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

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Galatians 5:22-23 KJV

The Greek word “temperance” means self-control, self-restraint and self-discipline.

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.  2 Timothy 1:7 NIV

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and disciplineand self-control.

2 Timothy 1:7 AMP

So many people blame the devil for their sin and their problems, but the devil can’t make you do anything that you don’t want to do. He only makes suggestions and tells lies -– we choose whether to yield to him or not. We are in control. The Spirit of God gives us the ability and the power to resist. Satan may try to tempt you, but if the Spirit of God lives in you, then you can resist him. You must submit yourself to God and then you can resist the devil. James 4:7 says, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

Your flesh may feel weak, but you have the Word of God and the Spirit of God to help you and to give you the ability to yield to the Spirit rather than the flesh and the devil. These are choices you make. You choose to put your flesh under and to display self-control. You choose to serve the spirit instead of the flesh.

The devil tries control you through fear -– he tries to bring fear into your life and make you fearful of all kinds of things and in all kinds of situations — but the self-control and self-discipline that God gives you allows you to control the fear and to defeat the devil.

If you know the Word and if you believe the Word, then you will have a calm, well-balanced mind and the devil will not have an easy time selling you on his lies. If you have a calm, well-balanced mind then the devil cannot confuse you or harass you. You will harass him!

You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.  Isaiah 26:3 NKJ

Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 1:2-8 NKJ

As you grow in the Word and allow the Lord to do a work in you, fruit comes forth in your life and godly character is developed in you. There is an order to the godly character that is formed in your life. You begin with faith in God and add virtue (moral goodness), knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and then love. When you have faith in God, moral goodness and knowledge of the Word, then with God’s help you can develop self-control.

Self-control is very important to your Christian walk. Self-control makes it possible for you to walk in patience, perseverance and constancy. Self-control causes you to be able to put your flesh under and walk in the Spirit. If you yield to your flesh you will reap a bitter harvest, but if you yield to the Spirit then you will reap life everlasting. Jesus’ divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness as we grow in our knowledge of Him. We have been given exceedingly great and precious promises, but we have to have patience and self-control in order to receive them.

The Lord has so much in store for us and we can have it all if we have the self-control to patiently stand on God’s Word and receive His promises.

 

There is [now no distinction] neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28 AMP

Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). 22 Wives, be subject (be submissive and adapt yourselves) to your own husbands as [a service] to the Lord. 23 For the husband is head of the wife as Christ is the Head of the church, Himself the Savior of [His] body. 24 As the church is subject to Christ, so let wives also be subject in everything to their husbands. 25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26 So that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the Word, 27 That He might present the church to Himself in glorious splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such things [that she might be holy and faultless]. 28 Even so husbands should love their wives as [being in a sense] their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself. 29 For no man ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and carefully protects and cherishes it, as Christ does the church, 30 Because we are members (parts) of His body. 31 For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. 32 This mystery is very great, but I speak concerning [the relation of] Christ and the church. 33 However, let each man of you [without exception] love his wife as [being in a sense] his very own self; and let the wife see that she respects and reverences her husband [that she notices him, regards him, honors him, prefers him, venerates, and esteems him; and that she defers to him, praises him, and loves and admires him exceedingly].  Ephesians 5:21-33 AMP

The Word of God instructs wives to be submitted to their OWN husbands. To submit yourself to your husband means to adapt yourself to him.

It does not say that all women are to submit to all men, either. They are to be submitted to the one man who is their own husband – who married them; who committed himself to them; who loves them like Christ loves the Church! The Bible does say that every believer – men and women alike – should be subject to one another, out of reverence for Christ! In other words, we each seek the well being of those around us; we put others first; we put others ahead of ourselves; we esteem and prefer others; we are not stubborn and selfish. In the Spirit there is no male and female – but in this natural world, there is a distinction between men and women and therefore differing roles and differing responsibilities. The only way for a family, or a community of people, to live together in peace and harmony, is for each person to respect and honor those around him, or her.

Women are given four instructions in this passage: to submit to their husbands as to Christ, to recognize the headship of their husbands, to be subject to their husbands, and to reverence their husbands. They are to submit to their husbands as a service to the Lord. If we would see our service to each other as being a service to the Lord, then we would also conduct ourselves in our day to day living with more respect for His will and His word. We would seek to please the Lord in our words and our deeds; we would love and serve our spouse graciously in honor of our Lord; we would do it willingly and cheerfully; we wouldn’t have a bad attitude or a selfish motive!

