“Fatherhood and Fathers”-Pastor Woodrow Walker, II

When a man becomes a father, there is a transition and transformation that occurs within him when he must shoulder the responsibility of raising a child. It is more than the act of impregnating a woman who will ultimately bring deliverance to a human being. He has entered into the realm of creation, whereas what God did in Creation is made evident through his reproductive processes. The body that comes into being possesses an eternal soul and spirit even after the physical body ceases to exist. His DNA, which identifies him in specific ways, is extended into a life that continues the line from generation to generation. The inclinations to duplicate his behavior resides in the nature of his child, and he must now live in such a way as to steer his offspring in the right direction. Without proper guidance, the things that he may despise about himself are given life and will cause him unbearable trouble. Yet, if he chooses to live out his God given calling and instruct his son or daughter in ways to do the same, his reward will be the pride that comes in knowing that his children will make the world a better place.

The origin of father is God. The Scripture states in Ephesians 3 verses 14 and 15 (Amplified paraphrase) “For this reason (seeing the greatness of this plan by which you are built together in Christ), I bow my knees before the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. For to whom every family in heaven and on earth is named (that Father from Whom all fatherhood takes its title and derives its name.” Father is singular, but fatherhood is the collective. From the Father we are given the privilege of fatherhood. If ever the collective is separated from the original design, the mission of collective is lost. This is why godly men comprise godly fathers. As we examine the waywardness among many in this generation who are without direction and purpose, much of it can be traced back to father issues. Either the father was absent in their lives or lacking the ability and skills necessary to guide his child in the right direction. This, unfortunately, has led to a generation of orphans. The attitude of an orphan is survival, and that survival mentality leads to desperation and lacks purpose. They are rootless and seek to connect with whatever of whoever will normalize their reckless behavior. It is important that a child know who his or her father is, and then for their father to know who his father is. And finally, for all fathers to know the Father. Even where earthly fathers might have been deficient in what they were able to convey to their children, God, who is the ultimate Father, provides!

Finally, to honor your father and mother is the first commandment with promise. “That your days may be lengthened on extended in the land or territory granted to you by God (Woodrow Walker, II paraphrase) To honor your father is to receive from him the godly instructions and disciplines given to you for your own well-being. As you grow in grace and knowledge, you will grow in your appreciation for parents who did the best that they could to nurture you. They probably made some mistakes along the way, but you appreciate the heart and effort engaged on your behalf. Eventually, you will be able to see the mother’s primary role in nurturing you and father’s role in pointing you in the right direction. Through honoring them, you are provided with longevity in your pursuits in life. It is the stability that comes from balance and is received from parents who know God as their Father. Thank God for fathers, and thank Him for being the Father of the One in whom our lives are established. He is the Eternal Father of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! And it is in Him we live, move, and have our being!

“Mother, the Womb, that Incubates Potential”-Pastor Woodrow Walker, II

The attachment of mother and child is the closest natural relationship on earth. There are so many lessons illustrated through the dynamic union created by God for the procreation of the human race. In her womb, she carries and nurtures it as it develops into a matured life that is ready to pass through the birth canal. Her body goes through a metamorphosis in preparation for the day of delivery. Everything she does leading up to that moment has an effect upon the precious gift from God that she carries. It parallels the Creation narrative when the Holy Spirit incubated over the face of the waters and waited for the spoken Word of Father God. After God said the words, “Let there be,” the Holy Spirit moved in an effort to make what was spoken to become. Similarly, God spoke His Word over each of us when He said “Let there be” over you. Your being was kept and formed in the secret place of your mother’s womb.
The future of the world is contained in seed form, where everything reproduces after its own kind. Yet, it develops into its ultimate state according to how it is nurtured. It is as if God allows children to be born to perpetuate His purpose and design for your lineage. Your bloodline would be incomplete without you. No individual on earth mysteriously enters into this life, for there was a seed brought forth that contained within it the history of the lineage of the father. Fatherhood in the Hebrew language is Pater, meaning, “brought forth from.” All things are of God and unto God, our Heavenly Father. The newborn child does not know his lineage or the potential of fulfilling his or her destiny. The mother feeds her child with what God gives it from within herself, and it feeds on all that is needed for the life to grow. Yet the mystery remains as to what the child is yet to become.

