It doesn’t matter what or who comes against you to destroy you if you trust God’s Word. A whole army of the enemy is no match for the army of angels that surround you to protect you! Rodney Howard Browne explains that you cannot see them (unless God supernaturally opens your eyes), but they are there nonetheless.

And there were four leprous men at the entering in of the gate: and they said one to another, why sit we here until we die? If we say, We will enter into the city, then the famine is in the city, and we shall die there: and if we sit still here, we die also. Now therefore come, and let us fall unto the host of the Syrians: if they save us alive, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall but die.

And they rose up in the twilight, to go unto the camp of the Syrians.” and when they were come to the uttermost part of the camp of Syria, behold, there was no man there. For the Lord had made the host of the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses, even the noise of a great host.” and they said one to another, Lo, the king of Israel hath hired against us the kings of the Hittites, and the kings of the Egyptians, to come upon us. Wherefore they arose and fled in the twilight, and left their tents, and their horses, and their asses, even the camp as it was, and fled for their life.

2 KINGS 7:3-7

When God is on your side, armies will flee in terror before you. It doesn’t make sense in the natural, but it is a reality. Rodney Howard Brown explains that this is not going to happen for you if you do not believe God’s Word. You must put your faith and trust in God’s Word and angels will work on your behalf.

Notice the last part of verse 11 in The Amplified Bible. They will defend and preserve you in all your ways [of obedience and service]. That’s why you want to make sure that you’re obeying Him and serving Him. The angels of the Lord are there, but they cannot defend you in your ways of disobedience. You can’t be smoking crack and asking your angel to play lookout!

Make sure that you’re obeying God. Make sure that you’re doing everything you know how to do to walk in the plan and the purpose of God for your life. Rodney Howard Browne teaches that when you obey God, the enemy cannot touch you, because the hand of God is upon your life.

This is crucial: God’s protection is in His presence. You must stay in His presence in order to be under His protection. Sin removes you from His presence and His protection. Now look to the next verses, Psalm 91:12-14 (AMP):

They shall bear you up on their hands, lest you dash your foot against a stone. You shall tread upon the lion and adder; the young lion and the serpent shall you trample underfoot.

Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore, I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he knows and understands My name [has a personal knowledge of My mercy, love, and kindness — trusts and relies on Me, knowing I will never forsake him, no, never].

Yesterday we checked out the words of the soothsayer Amos who expected a famine—not one of hunger for literal food or for water. Amos foresaw a famine for hearing God’s truth announced.

“Behold, days are coming,” declares the Lord GOD,. Not a famine for bread or a thirst for water,. But rather for hearing the words of the LORD. They’ll go to and fro to find the word of the LORD,. But they won’t find it.” ( Amos 8:11-12 ). Unless you are an exception and you end up under the sound of trustworthy, pointed, deep, and bold proclamations of God’s written Word week after week, you may admit that you’re in the middle of that famine.

Whether you realize it or not, the toll it is taking on you and those you like is just devastating. Let’s recommit ourselves to breaking that famine.

First, pray that God will force a resurrection in the hearts of His people—a revival of interest in the private reading and studying of His Word. Pray for seminaries where God’s ministers are being trained to handle and declare the Truth. Pray for your pastor—for adequate time to be spent in the study, preparing. And then for bravery to “preach the Word” with authority.

Infrequently do congregations get more serious about spiritual things than their priest, so pray for a renewing of fervour. 2nd , start to nourish yourself in the Scriptures.

Get serious about “fixing your own religious meals” instead of depending on some other person to prepare all those meals for you. Don’t allow yourself to be happy with non secular fast food served by shallow, slipshod communicators. Third, consider beginning a Bible class in your own house. Nice things can happen in settings like that. There’s a large amount of non secular nourishment to be gained in groups committed to learning and growing together. 

God does not react ; He plans. He planned creation.

He planned the raising up of a country from whom He would send the Messiah. Rodney Howard Browne explains that He planned the approaching of Jesus and his expiration on the cross. He planned our redemption even before He made the globe. ( Revelation 13:8 ). And He planned a place for us in heaven. It isn’t difficult to understand that God has a plan for our lives because that is as per His nature. He did not create us, drop us into the world, and say, “Do the best you can.” Rodney Howard Browne points out that he’s got a special plan for every one of us – He relates to us as individuals and endows us with unique non secular gifts and callings. Paul knew that God had called him in particular to be an apostle ( one Corinthians eleven ).

