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

Foundation Scriptures: John 14:16-19; John 14:26; John 15:26; John 16:7-14

And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever — 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.  18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. Indwelling of the Father and the Son 19 “A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also.  John 14:16-19 NKJV

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.
John 14:26 NKJV

“But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.  John 15:26 NKJV

Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.  8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:  9 of sin, because they do not believe in Me;  10 of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more;  11 of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. 12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.  13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.  14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.  15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.  John 16:7-15 NKJV

•    The Personality of the Holy Spirit:
•    He convicts of sin – John 16:8
•    He teaches – John 14:26
•    He only speaks about Jesus – John 15:26
•    He guides – John 16:13; Romans 8:14
•    He comforts – Acts 9:31
•    He helps our infirmities – Romans 8:26
•    He searches the deep things of God – 1 Corinthians 2:10
•    Omnipresent – everywhere – Psalms 137:7-16
•    Omnipotent – all powerful – Luke 1:37
•    Omniscient – knows all – 1 Corinthians 2:10

•    The Names of the Holy Spirit:
The Spirit of God; the Spirit of Jehovah; the Spirit of Lord Jehovah; the Spirit of the Living God; the Spirit of the Holy God; the Spirit of Jesus Christ; the Spirit of His Son; the Holy Spirit; the Holy Spirit and Fire; the Holy Spirit of Promise; the Spirit of Holiness; the Spirit of Truth; the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding; the Spirit of Counsel and Might; the Spirit of Knowledge and Fear of the Lord; the Spirit of Power, Love and a Sound Mind; the Spirit of Life; the Oil of Gladness; the Spirit of Grace; the Spirit of Grace and Supplication; the Spirit of Glory; the Spirit of Adoption; the Eternal Spirit; the Comforter; the Promise of the Father.

•    The Holy Spirit is a Perfect Gentleman.
•    Matthew 3:16-17 NKJV – When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. 17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
•    Gentleness; tenderness; lowliness; innocence; mildness; peace; purity; patience.
•    Not religious; does not bring heaviness; brings liberty; does not bring bondage.
•    2 Corinthians 3:17-18 NKJV – Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
•    Galatians 5:1-2 NKJV – Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.
•    He does not condemn, but He convicts. (John 16:8)
•    He is love. (1 John 4:8&16)

•    The Symbols of the Holy Spirit:
•    Dove – gentleness
•    Fire – purging
•    Wind – refreshing; energizing
•    Water – thirst quenching
•    Oil – lubrication and fueling
•    Wine – new wine; celebration

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

NAMES OF JESUS – JESUS CHRIST THE MESSIAH

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout [cautiously and carefully observing the divine Law], and looking for the Consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been divinely revealed (communicated) to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). 27 And prompted by the [Holy] Spirit, he came into the temple [enclosure]; and when the parents brought in the little child Jesus to do for Him what was customary according to the Law, 28 [Simeon] took Him up in his arms and praised and thanked God and said, 29 And now, Lord, You are releasing Your servant to depart (leave this world) in peace, according to Your word. 30 For with my [own] eyes I have seen Your Salvation, 31 Which You have ordained and prepared before (in the presence of) all peoples, 32 A Light for revelation to the Gentiles [to disclose what was before unknown] and [to bring] praise and honor and glory to Your people Israel. Luke 2:25-32 AMP

All Jewish baby boys were brought to the priest and dedicated to God as babies. Simeon is the priest who dedicated Jesus. He had a promise from God that he would not die before he saw the Messiah; the Savior Israel was waiting for; the Seed that would bruise the devil’s head as promised in Genesis 3:15. The Messiah’s name is Jesus Christ. Christ means Anointed One or Messiah.

1. Jesus is the Messiah.

– Luke 2:11 AMP- For to you is born this day in the town of David a Savior, Who is Christ (the Messiah) the Lord!

– Hebrews 5:5-6 AMP – So too Christ (the Messiah) did not exalt Himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed and exalted by Him Who said to Him, You are My Son; today I have begotten You; 6 As He says also in another place, You are a Priest [appointed] forever after the order (with the rank) of Melchizedek.

– John 1:40-41 AMP – One of the two who heard what John said and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41 He first sought out and found his own brother Simon and said to him, We have found (discovered) the Messiah! — which translated is the Christ (the Anointed One).

– Luke 4:41 AMP – And demons even came out of many people, screaming and crying out, You are the Son of God! But He rebuked them and would not permit them to speak, because they knew that He was the Christ (the Messiah).

