Oasis

​We’ve tried hard to sell our house in Tigard but to no avail.  For over a year it sat vacant.   Have you ever had times when a nagging notion persistently sits in your heart?  I’ve had that notion—I believe God wants our house to be used for ministry.  So, with hesitant concurrence from my wife, we decided to deepen our risk factor.   12350 SW Tiedeman became a spiritual oasis, a shelter for the homeless and refuge for the hurting.  

We met a brother by the name of Randall who moved into our house agreeing to be the ministry caretaker/shepherd.  He is a giant in prayer and a compassionate 53-year-old widower greatly experienced in corporate living and helping hurting people. 

Beginning in January, a friend and business owner will pay $500 a month to help with the costs.  His wife will come in and decorate.  Another ministry, Love Inc.,graciously provided furniture.   Last week our first homeless couple moved in and in the next two days, two more men will join them.  We still need $1500 a month to cover costs but we thank the Lord in advance because He will provide.  
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Our goal is to create a refuge.  In this home God will be honored and love administered to help people make better decisions, amass money so they can get back on their feet, and most importantly, if they don’t know Jesus to be introduced to the King of restoration.  
  
Meditation
Revelation 7:17--For the Lamb who is at the center of the throne will shepherd them; He will guide them to springs of living waters, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.
 
Jesus tells us that the way to eternal life is through a narrow gate and difficult road that few will find.  He also identified Himself as the gate (Matthew 7:14; John 10:9).   Statistically most of the world is comprised of people that do not recognize Him as their Savior—let alone follow after Him as Lord. Without Jesus, life is a spiritual desert whose broad highway leads to hell.  With Him, we become fertile, green areas marked by the presence of living water that flows unceasingly from heaven.  Wherever groups of Christians operate in holy living they form an oasis!  
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I hope you will pray for God’s hand of blessing to be upon Randall and the lives of those who temporarily move in for help.  And I hope you will be encouraged as I am, to continue to seek ways that we can be the luscious, green life attached to the Vine, thriving and growing so unmistakably favored by God that those in the desert see and with hope move toward the haven made possible by Christ.  Something to think about . . . in reveration!
 
Inspiration
Our culture has seduced us into loving to be served instead of committing ourselves to meeting the needs of others.—George Barna in Growing True Disciples
 
©2007 Daniel York  ARR.  Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box. Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)