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

Thoughts on Stewardship
Lesson No. 9 from Deuteronomy

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

The Lord gave me this psalm for the Church in January 1999 and I felt it was still appropriate for 2010. So we are sharing it here today.

I PREDICT FOR 2010!

I predict for 2010—a harvest of the spiritual kind
Souls plucked from the jaws of hell
As men the good news of the Gospel do tell
This is the former and the latter rain
That was spoken of by the prophets
Again and again

The glory of the latter house will be greater
Than the former—you will see
The harvest will be greater than you’ve ever dreamed
Though the world will get worse and worse it will seem
Wars, rumors of wars, only talk of peace
Droughts, weather upheavals, disease will not cease

Nations will fall and nations will rise
But it’s getting closer and you would be wise
To prepare your heart for the coming of the Lord
For He will come swiftly and with a sword
To judge the living and the dead
Sinners and those who’ve rejected Him will dread
The great white throne—where all men will see
Those who are righteous, those who are free

Rise up now, this army of the Lord
Run, run, run, with His Word
The time is short—the end is at hand
The glory of God will be seen in this land

By Rodney M. Howard-Browne
(A psalm is a spiritual poem or an ode.)

The Bible says that no man knows the day or the hour that Jesus will return, as promised by the two angels the day He ascended into heaven after He was raised from the dead (Acts 1:9-11), but we know that God always keeps His word. We should be always ready to meet Jesus, whether He comes first to us or we go first to be with Him. Even as things in the world get worse, in Jesus things get better and better as we trust in Him and His word. If your trust is not in God, you will be afraid in the uncertain times. The good thing about uncertain times is that men begin to look for God, and when we stand firm, we will be there to point them in His direction! May God richly bless you this coming year and as you pull in closer to Him, may you know His love, joy, peace and provision in every area of your life.

God bless you abundantly. We love you.
Pastors Rodney and Adonica Howard-Browne

But understand this, that in the last days will come (set in) perilous times of great stress and trouble [hard to deal with and hard to bear]. 2 Timothy 3:1 AMP

Who shall ever separate us from Christ’s love? Shall suffering and affliction and tribulation? Or calamity and distress? Or persecution or hunger or destitution or peril or sword? 36 Even as it is written, For Thy sake we are put to death all the day long; we are regarded and counted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him Who loved us. Romans 8:35-37 AMP

Foundation Scriptures: John 1:1-14

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9 That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:1-14 NKJV

l. If Jesus were around today, He would be kicked out of most churches.

Jesus was not religious and did not fit in with the religious crowd.
Jesus was radical. He was unpredictable. He did not do what people thought He would or should do.
1 Corinthians 2:14-15 AMP – But the natural, nonspiritual man does not accept or welcome or admit into his heart the gifts and teachings and revelations of the Spirit of God, for they are folly (meaningless nonsense) to him; and he is incapable of knowing them [of progressively recognizing, understanding, and becoming better acquainted with them] because they are spiritually discerned and estimated and appreciated. 15 But the spiritual man tries all things [he examines, investigates, inquires into, questions, and discerns all things], yet is himself to be put on trial and judged by no one [he can read the meaning of everything, but no one can properly discern or appraise or get an insight into him].
Jesus was led by the Spirit of God in everything He said and did.
John 3:34 AMP – For since He Whom God has sent speaks the words of God [proclaims God’s own message], God does not give Him His Spirit sparingly or by measure, but boundless is the gift God makes of His Spirit!
Jesus is not physically here on earth where He can be seen. The only Jesus the world will ever see is in born-again believers, children of God, filled with the Holy Spirit.
The only way that people can see Jesus in your eyes, hear Jesus in your voice and feel Jesus in your touch is if you allow the Holy Spirit to do a work in you as you obey Him by walking in the love of God toward others and by doing the works of Jesus.
To get a picture of what Jesus is really like—read Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

ll. There are so many different opinions and theories out there about Jesus, but the Gospel portray Him as He really is.

