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The Last Day Move of God

‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. 18 And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy. 19 I will show wonders in heaven above And signs in the earth beneath: Blood and fire and vapor of smoke. 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord. 21 And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the Lord Shall be saved.’  Acts 2:17-21 NKJV

By the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the prophet Joel prophesied of these days that he called the “last days”. And this was fulfilled approximately 2000 years ago on the Day of Pentecost.

2 Peter 3:8 says that – with the Lord – a day is as a thousand years and a thousand years is as a day. If Pentecost was the “last days” then right now, then surely we are in the LAST of the last days! Jesus has appeared to many in the last few decades and told them to tell the people to get ready because He is coming soon! Even if you didn’t believe that He’s coming in your lifetime, you still need to keep your sense of urgency about you. You can’t afford to be complacent! Jesus said that this Gospel needed to be preached in the uttermost parts of the earth, before His return. That is our responsibility! We must reach the uttermost parts of the earth with the Gospel – not just sit in our holy huddle waiting to be airlifted out of here!

I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]  John 16:33AMP

The Bible says that as the last days approach, things in the world will get worse and worse, but it also says that God’s grace is enough – even more than enough to meet and conquer sin and death (Romans 5:20b-21).

Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. 8 You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.  James 5:7-8 NKJV

‘The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former,’ says the Lord of hosts. ‘And in this place I will give peace,’ says the Lord of hosts.  Haggai 2:9 NKJV

Before Jesus comes we will see the greatest outpouring of the Spirit of God that the world has ever seen! But we’ll only see it if the Church does not yield to the sins of compromise, complacency or criticism. The devil always tries to hinder the move of God by tempting them to sin in these areas.

Compromise:

Some Christians compromise the Word of God to be acceptable

to the world. The devil uses certain people to put pressure on you to quit and to water the Gospel down. However, Jesus told us that we are IN this world, but we are not OF this world. (John 17:16). We will NEVER be acceptable to the world, no matter how hard we try. They want you in as big a mess as they are in. They don’t want you to be free and they don’t want you to get anyone else free; they don’t want you – or anyone else – to be victorious! If you compromise, you’ll just let the devil win. You can never win people to the Gospel, when you have compromised the Gospel. Either it’s the TRUTH or it isn’t! If it IS then preach it – if it’s not then just go and join the worldly crowd and stop pretending that you are a Christian!

If you belong to the world – and act like them – then they would love you, but if you are like Jesus, they won’t like you at all. Understand that the world hated Jesus and they’ll hate anyone who walks in His footsteps – a servant is not greater than his master (John 15:18-20). We can’t compromise because someone doesn’t like or understand the Gospel. We can’t compromise the Truth of the Word of God – we can’t compromise on the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues, the gifts of the Spirit, prophecy, miracles, healings, casting out devils, or laying on of hands, etc.

Complacency:

Knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” 5 For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, 6 by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. 7 But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.  2 Peter 3:3-7 NKJV

Jesus told us to “occupy till He come” (Luke 19:13) – in other words: get on and do the works of Jesus till you go home or He comes to get you. He didn’t say: sit on your “blessed assurance” and do nothing till you die! People go about their business as if Jesus isn’t coming at all. We need to have a sense of urgency about the things of God and we need to act and do what He’s told us to do. If the Lord is delaying His coming it’s not because he’s tardy – it’s because He’s giving the world plenty of time to repent and straighten themselves out! (2 Peter 3:9)

Criticism:

You are either a player, or you are sitting in the stands. You are either getting up and being a doer of the Word of God, or you are sitting, doing nothing and critiquing those who are doing something. We have too many armchair critics in the body of Christ and too few who care enough to get up and do something to build the Kingdom of God! Make up your mind to be a player and not merely an arm chair critic.

 

Jesus is the Good Shepherd Who Lays His Life Down for the Sheep

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. 11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.  12 But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. 13 The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep.  14 I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.  15 As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.  16 And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd. 17 “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again.  18 No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.”  John 10:10-18 NKJV

 

Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” And then again,“I lay down My life for the sheep.” And also, “My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again.”

 

A Good Shepherd loves and cares for his sheep:

 

The good shepherd owns the sheep and is responsible for them and committed to them. A good shepherd risks his life for his sheep. A mere hireling – someone who takes care of the sheep only for money – will not put themselves in harm’s way for the sheep. When a threat comes, they will run away and leave the sheep to fend for themselves. David was a good shepherd and he killed a lion and a bear who were threatening his sheep. Jesus – the ultimate Good Shepherd – GAVE His life for His sheep. Jesus is fully committed to His sheep and all good pastors and ministers are also committed to love and care for Jesus’ sheep. However, false teachers and false prophets do not have this same commitment, because they have no love for the sheep.

 

The Good Shepherd gives His life for the sheep:

 

Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.”