2. He is the Anointed One – anointed to do good.

– Acts 10:38 AMP – How God anointed and consecrated Jesus of Nazareth with the [Holy] Spirit and with strength and ability and power; how He went about doing good and, in particular, curing all who were harassed and oppressed by [the power of] the devil, for God was with Him.

3. The spotless Lamb of God – Christ the Messiah – died and gave His life for us.

– Romans 5:8 AMP – But God shows and clearly proves His [own] love for us by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) died for us.

– 1 Peter 1:19 AMP – But [you were purchased] with the precious blood of Christ (the Messiah), like that of a [sacrificial] lamb without blemish or spot.

– 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.

– Romans 5:17 AMP – For if because of one man’s trespass (lapse, offense) death reigned through that one, much more surely will those who receive [God’s] overflowing grace (unmerited favor) and the free gift of righteousness [putting them into right standing with Himself] reign as kings in life through the one Man Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).

– 1 Peter 3:18 AMP – For Christ [the Messiah Himself] died for sins once for all, the Righteous for the unrighteous (the Just for the unjust, the Innocent for the guilty), that He might bring us to God. In His human body He was put to death, but He was made alive in the Spirit.

4. There is only One way to God for any man or woman on the earth – it is through Jesus Christ the Messiah.

– Acts 15:8-9 AMP – And God, Who is acquainted with and understands the heart, bore witness to them, giving them the Holy Spirit as He also did to us; 9 And He made no difference between us and them, but cleansed their hearts by faith (by a strong and welcome conviction that Jesus is the Messiah, through Whom we obtain eternal salvation in the kingdom of God).

5. There is only one foundation you can lay for your life – Jesus Christ. If you believe in Him you will be born-again.

– 1 Corinthians 3:11 AMP – For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is [already] laid, which is Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).

– 1 John 5:1 AMP – Everyone who believes (adheres to, trusts, and relies on the fact) that Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah) is a born-again child of God; and everyone who loves the Father also loves the one born of Him (His offspring).

6. The Word of God calls liars those who refuse to acknowledge Him as the Christ; the Messiah.

– 1 John 2:22 AMP – Who is [such a] liar as he who denies that Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah)? He is the antichrist (the antagonist of Christ), who [habitually] denies and refuses to acknowledge the Father and the Son.

7. All heaven declares that He is Lord and Messiah and He shall reign forever.

– Revelation 11:15 AMP – The seventh angel then blew [his] trumpet, and there were mighty voices in heaven, shouting, The dominion (kingdom, sovereignty, rule) of the world has now come into the possession and become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ (the Messiah), and He shall reign forever and ever (for the eternities of the eternities)!

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

NAMES OF JESUS – ALMIGHTY GOD

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. John 1:1-4 KJV

Jesus Christ is not just a man. Even when He walked on the earth, He was not merely a man. In the New Testament, He was referred to 88 times as the Son of Man and 47 times as the Son of God. He was God in the form of man – God clothed in human flesh – born of a virgin, conceived by the Holy Spirit.

Most 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. In Revelation 1:8 AMP He says, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, says the Lord God, He Who is and Who was and Who is to come, the Almighty (the Ruler of all).” Jesus has no beginning and He has no end. He is Lord and Ruler over heaven and earth, time, space and matter.

For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father [of Eternity], Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 AMP

Which [appearing] will be shown forth in His own proper time by the blessed, only Sovereign (Ruler), the King of kings and the Lord of lords. 1 Timothy 6:15 AMP

His birth, life, death and resurrection were prophesied and foretold over and over in the Old Testament – that He would be born a child, and yet still be God and Supreme Ruler. There was an appointed time for Him to come forth. When He walked on this earth, even though His coming was prophesied, no one really truly knew who He was or understood what He came to do. Now, after the fact, we celebrate who He is and what He has done for us! We see that He is not just a man, but He is truly Almighty God!

For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; 10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. Colossians 2:9-10 NKJV

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Philippians 2:5-8 KJV

But to those who are called, whether Jew or Greek (Gentile), Christ [is] the Power of God and the Wisdom of God. 1 Corinthians 1:24 AMP

Even though Jesus is God, He humbled Himself to come down to the earth to be born a man and to die on the cross on our behalf. In Him dwells the fullness of God in the body of a man! In Him is the Power of God and the Wisdom of God; He is the head of all principalities and powers. With Him and in Him, we are perfectly complete. We need nothing more than Him.

