Author: Pastor Dennis Williams | Page 37 | Answers to Life Ministry

Warfare of the Mouth

DEATH AND LIFE ARE IN THE POWER OF THE TONGUE:

Prov 18:21: Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

John 6:63: It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

David prayed in Ps 141:34: Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.4 Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practice wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties.
• David knew the heart was the key to words we speak
• What we fill our minds with is going to drop down into the heart
• And soon come out of our mouths
Matthew 15:11: Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.

JESUS WANTS TO HELP US WITH THE WORDS WE SPEAK
• If we allow Him
Romans 12:2: And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God
• Renewing the mind through the Bible
• Our words will be Sweeter and Holier

Galatians 5:22-23: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
• This is one of our goals
• Reflecting His fruit in our daily lives
• The Lord will meet us day by day as we seek Him
THE TONGUE IS ONE AREA WE ALL CAN COME UP A NOTCH OR TWO

The Bible says to Christians: .. he walketh about seeking whom he MAY devour.. But that scripture goes on to say: we must resist him steadfast in the faith… 1 Peter 5:8

James 3:6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. (some of the things we say may come straight out of hell)

Prov 6:16 :These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
Proverbs 20:19 He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.

• People in general love to hear or read about what is going on in someone else’s life
• The root of gossip is negativity, judgment, slander, etc.
• Don’t take gossip into your spirit. It is poison to the spirit.
• The Fire of Gossip has even caused some believers to leave their churches
• Fall away from God
• Just because some believers may refuse to control their tongues
Proverbs 26:20-21: Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth .21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.

Be responsible with the things of God. -Amen PTL.

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.

Lure of Offense

By Pastor Dennis Williams

Luke 17: 1-5: Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible, but that offenses will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! 2 It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea than that he should offend one of these little ones.3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.5, And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.
• Jesus said its impossible to avoid the temptation to be offended
• An Offense is a bait (a deceptive trap)that the devil places before our face.
o For example a verbal offense where words betray or offend
o The person’s reaction to the words is the key
o If the offense is taken to heart and not released in forgiveness
o Then the offense starts to take root and affect a person’s life
o We MUST forgive those that sin against us

BEFORE JESUS WE MAY HAVE BEEN OFFENDED OR WE OFFENDED A PERSON, A GROUP OF PEOPLE, AN ORGANIZATION ETC.
o Sometimes we did not know we offended anyone
o Sometimes we did know but didn’t care
o And if we were offended we sought to get even

BUT THE OFFENSES WE MOST REMEMBER ARE THE ONES THAT AFFECTED US
• The offense or offenses may have been a close relative -and often is
• The ones we open up and give our hearts to
• The people that are close to us hurt us the most- unfortunately
o We would always be thinking about what they did to us
o “How dare they say or do that to us”
 The more we thought about the offense, the more pain we felt.
 Then the more outraged we got.
 Then we felt the need to get them back
 We may have even recruited others for our dirty deeds
 The Devil had a hold of us, and we didn’t know it
What about those offenses that we did to others on purpose?
• Did we go back to apologize?
• Did we apologize to anybody before we were saved?
o Or did we say, “They will come to me,” “I did nothing.”
o They OWE ME and apology.
o It was all their fault, and they deserved it.

WE MAY HAVE CARRIED SOME OF THESE OFFENSES, HURTS AND PAINS OVER INTO CHRISTIANITY
The Lord wants to change the way we handled offenses in our lives before he found us
Question:
• Do we still handle offenses the same way we did before we were Christians

WE MUST SEEK TO HAVE THE HEART OF JESUS AND OBEY HIS WORD:
As we read in Luke 17:3-4: 3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him 4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.
• Yes, this is a learning a growing process
• The first thing we want to do is reject the one that comes to us.
• And start telling them off about what they did to us.
• Remember: Forgiveness is for your heart
o To keep you on track with the Lord
o Keep your heart from getting hard
• Repentance: is what has to happen. Ask the Lord to forgive us for a hard heart towards anyone.
• Let the healing process start with you.
o Don’t wait on them to come to you
o Go to whoever, if you are led of the Lord
o Spend time in prayer
o Always make sure it’s the Lord

Forgive as you have been forgiven!

