How many stones are in your bag?

By Rev. J. Derek Williams

God is not into the foolish things of man. There's something about being in charge, being the leader that goes straight to our heads. I was reading God's word this morning and was led to camp out at a familiar passage of Scripture, John 8:1-11. Many are familiar with the case of the woman caught in adultery, that the scribes and Pharisees brought before Jesus.

On more than one occasion, having read a Scripture, I have been confronted with additional revelations about what I have read previously. Today was no exception. This passage caused me to reflect on how we attempt to thwart Jesus. Here we find Jesus, yet again, in the temple teaching and the people gathering around to hear what thus says the Lord. The sheep heed the voice of their shepherd! (John 10)

Picture, you are attending a Bible study and there is a commotion coming from the rear of the sanctuary. Some of the leaders in the church bring forth someone, holding them tightly by the arm and proceeds to thrust them before the congregation. Everyone is startled by this disruption and finally one the leaders states that this member has been caught in the act of committing adultery. (Just a Thought: Doesn't it take two to tango, right?) I dare say that there would be many that would be agast at such a display in today's society! If so, how would it be handled?

Jesus sets a magnificent precedence here for all the that have ears to hear. Jesus being the Word, knows the Word.(Leviticus 20) Jesus does not immediately rebuke the leaders for bringing her before Him. However, Jesus knows the hearts of all men/women. We can do everything in our power to get Jesus to side with us, but the Scripture is clear, "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap." Galatians 6:7 NJKV Many think they can pervert and twist God's word for their own selfish purposes.

What I noticed today was how Jesus' silence brought conviction upon the her accusers. We can only speculate as to what He wrote in the sand, suffice it to say, it brought clarity to sinful men. The other revelation was that these men were so caught up in their role as leaders (crooked finger pointers), they could not see the Savior. I noticed that being in leadership does not make me autonomous in God's economy, because if I am left to my own devices, I will deceive myself. After a period of time the sinful accusers leave quietly from the temple. They originally entered to be noticed, however,  left with no fanfare. When will we stop trying to put others down to make us look better.

Jesus finds Himself alone and the woman standing in the midst. Notice that they are not alone, yes the scribes and the Pharisees have departed but not the people. Remember He was teaching in the temple and those that were being taught are still there. The people are a witness to this display of foolishness by leadership. Jesus said to her, "Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?" She said "no one, Lord." John 8:10b-11a NJKV This is powerful! When we have sinned and that sin is brought before the Lord He does not stand as our accuser. Not one time in His conversation with the woman did He accuse her.

Jesus also delivers a proclamation to her by speaking clearly to this woman saying, "Neither do I condemn you; go and S-I-N no more." John 8:11b NKJV Jesus first tells her that He does not condemn her. This is a clear mandate if God does not condemn neither should we. Secondly, there is an action that must take place GO! Then, we must not commit that sin again. Notice He did not say I forgive you even if you do it again and again and again. Yes, Jesus died for our sins, however, we must recognize our need to "sin no more."

It is not incumbent upon us to stop finding faults in our neighbors and having a "holier than thou" attitude toward one another. A-L-L, not just the other person, have sinned! That includes me and you. Sobering thought isn't it...

The Words of My Mouth

By Rev. J. Derek Williams

We have become a society whose words have become shallow and void of credibility. When did our word lose its truth and where is our integrity? We tend to just nonchalantly and sometimes with unmitigated gall speak untruth to each other, knowing we had no intention of bringing what we spoke to pass. Those who are of the household of faith would not dare speak a falsehood, would they? Are we not called to a higher standard, let your yea be yea and your nay, nay?

So how is it possible for those in the church to react when they have been "lied to". We all have to be held accountable for our falsehoods. More and more congregants present to each other a semblance of Godliness. We tell each other "little white lies" all the time. We say brother or sister I will thus and such or If I could I would do such and so, knowing good and well that we will not. There is a lack of integrity making it way throughout the church. I guess it makes us seem righteous and kind because the individual we promised left our presence with uplifted spirits. Then when it is time do what we promised we bail out or fabricate an escape, only to eventually not have that brother or sister speak regarding that or any other issue. I dare say that sometimes we don't even know that we are doing something wrong. However, there are those times in which we know exactly what we are doing. We had no intention of following through with what we said in the first place. It was all just a front, a cleverly deceitful facade. How do you think our fellow congregants feel when we break our word. If this is a ongoing occurrence, they may feel uncomfortable around the offender. They may not participate in church activities because they feel true fellowship has been broken and may eventually seek fellowship elsewhere. The sad thing is they did not do anything wrong especially if what was said to them was unsolicited. Maybe the word was spoken in the presence of others for appearances only. No one is immune, not the pastors, nor the saints in the pews.