Wives are to be submitted to their own husbands in everything. However, this means in everything that is lawful and right, not in the things that are unlawful, criminal and wrong. If he is sinful and demands that she leave off serving God and that she join him in his sin, she is under no obligation to obey him. Her relationship with God, and her soul, must come first. Obedience to her husband in all things is based upon him loving her, as Christ does the church!

Submission to another person never means that you become a doormat. Jesus is our example in humility. He was no one’s doormat, but even though He was God and equal to God, He still submitted Himself, and His own will, to the will and the plan and purpose of the Father (Philippians 2:5-11). Because He humbled Himself, the Father exalted Him, giving Him a Name above all Names. Every knee will bow to Him; every tongue will confess that He is Lord! In the marriage relationship, both the husband and the wife are called to submit. The wife has to be willing to submit to and follow her husband’s leadership, in Christ, and the husband has to be willing to lay aside his own interests, to care for his wife – to pay attention to her and meet her needs, including her emotional needs. Submission is hardly ever a problem when both husband and wife have a strong personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, and where each one is fully invested in the relationship and is concerned primarily with their partner’s happiness.

Some people have distorted Paul’s teaching on submission, by giving husbands unlimited authority over their wives. They have used it as an excuse for abuse. Nevertheless, it is still a Bible truth and it holds the key to a happy marriage. In this day and age of women’s “liberation”, just because submission to your husband might not be a popular teaching, that is not a good reason to discard it. According to the Word of God, the husband is the spiritual head of the home and the wife ought to recognize and acknowledge his leadership. Genuine spiritual leadership involves service. The husband is to serve his wife, just as Christ served the disciples. Jesus served them, even to the point of washing their feet. A wise husband, who honors God, will not take advantage of his leadership role – and a wife, who honors God, will not work to undermine his leadership. Either one of these foolish choices will result in sabotaging and destroying the marriage.

 

When you come to the land which the Lord your God gives you and you possess it and live there, and then say, We will set a king over us like all the nations that are about us, 15 You shall surely set as king over you him whom the Lord your God will choose. Deuteronomy 17:14-15 AMP

Being a great leader is not just about the ability to order other people around; it is about leading in such a way that it brings blessing and peace to all – which is God’s will. Moses is referring to a king, but there are many leadership positions: head of a household; head of a business; head of an organization; head of a ministry; head of a town or a state or a nation; etc. A great leader does not make decisions that benefit only him, but that benefit those under him. Only God can choose, and make, a truly great leader!

1. When you choose a king, he shall be from among your brethren (Deut. 17:15)

Someone who has no heart for the people he leads is not going to make good decisions for the people. If a father does not love his wife and kids, he will not be the best father he can be; if a minister does not love people with God’s love, he will not be the best minister he can be; if a leader in any area does not have the best interests of the people at heart, he will be a bad leader.

2. Do not choose a Gentile to reign over you

“…you may not set a foreigner, who is not your brother, over you.” (Deut. 17:15b) The two commandments we must follow are: love God and love people. A great leader loves and honors God first. He is personally submitted to, and accountable to, God and seeks to please Him above all. A man who loves God first, will love his family and serve them. A leader who loves God first and who loves and cares for those under him will serve them and put his interests over his own. If you are a woman who is not married yet, then DO NOT marry an unbeliever, or someone who does not respect God or His word, and think that he will treat you well for the rest of your life.

3. Your king shall not multiply horses to himself 

“…he shall not multiply horses to himself or cause the people to return to Egypt in order to multiply horses, since the Lord said to you, You shall never return that way.” (Deut. 17:16) A leader should not be focused on building personal power for the sake of power. In Scripture the horse is a symbol of fleshly strength and might in war. God does not want leaders to be arrogant or to spend time and money on preparing for “war”. Winning, and being on top, is not more important than doing what’s right. Egypt represents the worldy system and all forms of idolatry. If you look to the world to set the standards for your life, you will only end up hurting yourself and others. You can’t tread on others to advance yourself. The devil promised Jesus the world – its power, glory and wealth – if He would bow to him and you and I have the same choice to make! We must trust God to be the one who calls us, directs us, promotes us, provides for us and protects us!

