Leadership
I heard this once, “Good leaders are never born. Good servants are born and they make great leaders.”
Acts 20:24-38.
We are examples for others to watch and learn from. The Bible has rules, yes, but it’s so much more than that. The Bible is a book full of examples. We don’t just see Joseph put on a throne after his dreams, but we see his journey. We see how he was betrayed, how he was imprisoned, and how he was cast down. We see his example of trusting in the Lord through all of that.
We don’t see David being anointed king and then immediately see him on the throne the next day. We see his example of how he walked on when Saul was trying to kill him, how he walked on when he was hurting and broken.
1 Corinthians 11:1. 2 Thessalonians 3:9. If people follow you, are you living a life that will lead them to Jesus? Are you doing your best to follow Christ? John 13:15.
To raise up good leaders:
These four steps have been taught in the secular world, but I am going to give you Biblical examples of these steps.
#1: Live what you are trying to teach them in front of them.
Again John 13:15. 1 Peter 2:21. If you are going to reach anyone, you have to live as an example of Christ in front of them. Preach this example in front of them. Love in front of them. It’s not right to preach about being kind and generous then go out and be mean and hateful to people. If we want this generation to follow us to Calvary and to Heaven, then we have to walk this Christian walk in front of them.
#2: Allow them to be a part of what you are doing.
Titus 2:7. It is the will of God for you to minister to everyone He brings into your life. But evetime you pour into someone, it will cost you something. When the woman with the issue of blood was healed, Jesus stopped and said that virtue went out of Him. When you help someone, you pour a part of yourself into them. Are you pouring out and emptying yourself for others? 1 Timothy 4:12. For those being called to be leaders, even the young, invite them to walk hand-in-hand to minister to others with you.
#3: Step back and give them opportunities to lead. 1 Peter 5:3-4.
#4: Hand off the leadership, knowing the seed you planted and watered with tears will reach into the next generation.
An example from the Bible of a leader who raised up more leaders would be Moses. He lived what he taught in front of Joshua. Exodus 33:11. Joshua was so enthralled with the teaching and the ministry of Moses that he wanted to stay in the Tabernacle. Through the ministry of Moses, Joshua was able to find God and he didn’t want to leave. Can you and I walk this Christian walk in such a way that when people get around us they want what we have? We can inspire others to desire their own personal encounter with God!
Moses then did ministry beside Joshua. Exodus 17:9. Numbers 27:18.
Moses watched Joshua. Deuteronomy 31:23.
Then later, Joshua leads the people as Moses steps back and hands the leadership over to him. Let’s ask ourselves if what we have planted will have a harvest in the next generation. Moses died and then God spoke to Joshua in Joshua 1:5-6.
Jesus did this as well. He preached in front of His disciples, He preached with them, He sent them out, and then He went away. He gave the tasks to His disciples to spread the Gospel, to make more disciples, and keep passing the leadership on.
It should be a Christian’s dream to teach someone to walk with Jesus. When you breathe your last breath, will someone be able to say, “Because of that dear soul, I fell in love with Jesus?”
Every soul counts. Every life matters. We need to minister to others. But know that you’re not the only one God has called to witness to people. It’s not all on your shoulders only.
The enemy will torture you with those you can’t reach. Mark 6:11. You were not Jesus when you were born, and you will not be Jesus when you die. You are just someone full of His power and His presence. You are not the Savior, you’re the person who delivers the Good News. Do all you can, do your best, and leave the rest of it in God’s hands. Don’t let the enemy beat you up.
Let me give you one more example of leadership from the Bible.
1 Timothy 1:2. Paul preached in front of Timothy. Then he worked in ministry with Timothy. Philemon 1:1. He taught Timothy and guided him. 1 Timothy 6:20.
If a person is going to be a leader, they can’t spend all their time arguing with carnal people. If a person is going to be a leader, they can’t let the haters and the name callers change who the leader knows he is. If a person is going to be a leader, they can’t let the fussers and the cursers pull them down. A good leader has to know when to walk away, not hate, not reject, and not be mean, but walk away and not let what the haters say affect them.
There will be some people who never remember anything good about you, but do not let them label you. You know who you are in the Lord. Don’t lay your ministry down because someone doesn’t like you. You are ordained and chosen by God. You are the apple of His eye. The hand of the Lord is on your life and if He be for you then who can be against you? Know who you are! You are a child of God! Don’t let your battles name you!
So, back to Paul and Timothy: 2 Timothy 4:1-2. 2 Timothy 3:10.
Check this out, a leader fails if he only raises up leaders as good as himself. For a leader to succeed, the leaders they have raised up must reach further and do more.
We’ve seen here Paul doing work in front of Timothy, doing work with Timothy, His guidance for Timothy to continue the work, and then Paul had one more letter to write to Timothy. 2 Timothy 4:5-8. Paul handed the leadership over, knowing that the Gospel was in good hands.
I want to encourage you to pray and ask the Lord to let you be a better leader in the midst of those He’s placed you around. Do you want your life to make a difference? Do you want to be the reason someone falls in love with Jesus? Tell God and ask Him for strength and guidance in this life as a leader so that you can minister to others!
— Pastor Anthony Wynn
God’s Silence Does Not Mean “No”
Luke 11:1 – “And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.”
It’s an honor to have the opportunity to speak to you and the people at MDT Church. It’s an honor to speak to other preachers and singers. It’s an honor to sing, to worship and praise. But what an honor it is to be able to talk and listen to God!
Don’t ever allow your prayer life to be hindered by the fear of not saying the right words or not speaking in beautiful sentences to the Lord. He’s not concerned about that. You don’t have to know Greek or Hebrew or any fancy religious sayings, you can pray in “hillbilly.” God just wants you.
The prayer following Luke 11:1 is a recipe of how to pray.
Luke 11:2. “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name…”
We shouldn’t always start our prayers off with our needs. “God, my light bill is due. God, my stomach hurts.” We are approaching the King of all kings. We shouldn’t just burst in His presence asking for a blessing. Instead, we should come with a praise on our lips, telling Him that He’s holy and righteous. This first step in praying is praise to the Almighty! It’s an honor to have an opportunity to speak with God.
