Oasis of Life Church

25/06/2024

*You Have the Responsibility.*

2 Timothy 2:1-3

In 1 Timothy 6:12, Paul calls on believers to ´fight the good fight of faith.´ Like first-century Christians, believers today are in a three-front war against the flesh, the world system, and Satan. The military metaphor is a good reminder that believers must prepare for daily spiritual battle. A good soldier ... Is strong in Christ. Paul knew that the Lord stood by his side and strengthened him during trials (2 Tim. 4:17). The Holy Spirit provides the courage and power to obey God´s commands, so we can rely upon His might to carry us to victory against any enemy.

Shares knowledge. The church possesses not only the good news about salvation; it has all the riches of God´s Word. Many people have listened to biblical teaching and experienced the Lord interceding in their lives. To keep those lessons to oneself can leave unbelievers in harm´s way and deprive fellow Christians of necessary wisdom. Suffers willingly. Hardship is part of combat and, therefore, part of the Christian experience. Believers will endure adversity and be asked to make sacrifices. It is little wonder, then, that Paul reminds Timothy to stand strong in the Lord and to uphold others (2 Tim. 2:1-2).

Remember Jesus Christ´ (2 Tim. 2:8). Keep in mind that you serve an omnipotent Lord. He stands beside you, takes part in your suffering, and holds you securely through the most formidable battles.

_Fifth a good fight of faith and remain blessed._

*Rev. Gift Chirwa*

18/06/2024

*The Power of Positivity*

*Matthew 22:35-40*
_Jesus told His disciples, ´In everything ... treat people the same way you want them to treat you´ (Matt. 7:12). Most of us refer to this code of conduct as the Golden Rule._

In theory, we´d probably agree that this is a good foundation for a healthy relationship. Yet it´s tough to live up to such a standard. If we made a list of the ways we hope to be treated and compared it with our own behavior, we´d likely fall short. And of course, it´s easy to love when others treat us well. But how do we respond when their behavior is hurtful or unpleasant? The truth is, Jesus meant for us to love others all the time, not just when they´re lovable. Regardless of their attitude toward us, we are to think about the relationship qualities we value—like loyalty, trust, encouragement, forgiveness, acceptance, and protection—and let these flow from us in the other person´s direction. Unfortunately, our society breeds selfishness, greed, and pride, which are enemies of the love Jesus commanded. But when we care for others in the way the Lord prescribes, relationships can thrive and deepen. Treating others with this kind of love isn´t natural or easy, especially when people are unkind. In fact, loving as Jesus commanded is impossible on our own. But when we trust Christ as Savior, the Holy Spirit empowers us and lives His life through us.

Take time to list the ways you hope others will treat you. Then ask, Is that how I treat people? Pray for God to reveal one area where He will help you apply the Golden Rule.

_Stay blessed and always winn._

*Rev Gift Chirwa*

25/05/2024

*You have all the Abilities in God.*

Luke 6:29 says that to turn the other cheek and give up more than is asked because expressing love outweighs exerting our rights.
_You can´t lose when you show others the boundless care of the Lord._
You gain His blessing, and what´s more, someone could be saved because of your example.
Romans 5:1-5 Not only is Christ the source of genuine hope; He is also the restorer of lost hope.
Unless we´re vigilant in guarding our perspective, many situations can erode optimism and trust. Biblical principles are the best defense against such discouragement.When difficult circumstances are unrelenting, life can seem devoid of joy and meaning.
But Romans 5:1-5 tells us that God has a much different take on the value of trials.
We are eager for our Father to just fix the problem or relieve the suffering, but He has an eternal goal in mind. His purpose in trials is to produce character in us, which will lead to hope, not disappointment. Personal failure is another thief of hope.
Sometimes discouragement results when we come short of our own expectations. This may be evidence that we have trusted in our own abilities and plans rather than in the Lord´s. Remember that ´our adequacy is from God´ (2 Corinthians 3:5).

At other times we might lose hope because, despite our efforts, we cannot live a victorious Christian life. Old flesh patterns may seem to be winning the battle.
But just as the failure originates within us, so does the solution—with the indwelling Holy Spirit.
If we surrender to His authority and live in reliance upon Him, He will begin to transform us from the inside out.

_Let love lead_
Have a blessed weekend

*Rev. Gift Chirwa*

23/05/2024

*The secret of Love*

While salvation is a one-time event, sanctification is a lifelong adventure.
And though the Lord sees believers as righteous, we still have the capacity to sin.
Thankfully, God´s Spirit guides and empowers us to become more like Jesus, and as we yield to Him, our behavior and thoughts will change.

_1 Corinthians 13:4-6_ Love ´does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth´ (1 Corinthians 13:6).
This means believers are´t to dwell on the harm others cause and write them off as hopeless, despicable criminals. Love enables us to hate the evil unjustly visited upon the innocent while valuing the one who committed the act.
More simply, we hate the sin but love the sinner.

