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

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”‘ 14 “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: 15 I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’ — and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked — 18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.  20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.  Revelation 3:13-20 NKJV

The Lord had to rebuke and chasten the Laodiceans because they were over-confident because of self-deception. They called themselves Christians, but they were only lukewarm. They were not totally cold, but they were definitely not hot. They believed that they were on fire for God and they believed that they had everything they needed. They said, “We are wealthy and rich and we don’t need a thing!” but God said to them, “You are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked!” Their trust was in themselves and their own abilities, but God warned them to open their eyes to realize how they needed Him and to repent and turn to Him again, trusting only in Him.

People who trust in money and things as their security are full of fear when they don’t have it and over-confident and arrogant when they do have it. People who trust in God are humble people. They appreciate everything God does for them and they pass the blessing along.

I know how to be abased and live humbly in straitened circumstances, and I know also how to enjoy plenty and live in abundance. I have learned in any and all circumstances the secret of facing every situation, whether well-fed or going hungry, having a sufficiency and enough to spare or going without and being in want. 13 I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency].  Philippians 4:12-13 AMP

Paul tells us that he found the secret of facing every situation – being content no matter what. Paul made a decision to control his feelings and emotions and to keep his eyes on Jesus at all times. When your happiness is based on your circumstances, you will always be an “up and down” Christian, but when your total confidence is in God, and you are not moved by your circumstances, you are able to be joyful ALL the time, no matter what your actual condition. If your total confidence has been in yourself and you now realize this, then you need to repent for your lack of faith and trust in God alone and start to meditate on the scriptures that confirm that Jesus is your ONLY Lord, Provider, and protector.

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

These rich people are also very selfish people. They have not treated their neighbor with the respect that is due them. All through the Bible, the Lord emphasizes our responsibilities toward one another. We are to love God AND love our neighbor – they go hand in hand. These people were not using what they were blessed with to help others – they weren’t even paying them what they owed them for their labor! They are confident in their wealth and position, thinking that they can do whatever they want and get away with it. Some people arrogantly think that their wealth is a sign of favor with God, and therefore they do not need to straighten out their attitude. God says that there will be a day of judgment and accountability that no amount of money can avert. It is not a sin to be wealthy, but it is a sin to be arrogant and self-confident!

What should our attitude be? 1 Timothy 6:17-19 AMP tells us, “As for the rich in this world, charge them not to be proud and arrogant and contemptuous of others, nor to set their hopes on uncertain riches, but on God, Who richly and ceaselessly provides us with everything for [our] enjoyment. [Charge them] to do good, to be rich in good works, to be liberal and generous of heart, ready to share [with others], In this way laying up for themselves [the riches that endure forever as] a good foundation for the future, so that they may grasp that which is life indeed.”

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

And whoever offers a sacrifice of peace offering to the Lord to make a special vow to the Lord or for a freewill offering from the herd or from the flock must bring what is perfect to be accepted; there shall be no blemish in it. 22 Animals blind or made infirm and weak or maimed, or having sores or a wen or an itch or scabs, you shall not offer to the Lord or make an offering of them by fire upon the altar to the Lord. 23 For a freewill offering you may offer either a bull or a lamb which has some part too long or too short, but for [the payment of] a vow it shall not be accepted. Leviticus 22:21-23 AMP

Anytime you vow a vow, anytime you commit to do something for God or give something to Him it must be the best you have, not the worst. Under the Old Covenant, it was a matter of law; under the New Covenant it is a matter of the heart; however God has always emphasized how important our attitude is in everything we do—under the Old and the New. God is extremely generous. He does not do things in a measured way; neither does He hold back His blessing; He always gives His all and His best. You are the one who puts the limits on God when you have a bad attitude and when you refuse to give your all, and your best, to Him. It is your choice to give God your best or to give Him your junk, but be forewarned that He will not accept your offering of junk. An unaccepted offering is the same—or maybe worse—than no offering at all.

