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Training Your Children to Serve God — Part Two

“From the Heart” teaching by Drs. Rodney & Adonica Howard-Browne.

Proverbs 29:15  (KJV)

15The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.

Many people, even highly educated ones, seem to lack wisdom or common sense. They know a lot, but it isn’t enough to help them to make a success of their lives. If we are wise parents and if we spank and instruct our children the way God tells us to, they will be wise children and we will not be ashamed of them when they are grown.

Proverbs 19:18  (KJV)

18Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.

The NKJ says, “Chasten your son while there is hope, and do not set your heart on his destruction.” And the NIV says, “Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to his death.” The Hebrew word tiqvah (tik-vaw’) translated “hope” here, means literally, a cord (as an attachment); figuratively, expectancy. Translated in the KJV as expectation, expected, hope, live, thing that I long for. We need to bring correction into our children’s lives while there is hope for them. The younger your child is, the more hope there is.

Proverbs 13:24  (NKJ)

24He who spares his rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him promptly.

According to the Bible, if you love your child you will discipline him early in his life and you will not hold back from spanking him. Start correcting your children early in their lives – don’t wait until you see bad fruit before you try to bring correction. The root is the problem and the root is established when the “plant” is a seedling. In most cases, we only see the “fruit” in their teenage years which is almost too late. You must keep sowing spankings and correction and direction into their lives from babyhood and in due time you will reap the precious harvest of a soul who loves God and loves righteousness.

Proverbs 29:17  (NKJ)

17Correct your son, and he will give you rest; yes, he will give delight to your soul.

When we put the time and effort into raising our kids God’s way when they are young then we will have peace and joy in them when they are older.

Proverbs 23:24  (NKJ)

24The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, and he who begets a wise child will delight in him.

Wise and righteous children are not born that way – they are shaped by wise and loving parents who will raise them God’s way.

The first thing you must do, as a parent, is to love your kids with all your heart with an unconditional love. The love you show them should not be dependant on the way they are or the way they behave, but just because you love them. They must know that you still love them no matter what they do or say. That is the way God loves us and we are God’s representatives to our children.

The second thing that you must remember is that you must be the person you want your kids to be. Children are born imitators. They act just like we do. Don’t expect your kids to do the right thing if you are doing the wrong thing. No matter how many times you tell them what to do and how to do it, they are going to follow you and do what you are doing. So set a good example, because they are going to be just like you.

The third thing you must do is to never correct them in anger. Correction is done for their benefit, to equip them to live as contributing members of society. If we are angry then the focus is on us and not on them. The issue is their bad behavior and not our feelings about it. They are not being corrected because we are angry, but because they are wrong. And they need to receive correction in a spirit of repentance.

The fourth thing is that the “punishment” should fit the “crime”. Don’t over or under discipline the child. Lies and a rebellious attitude are serious problems and should be dealt with accordingly. Also, silly mistakes are not the same as deliberate sin. Don’t be severe on the child when they have only made a mistake.

The fifth thing is that you should make sure that they repent of their sin, because it is sin in God’s eyes. They need to see you allowing the Word of God to be the final authority in your life and they need to be taught to govern their lives by the Word and the Spirit of God. The Word is the answer to all of life’s situations and our children need to see us allowing God to work in our lives and allowing Him to correct and discipline us. And then they will receive correction and direction from us. When children are spanked or corrected and do not repent, they become resentful and later they become rebellious.

Always reassure them that you love them. Make sure you hug them and that they hug you back and display a forgiving attitude toward you for being the one who brought the correction. Remember God’s Word always works!

