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

Don’t Forget the Full-time Minister
Foundation Scriptures: Deuteronomy 18 verses 1–8

The Levitical priests and all the tribe of Levi shall have no part or inheritance with Israel; they shall eat the offerings made by fire to the Lord, and His rightful dues. 2 They shall have no inheritance among their brethren; the Lord is their inheritance, as He promised them. 3 And this shall be the priest’s due from the people, from those who offer a sacrifice, whether it be ox or sheep: they shall give to the priest the shoulder and the two cheeks and the stomach. 4 The firstfruits of your grain, of your new wine, and of your oil, and the first or best of the fleece of your sheep you shall give the priest. 5 For the Lord your God has chosen him out of all your tribes to stand to minister in the name [and presence] of the Lord, him and his sons forever. 6 And if a Levite comes from any of your towns out of all Israel where he is a temporary resident, he may come whenever he desires to [the sanctuary] the place the Lord will choose; 7 Then he may minister in the name [and presence of] the Lord his God like all his brethren the Levites who stand to minister there before the Lord. 8 They shall have equal portions to eat, besides what may come of the sale of his patrimony.
Deuteronomy 18:1-8 AMP

1.  This sharing of God’s provision was not man’s idea but God’s idea

• Verse 1 says the priests should share in His bounty—they were to partake of the offerings brought to the Lord—His rightful dues
• Ministering before the Lord, on behalf of the people, was the priests’ full-time job
• If the people did not support them there was nothing else and no one else to sustain them
• Verse 3 says this would be the priests’ due from the people—it was the people’s duty to support the ministers

2.  The priests were entitled to be blessed from the first fruits of the people

• The people brought their best stuff to the Lord and to the priests—the choicest parts of their animals, the first fruits of their grain, the new wine, the oil, the first and best of the fleece of their sheep
• This provision was not only for the priest, but for his sons and his family forever
• All priests were treated equally and provision was made for all—today, that would be the whole five-fold ministry—apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers

Pastor Adonica’s Thoughts:
When the Lord divided up the Promised Land, He gave each tribe and each family a portion of it. However, He did not include the Levitical priesthood or their families. They were set apart unto the Lord’s work and would not have time to waste working the land, therefore, there was no way for them to be fed and kept unless the people brought the fruit of their labor to the house of God. God made it the responsibility of all those who were given land, to meet the needs of the priests. Each side supported and served the other.

It is still the same today. It is the minister’s responsibility to handle the Word of God honestly, and every other believer’s job to generously support those men and women of God who serve them in full-time ministry. Even Paul made tents for a season, but ministers—or their wives—should not need to work another job all the time, just to put food on the table, because the Church is disobedient. God’s order is for the minister’s needs to be met by those believers who work in the marketplace. If we all fulfill our purpose, submit to the Word of God, and joyfully do what God tells us to do, we will see the will of God manifested on the earth!

Pastor Rodney’s Thoughts:
It’s interesting that, in the day and age that we are living, that people in the full-time ministry always seem to come under more scrutiny and criticism for their income, than other people. It is as if the religious world has this idea: Lord, You keep them humble and we’ll keep them poor! I am not saying for one moment that there are not abuses that have not taken place on both sides: there is the minister, who is without integrity, but also the believer who will not obey God and give. Even though people do not always do as they should—still we must remember—that it was God who instituted this mutual dependence. It was not instituted by man as a way to extract money from people—it was instituted by God, in order that the needs of the ministry—and God’s servants—could be met.

We discussed an Old Testament passage above, but the New Covenant declares that those ministers who perform the duties of their office well, be considered doubly worthy of honor and of adequate financial support, especially those who labor faithfully in preaching and teaching (1 Timothy 5:17 AMP). Although I was not raised in a preacher’s home, we were around ministers all the time and we were taught, as children, to look after them, to take care of them, and to bless them. Still today, even though I am in the ministry myself, I have a love for full-time men and women of God, and a desire to bless them.

Prayer and Confession:
Father, Your word declares that if we receive and welcome and accept a prophet, because he is a prophet, we shall receive a prophet’s reward, and if we receive and welcome and accept a righteous man, because he is a righteous man, we shall receive a righteous man’s reward. You also said that if we give to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water, because he is Jesus’ disciple, that You would surely reward us (Matthew 10:41-42). Father, I thank You that my heart is right with You for I purpose to bless those who minister; I purpose to bless Your servants.