Stumbling Blocks

By Pastor Dennis Williams

Stumbling block: one definition: refers to something or someone who keeps another from a relationship with God.

Satan has traps within the church, and we have to watch that we don’t fall in the trap of becoming a hindrance to some seeing Jesus.
We don’t want to used by the devil to stop someone from seeing Jesus
Or be the victim because someone was used of the devil to turn us away

WE KNOW THAT THE DEVIL’S JOB IS TO STOP THE WORK OF GOD FROM GOING FORTH

The devil can and will use anything he can to stop someone finding and getting close to Jesus
- We will talk about some of these down the line
And he also uses people that have been in the church to prevent the work of God from going forth
- Or to turn someone away from the faith
- He may work to use you or me to turn someone away
- He may have worked to use someone to turn you away

The Devil is our enemy and seeks to deceive, seduce and entice us to sin

He even tried to use Peter to stop Jesus from going to the cross
…. He said be that far from you Lord

Matthew 16:22-23: Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. 23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

Jesus said in Luke 17:1-5
Luke 17: Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible, but that offenses will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!2 It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him 4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.5 And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.
• Jesus said it is impossible to live in this life and not have an offense or cause to stumble
• But woe unto them through whom they come it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones
• Jesus is concerned about the new babies, even the ones that left him and he left the 99 to go and get that little lost one.
• The disciples knew that these things were hard to hear and possibly had to follow
• Especially the forgiveness part : But Jesus said : Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.
• They knew this would be a difficult task, so they said Lord increase our faith
• Developing the Love of God in our lives requires faith.
Remember : I talked about Phileo love: Is relatively easy : Love those that love us.
• But Agape love: is unconditional love: Loving the unlovely.
• Jesus Love’

Heb 3:15 While it is said, today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation
Could we be doing things that may be a stumbling block to someone knowing Jesus Christ?
• Things that may cause people to take an offense into their hearts
Offended people produce
Ask yourself: Do I have behavior or attitude that leads another to sin or destructive behavior?

Is there something about me that KEEPS ANOTHER FROM A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.

· Divisions Strifes and Undercurrents

· Gossips, backbiting, Accusations

· An unholy life, destructive habits

· Addictions

· Unforgiveness

· Refusing to Repent

· Divided Heart

· Backslidden

· Betrayal

· Abusing the Grace of God

Father, in the name of Jesus, I ask that you would reveal by Your Spirit, Your Word to me. Expose any hidden areas of my heart that have hindered me from knowing you and serving you more effectively. Expose to me any area in my life that is causing a stumbling block or and offense to someone else’s life. I welcome the conviction of Your Spirit and ask for Your grace to carry out what you desire of me. May I come to know you more intimately as a result of being obedient to your Spirit and Your Word.

Mothers Love

By Pastor Dennis Williams

The Bible frequently talks about the fatherhood of God,

but scripture also describes God in ways consistent with motherhood, too.

FOR EXAMPLE, WHAT JESUS SAYS AS HE WEEPS OVER JERUSALEM

Matthew 23:37 : O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!

Jesus uses a mother hen to express the relationship he longs to have with his children.

Other examples:

GOD CARES FOR HIS PEOPLE LIKE AN EAGLE HOVERING OVER HER YOUNG

Deuteronomy 32:11: As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings:

GOD IS CONCERNED FOR HIS PEOPLE LIKE A MIDWIFE CARES FOR THE CHILD SHE’S DELIVERED

Psalm 22:9-10: But thou art he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother’s breasts.10 I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother’s belly.

GOD WILL NEVER FORGET HIS CHILDREN LIKE A MOTHER WILL NOT FORGET THEIR NURSING CHILD

Isaiah 49:15 Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.

