Discovering the God-dream for your life is so important to our fulfillment.
It may take you some time to figure it out.
Of course one of the important elements is having mature Christian leadership to give you wisdom and help interpret your plans.

Here are some guidelines that will help you with immediate decisions and plans as well as the big picture ideas.

1. Desire His Will Above Anything Else
Be willing to accept and act on what God makes clear to you – no matter how different it is from your ideas and dreams.

2. Pursue God’s Personal Direction in Prayer and Bible Reading
There is not always a verse that will address your specific circumstances but the values of God’s Word should guide your decisions.

Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path. Psalm 119:105 NIV

3. Interpreting Opportunities and Circumstances
Pray for wisdom and ask for help from mature spiritual leaders – when trying to interpret the circumstances in your life. The steps you take now will lead you toward God’s best if you honor His Word in your choices.

And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, 10 that you may approve the things that are excellent…
Philippians 1:9-10 NKJV

4. Know That God’s Plan is Perfect for You 
Do not be afraid to follow His leading. His will is the BEST plan for your life.

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

5.  Find the ‘Peace Factor’
It’s important to find peace in your heart in pursuing God’s will.

You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; Isaiah 55:12 NIV

Let the peace of Christ rule in your heart… Colossians 3:15-17 NIV

6.  The ‘two or three witnesses’ Principle
Don’t just jump out and make a decision based on one ‘sign’ that God is leading you. Get 2 or 3 confirming ‘signs’ that this is a good direction.

…so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.Matthew 18:16 NIV

"Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses." 
2 Corinthians 13:1 NIV

Here is a list of things that could help confirm God’s leading:
1.  Is there a strong spiritual desire in your heart?
2.  Does the scripture confirm your decisions?
3.  Are the circumstances right?
4.  Does your pastor or other mature leaders affirm your plan?
5.  Is the timing the best?

Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.
Proverbs 15:22 NIV

7.  The importance of How We Fulfill His Will, is Just as Important as What His Will is
Once you are clear about God’s direction, the ‘how’ you do it is just as important.  Don’t force an action that divides or wounds others.  Maybe God’s desire is clear but the timing is for a month or two down the road.

I’ve noticed some conversation in the media lately that goes something like this, “People believe in Jesus but not the church.”

Newsweek Magazine picked up on this with an article entitled, “Forget The Church, Follow Jesus.”  There are some good comments in this article but the article in itself is not really the issue.  It’s the overall ‘vibe’ of the public conversation about the local church.  There are many assessments and assumptions made that are just not accurate nor are they fair.

When people start talking trash about the church – I get protective - not defensive, protective.  I want to protect the reputation of church as I would want to protect the perception about a friend who is being criticized about their attitudes, actions or motivations. 

I want to protect how she’s treated. People can ‘think’ whatever they want, but to speak those opinions or judgments out loud is wrong because they can be damaging and add to an opinion that is inaccurate.  

Pastors for years, have heard comments from people like, “I love Jesus, I just don’t like the church.”

Some thoughts to consider…

1. We have to recognize that Jesus loves the church.
When giving instructions about marriage in Ephesians 5, Apostle Paul tells us that Jesus loves the church, laid down His life for her, cleansed her, cares for her and becomes one with her. Then Paul says husbands should do the same for their wife.

How do we find ourselves so free to criticize or minimize the significance of the church?

I believe if you love Jesus, you must love whom He loves. He loves the lost, He loves the hurting, He loves those who follow Him and He loves the church.

2.  The “local church” is the hope of the world. 
It carries no weight to say ‘I love the global church’ but have no commitment or dedication to a local church. It’s like someone saying they play professional basketball but they are just not part of any one particular team. It makes no sense.

God plans to use the church to reveal His awesome plan to humanity.

His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, (Ephesians 3:7-12).

Jesus said, “on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.  Matthew 16:18 NIV

The challenge is this:
As believers, we have to be careful not to let our criticisms against churches add to the public dismissal of church’s significance or relevance.

Criticisms from one church leader against other churches or leaders because of their style, method, and lack of emphasis on topics important to the critic, often diminish the authenticity of the accused church and the church as a whole.

In an interview with Bono, I heard him accuse “the church” of neglecting the poor. It was said as if this were an understood fact. While I commend Bono for his humanitarian efforts, it does sound a bit arrogant on his part to make a public judgment on that level.

I don’t know where he has attended church.  Perhaps he has had some negative experiences. I don’t know if he gives any financial support to churches that he has a connection with so they can actually help the poor.   

But what I do know is, that the churches I know and the pastors I associate with are heavily invested in giving to the poor, orphans and widows, HIV Aids victims, giving aid to the homeless and responding to world and community crisis.

So I reject these assumptions and assessments of “the church” that are expressed, not just by Bono but others. One only needs to mention one church – Salvation Army – to offer an exception to this misguided opinion.

3.  The church is made up of people. 
Flawed people. People like you and me are in the church. I have made mistakes and you have made mistakes. This reality makes it possible for others (also flawed) to join us. As a pastor, I have made mistakes in trying to lead our church.

The church is an organization of imperfect people who are accepting of other imperfect people who begin to understand they have a purpose, and together, try to make a difference in the world.

4.  People hurt people.
"The church really hurt me."
There is no such thing as the church hurting someone.  

It’s like saying:
         “The bank really hurt me.” 
         “Restaurants have wounded me.”
         “The gym hurt my feelings.”

It is not the entities or organizations that have hurt us – it’s the people in them. The people who work in restaurants have let me down. I’ve managed to find others places to eat.  

There are people who workout at my gym that could very well be hypocrites. I may be judging others here but I still go and workout.  