In 2004 Bella DePaulo, a visiting professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara, who specializes in studying forms of human deception, asked college students and members of the
community-at-large to keep a notebook to tally up the number of lies they told in one week. By the end of the experiment, DePaulo found that the students had lied at least once to 38 percent of the people they came into contact with, while the community-at-large had lied to 30 percent of those with whom they interacted.

Based on her research, DePaulo insists that we all fall into one of two categories of liars:

• Some of us are "self-centered liars"—we lie in order to make ourselves look better to others.

• The rest of us are "other-centered liars"—we lie in order to avoid hurting someone else's feelings.
  

The experiment also found that the proverbial "white lie" was more often told to strangers; deeper lies were reserved for those the liar loved most.

"In everyday life, people are often telling lies," says DePaulo. "[It's] not to get something concrete that they want, like more money, but for psychological reasons…

"Sometimes in our real lives, our valuing of honesty clashes with something else we also value, like wanting to be gracious or kind or compassionate."¹

Unfortunately I can attest to this from my own perspective. Being a sinner, I have not kept my word by biblical standards, often times unaware that I had done so. This does not absolve me of my sin. As Professor DePaulo found out, it is often done without malicious intentions. The Word of God is clear: As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: Their feet are swift to shed blood:Destruction and misery are in their ways: And the way of peace have they not known:There is no fear of God before their eyes. Romans 3:10-18 KJV

We must be accountable for the promises we make to each other. Our word is our bond.The world is always viewing how a "Christian" acts daily. Would the snapshot of each of us be an accurate depiction of the Holy life we are to live or an indictment that Christian's are hypocrites? Jesus dealt with this same hypocritical behavior. And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand: Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man. Matthew 15:10-11 KJV

Once our promise/word was given/implied we are held accountable. Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the
sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil. Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few. For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool's voice is known by multitude of words. When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.Ecclesiates 5:1-5

So how can we make amends for the wrongs our words have wrought? Biblical reconciliation and forgiveness. I know that both are painful for those of us who are prideful and "stiff necked". Crucifying the flesh is always painful. We would rather walk on barefooted on hot coals or chew broken shards of glass rather than make right the wrongs our lips and actions have committed. This is truly a heart issue. Healing must take place to repair the breach of trust between the brethren. We must go to the persons we have not been honest with and make it right with them. If we promised them we would do something-and it is still within our power to do so, we should make it right. Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee. Proverbs 3:27-28 On the other side if we have been on the deceived or broken promises side, we "must" forgive, biblically or forgiveness and blessings will not be granted to us. So if when you are offering your gift at the altar you there remember that your brother has any [grievance] against you, Leave your gift at the altar and go. First make peace with your brother, and then come back and present your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way traveling with him, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. Truly I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last fraction of a penny. Matthew 5:23-26 AMPBV Jesus said For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matthew 6:14-15 NKJV Let each of us remember that healing begins with the first step. Reach out to someone today that you have not kept your word with or to whom you need to forgive. Praise God this day, for it is the day that the Lord has made!

¹Brian Lowery, associate editor, PreachingToday.com; source: Jocelyn Voo, "Honestly, all of us are liars," www.cnn.com (1-21-08)

Whose heart are you after?

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What makes us so different from King David? Why don’t we have the title also of “a great man/woman of God”? Remember, David was a sinner just like us. He committed what we call the “biggies”, adultery and murder but, the Scripture says, And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will. Acts 13:22 (KJV) Why is that so? It is so partly because when confronted with his sin he ACKNOWLEDGED (admission of guilt) and REPENTED (to turn away from sin). Are we ready to say and pen words as powerful as these: Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem. Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar. Psalms 51 (KJV) Let’s be honest, God is listening, when did we ever fall on faces and pour of our spirit with such anguish for sinning against the Almighty God! As so many preachers say “if you can’t say Amen say OUCH”!

In each of our lives we have to ACT (Acknowledge, Confess and Turn) from the sins that beset (harass: annoy continually or chronically) us. Then and only then are we able to move completely into what God has for each of us. That is where the church often times misses the boat. When someone has committed a sin, (whichever one is the “biggie” in our eyesight, the one that is preached from the pulpit regularly because the “preacher/teacher is guilty of said sin) we kick the person(s) out of the church. Doing so is akin to being sick and stricken with a debilitating disease, worthy of hospitalization and round the clock care only to be forcibly removed from the hospital or care facility to heal thyself. Is that true Christianity? We have become the judge of our peers, there is none righteous no not one. That is what the Book says, not the preacher, teacher, leader or pew warmer. Jesus, not I said “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. “Matthew 7:1-6 (NKJV) When will we walk in love, one for another?