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

Foundation Scriptures: Hebrews 4:12-13

The Logos of God is a living thing, active and more cutting than any sword with double edge, penetrating to the very division of soul and spirit, joint and marrow—scrutinizing the very thoughts and conceptions of the heart. 13 And no created thing is hidden from Him; all things lie open, exposed before the eyes of Him with whom we have to reckon.  Hebrews 4:12-13 Moffat’s Translation

The Word Is Our Contact With God.

• The Word is God speaking to you.
•  “Thus says Jehovah” is repeated over 2,000 times from Exodus to Deuteronomy.
• God and His Word are one.
• The Word of God is a living thing.
• Jesus is the Living word—the Logos made flesh (John 1:14).
• John 14:23 AMP – Jesus answered, If a person [really] loves Me, he will keep My word [obey My teaching]; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home (abode, special dwelling place) with him.
• Nothing and no one is hidden from Him—the Living Word—the word searches and finds us out.
• Without God’s Word we would never know all that is available to us through Jesus Christ.

We Are Convicted By The Word.

• John 16:7-11
• Jesus said in John 16:13 that the Holy Spirit doesn’t speak on His own authority. The Holy Spirit speaks only the Word of God. The Word of God convicts and convinces.

We Are Recreated By The Word.

• James 1:18 NKJV – Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.
• 1 Peter 1:23 NKJV – Having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever.
• The Word of God imparts to us Eternal Life.
• Salvation is only available through God’s Word.

Our Minds Are Renewed Through The Word.

• Romans 12:2 NKJV – And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
• Colossians 3:10 AMP – And have clothed yourselves with the new [spiritual self], which is [ever in the process of being] renewed and remolded into [fuller and more perfect knowledge upon] knowledge after the image (the likeness) of Him Who created it.
• The only way to renew your mind is to study the Word of God and act on it.
• If you do not act on it, do it or live it, your mind is not renewed.
• James 1:22 NKJV – But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
• Hearers who are not doers are self-deceived.

The Word Comes To Live In Us.

• Colossians 3:16a NKJV – Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another.
• Receive the Word into your heart and life—let it live in you, guide, direct and sustain you.
• John 15:7-8 NKJV – If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
• When you abide in God’s Word and His Words abide in you, your prayers are answered and you become a good fruit bearer, bringing glory to the Father.
• It is not just memorizing the Word of God, but letting the Word become an integral part of your life.
• Being submitted to the Word of God is being submitted to Jesus. He truly becomes Lord of your life.

We Are Built Up With The Word.

• Acts 20:32 NKJV -“So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
• The Word of God working in us builds us more and more into the image of Jesus—His nature and character.
• Not head knowledge—not philosophies, theories or the history of the Word.
• It is the Word living in us.

We Are Healed By The Word.

• Psalms 107:20a NKJV – He sent His word and healed them.
• Isaiah 53:5 KJV – But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
• 1 Peter 2:24 KJV – Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

Faith Comes Through The Word.

• Romans 10:8 NKJV – But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach).
• It is the Word of faith that we preach.
• Romans 10:17 NKJV – So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
• Hebrews 12:2a NKJV – Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.
• Jesus is the Author and Perfecter of our faith.

The Word Is On Our Lips.

• Romans 10:9-10 NKJV – That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
• The Word becomes a living thing on the lips of the believer.

The Word Sustains You.

• Matthew 4:4b NKJV – Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.
• Jeremiah 15:16 NKJV – Your words were found, and I ate them, And Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; For I am called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts.
• Job 23:12 AMP – I have not gone back from the commandment of His lips; I have esteemed and treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.