GOD COMFORTS HIS PEOPLE LIKE A NURSING MOTHER

Isaiah 66:13 : As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem.

GOD EXPERIENCES THE ANGER OF A MOTHER BEAR WHO’S BEEN ROBBED OF HER CUBS

Hosea 13:8 I will meet them as a bear that is bereaved of her whelps, and will rend the caul of their heart, and there will I devour them like a lion: the wild beast shall tear them.

THERE MAY BE WOMEN LISTENING TODAY:
THAT JESUS TRANSFORMED YOUR LIFE JUST LIKE HE DID A WOMAN CALLED MARY MAGDALENE
A POWERFUL AND FAITHFUL WOMAN THAT FOLLOWED JESUS FOR THE REST OF HER LIFE
Luke 8:1:2: And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve [were] with him,2 And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils,
• This scripture shows Mary Magdalene with Jesus and the twelve after receiving deliverance.
o She had a great need before meeting Jesus
o Just like we all do
Romans 3:23: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
• The Bible shows that after this deliverance, she followed Him for the rest of her life.
• When a human being says there is no hope for you, Jesus says the Devil is the Father of Lies

FATHER OF LIES AND MURDERER
John 8:44: Ye are of your father, the Devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar and the father of it.
MARY MAGDALENE WAS A FAITHFUL FOLLOWER OF JESUS TO THE END EVEN MORE THAN MOST OF THE TWELVE.

WHEN THE LIFE OF MARY MAGDELENE WAS TOUCHED SHE NEVER LEFT JESUS
• There are many out there that Jesus touched you in a special way
• And now you know there is no other way
As we said in the beginning there different types of Mothers:
Biological mother, Spiritual mother, Pet mother, Single mother, God mother, Grandmother, Foster or Adopted Mother, You were raised by someone that was not your Mother, Mothers who had to give up their babies, Mothers that may have had abortions for whatever reason. Mothers that had miscarriage and lost their child. Jesus knows every one of you.
• Jesus loves each and every one of you
• If you are struggling with any decision that you made or that was made for you
• Jesus cares. He has never stop loving you.
• He forgives you and comfort your hurting heart,
• Even if you are filled with shame and guilt
• All you need to do is ask Jesus to forgive you
• If you are mother to someone and have not given your heart to Jesus
• Or you are a Christian Mom and struggling with decisions or actions you did as a Mom
• The one you called Mother may have abused or misused you.
• You have walked around harboring this pain. Let it go today.
• Jesus will heal you in the coming days (If you just allow HIM)
• Just know Jesus loves the unlovable and forgives them
• He asks those who love Him to forgive them also.

Say this Prayer:
Heavenly Father, In the name of Jesus, I ask you to forgive me for all my sins, things that I thought that may be unforgiveable, you died for them all. I commit or recommit my life to you.9 I ask you to come into my heart and be my personal Saviour and deliver me of all that is inside me that is not of you. Fill me with you Holy Spirit Lord, overflowing. Fill me with your peace, love and acceptance. I forgive my mother or whoever raised me for any ungodly things that were done to to me by them. I give you all my hard heart and hard feelings against anyone in my . I ask you to soften my heart and make me the person that you called me to be by the Power of your Word and Your Spirit. I forgive them Lord just as you have forgiven me. In Jesus name.
If you said that prayer and never said it before you now belong to a spiritual family: The Family of God
• Please read your bible everyday and ask the Lord to direct your life
• Ask Him to lead you to the true Body of Christ here on this earth
Ephesians 2:19-22: Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner [stone];21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
John 1:12 – But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on his name:
Romans 12:5 – So we, [being] many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