There are 66 Books in the Bible all pointing to Jesus and not to us. God will stand and pronounce judgment, not man nor woman. Paul wrote, Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,^” says the Lord. Romans 12:19 (NKJV) Now here we stand, pointing our crooked little finger at the faults of our brothers, not lovingly helping them to see their error but we become judge, juror and executioner, neither of which God commanded us to be. The scripture said but the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.1 Peter 4:8-11 (NKJV) Can we say that forgiveness, true forgiveness resides in us and is being exercised (not exorcised) in the church today? Where are the Saints of God who are willing to say enough is enough!

Healing begins with Godly forgiveness. If church folks would stop keeping score and treating this Christian life like a game, then the world would see that the church is in order. They would see true love for the brethren, not personal agendas and selfish game plans. Who wants to come to a stream, to partake of cool, refreshing drink of water and see body parts and human waste floating on the surface? People in and out of church are peeping in to see if this truly a place of sanctuary, where a weary sojourner can find comfort and rest and be spiritually fed. Then, they may say I see true love with no strings attached, the Word of God being lived out before their very eyes. Then, they may hear the heavenly choir and musicians praising God. Then, they may hear a Word from the Lord that is uplifting and power-filled in which the Holy Spirit not the preacher is doing the drawing. Finally, when they approach the altar they will see Christ and not the preacher or the deacon or the steward, standing with arms stretched wide open. It won’t just be a wonderful, fleeting moment, but a truly life altering experience down in their souls. All the time hearing the humble, loving, and empathizing Saints of God around them possibly singing this old familiar hymn:

I Surrender All

All to Jesus, I surrender;
All to Him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust Him,
In His presence daily live.

Refrain

I surrender all, I surrender all,
All to Thee, my blessed Savior,
I surrender all.

All to Jesus I surrender;
Humbly at His feet I bow,
Worldly pleasures all forsaken;
Take me, Jesus, take me now.

Refrain

All to Jesus, I surrender;
Make me, Savior, wholly Thine;
Let me feel the Holy Spirit,
Truly know that Thou art mine.

Refrain

All to Jesus, I surrender;
Lord, I give myself to Thee;
Fill me with Thy love and power;
Let Thy blessing fall on me.

Refrain

All to Jesus I surrender;
Now I feel the sacred flame.
O the joy of full salvation!
Glory, glory, to His Name!

Refrain

Words: Judson Van Deventer, 1896

Music: Winfield S. Weeden, 1896

Then it seems well with their soul and the saints are fervently praying for these persons, unselfishly; they will have taken the first step toward an awesome relationship with the Almighty God because of the LOVE that was manifested in that place of sanctuary.

As Blood bought, complete Bible believing servants of the Most High God; we church folks must ACT(Acknowledge, Confess and Turn) from our sins to begin the healing through the forgiveness of Jesus Christ, so that we may be a blessing and not a hindrance within the body of Christ.

Our responsibility as the body of Christ is to be PRIME (Pray unceasingly one for another daily, Remember we are sinners too, Invest our time, treasures and talents in being a blessing to others, Ministering to the needs our fellow sinners even those of us who are saved by His marvelous grace, Encourage each other often).

It is incumbent to each of us not to be led astray by every wind (selfish desires that do not line up with the Word of God or satan) and doctrine (all of the stuff “we” add to God’s Word to control the people). It our responsibility to set the record straight like the Saints of old, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Deborah, Ruth, David, John the Baptist, Peter, Stephen and Paul, etc. Remembering always God’s Word, Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)

 

Preventative Ministry

By Rev. J. Derek Williams

To be healed, a diagnosis of the illness must be found. For us to be able to implement a cure, we must first know the cure. Some things that ail us and cause us pain could have been prevented. Do we believe in the preventative measures or protections written in the of the Word of God?

Remember that first car you were blessed with. It didn't matter what it looked like, you did everything to keep it clean and made sure the maintenance was completed in a timely manner. If it were a new car you wanted it to look, smell and perform the same as the day you drove it off the car lot. Remember the first time you noticed a ding or scratch? How many of us parked our car at the farthest, most remote spot in the parking lot so that no one would touch it. Remember when you regularly checked the fluid levels and air pressure in the tires, changed the oil and filter, rotated the tires, changed the air filter and serviced the brakes as prescribed in the car manual. Why is such preventative maintenance required? Some of us had to replace tires, brake rotors and even engines because we didn't follow the maintenance schedule written in the manual. Alas, many saints have found themselves just like the neglected vehicle, having not followed the Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth.

We attend churches throughout America and allow ourselves to believe every word the preacher says, having not blown the dust off of our Bibles; let alone read it for ourselves. We show up at service expecting the someone to teach us something. Remember when we attended school, during the first week of the year hoping to receive a new textbook and the teacher's having the audacity to require us to actually study the book and then bring the book to class everyday? Why is it that we don't follow that same protocol with our Bibles?