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

Now when Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, Who do people say that the Son of Man is? 14 And they answered, Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets. 15 He said to them, But who do you [yourselves] say that I am? 16 Simon Peter replied, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. Matthew 16:13-16 AMP

[The Gospel] regarding His Son, Who as to the flesh (His human nature) was descended from David, 4 And [as to His divine nature] according to the Spirit of holiness was openly designated the Son of God in power [in a striking, triumphant and miraculous manner] by His resurrection from the dead, even Jesus Christ our Lord (the Messiah, the Anointed One).
Romans 1:3-4 AMP

Jesus Christ is not just a man—neither is He just God—He is both God AND man. He is God in the form of man—God clothed in human flesh—born of a virgin, conceived by the Holy Spirit. In the New Testament, Jesus was referred to 88 times as the Son of Man and 47 times as the Son of God. The term “Son of man” denotes a human being, a natural descendant of Adam. It denotes the true humanity of Jesus. He had a body and a soul like any other man ever born on the earth.

Inasmuch then as we have a great High Priest Who has [already] ascended and passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession [of faith in Him]. 15 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. Hebrews 4:14-15 AMP

Jesus was like us in every way. He functioned on the earth as a true man; He went through all the trials and temptations that we all face, yet without sinning. He did not overcome the temptations by His divine nature, but He overcame them in His humanity by standing on the Word of God and yielding to the Holy Spirit and not to His flesh. He passed the test that Adam failed.

Jesus is also the Son of God. Many people just see the Man, Jesus—but He existed long before He was born into the earth as a baby in Bethlehem. He always was with God; He Himself IS God. He was there when all things were made and all things were made by Him; nothing was made without Him. Jesus is not called the Son of God because of His miraculous birth, or of His incarnation, His resurrection, or exaltation to the Father’s right hand. The name designates His nature, not His office. It denotes that He is equal to the Father; He is divine; the second Person of the Trinity. He is the Son of God as to His divine nature, while as to His human nature He is the Son of David

And yet no one has ever gone up to heaven, but there is One Who has come down from heaven—the Son of Man [Himself], Who is (dwells, has His home) in heaven. 14 And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert [on a pole], so must [so it is necessary that] the Son of Man be lifted up [on the cross], 15 In order that everyone who believes in Him [who cleaves to Him, trusts Him, and relies on Him] may not perish, but have eternal life and [actually] live forever! John 3:13-15 AMP

For just as [because of their union of nature] in Adam all people die, so also [by virtue of their union of nature] shall all in Christ be made alive. 1 Corinthians 15:22 AMP

Thus it is written, The first man Adam became a living being (an individual personality); the last Adam (Christ) became a life-giving Spirit [restoring the dead to life]. 46 But it is not the spiritual life which came first, but the physical and then the spiritual. 47 The first man [was] from out of earth, made of dust (earthly-minded); the second Man [is] the Lord from out of heaven. 48 Now those who are made of the dust are like him who was first made of the dust (earthly-minded); and as is [the Man] from heaven, so also [are those] who are of heaven (heavenly-minded). 49 And just as we have borne the image [of the man] of dust, so shall we and so let us also bear the image [of the Man] of heaven.
1 Corinthians 15:45-49 AMP

In Luke 3:38 Jesus’ genealogy goes back to Adam, who is called the son of God. Adam was created in God’s image, but fell away from God and became just a man, dominated by sin and death. Every person born thereafter was born into sin with no way to buy his/her way back into God’s presence. A man sold the earth out to the devil and a Man had to buy it back. Jesus, the Son of God, had to come down from heaven and be born into the body of a man—the second Adam, as He is referred to—to undo what was done and bring us back into the image of God by His death and resurrection. God’s grace, in Jesus, has done so much more than restore to us what was lost in the Garden. If we believe in Him, He bestows upon us His everlasting life. Never again will we experience death. God’s grace is SO much greater than man’s transgression, that the two can never be compared to one another!

Yet death held sway from Adam to Moses [the Lawgiver], even over those who did not themselves transgress [a positive command] as Adam did. Adam was a type (prefigure) of the One Who was to come [in reverse, the former destructive, the Latter saving]. 15 But God’s free gift is not at all to be compared to the trespass [His grace is out of all proportion to the fall of man]. For if many died through one man’s falling away (his lapse, his offense), much more profusely did God’s grace and the free gift [that comes] through the undeserved favor of the one Man Jesus Christ abound and overflow to and for [the benefit of] many. Romans 5:14-15 AMP

Thank God for Jesus Christ, the Son of God and Son of man! Even as He sits on the right hand of the Father’s majesty on high, He still bears the scars on His body and the nail—prints in His hands!