But cursed is the [cheating] deceiver who has a male in his flock and vows to offer it, yet sacrifices to the [sovereign] Lord a blemished or diseased thing! For I am a great King, says the Lord of hosts, and My name is terrible and to be [reverently] feared among the nations. Malachi 1:14 AMP

When you make God a promise to give God something that is your best and then you change your mind, God is not satisfied with your offering and does not receive it from your hand. It is an insult. Don’t think that He won’t notice or won’t care, because you could not be more wrong. Just how little respect do you have for Him? It is arrogant and stupid of you to try to deceive and cheat the Lord. He is not some stranger, who does not count in your life—He is your Father, the One who has always given you nothing but the best and who loves you with an undying love. What kind of ungrateful, spoiled brat child are you to give Him a blemished, diseased offering? What kind of a slap in the face have you given Him? You are cursed for giving God your rubbish when you committed to give your best.

If you return to the Almighty [and submit and humble yourself before Him], you will be built up; if you put away unrighteousness far from your tents, 24 If you lay gold in the dust, and the gold of Ophir among the stones of the brook [considering them of little worth], 25 And make the Almighty your gold and [the Lord] your precious silver treasure, 26 Then you will have delight in the Almighty, and you will lift up your face to God. 27 You will make your prayer to Him, and He will hear you, and you will pay your vows. 28 You shall also decide and decree a thing, and it shall be established for you; and the light [of God’s favor] shall shine upon your ways. 29 When they make [you] low, you will say, [There is] a lifting up; and the humble person He lifts up and saves. 30 He will even deliver the one [for whom you intercede] who is not innocent; yes, he will be delivered through the cleanness of your hands. Job 22:23-30 AMP

When you make God your precious treasure, you give Him His rightful place in your life; you delight in Him; you adore Him; you worship Him; you look to Him alone as your source and supply; you give Him both those things for which He has asked of you and the things which you have promised Him. All these things work together to get God’s attention and to cause His promise to you to be activated, and His blessing to be released onto your life. When you are faithful to keep covenant with Him and pay Him what is owed to Him—the things He has asked you for and the things you promised to Him—you will lack nothing. God’s favor will be upon your life. You have honored Him and He will honor you. You will ask for something and He will do it for you. He will even listen to you when you stand in the gap to pray a prayer for someone who is not deserving of His mercy. If you honor Him with your best, you position yourself as a person of covenant, a person after God’s own heart, and a friend of God Almighty, Himself!

Offer to God the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High, 15 And call on Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall honor and glorify Me. Psalms 50:14-15 AMP

When you are faithful to keep your promises and pay your vows, God will be prompt and diligent to deliver you whenever you are in trouble. Then you will have yet another reason to praise and thank God.

In God have I put my trust and confident reliance; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? 12 Your vows are upon me, O God; I will render praise to You and give You thank offerings. 13 For You have delivered my life from death, yes, and my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of life and of the living. Psalms 56:11-13 AMP

I place my trust in my God. When it is time to pay my vows, I do it. I do it cheerfully and willingly and I praise and honor Him. Because I honor Him by paying my vows, He delivers me. Because He delivers me, I praise, thank, and honor Him by paying my vows! It’s a glorious cycle!

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

Thoughts on Stewardship
Lesson No. 8 from Genesis

Watering Camels – Being a Blessing – will open the Way to Your Destiny
Foundation Scriptures: Genesis 24 verses 10-53