If you have been hurt, violated or abused in a church – I want to say to you sincerely, “I am so sorry for your pain. I’m sorry you have experienced that.” 

I know that pain myself. I’ve experienced many difficulties, betrayals and struggles in a church. I’ve probably been the offending party in a few unfortunate situations.

But still I need to go, grow, serve, worship and build God’s house. Regardless of the struggles or hypocrisies of humanity. I need to be in His church.

I urge you to forgive those people who you may have met in a church, whether a leader or a member so that you can continue to grow in your faith. In an effort to take your forgiveness to a deeper place – try church again. Try a different church, a new church; there are many ‘life-giving’ churches.

5.  There is No “Perfect Church”
Not the one you attend. Not the one I lead. We are not reviewing movies here. It’s God’s people. 

All churches need to have some accountability. We need to be confident enough to hear the criticisms and pull out what truths we can find to help us. We need to look at our weaknesses and try to improve. Christian churches do need to hold strong to the core beliefs of the scriptural foundation of our faith.

However, because you see a flaw in a church you don’t approve of – it is not necessary to add your voice to the growing sound of church bashing that is shaping a growing prejudice against the church of Jesus Christ as irrelevant, hypocritical or insignificant. 

Here’s what you CAN do:

• Attend a local church. Be an active part of the solutions not a vocal attack of the uninformed.
• Pray for the local church. Pray with humility, honor and faith.  Remember who you are talking to – He loves the church.
• Serve. Get involved. Most pastors would love to have someone in their local church who would help serve or lead a ministry that reaches out and helps people in the community.
• Give. Help support the efforts of the church. Many churches cannot do what they desire to do because people are so much freer with their critiques than their financial support  
• Finally, be the example you would like to see. Get off the bench and get in the game. There’s less complaining on the field. Engage the problem with solutions.

What are your ideas to bring strength to the church?

God is a dreamer. 
He has ideas, vision and imagination. God’s dreams rise up from His soul.

His plans are so amazing that earthly words and phrases fail to express the magnitude of their heavenly intent.    

"Let us make human beings in our image, make them reflecting our nature.”
God created human beings; he created them godlike, Reflecting God's nature.
He created them male and female. God blessed them:
"Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take charge!" Genesis 1:26-28 MSG

He has a dream for our world, for humanity and He has a dream for you.

“I have a dream.” God whispers. “It’s unfolding right now. It’s larger than life. It is life itself.”

“Lean closer. I will whisper this dream to your heart.
            It has been imprinted on your soul.
You are part of my dream. You are my dream.”

In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. 
Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see vision your old men will dream dreams.
Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.  Acts 2:17-18 NIV

Here come the dreams…

1.  The “God-Dream” for our life is the ultimate dream

Because we are created in God’s image – we have dreams.  We have the capacity to reach our dreams.  It’s crucial that our dreams lead us to the God-Dream for our life.

The God-Dream trumps all other dreams.
Don’t allow other dreams that are exciting to you interfere with the God-Dream.

Satan tried to implant his own dream in place of the God plan.

Then the devil took him up and revealed to him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. “I will give you the glory of these kingdoms and authority over them,” the devil said, “because they are mine to give to anyone I please. I will give it all to you if you will worship me.”  Jesus replied, “The Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the LORD your God and serve only him.’   Luke 4:5-7 NLT

You must worship the LORD your God and serve only him.
That is what will lead you to God’s plan and God’s assignment.

2.  The fulfillment of the “God Dream” is different than our first perception of it.

Joseph had a self centered understanding of his dream. (Genesis 37-50)

When he saw it come to pass, he had a higher understanding of it. He was now a man who could be trusted to serve God’s purpose. It was no longer about his ego – it was about God’s purpose.

Our pursuit of other dreams is to equip us to fulfill this higher dream.

Some people have known what God’s will is for them for a long time.
Other people seem to discover as if it were a random occurrence in their life.
Some times God’s assignment first seems to appear as an interruption.   

“Left to our own, without God, we entangle ourselves in lesser dreams."

3. The “God Dream” takes longer and costs more than we realized

Sometimes we can’t tell that God is using the current step in our journey to get us ready for the next step.

• We learn perseverance
• We learn that the goal is more important than the role  
• We learn about forgiveness   
• We learn there are people you can trust and people you can’t
• We learn about character.  It’s all about our attitude.
• We learn to face temptation.   
• We learn to recognize ‘dream stealers’
• We learn that a temporary disappointment to us, may be God’s higher plan at work

"Happy are those who dream dreams and are willing to pay the price to make them come true."  

What is your dream?

What do you think is the “God-Dream” for your life?

I don’t want to be morbid here. Or dark.

But… what if this was your last week on earth? How would you live out this one week?

It’s hard to say for sure, isn’t it?
If you got the news that this was your last week on earth – the thoughts and ideas that we come up now for discussion could be very different in reality.

Maybe a good question to ask would be:
"If last week were your last week on earth, would you be happy with how you spent your time?"

I love what I do.  I love my job.  I have a mission in life and I’m living that mission. 
On some level my answer to the question would be:
“I would do what I have been doing.  Probably a bit more of some things and little less of others.”

I may be surprised though, in how I would react.

I saw a quote yesterday that simply read, “Live your dream.”  It’s never too late to do that.  We can always do something about what we dream of doing with our life.

Here are a couple of my ideas:

1.  I would make more effort to communicate to people so they really know that I love them.
Love those who mean the most to you.
I would say it, write it and express it with my actions.
I would encourage a few people with the kind of encouragement that is meant to have a longer shelf life.  It’s my last effort so I want to make it a good one.