The instinctive cry of a child alerts her of her child’s need. She responds to unformed words and interprets the need and the heart of her child. The child, over time, learns how to communicate responsively. The mother instructs her child in ways to construct its emotional frame. Concurrently, we see the work of the Holy Spirit in the way she leads her child. He meets our needs, nurtures and instructs us on how we ought to respond. Even when there is nothing but deep groans, they make sense to Him as He interprets the inarticulate. There must be an established standard nurtured for children to grow healthily. If rebellion is nurtured, the child will grow up thinking that any act, regardless of how wrong, is justified. The world is a vicious and violent place to live, and in a godless and fatherless environment, instructions are scarce as to the governing principles of our lives. Fathers ought to provide for mothers a standard and provisions for that the accompaniment of nurture to have it fullest effect.

When Jesus was being crucified and hanging on the cross, He took time out of His suffering to speak to His disciple, John, saying to him, “Behold Thy mother.” What He was saying to John was, “What I have received from My Father and have given to you, use it to take care of My mother and treat her has your own.” Why was this moment so special? Jesus was expressing His appreciation for the thirty-three years of nurturing and love that He received from her. Jesus was reminded of her value in His life and the encouragement He received from her throughout His many years of life and ministry. He was saying to John, “treat her as I would treat her. The acts of kindness I had received, treat her as if it was you instead of Me.” Now as we celebrate our mothers, let us remember that God gave her to us as His gift. Love her as Jesus loved His mother, for the potency of His love is expressed through her.

“From Death to Resurrection” Pastor Woodrow Walker, II

Hebrew 9:27-28 “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.”

All die as a judgement of sin residing in the members of our body. The penalty of sin was pronounced to Adam in the Garden of Eden when the first prohibition was pronounced. Death is inevitable once to all who has ever lived. Yet there is a after death awaiting each person that dies. Many are intrigued with the mysteries concerning what they call the afterlife experience. But it ought to be the after-death experience which ought to be of major concern. Death is not the cessation of existence but the change of environments. The body returns to the earth from which it came, but the soul and the spirit lives forever. The signs of use are displayed on our bodies. Either how the Lord was glorified or signs of abuse are indicated on the expelled portion that once housed the life of its inhabitant. It just becomes a seed to be planted, to ultimately be replaced after judgement. The new and improved version will be fully equipped to give expression to our heart’s intent. God looks into the heart for that which extends on Earth is an expression of His own in Heaven. This is the judgement!

The measure of judgement is determined by God on the basis of glory given to Him. The quality of blessings is commensurate to the quality of glory given. As we move from a state of temporal living to perpetual living, we focus our attention on the permanency of blessings awaiting us. We will one day be in a fixed position. No longer suffering decay, ruin, and loss, but experiencing absolute fulfillment. This is the promise made to those who love the Lord and anticipate His return. This is the Resurrection of the just. While on the other hand, there is the merciless, loveless and miserable resurrection of the unjust who chose to live their lives as they pleased.

Nature illustrates this through seeds that are planted in the ground. They must die before they produce fruit. But nature and quality of the seed will determine the quality and nature of the fruit produced through its planting. Jesus died, but now He is able to see His seed multiplied through the quality of lives produced through His being planted. May your life be so lived that fruits of righteousness may reflect the quality of His life in you.

“From Death to Resurrection” – Pastor Woodrow Walker, II

Heb 9:27-28 “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.”

All die as a judgement of sin residing in the members of our body. The penalty of sin was pronounced to Adam in the Garden of Eden when the first prohibition was pronounced. Death is inevitable once to all who has ever lived. Yet there is a after death awaiting each person that dies. Many are intrigued with the mysteries concerning what they call the afterlife experience. But it ought to be the after-death experience which ought to be of major concern. Death is not the cessation of existence but the change of environments. The body returns to the earth from which it came, but the soul and the spirit lives forever. The signs of use are displayed on our bodies. Either how the Lord was glorified or signs of abuse are indicated on the expelled portion that once housed the life of its inhabitant. It just becomes a seed to be planted, to ultimately be replaced after judgement. The new and improved version will be fully equipped to give expression to our heart’s intent. God looks into the heart for that which extends on Earth is an expression of His own in Heaven. This is the judgement!

