Why did Christ warn His disciples to beware of the Pharisees? What did they do wrong? (An entire chapter of the Bible (Matthew 23) is Christ teaching against the Pharisees.) The Pharisees were conservative, faithful "church" members. They accepted the Torah as the Word of God. They paid tithes. They believed in miracles (at least in days past). They wouldn't dream of stealing, committing adultery, or such things. You would like living next to a Pharisee as they were model citizens. But instead of having a living relationship with God, the Pharisees took the Word of God and made just another dead religion out of it. The Pharisee way of thinking is: keep up appearances. "It doesn't matter so much what you are on the inside, as long as you keep the rules (at least publicly)." Notice that Christ likened their teaching to leaven, or yeast. Why? Yeast spreads easily and rapidly. Humans are very susceptible to approaching God in this manner, "Keep the rules. Just do these 10 things and you are OK." Different groups may have different rules, but we all accumulate them. It may be how many times each week you must attend church meetings, or what kind of clothes you must wear, or how you must wear your hair. Or, it may be a list of things you cannot do. But, as long as you meet these requirements, you are in good standing with your group (or denomination). But, good standing with God is based on only one thing according to the New Testament: faith in what Christ did for us. That alone is what makes us right with God. Not our works, but Christ' work. 1 ... He began to say to His disciples first of all, "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. The Pharisees were hypocrites. That is, they put on an act. What they pretended to be in public was not really what they were like in private. They claimed to be perfect in keeping God's law, but as humans they were all sinners, just like the rest of the people were. Yet, in public, they insisted that others keep the Law perfectly, or be condemned. They were quick to pass judgment on others, and slow to extend mercy or help. The Pharisees had a legalistic view of God's Word and did not realize that God was merciful and wanted to help people. who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. Using God's Word to "kill" instead of using it to minister life is wrong. God's Word is meant to help people and lift them up, not place such hard demands on them that they cannot ever measure up. When we load people down with heavy loads of rules to keep in order to be right with God, we are ministers of death. Then Christ said to the crowds and to his disciples, "The teachers of religious law and the Pharisees are the official interpreters of the law of Moses. So practice and obey whatever they tell you, but don't follow their example. For they don't practice what they teach. They crush people with impossible religious demands and never lift a finger to ease the burden. "Everything they do is for show. . . . If your "Christianity" is nothing more than a list of "do's and don't's" then you are missing real Christianity, which is a living relationship with Christ.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Don't be a Pharisees
Why do we fear
The King James Bible tells us 63 times to "fear not," and 31 times to
"be not afraid" or "not be afraid." Obviously, God is trying to
tell us something!
If it makes no difference whether we fear, or not, then God
wasted a lot of time in Scripture telling us to not be afraid.
Fear is the absence of faith. It can be understood as faith in
the devil. Fear is the opposite of believing and trusting in
God. Fear stops faith from working. You could say that fear is
faith in reverse.
Fear is the cause of all worry, for worry is meditation on
fear.
Some may think some fear is healthy, but no true fear is good.
We don't have to fear something to have a healthy respect for
it, and thus to act wisely. Fear makes people do irrational
things. Reverence for God, sometimes called the "fear of God"
is healthy, but it has nothing to do with actually being afraid
of God.
And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went
out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and
chariots. And his servant said to him, "Alas, my master! What
shall we do?"
So he answered, "Do not fear, for those who are with us are
more than those who are with them."
And Elisha prayed, and said, "Lord, I pray, open his eyes
that he may see." Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young
man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses
and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
When we look at the world situation, it is easy to cry out like
the servant of Elisha. But when we are tempted to be afraid, it
is only because we are not seeing the reality of the whole
picture. God is for us, so no matter what comes against us, it
can never prevail over us.
We should ask God to open our eyes to the truth. Then keep our
focus on God's Word, not on the temptations, lies, and roarings
of the devil.
Fear is fed by what we look at and listen to. We can resist
fear by choosing to always focus on God and His promises.
"Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of
them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you.
He will not leave you nor forsake you."
When you remember that the Almighty God is ALWAYS with you (and
in you!) why should you be afraid?
"But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not
fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
One way to understand how valuable you are to God is to
consider the great price He paid to set you free -- the life of
Jesus Christ Himself!
Not even a good earthly parent would allow his child who
trusted in him to be harmed. God loves you more than any
earthly parent ever loved their child -- and God has the power
to fully protect you. So you can trust in Him.
But when we act in fear, we run from the protection of our
wonderful Father God and open the door to our enemy.
We should be free from fear because God is for us and watches
out for us. The worst that can happen to us (from a worldly
perspective) is to die, but even then we will go to be with
Jesus. With God on your side, there is really nothing to fear.
Yes, there will be struggles. There will be trials. But these
are just opportunities to overcome and gain eternal rewards. In
all we face in life, God has promised to be with us, and to
help us. So what is there to fear?