Jesus said what He meant and He meant what He said.
The significance of Jesus’ words and actions get lost when people try to interpret the bible allegorically or figuratively, instead of literally.
At the end of his account of Jesus earthly ministry, John says, “And there are also many other things which Jesus did. If they should be all recorded one by one [in detail], I suppose that even the world itself could not contain (have room for) the books that would be written.” (John 21:25 AMP)
The things we need to know about Jesus are written in the four Gospels.
His Birth; His Life; His Earthly Ministry; His Death; His Resurrection; His Ascension.
His Birth: Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin. He was 100 percent God and 100 percent man.
His Life: He led a sinless life even though He was tempted with everything that anyone of us are tempted with.
Hebrews 4:15 AMP – For we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to understand and sympathize and have a shared feeling with our weaknesses and infirmities and liability to the assaults of temptation, but One Who has been tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sinning.
His Earthly Ministry: Jesus spent 30 years preparing for an earthly ministry that began when He was baptized in water and the Holy Spirit at the River Jordan.
His earthly ministry lasted about 3 ½ years and 70 percent of that ministry was healing the sick and casting out devils.
His Death: His death at Calvary was for the sins of the world—the whole world.
His Resurrection: Jesus was raised up from the dead and He stripped Satan of the keys of death, hell and the grave.
His Ascension: The angel told the disciples, “This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11a)
John 14:12 KJV – Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
Jesus sent us another Comforter—the Holy Spirit, who is just like Him—the same Holy Spirit that anointed Jesus.
This Comforter comes to live in us and with us. This Comforter would allow Jesus to live inside us and to have expression through us in the earth.
Christian means: little Christ; little anointed one.
Remember Jesus said, “Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father.” (John 14:9) And also, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things. 29 And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.” (John 8:28-29)
1 John 4:4 NKJV – You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
Allow Jesus to live big on the inside of you so that the world may know He is alive!

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

All of us have things we need or want. All of us have some changes we would like to see in our lives. What do we do about it? Do we just think about them and wish things could be different? Do we share our problems with other people or even whine and complain about them? There’s little or nothing they can do for us! Or do we talk to Someone who cares and Someone who knows how to move mountains? The Father wants us to depend on Him: He wants us to trust in Him; He wants us to look to Him for everything; and Him alone. He wants us to take time to come to Him; to talk to Him. There are many things in our hearts that are so personal they cannot be shared with others, but the Father already knows what’s in our hearts, so we can be transparent with Him. In fact, He wants us to be open and honest with Him; He wants us to tell Him what we need and He wants to be the one to meet that need. Father God is not bothered when you come to talk to Him, He is delighted. He created us to have intimate fellowship with Him.

But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. 7 And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. Matthew 6:6-8 NKJV

God is not moved by many words or repetitive words; He is not moved by begging or crying; He is moved by faith. People don’t like being nagged—the Lord doesn’t either. He just wants us to be straight and real with Him and ask Him for what we want. The Lord knows what is in our heart more than we do, but we still need to tell Him what that is. Purposefully asking God is a demonstration of our faith and trust in Him and His Word. A very helpful tool in your prayer life, on the road to purposeful and answered prayer, is a prayer journal—so that you can focus, write down and keep track of your prayer requests.

Ten reasons why journaling is a good idea:
• It enables you to collect and articulate your thoughts more clearly and specifically before you pray.
• It provides a record of answered prayer to encourage you and remind of what God has done for you.
• It helps you look back on your own spiritual journey.
• It can prevent you mind from wandering while you pray.
• It helps you to dig deeper into your heart, to bring out your real dreams, desires and needs.
• It helps you sort through competing thoughts.
• It helps you realize and remember how blessed you are and gives you more reasons to thank and praise the Lord.
• It provides a measuring rod for your own consistency.
• It helps you to apply the Word of God to your everyday life.
• It promotes self-discipline.