Luke 11:2. “…Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.”
Pray about things, but seek for God’s Kingdom first. God’s will, God’s Kingdom is first and everything else comes second. Make it known that you don’t want to pray anything that’s out of God’s will. Let God know that you don’t want anything that will take your time from Him and turn your heart away from Him. Ask Him for His will to be accomplished in your life.
Luke 11:3. “Give us day by day our daily bread.”
When the children of Israel were in the wilderness. I pondered why God didn’t give them enough Manna to last a whole month. I think I’ve found the answer. He wanted them to spend more time with Him. He wanted them to draw nigh to Him everyday.
Luke 11:4. “And forgive us our sins: for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.”
If someone has a past with drugs, then they should pray that nothing and no one would get around them and tempt them to turn back to drugs. If a person was a fighter, they need to pray to not get around people that will stir up their anger.
Matthew 6:13. “…For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.”
Then Jesus goes into a parable of someone coming to a friend at midnight and asking for loaves of bread. That friend tells them to leave him alone.
Luke 11:8. “I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.”
God’s silence doesn’t mean “no.”
Can you think of anything you’ve been praying about where God has been silent when you speak of it to Him? If you’ve been seeking Him for a long time, His silence might not mean “no.”
Waiting on God will reveal our true motives. Waiting has a way of bringing the best or the worst out of people. Waiting on God will transform our character. It has a way of rubbing off the rough edges in our life. Waiting builds intimacy and dependence on God. One of the reasons we get to read about great people in the Bible is because they knew their success hinged on their dependence upon God.
God is just as interested in the journey as He is the destiny.
Psalms 27:14. Exodus 24:18. Millions of people are standing at the foot of the mountain, wanting an answer right then. Exodus 32:1. They got tired of waiting and became willing to worship a strange god.
But God’s silence doesn’t mean “no.”
I made some brownies for me and My Shelia a few days ago. She was so excited for those brownies that she came to me every few minutes when they were getting close to done and asked, “Are they ready yet?” I would say, “Not yet.”
I was not saying “no.” I was telling her she had to wait. When we ask God for something and He’s silent, sometimes, He’s saying “wait.” There are certain things you need to go pray about again. God didn’t say “no” to them. If you quit praying, you’ll never get the answer.
We don’t have to pray fancy words. God will come to us if we just long for Him and seek Him. If we pray, He will listen and Heaven will stand in attention! Lamentations 3:5.
When you are waiting for something, you continually go back to where it’s going to come from. When we are waiting and wanting something from God, then we spend time with Him in prayer. Maybe He makes us wait longer, because He wants to spend more time with us! Why not pray for just a desire to be around the Lord? Why not pray to just want the Lord? We should enjoy being around the Lord!
What is the Lord to you? Is he a scary Judge that demands attention and calls out your verdict? Or have you known Him as the everlasting Father? God shouldn’t be some judge that we dread and are afraid of. Wherever you are in your relationship with God, ask Him for a new level. Let Him know you want Him to be your friend and you want to be His friend. Let Him know you want to know Him as your Shepherd.
If we can know God in different areas, such as Savior, Friend, and Shepherd, it can change our prayer life! God wants a relationship with you. He loves you and wants to be close to you.
Keep on praying! Whatever it is that God is saying “wait” on, just keep going back to Him. His silence doesn’t mean “no,” He might just want to spend a little more time with you! He may be telling you to wait so no one else can take the credit for His work.
You can find time after time in the Bible where God promised someone something and they had to wait. Abraham. Joseph. But God’s silence in those times, didn’t mean “no.”
Friend, He’s waiting on you right now to come to Him and spend some time with Him. Why not worship Him a bit and tell Him you love Him? Why not come to Him again with your need? He’s listening.
Pastor Anthony Wynn
End Time Ministry
Exodus 2:15-19. Let’s break down these Scriptures.
Exodus 2:15. There is a huge difference between fleeing from sin and running to Jesus.
This is after Moses had killed an Egyptian who was smiting a Hebrew. Egypt can represent sin. Moses did not flee from sin to get to the Lord, he fled from the pain of sin. It’s not enough for a person to come to church because of what sin is costing them out in the world. If they don’t end up falling in love with Jesus, church won’t work out.
Luke 15:17-18.
The Prodigal Son ran back to his father. I wonder if the reason why some people don’t last is because they come to church just wanting things fixed, something a little better than what they have now, or just to flee from “Pharaoh.” In other words, they don’t come to fall in love with Jesus.
Exodus 2:16.
A lot of the time when you find a lady mentioned in the Bible, she can represent the church. The number 7 represents completion or perfection. This Scripture could be taken as seven different groups going to church on Sunday morning to draw water. The sheep in the flock did not belong to the daughters, but belonged to their father. Acts 20:28.
Dear friend, please realize how precious you are! You weren’t bought with silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Jesus!
Isaiah 4:1. Nowadays, there are people who want Jesus’ name because they know there’s power in that name. Just about anything is accepted and preached now. A person can preach the name of Jesus and not get rejected and hated completely. There was a time where people who called by this precious name lived clean and holy lives. Now, some of the nastiest things have moved into churches. But look at Isaiah 4:2! God still has a people. And these people want Jesus because they’ve fallen in love with Him!
Exodus 2:17.
If I walk into someone’s house to visit with them, I have no right to go in and start rearranging their furniture. When I evangelize, I know it like I am going into someone else’s house and there are certain things that God has required of the pastor of that church. The shepherds in verse 17 drove the daughters away. Now, we have to remember our position, our office, in the Kingdom of God. We know what God has required of us, and we won’t win people by shoving things at them. We can try to do is draw them with the love of God and when they come on our ground, then we can preach. But when we are in someone else’s house we need to respect their house.
“And the shepherds came and drove them away”
Jeremiah 23:1. There are so many preachers with greed in these end times. We have a generation in America of people who have gotten wounded because of low-down, filthy shepherds that don’t care about the sheep. They live one way in the pulpit and one way in the world and won’t deal with their sin. God is giving us a season to repent and get right with Him. If there’s anything we need to do to get right with Him, dear friend, let’s do it! Let’s not hide from God, but run to the altar and get our past under the blood!
