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Beyond Ourselves

The apostle Paul accepted what it intended to be pushed to the boundaries of his life.

According to his letters, he knew a lot about difficulty, trouble, and trial. But he was most well informed about the final significance of all those distressing experiences glorifying Jesus thru his weakness. We do not wish to feel helpless or beyond control of our own lives. What we will be able to learn from Paul and from our own experiences is the preface to great strength is great weakness. A vital lesson of the Christian life is that our weakest moments those times we feel the most desperate are the times when God is free to do His best work by enabling and reinforcing us.

In those circumstances during which we murmur, God, I can’t go on, we are granted the best providing and the best enabling to suffer and endure. Human nature cries out for strength, bravery, and adequacy to meet each challenge in life. Therefore , many of us dodge fiery trials and valley experiences at any price so they won’t have to experience weakness. They tell themselves that they can handle life on their own terms and that their own strength is satisfactory. But we will never understand the mystical empowerment to go past our own boundaries unless we experience it for ourselves. The sole way to have conviction about the adequacy of Christ in our lives is to experience weakness and the strength that sprouts from it. Regardless of what is occurring in our lives, there’s power available to the children of God.

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our bro, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all of the saints which are in all Achaia. Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Sanctified be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort.

Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be in a position to comfort them which are in any difficulty, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. And whether we be troubled, it is for your consolation and deliverance, which is effectual in the long-lasting of the same sufferings which we also suffer : or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and deliverance. And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation. For we wouldn’t, brethren, have you blind to our difficulty which came to us in the East, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life.

But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead. Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver : in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us. Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the present bestowed on us by the way of many people thanks could be given by many on our behalf. For our rejoicing is this, the affidavit of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly knowledge, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation on the planet, and more extravagantly to you-ward. For we write none other stuff unto you, than what ye read or acknowledge ; and I trust ye shall recognize even to the end. As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as ye also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus. And in this confidence I was minded to come unto you before, that ye may have a 2nd benefit. And to go by you into Macedonia, and to come again out of Macedonia unto you, and of you to be brought on my way toward Judaea. When I thus was therefore minded, did I use lightness? Or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yea yea, and nay nay? But as God is true, our word toward you wasn’t yea and nay. For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, wasn’t yea and nay, but in him was yea. For all of the guarantees of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God.

Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. Likewise I call God for a record on my soul, that to spare you I came not at the present unto Corinth. Not for that we have dominion over your religion, but are assistants of your joy : for by religion ye stand. One more thing.

TWO KINGDOMS – TWO TREASURES – YOUR CHOICE

MY TREASURE
Foundation Scriptures: Matthew 6:19-24

Do not gather and heap up and store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust and worm consume and destroy, and where thieves break through and steal. 20 But gather and heap up and store for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust nor worm consume and destroy, and where thieves do not break through and steal; 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. 22 The eye is the lamp of the body. So if your eye is sound, your entire body will be full of light. 23 But if your eye is unsound, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the very light in you [your conscience] is darkened, how dense is that darkness! 24 No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will stand by and be devoted to the one and despise and be against the other. You cannot serve God and mammon (deceitful riches, money, possessions, or whatever is trusted in).  Matthew 6:19-24 AMP

1. Jesus speaks about the believer’s proper conduct in relationship to money and possessions.

Martin Luther said: I have held many things in my hand and I have lost them all. But whatever I placed in God’s hands, that I still possess.
A. W. Tozer posed four questions we should all ask ourselves:
What do we value most?
What would we most hate to lose?
What do our thoughts turn to most frequently when we are free to think of what we will?
What affords us the greatest pleasure?
Earthly or Heavenly treasure:
When spent on earthly treasure, money is only of temporary value.
When spent on heavenly treasure, money takes on eternal value.

2. Jesus wants us to choose our treasury – where we make our deposits.

If it is an earthly treasury, it will be lost when we die.
If it is a heavenly treasury, it will be ours for eternity.