 

Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth. Isaiah 53:4-17 NKJV

 

Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness — by whose stripes you were healed. 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.  1 Peter 2:24-25 NKJV

 

Jesus said that His Father loves Him because He was willing to lay down and sacrifice His life for the sheep. Isaiah 53:10-11 says, “Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, And the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand. He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, For He shall bear their iniquities.”

 

It pleased Father God for Jesus to carry our sins and to be bruised on our behalf and to die in our place, to justify many!

 

Jesus, the Good Shepherd laid His own life down for the sheep:

 

Jesus said, “My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself.” No one could take Jesus life – He laid it down out of His own will at the appointed time. Jesus’ death and resurrection was part of God’s plan for the salvation of the world. The timeline was under God’s full control – no one could kill Jesus without His consent.

 

Jesus answered, “You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above. Therefore the one who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.”  John 19:11 NKJV

 

Jesus, the Good Shepherd laid His life down to take it up again:

 

Jesus predicted His own death and also His resurrection.

 

But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. 7 And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.”  Matthew 28:5-7 NKJV

 

For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.  1 Corinthians 15:3-4 NKJV

 

Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant.  Hebrews 13:20 KJV

 

The Lord Jesus is that Great Shepherd of the sheep!

Know that the Lord He is God

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. 2 Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. 3 Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. 4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. 5 For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.  Psalms 100:1-5 KJV

Make a JOYFUL noise unto the Lord, ALL ye lands!

All the nations of the earth are created by Almighty God. He loves them and He is ever reaching out to them. It is the believer’s responsibility to preach the Gospel to every creature and to all nations. Mark 13:10 AMP says, “And the good news (the Gospel) must first be preached to all nations.” He is not just the God of certain tribes and nations, He is God over all nations, whether they know it or not. He is the only one with the power and right to rule the nations. All of them are not only under His dominion, but also recipients of His benevolence, and at the end will give an account to Him alone.

For I know their works and their thoughts. And the time is coming when I will gather all nations and tongues, and they will come and see My glory. Isaiah 66:18 AMP

All nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them [the people] from one another as a shepherd separates his sheep from the goats; And He will cause the sheep to stand at His right hand, but the goats at His left. Matthew 25:32-33 AMP

All nations will be judged by Him. If they only knew the truth, they would come flocking to Him, to worship Him and to acknowledge that the Lord is God!

We acknowledge Him as Almighty God when we come into His presence to worship Him, to serve Him, to sing and to shout our praises.

Almighty God is not just one of the many gods worshipped out there – He IS God! We must come to know Him as God and Lord and Savior in our own personal life. We must know that He is the only true God – King of kings and Lord of lords. He asks us to come into His presence to worship Him willingly and of our own accord – with sincere gladness and joy in our hearts and on our lips. He won’t force us. He doesn’t want us to come out of religious duty, but rather with unfeigned faith and a sincere joy-filled heart; making ourselves available to Him in every way – to be touched and changed – and to let His will be done in every area of our lives.

A time will come, however, indeed it is already here, when the true (genuine) worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth (reality); for the Father is seeking just such people as these as His worshipers. 24 God is a Spirit (a spiritual Being) and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth (reality).  John 4:23-24 AMP

He answered and said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me.  Mark 7:6 NKJV

We acknowledge Him when we appreciate His status as our Creator.

Before the mountains were brought forth or ever You had formed and given birth to the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting You are God.  Psalms 90:2 AMP

He created us – we did not create ourselves. We do not belong to ourselves, but to Him. Many people live life as though they created themselves; they are the center of their own little world. This mind-set leads inevitably to pride, greed, and idolatry. Then when they lose everything, they lose all hope as well. When you know that God created you and everything else, then you will want to give to and be a blessing to others even as He has provided for you and blessed you. You have confidence that even if you lost everything you have, you still have Him and He will take care of you.

The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works [the entirety of things created]. 10 All Your works shall praise You, O Lord, and Your loving ones shall bless You [affectionately and gratefully shall Your saints confess and praise You]! 11 They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom and talk of Your power.  Psalms 145:9-11 AMP

Let them praise the name of the Lord, for He commanded and they were created.  Psalms 148:5 AMP

We acknowledge Him when we accept His authority in every detail of life.

Jesus is the Head of the Church – the Body of Christ. He is the Word, made flesh, and dwelling amongst us. We acknowledge His authority and headship when we submit ourselves to the Word of God – as we renew our minds to it and as we conform ourselves to it. He is our Lord and Master – we serve Him – not He us. We must also submit to the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, as He leads us through our own spirit, according to the Word of God. We do not do our own thing, but we do what He tells us to do.

We acknowledge Him when we enthusiastically agree with the guidance He gives us and when we obediently do what He commands.