God's Word says emphatically in Hosea 4:6(AMPBV) My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge, because you [the priestly nation] have rejected knowledge. I will also reject you that you shall be no priest to Me, seeing you have forgotten the law of you God, I will also forget you children. If the preachers sermons or teachings are in error by design or not, how would you know? It is still our
responsibility to read it for ourselves. Today many have taught only part of the scriptures utilizing what they need to support their agendas, not God's agenda. Hosea made it clear. One commentator, Matthew Henry said "Both priests and people rejected knowledge". It amazes me how gullible we are when it comes to hearing "what thus sayeth the pastor" as being the truth. Are we not commanded to Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handing and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth. 2Timothy 2:15(AMPBV) So to prevent ourselves from following after the pastor we should clearly know what the truth, that is before, during and after church service.

Jesus said, I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father's name, they bear witness of Me. But you do not believe, because you are not My sheep, as I said to you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand. John 10:25-29(NKJV) So why do we follow after a pastor so fervently knowing he doesn't have a heaven nor hell to put us in! Aren't they just human like we are? Imperfect humans who need much personal and intercessary prayer because of the great responsiblity for the souls, "sheep", that have been entrusted to them. The Word of God through Peter written for the pastors and elders says, I warn and counsel the elders among you (the pastors and spiritual guides of the church) as a fellow elder and as an eyewitness [called to testify] of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a sharer in the glory ( the honor and splendor that is to be reveled (dislosed, unfolded): Tend (nurture, guard, guide, and fold) the flock of God that is [your responsibilty], not by coercion or constraint, but willingly, no dishonorably motivated by the advantages and profits [belonging to the office], but eagerly and cheerfully; Not domineering [as arrogant, dictorial, and overbearing persons] over those in your charge, but being examples (patterns and models of Christian living to the flock (the congregation). And [then] when the Chief Shepherd is revealed, you will win the conqueror's crown of glory. 1Peter 5:1-4 (AMPBV)

We allow church folks to bait us in to serving the pastor and not Yeshua the Christ. Entering into the fallacy of human being all powerful. Do we not know "Whose" were are? We were bought with a HIGH price; the price of suffering, beating, bleeding and death on a cross.

The Saints of the Most High have been silent far too long; allowing God's pulpit, choir loft and pews to become transformed into a house persecution and nothing resembling a SANCTUARY. We have allowed the world to inundate churches throughout the land. So if the world is in the the church, it stands to reason that hatred is in the church. If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hated you. John 15:18-19 (NKJV) Light will always conquer darkness in the end.

So if you have been hurt understand that there is a Balm in Gilead, He loves us and sustains us each and every day. If you have experienced brokeness open the Word of God today and be made whole by the washing of the Word. Be encouraged that this too shall pass, keeping our eyes looking upward to Heaven.

Healing for the Saints

Greetings! My name is Derek. I am the husband of one wife, father of two wonderfully intuitive God fearing sons, pastor, teacher and friend. I am a former United States Marine having served honorably in the Persian Gulf during the Desert Shield and Desert Storm. I enthusiastically enjoy LSU football, New Orleans Saints football and playing golf as often as possible. The Lord has blessed me to see over the past 11 years of ministry how we are in need of Healing for the Saints of God.

In every person's journey there are many trials and tribulations. We become bruised, battered, worn and torn. We become distant, despondent and sad. Unfortunately all too often these hurts have been administered by "loving" members of the body of Christ. We find ourselves feeling cast out, some feeling ostracized by the so called "church". Is there someone who has been there, got the tee shirt, the hat and the mug? Is there help for those who are hurting, having a pity party and who have said definitively "I am not setting foot in a church ever again?" Have you moved to another church just to blend in and hide in a large congregation? Have you mourned or grieved for this death? Does anyone have an answer to the slaying of Saints at the altar of churches throughout America?

Persecution happens moment by moment in other countries. The persecution comes from all arenas outside the body of Christ. This has been going on for thousands of years as recorded throughout history. Over my lifetime I can truly say I sympathize and empathize with those that are the walking wounded of the church. The "Christian" army are the only soldiers I know who shoot their own wounded. Were we not commanded by Jesus to "Love thy neighbor as thyself?" Matthew 22:39


Please allow me to state that the purpose of this blog is not to bash, hash and rehash but to bring about healing, reconciliation and restoration. Please understand that church names, pastors names, church members names and the like are prohibited. This blog is not for tearing down but for the uplifting of your heads, truly bearing one another's burdens!

Your questions and comments are welcome. Please pray for this blog so that wounded hearts may be healed, that souls may be encouraged and that minds may be renewed through Christ Jesus our Lord.