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.
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.
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