Author: Pastor Dennis Williams | Page 39 | Answers to Life Ministry

Spiritual Endurance

SUFFERING CAN BE A TRAINING GROUND FOR CHRISTIAN MATURITY
2 Timothy 2:3: wants us to “therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.”
2 Timothy 4:5: endure afflictions (could be: distresses, miseries, pains, sufferings, troubles, misfortunes, torments, woes, trials, tribulations, adversities, hardships.)
“5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.”
PAUL KNEW WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO ENDURE AFFLICTIONS
2 Corinthians 11:24-27: Of the Jews, five times received I forty stripes save one.25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
• Paul ENDURED all of this
• So he was encouraging his “son in the faith.”
• To ENDURE / STAND and finish the race
PAUL ENCOURAGED TIMOTHY TO ENDURE TO THE END
2 Tim 4:7-8: I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
• PAUL ran and finished the race
• He was nearing the end of his life
• He had been faithful to his call
• He said these words to “encourage” Timothy (his son in the faith)

WE HAVE A CALLING TO REJOICE IN THE LORD
In Psalm 5, David starts by saying in vs. 1-2: Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation.2 Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray.
• This Psalm is called the MORNING PRAYER
• David wanted God not to hear his Words AND to consider His heart also
• Vs. 2: He calls on God to “LISTEN” unto the voice of my cry, MY KING AND GOD for unto thee I will pray
Psalm 5:11: But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.”

Philippians 4:4: “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.”
(be joyful, have joy, be happy)
Rejoice because Jesus is in us!

Psalm 97:12: 12 Rejoice in the Lord, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.
Psalm 100:1-2: Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.2 Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
Psalm 32:11 Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.

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. ra

Sin of Unbelief | A Sin of the Heart

By Pastor Dennis Williams

FEAR and UNBELIEF ARE ENEMIES
Job 3:25: 25 For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me.
• Fear also gives birth to unbelief
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
FAITH IS IN THE HEART.
Romans 10:8: But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach
EVEN SO, UNBELIEF IS A SIN OF THE HEART
• The Bible calls Unbelief and evil heart
• Unbelief compromises and steals our Faith

Heb 3:12: Take heed, (Listen and pay attention) brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
• The author is addressing brethren — Christians
• He’s not addressing sinners but partakers of the heavenly calling,
In Vs. 13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
So, Paul ties these scriptures all together:
• an evil heart of unbelief,
• hardening of the heart,
• departing from the living God

OUR HEARTS CAN LEAD US AWAY FROM THE LORD
• When we refuse to believe Him
• If we persist God will leave us alone in our sin
• BUT GOD CAN GIVE US NEW HEARTS
Ezekiel 36: 26-27 says: A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
WORRY, DOUBT, AND FEAR ARE GOOD BREEDING GROUNDS FOR UNBELIEF
TRUST AND LORD AND DON’T WORRY
• The Lord wants us to trust Him
JESUS DESIRES OUR FAITH, OBEDIENCE AND TRUST.
“For without faith, it is impossible to please him, for he that cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Heb. 11:6).

God Our Strength

By Pastor Dennis Williams

JESUS OVERCAME :
1. THE WORLD: John 16: 33: These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. “In the world, ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (We walk in the victory that Jesus won for us)
2. THE FLESH: Romans 6:1-6: “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him.”
3. THE DEVIL- Eph 1:-19-23- “And what is the exceeding greatness of His (Jesus’) power to US-WARD, with Jesus sitting at the right hand of God, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, in this world and the world to come.
THE LORD WANTS US TO BE STRONG IN HIM- WE ARE IN THE ARMY NOW
THE ARMY OF THE LORD
Ephesians 6:10: Be strong in the Lord and the Power of His might.
2 Tim 2:3: Says endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ
WE NEED TO BE ENDUED WITH THE POWER OF GOD – SPIRITUAL POWER THAT COMES THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT
• A POWER OUTSIDE OF US – OUTSIDE OF OUR HUMAN ABILITIES
Examples:
1.”SAUL INCREASED IN STRENGTH” TO CONFOUND AND CONVINCE UNBELIEVERS IN
Acts 9:22 But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.
• Transformed life produces Godly strength and power
2.“ABRAHAM WAS STRONG IN FAITH, GIVING GLORY TO GOD”
Romans 4:20: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
3. WE NEED TO BE “STRONG IN THE LORD” TO PUT ON THE WHOLE ARMOUR
Ephesians 6:10: Be strong in the Lord and the Power of His might.
4. CHRIST WHICH STRENGTHENETH ME,” SAYS PAUL, IS THE POWER BY WHICH I can DO ALL THINGS
Philippians 4:13 I can do ALL things through Christ, which strengtheneth me.
5. THE SECRET OF THE APOSTLE’S SERVICE WAS “CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD,” AS HE SAID, “WHO HATH ENABLED ME”
1 Timothy 1:12: “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me,” for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
6. THE SECRET OF ENABLEMENT IS TO “BE STRONG IN THE GRACE THAT IS IN CHRIST JESUS”
• GRACE IS: GOD GIVES US EVERYTHING FOR NOTHING WHEN WE DON’ T DESERVE ANYTHING
2 Timothy 2:1 (PAUL TOLD TIMOTHY) Thou, therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
7. TO BE “STRENGTHENED” BY THE LORD’S PRESENCE IS THE SECRET OF ENDURANCE UNDER SUFFERING
2 Timothy 4:17 Notwithstanding (DESPITE IT ALL) the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
8. “OUT OF WEAKNESS WERE MADE STRONG” IS THE HOLY SPIRIT’S MEMORIAL ON THE SAINTS OF OLD
Hebrews 11:34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