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

There is an unscriptural message that has been preached to the Church for generations – that Father God is against His children having material wealth and that being wealthy is not compatible with salvation. This is not biblical at all! The Bible is full of records of God blessing His children with prosperity.

Abram was extremely blessed of the Lord! The Bible tells us that Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold. He and his nephew, Lot, had flocks and herds and tents – so much so that the land was not able to nourish and support them all so they could all live in the same valley – their possessions were too great for them to live together. (Genesis 13:2 & 5-6)

Isaac was extremely blessed of the Lord! Genesis 26:12-14 says that, “Then Isaac sowed seed in that land and received in the same year a hundred times as much as he had planted, and the Lord favored him with blessings. And the man became great and gained more and more until he became very wealthy and distinguished; He owned flocks, herds, and a great supply of servants, and the Philistines envied him.” Even kings and whole nations were afraid of his wealth, power and influence. Abimelech told Isaac, “Go away from us, for you are much mightier than we are.” (Genesis 26:16)

Jacob was extremely blessed of the Lord! Even though Laban tried to cheat Jacob, and changed his wages ten times, he still prospered. Genesis 30:43 says that Jacob, “increased and became exceedingly rich, and had many sheep and goats, and maidservants, menservants, camels, and donkeys.”

Joseph was extremely blessed of the Lord! His brothers may have sold him into slavery, but because of the blessing of God on his life, he became successful and prosperous even as a mere slave in Potiphar’s house. Genesis 39:2-5 AMP says, “But the Lord was with Joseph, and he [though a slave] was a successful and prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made all that he did to flourish and succeed in his hand. So Joseph pleased [Potiphar] and found favor in his sight, and he served him. And [his master] made him supervisor over his house and he put all that he had in his charge. From the time that he made him supervisor in his house and over all that he had, the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the Lord’s blessing was on all that he had in the house and in the field.”

Even though Potiphar’s wife lied and framed him and he was thrown into prison, they couldn’t keep him down. Even in prison, he had blessing and favor and was put in authority over the whole prison under the warden. Genesis 39:21-23 AMP says, “But the Lord was with Joseph, and showed him mercy and loving-kindness and gave him favor in the sight of the warden of the prison. And the warden of the prison committed to Joseph’s care all the prisoners who were in the prison; and whatsoever was done there, he was in charge of it. The prison warden paid no attention to anything that was in [Joseph’s] charge, for the Lord was with him and made whatever he did to prosper.”

Then God gave Joseph favor with Pharaoh, himself. Pharaoh made Joseph second in command under him in all of Egypt! Everyone had to obey Joseph – no one but the king was higher in rank, authority, influence and wealth than Joseph. (Genesis 41:39-44)

King Solomon was extremely blessed of the Lord! The Queen of Sheba can to visit Solomon and declared to him, “It was a true report which I heard in my own land about your words and your wisdom. However I did not believe the words until I came and saw with my own eyes; and indeed the half was not told me. Your wisdom and prosperity exceed the fame of which I heard.” (1 Kings 10:6-7 NKJV)

The Lord told Solomon, “Because this was in your heart and you have not asked for riches, possessions, honor, and glory, or the life of your foes, or even for long life, but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may rule and judge My people over whom I have made you king, Wisdom and knowledge are granted you. And I will give you riches, possessions, honor, and glory, such as none of the kings had before you, and none after you shall have their equal.” (2 Chronicles 1:11-12 AMP) Solomon was so wealthy, prosperous, and blessed of the Lord that silver and gold became as common as stones! (2 Chronicles 1:15 and 2 Chronicles 9:22-28).

King Hezekiah was extremely blessed of the Lord! 2 Chronicles 32:27-29 AMP says that, “Hezekiah had very great wealth and honor, and he made for himself treasuries for silver, gold, precious stones, spices, shields, and all kinds of attractive vessels, Storehouses also for the increase of grain, vintage fruits, and oil, and stalls for all kinds of cattle, and sheepfolds. Moreover, he provided for himself cities and flocks and herds in abundance, for God had given him very great possessions.”