What did God considering when He made you? What were His plans for your vocation, how you would serve Him, and whether or not you are to marry? You may be guaranteed that God has a plan for each moment of your life. Thru His Word and the Spirit, he is announcing, “I am reliably here to meet your requirements. I made you. I saved you. I have got a purpose and design for your life. I am here to support you and to allow you to do all I am considering for your life. And I can never leave you.” the sole life that will bring God honor is the life surrendered to Him and His purpose. Rodney Howard Browne teaches to cooperate with His plan for you, which is the way to find joy, peace, and deep satisfaction.

God wants you to achieve success.

This does not mean he has got an automated plan for you to become rich or famous, though either of these might be included in His final design for your life. God’s idea of success starts at the Cross where Jesus died. Rodney Howard Browne explains that success isn’t measured by what you do in life or what you gain financially. Your love and attention to Jesus Christ measure your success.

In one Samuel fifteen, we read how Saul decided he would provide a sacrifice that only God’s anointed clergyman was commissioned to give. Since Samuel wasn’t present, Saul felt justified in his actions and made the sacrifice himself. Rodney Howard Browne this one act of insubordination cost Saul the dominion. Here is a lesson we want to learn if we’re going to be successful.

God anoints certain folk to do certain things. He has placed leaders in our lives for a reason. If we wish to lead, we must first learn how to follow. If you fail to submit to your God-given authority, then success from God’s perspective will be troublesome to attain. Rodney Howard Browne teaches that a successful person has learned humility to the point that he no longer thinks about whether he has gained it or not. We are called to do the will of God, but this only can be done at the feet of Christ. One more thing.

If I were to ask you how many friends you had, you may mention a large group of people, each of whom you call “friend.” However, if I were to ask how many really knew you—heart and soul—I wonder if anyone in that group would qualify. The sad truth is, genuine friendship has become a rare commodity in this world.

What does it take to be a true friend? There could be no finer example than the relationship between David and Jonathan. These two knew what was required to maintain a healthy friendship, and their commitment to that relationship is legendary.

Three things characterized their friendship. First, they had a mutual respect for one another. This is a point that often gets lost in today’s world. Rodney Howard Browne points out that the reality is that we can never maintain a genuine friendship with anyone whom we do not completely respect.

Second, David and Jonathan shared an emotional love for one another. There was nothing sexual or inappropriate about their feelings; rather, they simply rejoiced in the comradery that God had brought together.

Third, they maintained a genuine commitment to each other. These were no “fair weather friends.” In fact, their bond even withstood the attempts of Jonathan’s father to kill David. (1 Samuel 23:15-17) Jonathan refused to allow anything to come between him and his friend.

Think about your best friend. Do you have a mutual respect? Do you feel an emotional bond between you? Are you both committed to your friendship? One true companion is a blessing from God. (Proverbs 18:24) Praise Him for the gift of your friend.

• 1.
• And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.

• 2.
• And Saul took him that day, and would let him go no more home to his father’s house.

• 3.
• Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.

• 4.
• And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle.

• 5.
• And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, and behaved himself wisely : and Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul’s servants.

• 6.
• And it came to pass as they came , when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of musick.

• 7.
• And the women answered one another as they played , and said , Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.

• 8.
• And Saul was very wroth , and the saying displeased him; and he said , They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom?

• 9.
• And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.

• 10.
• And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as at other times: and there was a javelin in Saul’s hand.

• 11.
• And Saul cast the javelin; for he said , I will smite David even to the wall with it. And David avoided out of his presence twice.

• 12.
• And Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, and was departed from Saul.

• 13.
• Therefore Saul removed him from him, and made him his captain over a thousand; and he went out and came in before the people.

• 14.
• And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the LORD was with him.

• 15.
• Wherefore when Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely , he was afraid of him.

• 16.
• But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in before them.

• 17.
• And Saul said to David, Behold my elder daughter Merab, her will I give thee to wife: only be thou valiant for me, and fight the LORD’S battles. For Saul said , Let not mine hand be upon him, but let the hand of the Philistines be upon him.

• 18.
• And David said unto Saul, Who am I? and what is my life, or my father’s family in Israel, that I should be son in law to the king?

• 19.
• But it came to pass at the time when Merab Saul’s daughter should have been given to David, that she was given unto Adriel the Meholathite to wife.

• 20.
• And Michal Saul’s daughter loved David: and they told Saul, and the thing pleased him.

• 21.
• And Saul said , I will give him her, that she may be a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him. Wherefore Saul said to David, Thou shalt this day be my son in law in the one of the twain.