2.  I would keep building God’s house.
I would not skip Church this week. I would not just go to church – I would serve in church.
I’m a pastor so I would give the best sermon of my life.
I would declare important truths of His Word to others.
I would go out of my way to invite someone to His house – to hear the message that could alter their life.

3.  I would take some time to play & laugh everyday  
This makes sense to me because I tend to do this with the people I love.
I work hard.  It’s important to play hard too.
Some times our playtime and our laughter time create life long memories and create a bond.

4.  I would give some extra time to get that thing done that I have kept saying I would do, but just have not made it a priority.

I’m not talking about fixing the screen door or that leaky faucet.  I can’t do that anyway.  That’s why I’ve put it off.  (Sorry babe.  Here’s the number of a guy who…)

I’m talking about that important thing – write that letter, forgive someone, go serve the homeless, give someone some money who needs it or some noble action that I’ve always wanted to do.

I’m thinking of the stuff that I need to do so that when I stand before God and He welcomes me, that I’m not thinking in the back of my mind, ‘I wish I would have….”

Tim McGraw, sang the hit song, ‘Live Like You Were Dying.’  It’s a good reminder.

What would you do if this were your last week on earth?

So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. ¹⁶ Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. ¹⁷ Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Ephesians 5:15-17 NLT 

May Memory Verse –
There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28 NLT

Tuesday, May 1
Bible Reading: Matthew 22
Bonus Old Testament Bible Reading: Isaiah 6

Prayer Focus: Our City – Los Angeles, CA
Pray for:

• The lost to come to faith in Jesus Christ
• The prodigal to return
• The hurting & weary people in LA
• Our city leaders, police officers & firemen who keep our city safe
• Oasis Church to be a light and influence in LA
• Heart for the House and God’s financial provision in making the dream of our new church home a reality so we can better serve our city

Wednesday, May 2
Bible Reading: Matthew 23
Bonus Old Testament Bible Reading: Isaiah 7

Prayer Focus: “Heart for the House” Project - The Financial Resources to Build God’s House
Pray for:

• God to bless our church family with financial provision – jobs, promotions, career advancement, creative ideas, favor, debt reduction & wisdom
• Heart for the House and God’s financial provision in making the dream of our new church home a reality - More than enough financial resources to purchase and renovate our new church building
• Wisdom and favor as we go through the escrow process
• Financial miracles of provision
• Heart for the House and God’s financial provision in making the dream of our new church home a reality

Thursday, May 3
Bible Reading: Matthew 24
Bonus Old Testament Bible Reading: Isaiah 8

Prayer Focus: Generosity Water – Night of Generosity
Pray for:

• More money to be raised to build wells than previous Night Of Generosity
• Publicity to make more people aware of the water crisis and Generosity Water as part of the solution
• Organization and planning efforts for this night to go great
• Generosity Water to grow from current 350 wells funded to 1000 well projects funded
• Plenty of funds raised for the administration cost of this charity so that 100% of donations can go to building wells
• Favor, Favor, Favor

Friday, May 4
Bible Reading: Matthew 25
Bonus Old Testament Bible Reading: Isaiah 9

Prayer Focus: Thankfulness
Thank God for:

• Our life, and the purpose He has for each of us
• His unfailing love, kindness, mercy & grace
• The ways He has protected us, provided for us and guided us
• Forgiveness and righteousness
• Blessing us with the opportunity to reach more people in our new venue
• His provision, abundance & blessing in our lives
• Heart for the House project, for providing us a new church and the finances for it

Saturday 5 & Sunday 6
Catch up on this week’s Bible Reading: Matthew 22-25, Isaiah 5-8

Monday, May 7
Bible Reading: Matthew 26
Bonus Old Testament Bible Reading: Isaiah 10

Prayer Focus: Financial Blessing & Provision of the People in Our Church
Pray for:

• People seeking employment to find a fulfilling job
• Financial wisdom
• People to honor God by giving their Tithes faithfully
• People to live in God’s blessing - “open windows of Heaven”
• Freedom from financial debt and bondage
• Creative ideas, favor and breakthrough for our Oasis Church family in the area of finances
• Heart for the House and God’s financial provision in making the dream of our new church home a reality

Tuesday, May 8
Bible Reading: Matthew 27
Bonus Old Testament Bible Reading: Isaiah 11

Prayer Focus:  Intercession - Pray for Others & Personal Prayer

• Take time to pray for 3 people in your world who need God’s help
• The prayer needs that come in on our ‘Connect Cards’
• List your personal prayer needs
• Pray for Heart for the House and ask God how you can help build His House

Wednesday, May 9
Bible Reading: Matthew 28
Bonus Old Testament Bible Reading: Isaiah 12

Prayer Focus: Oasis Church Services & God’s Presence and Power
Pray for:

• A strong, tangible presence of God to be in all our weekend services
• Our Dream Team as they serve and give throughout the weekend
• Our 1^st time guests that they feel welcomed and open to God’s guidance
• People to encounter God’s presence, love, truth and find hope and healing in God’s House
• God to pour out His Holy Spirit in our church
• All people at Oasis Church to be filled with the Holy Spirit & that His anointing would empower our lives 
• “After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.” Acts 4:31 NIV
• “…how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”  Luke 11:13 NLT 
• Acts 2:17-18
• Heart for the House and God’s financial provision in making the dream of our new church home a reality, so that we can reach more people for Christ

Thursday, May 10
Bible Reading: Romans 1
Bonus Old Testament Bible Reading: Isaiah 13

Prayer Focus: GodChicks Conference
Pray for:

• Women to discover their value… and know they are loved and treasured by God
• The healing of women from past hurts and abuses
• Vision for their life… that they would understand their purpose and how God can use them to make a difference in the world
• Anointing, wisdom and protection for our GodChicks speakers
• Overflow of resources & financial provision that will allow us to continue to help bring freedom to women around the world
• New venue opportunities as GodChicks continues to grow and expand our women’s ministry

Friday, May 11
Bible Reading: Romans 2
Bonus Old Testament Bible Reading: Isaiah 14

Prayer Focus: Oasis Interns
Pray for:

• God’s blessing in the life of the interns who are learning, serving and growing in ministry
• God to lead them in discovering God’s direction in their life
• The strength to finish the internship strong with joy and a cheerful heart
• Them to be blessed as they give and serve over 20 hours a week
• Heart for the House and God’s financial provision in making the dream of our new church home a reality, so we can reach and develop even more next generation leaders

Saturday 12 & Sunday 13
Catch up on Bible Reading: Matthew 26-28, Romans 1-2, and Isaiah 10-14

Monday, May 14
Bible Reading: Romans 3
Bonus Old Testament Bible Reading:  Isaiah 15

Prayer Focus: Global Outreach
Pray that:

• We can be part of the solution in meeting the needs of the impoverished around the world
• Our Global Outreach Partners: A21 & Equip & Empower, Mercy Ministries, Watoto Church & Ministries, Smile Africa in Uganda, Compassion Intl, Generosity Water, Living Hope – Watoto Women’s Restoration, Children’s Cup, Mutual Faith
• People all over the world will support these ministries through prayer, giving and volunteering

• Pray for Heart for the House and God’s financial provision in making the dream of our new church home a reality, so we can increase our capacity to minister to the hurting around the world

Tuesday, May 15
Bible Reading: Romans 4
Bonus Old Testament Bible Reading: Isaiah 16

Prayer Focus: Local Outreach
Pray for:

• Our Local Outreach Partners: Alexandria House, Union Rescue Mission, Treasures, Adopt A Block & LAPD
• Our Local Outreach Groups who are serving in our city everyday of the week
• The Local Outreach Dream Team who is transforming our local community by serving
• The Union Rescue Mission - for more financial support from other local churches
• Favor as we help the 82,000 homeless people in LA and that the number of homeless would decrease in our city
• God to guide our church as we seek to be effective in helping those that are homeless
• God’s guidance and blessing in our Cars Ministry
• James 1:27, Proverbs 14:31

• Heart for the House and God’s financial provision in making the dream of our new church home a reality, so we can increase our capacity to serve our city

Wednesday, May 16
Bible Reading: Romans 5
Bonus Old Testament Bible Reading: Isaiah 17

Prayer Focus: Oasis Youth
Pray for:

• Our youth to be strong and compassionate disciples of Christ, bold in sharing their faith
• Our youth to discover God’s plan & purpose and live pure lives
• Great young leaders to rise out of our youth ministry
• The men and women who serve our youth as leaders and mentors
• Our youth ministry to continue to be a safe place and refuge for hurting and broken teens to find hope and healing

• Heart for the House and God’s financial provision in making the dream of our new church home a reality, so that we can leave a lasting legacy for the next generation

Thursday, May 17
Bible Reading: Romans 6
Bonus Old Testament Bible Reading: Isaiah 18

Focus: Oasis Dream Team
Pray that:

• They are able to use their gifts and talents to minister to, serve and bless others
• As they give of their time and talents, their world gets larger, and life is more fulfilling
• They can be a light and example everywhere they go
• Their personal lives and relationships are blessed
• Pray for Heart for the House and God’s financial provision in making the dream of our new church home a reality, so that even more people can discover their purpose and personal ministry while serving on an Oasis Dream Team

Friday, May 18
Bible Reading: Romans 7
Bonus Old Testament Bible Reading: Isaiah 19

Prayer Focus: Generosity
Pray that:

• Our church is full of generous people who love to bless others
• As we step out in faith in our giving, God meets us and does exceedingly, abundantly, far above anything we could ask, think or imagine
• We have eyes to see the needs in our church family and community, and that we respond compassionately with real, tangible solutions
• Pray for Heart for the House and God’s financial provision in making the dream of our new church home a reality through the generous and sacrificial giving of our Oasis family

Saturday 19 & Sunday 20
Catch up on Bible Reading: Romans 3-7, Isaiah 15-19

Monday, May 21
Bible Reading: Romans 8
Bonus Old Testament Bible Reading: Isaiah 20

Prayer Focus: Salvation - Friends and Family Members Who Need Christ
Pray for:

• And list the names of friends or family members who do not have faith in Jesus Christ, that they would open their life to His love, grace, forgiveness & mission
• Heart for the House and God’s financial provision in making the dream of our new church home a reality, so we have room and space for all of our friends and family to come to a service and hear about Christ

Tuesday, May 22
Bible Reading: Romans 9
Bonus Old Testament Bible Reading: Isaiah 21

Prayer Focus: Spiritual Growth of Our People
Pray for:

• The people who have recently made a decision to follow Christ, that their growth in the faith and knowledge of God and His Word
• New believers to get planted in a local church
• Growth Track Classes
• The Alpha Course and the team who is leading and teaching new believers
• Heart for the House and God’s financial provision in making the dream of our new church home a reality, so even more people can discover Christ at Oasis

Wednesday, May 23
Bible Reading: Romans 10
Bonus Old Testament Bible Reading: Isaiah 22

Prayer Focus: Celebrate Recovery
Pray that:

• People are able to break free from past hurts, habits and hang ups
• People feel loved, valued and accepted
• CR grows weekly in helping people break free from addictions
• There is increase in our leaders wisdom, capacity and understanding
• Pray for Heart for the House and God’s financial provision in making the dream of our new church home a reality, so our Celebrate Recovery ministry will have room to grow, and offer even more recovery groups