And he said, I am Abraham’s servant. 35 And the Lord has blessed my master mightily, and he has become great; and He has given him flocks, herds, silver, gold, menservants, maidservants, camels, and asses. 36 And Sarah my master’s wife bore a son to my master when she was old, and to him he has given all that he has. 37 And my master made me swear, saying, You must not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell, 38 But you shall go to my father’s house and to my family and take a wife for my son. 39 And I said to my master, But suppose the woman will not follow me. 40 And he said to me, The Lord, in Whose presence I walk [habitually], will send His Angel with you and prosper your way, and you will take a wife for my son from my kindred and from my father’s house. 41 Then you shall be clear from my oath, when you come to my kindred; and if they do not give her to you, you shall be free and innocent of my oath. 42 I came today to the well and said, O Lord, God of my master Abraham, if You are now causing me to go on my way prosperously 43 See, I am standing by the well of water; now let it be that when the maiden comes out to draw water and I say to her, I pray you, give me a little water from your [water] jar to drink, 44 And if she says to me, You drink, and I will draw water for your camels also, let that same woman be the one whom the Lord has selected and indicated for my master’s son. 45 And before I had finished praying in my heart, behold, Rebekah came out with her [water] jar on her shoulder, and she went down to the well and drew water. And I said to her, I pray you, let me have a drink. 46 And she quickly let down her [water] jar from her shoulder and said, Drink, and I will water your camels also. So I drank, and she gave the camels drink also. 47 I asked her, Whose daughter are you? She said, The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor’s son, whom Milcah bore to him. And I put the earring or nose ring on her face and the bracelets on her arms. 48 And I bowed down my head and worshiped the Lord and blessed the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, Who had led me in the right way to take my master’s brother’s daughter to his son.   Genesis 24:34-48 AMP

1. Abraham wanted a wife for Isaac, so he sent his servant, Eliezer, with a solemn pledge that he would not come back without a wife for Isaac. Eliezer prayed and asked God to bring the right girl to him. When he asked Rebekah for a little water from her jar, she offered to water his camels as well—all of them—which was a huge undertaking! Eliezer brought ten camels and camels will drink about 25 gallons each! At that time, wells were set down low in the ground, where the water was, and also to minimize evaporation. You would need to go down about 50 steps to draw water in jars that usually held about 3 gallons apiece. That means that Rebekah had to make 8.33 trips per camel—83.3 trips or 4,165 steps for 10 camels.

2. This was no easy task—it was no walk in the park—but her humility, hospitality, and generosity opened wide the door of God’s blessing in her life. This seemingly small moment in her life changed her destiny and established her place in history as a mother of a nation. What seemingly insignificant moment in your life will turn out to be a hugely significant and pivotal moment depending on your response to the opportunity? One act of humility, generosity, and hospitality may determine your destiny.

Pastor Adonica’s Thoughts:
People don’t always recognize opportunities when they come, because they are selfish and self-centered and looking for the blessing of God for themselves, but not for opportunities to BE a blessing. God wants us to focus on being a blessing to others and trust Him enough to allow Him to bless us as He sees fit. God expects us to be submitted to His Word and to do the things He tells us in His Word. When we do, we will not miss His master plan for our life, because we will do the right thing when our opportunity comes and we will find ourselves in the center of His will!

Pastor Rodney’s Thoughts:
Many people miss their God-ordained destiny, because they are waiting to be served rather than being willing to serve. There are opportunities that pass people by on a regular basis—the word declares that whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might. When I was a child, I purposed in my heart that I would get involved in everything that I could in order to serve God. I cleaned toilets and helped in every area of ministry, from tape duplication, to sound, to ushering, etc. If you take the opportunities the Lord gives you to serve, then He will open other doors for you. When I started out in the ministry, I would take time to drive men of God around and wait on them and serve them. Even now, if I get the opportunity to serve a man or a woman of God, I do it—whatever it takes—if it means getting up early or going without sleep; if it means going out of my way or going without. No matter how much God promotes, we are called still to be a servant. I know that the Lord will bless me as I serve His people and as I sow into the lives of other people. Always remember to be willing to give and to serve.

Prayer and Confession:
Father, please help me to be more of a servant in my daily life and to be willing to do even the smallest of tasks to benefit others. Help me to never become proud or arrogant, so that I will not miss my date with destiny.

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

LAYING THE FOUNDATION
Foundation Scriptures: Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.  Hebrews 4:12 NKJV

The Bible is Our Handbook.