“But Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock.”
Now, here comes a stranger of love and compassion who stood up and helped the daughters and watered their flock. He loved people so much.
Exodus 2:18-19.
You can read this and it sound really good, but read it again. Remember when I said that Egypt can represent sin? The daughters said an Egyptian delivered them. But Moses wasn’t an Egyptian, he was a Hebrew. That would have meant that he may have left Egypt, but Egypt hadn’t left him yet.
I fear that there are two major classes of ministry. There are are some genuine ministries, but here are two different ones I’m going to mention. There’s the ministry that just wants to get everything out of the sheep that they possibly can and abuse them. Then there’s another ministry like Moses that just wants to love people, but they keep slipping back into sin and they aren’t focused, dedicated, or clean. They look like an Egyptian.
It’s not enough to love the sheep if we don’t love God. See, Moses had the right love for people, but he hadn’t had his burning bush experience with God yet.
Some people may leave the world, but did the world leave them?
After God came to Moses in the burning bush, God told him to go back down to Egypt under the anointing and tell “Pharaoh” (the addictions, the battles, the evil) that was holding the people and command him to let the people go. If Moses would have went to people’s houses 1 by 1 and told them to get out of Egypt, Pharaoh would have gotten word and he would have killed them before they ever got out of Egypt. But Moses went to the very spirit that was controlling the people and told it to let the people go.
Luke 10:19 – “Behold, I give you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”
Acts 1:8. – “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
Everyone knows some one that Pharaoh is trying to control. Take authority in the name of Jesus and command Pharaoh to let them go! If Jesus abides in you, you have authority! Hallelujah!
Thank you for reading, dear friend!
Pastor Anthony Wynn
Benefits of a Worshipper
God is looking for a worshipper.
Psalm 103:2. It’s not enough to live for Jesus, cross your arms, and just survive. God is looking for a worshipper. And He’s not looking for one that will just worship Him when the piano’s playing or the singers are singing. He’s looking for someone who will worship Him even when they are wiping a tear.
I want to challenge you to commit your worship to God today. If the enemy comes around bargaining for it, you can tell him it’s not for sale!
One of the most important parts of a church service is the worship. Worship is eternal. God was worshipped before Adam fell, we worship God now, and eternity will be filled with elders and saints worshipping Him and casting their crowns at His feet.
Let’s talk a bit about some benefits of a worshipper.
1. You fulfill God’s original plan.
2. When you are discouraged and see nothing but the battle, praise and worship will turn your attention back to the Creator.
Like Peter walking on water, if you keep your eyes on the storm, you will begin to sink. Right in the middle of it all, however, there is Jesus. And when you begin to worship Him, it will bring your attention back to Him. Psalms 42:5. We mess up, but God died for us and we have a legal right to bless His name forevermore! God is good, faithful, eternal, and saved our souls! We should bless Him!
Even when you don’t see it, He’s working. Psalms 27:13-14.
3. Worship will get you in the presence of the King, where needs are met and lives are changed.
In God’s presence, there is fullness of joy. Fear and discouragement must back away, for there is victory over them in God’s presence. When you worship and get in the presence of the Lord, no enemy can stand! Real victory is not found at the bank, or in the hands of the President. Real victory is found in the presence of King!
4. Worshippers understand that their lives and battles are not controlled by the enemy.
A real worshipper will rise above every circumstance. Genesis 22:5. Hebrews 11:17-19. There are some things God will have you do that will cost a lot. There are some areas God will call you to walk and friends will turn their back on you. But if you make up your mind that you would rather have Jesus than anything and worship Him through it all, you will walk out of any circumstance a conqueror. If God moved for you one time, He will move for you again. If God has promised you something, He will fulfill that promise. A real worshipper knows that God will fight for them and make a way for them. Daniel 3:15-17. Do not let your circumstance control you and your worship. A worshipper knows they will make it out of their storms. Psalms 50:14-15.
5. Psalms 22:3. A worshipper knows they they can create an atmosphere that God will come and dwell in.
I’ve been in scary situations where I started to worship and the peace of the Lord fell in the room. There is a place in worship where God will walk beside you. Nervousness and anxiety are gone when you worship. Worship will bring God to you and He is the Prince of Peace, the Healer, the Miracle Worker! He will provide for you and break chains. Just worship Him! Worshippers know they can get into God’s presence anytime they want to. Psalms 91:1. A worshipper knows that when they give their all to God, He won’t throw them away. Psalms 50:23.
6. Worship is our weapon.
One of my biggest weapons when fear comes is quoting Psalms 23:1 and Romans 8:28. Worship is a weapon. Psalms 69:30. 2 Chronicles 20:21-22.
If you are struggling with things trying to pull you down and discourage you, pull out your weapon of worship to Jesus. 2 Corinthians 10:4. Ephesians 6:12. Resist the enemy, use your weapon and make up your mind that you will bless the Lord. Make sure His praise continually flows from your mouth!
You are a worshipper! Fight for you worship! It’s a weapon that will cause the enemy to flee! Hallelujah! Worship Him, friend!
This sermon recap was based off a powerful service. And I want to encourage you to please watch that service below. I’m sure it will bless you! God be with you, dear friend!
Pastor Anthony Wynn
There’s Victory for You Now
Matthew 6:9-13.
“Give us this day our daily bread.” I want you to know, there is victory for you today, right now. But first here are some quotes and Scripture.
“Faith does not eliminate questions. But faith knows where to take them.” – Elizabeth Elliot
“If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
“Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow. It empties today of its strength.” – Corrie Ten Boom
Psalm 16:11 – “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”
To walk into the new, you have to leave the old. Isaiah 43:18-19. Ecclesiastes 5:18-20. The present moment is all that is really available to you and me. God is ready and willing to help you right now. There’s victory in your now.
