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Discussion Forum : Miracles that follow the plow : Friends of Oasis- Newsletter

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alan4jc
Member



Joined: 2007/8/15
Posts: 190
Cache Valley, Utah

 Friends of Oasis- Newsletter

Dear Friends, September 19, 2009
Thank you again for praying for God's work here. Because of the freedom USU has given us, we plan to be on the Plaza all day every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday preaching to the crowds of students and giving away free books at our table, as long as the weather holds. In the first two weeks, days have been long, usually 10 to 6. The second Tuesday was forecast to be rainy—after a very rainy Monday—and so we thought to plan to not go. One brother, whose wife was to cover Oasis in our absence, said that we ought to plan to go and he would pray. The weather cleared early in the morning and not a drop of rain fell on the books as the Lord provided many good conversations. One man has told us that Logan is forecast to have a long fall. May the Lord make it so, even into November. Mormons are gripped by a vision of Christ as a lawgiver. Martin Luther said that his greatest temptation was to see Christ as a lawgiver rather than to see Him as “nothing but joy and sweetness to a trembling and broken heart.” Please pray that the Lord would give us such a vision of His grace that all the saints who join us would model His grace, and joyously speak of the need of His grace and of the glorious riches of His grace.
A young freshman, ____, came by the table to talk. He had read our article on witnessing to Mormons and said it was not working for him. He said that he wants to witness but can't stand to listen to Mormons because he grew up a Christian in the Salt Lake City area and has already had as much of their message as he can take. I encouraged him to confess his sin of lack of love quickly whenever it surfaces, to pray often for God to fill him with love for the Mormons who surround him, and to expect God to answer. Over the years, many believers here have expressed to me that they have difficulty in loving Mormons. Please pray for the Lord to give us saints in Utah such a vision of His love for us that we would become marked by love for one another and for the Mormons who surround us. Specifically pray this for the brother above, who wants to learn this.
Last year a Mormon student, Laura, spent much time with us discussing righteousness and grace. On our second day on campus this month, she came by the book table, interrupted a conversation and declared that if there is any truth available, it was to be found at this table. She mentioned that she was leaving school due to unknown medical problems, and later laughingly stated that she would probably return from California a “born-again evangelical.” She seems ready to become a Christian but left town so suddenly that we did not get another conversation with her. Pray for God to heal her as a testimony of His grace. We plan to write her a letter soon encouraging her from death to life. The conversation that Laura interrupted was with Shelly, a quiet Mormon freshman, who in the two weeks since first leaving home, had decided to leave Mormonism. She mentioned seeking to evaluate which parts of her religion to keep and which to discard. She was smiling as she held her free books to her chest. Pray for God to draw her to Himself and to bring her back by the table when there is freedom to talk. Sometimes there are so many Mormons around the table desiring conversation, that conversations don't get finished.
As Eli preaches to the crowds, it is interesting to notice many students who are back day after day to ask more questions or simply to listen. Mormon questions are usually about faith, repentance and good works. Students hang around the plaza for hours listening while reading their books or waiting for class. Sometimes the students sit in a semicircle around him and the white board. Wonderful relationships are developing. On Thursday a “regular” Mormon was there when a “new” Mormon asked the common question, “What is faith?” The “regular” spoke up and said that he would answer it. He accurately told Eli's illustration of faith, which Mormons don't believe. It seems that walls are coming down and hearts are warming. Many Mormons thank Eli for having the courage to share his beliefs. Some return and apologize for having been judgmental or unkind toward him. Mormons are developing relationships with each other as they discuss heartfelt issues with us. May God use this to make them willing to be in Bible study together with Christians. Here are a few of the unbelievers who come by nearly everyday to talk or listen: Ben, Lucinda, Harvey, Shawn, Mike, Aaron, John, and Jordan.
Chris, a new student and recent convert to Mormonism, came by the table after listening to Eli preach. He had tried to speak with Eli, but there were too many people. He looked troubled and asked if there was any way he could speak with one of us. He told me his story about being a born-again Christian in California for nine years before becoming a Mormon—yes for a woman but also for himself. It was crowded. He went back to try Eli and then came back to the table and took our card. It appeared to me that he was discovering that Mormonism was not what he had thought. Pray for him to return.
Hussein, from Saudi Arabia came by the table and asked for an Arabic Bible. The following week he returned to get the Bible and eagerly listened as I encouraged him to read the Gospel of John, Acts and Romans. Last year he had taken an NIV NT among other materials, and we had had good conversation about sin and redemption. Other Saudi's have taken books or had conversation.
As Isaac, a Mormon and a regular from last year, and I talked about “how good is good enough” over the table, Rich, a fellow sitting nearby and listening, was drawn into the conversation. After Isaac left, Rich agreed that the harder he has tried the worse he has gotten. He had become guilt ridden in noticing that he can't change. Repentance without works was a pleasant surprise and he was glad to hear about free grace. He seems close to the kingdom. Please pray for him.
Shawn, a young Mormon student, who is openly homosexual, hangs around much listening to Eli preach, talking with me at the table, or listening to our conversations. We give him clear words about sin, righteousness and grace, and show him much kindness. He has frequently criticized all Christians and Mormons for picking on and being mean to homosexuals. I finally asked him if he thought Eli and I were like that. He said we were not, but the others were, so he could still criticize. It finally came out that his criticism of us is that he wants people to get to heaven by trying to be good. I told him that this is his only big sin and the only one he should worry about. Finally we had to go and he said he would continue the conversation on Tuesday. He had hoped we would be back sooner.
This morning while going door-to-door, we visited with Annie, who invited us in to give her the good person test. She was in town visiting her cousin. She is a freshman at BYU, where Christian evangelism is banned on campus and against the honor code. She saw her sin and did not fight against grace as most Mormons do. She gladly took the dollar as a gift and eagerly took All of Grace by Spurgeon. I told her that if she likes the book and wants copies for friends to contact us and we will gladly send them for free. I encouraged her to be honest with her Utah-Mormon friends about her sins because it would help them resist the social pressure to the pretenses that they have grown up with. She appreciated that. Pray for the Lord to save her soon and make her a bright light in that very dark place. At BYU conversion is probably still punished by expulsion.
INSIGHT:
IN MORMONISM: Repentance is a process that includes works and really is mostly works—the striving to be sincere, to stop all sins and to perfectly obey all God's commandments. Mormons are so gripped by this thinking that they cannot imagine anyone believing anything except a weaker version of it.
IN THE BIBLE: Repentance does not include works. Good works and a changed life are the fruit of repentance. Christ purifies sinners completely and makes them then zealous for good works (Titus 2:14). This way excludes pride (Eph 2:9) and makes salvation to be solely to the praise of the glory of His grace (Eph 1:6). We have found that conversations with Mormons are helped by explaining simply and clearly that the New Testament teaches a repentance that excludes works. Use the word “works” often with Mormons as it is an important word to them.
Thank you for your prayers.
In our faithful Lord Jesus Christ,
Brad Scheelke
Logan Utah
oasisbooks.blogspot.com
If you would prefer to not receive this prayer note, reply with that request. There will be no break in fellowship.