And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. Revelation 15:3 KJV

They will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will triumph over them; for He is Lord of lords and King of kings — and those with Him and on His side are chosen and called [elected] and loyal and faithful followers. Revelation 17:14 AMP

And on His garment (robe) and on His thigh He has a name (title) inscribed, King Of Kings And Lord Of Lords. Revelation 19:16 AMP

There is no one mightier than He. He is the King of all kings and the Lord of all lords – Almighty God!

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

Foundation Scriptures: 1 Peter 5:1-4

The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: 2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; 3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; 4 and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.

1 Peter 5:1-4 NKJV

I. The Crown of Glory.

• The Crown of Glory is awarded to pastors and elders, who have been faithful ministers of the Gospel.

• The Crown of Glory is for all those who are called of God, who have obeyed God in their calling and who have faithfully served His people.

• Ephesians 4:11-13 NKJV – And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.

• God has called some people to be in full-time ministry. He has called others to serve in a “ministry of helps” capacity.

• 1 Corinthians 12:28 KJV – And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

II. Shepherds of the flock.

• 1 Peter 5:2 says that the people belong to God—they are His sheep; His flock—and do not belong to any man. Jesus is the Chief Shepherd and we are all under-shepherds, who answer directly to Him. When He comes, He will award the Crown of Glory to the shepherds who carried out their responsibilities diligently and in a spirit of love and truth.

• As ministers of the gospel, we are responsible to diligently tend the flock of God; nurturing, guarding and guiding them.

• Ministers must have a good attitude about their calling. The Lord wants you to do it willingly—not by coercion or constraint; not because you have to, or are forced to—do it because you want to do it; do it because you want to please God! That is how God wants it.

• Never minister to God’s people out of a money motive or because of any other selfish reason. Do not calculate what you can get out of it. The AMP says that we should not be dishonorably motivated by the advantages and profits belonging to the office. What we should do is be spontaneous, be cheerful, and be eagerly happy to serve.

• Ministers are in a place of leadership, but 1 Peter 5:3 says that you should never use that authority to dominate others. Never be arrogant, dictatorial, or overbearing and do not bossily tell others what to do.

• Rather, be a good example to the flock; to the congregation. You can be both firm and kind, tenderly showing them the way. Be a pattern and model of Christian living. Live what you believe and practice what you preach!

III. Work Together to Build the Kingdom of God.

• Everyone has their part to do. Leaders are to lead in the Spirit of Christ and the flock is to respect and work with the leadership that the Lord has placed over them.

• 1 Thessalonians 5:12-14 AMP – Now also we beseech you, brethren, get to know those who labor among you [recognize them for what they are, acknowledge and appreciate and respect them all]—your leaders who are over you in the Lord and those who warn and kindly reprove and exhort you. 13 And hold them in very high and most affectionate esteem in [intelligent and sympathetic] appreciation of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 And we earnestly beseech you, brethren, admonish (warn and seriously advise) those who are out of line [the loafers, the disorderly, and the unruly]; encourage the timid and fainthearted, help and give your support to the weak souls, [and] be very patient with everybody [always keeping your temper].

• We do the work, but God is still in charge. He is the boss and He pays the wages!

• 1 Corinthians 3:6-9 AMP – I planted, Apollos watered, but God [all the while] was making it grow and [He] gave the increase. 7 So neither he who plants is anything nor he who waters, but [only] God Who makes it grow and become greater. 8 He who plants and he who waters are equal (one in aim, of the same importance and esteem), yet each shall receive his own reward (wages), according to his own labor. 9 For we are fellow workmen (joint promoters, laborers together) with and for God; you are God’s garden and vineyard and field under cultivation, [you are] God’s building.

• Give it ALL you’ve got, but don’t try to do it in your own strength! Lean on the Lord—He will empower you with superhuman energy!

• Colossians 1:28-29 AMP – Him we preach and proclaim, warning and admonishing everyone and instructing everyone in all wisdom (comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God), that we may present every person mature (full-grown, fully initiated, complete, and perfect) in Christ (the Anointed One). 29 For this I labor [unto weariness], striving with all the superhuman energy which He so mightily enkindles and works within me.

IV. The Reward of Your Labor.

• 1 Corinthians 15:57-58 AMP – But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory [making us conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be firm (steadfast), immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord [always being superior, excelling, doing more than enough in the service of the Lord], knowing and being continually aware that your labor in the Lord is not futile [it is never wasted or to no purpose].

• Hebrews 6:10 AMP – For God is not unrighteous to forget or overlook your labor and the love which you have shown for His name’s sake in ministering to the needs of the saints (His own consecrated people), as you still do.