• Every intricate thing that is made by man has a handbook or a manual.
• God created and made us and all of creation.
  • Psalms 139:14 NKJV – I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.
• The Handbook or Manual for our lives is the Word of God—the Bible.
  • Psalms 119:105 KJV – Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
• God’s Word is our Roadmap and our Guide on the path of life.
• Sadly, many believers don’t believe the Bible is the final authority for their lives—they don’t believe that His Word is true.
• Some people explain God’s Word away by saying that He doesn’t mean what He says. If God does not mean what He says, then why doesn’t He just say what He means? He did say what He means—read it, believe it and act on it!
• God’s Word is firmly established and will never move or change.
  • Psalms 119:89 KJV – Forever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven.
  • Psalms 119:160 KJV – Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.
• John 17:17 NKJV – Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.
• God and His Word are one—they can never be separated.
  • John 1:1 NKJV – In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
• You cannot and should not try to “spin” the Word of God to suit your self. God does not allow any personal or private interpretation of any scripture.
  • 2 Peter 1:20 KJV – Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
• God’s Word is final authority for the believer—in ALL areas of life and conduct.

What Roadmap Are You Following?

• Your own way is the wrong way.
  • Proverbs 14:12 AMP – There is a way which seems right to a man and appears straight before him, but at the end of it is the way of death.
• God’s Word will lead you to Life.
  • Psalms 119:11 KJV – Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

• God has given us His Word—which is His will. His will is His way.

• In John 14:23-24, Jesus says that if a person really loves Him, they will keep and obey His Word, and if a person does not really love Him, they will not keep or obey His Word.
• If you want something from God, you must come to Him on the basis of His Will—His Word—or your prayer will remain unanswered.
  • 1 John 5:14-15 NKJV – Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.
• Psalms 138:2b NKJV – You have magnified Your word above all Your name.
• Jeremiah 1:12b AMP – I am alert and active, watching over My word to perform it.
• Isaiah 55:11 NKJV – So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
• Mark 13:31 NKJV – Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.

God’s Word is Our Final Authority.

• Child of God—you need to settle this, in your own heart and life, once and for all.
• Jesus is the Word of God made flesh. The Word shows us the way.
• John 1:1-14
• Jesus said only what the Father told Him to say.
  • John 8:28-29 NKJV – Then Jesus said to them, “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 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!
• We must obey His Word as He obeyed His Father’s Word.
  • Matthew 7:21 AMP – Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father Who is in heaven.
  • Luke 6:46 NKJV – “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?

Let’s Settle This Today!

• God’s Word has the answer and is the answer for everything in your life.
• God’s Word is your guide for your conduct—spirit, soul and body.
• God’s Word will cause you to prosper in every arena of life.
• Joshua 1:3-8
• Psalms 1:1-3

Worship Soundtracks from RMIRiverSong on Vimeo.

And this good news of the kingdom (the Gospel) will be preached throughout the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then will come the end. Matthew 24:14 AMP

Rodney Howard Browne says that the Gospel is good news! The word Gospel literally means good news or glad tidings. The Greek word is “euangelizo”, so when we talk about evangelizing, it literally means “sharing the good news”. Isaiah 61:1a AMP prophesies about Jesus: “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed and qualified me to preach the Gospel of good tidings…”  According to Rodney Howard Brown that John the Baptist preached the good news that Jesus was coming. Jesus preached the good news about the Kingdom of God and healed people everywhere He went. We, today, preach the good news that Jesus has come and died and rose again for our salvation and we show His goodness by doing the works of Jesus.

Great Awakening Tours enumerated The Gospel is the Good News about:

1.  The Kingdom of Heaven and of God
– Matthew 4:23 AMP – And He went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the good news (Gospel) of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every weakness and infirmity among the people.
– Matthew 9:35 AMP – And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news (the Gospel) of the kingdom and curing all kinds of disease and every weakness and infirmity.
– Mark 1:14-15 ERV – After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee and told people the Good News from God. 15 He said, “The right time is now here. God’s kingdom is near. Change your hearts and lives, and believe the Good News!”