God has promised, in the Old and the New Testaments, abundance of riches and blessings to those who will serve and obey Him. How can blessing be wrong or sinful if God is the one who gives us the power to be wealthy? (Deuteronomy 8:18). God Himself is the richest person in the whole universe, so if it is a sin to be rich then He would be the greatest sinner of all. In heaven, He has paved His own streets with gold, the foundations are made of layers of jewels and precious stones, every house is a mansion and the gates are made out of huge pearls! (John 14:1-3 & Revelations 21). If God has promised these things to us in heaven, why would it suddenly be wrong to have blessings here on earth? Having wealth is not a sin. However, if God’s children are not blessed, it’s because they either do not know that blessing is their covenant right and/or they are disobedient and covetous. It is time for the Church to walk in the blessing of God!

Worship Soundtracks from RMIRiverSong on Vimeo.

Come close to God and He will come close to you. [Recognize that you are] sinners, get your soiled hands clean; [realize that you have been disloyal] wavering individuals with divided interests, and purify your hearts [of your spiritual adultery]. 9 [As you draw near to God] be deeply penitent and grieve, even weep [over your disloyalty]. Let your laughter be turned to grief and your mirth to dejection and heartfelt shame [for your sins]. 10 Humble yourselves [feeling very insignificant] in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you up and make your lives significant].  James 4:8-10 AMP

“If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action]. If we say (claim) we have not sinned, we contradict His Word and make Him out to be false and a liar, and His Word is not in us [the divine message of the Gospel is not in our hearts].”  1 John 1:9-10 AMP

When you received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you repented of your sins and asked Him to forgive you and wash you in his blood—which He did! As you may have realized—since then—you are by no means perfect. You may be a new creature in Christ, but you still make mistakes and do and say wrong or bad things. In other words—you still sin! Not to worry though—Jesus has provided for you. Because He died and shed His blood for you, ALL your sins are covered—the past, the present and the future. In order to receive this forgiveness, however, you need to do something to activate it in your life. You must humble yourself to repent.

You must humbly:
• Recognize and acknowledge you have sinned
• Confess it as sin
• Be sorry for your sin and tell the Lord you are sorry
• Ask Him to forgive you
• Turn your back on the sin and start to obey God

Yet I am glad now, not because you were pained, but because you were pained into repentance [and so turned back to God]; for you felt a grief such as God meant you to feel, so that in nothing you might suffer loss through us or harm for what we did. 10 For godly grief and the pain God is permitted to direct, produce a repentance that leads and contributes to salvation and deliverance from evil, and it never brings regret; but worldly grief (the hopeless sorrow that is characteristic of the pagan world) is deadly [breeding and ending in death].  2 Corinthians 7:9-10 AMP

According to God’s word, sin is serious business and we should not treat it lightly or think it’s just a joke. The only sin that can be forgiven is sin that is confessed from a heart that is genuinely sorry. Some people expect God to forgive them, even though they are not actually sorry for their sin. James admonishes us to humble ourselves, draw near to God, and be deeply penitent—even grieve and weep—over our sin. Without humility, we won’t feel sorry and we won’t come to ask forgiveness and therefore we can’t and won’t be forgiven —even though the Lord, Himself, longs to show us His mercy and grace. Paul tells us that godly grief, and the pain that results, produce a repentance that leads and contributes to salvation and deliverance from evil.

Jesus, in Luke 13:3 AMP told everyone who would listen, “I tell you, No; but unless you repent (change your mind for the better and heartily amend your ways, with abhorrence of your past sins), you will all likewise perish and be lost eternally.”  And in Matthew 11:20 AMP “He began to censure and reproach the cities in which most of His mighty works had been performed, because they did not repent [and their hearts were not changed].”

Sometimes, people are sorry or repentant over the consequences of sin, but not the cause. They are not sorry they sinned, they are only sorry that they got caught or sorry that their sin created a problem for them. They have had a change of mind, such as to produce regret or maybe even remorse on account of sin, but not necessarily a change of heart. They are not sorry that their heart was wrong and selfish; they are not sorry for their bad attitude.True repentance is to change one’s mind for the better.  It is not merely forsaking sin, but to change your attitude toward it and your love for it. The Hebrew words for repentance mean: to sigh; breathe strongly; to be sorry; to turn back; to regret; to think differently; to reconsider. The Greek word means: to change the mind for the better morally; to change the attitude toward sin. In Matthew 3:8 AMP, Jesus told us to, “Bring forth fruit that is consistent with repentance [let your lives prove your change of heart].” True repentance brings forth the fruit of repentance!

