Author: Pastor Dennis Williams | Page 33 | Answers to Life Ministry

Are You Close To God | Purify Your Heart

James 4:8: Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double-minded.

• The double-minded Christian can never be close to God

• HAVE YOUR CAKE AND EAT IT: means there are two options that someone wants, but they can’t have both because the options conflict with each other, so they can only pick one.

• WE CAN’T EXPECT TO HAVE THE SINS THAT MAKE US FEEL GOOD AND CHRISTIANITY TOO!
• WE CAN’T HAVE THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS; YOU CAN’T HAVE IT BOTH WAYS
THIS LIFE IS ALL ABOUT CHOICES
JESUS UNDERSTANDS AND KNOWS ALL: HE HAS COMPASSION FOR US.
COMPASSION MAY BE DEFINED AS “YOUR PAIN IN MY HEART”

Psalm 145:8 The Lord is gracious and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.
Hebrews 4:14-16: Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.16 Let us, therefore, come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
• He was a man of sorrow, acquainted with grief.
• He understands the pain in our hearts and bodies
Isaiah 53:4-6: Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes, we are healed.6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way, and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
• We don’t have to feel despised and rejected
• Bruised hurt and thrown away
• Jesus Christ paid the price for it all
Jesus also said in Matthew 11:28-30: Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
• No matter what our past, present or future
• Jesus understands all that we are
• And all that we go through

Some refuse to draw near to God

Zep 3:2 She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the LORD; she drew not near to her God.

Jer 2:30: In vain have I smitten your children; they received no correction: your own sword hath devoured your prophets, like a destroying lion.

All nations Draw Near to God

Isa 66:22 For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain.

Give your heart to Jesus today by saying this prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank you for dying on the cross for my sin. Please forgive me. Come into my life. I receive You as my Lord and Savior. Please, help me to live for you the rest of this life. Fill me with your Holy Spirit. In the name of Jesus, I pray.
Amen.

Roots of Addiction Pt 2 Deliverance | Effects of Addictions series 4

By Pastor Dennis Williams

Mark 4:18-20: 18 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word,19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.20 And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.

Addictions have underlying roots.

For example: An addiction can be birthed from an “Underlying Issue” of emotional pain
• A Christian parent has a child with medical issues and the child fails to bounce back and prayers seem to produce no results.
• The Christian parent gives up on God and prayer
• In their pain they reached for pain killers and alcohol
• To numb the pain
A Human being goes to great lengths to avoid physical, emotional and spiritual pain
• Drugs Alcohol, Caffiene Porn, Sex, materialism and entertainment, people, Christian leaders, sugar, food… many more

WE KNOW THROUGH THE WORD THESE THINGS CANNOT SATISFY

Ecc 6:7: All the labour of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled.
Prov 20:1: Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.

BUT WE TALKED THE WHOLE BODY WHICH INCLUDES THE BODY AND THE SOUL

1 Thessalonians 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
• Jesus wants to sanctify us WHOLLY and HOLY

DELIVERANCE IS NOT FOR THE UNBELIEVER

• What good would it do to cast demons from an unbeliever?
o Unless they were planning to accept Christ
• Unbelievers cannot maintain their deliverance
According to Luke 11:24-26 : When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out.25 And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished.26 Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.

John 5:14: Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.
• Unbelievers have no defense at all
• Believers have the Things of God and of the Spirit as a defense
1 Cor. 3:16: Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

Give your heart to Jesus today by saying this prayer:

Roots of Addiction | Effects of Addictions series 3

By Pastor Dennis Williams

2 Cor 10:3-5: For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:4 (For the weapons of our warfare [are] not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

A stronghold of the mind is a lie that gets established (as a lifestyle/pattern) in our thinking and actions.
Satan will use guilt, thoughts about our past, what people may or may not be saying about us, or speaks lies that ultimately cripples an individual Christian walk.

ADDICTIONS CAN BE STRONGHOLDS OVER THE MIND THAT CHOKE THAT WORD
Rom 8:6-8 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

TRULY AN ENEMY IS HOLDING THE STRONGHOLD OF THE MIND, ACCORDING TO :
2 Cor. 4. 4: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them

Stronghold of a Reprobate Mind:

Romans 1:28: And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

A BLINDED MIND
2 Cor 3:14: 14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.

CAUSING PEOPLE TO WALK IN THE VANITY OF THEIR MINDS

Eph. 4.17-19: 17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

INTRUDING INTO THINGS WHICH THE MIND CANNOT FATHOM, “VAINLY PUFFED UP” BY A “FLESHLY MIND

Col. 2. 18: Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

OUTLINE OF SOLUTIONS TO ADDICTIONS:

1. WE MUST ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WE HAVE AN ADDICTION.
Matthew 9:12: But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need, not a physician, but they that are sick”.
2. WE MUST DESIRE TO BE FREE FROM THE ADDICTION.
Mark 10:51: And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight.
3. We must be willing to turn from the addiction.
Luke 9:23-25: And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?
4. WE MUST SEE THAT GOD IS THE REAL GOLD.
Matthew 6:33: But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
5. WE MUST BE WILLING TO LAY OUR ADDICTION BEFORE GOD.
I Peter 5:7-9: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
6. WE MUST COME TO DEPEND UPON GOD TO FULFILL OUR NEEDS.
Philippians 4:19: But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
7. WE MUST WAIT UPON GOD TO FULFILL OUR NEEDS.
Hosea 12:6: Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually.”