3. Jesus is saying that amassing wealth isn’t morally wrong – it’s just a poor investment.

Moths, rust and thieves imperil your earthly treasure and in the end, everything will be consumed by fire anyway. (2 Peter 3:7)
John Wesley said: I value all things only by the price they shall gain in eternity.
David Livingstone said: I place no value on anything I possess, except in relation to the Kingdom of God.

4. Discovering true wealth.

Matthew 13:44 AMP – The kingdom of heaven is like something precious buried in a field, which a man found and hid again; then in his joy he goes and sells all he has and buys that field.
What we keep, we lose. What we give up and share and do, in Christ’s Name, will ultimately come back to us in heaven.
If we store up heavenly treasures, they will never stop paying dividends!
Ecclesiastes 5:15 AMP – As [the man] came forth from his mother’s womb, so he will go again, naked as he came; and he will take away nothing for all his labor which he can carry in his hand.
Psalms 49:16-20 NAS – Do not be afraid when a man becomes rich, When the glory of his house is increased; 17 For when he dies he will carry nothing away; His glory will not descend after him. 18 Though while he lives he congratulates himself–And though men praise you when you do well for yourself–19 He shall go to the generation of his fathers; They shall never see the light. 20 Man in his pomp, yet without understanding, Is like the beasts that perish.

5. What is your treasure?

House; car; boat; library; gun collection; art; coins; gold; jewels?
Savings; retirement program; insurance policies; annuities; real estate; commodities; shares?
1 Timothy 6:18-19 AMP – [Charge them] to do good, to be rich in good works, to be liberal and generous of heart, ready to share [with others], 19 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.
Philippians 4:17 AMP – 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].

6. Where is your heart?

Show me your check book, your credit card statements, your cash receipts and I will show you where your heart is!
You cannot serve two masters. You cannot serve both God AND mammon. It is impossible. Loving and being devoted to one means that you automatically hate and despise the other.

NB. Will you choose a life wasted in pursuit of wealth on earth, or a life invested in the pursuit of wealth in heaven?

The Culture of the Kingdom

[And] there will be tribulation and anguish and calamity and constraint for every soul of man who [habitually] does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek (Gentile). 10 But glory and honor and [heart] peace shall be awarded to everyone who [habitually] does good, the Jew first and also the Greek (Gentile). 11 For God shows no partiality [undue favor or unfairness; with Him one man is not different from another]. Romans 2:9-11 AMP

Jesus came to make all men equal in faith. No one man, or nation, is better than another in God’s eyes. All men stand naked before God. He knows everything about them – the good and the bad; and each one must come to God on the basis of faith – and not personal worthiness – because they have none of it.

For he is not a [real] Jew who is only one outwardly and publicly, nor is [true] circumcision something external and physical. 29 But he is a Jew who is one inwardly, and [true] circumcision is of the heart, a spiritual and not a literal [matter]. His praise is not from men but from God. Romans 2:28-29 AMP

It is not the things we do outwardly that give us status with God, but it is the issues of the heart. To be a Jew “inwardly” is to believe in, and to submit to, God, and have faith like faithful Abraham.

For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:11-14 NKJV

There is no way to please God in the flesh, so your genetics and your heritage do not impress God. You cannot claim any special privileges because of your blood or your culture. Neither will you be turned away, merely on the basis of your lack of these things. Every man and woman must come to God on the basis of faith and covenant, humbly and thankfully receiving the grace purchased with the precious blood of Jesus Christ.

For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. Galatians 3:26-29 NKJV

Every person on the earth – no matter what their lineage, their station in life, or their sex – must come, and can come, to God on the same basis – faith in Jesus Christ.

For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. 17 And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. 18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. Ephesians 2:14-18 NKJV

For through Jesus Christ, both Jews and Gentiles have access by one Spirit to the Father.

We preach Christ (the Messiah) crucified, [preaching which] to the Jews is a scandal and an offensive stumbling block [that springs a snare or trap], and to the Gentiles it is absurd and utterly unphilosophical nonsense. 24 But to those who are called, whether Jew or Greek (Gentile), Christ [is] the Power of God and the Wisdom of God. 1 Corinthians 1:23-24 AMP

Trying to find God through your culture will not work and you cannot make your culture the reason why you cannot bow your knee to the King of kings. Every man, from every culture WILL bow to Him at the end. It is better to do it willingly now. You have to find Him in HIS culture and make His culture, your culture.