A TRULY BEAUTIFUL WOMAN-SUBMIT AND ADAPT YOURSELF TO YOUR HUSBAND AS A SERVICE TO THE LORD–PART V

The same goes for you wives: Be good wives to your husbands, responsive to their needs. There are husbands who, indifferent as they are to any words about God, will be captivated 2 by your life of holy beauty. 3 What matters is not your outer appearance — the styling of your hair, the jewelry you wear, the cut of your clothes —  4 but your inner disposition. Cultivate inner beauty, the gentle, gracious kind that God delights in. 5 The holy women of old were beautiful before God that way, and were good, loyal wives to their husbands. 6 Sarah, for instance, taking care of Abraham, would address him as “my dear husband.” You’ll be true daughters of Sarah if you do the same, unanxious and unintimidated.  1 Peter 3:1-6 Message Bible

Let not yours be the [merely] external adorning with [elaborate] interweaving and knotting of the hair, the wearing of jewelry, or changes of clothes; 4 But let it be the inward adorning and beauty of the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible and unfading charm of a gentle and peaceful spirit, which [is not anxious or wrought up, but] is very precious in the sight of God. 5 For it was thus that the pious women of old who hoped in God were [accustomed] to beautify themselves and were submissive to their husbands [adapting themselves to them as themselves secondary and dependent upon them]. 6 It was thus that Sarah obeyed Abraham [following his guidance and acknowledging his headship over her by] calling him lord (master, leader, authority). And you are now her true daughters if you do right and let nothing terrify you [not giving way to hysterical fears or letting anxieties unnerve you].  1 Peter 3:3-6 AMP

The Greek word “adorning” is “kosmos” – meaning: fashion; ornament; decoration. The outward adorning mentioned here is referring to clothing, jewelry and hair-styles. Some people have used these scriptures to ban jewelry and make-up for women, but then they should also ban clothing because Peter mentions clothing as well. This is not what Peter is saying at all. He is not condemning these things, but he is talking about the difference between outward attractiveness and inner attractiveness and which is most important. Many people go to extremes in dress and decoration. Being dressed nicely is not sinful or unbecoming to a Christian; however, extravagance is discouraged in both Peter and Paul’s letters to the Church. God does not want us to display arrogance or haughtiness in our outward appearance or our inward appearance. Many people pay way too much attention to the outer man and the appearance, when it is the inner man that is most important!

God does not want us to be obsessed with outward appearance – neither does He want us to neglect ourselves – being clean and neat and well groomed are important. You have to understand that more important than these, are your attitude and your spirit. True beauty starts within. No amount of clothing, make-up or jewelry can cover or beautify a mean-spirited, selfish, self-centered woman. Men may be initially attracted to an outward appearance, but what they treasure in a wife – for life – is a sweet and gracious spirit. You will win your husband over – not by your dress or outward appearance, but by your Christ-like spirit!

Peter refers to Sarah as a role-model. Sarah was Abraham’s wife and they were very wealthy people. You can be sure that Sarah had some nice clothes and jewelry and that she wore these things. When their servant went to find a wife for Isaac – Rebekah – he brought with him a great deal of jewelry, which he gave to her as a gift from Isaac and his family. God is not against nice clothing or jewelry – what Peter is saying here is that the outward decorations cannot cover or make up for a lack of godly character. The things that make a woman truly beautiful are the things that come from within – from the heart.

While looking to attract a great husband, many women make the mistake of presenting only a pretty appearance, when it is the qualities of a godly life that a good man is attracted to. A good husband wants a wife that is going to be faithful and committed to him. A good man is looking for a pretty, yet modest woman, who has strength of character, dignity, confidence and self-respect. If you think that men are so shallow that all they want is a pretty woman, then you are going to attract only shallow men. If you cultivate godly character and you allow that to shine through whatever you wear, then you will attract a man of character and integrity.

There is nothing more beautiful than a woman of godly character, who walks in modesty, kindness and gentleness:

Proverbs 31:10 AMP – A capable, intelligent, and virtuous woman — who is he who can find her? She is far more precious than jewels and her value is far above rubies or pearls.
Proverbs 31:26 AMP – She opens her mouth in skillful and godly Wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness [giving counsel and instruction].
Proverbs 31:30 AMP – Charm and grace are deceptive, and beauty is vain [because it is not lasting], but a woman who reverently and worshipfully fears the Lord, she shall be praised!