4. He shall not cause you to return to Egypt (Deut. 17:16)

Egypt represents the world and the bondage of sin. It is vital that a husband, a father, a minister, a boss, a leader, must be godly and committed to serve God no matter what! If a leader loves the world too much and if he looks to the world for direction and the way forward, then he will keep leading those under him back into bondage. A leader must make some difficult decisions. Leading a family, a group, a nation, on in what’s right and good for them is not always popular. You have to make decisions to do what’s right even if they don’t like it. If a leader feels pressure from those under them to do what’s wrong, he must stand up to it and make a godly decision.

5. He shall not multiply wives to himself

“…he shall not multiply wives to himself, that his [mind and] heart turn not away.” (Deut. 17:17) God’s perfect plan for a man is to have ONE wife and to be faithful to her all of their lives. If a leader is unfaithful to his wife, it follows that he will NOT be faithful to anyone under his leadership. Many a man has destroyed his own life, lost the respect of others, and lost his position by being unrestrained in this area of the flesh. Even Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, did not follow God’s advice for his life. Because he had so many wives and concubines, he never found, nor enjoyed the company of, the perfect wife. The many wives caused only strife and division in his life and led him off into idolatry, which was devastating for the entire nation.

6. He shall not greatly multiply to himself silver and gold (Deut. 17:17)

Jesus said that we all have the choice to make for God OR mammon. The love of money is the root of ALL evil. If a man loves money too much, he will NOT be a good leader. He will make selfish ungodly decisions that will rob from those he leads. Pursuing wealth and riches is greed and idolatry. Accumulating wealth results in pride, arrogance, selfishness, heartlessness and looking upon and disregarding the welfare of on others. A great leader honors God above money and things and he makes decisions that bless the family and bless the people and/or bless the nation!

7. He shall write a copy of the law in a book, and it shall be with him to read all the days of his life (Deut. 17:18-20)

Solomon had everything going for him, but he did all the things God said not to do. When he became rich, built up a large army of men and horses, and married many wives, then his own heart turned from God. Out of Solomon’s sin came Israel’s disobedience, followed by their division and captivity. A great husband, father, minister, boss, and/or leader, must be a man of God’s word. He must have his own Bible, keep it with him wherever he goes, read it every day, and obey it. God’s word must be hidden in his heart so that he may learn to reverently fear God all the days of his life and to keep His Law. When you respect God’s word, you respect Him; when you respect Him, you obey Him: you will not exalt yourself, in your heart or mind, above others, or forget God in the day of prosperity. The only way to prosper is to know God’s will, and the only way to know his will is through His word.

 

The Prophets Longed For What We Have Now

Praised (honored, blessed) be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah)! By His boundless mercy we have been born again to an ever-living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 [Born anew] into an inheritance which is beyond the reach of change and decay [imperishable], unsullied and unfading, reserved in heaven for you, 5 Who are being guarded (garrisoned) by God’s power through [your] faith [till you fully inherit that final] salvation that is ready to be revealed [for you] in the last time. 6 [You should] be exceedingly glad on this account, though now for a little while you may be distressed by trials and suffer temptations, 7 So that [the genuineness] of your faith may be tested, [your faith] which is infinitely more precious than the perishable gold which is tested and purified by fire. [This proving of your faith is intended] to redound to [your] praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) is revealed. 8 Without having seen Him, you love Him; though you do not [even] now see Him, you believe in Him and exult and thrill with inexpressible and glorious (triumphant, heavenly) joy. 9 [At the same time] you receive the result (outcome, consummation) of your faith, the salvation of your souls.  1 Peter 1:3-9 AMP

All those, who have received Jesus as Lord and Savior, have every reason to rejoice and praise the Father for the great things He has done for us through Jesus. By His boundless mercy, we are born anew into an imperishable inheritance, reserved in heaven for us. We are being guarded by God’s power through our faith until we get to heaven and enjoy the fullness of our salvation. This great future should give us hope and make us glad, even though we may go through trials and suffer temptations here on earth. The genuineness of our faith is being tested like gold, which is purified by fire, and will be commended by Jesus when we see him. We haven’t seen Him and yet He is real to us through faith – we love Him and believe in Him and exult with heavenly joy. At the same time, His Spirit is working in us and bringing us closer to Him.