One way to journal is to divide your page into two columns, one for your request and one for the answer. Fill in the date above each column of when you prayed and when it was answered. You can come back later and fill in the answer column when your prayer is answered. Underneath these columns, add space for a paragraph where you can praise God for something that the Lord did for you the day before. You could also use a “prayer card”, writing the prayer on one side and the answer on the other. You can have a special box to keep all your answered prayers.

“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. 15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. 16 With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation.” Psalms 91:14-16 NKJV

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

Foundation Scriptures:

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 .They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. 19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. 20 And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. Mark 16:15-20 KJV

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Acts 2:38 KJV

Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. Romans 6:3-6 KJV

1. Baptize

a. The word “baptize” means to immerse or submerge; to bury.

b. To go under.

c. Not just sprinkled.

d. If something dies, you do not sprinkle dirt on it; you dig a hole and bury it.

e. Babies are not baptized – they are dedicated.

2. Types of Baptisms in Scripture

a. Naaman the leper – dipped 7 times

b. John the Baptist – baptism unto repentance.

i. Not a New Testament baptism.

ii. Jesus had not died and risen yet.

iii. It was a baptism of obedience, signifying repentance.

c. Jesus set the example for us in His baptism of obedience.

3. Ours is a New Testament Baptism.

a. There are three kinds of baptism:

i. Baptism into the body of Christ at the New Birth – accomplished by the Holy Spirit – Ephesians 2:18; Titus 3:5.

ii. Baptism with water – man baptizes you in water – Matthew 3:11.

iii. Baptism in the Holy Spirit – Jesus is the Baptizer in the Holy Ghost – Mark 1:8; Acts 1:5.

4. Salvation, Baptism in Water, and Baptism in the Holy Spirit

a. Sometimes people pray a salvation prayer, but don’t let go of the past.

b. Baptism in water is a break with the past.

c. The devil does not want people baptized in water any more than he wants them saved or filled with the Holy Ghost. He will try to fight it or water it down with religion.

d. Christians, like the Anabaptists, paid a price for the restoration of the truth of water-baptism to the Body of Christ. They preached against baby “baptism” or sprinkling. They preached that baptism was only for a professed believer in Jesus Christ.

e. Some were drowned in their own baptismal waters by their enemies.

f. In Africa, you can pray with people for salvation, but when you begin to water-baptize them, all hell breaks loose. Witchdoctors don’t like it, because they will lose all their customers.

g. In religious churches, they preach a watered down Gospel and if you start water-baptizing, know that you will see the religious spirits manifesting.

In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Colossians 2:11-15 KJV

Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. 21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: 1 Peter 3:20-21 KJV

5. Water Baptism Doesn’t Save You, the Word of God Does

a. You must realize – grasp and understand clearly – what you are doing.

b. Mix faith with your action of baptism.

c. It is the beginning of the process of renewing the mind.

d. When people have backslidden, it is a point of contact for a new beginning.

e. A burial of the Old Man and a resurrection of the New Man.

f. Water baptism provides you with the answer of a good, clean conscience.

g. Stripping away the old carnal nature with its passions and lusts.

h. Circumcision of the soul.

6. It’s Time to Run to the Waters

The most valuable thing God has spoken to me thus far in internship is to be faithful.
The bible says in proverbs 28:20a that “a faithful man shall abound with blessings”. Faithfulness is very important in ministry. Faith unlocks the blessings and walking in it pours it out.
What does faithful mean? Loyal , constant, reliable.
I want God to know He can always count on me to get the job done , in excellence, with the right heart, and operating under the anointing of the precious Holy Spirit.
The Joy of The Lord fills my heart to think just for being faithful to such a faithful God , He rewards me with abounding blessings .
Abounding means overflow and blessings means God’s favor and protection.
So Alexis consistency shall cause her to overflow with God’s favor in protection.
Thank you Jesus!
A faithful Alexis shall abound in blessings , in Jesus name.

I was blessed to be able to attend summer camp meeting. We need to know what the Holy Spirit is doing and stay refreshed and filled up to pour out. This is what the Lord has been teaching me.