Thursday, May 24
Bible Reading: Romans 11
Bonus Old Testament Bible Reading: Isaiah 23

Prayer Focus: Church Online & Media Outreach
Pray that:

• We would reach over 50,000 people through our online ministry
• People experience Church Online and get planted in a local church
• We reach people beyond our city, state and nation so they come to know Christ through our online ministry
• Church online helps people take a step forward in their faith and attend church again
• We would be able to effectively use Twitter, Facebook, Social media, online church & TV to reach people with our ministry
• Pray for Heart for the House and God’s financial provision in making the dream of our new church home a reality, and that our online church family would be a part of building and giving towards our new church building

Friday, May 25
Bible Reading: Romans 12
Bonus Old Testament Bible Reading: Isaiah 24

Prayer Focus: Unity
Pray that:

• We would keep unity in our vision, our leadership, our worship, our serving and our faith
• We would value each other and be quick to forgive
• We would have genuine love and care for one another
• We would see how to prefer others and the mission above our personal issues
• We are united in giving toward Heart for the House making the dream of our new church home a reality, together

Saturday 26 & Sunday 27
Catch up on Bible Reading: Romans 8-12, Isaiah 20-24

Monday, May 28
Bible Reading: Romans 13
Bonus Old Testament Bible Reading: Isaiah 25

Prayer Focus: Connect Groups
Pray for:

• People to build genuine relationships in Connect Groups
• People to grow in their faith
• People leading Connect Groups to have wisdom in leading their groups & be blessed for their service
• People to keep coming to their groups and not give up
• Heart for the House and God’s financial provision in making the dream of our new church home a reality, so even more people can build strong, healthy friendships and be a part of our church family

Tuesday, May 29
Bible Reading: Romans 14
Bonus Old Testament Bible Reading: Isaiah 26

Prayer Focus: Physical Healing Needs
Pray for:

• Healing of the sick in our church, the requests for healing from our prayer cards
• Healing of people with cancer
• God’s intervention for people who are facing terminal illness
• Our members, Dream Team and leaders to have health and protection from sickness
• People facing surgery – guidance of Dr’s and medical staff
• Speedy recovery and renewal

Wednesday, May 30
Bible Reading: Romans 15
Bonus Old Testament Bible Reading: Isaiah 27

Prayer Focus: Oasis Kids & Children
Pray for:

• Infants, toddlers, preschoolers & elementary aged children at Oasis- that they have a genuine experience of faith, protection, guidance of God in their life, their families health and God’s gifts flourish in their life. 
• Our Oasis Kids Dream Team members who love and minister to our kids every week
• God’s blessing in our GLUE ministry
• Heart for the House and God’s financial provision in making the dream of our new church home a reality so that we have more than enough room for our growing families

Thursday, May 31
Bible Reading: Romans 16
Bonus Old Testament Bible Reading: Isaiah 28

Prayer Focus: The MEN at Oasis Church
Pray that:

• The men would grow in their wisdom and maturity in life; they would grow strong in their faith and understanding their life purpose 
• Men would grow as leaders, fathers, husbands, businesspeople and followers of Jesus  
• Men would become significant mentors to others who are younger than them
• Our Oasis Men ministry grows in relationships and strategy
• “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,” Philippians 1:9-10 NIV
• James 1:5

I am in Washington, DC. A couple of night’s ago I visited the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial. I read this quote – “Darkness cannot drive out darkness only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate only love can do that.”

Being a pastor of a racially diverse church in Los Angeles, the issue of race and relationships has been an important one to my friends, our church family and to me.

I’ve spoken on the subject of Racial Healing and Harmony many times, however, I don’t consider myself an expert on the subject at all. I am living it though.

I am living in great relationships with people of a variety of races and leading a community of people made up of tremendous ethnic diversity. In many racially diverse cities in America there are too few racially diverse churches and congregations.

I think we are all prejudice… all of us.

Me included.

We are helpless on our own, to love the way we were created to love.

I’ve often said,  “Don’t ask, ‘Am I prejudice?’ ask, ‘In what area am I prejudice?’ ‘In what areas do my prejudices lie?’ ”

Being prejudice does not mean you are a racist. A racist is someone who holds the belief that one race is superior to another or that one race is inferior to their's. It is abusive or aggressive behavior or words expressed toward members of another race on the basis of those beliefs.

Racism is wrong.

Being equal in worth does not mean that we are the same, identical. People who enjoy healthy relationships with those of different races see, enjoy and celebrate the differences, while still allowing for people’s differences and similarities something to be honored.

If you are human, you have prejudices. It simply means we “pre-judge” a person or a situation. Our thoughts may be right or most likely they are at least partly wrong. A list can be something like this:

All women are emotional. Men can’t be trusted. Marriage doesn’t work. Churches are judgmental. Politicians are dishonest. All Christians are hypocrites. Muslims are dangerous. The Cubs always lose. 

Fill in your own prejudice belief in life, if you can see it.

Just because we are prejudice in one area or another does not mean we are racist. However, we have all met people of all races, Black, Latino, Asian, Caucasian and Middle Eastern people and all the combinations – who are racist.

In the recent Trayvon Martin and George Zimmerman case we see that racial wounds still run deep, hostilities are still boiling just below the surface and people who hold the microphones continue to perpetuate the pain. As usual the loud voices of the crowds do not reflect the hearts of so many of us. 

People, who do not actually know what happened in this horrible situation, speak as if they had floor seats to the hearts and souls of those involved. One thing I know is a tragedy occurred.  A young man with heaps of potential was killed. Parents lost their son. A family lost a good young man. Friends and family mourn. 