The measure of judgement is determined by God on the basis of glory given to Him. The quality of blessings is commensurate to the quality of glory given. As we move from a state of temporal living to perpetual living, we focus our attention on the permanency of blessings awaiting us. We will one day be in a fixed position. No longer suffering decay, ruin, and loss, but experiencing absolute fulfillment. This is the promise made to those who love the Lord and anticipate His return. This is the Resurrection of the just. While on the other hand, there is the merciless, loveless and miserable resurrection of the unjust who chose to live their lives as they pleased.

Nature illustrates this through seeds that are planted in the ground. They must die before they produce fruit. But nature and quality of the seed will determine the quality and nature of the fruit produced through its planting. Jesus died, but now He is able to see His seed multiplied through the quality of lives produced through His being planted. May your life be so lived that fruits of righteousness may reflect the quality of His life in you.

“Springtime and Harvest” – Pastor Woodrow Walker, II

Gen 8:22 “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, and day and night shall not cease.”

 Seasonal changes occur in life with reasons that are beyond mere observation. In terms of biblical understanding, the time for a particular thing provides the opportunity for a work to be accomplished, but that does not guarantee the completion of the assignment. The work of planting requires the effort of the farmer. It was in this season that the epidemic Covid-19 resulted in a shutdown of an epic and global proportion. The uncertainties of a novel virus caused governmental officials, scientists, and clergymen to seek answers for a remedy, where each was required to provide what he/she could contribute. The outcome of what was planted in 2020 has now grown to fruition in 2021. Movements have increased to amplify the voices of people-groups demanding to be heard and conspiracy theories have gained the attention of many, who have allowed rumors of wars, to engage in fighting against phantom enemies.

While many were so engaged, the real enemy behind the conflict was given a pass and permitted substitutionary lies to compensate for the absoluteness of truth. The seeds planted in the past have now become the hybrid seed for the future. Not only are we required to uproot the deeply established and institutionalized racism and idolatry of yesterday, but also the new hybrid seed of today includes all that was in the past with a religious expression that even those who would otherwise be more discerning fully defend and embrace. The truth is, a more sophisticated deception has hijacked the traditional church and given permission to justify lawless modernism within Christendom. “But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way” (Matt 13:25-26). While we were being quarantined, or while others defied the requests to wear masks and stay at home, a voice was given to the enemy to rethink whatever course the Lord had ordained for His Church.

Where might we stand a year later? Should we come out of this dilemma stronger and wiser than when we entered in? The 12-month challenge was in fact a test. The quality of the seed will be proved through the yield of the fruit. The Seed of the Word brings to the surface what resides within the hearts of individuals. As we look into the Word as in a mirror, we are being introduced to our truest selves. The religious veneer is removed so that the quality of our faith can come forth as pure gold. Unfortunately, there were many who caved in under pressure, and without the ceremonious gatherings, their faith waned. Their appetite for the Truth was not strong enough to uphold them against the stormy tidal waves of peer pressure. A political party or some other cultural affiliation forced them into conformity. Yet, among others, the Word spoken has sustained them through this spiritual battle because all that has occurred was a burgeoning war against their souls.

The seeds of yesterday are now budding in the Springtime of today. During this time of the year, the season is changing. Seedtime is Springtime. Now it is our assignment to plant the good seed of the Word of God into the good ground of the hearts of those who are seeking to know who and where He is. The Lord is in the midst of all things concerning those who have put their trust in Him. The Seed that has now germinated in your hearts through your experiencing Him is contained within the Fruit of the Spirit within your life. This is now Springtime! Let us plant good and healthy seed in this season!

