Author: Pastor Dennis Williams | Page 38 | Answers to Life Ministry

Trials and Tribulations

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

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.

Wrath of God

By Pastor Dennis Williams

MATT 24 : War, Famine, Pestilence, Earthquakes, Tribulation, Sorrow, Persecution Suffering for Christ’s sake, Apostasy, Betrayal, Hatred, False Prophets, Deceivers, Backsliding, Love Growing Cold

THE BIBLE SHOWS THAT THE WICKEDNESS OF THE WORLD PROVOKES GOD WRATH
That’s why we continue to pray: make sure we are right with God personally
• Then Seek God’s face for our immediate and extended families
• People around us that we come in contact with
• Whatever and whoever the Lord lays on our hearts
• Nobody knows the exact occurrence of the Rapture
• But we can look around and see the signs and seasons

THE JUDGMENT OF GOD SHOWN IN :
John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him.
Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
• God’s wrath was revealed in the past, is shown in the present, and will be revealed in the future.

GOD’S WRATH REVEALED IN THE PRESENT:
Romans 1:24: 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
Romans 1:26: For this cause, God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
Romans 1:28: 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;
GOD’S WRATH REVEALED IN THE FUTURE
John 15:6 – If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them and cast [them] into the fire, and they are burned.
Luke 12:5 – But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.
Revelation 20:15 – And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
GOD HATH SHOWN HIS LOVE TOWARD US
• He made way for humanity when not deserved
The Divine Wrath of God towards sin was upon Jesus Christ
• He became the propitiation (satisfaction, atonement, resolution) for our sins
Romans 3:25: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God
Romans 5:8: 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 3:23 … For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Eph 2:1: And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

JESUS TELLS ABOUT REMAINING WATCHFUL FOR HIS COMING
Matthew 24:37-39: Jesus said: But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
The Bible says there is nothing new under the sun
Ecclesiastes 1:9: 9 The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.

Study of Last Things | Eschatology

By Pastor Dennis Williams

THERE ARE DEATH AND DESTINY FOR THE UNSAVED, AND THERE ARE DEATH AND DESTINY OF THE SAVED.

Death has no more dominion if you belong to Jesus Christ.
Death means separation. For the Christian death is not to be feared or defied.

BUT WE SHOULD NOT FEAR DEATH

Phil 1:21: For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Physical death is separation of the soul and spirit from the Body.

This is the most common use of the word death
Adam’s sin caused him to begin to die physically
This physical death passed upon all mankind

Romans 5:12: Wherefore, as by on man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.

Spiritual Death: A separation of a person because of sin

Adam introduced spiritual and physical death when he sinned
Adam died spiritually because his sin of eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil

Isa 59:2: But you iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have his face from you, that he will not hear.

Physical Death and Spiritual death were overcome by the resurrection of Jesus Christ

John 11:25-26: Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die

1 Corinthians 15:55-57 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

BLOOD HAD TO BE SHED TO RESTORE HUMANITY TO RIGHT RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

Hence the death of the Lamb of God (God’s only Son Jesus Christ)
Spiritual death is now cancelled by spiritual regeneration

John 3:3-6: Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

1 Cor 2:12: Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

ETERNAL DEATH IS THE SEPARATION OF A PERSON FROM GOD ETERNALLY

So, we have a choice of eternal life or eternal death
All humans born into this earth are headed for eternal death
Until they accept Jesus Christ

THE SECOND DEATH IS THE LAKE OF FIRE REVELATION 20:14:

Revelation 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

The separation from God for eternity

BUT JESUS AROSE AND DEFEATED DEATH, HELL AND THE GRAVE.

1 Corinthians 15:55: “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?”

REMEMBER JESUS’ RESURRECTION FROM THE DEAD IS CALLED THE FIRST FRUITS

1 Cor 15:20-23: But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept.

THE NEXT BIG EVENT ACCORDING TO THE BIBLE IS THE RAPTURE

1 Thess 4:16-18: For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Jesus sets up the Millennial kingdom

Rev 19:11-13 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

Love | Hate Relationship

By Pastor Dennis Williams

LOVE /HATE is not a Christ-like relationship
• We may have grown up in homes where love-hate existed

James 3:11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
• Sweet water and bitter water cannot come out of the same fountain.
• Our words and actions matter in a relationship
1 Peter 3:9: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
• Can we sometimes just not say anything back and just pray
• Tough exercise: WE NEED TO MASTER
• The LORD WILL GROW US
When we feel rejected in a relationship is when the enemy attacks (rejection-rejects back)
• Spirits will start to activate the flesh (anger, bitterness, rejection, hate, anger, murder just to name a few)
• These spirits attack our mind and flesh
• Causes us to spew out vengeful and hateful words
• Maybe deep down we don’t mean them
John 6:63-70 Jesus said: It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
• Some words cut
• Then some words heal
Proverbs 12:18 There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.
When we speak these words: Are we sorry for them?
• Do we just leave them in the air
• For the enemy to use them.
• Do we feel justified
• They spiritually hurt the speak and the hearer
• WORDS MATTER

