by Walt Henrichsen | May 2, 2016 | Articles, People Not Listening
“… to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.” 1 Corinthians 7:3 No one marries to meet the needs of his/her spouse, but rather to meet his/her own needs. For example, single men do not seek sex with women for the purpose of meeting the woman’s needs. This, Paul suggests in 1 Corinthians 7, serves as the basis for determining whether or not the dedicated follower of Christ should marry. Once married, Christ’s followers are confronted with God’s command to meet the needs of the spouse, while looking to God alone for the meeting of personal needs; the husband lives a self-sacrificial life on behalf of his wife. “Husbands, love your wives like Christ loved the Church when He gave Himself for her”.1 Apart from God’s insistence that His followers live such lives, where do you find affirmation that you should sacrifice meeting your needs in order to meet the needs of others? You only have a small number of choices: 1 – You can divorce, remarry, divorce – seeking to meet your needs. 2 – You can assume responsibility for your family and meet their needs while suppressing your narcissistic desire for happiness – hoping that this “suppressed volcano” will not erupt. 3 – You can advocate the abolition of marriage, live as you like and let the “Village” raise the children you bring into the world. 4 – Or, you can bend your will to the will of God and serve your family. Without the fear of eternal accountability for disobeying God, what motivates you to obey God, especially when you do not feel that your needs...
by Walt Henrichsen | Apr 4, 2016 | Articles, People Not Listening
“There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.” John 1:6 John the Baptist’s entrance in human history had a purpose; God sent him. Being sent from God is an essential component in why a person lives, otherwise why are you here? If you have no purpose, you are a biological accident, and if you do have a purpose for existence, what is it? As you reflect on the life of Jesus Christ, God reminds you that He sent Jesus for a purpose. Read through the gospels and note the reasons Jesus said He came into the world. For example, He said, “For the Son of man came to seek and save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). At the end of His life, Jesus said to His disciples, “As the Father has sent me, even so I send you” (John 20:21). You, John the Baptist, and Jesus all have the same purpose for existence – to seek and save the lost. This, of course, is the Great Commission. God did not send you to make money, be a success in the world, raise a family, or any such thing. He sent you to represent Him. As you execute your purpose, He promises “…all these things shall be added to you.”1 The birth of the Savior is a reminder that you have a purpose for existence. 1 Matthew 6:33 for more articles by this...
by Walt Henrichsen | Feb 29, 2016 | Articles, Mentors Corner
“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority.” 1Timothy 2:1-2 The New Testament authors agree that Christ’s followers must submit to authority.1 In all of the New Testament, I find no reference to resisting secular authority unless the government compels the believer to break God’s commandments; in all other areas he must submit. God controls the activities of all in authority: “…the Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”2 “The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: He turneth it whithersoever He will.”3 The admonition contained in this verse is especially applicable for those who disapprove of the authority placed over them. You pray for them; you do not resist them. This does not mean that you affirm wrong with your silence. Rather, you call to their attention that they are wrong if and when they give you opportunity. However, in such encounters, you must be ready to defend before God that you confront them because you have their best interest in mind, and not because you are defending yourself. 1 Cf., e.g., Romans 13:1-5 and 1Peter 2:13-14, 17 2 Hebrews 13:6 3 Proverbs...
by Walt Henrichsen | Feb 1, 2016 | Articles, Mentors Corner
“The LORD endowed Solomon with wisdom and discernment in great measure, with understanding as vast as the sands on the seashore.” 1Kings 4:29 This is one of the most terrifying aspects of walking with Christ. All of your gifts, abilities, assets, and relationships are blessings from God that have the potential of inflicting great harm. To the degree that you are so blessed, at least three things can happen to you, and two of them are bad. The benefit of being richly endowed, as was Solomon, is your ability to glorify God during the years that He gives you. The two dangers are, you can misunderstand what God has given you, and thus misuse your gifts. Evidently Solomon saw himself as someone special in the sight of God, and presumed upon his relationship with Him by ignoring His commandments. You find the second danger in the words of Jesus, “And to whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required: and to whom they commit much, of him will they ask the more.”1 The misuse of God’s blessings can inflict great harm on you, if you are not careful. Rejoice in the blessings God has given, but be very careful in how you steward them. 1 Luke 12:48 for more articles by this...
by Walt Henrichsen | Jan 4, 2016 | Articles, Mentors Corner
“The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.” Exodus 14:14 When Israel reached the Red Sea, the Egyptian army approached their rear to recapture them and return them to a life of slavery. To quiet their hearts, Moses gave this instruction; they were to remain passive and God would deliver them without their needing to fight. Years later, after King Solomon replaced his father as king of Israel, he did four things to “secure the kingdom in Solomon’s hands:”1 First, he had Adonijah killed, who had endeavored to establish himself as king prior to Solomon. Second, he had Joab, the commander of the Lord’s army killed. Third, he removed Abiathar as high priest, replacing him with Zadok, Solomon’s personal choice. Fourth, he ensured that Shimei died, who had belittled King David. Throughout Solomon’s reign it appears that he looked more to his own interests, rather than passively following the advice of Moses on the Exodus. In both the illustration of the Exodus and Solomon, it appears that their strategies worked, and Scripture does not comment on which of the two He favored. During the time when Joshua led Israel, God rebuked the people because “…the men…asked not counsel at the mouth of the LORD.”2 I can find no evidence that Solomon ever “sought counsel of the Lord.” Assuming that you “seek counsel of the Lord,” you still have to decide when God wants you to passively wait on Him and when He expects you to actively do what seems best to you. It may be that God is intentionally ambiguous to keep you perpetually dependent...
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