Matthew 13:3-9. The seeds that fall on stony ground do not have strong, deep roots and will fall away at the first sign of persecution or trouble. Those choked by the thorns are the ones who get caught up in the cares of the world and forget the Word, possibly they have been hurt and their wounds hold them back . Some seeds fell on good ground and understood the Word and produced fruit.
Roots
Those that fell on stony ground didn’t have deep roots. When trees don’t have a good root system, it doesn’t take a whole lot to destroy them. It’s the same way for a Christian. That’s why it’s so important to keep praying even when no one’s watching. Keep holding onto God, kill lions and bears when no one’s watching. This helps build your root system and keep you strong in the Lord.
The Future
The seeds that fell on stony ground are people who are always worried about their future. The news media is full of stories that bring fear to the people who watch it. It’s everywhere and it’s caused people to fear the future. If you are battling fear of the future, serve notice on the devil. Let him know you understand that you can’t control the future or determine the future, but you are in the hand of the One who holds your future.
There’s nothing wrong with planning ahead for some things, but you are not living in next year or ten years from now. You are living right now and you can enjoy today. Psalm 118:24.
Let’s not let our best memories with God be from ten years ago. Let’s make the best memories with God today and then let’s make even better ones tomorrow. Sometimes we get so caught up in the past or the future that we don’t enjoy the now.
The Past
We need to learn to let go of the past. We can’t change our past, but anything and everything back there is under the blood. Hurts and pain, those thorns, let them go! We need to move on with God and those things will do nothing but hold us back. I hear a voice calling, “Come up a little higher!” Do not stop living because you’re afraid you’ll get hurt again.
Enjoy the NOW
There should not be a more special day than today. God wants to release you from the fear of the future and the wounds of the past. He wants you to come into the now. There is victory for you now, hope for you now. There is deliverance, peace, a new beginning, and strength for you now!
Pray and ask God to release you from the tug of yesterday and the pull of tomorrow, and ask to step back into your now. Pray that He give you this day’s daily bread. You can live now, laugh now, pray now, worship now! You can have peace and victory right now! There is victory in your now, dear friend!
Pastor Anthony Wynn
A Blessing Or An Anointing
Let’s take a look at 2 churches: Saul’s church and David’s church.
1 Samuel 11:15. Saul’s church had just about everything that could be wanted naturally. They had a fancy building and money. Saul used to be a praying man. 1 Samuel 14:35. Later on, however, I don’t see him building an altar. Later on, we find him going to a witch. Instead of seeking God, he went to seek the things he used to try and destroy.
1 Samuel 15:26. I believe there are some ministries standing around the world today that have millions of followers who think everything is fine, but in reality, God has walked away. God walked away from Saul and no one knew but Samuel and David. 1 Samuel 28:6.
The Kingdom of God is going on. It will not stop if a man or woman in a leadership position sells out to the devil and won’t come back to God. God will have someone to replace them. The work of God will go on.
So, let’s talk about the second church.
Psalms 34:1. David’s church had a praise. Despite everything David went through and what he faced, he was going to bless the Lord at all times. Even when it looked like there was no way out of his hard situations, he was going to praise the Lord. David’s church was one full of worship. Psalms 95:6.
Psalms 20:7. David knew who his keeper was. Psalms 23:1. David knew who his provider was, who was going to give him peace, and who was going to protect him.
1 Samuel 16:12. David had a word from the Lord to hold onto right here. I would encourage you to pray for your personal word from the Lord. When the battle is raging, we need that word from God we can hold onto and wave in the devil’s face when he comes against us. “If God be for us, who can be against us?”
When David went out to face that giant, Goliath, He knew he wasn’t going to die. His word from the Lord had not been completed yet. He hadn’t sat on the throne as king yet. If you have a word from God, you will keep going. The Word of God will carry you through a desert, keep you in a storm, keep you through a battle, and make a way for you.
David had an anointing.
An anointing has nothing to do with emotions. There are a lot of ways to explain it, but here’s what the anointing is: the Spirit of God flowing through an individual. This individual needs to be a clean and willing vessel; one who is open for the Spirit of God to flow through.
There’s a lot of people that the Spirit of God flows into, but it never flows out of them. To them, it becomes a blessing and not and anointing. Anointing is something that will touch another. A blessing is something that will touch a person and then it will stop with that person.
David’s anointing started at his head, but it would flow out of him to touch a whole nation. It’s not enough to let the power of God bless you. Are you letting the anointing flow and touch anyone else?
When a person goes to church and they get free in the Spirit and start worshipping the Lord, it touches other people. How many services have been hindered because the anointing came to someone who decided to be a reservoir and locked it up instead of letting it flow? They made it a blessing for themselves rather than an anointing to flow to others.
What David has wasn’t just for him. He had something that would kill a giant and set a nation free. He had something that would lead a kingdom back to God. Saul led the people away from God, but David’s blessing was to become an anointing for Israel.
We shouldn’t let the anointing only be a blessing and stop with us. The anointing will break yolks and set the captive free. We should let it flow and touch other people!
Thank God for every blessing we’ve received! When people get around us, however, we need to let the anointing flow that it might touch them. When they walk away from us, they need to know they’ve been touched by the Holy Ghost power that flows through us.
Your anointing is never just for you.
If a person’s anointing fixed all their problems, they’d become an island all by themselves and they wouldn’t need anyone. A person’s anointing is to help someone else. Their anointing will work when they are lying in a rehab bed hardly able to move. It will work when they can’t talk. It’s not a person’s strength, talent, or charisma, but the anointing of God flowing through them that touches another person.
Jehovah Jireh, Almighty God our Provider lives inside of us. We need to let Him touch other people through us! The anointing will set the captive free, lift up hands that are hanging down, heal the sick, prophesy, and lift up Jesus.
This generation needs what you have, dear friend. They need that anointing of God to flow to them. Lift your hands and ask the Lord to stir the anointing in you, so that people might see the glory of God and be touched by His power and love!
Pastor Anthony Wynn
Healing Pt. 2
Hello Beloved Reader! I’m Faith and thank you for visiting me today! Today we are continuing with PART TWO of this healing series.