The prophets, who prophesied of the grace (divine blessing) which was intended for you, searched and inquired earnestly about this salvation. 11 They sought [to find out] to whom or when this was to come which the Spirit of Christ working within them was indicating when He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that should follow [them]. 12 It was then disclosed to them that the services they were rendering were not meant for themselves and their period of time, but for you. [It is these very] things which have now already been made known plainly to you by those who preached the good news (the Gospel) to you by the [same] Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Into these things [the very] angels long to look!  1 Peter 1:10-12 AMP

The prophets who prophesied about Jesus – His life, death, burial and resurrection – prophesied by the Spirit of God; not by their own will. 2 Peter 1:20-21 AMP says: “[Yet] first [you must] understand this, that no prophecy of Scripture is [a matter] of any personal or private or special interpretation (loosening, solving). 21 For no prophecy ever originated because some man willed it [to do so — it never came by human impulse], but men spoke from God who were borne along (moved and impelled) by the Holy Spirit.”

The Spirit of Christ worked in them and predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. They searched and earnestly inquired and sought to find out who the Messiah was and when He would appear, but it was revealed to them that it was not for them or for their time period. How blessed are we, that we should be so privileged to live in this Church dispensation! What a privilege we have, to not only be able to have seen the fulfillment of these prophecies, which have already taken place, and passed down to us by those who actually walked with Jesus; but to be recipients of God’s grace and to experience the brand new heart that King David and the prophet Ezekiel spoke of!

Even the angels long to look into these things and experience what we experience, but they cannot. We are the redeemed of God! How truly blessed we are!  Words could never express the blessing and privilege of this new life: being washed in His blood, the forgiveness of sin, sin having no more power over us, walking in His grace and resurrection life, filled with His Spirit, seated in heavenly places with Jesus, anointed with power and authority, children of the Most High and welcomed into His family.

For all that God has done for us – the least we can do is to fully appreciate what we have and to serve Him with all of our heart. We are purchased with the precious blood of Christ! He is holy and so we must be holy, too.

So brace up your minds; be sober (circumspect, morally alert); set your hope wholly and unchangeably on the grace (divine favor) that is coming to you when Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is revealed. 14 [Live] as children of obedience [to God]; do not conform yourselves to the evil desires [that governed you] in your former ignorance [when you did not know the requirements of the Gospel]. 15 But as the One Who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all your conduct and manner of living. 16 For it is written, You shall be holy, for I am holy. 17 And if you call upon Him as [your] Father Who judges each one impartially according to what he does, [then] you should conduct yourselves with true reverence throughout the time of your temporary residence [on the earth, whether long or short]. 18 You must know (recognize) that you were redeemed (ransomed) from the useless (fruitless) way of living inherited by tradition from [your] forefathers, not with corruptible things [such as] silver and gold, 19 But [you were purchased] with the precious blood of Christ (the Messiah), like that of a [sacrificial] lamb without blemish or spot.  1 Peter 1:13-19 AM

Now the Lord God said, It is not good (sufficient, satisfactory) that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper meet (suitable, adapted, complementary) for him.  Genesis 2:18 AMP

And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam; and while he slept, He took one of his ribs or a part of his side and closed up the [place with] flesh. 22 And the rib or part of his side which the Lord God had taken from the man He built up and made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. 23 Then Adam said, This [creature] is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of a man. 24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and shall become united and cleave to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. 25 And the man and his wife were both naked and were not embarrassed or ashamed in each other’s presence.  Genesis 2:21-25 AMP

God’s plan for man was never for him to be alone. So he created woman, from his side, and made them come together as one.

So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” Genesis 1:27-28 NKJV

That particular union, which can only naturally take place between a male and a female, produces life. So God instituted the family as the first institution.

And did not God make [you and your wife] one [flesh]? Did not One make you and preserve your spirit alive? And why [did God make you two] one? Because He sought a godly offspring [from your union]. Therefore take heed to yourselves, and let no one deal treacherously and be faithless to the wife of his youth.  Malachi 2:15 AMP

The family consists first of a father and a mother. God instituted the covenant of marriage to produce godly offspring. Parents’ responsibilities are not just to make babies out and leave them for others to raise; but rather to raise them in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. In the 21st century that we live in, the family structure has been broken down and destroyed through sin and selfishness; through divorce, infidelity, abortion, same-sex marriage, etc. The breakup of the family has been championed by Hollywood through film, television, sitcoms, soap operas, and the lifestyles of the Hollywood stars, thus destroying the institution God created. The only way back, is through the pages of God’s Holy Word: the father as the head of the home; the mother, the helpmeet – together raising their children.

Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. Proverbs 31:10 NKJV

Since this is Mother’s Day, we want to acknowledge our mothers and all they do for us. We can’t even imagine what it would be like without our mothers. God specially anointed mothers to give that tender loving care and nurturing that is so important for their children’s physical and emotional health. The love of a mother for her child transcends everything, because she not only conceived, but carried that child in her womb for nine months, went through major alterations in her physique in preparation for the arrival of this new life and then after the ultimate experience of giving birth, she is the one to hold and nurse the baby at her breast. The bond between the mother and her baby is one of the strongest and deepest bonds that there is in human relationships.

She seeks wool and flax, And willingly works with her hands. 14 She is like the merchant ships, She brings her food from afar. 15 She also rises while it is yet night, And provides food for her household, And a portion for her maidservants.  
Proverbs 31:13-15 NKJV

She girds herself with strength, And strengthens her arms. 18 She perceives that her merchandise is good, And her lamp does not go out by night.  Proverbs 31:17-18 NKJV

Many woman, today, work outside the home whether by choice or necessity; however, the greatest role a woman can fulfill is that of a Wife and Mother, just as the greatest role a man can fulfill, over and above all else that he does, is that of a Husband and Father. There is nothing like the unconditional love of a mother – the ability to selflessly care for, nurture, educate, and raise her young ones, even as she works, cooks, cleans, and creates. While most people work 9 to 5, a mother’s work is never done. She is up late in preparation for the day ahead and she’s up early with a head start on the day.

Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come. 26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness. 27 She watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.  Proverbs 31:25-27 NKJV

On this Mother’s Day, we salute and acknowledge all mothers who unselfishly and sacrificially have given of themselves to their family. You are loved and appreciated.

Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her: 29 “Many daughters have done well, But you excel them all.” 30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. 31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, And let her own works praise her in the gates.  Proverbs 31:28-31 NKJV

A Prayer for mothers:
Father, in Jesus’ name, we pray a special blessing on mothers today. Pour on them the oil of joy from heaven. Strengthen them and flood their hearts with your love.

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.  Ephesians 6:10-18 KJV

 

1.  Standing on the promises

God has made us many wonderful promises, but His promises won’t do anything for you, personally, unless and until you believe His word and stand on it. He has already done the giving – you need to do the receiving. Remember this: God does not lie and cannot lie.

God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?  Numbers 23:19 KJV

 

2.  Keep praising and worshipping your way to victory

…for the joy of the Lord is your strength.  Nehemiah 8:10 KJV

As long as you are praising and worshipping God, you can keep your eyes on Him and His promises. The joy of the Lord is your strength! The devil tries to get you to take your eyes off God and His Word. If the devil can steal your joy, he will be able to steal your stuff.

And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. 26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.  Acts 16:25-26 KJV

When you worship God, bands are loosed.

 

3.  Keep an attitude of gratitude

All these curses shall come upon you and shall pursue you and overtake you till you are destroyed, because you do not obey the voice of the Lord your God, to keep His commandments and His statutes which He commanded you. 46 They shall be upon you for a sign [of warning to other nations] and for a wonder, and upon your descendants forever. 47 Because you did not serve the Lord your God with joyfulness of [mind and] heart [in gratitude] for the abundance of all [with which He had blessed you].   Deuteronomy 28:45-47 AMP

If you have a bad attitude, you will miss out on the blessings God has for you. Serve God with joyfulness in your heart and mind. Be thankful for all He has blessed you with and show Him your thankfulness. Show it in your mouth and in your giving. Think back on all your victories. Remind yourself of all that God has done for you. Testify – talk about your victories. Tell others.

 

4.  Stay consistent in your commitment to walking out the promises of God

 

1. Church attendance – don’t forsake gathering together

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.  Hebrews 10:24-25 KJV

We need each other. We need to stand together and worship together, and encourage each other, and stir each other up to do good – to walk in love, and do good works.

 

1.  Fellowship with the believers – don’t be a loner

That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.  1 John 1:3 KJV

 

1.  Prayer

Rejoice and exult in hope; be steadfast and patient in suffering and tribulation; be constant in prayer.  Romans 12:12 AMP

 

1.  Study the word

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.  2 Timothy 2:15 KJV

 

1.  Walking in love and forgiveness

And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.  Mark 11:25-26 KJV

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.  1 John 4:19-21 KJV

 

1.  Giving – keep giving

But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.  2 Corinthians 9:6-7 KJV

 

1.  Be a witness and demonstrate the power of the resurrection

 

(For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) 3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.  1 John 1:2-4 KJV

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.  Ephesians 6:10-18 KJV

1.  Standing on the promises 

God has made us many wonderful promises, but His promises won’t do anything for you, personally, unless and until you believe His word and stand on it. He has already done the giving – you need to do the receiving. Remember this: God does not lie and cannot lie.