Give your heart to Jesus today by saying this prayer:

Physical Effects of Addictions Pt 2 | Effects of Addictions series 2

By Pastor Dennis Williams

THE LORD WANTS TO WORK IN OUR WHOLE BODY, NOT JUST OUR SPIRITS

1 Thessalonians 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Body – Soul – This physical body that God gave us to take care of
- If we are sick in the body
- We may not be able to care for our spirits
Spirit- is that part of us the grows and matures as we feed it

WE CAN LOOK AT ADDICTIONS AS LIKE WEEDS THAT ARE ROOTED IN OUR GARDEN
• Addictions are the ROOT of many Christians problems in
o physical (health) and spiritual health
• Addictions cause the weeds or seeds of sin in our lives
o Pull those weeds early before they get rooted in (elaborate)
o Stir up the soil of your heart with the Word of God

JESUS SAID IN THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER:

Mark 4:19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.
• Cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and lusts for other things
• Lead to addictions, AND CHOKE THE WORD
• The Word WILL NOT have the proper effect on your life

AND THE PERSON BECOMES ENSLAVED TO THAT ADDICTION
1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father but is of the world.
• We see again reasons why addictions can have a dramatic effects
o In a person’s physical lives
o As well as their spiritual lives
Acts 10:38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
SOME REASONS FOR ADDICTIONS
Could be:
• Low self esteem
o -may think they are useless
• Could be genetic:
o Come through the family line
• Pier Pressure
THAT OLD MAN OR FLESH HAS TO BE CRUCIFIED SO THAT WE CAN RISE IN THE SPIRIT
Galatians 5:24: And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
• Affections and lusts can represent addictions in our lives

JESUS CAN HELP US DO THIS THROUGH PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE

BUT MOSTLY THROUGH INCORPORATING THE WORD OF GOD IN OUR DAILY LIVES

AND NOT ALLOW THOSE THINGS THAT “BESET US” CHOKE THE WORD IN OUR LIVES

THE ULTIMATE ANSWER TO OUR ADDICTIONS IS JESUS CHRIST

Acts 10:38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

Give your heart to Jesus today by saying this prayer:

Physical Effects of Addictions | Effects of Addictions series 1

By Pastor Dennis Williams

Hosea 4:6: My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.

ADDICTIONS CAN BE BROKEN THROUGH PROPER HELP:
Knowledge, (going to share today), and by Determination and Spiritual Transformation
I WANT TO SHARE KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE PHYSICAL EFFECTS OF ADDICTIONS
In the general public, people have addictions and know it:
• But Christians may try to cover these things
• “I am a Christian I shouldn’t have this problem.”
• We have to know we have a problem
• Before we can seek to do something about it
IF WE CAME INTO CHRISTIANITY LATER IN LIFE, WE HAVE A PAST
• Some issues never get sorted because of shame, fear, or pride
• They remain secrets, and our Christian walk is affected in a negative way
• These secrets can cause a Christian to live a double life
• There’s only one remedy to a double life, and that’s the heart of REPENTANT SURRENDER.
o Or the bondage may grow and consume us
o Or we lose hope
THE LORD WILL PERFECT US. WE CAN NOT PERFECT OURSELVES.
Psalms 138:8: “The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.”
Denial: First thing to deal with. A person may not realize how bad the addiction is.
The Lord already knows our hearts:
Jeremiah 17:10: I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

DENIAL GETS IN THE WAY
When you break the word Denial Down in individual terms, you get:
Don’t Even Know I am Lying.
• In denial, people may say: “I can help myself.”
• I don’t need to go into any treatment
• Some people lose years of their lives struggling to ADMIT THE PROBLEM
DENIAL IS THE DISTORTION OF THE TRUTH THAT ALLOWS FOR THE PROTECTION AND CONTINUATION OF THE DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIOUR.
• Denial is dishonesty

THE LORD DESIGNED THE BRAIN TO FUNCTION PRECISELY THE WAY HE DESIGNED

1 Corinthians 6:19 – What? Know ye not that your Body is the temple of the Holy Ghost [which is] in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

When we take care of our Brain, we function correctly (like any other part of our Body)

Dopamine is responsible for the term dope
• and is the chemical messenger (neurotransmitter) that affects addiction Dopamine is the feel-good chemical messenger that triggers the pleasure in the Brain

THE NATURAL LEVELS OF DOPAMINE WE ARE SUPPOSED TO HAVE ARE AFFECTED WHEN WE HAVE ADDICTIONS.

• This happens : Because of all the dopamine surges that have been dumped into the Brain
• By the various addictions that we mentioned

JESUS CHRIST CAN FREE OF ANY ADDICTION
Acts 10:38: How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
Isa 53:3-5: He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Luke 1:37 – For with God nothing shall be impossible.
Philippians 4:13 – I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Mark 9:23 – Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things [are] possible to him that believeth.
Matthew 17:20 – And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

Give your heart to Jesus today by saying this prayer:

Naaman’s Rescue from Blind Pride

By Pastor Dennis Williams

Isaiah 55:8-9: For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

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