Friday the 13th has always had this mysterious feeling about it. Don't know where it started. I just know anytime a Friday is coming up and it's the 13th, everyone goes into this mental mode of "what's going to happen?" as if its going to be unlucky!!! Well, today was not that kind of day to me. Actually it's more than today. It's been happening for a while.
During the past 6 months, we have done nothing but watch as our economy has tanked and the prognosticators and politicians have scared us to death as if the end was near. There have been those days, I think, we all felt that way.
What I am excited about is what actually took place today, but only a small micro-cosm of what's been happening the last 6-7 weeks at Oasis Church in the midst of the economy getting worse daily. More of our folks are losing jobs, homes, cars than I've ever witnessed. The church's budget was cut in September to reflect our offerings and the economic climate. It's been a monthly challenge to keep from burning the lean reserves we keep. We have never as a church kept large sums of money in the bank, believing folks give in order to have the money used for God's church and ministry. Because of this we have really had to make major adjustments as a church.
About 7 weeks ago, the offerings began to get back to where they were a year ago. They have continued to be strong and even allowing us to make up a short fall at the beginning of the year of $20,000 last month. This month has continued to be a strong month of giving by our church.
This week the giving peaked with almost $40,000 for the weekend, and then today, the midweek and 7NOW offerings were reported at $8,000. Along with that there was over $3,000 given towards the Missions church plant in Jax. So this week, God's people gave $51,000 to His work through Oasis Church.
Why is this so important? I think it is because it shows how God's people even in tough times, are being obedient and still giving the Lord His tithes and offerings. Now some would say, don't say these things, it might turn. Yes, it might, but that is in the Lord's will. We aren't promised prosperity,and always having plenty. God has just promised to sustain us.
Some would say don't tell the church how good the offerings are. They might quit giving. No, I believe if we tell you when the giving isn't good, and those who should be giving aren't, then when the church is faithful, you need to know how incredible that is. I want to congratulate the hundreds in Oasis Church for your faithfulness. Even when times are tough. If someone quits giving that is between them and God and not between Oasis and them. It's about Giving to God and His work, not Oasis Church. We are just the local conduit that Christ left here as the local church.
I have been getting testimonials from folks in emails and verbally almost every other day lately, including today. I have had several say, you can share it, so I will. I think there is little that does more than someone's story... God is good and this isn't a LUCKY day, it's a day to celebrate God's goodness and His people's faithfulness.
Below are a few from this week I have had permission to share:
The first one is from Steve Card, our Host Pastor on Sunday Night. He had told me how they had been told there would be no bonuses this year, and then last week, they not only came back and said they would get them, but they would be the largest they had ever received. They have faithfully tithed to the Lord for years. Kim also was blessed with a promotion this week. This was part of Steve's email to me today:
"Our bonus checks came through today and all I can say is God is Good! Got some strange looks at work when I mentioned tithing the bonus....then again, tithing is foreign to those that gave the looks!"
This next one comes from one of our faithful single women. It might seem small, but how many of us have had times like this when just a few dollars can be a BIG God thing!! loved this testimony....
" This may sound a bit corny but I just needed to share that when you give GOD what is His, He always provides...
If this is not GOD working a miracle then I don’t know what a miracle is.
A couple days ago I checked my bank and I had $0.00 and had a check out for $20.00 and a $35.00 direct debit to hit today or so. Anyway I was not that worried about the $35 because my check normally goes in by midnight Wed if payroll gets processed in a timely manner. Needless to say, I checked my bank this morning and yes my pay went in but the below amount was in my account as well… which if it didn’t go in I would be in OD for the $20.00 check
Share Deposit / 2008 DEBIT CARD REBATE
43.86
And this is why I say GOD IS GOOD……………………
SK
This is a good one to end with, I got it yesterday:
"I am attender and part of the Inner Circle Prayer Team. I want to share this with you. When you told the group that you were fasting, I also started fasting. I fast every Tuesday and I've made a list of things to pray about. I not only prayed about the offerings but I also prayed about my own giving. I would like to share with you that it really does work, because I'm witnessing God's work with a number of things on my list!! It's so exciting and it's so real.
Oasis has helped me tremendously, last year I went through a terrible time. My ex-husband wanted a divorce. I did not see that coming at all!! I met with Pastor Brown he helped me and I also went to christian counseling and now I'm part of the Divorce Recovery Group which has been very instrumental in my strength."
Thanks Oasis Church for your Obedience and Love of Jesus Christ and His church!!!!
To Be Continued...........