_________________
Alan Taylor

 2009/9/20 19:53Profile
alan4jc
Member



Joined: 2007/8/15
Posts: 190
Cache Valley, Utah

 Re: Friends of Oasis- Newsletter

By the way USU is Utah State University in Logan Utah, where it is 90% Mormon.


_________________
Alan Taylor

 2009/9/21 10:48Profile
alan4jc
Member



Joined: 2007/8/15
Posts: 190
Cache Valley, Utah

 Re:

Dear Friends, November 2, 2009


Thank you for praying for God's work here. Our gracious Father is encouraging the few saints here to grow in grace and be light to the surrounding multitude who are trapped in the oppression of justification based on human performance. Those who are converted out of it tell us that it is truly a heavy and depressing load. Pray that we would see all the other true Christians as the Father does—as pure and perfect by the blood of Christ. He welcomed each us without hesitation and calls us to receive each other that way as well (Romans 15:7). Loving one another is the way that unbelievers know that we are Christians (John 13:35). This is a beautiful evangelism tool. Pray for the Lord to help us here to shine up that tool to His glory.


Hussein, from Saudi Arabia, whom I mentioned in the last letter, came by the table again and said that he really likes our books. He said that his friends come over every night to read and discuss the Arabic New Testament. This seems rather unusual for Muslims. Pray for God to save them and send them back to Arabia as joyous missionaries of our gracious Lord.


Tyler heard Eli preach and came back hours later to talk. He had been ostracized by his Mormon family first for his sinful lifestyle and later for his lack of performance after he had sought to change and was trying to be a good Mormon. The gospel resonated with him. He now attends Eli's Thursday night study in Romans and shows a real desire to submit to the scriptures. He freely confesses himself to be a sinner.