JESUS IS OUR STRENGTH:
EX 15:2: “The Lord is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God,” and I will prepare him an habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him.
2 Sam 22:33: “God is my strength and Power,” and he maketh my way perfect.
Ps 28:8: God is the saving strength of His anointed
Ps 46:1: God is our refuge and strength

Our Earthly House

By Pastor Dennis Williams

Our Earthly House

Read Mark 5:1-6 The Gadarene Demonic shows the power of the Human Will

The Will that was given to him by God
Nothing could keep Him from coming to Jesus Christ
“He ran and worshiped Jesus”
Possessed with a Legion of Demons

But Bible says we can be taken captive at HIS Will

2 Timothy 2:25-26 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

WE HAVE THE INWARD STRUGGLE OF THE SINFUL DESIRES OF THE FLESH (THAT OLD PERSON IN SIDE: BIBLE CALLS IT THE OLD MAN IN ROMANS 6)

THE FLESH WANTS TO DO WHAT IT WANTS TO DO

Paul said in Romans 7:15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.

Vs 18 He says : For I know that in me (that is in my flesh, ) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me: But how to perform that which is good I find not.

Vs 19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

Vs 20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me

He further describes in VS 23: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members

That Fleshy or Bible sometime called “Carnal Nature” must be brought under the subjection to that NEW CREATURE.

Paul is in a miserable state:

Vs 24 : He says O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the Body of this Death:

WHEN WE ALLOW THE FLESH TO RULE, WE GIVE PLACE TO THE DEVIL TO WORK IN OUR LIVES

Eph 4:27: Neither give place to the Devil

James 2:19: Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the DEVILS (plural) also believe, and tremble.

THE CHRISTIAN HAS TO CRUCIFY THAT FLESH

Galatians 5:16-18 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

Galatians 5:24: “And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.”

Some listening to this may know what deliverance is some may not
STOP depending of people to keep you free in the SPIRIT
We must submit ourselves to the Lord in order to Crucify the Flesh
Flesh cannot be cast out.

Our Bodies are a house or tabernacle for Jesus or for Satan

Matthew 12: 43-45: When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself 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. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.

2 Corinthians 5:1-2 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:

Vs 4 of 2 Corinthians 5:4For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.”

2 Peter 1:14 Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.

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?

Peril Of The Flesh

By Pastor Dennis Williams

“The night is far spent, the day is at hand, let us therefore put off the works of darkness,” Rom. 13:12.

1 Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

“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.”2 Cor 10:4-5.

[Read more…]

The Old Nature

By Pastor Dennis Williams

THE BIBLE SHOWS THE OLD MAN (PERSON) AND NEW MAN
Verses that will give you a better understanding of:
The Flesh or Old Nature and New Creature or New Nature
Ephesians
The Flesh or Old Nature
In Ephesians chapter 4: 22: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
New Creature of New Nature
Ephesians 4:23-24: And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
Romans
The Flesh or Old Nature
Romans 7:23-24: 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
New Creature of New Nature
Romans 7: 22, 25 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: vs 25 is an answer to Paul’s question in vs 24: 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
Romans
The Flesh or Old Nature
Romans 8:7-8 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.
New Creature of New Nature
2 Peter 1:4: 4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
THE BIBLE SHOWS WE CAN WALK IN NEWNESS OF LIFE THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD
Romans 6:1-4 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
• We should not sin so that grace may be abundant or abound
• Says God forbid
• We should seek to walk in newness of life.

Also Read Romans Chapter 6

When we are born into this world, we receive the old nature or old man which is also called the flesh.
• We receive the new nature when we believe in Christ and are born again.
• Our “Spirit Man” comes alive to Jesus Christ and the things of God
• Our Quest is have the spirit man take dominion over the flesh.
• This was made possible and can be done according to the Word of God
1 John 2 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
• So we don’t have to live in the bondage of sin
• We have the flesh to contend with but we shouldn’t make it bigger than it is
THE BIBLE CALLS US NEW CREATURES (CONCENTRATE OF THIS PART) MAKE THIS PRIORITY IN YOUR LIFE.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
• You have a part in the Body of Christ
• God has given you talents and gifts
John 3:6 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
• We were born with a body of flesh and bones
• But flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of heaven
1 Corinthians 15:50 :50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
• This flesh we live in cannot go into heaven
• We have a part of us that is Supernatural
• A part of us that will never die
THERE IS ANOTHER WAY THE FLESH IS REFERRED TO IN THE BIBLE:
• Our old self or sinful nature that all human beings have as descendants of Adam
1 Corinthians 15:47 The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord from heaven
• By accepting Jesus Christ, we are born of the Spirit
• Jesus Christ came to redeem us from that sinful nature
• Jesus has won the war that is between the flesh and the spirit
• Our bodies won’t be redeemed until the Rapture