No matter how pretty a woman is on the outside, it soon fades away completely when she is mean and nasty on the inside:

Proverbs 21:9 AMP – It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop [on the flat oriental roof, exposed to all kinds of weather] than in a house shared with a nagging, quarrelsome, and faultfinding woman.
Proverbs 21:19 AMP – It is better to dwell in a desert land than with a contentious woman and with vexation.
Proverbs 27:15 AMP – A continual dripping on a day of violent showers and a contentious woman are alike.
Proverbs 19:13-14 AMP – A self-confident and foolish son is the [multiplied] calamity of his father, and the contentions of a wife are like a continual dripping [of water through a chink in the roof]. House and riches are the inheritance from fathers, but a wise, understanding, and prudent wife is from the Lord.

 

Leadership

By me kings reign and rulers decree justice.  Proverbs 8:15 AMP

God holds all men accountable for their choices and actions. Those in leadership are held to an even higher standard. We should expect our leaders to demonstrate the following characteristics, and if they don’t, we should hold them accountable.

Leaders should be trustworthy 

Moreover, you shall choose able men from all the people — God-fearing men of truth who hate unjust gain — and place them over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens, to be their rulers.  Exodus 18:21 AMP

A leader should be trustworthy — honest, faithful, dependable and reliable. The people should be able to safely put their confidence in their leaders.

Furthermore, he must have a good reputation and be well thought of by those outside [the church], lest he become involved in slander and incur reproach and fall into the devil’s trap.  1 Timothy 3:7 AMP

A leader should have a good reputation inside and outside the church. He should personally submit himself to God’s word in every area of his life. He should avoid the very appearance of evil.

Leaders look out for the people’s best interests 

And Moses said to the Lord, 16 Let the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation 17 Who shall go out and come in before them, leading them out and bringing them in, that the congregation of the Lord may not be as sheep which have no shepherd.  Numbers 27:15-17 AMP

As I live, says the Lord God, surely because My sheep became a prey, and My sheep became food for every beast of the field because there was no shepherd — neither did My shepherds search for My sheep, but the shepherds fed themselves and fed not My sheep. Ezekiel 34:8 AMP

A leader’s responsibility is to look out for the best interests of ALL the people. He should never think that the people are there merely to serve him and his interests, but he should give himself to serve the people and put their interests ahead of his own. Many leaders have become dictators out of selfish ambitions. A leader should not play favorites either. Some leaders take from some to give to others — this is not biblical and it is a system doomed to fail.

Leaders should represent God in their decisions 

He appointed judges throughout all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city, 6 And said to the judges, Be careful what you do, for you judge not for man but for the Lord, and He is with you in the matter of judgment. 7 So now let the reverence and fear of the Lord be upon you; take heed what you do, for there is no injustice with the Lord our God, or partiality or taking of bribes.  2 Chronicles 19:5-7 AMP

Leaders should remember that they are accountable to God and they should govern humbly and in the fear of God, looking to Him and His word for wisdom and guidance.

Leaders should receive advice 

Where no wise guidance is, the people fall, but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.  Proverbs 11:14 AMP

An arrogant leader is a bad leader. A good leader has wise counselors and is not too proud to admit that they don’t know everything or that they were wrong about anything. A good leader is willing to change to be better.

Leaders must serve others 

And Jesus called them to Him and said, You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men hold them in subjection [tyrannizing over them]. 26 Not so shall it be among you; but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, 27 And whoever desires to be first among you must be your slave — 28 Just as the Son of Man came not to be waited on but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many [the price paid to set them free].  Matthew 20:25-28 AMP

A good leader serves the people and does what is good for them. A bad leader serves himself, by giving the people what they want, even if it’s not good for them. A dictator dominates the people and does only what is good for him.

Leaders should sacrifice for others 

I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd risks and lays down His [own] life for the sheep. 12 But the hired servant (he who merely serves for wages) who is neither the shepherd nor the owner of the sheep, when he sees the wolf coming, deserts the flock and runs away. And the wolf chases and snatches them and scatters [the flock]. 13 Now the hireling flees because he merely serves for wages and is not himself concerned about the sheep [cares nothing for them].  John 10:11-13 AMP

Leadership requires many sacrifices and you should not seek a leadership position unless you have counted the cost. A bad leader will sacrifice the people and their interests to further his own.