True repentance is:
• Feeling grief over your sin
• Having a true sense of your own guilt and sinfulness
• Acknowledging your helplessness and your need for forgiveness from God
• Having faith in God’s mercy in Christ
• An actual hatred of sin
• Turning from sin to serve God
• A persistent pursuit of a holy life
• Pursuing a walk with God; walking in the way of his  commandments

True repentance:
• Must precede forgiveness
• Must be more than admitting guilt
• May require a broken heart
• Is changing the behavior that produces sin
• Is revealed by changed actions
• Measures our spiritual integrity

Acts 26:19-20 AMPWherefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision, 20 But made known openly first of all to those at Damascus, then at Jerusalem and throughout the whole land of Judea, and also among the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works and live lives consistent with and worthy of their repentance.

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

3. The Word of God is to be studied

2 Timothy 2:15 AMP – Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 AMP – Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God’s will in thought, purpose, and action), 17 So that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.

4. The Word of God is to be expounded (explained; amplified; giving the sense)

Nehemiah 8:8 AMP – So they read from the Book of the Law of God distinctly, faithfully amplifying and giving the sense so that [the people] understood the reading.

Luke 4:16-21 NKJV – So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. 17 And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written: 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; 19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” 20 Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. 21 And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

Luke 24:27 AMP – Then beginning with Moses and [throughout] all the Prophets, He went on explaining and interpreting to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning and referring to Himself.

Luke 24:44-45 AMP – Then He said to them, This is what I told you while I was still with you: everything which is written concerning Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled. 45 Then He [thoroughly] opened up their minds to understand the Scriptures,

5. The Word of God is to be searched

Search the scripture for yourself. Examine everything in the light of the Word of God.

John 5:39 AMP – You search and investigate and pore over the Scriptures diligently, because you suppose and trust that you have eternal life through them. And these [very Scriptures] testify about Me!

Acts 17:11 AMP – Now these [Jews] were better disposed and more noble than those in Thessalonica, for they were entirely ready and accepted and welcomed the message [concerning the attainment through Christ of eternal salvation in the kingdom of God] with inclination of mind and eagerness, searching and examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.

6. The Word of God is to be meditated upon day and night

Joshua 1:8 AMP – This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success.

Psalms 1:2-3 AMP – But his delight and desire are in the law of the Lord, and on His law (the precepts, the instructions, the teachings of God) he habitually meditates (ponders and studies) by day and by night. 3 And he shall be like a tree firmly planted [and tended] by the streams of water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not fade or wither; and everything he does shall prosper [and come to maturity].

7. The Word of God is to be heard and practiced

Deuteronomy 30:11-14 AMP – For this commandment which I command you this day is not too difficult for you, nor is it far off. 12 It is not [a secret laid up] in heaven, that you should say, Who shall go up for us to heaven and bring it to us, that we may hear and do it? 13 Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, Who shall go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear and do it? 14 But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your mind and in your heart, so that you can do it.

Romans 2:13 AMP – For it is not merely hearing the Law [read] that makes one righteous before God, but it is the doers of the Law who will be held guiltless and acquitted and justified.

James 1:22-25 AMP – But be doers of the Word [obey the message], and not merely listeners to it, betraying yourselves [into deception by reasoning contrary to the Truth]. 23 For if anyone only listens to the Word without obeying it and being a doer of it, he is like a man who looks carefully at his [own] natural face in a mirror; 24 For he thoughtfully observes himself, and then goes off and promptly forgets what he was like. 25 But he who looks carefully into the faultless law, the [law] of liberty, and is faithful to it and perseveres in looking into it, being not a heedless listener who forgets but an active doer [who obeys], he shall be blessed in his doing (his life of obedience).

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

14. Grace cannot prevent men from sinning if they choose to do so.

God has empowered man to use free will to choose to serve God or to not serve Him. None of us is a mere puppet. Grace cannot force you to do right or to not do wrong. Grace is not responsible for whether you do right or do wrong.

Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? 17 But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. 18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. Romans 6:16-18 NKJV (see also Romans 6:16-23)

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 8:5-13 NKJV (see also Romans 8:1-13)

For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame. 7 For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God; 8 but if it bears thorns and briers, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned. 9 But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner. Hebrews 6:4-9 NKJV

For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. 28 Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Hebrews 10:26-31 NKJV

15. Grace cannot force obedience.

And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. Revelation 22:17 NKJV

Grace cannot and will not force you to obey God. We must all come freely – of our own accord and our own desire – to receive the water of life, to be hungry for God, and to serve Him.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. John 3:16-20 NKJV

You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. Galatians 5:4 NKJV

There is no law that can force you to obey God’s law. God’s grace is a gift that can only be received by faith. The Holy Spirit can influence you to obey God and help you to obey God, but He won’t force you to obey God. We, ourselves, are the ones who do both the sowing and the reaping.

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. Galatians 6:7-8 NKJV

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

Foundation Scriptures: Acts 10:34-48 (NIV) Vs. 34 Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism.  Vs. 35 but accepts men from every nation who fear Him and do what is right.  Vs. 36 You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. Vs. 37 You know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached, Vs. 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how He went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with Him.  Vs. 39 We are witnesses of everything He did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed Him by hanging him on a tree, Vs. 40 but God raised Him from the dead on the third day and caused Him to be seen. Vs. 41 He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen, by us who ate and drank with Him after He rose from the dead.  Vs. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that He is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead.  Vs. 43 All the prophets testify about Him that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.”  Vs. 44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message.  Vs. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles.  Vs. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.  Then Peter said, Vs. 47 “Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.”  Vs. 48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.

When you are baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit and power you know it.  It is not maybe or I hope so.  After receiving the Holy Ghost, they all spoke in other tongues.  When a believer gets hungry for God and desires to be empowered by the Holy Spirit, all they have to do is ask in faith and expect to receive.  God will always meet you at the point of your faith.

The Holy Spirit has been sent to every believer (if they will receive Him) anointing him with power (Vs. 38), so that they can go about doing good, healing and delivering all who are under the power of the devil!  Acts 1:8 says, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (NIV).  Every time the Holy Spirit anoints a believer, He anoints them with power.  You are anointed with power to do good.  Healing people and saving and delivering them from the devil’s influence is doing good.  It’s a crazy world when you have ignorant and/or religious people calling healing and deliverance the work of the devil and then calling death and destruction the work of God!  Jesus came to show us the work of the Father.  Everywhere He went He displayed God’s power by healing, forgiving, delivering and raising people from the dead.  The power of the Holy Spirit was at Jesus’ disposal to do good.  When we are anointed, we display God’s power and anointing in our lives by doing good and delivering those under the influence of the enemy.

It is interesting to note that even though Jesus was the son of God, He did not begin to preach or do miracles until He was baptized in the Holy Ghost.  We are given the same Holy Ghost.  We can do the works of Jesus, because He lives in us and the Holy Ghost has anointed us, just as He anointed Jesus.

John 3:34-35 (NKJ)

Vs. 34 “For He who God has sent speaks the words of God, for does not give the Spirit by measure.”  Vs. 35 “The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hands.”

God gave Jesus the Spirit without measure because of His obedience and consecration. Even though we have the same Holy Spirit, we do not have Him in the same measure because we are limited by our carnality.  However, the more we yield to the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives, the more He cleanses and purifies us and the more He can flow through us.  The Holy Spirit can flow through us in great power as we yield our will to Him.

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

2 Timothy 3:14-17  (NIV)

14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it,

15 and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,

17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Millions of people, across the nations, have never seen a Bible. However, there are also countless numbers of people who do have Bibles, yet they never, ever open them up, nor do they apply God’s principles or commands to their lives. People are deceived into worshiping the Bible as a holy object that they proudly display in their homes, but the power and the glory of the Word can only be manifested in one’s life if the Book is opened and read and received and acted upon! Having a Bible in your house won’t help or save you. Having the Word in your heart and acting upon it, allowing it to work in you, is what will make the difference in you.