When it comes to healing, there can be a lot of questions. If I haven’t covered a particular question that you would like an answer to, then please leave a comment and the Oasis Team will do our best to find a correct and suitable answer for you.
PART ONE of this series went over what healing is, two aspects of healing, that healing is Biblical, and a couple of questions on healing. PART TWO is going over a few more questions: Is it acceptable to go to doctors and physicians? What about healing for people with mental disorders? What about going to see a counselor or psychiatrist?
Let’s get started.
Some people do not go to doctors for the sake of making a religious point. Sad to say, but this has not helped the death toll from sickness to lower. That is not to say in some cases this shouldn’t be done, but it should not be done with the sole basis of making a point.
Jesus did not command people to stay away from doctors. After all, Luke (one of Jesus’ disciples) was a physician. Doctors can be very wise in their understanding of the human body and indeed can be used as instruments for God’s glory in that aspect. But they cannot be the only source of healing. Take the woman with the issue of blood in Luke 8:43. It could be said that no one could heal her because of their lack of knowledgeable breakthroughs during that time, but even still, that proves doctors do not know all. Even today there are incurable diseases and ailments that doctors cannot seem to heal. Therefore, we cannot and should never put full trust in doctors. They did not create the human body and they most certainly do not know all there is to know about it. However, there is One who can identify with having all knowledge and creating all creation.
That being said, doctors should be accepted as a second opinion if needed. God can and will heal a person, but who knows? Maybe there is a doctor, a nurse, or even another patient that needs to be witnessed to. It might take going to the hospital to do that. So, a person should take their need to God first, seeking Him for His guidance in what should be done.
To heal means to become healthy again, but it also means to become sound again.
Now, “sound” can mean without disease, but it also means solid, stable, and showing good judgment and sense. This could represent the healing for mental states that are not sound such as mental disorders, depression, anxiety, and broken hearts. (Psalms 147:3 | Psalms 34:18) Healing for these things goes much deeper for with this healing comes a great change in a person’s life, not just outwardly, but inwardly as well. It changes a person’s mental state, in turn changing their physical actions.
Is it alright to go to psychiatrists and counselors?
God is the ultimate standard here. A person should never receive help like this from a human before they consider God and His counsel first. (Proverbs 19:21) There are many places in Proverbs where it speaks of having counselors and wise advice. It’s not a sin to receive counsel. It’s not a sin to ask for help. However, God is, again, the ultimate standard. With everything that is heard, with every word of advice received, it would be best to seek the counsel of the Lord for truth to those statements. Understand that those who give counsel should be dealing with the Lord first as well. Their words should stand with God and never against Him if a person is to get true help from them.
These healing blogs may be technical and frank, but I will state this: God is love. He has only the best interests in mind and will never try to destroy His people. Healing is in His will. His children need not fear sickness and disease.
Thank you for taking the time to read this blog. I hope it has helped you in some way. Before we close, I want to introduce to you the Healing Course on Oasis Academy if you haven’t seen it yet. You can click the following link to take this course and get a greater/better understanding on healing in the Bible. (https://www.oasisministries.com/courses/healing-scriptures/) You can also click this link to listen to one of Bro. Anthony’s sermons on healing. (Healing Scriptures Sermon)
Thank you again! God be with you and guide you in every minute of every day!
Faith Cross
Use Me in This Season
What do seasons mean spiritually?
Seasons change; the same season doesn’t last forever. Don’t make permanent decisions in temporary circumstances. If your in the middle of Winter, don’t worry, things will get better and the sun will shine again. When we go through rough seasons in our lives, it should remind us more and more that this is not our home. John 16:33.
Spring
Spring is the time of new beginnings. The time of year where things enter a state of renewal. Dormant plants that have laid all Winter long rise up again. Leaves grow back on the trees. In our walk with Jesus, Springtime means fresh visions and new dreams. If you are going through a rough season, you can be confident in God’s faithfulness and know that at some point this season will end and a new one will begin. God will move and turn things around.
Summer
Summer is a season that warms us. The days are longer and the nights aren’t cold. Spring and Summer are also seasons where you can plant crops. You can even gain some harvest in Summer.
Autumn
The weather starts to chill, the remainder of the harvest is gathered, and things start to prepare for the the next season.
Winter
This is a time where most of the natural world goes into hibernation. Activities seem to come to a stand-still. It’s a time to review your dreams and make new plans. It’s a time to rest. I believe Peter was talking about a Winter season in this passage 1 Peter 1:6.
With a church full of people, you will most likely find someone going through spring and someone going through winter.
People can be in different places in different seasons. Someone could be going through Spring, like the children of Israel who were coming out of the Red Sea. Some people may be facing their Winter season, like the ones going into the Red Sea. They may not know what will happen in the next little bit, but if they will keep on walking, they’ll walk right out of their situation. Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning. Keep walking and God will bring this season to pass.
Now, if you go outside to plant crops in the Winter, they probably won’t grow because it’s not the right season. But understand, God inside of us performs miracles and the the Holy Ghost doesn’t have seasons. We may be subject to seasons, but the Holy Ghost is not.
God doesn’t just want to use you in your Spring or Summer season. He wants to use you in every season.
As a child of God, there is no time off. We are too close to eternity. God can use you to help deliver someone when you are fighting depression. God can use you to lay hands on people and they get healed, when doctors have given up on you. God can use you to speak prosperity to someone when you can’t pay your own bills. It’s not about our feelings or emotions, but the presence of an eternal God that abides in us. God can use us when we are broken to help someone else.
It should be our desire that in whatever season we are in to be willing to let the Lord use us and be a part of whatever He is doing.
David had his seasons.
Around about the time he was taking care of his father’s sheep was his Spring season. He went through Summer when he was anointed king and faced Goliath. Right between being anointed king and killing Goliath, David had a Winter season.
During your winter seasons, don’t let the devil talk you into the thought that Jesus is mad at you. Seasons are a sign that you are chosen by God. David was anointed to be the ruler of the land, but at some point before that he was hiding in a cave.