I repeat, be strong and brave! Don't be afraid and don't
panic, for I, the LORD your God, am with you in all you do."
"be not afraid" or "not be afraid." Obviously, God is trying to
tell us something!
If it makes no difference whether we fear, or not, then God
wasted a lot of time in Scripture telling us to not be afraid.
Fear is the absence of faith. It can be understood as faith in
the devil. Fear is the opposite of believing and trusting in
God. Fear stops faith from working. You could say that fear is
faith in reverse.
Fear is the cause of all worry, for worry is meditation on
fear.
Some may think some fear is healthy, but no true fear is good.
We don't have to fear something to have a healthy respect for
it, and thus to act wisely. Fear makes people do irrational
things. Reverence for God, sometimes called the "fear of God"
is healthy, but it has nothing to do with actually being afraid
of God.
And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went
out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and
chariots. And his servant said to him, "Alas, my master! What
shall we do?"
So he answered, "Do not fear, for those who are with us are
more than those who are with them."
And Elisha prayed, and said, "Lord, I pray, open his eyes
that he may see." Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young
man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses
and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
When we look at the world situation, it is easy to cry out like
the servant of Elisha. But when we are tempted to be afraid, it
is only because we are not seeing the reality of the whole
picture. God is for us, so no matter what comes against us, it
can never prevail over us.
We should ask God to open our eyes to the truth. Then keep our
focus on God's Word, not on the temptations, lies, and roarings
of the devil.
Fear is fed by what we look at and listen to. We can resist
fear by choosing to always focus on God and His promises.
"Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of
them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you.
He will not leave you nor forsake you."
When you remember that the Almighty God is ALWAYS with you (and
in you!) why should you be afraid?
"But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not
fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
One way to understand how valuable you are to God is to
consider the great price He paid to set you free -- the life of
Jesus Christ Himself!
Not even a good earthly parent would allow his child who
trusted in him to be harmed. God loves you more than any
earthly parent ever loved their child -- and God has the power
to fully protect you. So you can trust in Him.
But when we act in fear, we run from the protection of our
wonderful Father God and open the door to our enemy.
We should be free from fear because God is for us and watches
out for us. The worst that can happen to us (from a worldly
perspective) is to die, but even then we will go to be with
Jesus. With God on your side, there is really nothing to fear.
Yes, there will be struggles. There will be trials. But these
are just opportunities to overcome and gain eternal rewards. In
all we face in life, God has promised to be with us, and to
help us. So what is there to fear?
I repeat, be strong and brave! Don't be afraid and don't
panic, for I, the LORD your God, am with you in all you do."
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Wait on the Lord
Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to
pray and not lose heart,
Many people give up too easily in prayer. When they don't see
the answer almost immediately, they quit.
God is not pleased with this approach.
You may say, "God knows my need. Why doesn't He just give it to
me, instead of playing games?"
Whether you agree with God's ways, or not: God is still in
charge and makes the rules -- not you. So, it does you no good
to argue or complain. Better to just line up with God instead
of fighting against His plan. Besides, in reality God's ways
are perfect, it is just that we are often too immature and
ignorant to understand all God is doing.
Scripture has many examples of people pressing in and receiving
answers to prayer. We should never be quitters when it comes to
prayer.
It is God's will to answer your prayers. He is the One who told
you to pray. God actually delights in answering your prayers.
(Never forget that God loves you more than you can imagine. God
loves you more than He loves Himself, and proved it by dying in
your place, so you could go free.)
"Then why are there so many delays?"
We talk more on this tomorrow night. Pray on and see what God reveal to you and I will answer that question for you tomorrow night. Till then may the Lord keep you and your family. God bless you all
--
Dr. Willis Henry D.C.S
To thine own self be true
pray and not lose heart,
Many people give up too easily in prayer. When they don't see
the answer almost immediately, they quit.
God is not pleased with this approach.
You may say, "God knows my need. Why doesn't He just give it to
me, instead of playing games?"
Whether you agree with God's ways, or not: God is still in
charge and makes the rules -- not you. So, it does you no good
to argue or complain. Better to just line up with God instead
of fighting against His plan. Besides, in reality God's ways
are perfect, it is just that we are often too immature and
ignorant to understand all God is doing.
Scripture has many examples of people pressing in and receiving
answers to prayer. We should never be quitters when it comes to
prayer.
It is God's will to answer your prayers. He is the One who told
you to pray. God actually delights in answering your prayers.
(Never forget that God loves you more than you can imagine. God
loves you more than He loves Himself, and proved it by dying in
your place, so you could go free.)
"Then why are there so many delays?"