The devil would like to keep Bibles out of people’s hands. The Bibles that people do have, he would like to keep closed. If the Bible is kept closed, then it will have no impact on lives and families. Whole so-called “Christian” denominations all over the world have forbidden their members to read Bibles, telling them that the leaders of the “Church” will interpret the Bible for the masses. While there is nothing wrong with having someone explain and clarify the scriptures, the Bible stands on its own, with no explanation necessary. The Holy Spirit is our teacher, instructor and guide (1 John 2:27). He is the one who unveils God’s Word to our hearts.

The Bible is not hard to read or understand, unless you are reading with a veil over your own face (2 Corinthians 3:13-15). Even children can receive God’s Word and understand the Bible. The Bible should not be read with religious glasses and should be taken as literally as possible. God says what He means and He means what He says. You can take Him at His Word and you can believe everything He tells you.

2 Corinthians 13:1b  (NKJ)

1 “By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established.”

The Bible is not a book written by mere man, like so many other publications that people regard as sacred. Man recorded the Bible, but it was breathed and inspired by God. Scholars have determined that even though many men wrote the Bible over a period of several thousand years, it fits and flows and agrees together so perfectly, that for it to have been fabricated by man, every man, who wrote a book of the Bible, would have had to write his book last! Any one with half a brain should realize that this is not a credible scenario. The Bible is undoubtedly the work of God and not man.

Hebrews 4:12  (NIV)

12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

God’s Word is not dead words on dead pages. It is real, alive and powerful. It will deeply impact and radically change your life, if you will give it the pre-imminence it deserves and if you will it allow it to have an influence on your heart and life!

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

Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 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. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Galatians 5:19-24  NKJ

Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For each one shall bear his own load. Galatians 6:1-5  NKJ

If we yield to the lusts and desires of our flesh as a way of life, the works of the flesh will be evident in our lives. If we allow the Spirit of God to work in our lives and wash us clean, the fruit of the Spirit will be made manifest in and through us. The more we allow God to do His work in us, the more truly spiritual we become. People think that spirituality is something you say or do, but it is who you are. People can try to act spiritual or try to talk spiritual and yet still be manifesting the works of the flesh, because they are still yielding to their flesh and by that they prove that they are actually still very unspiritual. You can be quite “normal” and yet be filled with the power and anointing of God – as opposed to being a super-spiritual “spooky” Christian with no power and no wisdom.

Being truly spiritual has nothing to do with a certain way of talking or acting, but it has to do with being totally yielded to the Spirit of God in every area of your life. When the Lord is allowed to have His way in your life, there is a sweetness, a holiness and a purity of attitude and speech that will be manifested in and through you that cannot be manufactured. The fruit of the Spirit is manifested through you even in the midst of extreme stress or pressure.

When a believer falls into sin, spiritual believers are required to help by ministering to them and helping to restore them back into fellowship with God and their spiritual family. A spiritual believer will not judge or criticize their fellow fallen Christian, but instead they will walk in love and kindly and gently help them to repent and find God’s forgiveness and be restored into fellowship with God. In this way we help to bear their burdens. Unfortunately, many believers who commit sins that badly destroy their fellowship with the Lord have a hard time finding help from the Church, because there are no spiritual believers to be found.

When you help to minister to a fallen believer, you get to know all their weaknesses and failures. If you have not dealt with your pride and if you think more highly of yourself than what you should, then you will begin to compare yourself with them or to judge them. If you do this, you will not be able to help them at all. If you are going to be of any help to your brother or sister, you must remain totally neutral. Do not judge or have any personal opinion, just speak the Word. God is the only One who has the right to judge. Do not condone the sin, but show mercy to the sinner as you know Jesus shows His mercy to them. Help them in the same way that you would like to be helped were you found in the same situation. Don’t discuss the situation with any one else either. Cover your fellow believer. Do not expose their personal situation to other people if they are looking to be restored. Some people disguise gossip about someone else by asking for prayer on their behalf and telling all the juicy details. Don’t do this.

Be sure to consider yourself and your own heart and your own attitude as you help another person. If you must bring a rebuke or a correction, do it in love, to help not to condemn. You may have a reason to judge another person, but you don’t have the right. Many people have judged another person for their sin and then ended up in the same sin or a similar sin within two years themselves. We are all responsible for only our own actions, not those of another person. Do not seek after spirituality itself. Seek after God and His presence and you will be filled with all the fullness of God and be a vessel that God can effectively use to minister to the hurting.