Leaders should be obeyed

Let every person be loyally subject to the governing (civil) authorities. For there is no authority except from God [by His permission, His sanction], and those that exist do so by God’s appointment. 2 Therefore he who resists and sets himself up against the authorities resists what God has appointed and arranged [in divine order]. And those who resist will bring down judgment upon themselves [receiving the penalty due them]. 3 For civil authorities are not a terror to [people of] good conduct, but to [those of] bad behavior. Would you have no dread of him who is in authority? Then do what is right and you will receive his approval and commendation. 4 For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, [you should dread him and] be afraid, for he does not bear and wear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant to execute His wrath (punishment, vengeance) on the wrongdoer.  Romans 13:1-4 AMP

God gives us leaders so that there can be order and peace in the nations. These leaders in turn must lead in a good and honorable way.

Leaders give an account to God for their actions 

Obey your spiritual leaders and submit to them [continually recognizing their authority over you], for they are constantly keeping watch over your souls and guarding your spiritual welfare, as men who will have to render an account [of their trust]. [Do your part to] let them do this with gladness and not with sighing and groaning, for that would not be profitable to you [either].  Hebrews 13:17 AMP

 

Thirty Things That Grace Cannot Do – Part II

  1. Grace cannot set aside the failure of saved men to meet the conditions of salvation. Grace won’t cover disobedience.

But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.  1 John 1:7-10 NKJV

When we receive Jesus as Lord and Savior, He washes away all our sin and makes us a new creation in Him. Because Jesus put sin to death in His body on the cross and now has the keys of death, hell and the grave, sin has no more power over us. We are translated from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light. Now we walk in the light. He did not bring us into the light to send us back to the darkness. We must deal with the sin in our lives through repentance. If we repent, He will forgive us and wash the sin away. If we say we have no sin, when we know we do, we are calling God a liar. We cannot continue to sin, without repentance and still expect God’s grace to cover our sin. God is not mocked – whatever a man sows – that, and that only, will he reap. You cannot sow seeds of sin and reap a harvest of righteousness.

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. 10 And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. 12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors — not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.  13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.  Romans 8:1-13 NKJV

Jesus saved us to walk and live in the Spirit; to conduct ourselves according to the Spirit.

Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, 20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.  James 5:19-20 NKJV

This passage is talking about bringing correction to a believer to save his soul from death. You cannot play around with sin and think that heaven is guaranteed no matter what. You must have a healthy respect for God and His law and choose to please God and walk in obedience. One sin may not condemn you to hell, but continuing on in sin is a path that leads to death.

Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.Galatians 5:19-21 NKJV

Those who practice the works of the flesh will NOT inherit the kingdom of God!

And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled 22 in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight — 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.  Colossians 1:21-23 NKJV

Jesus wants to present you to the Father holy, blameless, and above reproach in His sight. This is only possible if you continue – grounded and steadfast – in the faith.

As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.  Colossians 2:6-7 NKJV

As you received Jesus, keep walking in Him. He gave you a new heart so that you could serve Him, holy and blameless. Don’t let the devil lie to you that you can go back to sinning after your sins have been forgiven. You have a new life in Jesus – make the choice to live a godly life, to serve Him, and to not push the boundaries of His grace toward you.

Let Your Light Shine Pt. 2

SEVEN COMMANDS FOR CHRISTIANS

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith — the salvation of your souls. I Peter 1:6-9 NKJV

Since Jesus is coming back soon, that should strongly motivate us to live for Him.

  1. Gird up the loins of your mind:

Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus  Christ. 1 Peter 1:13 NKJV

Gird up the loins of your mind: strengthen or put protection around your mind; brace up; take courage. You have the mind of Christ!

  1.  Be sober:

Be sober: Greek: nepho: to live soberly and righteously. Be watchful, mentally alert, disciplined and/or focused. Don’t just muddle through your    life. Deliberately live for God every day.