We also know, another young man’s life, Zimmerman, is forever changed by the events of that night. He made a decision that night that changed his life forever. He suffers, His family suffers and our society suffers. Friends and family mourn.

People scurry to interpret people’s motives, true thoughts and actions at an event at which no one was present. We may just be seeing through the tinted lenses of our own hurts and fears.

The whole situation saddens me. Are we inflaming the fires of racism or praying to the only one who can change the hearts of men?

Current expressions of our words and attitudes show us that people don’t seem to know how to get past the past. Are we doomed to repeat racial tragedies and rekindle the attitudes that have kept us in pain?

I wonder what Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. would say in this situation. I wonder what his prayer would be.  We have not heard from him since the 1960’s except through his powerful speeches and writings. I believe he would have grown and evolved into an even more insightful, compassionate and non-violent approach to face our societies problems with love and faith.

I wish that those who get the platform in situations like this, Rev. Al Sharpton, Rev. Jessie Jackson and those leaders who are being brought up to lead us in the future would lead us to pray and lead us to forgive.

Maybe we should, as a society, look to those to lead us into a level of racial healing that is real and heartfelt and not political. Maybe we should look to the ones who are among the 5.4 million interracial marriages in our country or perhaps it could be those who currently enjoy walking out this life with strong and intimate personal relationships with those of another race.

Maybe.

I would love to hear someone on the news praying something like this :

“Lord, please bring healing and comfort to Trayvon Martin’s family. And God, forgive all in this situation of their wrongs, the errors and transgressions of that night and those we have made ourselves – in response to this tragedy. 

We pray for George Zimmerman and his family and ask that you would guide him and forgive him for his wrongs and comfort his family. 

May we not point to others in blame but reach out to one another in compassion.

 Help us as a nation to live out the dream that Martin Luther King Jr. lived and died for.  Help us to not respond with the same fear and hatred that may have caused this crime in the first place.

Help us to grow beyond our hatred and fear. Help us Lord to love like Jesus loved, forgive like Jesus forgave and reach out in understanding.

Help us to genuinely live out the vision of Martin Luther King Jr. and be an example of racial healing and honor.

Forgive me where I have let anger define my passions and cloud my thoughts. Forgive me for wrongfully judging others. Heal our land from racial hurts.

Let it begin with me.

Show me how to be an example of racial respect and honor that my children and others would follow. Amen.”

I don’t know if the media would broadcast that prayer or not.

I read this news account on the Internet and want to share it with you.
It’s about when Robert Kennedy was running for president and got the word that Martin Luther King had been killed.

It was supposed to be a routine campaign stop. In a poor section of Indianapolis, 40 years ago, a largely black crowd had waited an hour to hear the presidential candidate speak. The candidate, Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, had been warned not to go by the city's police chief.

As his car entered the neighborhood, his police escort left him. Once there, he stood in the back of a flatbed truck. He turned to an aide and asked, "Do they know about Martin Luther King?"

They didn't, and it was left to Kennedy to tell them that King had been shot and killed that night in Memphis, Tenn. The crowd gasped in horror.

Kennedy spoke of King's dedication to "love and to justice between fellow human beings," adding that "he died in the cause of that effort."

And Kennedy sought to heal the racial wounds that were certain to follow by referring to the death of his own brother, President John F. Kennedy.

"For those of you who are black and are tempted to ... be filled with hatred and mistrust of the injustice of such an act, against all white people, I would only say that I can also feel in my own heart the same kind of feeling," he said. "I had a member of my family killed, but he was killed by a white man."

Many other American cities burned after King was killed. But there was no fire in Indianapolis, which heard the words of Robert Kennedy.

A historian says a well-organized black community kept its calm. It's hard to overlook the image of one single man, standing on a flatbed truck, which never looked down at the paper in his hand — only at the faces in the crowd.

"What we need in the United States is not division; what we need in the United States is not hatred; what we need in the United States is not violence and lawlessness, but is love, and wisdom, and compassion toward one another, and a feeling of justice toward those who still suffer within our country, whether they be white or whether they be black."

Show us how to be a living example of racial respect and honor that our children and others would follow. Help us to love like we were created to love.  Amen.”

Earlier this year the video Kony 2012 was released. The video, funded by the San Diego-based charity Invisible Children, tells the story of a former child soldier named Jacob. The video went viral. As of today the video has over 88 million views on YouTube.

Invisible Children created the video in an effort to draw attention to Joseph Kony, the leader of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), and his terrorizing of Ugandans and especially the brutal abduction and abuse of children. The goal of the video is “not to celebrate him, but to raise support for his arrest and set a precedent for international justice.”   

The video’s tremendous popularity brought the charity a mixed reaction of celebration and scrutiny. Overnight the charity was hit with a lot of criticisms that attacked everything from how it spends its money to the appropriateness of its mission. The emotional health of its leader, Jason Russell, was even brought into question.

Although the video, in just a few weeks, won the backing of millions of people, including celebrities like Oprah Winfrey and Rihanna, the charity behind the project has faced criticism over their message, methods and financial transparency. (Charity Navigator has cleared up their position and endorsed the financial integrity of Invisible Children.)

For me, the film was inspiring because of the dedication, creativity and effort to bring awareness to a cause. 

What can we learn from this? 
Is there a cause in your life that you are willing to put this much effort into?
Is there something you care so much about that your creative investment could touch the hearts of thousands of people?

I am very involved in the lives of Uganda children. I travel there each year and am raising awareness and funds to help the orphans and widows in that country. I personally am involved in sponsoring and caring for over 20 children.