If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. 5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them. 8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, 11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all. Colossians 3:1-11 NKJV

People use excuses for sin and ungodliness, believing that they can continue in certain practices, because it is “our culture”. However, the Word of God tells us that we are to drop everything from our “culture” that does not line up with the Word of God. We have a new culture – the culture of the Kingdom of God and of His son, Jesus Christ. We do not walk, talk, or act like anything else, but a blood-washed, born again, holy, child of God!

BLESSED IS THE MAN WHO FINDS WISDOM

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

Proverbs 3:13-26  (NAS)
13How blessed is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding. 14For its profit is better than the profit of silver, and its gain than fine gold. 15She is more precious than jewels; and nothing you desire compares with her. 16Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. 17Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. 18She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who hold her fast. 19The LORD by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding He established the heavens. 20By His knowledge the deeps were broken up, and the skies drip with dew. 21My son, let them not depart from your sight; keep sound wisdom and discretion, 22So they will be life to your soul, and adornment to your neck. 23Then you will walk in your way securely, and your foot will not stumble. 24When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. 25Do not be afraid of sudden fear, nor of the onslaught of the wicked when it comes; 26For the LORD will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being caught.

The Lord created everything we see by wisdom, understanding and knowledge. God’s wisdom is His Word. The first place for us to go for wisdom is His Word.

It is better for you to seek after wisdom, knowledge and understanding, rather than riches – gold, silver and jewels – because riches can be gained and lost. However, if you seek wisdom, it will result in blessing that remains. Riches in the hands of a fool bring destruction, but riches in the hands of a wise man are blessed and a blessing.

Proverbs 1:32   (KJV)
32For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.

The gaining of wisdom and understanding is better than the gaining of silver and gold. Wisdom will be, to you, more precious than jewels and nothing on this earth that you could possibly desire, compares with her. When you gain wisdom, you gain long life, riches and honor and peace. Wisdom is a tree of life, and every one who finds her, finds true happiness.

Wisdom brings security, because it destroys fear in your life. You can walk in confidence and peace, because your confidence and trust are in God who protects you and who keeps you from stumbling.

I Kings 3:11-13  (NAS)
11And God said to him, “Because you have asked this thing and have not asked for yourself long life, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have you asked for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself discernment to understand justice, 12behold, I have done according to your words. Behold, I have given you a wise and discerning heart, so that there has been no one like you before you, nor shall one like you arise after you. 13″And I have also given you what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that there will not be any among the kings like you all your days.

God offered Solomon anything he asked for. He asked for an understanding heart in order to govern wisely. The Lord was pleased with his request and granted it, adding to it both riches and honor.

When we seek God’s wisdom above all other earthly things – He gives us wisdom – and above all that, He blesses us with peace and prosperity. What a wonderful, awesome God we serve! Be sure that your priorities are right and you will find the blessing of God.

KNOWN BY YOUR LOVE

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

Foundation scripture: I John 4:7-12  (KJV)

7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

I John 4:19-21  (KJV)

19 We love him, because he first loved us.

20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

Everybody that knows God has God living on the inside. God is love and when He lives in you, His love lives in you. If His love lives in you, it will be manifested to everyone. They will see God’s love in you and they will see it flow through you towards others. When you are born of God and you know Him, you will love Him and you will love others. The more you know him, the more you will walk in, and manifest, love.

If you say that you are a child of God and that you love God, but you do not show love towards others, then the Bible calls you a liar! We have a commandment to love. The entire law is fulfilled in two commandments – love God, love your neighbor. Love enables you to keep the Ten Commandments.

Matthew 22:37-40  (KJV)

37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

38 This is the first and great commandment.

39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Think about that – you will not break one of God’s commandments if you love Him and you love others! If you love God, you will not do anything, which will affect the fellowship that you have with Him and if you love people, you will do nothing to hurt them because love is incapable of hurting in any way.