We talk more on this tomorrow night. Pray on and see what God reveal to you and I will answer that question for you tomorrow night. Till then may the Lord keep you and your family. God bless you all
--
Dr. Willis Henry D.C.S
To thine own self be true
All for the Love of a Father
All for love a Father gave
For only love could make a way
All for love the heavens cried
For love was crucified
Oh how many times have I broken Your heart
But still You forgive
If only I ask
And how many times have You heard me pray
Draw near to me
Everything I need is You
My beginning, my forever
Everything I need is You
Let me sing all for love
I will join the angel song
Ever holy is the Lord
King of Glory
King of all
Oh how many times have I broken Your heart
But still You forgive
If only I ask
And how many times have You heard me pray
Draw near to me
Everything I need is You
My beginning, my forever
Everything I need is YouEverything I need is You
All for a love a Saviour prayed
Abba Father have Your way
Though they know not what they do
Let the Cross draw man to You
Everything I need is You
My beginning, my forever
Everything I need is YouEverything I need is You
--
Dr. Willis Henry D.C.S
To thine own self be true
For only love could make a way
All for love the heavens cried
For love was crucified
Oh how many times have I broken Your heart
But still You forgive
If only I ask
And how many times have You heard me pray
Draw near to me
Everything I need is You
My beginning, my forever
Everything I need is You
Let me sing all for love
I will join the angel song
Ever holy is the Lord
King of Glory
King of all
Oh how many times have I broken Your heart
But still You forgive
If only I ask
And how many times have You heard me pray
Draw near to me
Everything I need is You
My beginning, my forever
Everything I need is YouEverything I need is You
All for a love a Saviour prayed
Abba Father have Your way
Though they know not what they do
Let the Cross draw man to You
Everything I need is You
My beginning, my forever
Everything I need is YouEverything I need is You
--
Dr. Willis Henry D.C.S
To thine own self be true
Man shall not live by bread alone
Ever have some one make you a promise and then later break or it? Or just forgot Ever had to depend on someone who fell through and left you hanging because you trusted that they would come through for you? There is but on whom you can always trust on and his word is forever and never chaning.
MATTHEW 4:3-4
3 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, "If You are the
Son of God, command that these stones become bread."
4 But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live
by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth
of God.' "
When tempted, Christ did not use any supernatural powers to
resist the devil. Christ simply quoted the written Word of God
to the devil.
You must do the same thing. Christ was our example, showing us
how to overcome the attacks of our enemy.
Notice how the devil came to tempt Christ -- with a thought -- a
thought contrary to the written Word of God.
Then after Christ quoted the Bible, the devil also quoted the
Bible but twisted the meaning. Christ responded only with
another verse from the Bible.
MATTHEW 4:6-7
6 and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself
down. For it is written: 'He shall give His angels charge over
you,' and, 'In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you
dash your foot against a stone.' "
7 Jesus said to him, "It is written again, 'You shall not tempt
the LORD your God.' "
If you read the whole passage in Matthew 4:1-11, you will see
that quoting the written Word was the only defense Jesus used
against the devil. Nothing else.
If you would overcome temptation and walk in victory, you must
follow Jesus' example and quote the Bible to the devil. There
is no other way.
God's Word in your mouth is your spiritual weapon. If you
neglect to use it, you will be overcome instead of walking in
all the victory and blessing Jesus has provided for you.
EPHESIANS 6:17
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the
Spirit, which is the word of God;
Obviously you must know what the Bible says to quote it to the
devil. So it is evident how important it is to read and study
the Bible for yourself.
Yet it is not enough to just read the Bible or study it. When
thoughts come that are not in agreement with the Bible, we must
speak the Word to the devil who is behind those thoughts.
--
Dr. Willis Henry D.C.S
To thine own self be true
MATTHEW 4:3-4
3 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, "If You are the
Son of God, command that these stones become bread."
4 But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live
by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth
of God.' "
When tempted, Christ did not use any supernatural powers to
resist the devil. Christ simply quoted the written Word of God
to the devil.
You must do the same thing. Christ was our example, showing us
how to overcome the attacks of our enemy.
Notice how the devil came to tempt Christ -- with a thought -- a
thought contrary to the written Word of God.
Then after Christ quoted the Bible, the devil also quoted the
Bible but twisted the meaning. Christ responded only with
another verse from the Bible.
MATTHEW 4:6-7
6 and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself
down. For it is written: 'He shall give His angels charge over
you,' and, 'In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you
dash your foot against a stone.' "
7 Jesus said to him, "It is written again, 'You shall not tempt
the LORD your God.' "
If you read the whole passage in Matthew 4:1-11, you will see
that quoting the written Word was the only defense Jesus used
against the devil. Nothing else.
If you would overcome temptation and walk in victory, you must
follow Jesus' example and quote the Bible to the devil. There
is no other way.