I believe that many people, who could make a difference in the world, do not because of the fear of not being able to get much done or being verbally attacked and criticized like Invisible Children have.

While some of the information in this video may have some flaws, outdated stats and over-simplification of situation - the issues are real.

It’s a noble cause. It’s an important issue. It’s important that young people today step up and lead, rally and inspire others to make a difference in the world. Kony 2012 brings attention to many issues; child soldiers, child trafficking, poverty, and violence among others.

As leaders, we must ask, “Why does it speak to people so powerfully?”
“Why have the hearts of people have been so stirred?”

Many people living in African countries think Western people package the issues they face in a simplistic ways when in reality the Issues are usually much more complex.  

But doing something is better than doing nothing. 

Getting involved in the answer is much better than adding your criticisms and critiques to the voice of the apathetic and uninvolved. In a world where so many think that leaving comments on internet stories and blogs equals doing something helpful, we are inspired to try something inspirational.

The hopes considered in this video are possible.

In March of this year, just 2 weeks after Kony 2012 was released, a landmark ruling took place, Congolese warlord Thomas Lubanga Dyilo was convicted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) of war crimes for recruiting children into his armed movement.

I read this on a UNICEF website.

The verdict is the first ever delivered by the ICC, the world’s only permanent, independent war crimes tribunal, since its establishment in 2002.

Mr. Lubanga Dyilo, the founder and former President of Union of Congolese Patriots in the Ituri region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), was found guilty of conscripting children under age 15 and using them to participate in brutal ethnic clashes in 2002 and 2003.

“This is a pivotal victory for the protection of children in conflict,” said UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake. “The conviction of Thomas Lubanga by the International Criminal Court sends a clear message to all armed groups that enslave and brutalize children: Impunity will not be tolerated.”

UNICEF has repeatedly called for the prosecution of those who commit this crime, which often victimizes the most vulnerable children – orphans, and children who have been separated from their families and communities because of violence.

“The exploitation of children by armed groups does more than violate their rights; it robs them of their childhood,” said Mr. Lake. “UNICEF is heartened that ICC Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo emphasized the plight of children recruited or used by armed forces or armed groups in his successful prosecution.”

It could be that, “all things are possible to those who believe, speak out and act.”

“Well done good and faithful servant…”  We all want to hear that from Jesus.
“You have been faithful with what I’ve given you to do. Here is your blessing – double!” Double joy, double honor, double effectiveness and opportunity.

The parable of the talents is a well-known story. A talent, in this story is simply a type of money. But, let’s assume Jesus is also talking about resources like skills, opportunity, experience, support, gifts and abilities.

Let’s imagine these 3 guys are pastors. Church planters perhaps.

One person gets 1 talent –“Here, use it to the best of your ability.”
Another gets 2 talents, “Use what I’ve given you to accomplish your assignment.”
Another gets 5 talents.

The “2-talent guy” and the “5-talent guy” used what they had with wisdom and grace and God loved that. The 1-talent guy… “fail!”

Did you ever think what might have gone through the 2-talent guy’s mind at some point in the journey?

“Why did you only give me 2 talents?” 

“I love you God, I want to please you. I really want to hear, ‘good job’ from you. It’s hard out there, Lord. I’m trying. I really am. I could do such a better job – if I had a few more talents.”

Did you ever feel like that? I have.

“I don’t want to judge anyone, Lord, you know I’m grateful to You, but… why did you give that guy 5 talents?  I don’t understand. I heard that he’s difficult to work with and has hurt some good people who love you...and still you bless him.

Is this making sense to you, pastors?”

“It’s really been hard lately Lord. I’m a little discouraged. I don’t have anything against ‘Mr. High 5’. I admire him. Seeing what he is doing, inspires me. I recommend him and the church he pastors to people who ask about them. I just think I could do a better job, if I had… a little more.”

Silence.

Silence can make the hard times… well…. harder.

“Lord – do you love me less?  Do I just not have ‘it’? Is there something I’m doing wrong?”

It’s the comparison trap.
Scripture cautions us about comparing ourselves against others….

When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.  2 Corinthians 10:12 NIV

Peter said in John 21 to Jesus, "What about John? What are you asking him to do?” Basically Jesus says, “It’s not your concern.”

We have to run in our lane. Be faithful with our portion. Find the secret of being content, enjoy the fruit of our work and still have a compelling vision. Easy to say – harder to do.

In some situations in my life, I have imagined that I was the “2-talent guy.” Right now, I love where God has put me in my life and ministry. I’m content. I really am. I have passion, vision and drive. I want to do more but… I will do what God allows me to do.

I’m not jealous of any other leaders… Except on Mondays, sometimes.
….and sometimes on Thursdays.

We look around. One guy starts a church and in a year they have about 600 people.

One year.

Another person after 3 years – they’ve just broken 1000 in attendance. And yet another good, very spiritual, anointed leader after 3 years - 190 people. Often, you can’t really put your finger on –‘why’.

“I there something wrong with me?  Is there something wrong … with God?

One leader, prays, fasts, inspires his people to bring people on an “Outreach Sunday”, and prays some more. He preaches an amazing John 3:16 message and gives an impassioned altar call. 13 people raise their hand and pray to follow Jesus. Thank God for each one.

Another leader preaches an ok sermon, nothing too ‘out-of-the-ordinary’ about this sermon and bam! 112 people raise their hands.

They make it look easy.
“What just happened?”
The 5-Talent guy is just doing what God has gifted him to do.

The ‘2-Talent’ guy says, “Lord. Please talk to me. I have pastored this church for 5 ½ years and we have 263 people. I’ve just had some key leaders leave the church. Two of my biggest tithers left. Please tell me – something. Am I on the right track? Am I doing what you’ve called me to do?”