2.  God
– Romans 1:1-2 ERV – Greetings from Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus. God chose me to be an apostle and gave me the work of telling his Good News.  2 God promised long ago through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures to give this Good News to his people.
– Romans 15:16 AMP – In making me a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles. I act in the priestly service of the Gospel (the good news) of God, in order that the sacrificial offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable [to God], consecrated and made holy by the Holy Spirit.

3.  Jesus Christ
– Mark 1:1 AMP – The beginning [of the facts] of the good news (the Gospel) of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
– Romans 1:16 AMP – For I am not ashamed of the Gospel (good news) of Christ, for it is God’s power workinffg unto salvation [for deliverance from eternal death] to everyone who believes with a personal trust and a confident surrender and firm reliance, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
– Romans 15:29 AMP – And I know that when I do come to you, I shall come in the abundant blessing of the Gospel of Christ.

4.  Salvation and Redemption for All
– Mark 16:15 AMP – And He said to them, Go into all the world and preach and publish openly the good news (the Gospel) to every creature [of the whole human race].
– Luke 4:18-19 AMP – The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon Me, because He has anointed Me [the Anointed One, the Messiah] to preach the good news (the Gospel) to the poor; He has sent Me to announce release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to send forth as delivered those who are oppressed [who are downtrodden, bruised, crushed, and broken down by calamity], 19 To proclaim the accepted and acceptable year of the Lord [the day when salvation and the free favors of God profusely abound.]

5.  The Grace of God
-Acts 20:24 NKJV – But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

6.  Peace
– Romans 10:15 KJV – And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
-Ephesians 6:15 KJV – And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.

7.  The Promises
– Ephesians 3:6 KJV – That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the Gospel.
Hebrews 8:6 NKJV – But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.

8.  The Truth
– Ephesians 1:13 NKJV – In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.
Colossians 1:5 NKJV – Because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the Gospel.

9.  Having a Lifestyle of Faith
– Philippians 1:27 NKJV – Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the Gospel.

10.  Giving Hope
– Colossians 1:23 NKJV – 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.

11.  Living Forever – Immortality
– 2 Timothy 1:10-11 NKJV – But has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel.

God has called us believers to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature, to baptize them in water and in the Holy Ghost, to get them healed delivered and on fire for God! The Gospel of the Kingdom is not a Gospel of something only in the future – a kingdom that is to come – but is the Good News of salvation and all the benefits of the redemption we have through Jesus Christ, which are available right now. We can have and enjoy His eternal life right now!

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

Who shall go up into the mountain of the Lord? Or who shall stand in His Holy Place? 4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted himself up to falsehood or to what is false, nor sworn deceitfully. 5 He shall receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation.  Psalms 24:3-5 AMP

Sin cannot enter or stand in the presence of God and neither can anyone who is full of sin. Who can ascend into Heaven? Who may enter the Father’s Holy Presence?

Only those who:

1. Have clean hands
• Hands that have not committed sin – sin free
• Hands that are innocent – blameless; clean; clear; exempted; free; guiltless
• Psalms 15 NKJV – Lord, who may abide in Your tabernacle?     Who may dwell in Your holy hill? 2 He who walks uprightly, And works righteousness, And speaks the truth in his heart; 3 He who does not backbite with his tongue, Nor does evil to his neighbor, Nor does he take up a reproach against his friend; 4 In whose eyes a vile person is despised, But he honors those who fear the Lord; He who swears to his own hurt and does not change; 5 He who does not put out his money at usury, Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved.
• No matter what we have done in the past, we can repent and have a heart-change, receive God’s forgiveness, have our sins washed away by the blood of Jesus and have the power of sin broken over us. We can have a brand new start and begin to do right from that moment on.