God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?  Numbers 23:19 KJV

2.  Keep praising and worshipping your way to victory

…for the joy of the Lord is your strength.  Nehemiah 8:10 KJV

As long as you are praising and worshipping God, you can keep your eyes on Him and His promises. The joy of the Lord is your strength! The devil tries to get you to take your eyes off God and His Word. If the devil can steal your joy, he will be able to steal your stuff.

And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. 26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.  Acts 16:25-26 KJV

When you worship God, bands are loosed.

3.  Keep an attitude of gratitude 

All these curses shall come upon you and shall pursue you and overtake you till you are destroyed, because you do not obey the voice of the Lord your God, to keep His commandments and His statutes which He commanded you. 46 They shall be upon you for a sign [of warning to other nations] and for a wonder, and upon your descendants forever. 47 Because you did not serve the Lord your God with joyfulness of [mind and] heart [in gratitude] for the abundance of all [with which He had blessed you].   Deuteronomy 28:45-47 AMP

If you have a bad attitude, you will miss out on the blessings God has for you. Serve God with joyfulness in your heart and mind. Be thankful for all He has blessed you with and show Him your thankfulness. Show it in your mouth and in your giving. Think back on all your victories. Remind yourself of all that God has done for you. Testify – talk about your victories. Tell others.

4.  Stay consistent in your commitment to walking out the promises of Go 
5. Church attendance – don’t forsake gathering together

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.  Hebrews 10:24-25 KJV

We need each other. We need to stand together and worship together, and encourage each other, and stir each other up to do good – to walk in love, and do good works.

1.  Fellowship with the believers – don’t be a loner

That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.  1 John 1:3 KJV

1.  Prayer

Rejoice and exult in hope; be steadfast and patient in suffering and tribulation; be constant in prayer.  Romans 12:12 AMP

1.  Study the word

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.  2 Timothy 2:15 KJV

1.  Walking in love and forgiveness

And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.  Mark 11:25-26 KJV

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. 1 John 4:19-21 KJV

1.  Giving – keep giving

But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.  2 Corinthians 9:6-7 KJV

1.  Be a witness and demonstrate the power of the resurrection

(For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) 3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.  1 John 1:2-4 KJV

1. Training:

“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” Ephesians 4:11-16

 

Why do people need to be trained for ministry/to fulfill their calling?

To mature people.

Because there’s wrong doctrine.

Because of cunning, crafty, and deceitful men.

So we can be aware of our place in the Body of Christ.

 

“But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus.” Acts19:9

 

At RBI, RSW, RSG, and RBIE we train men and women, who are hungry for the Word of God and thirsty for His presence, to be enabled to step into their God-given calling…

 

1. Mobilization:

“And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” Matthew 9:35-38

 

How do we mobilize people to take the Harvest?

To “mobilize” means to “put in a state of readiness for active service, to use one’s energies for action.”

 

Mobilization refers to any event by which God’s people are awakened and kept moving and growing until they find their place of strategic involvement.

 

Are you Need-Oriented or Mandate-Oriented?

 

“And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15 

 

A Need-Oriented ministry becomes overwhelmed by the many needs around them.  Eventually they become need-controlled and even manipulated by them.

 

A Mandate-Oriented ministry is God-directed – influenced and mobilized by the power of God, not the manipulation of men or their needs.

 

Sir Isaac Newton: The first law of motion was that…”A body in motion tends to remain in motion and a body at rest tends to remain at rest.”  This is true spiritually also.

 

Passivity is unconcern, inaction, unresponsiveness , indifference, unemotional, unfeeling.

We cannot be passive, inactive, and indifferent when it involves the work of the Lord.

 

People who are Trained and Mobilized…

– Recognize that they are under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

– Know the meaning of the Great Commission.

– Know their place in the Body of Christ – they have heavenly goals, vision, and direction.

– Have a singleness of vision.

– Are not consumed by the cares and involvements of the world.

– Are not afraid to become involved

– Don’t have leadership that does everything themselves and prevents their involvement.

