisaz.com/2016/05/spiritual-discernment-1-john-4-1-4/">Spi...

The apostle John talks about the importance of being in the presence of God. Our life and ministry should be founded upon and fueled by our time in God’s presence. The post <a href="http://theoasisaz.com/2016/05/in-his-presence-1-john-3-21-24/">In His Presence (1 John 3:21 – 24)</a> first appeared on <a href="http://theoasisaz.com">The Oasis</a>.

If love is the standard of behavior for followers of Jesus Christ, then what is that kind of love and how is it expressed?  Love has many positive results not only for the ones loved but for those who are loving. The post <a href="http://theoasisaz.com/2016/05/what-is-love-1-john-3-16-20/">What Is Love? (1 John 3:16 – 20)</a> first appeared on <a href="http://theoasis...

According to the apostle John, the most evident way to practice righteousness is to love.  The love we demonstrate for one another as God’s children counterbalances the hatred of the world.  This hatred against the righteous has been manifested from the beginning of time. The post <a href="http://theoasisaz.com/2016/05/the-gospel-is-love-1-john-3-11-15/">The Gospel Is Love (1...

In this passage, John declares that a lifestyle of sin or a lifestyle of righteousness is founded upon whose children we are:  children of God or of the devil.  One cannot truly be a child of God without one’s lifestyle reflecting that relationship. The post <a href="http://theoasisaz.com/2016/04/our-lives-reveal-whose-we-are-1-john-3-7-10/">Our Lives Reveal Whose We Are (1 J...

According to John, the mission of Jesus was to “take away sins.”  This speaks of more than forgiveness and pardon.  It refers to the lifting off of one the burden of sin and the power through Christ one has to triumph over sin.  When one resides in God, we can overcome sin in our lives and […] The post <a href="http://theoasisaz.com/2016/04/the-mission-of-jesus-1-john-3-4...

At this point in the letter, John wants us to pause and ponder the significance of being a child of God.  We need to think about what this means and what we have to look forward to as those who have been supernaturally adopted into God’s family. The post <a href="http://theoasisaz.com/2016/04/the-significance-of-being-a-child-of-god-1-john-3-1-3/">The Significance of Being A...

The apostle John urges the recipients of this letter to continue living in close connection with Jesus.  It is our fellowship or lack of it that will determine our response when we stand face to face with our Lord one day.  Our consistent lifestyle, which characterizes our lives, proves in time the spiritual reality of one’s life. The post <a href="http://theoasisaz.com/2016/04/prepa...

The apostle John strongly admonishes the recipients of this letter to stick with the fundamental truths they were taught from the beginning of their spiritual journey and not to deviate from this path.  If another path is taken, spiritual disaster will result.  We must all stay on course. The post <a href="http://theoasisaz.com/2016/03/stay-on-course-1-john-2-24-27/">Stay On Course...