2. Have a pure heart
• A heart empty or void of sin and iniquity
• A sincere heart; beloved
• A choice, clean, clear, pure heart
• Psalms 51:7-11 NKJV – Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Make me hear joy and gladness, That the bones You have broken may rejoice. 9 Hide Your face from my sins, And blot out all my iniquities. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
• Malachi 3:2-3 NKJV – “But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner’s fire And like launderers’ soap. 3 He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi, And purge them as gold and silver, That they may offer to the Lord An offering in righteousness.
• Matthew 5:8 KJV – Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

3. Do not lie, have idols or live a selfish, ungodly life
• 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 NKJV – Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.
• Galatians 5:19-21 NKJV – 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.
• Hebrews 12:14 KJV – Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.

4. Love truth
• Revelation 21:8 NKJV – But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

Have you received Jesus as your Lord? Do you live to do His will and not your own? Heaven welcomes those who are perfect – not perfected by their own goodness, but who have truly repented, been washed in the blood of Jesus, been forgiven and who continue to serve Him in the beauty of holiness.

But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, 23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, 24 to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.  Hebrews 12:22-24 NKJV

The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass. 22 But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light. 24 And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it.  25 Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there). 26 And they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it.  27 But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.  Revelation 21:21-27 NKJV

Is your name written in the Lamb’s Book of Life? Only those with clean hands and a pure heart, whose names are written in there, will be able to enter that glorious City of God, to live forever with Him, filled with and surrounded by His joy and His peace. The reward of having clean hands and a pure heart is that you will receive blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of your salvation!

Therefore be imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father]. 2 And walk in love, [esteeming and delighting in one another] as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a slain offering and sacrifice to God [for you, so that it became] a sweet fragrance. 3 But immorality (sexual vice) and all impurity [of lustful, rich, wasteful living] or greediness must not even be named among you, as is fitting and proper among saints (God’s consecrated people). 4 Let there be no filthiness (obscenity, indecency) nor foolish and sinful (silly and corrupt) talk, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting or becoming; but instead voice your thankfulness [to God]. 5 For be sure of this: that no person practicing sexual vice or impurity in thought or in life, or one who is covetous [who has lustful desire for the property of others and is greedy for gain] — for he [in effect] is an idolater — has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no one delude and deceive you with empty excuses and groundless arguments [for these sins], for through these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of rebellion and disobedience. 7 So do not associate or be sharers with them.  For once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of Light [lead the lives of those native-born to the Light]. 9 For the fruit (the effect, the product) of the Light or the Spirit [consists] in every form of kindly goodness, uprightness of heart, and trueness of life. 10 And try to learn [in your experience] what is pleasing to the Lord [let your lives be constant proofs of what is most acceptable to Him]. 11 Take no part in and have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds and enterprises of darkness, but instead [let your lives be so in contrast as to] expose and reprove and convict them. 12 For it is a shame even to speak of or mention the things that [such people] practice in secret. 13 But when anything is exposed and reproved by the light, it is made visible and clear; and where everything is visible and clear there is light. 14 Therefore He says, Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall shine (make day dawn) upon you and give you light. 15 Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people), 16 Making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be vague and thoughtless and foolish, but understanding and firmly grasping what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but ever be filled and stimulated with the [Holy] Spirit. 19 Speak out to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, offering praise with voices [and instruments] and making melody with all your heart to the Lord, 20 At all times and for everything giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father. 21 Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).
Ephesians 5:1-21 AMP

1. Be imitators of God – copy Him and follow His example

2. Walk in love sacrificially – just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us

3. Immorality, impurity or greediness must not even be named among you

4. NO filthiness, obscenity, indecency; nor foolish and sinful, silly and corrupt talk; nor coarse jesting should come out of your mouth

5. Let no one delude and deceive you with empty excuses and groundless arguments for these sins – because God will be punishing those who commit these sins

