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

The mission of the local church is: Preaching and teaching; Making disciples; Fellowship; Worship; Missions and evangelism; Maturity of the believer; Ministry in the home; Ministry to material needs.

Preaching and teaching:

In Mark 16:15, Mark records that Jesus commanded the Church to preach the Gospel and in Matthew’s account, He emphasizes the teaching mission of the church (Matthew 28:19-20).

We can see in the book of Acts that the Church did what Jesus told them to do – to both preach and teach:
• Acts 5:42 NKJV – And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.
• Acts 2:42 Kenneth S. Wuest – And they were giving constant attention to the teaching of the apostles and to that which they held in common with them, and to the breaking of the bread and to the gatherings where prayers to God were offered.
• Acts 11:25-26 NKJV – Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. 26 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
• Acts 15:35 NKJV – Paul and Barnabas also remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
• Acts 18:11 NKJV – And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.
• Acts 20:20-21 NKJV – How I kept back nothing that was helpful, buts proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, 21 testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
• Acts 28:30-31 NKJV – Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, 31 preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.

Preach means to herald; to proclaim; to publish. Preaching serves to both recruit and motivate the hearer. Through preaching, new babes are born into the family of God. Teach means to disciple, to instruct; to impart skill, knowledge or comprehension to. Teaching is the maturing ministry of the Church. Through teaching, the babes grow up and are matured from drinking milk to eating strong meat.

And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; 3 for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?  1 Corinthians 3:1-3 NKJV

For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
Hebrews 5:12-14 NKJV

Making disciples:

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.  Matthew 28:19-20 KJV

The Greek word translated “teach” is matheteuo, from mathetes, which means “disciple.” The Church is commanded by Jesus to teach – or disciple – all nations. Discipling involves teaching, but is more than just teaching – it is setting and leading by example. You can tell someone how to do it, but showing them is so much more effective. People learn a little by what you say, more by what you do and the most by who you are! Those who merely teach, have pupils, but those who disciple, make followers.

For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake. 6 And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. 8 For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything.  1 Thessalonians 1:5-8 NKJV

The Church must teach God’s word, live God’s word and demonstrate God’s word. This requires that they personally submit themselves to the Word and the Spirit and allow God to do a work in them and through them. Always point people to God and His word, not to yourself; lift Jesus up; glorify the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit.

Disciple by word and deed:
• 1 Timothy 4:12 AMP – Let no one despise or think less of you because of your youth, but be an example (pattern) for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.
• 1 Corinthians 11:1 AMP – Pattern yourselves after me [follow my example], as I imitate and follow Christ (the Messiah).  
• Ephesians 5:1 AMP – Therefore be imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father].  
• Philippians 3:17 AMP – Brethren, together follow my example and observe those who live after the pattern we have set for you.  

The local church will be strong when its members – under a Spirit-filled ministry – learn from one another, grow together and strengthen one another.

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.  1 John 5:14-15 NKJV

You cannot attach your faith to anything that God hasn’t already promised you. When you do attach your faith to God’s promise and you pray in faith, then you will receive all the blessings of His will and His promise.

If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God [Who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him. 6 Only it must be in faith that he asks with no wavering (no hesitating, no doubting). For the one who wavers (hesitates, doubts) is like the billowing surge out at sea that is blown hither and thither and tossed by the wind. 7 For truly, let not such a person imagine that he will receive anything [he asks for] from the Lord, 8 [For being as he is] a man of two minds (hesitating, dubious, irresolute), [he is] unstable and unreliable and uncertain about everything [he thinks, feels, decides].  James 1:5-8 AMP

If God is a giving God, who gives to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, then why don’t people have all that they need from Him? Obviously God is not our problem!  God gives to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly! The key that opens the door to God’s blessing of wisdom, or anything we ask God for, is to ask in faith. If you are wavering, hesitating, and doubting – you are double-minded. When you are double-minded, you are not operating in faith. Faith is single-minded and laser-focused! Faith is resolute – faith’s mind is made up. If you ask in faith – you’ll receive from God what you ask Him for, but if you do not ask in faith, then you will not receive what you’ve asked for. The key is FAITH!