God's Word in your mouth is your spiritual weapon. If you
neglect to use it, you will be overcome instead of walking in
all the victory and blessing Jesus has provided for you.
EPHESIANS 6:17
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the
Spirit, which is the word of God;
Obviously you must know what the Bible says to quote it to the
devil. So it is evident how important it is to read and study
the Bible for yourself.
Yet it is not enough to just read the Bible or study it. When
thoughts come that are not in agreement with the Bible, we must
speak the Word to the devil who is behind those thoughts.
--
Dr. Willis Henry D.C.S
To thine own self be true
Have we become to Comfortable???
Tonight as I ponder the question, tugging at my heart and mind. Have we become so compliance that we no longer fight the good fight? A Christian the country was formed because of religious persecution. God brought the children of Israel out of captivity. History shows us that when a people is oppressed that they strive harder for freedom and they claw and fight for every inch of freedom. While the Jew, the Negro and the female all fought for the right to be accepted, all in their plight ragged against the night and those dark forces that hid their to destroy them and continue to oppress them. Men of color studies to prove themselves equal to the white male counter part. Women marched and were incarcerated for their right to vote. Jews were determine but whatever means possible to exist.
How then is that we as Christians today, sit back and quietly let the world around corrupt and destroy and make us hide in shame, yet it those that are unrighteous who should hide in fear. Why is it that it is cooler to be a sinner than to be saved??? So for What Christ died and came to complete so that you and I would be free for chains of hell that kept man kind bound. How many people know that you are a Christian??? Are you like the first Negro's who had to hide that they could read for fear of being beaten or killed??? Or shall we take the stand that American females did whey they decided that their measure and worth was greater than a second class citizen? Why is being a Christian in America like admitting that you have leprosy? Why is it easier to admit that you having a affair on our spouse than that you love God and believe in Christ as your personal savor.
Martin Luther and nailed a 95 page thesis to the door of the Catholic church because he saw that men were doing ungodly thing in the name of God. He was willing to die, rather than to allow this acts to continue unchecked. My God My God what has happen to your children? With Bibles on line, in audio form, and DVD version, no longer does it takes months to get a bible published but you can get a bible from Target. Why is that only in time of great suffering do we as Christian run toward God??? Should not this be a our time to speak openly without fear. Have we forgotten our forefathers who traveled here and many died just with the thought of being able to worship without fear being jailed or even losing your head for Christ. Who are your Children role models? Are you one because you stand up for God and they can see Christ in you? Or like David having to hide in the cave, who are you running from that as Christian that you would hide who are you are. Perhaps your just a fair weather Christian??? I love each of you deep but what has gone wrong with us, I tell my son that one day he will stand upon my shoulder to reach higher as I stood on my Fathers shoulder. Why as Christians after so many stood and fight the good fight so that we can let dust grow on our bible, so that we can tell God that we don't have time to pray tonight. Funny if the doctor told us that we had cancer, we would call upon God and ask him, he let this happen to us. Even Albert Einstein believed in God and learned Hebrew so that he could translate the bible. A man that is highly recognized in the scientific community, new the true. The way is so simple that even a fool the bible tells can find their way to heaven. What is wrong with you and I? No one is kicking in your door to drag you and your children outside for having a one scripture, not a whole bible or a whole page but a single scripture. None of us have had to hide because our lives or in danger because we teach the word of God. Its time you and I get up off our buts get back on our knees. Listen to co-worker who brought in his new rap album and its full of derogative statements toward women yet it cooler than praying or reading the world of God. Its okay to call a woman a whore, than to seek God. Why is easier to get crack rock than to right with God? Why have we become so comfortable in the place that is not even our home. If you are a child of God we are called to be Ambassadors of God to the people. Tell me they said they would arrest people who were a Christian would you join me in jail, or you tuck your head and hide? Shall be one who Christ spoke about who that were ashamed of him before man? If so remember what he said if we are ashamed of him before man he shall be ashamed of us before the Father. Tell what in this life is that your unwilling to let go, what is that is so much more important than living for Christ. Now if you can tell me that you have already stood for Christ and always told everyone you meet that you were a Christian. Then I salute you, because when I first got stationed here I walked in and sat down at my desk then put my bible on my desk and after people starting making negative comments I found my bible going from the top of my desk to inside to finally non existing at work. SO yes I have been ashamed of God, funny he has never been ashamed of me. He died for me. He simply ask that I proclaim his name and not hide my light under the bed, but I did. I would rather for him Christ than to live without him, for he loved me so much that he left his thrown and suffered greatly so that I could be called a child of God.
As I sit here I realize that many before us have suffered much to give us our freedoms I don't mean just to vote. But the right to praise God and be afraid to be beaten or killed for openly admitting I believe in Christ.
Are we to comfortable in our new skin???