A person may want to cross their arms in the Winter season and want to feel sorry for themselves and depressed. They may not want God to use them. But while you are in your Winter season, other people are in their Winter season, too. 1 Samuel 22:2. Sometimes you have to get up so other people won’t miss out with God. They need you to get up in your Winter season and keep on living right even if you don’t feel like it. God is still God. He abides in you and is not subject to seasons.
We shouldn’t operate by chill bumps, or emotions. We should be led by the Spirit of God, and directed by the Word of God.
Elijah went through his seasons.
In his Spring season, his prayers held the rain back. He helped a little widow woman not run out of food during the famine. But even this man of God has his Winter season, 1 Kings 19:4.
Joseph had his Winter season in prison.
But even then, he interpreted dreams for at least two prisoners. The anointing was not controlled by the bars he was behind or the shackles he was bound with. His anointing was inside of him and he let the Lord move through him and use him in the midst of his Winter season. Joseph’s dream from earlier in his life was on hold. Yet he showed his integrity when he submitted himself to God during that time to help fulfill someone else’s dream.
Jesus had His seasons.
In His Spring season, He was in the temple at 12 years-old, amazing those there with His words. In His Winter season, He’s on the cross. He looked around and there were two men on each side of Him that were about to die as lost as they could be. In His Winter season, Jesus changed a life and told one of the men He would be with Jesus in Paradise. Hallelujah!
1 John 4:4.
Remember, Friend, Jesus lives inside you. Your circumstances, your season, does not have control over your anointing. Jesus can use you in every situation and season. Make it your prayer, dear friend, “Lord, whatever you’re doing in this season, please don’t do it without me!”
Pastor Anthony Wynn
Healing Pt. 1
Hello, Beloved Reader! I’m Faith and thank you for visiting me today!
This is PART ONE of a series on healing. When you finish reading this blog, if you have any questions on healing, feel free to leave a comment and the Oasis Team will do our best to find a correct and suitable answer for you.
I like to get down to the nitty-gritty details of things so let’s define the word ‘heal’ before we begin.
Heal – become sound or healthy again
First, I will express there are two aspects of healing: natural and spiritual. The spiritual can manifest itself through the evidence of a miracle (such as a cancer-ridden body becoming cancer free in one night). We will touch on the spiritual aspect later.
I would like to talk about the natural aspect of healing for a moment. Parts of the natural healing process happen every day. Say you cut your finger while peeling potatoes for family dinner. Immediately, the healing process begins. Blood seeps out, eventually beginning to clot via platelets and a scab is formed when the clot hardens. Under the scab, the body begins repairing the skin that has been opened and when the scab falls off a new layer of skin is exposed, healthy, healed. This process and other variants of it happen all day every day.
Nature has its own way of dealing with disease and wounds. Yet, we cannot rely on nature in some cases because it can take too long to heal or even never heal at all due to weakness, lack of proper nutrients, complications, and time. Cancer can be an example here.
That being said, there is a spiritual aspect to healing as well. This can be further broken down into two aspects: a spiritually physical healing and a spiritually mental healing.
As a church of Biblical believers, MDT Church/Oasis Ministries/Anthony Wynn Ministries does believe in this spiritual aspect to healing. Why?
Well, for one, healing is Biblical. You can find this in quite a few Scripture passages. (Luke 5:15 | Acts 3:1-8 to list a couple) This concept of healing being Biblical can be proved with the Bible in three verses. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 | 3 John 1:2. As you can see through these two passages, it is the Lord’s will that we be in good health. If a person is sick, then there is even a Bible verse that gives them the right to claim healing for themselves. (Isaiah 53:5)
So, why don’t we see it very often?
That’s our problem. Yes, quite literally, we as a people hinder the almighty, powerful God from doing His great work in us and for us. How do we hinder Him? Through our unbelief. (Matthew 13:58) It is not that God is limited, for nothing is impossible with Him. It is that God is hindered from doing mighty works because we as a people do not believe He can and/or will. Belief is one of the bases of the Christian “faith,” you see? A person must believe to receive. The Bible is nothing but a story book if not reverenced as the ultimate guide and loving words of the Father. Unbelief makes spiritual healing nothing but a fable.
If we do believe, why hasn’t healing come yet?
I’m not an expert on this subject. All I can say is that it’s all for the glory of God. Take this passage of Scripture for example. (John 9:3) Some sicknesses are for punishment. Some are for the work of God to be shown through us, if not for our benefit, then for the benefit of others so that they might see His glory through us. This of course can only happen when we believe and trust that God has our best interest in mind and not only our best interest but also the best interest of others. You see, possibly through your sickness and after, you can be a testimony of God’s love to people you might never have come in contact with if you had never had your illness. It’s all for the glory of God, witness to others, and opportunity for growth in your spiritual walk with God.
That being said, is it acceptable to go to doctors and take medicine? What about healing for people with mental disorders? What about going to see a counselor or psychiatrist?
In the next blog we will touch on these questions so be sure not to miss it. In the meantime, why not check out our Healing Scriptures Course on Oasis Academy? I’ll put a link to the class below. Thank you for reading!
Faith Cross
Christ Is Our Rock
I’m going to give you a simple way to study certain things in the Bible.
So, you may read a verse in the Bible stating that Jesus is the ‘living water.” Okay, now go and look up what water is and what it does. Water will satisfy you when you are thirsty. Water will clean you up when you are dirty. Water will wash your wounds.
2 Samuel 2:21-22. Psalms 62:2 | 71:3 | 18:46 | 31:2 | 61:1 | 78:35. 1 Samuel 2:2. 2 Samuel 22:47. These Scriptures are talking about God being our rock.
1 Corinthians 10:1-4. Exodus 17:6.
Now, this rock needed to be big so enough water could come out of it to quench the thirst of over 3 million people. So, this wasn’t some little rock; it was a boulder. We don’t need to listen to the devil when He tries to make himself seem bigger than our God. Jesus is bigger than anything we are going through.
Smite – to strike, to beat, to hurt
This rock in Exodus is a beautiful representation of Jesus. In chapter 17 verse 6, it says that Moses was to smite the rock. That action represents Jesus being smitten on the cross. Matthew 26:31. Moses smote the rock so water could come out. Jesus was smitten on the cross so that living water could flow out of Him. Isaiah 53:4-5. John 19:34.