Do you not know that if you continually surrender yourselves to anyone to do his will, you are the slaves of him whom you obey, whether that be to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience which leads to righteousness (right doing and right standing with God)?  Romans 6:16AMP

Why do you call Me, Lord, Lord, and do not [practice] what I tell you?  Luke 6:46 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. Matthew 7:21 AMP

We acknowledge Him when we express our thanks for His unfailing love.

O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever!  1 Chronicles 16:34 AMP

Communion- The Lord’s Supper

The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?  1 Corinthians 10:16 KJV

For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread.  1 Corinthians 11:23 NKJV

The night Jesus was betrayed was the night of the Passover meal. He instituted Communion, also known as the Lord’s Supper that same night. Passover celebrated Israel’s deliverance from Egypt. The Lord’s Supper celebrates our deliverance from sin and death through Jesus’ death and resurrection.

And when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”  1 Corinthians 11:24 NKJV

The bread represents the body of Jesus, which was broken, marred and scourged for us – for our healing and restoration. 1 Peter 2:24 NKJV says, “who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness — by whose stripes you were healed.”  We partake of communion as a memorial of what Jesus did for us – we remember and celebrate it on a regular basis.

In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”  1 Corinthians 11:25 NKJV

The cup is a symbol of Jesus’ blood, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. It symbolizes His blood that sealed the New Covenant, which is based upon better promises. The New Covenant does not replace the Old Covenant, but it completes and fulfills it. By eating the bread and drinking the cup, we signify and proclaim that we are remembering Jesus’ death for us, and also renewing our commitment to serve Him.

For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.

1 Corinthians 11:26 NKJV

“As often as you eat this bread and drink this cup…” This means that there is no set schedule for partaking of the Lord’s Supper. You can receive Communion as often as you need to or want to. We remember Christ in the Lord’s Supper by thinking about what He did and why He did it. We look back to His death and at the same time, we look forward to His second coming. If we partake in Communion out of ritual or religion, it loses its significance, but if we remember what He did and look forward to His return, it becomes a powerful point of contact for our faith. Don’t partake of Communion without preparing yourself spiritually. Gratefully remind yourself of what Jesus has done for you and allow the reality of your forgiven sin to inspire you to live passionately for Him like never before.

Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.  1 Corinthians 11:27 NKJV

We should not partake of Communion irreverently, unworthily, or in an unfit manner. Those who wish to partake should first be born again – a sinner would be unworthy to partake. We should take the Lord’s Supper thoughtfully; we should take it worthily, with due reverence and respect; we should take it with respect toward His body and also toward His Body, the Church; we should prepare our hearts and come humble, submitted and yielded to Him.

But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.  1 Corinthians 11:28 NKJV

Before we partake of Communion, we should examine ourselves for any unconfessed sin or bad attitudes toward Him or others.

For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.  1 Corinthians 11:29 NKJV

The Lord’s Supper is not a normal meal. If you do not treat it with the respect it deserves, you invite judgment on yourself. In a sense, no one is “worthy” to participate, but because of Jesus, we can share in His Supper, knowing that, by His grace, we are forgiven and righteous before Him.

For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep.  1 Corinthians 11:30 NKJV

By Jesus’ stripes, we were healed. When you partake of the Lord’s Supper with respect to what it represents, by faith you receive His life, His strength and His healing power. If you do not believe that His broken body represents your healing, then you will stay sick. It is not a meaningless ritual, but it is a living, powerful celebration.

For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged.   1 Corinthians 11:31 NKJV

If we repent of our sin, God will forgive us. God cannot and will not forgive unrepentant sin. When we judge ourselves and ask for forgiveness, our sin is washed away forever. If we do not examine and judge ourselves and repent, then our sin remains and will be judged in eternity.

But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.

1 Corinthians 11:32 NKJV

When God deals with us and convicts us of sin, He is disciplining us like a parent disciplines a child – a small pain now to avoid a bigger pain later.

Therefore, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another.  34 But if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, lest you come together for judgment. And the rest I will set in order when I come.

1 Corinthians 11:33-34 NKJV

Partake of the Lord’s Supper out of consideration for others. It is not time for a dinner party. The Corinthians were turning the Lord’s Supper into a carnal feast – the wealthier ones eating their fine food in front of the poorer ones, who did not have as much to eat.

Paul admonished them, “If you are hungry, eat at home!” The Lord’s Supper is not an occasion to feast, but an opportunity to remember Christ’s sacrifice.

As you receive Communion, celebrate what He already did and celebrate that He is coming again very soon!

House of Joy!

What are the Houses of Joy all about? We are looking for fruit that will remain, fruit in your own life, and fruit that you will help develop in others. We desire eternal fruit that will remain for the kingdom of God!

1. You have a ministry!

 • Ephesians 4:11-16 Amplified

2. Fellowship 

 • Fellowship is one way that we will come into the unity of the faith.