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live  soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age. Titus 2:11-12 NKJV

  1. Hope to the end for the fullness of grace and salvation that are to be brought at the coming of Christ:

Rest your hope fully on the grace of God, which is being progressively revealed unto you as you grow in His Word.

For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do  not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. Romans 8:24-25 NKJV

  1. Do not pattern your new life after your former life of sin:

As obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance.  1 Peter1:14 NKJV

And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the  prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the  lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.

Ephesians 2:1-3  NKJV

You are a new creature and you must live a new life.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18 Now all things are of  God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.

2 Corinthians 5:17-18 NKJV

  1. Be holy in all your manner of life:

But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:15-16 NKJV

You are to pattern your life after God in all things.

  1. Pass the remaining time of your journey here in the fear of God:

And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay  here in fear; 18 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition  from your fathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. 20 He indeed was foreordained before  the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you 21 who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and  gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. 1 Peter 1:17-21 NKJV

Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is  faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may  be able to bear it.

1 Corinthians 10:12-13 NKJV

Don’t put any confidence in yourself or your abilities – they will fail you. Do put all your confidence in your Father – He will never fail you. Even  when temptation comes, He has a plan to deliver and protect you, if you will trust and obey Him.

  1. See that you love one another with a pure heart fervently:

Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure  heart. 1 Peter 1:22 NKJV

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.  35 By this all will know that  you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

John 13:34-35 NKJV

This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.  13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for  his friends. John 15:12-13 NKJV

God has shown His love for you through Jesus Christ. Love one another sincerely and earnestly, with no ulterior motives.

The Giants Are Bread for Us

Mark 11:23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.

 

Faith must be released in word through your mouth.

 

If you’re not satisfied with what you have then check on what is coming out of your mouth.  All that you have, and all that you are now, is the result of what you have believed and said in the past.

 

Proverbs 6:2 Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.

 

It doesn’t take the devil’s efforts to interfere with things in your life when you take the initiative to snare yourself with your own words.

 

Don’t ever talk failure or defeat!  Don’t ever acknowledge, for one moment, that God’s ability or power cannot put you over the top.  If you’re talking failure and defeat with your lips, you’re declaring that God cannot and has not put you over.

 

1 John 4:4  “…greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”

 

You can’t side with the majority when they are opposed to the Word of God – the plan of faith and God’s will.  

 

Numbers 13:30 And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it!

 

Caleb didn’t deny the existence of the giants but he said that they were well able to overcome them.

 

Numbers 14:9 Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defense is departed from them, and the LORD is with us: fear them not.

 

Doubt and fear is rebellion against the Lord!  Rebellion is as witchcraft. The giants were bread for Israel!  Bread is a staple of life. You need it to survive. You grow by eating it!

 

Faith ALWAYS has a good report!

 

I believe what the Word says whether things seem like it’s the way the Bible says or not.

 

If mountains / obstacles are not enough of an issue to God to mention to you, before you get to them, then they should not be an issue to you when you encounter them.

 

Throughout history people following God’s plan have faced challenges. None of these challenges have changed God or altered His Word.

 

A mountain cannot defeat anyone.  What defeats people is fear!

 

You were created to be an Overcomer!  

 

Satan’s lie, processed by fear, will come to pass!  God’s promise (TRUTH), processed by faith, will come to pass!

 

Exodus 14:8-15  

 

Moses faced the Red Sea on one side, and the Egyptian army on the other, but God’s plan hadn’t changed – “Go Forward!”

 

Don’t become paralyzed by fear and overcome with doubt!

 

Hebrews 3:12-19; 4:9-11

 

Unbelief in God’s promise causes you to stay and die in the wilderness.  Get out of the “wilderness experience” by total trust and obedience to God!  Enter into the rest today!