And Jesus answered them, Truly I say to you, if you have faith (a firm relying trust) and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, Be taken up and cast into the sea, it will be done. 22 And whatever you ask for in prayer, having faith and [really] believing, you will receive.  Matthew 21:21-22 AMP

Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”  Mark 9:23 NKJV

So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God.  23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.  24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.  Mark 11:22-24 NKJV

These scriptures clearly show how important faith is. They promise that you can have WHATEVER you have the faith for. Scripture puts no limits or qualifications on the known needs of this life – so do not limit them! These scriptures show us that whatever you desire in life – faith is absolutely necessary to get it. You should not expect to get anything from God, if you refuse to have faith. Jesus commanded us to, “Have faith in God”; therefore, we should have faith in God. It’s not impossible to have faith; it’s not God’s responsibility to give you faith; you can’t pray for faith. Operating in faith is your choice and responsibility!

It is all-important to have faith, because:
No prayer will be answered without faith
You cannot please God without faith
You will not get anything from God without faith
And – without faith you will be disobedient to God.

If God commands us to have faith, then to break the commandment, with doubt and unbelief, must be sin. Romans 14:22b (K.S. Wuest) says, “Moreover, everything which is not of faith is sin.” The Amplified says, “For whatever does not originate and proceed from faith is sin [whatever is done without a conviction of its approval by God is sinful].”  Believers should be as concerned about not breaking this law as they are about breaking any other of God’s laws! If believers realized that it’s a sin to have unbelief and to doubt God and His word, it would motivate them to change and to do something about it! The problem is, that people just think that doubt and unbelief are “normal” and to be expected and part of the human experience. Most people – even believers – are just indifferent about it. If you don’t think there’s a problem, or if you don’t think it can be helped, then you don’t look for an answer or a solution.

When people pray, if they’ve believed the devil’s lies that not all people can believe God and have faith, then they’ll think that it’s perfectly alright to live in doubt and unbelief and that it’s normal to waver in your believing and asking. And when prayer isn’t answered, they take it for granted that it must not be God’s will. Some people even pray prayers that begin with, “If it be Thy will”! We know what God’s will is! His will is His word! So their defeat is all blamed on God, and considered His will, without question. The truth is that believers are surrendering to the devil and his cohorts who are opposing the answer to their prayers! Defeat becomes such a habit to the average believer that they don’t even think about it. In fact, they are way more surprised when a prayer does get answered than if it doesn’t!

If God does not answer a prayer, it doesn’t mean that it was not His will, or that He is unfaithful – it simply means that the prayer was prayed in doubt and unbelief. What does the Bible say? If it says that God always answers faith – then the lack of an answer simply shows our unbelief. When the disciples asked Jesus why they couldn’t cast a demon out, Jesus’ answer was, “Because of your unbelief” (Matthew 17:14-21). There is not one scripture that says that prayer remains unanswered for any other reason. If we excuse our unbelief and blame the failure on God, then we are sinning against Him. Doubting God is a sin! If no one would doubt God, there would be no failure to get answers to prayer every time we prayed for anything that is already covered by the promises of God.

Worship Soundtracks from RMIRiverSong on Vimeo.

When we started the week taking the Matters of the Heart classes I was excited. I wanted to come away from that week of classes changed, and I am thankful for what was imparted into us by the Holy Spirit from Pastor Adonica. I know I’m not even close to being perfect, I know that there are still “kinks” in me that need to be right and that the Holy Spirit is burning away, but I also know now that we are all being “perfected”. He is working in us giving us the desire to do what pleases Him, and He will complete the good work that He has begun.

One of the main things that spoke to me during those classes was the spiritual principle of guarding our hearts. Everything we are, the very core and spirit of who we are springs from the heart. We are not our soul or our body, and it is so vitally important to guard your heart and not just leave it open for the enemies junk to infiltrate. One of the quotes from Pastor Adonica that I loved was this: “You are the Keeper of your own heart…keeping your heart is like keeping a garden. Attentively put work into guarding your heart.” We are not to be ones who “wear our hearts on our sleeves” or be swayed by our emotions, but we are to be ones who renew our minds with the Word, guard the precious gift that God has entrusted to us, and be filled only with that which is true, right, pure, and of a good report.