6. Don’t associate or partner with people who practice the works of the flesh – those who are rebellious and disobedient

7. Walk as children of the Light

8. Learn what pleases God – and do those things

9. Have no fellowship with the works of darkness

10. Reprove the works of darkness – let your life be so in contrast to these so as to convict and expose them

11. Wake up! Awake from sleep and death – let Jesus shine His light into your heart and life

12. Walk circumspectly – live purposefully and worthily and accurately

13. Walk as wise men – as sensible, intelligent people

14. Redeem the time – make the very most of the time you have

15. Don’t be vague and thoughtless and foolish, but understand and firmly grasp what the will of the Lord is

16. Don’t be drunk with wine or alcohol

17. Do be continuously filled with the Holy Spirit

18. Edify yourselves with worship, music and singing that glorifies God

19. Continue to give thanks to God in Jesus’ name

20. Be submitted and accountable to one other

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

And this good news of the kingdom (the Gospel) will be preached throughout the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then will come the end. Matthew 24:14 AMP

The Gospel is good news! The word Gospel literally means good news or glad tidings. The Greek word is “euangelizo”, so when we talk about evangelizing, it literally means “sharing the good news”. Isaiah 61:1a AMP prophesies about Jesus: “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed and qualified me to preach the Gospel of good tidings…”  John the Baptist preached the good news that Jesus was coming. Jesus preached the good news about the Kingdom of God and healed people everywhere He went. We, today, preach the good news that Jesus has come and died and rose again for our salvation and we show His goodness by doing the works of Jesus.

The Gospel is the Good News about:

1.  The Kingdom of Heaven and of God
– Matthew 4:23 AMP – And He went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the good news (Gospel) of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every weakness and infirmity among the people.
– Matthew 9:35 AMP – And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news (the Gospel) of the kingdom and curing all kinds of disease and every weakness and infirmity.
– Mark 1:14-15 ERV – After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee and told people the Good News from God. 15 He said, “The right time is now here. God’s kingdom is near. Change your hearts and lives, and believe the Good News!”

2.  God
– Romans 1:1-2 ERV – Greetings from Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus. God chose me to be an apostle and gave me the work of telling his Good News.  2 God promised long ago through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures to give this Good News to his people.
– Romans 15:16 AMP – In making me a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles. I act in the priestly service of the Gospel (the good news) of God, in order that the sacrificial offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable [to God], consecrated and made holy by the Holy Spirit.

3.  Jesus Christ
– Mark 1:1 AMP – The beginning [of the facts] of the good news (the Gospel) of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
– Romans 1:16 AMP – For I am not ashamed of the Gospel (good news) of Christ, for it is God’s power workinffg unto salvation [for deliverance from eternal death] to everyone who believes with a personal trust and a confident surrender and firm reliance, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
– Romans 15:29 AMP – And I know that when I do come to you, I shall come in the abundant blessing of the Gospel of Christ.

4.  Salvation and Redemption for All
– Mark 16:15 AMP – And He said to them, Go into all the world and preach and publish openly the good news (the Gospel) to every creature [of the whole human race].
– Luke 4:18-19 AMP – The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon Me, because He has anointed Me [the Anointed One, the Messiah] to preach the good news (the Gospel) to the poor; He has sent Me to announce release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to send forth as delivered those who are oppressed [who are downtrodden, bruised, crushed, and broken down by calamity], 19 To proclaim the accepted and acceptable year of the Lord [the day when salvation and the free favors of God profusely abound.]

5.  The Grace of God
-Acts 20:24 NKJV – But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

6.  Peace
– Romans 10:15 KJV – And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
-Ephesians 6:15 KJV – And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.

7.  The Promises
– Ephesians 3:6 KJV – That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the Gospel.
Hebrews 8:6 NKJV – But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.

8.  The Truth
– Ephesians 1:13 NKJV – In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.
Colossians 1:5 NKJV – Because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the Gospel.

9.  Having a Lifestyle of Faith
– Philippians 1:27 NKJV – Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the Gospel.

10.  Giving Hope
– Colossians 1:23 NKJV – 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.

11.  Living Forever – Immortality
– 2 Timothy 1:10-11 NKJV – But has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel.

God has called us believers to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature, to baptize them in water and in the Holy Ghost, to get them healed delivered and on fire for God! The Gospel of the Kingdom is not a Gospel of something only in the future – a kingdom that is to come – but is the Good News of salvation and all the benefits of the redemption we have through Jesus Christ, which are available right now. We can have and enjoy His eternal life right now!