• 22.
• And Saul commanded his servants, saying, Commune with David secretly, and say , Behold, the king hath delight in thee, and all his servants love thee: now therefore be the king’s son in law .

• 23.
• And Saul’s servants spake those words in the ears of David. And David said , Seemeth it to you a light thing to be a king’s son in law , seeing that I am a poor man, and lightly esteemed ?

• 24.
• And the servants of Saul told him, saying , On this manner spake David.

• 25.
• And Saul said , Thus shall ye say to David, The king desireth not any dowry, but an hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to be avenged of the king’s enemies . But Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines.

• 26.
• And when his servants told David these words, it pleased David well to be the king’s son in law : and the days were not expired .

• 27.
• Wherefore David arose and went , he and his men, and slew of the Philistines two hundred men; and David brought their foreskins, and they gave them in full tale to the king, that he might be the king’s son in law . And Saul gave him Michal his daughter to wife.

• 28.
• And Saul saw and knew that the LORD was with David, and that Michal Saul’s daughter loved him.

• 29.
• And Saul was yet the more afraid of David; and Saul became David’s enemy continually.

• 30.
• Rodney Howard Browne points out that the princes of the Philistines went forth : and it came to pass, after they went forth , that David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul; so that his name was much set by .

MY ABSOLUTES—THE THINGS I CANNOT COMPROMISE
THE DEITY OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

Foundation Scriptures: John 1:1-2; John 8:58; John 10:30

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  John 1:1-2 NKJV

Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.”  John 8:58 NKJV

I and the Father are One.  John 10:30 AMP

Rodney Howard Browne discusses His Virgin Birth.

1. Isaiah 7:14 AMP—Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign: Behold, the young woman who is unmarried and a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel [God with us].
2. Luke 1:26-38—The angel visits Mary
3. Matthew 1:18-23—The angel comes to Joseph in a dream: Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.

Rodney Howard Browne discusses His Sinless Life.

1. Isaiah 53:9 AMP—And they assigned Him a grave with the wicked, and with a rich man in His death, although He had done no violence, neither was any deceit in His mouth.
2. 1 John 3:5 NKJV—And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin.
3. Hebrews 7:26-28—Jesus, our perfect High Priest.
4. 1 Peter 2:22 AMP—He was guilty of no sin, neither was deceit (guile) ever found on His lips.

Rodney Howard Browne teaches about His Miracles.

1. Acts 2:22 AMP—You men of Israel, listen to what I have to say: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man accredited and pointed out and shown forth and commended and attested to you by God by the mighty works and [the power of performing] wonders and signs which God worked through Him [right] in your midst, as you yourselves know.
2. Acts 10:38 KJV—How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
3. John 2:11
4. John 2:23
5. John 3:1-2
6. John 11:47
7. John 20:30-31 NKJV—And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.

His Substitutionary Work at the Cross.

1. 2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJV—For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
2. Hebrews 9:28a NKJV—So Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many.
3. 1 Peter 2:24a NKJV—Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness.
4. 1 John 2:2 NKJV—And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.
5. 1 John 4:10 NKJV—In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
6. Propitiation: an atonement; to render favorable; favorable, gracious, kind. The earliest recorded form of the word is propitiatorium: the mercy seat, place of atonement.
7. Colossians 1:22 AMP—Yet now has [Christ, the Messiah] reconciled [you to God] in the body of His flesh through death, in order to present you holy and faultless and irreproachable in His [the Father’s] presence.
8. Hebrews 2:17 NKJV—Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.
9. Romans 4:24b-25—Jesus—betrayed and put to death because of our misdeeds and raised to secure our justification.
10. 2 Timothy 2:11 AMP—The saying is sure and worthy of confidence: If we have died with Him, we shall also live with Him.
11. Colossians 1:13-14 NKJV—He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.
12. Revelation 1:5-6—Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood.

His Bodily Resurrection from the Dead.

1. Matthew 28:5-6 NKJV—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. Luke 24:36-43—Jesus shows Himself alive to His disciples after the resurrection.
2. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4—He was buried, and rose again the third day.
3. Acts 2:23-28—God raised Jesus from the dead, because it was not possible for death to hold Him.

His Exaltation to the Right Hand of God.

1. Acts 1:9-11—This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”
2. Acts 2:32-36—Jesus was exalted to the right hand of God.
3. Hebrews 1:1-3—Jesus appointed Heir of all things.
4. Philippians 2:9-11 NKJV—Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.