Restoring Community by Building Bridges – Pastor Woodrow Walker, II

“Those from among you shall build the old waste places; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; and you shall be called the Repairer of the Breach, the Restorer of Streets to Dwell In” (Isaiah 58:12). Last month, we celebrated the annual life and legacy of a civil rights giant, The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. His book, “Where Do We Go from Here, From Chaos or Community” leaves many questions unanswered, especially with all the underlying issues 2020 brought to the surface. The cultural morass exposed the fact that much of what appeared to be progress were merely cosmetic and costume changes. If a more thorough examination was given to the conditions, things are worse than before. The sin of accommodation and tolerance were licenses distributed to the majority who dismissed absolute truth as a moral standard. Laws and executive orders are being passed to patch severely severed limbs of society, while they have lost their function of usefulness. Even the Prophet Habakkuk says, “For plundering and violence are before me, there is strife, and contention arises. 4 Therefore the law is powerless, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; therefore, perverse judgment proceeds” (Habakkuk 1:3-4). 

Desperate times call for desperate measures. God is fully aware of the times and those of us who occupy the earth during these times. As it was with Habakkuk, an awareness of depth of the occurrences must be the qualifying factor. The Lord showed him iniquity and caused him to see trouble (v.3). In contrast to what he was enabled to see, he concluded that laws alone were powerless in facing such dangers. Today, there are laws for everything that happens in our nation. They are there to protect us from what has been created by and through relativism. Truth being relative to the situation creates a chasm and a new law is passed to bridge the gulf that relativism created. Accommodations for behavior are made when there are no preachers or statesmen who would uphold a righteous standard. Where progress was made, wreckage and ruin stand as testaments of incomplete work. Some are engaged in good deeds, but good works are determined by the outcome of completed efforts. God pronounced His goodness on each day of creation after He had completed His assignment for that day. The Tower of Babel was not good because it was incomplete. 

God seeks individuals who engage in the work of rebuilding the old waste places. Those desert places that have become the habitation of jackals. This is only possible when the whole counsel of God is preached and practiced, and not just a select portion that fits the fancy of a select few. It is a costly enterprise, for one must be willing to face the ridicule and judgement of those who wish to maintain the status-quo.  A bridge is walked on so that others can cross over to the other side. This is apostolic work since it is the reestablishment of foundations, and that is why true apostles are foundational. The Church was built upon the Apostles first with Jesus Christ being the Chief Cornerstone. If society is to become strong and secure, Jesus must have His rightful place among us. He is a Stone of stumbling and Rock of offense. But ultimately, when Christ appears, there will be those who will gain the reputation from God and among some men as being The Repairers of the Breach and the Restorers of Streets to Dwell in.”

“2021, The Year of Choosing Rightly” Pastor Woodrow Walker, II

Even though the years of our lives are predetermined by God, for us, each day is filled with mystery and suspense. Who would have predicted that 2020 would involve a shutdown in virtually every sphere of life? Mystery and intrigue lead to confusion, and confusion leads to new questions being asked concerning life and existence. The emergence of Covid-19, other mysterious diseases, and an unprecedented number of deaths, even among people close to us, has shaken our private worlds. There is a message and a method to this apparent madness. We stand at the crossroads of life and decisions must be made. Instead of just looking at what is happening around us, the most provocative question is “where do we now stand?” The challenges of life will either bring the best or the worse out of us. The Prophet Joel remarks on this issue, when he said, “Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision” (Joel 3:13). 

We make multiple decisions every day, but most of these decisions do not require any thought. As creatures of habit, we routinely go through life doing what we have grown accustomed to doing. Then suddenly, the scenery shifts to the unfamiliar and the strange environment of the unknown casts a shadow over our limited knowledge and intellect of what we know and what we have the capacity to know. Then confusion emerges as many probable causes and cures are considered as the antidote to our misery. We are not victims of circumstances, but the product of previous choices. If we keep choosing the same things, we will continue to suffer the same results. The consequences of choices do not evolve over time, but it is up to us to make better choices. 

The year 2021 stands before us as a fresh challenge and opportunity. We cannot rightly predict every event awaiting us in our future. The uncertainties we are facing are there to remind us of the contrast between our helpless and the shortcomings of our own strength. Yet we are dependent upon the only One who has full knowledge of the future. The question is, are we Pro Life or Pro Choice. Let us examine the place where both ideologies merge within Scripture when God stated, “I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore, choose life, that both you and your descendants may live” (Deuteronomy 30:19). God gives us a choice to either live or to self-destruct. To love the Lord is to choose life and live, and to reject Him is not only personal suicide, but also to your descendants as well. This form of deception has many disguises. Things appear to be productive and beneficial from the surface, but the destination leads to a separation of heart from our First Love. Not only are we affected personally, but an environment of rebellion is then created. In an atmosphere of sin, the culture of death reigns.