Matthew 7:16-23  (KJV)

16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

18A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

19Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

20Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

21Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

22Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Love is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5: 22&23). If you know God, you will produce the fruit of love. People will see God’s love in you – they will feel God’s love through you. You can do all kinds of wonderful works, prophesy and cast out devils, but the love manifest in you and through you is the true fruit of whether you are a godly person or not. Some people seem to think that as long as the power of God is manifest in their lives, they don’t need to walk in love, but they are mistaken. How terrible to waste your life, doing all the right actions, with all the wrong motives – and in the end be rejected by God.  The only true way that everyone will know that we are Christians – followers of Christ – is by the love we show to others.

John 13:34-35  (KJV)

34A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

35By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

 

QUENCHING THE ENEMY’S FLAMING MISSILES

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

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:12-17 NKJ

The devil does not have free rein to come in and destroy your life. God has given you ways to protect yourself. The armor of God is not something that God puts on you – it is something that youput on yourself with His help. You protect yourself with the truth, with righteousness (integrity), the Gospel, faith, salvation and the Word of God.

He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?

Micah 6:8 NKJ

You must love and desire the truth even if the truth means you have to change. The truth protects your vulnerable belly and righteousness protects your heart. You must have a humble and repentant heart and God will clothe you in His robe of righteousness. You continue to walk in righteousness when you walk in honesty and integrity in your own heart. You must be ready to share the Gospel freely. You are ready for any situation when you are equipped with the Gospel of peace. You must be full of faith. Faith is a shield of protection for your whole body. You need to bring your mind into subjection to your spirit and the Spirit of God. Your thought life is sanctified as you allow the Word to wash your mind and the Spirit to teach you and lead you. The Word of God needs to be in your heart and in your mouth – a two-edged sword – cutting through the lies of the enemy.

You will notice that the shield of faith does not just prevent the enemy’s arrows from reaching your soft, vulnerable flesh, but it actually quenches the fiery darts and flaming missiles he sends your way. The devil may try his best, but your faith in God not only completely stops his arrows, but it thoroughly destroys them. God does not just do it for you – you do it with your faith in God. If faith quenches arrows then fear will allow them to penetrate your flesh and hurt and destroy you. Faith does not prevent the arrows from leaving the devil’s bow, but it will not allow them to touch you! You must press on in faith.

Faith believes that God will do what He said He would do. The Amplified Bible describes faith as “believing in God/Jesus with a personal trust, a confident surrender and firm reliance” and “the leaning of your entire personality on God in Christ in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom and goodness.”  It is only when you trust God completely that the enemy will get nowhere in his attacks on you. People who do not trust in God fall to pieces at the first sign of an attack, but a person of faith says, “I don’t care what you try, devil, I know that God is on my side and I trust Him to take care of you!” The person of faith knows what the Word says and uses it on the devil just like Jesus did. “It is written!” You can have faith, not only in God’s power to help you, but in His goodness too and the fact that you know that He will help you. When you know that not only can God help you, but that He will help you – your faith in Him will be unshakable and the enemy’s attack in vain!

NOT ONE FEEBLE PERSON AMONG THEIR TRIBES

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

He brought them forth also with silver and gold: and there was not one feeble person among their tribes.  Psalms 105:37 KJV

When God brought the twelve tribes of Israel out of the land of Egypt, He was delivering them because He loved them and had a plan for them. However, at the same time everything He did for them is a type and shadow of what He has planned for us all. Before He delivered Israel fromEgypt, He had them do specific things, representing the form that their ultimate deliverance would take. They celebrated the Lord’s Passover. They sacrificed a spotless lamb and shed its blood and roasted it without breaking any bones. Then God totally delivered them from their enemy, Egypt. Jesus, the spotless Lamb of God, shed His blood, gave His life and rose again for our deliverance. Jesus delivered us from our enemy, Satan, defeating him totally. The devil no longer has the right to impose sickness, disease or lack upon us.