• 1 Peter 5:4 says that when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.

• The Greek word for “crown” is stephanos, which is the crown awarded at the games. It was made of olive or laurel and soon faded. The Crown of Glory, which the Lord will give to His under-shepherds, is eternal and will outlast the ages.

 

 

 

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

Foundation Scripture:

Then spake Joshua to the Lord in the day when the Lord delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon. 13 And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day. 14 And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the Lord hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the Lord fought for Israel. Joshua 10:12-14 KJV

1. The Lord Fights for Us – the Battle is the Lord’s

a. October 2008 – Phoenix, Arizona

b. Tell the church to speak to the sun

c. Fasting, prayer, and intercession

d. Pray and speak

e. Luke 19:12-13 KJV – He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.

2. The Great Commission:

a. Preach, teach, and demonstrate

b. Mark 16:15-16

c. God confirms His word with signs following

d. Preach, teach, and demonstrate – in that order

3. This is How We Take Territory:

a. Preaching the Gospel brings conversion

b. Teaching the word grows believers – disciples – followers of Jesus

c. When we take territory, the devil uses territory – we do this by changing and transforming hearts

d. This happens by every believer taking their place in the kingdom

e. Each one reach one

f. Each one teach one

g. Make disciples

h. When the lost at any cost

4. We are Living in the Last of the Last Days:

a. Acts 2:1-22

b. Matthew 24:36-51

But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. 37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. 43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. 44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. 45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? 46 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. 47 Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods. 48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; 49 And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; 50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, 51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matthew 24:36-51 KJV

5. The Parable of the Five Wise and the Five Foolish:

a. Matthew 25:1-14

Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. 9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. 11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. 13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. Matthew 25:1-14 KJV

b. We must be ready

c. Could it be that 50% are not ready?

d. Do not be like the foolish virgins – make sure there is oil in your lamp

e. Be full of the Holy Spirit and on fire for Jesus

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

Also I will make him the firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth. Psalms 89:27 AMP

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
John 11:25-26 NKJV

Jesus was the firstborn from the dead. He was not the firstborn from physical death, because Lazarus and others had already been raised up from the dead before Him—He was the firstborn from spiritual death. We were cut off from God, in need of a Savior, so He took our place. We were with Him in His death, burial and resurrection. We were with Him when He took our death and gave us His life. Jesus is the resurrection and the life. Because He died and was raised from the dead, we too can receive this resurrection life if we believe.

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. 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. 19 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, 20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. 21 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled 22 in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight. Colossians 1:13-22 NKJV

Jesus is the firstborn over all creation and He is also the Head and beginning of the Church—the firstborn from the dead. Because He passed from death into life, we can also be born again, born anew, into the family of God, be reconciled to God and made holy and blameless in His sight.

So it is with the resurrection of the dead. [The body] that is sown is perishable and decays, but [the body] that is resurrected is imperishable (immune to decay, immortal). 43 It is sown in dishonor and humiliation; it is raised in honor and glory. It is sown in infirmity and weakness; it is resurrected in strength and endued with power. 44 It is sown a natural (physical) body; it is raised a supernatural (a spiritual) body. [As surely as] there is a physical body, there is also a spiritual body. 45 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 15:42-49 AMP

The first man, Adam, was created alive unto God, but sin caused him to be cut off from God. He died spiritually and then he died physically. The second Adam, Jesus, was born into a physical body and alive unto God. He made the sacrifice, died spiritually and physically, and rose up again into life—never to be touched by death again. Because we are born again, we will never die. Jesus became like us, so we could become like Him.

For those whom He foreknew [of whom He was aware and loved beforehand], He also destined from the beginning [foreordaining them] to be molded into the image of His Son [and share inwardly His likeness], that He might become the firstborn among many brethren. 30 And those whom He thus foreordained, He also called; and those whom He called, He also justified (acquitted, made righteous, putting them into right standing with Himself). And those whom He justified, He also glorified [raising them to a heavenly dignity and condition or state of being]. Romans 8:29-30 AMP

But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, 23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, 24 to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel. Hebrews 12:22-24 NKJV

Jesus was not just the firstborn, He was the firstborn among MANY brethren! Starting with the disciples, we are all the secondborn, thirdborn, etc., all the way to millions and millions born again. We are the Church of the Firstborn—born into the Kingdom of God!