I also loved this quote from Pastor Adonica: “You may have thoughts come to you, but it’s your heart that speaks the truth…God speaks to my heart, but the devil tries to speak to my head. Trust what God has spoken to your heart.” So many times before I would battle with thoughts in my head. I would alway struggle with making decisions, second guessing if it was me or God that had that idea. But I know that since my spirit has been made new and one with God, He will speak to my heart, not my head, and give me His peace with every turn/decision that He leading me.

There was a lot more that I could say, but I am thankful for the time that we had in this class. And even though it was only one week, I believe what was imparted into the students was much more than that. I”m learning how to love, how to guard my heart, and operate with the anointing to the full potential that God has placed in me, and I’m so excited to see what’s going to happen in the days ahead.

We, believers, must cooperate with and contribute toward the advancement of the Gospel:

In every prayer of mine I always make my entreaty and petition for you all with joy (delight). 5 [I thank my God] for your fellowship (your sympathetic cooperation and contributions and partnership) in advancing the good news (the Gospel) from the first day [you heard it] until now.  Philippians 1:4-5 AMP

Paul is writes this letter to the Philippians and tells them that he thanks God for their fellowship – sympathetic cooperation and contributions and partnership – with him in the Gospel. The Greek word translated “fellowship” is “koinonia”, which means: fellowship; partnership; participation; communion; communication; distribution; contribution; to communicate; (financial) benefaction. Their partnership and contributions helped to advance the Gospel.

Don’t advance your own interests – advance the Gospel:

For the others all seek [to advance] their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ (the Messiah). 22 But Timothy’s tested worth you know, how as a son with his father he has toiled with me zealously in [serving and helping to advance] the good news (the Gospel).  Philippians 2:21-22 AMP

Many Christians are no better than the heathen, when it comes to advancing the Gospel; because they are so busy serving themselves and advancing their own interests that the Gospel is neglected. As believers, we have a responsibility toward the Gospel – to advance the Gospel. No one else is going to do it. If we don’t do it, it won’t be done. We have to lay aside all selfishness and self-promotion and make God’s plans and will and desires, our priority.

Rejoice in the Lord and let your genuine unselfishness be seen by all:

Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, gladden yourselves in Him]; again I say, Rejoice! 5 Let all men know and perceive and recognize your unselfishness (your considerateness, your forbearing spirit). The Lord is near [He is coming soon].  Philippians 4:4-5 AMP

Do not fret or worry about one thing – but tell your Father what you want and need – and His peace will garrison your heart and mind:

Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. 7 And God’s peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:6-7 AMP

Fix your mind only on positive, godly, good things; model your way of life on the word of God and God’s peace will be with you:

For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them]. 9 Practice what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and model your way of living on it, and the God of peace (of untroubled, undisturbed well-being) will be with you.  Philippians 4:8-9 AMP

Make sure that you do not neglect the Gospel or those who preach the Gospel – be a partner in advancing the Gospel with your resources of time, abilities and substance:

I was made very happy in the Lord that now you have revived your interest in my welfare after so long a time; you were indeed thinking of me, but you had no opportunity to show it.  Philippians 4:10 AMP

But it was right and commendable and noble of you to contribute for my needs and to share my difficulties with me. 15 And you Philippians yourselves well know that in the early days of the Gospel ministry, when I left Macedonia, no church (assembly) entered into partnership with me and opened up [a debit and credit] account in giving and receiving except you only. 16 For even in Thessalonica you sent [me contributions] for my needs, not only once but a second time. Philippians 4:14-16 AMP

Learn how to be content in any and all circumstances – be self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency:

Not that I am implying that I was in any personal want, for I have learned how to be content (satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or disquieted) in whatever state I am. 12 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 4:11-13 AMP

Your offering is a sweet smell to the Father and results in a harvest of blessing that is accumulating to your account:

Not that I seek or am eager for [your] gift, but I do seek and am eager for the fruit which increases to your credit [the harvest of blessing that is accumulating to your account]. 18 But I have [your full payment] and more; I have everything I need and am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent me. [They are the] fragrant odor of an offering and sacrifice which God welcomes and in which He delights.  Philippians 4:17-18 AMP

When you participate in advancing the Gospel with your finances, there is fruit that accumulates to your account – a harvest of blessing. Your offering and your sacrifice is a sweet smell that rises up to the throne of God and which He welcomes and in which He delights.