Wheat and Tares

By Pastor Dennis Williams

THE ENEMY PLANTS COUNTERFEITS AMONGST THE REAL
Matthew 13: 24-30: The Wheat and the Tares
24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.26 But when the blade was sprung up and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.
• Jesus Christ sows the good seed
• Wheat depicts true believers, and the tares were ones that were professors but not possessors
Isa 29:13: Wherefore the Lord said, forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:
Matthew 15:8: This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth and honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.”
• The Tare is found in grain fields and is a poisonous grass that almost looks like wheat. But in harvest time they can be recognized and separated easily
Back in Matthew 13 Vs. 25 said But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way
• We know who that enemy is -Satan
HE IS THE MASTER COUNTERFEITER AND DECEIVER AND SOWS COUNTERFEIT WHEAT AMONGST THE REAL WHEAT
2 Corinthians 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
• He can appear as a real angel
• But also appears in His fallen form
HIS FOLLOWERS CAN SEEM REAL
2 Corinthians 11:15 Therefore, it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
SATAN HAS COUNTERFEITS:
Christians: 2 Cor 11:26: Paul said in perils among false brethren
Counterfeit Gospel: Gal 1:6-9
Counterfeit Righteousness: Rom 10:1-3
Counterfeit Church: Rev 2:9
Will produce a Counterfeit Christ: 2 Thess 2:1-12
Back in Matthew 13: Vs. 26: But when the blade brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.
Matt 7:16 Jesus said: Ye shall know them by their fruit…
Good fruit: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control

Sin’s Fruit: revenge, unforgiveness, bitterness, anger, resentment, Gossip, lies, and slander

Matthew 13:27-30: Jesus said, don’t root up the tares:

27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest, I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

Matthew 13:37-42 The Parable of the Wheat and Tares is explained:

37 He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;38 The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom, but the tares are the children of the wicked one;39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

Jesus separates the righteous from the wicked
Jesus knows what to do

WE JUST NEED TO MAKE SURE WE ARE OF THE FAITH

THE BIBLE SAYS FOR US TO DO SELF-EXAMINATION

QUESTION: ARE YOU A WHEAT OR A TARE?

2 Corinthians 13:5: 5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

1 Corinthians 11:28: But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of [that] bread, and drink of [that] cup.

Lamentations 3:40 – Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD.

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.

Trials and Tribulations

By Pastor Dennis Williams

Christians and Non-Christians alike may be questioning God
Some of the questions may be:
• Why allow this plague – this pestilence
• Does it reflect the judgement, God
• why are those who love and worship God among the sick
• Are you really in control-Lord?

BUT THE BIBLE SHOWS THAT IT IS OK TO QUESTION GOD
May seem as though God is hiding:
Psalm 10:1 Why standest thou afar off, O Lord? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?
Psalm 13:1 How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? Forever? How long wilt thou hide thy face from me?

BUT GOD IS IN CONTROL. DEPEND ON HIM GET CLOSE TO HIM
Isaiah 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts; neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.
SOMETIMES WE MAY NOT UNDERSTAND GOD.
Romans 11:33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

James 1:2-4: My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers’ temptations;3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

YES THERE MAY BE OTHER TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS THAT WE MAY FACE IN THIS LIFE
CAN WE BE LIKE JOB IN THE FACE OF SUFFERING AND TRIBULATIONS LIKE JOB
James 5:11: Behold, we count them happy, which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful and of tender mercy.
• Job is a good example of suffering trials and tribulations

Job chapters 1-3 Job loses:
• His wealth-
• His family (except his wife) and she was telling him “curse God and Die” Job 2:9
• Also, Job 1:11: Satan said to God: But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.
• He also lost his health
• But God protected Job’s life (Satan was not allowed to touch his life Job 2:6)

In Job chapters 4-31
We read Job’s defense

Job debates with the three friends
And their false accusations
The friends accused him of being a hypocrite
Said, “there must have been some great sin in Job’s life, or God would not have permitted this suffering.”
Job 2:3 shows the friends were wrong

Job 42:7 God rebuked the friends for telling lies about Job
In Job chapters 38-42: Presents Job’s Deliverance
• Job is Humbled
• Then God honors Job by giving him twice as much as he had before