– Don’t live in the past

– Don’t walk in the flesh, but in the Spirit.

•   When a person walks in the flesh, they cannot accomplish spiritual goals.
•   The flesh prevents you from doing “that which you would do” (Romans 7:15).
•   Frustration, division, and unresolved conflicts are all signs that a person is walking in the flesh.

– Sin is not a part of their life.

•   Sin prohibits the flow of God’s anointing

– Are not discouraged.

• Discouragement causes passivity and the people become unstable and disloyal.

 

For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called; But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;  And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are. That no flesh should glory in His presence. I Corinthians 1:26-29 

 

The New Testament Church was a mobilized group of people.

They were ministering daily in the temple and in every house (Acts 5:42). 

They were praising and worshiping God, and the Lord was increasing their number daily (Acts 2:47).

Even persecution did not dampen their enthusiasm. Persecution resulted in the scattering of their membership but…”Therefore they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the Word.” (Acts 8:4).

1. Two experiences that take place.
   a. Acts 8:5-17
   b. John 4:10-14 KJV – “Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. 11 The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water? 12 Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle? 13 Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: 14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.”
   c. The new birth is a well of water springing up.
   d. John 7:37-39 KJV – “In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. 38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. 39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)” 
   e. The baptism in the Holy Spirit is rivers of living water flowing out of your belly.
2. Look to the Greater One.
   a. You need to look to the Greater One who is living on the inside of you.
   b. 1 Corinthians 6:19 KJV – “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?”
   c. 2 Corinthians 6:16 KJV – “And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.”
   d. John 14:26 KJV – “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”
   e. John 15:7 KJV – “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” 
   f. John 16:13-15 AMPC –“But when He, the Spirit of Truth (the Truth-giving Spirit) comes, He will guide you into all the Truth (the whole, full Truth). For He will not speak His own message [on His own authority]; but He will tell whatever He hears [from the Father; He will give the message that has been given to Him], and He will announce and declare to you the things that are to come [that will happen in the future]. 14 He will honor and glorify Me, because He will take of (receive, draw upon) what is Mine and will reveal (declare, disclose, transmit) it to you. 15 Everything that the Father has is Mine. That is what I meant when I said that He [the Spirit] will take the things that are Mine and will reveal (declare, disclose, transmit) it to you.”
   g. 1 John 3:20-22 AMPC – “Whenever our hearts in [tormenting] self-accusation make us feel guilty and condemn us. [For we are in God’s hands.] For He is above and greater than our consciences (our hearts), and He knows (perceives and understands) everything [nothing is hidden from Him]. 21 And, beloved, if our consciences (our hearts) do not accuse us [if they do not make us feel guilty and condemn us], we have confidence (complete assurance and boldness) before God, 22 And we receive from Him whatever we ask, because we [watchfully] obey His orders [observe His suggestions and injunctions, follow His plan for us] and [habitually] practice what is pleasing to Him.”
   h. John 16:23 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.”
   i. 1 Timothy 4:1-2 KJV – “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron.”
   j. Seared consciences.
3. The voice of the Holy Spirit. 
   a. Acts 10:19 KJV – “While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.”
   b. The Holy Spirit said.
   c. Acts 11:12 KJV – “And the spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man’s house.”
   d. The Spirit bade me go.
   e. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22 KJV – “Rejoice evermore. 17 Pray without ceasing. 18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 19 Quench not the Spirit. 20 Despise not prophesyings. 21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.”
   f. 1 Corinthians 14:10 KJV – “There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.”
   g. Be sure you are listening to the right voice.

Foundation Scripture:
Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. 14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: 15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. 16 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. James 5:13-16 KJV

We Have Been Made the Righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.
2 Corinthians 5:21 KJV – “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
Romans 10:10 KJV – “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
Righteousness is the ability to stand in the presence of the Lord without fear, guilt or condemnation.

Confidence Toward God.
1 John 3:19-23 KJV – “And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. 20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. 21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. 22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. 23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.”
We know we are walking in the truth when we walk in love toward others.
If our heart does not convict us, then we have confidence toward God.
When we please Him, we receive from Him whatever we ask.

The Lord Hears the Prayers of the Righteous.
Proverbs 15:29 KJV – “The Lord is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.”
1 Peter 3:10-12
The Lord is watching over the righteous and He hears and answers their prayers.
Psalm 34:15-19
No matter what you’re going through, or how many times you go through it, the Lord is there to deliver you once again.
Psalm 37:23-24 KJV – “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way. 24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.”