How then is that we as Christians today, sit back and quietly let the world around corrupt and destroy and make us hide in shame, yet it those that are unrighteous who should hide in fear. Why is it that it is cooler to be a sinner than to be saved??? So for What Christ died and came to complete so that you and I would be free for chains of hell that kept man kind bound. How many people know that you are a Christian??? Are you like the first Negro's who had to hide that they could read for fear of being beaten or killed??? Or shall we take the stand that American females did whey they decided that their measure and worth was greater than a second class citizen? Why is being a Christian in America like admitting that you have leprosy? Why is it easier to admit that you having a affair on our spouse than that you love God and believe in Christ as your personal savor.
Martin Luther and nailed a 95 page thesis to the door of the Catholic church because he saw that men were doing ungodly thing in the name of God. He was willing to die, rather than to allow this acts to continue unchecked. My God My God what has happen to your children? With Bibles on line, in audio form, and DVD version, no longer does it takes months to get a bible published but you can get a bible from Target. Why is that only in time of great suffering do we as Christian run toward God??? Should not this be a our time to speak openly without fear. Have we forgotten our forefathers who traveled here and many died just with the thought of being able to worship without fear being jailed or even losing your head for Christ. Who are your Children role models? Are you one because you stand up for God and they can see Christ in you? Or like David having to hide in the cave, who are you running from that as Christian that you would hide who are you are. Perhaps your just a fair weather Christian??? I love each of you deep but what has gone wrong with us, I tell my son that one day he will stand upon my shoulder to reach higher as I stood on my Fathers shoulder. Why as Christians after so many stood and fight the good fight so that we can let dust grow on our bible, so that we can tell God that we don't have time to pray tonight. Funny if the doctor told us that we had cancer, we would call upon God and ask him, he let this happen to us. Even Albert Einstein believed in God and learned Hebrew so that he could translate the bible. A man that is highly recognized in the scientific community, new the true. The way is so simple that even a fool the bible tells can find their way to heaven. What is wrong with you and I? No one is kicking in your door to drag you and your children outside for having a one scripture, not a whole bible or a whole page but a single scripture. None of us have had to hide because our lives or in danger because we teach the word of God. Its time you and I get up off our buts get back on our knees. Listen to co-worker who brought in his new rap album and its full of derogative statements toward women yet it cooler than praying or reading the world of God. Its okay to call a woman a whore, than to seek God. Why is easier to get crack rock than to right with God? Why have we become so comfortable in the place that is not even our home. If you are a child of God we are called to be Ambassadors of God to the people. Tell me they said they would arrest people who were a Christian would you join me in jail, or you tuck your head and hide? Shall be one who Christ spoke about who that were ashamed of him before man? If so remember what he said if we are ashamed of him before man he shall be ashamed of us before the Father. Tell what in this life is that your unwilling to let go, what is that is so much more important than living for Christ. Now if you can tell me that you have already stood for Christ and always told everyone you meet that you were a Christian. Then I salute you, because when I first got stationed here I walked in and sat down at my desk then put my bible on my desk and after people starting making negative comments I found my bible going from the top of my desk to inside to finally non existing at work. SO yes I have been ashamed of God, funny he has never been ashamed of me. He died for me. He simply ask that I proclaim his name and not hide my light under the bed, but I did. I would rather for him Christ than to live without him, for he loved me so much that he left his thrown and suffered greatly so that I could be called a child of God.
As I sit here I realize that many before us have suffered much to give us our freedoms I don't mean just to vote. But the right to praise God and be afraid to be beaten or killed for openly admitting I believe in Christ.
Are we to comfortable in our new skin???
Are you truly apart of the body
If cried, would you really care??? If you were hungry would you come and tell me about it???
If you had no place to live would ask me if you and your family could stay at my house?
If the enemy was attaching you at 2am would you call me to ask me to stand with you through your storm?
If my eternal demons were beating me down would care to stay with till the storm past?
If I told you about a person you never meet but that they needed prayer, would you make a point of keeping them in prayer till God gave them a break through?
When Paul was in jail who went to visit him??? So why should I believe that anyone would come see about me?
The bible tells me that we are part of the body. How many time have you hurt your hand and thought why do I care I have another hand?
Hopeful never. Yet on Sunday we pledge to support our brothers and sisters and in Christ. Then when Church is over with we return to our lives and our issues. Like Cain and Abel we are each others issues. I find that over 99% of the time when God blesses me he uses other people to do it. Sadly most time they are not even Christians. How much should we expect from the body. But then again how much do we give to the body... I've seen marines who shot themselves in the foot to get out of Gulf. Now had I been near him I would have stopped him from hurting himself. But if you saw your brother or sister sinning, what would you do??? Rebuke them with love or just judge them and make them crawl deeper into their sin? I wish I could lie to all of you tell you that I don't need any of you to get through this life. But sadly that would be a lie. God put us all here to aid and be a blessing to each other. Are you ready and willing to be a blessing to someone else. Are you ready and willing to put your pain aside for a moment to be a blessing to someone that you really don't know that well?