KINGDOM BUSINESS – PART ONE

Foundation scriptures:

For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. 15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. 16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. 17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. 18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money. 19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. 20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. 21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. 23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. 26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: 27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. 28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. 29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. 30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.  Matthew 25:14-30 KJV

 

  1. We need to recognize that we are stewards:
  2. Nothing that we have originates with us. It all comes from the Lord.
  3. Psalms 24:1 KJV – “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.”
  4. James 1:17-18 KJV – “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”
  5. Matthew 5:45 KJV – “That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.”

 

  1. Seek first the Kingdom:
  2. Matthew 6:19-34
  3. Seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
  4. Take no thought for what you will eat, drink, or wear.
  5. The gentiles seek after these things – your Father knows you need them and He will take care of them.

 

  1. Where your treasure is, your heart will be also:
  2. Put God’s Kingdom first with your treasure.
  3. “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Verses 19-21)
  4. You can’t serve God AND mammon.
  5. “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” (Verse 24)

 

  1. Our vision for members of the River at Tampa Bay:
  2. That the Lord would bless you, increase you, and multiply you.
  3. Psalms 115:13-16 KJV – “He will bless them that fear the Lord, both small and great. The Lord shall increase you more and more, you and your children. Ye are blessed of the Lord which made heaven and earth. The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.”
  4. Almighty God – El Shaddai – more than enough.
  5. Psalm 23 – The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want.

 

  1. That the Lord would raise up 100 millionaires to fund the end-time harvest:
  2. If you were blessed with $10 million – could you give the Lord anywhere from $1 to $3 million?
  3. It is time for God’s blessings and prosperity to come to His people, who love His kingdom.
  4. Business – entrepreneurs.
  5. Companies – inventions – goods and services.

 

  1. It is time:

a. We pray for supernatural wisdom in your life, and supernatural increase and breakthroughs, in Jesus’ mighty name.

THIS DAY IS THIS SCRIPTURE FULFILLED IN YOUR EARS

“From the Heart” teaching by Drs. Rodney & Adonica Howard-Browne.

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; 2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; 3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.  Isaiah 61:1-3 KJV

Jesus Christ, the Anointed One, was sent from the presence of the Father, born as a man, and anointed of the Spirit of God for a specific purpose. Isaiah prophesied the wonderful things that Jesus would come to do for us and Luke 4 records that Jesus Himself read from Isaiah in the synagogue, proclaiming, “This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears!”  Jesus was anointed to preach the good news – the good news is that everything that God had promised Abraham and his descendants was about to be fulfilled.

Jesus was sent to bind up the brokenhearted – to reach down into the hearts of men and women and make them whole again. More than physical pain, the greatest pain in people’s lives is psychological pain, caused by abuse and injustice. Doctors can alleviate most physical pains, but only Jesus can heal psychological pain.

Jesus was sent to proclaim liberty to the captives and the opening of the prison to them that are bound. Whatever holds you captive, Jesus can break its hold on you. Jesus is anointed to destroy yokes of bondage – yokes of fear, yokes of addiction, yokes of oppression, and any other yoke of the devil that men carry on their necks.  Acts 10:38 says that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: Who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

Jesus was sent to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God. God’s Year of Jubilee had begun – a time when all that had been stolen from God’s children would be restored to them and all those who had robbed God’s children would be brought to account.

Jesus was sent to comfort all that mourn. Jesus is our comfort in times of sorrow. Jesus has good news for all those who mourn – He has removed the source of your grief. Even death has no more power over the believer. Your loved ones in the Lord may have died and yet they live on in eternity, waiting your arrival. You may miss them now, yet, at the same time, you rejoice in their passing because they are fully free and you will see them again.

For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.  Psalms 30:5 KJV

Jesus was sent to give you beauty for ashes. Only Jesus can make something beautiful out of the devastation that sin, sickness and the devil have wrought in your life.

Jesus was sent to give you the oil of joy for mourning. Oil smoothes out the rough spots – the oil of joy makes everything easier. Joy lightens your load and makes the road seem much shorter and smoother. Nehemiah 8:10 says that the joy of the Lord is your strength.