We will be addressing issues of life this year and exposing the many ways that death has been chosen instead of life. We pray that the messages this year will liberate you from deceptive influences and guide you down the road of life and liberty. My prayer for you in 2021 is that you choose life. 

 

“Why Jesus Came”

Paul, a disciple and an Apostle of Jesus Christ, saw the Light of His glory shining brighter than the noonday sun on the Damascus Road. After having been blinded by the Light, the Light of the Holy Spirit led him to renounce all things to follow after Him. It was his recognition and appreciation of the grace of God that allowed him to understand that God came into the world to save sinners. His personal life served as a product of God’s mercy and grace. Apart from the grace of God, he would have continued doing the things done before his divine encounter. He placed no confidence in his flesh but relied wholly on the Spirit to lead him on his entire journey of life. His former life had to be completely renounced so that he could attain excellent and intimate knowledge. However, what he knew through natural sources conflicted with what God was yet to reveal to him. 1 Timothy Chapter I and verse 15 expressed his life after he had gone through many humbling experiences. He said, “this is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance that Christ came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.” The Light of the glory of the Lord exposed the defects that still existed in his life. He was aware of the fact that the closer one walks with the Lord, the more one is enabled by the Holy Spirit to see areas in need of being perfected. He spoke of not having yet arrived or having apprehended, but that his life was a journey through time to eternity. The journey of his life was as just as important as arriving at the destination. 

 Primarily, Paul proclaimed that “Christ came into the world to save sinners,” which was the primary purpose for His coming. The Father’s love is expressed through what He provides, and He sent His Only Begotten Son into a sinful and rebellious environment to rescue man from self-destruction by choice. Adam chose to disobey God, thus introducing sin into the world. Even though Adam’s choice became the nature of all who came after him, the lustful passions and desires of the flesh were not originally a part of who you were intended to be. The goodness that remains in fallen man is merely a shadow of what God created. Man was made to be in fellowship and communion with His Creator and the wealth of His wisdom and knowledge working in you was to be your reward. Jesus came to save sinners. To sin is to miss the mark of God’s high calling – His voice from Heaven. Through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the perfect order of Heaven was to be established in your life. Unfortunately, the attention given to voices heeds you to look around and to see what the masses are saying. To listen to what makes sense to them even if it contradicts what God is saying. The serpent in the Garden of Eden tempted Eve with a contradiction, “you shall not surely die, but you will be as God knowing both good and evil.” 

 Jesus is the Word of God, the voice from Heaven made flesh to dwell among us. The Law brought forth the Word, but the Word became word. Although the prophets spoke of the Word, it was the Word becoming word that illuminated the path to man’s salvation. When Jesus came, the Word became flesh and was personified so that the activity contained in the Word could be given full expression among us. We could then witness God’s original intentions in contrast to the nonsense of sinful activities that lead to death. He did not merely speak the Word, but thankfully, He led those who were willing to follow Him into discipleship. 

 Jesus came to save those who recognize their need for salvation. Those who cannot see it are blinded by the world’s fancies and live a life of perpetual dying until they finally succumb to their final end of eternal death. Christ came! Know this and know why He came that you may live!      

“The Outcome of Choices”- November Article

Decision making is a vital part of life, and the things that are placed before us are there for a reason. It is not only their appeal that ought to motivate us in our decision-making process, but our destiny also hangs in the balance. Just one move in the wrong direction can set in motion a series of events that may require more than one lifetime to correct. Why would God entrust us with such a precious enterprise as choice when He knows the end from the beginning? Scripture even tells us that “We are made in His image. He chose us before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and without blame before Him” (Ephesians 1:4).          