1 CORINTHIANS 12:12
12 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the
members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is
Christ.
Each individual believer IS also part of the Body of Christ,
which is composed of all believers.
(This is the work of God. Not something we "join.")
Think how insane it would be for you to allow your hand to
attack some other member of your body. It's just as crazy for
us, as members of the Body of Christ, to attack other members.
ROMANS 12:4-5 NKJ
4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members
do not have the same function,
5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually
members of one another.
Other members have different callings -- different functions.
But your job is not to oppose them -- even though you may not
understand them, or why they do what they do. Just leave that
to the Head of the Body -- and do what He tells YOU to do.
You are not the Head of the Body of Christ -- Jesus is. He is
responsible for, and capable of, coordinating all we do so our
actions will accomplish His plan. Members of a body have
different functions, but all are necessary for the body to
function properly.
When you don't obey Jesus, the Head of the Body, you are a drag
on the rest of the members.
Think what a difficult time you would have accomplishing
anything if each member of your body did whatever it felt like
-- instead of obeying orders from your brain.
You might wander why does always talking about the same old things, love and support and unity? The same reason you wouldn't have a child and leave it in the woods for it survive on its on. For not one among us is self sufficient. Lord God it is my prayer that something in what has been said here will be a blessing or seed planted. God bless each of you and keep your focus on our Lord and God and remember to keep your brothers and sisters in prayer. I want you to be a blessing to someone that never thought about blessing before. See how beautiful it can be.
--
Dr. Willis Henry D.C.S
To thine own self be true
If you had no place to live would ask me if you and your family could stay at my house?
If the enemy was attaching you at 2am would you call me to ask me to stand with you through your storm?
If my eternal demons were beating me down would care to stay with till the storm past?
If I told you about a person you never meet but that they needed prayer, would you make a point of keeping them in prayer till God gave them a break through?
When Paul was in jail who went to visit him??? So why should I believe that anyone would come see about me?
The bible tells me that we are part of the body. How many time have you hurt your hand and thought why do I care I have another hand?
Hopeful never. Yet on Sunday we pledge to support our brothers and sisters and in Christ. Then when Church is over with we return to our lives and our issues. Like Cain and Abel we are each others issues. I find that over 99% of the time when God blesses me he uses other people to do it. Sadly most time they are not even Christians. How much should we expect from the body. But then again how much do we give to the body... I've seen marines who shot themselves in the foot to get out of Gulf. Now had I been near him I would have stopped him from hurting himself. But if you saw your brother or sister sinning, what would you do??? Rebuke them with love or just judge them and make them crawl deeper into their sin? I wish I could lie to all of you tell you that I don't need any of you to get through this life. But sadly that would be a lie. God put us all here to aid and be a blessing to each other. Are you ready and willing to be a blessing to someone else. Are you ready and willing to put your pain aside for a moment to be a blessing to someone that you really don't know that well?
1 CORINTHIANS 12:12
12 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the
members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is
Christ.
Each individual believer IS also part of the Body of Christ,
which is composed of all believers.
(This is the work of God. Not something we "join.")
Think how insane it would be for you to allow your hand to
attack some other member of your body. It's just as crazy for
us, as members of the Body of Christ, to attack other members.
ROMANS 12:4-5 NKJ
4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members
do not have the same function,
5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually
members of one another.
Other members have different callings -- different functions.
But your job is not to oppose them -- even though you may not
understand them, or why they do what they do. Just leave that
to the Head of the Body -- and do what He tells YOU to do.
You are not the Head of the Body of Christ -- Jesus is. He is
responsible for, and capable of, coordinating all we do so our
actions will accomplish His plan. Members of a body have
different functions, but all are necessary for the body to
function properly.
When you don't obey Jesus, the Head of the Body, you are a drag
on the rest of the members.
Think what a difficult time you would have accomplishing
anything if each member of your body did whatever it felt like
-- instead of obeying orders from your brain.
You might wander why does always talking about the same old things, love and support and unity? The same reason you wouldn't have a child and leave it in the woods for it survive on its on. For not one among us is self sufficient. Lord God it is my prayer that something in what has been said here will be a blessing or seed planted. God bless each of you and keep your focus on our Lord and God and remember to keep your brothers and sisters in prayer. I want you to be a blessing to someone that never thought about blessing before. See how beautiful it can be.
--
Dr. Willis Henry D.C.S
To thine own self be true
Are you a Christian
Yes you read it right!!!! I ask the question again for those that might not realize how serious of a question this is.
