Priming the Pump

"Give and it shall be given unto you, pressed down, shaken together and running over" (Luke 6:38a).

Once upon a time a man was lost in a vast desert; his tongue parched and thirst ravaging. Day after day he wandered without food or water, and he had reached the end of his strength.

All of a sudden, the man saw a water pump in the distance. Was it a mirage of his own desperation or was it an answer to prayer? When he arrived to the pump, he reached out his hand and grasped the steely metal. It was real. He eagerly began to raise the handle and pumped feverishly, but no water came out.

Then he read a note that was attached to the pump:

"Welcome to the only water well within 100 miles. This well can satisfy all your thirst and more. Hidden in the sand to the right is a bottle of water whereby you can prime the pump. Pour the water into the pump while pumping the handle, and you will have all the water you desire. While you may be tempted to drink the water from the bottle, please do not. If you do, there will be no more water for you or future guests. But if you pour out the water to prime the pump, you will have plenty. When finished drinking, please fill the bottle again and bury it in the sand for those yet to come who also will be dying of thirst. Enjoy!"

What's the moral of the story? It's only when we lose our life that we find it. It's when we give to others, that we also receive ourselves. If life is only about me and my needs, I will still be thirsty. But if I care about others in need, my needs will also be met.

When we care about others who are spiritually dying of thirst, then we also drink freely ourselves. When we love generously, it somehow returns to us generously. When we share our faith, our love for Jesus ignites all over again. But when we are self-centered, we never have enough.

Will you stop the rat-race today and ask God to bring someone into your path that needs a drink of living water? Ask them if life is treating them well. Ask them how you can pray for them. Reach out to someone in need... today. You won't regret it... God guarantees it.

Intentional for souls,

Tom Elie
Evangelist/President
Oasis World Ministries
www.oasisworldministries.org

Secret of Leadership

"For I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you"
(John 13:15).

"You can't teach culture. You have to live it. You have to experience it. You have to share it. You have to show it." These are words from Brent Harris, a top executive for Nordstrom, the retail chain known for legendary service.

Mac Anderson of Successories fame says, "To change any culture, in any company, the people at the top have to live it! Because words without deeds mean nothing!"

Nothing speaks louder than our actions. Jesus led by example in many ways: suffering, patience, returning good for evil, speaking the truth in love, compassion, fellowship and so much more.

When it comes to sharing our faith, Jesus was the premier example. He spent himself on others, especially the outcast, the poor, and the sick. He interacted with people at all levels. He practiced what He preached. He took His gospel outside the synagogue. He was a leader.

My friend, if you are a leader.... lead by example. The Bible says it well. "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify the Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:16).

Christians... should be the most polite, respectful and courteous people in town.

Christians... should be the first to serve, to show compassion, and to help the helpless.

Christians... should be great listeners, engaged in people's lives at home, work, and play.

Christians... should be politely vocal, expressing what Christ has done to open hearts.

In other words, take the lead. Show other Christians that you are serious about engaging and changing your culture. Show other Christians that you don't just talk about sharing your faith... you actually do it!

C'mon, let's lead together. Let's change our world.

Intentional for souls,

Tom Elie
Evangelist/President
Oasis World Ministries
www.oasisworldministries.org

P.S. So what do you think? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

It's Your Funeral

“Let us think of ways to motivate one anther to acts of love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24; NLT).

Recently I attended Bob’s funeral. He was a godly man and a good friend. People tearfully told me about his passion for business, nutrition, exercise, and spirituality. But the thing Bob was most known for, was spurring others on to good works. He believed in people and their dreams. In fact, different people testified to how Bob’s help and wisdom had changed their future.

The Old Testament talks about two guys named Aaron and Hur who did this for Moses. Whenever Moses held his arms up in praise to the Lord, Israel advanced. But after hours of doing it on his own, his arms grew weary.

So Aaron and Hur stepped in to help Moses raise his arms. Whenever they held Moses up, Israel prospered in battle. And whenever they let his arms down, Israel faltered and the enemy gained ground.

Do you remember people who have held you up? I remember specific people who have held me up through their support, encouragement, and prayers behind the Oasis vision to see one million people come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. These supporters bring tears to my eyes. It energizes me and gives me the ability to keep going forward, because I know that am not alone in this quest.

I would certainly love to learn from my friend, Bob. So what will people say at my funeral? I would like to be known for pursuing my God-given dreams, as well as help others fulfill theirs.

What about you? What will people say about you at your funeral? There’s still time to make a difference in other people’s lives and vision. Why not ask God to send you to someone who could use some encouragement today? Ask them about their vision, dream with them, and run the race with them like it is your very own.

Who knows? You may need someone to spur you on someday.

Intentional for souls,

Tom Elie
Evangelist/President
Oasis World Ministries
www.oasisworldministries.org

P.S. So what do you think? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Holy Desire

He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing bringing his harvest with him” (Psalm 126:6).

I don’t always ‘want to’ share my faith. My ‘desire to witness’ button is not always pushed. Sometimes I don’t want to share my faith, because I don’t ‘feel’ like it. The more I ignore my desire, the less I think about it. And when I keep my desire at bay, I lose the inner promptings and convictions to share my faith.

Last week my wife and stopped at the grocery store to pick up a few items. While my wife shopped, I stayed in the car. I could have checked my email or played some games on my phone, but I noticed some teens sitting on the curb. Then the thought entered my mind that this would be a great opportunity to share my faith with them. I didn’t feel like getting out of my car, and I didn’t feel like entering into a potentially awkward conversation with strangers.

So, where did this ‘desire to witness’ come from? It probably came because I have been participating in a weekly faith sharing class, or it may have been an answer to prayer in the form of a divine appointment. If so, the promptings would likely fade away if I ignored them, so without letting my ‘feelings’ dictate my actions, I got out of the car and begin to interact with these teens.

Do you know what happened? In only fifteen minutes, I had connected with these teens, shared my faith, and two of them prayed with me to accept Jesus as their Lord, right there on the curbside! My walk back to the car was loaded with ‘feelings’…great feelings! I was so glad that my initial feelings didn’t prevent me from missing out on this eternal blessing.

I have come to believe that our actions must precede feelings. When I act out what I know is right, regardless of how I feel, good feelings eventually follow. I think God calls it walking by faith, and this makes Him smile.

My prayerful goal is that my “want to” will remain higher than my “don’t want to.” If I have a holy desire, it can turn into a holy discipline, which will bring a holy delight!

Intentional for souls,
Tom Elie
President/Evangelist
www.oasisworldministries.org

Multi-Colored World

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).

I continue to have the awesome and wonderful privilege of representing our Lord Jesus Christ in India. I will never forget one morning's adventure when I shared my "One-Minute Witness" with a young man who was cleaning my hotel room. Shortly after that, I prayed with him to receive Christ's forgiveness and salvation.

Later on, I went to the hotel's rooftop terrace for a time of devotions. While I was reading from my Bible, a young man approached me and asked for prayer. Then two other men joined us, and then three more. I shared with them how Jesus is the only 'one true God,' and I told them about the tremendous healings we had recently seen at our Gospel and Healing Festivals. It turns out that three of these men were Christians; two were Hindu, and the other a Muslim.

After presenting the gospel, I asked the young men if they would like to pray to Jesus as their 'one true God.' To my delight, they all said, "yes." So I reached out my white-colored hand, and six dark-colored hands joined mine. Then I placed my other white-colored hand to sandwich their hands between mine. We all prayed aloud: three Christians, two Hindus, and a Muslim...all praying to Jesus Christ!

What a great picture: men from three different ethnic backgrounds
praying to Jesus for His wonderful forgiveness!

After I said, "Amen," I asked the Muslim man, "What happened when you prayed?" A big smile gripped his face as he said, "I have happiness in my heart."

The Bible says, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19). The word "nations" is "ethnos" in the Greek language. It is where we get our word "ethnic." You don't have to go to India anymore to find ethnic diversity. The world is multi-colored everywhere you look.

Let's take the gospel to all races, colors, and creeds. After all, no matter what our backgrounds are, we all have red blood, and we all are looking for the same thing...Christ's love!

Intentional for souls,
Tom Elie
Evangelist/President
Oasis World Ministries
www.oasisworldministries.org

P.S. So what do you think? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Happy as Hell?