Madison, a freshman from Washington, became a Christian in the past few months. Her Mormon family is applying much emotional and financial manipulation over this matter. She has joined Eli's Bible study and found a few saints for encouragement. Pray for her to grow in grace and get a 1 Peter 4:13-14 mindset that she may be ready for the big confrontation when she goes home for Christmas break. Peter reveals God's truth that a Christian ought to rejoice in suffering for Christ since it is a blessing to get reviled for Christ. This is a common blessing here for those like Madison. But it is also common temptation to forget the blessing, especially when the rejection is from loved ones. Pray that God would bring the blessing often to mind for those who face insults, rejection or ostracism.


Pete, an active Mormon, has been in conversation with us for two years and comes to Eli's study. He mostly listens. Certainly the Word is clear and the fellowship is sweet among the saints there. Pray for God to draw him to the cross.


Eli had a good talk with Jedd about the difference between Christian and Mormon repentance. Jedd was intrigued, went home and read Romans 1-5, and came back with questions.


Mike, an agnostic and former Mormon, comes by every day. He was in Bible study with Eli last year. He recently read Romans carefully and came by to declare that what we preach is what Paul taught. He knows the gospel better than most Christians. Pray for him to believe it.


Ben, a Jew, comes by to listen and talk nearly every day. He asks many good questions.


Jack is contemplating becoming a Mormon—his girlfriend is one. He was very thoughtful as Eli spoke with him for over an hour.


Bradley, a Jew and an older student, just returned from 3 tours in Iraq. He jogged by many times before he came close enough for a first greeting. Later he came back to talk. I read Isaiah 53 to him and asked for his thoughts. He was unsure and asked what I though. He did not resist as I explained how Isaiah spoke of the sacrifice of Christ. We seem to have hit it off, even sharing a common name. He has come by several times to talk. I have extended him an invitation for dinner with my family. He says he will be free during Christmas holidays. He has no family nearby. Pray for God to prepare his heart.


Anna, a California Mormon, stopped by the table to talk. She was easy going and very flexible in her religious thinking. As we discussed at length sin and forgiveness she tried to make Christianity and Mormonism and even all religions fit together. She gradually began to think more clearly and finally expressed that she disagreed much with Mormon ideas, especially with performance requirements. She said she really can't relate to other Mormons and felt out of place. She began to appreciate the truth of resting in the work of another for a secure relationship with God. The gospel was beginning to make sense. She was eager to hear about Eli's study. She gladly took two books on grace. I encouraged her to read Romans. Pray for her to return and for her to see the depths of her sin.


Two Christian students from the Dominican Republic, Melina and Eliot, stop by the table often. They want to help witness and to discuss the Bible with us. Melina has a Mormon roommate, Carol, who is also from the Dominican Republic. They had been friends but the university put them in the same suite. Carol has begun going to church with Melina and asking many questions. Pray for her to become a Christian soon so as to be prepared to go back home to her Mormon family and be a bright light to them. It is a wonderful testimony of God's grace when an out-of-state Mormon comes to the Mormon heartland and is converted to the true gospel of righteousness by faith alone. May God multiply these testimonies.


This week, Nov 3-5, is forecast to be warm and sunny on campus. [Last week was snowy and cold.] This will probably be our last week at USU this fall. Pray for many students to return for more conversation and for God to convict them of sin and save some.





INSIGHT:


“knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.” --Galatians 2:16


Why should a person believe in in Christ?


IN MORMONISM: Believing in Christ is the first step in the long process of becoming justified by faith plus works. This process makes a person worthy to return and live with the father in heaven.


IN THE BIBLE: The Bible teaches that we believe in Christ that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by any works on our part. Justification by faith alone glorifies God's grace. Mormons can't stand the idea of faith alone—such is too easy. The above question is a good one to ask a Mormon to get to the heart of the matter.


Thank you for your prayers.


In our faithful Lord Jesus Christ,

Brad Scheelke

Logan Utah


oasisbooks.blogspot.com


_________________
Alan Taylor

 2009/11/3 13:10Profile
jlosinski
Member



Joined: 2006/9/11
Posts: 294
North Pole, Alaska

 Re:

Thanks for your heart for the lost, this was an encouragment to me today!
Joe

 2009/11/3 13:32Profile





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