Our public and private worlds are the result of previous choices. Originally, God created all things and pronounced goodness upon the whole of His creation. But then, He placed all that He made before Adam to see what he would name things and do with them. The process of categorization requires recognizing the distinctions and uniqueness of each category. However, when the identity of distinction is lost in the mix of quantity, misuse is inevitable. Generally speaking, people have no discernment of distinctions where identity is lost. If a person does not know who he is or where he is, there is the tendency to follow the direction of anyone who appears to have the advantage. This occurs in what exists within our current society – the richest leading the moderately wealthy and the poor; the prestigious and powerful leading those who are not on their level. The leadership vacuum exists when the original plan and purpose of God is overlooked, ignored, or neglected. Consequently, people decide to engage in activities that serve the purpose of their leaders with the objective to make the rich richer, the famous more famous, or any other selfish interest that may have contributed to their rise in life. The individual forfeits his personhood and becomes a statistic while the person leading them is motivated by his strength being increased by numbers. 

Right choices can only be made when the right direction is made clear. Yes, it is easy to point out the fact that things are moving forward while the scenery continues to change and the environment shifts in a different direction. But the most significant question is, “where are we headed?” Economic shifts and policy changes cannot stand as a substitute for the erosion of character. Hatred, selfishness, racial divisions, and dishonesty have contributed to personal and global insecurities. We are currently on a path of a cultural collision that is certain to erupt unless new questions are asked and a new direction is sought after. 

When the blind lead the blind, the end of the road is a dead end or a ditch. “There is a way that appears to be right for a man, but the end or the consequences is certain death.” Since it is not immediate but ultimate, many willingly take their chances and run the risk as long as it saves face. On the surface, everything appears right, but the content beneath the surface is deadly. This is the plight of single-issue politics. Sometimes change must occur from within the system or the party, and when basic decency exists, the opportunity remains for a shift in values based on new information provided. But when character is compromised, truth does not matter. Either way, we must pray that hearts may be changed or a new heart given to the heartless. Nevertheless, a decision must be made. Now it’s your turn, and the future is yours to decide.    

“Human Rights—The Right to Be Human” October Article

How is it that defenders of rights can readily turn a deaf ear to things that are obviously wrong? We live in a schizophrenic society where double standards are the order of the day, but all too often, they exist unquestioned even by those who have the responsibility to uphold God’s standard of righteousness. Our current dilemma places us between the tensions of cultural degeneration and a politicized veneer of righteousness. This is the result of when the heart is driven by a passion that did not generate from God, and then attempts to reconcile those passions with what ought to be their passions. People live between the two polarized positions of what is and what ought to be.  But if there is no struggle there, they try to make sense out of nonsense.

As a child, we are taught the difference between right and wrong, where ethical choices must be made and a line is drawn between civility and the uncivilized. Civil Rights are determined on the basis of civility and the pursuit of its establishment. There is no such thing as half right and half wrong—rightness and wrongness are absolutes. A woman cannot be half pregnant. She might not have delivered the child yet, but when the time comes, the outcome of her pregnancy will be apparent. Likewise, the seeds of ethical choices develop silently within society. However, there comes a time when those seeds germinate and produce fruit.

The sinner must be able to see a clear distinction between his humanity and his sin, but he should not be dehumanized because of the error of his ways. He has become the product of his fallen race. As the John, the Evangelist wrote, “The whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one” (1 John 5:19). Unfortunately, the term “human rights,” has become a misnomer. All things of importance to those whose lives have taken a departure from God’s original intent can be placed under its category. First, there has to be an understanding as to what it means to be human. Whoever received the breath of God within him is human. Yet, that breath was received to give expression to His will, and only then will our being express our humanity.

Today, the fruit of man’s misdoings is producing a harvest. The chaos and challenges of our day are not mere happenstances, but are the alarm clock and siren sounds of warning.  Unless we rethink the course of our collective lives and take personal responsibility for our contribution to the demise occurring within society, we will experience the worse rather than the better. It is not what we think or feel about a matter, but rather, what God says about it that holds more importance? He alone is absolute Truth, and our position is to align ourselves with what He knows and reveals to us of Himself. God breathed His breath into man, and man became a living being. He breathes His Spirit-life into those who receive and trust in Him so that those who are made alive in Him can give full expression to life.