Come by Faith; Come Boldly.
Hebrews 4:14-16 KJV – “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
Hold fast to your confession of faith in Him and His Word.
Come boldly to ask and obtain His mercy, grace, and help.

Pray in Accordance with His Word.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 KJV – “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”
1 John 5:14-15 KJV – “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.”
If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
We know if He hears us, He answers our prayers.
God’s will is His Word.
Isaiah 55:11 KJV – “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”
Pray the Word of God. It will produce results.

God’s Will is His Word.
2 Peter 3:9 KJV – “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” God’s will is that ALL should repent and be saved.
Matthew 8:2-3 KJV – “And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. 3 And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.”
God’s will is that bodies should be healed.
Mark 7:25-30
Healing is the children’s bread.
3 John 1:2 KJV – “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.”
God’s will is for you to prosper: spirit, soul, and body.
Psalm 35:27 KJV – “Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the Lord be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.”

Pray for One Another – Help Bear One Another’s Burdens.
Galatians 6:1-5 AMPC
Pray for one another.
Bring correction in humility, when required.
Help others, who need help, to carry their big load.
Also, each one needs to work on carrying their own little load of responsibilities.

Foundation Scriptures: 

For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off. 12 It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? 13 Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? 14 But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it. 15 See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil.  Deuteronomy 30:11-15 KJV

 

I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: 20 That thou mayest love the Lord thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.  Deuteronomy 30:19-20 KJV

 

Destroyed for Lack of Knowledge.

In life, and at one time or another, people have good or bad experiences.

People often feel that they deserve the good, but not the bad.

They expect good things to happen, but are not thankful when they do.

When bad things happen, they are upset or angry. Many times, they blame it on God.

People believe wrong things about their life, because they are ignorant of God’s Word; even some Christians.

God has not hidden anything – He has laid out in His Word how we can prosper in every area of life.

Hosea 4:6 KJV – “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.”

God says that His people lack knowledge, because they have rejected His knowledge.

People can’t receive the blessings God offers when they have rejected or ignored God and His Word.

 

We Are Not in Heaven Yet.

God is a good God and the devil is a bad devil.

Matthew 7:11 KJV – “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?”

James 1:17 KJV – “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”

John 10:10 KJV – “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”

God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – is the source and origin of life, blessing, and all that is good.

He gives life, preserves life, restores life, and prolongs it by His power.

When Adam relinquished his God-given dominion to the devil, then death, cursing, and evil began to operate in the earth and in the lives of every person born on the earth.

When we chose Jesus, we choose Life.

We are translated out of the kingdom of darkness, and into the Kingdom of Light (Colossians 1:13).

Jesus defeated the devil, but the devil still has dominion, or authority, over those who are still in his kingdom – the kingdom of darkness.

 

It is Your Choice.

God tells us, in His Word, that we have options here on the earth.

We don’t have to wait for heaven, to have life, or be blessed.

He tells us that we are the ones who can, and should, choose.

The options are: Life, blessing, and good. Or death, cursing, and evil.

By default, if you don’t actively choose Life, then death, cursing, and evil will try to do its thing in your life.

Do not tolerate death, cursing, or evil, in your life or your home.

Choose Life!

John 1:4 KJV – “In him was life; and the life was the light of men.”

Jesus offers us eternal life.

When you choose Jesus, you choose Life for the first time.

When we belong to God, we can begin to walk in His blessings.

God wants to bless you.

Choose blessing!

Choose good things!

 

Choose Life.

You choose life, good and blessing, by loving God, obeying Him, and cleaving to Him.

1 Corinthians 8:3 AMPC – “But if one loves God truly [with affectionate reverence, prompt obedience, and grateful recognition of His blessing], he is known by God [recognized as worthy of His intimacy and love, and he is owned by Him].”

Love God – with affectionate reverence.

Mark 12:30 KJV – “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.”

Obey Him – promptly obey Him; submit yourself to His Word.

Cleave to Him – cling to Him – hold fast to Him.

Never forsake Him, in your heart and in practice (what you say and do).

Romans 12:9 AMPC – “[Let your] love be sincere (a real thing); hate what is evil [loathe all ungodliness, turn in horror from wickedness], but hold fast to that which is good.”

Love sincerely; hate evil; hold onto what is good.

Trust and rely on Him in all things.

If you do these things, you will be blessed.