Out of His side flowed blood and water. This represented forgiveness, the Holy Ghost, and the keeping power of the Lord. Water gives strength and life.
The next time we come to this rock it’s a different story.
Now, when the children of Israel came to the rock, God commanded Moses to speak to it. Not beat it, not shake his fist and get angry at it. The first time, Christ was smitten, this second time, we speak to Him. Numbers 20:7-13.
Why did Moses smite the rock the second time?
Moses was almost like the Lord to the people. He might have thought that if he smote the rock again and the water came out that he would get the glory. If he went out and spoke to the rock, the Lord would get the glory. There’s too many people out there trying to steal God’s glory. But we have not bled and died for anyone. We were not crucified for anyone. That was Jesus who went through all that for us, so to God be the glory! At the end of the day, we all brush our teeth the way. We are little people. We own nothing, and whatever good things we have, the Lord gave them to us. We aren’t that strong or good. We ought to be on our way to Hell, but Jesus has had a lot of mercy on us. We have nothing to boast about except Jesus!
Let me talk a second about the forgotten rock.
Deuteronomy 32:18. 1 Peter 2:4. Mark 12:10. Now, here’s a little bit of Jewish history. It’s not exactly Biblical, but here’s what people think happened. When they were building Solomon’s temple, the quarry was around 3 miles away. There was not allowed the sound of a hammer inside the temple. The builders had to cut stones and beams, then bring them to the site of the temple, and the materials had to fit together right. So, each cornerstone was marked with a number. When they were bringing in one of the cornerstones, somehow the number got misplaced. They pushed the stone over the hill and the weeds soon began to grow over it.
There are some people you may know that have pushed Jesus over the hill. They’ve put Jesus out of their way and have forgotten Him. He is waiting on them, all they have to do is pull the weeds out of the way. One touch from Jesus and he can turn a life around.
We are in the Master’s hands.
Daniel 2:34. This stone was made without hands. This could represent the virgin birth. God does not need our help, but we need His. We may not have all the answers right now and we may be in a tough spot, but we are in the hands that created the universe. We may be struggling, but we are in good hands and we know that we will be alright.
If you put a basketball in my hands, it’s worth about $3. You put a basketball in Michael Jordan’s hands, it could be worth thousands. We are lumps of clay and what matters is whose hands we are in. Thank God we are in the hands of our Creator!
Jesus keeps us safe.
There was a time I saw a family having a picnic on a place of ground in the middle of a river. I went out to town for a little bit and when I passed by that river again I saw ambulances and the rescue squad. There was even a helicopter and boats. When I went to see what was going on, the power plant had opened up. The whistle for people to get out of the river had not gone off. The family that was there before was now in a flood. If the water got any higher, it was going to drown them. The people who were there to rescue them didn’t know what to do.
But there was a rock that this little family was able to cling to. One of the men came by and told us that the water would never get as high as the rock, so the family would be okay. The safest place for that family was not in a boat in the middle of the waves of the river with someone trying to help them. The safest place for them was on that rock.
The devil may be throwing a flood at you, but it will never be higher than the Rock you are putting your faith in.
A century ago, an ocean liner went down and took many people with it. One 16-year-old boy didn’t drown and the reason why was because he clung to a rock all night long before he was rescued. When he was rescued, he was asked if he shook while he held to that rock. The boy said, “Yes, of course, but that rock never shook one time.”
Jesus is our rock, my friend, and He will keep us in times of trouble. I pray this word encouraged you. Keep clinging to the Rock of our salvation! God bless you!
— Pastor Anthony Wynn
No Substitute for the Blood of Jesus
Exodus 21:23-25.
Some churches are wanting to make church more comfortable. Part of their way of doing that is not singing songs about the blood of Jesus. Some people cringe at the thought of the blood and some get upset by it. Some new members get scared by it. Some churches just want to do away with things that make people uncomfortable. The blood is something that makes some people uncomfortable.
But there is no substitute for the blood of Jesus.
There are many substitutes for things in life. There’s substitutes for heavy cream, eggs, butter, and sugar. If you don’t like a Chevrolet vehicle, you could substitute a Ford for it. A substitute for Hardee’s breakfast is a McDonald’s one. For just about everything in life, there is a substitute.
There are some things that there are no substitutes for, such as:
- Prayer – If you don’t pray, some things will not turn around. Luke 18:1. I’ve really been pushing worship, but I want to make sure this generation knows that worship is not a substitute for prayer. Yes, we need to worship and lift up holy hands to the Lord, but we also need to bow our heads and cry out, seeking God’s face. If you pray a little, He’ll move a little. If you pray a lot, He will move a lot. But if you pray it through, He will turn things around.
- Church – I know sometimes people are not able to come to church because of certain situations. But, my friend, we have made it through illnesses and viruses. Fear struck people when the virus came, but now the pandemic is over. We have no right to sit on our couches and refuse to go to church now just because fear came two years ago. We need to get up and tell the devil that we aren’t going to miss out on what God has for us, and we are going to return to the house of God. Hebrews 10:25. Acts 2:1-2.
- The Bible – It’s not enough to read my dad’s books or a book from a famous preacher. After all, what book were they reading when they found God? All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness. The Bible was written by men who were moved on by the Spirit of God and there is no substitute for that.
- The Holy Ghost – Acts 2:3-4. Don’t you settle for some cheap copy. Stay in the altar and get that original Holy Ghost. There is a genuine, tongue-talking, life-changing, soul-keeping, devil-fighting, victory-walking Holy Ghost. He will carry you through storms, make a way for you, and He will fight for you.
- Jesus – Exodus 20:4-5. Revelation 1:17-18. Isaiah 43:11. There is no one else who can deliver from addiction and set captives free. There is no other who can save from sin. All salvation must come from Jesus. Isaiah 42:8, 44:6. Revelation 22:13. There is no substitute for our Savior.