Jesus was sent to give you the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. In Jesus you have a reason to rejoice. When Jesus takes over your life, all the heaviness and weariness of life is lifted and peace and joy fill your heart. You wear your praise like a garment – instead of heaviness, you are covered with joy.

Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.  Habakkuk 3:18 KJV

Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.  Isaiah 51:11 KJV

Jesus was sent that you might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified. You are a righteous tree in God’s garden. Righteousness is not earned – it is bestowed upon you by God’s grace – but you must walk in the reality of your righteousness and leave sin behind you. When you do this, your righteousness brings glory to God.

THE WAGES OF THE LABORER

“From the Heart” teaching by Drs. Rodney & Adonica Howard-Browne.

Come now, you rich [people], weep aloud and lament over the miseries (the woes) that are surely coming upon you. 2 Your abundant wealth has rotted and is ruined, and your [many] garments have become moth-eaten. 3 Your gold and silver are completely rusted through, and their rust will be testimony against you and it will devour your flesh as if it were fire. You have heaped together treasure for the last days. 4[But] look! [Here are] the wages that you have withheld by fraud from the laborers who have reaped your fields, crying out [for vengeance]; and the cries of the harvesters have come to the ears of the Lord of hosts. 5[Here] on earth you have abandoned yourselves to soft (prodigal) living and to [the pleasures of] self-indulgence and self-gratification. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned and have murdered the righteous (innocent man), [while] he offers no resistance to you.  James 5:1-6 AMP

It is not a sin to be rich, neither is it holy to be poor. The Bible shows us that all of God’s obedient covenant friends were blessed beyond measure – for instance, Genesis 13:2 AMP says that “Abram was extremely rich in livestock and in silver and in gold” – God promises to bless all of His children, who obey His Word. God made Abraham rich – not man and not Abraham himself. It is not wealth that ruins people’s lives – it is covetousness. You are covetous when you trust in your wealth and possessions more than you trust in God and if you find it difficult or impossible to give them away.

God has a great plan for the peoples of the earth – His will is that every person would hear and know what He has done for them and that they would be delivered from sin and from hell and that they would receive eternal life. Every person who hears and receives the Gospel and who has been transformed by the saving grace and the blood of Jesus Christ has a godly responsibility to share this great news with the world.

If you are a Christian then you have God’s heart – or you should. You are part of the family – you have the privileges and the responsibilities of a family member. The Lord promises that if you lend to the poor He will repay you and if you bless the ministry, then God will overtake you with blessings. You have to realize that God blesses you in order to make you a blessing and when you are a blessing, He blesses you some more! He is unwilling to abandon or to do without a cheerful, generous, prompt-to-do-it giver!

It is not angels who bring money and provision to God’s laborers on a daily basis – that is not their function – that is our function – you and me. The devil is not going to fund the gospel! The world is not going to build God’s kingdom! You represent God and if you don’t do your part, if you don’t do the right thing – the kingdom of God will suffer!  You are God’s arm on the earth to bring relief, blessing and sustenance, on God’s behalf, everywhere you go. If you do not use your resources to fund the preaching of the gospel then who will? God does not have anybody else but you and me.

Ministers – you are commissioned to obey God and His Word and to be faithful with your call, your anointing and everything else that God has placed in your hands, including money!

Christian business people – You are called to support those who preach the Gospel! You are commissioned to be faithful with the call that is on your life and with the financial resources that God has placed in your hands! You have a holy obligation to share the blessing of the Lord with those who work in the harvest fields. God does not even call it a gift – He calls it “wages” as if it is owed as payment for work done.

Don’t think that those who are called to ministry are the only ones who have to give an account for how they use their money and their time – you will have an opportunity to give an account to God for how you used your money and your time as well! Always remember that any wealth that you give into the kingdom of God is stored away, incorruptible and immovable for your eternity. However, any wealth that you store up here on earth is subject to the elements – it could get moth-eaten, rusted, corroded, ruined and wasted.