WE CAN TELL WHAT IS IN OUR HEART BY WHAT COMES OUT OF OUR MOUTHS
Luke 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good, and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart, his mouth speaketh.
• Essential to put that BIBLE in your heart
• When we have no control over the words (Could be spiritual matter)
Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

Restoring Relationships

By Pastor Dennis Williams

The family may be defined as two or more persons who are related by birth, marriage, or adoption and who live together as one household.

A father, mother, and children, together they make a happy and flourishing family.
People with feelings: sometimes shown and sometimes keep inside

WE NEED TO CHERISH OUR EXISTING FAMILY MEMBERS FROM NOW ON! BUILD FAMILY TRUST OVER THE YEARS!

The foundation of trust is vital throughout the years of family life
Once violated, trust is hard to regain

Proverbs 11:29: He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.

MISTRUSTS BRINGS DIVISION WITHIN A HOUSEHOLD

Psalm 133: Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

We have to sometimes fight for unity
The enemy is seeking to devour the family unit

1 Corinthians 1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

If there are a husband and wife within a family
There should be a strong trust bond

WE SHOULD SEEK TO COMFORT ONE ANOTHER IN OUR FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN ALL FAMILY MEMBERS AND RELATIVES

1 Thessalonians 5:11 – Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

James 5:16 – Confess [your] faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

We all have faults
Be the first one to say, “I am sorry.”
Say comforting words: Call them pet names: Baby, darling, honey, sweets

Self-Deception –One of the saddest forms of deceit is self-deception. People who don’t want to face reality can sometimes convince themselves to believe things that they really know are not true.
Proverbs 12:22 – Lying lips [are] abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly [are] his delight.
• Lies are destructive

LIES EAT AWAY TRUST IN FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

• Lies will eventually destroy trust
• Lies can make a relationship unliveable for parties involved
Proverbs 18:21: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.”

Matthew 12:34,35 -For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A goodman out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.
Philippians 4:8 -Finally, brethren, whatever things are true …think on these things.
Psalm 24:3-5 Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place?4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.5 He shall receive the blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
TO BE SPEAKERS OF TRUTH, WE MUST FILL OUR HEARTS WITH TRUTH, ESPECIALLY WITH THE WORD OF GOD

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. Now, 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.

Cleanse Your Cup

By Pastor Dennis Williams

JESUS LOOKS UPON THE THOUGHTS AND INTENT OF OUR HEARTS

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.

Jesus doesn’t care about the traditions of men
He is looking at our hearts
We can say one thing with our mouths
But the Lord looks at our hearts

WHAT IS IN OUR HEARTS WILL COME OUT OF OUR MOUTHS AND IN OUR ACTIONS

Repentance and Change is important
WE CAN’T FOOL GOD
Not only repenting but allowing the Lord to change us
Allow the Holy Spirit

Are we prepared to allow the Holy Spirit to strip away the grunge and coated on the mess in our hearts?

Are you tired of comparing yourself with others of the faith because they seem to have it all together, and you’re just pretending?

Jesus still looking at the same heart we gave HIM
Give Him our full affections

PREPARE TO MEET THE LORD

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 1 John 2:15

Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Matthew 5:58

Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Hebrews 12:14

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. Romans 12:2

WE ARE CLAY IN THE POTTER’S HAND: JESUS IS THE POTTER WE ARE THE CLAY

2 Corinthians 4: 7-12 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.11 For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.

The Bible shows God took the dust of the earth and breath life
He breathes His life in when we became born again
Its Jesus in us. He shines through us (AS WE ALLOW HIM)
His Light should shine through us

OUR TREASURES SHOULD BE STORED IN HEAVEN SCRIPTURES

Treasures are not necessarily evil in themselves.
What Jesus was warning against is the improper value that we place on the treasures.

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF SOMETHING HAS BECOME A TREASURE?

If you don’t think you can live without it, it might be a treasure!
If it brings you great pleasure and satisfaction, above everything else, it might be a treasure!
You might give up other things, but not on that thing that you treasure

IF IT IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN ANYTHING ELSE, IT IS A TREASURE!

Matthew 6:19 – Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

1 Timothy 6:17-19 – Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

Psalms 119:11 – Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

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. Now, 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.