- Salvation – It doesn’t matter if you have your name on a dozen church books. If you are not born again, you will never reach Heaven. You can sign cards and repeat after me, but if you haven’t had a life-changing experience with the Lord, you will not make it to Heaven. Hosea 13:4. Luke 2:11. John 3:7.
There is no substitute for the blood of Jesus.
Adam is a type of Christ because he came directly from God. Noah is a type of Christ because he delivered his family from the Flood. Joseph was a type of Christ because he was cast out by his brethren and sold for silver and lost his coat. Moses helped deliver from bondage. Joshua was a mighty conqueror. Samson had strength to slay the lion and carry off the iron gates of impossibility. There are so many people in the Bible who did things that were like Christ, but they could not be a substitute for Jesus and His blood.
There are people who say not to preach about the blood, saying it’s not a happy sermon. Oh but it is! His blood saved us from a burning Hell. His blood covered our sins and gave us new life. It’s a bloody story that washed away our sins.
It wasn’t the tune of “Amazing Grace” that saved a wretch like me. It was the sound of “Forgive them, for they know not what they do.” The sound that saved me was Jesus crying from that cross, “It is finished!” It wasn’t the pretty tune of “Amazing Grace” that saved me. It was the Lamb slaughtered and beaten beyond recognition for me. The precious blood of Jesus redeemed me from my horrible past. There is nothing in this world that can replace the blood of Jesus. There’s no religion and no doctrine that can replace the blood of Jesus. Exodus 12:7,13.
There is no substitute for Jesus, but He is our substitute.
Now, I’ve got a lot of questions I talk to the Lord about. One of those questions is, “Why does it take blood to cover my sins? I believe it, but I don’t totally understand it.” But then I read that simple verse: Exodus 21:23. When sin gets into a person, they walk away from God and they will die. “But why did it take blood?” Leviticus 17:11. Life is in the blood. It should have been our life, but Jesus shed His blood and became our substitute. Life for life.
Isaiah 53:4-6. Jesus became our substitute that we might be able to live eternally with Him. He shed His blood so we might be saved from a burning Hell. Hallelujah! Thank the Lord for His blood!
Galatians 3:13. 2 Corinthians 5:21. 1 Peter 3:18. 1 Peter 1:18-19. Acts 20:28. Colossians 1:14. Revelation 19:13. Hebrews 13:12. Hebrews 9:22.
Pastor Anthony Wynn
Miracles
Hello, Beloved Reader! I’m Faith. Thank you for visiting me today! I have a passage of Scripture I want to share with you.
“And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,
By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.
And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.” (Acts 4:29-31)
There is more to this prayer, but this is the part I want to focus on today. The Apostles were asking for boldness to preach the Gospel. Not only that, but also to be the hands and mouth of God. The Lord loves to use people and I’m sure He was smiling down right then at this prayer. The Apostles wanted God to flow through them so that they might help heal the sick and witness with signs and wonders. In other words, they were asking God to perform miracles through them.
There are some people who don’t believe in the healing power of God. Some don’t believe miracles happen in this day and age. But, they fail to realize that they themselves are a miracle in essence.
The Bible explains that the world was created by God. Given our knowledge of science today, it is said Earth is one planet out of a solar system of 9 major planets that orbit the sun. The sun has just enough pull on Earth to keep it in orbit, but the Earth moves too fast to be pulled into the sun. Any closer to the sun and life would burn up; any further away and we all would freeze. It is said that we have discovered galaxies beyond our own Milky Way. Modern science suggests that the vacuum and darkness of the starry universe is limitless and grander than the mind can fathom.
But now let’s travel back to Earth.
According to science, every bit of matter in this universe is made up of one of the smallest things known to mankind: atoms. To give you an idea of how small they are, think of a cell in the human body. One single cell cannot be seen without a very strong microscope. You have about 100 trillion cells in your body and for every single one of those you have about 100 trillion atoms in each!
I promise, I’m not here to give you a science lesson, but to inform you that you are made up of a number of atoms that you can not even comprehend. Every single thing is made up of atoms and if we tried to understand such a magnificent number of how many atoms exist, our brains would burst.
Now, let me ask you a few questions: Did you create your atoms? Did you know how many atoms it took to make up your skin, your hair, your eyes? How small is the atom? How vast is the universe? How magnificent are the things we know nothing about and can never hope to know until we cross from time to eternity?
Miracle – a surprising and welcome event that is not explicable by natural or scientific laws and is therefore considered to be the work of a divine agency
Science not based on Biblical history can try to explain the existence of all things from a humanistic point of view, but it always comes up short in some form or another. Yet, when a divine being is the base of all creation, things seem to make more sense.
That is why I say you are a miracle in its essence. For God, who knows every atom needed for the possibility of existence, put each atom in their perspective places to make you and your world.
And the very same God who placed the entirety of the universe into motion, lives inside the heart of born-again man.
How is this possible? Why would such a grand and eternal being place His power and magnitude into the heart of weak and mortal man. I cannot even tell you how such a miracle can unfold, but I can tell you of the greatest miracle of all.
The greatest miracle is not our existence and not the placement of the stars. It’s not the brilliance of the sun or the mystery of the universe.
The greatest miracle is God’s love.
Despite the constant rejection, blasphemies, sin, iniquities, the never-ending hatred, vile words, ludicrous acts of violence and terror, and all the horrors men have caused one another throughout thousands of years, God’s love has remained faithful to the soul of man.
It is by nothing we have done that He loves us. We cannot earn such love, nor be separated from it. There is nothing that can destroy it, and nothing that can waver it. His love is infinite, steadfast, unconditional, insurmountable, and completely undeserving to any human being. Yet, such a miracle of love is given to us freely, without any reason of our own, even as we betray that love.
It is because of this love that we are alive. This love holds us in deepest of troubles and carries us through the roughest of storms. Even as we were sinners, it protected us. This love heals us, strengthens us, encourages us, and is our best friend. The very same love that created everything in existence, lives on the inside of us. With God in us, we have power for signs and wonders as evidence of this love working through us to help those in need.
If that’s not a miracle, then I don’t know what could be.
Faith Cross