In spite of everything that seems apparent about someone who´s been driven to sinful actions, God has created him or her with the potential to be made into something good.
Outwardly, it may seem as if a difficult upbringing, poor treatment, or negative influence has corrupted a person´s morality and worldview beyond repair.
For such individuals, the capacity to love and rise above circumstances can get buried so deep that it may seem nonexistent. God still considers the most evil and corrupt person worth saving.
How do I know this is true?
Because in John 3:16—one of the very first verses we teach children—He said that whoever believes in God´s Son will have eternal life.
Many of us are guilty of thinking we deserve His love because we look good compared to those we deem unlovable. But God doesn´t work that way.
He loves every single person, no matter how awful his or her sin may be.

_Remain blessed._

*Rev Gift Chirwa*

14/02/2024

*The process of Faith*

*Hebrews 11:32-40*
Although most of us would love to have the heroic faith of the men and women mentioned in Hebrews 11, few of us are willing to go through the process God uses to develop this kind of trust. We love reading about the great victories and accomplishments of those who relied upon the Lord, but we cringe at the descriptions in verses 36-38. Though none of us want to go through horrible situations, God uses adversity to purify our faith.

Picture the Lord as a master sculptor standing before a block of marble—that slab is you! Envisioning the hidden work of art within the rock, He lovingly and carefully chips away at everything that does not fit the masterpiece He´s creating. One of the first areas the Lord deals with is your character. His goal is to shape you into the image of His Son, and there are some traits and attitudes that must be chipped away in order for Him to accomplish the task. His chisel lays bare roots of sin and selfishness. When anything or anyone becomes more important to us than the Lord, we have an idol in our life. To protect us, God sometimes uses adversity to strip away everything we have relied upon so that we will cling only to Him.

The chisel hurts—it sometimes feels as if God is taking away everything we hold dear. Unless you understand His goal and believe He´s working for your good, you´ll think He´s cruel. But if you trust Him and yield to His shaping tool of adversity, your faith will be purified and strengthened through affliction.

_Stay blessed._

*Rev Gift Chirwa*

12/02/2024

*Understanding Love*

*Luke 15:11-32*

In Jesus’ day, three Greek words were used to express `love`—eros (physical intimacy), philia (friendship), and agape (fruit produced by the Holy Spirit, as listed in Galatians 5:22-23).
Our heavenly Father cares for us with agape love, and to bring us into a right relationship with Him, He sacrificed His Son (1 John 4:10).
The parable of the prodigal son gives us a good example of this type of love. Agape is evident in our life when we:

Respond calmly to difficulties. To the son’s untimely demand for his share of the inheritance, the father didn’t reply with angry words about ungrateful children. Though the prodigal’s attitude must have caused pain, the man held his tongue and did not retaliate. In calmness, he could think more clearly and chose to love (1 Corinthians 13:4-5). Sacrifice without complaint. Though he knew his son was committed to a ruinous course, the father quietly fulfilled the request. In doing so, he chose the way of love, directing his efforts towards preserving their relationship.

Wait patiently. Out of deep affection, the father let his son leave and stay away. What heartache the man must have felt! Yet he remained hopeful and waited for the young man to recognize that sin cannot deliver what it has promised.
This patient response is possible only through the power of agape love (1 Corinthians 13:4). The Holy Spirit’s work in our life empowers us to show selfless and sacrificial devotion to the development of another person. In that way, we become people who respond calmly, patiently, and without complaint. Which kind of emotion do you offer to others, human or divine?

_Check yourself_

*Rev Gift Chirwa*

06/02/2024

*MEDITATION*

Psalm 145:1-5

*_How can we quiet distractions long enough to hear God’s voice?_*

The key is found within a word that may make you comfortable.

*Meditation* .
Perhaps you’re thinking, All that meditation stuff is what other religions call 'finding yourself.'

*_Meditation is not about listening to yourself on the contrary, it is about quieting your own mind and listening for the gentle whispers of the Lord._*

Think about your prayer life.
Whose voice is more prominent, yours or the Father’s?

It is mostly important to have time for meditation that will take you to higher encounter with God and cause you to spent time thinking and talking with God.

The time spend listening to God is a good indication of how much we respect and enjoy the relationship with God.
If we dominate the conversation, then we may be showing God by our actions that His opinions are as important as our own.

Take your good time listening to God. Commit to listen quietly for what He wants to share with you.

_God bless you as you take your good time meditating on the word of the Lord._

*Rev Gift Chirwa*

02/02/2024

*How to hear from God.*

*2 Samuel 7:18-22*

King David spent much of his time alone with God, offering praise and thanksgiving. He also listened as the Lord revealed truth and offered insight about the future. Because of what he learned, David was able to set goals and stay aligned with them.

Most of the time it is most important to remain silent, listening intently for God’s voice. Asked Him to speak to you regarding your life.

Let’s discuss how to establish aims in this manner. First, come before the throne of almighty God with a repentant heart, praise, and thanksgiving. Then, ask Him for direction in areas such as spiritual life, career, and family. In silence, wait patiently and attentively—as you read and meditate upon God’s Word, He will speak. Most often, His guidance is experienced as a prodding or conviction in the heart. When that happens, be sure to write down what you’re learning so you can review it later.

In order to stay on the path God intends for our life, we should plan times to stop, ask, and listen for guidance. The world throws confusing messages at us all day long, and we need to check our course frequently. These conversations with the Lord are vital for a thriving life of godly impact.

_Have a great weekend_ .

*Rev Gift Chirwa*

03/01/2024