“ I love the people you have sent to me, I love being in ministry and I have been faithful with what you have given me. ”

…a whisper comes from Heaven.

      “Yes, you have. Well done, good and faithful servant.”

For years I did not realize that generosity is a spiritual quality. When I thought of spiritual qualities, I thought of words like peace, faith and joy – and those are spiritual qualities for sure. But what I now realize is that generosity is a key factor in all expressions of faith.

Generosity is part of the character and nature of God. He is generous in His love for us. He is generous in His compassion and His grace and mercy.

For us to be forgiving of others it requires generosity. For us to be accepting of others it requires generosity. To build honest, intimate and long-term relationships it requires generosity. To give help to the poor – it requires generosity. For us to fulfill God’s purpose for our life – it will require generosity of our soul.

A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
Proverbs 11:25 NIV

I think the generosity that God desires is generosity of the heart, which can be seen by our actions. Actions by themselves can be a good start toward producing a more generous heart.

20 Ways To Be Generous 

• Brag about someone to others, while they are standing there listening. 

• Volunteer time to serve your community or Oasis Church’s Community Outreach. 

• Buy a gift card and carry it with you waiting for the right person to give it to.

• Give a dollar to a homeless person. This could be as important for you as it is for them. 

• Buy a pair of shoes (possibly on sale) and give them away to person who needs them or donate old shoes to Soles4souls.org.

• Call someone just to say “Thanks”

• Give $20 to GenerosityWater.org or volunteer to serve. 

• Ask someone, “Is there anything I can pray for you about?” Pray and then begin a plan to provide some of the answer.  

• Pay a bill for someone who could use the help.  

• When someone compliments you about something you have, give it to them.

• When standing in a check out line, put some money into one of the reputable organizations that have a non-profit container. 

• Save coins for a month or two and then give it to a special organization. 

• Most grocery stores sell nonperishable food for the local food bank at the register. Purchase a few cans or boxes.

• Clean someone’s house or apartment for free.

• Wash someone’s car.

• Babysit for someone so they can go run errands or have a date night.

• Go to a Senior Citizen’s home and visit. 

• Give a Bible to someone.

• Donate your hair to Locks of Love. They make wigs for sick children.

• Gather up your, “I just don't need to own this ” DVD's and donate them to a senior center or a nursing home.

The more you practice generosity, the more it will become natural.  Hopefully, you will eventually love it.

But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you see that you also excel in this grace of giving. 2 Corinthians 8 NIV

What are your ideas about how we can practice generosity? 

It often took several generations and thousands of laborers to build a single cathedral. Many would work their entire lives knowing that they would never see the cathedral’s completion. We have the opportunity in our lives to contribute to the creation of something great, something larger than ourselves; the Church of Jesus Christ. 

King David gave generously for the next generation and he lead his people to give and to have a generational focus – the Cathedral Mentality.

David did something he wasn’t going to get the glory for – he gave to a cause that he was not going to see the completion of. He invested himself in the work of his son, Solomon’s hands, building the house of God for future generations.

¹King David said to the whole assembly: “My son Solomon, the one whom God has chosen, is young and inexperienced. The task is great, because this palatial structure is not for man but for the LORD God. ²With all my resources I have provided for the temple of my God…
^5…Now, who is willing to consecrate themselves to the LORD today?”
⁹The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the LORD. 1 Chronicles 29:1-2, 5 & 9 NIV

In our world, according to the Hartford institute, only 28% of people in the US ages 23-37 attend any kind of church. This age group is rare in the local church. Where did they go? Have we forgotten them? Have we left them out of our efforts and our crucial plans?

The next generation of leaders are people who are in their 20’s, 30’s, and teens right now. There are young people right around us who can lead, who have a message and who can give us insight into ‘Cathedral’ building.

Are we like Israel described in Judges 2:10?
After that whole generation had been gathered to their ancestors, another generation grew up who knew neither the LORD nor what he had done for Israel.  

• When the current pastor retires or dies will that local church dwindle to half the size? 
• Are there young leaders in the church who are active right now - who clearly are in line to take the lead?
• What are you doing today to prepare for smooth transition tomorrow?
• What are we doing today, not just to prepare for a smooth transition, but also to prepare for an increase of power and influence? 
• Are you preparing the next leaders to stand on your shoulders and start higher than you finish?
• Are you setting up the next leaders to win?

There are generations of the unborn whose very lives will be shifted and shaped by the moves we make and the action we take - today and tomorrow.
Every investment you make in tomorrow’s leaders -matters, to all of us, forever.

By your hands billions of lives will be altered - caught up in a chain of events began by you on this day.

It’s sad to see some of today’s well-known pastors fight and struggle over leadership with their children who are now grown but not endorsed to take the ministry beyond their grasp.

In a relay race, passing the baton is crucial. You can’t think about passing the baton right at the final moment. The runner has to start the hand off way before they get to the moment of transfer or else they jeopardize the whole race. It doesn’t matter how fast you were or are – if you fail at the transfer.

That’s the treasure you and I possess today - the opportunity to do something now, for tomorrows leaders that will ensure success.

Here is an example of Paul handing off to Timothy who is to handoff to others.
And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. 2 Timothy 2:2 NIV

A man says, “Well I’m 60 years old now. How much have I saved for retirement? Let’s see here it is - $64,000. Wow, I better get wit it!”

Too late.

Someone else is going to be helping him survive. He didn’t think about tomorrow early enough.

Be a person after God’s own heart.
Touch the lives of people by having “Cathedral Mentality.”
Live your life with the future in mind.