Your wealth will be a testimony for or against you. The wealth you give to God and to the preaching of the Gospel and to the building of God’s kingdom on the earth will testify in Heaven of your trust in God and your love for Him, your obedience and your faithfulness and you will be rewarded. The wealth you wasted, the wealth you trusted in and held onto and stored up here on earth will testify against you. It testifies of your rebellion, selfishness, fear, covetousness and unfaithfulness and you will lose out on all the rewards that could have been yours.

It is not a sin to be rich, but it is a sin to be covetous and selfish. If you would make it your responsibility to share your wealth with those who labor in the harvest fields, then God will see to it that you are richly rewarded here on the earth and also in Heaven.

STAY WITH THE TRUTH

“From the Heart” teaching by Drs. Rodney & Adonica Howard-Browne.

James is an apostle who does not beat around the bush. He feels very strongly about issues of integrity and character and he gives us firm guidelines for conducting our lives in such a way that we can walk in the blessing of God.

But above all [things], my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath; but let your yes be [a simple] yes, and your no be [a simple] no, so that you may not sin and fall under condemnation.  James 5:12 AMP

You should not swear by the Lord or try to pull God’s name into your conversation to back up what you are saying. Don’t ever say that “God said” or “God told me” if He really didn’t. James says that you should not try to be something you are not. You should not promise things and then not do it. You should not say things that you do not mean just because you are afraid of people or because you are trying to impress them. Be truthful in your relationships. Say “yes” when you mean “yes” and say “no” when you mean “no”.

Is anyone among you afflicted (ill-treated, suffering evil)? He should pray. Is anyone glad at heart? He should sing praise [to God].  James 5:13 AMP

If you are facing a battle, don’t use it as an excuse to behave badly or to have a bad attitude. If Jesus is your Lord, then you can call on Him when you are in trouble or when you have a problem. Don’t be whiney or grumpy or ungrateful – just pray. Talk to the Lord, who can do something about it, not to people, who can’t do anything about it.

If you are happy then praise the Lord. Recognize that everything you have comes from Him. Always maintain a joyful, grateful spirit and you will always walk in His blessing. Even when you go through hard times, you will come out on top because the joy of the Lord is your strength.

Is anyone among you sick? He should call in the church elders (the spiritual guides). And they should pray over him, anointing him with oil in the Lord’s name. 15 And the prayer [that is] of faith will save him who is sick, and the Lord will restore him; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Confess to one another therefore your faults (your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins) and pray [also] for one another, that you may be healed and restored [to a spiritual tone of mind and heart]. James 5:14-16a AMP

The Father intended the Body of Christ to be a blessing to each other – to pray for one another, lift each other up and protect each other. We need to recognize that our fight is with the devil – not each other. We need to be able to come to our fellow Christians for help, for prayer, for support, for restoration. We should love one another in such a way that we cover one another. We should be able to be transparent, to expose our weakness and find mercy, compassion and restoration and not judgment, criticism or rejection.

The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working]. 17 Elijah was a human being with a nature such as we have [with feelings, affections, and a constitution like ours]; and he prayed earnestly for it not to rain, and no rain fell on the earth for three years and six months. 18 And [then] he prayed again and the heavens supplied rain and the land produced its crops [as usual].  James 5:16b-18 AMP

God has empowered Christians to pray and receive the answer. Have faith in God, have faith in His Word, and pray in faith, expecting God to hear and to answer your prayers.

[My] brethren, if anyone among you strays from the Truth and falls into error and another [person] brings him back [to God], 20 Let the [latter] one be sure that whoever turns a sinner from his evil course will save [that one’s] soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins [procure the pardon of the many sins committed by the convert].  James 5:19-20 AMP

So many times, when a Christian makes a mistake, other Christians condemn them, criticize them and gossip about them. However, God expects us to love one another, cover one another and protect one another. When we humble our heart to pray for a fallen brother or sister and speak the truth to them, and we help them find their way, through repentance, back into the will of God, then we will save their soul from death and we will please the Father. The only thing we can take with us is the souls of men. It is not only important to lead people to Jesus, but also to support them as they run their race and to help them to finish their race and cross the finish line.