• Acts 2:42, Proverbs 27:17, 1 Thessalonians 5:11

3. Prayer 

 • If you are going to come into the knowledge of the Son of God, it will not happen without prayer. Prayer produces intimacy with Jesus! I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears (Psalm 34:4).

• We must pray for each other.

• James 5:16, 1 Timothy 2:1-4, Ephesians 6:18-19

4. Care 

 • We must lovingly express care for each other.

• 1 Corinthians 12:25-26, Galatians 6:2-5, Hebrews 10:24-25

5. Evangelism 

 • This is what causes the body to grow.

• Jesus said to go into all the world and preach the gospel, and make disciples.

• Matthew 28:19, Mark 16:15, Proverbs 11:30

• You must preach the gospel before you can make disciples.

• When you become a disciplined follower, you will become a fisher of men!

6. Discipleship 

 • Discipleship causes the saints to mature, producing more fruit!

• Matthew 28:19-20, Matthew 10:38-39, Matthew 4:19

• What will I benefit from being in a discipleship relationship?

You’ll experience growth in knowledge and spiritual understanding. You’ll have mature leaders praying for you and your family. You’ll develop new Christian friends. You will learn to be a part of the vision. You will learn how to minister to others. You will be known by church leadership. You will learn how to witness and to win souls. You will experience the blessing of unity. You will learn commitment, faithfulness, and accountability. You will discover the gifts and talents that God has given to you!

• You know that you’re discipling people like Jesus did if your disciples are making disciples!

• John 15:8-14

• As you disciple others, you will continue to grow and produce more fruit in your own life, resulting in more joy!

Don’t Forget the Full-time Minister

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ASKING GOD FOR NATIONS

Foundation scriptures:

Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.  Psalms 2:8 KJV

1.  Prayer Power made available to the Church.

a. Keys to the Kingdom.

b. Matthew 16:19 KJV – “And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

c. The Name of Jesus.

d. Philippians 2:9 KJV – “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name.”

e. John 16:23-24 KJV – “And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. 24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.”

f. Authority has been given to us.

g. Matthew 28:18-20 KJV – “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 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.”

h. Elijah was a man of like passions.

i. James 5:16-18 KJV – “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. 17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.”

j. Ephesians 3:20-21 KJV – “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”

2. A Church that doesn’t pray is a weak and defeated Church.

a. Psalm 2:8: Ask of me – God says – and I will give you the nations as your inheritance

b. Ultimately – the kingdoms of the world will become the kingdoms of our God and of His Christ.

c. Revelation 11:15 KJV – “And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.”

e. Standing in the gap and crying out – prayer and intercession – for a nation.

f. Isaiah 59:16 AMP – “And He saw that there was no man and wondered that there was no intercessor [no one to intervene on behalf of truth and right]; therefore His own arm brought Him victory, and His own righteousness [having the Spirit without measure] sustained Him.”

g. America.

3. This is why we have the 24-hour prayer center – for people to press in in prayer.

a. We pray for God to intervene in our nation, to have mercy on America one more time just like He has each century.

b. For the enemy to be setback.

c. For total confusion to be wreaked in the camp of the wicked.

d. For the wheels to be pulled off of Pharaoh’s chariots.

e. Whatever is being planned in secret let it be exposed publicly.

f. Wake up the Church for the harvest.

g. May we have another great spiritual awakening!

4. Will you stand in the Gap and ask God for America? 

a. One more hour of daylight – the sun is fast setting on the horizon of time.

b. Pray.

c. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 KJV – “Pray without ceasing.”

d. 1 Timothy 2:8 KJV – “I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.”

e. 1 Corinthians 14:15a KJV – “What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also…”

f. Make yourself available to be used of God.

g. Pray like it all depends on God and go and do like it all depends on you.

h. Yield to the Holy Spirit.

THE INTEGRITY OF THE WORD

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

Foundation Scriptures: Hebrews 4:12-13

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

The Word Is Our Contact With God.

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

We Are Convicted By The Word.

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

We Are Recreated By The Word.

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

Our Minds Are Renewed Through The Word.

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

The Word Comes To Live In Us.

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

We Are Built Up With The Word.

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

We Are Healed By The Word.

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

Faith Comes Through The Word.

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

The Word Is On Our Lips.

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

The Word Sustains You.

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

NAMES OF JESUS—SON OF GOD—SON OF MAN

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

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

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

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

Inasmuch then as we have a great High Priest Who has [already] ascended and passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession [of faith in Him]. 15 For we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to understand and sympathize and have a shared feeling with our weaknesses and infirmities and liability to the assaults of temptation, but One Who has been tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sinning. Hebrews 4:14-15 AMP

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Lord Takes Pleasure in the Prosperity of His Servants – Part II

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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