And from Jesus Christ the faithful and trustworthy Witness, the Firstborn of the dead [first to be brought back to life] and the Prince (Ruler) of the kings of the earth. To Him Who ever loves us and has once [for all] loosed and freed us from our sins by His own blood, 6 And formed us into a kingdom (a royal race), priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and the power and the majesty and the dominion throughout the ages and forever and ever. Amen (so be it). Revelation 1:5-6 AMP

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

The Pharisees asked Jesus when the kingdom of God would come. He answered them, “People can’t observe the coming of the kingdom of God. 21 They can’t say, ‘Here it is!’ or ‘There it is!’ You see, the kingdom of God is within you.” Luke 17:20-21 GW

The Kingdom of God is not an earthly kingdom – it’s not a kingdom you can see with your eyes – the Kingdom of God is on the inside of all those who are His born-again children.

However, the Most High does not dwell in houses and temples made with hands; as the prophet says.
Acts 7:48 AMP

God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. Acts 17:24 NKJV

People commonly think that God only lives way up in Heaven, far removed from earth, but He has always been very involved in the affairs of man – He personally came down to earth to save mankind. Ephesians 4:10 says that His presence fills the universe, from the lowest to the highest! Many people think that, on earth, His presence lives in buildings and they go to churches or temples to worship Him and pray to Him. They call the building, “God’s house”, however, God Himself has told us that He doesn’t live in buildings and He doesn’t want to live in buildings; He desires to live in you and in me!

Let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them. Exodus 25:8 AMP

And I will walk in and with and among you and will be your God, and you shall be My people. Leviticus 26:12 AMP

My tabernacle or dwelling place also shall be with them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. Ezekiel 37:27 AMP

God’s desire is to live in the heart of man. He wants to be in us individually and as a group. He wants to be IN us and AMONG us. He wants to surround us with His presence.

And Jesus uttered a loud cry, and breathed out His life. 38 And the curtain [of the Holy of Holies] of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. Mark 15:37-38 AMP

Under the Old Covenant, the presence of God was in the Ark of the Covenant, where the blood of animals was offered for the atonement of the sins of man. When Jesus died, He took His blood to pour it on the Heavenly Holy of Holies so that our sins could be completely washed away. God’s presence moved out of the temple made with the hands of man and He comes to dwell in the heart of all those who receive Him.

Or do you suppose that the Scripture is speaking to no purpose that says, The Spirit Whom He has caused to dwell in us yearns over us and He yearns for the Spirit [to be welcome] with a jealous love? James 4:5 AMP

The Spirit of Truth, Whom the world cannot receive (welcome, take to its heart), because it does not see Him or know and recognize Him. But you know and recognize Him, for He lives with you [constantly] and will be in you. John 14:17 AMP

God has caused His Spirit to live and dwell in us. The Holy Spirit – the very presence of God, Himself, came to live in your heart and my heart! Ecclesiastes 3:11 says that God has planted eternity in man’s heart! God’s very eternal presence dwells in you and in me. Oh what a privilege we have to have Almighty God come and live in us. Don’t you know that if God lives in you, that everything in your life is going to change! He will bring freedom, joy, and peace to your life. His presence will drive out every sin, every sickness, every disease, and every demonic stronghold, if we will let Him have His way. Romans 8:11 says that, “if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, then He who raised Christ from the dead will also quicken – or give life – to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.”

You should know that you yourselves are God’s temple. God’s Spirit lives in you. 17 If you destroy God’s temple, God will destroy you, because God’s temple is holy. You yourselves are God’s temple. 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 ERV

Do you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received [as a Gift] from God? You are not your own, 20 You were bought with a price [purchased with a preciousness and paid for, made His own]. So then, honor God and bring glory to Him in your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 AMP

What agreement [can there be between] a temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God; even as God said, I will dwell in and with and among them and will walk in and with and among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 2 Corinthians 6:16 AMP

If we are born again, our bodies are the holy temple of the Living God! We need to get a revelation of this fact: that God, Himself, lives on the very inside of us. I am sure that if we recognized this fact, and understood that the very God of the universe lives permanently on the inside of us, and that He is with us wherever we go, that we would change our conduct and our speech very quickly.

For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. 19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. Ephesians 2:18-22 NIV

Because of Jesus, we are citizens of the Heavenly Kingdom. We are also His building. All those men and women of faith who love God, including us, are part of God’s building, with Jesus as the Chief Cornerstone. Thank God for the life of God and for His precious presence that lives inside us!

The most valuable thing that the Lord has spoken to me during my internship is that He is Lord over everything; no matter where I am and what is going on.

God has been showing me how to trust Him more for everyday things. I am learning how to be faithful with what God gives me. My goal is to see that young people get a touch from God.