I start off with opening myself up to you, so that you know that I do not judge any of you for I can only speak of myself and my faults. Mine is in the hopes that each of us will self examine our believes, and bring our selves before the Lord and that select group of brothers or sisters that God has appointed in your life for this season.
This question was asked of me in 2001 by my brother Steve Miller AKA my Nathan. He and I were stationed together back when I was in the Navy in San Diego. He approached me and informed me that his computer was not functioning..I told him I would have one of my staff members look at his computer, and returned to my office, shortly after, Steve appeared again, this time he asked me "Willis are you a Christian?" at that moment I thought to my self 5 lbs of pressures, applied properly, can kill a grown man. I wanted to apply it right then and there. For you see I had been ordained Pastor in 1997 at Mt. Maria Baptist Missionary Church in San Diego, I grew up in Christian family sang in the church choir. I came to this church with a friend to sing in their choir. To later become a Sunday School Teacher the Sunday School Supervisor,the to becoming an ordain deacon and to becoming an ordain Minister and a Pastor. Sound like I had it all together with my walk??? If I did I was about to loose it. For about the same time I got the call to be a Pastor and was happy. Little did I know my ex-wife had allowed the deacon to sleep with her. The same deacon I had sought wisdom from because he was older. Had plotted to sleep with my wife because he wanted to know what it was like to sleep with a white woman. I thought I could weather this storm. Forgive and forget, yea I couldn't forget. So I went to my senior Pastor with this issue and both the Deacon and my ex-wife denied it. My ex later confessed the truth to my senior Pastor and claimed she as afraid of the deacon's wife. I left that church, I got invited by Pastor Chuck Murphy to be his assist Pastor and youth Pastor at Brothers Keeper. But soon my ex-wife would not be able to remain together. So finally I left the church with shame and the thought that God had done this to me... Though I had sin also, before my divorce was final I slept and now am married to the wonderful woman I call my wife. Most of you know her as Dee, still not sure why she married me except perhaps a chemical imbalance. For give me as digress for a moment there.
My response to Steve question was. "Look Steve I will get someone to look at your computer!!!!" He repeated his question "are you a Christian?", now everyone in my office is now staring at me. I quickly turned to him and said yes I'm a Christian now leave me alone. Still with full calmness he said then come to church with me.
He did let go till I attend church at Maranatha a Calvary Chapel. I found that as soon as starting to go there life got better. (but look out cause the story is about to get better)
My truck broke down on the side of the freeway, a brother from the church Mike came and picked myself up and Dee and my ex-wife was also attending the church at my invitation.
and offered to pay the bill. So he picked me up on base the next time and drove me to pick up my truck. The cost was over 600.00, it seemed for a while after that attack after attack was happening to me. " The closer you draw to the Lord the more the enemy wants you died." Now if there be any among you who said I don't like this whole suffering thing for Christ. Then do this block my emails get ride of your bible and never call on God 's name again. The enemy will leave you alone. But the moment you step out for Christ you become a marked brother or sister.
OK now back to my question, I feel after I have shared with each of you where I have been that I can ask this question of you and I would like for you to think about and then email me back.
1. Are you a Christian?
a.. Does love abide in you ?
If someone at your job need to find a Christian would they know that you are one?
Have you ever been called out in public about if your a Christian?
Would you and can you put the needs of others before yourself?
Are you willing to be uncomfortable to please God?
I ask you the same question that has been posed to me over the last 8 years, and I find myself going No I'm not but I'm working on it.
For you see, I can not lie love does not always abide in me. I have had brothers call me but I didn't want to talk at that moment. Oh selfish man I was, for how did I know if God sent that brother to me as His saving grace. How would I have felt if tomorrow I found out that brother took his life, I was his last hope but I didn't want to be bothered. I wanted to rest because I worked a 14 hour day. Or the kids and my wife were driving me crazy, maybe my back was hurting. Or the moon and the stars weren't lined up properly for me to speak to him etc.... Does someone know I'm a Christian yes the other hiding Christian know because we all hide in the same fox hole together, to afraid of what men think of us??? Good questions since this email is going to some co-workers you tell me. The Last two question most of the time I would say no. Because as human beings we tend to want life to be about us. We say we care about others, as long as it does not require us to get outside our comfort zone.
So am I Christian, some of you tell me I am yet I do not do all the things that Christ did. Christ told his accusers that questioned him about why he healed on the Sabbath day. He told them he did those things which he saw his Father do. Yet I know that Christ forgave sins, he was a healer, blessed man, he was a friend to the friendless. He puts the needs of this brothers first. He was consistent in his duties,I am not. Flawed, that I am yet I do I give up? nay I say I do not for I know that if I'm to be like Christ I must first die to self. Meaning I must be willing to put the needs of others before mine..