And the Father will liberally supply your every need – according to HIS riches in glory:

And my God will liberally supply (fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:19 AMP

O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

2 O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever.

3 O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.

4 To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever.

5 To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever.

6 To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever.

7 To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever:

8 The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever:

9 The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever.

10 To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever:

11 And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever:

12 With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever.

13 To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever:

14 And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever:

15 But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever.

16 To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endureth for ever.

17 To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:

18 And slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:

19 Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endureth for ever:

20 And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy endureth for ever:

21 And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endureth for ever:

22 Even an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy endureth for ever.

23 Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever:

24 And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever.

25 Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever.

26 O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Psalms 136:1-26 KJV

O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever.

The repetitive theme of this psalm is God’s mercy – His mercy, His loving kindness and His faithful love – that endures forever! This psalm might have been a responsive reading, where the congregation repeated the phrase together at the end of each sentence. The repetition makes this important lesson to sink in and become real to the worshipers. God is a God of love, mercy, kindness, and faithfulness. Obviously God wants us to know that He IS good and that His love for us and toward us will never run out; it is a river – a well, springing up – that never will run dry.

O give thanks to the God of gods, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever.

He is the God – Elohiym – over all other gods. Elohiym is actually “Gods” and refers to the Trinity – three in one.

O give thanks to the Lord of lords, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever.

He is the Lord – Adoniym – of lords. He is the Sovereign of sovereigns; Master of masters; and Ruler of rulers.

Because of His mercy and loving kindness:

-He does great wonders

He is always working on our behalf with signs and wonders and miraculous answers.

-By wisdom and understanding, He made the heavens, He stretched out the earth upon the waters, and He made the great lights – the sun, moon and stars.

All creation is a testament to God that He is our creator and that He is in charge and in control.

-He delivers His people – saves and protects them.

He smote (struck) Egypt’s firstborn; He brought out Israel from among them with a strong hand and with an outstretched arm; He divided the Red Sea into parts and made Israel to pass through the midst of it, but shook off and overthrew Pharaoh and his host into the Red Sea; He led His people through the wilderness. He can deliver YOU from ANY situation, no matter how impossible the situation.

-He defeated great kings and gave their land to Israel and to their descendants.

He smote great kings; He smote great kings, Sihon king of the Amorites, and Og king of Bashan; and gave their land as a heritage, even a heritage to Israel His servant. No man – no matter how powerful – can prevail against God’s obedient children. Who can stand against you if God is for you? Whatever God gives you, He means for you to keep and to pass down to your children’s children. God does not give and then take away. He gives it to us and expects us to administer it wisely, in the fear of God; but if we do not remain committed to Him, we could potentially lose all He has given. Stay in God’s will and don’t allow the enemy to rob from you. God’s blessing is a blessing that remains.

-He earnestly remembered us in our low estate and imprinted us on His heart, and rescued us from our enemies.

Even if we don’t know it, God is always watching over us. He never leaves us; never forgets about us; is always working on a plan of deliverance. How awesome is it that He has imprinted us on His own heart! He is the one who rescues us from our enemies. Look to Him; trust in Him; He will not fail you. He will not allow the enemy to win. When Israel was between the Red Sea and Pharaoh and his armies, they were terrified, but God split the Red Sea and took them through it – then He drowned the whole Egyptian army in it. The three Hebrew boys were thrown into the fire, but only those who threw them in were burned up. They came through without even the smell of smoke on their clothes.

-He gives food to all flesh.

God feeds all His creation. He rains on the just and the unjust. He provides for all. How good and merciful He is!

O give thanks to the God of heaven, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever!