The Oasis

Thursday, August 12, 2021
Listen to this devotional:
Listen while you read: "God Reveals His Presence"1 (Lyrics)

Not every desert story is the same. Mine began when my health began to fail, eventually confining me to my home. Looking for the positive, I could see that this allowed me more time to immerse myself in God's Word. Writing devotionals has given me purpose and a way of sharing God's amazing love.

Now, another storm has left me relying on oxygen therapy to perform the most basic tasks, such as dressing, and especially putting on my socks. I am forever trying to reinvent myself and stay positive, yet sometimes, I feel like I am losing the battle. But God hears our prayers and is faithful.

1 Corinthians 10:13b – God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation, he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. (ESV)

I have learned that "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13 NKJV), for He is my oasis.

It is in the desert where trials have grown and stretched my faith. This oasis has instilled in me the ability to persevere.

Christians far too often find themselves lost in a spiritual wilderness. It takes only a few independent steps to slip away from God's guidance and become aimless wanderers. The greater the distance between ourselves and our Father, the more difficult it is to hear His voice. Maturing and growing in our faith ceases as spiritual and physical dehydration take place. Without Jesus' living water, spiritual death seems imminent.

Battles are fought in our minds every day. When we begin to feel that the battle is just too difficult and we want to give up, we must choose to resist negative thoughts and be determined to rise above our problems. We must decide that we are not going to quit. When we are bombarded with doubts and fears, we must take a stand and say (with Joyce Meyer): "I'll never give up! God is on my side. He loves me, and He is helping me! I am going to make it!"

Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, we thank You for being our oasis when we find ourselves lost in the desert. You bring calm in the middle of chaos, and You shelter us from our enemies. You fill our cup to overflowing with cool spring water and shade us from the scorching sun. Jesus says (John 4:14 ESV) "Whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again." Amen.

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About the author:

Lois Macdonald <loismacs5@gmail.com>
Oshawa, Ontario, Canada

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1 Comment

  • PresbyCan Feedback says:

    Thanks, Lois. Keep writing!


    Prayers your way, Lois. Thanks for sharing.


    I appreciate your writings. Thank you for the effort.


    Keep up the good work! I love your devotionals! God is good!
    (On.)


    Thank you that in the midst of your own problems you reach out with encouragement to others. God bless you richly.


    Lois, thank you for taking me with you to both the desert and the oasis.
    It is obvious from your writing that God is using you to bless your readers.


    Thank you, Lois, for this encouraging devotional message. You blessed me and gave me courage to keep an appointment today. Blessings back at you.


    Blessings to you, Lois as you find today’s Oasis that you have used to help all of us who read your inspiration today! Yay for helping others through the desert of this world.


    Dear Lois,
    Thank you for today’s devotional and the encouragement.
    God bless you. I pray the song, Goodness of God, is a blessing to you.


    Thank you, Lois, for your moving testimony. Recently I heard this: don’t let your thoughts talk to you but talk back to your thoughts. Satan loves to get in our head. I’m learning to practice this.


    Great encouragement for all, Lois. Sorry to hear about your health challenges but the way you face them with faith is definitely inspirational.
    Many thanks and blessings!


    Thank you for your devotional and taking the time and effort to write it. Do not be discouraged because what you are doing, and praying is powerful and needed.
    May God be with you in this difficult time.


    Dear Lois – thank you so much for your inspirational devotional today. You are a wonderful bright shining light in God’s army. Thank you for encouraging us to focus on HIM and on our blessings no matter the circumstances. God Bless you dear woman.


    Thank you very much for the devotion message.
    Am challenged that you are focused and keep writing while on oxygen.
    May Almighty God restore your strength to continue his work here on earth.


    Thank you for sharing this devotion today Lois. Your words are inspiring, and I pray that by sharing a little of your story, combined with God’s Word, people who need a boost out of their current struggles will find the boost they need.
    God bless you.


    Hello Lois,
    Many thanks for your thoughtful devotional today. It touched me. I’m grateful that even while facing your own challenges you are helping others in their faith journeys.
    May God continue to bless you.


    Dear Lois,
    Your devotional is like a drink of the cool oasis water. I also “reinvent” with God’s help. He never fails to send a ministry and provide the tools to do the job in our circumstances. Yes, indeed, the trials are what stretch our faith and draw us even closer to our Savior. Bless you for sharing, and I will pray for your health.


    Dear Lois:
    Thank you so much for your very encouraging words. I too am an oxygen user. When I read your words, I suddenly heard the sound of rushing clear water. It felt so refreshing. Thank you.
    May our wonderful Lord bless and keep you safe always in the palm of His hand.


    Loved your encouragement today.
    I know how you feel as I have had several botched knee surgeries. Always being an active busy person, it has been a struggle to slow down with a Walker.
    But I give Thanks every am and pm I am not walking alone.
    Keep writing. Blessings.


    Good morning Lois, I hope this short note finds you well. I want to thank you for reminding me to “let go and let God”.
    So, this morning once again, I give God permission to do what He wants with me and to get out of His way.
    God’s blessing be poured on you and your family,
    (QC)


    Dear Lois,
    I am sorry to learn of your challenges; however, what you say of God’s faithfulness is so true. And yes, I join you in attesting to the spiritual growth with which He blesses us in and through our trials.
    May your day and days be filled with His amazing love, grace, and peace.
    Thank you for sharing this testimony and worship with us all.
    Blessings in Christ,
    (BC)


    Dear Lois,
    Thank you for your writing this morning and I loved the way you expressed the oasis of God’s love in the midst of a storm. Truly having faith in our Saviour brings a feeling of great calm. I’m sorry to hear of the difficulties you are facing but with your strong faith the Lord’s strength and comfort will see you through. For years and ongoing, my mantra is Phil: 4:13. Very reassuring words.
    Blessings for your contribution to devotionals and I will be praying for you as you deal with health issues.


    Good morning Lois,
    Your devotional is so encouraging to others because you show us that even in the desert of poor health, you rely on your faith to stay positive and to have a purpose. Even when we are healthy, we are fighting negative thoughts all the time. I am trying to help my granddaughter to learn this and to ask God to be with her to stay positive and to learn to have an attitude of gratitude. When we thank God each morning for the good things in our lives like the sun, a home, food to eat, friends to share with and so much more, we start our day in God’s presence and in a positive mind set. We might have to do that many times on some days.
    I am grateful for your devotionals and your honest sharing with us of your situation at this moment. Joyce Meyer is a great example of positive thinking and her faith.
    As I join with you in your prayer this morning, I want to thank you for being willing to share from your heart and may God continue to walk with you and support you as you reinvent yourself.


    Thank you, Lois. I needed this message today.
    Blessings,
    (QC)


    Very helpful, as I go through the desert of pandemic, cancer, heat wave, smoky atmosphere, and alcoholism in my family.
    Jesus’ refreshment, His healing, soothing, cooling hands are guiding me through.
    I am not alone!
    Bless you for this encouragement,
    (BC)


    Good morning Lois,
    I was very moved by your story “The Oasis” in the PresbyCan Daily Devotional. Thank you for sharing your experience and I pray that God through Jesus Christ will light your every day and guide you manage your health.
    You made a very important and true statement that Christians, and even those who attend regular church, get lost in the wilderness and forget to reach out to our Lord and keep close to their faith every minute of every day.
    May we all learn from this story. Thank you again for sharing very personal journey.
    (ON)


    I will pray for you for further endurance.

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