This is how you are to eat it: with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand. Eat it in haste; it is the LORD’s Passover. “On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn– both men and animals– and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD. The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt. “This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the LORD– a lasting ordinance.  Exodus 12:11-14 NIV

Now the children of Israel had done according to the word of Moses, and they had asked from the Egyptians articles of silver, articles of gold, and clothing. And the LORD had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they granted them what they requested. Thus they plundered the Egyptians. Then the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides children.  Exodus 12:35-37 NKJ

God brought Israel out of their captivity healthy and blessed. When God brings us out of the captivity of sin, He brings us out with health and with blessing. Jesus is not only our Savior and Deliverer, but He is also our Healer and Provider. The way we receive the benefits of His sacrifice is by our faith in Him and His word. We can receive healing, deliverance and provision from the Lord at the same time as we receive salvation! When Jesus celebrated His last Passover before giving His life for us, He broke the bread, representing His body being broken for our healing. The wine represented His blood, shed to wash away our sin.

For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep.  1 Corinthians 11:23-30 NIV

We suffer under the burden of our sin unless we find out that Jesus’ blood can wash us clean and we repent and receive his forgiveness. Likewise, we suffer with sickness and disease until we find out that “by His stripes we were healed” (1 Peter 2:24) and we accept His healing power into our bodies. Jesus body was broken so that you can live in divine health. Decide today that you will march out of the bondage of your “Egypt” and receive your healing today.

PRAY GOD’S WORD

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

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering (for he is faithful that promised).  Hebrews10:23 KJV

“Profession” is another word for “confession.” God’s word never fails. God’s word never returns to him void – without producing or prospering. If we want to see God’s blessing on our lives, we need to confess what God’s word says about us. We need to speak God’s word over ourselves. These are some prayers from the Bible that you can speak over yourself. You will renew your mind and fill your heart with faith. Most of all, the Lord will hear your prayer and grant your petition.

Father, I pray that You would grant me a spirit of wisdom and revelation – of insight into mysteries and secrets in the deep and intimate knowledge of You. Flood the eyes of my heart with light so that I can know and understand the hope to which You have called me and how rich is your glorious inheritance in the saints – Your set-apart ones. And so that I can know and understand what is the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of Your power in and for me, who believes, as demonstrated in the working of Your mighty strength which You exerted in Christ when You raised Him from the dead and seated Him at your own right hand in heavenly places.

Ephesians 1:17-20

I bow my knees before You, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for Whom every family in heaven and on earth is named. May You grant me out of the rich treasury of Your glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the Holy Spirit, Himself indwelling my inner most being and personality. May Christ, through faith, actually dwell – settle down, abide, make – His permanent home in my heart. May I be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love. That I may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints – God’s devoted people – the experience of that love – what is the breadth and length and height and depth of it. That I may really come to know – practically, through experience for myself – the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge without experience – that I may be filled through all my being unto all the fullness of God – that I may have the richest measure of the divine Presence and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself! 

Ephesians 3:14-19

Father, I pray and make special request asking that I may be filled with the full, deep and clear knowledge of Your will in all spiritual wisdom – in comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God – and in understanding and discernment of spiritual things.  That I may walk, live and conduct myself in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to You and desiring to please You in all things, bearing fruit in every good work and steadily growing and increasing in and by the knowledge of God – with fuller, deeper and clearer insight, acquaintance and recognition. I pray that I may be invigorated and strengthened with all power according to the might of Your glory, to exercise every kind of endurance and patience – perseverance and forbearance with joy. I give thanks to You, Father, Who has qualified and made me fit to share the portion, which is the inheritance of the saints – God’s holy people in the Light.

Colossians 1:9-12

THE GOD WHO IS MORE THAN ENOUGH

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

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless. 2 I will confirm my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.”

Genesis 17:1-2 NIV

The Hebrew word for God Almighty is El Shaddai – the God who is more than enough – more than sufficient. It means that He has the power to complete promises of blessings and prosperity. Everything God does is over the top, more than enough, a surplus, super-abundant, overflowing, good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over!

“Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the LORD your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. 2 And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the LORD your God.  Deuteronomy 28:1-2 NKJV

The Bible says that when you obey God’s word, His blessing will not only come upon you, but it will overtake you.

Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. 29 For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.

Matthew 25:28-29 NIV

If you are faithful with what God gives you, He will give you more and you will be blessed with abundance.

Hezekiah had very great riches and honor, and he made treasuries for his silver and gold and for his precious stones, spices, shields and all kinds of valuables. 28 He also made buildings to store the harvest of grain, new wine and oil; and he made stalls for various kinds of cattle, and pens for the flocks. 29 He built villages and acquired great numbers of flocks and herds, for God had given him very great riches.  2 Chronicles 32:27-29 NIV

When you honor God, He will bless you with great riches. You will need to look for more storage places!

Their sons went in and took possession of the land. You subdued before them the Canaanites, who lived in the land; you handed the Canaanites over to them, along with their kings and the peoples of the land, to deal with them as they pleased. 25 They captured fortified cities and fertile land; they took possession of houses filled with all kinds of good things, wells already dug, vineyards, olive groves and fruit trees in abundance. They ate to the full and were well-nourished; they reveled in your great goodness.

Nehemiah 9:24-25 NIV

Those who please God are abundantly blessed and well-nourished. They revel in His great goodness.

“Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, `How do we rob you?’

“In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse-the whole nation of you-because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.

Malachi 3:8-10 NIV

If you will joyfully pay your tithes, God will throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough to accommodate all of it.

For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have. 13 For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened; 14 but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack–that there may be equality. 15 As it is written, “He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack.”  2 Corinthians 8:12-15 NKJV

God blesses us with abundant blessings so that we can be a blessing to others.

Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.  Luke 6:38 NKJV

If you will be a giver, God will always multiply the blessing back to you in a good measure. You can try to squash it down and fit it in to your containers, but it will still run over.

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.  Ephesians 3:20 NKJV

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.  Ephesians 3:20 NIV

God is able to do immeasurably more and exceedingly abundantly (superabundantly) than all we ask or imagine – infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes or dreams – according to His power that is at work within us.

ANSWERED PRAYER – PART FIVE

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

The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working].  James 5:16b AMP

When a righteous man prays a continued, earnest, heartfelt, prayer, there is a tremendous power that is released – a dynamic active power that effectively goes to work – producing the desired result. If you want your prayers to be answered, there are a few things that you must do to ensure the desired result – you must walk righteously before the Lord, you must pray sincerely and fervently and you must pray according to God’s will.

20 For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.  2 Corinthians 1:20-21 NIV

God does not make promises that He does not plan to keep. If He made a promise then He will keep it. If you come to Him to ask Him for the thing He promised, then He will give it to you. He guarantees His Word.

7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 “Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!   Matthew 7:7-11 NIV

Jesus said that if you ask for something that God has promised, it will be given to you. If you seek God’s will, you will find the thing you seek. Knock on God’s door and it will be opened to you. Even human parents, who are imperfect, give their children the things they asked for. How much more will a perfect God bless you with the answer to your prayer and give you good gifts – not bad gifts. Your Father in heaven gives good gifts to those who ask Him.

12 I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. 15 “If you love me, you will obey what I command.”  John 14:12-15 NIV

When you have faith in Jesus, you will do what He did. If you love Him, you will obey what He commands. And then when you ask Him for anything, He will do it for you, so that He can bring glory to the Father.

7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.  John 15:7-8 NIV

If you remain in Jesus and His words remain in you, then you will bear much fruit and He will give you whatever you ask.

13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit-fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.  John 15:13-16 NIV

When you do what Jesus has commanded you to do, then He considers you to be His friend and He calls you His friend. He chose you and appointed you to go and bear lasting fruit. When you bear much fruit, the Father will give you whatever you ask in Jesus name.

22 So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. 23 In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.  John 16:21-24 NIV

If you have not asked the Father for anything, then you need to ask in Jesus’ name. If you ask in the name of Jesus, then you will receive from the Father the thing you asked for and your joy will be full.