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

Foundation Scripture: Deuteronomy 28:1-14  (NAS)
1″Now it shall be, if you will diligently obey the LORD your God, being careful to do all His commandments which I command you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. 2″And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you will obey the LORD your God. 3″Blessed {shall} you {be} in the city, and blessed {shall} you {be} in the country. 4″Blessed {shall be} the offspring of your body and the produce of your ground and the offspring of your beasts, the increase of your herd and the young of your flock. 5″Blessed {shall be} your basket and your kneading bowl. 6″Blessed {shall} you {be} when you come in, and blessed {shall} you {be} when you go out. 7″The LORD will cause your enemies who rise up against you to be defeated before you; they shall come out against you one way and shall flee before you seven ways. 8″The LORD will command the blessing upon you in your barns and in all that you put your hand to, and He will bless you in the land which the LORD your God gives you. 9″The LORD will establish you as a holy people to Himself, as He swore to you, if you will keep the commandments of the LORD your God, and walk in His ways. 10″So all the peoples of the earth shall see that you are called by the name of the LORD; and they shall be afraid of you. 11″And the LORD will make you abound in prosperity, in the offspring of your body and in the offspring of your beast and in the produce of your ground, in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers to give you. 12″The LORD will open for you His good storehouse, the heavens, to give rain to your land in its season and to bless all the work of your hand; and you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow. 13″And the LORD shall make you the head and not the tail, and you only shall be above, and you shall not be underneath, if you will listen to the commandments of the LORD your God, which I charge you today, to observe {them} carefully, 14and do not turn aside from any of the words which I command you today, to the right or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them.

These are the blessings that come to those who obey God’s Word. Anyone who says that tragedy and destruction come from God has obviously not read their Bible! The curse comes to those who disobey God and go to serve other gods before Him. God will not destroy you, but you will be destroyed because you wandered into the enemy’s territory. Thank God we don’t have to walk under the curse, but we can walk in the blessing.

Galatians 3:13-14  (NAS)
13Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us– for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”–14in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Thank God – Jesus has redeemed us from the curse! We can walk in the blessings that our Father has made available to us. Meditate on the blessings – they are yours. We don’t have to accept anything less!

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

John 14:26-27  (NKJ)

26 “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

27 “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

After Jesus rose from the dead, He left us, but He did not leave us alone. He gave us the Holy Spirit to teach us and lead us. He also left us His perfect peace. We can walk in His peace if we will let the fear go. You make the decision on whether you will walk in fear or in peace. Peace is yours.

Psalms 34:12-15  (NKJ)

12 Who is the man who desires life, and loves many days, that he may see good?

13 Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit.

14 Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry.

Peace is something you must pursue. You pursue it by putting a guard on your mouth  speaking truth and doing good. Nothing will destroy your peace like sin and lying will.

Psalms 37:37  (NKJ)

37 Mark the blameless man, and observe the upright; for the future of that man is peace.

An honest, upright man will always have peace in his life.

Romans 8:6-7  (NKJ)

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.

If your mind is focused on the world and the carnal things of the world you will not have any peace. Peace comes when you put your mind and attention on the things of God.

Isaiah 26:3  (NKJ)

3 You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.

As you put the Word of God into your heart, peace will reign in your life.

Psalms 119:165  (NKJ)

165 Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble.

Proverbs 3:1-2  (NKJ)

1 My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands;

2 For length of days and long life and peace they will add to you.

Colossians 3:15  (NKJ)15

15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

Isaiah 54:13-14  (NKJ)

13 All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children.

14 In righteousness you shall be established; you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; and from terror, for it shall not come near you.

Isaiah 52:7  (NKJ)

7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace, who brings glad tidings of good things, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”

The gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is a gospel of peace — peace with God, peace in your own heart and life, peace in the lives of your children, peace with your enemies, and peace in the midst of the storm.