“What shall it profit a man if he gains the world, and loses his own soul?” (Mark 8:36)

In my opinion, most Christians don’t believe in hell. Sometimes I wonder, how much do I? It’s an inconvenient truth...and downright uncomfortable to talk about.

I don’t like the idea of an eternal hell anymore than you do. Neither does God. But His justice demands its existence, just like our laws demand prisons, solitary confinement, life sentences, death row, and even the death penalty.

Rebelling against God is the worst capital offense.

Consider this: Preachers don’t preach about hell. It’s rare to hear the word ‘hell’ preached from a pulpit. I only remember one sermon during my growing up years, and you guessed it, it was about hell. It’s a morbid subject, and frankly, it’s easier to hear about grace than judgment. But Jesus talked a lot about both.

I was in a gas station just two days ago, and a guy was buying a big pork bone for his dog. He said, “My dog will love this. This bone will make my dog 'Happy as Hell' for three days."

I thought, “Happy as Hell?” That’s an oxymoron. Where did we get that expression?! Last time I read the Bible there’s no happiness in hell.

But believers don’t like to warn others about hell. The vast majority of Christians will live their entire lives without ever introducing someone to Jesus and sharing His plan of salvation. Most Christians don’t share their faith.

William Booth, the founder of the Salvation Army, was a Bible-believing preacher. He wished that every Christian could hang over the burning flames of hell for 24 hours. If we did, we would never be the same again...and I think he’s right.

But the Bible is very clear. For instance, the Bible says: “It is appointed unto man once to die, and after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27), and “What shall it profit a man if he gains the world, and loses his own soul?” (Mark 8:36), and “Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell” (Luke 12:5).

Here’s the point. If the Bible is true, which it is, then hell is as real as heaven. If hell isn’t real, then we must discard the whole Bible. Hell is a prison sentence meant for the devil, and for whoever decides to reject God's love and His priceless sacrifice.

Maybe instead of ignoring the subject, Christians ought to plunder hell to populate heaven! Maybe those in hell wished that they had heeded the answer we know.

There is hope for every human! Let’s stop pretending hell doesn’t exist, and let’s start telling people the whole truth...for heaven’s sake!

Intentional for souls,

Tom Elie
Evangelist/President
Oasis World Ministries
www.oasisworldministries.org

P.S. So what do you think? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Being His Witness

“You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you shall BE My witnesses” (Acts 2:4).

Okay, this is not for the squeamish or for those who live by making excuses.

The very idea of “going witnessing” strikes rabid fear in most Christians. No one likes doors slammed in our face, rejection, being labeled a “fanatic” or facing questions we aren’t equipped to answer.

In fact, it’s a fairly common belief that evangelism is for those who are “called” or “gifted” do the evangelizing.

But isn’t evangelism for all of us who follow Jesus Christ? Aren’t we ALL called to be His ambassadors and His voice? Aren’t you glad someone shared Jesus with you?

For many of us, “going witnessing” has been reduced to short-term mission trips, special outreaches, and inviting people to attend Easter and Christmas productions. Sharing Jesus has been assigned to a tiny and infrequent part of our life.

“Going witnessing” takes a lot of preparation…. mentally, spiritually and emotionally. I have to make time for it and get psyched up for it. It feels like a reluctant visit to the dentist’s office. I know I should go, but I don’t enjoy going.

We can do better.

Here’s my solution… let’s not GO witnessing; let’s BE His witness… everyday!

“Being His witness” means that I am ALWAYS ready, able, and looking for “divine appointments.” I don’t have to get psyched up. I just live my life ready to be His mouthpiece. When I live my life as being His witness, than each day becomes ‘normal Christianity.’ The fear factor diminishes, and I’m excited to experience how God can use me each and every day.

I think this is what New Testament evangelism looked like. It was part and parcel of who they were. Going witnessing is out… “being His witness” keeps my flame for Him burning brightly.

C’mon, the excuses are getting old. Let’s replace them with Being His witness… together!'

Intentional for souls,
Tom Elie
Evangelist/President
Oasis World Ministries
www.oasisworldministries.org

P.S. So what do you think? I'd love to hear your thoughts.