--
Dr. Willis Henry D.C.S
To thine own self be true
I start off with opening myself up to you, so that you know that I do not judge any of you for I can only speak of myself and my faults. Mine is in the hopes that each of us will self examine our believes, and bring our selves before the Lord and that select group of brothers or sisters that God has appointed in your life for this season.
This question was asked of me in 2001 by my brother Steve Miller AKA my Nathan. He and I were stationed together back when I was in the Navy in San Diego. He approached me and informed me that his computer was not functioning..I told him I would have one of my staff members look at his computer, and returned to my office, shortly after, Steve appeared again, this time he asked me "Willis are you a Christian?" at that moment I thought to my self 5 lbs of pressures, applied properly, can kill a grown man. I wanted to apply it right then and there. For you see I had been ordained Pastor in 1997 at Mt. Maria Baptist Missionary Church in San Diego, I grew up in Christian family sang in the church choir. I came to this church with a friend to sing in their choir. To later become a Sunday School Teacher the Sunday School Supervisor,the to becoming an ordain deacon and to becoming an ordain Minister and a Pastor. Sound like I had it all together with my walk??? If I did I was about to loose it. For about the same time I got the call to be a Pastor and was happy. Little did I know my ex-wife had allowed the deacon to sleep with her. The same deacon I had sought wisdom from because he was older. Had plotted to sleep with my wife because he wanted to know what it was like to sleep with a white woman. I thought I could weather this storm. Forgive and forget, yea I couldn't forget. So I went to my senior Pastor with this issue and both the Deacon and my ex-wife denied it. My ex later confessed the truth to my senior Pastor and claimed she as afraid of the deacon's wife. I left that church, I got invited by Pastor Chuck Murphy to be his assist Pastor and youth Pastor at Brothers Keeper. But soon my ex-wife would not be able to remain together. So finally I left the church with shame and the thought that God had done this to me... Though I had sin also, before my divorce was final I slept and now am married to the wonderful woman I call my wife. Most of you know her as Dee, still not sure why she married me except perhaps a chemical imbalance. For give me as digress for a moment there.
My response to Steve question was. "Look Steve I will get someone to look at your computer!!!!" He repeated his question "are you a Christian?", now everyone in my office is now staring at me. I quickly turned to him and said yes I'm a Christian now leave me alone. Still with full calmness he said then come to church with me.
He did let go till I attend church at Maranatha a Calvary Chapel. I found that as soon as starting to go there life got better. (but look out cause the story is about to get better)
My truck broke down on the side of the freeway, a brother from the church Mike came and picked myself up and Dee and my ex-wife was also attending the church at my invitation.
and offered to pay the bill. So he picked me up on base the next time and drove me to pick up my truck. The cost was over 600.00, it seemed for a while after that attack after attack was happening to me. " The closer you draw to the Lord the more the enemy wants you died." Now if there be any among you who said I don't like this whole suffering thing for Christ. Then do this block my emails get ride of your bible and never call on God 's name again. The enemy will leave you alone. But the moment you step out for Christ you become a marked brother or sister.
OK now back to my question, I feel after I have shared with each of you where I have been that I can ask this question of you and I would like for you to think about and then email me back.
1. Are you a Christian?
a.. Does love abide in you ?
If someone at your job need to find a Christian would they know that you are one?
Have you ever been called out in public about if your a Christian?
Would you and can you put the needs of others before yourself?
Are you willing to be uncomfortable to please God?
I ask you the same question that has been posed to me over the last 8 years, and I find myself going No I'm not but I'm working on it.
For you see, I can not lie love does not always abide in me. I have had brothers call me but I didn't want to talk at that moment. Oh selfish man I was, for how did I know if God sent that brother to me as His saving grace. How would I have felt if tomorrow I found out that brother took his life, I was his last hope but I didn't want to be bothered. I wanted to rest because I worked a 14 hour day. Or the kids and my wife were driving me crazy, maybe my back was hurting. Or the moon and the stars weren't lined up properly for me to speak to him etc.... Does someone know I'm a Christian yes the other hiding Christian know because we all hide in the same fox hole together, to afraid of what men think of us??? Good questions since this email is going to some co-workers you tell me. The Last two question most of the time I would say no. Because as human beings we tend to want life to be about us. We say we care about others, as long as it does not require us to get outside our comfort zone.
So am I Christian, some of you tell me I am yet I do not do all the things that Christ did. Christ told his accusers that questioned him about why he healed on the Sabbath day. He told them he did those things which he saw his Father do. Yet I know that Christ forgave sins, he was a healer, blessed man, he was a friend to the friendless. He puts the needs of this brothers first. He was consistent in his duties,I am not. Flawed, that I am yet I do I give up? nay I say I do not for I know that if I'm to be like Christ I must first die to self. Meaning I must be willing to put the needs of others before mine..
--
Dr. Willis Henry D.C.S
To thine own self be true
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